The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says it is seeing an increase in auto thefts.

Sheriff Matt Myers says that there were 41 auto thefts in Bartholomew County in 2015. In 2016, there were 43 cases and so far this year, there have been 11 auto theft cases, says Myers. The Sheriff says this does not include reports made to the Columbus Police Department or the Indiana State Police. Myers says that in eight of the 11 vehicle thefts reported to the Sheriff’s Department so far this year, keys were left in the vehicles.

“Don’t make it easy for thieves to take your vehicle: keep your vehicle locked, never leave your keys in your car, close all windows and don’t forget the sunroof, never leave your car running unattended, do not leave valuables in plain view inside your car, park in a well-lit area, and be aware of your surroundings,” said BCSO Road Commander, Capt. Dave Steinkoenig.

“It isn’t just a matter of losing your vehicle, people keep too many personal things in their vehicles: credit cards, banking information, billing statements, items that enable car thieves to glean enough information to assume your identity”, said Sheriff Myers. He adds that car thieves are also finding ways to gain access to dashboard systems. Police say that these systems, once synced to a smartphone, provides thieves with a repository of sensitive information.

During Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to join in its lifesaving mission by giving blood. Blood donation opportunities are being held locally:

In Columbus:
Feb. 22: noon – 5 p.m. at First Christian Church;
Feb. 24: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at La QUINTA, on Carrie Lane;
Mar. 3: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at La QUINTA;
Mar. 10: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at La QUINTA;

In Nashville:
Mar. 15: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, on 1750 East State Road 46

In North Vernon:
Feb. 22: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church;

In Greenwood:
Feb. 21: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Johnson County Library White River Branch;

Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The Columbus Police Department says that officers arrested a local man early Tuesday morning after it was determined that he had two warrants for his arrest.

Lt. Matt Harris, CPD spokesman, says that at approximately 2:10 a.m., officers saw 33-year-old James T. Garris, at a gas station in the 1700 block of North National Road, where they confirmed that he had outstanding Bartholomew County warrants. Police say that Garris was taken into custody without incident. While officers were searching Garris, they allegedly found a small bag of methamphetamine in his clothing. Garris was arrested on the warrants and a preliminary charge of Possession of Methamphetamine.

The Honda plant in Greensburg on Wednesday celebrated the start of production of the all-new 2017 Honda CR-V, the first SUV built at the plant since it began production in 2008. Honda officials say that, with the move, the plant now builds Honda’s two best-selling vehicles of 2016: the Civic and CR-V.

In March of last year, Honda announced new investment of $52 million and the creation of 100 new jobs to support the production startup of the Honda CR-V, as Honda invested in its capability to meet growing demand for its light-truck models. HMIN’s production of the CR-V was transitioned from the Honda de Mexico (HDM) plant in Guadalajara. Honda also builds the CR-V at its East Liberty, Ohio auto plant and at a Honda plant in Alliston, Ontario, Canada.

“We are leveraging the manufacturing flexibility of our experienced Indiana associates to meet the needs of our customers,” said Bob Nelson, president of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. “With the CR-V and Civic, we are really proud to build two of America’s best-selling vehicles in Indiana.”

If you would like to work as a substitute teacher this school year for the Jennings County School Corporation you are invited to attend an orientation meeting on Wednesday, March 1, at Jennings County Schools Central Office on 34 Main Street in North Vernon. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. You can register for the meeting by calling at (812) 346-4483.

Substitute teacher rates are:
LEVEL I: $60.00/day -High School Diploma/Transcripts;
LEVEL II: $65.00/day – Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree or Passing of the Parapro Praxis Test; LEVEL III: $70.00/day -Hold a Valid Indiana Teacher’s License;
LEVEL IV: $80.00/day – Retired Teacher (verification required).

Jennings County School Corporation officials say it has modified its requirements to include persons who have graduated from an accredited high school and have documented educational experiences. In addition to attendance at this meeting, you are also required to submit updated credentials and complete an employment application.

The State Street Area Association is encouraging you to put your money and name towards the State Street Revitalization Project.

City Councilman Dascal Bunch says that you can “Adopt a Brick” that will be placed among three green spaces being installed in that area. He explains that these bricks will be engraved, with up to two lines, not exceeding 14 characters per line. Cost of the bricks are $20 for an individual, $30 for non-profit organizations and $40 for businesses. Bunch says these bricks will be available for purchase through May 31st. He adds that any money remaining after expenses will be put in a maintenance fund for the State Street corridor.

If you would like to take part in this effort, you can request an application by mailing the State Street Area Association at 421 McClure Road, Columbus, IN 47201.

A phone tip resulted in the arrest of three people on drug charges in Jennings County on Monday. Sgt Andrew Richmond, spokesman for the North Vernon Police Department, says that officers received a telephone tip about possible drug activity in a car inside of the Hickory Manor trailer court, located just off of Hurly Drive.

Sgt. Richmond says that officers arrived and located the vehicle. Officer Isaac Barkes followed the car and initiated a traffic stop on Buckeye Street. During the stop Officer Barkes requested the assistance of a K9 unit. Richmond says that K9 “Heros” was alerted to the odor of an illegal drug coming from inside the car. A subsequent search allegedly revealed marijuana and several pipes and marijuana both in the vehicle and on the occupants.

Police arrested:

John O. Galliher, 19, of Aurora, IN – Possession of Paraphernalia (A misdemeanor) and Possession of Marijuana (B misdemeanor);

Ryan A. Bushorn, 20, of Aurora, IN – Possession of Paraphernalia (A misdemeanor) and Possession of Marijuana (B misdemeanor);

Colten D. Halbig, 22, of Vevay, IN – Possession of Paraphernalia (A misdemeanor) and Possession of Marijuana (A misdemeanor)

Two people were arrested after a weekend shooting. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that deputies were called to Columbus Regional Health at 11:16 a.m. on Sunday after a gunshot wound victim came to the Emergency Department.

Jackson says that Deputy Kevin Abner spoke with the victim, 22-year-old Lesther A. Monterroso, of Ft. Wayne. Authorities say that Monterroso was uncooperative and provided few details about the shooting. However, she adds that Det. Sgt. Chad Swank and Det. Jason Williams found that information that Monterroso did provide turned out to be false. Monterroso was subsequently arrested on preliminary charges of False Informing and Possession of a False Government Identification. He is being held, without bond.

Jackson says that investigators were able to find witnesses to the shooting and later identified a possible suspect, 30-year-old Ernesto Prado, of Elizabethtown. Prado reportedly told investigators that he did not know Monterroso but said that he was one of four unknown people who showed up at his home on Sunday morning trying to collect on a drug debt.

Authorities arrested Prado on preliminary charges of Attempted Murder, Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of Methamphetamine and Invasion of Privacy. He is also being held, without bond.

Sheriff Matt Myers said, “This was a most dangerous situation and we are extremely lucky that we don’t have a homicide on our hands.” He also commended the deputies involved in the investigation for their work in quickly getting these men behind bars.

Jackson says that this is an ongoing investigation and asks that anyone with information on this case to contact Det. Jason Williams at (812) 565-5928. You may also call the department’s Tip Line at (812) 379-1712 or send an email to sheriff@bartholomew.in.gov. Authorities stress that tips and information can be left anonymously.

Ivy Tech Community College has partnered with the Gene Haas Foundation to help train students to meet the needs of employers in advanced manufacturing.

The school says that the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded $29,500 to the Ivy Tech Foundation for scholarships and to fund advanced manufacturing training at the Ivy Tech Columbus/Southeast campuses. The Haas Ivy Manufacturing scholarships will enable military veterans, recent high school graduates, and underemployed and dislocated workers to transition into good-paying, high-demand careers in the advanced manufacturing industry.

“We’re fortunate to have Ivy Tech on the front lines helping to close the skills gap in Indiana,” states Toni Neary, Haas Factory Outlet – Director of Education. “Local manufacturers need skilled machinists in order to keep manufacturing here at home, which is a personal mission for Gene Haas and the Gene Haas Foundation.”

Ivy Tech says that advanced manufacturing is the top employment sector in southeastern Indiana, representing more than 36 percent of the area’s employment base. Because of the age of the existing workforce, southeastern Indiana’s manufacturers anticipate losing 45 to 55 percent of their skilled technicians over the next five to seven years. In addition, the school says that 90 percent of the area’s manufacturing employers plan to increase their number of employees in the next one to three years.

Founded by Gene Haas in 1999, the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded more than $35 million to deserving charities and educational institutions. The foundation was formed to fund the needs of the local community and to support manufacturing education. The foundation provides scholarship funds to community colleges and vocational schools for students entering technical training programs, especially machinist-based certificate and degree programs, as well as supports youth programs that inspire young people to consider manufacturing careers.

A Sunday night traffic stop led to the arrests of two people on drug charges, as well as the recovery of stolen property. Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman, says that Officer Travis Harbaugh stopped a vehicle on Jonathan Moore Pike at 11:40 p.m. for a traffic violation. Harbaugh spoke with the driver, 37-year-old Douglas W. Houchens, of Columbus, and his passenger 32-year-old Desi R. Buckler, of Edinburgh. Harris says that a K-9 unit arrived and was alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. Harbaugh also learned that Houchens had a suspended driver’s license. During a search the vehicle, officers reported finding several syringes and drug paraphernalia with drug residue. In addition, they allegedly found identification cards that were reported stolen in a 2016 Columbus burglary. Police arrested both Houchens and Buckler on preliminary charges of:

Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device
Possession of Stolen Property