A number of streets in Columbus, and throughout Bartholomew County, are flooded to the heavy rainfall. Officials from the city have released the following statement:

Due to the extensive rain the Columbus area experienced today, many streets and storm sewers are flooded. The flooding is also compounded by leaves in the streets and storm sewers, which inhibits drainage.

The Columbus Police Department and Department of Public Works employees have been out all Sunday evening dealing with flooded streets and putting up barriers as needed. They will continue throughout the night and into Monday clearing streets and working on alleviating the flooding.

Please use caution when driving and do not drive through high water. We would appreciate any help residents can provide by removing leaves and debris that may be clogging storm grates along their street.

A Columbus man was arrested after an alleged armed robbery at a gas station. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that at about 6:40 p.m. on Saturday, deputies responded to the station at the intersection of 25th Street‬ and State Road 9. Authorities say that a man entered the business, displayed a handgun and demanded money from an employee.

The suspect was identified as 27-year-old Joseph Freeman, V. Authorities say that Freeman was arrested at his home on a preliminary charge of Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, a Level 3 felony. He remains behind bars at the Bartholomew County Jail.

The incident remains under under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Terrance Holderness at (812) 565-5927.

A community vigil will be held Sunday afternoon in memory of Xavier Scrogham, a teen who died in a motorcycle crash on a country road near Hope after a police chase last year.

Scrogham was driving his motorcycle on U.S. 31 north of Columbus in August of 2016, when he passed a patrol car driven by an off-duty, Nashville reserve officer. After fleeing from the officer, Scrogham crashed and died in eastern Bartholomew County not far from his home.

Scrogham’s mother, Carleen, says that the vigil Sunday is meant to raise questions she has about her son’s death and to bring awareness to problems in our judicial system.

The driver of the police car pleaded guilty to false informing in August. As part of the plea deal, charges of reckless driving were dropped. He admitted to lying about the speed Scrogham was driving, when he began the chase. He was given a 180 day suspended sentence and placed on probation for 180 days.

The vigil will be at 2 p.m. Sunday on the steps of Columbus City Hall. It is being organized by the local chapter of Black Lives Matter.

A local man wanted on a warrant on an initial meth-related charge is behind bars. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that officers from CPD’s Intelligence Led Policing Unit followed up on a tip which led to them to 51-year-old George C. Moore, of Columbus.

Authorities say that Moore had a local failure to appear warrant for his arrest for sentencing on a charge of dealing methamphetamine. Moore was at 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday night in a car on South Lincoln Village Drive. While searching Moore, officers allegedly found methamphetamine and marijuana. In addition to the warrant, Moore was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Marijuana.

A local man was arrested at a Columbus motel on Wednesday night. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 7:30 p.m. officers found 45-year-old Gregory T. Wright, of Columbus, at the motel in the 100 block of Carrie Lane. He says that Wright was wanted on an outstanding warrant. During the arrest, officers allegedly found Wright in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a debit card that was reported stolen during a funeral held at a Columbus church last month.

In addition to the warrant, Wright was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

An Ohio man was killed in a Wednesday afternoon crash in Jackson County. Indiana State Police say that at approximately 4:15 p.m., ISP Troopers and Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 50 at County Road 1050 West.

The initial investigation by Troopers Jacob Tolle and Matt Holley indicated that a semi pulling a flatbed trailer, driven by 24-year-old Christopher M. McClain, of Merrillville, was traveling westbound on US 50. Another semi pulling a box trailer, driven by 50-year-old Jerome M. Sharkey, of West Chester, Ohio, was traveling eastbound on US 50. As both vehicles passed through a construction zone where bridge replacement was taking place, the vehicles struck each other. Investigators say that McClain’s flatbed trailer struck the cab of Sharkey’s vehicle, entrapping Sharkey. He was extricated from his vehicle and transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour before being transferred to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he later passed away. McClain was not injured.

The investigation is ongoing to determine what caused the crash. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors, but toxicology tests are pending.

A North Vernon woman was arrested early Thursday morning after she allegedly caused a disturbance during a traffic stop. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 12:45 a.m., officers stopped what appeared to be a falsely registered vehicle near Central Avenue and Laurel Drive. While the officer was trying to speak with the driver about the license plate, one of the back seat passengers, 28-year-old Rachel A. Cardoso, allegedly began to complain loudly about the traffic stop. A short time later, Harris says that Cardoso had her body partially hanging outside of one the rear car door windows, yelling at officers. Police say that Cardoso was ordered several times to lower her voice, but she refused to do so and was arrested. Officers then reported finding a small amount of marijuana in one of Cardoso’s pants pockets.

Cardoso was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of Disorderly Conduct and Possession of Marijuana. Harris says that it was determined that the vehicle stopped had been recently purchased. The driver was cited for not having a valid license and was released from the scene.

Columbus police arrested a local man on drug charges early Thursday morning after a traffic stop. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the department, says that Officer Brandon Decker saw a vehicle that failed to signal a turn on to Mapleton Street from McKinley Avenue at about 12:35 a.m. Decker stopped the vehicle and learned that the driver, 30-year-old Robert M. Bulthuis, of Columbus, had a suspended driver’s license. When Bulthuis was taken into custody, officers reported finding a bag of marijuana, a small amount of methamphetamine and a pipe in his clothing.

Bulthuis is facing preliminary charges of Driving while Suspended with a Prior Conviction, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Employees of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation are set to see a raise after the school board voted Wednesday night to approve a collective bargaining agreement between the school corporation and the Columbus Educators Association. Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts says that a lot of work went in to hammering out this agreement.

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Roberts says that this agreement will help to recruit and retain quality employees. On average, employees will see a pay raise of 3.2 percent for this school year and a 2.29 percent increase for the 2018-2019 school year. In addition, starting teacher salaries will increase from $36,720 to $38,750. Roberts says that translates to a $250,000 increase in earnings over a 35-year career.

One highlight is that healthcare premiums are only increasing two-percent over last year.

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Roberts added that while raises won’t be uniform for this school year, they will be for the 2018-2019 school year. The CEA voted to approve the proposal with more than 90 percent membership support.

Daylight Savings Time comes to an end this weekend and the Columbus Fire Department says this is a good time to replace the batteries in your smoke detector. Daylight savings time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday. Clocks will be turned back from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m.

CFD says this is a great time to take a simple step that can protect lives and property. “Smoke alarms are an inexpensive tool for early fire detection that every home should have,” says Columbus Fire Chief Mike Compton. “Working smoke alarms, coupled with an emergency escape plan, increases the chances of surviving a fire in the home.”

The Columbus Fire Department recommends that all residents inspect their smoke alarms this weekend and ensure that they are in working order. They say that alarms that are older than 10 years should be replaced. A smoke alarm manufacture date is typically found on the back of the unit. Authorities say this is also the ideal time of year to replace the batteries in all smoke alarms as, residential fires increase during the winter months.

In addition to protecting your family through the use of smoke alarms, the Columbus Fire Department recommends reviewing your home fire escape plan with family members. All family members should be aware of what to do if a fire breaks out in the home. If you need assistance in creating a home fire escape plan, or need assistance with smoke alarms, you should contact the Columbus Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at (812) 376-2584, or visit the Columbus Fire Department website at columbus.in.gov/fire/.