A Hope man facing child molestation charges was appointed a public defender on Wednesday. Our news-gathering partners at “The Republic” are reporting that Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton entered a “not guilty” plea for 72-year-old Larry L. Scott during an initial hearing.

Worton appointed public defender Benjamin Loheide to represent Scott. However, the newspaper says that Scott intends to eventually hire his own attorney.

Scott was arrested by Indiana State Police on July 22 after investigating a child molesting complaint against him at Ceraland.

For more on this story, visit therepublic.com.

A rezoning request for a development on nearly 10 acres in the Tipton Lakes has been denied. Developers for the Proposed Spring Hill Lake development, just west of the greater Tipton Lakes area and north of Goeller Road, wanted to rezone the property to allow for the construction of duplexes. That development would have provided homes for approximately 40 families.

More than 100 people turned out at Tuesday night’s Columbus City Council meeting, a vast majority who spoke were against the proposal, citing concerns with traffic and the impact on neighboring property values. Neighbors also decried what many referred to as a lack of communication from the developer.

City Council members agreed with the neighbors, specifically mentioning a lack of communication with neighboring property owners. Councilman Frank Miller says the proposal is a good one. While he supported the rezoning request, Miller says that a number of concerns could have been alleviated with more transparency from the developer and a willingness to actively engage neighbors.

Council voted 5-2 to deny the rezoning request. Councilmen Tim Shuffett and Miller voted to approve it. The developer may make adjustments to the proposal or return in one year to resubmit the failed request.

The city of Columbus unveiled four new buses during a Tuesday morning ceremony. Dave Hayward, city engineer, explains…

He talks about some of that equipment…

Hayward, city engineer, explains that is was simply time to replace the buses…

Hayward says that these buses cost about a half-million dollars each, but thanks to a federal grant, the city only had to 20 percent of that. He adds that two older buses remain in the city fleet, but they will also be replaced with newer models next year utilizing an identical grant.

A boil order issued by Brown County Water is affecting some Nashville Municipal Utility customers in the Bean Blossom area. Included are:

4931-5075 State Road 135 North;
32-205 Gatesville Road;
60 McDonald Drive;
5345 Spearsville Road;
11 State Road 45 West;
4145-4756 Covered Bridge Road;

While Brown County Water personnel would not publicize all of the area under the boil order, they say that all of their customers have been notified.

The order is in effect through 5 p.m. Wednesday.

A Sunday night traffic stop led to the arrests of two people on drug charges. Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that at approximately 11:35 p.m., Sgt. Kris Weisner was southbound on I-65 traveling behind a vehicle that was driving erratically. Following a traffic stop at the southbound rest park, K9 Bolt was deployed and alerted to narcotics inside the vehicle. A search allegedly resulted in the discovery of approximately four grams of crystal methamphetamine, along with marijuana and drug-related paraphernalia.

The driver, 45-year-old Aaron D. Osborne, of Monrovia, was wanted on an out of county warrant. He is facing additional preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.

His passenger, 60-year-old David M. Riley, of Louisville, was arrested on

preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. He is being held on $63,500 bond.

Two Columbus residents were arrested on drug charges after an early Monday morning traffic stop. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 2:40 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle in the 2200 block of Ohio Avenue. He notes that a police K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from inside the vehicle.

A search allegedly resulted in the discovery of heroin inside the vehicle’s center console. Officers also located several pills and drug paraphernalia, including syringes, inside a bag that belonged to a passenger, 43-year-old Michelle S. Clark. Officers also reported finding a small amount of methamphetamine in Clark’s possession. She was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device, Possession of a Legend Drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Police searched the driver, 42-year-old Charles Sims, and allegedly found cocaine and methadone inside one of his pants pockets. Sims is facing

preliminary charges of Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

A local man was arrested early Monday morning after he allegedly tried to flee from Columbus police officers. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 3:45 a.m., officers observed Aaron MC Christian, of Columbus, inside a vehicle in the 1600 block of Central Avenue. Officers confirmed an active local warrant for Christian’s arrest when he allegedly tried to flee from the vehicle and push the officers. After a short scuffle, Christian was taken into custody on a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.

The Columbus City Council is set to hear a resolution Tuesday night that will allow the city’s redevelopment commission to move forward with a $750,000 grant to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation to aid in workforce development. Specifically, money will go towards the iGrad program, STEM and Transition Planning. If approved by council, this will mark the third consecutive year that the city has granted funds to BCSC.

City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at city hall and you are invited.

A hotdog restaurant in the FairOaks Mall has extended its online crowdfunding campaign to help fund a potential relocation.

Special Dogs & More launched its $50,000 online fundraising campaign to help finance a move to a new location on Washington Street in downtown Columbus. The restaurant had initially set a deadline of Thursday to secure all of the needed funding, but the campaign has been extended to Sept. 2.

The business, which employs individuals with emotional and intellectual disabilities, has been operating at the mall since October. Randy Lapidus, co-owner, says the original plan was to stay in the mall for a few years before moving to a bigger location, but fewer businesses in the mall has resulted in less foot-traffic and the need to move the restaurant as soon as possible.

If you would like to help in this effort, visit “Special Dogs and More” on Facebook.

Columbus Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a day and night of fun at Mill Race Park at the first annual Great Columbus Campout, scheduled for September 8-9.

Organizers say this overnight camping trip is intended to provide individuals and families with a chance to participate in a number of different activities, experience nature and create memories. Activities planned during the campout include arts and craft activities, s’mores, campfire songs, cornhole, a Family Glow Walk and more. Campers are required to bring their own tent, sleeping bag and other camping supplies.

Registration is now open. Cost is $15 per person ages 2 and up if you register by August 17. After that date, the cost is $20 per person. Children 2 and under are free. The registration cost includes a t-shirt, the above activities, dinner and breakfast by Blackerby’s Catering.

You can register online at columbusparksandrec.com, by calling the Columbus Parks and Recreation registration line at (812) 376-2680 or stopping by Donner Center during regular business hours, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Organizers are thanking Thompson Furniture for their generous support as the title sponsor for this event.