Six new troopers, including one with Columbus ties, reported to the Indiana State Police-Versailles District following their graduation from the 79th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.

Indiana State Police say that 37 probationary troopers graduated from the academy on December 19th. Among the graduates were 23-year-old Trooper Austin Straub, a 2015 graduate of Columbus Christian High School. Straub graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in 2019 with a degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to being hired by ISP, Straub worked for Bartholomew County Community Corrections. Straub currently lives in Brown County.

ISP says these troopers have already completed over 1,000 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques as well as hands-on and scenario-based training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. The curriculum included criminal law, traffic law, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, firearms, crash investigation, self-defense, first aid and other general law enforcement training.

Upon completion of the ISP-Versailles District Field Training Program, all six probationary troopers will receive their police vehicles and begin solo patrol in the district.

The Bartholomew County Jail is closing in on starting its drug treatment program.

Sheriff’s Department officials say that the facility is taking the final steps to kick off its initial treatment program. Program coordinator Theresa Patton explains.

Patton says that screenings are going on now for female prisoners to take part in the first group.  Patton explains what the program will provide the inmates.

The first group will start with four women prisoners and add more in a staggered schedule to expand to 24 on both the men’s and women’s sides of the jail.

Jail prisoners who are admitted to the program will have 10 hour a day group treatment programs and individual counseling at no cost to the inmate. The program will run for a minimum of 90 days for each inmate and will be offered at no cost to the prisoner.

Patton said that she is working with community partners like the courts, ASAP and CRH to make a seamless transition as inmates leave the jail treatment setting.

The 23rd annual MLK Day breakfast in Columbus is set for Monday January 20th at The Commons.

The program will feature remarks from Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop and the Keynote Speaker will be Columbus East High School Vice-Principal Charles Edwards.

After the breakfast STEM activities for children will be available.

This event is sponsored by the African American Pastors Alliance. The breakfast is free and you are invited to attend. A hot buffet breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. followed by a program starting around 7:30 a.m. and concluding at 9 a.m.

A Columbus man was shot to death early Saturday morning by a homeowner in the 2000 block of Home Avenue.

38-year-old Derek Henderson of Columbus died after being shot in the head, chest and abdomen, according to Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting.

The incident began around 1 a.m. in the morning Saturday, when the homeowner was confronted inside his residence by an unknown man carrying a baseball bat. Police say the homeowner shot the intruder and when officer arrived to a report of shots being fired they found Henderson with gunshot wounds.

He was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to authorities. An autopsy was conducted Sunday, Nolting said. Toxicology results are pending. All autopsy information will be forwarded to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor.

The case was being investigated by the city/county death investigation team which includes city police, county deputies, Indiana State Police and the county prosecutor’s office. Nolting said any further information in the case will come through the county prosecutor’s office.

Schneck Medical Center in Seymour has announced it is now a VA Community Care Network provider for Veterans. The new network serves as the direct link between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Schneck healthcare providers. Optum, part of UnitedHealthcare, will manage the network and process claims on behalf of VA.

“Schneck is honored to serve our Veterans,” said Warren Forgey, President/CEO, Schneck Medical Center. “We feel a deep sense of privilege and honor as we partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs to help meet the healthcare needs of our local Veterans.”

To be eligible, a Veteran must be enrolled in VA’s patient enrollment system AND have an approved referral from VA for community care. The VA will provide a referral for a Veteran to receive community care when services are not available at a VA medical facility, an appointment is not available at a VA medical facility within a certain timeframe or the Veteran lives too far away from a VA medical facility. This service is for veterans only. Caregivers and family members are not eligible.

For more information on the VA Community Care Network, call Schneck Patient Financial Services at 812-522-0411.

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will continue right-of-way mechanical brush cutting across the Southeast District this winter. The work is being done to remove trees, shrubs and other vegetation along a number of state highways.

INDOT says that operations are typically performed on shoulders with minimal traffic impacts. However, motorists should still use caution and watch for active crews throughout the district.

Specific routes where brush cutting is planned include U.S. 50, S.R. 46, U.S. 31, U.S. 421, S.R. 7, S.R. 3, S.R. 135, S.R. 446 and S.R. 250.

Brush cutting is completed to remove vegetation that is blocking line-of-sight or traffic signs, reduce asphalt deterioration due to trapped moisture and provide shoulder space for motorists.

For more information on INDOT’s roadside management program, visit greenercrossroads.com.

U.S. Congressman Greg Pence has released the following statement on the death of Qasem Soleimani:

“Qasem Soleimani had the blood of hundreds of American patriots on his hands. Our Embassy is sovereign soil and our response was forceful and appropriate. Evil has been taken off this earth,” said Congressman Pence. “By the grace of God I shipped out of Beirut just before the 1983 Marine Barracks bombing orchestrated by Iran-backed terrorists. I know what the Iranian terrorist network is capable of. I stand firmly in support of President Trump, Secretary of State Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Esper.”

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department says that it spent the last day of 2019, cracking down on drug-dealing in the community.

Following a lengthy investigation, deputies served an arrest warrant on 58 year old Ralph D. Murray at his North Vernon home on Tuesday. Deputies report that the Sheriff’s Office narcotics team oversaw the purchase of illegal drugs from Murray.

He is facing two preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine.

This story has been updated.

2020 is a Presidential election year but a number of state and local races will also be on your ballot.

Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps explains that along with federal offices like seats in the U.S. House, other races will be settled as well. That includes the offices of Indiana Governor and Attorney General and statehouse races in the Indiana House and Senate.

Bartholomew County voters will also be choosing county commissioners for districts 1 and 3, members of county council at large, and Superior Court 2 Judge.

Other local races will include Hope Town Council seats in Wards 1, 2 and 3 and Hartsville Town Council members.

Many local voters could also be asked to approve a property tax increase through a referendum being considered by the Bartholomew Consolidated School Board. If the tax increase is approved by the school board later this month, it would appear on the May primary ballot of those living in the school district.

Candidates can begin filing their candidacies on Wednesday, Jan. 8th at the Voter Registration Office in the Bartholomew County Courthouse.

Leadership of the Columbus Police Department is a little different as we enter a new decade.

Michael Richardson, a 25 year veteran of the Columbus Police Department, became CPD’s new Chief of Police when he was sworn in by Mayor Jim Lienhoop during a ceremony at Columbus City Hall on Wednesday.

Richardson is a life-long resident of Columbus and Bartholomew County. He has nearly two decades of supervisory experience. During his time at CPD, Richardson has served as patrol officer, field training officer, bike patrol officer, bomb technician, uniform sergeant, uniform lieutenant, uniform captain and deputy chief of police.

Richardson is a graduate of Vincennes University with an Associates of Arts Degree in Law Enforcement and a graduate of Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Academy.

Chief Richardson commented, “I consider it a privilege to be selected as the CPD Chief of Police and look forward to continuing to move forward on ideas and initiatives that have made the Columbus Police Department one of the premiere law enforcement agencies in the State of Indiana.”

Richardson also announced his new law enforcement command staff. They will be responsible for assisting with the daily operations and management of the Columbus Police Department.

Deputy Chief of Police: Steve Norman is a 25 year veteran of the Columbus Police Department. During his service at CPD, Major Norman has worked his way up the ranks of the department as a patrol officer, a member of the CPD SWAT team, narcotics detective, public relations officer, uniform sergeant, uniform lieutenant and uniform captain. Dep. Chief Norman is a graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

Administrative Captain: Jon Rohde is a nearly 19 year veteran of the Columbus Police Department and most recently served as CPD’s Chief of Police for the last five years. Rohde joined the Columbus Police Department in 2001 and has served as a patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT team member, narcotics detective, narcotics detective sergeant, and previously served as administrative captain before becoming chief of police. Captain Rohde attended Indiana University in Bloomington and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He later attended the Indiana School of Law in Indianapolis where he obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence.

Uniform Captain: Jay Frederick is serving in his 30th year as a law enforcement officer in Columbus. Capt. Frederick joined CPD in 2001 after working at the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office. Frederick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety with a specialization in Criminal Justice.

Chief Richardson commented; “Our police command staff consists of veteran officers with an extensive amount of education, skill, and law enforcement experience. I am pleased that they have agreed to continue to serve Columbus in their respective roles.” Richardson added: “Their proven leadership has been invaluable over their many years of service to our community and I look forward to working closely with them in the future.”