A local man was arrested earlier this morning after he attempted to flee from Columbus Police. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the department, says that at approximately 12:40 a.m., Officers Reid Thayer and Lukas Nibarger observed a car with a flat tire and broken rear window traveling on Lafayette Avenue. When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver 56-year-old James R. Charles, of Columbus, sped into a parking lot in the 600 block of Third Street, got out of the vehicle and ran. Officers caught up to Charles moments later and he was taken into custody. While speaking with Charles, police noted the strong odor of an alcohol on his breath.

Charles was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood alcohol test. He was then booked on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence and Resisting Law Enforcement.

The Governor will be in Columbus on Friday. Gov. Eric Holcomb is scheduled to join Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness and other state and local officials to mark the start of the 2018 INDOT construction season. They will take part in a groundbreaking event for a $143 million expansion of I-65 between Columbus and Seymour.

Friday’s event will be held at NTN Driveshaft, located at 8251 South International Drive, beginning at 11 a.m.

The Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress in Bartholomew County hosted author David Sheff and his son Nic Wednesday evening at Columbus North High School. Sheff is an author who has written about his family’s experiences during Nic’s struggles with drug addiction.

BCSC Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts talks about why events like this are important in combating the opioid epidemic.

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More than 100 people turned out to hear the Sheffs’ presentation. Josh Kroot, of Columbus, was one of those in attendance.

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Kroot talks about why hearing from the Sheffs is so important.

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Jeff Jones, executive lead of ASAP of Bartholomew County, says he has pleased by the turnout…

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For more on the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress in Bartholomew County, visit asapbc.org.

If you are traveling along 25th Street in Columbus Thursday, be ready for possible delays. The Columbus City Engineering Department says that Milestone Contractors will begin patching on 25th Street from Taylor Road east to Booher Court. They will also be doing some curb work in this area.

Work moves to Middle Road on Friday. City officials say that Milestone will begin patching/paving work there, from Rocky Ford Road to Doup Drive. Traffic will be limited to one lane in both directions and flaggers will be used to direct traffic.

You are encouraged to take your time and be aware of your surroundings.

Brown County High School beat out competitors from 8 area high schools to win the 2018 Boiler Tech Challenge, “Purdue Polytechnic ENGINEERS Infinity War”, at Purdue Polytechnic Columbus on April 6th. Top finishers for the Challenge include first place winner, Brown County High School, second place finisher, North Decatur High School, and third place finisher, South Decatur High School.

Purdue officials say that students from other high schools, including representing Columbus East, Columbus North, Columbus Signature Academy New Tech, Jennings County and South Dearborn competed in five challenges. Points were awarded for performance on each of the five engineering challenges. The school with the highest score claimed the victory. Previous winners include Columbus East High School, Columbus North High School and Jennings County High School.

Purdue officials say the challenges are meant to introduce and excite high school students about further study in a number of fields, including Computer Information Technology, Engineering, Industrial Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Organizational Leadership and Robotics Engineering Technology.

An alert Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy is responsible for a drug-related arrest. Judy Jackson, department spokeswoman, says that at approximately 1:23 p.m. on Tuesday, Deputy Teancum Clark recognized a driver leaving a local restaurant. Deputy Clark knew that the driver, 27-year-old Eric Keaton of Columbus, had a suspended driver’s license.

Deputy Clark initiated a traffic stop in the 2300 block of Merchants Mile. When Indiana State Police Trooper Craig arrived to assist, his K9 Krieger alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in the discovery of syringes, scales with methamphetamine residue, pills and other potential drug-related items. Authorities say that Keaton’s passenger, 31-year-old Lynnsey Lowe of Columbus, was found to be in possession of meth.

Keaton was arrested on a preliminary charges of Driving while Suspended. He has since been released.

Lowe was booked on preliminary charges of Dealing Methamphetamine
Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of Legend Drug Injection Devices and a Probation Violation. She is being held without bond.

Deputies with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a downed aircraft down near County Road 525 East and State Road 44 on the east side of the county. That’s about a half-mile east of the I-65 entrance and exit to Franklin near the 90 mile marker.

Sheriff Doug Cox says that the single-engine plane, which was carrying two people, suffered a fuel problem that prompted the pilot to land in a farm field in his single engine aircraft. He notes that the plane landed on its belly and stayed upright and that the landing gear did not appear to be engaged.

Sheriff Cox says that both occupants of the plane suffered cuts and bruises, but they refused medical treatment. No one on the ground was hurt.

The Bartholomew County Commissioners presented their five-year capital maintenance and improvement plan for facilities and roads. After making the presentation to the county council, Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz explained the highlights.

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Kleinhenz explains that money for these projects will come out of the county CEDIT funds, which are controlled by the county council.

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Kleinhenz explains that renovating the jail is a top priority.

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The report indicated that $2.6 million will be needed to maintain, update and upgrade the jail over the next five years. Other areas needing improvement are the county highway garage, the courthouse and the emergency operations center, among others.

Early voting kicked off Tuesday for the May 8th primary election. Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps says that the first day of early voting was fairly busy, as 33 county residents visited the courthouse to cast their ballots. He says that figure is a little higher than a typical first day. Phelps adds that most early voters turn out in the 10 days before the election. He notes that voting should move more quickly than it did two years ago, as the state has one fewer form for you to fill out before you can cast your ballot.

Early voting is taking place at the courthouse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 7th. Phelps says that additional early voting satellite locations will open April 30th at Donner Center, Flintwood Wesleyan Church and at Main Source Bank on Jonathan Moore Pike. Those will be open from 11 to 7.

To vote early you need to bring an official state issued ID.

Indiana Department of Transportation’s contractor for the $1.9 million roundabout project at the west end of U.S. Highway 50’s North Vernon bypass will have construction crews onsite beginning Wednesday morning. INDOT says that motorists will be shifted to the north side of U.S. 50. Walnut Street and County Road 400 West will close.

Milestone, the state’s contractor, plans to build the east half of the intersection project during Phase I.

• Phase II construction builds the west half. Traffic shifts to the center of the roadway. Walnut Street and C.R. 400W will remain closed.
• Phase III construction builds splitter islands and the center island. Traffic will be normalized. Walnut Street and C.R. 400W remain closed.
• Phase IV construction builds the western curb entrance to the roundabout. Walnut Street and C.R. 400W open to traffic.

INDOT’s project replaces the existing stop-control configuration at U.S. 50/Walnut Street-C.R. 400W—located two miles west of North Vernon—with a single-lane roundabout measuring 166 feet in diameter with a 16-foot-wide lane and 14-foot-wide truck apron.