The Indiana House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee supported State Rep. Randy Frye’s legislation Tuesday that would establish the Ivy Tech Public Safety Scholarship.

According to Frye, a Greensburg Republican, this scholarship would provide tuition for a public safety officer to pursue any certificate or associate degree program offered by Ivy Tech Community College for two academic years or less.

“The demand for new public safety officers in Indiana is high,” Frye said. “This scholarship would help recruit young people to this rewarding career while encouraging them to grow their skills and remain in our community.”

Frye said the scholarship would only be available to volunteer firefighters for the first two years of the program. After July 2021, the program would open up to all public safety officers, including paid firefighters, police officers and EMTs.

If this scholarship is established, applicants must have a high school diploma.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter announced that Trooper Zachariah Ruble, of Jackson County, is being promoted to Sergeant to serve as a District Squad Leader with the Indiana State Police, Versailles District.

Sgt. Ruble is a 1999 graduate of Southwestern High School. He joined the United States Marines where he served over five years, achieving the rank of Sergeant in 2002. During his time in the Marines, he was awarded the Marine Corps Combat Aircrew Wings and First Strike/Flight Air Medal for his actions in Afghanistan in 2004.

Sgt. Ruble attended the 65th Indiana State Police Academy and graduated in April 2006. After graduation, he was assigned to the Seymour District of the Indiana State Police until its closing in 2010. He was then transferred to the Versailles District.

As a trooper, Sgt. Ruble has been a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon, Honor Guard, and a field training officer. He is certified as a Control Tactics, Taser, and Firearms Instructor. He has been a core instructor at the Indiana State Police Academy for five years and recently served as a counselor for the 78th ISP Recruit Academy.

Sgt. Ruble’s new responsibilities include supervising and evaluating a squad of troopers who patrol the Versailles District.

Columbus Parks and Recreation has received the latest environmental report for property at 1360 Jackson Street. In November, the city council gave approval to provide an additional appropriation to purchase the property, which would be used for storing department vehicles and equipment. Parks Director Mark Jones explained the property, which contains outbuildings, is desirable because because of it’s size, existing structures and because it neighbors existing parks property.

The property is owned by a relative of Mayor Jim Lienhoop, who’s recused himself from involvement in the sale. The site was formerly home to a machinery moving company. If the report is positive, the city will pay $300,000 for the property in six annual installments of $50,000 each.

Parks officials say they are reviewing the report and will have additional comment once that is complete.

A vehicle driving in downtown Columbus without brake lights, led to the arrest of the driver and a passenger on drug-related charges Tuesday.

Columbus police stopped the vehicle near 11th and California streets after noticing the non-working equipment.  A passenger, 47-year-old Tyrone C. Williams of Martinsville was found to have an outstanding warrant and during a search as he was arrested, officers report finding heroin in his wallet.

Officers also allegedly discovered narcotics and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, leading to the arrest of the driver, 48-year-old Lori L. Cobb of Columbus.

Williams is being accused of heroin possession along with the outstanding warrant.

Cobb is facing preliminary charges of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a legend drug injection device.

A traffic stop turned into drug arrests for two Bartholomew County residents Tuesday after one allegedly struggled with police and the other tried to hide evidence.

Columbus officers stopped a vehicle at about 5:20 Tuesday on County Road 200S, but discovered that a passenger, 31-year-old Jared R. Turner of Hope, had an outstanding warrant. Turner allegedly refused to leave the vehicle and then tried to reach into the back seat. Police report that they dragged him from the vehicle and after a short struggle he was arrested.

Police say they found a small bag of heroin in the back seat, near where Turner was seated.

Another passenger, 27-year-old April N. Retz allegedly was carrying heroin and drug paraphernalia in her purse, and police say they recovered methamphetamine and heroin she tried to hide in the vehicle. After she was taken into custody, jail officers allegedly found more heroin she was carrying.

Turner is facing charges of possessing heroin, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with resisting law enforcement and the original warrant.

Retz is being accused of dealing and possessing both heroin and methamphetamine, along with obstructing justice and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bartholomew County deputies assisted in the case.

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A Kentucky man is facing child neglect and drug possession charges after he was arrested at a Columbus restaurant Tuesday night.

Police were called to the restaurant in the 2200 block of Jonathan Moore Pike at about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday after witnesses say a man spent about 45 minutes in the bathroom with a crying infant.

Columbus police report that they found 28-year-old Joshua C. Edwards of Simpsonville, Kentucky in a vehicle in the parking lot. He appeared intoxicated and at first didn’t recognize that police were on the scene as officers tried to communicate with him. After waking him up, police allegedly found he was carrying heroin and was caught reaching for a syringe. He was taken into custody and the small child was released to a family member.

Cummins is announcing that its X12 engine will be going into Western Star trucks.

Production is expected to begin in August for the new engine/truck combination. Cummins announced the pairing yesterday, saying that the X12 is the lightest engine in its class and has the highest power-to-weight ratio — capable of 500 horsepower and 1700 pound-feet of torque, while weighing only 2 thousand and 50 pounds.

A Western Star company spokesperson says the engine will be available in the 4700 model trucks, one of the company’s best selling models.

The X12, which is begin made in Jamestown, N.Y., has already been announced in partnerships with Freightlner and Autocar.

If you have been putting off donating blood, the Red Cross says now is an excellent time to donate, as the blood supply is in critical need.

The Indiana Blood Center yesterday issued the critical statewide appeal for donors. The Blood Center says all blood types are needed, but O-negative and O-positive supplies are critically low. The need is critical, due to the recent snow and frigid temps.

The next Columbus area blood drives are Feb. 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College, Feb. 14th from noon to 4 p.m. at Henry Chiropractic Center and Feb. 15th at Developmental Services Inc. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There is also a blood drive scheduled at Camp Atterbury on Feb. 10th from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment or to get more information you can go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS

Some Jennings County residents are under a Boil Water Advisory. Hayden Water Association officials say that a water main break on Monday led to the advisory. All Hayden Water customer should boil all cooking and drinking water prior to consumption.

The advisory ends at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.