The Columbus Police Department is accepting applications for the position of police officer. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and less than 36 years of age when hired. Prospective applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent and complete all aspects of the hiring process and training program. College graduates, military veterans, and persons with law enforcement experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications can be downloaded online at columbus.in.gov/police/info-documents/sworn-officer-application-2/ or picked up inside the Personnel Office in Columbus City Hall. Applications will also be available in the Columbus Human Rights Office.

The 2019 salary range for a Patrol Officer is $51,428 – $62,128. Officers are assigned a “take home” patrol car with usage in Bartholomew and adjoining counties and work 8.5 hour shifts with two weekends off per month. Officers also receive vacation time and paid holidays, shift differential pay (5% for 2nd shift and 10% for 3rd shift), college credit allowance up to $2,850, military incentive pay up to $1,424, clothing allowance of $900 per year, specialty unit pay up to $3,000 per year. PERF retirement is available after 20 years of service.

Applications will be accepted until November 8, 2019. The first step of the testing process, a written test, will be offered on Saturday, November 16, 2019.

Camp Atterbury is set to host its Annual Community Day event scheduled this Saturday, Sept. 7th, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The event will feature a military static display area, community organizations, live music, petting zoo, historical displays, a live-fire demonstration, tours of Camp Atterbury and more.

The live-fire demonstration will start at 2 p.m. If you wish to watch the demo, arrive at the Railhead complex no later than 1 p.m. for transit to the range.

“This event will showcase some of the capabilities of the Indiana National Guard, highlighting one of the premier training sites in the nation since 1942. I want to thank the great citizens of Indiana for their never-ending support,” said, Col. Felicia Brokaw, commander of Camp Atterbury.

Visitors must enter through the Atterbury Railhead Complex Gate on Schoolhouse Road. Picture identification is required from the driver and will be checked by security upon entering the installation. No civilian firearms are permitted.

You can get more information online at atterburymuscatatuck.in.ng.mil.

Ivy Tech Community College has selected a Vice Chancellor of Student Success for the Columbus campus.

Dr. Jennifer Englert-Copeland will join Ivy Tech Columbus in October. She brings extensive experience in higher education, including academic advising, assessment, retention, and student success services. Ivy Tech officials say that Englert-Copeland will “lead staff in supporting students as they persist toward completing their education and career goals.”

“Dr. Englert-Copeland’s collaborative, data-driven approach to student success along with her belief in the importance and value of community college make her an excellent fit for Ivy Tech,” said Dr. Steven Combs, Ivy Tech Columbus chancellor. “Her comprehensive experience in academic advising and other student success initiatives will bolster the incredible work of our academic advising team and help further progress our efforts to advance the student experience at Ivy Tech Columbus.”

Before joining Ivy Tech, Dr. Englert-Copeland served as Director of Advising and Assessment at Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville. She also has previously served as the Developmental Advising Counselor and an academic advisor at Jefferson.

Dr. Englert-Copeland earned a doctorate in philosophy, education and social change from Bellarmine University in Louisville and a master’s degree in English from Western Carolina University. Her bachelor’s degree is in English Literature from Western Kentucky University.

“Ivy Tech is committed to providing an accessible doorway to higher education while providing students with the support they need to reach their educational and career goals,” Dr. Englert-Copeland said. “The outreach and services provided at Ivy Tech Columbus emphasize the student-centered approach that community colleges must take to ensure the best possible outcomes for their students. I look forward to collaborating with the outstanding staff at the Columbus campus in helping students develop and overcome challenges on their paths to success.”

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation has issued a Boil Water Advisory in effect through 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5th for the Southwest Section of Lowell Addition. That includes the following streets: Shady Lane, Southline Drive and Birchwood.

All water used for consumption and cooking should be boiled at least five minutes before use.

A local man was arrested on multiple charges after fleeing a traffic crash Sunday night.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s responded to a personal injury crash shortly after 10 p.m. in the 12000 block of 25th Street. Authorities say a woman was driving when 42-year-old Kevin Groover Jr., of Columbus, grabbed the steering wheel and caused the crash. The driver sustained injuries during the crash and was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital.

Authorities say that Groover then jumped into the driver’s seat and fled the scene in the wrecked vehicle. A deputy located the vehicle and stopped Groover in the 3000 block of North State Road 9. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated-Endangerment and Resisting Law Enforcement

Groover has since been released.

A passenger was arrested after a traffic stop last night in Columbus.

Columbus police are reporting that they stopped the vehicle because its taillights weren’t working at about 11:45 p.m. Monday night near 25th Street and Taylor Road. Officers said the occupants were acting nervous and a man in the vehicle appeared to give a fake name.

A passenger, 38-year-old Gregory T. Louden of Columbus, turned out to be wanted on three warrants. A Columbus police dog was brought in and alerted to the smell of narcotics in the vehicle. Heroin and methamphetamine were allegedly discovered where Louden was sitting.

He was arrested on preliminary drug possession charges along with the warrants.

The Hope Town Square will be the site Friday for the monthly car cruise-in, farmers and other vendors selling their wares, and the Student’s Fund of Hope holding a free showing of the film “Finding Dory.”

The student’s fund will also be selling refreshments during the car show to raise money. The Good Times Band from Hope will be performing at the bandstand.

The car show starts at 5 p.m., the music starts at 6 p.m. and the movie will start at about 8:30 p.m.

An emergency response vehicle from the Columbus branch of the American Red Cross left yesterday morning to help victims of Hurricane Dorian.

Donna M Colón, executive director, of the Red Cross region, says that Indiana is providing three of the ERVs and six full-time volunteers to help hurricane victims.

The ERVs are basically a box truck set up with heavy duty chassis ans suspension. They are used to distribute food, water and supplies to those in need.

The  exact location where the Columbus vehicle will be deployed has yet to be determined. Colón said the national level Red Cross determines the need and then asks local agencies to send their equipment and volunteers.

She said being a volunteer on the ERV requires specialized training.

If you want to help, you can visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Bartholomew County deputies arrested a Hope man Saturday after an investigation into a sex offense against a juvenile.

24-year-old Clemente S. Bautista was arrested on a preliminary felony charge of child molesting.

Sheriff Matt Myers said that Bautista was identified as a suspect in the case, interviewed on Friday and confessed to deputies.

An Ohio man died Friday after a Jackson County motorcycle crash on Interstate 65 at the Jonesville Road exit, but his body wasn’t discovered until Saturday.

The Indiana State Police are reporting that a passerby noticed the yellow motorcycle in the field off of the exit ramp at about noon on Saturday.

78-year-old Ivan F. Hammond of Monclova, Ohio was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles with the state police reports that investigators believe Hammond likely crashed Friday but no one noticed his bike because of how far off the road it was. He was traveling northbound on I-65 when he attempted to exit onto State Road 11 and was traveling too fast for the exit. Hammond was thrown from the motorcycle causing the fatal injuries. Hammond was wearing a helmet and other protective clothing at the time of the crash.

A missing person report had been filed in Ohio earlier Saturday after family members couldn’t contact Hammond and he was late returning home.