The Indiana Department of Transportation has issued a permit to Project Hero for a traffic-controlled event on northbound State Road 135 in Brown County this Saturday. INDOT says that a number of bicyclists will access State Road 135, between Gatesville Road and Spearsville Road, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. as part of a fundraiser ride to benefit Project Hero’s veteran rehabilitation program.

INDOT says that registered bicyclists will ride alongside soldiers and first responders injured while serving their county or community. Many will following the event’s 60-mile route that journeys from the rail center at Camp Atterbury through the Princes Lakes area, Taggart, Nashville, Bean Blossom, Spearsville and Trafalgar.

Drivers should anticipate encountering bicyclists and sag wagon support vehicles.

In commemoration of National Police Week, a memorial service to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty will be held Friday at 9 a.m. at the Public Safety Plaza near Second Street and Jackson Street in Columbus.

During the 30 minute ceremony, officers will read the names of 135 police officers and 24 police canines who died in the line of duty during 2017. Organizers say that a wreath will be placed at the memorial in honor of Southport Police Department Lieutenant Aaron Allen and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Mojo who died in 2017. Mayor Jim Lienhoop is scheduled to speak at this event, which will feature area law enforcement Honor Guards, bagpipes, a “21 gun” salute, and the playing of taps.

The event is free and you are invited.

Three Columbus residents were arrested on drug charges after a weekend traffic stop in Jennings County. North Vernon Police say that at 1:11 a.m. on Saturday, officers stopped a vehicle for speeding and no plate lights in the 200 block of West Walnut Street. Police determined that the driver, 26-year-old Christian Najera had never received a driver’s license. After speaking with the occupants, officers suspected possible drug activity. Jennings County Sheriff’s Department K9 Vampir was called in and was alerted to the odor of drugs. Officers allegedly found methamphetamine, marijuana and smoking devices. Police say that two loaded handguns were removed from the vehicle and seized.

Najera, along with passengers Damien Kelley and Bryce Endicoff, were all arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. Najera was also charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License.

A local woman was arrested on several charges after she allegedly tried to flee from officers at a Columbus store early Monday morning. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 12:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Whitfield Drive on a shoplifting call. Authorities say the suspect, 31-year-old Amanda J. Redford, of Columbus, refused to stop for security and fled from the store. She was apprehended by officers after a short foot pursuit in the parking lot. Harris says that officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside Redford’s purse.

Redford was arrested on preliminary charges of Theft, Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Two Columbus residents were arrested on felony drug charges after their vehicle was stopped early Friday morning. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 1:35 a.m., Officer Drake Maddix stopped the vehicle for a minor traffic violation near State Road 46 and Carrie Lane. Maddix later confirmed that the driver, 43-year-old Kevin J. McCarty, had a suspended driver’s license.

Harris says that McCarty was taken into custody and a police K9 later alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle reportedly resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Both McCarty and his passenger 35-year-old Christine M. Hilderbrand, were arrested.

McCarty is facing preliminary charges of Driving While Suspended, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Methamphetamine. Hilderbrand is facing preliminary charges of Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Methamphetamine.

The parent company of JCB recently announced consolidated net earnings of over $3.2 million for 2017. Marvin Veatch, made the announcement during the annual stockholder meeting for Bancorp of Southern Indiana. Veach serves as the president of Bancorp of Southern Indiana and the president and CEO of JCB.

Veatch says that consolidated net earnings of $3,287,000 are 2.3 percent higher than 2016. Earnings per share amounted to $2.42, an increase of 2.1 percent over 2016.

Veatch highlighted various accomplishments in 2017, including the opening of a state-of-the-art banking center on Central Avenue in Columbus last July.

A Taylorsville man was arrested early Friday morning after Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a possible burglary in progress in the 2700 block of Perry Drive.

Judy Jackson, department spokeswoman, says that deputies arrived at the home at approximately 2:18 a.m. On arrival, Sergeant Kris Weisner observed a vehicle leaving the residence and attempted a traffic stop. He says the driver, identified as 34-year-old Timothy Hill, refused to stop until he reached Main Street in Taylorsville.

Hill allegedly admitted to having been at the home and having recently used methamphetamine. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence/Drugs, Resisting by Fleeing in a Vehicle and Criminal Trespass

Hill has since been released.

A ceremony honoring fallen officers will be held Friday, May 18th in Columbus. The city’s police department says that the ceremony will be held in the Public Safety Plaza, located at 200 Brown Street, beginning at 9 a.m. It is meant to honor officers killed in the line of duty from across the nation as part of National Law Enforcement Week.

During the ceremony, local law enforcement officers will read a list of names of officers killed in the line of duty during 2017.

You are encouraged to attend.

Winners have been announced in Tuesday’s primary elections in Jennings County. In the Republican Primary for Sheriff, Wm. Kenny Freeman got 64 percent of the vote, defeating Joe Massie, who won 36 percent. Freeman will face Democrat incumbent Gary Driver in November.

In the Republican primary for County Commissioner District 3, Matt Sporleder defeated Jeff Burton, 60 percent to 40 percent. He will face Democrat Nick Megel in November. Megel was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

On the Democrat side, Sandra Vance got 56 percent of the vote, defeating incumbent Janice Ramey’s 44 percent in the race for County Recorder. Vance will face Republican Mary Kilgore in the general election for recorder.

Two Jefferson County residents were arrested Tuesday morning after North Vernon Police investigated a disturbance on State Street at Hurly Drive. According to the report, officers arrived at 8:28 a.m. and spoke with people at the scene. During the conversations, they became suspicious of drug activity.

A search allegedly uncovered drug paraphernalia, including a syringe, meth smoking device and scales. Arrested were 28-year-old Cory Meadows and 39-year-old Angela S. Hibbard, both of Madison. Police say that Meadows is facing preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Syringe, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia. Hibbard is facing preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Legend Drug Violation, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.