Two Columbus police officers received letters of commendation at Tuesday’s Board of Public Works and Safety Meeting for their handling of a call involving a small child at a local store last month. Chief Jon Rohde says that Officers Brandon Decker and Kelly Holley were dispatched to a Columbus store in regards to a small child who was unsupervised. When they arrived, the officers determined that the four year old child had special needs and was unable to hear. Holley was able to communicate with the child by using sign language and determined that the child needed his diaper changed. Rohde says that Holley changed the child’s diaper and kept him calm through the use of sign language. The officers secured food and milk for the child while they worked to locate his family. Officer Decker even offered to pay the business out of his own pocket and left $20 for the diapers, baby wipes, food and toys that were used. The child was later safely reunited with his family.

Chief Rohde says that he is very proud of both officers. “Our officers possess a broad set of skills that enable them to professionally handle a variety of calls,” said Rohde. “Brandon and Kelly took the extra time to ensure that this child was cared for and eventually reunited him with his family. The compassion that they showed for this child is a testament to the work our officers do each day.”

The first formal reading of the Columbus city budget is in the books. Jamie Brinegar, the city’s director of finance, says that public safety is very important to this administration…

Brinegar says that of the approximately $57.8 million budget proposed for 2018, $25 million is set aside for public safety. Changes over 2017 include a two-percent cost-of-living increase for city employees and elected officials and new positions designed to help local government operate more efficiently. Those new positions include a senior planner, engineering technician, payroll specialist for the clerk-treasurer’s office and adjustments for city police and fire departments in the hopes of filling empty positions quicker.

Brinegar notes that 2018’s proposed budget is actually 1.9 percent lower than 2017’s actual budget. That includes a proposed tax rate of 1.392 percent, an increase over 2017’s proposed rate of 1.3574 percent. However, Brinegar stresses that these proposed rates are almost always revised downward when the certified rates are established by the state, usually around February. For example, he explains that 2017’s certified tax rate was 1.1316 percent. That was a slight decrease from 2016’s certified rate. Brinegar has been consistent in stating that the administration’s goal has been to hold the line on tax rates as mush as possible.

The council voted 6 to 1 to approve the ordinance on first reading. Frank Miller was the lone “no” vote. The body is scheduled to hold it’s second, and final, vote on Oct. 17th.

Schneck Medical Center has announced a major expansion project. Stephanie Furlow, director of marketing and public relations for the Seymour hospital, says the expansion “focuses on providing enhanced access to medical and specialist care.”

Hospital officials say that the multi-year, multi-phase expansion will be built on the northwest side of the main campus along Tipton Street. It is slated to include a five-story medical office building and a parking garage. They add that additional surgical areas will also be developed within the main hospital to better serve patients. Completion of the project is expected in 2019.

“Since 1911, Schneck has been a vital part of the communities we serve. As our communities have grown, so has Schneck by adding services and specialties to meet the medical needs of the area,” said Warren Forgey, President/CEO of Schneck Medical Center. “Our steadfast commitment to providing the highest quality care makes Schneck better able to expand the services offered in the communities we serve.”

Furlow says that the medical center expansion reinforces Schneck’s commitment to providing the most advanced technology and high-quality, accessible care.

The developer of affordable housing will be approaching the Columbus City Council Tuesday night to seek a $6.5 million tax-abatement at the site of the former St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, as well as surrounding properties on Sycamore Street between Seventh and Eighth streets.

The city’s office of community development says that TWG Development is pursuing plans for a development called “Bartholomew Lofts.” Officials say the site, which has been vacant since 2001, was declared an Economic Revitalization Area last year. The intent, says the developer, is to preserve the church building and develop it into a community space for tenants. Surrounding buildings would then be demolished and 55 to 60 two-bedroom units would be developed to be rented at 60-percent of average median income. Since the site is in an ERA, it would be assessed at 30-percent of the investment cost, says city officials. In paperwork filed with the city, the developer anticipates that the development will create two new jobs paying an average of $17.65 per hour.

Council meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. at city hall and you are invited.

A grass fire slowed southbound traffic on Interstate 65 in Columbus Monday afternoon. Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, says that firefighters were called to the area of the 67.5 mile marker of southbound I-65 at about 1:20 p.m. after dispatch received several calls about a large amount of smoke and smoldering brush along a hillside shoulder on the west side of the interstate.

Wilson says that firefighters from Engine Companies 5 and 6 were called to the scene and extinguished the flames. Lt. Rick Chatham, commanding officer of Engine Company 5, stated that both engines used most of the water they had available in their tanks, a total of 1,500 gallons. Chatham commended the 9-1-1 dispatch center and the passerby that called in the fire. “ If we would have been notified two minutes later, this fire would have grown substantially, and we would have been on the scene for several hours,” said Chatham. Authorities say that the fire burned approximately one acre of an area west of the interstate and reached the top of the hillside. Indiana State Police officers closed the west southbound lane causing traffic to slow and back up. Firefighters worked at the scene for over 40 minutes.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and no injuries were reported. The Columbus Fire Department advises residents that conditions are dry and that its important to be careful. Wilson says that, while there was no evidence that this fire was caused by to a discarded cigarette, firefighters have seen that discarded cigarettes can create similar fires.

Two people have been arrested in what the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) calls a “multi-year investigation into methamphetamine dealing in Columbus and south central Indiana.” Investigators say those arrested have ties to Mexican drug cartels.

Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that on Friday morning, JNET detectives with assistance from the Columbus Police Department K-9 Division, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency, served a search warrant at 372 Center Street in Columbus. During the raid, officers arrested 50-year-old Lucilma Santana, of Columbus. Earlier in the investigation, detectives learned the Lucilma’s husband, 53-year-old Miguel P. Santana, had allegedly fled the state and was living in Florida.

Harris says that officers from the Seymour Indiana SWAT Team and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida) also served search warrants simultaneously at separate locations on Friday. However, Miguel Santana was not found.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Friday, an officer with the Houston Police Department in Texas stopped Miguel Santana for a minor traffic violation. During the stop, the officer confirmed that there were multiple felony methamphetamine dealing warrants out for Santana’s arrest. He was then arrested, without incident.

Narcotics investigators say that the husband and wife were major players in the local drug trade and were believed to be involved in two large profile drug busts made in 2016 in Bartholomew County. One bust was on South Gladstone Avenue and the other at the Hilltop Mobile Home Park. In the last 18 months, Harris says that detectives have arrested approximately one dozen associates of the Santana’s on narcotics charges. Authorities have also seized over 30 pounds of methamphetamine and over $300,000 in cash.

Lucilma Santana was arrested on a warrant for Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Level 2 Felony.

Miguel Santana is behind bars in Texas on four warrants for Dealing in Methamphetamine. Police say that he will be extradited back to Indiana.

The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team is a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office. The team is tasked with proactively targeting the manufacturing and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County. JNET is thanking the other law enforcement agencies who have taken part in this case. They include: the Seymour Police Department, Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, DEA, Houston Texas Police Department and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

Harris says that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are expected.

Amvets Local 509 is taking donations for victims of Hurricane Harvey. Organizers say there will be a staging area at the former Reeves Reliant Center near the corner of Seventh Street and Reeves Way in Columbus on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Donations will be accepted from noon to 6 p.m. each day. Items requested include: air mattresses, diapers, baby wipes, rubber boots, cleaning supplies, dog food cat food and other pet supplies. Water and clothing are NOT needed.

Rick Caldwell, an organizer, says that a truck was donated for the cause and that everything collected will be shipped to an Amvets post in Texas once the drive wraps up Wednesday night.

For more information, visit the Amvets Local 509 page on Facebook.

A Jennings County man has been arrested and will be extradited to Charlottesville, Virginia, to face an assault-and-battery charge stemming from clashes between white supremacists and counter-demonstrators in August.

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department says that 37-year-old Dennis L. Mothersbaugh, was arrested Thursday afternoon a his Vernon home.  Our news-gathering partners at “The Republic” are reporting that the Virginia warrant was issued after video from the clashes surfaced online. Police say that the video shows Mothersbaugh marching with white supremacists and punching two people.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Turning Point is putting on a number of events aimed at educating the community about domestic violence issues. Stephen Dischinger says that one such event, “Men Take a Stand,” takes place next week.

Dischinger says that a group will gather prior to the event.

Dischinger says this event is important in helping the community understand that men are a vital component in ending the cycle of domestic violence and nurturing healthy relationships. If you can’t take part in the march, you are welcome to go straight to city hall for the noon event.

October bring “WALKtober,” designed to help people stay active. Laura Garrett is the communities initiative lead for Healthy Communities. She explains that her organization puts out a calendar of all-walking related events put on by other groups throughout the month.

Garrett explains the importance of WALKtober.

You can check it out the calendar and other WALKtober-related events online at gohealthycolumbus.org.