The Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office says the investigation into the death of a seven-year-old girl is ongoing. Coroner Clayton Nolting says that Savanna G. Jessie was found unresponsive in her home by family members Thursday morning. Emergency responders rushed her to Columbus Regional Health, where she was pronounced dead.

Nolting says the child had been treated after testing positive for influenza B, strep throat and scarlet fever. An autopsy was performed Friday by a forensic pathologist. Nolting adds that a final ruling on the cause of death is pending review of medical records, toxicology, and histology reports. He says that could take up to three weeks.

Officials with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that they continue to work to keep contraband material out of the jail. Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers says that jail staff are seeing an increase in drugs, mostly Suboxone, coming in through the mail to inmates. Sheriff Matt Myers is defiant and says that he is “dead serious” about keeping drugs out of the jail.

In order to reduce the chances of contraband, Sheriff Myers has released an Administrative Directive, effective immediately, that includes several changes. They include:

– No incoming correspondence with colored paper or colored envelopes, including cards and postcards;

– Only plain white paper and non-security envelopes are approved;

– No crayon, colored pencil or marker;

– No fragrance, stains, or discolorations;

– All stamps will be removed and discarded,

– Envelopes must include full name and address of the sender.

Myers says that inmates have been notified about these changes. He adds that these changes are necessary, noting that jail staff have already intercepted contraband three times this year. Last year, there were 12 interceptions and only two in 2016. “As we research treatment programs for our inmates, we certainly are going to do everything we can to keep drugs from getting into the jail,” said Sheriff Myers. “Our K9’s are more frequently being brought into the jail and we have increased random shakedowns. We are also researching scanner options that will allow us to be able to scan all mail coming into the jail,” adding “we will do whatever it takes to stop trafficking.”

Sheriff Myers also says that authorities will be going after those who are mailing contraband to the jail. He says those attempting to mail or smuggle unlawful items “will be charged to the fullest extent of the law.”

They will be celebrating Groundhog Day Friday morning in Hope. Town Manager JT Doane says Grubby the Groundhog will be making her return, courtesy of Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators.

Doane says the event will also include a presentation from “Grubby’s Groupies,” who will be wearing top-hats and tails.

Doane says this will be Grubby’s fourth year serving as Hope’s weather forecaster.

The Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress in Bartholomew County will be having a fundraising concert Saturday night at Viewpoint Books in Columbus. Organizers are calling it a “Book Cellar Benefit,” featuring Josh Morningstar, a former addict and inmate, father and troubadour. Morningstar says that it’s important for him to perform at this event. He explains what you can expect to hear…

Mornigstar says that he was a heroin addict for five years after getting started on pain pills. He says that he’s been in recovery for six years and that he’s thankful to have survived and to be able to tell his story in the hopes of helping others.

Saturday night’s show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and may be purchased at Viewpoint Books, located at the corner of Washington and Sixth Streets in downtown Columbus. Only 100 seats are being offered for the event. If seats are still available Saturday, they will be $20 at the door, with all proceeds going to support ASAP.

Two people are in custody after Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of suspicious people at a rest stop off of Interstate 65.

Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department, says that at about 12:20 a.m. on Thursday, Sgt. Kris Weisner responded to the complaint at the I-65 northbound rest park. When Weisner arrived, he reportedly found the suspect’s vehicle in the southbound rest park.

Sgt. Weisner made contact with the occupants, 36-year-old Daniel S. Shuffitt, of Columbus, and 27-year-old Sarah O. Callon, of Franklin. During his investigation, he learned that both Shuffitt and Callon were wanted on outstanding warrants.

Indiana State Police Troopers arrived on the scene to help. Trooper Jacob Tolle reportedly saw drug-related paraphernalia on the driver-side floorboard of the vehicle, leading to K9 Bolt being brought in. Authorities say that Bolt was alerted to narcotics inside the vehicle. A search allegedly resulted in the discovery of several additional drug-related items inside.

Shuffitt was transported to Columbus Regional Health after complaining of feeling ill. Jackson says that he remains at the hospital, where his condition is unknown. Callon was arrested for her warrant and remains behind bars on $5,000 bond.

Sheriff Matt Myers says this incident illustrates the importance of reporting suspicious behavior. “If there are individuals who may be engaging in activities that could be threatening to our community, the best way we can prevent this is for people who see something that is suspicious to call law enforcement,” says Myers.

First responders in three area counties were among those who were awarded $127,000 in nalaxone kits, which are used to counteract drug overdoses. The Indiana State Department of Health announced the awards Wednesday. Officials say the kits will go to 95 first responder agencies serving 34 rural counties. They add that the funding will be used to provide 3,388 naloxone kits, train first responders on usage and “expand referrals to appropriate treatment and recovery communities.”

Jackson, Jennings and Decatur counties are all receiving grants. Officials say the grants were made possible through a four-year, $3.2 million Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant awarded to ISDH in October of 2017. They are being made available to rural counties with higher emergency room visits for overdoses, a greater number of opioid prescriptions and a lower reported use of naloxone by first responders.

The rural grants are the latest work of the ISDH naloxone distribution program, which has granted more than 13,700 naloxone kits to local health departments to date. Hoosiers in need of naloxone can visit https://optin.in.gov/ to find locations that carry the medication.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers announced Wednesday that the Indiana Sheriff’s Association will be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies. He says that there will be approximately 40 $500 scholarships awarded throughout the state.

The Indiana Sheriff’s Association Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of receiving, investing and dispensing funds to provide college scholarships to qualified students who are committed to pursuing an education and career in the law enforcement field.

To qualify for a scholarship, the applicant must be an Indiana resident, be a current member of the association or a dependent child or grandchild of a current member of the association, attend an Indiana college or university, major in a law enforcement field and enroll as a full-time student (12 hours).

Applications can be downloaded from the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association website at indianasheriffs.org. They must be completed and received by April 1.

The Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress in Bartholomew County continues its work to establish a “hub” to help those battling addiction. The group held a town-hall style meeting Tuesday night at Community Church of Columbus.

Organizers describe a hub as a centralized location with dedicated staff and volunteers to help those wanting information on how to quit. The hub could also help addicts determine what resources are available to help them. Organizers, as well as a number of former addicts who attended, said that current services that are available locally are difficult to attain and navigate. The goal, they say, is to transition a walk-in or phone call to help within minutes.

Anna Hilycord, with Centerstone, says that one of the most important steps to successfully battle addiction is to reduce its stigma. She stresses that addiction is not a choice, instead calling it a “brain disease.” Hilycord argues that battles with addiction should be talked about among family and friends the same way a cancer diagnosis would be.

Hilycord also took aim at pharmaceutical companies. She says that many are to blame for false marketing, implying that opioids can be used by those suffering from chronic pain without the threat of addiction. Hilycord says that opioids “rewire the brain” after just days of use. She also cited studies that she says indicate that one in 12 people become addicted to opioids after the try them for the first time.

Rhonda Fischer, ASAP Program Manager, told the dozens in attendance that there is no single way to properly treat someone suffering from addiction. Instead, she stresses that there are “several paths to recovery” that the community can draw upon to help fight the opioid epidemic.

The presentation included a discussion about what is needed for the community to “own” a hub. Organizers and attendees agree that strides have been made recently, specifically in regards to education. However, they believed that additional education efforts could occur in schools, the workplace, with medical professionals, social media and via faith-based programs. Other assets needed for the hub include housing, in-patient treatment, out-patient treatment, a partnership with law enforcement and post-treatment support.

Fischer ended the evening by asking those in attendance, and the community as a whole, to think about what they can individually do to help fight the opioid epidemic.

The next major presentation on the local effort to battle the problem is scheduled to be March 8 during Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop’s State of the City Address.

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

The Columbus Police Department has a new officer. Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that Darrell Guesman was sworn in during Tuesday’s Board of Public Works and Safety Meeting at City Hall. Officer Guesman is originally from Leavittsburg, OH and a U.S. Army veteran. He still serves in the U.S. Army Reserves. Harris says that Officer Guesman will attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in February and upon graduation will return to Columbus to continue his training.

Investigations continue into a pair of Tuesday crashes south of Columbus, each involving vehicles belonging to the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Indiana State Police Versailles Post says that the first crash happened at about 10 a.m. on northbound I-65 near Crothersville. He says that the investigation revealed that a car driven by 29-year-old David Cutrone, of Lake Wylie, SC, was traveling northbound near the 37 mile marker when his vehicle drove onto the shoulder of I-65 and struck the guardrail. The vehicle then struck the rear of an INDOT truck driven by 24-year-old Cody Hobbs, of Scottsburg. The INDOT vehicle was parked on the shoulder while workers were removing debris off the shoulder of the Interstate. Investigators say that Hobbs and a passenger, 49-year-old Darren Jones, of Deputy, suffered minor injuries. A third INDOT worker, 26-year-old Freddie Taylor, of Scottsburg, was outside the vehicle at the time of the crash. He also suffered minor injuries. All three INDOT workers were transported by ambulance to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

Police say that Cutrone was initially entrapped in his vehicle after the collision. Firefighters from the Vernon Township Fire Department and Seymour Fire Department ultimately freed Cutrone, who was transported to Schneck Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. Those injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Wheeles says that the right lane of I-65 near the 37 mile marker was closed for nearly two hours after the crash.

About two hours later, ISP responded to another crash involving an INDOT vehicle. Wheeles says that crash happened at about noon on State Road 101 at I-74 in Ripley County. He says that the initial investigation determined that an INDOT truck, driven by 42-year-old Kevin Callahan, of Sunman, was traveling northbound on State Road 101 when a pickup truck, driven by 78-year-old Keith Huber, of St. Paul, exited I-74 and drove into the side of the INDOT vehicle. No serious injuries were reported.

Whelles says that State Road 101 was down to one lane for an hour for crash investigation and cleanup.

The investigation into both crashes is ongoing.