The Bartholomew County Historical Society wants you to come see their Christmas Trees Through Time exhibit, going on now through Dec. 21st at the society’s headquarters on Third Street in Columbus.
You will be able to see Christmas trees decorated by local designers and clubs. Xenia Miller’s creche (cresh) collection will be on display, along with historical toys and what organizers are calling a one-of-a-kind dollhouse.
Santa will be at the museum from 12 to 4 on Saturday, Dec. 7th. Christmas Trees Through Time will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 to 4 and admission is free.
You can get more information by calling 812-372-3541 or go online to bartholomewhistory.org.
Indiana State Police are investigating a school bus crash this morning that left one person dead in Jennings County.
The crash happened before 7:30 a.m. at the split of State Roads 7 and 3, just south of Vernon. No children were on board the bus at the time of the crash, says Sgt. Stephen Wheeles with the state police.
The initial investigation by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a Jennings County School Corporation school bus driven by 72-year-old Robert J. Ringer, of North Vernon, was traveling southbound on State Road 7. A pickup truck, driven by 48-year-old Harry T. Palmer, of North Vernon, was traveling northbound on State Road 7. Authorities say that Palmer attempted to turn southbound onto State Road 3 in front of the bus. The bus struck the passenger side of Palmer’s vehicle before coming to stop in the middle of State Road 7. Palmer’s truck came to rest just off the roadway.
A passenger on the bus, 74-year-old Mary Boyd, of North Vernon, sustained fatal injuries in the crash. She was transported to St. Vincent-Jennings Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Ringer was not injured. Palmer and a passenger in his vehicle, 44-year-old Steven P. Graham, of North Vernon, where both transported to St. Vincent-Jennings Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
ISP say Boyd was a bus aide that road on the bus route to monitor the students. She had been employed with the Jennings County School Corporation as an aide for approximately ten years.
Toxicology results are pending and the investigation is ongoing.
The deadline is coming up on Friday to seek aid from all of the community holiday help programs in Bartholomew County.
Families in need of help can contact the Holiday Helpline through the United Way of Bartholomew County. That allows families to register for holiday food and gift assistance through the Community Center of Hope Angel Tree, Columbus Fireman’s Cheer Fund, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Shop with a Cop, Toys for Tots, Love Chapel’s Holiday Food Pantry as well as other private organizations.
Families in need of help can contact the Holiday Helpline through 4 on Friday at 812-375-2216. If you need Spanish-language help, you can call SuCasa Columbus at 812-375-9370.
Bartholomew County authorities want to find the vandals who are shooting out windows with BB Guns.
Sheriff Matt Myers reports that there have been eight incidents of BB gun damage since early November. Most have involved vehicle windows being shot out, but homes and businesses have also been hit, Myers says.
Two of the incidents happened in Elizabethtown, with the rest happening on Marr Road and County Road 800N.
Myers stresses that he does not see this as a simple prank, as it involves large expenses for the affected vehicle and home owners. The required extra patrols are also taking deputies away from other, more serious calls, he said.
If you have any information on the incidents, you can call the Sheriff’s Office at 812-379-1650 or call the anonymous Tip Line at 812-379-1712.
Four people were arrested for allegedly being involved in the theft of guns from a home in Johnson County.
At about 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department dispatched deputies to the Oak Meadows Mobile Home Community on what was initially reported as an armed robbery. When deputies arrived on the scene, it became clear that the call was actually a theft of firearms from a home.
Police say the suspects had fled the scene prior to the deputies arrival, but were quickly found and arrested. Interviews of the suspects revealed that they had disposed of three firearms shortly after stealing them. Sheriff Duane Burgess says the suspects revealed the location of the stolen guns and all three were quickly recovered.
Arrested were:
– Patrick Jackson on a preliminary charge of Theft
– Sierra Frazee on a preliminary charge of Theft
– Phillip Lasley on preliminary charges of Theft and a Serious Violent Felon in Possession of Firearm
– Abigail Pittman on preliminary charges of Theft and False Informing
Burgess says that area schools were notified of the incident when the suspects were still at large but were not believed to be in any danger at any time.
Temperatures are getting colder, but there is still plenty to do in downtown Columbus. Caitlin Smith with the Columbus Area Arts Council, encourages you and your family to take part in “First Fridays For Families.”
“Bright Star Theater” is a touring theater group out of North Carolina. They will be putting on a production of the holiday classic “The Velveteen Rabbit” this Friday at the Commons. This free event is put on by the “Bright Star Theater” group out of North Carolina. Doors open Friday at 5:30 p.m. The show begins at 6 p.m.
This season’s First Friday’s For Families programming is made possible by The Carl Marshall and Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation with support from the City of Columbus, Indiana Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts.
John Demerit. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.
Two people were arrested Monday night on drug charges after their vehicle was stopped for a minor traffic violation in downtown Columbus.
Columbus police report stopping a vehicle near 16th and Chestnut Streets at about 11:40 p.m. Monday night. A police dog alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search allegedly revealed drug paraphernalia, prescription medication, along with a pill bottle containing methamphetamine.
The driver, 39-year-old John R. Demerit and his passenger, 38-year-old Carolyn Shonk Murrell, both of Columbus, were both arrested.
Carolyn Shonk Murrell. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.
Demerit is facing preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, as well as operating a vehicle without obtaining a license. Shonk Murrell is being accused of possession of a controlled substance.
Developmental Services Inc. recently held its 44th annual awards banquet, giving recognition to several local clients, workers and volunteers.
Among the local residents honored were:
Dennis England of Seymour was chosen for the consumer achievement award.
Magen Pillar of Columbus received the volunteer and service award.
Kevin Trotter of Seymour received the direct support professional award.
Kelly Hoffman of Columbus was chosen for the SPIRIT Award for her 16 years of service with the agency.
The DSI Excellence Award was presented to Judy Brown of Columbus who has spent 40 years with DSI ranging from receptionist to manager of information and technology.
Jennifer Heinemann of Hope was honored with a community impact award.
Dane Whitlock of Columbus received special recognition for his impact on the lives of children and adults with disabilities over the years.
Elaina Sims, a Columbus East graduate studying biochemistry at IU, received the $1,000 William K. Hadar Scholarship, named after the agency’s longest serving chief executive officer.
The Columbus Fire Department will be taking delivery of a new fire engine.
You are invited to attend a special ceremony to welcome the new Fire Engine 6 on Monday, Dec. 9 at Fire Station 6, located at 1900 W. 450 S. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and is expected to last around 30 minutes. As part of this celebration, attendees will also be invited to an open house of the recently renovated fire station 6, following the ceremony.
Within the Fire Service, this upcoming ceremony is commonly referred to as a Wet-down ceremony. CFD officials say this tradition goes back to the era when fire pumpers were powered by hand. Following a fire, the horses would be separated from the pumper cart and both horse and pumper would be washed by the firefighters. After this “bath”, the pumper would be pushed into the station ready for the next fire. You are invited to take part in the celebration.
The replacement apparatus is a custom Quint manufactured by E-One. The new engine will carry up to four firefighters and has been outfitted with a full complement of firefighting gear as well as Advanced Life Support medical and trauma equipment. The City of Columbus purchased the engine for $ 847,000.
The apparatus currently serving as Engine 6 was purchased by the city in 1998. CFD officials say this vehicle will be reassigned to the reserve fleet, and will be utilized as a backup emergency response vehicle.
From L-R; Rick Flohr, Sheriff Myers, Larry perkinson, Carl Lienhoop and Larry Kleinhenz; Photo courtesy of Sheriff’s Dept.
An area educator was honored for his work during Monday morning’s meeting of the Bartholomew County Commissioners.
Sheriff Matt Myers presented longtime Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. staff member Larry Perkinson with an “Honorary Deputy Sheriff” plaque.
“Thank you Larry for your many years of service to Bartholomew County and Bartholomew County young people and our very best wishes on your retirement,” said Sheriff Myers.
