Two new officers joined the Columbus Police Department when they were sworn in Tuesday morning during the Board of Public Works and Safety Meeting.

Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that Officer Trenton Browning is a 24-year-old native of Bartholomew County and a graduate of Edinburgh Community High School. Browning attended Purdue University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science with a minor in Military Science and Leadership. Browning also serves in the Army National Guard.

Officer Reid Thayer is a 23-year-old native of Hope and graduate of Hauser High School. Thayer attended Vincennes University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Public Safety.

Harris says that both officers will undergo training at the Columbus Police Department before they start at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy later this month.

Cummins and GILLIG LLC announced a new electrified power partnership at the APTA public transportation show in Atlanta on Monday. Officials with the Columbus-based engine manufacturer says the work is a collaboration that “focuses on integrating and optimizing new battery electric technology offered by Cummins that will soon power GILLIG zero-emissions transit buses.”

“GILLIG has a very strong business relationship with Cummins, and now, with our new technical partnership, we have been able to share our respective technology roadmaps and jointly develop a vision to deliver the most comprehensive, advanced technology battery electric bus in the market for our customers,” said Derek Maunus, President of GILLIG.

“We have leveraged our companies’ decades of heavy duty transit experience in the design of the system, and will integrate this advanced technology into GILLIG’s industry leading proven platform,” added Maunus.

Amy Boerger, Cummins Vice President of Sales North America, says, “The Cummins electrified powertrain displayed here represents a major leap forward for the industry, and we are delighted that GILLIG will have first access to this important zero-emissions technology. The partnership enables a close technical collaboration so we can accelerate system integration and performance optimization work to leap ahead of others in the industry.”

Cummins say sthat initial development work for the new battery electric GILLIG bus plans for a 200-mile operating range on a single charge. The bus will utilize energy recovered from a regenerative braking system. Company officials say that the initial bus deployment will use a plug-in charger.

This latest announcement further encapsulates Cummins’ efforts to expand beyond its traditional diesel engine business. Tom Linebarger, Cummins Chairman and CEO, and other company officials have repeatedly noted their intent to Cummins an industry leader in clean-power generation. Announcements made by the company over this past several months include the introduction of an all-electric semi truck and powertrain. Cummins officials noted that many municipalities have made, or will make, the move to zero-to-low emission modes of transportation for public bus service and vehicles owned by municipalities. Executives say that customers’ desires for clean energy, as well as Cummins’ own desires to be a good steward to the environment, has necessitated the company’s need to adapt.

While clean energy continues to grow and become a vital component of Cummins’ business, the company says that its traditional diesel engine business is not dying out. Executives say that diesel power is still needed in many industries and developing nations. One area in particular that Cummins says will need diesel powered machines for the foreseeable future is in mining. With that, company officials say that Cummins is dedicated to further developing diesel engines that continue are efficient and reduce pollution with every new development.

A Columbus woman is facing drug charges after an incident over the weekend. Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that deputies were called to a disturbance at a convenience store in the 10000 block of North U.S. 31 at 10:36 p.m. Friday. Dispatch told deputies that a woman was trying to steal from the store. After a clerk confronted the woman, identified as 22-year-old Dessirae Loreal Jonesike Streeter, she allegedly began destroying store displays.

When a deputy arrived, he reported seeing a woman matching Streeter’s description, standing in the lobby of a nearby fast-food restaurant. After making contact with Streeter, the deputy says that she agreed to return to the store with him. Jackson says that the deputy repeatedly asked Ms. Streeter to stay away from her purse before she finally sat the purse on the floor covering it with a piece of cloth.

When backup arrived, authorities say that K-9 Diesel was alerted to Streeter’s purse. They say that a search resulted in the discovery of a bag containing marijuana and glass pipes. In addition, deputies allegedly found two pills that Streeter identified as Xanax, a small baggie containing a white powdery substance, methamphetamine, an electronic cigarette that appeared to have a wax-like substance inside, a small glass jar with marijuana leaves on the sticker, a wax-like substance that had the odor of marijuana and a metal grinder.

Streeter was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana. Authorities say that additional charges of Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct are being forwarded to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration.

Streeter has since been released.

Two Columbus residents were arrested over the weekend on drug charges after a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Judy Jackson, department spokeswoman, says that a deputy was dispatched to the area of West County Road 100 North and North County Road 250 West at 3:43 a.m. Saturday. When the deputy arrived, he reported finding two people sleeping in the vehicle.

After making contact with the driver, 39-year-old Jeremy Kittle, he reportedly told police that he was homeless and staying at random places. Kittle also reportedly told police that his passenger, 55-year-old Doreen Cregar, was in possession of a white powdery substance. Jackson says that a search resulted in the discovery of a prescription pill bottle, not in Kittle’s or Cregar’s name, containing multiple pills, as well as a glass pipe with burn marks and a white residue.

Jackson says that both Kittle and Cregar were arrested. Kittle is facing preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia. Cregar on preliminary charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Methamphetamine

Authorities say that both have since been released.

Cummins has announced plans to reveal electrified power technology for transit bus applications at the APTA public transportation show opening in Atlanta on Monday.

Cummins officials say the company will display a new powertrain, configurable for either a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a range extended electric vehicle (REEV) incorporating a compact engine-generator. Cummins says that these systems are ideally suited for integration into transit, shuttle and commuter buses. With the bus operating in battery-only mode, they say the system achieves zero emissions at the point of use.

“The introduction of our new BEV and REEV systems will complement Cummins’ clean-diesel, near-zero natural gas and diesel-hybrid products to offer the broadest, most energy-diverse power portfolio in the bus industry. We are able to meet the needs of every transit route, every duty cycle and every emissions standard in the most cost-effective manner,” said Julie Furber, Executive Director, Electrification Business, Cummins Inc.

Compared to the standard diesel-powered bus, Cummins says the REEV 4.5-liter engine is downsized by about 50 percent in terms of displacement and can achieve up to 10 miles per gallon, significantly lowering the carbon footprint. A power assist function is available from the battery pack whenever the system needs additional energy.

An investigation into the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine by the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team led to two arrests after authorities executed a search warrant Thursday morning at a home in the 4100 block of County Road 500 North.

Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says the investigation began after authorities received multiple complaints about the amount of traffic going in and out of the home and calls regarding shots fired around the residence. Police say that there were also multiple theft and burglary investigations that led authorities to the address.

Jackson says that the Columbus Police Department SWAT Team executed the search warrant at 4110 W 500 N at approximately 8 a.m. That resulted in the arrest of two residents: Jeremy Streeval and Debin Gabbard. Jackson says the pair were arrested on preliminary charges of:

Theft/Receiving Stolen Property,
Dealing Heroin,
Dealing Marijuana,
Dealing Methamphetamine,
Possession of Marijuana,
Possession of Methamphetamine,
Possession of Paraphernalia, and
Maintaining a Common Nuisance

Authorities say that weapons were found inside the home, leading to Streeval being charged with Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon.

Investigators say the search warrant also turned up a large amount of stolen items inside the residence, including two stolen vehicles, an ATV, a go-kart, a hand gun, a large amount of electronics, lawn equipment and tools.

Authorities believe that the people living in and visiting this home are responsible for dealing large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine and that they are involved in numerous burglaries, thefts and vehicle thefts in Columbus and Bartholomew County. They add that the home is also believed to have ties to the Aryan Brotherhood.

“I appreciate citizens who work with law enforcement to keep Bartholomew County safe – this has been a major hit on the supply of heroin and methamphetamine in Bartholomew County,” Sheriff Matthew Myers.

Jackson says that both Streeval and Gabbard remain remain in the Bartholomew County Jail without bond.

JNET was assisted by CPD, SWAT, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Department of Natural Resources and the Edinburgh Police Department.

The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office, is proactively targeting the manufacturing and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County. SWAT includes Columbus Police Officers and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies.

A stop to help a stranded motorist ended with an arrest. Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that at 7:11 p.m. on Thursday, Deputy Andrew Densford saw a pickup truck stopped on the shoulder of the southbound exit from I-65 to US-31.

When Deputy Densford stopped to help the driver, 39-year-old Thomas Richard Fox, of Pinckney, MI, he detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Police allegedly found numerous drug-related items inside the truck, including marijuana, multiple individually-packaged marijuana cigarettes, several oral syringes, a pipe and a plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance that preliminarily tested positive as cocaine.

Fox was arrested on preliminary charges of:

Dealing Marijuana,
Possession of Cocaine or Narcotic Drug,
Possession of Marijuana, and
Possession of Paraphernalia

He has since been released.

Jackson says that a juvenile passenger was released to a family member at the scene.

The developer of income-based housing is making another effort to develop the of the site of the former St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, as well as surrounding properties on Sycamore Street between Seventh and Eighth streets. Jonathan Ehlke is development director for TWG Development. The project is called “Bartholomew Lofts.”

Ehlke says these state tax credits are highly competitive, necessitating action from the Columbus City Council to approve local tax credits.

Ehlke says that TWG has a good track record with getting developments done.

Robin Hilber, with the city’s office of community development, says that the development is meant to be “income-based” housing, targeting workers in Columbus. To qualify, she says that applicants would need to earn no more that 60-percent of the average median income.

Indiana State Police have identified the Trooper who shot and killed a suspect in a police-action shooting over the weekend.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for ISP’s Versailles Post, says that 44-year-old Quentin Starke died Saturday afternoon after being shot by Trooper Eric Williams, a member of the ISP SWAT Team. Authorities say that Williams, and other SWAT members, was searching a wooded area off of State Road 11 south of Columbus. Police say that Starke fired at Williams, narrowly missing the officer. From there, Williams, a 15-year ISP veteran, returned fire, striking Starke. Wheeles says that Trooper Williams and other SWAT team members immediately provided medical attention to Starke, but he died at the scene.

This scene unfolded after a shooting earlier in the day when Stark allegedly shot Columbus Police Sgt. Joshua McCrary when McCrary tried to stop Stark’s vehicle for a traffic violation at 11th and Washington Streets. Police say that Starke fled in the vehicle before driving into the field near where he ultimately died. Upon stopping and exiting his vehicle, authorities say that Starke shot at McCrary, who was still inside of his police car. McCrary was grazed by a bullet, causing injuries to his head. Starke then reportedly fled into a wooded area. Sgt. McCrary was treated for his injuries at Columbus Regional Hospital and released.

Wheeles says that an autopsy was completed on Starke at the Decatur County Memorial Hospital on Sunday. It indicated that Starke died as a result of the injuries he sustained when he was shot by Trooper Williams.

ISP says that the investigation is ongoing. Once completed, the case will be turned over to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

*Story updated to include 2017 results

The Indiana Department of Education has released the 2016-17 School Accountability Grades. State officials say that nearly 25 percent of schools improved one or more letter grades, with close to six-percent improving their letter grade to an “A.” Overall, 62 percent of schools received an “A” or “B.”

“I am encouraged by the results of our current accountability grades as an indication of the great education Indiana students are receiving,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction “Our work, however, is not finished. As a Department we will continue to partner with stakeholders from the state level to the local community to ensure every school is successful and every student is academically prepared for the future.”

The 2016-2017 grades for area schools are as follows:

Bartholomew Con School Corp  Clifty Creek Elementary School D
Bartholomew Con School Corp  CSA Lincoln Campus A
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Mount Healthy Elementary School B
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Parkside Elementary School B
Bartholomew Con School Corp  W D Richards Elementary School B
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Rockcreek Elementary School A
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Lillian Schmitt Elementary School D
Bartholomew Con School Corp  L F Smith Elementary B
Bartholomew Con School Corp  CSA Fodrea Campus B
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Taylorsville Elementary School C
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Central Middle School C
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Southside Elementary School B
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Northside Middle School C
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Columbus North High School A
Bartholomew Con School Corp  Columbus East High School B

Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp  Hope Elementary School B
Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp  Hauser Jr-Sr High School B

Brown County School Corporation  Brown County High School B
Brown County School Corporation  Van Buren Elementary School A
Brown County School Corporation  Helmsburg Elementary School A
Brown County School Corporation  Sprunica Elementary School C
Brown County School Corporation  Brown County Junior High A

Decatur County Community Schools  South Decatur Jr-Sr High School B
Decatur County Community Schools  South Decatur Elementary School C
Decatur County Community Schools  North Decatur Elementary School A
Decatur County Community Schools  North Decatur Jr-Sr High School B

Greensburg Community Schools  Greensburg Community High School B
Greensburg Community Schools  Greensburg Community Jr High D
Greensburg Community Schools  Greensburg Elementary B

Medora Community School Corp  Medora Jr & Sr High School D
Medora Community School Corp  Medora Elementary School D

Seymour Community Schools  Cortland Elementary School A
Seymour Community Schools  Seymour Senior High School B
Seymour Community Schools  Margaret R Brown Elementary C
Seymour Community Schools  Seymour Middle School D
Seymour Community Schools  Emerson Elementary School B
Seymour Community Schools  Seymour-Jackson Elementary D
Seymour Community Schools  Seymour-Redding Elementary C

Brownstown Cnt Com Sch Corp  Brownstown Central Middle School D
Brownstown Cnt Com Sch Corp  Brownstown Central High School A
Brownstown Cnt Com Sch Corp  Brownstown Elementary School B

Jennings County School Corporation  Jennings County High School B
Jennings County School Corporation  Sand Creek Elementary School C
Jennings County School Corporation  Scipio Elementary School B
Jennings County School Corporation  Graham Creek Elementary School C
Jennings County School Corporation  Hayden Elementary School D
Jennings County School Corporation  Brush Creek Elementary School A
Jennings County School Corporation  Jennings County Middle School C
Jennings County School Corporation  North Vernon Elementary School B

Edinburgh Community School Corp  Edinburgh Community High School A
Edinburgh Community School Corp  Edinburgh Comm Middle School D
Edinburgh Community School Corp  East Side Elementary School B

Franklin Community School Corp  Needham Elementary School B
Franklin Community School Corp  Union Elementary School C
Franklin Community School Corp  Franklin Community High School B
Franklin Community School Corp  Franklin Community Middle School D
Franklin Community School Corp  Custer Baker Intermediate School C
Franklin Community School Corp  Northwood Elementary School A
Franklin Community School Corp  Webb Elementary School B
Franklin Community School Corp  Creekside Elementary School A

Greenwood Community Sch Corp  Greenwood Community High Sch A
Greenwood Community Sch Corp  Greenwood Middle School B
Greenwood Community Sch Corp  Greenwood Northeast Elementary A
Greenwood Community Sch Corp  Westwood Elementary School B
Greenwood Community Sch Corp  V O Isom Central Elem School A
Greenwood Community Sch Corp  Southwest Elementary School A

Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson United  Indian Creek Elementary School B
Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson United  Indian Creek Intermediate School B
Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson United  Indian Creek Middle School A
Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson United  Indian Creek Sr High School B

Southwestern Con Sch Shelby Co  Southwestern High School A
Southwestern Con Sch Shelby Co  Southwestern Elementary School B

Shelbyville Central Schools  Shelbyville Sr High School A
Shelbyville Central Schools  Shelbyville Middle School B
Shelbyville Central Schools  Coulston Elementary School B
Shelbyville Central Schools  Thomas A Hendricks Elementary C
Shelbyville Central Schools  William F Loper Elementary School A