Judges in the Bartholomew County court system say that their staffing needs have reached critical mass. Judges Jim Worton, Kathleen Coriden and Kelly Benjamin say the problem is the state’s new Odyssey system. Odyssey is designed to connect courts across the state, with the idea being to make it easier for judges and court staff to more easily search case information. Judge Worton elaborated on the problem during Monday night’s county council work session.

03-06-court-staffing-2

Judge Kathleen Coriden told the council that the courts’ staffing levels are simply inadequate.

03-06-court-staffing-3

Judge Coriden explains that the extra work and lack of staffing has led to the courts losing valuable knowledge with the departure of longtime staff.

03-06-court-staffing-4

Between Superior Court 1, Superior Court 2 and the Circuit Court, judges want to increase head-count by a minimum of two. They want that extra staffing as soon as possible. Council members are expected to discuss the request further at next week’s regular session.

The Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office says that accidental

drowning is the cause of 33-year-old Jacquelyn Watts’ death. Her body was found Saturday on a sandbar in the Flatrock River. Police believe that Watts was trying to catch a lost dog on Friday when she disappeared.

Watts had been reported missing to the Columbus Police Department on Friday, around the same time her vehicle was found abandoned with the engine running and flashers activated on Riverside Drive. Watts’ body was found Saturday morning during a search of the area that began shortly after she was reported missing.

Coroner Clayton Nolting ordered an autopsy, which was performed by a forensic pathologist Monday afternoon at Columbus Regional Health. The investigation by the coroner’s office and Columbus Police Department, along with the autopsy results, led Nolting to rule the death an accidental drowning, pending toxicology results.

Investigators believe Watts was attempting to rescue a dog that had previously been reported missing when she entered the river and drowned. The dog was older and had vision impairment. Police say its body was on the river bank Sunday morning, south of the sandbar where Watts’ body was found.

The Indiana Department of Transportation Department says that crews will install a new drainage pipe under State Road 39, just  south of Tampico in Jackson County, after a wash-out caused by recent flooding conditions damaged the existing structure.

INDOT says that the new 36-inch pipe, measuring 40 feet in length, should be put in place during on Wednesday. Officials say that State Road 39 will be closed between County Road 600 South and County Road 325 East beginning at 9 a.m. It is expected to be reopened by 4 p.m.

INDOT says this work is dependent on the weather.

Gov. Eric Holcomb will be in Columbus this weekend. The Governor’s Office says that Holcomb will be a part of the 1st Brigade Military Dining-In event on Saturday night at Otter Creek Golf Course.

This event, which is invitation-only, is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Governor is expected to give his remarks at 7:30 p.m. This event is hosted by the 1st Brigade Great Lakes Division 75th Training Command.

Columbus Police say that foul play is not suspected in the death of Indianapolis resident and Columbus East graduate Jacquelyn Watts…

Harris says that the owners of the dog posted on social media that they were trying to find the lost animal. A witness reported seeing Watts chasing a small white dog along the Flatrock River on Friday. That was the last time she was last seen.

Police say that Watts’ body was found Saturday just south of the low-head damn on the Flat Rock River. Police say that an autopsy is scheduled for Monday afternoon.

AT&T Indiana President Bill Soards will be in Columbus on Tuesday to talk to elected officials and economic development leaders about the company’s investment in the area. Locally, AT&T has placed fiber optic cable at four different locations in Columbus. The company says this ensures the best in fiber-based technology for businesses. The four locations are now identified as being “AT&T Fiber Ready,” which the company says will help in marketing available space to companies looking to locate or expand in the area.

AT&T officials says that Tuesday’s meeting will include Mayor Jim Lienhoop and Jason Hester, president of the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation. That meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall.

Columbus Police are searching for a woman they say is missing and possibly endangered. Officers are looking for 33-year-old Jacqueline

Watts, a white female who was reported missing from the 2300 block of Riverside Drive. Watts is described as being 5’5″ tall and weighing 110 pounds with blond hair and brown eyes. Police say that she was last seen wearing black stretch-pants and a gray shirt. Department officials say that officers, including a K-9 unit are searching the area. You are asked to stay away from that area for the time being.

If you have any information on Watts’ possible whereabouts, Columbus Police ask you to call 911 immediately.

The town of Hope continues its work on proposals aimed at cleaning up the community. JT Doane, town manager, says that officials are considering implementing a universal trash pickup service. He is encouraging residents to take part in the town council’s work session on Tuesday night.

Doane says that he’s invited one of the contractors considering submitting a bid to attend this work session to help answer questions that residents may have. He noted that a town-wide service may be more economical and is expected save money for those residents currently paying for trash disposal. Doane adds that a full presentation is scheduled to be offered at the full town council meeting on March 21st.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has permitted coring operations during overnight hours on Interstate 65 in Bartholomew County.

INDOT officials say that Earth Explorations crews will be onsite beginning Sunday night taking pavement and soil core samples from all I-65 lanes, one lane at a time, from State Road 46 at Columbus north to a terminus beyond U.S. Highway 31. Speed limits will be reduced to 55 mph between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. while workers are present.

INDOT officials anticipate nighttime operations continuing for approximately one week.

A Columbus North High School student was taken into custody after a fight Friday afternoon. Officials with the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation say that shortly after noon, the girl became loud and angry and struck another student several times. They say the student then left the room, ran through the hallways while ignoring staff, circled back to the class and grabbed scissors. Adults directed the other students to exit the room, but BCSC says the student with the scissors told them not to leave.

BCSC says that the School Resource Officer and other staff members were able to get the situation under control. No injuries were reported.