A 10-month investigation by authorities in Jackson County led to the arrest of a local woman on drug charges.

A Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Spokesman says that the department’s Criminal Investigations Division, along with Deputy Jeff Walters, arrested 29-year-old Cynthia Edington, of Brownstown, on Wednesday. She is accused of dealing heroin. Authorities say this arrest stemmed from an investigation that began last April. The investigation was led by Det. Benjamin Rudolph.

Det. Rudolph says that Edington was booked in the Jackson County Jail on a charge of Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, a Level 5 Felony. He noted that Edington is being held, without bond, pending an initial hearing in Jackson Circuit Court.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will begin changing 364 traffic signals in mid-May as part of a statewide effort to significantly reduce crashes at signalized intersections. INDOT Spokesman Harry Maginity says that old units will be removed and new signal heads installed along U.S Highway 31 at Greenwood, U.S 50 at Seymour and State Road 46 at Bloomington.

Maginity says that the new INDOT traffic signals have retro-reflective back-plates with yellow reflective borders. He explains that the black back-plate improves visibility, while the three-inch yellow reflective border alerts drivers of the signal’s presence during a power outage.

INDOT officials noted one Federal Highway Administration study that documented a crash reduction of 28.6 percent after installation of the new signal head. The report also reported a reduction in personal injury crashes by 36.7 percent and a reduction in late night/early morning crashes of 49.6 percent.

INDOT officials met with installers Thursday morning at the Seymour District offices to finalize plans for the signal change-out. Maginity says the state’s $295,763 contract calls for installations to be completed by July 31.

Indiana’s 43rd Governor, Edgar Whitcomb, will be honored Friday with a memorial service in downtown Indianapolis. Gov. Whitcomb passed away Feb. 4th. Indiana State Police say the service will be held in the area of the downtown Circle and on the south side of the State Capitol Building.

ISP Spokesman Capt. David Bursten says that the services will begin late in the morning and will conclude by early afternoon. He says that people in the downtown Indianapolis area should be prepared for traffic congestion near, and around, the Circle along the streets of Michigan, Meridian, Market, Capitol and Washington.

Bursten says that at approximately 12:45 p.m., as part of the Memorial Service, three Howitzer Cannons will fire six volleys, followed by one single shot for a total of 19 rounds in recognition of Indiana being the 19th State admitted to the Union. There will also be a seven person rifle team that will fire three volleys, for a total of 21 shots, in recognition of Gov. Whitcomb’s WWII service. Weather permitting, State Police say that there will also be a military aircraft flyover of the Circle.

The Brown County Junior High School “We the People” team was honored Thursday by the Indiana General Assembly for winning the 2015-2016 state championship.

House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 35, authored by Representative Eric Koch (R-Bedford), recognized the team for winning its sixth consecutive We the People state title.

Peter Hoffman, press secretary for the Indiana House of Representatives’ Republican Caucus, says the program was developed by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. He explains that the We the People program “gives students the opportunity to learn about democracy, promotes civic responsibility and then allows them to compete in state and national competitions to test their knowledge.” Hoffman noted that since 1987, more than 28 million students have been a part of the program.

“It is quite an accomplishment for a school in one of our smallest counties to consistently win on a statewide level,” Koch said. “I am proud that these students will be representing Indiana in the national invitational.”

The team will go on to compete in the national invitational from April 29 through May 3 in Washington D.C. Organizers say the competition will simulate a congressional hearing with contestants testifying before judges who act as congressional committees. While in our nation’s capital, students will also have the opportunity to explore the city and meet elected officials and dignitaries.

“This House Resolution recognizes the accomplishments of the past and expresses our support for the future success of this program,” Koch said.

To learn more about We the People, visit www.civiced.org.

A Columbus man is facing drug charges after an alert Indiana State Police (ISP) Trooper become suspicious of possible illegal activity.

ISP Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says that the investigation by Trooper Robert Hutson began at about 5 p.m. Monday when he stopped

29-year-old Errick M. Rutherford, who was riding a bicycle near Pence Calla and State Streets in Columbus. While speaking with Rutherford, Trp. Hutson says he became suspicious of criminal activity. Wheeles says that the Trooper asked for permission from Rutherford to search the backpack he was carrying. After reportedly receiving permission from Rutherford, Trp. Hutson allegedly found items associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine in the backpack.

Rutherford was arrested on Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors with Intent to Manufacture, a Level 6 Felony and then booked in the Bartholomew County Jail. ISP say that Rutherford is scheduled to make his initial court appearance in Bartholomew Circuit Court.

The Indiana Supreme Court heard an appeal for a Bartholomew County man facing life in prison for a May 2013 quadruple homicide.

The five-member body held a brief hearing Thursday morning. Our news-gathering partners at “The Republic” report that during the hearing, Columbus attorney Jane Ann Noblitt argued there was a lack of forensic evidence used to convict 58-year-old Samuel Sallee.

Sallee was convicted nearly one-year ago in the murders of Katheryn M. Burton, Thomas W. Smith, Aaron T. Cross and Shawn L. Burton. Their bodies were found inside of a Waynesville home by one of the victim’s family members. Police reports said that all four victims had been shot, while Katheryn Burton also had been stabbed.

A Bartholomew County jury found Sallee to be guilty of four counts of murder. He was to four consecutive sentences of life without parole by Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Stephen Heimann.

There has been no word from the Indiana Supreme Court as to when they might reach a decision in the case.

The Columbus Regional Health birthing center is being recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association as a Blue Distinction Plus center for maternity care.

The award recognizes hospitals across the nation for clinical quality and efficiency in delivering specialty care, says Kelsey DeClue, spokeswoman for the hospital. She says the insurance network makes the designations to give customers credible standards for healthcare service choices.

The birthing center staff delivers more than 1,200 babies a year, DeClue said.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is announcing this summer’s youth academy.

The event is designed for children ages 6 to 14 in the county and will teach them about the job and training for law enforcement. That will include hands-on-training and demonstrations including water rescue, the bomb squad, SWAT team and police dogs.

The two-day camp for 6 to 9 year olds will be June 2 and 3rd. A four-day camp for kids 10 to 14 years old will be June 7th through the 10th. The camps are $25 and $35 dollars.

You can sign up now at ceraland.org.

A Columbus man was arrested on 11 charges after a crash yesterday on Pence Street.

Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that the county’s Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team and the city police, had a warrant for the arrest of 32-year-old Thomas E. Childers on narcotics dealing charges. He was seen driving a car on State Street yesterday at about 4:30 p.m. yesterday.

When officers tried to pull him over, he allegedly fled before crashing into a parked vehicle. Childers then ran into a building where he was arrested after a struggle with officers, Harris said.

Officers saw narcotics in the residence and got a search warrant, Harris said. They allegedly recovered about two grams of heroin, 15 hypodermic needles, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a stolen computer.

Childers was arrested on a slew of charges including:

1. Two Bartholomew County Circuit Court warrants for dealing in a narcotic drug.
2. Resisting Law Enforcement by Vehicle
3. Resisting Law Enforcement on Foot
4. Receiving Stolen Property
5. Possession of Heroin
6. Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device
7. Driving While Suspended/Prior Conviction
8. Reckless Driving
9. Possession of Marijuana
10. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
11. Leaving the Scene of an Accident

40-year-old Chad A. Mitchell was also arrested on a charge of maintaining a common nuisance.

Last year’s budget issues continue to affect the mindset and decisions of members of the Bartholomew County Council. After extended debate, the body agreed to refill a the position of Dental Hygienist / Coordinator at the Health Department.

The current person in that position is leaving and the county council decreed that most positions in the county need to be justified before they are refilled. That edict came down after a massive budget battle in the fourth quarter of 2015 which led to the County Commissioners handing over approximately one-million-dollars in money targeted for road projects in order to make up the budget gap. County department heads are required to appear before the council to justify having that position be refilled. Positions dealing with public safety and the Sheriff’s Department are not required to seek permission from the council to hire replacement employees.

Amanda Organist, the county’s Director of Nursing, explains that one if the duties of the dental hygienist is to go to area schools to help make sure youths are getting good dental care. She explained that the county pays for supplies and equipment, while a grant covers dentist fees and certain dental work.

Council President Evelyn Pence wondered if the position could go unfilled until the summer when the county would have more information about incoming funds. That drew a sharp rebuke from Councilman Mark Gorbett, who said that the council should not be “micro-managing” county department heads. He noted that the money for the position was already in the budget, so the position should be filled. Council member Laura DeDominic says the position is vital for children who have parents that don’t take proper care of them, for whatever reason. Councilman Jorge Morales agreed, adding that the county’s budget problems shouldn’t be hoisted upon the backs of children who have no say in the matter.

The council ultimately approved the request to refill the position on a vote of five-to-two. Pence and Jim Reed were the “no” votes. While both agreed that the program, which has been in place since 1972, a good one, they said they are concerned about future budget constraints.