A Columbus woman is being accused of sneaking into Central Middle School and swiping students cell phones.

Columbus police report they were called to investigate a suspicious person around the school on 7th Street at about 8:30 a.m. yesterday morning. Shortly after that, the phones were found to be missing from a school locker room.

School resource officers used the cell phone signals to track the phones to the area of Foundation For Youth on Hope Avenue where they found 19-year-old Alexis R. Daniels of Columbus. She is facing a preliminary charge of theft.

Jennings County deputies tracking down a stolen vehicle ended up arresting a man who claimed he was undercover for the FBI.

The sheriff’s department reports that the incident started at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon when OnStar reported tracking a stolen SUV had been located near Perry Street.

Police found one man sitting in the vehicle, 29-year-old Tulio I.E. de los Monteros of San Diego, California. But the suspect tried to convince deputies that he was in Vernon for a secret mission for the FBI.

He was arrested on charges including impersonating a public servant and auto theft.

Columbus will be closing down an area near the downtown roundabout this morning.

Columbus City Utilities will be closing the westbound lanes of 11th Street between Washington and Jackson Street, as well as Jackson Street between 11th and 12th Streets. Work there is going to start at about 8:30 a.m. this morning.

They ask that you avoid this area and use alternate routes.

A Seymour man would be headed to prison for 14 years after pleading guilty in the beating death of his fiancee.

The Seymour Tribune is reporting that 45-year-old Brian Cogdill has agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the case. He is accused in the death of 19 year old Emma Jamison on Sept. 6th at their home.

The newspaper reports that Cogdill was facing a 30 year prison sentence, but the plea agreement would mean 14 years in prison, 10 years suspended and five years on probation.

The plea agreement must still be approved by Judge Stephen Heimann, who is acting as special judge in the case. The next hearing is set for October 3rd.

A $3.8 million dollar project to update the auditorium at Columbus East High School has been underway this summer, but now it is getting to the noisy part — tearing up the concrete floor.

Dr. Brett Boezeman, director of operations for Bartholomew Consolidated Schools, updated the school board on the status of construction projects and safety upgrades, during last night’s board meeting.

Boezeman said that the East project is going to bring that auditorium up to the same quality level of the Columbus North High School auditorium. That will mean new lighting, sound equipment and changing the seating area — a part of the project that requires removing the existing concrete.

Boezeman said that the floor will be sawed into pieces and hauled out. As of yet , workers don’t know exactly how deep the sloped concrete floor actually is but they are estimating four to five inches, he said.

Crews have been working on demolition, including removing the seating, which will be mostly recycled, Boezeman said. Dunlap and Co. is the contractor for the project.

Bartholomew Consolidated Schools have new security features in place to protect students and staff. Those include more centrally controlled outside door locks, locks on classroom doors and a laminated window covering that prevents windows from breaking.

Dr. Brett Boezeman, director of operations for the school district, updated the school board last night on the safety upgrades and other construction projects.

Boezeman explained the installation of the centrally controlled outside door locks which require visitors to be buzzed into the school building. Those are called A phones

Interior classroom door locks have been installed at two schools, and installation at all schools is expected by Christmas.

Boezeman said that the district has also strategically installed a 3M laminated window treatment that prevents the glass from shattering if it is attacked by an assailant.

School board member James Persinger asked if that safety feature could prevent students and staff from breaking a window to escape the building, but Boezeman stressed that all of the locked doors can be opened with a push bar from the inside.

Boezeman also updated the board on other improvements in the district during the summer including the ongoing renovation of the Columbus East High School Auditorium, a new roof capable of hosting solar panels at Taylorsville Elementary and power washing of the exterior of Southside Elementary.

You have another chance tonight to give the city of Columbus your thoughts on what should happen at the Fair Oaks Mall site.

This is the second of four planned public input sessions guiding the future plans for the now city-owned mall property on 25th Street. The city of Columbus along with help from Columbus Regional Health and Heritage Fund bought the mall property near the end of last year. The goal is to move some Columbus Parks and Recreation functions to the mall property, to develop sports and recreation opportunities and to use the facility for community wellness purposes.

The corporation set up by the city to oversee the mall operations, has contracted with a company called MKSK to develop master plans for the property.

Tonight’s session will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the mall.

You can get more information about the Fair Oaks Mall project, as well as offer your suggestions, online at reimaginefairoaksmall.com.

A felon was arrested last week in Jennings County after being found by police carrying a handgun.

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that a deputy on patrol contacted two suspects walking in Country Squire Lakes near Country Manor and Heathglen streets at about 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon. One of the suspects was identified as Ricky West Jr. who has a felony conviction. While talking with the men, the deputy noticed a large bulge in West’s pants pocket.

That bulge turned out to be a handgun. He is facing a felony charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

A Nineveh man was arrested after an off-road vehicle accident over the weekend in Brown County.

Indiana Conservation officers say that 24-year-old Tracy Luckey is being accused of driving under the influence after the vehicle flipped over, pinning him underneath at about 3 a.m. Sunday morning. That was on private property near the 7000 block of Bean Blossom Road.

Luckey was not wearing a helmet or proper safety equipment, officers report. He refused medical treatment at the scene, but was taken to the Brown County Jail.

The Columbus resident who heads the Indiana National Guard is stepping down in the face of a lawsuit filed earlier this month alleging harassment, defamation and a vendetta against a former Guard military contractor.

Maj. Gen. Courtney Carr is retiring as adjutant general effective Friday upon the recommendation of Gov. Eric Holcomb, the governor’s office and the Guard announced this afternoon. Holcomb said that he received Carr’s resignation letter on Saturday.

Our news-gathering partners at The Republic reported on Saturday about the lawsuit filed in Marion County. The former contractor, Shari McLaughlin, accuses Carr of a launching a vendetta against her after she reported an affair he was allegedly having to military officials.

McLaughlin says that she had to quit her job because of harassment. When she found a job with a different contractor, McLaughlin says Carr used his power and influence to have her fired.

Carr has served as Adjutant General since 2015.

Brig. Gen. Timothy Winslow will serve as interim Adjutant General.

The Indiana National Guard announcement is below:

INDIANAPOLIS – Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr announced his retirement today from the U.S. Army, and tendered his resignation as the Indiana National Guard adjutant general effective August 16, 2019.

“I want thank Governor Holcomb for the distinct opportunity to serve as the adjutant general,” said Carr. “It has been my honor to lead the exceptional soldiers and airmen of the Indiana National Guard.”

Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Winslow, Director of the Joint Staff, will assume duties as interim adjutant general until Governor Holcomb appoints a new adjutant general.

“Tim brings a world of knowledge and a wealth of experience into this new leadership role,” said Carr. “His leadership style will be a steadying influence during this time of change.”

The Indiana National Guard will continue to be a ready and reliable force, and its mission will not be interrupted during this transition. The organization’s soldiers, airmen and civilians will continue their unwavering dedication to the community, state and nation.