Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested an Indianapolis man over the weekend for drunk driving. At about 6:45 a.m. Sunday, deputies responded to the area of State Road 58/Seymour Road for a one vehicle accident. Upon arrival, authorities found

On arrival, Deputy Pendleton located a blue SUV in a ditch on the west side of the road. The driver, 27-year-old Rodrigo Tellez-Aguirre, allegedly told Deputies that he had been drinking alcohol, failed to stop at a stop sign and traveled across the road into a ditch.

Tellez-Aguirre was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated and Operating a Motor Vehicle without ever Receiving a Driver’s License.

While at the jail, Correction’s Officer Noah Moore located a clear sandwich baggie containing marijuana in Tellez-Aguirre’s possession. That led to an additional charge of Possession of Marijuana.

He has since been released.

A wanted area man was arrested after receiving help from the public. Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies received information regarding the whereabouts of 39-year-old Ricky Mathews Jr., of North Vernon. Authorities say they found him at an address in the 200 block of Greenwood Place in North Vernon where Mathews was arrested without incident.

Mathews is being held in the Bartholomew County Jail without bond.

Hydrant flushing in Columbus is set to begin in the coming days. Columbus City Utilities says that staff will be flushing hydrants throughout the city from September 10th through September 13th.

Flushing is set to begin on the following days:

Monday, Sept. 10 – Everything West of Haw Creek to the White River and South of U.S. 31 (National Road) to Water Street, beginning at 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 11 – Everything East of Haw Creek to U.S. 31 and all portions of the city West of White River and Flatrock River (Woodside, Tipton Lakes, Brookside, etc.), beginning at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 12 – Everything East of Haw Creek and North of National road (Everroad Park East, Flintwood, Hiker Trace, etc.), beginning at 4 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 13 – Everything West of Haw Creek and North of U.S. 31 (Forest Park, Everroad Park West, Park Forest, etc.), beginning at 4 p.m.

The purpose of the flushing is to remove iron and manganese sedimentation from the water mains, say utilities staff. This sedimentation can cause discoloration of clothing. Utilities customers may experience some discoloration of their water in certain sections of the city during flushing. It is recommended that residents of the area being flushed avoid washing laundry the evening of the flushing as well as the next morning.

Drivers are asked to use caution when approaching flushing crews. If the water spout obscures your vision of the roadway beyond the hydrants, you should obey the directions of the utility employee and wait for the flush to end. Parents are asked to please keep children from playing in the water flows and around flushing crews.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is now accepting matching grant applications to help grow the Hoosier livestock sector.

This funding is available to non-profit organizations, commissions and associations in the following livestock species: cattle, swine, sheep, equine, goats, poultry, camelids, ostriches, cervidae, bison, aquaculture and rabbits.

“As an advocate for agriculture, we are proud to make these funds available to promote and educate Hoosiers about the importance of our livestock industry,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I encourage organizations in these sectors to take advantage of this opportunity and apply.”

State officials say these grants can be used for promotional purposes, like hosting an educational event or livestock show, or for market development, such as a research project or value-added feasibility study. Both grants will reimburse up to 50 percent of the amount spent to conduct or support the project.

“Animal agriculture is critical to Indiana’s food system and contributes billions of dollars to our economy,” said Bruce Kettler, ISDA director. “This funding creates opportunities to not only tell that story, but also explore ways to add value to our agricultural products.”

Applications are available online at in.gov/isda/2474.htm and are due by Oct. 1st at 5 p.m. Award winners will be announced this December.

Damaged mailboxes have Bartholomew County authorities asking for your help identifying the suspects. The Sheriff’s Department says that several mailboxes in the area of 7500 North 330 West were damaged late Thursday night in to Friday morning.

Authorities say that vandalizing a mailbox or the mail inside is a federal crime. Anyone found guilty faces a fine of up to $250,000 and three-years in prison for every mailbox damaged.

The Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information on these incidents to call them at (812) 379-1650 or the Tip Line at (812) 379-1712. You can also send an email to sheriff@bartholomew.in.gov. Tips and information can be left anonymously.

Columbus Police arrested a local man Friday morning after he crashed his vehicle in the area of North Marr Road and County Road 450 North.

Shortly before 3 a.m., an SUV driven by 53-year-old Christopher M. Green crashed and flipped onto its side, coming to rest in a field. Police spoke with Green who told them that he swerved his SUV to avoid colliding with another vehicle that was in his lane. During this conversation, officers began to suspect that Green had been driving under the influence.

Authorities say that Green failed several field sobriety tests and was taken to Columbus Regional Health for a blood draw. He was then arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

The Fair Oaks Mall may have a new future. The city of Columbus is partnering with Columbus Regional Health and Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County to make an offer to purchase the more than 35 acre site for $5.9 million. Mayor Jim Lienhoop says the idea is to create an indoor sports complex and parks facilities.

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While the city wasn’t looking to buy the mall, Lienhoop says he wanted the city to be ready for a potential opportunity.

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Lienhoop talks about the city’s partnership with CRH…

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CRH officials say they are honored to have been asked to partner with the city. Kelsey DeClue, CRH spokeswoman, says the hospital is excited to be a part of this.

As for how CRH plans to utilize the facility…

Mayor Lienhoop says the current breakdown of costs is $4,087,500 for the city, $1,362,500 for CRH and $450,000 from Heritage Fund. A pair of appraisals on the property earlier this year established a value of $5.45 million. Lienhoop says that the mall owners were less than enthusiastic about that figure and stuck to the $5.9 million asking price. He says that since the city is pretty much bound to appraised values, the city asked Heritage Fund for a grant to cover the difference. Mayor Lienhoop adds that the hope is to close on the deal before the end of the year. Prior to that, he says there will be opportunities for input from the community.

As for businesses already in the mall, Lienhoop says the city plans to work with them on a case-by-case basis. He says how the process develops will largely depend on the terms of the leases. Regardless, Mayor Lienhoop says that businesses shouldn’t be displaced until 2020. While the hope is to close on the purchase before the end of the year, studies and public input sessions should keep the facility as is through the end of next year.

Culvert replacement work on State Road 3 in Decatur County is set to begin next week. The Indiana Department of Transportation says its contractor will begin replacing the existing culvert at Poplar Root Creek, located 8.6 miles north State Road 7 on Tuesday, September 4th. This work is dependent on the weather.

INDOT says that this work, just south of Sardinia, will close State Road 3 for up to 20 days. A signed detour will route drivers around the site via State Road 46, U.S. 31 and State Road 7.

Replacement of a State Road 3 small structure at Wyaloosing Creek, about 16 miles north of State Road 7, just north of Westport, will be scheduled after the Poplar Root Creek culvert is put in place.

A Bartholomew County Corrections Officer has been promoted. Haley Holdreith is being promoted to the rank of Sergeant, effective Monday, September 3rd. Sheriff Matt Myers says that Holdreith replaces Sergeant Kyle Weaver who has accepted a position with the Columbus Police Department.

A section of the U.S. 50 Bypass at North Vernon will be named “Officer Anthony Burton and Reserve Officer Lonnie Howard Memorial Highway” at a presentation next week. The Indiana Department of Transportation will unveil memorial signage at a ceremony on Wednesday, September 5th at 10:30 a.m. in the south parking lot at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. The church is located at 3300 North State Road 3 along the U.S. 50 Bypass near the site where the officers were killed in 1993 following a standoff in which the suspect intentionally crashed his vehicle into a patrol car.

State Representatives Jim Lucas and Randy Frye will be joined by Mayor Mike Ochs, Police Chief James Webster, Pastor Adrian Krebs and INDOT personnel in addressing families of the fallen officers at Wednesday’s public event.

You are invited.