Columbus is ranked as one of the safest cities in Indiana. According to SafeWise’s annual “20 Safest Cities in Indiana” 2018 Report, Columbus was listed as the eighth safest city in the state. That ranking was based on a violent crime rate of .44 per one-thousand residents. Columbus’ property crimes rate is considerably higher, at 41.15 incidents per one-thousand residents.
The safest city in Indiana, according to SafeWise, is St. John.
You can view the entire list here: http://bit.ly/2z3VCsg.
Columbus Firefighters are investigating an early Friday morning fire that destroyed a storage building in the 900 block of Union Street.
Crews arrived on the scene around 4:37 a.m. to find a fully engulfed wood storage shed behind 926 Union Street. The fire was located at the rear of the rental property, away from other homes or buildings. Portions of the roughly 8’ x 10’ building had collapsed prior to firefighters arrival. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames within minutes.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and damages are estimated at less than $1,000. No one was hurt.
Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, says that CFD firefighters have responded to three detached storage building fires in this area since August. Authorities ask you to report any suspicious activity to 911.
The body of a missing Trafalgar woman was quickly found in a pond on her property. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department says that deputies were called to a home in the 7800 block of South Sawmill Court at about 1:45 p.m. on Thursday to assist Trafalgar Fire Medics.
Deputies arrived as medics were performing CPR on the woman on the rear boat dock of the property. The victim, 73-year-old Judith Metcalfe, had reportedly been suffering from Dementia and wandered off.
While the death is not considered suspicious, Johnson County officials say an autopsy will take place.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced that the Columbus branch is relocating to 4445 Ray Boll Boulevard effective Tuesday, Nov. 20th. The current location at 745 Schnier Street will continue to serve customers through Saturday, Nov. 17.
BMV officials say the relocation will provide area residents access to a new 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk. BMV Connect gives Hoosiers the option to visit a BMV branch any time of day to complete routine transactions.
Local law enforcement officers arrested nine people, many of whom are members or known associates of the Aryan Brotherhood, after a year-long investigation. Columbus Police say the investigation began in October 2017 with the arrests of two persons connected to the gang. Lt. Matt Harris, CPD spokesman, says this investigation focused on complaints of narcotics dealing, multiple burglaries and vehicle thefts in Columbus and Bartholomew County and also involved suspects attempting to sneak contraband into the Bartholomew County Jail.
Officers from the Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department worked together during this investigation which also included officers from the CPD Intelligence Led Policing Unit, CPD SWAT, Columbus/Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, CPD Detective’s Division as well as the Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Edinburgh Police Department.
As the case progressed, detectives contacted Bartholomew County Prosecutor Bill Nash who assigned Deputy Prosecutor Lindsey Holden
Kay to work closely with investigators on the case. As a result of the investigation, the following people were arrested on formal charges of:
Chelsie S. Harden, 30, Columbus;
– Trafficking with an Inmate (Level 5 Felony)
– Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
– Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class A Misdemeanor)
– Criminal Gang Activity (Level 6 Felony)
– Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony)
– Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class A Misdemeanor)
Jarred A. Parton, 26, Franklin;
– Criminal Gang Activity (Level 6 Felony)
– Battery (Class A Misdemeanor)
William Jacob Lustig, 38, Columbus;
– Criminal Gang Activity (Level 6 Felony)
– Trafficking with an Inmate (Level 5 Felony)
– Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony)
– Dealing in a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (Class A Misdemeanor)
Brandon B. Jacobs, 28, Nashville;
– Criminal Gang Activity (Level 6 Felony)
– Auto Theft (Level 6 Felony)
– Intimidation (Level 6 Felony)
– Possession of Altered Handgun (Level 6 Felony)
– Carrying an Handgun Without a License (Class A Misdemeanor)
William “Corey” King, 35, Columbus;
– Criminal Gang Activity (Level 6 Felony)
– Trafficking with an Inmate (Level 5 Felony)
David “Bub” Hadley, 35;
– Criminal Gang Activity (Level 6 Felony)
– Trafficking with an Inmate (Level 5 Felony)
Mary Jaylin Craig, 22, Edinburgh;
– Trafficking with an Inmate (Level 5 Felony)
– Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
– Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class A Misdemeanor)
William J. Stillabower, 33, Columbus;
– Criminal Gang Activity (Level 6 Felony)
– Trafficking with an Inmate (Level 5 Felony)
Matthew S. Mowery, 22, Austin, Indiana;
– Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
– Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony)
Governor Eric Holcomb is directing flags across the state to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the mass-shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California.
Flags should be flown at half-staff through sunset on Saturday.
Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff.
A Taylorsville Elementary student has been suspended following reports that the eight-year-old had shown what is being described as a “death list” to another student on the bus.
Larry Perkinson, Employee and Student Assistance Coordinator for the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, says that law enforcement was notified and that students are safe. As for how long the child will be suspended, BCSC says that won’t be known until after a meeting with the student’s family.
The city of Columbus, along with officials from the Louisville & Indiana Railroad and CSX Railroad celebrated the ribbon cutting on the new Noblitt Park railroad bridge this week. The new structure replaces a bridge that had spanned the Flat Rock River for over 100 years.
In remarks to the group, L&I President John Goldman thanked the Columbus officials for their cooperation during construction, citing the open communication with city officials as key to the project moving along smoothly. Railroad officials say the project completes over $12 million in improvements along the rails leading into and out of Columbus.
Mayor Jim Lienhoop has been a proponent of public-private partnerships when it benefits both parties. “We are pleased to continue a strong collaborative working relationship with Louisville & Indiana Railroad and CSX Railroad officials to minimize the impact of increased train traffic to our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Lienhoop. “We look forward to their continued help as we move forward with final plans and construction of the State Road 46/Indiana 11 overpass over the next several years.”
Indiana State Police arrested a Seymour man after a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon.
The investigation began at about 2 p.m. when a Trooper stopped an SUV on southbound I-65 near the 51 mile marker. Upon speaking to the driver, 39-year-old Timothy W. Shell, the Trooper could smell marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search of the SUV reportedly uncovered approximately 8.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine, along with marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Shell was arrested on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (over 5 grams), Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Three people were arrested Tuesday after the Indiana State Police-Versailles All Crimes Policing Team served a search warrant at a Jackson County home.
ISP says that at approximately 11 a.m. Troopers responded to a residence located at 107 N. East Street in Crothersville after receiving a citizen’s complaint of possible drug activity there. Upon arriving at the residence, troopers obtained probable cause to apply for and receive a search warrant signed by Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Rick Poynter.
Upon serving the warrant, troopers reported finding approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. State Police say that numerous other items associated with drug dealing and drug were also recovered at the scene.
As a result of the investigation, three Crothersville residents were arrested. They are:
Rose Staley Victorino, 57, –
Dealing in Meth over 28 Grams, (near school or park) level 2 felony
Possession of Meth over 28 Grams (near school or park) level 4 felony
Obstruction of justice, level 6 felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, level 6 felony
Dealing Marijuana, A misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, A misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, C Misdemeanor
Scott Staley, 46, –
Dealing in Meth over 28 Grams, (near school or park) level 2 felony
Possession of Meth over 28 Grams (near school or park) level 4 felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, level 6 felony
Dealing Marijuana, A misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, A misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, C Misdemeanor
Rodger Wells Robinson, 37, –
Dealing in Meth over 28 Grams, (near school or park) level 2 felony
Possession of Meth over 28 Grams (near school or park) level 4 felony
Visiting a Common Nuisance, B misdemeanor
Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, ISP spokesman, says the All Crimes Policing Team continues to pursue those who choose to engage in criminal activities in our communities. He encourages anyone with information about ongoing criminal activity to call the Versailles Post at (812) 689-5000. Callers may remain anonymous.