Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers has been named to the National Sheriffs’ Association Homeland Security Committee.

“As such Sheriff Myers will be networking closely through the NSA with the other 3,100 elected Sheriffs across America, bringing a professional “Heartland” perspective to this vast responsibility of keeping our Counties, States and Nations safe,” said National Sheriffs’ Association president John Layton.

The National Sheriffs’ Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the law enforcement field. NSA is a key player in shaping national policy on critical criminal justice and homeland security issues important to the nation’s sheriffs, deputies and police in the halls of Congress, U.S. Courts and at the White House.

NSA is led by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors comprised of members of NSA who are currently holding the elected position of Office of Sheriff.

Stephen P. Luce, Executive Director of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, said “It is an honor to know that the National Sheriffs’ Association has appointed Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers to the NSA Homeland Security Committee. Sheriff Myers appointment will continue the strong presence that ISA and Indiana Sheriffs have with the NSA. Sheriff Myers dedication and knowledge in Public Safety over the years allows him to be a perfect fit for the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Homeland Security Committee.

“I look forward to serving on NSA’s Homeland Security Committee. It is a true honor to be able to serve on such an important committee with Sheriffs’ from across our Nation,” said Sheriff Myers. He added, “I look forward to hearing their unique perspectives and the strategic advice that will be provided by the NSA HSC members.”

Columbus police officers arrested a local man early Tuesday morning after he allegedly punched an officer in the face in an effort to get away. Authorities say that at approximately 2:30 a.m., an officer stopped Steven J. Richcreek, 27, of Columbus, for riding a bicycle without proper lighting on Indiana Avenue near South Beatty Street.

After the officer confirmed that Richcreek was wanted on two local warrants, he attempted to take him into custody. During the scuffle, Richcreek reportedly punched the officer in the face and attempted to flee on foot. The officer chased after Richcreek and tackled him to the ground a short time later. After Richcreek was handcuffed, the officer reported finding synthetic marijuana in Richcreek’s clothing.

In addition to the warrants, Richcreek is facing new preliminary charges of:
Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
Possession of a Look-a-Like Drug (Class A Misdemeanor)
Battery on a Police Officer (Level 6 Felony)

GILLIG LLC, the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States, joined Cummins on Tuesday in announcing that the GILLIG zero-emission battery electric bus, powered by Cummins, is now available.

Company officials say the zero-emission battery electric bus incorporates the Cummins electrified powertrain, which features remote diagnostics and over-the-air connectivity. The bus initially incorporates the standard 444 kWh battery capacity and supports charging interoperability via industry standards.

“Cummins is incredibly proud to bring a best-in-class fully electric bus solution to market with GILLIG,” said Julie Furber, Vice President-Electrified Power, Cummins. “Our Battery Electric System is another example of Cummins unrelenting commitment to quality, dependable products. We’re deeply committed to understanding our customers and their unique needs and providing market-leading solutions that enable their success.”

In the run-up to Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, representatives from Cummins, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will unveil the five fully restored historic Cummins-powered cars in the same location for the first time. This event is set for Wednesday, May 22, at 10 a.m. outside of the museum.

To commemorate Cummins’ 100th anniversary, the cars will participate in the vintage parade lap just prior to the green flag dropping at this year’s race. Company officials say this is the first time that all five cars will appear in public at the same location.

Veteran IndyCar drivers will pilot several of the cars Sunday. Their names will be revealed during Wednesday’s event.

Cummins released the following information about each car:

1931 Cummins Diesel No. 8 car
The 1931 car featured a 4-cylinder diesel engine and was the first ever race car to finish the 500-mile race without stopping. The car qualified in the 17th position at 96.87 miles per hour. The car, originally driven by Dave Evans, finished the race in 13th place.

1934 Cummins Diesel No. 5 car
The 1934 No. 5 car featured a new technology, a two-stroke Model H supercharged diesel engine. The car qualified in the 29th position, completed all 500 miles, and finished in 12th place. Although the No. 5 completed the race, Cummins founder, Clessie Cummins, decided not to continue manufacturing the two-stroke Model H, as it was not dependable (the engine seized at the end of the race and would not restart). This car was originally driven by Stubby Stubblefield.

1934 Cummins Diesel No. 6 car
The 1934 No. 6 car, originally driven by Dave Evans, was powered by a four-stroke Model H engine. The car qualified in the 22nd position with a speed of 102.2 miles per hour and was only a couple of seconds off the pace of the leaders, however, the car only finished 270 miles and finished 19th.

1950 Cummins Diesel Special (Green Hornet) No. 61 car
To promote the release of a new technology, a six-cylinder, two valve truck engine (JBS-600), the 1950 No. 61 car was powered by a modified version of the new engine and was the first racing car in history to use disc brakes. The car, originally driven by Jimmy Jackson, was dubbed the Green Hornet and qualified in the 32nd position, with a speed of 129.9 miles per hour, and finished the race in 29th.

1952 Cummins Diesel Special No. 28
The 1952 Cummins Diesel Special No. 28, originally driven by Freddy Agabashian, proved the durability, power and technology of diesel engines. The No. 28 was the first turbocharged car to race at the Indy 500, and won the pole position with an average speed of 138 miles per hour and a top speed of 139.1 miles per hour. The No. 28 finished 27th due to debris on the track, however, its dominance prompted new rules for diesel engines competing in the Indy 500. This was the last Indianapolis 500 where Cummins competed with an engine of their own.

The annual Salute! concert put on by the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic is this Friday, May 24th, near the grounds of the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans. Retired Gen. Mark Pillar is the military master of ceremonies. He talks about the origins of this free event, aimed at honoring those who have served and are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Gen. Pillar says it is important to understand that the military has seen generational changes.

The concert is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Columbus East High School Band Booster Club will be on hand selling refreshments.

You are invited to bring your lawn chair and enjoy the performance.

For more on Friday evening’s concert, visit thecip.org.

Tickets for the Columbus Human Rights Commission’s annual dinner meeting go on sale this week. The commission is inviting you to hear a moderated discussion on immigration featuring Dr. Neeraj Kaushal and Ms. Angela Adams on Thursday, June 20th. That event is will be held at The Commons, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Kaushal is a professor of social policy and the chair of the doctoral program at Columbia School of Social Work. His academic fields of expertise include comparative immigration policy, social welfare policy, labor economics, health economics, and public finance.

Adams is the owner and managing attorney at Adams Immigration Law, LLC in Carmel, where she practices family and employment-based immigration law. She holds a B.S. in public affairs-management from Indiana University and a J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Adams has served on several boards and in leadership capacities, including at the Immigrant Welcome Center, Su Casa Columbus, Mexican Scholarship Fund, La Plaza, Hispanic Education Center, and the Indiana chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers.

In addition to the discussion, the recipient of the 2019 William R. Laws Human Rights Award and the winners of the 2019 Benjamin M. King Essay and the J. Irwin Miller Art Contests will be honored at the dinner. The theme for this year’s art and essay contests is “You Belong in Columbus.”

Admission to the dinner is by advance ticket purchase. Tickets for the dinner are set to go on sale Wednesday, May 22. They are $30 each. Tickets can be purchased at the Human Rights Commission office in City Hall, or by going online at columbus.in.gov/human-rights/.

The deadline for purchasing tickets is Monday, June 17th at 5 p.m.

A Freetown man was killed in a one-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon in southwestern Bartholomew County. The Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene shortly before 4 p.m. Authorities say the crash happened on County Road 675 West, south of Seymour Road near Waymansville. Terry Von Anderson III was pronounced dead at the scene by deputy coroner Charlie Deweese. The cause of death was listed as massive head trauma.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the crash.

A Columbus woman was arrested after a near head-on collision with a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputy.

Authorities say that at approximately 5:25 p.m. Thursday, Deputy Andrew Whipker was eastbound on 25th Street near Fox Pointe Drive when a car crossed the center line into his lane. The deputy was able to avoid a crash and turned his vehicle around to initiate a traffic stop. Police say the car continued westbound in the eastbound lanes before driving into the grass on the south side of 25th Street.

While speaking with the driver, Shelby M. Harsh, 27, authorities observed signs of impairment and could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside her vehicle. Harsh reportedly told Deputy Whipker that she had smoked heroin and marijuana earlier in the day.

A cut straw with burnt residue and tin foil with burnt residue were discovered in Harsh’s vehicle.

Harsh was remanded to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of:

– Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated
– Possession of Paraphernalia

She was also issued a citation for:

– Driving Left of Center
– Driving while Suspended

Harsh has since been released.

Sections of northbound I-65 will be closed in Bartholomew and Jackson counties overnight. The Indiana Department of Transportation says that crews will be milling and doing guardrail repair work in the construction zone between Seymour and Columbus.

Lane closures are scheduled as follows:

Wednesday, May 15: I-65 NB, right lane at MM 50-51, north of Seymour exit
Thursday, May 16: I-65 NB, left lane at MM 56-56.5, north of Jonesville exit
Friday, May 17: I-65 NB, right lane at MM 61.5, south of Walesboro exit

All work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled.

Motorists are urged to pay attention. Make sure you follow the 55 mph speed restriction posted in the work zone. All trucks are to use the left lane.

May is National Bike Month. In celebration of the month, Columbus is holding a “Bike to Work Day” this week. Cheryl Wright is an organizer for the event…

Those four locations are:

• West Hill on State Road 46 West – Cummins employee route

• Blackwell Park/Parkside Area (parking lot west of soccer fields)

• Haw Creek Trail at the intersection of 30th Street and Griffa Avenue

• America and Roby Anderson Community Center

Riders begin departing at 7:15 a.m.

For more information, visit gohealthycolumbus.org.