Ivy Tech Community College has partnered with the Gene Haas Foundation to help train students to meet the needs of employers in advanced manufacturing.

The school says that the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded $29,500 to the Ivy Tech Foundation for scholarships and to fund advanced manufacturing training at the Ivy Tech Columbus/Southeast campuses. The Haas Ivy Manufacturing scholarships will enable military veterans, recent high school graduates, and underemployed and dislocated workers to transition into good-paying, high-demand careers in the advanced manufacturing industry.

“We’re fortunate to have Ivy Tech on the front lines helping to close the skills gap in Indiana,” states Toni Neary, Haas Factory Outlet – Director of Education. “Local manufacturers need skilled machinists in order to keep manufacturing here at home, which is a personal mission for Gene Haas and the Gene Haas Foundation.”

Ivy Tech says that advanced manufacturing is the top employment sector in southeastern Indiana, representing more than 36 percent of the area’s employment base. Because of the age of the existing workforce, southeastern Indiana’s manufacturers anticipate losing 45 to 55 percent of their skilled technicians over the next five to seven years. In addition, the school says that 90 percent of the area’s manufacturing employers plan to increase their number of employees in the next one to three years.

Founded by Gene Haas in 1999, the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded more than $35 million to deserving charities and educational institutions. The foundation was formed to fund the needs of the local community and to support manufacturing education. The foundation provides scholarship funds to community colleges and vocational schools for students entering technical training programs, especially machinist-based certificate and degree programs, as well as supports youth programs that inspire young people to consider manufacturing careers.

A Sunday night traffic stop led to the arrests of two people on drug charges, as well as the recovery of stolen property. Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman, says that Officer Travis Harbaugh stopped a vehicle on Jonathan Moore Pike at 11:40 p.m. for a traffic violation. Harbaugh spoke with the driver, 37-year-old Douglas W. Houchens, of Columbus, and his passenger 32-year-old Desi R. Buckler, of Edinburgh. Harris says that a K-9 unit arrived and was alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. Harbaugh also learned that Houchens had a suspended driver’s license. During a search the vehicle, officers reported finding several syringes and drug paraphernalia with drug residue. In addition, they allegedly found identification cards that were reported stolen in a 2016 Columbus burglary. Police arrested both Houchens and Buckler on preliminary charges of:

Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device
Possession of Stolen Property

Columbus Police officers arrested a Flatrock man on numerous drug charges Sunday night. Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that at approximately 6:50 p.m., Officers Wesley Dodge and Dan Meister spoke with the driver of a vehicle in the 2500 block of Marr Road after it was reported the vehicle had been weaving in the road. The officers reported smelling marijuana while speaking to the driver, 36-year-old George L. Griffith Jr. Police allege that Griffith tried to hide an unknown item in his back pocket, which was ultimately discovered to be a glass pipe containing methamphetamine residue. Griffith was placed under arrest and officers reported finding methamphetamine, numerous pills and a partially smoked marijuana cigarette in his clothing. While searching Griffith’s vehicle, officers allegedly found more meth, several empty plastic bags commonly used in drug-dealing and additional drug paraphernalia. Griffith was arrested on preliminary charges of:

Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony);
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Level 6 Felony);
Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony);
Two Counts of Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Level 6 Felony);
Dealing in Marijuana (A Misdemeanor);
Two Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (A Misdemeanor);
Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor);
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor)

A suspect in a hit and run crash that occurred last Wednesday was apprehended by a Columbus Police officer after she allegedly tried to flee again on Friday afternoon. Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police

Department spokesman, says that Officer Maren Crabtree was on patrol in the 1500 block of Chestnut Street at approximately 4:45 p.m. when she reported seeing 21-year-old Ashley R. Shuffitt, of Columbus. Shuffitt also had a warrant for her arrest, says Harris. Police say that Shuffitt began running after noticing the officer and refused to stop when ordered to do so. During the foot chase, Shuffitt allegedly threw a glass pipe containing methamphetamine before being taken to the ground by Crabtree. Officers later found a small amount of methamphetamine in Shuffitt’s pocket as well as drug paraphernalia in her backpack, says Harris. In addition to the warrant, Shuffitt is facing preliminary charges of:

Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony);
Failure to Stop After an Accident Causing Injury (A Misdemeanor);
Resisting Law Enforcement on Foot (A Misdemeanor);
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor);
Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)

The ninth annual “Canstruction” event was held Saturday at the FairOaks Mall in Columbus. Eight entries are on display all week. A panel of judges, including White River Broadcasting’s own John Foster, named the winners.

“Turtle Dude,” an entry from the Columbus Sunrise Rotary Club, was judged the “Best Original Design” winner.

CSA Fodrea’s fourth grade entry, “UNITED We Can,” received “Structural Ingenuity” honors.

Toyota’s entry won for “Best Use of Labels.”

“Best Meal” honors went to the Cummins Hawcrek team.

The “Most Cans” award went to Starving Artists’ entry, “Salt and Light. That display utilized nearly 7,400 canned food items.

You can vote for your favorite display by visiting the FairOaks Mall this week and dropping off non-perishable food items. One can equals one vote. The display with the most votes will receive the “People’s Choice Award.”

The Bartholomew County United Way says it is aiming to collect 40,000 cans during this year’s event. Organizers say that approximately 250,000 canned goods have been collected over the eight previous event. Donations will benefit food pantries at Love Chapel, the Salvation Army and Hope Community Center.

Bartholomew County Commissioners are proposing a new county fund that would allow the county to save up for large building projects. Estimates are that the capital development fund would bring in $698 thousand dollars the first year and almost $1.4 million in the second year. Once fully implemented it would cost the owners of a $100,000 home about $11 a year if they live in their own home.

Up until now, the commissioners have held off on creating the capital development fund. But until recently, they thought the power to create such a fund was entirely under their control. During a presentation last week, Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop said that they now agree that the fund is needed, but they also will have to appeal to the County Council to fund it.

Lienhoop laid out a schedule for public hearings and various approvals that would start in March and end in April. But council members said they wanted time to consider the issue and could take until August to finalize any plans.

The County Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Governmental Office Building on Third Street in Columbus.

Schneck Medical Center is now accepting applications for the George H. James Scholarship for medical school students.

The application is now available at www.schneckmed.org/scholarships. Along with a one page autobiographical letter, the application must be completed and submitted on or before April 3, 2017 to be eligible for consideration.

The George H. James, Jr. Scholarship was established in honor of George H. James, Jr. for his 33 years of dedicated service to Schneck Medical Center. James became President/CEO of Schneck Medical Center in 1968 and retired in 2001.

Candidates who are enrolled in a medical school are welcome to apply for consideration. Primary consideration will be given to Jackson and Jennings county residents who intend to practice medicine in Jackson County.

A Hope man was killed in an early-morning crash Friday. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that

deputies were called to a car fire on County Road 900 East, north of Schaeffer Lake in Hope. On arrival, deputies reported finding the driver, 34-year-old Jesse James Jackson, deceased.

Jackson says that the preliminary investigation indicates that Jackson was southbound on County Road 900 East when his vehicle left the west side of the roadway and hit a tree. Police say that Jackson was ejected from the vehicle before it burst into flames.

The investigation is ongoing.

A Columbus man is facing charges during an outburst in court that left equipment damaged and a deputy prosecutor slightly injured.

Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday, deputies were called to Superior Court II at the county courthouse. She says that 20-year-old Jordan Rhodes, of 465 Clifty Drive, appeared 90-minutes late for his hearing on a probation violation charge. Authorities say that Rhoades’ language become obscene, leading to Judge Kathleen Coriden holding him in contempt of court. Police say that Rhodes continued to be verbally abusive, leading the judge to level a second contempt charge against him.

Following sentencing, Jackson says that Rhoades began throwing chairs as he was leaving the courtroom. One of those chairs reportedly destroyed a computer monitor, while another hit a deputy prosecutor in the leg, slightly injuring him.

Authorities say that after Rhodes left the courtroom, he sat on a bench in the hallway for several minutes. When Rhodes tried to leave the courthouse, he was detained by court security and arrested on preliminary charges of Attempted Battery on a Public Official and Battery on a Public Official, both Level 6 felonies. In addition, several misdemeanor charges will be sent to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Sheriff Matthew A. Myers says that his office, which is responsible for security at the courthouse, takes this incident “very seriously.” He adds that his office and the judges have a Safety Committee that meets quarterly. “All current policies and procedures will be reviewed and we will make changes if necessary,” said the Sheriff. “Superior II is Bartholomew County’s busiest court. Judge Coriden sees more people than our other courts. I am surprised we have not seen more incidents in her courtroom,” Myers added.

Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop took part in a private meeting Tuesday with Gov. Eric Holcomb and State Representative Milo Smith to discuss issues affecting Columbus.

The Mayor’s office says the first topic discussed was the impact of the expected increase in railroad traffic through the city. Expected to greatly increase in late 2018, the train traffic will affect the downtown area and, most seriously, the State Road 46 intersection. Mayor Lienhoop shared the results of work done by city staff and volunteers to collect data, identify possible solutions and present them to INDOT. A study showed that of all railroad crossings between Louisville and Indianapolis, the crossing at State Road 46 is the most impacted on the line, with twice as many delays as the next highest impacted crossing. Mayor Lienhoop explains that because that road is a state highway, INDOT has authority and will be instrumental in helping to fund whatever solution is put in place.

Mayor Lienhoop says that he also shared the frustrations experienced by the city with the state’s process of providing budget revenue estimates for local governments. He specifically cited the resulting restrictions placed on local units during budget preparation time.

The Mayor’s office says that Gov. Holcomb and Mayor Lienhoop also discussed the drug problem that is enveloping Columbus, Bartholomew County and much of the state. The pair discussed a statewide focus promoted by the Governor to deal with substance abuse and drug addiction. Mayor Lienhoop shared that Bartholomew County has started a new initiative through Healthy Communities Council and offered the community’s help wherever possible. That initiative is being led by the Mayor, County Commissioner Carl Lienhoop and Jim Bickel, President and CEO of Columbus Regional Health.

The last item discussed was a proposal by Indiana University to add a Masters of Architecture degree program in Columbus. The Indiana Commission on Higher Education will be voting on this proposal at their March meeting. Mayor Lienhoop, who supports the measure, says that a Master’s degree in Architecture program in Columbus would “continue to grow the design heritage that community leaders have spent decades building in our community.”