A Johnson County woman was arrested on marijuana charges Tuesday night after a traffic stop in Bartholomew County. Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that at approximately 10:10 p.m., Sgt. Kris Weisner was working Operation Pull Over on US 31 at Commerce Drive when he stopped a vehicle for speeding and having only one headlight.

Sgt. Weisner spoke with the driver, 24-year-old Brittany V. Ward, of Greenwood. As Ward opened the glove box to retrieve her vehicle registration, police reported seeing a marijuana pipe inside. K9 Bolt was deployed and was reportedly alerted to the order of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in the discovery of two baggies of a green leafy substance, suspected to be marijuana.

Ward was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. She has since been released.

A local man was arrested on drug and firearms charges after a traffic stop early Wednesday morning. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 12:15 a.m., Officer Michael Butler stopped the vehicle after the driver disregarded a stop sign at Brooks Street and Kentucky Avenue. While speaking with the driver, 22-year-old Marcus A. Hupp, officers determined that he did not have a valid driver’s license. Hupp was placed under arrest and while searching him, officers reported finding a bag containing methamphetamine. While searching Hupp’s vehicle, officers allegedly found a loaded handgun between the driver’s seat and center console. Police determined that Hupp did not have a license to possess the weapon. Further inspection of the weapon revealed that the weapon’s serial number was removed.

Hupp was arrested on preliminary charges of Driving While Suspended, Possession of Methamphetamine, Obliterating Identifying Marks on a Handgun and Carrying of a Handgun without a License.

A Columbus massage parlor has been shut down after a Wednesday morning sting operation. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that shortly after 11 a.m., CPD officers, with the assistance of the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, and F.B.I. executed a search a warrant at Sunflower Massage located at 3974 25th Street.

Harris says the warrant came about after the department received tips from the public alleging prostitution at the business. During the investigation, an undercover law enforcement officer entered the establishment where an employee allegedly offered to perform a sexual act in exchange for money.

The business, which was formerly known as the Blue Bay Health Spa and Massage, opened in February 2017. Authorities say the business did not apply for a new permit from the city after the parlor’s name and ownership changed. Shortly after the warrant was served, Harris says that Columbus Code Enforcement closed down the establishment with an emergency action order.

Authorities say that two people were taken into custody. Their names have not been released. The investigation is ongoing.

The city of Columbus, particularly residents an the city’s east side, were looking for ways to honor the late Sgt. Jonathan Hunter, who was killed last year while on patrol in Afghanistan. City Councilman Dascal Bunch says that the city’s brick sale and engraving program for the State Street revitalization efforts provided an excellent opportunity to do just that.

As for what the space will look like…

In addition, Bunch says that you can purchase a personalized brick to specifically be placed in that green-space.

If you would like to purchase an engraved brick, Bunch says that you can contact him or the Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County. You can reach the Heritage Fund by calling (812) 376-7772 or by going online to heritagefundbc.org.

Bunch says the hope is that the space can be dedicated in mid-May, but it will depend on construction. He adds that if the dedication doesn’t happen by then, the next opportunity will be in the middle of June. That is due other commitments facing Hunter’s family.

The Columbus Park Foundation and Parks and Recreation Department has announced that registrations for the 2018 Tour de Trails Events are now open.

Parks officials say that the first event is a run/walk with course options for a 5K Run, 8K Run, 5k Walk and/or Kids Fun Run. The run/walk will be held on Saturday, April 21 with a starting location at Lincoln Park and will feature the Newbern bridge addition to the trail.

The second event is a bicycle challenge which is a family friendly event with course options for a 20K, 50K or 80K courses available. The Bicycle Challenge will be held on Saturday, May 12 with a starting location at Donner Park and will include a raffle, SAG stops with refreshments, and lunch provided by Chipotle, a sponsor for the event.

For more information, or to register, visit columbusparkfoundation.org/cpfevents.

The Bartholomew County Emergency Management Agency is offering a Storm Spotter Weather Training session on Monday.

“Tornado season is just around the corner,” said Dave Tucek, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. “It’s critical that everyone is prepared and safely shelters when severe weather occurs.”

The National Weather Service, partnering with the Bartholomew County Emergency Management, will conduct severe storm spotter training from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday. Officials say the training is free, open to the public and will be held at the Columbus Learning Center, located at 4555 Central Avenue. National Weather Service Meteorologist Dave Tucek is scheduled to describe cloud patterns and radar signatures associated with severe weather, how to report severe storms and how to remain safe.

“Being ready and responsive are keys to safety,” said Shannan Hinton, Director of Bartholomew County Emergency Management. “And volunteers observing and reporting severe weather, then distributed by the NWS and local media, helps lead to increased response and safety of everyone in Bartholomew County,” added Hinton.

For other upcoming storm spotter training sessions in nearby counties see weather.gov/ind.

A Seymour woman was arrested on several drug related charges including dealing heroin after a traffic stop early Tuesday morning. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 4:35 a.m., Officer Drake Maddix stopped a vehicle on State Road 46 near Carrie Lane for a minor violation. Maddix spoke to the driver, 24-year-old Caitlin A. Rhodes, and determined that she had a suspended driver’s license. Police searched Rhodes and her vehicle, allegedly discovering heroin, methamphetamine, prescription medication, a digital scale and drug paraphernalia.

Rhodes was arrested on preliminary charges of:

Dealing Heroin (Level 4 Felony)
Possession of Heroin (Level 6 Felony)
Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class A Misdemeanor)
Driving While Suspended (Class A Misdemeanor)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class C Misdemeanor)

Authorities say that Rhodes remains behind bars on a 48 hour hold.

Two Columbus residents were arrested on several drug charges after a traffic stop on Monday night. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 11:20 p.m., Officer Skylar Berry stopped a vehicle for a minor violation near 16th Street and California Street. Berry spoke to driver, 30-year-old Nathan R. Limeberry and his passenger, 27-year-old Nicholas Linney. Berry confirmed that neither Limeberry nor Linney had a valid driver’s license. While searching the vehicle, police allegedly found drug paraphernalia, a syringe, marijuana, and methamphetamine.

Both Limeberry and Linney were arrested. Limeberry is facing preliminary charges of Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving While Suspended. Linney is facing preliminary charges of

Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana.

A traffic stop Monday night led to the arrests of three Columbus residents. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 8:45 p.m. Officer Lukas Nibarger stopped a vehicle near 11th Street and Franklin Street for having only one working headlight. Nibarger spoke with the driver, 21-year-old Shelby L. Bense and her passengers, 21-year-old Lance R. Krebbs and 21-year-old Skye N. Bailey. A short time later a police canine responded and alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. All three of the vehicle’s occupants were detained and during a search, officers allegedly located marijuana in Bense’s purse. While searching Krebbs, the officers allegedly found methamphetamine inside one of his pants pockets. Officers also allegedly found marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia that belonged to Bailey. All three suspects were arrested.

While at the jail, officers reported finding methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription medication during a search of Bailey.

Bense is facing a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana. Krebbs is facing a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine. Bailey is facing preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Trafficking with an Inmate, Possession of Heroin, Possession of a Controlled

Substance and Possession of a Legend Drug.

March is National Red Cross month.

Theo Boots, executive director of the Southern Indiana Region of the American Red Cross says there are many opportunities for you to help the not-for-profit group. While donations are always appreciated, they are also looking for volunteers willing to donate their time.

She said there are several areas where volunteers are needed. The first and main area is in local disaster relief efforts. She said the goal is to make Bartholomew County able to help its own residents when disaster strikes.

The Red Cross also needs volunteer with its Pillowcase project, an effort to make schoolchildren better prepared should disaster strike.

One of the more popular programs is the home fire campaign, which gives out and installs free smoke alarms, Boots says.

The Red Cross also needs volunteers who are ready to deploy to disaster areas. For example, many local Red Cross volunteers are helping families hit hard by the flooding last week in northern Indiana.

Boots says that 96 percent of the Red Cross work is performed by volunteers, which means that most of the groups funding can go directly to critical needs, rather than salaries of staff. 91 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs, she said.

To volunteer in this area or others, or to make a donation, you can contact the Red Cross office in Bartholomew County at 812-379-9551.