The Hope Volunteer Fire Department will be getting a new fire truck with a grant of nearly half a million dollars.

Chad Emmitt, assistant chief with the department, said that the department has already ordered the brand-new fire engine to replace a truck that is more than 20 years old.

“Really just to replace it and provide a lot better service to the community, is that we are really trying to do,” Emmitt said. “The total project amount is $492,000, which is a good amount for us. We have customized the engine to fit our department and into the future. We have to provide a 5 percent match.”

Emmitt said the new truck will be built by E-ONE, a company that has already built a truck for the department and also has build trucks in neighboring communities.

“This new engine will be a custom cab… It will hold six personnel — lot newer equipment, up to date technologies as far as lighting equipment,” Emmitt said. “We hope that not only will this benefit the town and our township, but it will help mutual aid departments in other communities as well.”

The department has a brush truck, a tanker and two engines.

Emmitt credited Administrative Resources Administration for the company’s help in securing the grant. Trena Carter, with ARA, works with the town of Hope to help procure funding for projects and the town extended that help to the independent fire department.

Emmitt also praised the support for the community, such as at Saturday’s pancake breakfast the firefighters held for the Hope Ride. And this weekend the department will be holding a fish fry at Hope Heritage Days. On Oct. 1st, the department will be providing fire and medic protection to the corn maze being organized at Simmons Winery.

“It has a been a pretty busy month as far as fundraisers go and we would like to thank our members for all the hard work and dedication they have put in,” Emmitt said.

The department is also seeking grant money to purchase breathing gear for firefighters.

An Alabama man was taken into custody last night after a standoff with police in a Brown County State Park cabin.

Indiana conservation officers are reporting that they received a tip from family members that 77-year-old Larry Stearley of Gulf Shores, Ala. had been sending disturbing texts while staying at a family cabin in the park. When Indiana conservation officers came to the door he allegedly emerged with a gun that he pointed at officers.

According to police reports, the conservation officers took cover in the woods and one shot was fired by officers. Backup was called in from the Nashville Police Department and the Brown County Sheriff’s Department. Stearley eventually left the cabin without the gun, where he was taken into custody.

He was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital for evaluation. Information has been passed to the Brown County prosecutor’s office and Stearley is facing preliminary charges of pointing a firearm at a person and resisting arrest.

The Columbus Redevelopment Commission heard the findings of a railroad impact study during its meeting Monday night. Ryan Huebschman  with American Structurepoint, Inc. talks about the overall problem…

That means up to 22 trains, measuring up to 7,500 feet in length, will be traveling through Columbus every day by 2018. Currently, the city sees up to eight trains, measuring up to 5,100 feet in length, per day.

Huebschman adds that CSX was required to do an environmental analysis by the federal Surface Transportation Board to determine the effects on communities on the rail line…

Huebschman says that same analysis determined that no improvements are needed for the area to deal with the increased traffic.

The study suggested that the city lobby INDOT for help in finding potential relief. The Redevelopment Commission took no action during its meeting.

The Brown County Humane Society in Nashville is overflowing and is reaching out for help. Organizers at the shelter say that anyone considering adoption is urged to visit the shelter.

They say that a 50-percent off adoption special on all animals over six months runs through September 25th. Every animal is spayed or neutered, up-to-date on all vaccines and flea/tick prevention. Dogs have been heart worm tested, and cats are tested for Feline Leukemia.

To apply online, visit www.bchumane.org.

Officers executing a search warrant in North Vernon early Monday morning allegedly discovered heroin and a felon in possession of stolen gun. Six people were arrested.

Sgt. Andrew Richmond, with the North Vernon Police Department, says that officers joined deputies from the Jennings County Sheriff’s

Department in carrying out the search. At about 5:30 a.m., the team served the warrant at a home in the 1000 block of County Road 115 South, he said. Authorities say that the search resulted in the discovery of a convicted felon in possession of several firearms, one of which was stolen, along with heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Sgt. Richmond says that the occupant of the home, 40-year-old Jeremy F. Jones, is a convicted violent felon prohibited from possessing firearms. He says that five guns were seized from the house, one of which was found to be stolen. In addition, Richmond says that several items of drug paraphernalia were found, including a small amount of heroin and syringes.

North Vernon Police say that Jones is facing preliminary felony charges of Being a Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. Also arrested at the scene were:

Marshall T. Wilson, 31,: Possession of a Controlled Substance (Level 6 felony) and Visiting a Common Nuisance (Class B misdemeanor);

Shelbi M. Phelps, 20, Visiting a Common Nuisance (Class B misdemeanor);

Seth A. Sharp, 26, Visiting a Common Nuisance (Class B misdemeanor);

Phillip McGuire, 40, Visiting a Common Nuisance (Class B misdemeanor);

Sommer Porter, 28, Visiting a Common Nuisance (Class B misdemeanor);

Sgt. Richmond stresses that this is an active investigation and that additional charges could be filed.

A North Vernon man was arrested last night after a police chase in Columbus and a small dog was taken to the animal shelter.

Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus police, says that officers saw a vehicle driving without headlights on Center Street at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday night. The driver refused to pull over and attempted to race away from officers. Near the intersection of U.S. 31 and County Road 600S Elizabethtown’s marshal put down a tire deflating device which didn’t stop the driver. Harris said police finally boxed him in near County Roads 450E and 700S.

The driver, 20-year-old Jesse L. Crouch, did not have a driver’s license and alcoholic beverages were allegedly found in the vehicle. Police also found a small dog that did not belong to Crouch. It was taken to Animal Care Services. Crouch was taken to jail on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, driving without ever receiving a license and illegal consumption or possession of alcohol.

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch relay came through Bartholomew County without a hitch yesterday.

But for the torch’s mobile museum, coming into Cummins’ home town of Columbus was a lucky break.

Lynn Lucas, organizer of the local bicentennial efforts, heard from the crew staffing the Bicentennial Experience museum after 9 p.m.  on Saturday night that they lost their power generator and about two thirds of the museum would be unavailable when it arrived in  Bartholomew County yesterday.

Starting late Saturday night, Lucas made connections with Cummins executives including her neighbor John Kestler, director of special events and exhibits for the company. The company had a genset on hand in the Indianapolis-area and was able to get power to the museum in time for its display on the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza yesterday.

The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay made its way through Bartholomew County yesterday, coming from Decatur County at just after 5 p.m.

Former Hartsville postmaster Mary McGuire was the first Bartholomew County torchbearer, wearing a turn of last century dress while riding in a 1890s mail hack on the back of a trailer.

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30-some-odd torch changes later, Bartholomew County Public Library Director Jason Hatton took the torch from Sarah Cannon and carried it to the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza for the closing ceremonies and the lighting of ceremonial brazier.

You can check out video and photos from the torch relay on our website at 10 10 wcsi dot com

After taking today off, the torch will make its way through Brown County tomorrow. It’s expected arrive at 10 a.m., staying four-and-a-half hours before moving in to Monroe County at 3 p.m. As part of the festivities on Tuesday, admission to the Brown County State Park will be free.

For official photos of Bartholomew County torchbearers, click here.

Bartholomew County is scheduled to have 30 torchbearers for today’s Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay. They include:

• Paul Ashbrook: Shelbyville teacher and organizer of the Hope Ride, the annual Girlfriend Ride as well as other bike rides in our area.
• Susan Baute: BCSC fourth grade teacher.
• Rick Caldwell: Former state commander of AmVets and founder of AmVets Post 509 as well as developer of the local Honor Flight project
• Sarah Cannon: Certified financial planner and chairwoman of Columbus Redevelopment commission.
• Merrill Clouse: Long-time Hope businessman, community leader, and co-founder of Hope Heritage Days festival.
• Fred Darling: Minister at Sandcreek-Azalia Friends Meetinghouse for 28 years and athlete who participated in White River Games, competitive basketball and national championship softball teams
• John Foster: Local radio personality with White River Broadcasting and community volunteer who often emcees local fundraisers.
• Gene Gurthet: Former Director of Foundation for Youth’s Boys and Girls Club.
• Siddah Hall and Solomon Hall : Siblings developed Friendship Wheels, an annual fundraiser bike ride
• Juanita Harden: Former Bartholomew County Commissioner and with her husband, Bob, served as camp directors for FFY’s Youth Camp for 22 years. Harden will not be able to participate due to an illness.
• Carrie Harris: Junior high school teacher at Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School.
• Don Harvey and Dody Harvey: Community leaders including serving on the board of the Bartholomew County Historical Society and the development of the Breeding Farm project.
• Jason Hatton: Director of Bartholomew County Public Library who also serves on several local and state boards, including leadership positions for United Way and BCHS.
• Maj. John Martoccia: Sheriff’s deputy, recently promoted to commander of Bartholomew County Jail.
• Cierra McCauley: A childhood cancer survivor, face for childhood cancer awareness, creator of the Jockey’s Guild to “whip” cancer and also active in a Relay of Life team.
• Mary McGuire: Postmistress in Hartsville for 40 years, also spearheaded the renovation of the Hartsville Town Square.
• Greg Pence: Llocal businessman and owner of the Exit 76 Antique Mall and the Bloomington Antique Mall.
• Larry Perkinson:  BCSC school district’s student assistance coordinator, educator for 40 years and author of two books about growing up in this area.
• Dr. Ilya Schwartzman: An immigrant from St Petersburg, Russia, practices medicine in Columbus and coaches the Columbus East girls soccer team.
• Sam Simmermaker: Broadcasting legend, member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fam, the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association’s Hall of Fame and twice Indiana Sportscaster of the year.
• Don Strietelmeier: State and local leader for the agricultural community, including the American Farm Bureau and SWCD, chosen “Master Farmer” by Indiana Prairie Farmer and a Distinguished Purdue Ag Alumni.
• William Stultz: BCSC teacher of band and orchestra students at Columbus North High School.
• Chuck Wells: Publisher of The Republic and serves on Columbus Area Arts Council, Rock the Park Steering Committee, FFY Board, and Columbus East Alumni Association.
• April Williams: Formerly with the Columbus Parks Foundation, developed the ColumBike rental and bike share project.
• Brittany Young: Hope Main Street director, Ivy Tech student, former Indiana FFA leader, and 2016 500 Festival Princess.

Posthumous torchbearers:

• Susanna Jones:  Recipient of Republic’s First Woman of the Year award, an author/historian/educator and member of many community boards. Represented by her daughter, Beth Newman.
• Vickie Lowney: During her career at CRH, she helped patients without financial resources, especially those with mental health challenges, find federal, state funds to pay their bills. Her former husband Jim Lowney is unable to represent her today due to a family responsibility.
• Larry Simpson: Owner/publisher/editor of the Hope Star Journal and Hope community leader, volunteer of the year by the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. Represented by Bud Herron.
• Robert Stewart: Three-term mayor of Columbus, chair of the Republican State Central Committee, and Executive Committee of Republican National Committee, recipient of four Sagamore of the Wabash Awards.  Represented by Pete King.

The vehicle being searched for by Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies in connection with a fatal crash on Thursday morning has been located.

Judy Jackson, Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that investigators have spoken with the driver, whom she says tried to contact authorities himself. She says that it has been determined that the truck did not collide with any vehicle at the scene of the crash at State Road 46 and County Road 250 East. Authorities say that the driver is cooperating with the investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office is thanking residents for helping to locate the vehicle.