Columbus Police arrested a local man for warrants and a drug possession charge after he was spotted outside a Columbus home Sunday afternoon.

Shortly after 4 p.m., officers observed 20-year-old Lennon M. Couch, of Columbus, standing outside of a house in the 900 block of California Street. The officers confirmed two local warrants for Couch’s arrest and he was taken into custody without incident. While searching Couch’s clothing, officers reportedly found methamphetamine in his socks and a pants pocket.

Couch was arrested on a new preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine.

Columbus Police arrested a local man on suspicion of driving a vehicle while intoxicated after he was spotted driving with two flat tires on Saturday night.

At approximately 9:15 p.m., officers received a report of a vehicle weaving erratically near 11th and Washington streets. Officers spotted the vehicle a short time later and spoke with the driver, 48-year-old Craig D. Dearing, of Columbus. While speaking with Dearing, the officers detected the strong odor of alcohol on his breath and noted that his speech was slurred.

Police say Dearing failed several field sobriety and was taken to the Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood draw. He was eventually arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated-Endangerment.

The burn ban in Decatur County has been lifted.

The Decatur County Emergency Management Agency says that county commissioners made the decision on Monday, Oct. 14. However, officials are stressing the following points:

– The burning of trash remains prohibited.
– Open burning within Greensburg city limits is prohibited under city ordinance.
– If you intend to have a large burn, notify your area’s fire department.
– Fireworks restrictions are lifted. They can be used in compliance with state law.

Decatur County officials stress that a burn ban may be put back in place if necessary.

The Columbus Park Foundation is holding its Annual Community Meeting next week. It will be held at the Fair Oaks Mall in the former Shoe Sensation location on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Organizers say this is an opportunity to review recently completed Parks and Recreation projects and learn about current and upcoming projects.

The featured guest speaker will be Tom Brosey, Fair Oaks Community Development Corporation Project Manager. He’s been working closely in the planning stages of the Fair Oaks Mall Project, which is a collaboration between Columbus Parks and Recreation, the City of Columbus and Columbus Regional Health.

The Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office has identified the man whose body was discovered in a corn field Thursday by a farmer. Coroner Clayton Nolting said 39-year-old Danny Ray Green, of Columbus, was discovered around 3:30 p.m. in a field near Indianapolis Road, north of Tellman Road.

Nolting ordered an autopsy, which was performed Friday morning at Columbus Regional Hospital by a forensic pathologist. He explains that findings from the autopsy, including toxicology, should be available to investigators in about two weeks.

A Seymour man who pleaded guilty in the 2018 death of his fiancée received a 24-year sentence.

“The Tribune” in Seymour is reporting that 45-year-old Brian M. Cogdill, received that sentence in Jackson Circuit Court on Thursday for voluntary manslaughter from Special Judge Stephen R. Heimann in the death of 19-year-old Emma Jean Jamison, of Seymour.

The paper is reporting that the negotiated plea agreement includes 14 years in the Indiana Department of Correction with 10 of the total 24 years suspended. Cogdill also will serve five years of probation following the sentence.

Police said Cogdill beat Jamison to death Sept. 6, 2018, at the residence they shared in the 6500 block of N. County Road 760E.

For more on this story, visit tribtown.com.

A vehicle was destroyed in a Friday morning morning fire.

Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, says that at approximately 8:10 a.m., firefighters responded to the 3600 block of Commerce Drive for a vehicle fire. They arrived and confirmed an unoccupied passenger car fully engulfed approximately 20 feet from a building. The fire was quickly extinguished. No damages were reported to the surrounding buildings and no injuries were reported.

Investigators spoke with the driver of the car, who believed that a possible mechanical issue had occurred just prior to the fire. The driver told investigators that a strong odor of gasoline was present before flames consumed the vehicle, which was destroyed.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

A chance coming up Saturday to help the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund. Ben Noblitt is an organizer for this event, being held at Kroger on National Road.

Noblitt says that money raised from the sale of food will benefit the Cheer Fund.

In addition, Columbus East Senior Matthew Sizemore will set up boxes to receive toy donations at both entrances to Kroger as part of his senior project. Those boxes will remain open for donations until December.

Saturday’s event runs from 10:30 to 2 p.m. at Kroger.

The body of a white male in his 30s was been found in a cornfield east of Indianapolis Road.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that deputies were called to the scene Thursday afternoon. Our news-gathering partners at “The Republic” are reporting that the body was discovered by a farmer harvesting his corn.

The sheriff’s department knows the identity of the male, but is not releasing the name until his family is notified.

The cause of death is currently unknown.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.

A Richards Elementary School student was arrested Thursday after allegedly telling people he was bringing a gun to school.

Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department says that the incident began after other students overheard the sixth-grader make the claim on the way to school. Upon arrival, those students informed a teacher. School officials then contacted CPD.

Harris says an officer arrived and spoke with the student. No gun was found, but the child was taken into custody and is facing a preliminary charge of Intimidation.

No one was hurt.