The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that gas pump skimmers are being found attached to gas pumps throughout Bartholomew County. Skimmers are designed to steal credit card information.

Sheriff’s Department officials say that card skimming takes places when thieves plug a device and computer chip into the gas pumps. They say that it takes only a few seconds for thieves to install the devices.

The Sheriff’s Department is recommending that all gas stations in Bartholomew County actively check their pumps and change their locks. Sheriff Matt Myers says that the only way that you can protect yourself is to stop paying at the pump and pay for your fuel purchases inside the station.

Police have not identified all of the locations where skimmers have been found. If you’ve purchased gas from the pump over the past few weeks, you may want to keep an eye on your account for any out-of-place charges.

A North Vernon man was arrested on domestic battery charges Thursday after allegedly being caught in the act.

A spokesperson with the North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) says that just before 4 p.m., officers were called to a disturbance in the 100 block of South Jackson Street. As NVPD officers arrived on the scene, they allegedly witnessed Shannon Coldwell battering another person.

Police say that Coldwell was arrested on a preliminary charge of Domestic Battery and booked in the Jennings County Jail. The identity, and condition, of the second person, has not been released.

A new historical theory being promoted through the Columbus Area Visitors Center suggests that the word Hoosier may have originated in Bartholomew County.

Melina Fox, the former Hope town manager and a genealogist, came across information while researching her own family’s history in Hope that led her to suggest the town’s involvement. She believes that the term was meant to tease the Moravian Hauser family which settled in the Hope area after leaving North Carolina. She says that the Hauser family, originally from France and Germany, pronounced its named like “Who-zer.”

The first documented written use of the word Hoosier was from a letter written by a riverboat captain who offered to rename his boat the Indiana Hoosier if he could get a contract with John Tipton, founder of Columbus. That letter was written in 1831, about a year after the Hausers founded Hope.

You can look for more information on this theory, as well as seven other possible Hoosier origins, on the visitors center website at hoosier-debate.com.

The first 100 days of Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop’s Administration are in the history books. Lienhoop swept into office in January after defeating former Mayor Kristen Brown in last year’s Republican Primary.

Mayor Lienhoop says that there a number of areas that he thinks are important for the city to address. During his inaugural State of the City Address last month, Lienhoop said that the drug problem, particularly heroin, will only get worse before it gets better. He says that he is hopeful that a new partnership between the city and Reach Healthy Communities will pay dividends in helping identify the risk-factors that lead to drug addiction. Lienhoop says that its time to not only go after the drug suppliers, but also what drives the demand.

Lienhoop said that city police will continue to focus on drug and property crime. While Columbus is safe, he says that property crime has continued to be an issue. Lienhoop has also taken steps to grow the city’s economic base via an updated agreement with the local Economic Development Board (EDB). The Mayor says that it is important for Columbus to “not have all of it’s economic eggs in too few baskets.” With that, he says that his administration and the EDB will work to bring businesses to the area who are not as susceptible to the cyclical economics of automotive manufacturing and diesel engines.

Lienhoop added that he is sticking to his campaign pledge to foster a spirit of partnership and trust. During last year’s primary campaign, he took aim at Mayor Brown for the perceived high-turnover rates among city department heads. Lienhoop says that respect and and a collaborative spirit goes beyond the walls of City Hall. The Mayor says that he has met with leaders of other Indiana cities in an effort to look for improvements in how local government works, as well as finding common issues in which communities can work together. Lienhoop noted that city residents can expect more of that in the years to come.

As for grading his first 100 days in office, Lienhoop says that he’ll “leave that up to the voters and the critics.”

The Columbus Human Rights Commission is holding its annual dinner meeting on May 19 at the Commons. The Director of the Human Rights Commission, Aida Ramirez, is inviting you to attend and hear from keynote speaker, Salam Al-Marayati. The event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Ramirez explains that Al-Marayati is the president and co-founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) in Los Angeles. The mission of MPAC, she says, is to improve public understanding and policies that impact American Muslims by engaging the government, media, and communities. In his role as president, Ramirez explains that Al-Marayati oversees MPAC’s civil engagement programs, public policy initiatives, and advocacy work. She says that Al-Marayati has spoken internationally on a variety of topics, including Islam in the West, American pluralism and democracy, human rights, inclusion, and religious freedom. Ramirez adds that Al-Marayati has represented the United States at international conferences pertaining to human rights and religious freedom.

The evening will also include the honoring of the 2016 William R. Laws Human Rights Award recipients and the winners of the 2016 Benjamin M. King Essay and the J. Irwin Miller Art Contests. The theme for this year’s art and essay contests is “A Welcoming Community.” The Human Rights Commission says that the following students will be recognized:

2016 J. Irwin Miller Arts Contest:
Elementary School Division: Allison Craig, Mt. Healthy Elementary School
Middle School Division: Karla Perez, Central Middle School
High School Division: Megan Henderson, North High School

2016 Benjamin M. King Essay Contest:
Elementary School Division: Reagan Kane, St. Bartholomew Catholic School
Middle School Division: Katie Kime, Central Middle School
High School Division: Mila Lipinski, East High School

The Human Rights Commission says that admission to the dinner is by advance ticket purchase. Tickets are $30 each and will begin on April 20th. Officials say that tickets can be purchased at the Human Rights Commission office inside of City Hall, or online at www.columbus.in.gov/human-rights/annual-dinner/. The deadline for purchasing tickets is Friday, May 13 at 5 p.m.

The Human Rights Commission is stressing that you purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Officials say that when tickets have sold out, they will create a waiting list to be used in the event of cancellations or returns. For more information, call the Human Rights Commission at (812) 376-2532 or e-mail humanrights@columbus.in.gov.

Indiana State Police (ISP) arrested two people Wednesday in Jackson County.

ISP say that at approximately 9:30 a.m., Sgt. Stephen Wheeles responded to a report of drug activity in a vehicle just off I-65 at State Road 11, just north of Seymour. One of the occupants, 23-year-old Amber N. Miller, of New Albany, was wanted on a warrant out of Clark County, said authorities. The second occupant, 23-year-old Kenneth W. Henson, also of New Albany, was allegedly found to be in possession of hypodermic needles. Police say that both Miller and Henson were arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail. They add that Miller will be transported to the Clark County Jail, while Henson will appear in Jackson Circuit Court to face a charge of Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, a Level 6 Felony.

An Indiana State Police spokesperson says that troopers continue to pursue those who deal, possess and transport illegal drugs on Indiana roads. ISP are asking for your help. They ask that if you have knowledge of drug activity, to contact their local state police post or the Indiana State Police Drug Tip Line at (800) 453-4756. Callers can remain anonymous.

Troopers with the Indiana State Police (ISP) have conducted investigations along I-65 near Seymour, leading to numerous drug-related arrests.

ISP-Versailles Post Spokesman, Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, says that at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle headed south on I-65 near the 51 mile marker. During the stop, Trp. Miller became suspicious of criminal activity taking place. Trp. Miller’s K-9, “Jinx” sniffed around the vehicle and was alerted to the odor of an illegal drug coming from the vehicle, said Wheeles. He adds that a search of the vehicle allegedly recovered heroin, controlled substances, syringes, and drug paraphernalia.

Wheeles says that the three Crossville, Tennessee residents inside the vehicle: 40-year-old Amy L. Boston, 32-year-old James L. Turner and 30-year-old Dexter W. Parsons, were all arrested. He says that the trio are facing charges including: Dealing Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, Possession of a Legend Drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. ISP officials say that the three were all booked in the Jackson County Jail.

Edinburgh police are searching for information about a burglary overnight where a large numbers of guns were stolen from a home.

Deputy Chief David Lutz said the homeowners only recently moved in and the home was hit while the owners were at work in Columbus. Lutz said that it is possible that male and female burglars committed the crime. He said there was no forced entry and it appears that the burglars got in through a garage door, despite a keypad control.

In addition to the guns and a sizeable amount of ammunition, Lutz said that a set of house keys and truck keys were also stolen. The truck had been left in the driveway of the home.

A Columbus man is facing more charges after struggling with police while being arrested on a warrant yesterday afternoon.

Officer Travis Harbaugh noticed 28-year-old Craig S. Hill in a vehicle in the 1100 block of Washington Street at about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police department. Hill was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court on a probation violation. That was for an original charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, Harris said.

Hill was ordered out of the vehicle, but instead of getting out he allegedly began doing something between the front seats of the vehicle. Police pulled Hill from the vehicle and had to struggle with him to put him under arrest. Officers allegedly discovered syringes between the seat and the console.

In addition to the original warrant, he is now facing new charges of resisting law enforcement and possession of a syringe, Harris said.

Columbus area residents used to be able to enjoy the sight of two bronze statues of children playing in the pond in front of the Bartholomew Consolidated Schools headquarters on Central Avenue.

But about three and a half years ago, the statue of the girl was stolen on a Sunday night and has remained missing ever since. Now the school district and the school foundation are hoping to put statues back in place.

Rich Stenner serves at the school board’s liaison with the foundation.

“Janice Montgomery is spearheading, on behalf of the school corporation and the school foundation, as a volunteer, an effort to replace those with some statues that will be a little more permanent, we hope,” Stenner said.

“There is a fundraising initiative going on, the school foundation is raising funds. We hope to hit the mark of somewhere around $15,000 to fund those statutes. We are working with students across the district who are excited about the project. We have been working with folks in the administration and leadership at the foundation. We are excited about the chance to have some statutes back at the pond again, some day in the future.”

The original statues were entitled Puddles and Frog Pond and were designed by Jo Saylors for Arvin in 1995. The school district inherited the statues when it took over the former Arvin headquarters at 13th and Central Avenue. Saylors also did the Crack the Whip statue of children which is in the plaza at the end of the Robert Stewart Bridge on Second Street in downtown Columbus.

Dr. John Quick, the school superintendent, said that boy statue has been put into storage. He said the district has followed several rumors over the years that they thought would lead to the recovery of the girl statue. But officials are now ready to move ahead, thinking it has likely been sold for scrap somewhere.

Quick said it was important to have the statue paid for through donations and fundraising, not through tax dollars.