Bartholomew County EMA is reporting that the roads around Garden City have been reopened. In addition, Southern Crossing and State Road 11 from County Road 450 South to 550 South has been reopened. South Gladstone Avenue is also open to traffic.
County Road 150 East remains closed due to high water. County Road 800 South, between South Jonesville Road and US 31 is closed, as is Tellman Road, just off Indianapolis Road. County Road 330 West about 1/2 mile south of Ohio Ridge Road is also closed due to high water.
A Jackson County man is facing charges after Seymour Police allegedly discovered a meth lab last week. Authorities say that on February 22nd, officers responded to a home in the 600 block of South Walnut Street after learning that a man with an active warrant was there.
On arrival, Corporal Adam Surface, and Officer Mike Payne made contact with 58-year-old Robert Norris, of Seymour. While speaking with Norris, officers believed him to be involved in drug activity. An investigation allegedly resulted in police discovering a methamphetamine lab, multiple hypodermic syringes and drug paraphernalia.
Norris was arrested on preliminary charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe.
Tyler James Cook; photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Dept.
Two Columbus men were arrested Sunday night on drug-related charges after Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Dougan observed their van make multiple traffic infractions.
Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that at approximately 9 p.m., Deputy Andrew Dougan initiated a traffic stop at 17th Street and Central Avenue in Columbus. Deputy Dougan confirmed that passenger Tyler James Cook, 25, had two local warrants. When Deputy Matt Bush arrived to assist, K9 Diesel was allegedly alerted to drugs inside the van.
Deputies reported finding methamphetamine, marijuana and drug-related paraphernalia.
Cook was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession or Use of Legend Drugs and Trafficking with an Inmate. He remains in jail on $138,500 bond.
Gary Wayne Pasley; photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Dept.
The driver, 56-year-old Gary Pasley, was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug-Related Paraphernalia. He remains jailed on $65,000 bond.
Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers says his office and the name of his own deputy are being used in a telephone scam.
The caller has identified himself as Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Captain Brandon Slate in his attempt to obtain personal information.
“When you call the number back, it returns to a non-functioning number”, said Sheriff Myers. Authorities stress that this is a scam and that you should not give personal information over the phone. This scam has resulted in at least one local resident losing $1,000.
Myers says that his office believes that scammers are getting deputies names online. He adds that there are concerns that information sounds so professional, many people, especially older residents, may provide the requested information.
If you receive this type of call, please do not provide any information. Hang up and call the Sheriff’s Office at 812-379-1650 to verify if a BCSO Deputy actually made the telephone call.
If you receive one of these calls or if you have any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, please contact:
Detective Terry Holderness
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office
812-565-5927
A reported parking problem led to the arrests of six people on drug and counterfeiting charges on Sunday afternoon. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 3:45 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Parkway Drive in regards to a vehicle partially in the roadway blocking mailboxes. After arriving to check on the vehicle, the officers could smell marijuana and followed the odor to a nearby home. While standing next to the home’s back door, the officers observed two syringes on the porch. Harris says the officers later secured several people who were in the home and applied for search warrant. After serving the warrant, the officers allegedly recovered several glass pipes, spoons and cups with methamphetamine residue,
Brittany R Fear; photo courtesy of CPD
along with hypodermic needles and counterfeit money. Arrested were:
Julia A. Campbell, 33, of North Vernon – Two Bartholomew County Warrants, Maintaining a Common Nuisance
Brittany R. Fear, 28, of Columbus – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Legend Drug Injection Device, Visiting a Common Nuisance
Joshua S. Wilson, 41, Columbus – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Visiting a Common Nuisance
Joshua S Wilson; photo courtesy of CPD
Lacy A. Beltran, 30, North Vernon – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Visiting a Common Nuisance
Gary T. Woessner, 46, Greencastle – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Visiting a Common Nuisance
Jeremiah J. Anderson, 35, North Vernon – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Counterfeit Bills, Visiting a Common Nuisance
Jacob Perry; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.
A local man was arrested Sunday afternoon on drug possession charges after officers noted that he had two active warrants for his arrest. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 3:20 p.m., Officer Wesley Dodge saw 29-year-old Jacob A. Perry, of Columbus, near 12th Street and Union Street. Dodge confirmed two local warrants for Perry’s arrest and took him into custody a short time later. While searching Perry, Dodge allegedly found drug paraphernalia containing methamphetamine, as well as two syringes. Officers also reportedly found several debit cards in Perry’s wallet that did not belong to him.
Perry was arrested on new preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Martin E Porche; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.
A local man was arrested on a drug dealing charge after Columbus Police responded to a report of suspicious people. Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that officers were called to the 2200 block of Union Street at 7:20 p.m. on Friday. He says that officers found two people, one of whom allegedly gave a fake name. The suspect, who later identified as 33-year-old Martin E. Porche, of Columbus, was taken into custody. While searching Porche, Harris says the officers found marijuana, methamphetamine, a scale and several clear plastic bags. He adds that Porche also had three Bartholomew County warrants for his arrest.
Porche is facing preliminary charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and False Informing.
A banking merger will affect two banks with local branches. First Financial Bancorp and MainSource Financial Group, Inc. announced that they have received regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to move forward with the proposed merger. This will result in MainSource branches being renamed as First Financial branches.
Officials with First Financial say that the official closing of the merger is scheduled for April 1st. On that day, the two banks will legally become one company. While MainSource will officially be First Financial Bank at that time, company officials say it will be “business as usual” for associates and clients of each bank until the transition weekend targeted for late in the second quarter of 2018. During that weekend, MainSource Bank’s operating systems will convert and its branches will be branded as First Financial Bank branches.
“We are extremely pleased that the final step of merging our two banks is now a reality. The integration process is underway and we are excited to continue the First Financial brand as a combined financial institution to better serve our clients and communities,” said Claude E. Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Financial.
Main Street of HOPE has announced a “St. Patrick’s Day Pooch Parade” for Saturday, March 17th. Susan Thayer Fye, executive director of the organization, says that sign-ups will be on the north side of Hope Town Square starting at 11 a.m. Pets will parade, in costume, beginning at noon. Thayer Fye says there will be two divisions:
Junior division (12 years old and under parent/owner plus pooch)
Senior division (over 12 years old parent/owner plus pooch)
Ribbons/awards given in each category:
1) Pooch only in costume (the most Irish)
2) Pooch plus parent/owner in costume (the most Irish)
3) Peoples’ Choice Award
Thayer Fye says that the five-dollar registration fee benefits the Paula A. Pollitt Animal Shelter in Hope. In addition, she says that animals will be available for adoption and pet-friendly items will also be auctioned to benefit the animal shelter.
Registration forms available at: Hope Town Hall, Hope Police Station, Yellow Trail Visitor Center, and other area businesses. Registration can be done in advance or on the day of the parade. For more information, call (812) 343-3798.
The Columbus Police Department is reporting a missing 13-year-old autistic Hispanic male. The boy is 4’6″ tall and weighs 78 pounds. He has black hair brown eyes. The child was last seen wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans and black shoes. He was last seen in the area of Central Middle School at 727 7th Street Columbus, today at 3 p.m. Authorities say the boy lives in the area of Garden Street off of Jonesville Road. If you spot this child, please call 911 immediately.
