Presidential hopeful and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will be stopping in Columbus today to meet voters. Barb Hackman, chairwoman of the Bartholomew County Republican Party said she was contacted over the weekend by the Cruz campaign.

She said the campaign had several ideas for Columbus locations, but really wanted to come to Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor. Hackman said she reached out to the restaurant’s owner, Tony Moravec, who was happy to oblige the candidate.

Hackman said Cruz will stop by Zaharakos on Washington Street at 2 p.m. this afternoon for the meet-and-greet event. She does not believe he will be having lunch in Columbus.

Cruz was originally scheduled to make a Columbus stop on Thursday, but the campaign staff moved up their timetable late Sunday evening.

Hackman said that there is not enough room or time for a full-blown rally, but people can attend the event or support the Republican presidential candidate by having their Cruz signs out in the area.

Area voters on both sides of the political aisle will be voting to select their candidate to represent them in Indiana House District 59 in this year’s primary election. Republican incumbent Milo Smith is facing two challengers from his own party, while Democrats will select between a local advocate and a BCSC educator.

We talked to the candidates about the uproar caused when state lawmakers passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. We asked them what can, or should, be done to balance religious liberties with the rights of the LGBT community, as well as other minority groups. Milo Smith says that there is no place for discrimination in Indiana…

Republican Ryan Lauer, who ran for State Representative two-years ago, says that we all need to look to the Constitution…

Republican Lew Wilson says that every Hoosier’s voice needs to be heard…

Democrat Bob Pittman says that first and foremost, the civil rights of LGBTQ Hoosiers must be protected…

Democrat Dale Nowlin agrees with his primary opponent, Bob Pittman, that the civil rights of LGBTQ Hoosiers must be protected…

A pair of Columbus men were arrested early Thursday morning on a number of drug charges after a traffic stop on US 31, just north of Columbus.

Indiana State Police (ISP) Spokesman Stephen Wheeles says that the investigation by Trooper Korry Clark began when he stopped a car

traveling north on US 31 near County Road 500 North at approximately 12:30 a.m. During the stop, Clark became suspicious of possible criminal activity. Moments later, Columbus Police Officer Branch Schrader arrived on the scene with his K-9. During a walk-around of the vehicle, Branch’s K-9 was allegedly alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from inside.

Wheeles says that a subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of heroin, hydrocodone, and drug paraphernalia. He says that the passenger, 26-year-old Vincent D. Eddelman, was arrested on one count of visiting a common nuisance. Wheeles says that the driver, 24-year-old Branden L. Smith, was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood test to determine if he was intoxicated. Smith was then taken to the

Bartholomew County Jail, where authorities allege that he was found to be in possession of an additional bag of heroin that weighed approximately three grams.

Smith was charged with:

Dealing Heroin – Level 4 Felony;
Trafficking with an Inmate – Level 5 Felony;
Possession of Heroin – Level 6 Felony;
Possession of Controlled Substance – Level 6 Felony;
Operating While Intoxicated – Class A Misdemeanor;
Operating Under Influence of Controlled Substance – Class C Misdemeanor; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor

State Police are thanking Officer Schrader, ISP Trooper Jacob Tolle and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy Leah Burton for their help in this case.

Columbus police stopped a vehicle in the East Columbus neighborhood last night because the driver was known to have a suspended license.

But officers also discovered he allegedly had a passenger’s seat with syringes.

Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the police department, said that Officer Troy Love stopped the vehicle driven by 38-year-old Eric D. Caldwell on Gladstone Avenue because of the suspended license. A search of the vehicle allegedly revealed two syringes on the seat and another in the glove compartment. One of the syringes contained liquid that tested  positive for methamphetamine.

Caldwell was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine and driving While suspended with a prior conviction.

A Bartholomew County deputy’s stop to help a stranded motorist, ended up leading to a drug arrest for the driver.

The sheriff’s department is reporting that a deputy pulled his patrol car beside a vehicle with an open hood at about 11:04 p.m. last night. The deputy stopped to offer assistance but found out that the driver, 41-year-old Tamara Watkins of North Vernon, had two outstanding warrants for her arrest.

A search of the vehicle also allegedly revealed methamphetamine, syringes, a legend drug and several pieces of drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the outstanding warrants and preliminary possession charges, she is also facing a charge of false informing, according to the sheriff’s department.

Columbus Township Trustee Ben Jackson is announcing that Dave Thompson has been promoted to the chief of the Columbus Township Fire and Rescue department.

Thompson spent 13 years at the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department, where he also served as chief. He has been with the Columbus Township Department for six years and acted as a captain and frequent spokesman for the department. The previous chief, Rodney Ferrenburg, resigned in February.

Jackson said that Thompson is certified as an emergency medical technician, a trained arson investigator, a Bartholomew County deputy coroner, president of the IAFF Union Local 4823 and an ASE certified instructor.

Columbus Township volunteers provide fire protection in the donut area outside of the Columbus city limits but still within Columbus Township.

Raft to Rafters will be holding a grilled lunch cookout to support Advocates for Children from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at their store on 25th Street.

Lunch tickets are $3 which includes 2 grilled meats, 2 cold sides, a dessert and a cold beverage. Proceeds will help Advocates for Children with their efforts to provide qualified advocates for local victims of child abuse and neglect.

And White River Broadcasting’s Mike Sullivan will be on hand, playing music at the event.

The Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District will be celebrating Earth Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the recycling center on South Mapleton Street.

Bartholomew County residents will be able to dispose of hard-to-get-rid-of waste with an amnesty program. You can drop off up to two refrigerated appliances at no cost, up to two propane tanks and up to four personal vehicle tires. You can also take advantage of the electronics recycling program and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department will be having a drug-take-back event. There will also be a hot dog roast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., children’s activities provided by Kids Commons, document shredding, and the Book Express will be on hand.

Click here for more information

Bartholomew County Republican voters will be choosing between two candidates for county coroner in this year’s election, after long-time county coroner Larry Fisher decided not to run for re-election.

Funeral home director Ron Shadley is facing Columbus police patrolman Clayton Nolting.

We asked the candidates:

• What will you use to guide you on how to handle the need for autopsies? What will you use to make those judgment calls?

Shadley:

04-22 Ron Shadley Question 5 Full

Nolting:

04-22 Clayton Nolting Question 5 Full

The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Paula Rothrock in the November election. Rothrock is unopposed in the primary.

Volunteers are spending Friday and Saturday working to make Columbus look even better. Mayor Jim Lienhoop explains that the work begins Friday morning when volunteers gather at the shelter house at Donner Park. From there, the group will be go out to rake-up old leaves, paint curbs and do other work.

Clean-up work continues Saturday when a group of volunteers gather at First Christian Church. Mayor Lienhoop says that they will be targeting homes where the owners may have issues that make it difficult for them to take care of their property. He adds that these properties are located in the older neighborhoods in Columbus. The Mayor says that they are still looking for additional volunteers to help out on Saturday. If you are able to do, you are asked to please call First Christian Church at (812) 379-4491.

The Mayor says that residents of Columbus are some of the most generous people around. “People are more than willing to help,” said Lienhoop. He added, “Particularly when you they see the need.” The Mayor went on to say that these volunteers will easily see the need after they get their assignments and converge the areas that they will be working to improve.