A 17-year-old girl is alive after a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy revived her from an overdose.

Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department, says that just after 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sergeant Dean Johnson was on State Road 46 in front of Walmart when he heard units being dispatched to the parking lot in reference to a possible overdose. Upon entering the parking lot, Sgt. Johnson reported finding a running vehicle with its lights on. When he looked inside, Johnson saw the unconscious teen in the front seat. The girl had a pulse, but her breathing was reportedly shallow. Sgt. Johnson administered two doses of Narcan prior to EMS arrival. Jackson says that the girl was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where her condition has not been released.

“We must create a strong foundation of communication with our children. Talk with them about drugs and alcohol and let them know the consequences for bad choices. Know where they go, who they are with and when they will be home. Monitor cellphones and Internet activity,” says Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers. The Sheriff continued, “The signs are there – a change in their behavior, personality or physical appearance and a change in friends.” Myers added that it is everyone’s job to keep youths safe.

The Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would address Brown County’s Solid Waste Management District board member assignment issue, according to the bill’s sponsor State Rep. Chris May, a Bedford Republican.

Senate Bill 300 would amend a mandate in Indiana law requiring that one of the seats on a solid waste district board be appointed by a municipality that is not the largest in the county. Brown County is unique in this situation, as it is the only county in the state with just one municipality: Nashville.

“This legislation resolves a requirement in state law that Brown County is technically unable to meet,” May said. “It codifies the current arrangement to fill the seat on the Brown County Solid Waste Management District Board, which replaces the appointment with a seat representing a conservancy district.”

In the case of counties with only one municipality, the bill specifies the smaller municipality seat must instead be appointed by a conservancy district located entirely within the county with a freeholder resident of that conservancy district.

The Brown County Solid Waste Management District is a government agency that was established in 1991 to serve all of Brown County, including Nashville and Cordry Sweetwater. They work to reduce the amount of recyclable materials going to landfills and educate the public about waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, and to implement programs in these areas.

The bill passed the House of Representatives and Senate and can now be signed into law by the governor.

The Seymour Police Department announced the completion of the March 2017 dangerous and impaired driving enforcement campaign. During the 24-day enforcement period, department officials say that 41 tickets were written, 248 warning tickets were issued and six arrests were made within the city of Seymour.

“Dangerous and impaired driving kills,” said Chief Bill Abbott. “We all play a part in keeping Indiana’s roadways safe, and campaigns such as this ensure each and every driver and passenger understand their role and the importance of staying vigilant behind the wheel. Even one less dangerous or impaired driver off the road is a success in which we all can share.”

The six arrests made by Seymour Police Officers included one warrant arrest and three for possession of marijuana.

Increased enforcement during March is a statewide effort supported by federal highway safety funding. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute distributes funding to more than 250 participating Indiana law enforcement agencies.

A Clinton County family parked their 17-year-old daughter’s mangled car at the Statehouse on Tuesday to warn Hoosiers of the dangers of texting while driving.

As April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, State Rep. Milo Smith, a Columbus Republican, joined Jill Biddle to call attention to the issue with the goal of saving lives. Biddle lost her daughter, 17-year-old Maria Droesch, in a car crash last June Maria veered into oncoming traffic while texting and driving.

Smith says that Maria’s last text was to her mother about making plans with her friends, but it was never sent. Authorities say the teen was only 10 minutes from home when she crossed the center line and struck a pick-up truck. Biddle now uses her daughter’s wrecked car to send a message that distracted driving can be a life-altering decision.

“We bring this car all over the state to show people what texting and driving can lead to,” Biddle said. “If we can help save just one life, then we have accomplished our goal.”

Indiana has a statewide texting while driving ban for all drivers, and prohibits drivers under 18 years of age from using handheld and hands-free cellular devices except to dial 911. Despite these laws, Smith says the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration found 10 percent of teens involved in fatal crashes were reported as being distracted at the time of the crash.

“Individuals who drive while sending or reading text messages are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car crash than other drivers. Texting and driving remains a significant problem, and we have to do more to educate our friends and families about its dangers,” Smith said. “The Biddle family is using their personal tragedy to help send a message and warn others that driving distracted isn’t worth risking your life or someone else’s life.”

Smith authored legislation this year, which would have required all Hoosier drivers to use only hands-free devices. The bill didn’t receive a hearing, but Smith said he would try again next year.

Officials in North Vernon are considering applying for a grant that is aimed at helping keep area seniors in their homes. The North Vernon City Council was approached with the idea of applying for the “Aging in Place” grant during its meeting Monday night.

Debra Lilly, with the Administrative Resources Administration, helped the city in obtaining its Stellar Community grant funding. She says that North Vernon seniors would benefit from this new grant opportunity. Though the grant is “highly competitive,” Lilly says that trying to obtain the funding would be a net positive for the community.

The grant is federal in nature and supplies funding to residents age 50 and older for needed repairs and remodeling that will allow the resident to continue living in the home. The grant requires a 10 percent matching grant from the city, which can be covered by area non-profit groups. Lilly suggested the city apply for $300,000. With a limit of $15,000 per household, she says that a minimum of 18 to 20 homes could benefit.

Along with the matching local monies, Lilly says that there are some restrictions on the funding. She explained that, along with the age requirement, there is also an income limit. Lilly says that is to ensure that the neediest of the community are helped. In addition, any home that receives funding must be owner-occupied and the resident must live their for a minimum of three-years after the work is completed. If the home is sold within three years, the homeowner must pay back a pro-rated portion of the grant.

Members of city council said they were interested in the idea, but weren’t sure that they have the money available to cover the city’s portion of any grant it may receive. The body indicated that it may be a better idea to wait on applying until next year when they can budget for it. The council voted to table the request until its next meeting to see if Clerk-Treasurer Shawn Gerkin could scrape up the necessary funding.

The city of Columbus will be requesting bids for companies to perform work on the next phase of the State Street Revitalization Project. The Board of Public Works and Safety approved the request during its meeting on Tuesday. This phase of the project, estimated to cost $2.6 million, received initial approval last week from the Columbus Redevelopment Commission. Due to the cost, final approval will be determined by the city council. That is expected to be discussed at the council’s April 4 meeting.

Companies interested in working on this phase of the project will need to have their bids in by April 18.

The Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation has requested rate increase, and state officials want to hear from you.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is inviting written consumer comments on the utility’s request through May 9th. The agency, which represents consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, is scheduled to complete its review of the utility’s request and file testimony on May 16th.

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corp. is a not-for-profit utility with more than 5,100 customers in Bartholomew, Decatur, and Jennings Counties. Its most recent base rate case concluded in 2008.

Under the utility’s request, the monthly water rate for a residential customer using 5,000 gallons would rise from $22.83 to $33.77. Eastern Bartholomew Water Corp. is also seeking IURC approval to issue up to nearly $7.7 million in long-term debt. According to its testimony, the utility is seeking the changes due to higher operating and maintenance costs along with the need for capital improvements. They include: a new water treatment plant, a new storage tank, new office and maintenance buildings, new hydrants, meter replacements, main extensions, and GIS system mapping of the utility’s distribution system.

Consumers who wish to submit written comments may do so, no later than May 9th, at www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm;

Mail: Consumer Services Staff
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204

email: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov

Fax: (317) 232-5923

Comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to “IURC Cause No. 44903.” Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.

A Mixed Martial Arts fighter has been found guilty of a slew of charges in his attack on a former Columbus resident. According to reports, Jonathan Koppenhaver, who is also known as War Marchine, was found guilty of 29 felonies including burglary, battery, coercion, kidnapping and sexual assault in the attacks on his former girlfriend, Christy Mackinday in August of 2014. Mackinday required plastic surgery and was severely injured after the attacks on her and a man at her Las Vegas home.

Mackinday, a Columbus North graduate, uses the name Christy Mack in the adult film industry.

Koppenhaver was convicted on Monday and is set to be sentenced on June 5th.

A Shelbyville man was arrested Friday morning after police received several calls about a man driving erratically in Indianapolis.

Indiana State Police say that, just before noon, several drivers reported the van on I-465 speeding northbound near Brookville Road. They say the van hit the concrete median wall several times. According to callers, the van was believed to be traveling over 90 miles per hour at one point. The rear tire of the van blew out, but it continued north on the shoulder of the road. Troopers were able to catch the vehicle just south of Pendleton Pike and get it stopped safely.

During the course of the investigation the driver, who troopers say appeared disoriented and unsteady, was allegedly found to be in possession of heroin and prescription drugs. After a field-sobriety test, 52-year-old Brett Cooper was arrested on preliminary charges of Driving Under the Influence of Narcotics and Possession of Heroin. Cooper was taken to an Indianapolis hospital as a precaution.

F.C. Tucker Company’s monthly real estate market stats indicated the housing market is still going strong. According to the reality group, the average year-to-date home price for the 15-county Central Indiana region rose 9.5 percent to $184,170.

Pending home sales locally from Feb. of 2016 to Feb. of 2017:

Bartholomew County – increase of 9.1 percent
Brown County – increase of 17.2 percent
Decatur County – decrease of 10 percent
Jennings County – increase of 57.1 percent
Johnson County – increase of 2.6 percent
Shelby County – increase of 14.5 percent

Active listings from Feb. of 2016 to Feb. of 2017:

Bartholomew County – increase of 9.1 percent
Brown County – decrease of one-percent
Decatur County – decrease of 11.8 percent
Jennings County – increase of 64.7 percent
Johnson County – decrease of 19 percent
Shelby County – decrease of 24.9 percent

Average sale prices from Feb. of 2016 to Feb. of 2017:

Bartholomew County – $193,761 increase of 13.9 percent
Brown County – $164,493 decrease of 15.7 percent
Decatur County – $126,121 increase of 7.9 percent
Jennings County – $102,556 increase of 16.5 percent
Johnson County – $192,325 increase of 5.6 percent
Shelby County – $122,631 decrease of 5.9 percent