Two Columbus residents were arrested after officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle on Friday night. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that Officer

Alyson Rech responded to a parking lot in the 2400 block of Beam Road at 8:40 p.m. in regards to two suspicious men inside a vehicle. When Officer Rech arrived, she noted that the passenger, 23-year-old Phillip L. Thompson, was holding a plastic needle cap that he tried to hide. Officers confirmed that Thompson was wanted on two Bartholomew County warrants and took him into custody. Harris says that a police K9 then arrived at the scene and detected the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. The driver, 28-year-old Joshua D. Fox, got out of the vehicle and officers reported finding two syringes containing heroin, along with a glass pipe and marijuana near the driver’s seat.

Fox was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device.

Columbus Police are investigating a rash of vehicle vandalism that occurred over the weekend. Lt. Matt Harris says that there six reports of car windows being broken out on the north side of the city. Harris says the incidents took place Saturday night.

If you have any information about these crimes, you are asked to contact the Columbus Police Department at (812) 376-2600. Tips and information can be left anonymously.

Indiana Department of Transportation personnel met with contractor representatives, consulting engineers and Seymour officials at INDOT district offices Friday morning to launch a $681,650 construction project to rebuild West Second Street from just northeast of U.S. Highway 50 to Vehslage Road.

INDOT says that Milestone Constructors will be doing full-depth pavement replacement, installation of new storm and sanitary sewer lines and construction of sidewalks with curbs and ADA-complaint ramps. Work is scheduled to begin in early April. A street closure is tentatively scheduled for May 3.

INDOT says that the city of Seymour will cover 20 percent of project costs, while the Federal Highway Administration is funding the rest. The project will impact the 2,330 vehicles who utilize West Second Street every day.

Monday marks the start of spring break for students in BCSC and the Flat Rock-Hawcreek schools. Dr. Laura Hack, BCSC’s director of elementary education, says that classes won’t resume until March 27th…

Discussions to potentially alter the school corporation’s break periods will be held in 2018…

Flat Rock-Hawcreek was also scheduled to have two weeks off for spring break, but the school corporation’s website saya that a cancelled school day on March 1st means that classes will resume on Friday, March 24th.

The former reserve Nashville police officer facing charges for pursuing a motorcyclist through Bartholomew County will be represented by a public defender. Our news-gathering partners at “The Republic” are reporting that Columbus’ Whitted Law Firm was named to represent 25-year-old Leonard Burch, of Columbus, during a Wednesday hearing in Bartholomew Superior Court 2.

According to the report, Magistrate Joe Meek set a pre-trial hearing for Burch at 1:30 p.m. on April 19, while his trial date was moved to May 18. The paper is reporting that a half-day has been set aside for the trial as Burch has said in previous court hearings he plans to seek a jury trial.

A probable-cause affidavit filed in Bartholomew County accuses the former off-duty officer of pursuing 18-year-old motorcyclist Xavier Scrogham, of Hope, recklessly at a high rate of speed through Columbus and part of rural Bartholomew County. That pursuit ultimately ended in Scrogham crashing his motorcycle and dying.

Burch is facing misdemeanor charges of False Informing and Reckless Driving.

For more on this story, visit therepublic.com.

The family of the owners of the lost dog that Jacquelyn Watts died trying to retrieve has released a statement. Authorities believe that Watts was chasing down the animal, named “Ringo,” along the Flatrock River when she entered the water and drowned. Watts’ body was found Saturday morning on a sandbar just south of the river’s overhead dam in Columbus. Ringo’s body was discovered the following day, on the bank of the river.

The family’s statement reads:

“We are deeply saddened by the terrible accident that took the life of Jacquelyn (Kleine) Watts. We will be forever grateful to Jackie for being so brave when trying to save Ringo. We understand why she did it. Jackie’s passion was to rescue animals in need, Ringo himself was a rescued dog.

Ringo was a very special dog. His family found him five years ago roaming the streets and took care of him, as they have done with several other dogs. His owner is also dedicated to saving stray dogs and placing them in homes where they can live a better life surrounded by love. Ringo was a best friend to us and took care of his human brother and sister on endless nights. He loved his family and his family loved him back.

Jackie’s death will not go unnoticed. Without knowing her in person, she has already changed our lives, and many others, for the better.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Jackie and her family. They will always hold a special place in our hearts.

The family requests privacy at this time.”

North Vernon Police are investigating the discovery of a body Tuesday afternoon. The department says that officers were called to the bridge on North State Street just before 5 p.m. where they found the body of a man under the bridge. Police say that the body was there for several hours and that foul play is not expected. They did say that there was evidence of drug use at the scene.

Police say that the investigation is ongoing and that the identity of the man has not been released, pending notification of the family.

The United Way of Bartholomew County held their annual meeting yesterday. Kyle Hendricks, marketing and communications coordinator for the organization, says this event is the one day every year where the spotlight can be shone on those who give to their community.

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Hendricks talks about those who were honored during the event.

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Hendricks talks more about the “Live United Award.”

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Mark Stewart, organization president, talked about the goals of the United Way over the next year..

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The Ivy Tech Community College Student Government Association has announced a community-wide indoor yard sale to raise money to help fellow students in need.

Organizers say the Ivy Tech Columbus SGA indoor yard sale will be Saturday, March 25th from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside of Poling Hall on the school’s campus. Vendors and artisans are welcome. Spaces are available for $10 for one table with additional tables available for $5 each.

The Student Government Association says that all fees collected will benefit the Student Emergency Fund. The fund is meant to help students who experience challenges such as a broken down car, job loss, or their utilities being shut off. Sellers and vendors will keep the proceeds from their sales.

“Emergency situations can cause immediate, necessary and unexpected expenses for our students, and often times they must sacrifice their pursuit of an education to cover these expenses,” Ivy Tech Columbus SGA President Mika Mosier said. He adds, “Our mission with the Student Emergency Fund is to provide a support system to help students meet their needs so that they can continue toward their academic and career goals.”

Those interested is selling items at this event can register online at tinyurl.com/hovggzl.

Police officers from several agencies continue their search for more than 40 suspected drug dealers. Franklin Police say that 43 people, who are mostly Johnson County residents, have been charged with dealing methamphetamine or heroin after a six-month investigation. A sweep to apprehend these suspects began Tuesday morning.

Our news-gathering partners at “The Republic” are reporting that, as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, 28 of the 43 suspects had been taken into custody. The report says that a number of arrests were made in Edinburgh Tuesday morning.

The paper reports that the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Edinburgh Police Department, New Whiteland Police Department, Trafalgar Police Department and the U.S. Marshall’s Service are involved in serving the warrants.

More information at therepublic.com.