Detectives from the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team arrested two people on numerous drug charges after a lengthy investigation. On July 3rd, authorities executed a search warrant at 6770 S. County Road 650 West in Bartholomew County.

Detectives reported finding narcotics and paraphernalia inside the home of 54-year-old Troy E. Smith and 31-year-old Kelly D. Starke. While investigators were inside the house, Smith and Starke returned home. When they saw the officers, the pair allegedly tried to flee in their vehicle. However, officers utilized a tire deflation device and the couple were taken into custody. They are facing the following preliminary charges:

Troy Smith: Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Illegal Drug Labs, Bartholomew County Warrant, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Kelly Starke: Possession of a Controlled Substance, Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Illegal Drug Labs

Both Smith and Starke remain incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail. Authorities say that additional charges are possible, as the investigation is ongoing.

Two local residents are facing charges after they allegedly broke into a Columbus home Sunday night.

The Columbus Police Department says that officers were dispatched to a home in the 700 block of Smith Street at about 11:40 p.m. after receiving a call that two people were trying to break in. The residents told the officers that a man and woman were pulling on their door and causing a disturbance outside their home.

While officers were speaking with the residents, the suspects 29-year-old Clifton S. Burton and 24-year-old Ophelia C. Garcia, both of Columbus, were spotted inside the home immediately next door. Police say that when Burton and Garcia spotted the officers, they fled to the back of the house. Officers later confirmed with the homeowner that the pair were not supposed to be there.

CPD says that Burton and Garcia are being held on 48-hour holds on the following preliminary charges:

Clifton Burton: Burglary, Possession of Methamphetamine, Residential Entry;
Ophelia Garcia: Residential Entry

An early Sunday morning crash on Interstate 65 near Edinburgh killed a Freetown man and seriously injured his mother.

Indiana State Police are reporting that the crash happened at about 2:45 a.m. in southern Shelby County, when a vehicle ran off the road, hit a tree and rolled several times. Shelby County deputies were the first on the scene and called for a medical helicopter. But 41-year-old Kenneth Cubbage Jr. of Freetown was pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother, 62-year-old Connie Cubbage, was a passenger in the vehicle and was not wearing a seatbelt. She was taken to IU Methodist Hospital by ambulance. State police say she was in stable condition.

The accident remains under investigation.

A Bartholomew County deputy was slightly injured after being attacked and spit on during an incident on Independence Day.

The incident started at about 5:20 a.m. on the Fourth of July when a deputy was flagged down because of a disturbance at the Sunnybrooke Mobile Home Park. 20-year-old Kevin Ferrell of Elizabethtown appeared to be intoxicated and belligerent and attempted to leave the scene, according to police reports. The deputy went to stop him from leaving and Ferrell allegedly punched her in the face and spit on her.

He was arrested on preliminary charges of Battery on a Public Safety Official, Battery with Bodily Waste to Law Enforcement, Illegal Consumption of Alcohol, Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Law Enforcement

The sheriff’s department reports that Deputy Leah Burton received minor swelling and bruising in the attack. She was treated at Columbus Regional Hospital and then released.

Summer break for area students has just got underway. However, the Bartholomew County United Way is looking ahead to make sure students have what they need when they return to class in August. Alicia Monroe talks about the school supply drive for all county school-aged children.

Monroe explains that the United Way is accepting donations to help the cause.

To receive free supplies, a student’s parent or guardian must register for the supply drive by calling (812) 375-2216. That number is answered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. officials the registration deadline to get guaranteed supplies is July 18th.

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews are set to begin chip sealing an eight-mile section of State Road 11 in Jackson and Bartholomew counties this week. INDOT says the work, from a quarter-mile north of I-65 to about five miles south of State Road 46 (Southern Crossing), should begin on or after Tuesday, July 9th. The work is dependent on the weather.

Drivers should expect delays in the area due to lane closures in the work zone. Flaggers will be on hand to manage traffic. You are reminded to pay attention and follow all rules in work zones. Don’t drive distracted.

If you are looking for more traffic information, download the WAZE app for your smartphone and join the WCSI Traffic team. You can find updated traffic information on our website, on-air and on the app.

Correction: Due to a source error, the suspect’s last name was incorrect in a previous version of this story.

A wanted North Vernon man was arrested early Thursday morning in Jackson County. Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies made the stop at about 4:30 a.m. after a car without working headlights or taillights was spotted turning south on Meadowbrook Drive from East Tipton Street in Seymour.

Authorities say that the driver, 33-year-old Calin R. Thomas, initially gave deputies a fake name and identification. It was then learned that he had an active felony warrant out of Jennings County for Residential Entry and Criminal Trespass. During the arrest Thomas allegedly tried to resist officers, but was quickly detained.

Thomas is facing new preliminary charges of False Reporting, False Identity Statement and Resisting Law Enforcement. He is also being held on the Jennings County warrant.

The Bartholomew County 4-H Fair kicks off today.

Organizer Annie Romine says there will be numerous displays, rides and the return of an old fair favorite.

The fair officially opens at 5 p.m. today and it is Bartholomew County Republican Party Day. The midway is offering $20 wristbands and the Indiana Pulling League will have an event at the grandstands at 7 p.m. The band, Ferguson Road, will be performing at the Farm Bureau Building,  also starting at 7 p.m. tonight.

The Bartholomew County 4-H Fair continues on Saturday with grandstand entertainment featuring the Demolition Derby sponsored by the Kroot Corp at 7 p.m.  Mount LIberty Way will be performing at the Farm Bureau building at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Midnight Madness starts at 8 p.m.with $15 wristbands Saturday.

Saturday is both Pardiecks Hot Tub Day at the fair and Military Appreciation Day.

This year’s fair runs through Saturday, July 13th.

You can get a full rundown of this year’s fair activities at bartholomewcountyfair.com.

Two people were arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop near Crothersville on Interstate 65 this week.

The Indiana State Police are reporting that a trooper stopped a pickup truck on I-65 Northbound in southern Jackson County at about 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. The trooper’s police dog Jinx alerted to the odor of drugs coming from the vehicle.

A search revealed about 28 grams of suspected methamphetamine inside. State police arrested both the driver of the vehicle, 33-year-old Ryan C. Plessinger, of North Vernon and his passenger, 57-year-old Rose Z. Victorino, of Crothersville on drug charges.

At the Jackson County Jail, Victorino was found to be carrying about another 40 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

Plessinger and Victorino are facing felony charges of dealing and possessing methamphetamine.

The Town of Hope will be hosting the second of its summer car cruise ins starting tonight at 5 p.m. on the Town Square.

Top Hat Blues Review is playing at the bandstand starting at 6 p.m.

This month’s featured event is a baby contest and there is still time to enter. You can register for $5 at the shelterhouse and prizes are being donated by Jana Jones Photography, Zaharakos, Dairy Queen and Chuck E. Cheese.

The car cruse-ins are held on the first Friday of each month through October.