A local man is in custody after he allegedly tried to flee from a Columbus Police Officer on Saturday afternoon. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 12:40 p.m., Officer Brian Voyles saw 49-year-old Marshall L. Pursiful, of Columbus, standing outside of a gas station in the 1100 block of Washington Street. Voyles confirmed four warrants for Pursiful’s arrest and spoke with him inside the gas station. Pursiful allegedly tried to flee, but he was taken into custody a short time later. In addition to the outstanding warrants, Pursiful is facing a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.

Parts of northern Bartholomew County were without power Friday night after a Hope man crashed his truck into a pole, splitting it in half. Lt. Matrt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that officers responded to the 4800 block of Sawin Drive shortly before 8 p.m. When the officers arrived, they reported speaking with the driver, 66-year-old Mark H. Forster. Forster allegedly told officers that had consumed five or six beers and was heading home when the crash occurred. While speaking with Forster, the officers reported noticing the strong odor of alcohol on his breath and that he had difficulty maintaining his balance.

Authorities say that Forster failed sobriety tests at the crash scene and later provided a certified breath test sample of .165%, more than twice the legal limit. Forster was arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle with a Breath Alcohol Content of .15% or Greater.

Some Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corp. customers are under a Boil Water Advisory after a water line break. Officials with the utility say that the line was compromised Monday morning, leading to service being out for customers in the following areas:

– Deer Creek Subdivision;
– Carr Hill Road;
– Terrace Lake Road;
– Wood Lake;
– County Road 200 South;
– Catalina Drive;
– Yokewood Court;
– Suburban Court;
– Crossing Lane;
– Youth Camp Road from County Road 550 West east to Carr Hill Road;

Officials say the Boil Water Advisory is in effect through noon on Wednesday for the same customers. These customers should bring water to a full boil for five minutes before consumption or use in cooking and food preparation.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Marion County man Friday night after a short vehicle pursuit. Judy Jackson, department spokesman, says that at approximately 11:22 p.m., Deputy Nate Nichols responded to County Road 450 South and Jonesville Road in reference to a vehicle stopped at the intersection.

When Nichols arrived, he reported finding the driver, 27-year-old Jared McCracken, of Indianapolis, passed out behind the wheel with the vehicle still in gear. After several attempts to wake McCracken, authorities say he finally looked up, but ignored commands to open the door. Instead, he allegedly drove away. Following a short pursuit, McCracken eventually pulled over.

McCracken was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated with Endangerment and Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle. He has since been released.

A semi fire on the Interstate closed a portion of southbound I-65 in Bartholomew County on Sunday. Chief Matt Lynch with the German Township Volunteer Fire Department, says that firefighters were called to the 73.5 mile marker near the southbound rest park at 8:43 a.m.

Upon arrival, Lynch says that crews found the tractor of the semi fully involved in fire with flames spreading to the trailer. He adds that the tops of the fuel tanks had melted away which exposed the diesel fuel. Crews had to spray foam on the fire to extinguish the fuel which continued to burn. The cardboard boxes inside the trailer, which was hauling car wash soap along with fuel and oil additives had also ignited and proved difficult for crews to extinguish. Lynch says that the additives begin to leak and mix with the water from the fire runoff. Crews made a dirt dam

to prevent the additives from running into a nearby drain. Lynch says that Columbus Fire Department engine #5 was then requested to provide additional hazmat resources to contain the leak.

Authorities say that the interstate was reopened by 1:45 p.m.

Columbus Regional Health has announced the purchase of property on the west side of Bartholomew County. Hospital officials say this property acquisition signifies an investment in the long-range future of Columbus Regional Health and the community.

Southeastern Indiana Medical Holdings, an affiliate of Columbus Regional Health, purchased approximately 790 acres on the west side of Columbus near Interstate 65, from Garden City Farms LLC., and closed on the property Friday morning.

CRH officials says that the opportunity to secure undeveloped land in a part of Bartholomew County that is accessible to not only local residents, but also regional and travelling consumers, positions them with the capability to engage in purposeful evolution and growth, and to meet anticipated future needs. They add that CRH “looks forward to working with community partners to consider and plan the purposeful development of the land.”

A Georgetown, Indiana man was arrested Thursday afternoon after a vehicle pursuit on State Street. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at 5:45 p.m., officers saw 36-year-old Benjamin J. Perry driving west on State Street. The officers noted that Perry had two warrants for his arrest and attempted to stop him. Harris says that Perry refused to pull over and continued traveling west on State Street, eventually stopping in the 3000 block of State Street where a high risk traffic stop was conducted. Authoities say that Perry initially ignored the officers’ commands to show his hands. A short time later, however, Perry exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. While searching Perry’s vehicle, officers allegedly found marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

In addition to two outstanding Bartholomew County warrants, Perry was arrested on preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Operating a Vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Violator for Life, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Columbus has two new firefighters. Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, says that Brandon Bartholomew and Casey Taylor will immediately begin a department training program. These firefighters will receive their shift and station assignments at the conclusion of the training program.

Bartholomew is a 28-year-old Columbus native. He has worked as a paramedic for Indianapolis EMS for five years, as a New Castle EMS for 1.5 years and volunteer at Whiteland Volunteer Fire Department and Columbus Township Fire Department. He has certifications in Technical Rescue Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations and Awareness, and as a paramedic.

Taylor is a 27-year-old Edinburgh native. He worked with Edinburgh Fire and Rescue for nine years and Seals Ambulance Service for two years. He has certifications as an emergency medical technician, in Hazardous Materials Operations and Awareness, Technical Rescue Awareness and others.

A Columbus police sergeant has been recognized for his efforts in combating drug impaired driving. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that Sgt. Ben Goodin received the 2017 Indiana Drug Recognition Expert of the Year award at a banquet held in Hamilton County. Harris adds that the Columbus Police Department also received the Agency Leadership Award for their drug impaired driving enforcement efforts.

Sgt. Goodin stated “It is important to have DRE’s available due to the increased number of drug impaired drivers on our streets and highways.” “If we did not have officers specifically trained to detect drug impaired driving, there would a greater risk to the public for vehicle crashes” Goodin added. CPD Chief Jonathan Rohde added “Keeping impaired drivers off the road is a priority for our officers.” “I am proud of Sgt. Goodin’s initiative and focus on helping keep our roads safe.”

Goodin, who is one of two drug recognition experts on the Columbus Police Department, says that the number of DRE evaluations he administered for drug impaired driving nearly doubled from 2016 to 2017. Harris notes that the department is expected to send two additional officers off to DRE training later this year.

The Columbus Area Arts Council has announced its move to a new office at 431 Sixth Street in downtown Columbus. The building was the former home of Engage Columbus, which recently wrapped up its three-year run. Officials say that the Arts Council’s offices will be closed during the move, March 5-9. The office will reopen March 13th at the new location. Regular hours: will be Tuesday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office phone number, email addresses, and website address will remain the same.

“This new location is an exciting opportunity for the Arts Council to create a more visible space for arts and community engagement in the downtown Arts and Entertainment District,” says Scott Poling, CAAC Board President, “In its new home, CAAC will continue to develop as a leading arts organization of Bartholomew County with a mission to integrate art and cultural experiences into community life. CAAC is proud to serve the City of Columbus and its citizens as an advisor and administrator of civic engagement, public art, and arts programming.”

The Arts Council is thanking the City of Columbus and the Parks and Recreation Department for providing a home for many years at The Commons. Officials say the relationship will persist after the move, as CAAC continues to bring arts programming to the Nugent-Custer Performance Hall as well as activating other areas of The Commons with pop-up events and artist-led workshops.