Attorney General Curtis Hill is crowing about a legal victory on Friday that he says will help the state hold officials accountable.

Hill’s office says that Cathy Jo Robertson, a former bookkeeper for the Jennings County Clerk’s Office, had sought to avoid paying back public funds demanded by the Office of the Attorney General. In an audit report, the State Board of Accounts determined that Robertson diverted more than $61,000 in public funds for her own use. Robertson had claimed the OAG’s complaint to recover the funds was filed after the statute of limitations had expired.

Robertson’s attorneys said the activity in question occurred from 2009 to 2011 and that the OAG became aware of it from SBOA officials in December of 2014. That being the case, her attorneys claimed, the statute of limitations would have had to begin to run no later than December of 2014.

The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday, however, that the statute of limitations applicable to the OAG in such instances does not begin to run until the OAG receives the final, verified report from the SBOA. In this case, the OAG received the SBOA’s report on Jan. 22, 2016, and filed its complaint against Robertson on May 5, 2017, well within the two-year window.

“Cases arising out of SBOA audits are especially important to the state because their purpose is to protect public funds,” Attorney General Hill said. “The state needs the ability to recoup taxpayer dollars and root out fraud committed by public officials and employees.”

Two Columbus firefighters with a combined sixty four years of service have announced their retirement from CFD.

Lieutenant Richard Chatham retires with 34 years of service. Hired by the city in 1985, Chatham held of the rank of Sergeant and his current rank of Lieutenant. Chatham retired on March 1st from his current assignment of Lieutenant at fire station #5.

Battalion Chief Dan Cleland was hired by the city in 1988. Throughout his career, he served as a paramedic on the department’s ambulance, Medic One, and rose through the ranks serving as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief. Cleland also served five months as the interim Chief of Fire in early 2012. His official retirement date is April 1st.

Gov. Eric Holcomb says the state is working to grow and adapt. He addressed the issues of having a ready work force when he visited Simmons Winery Thursday night to address the Lincoln Day Dinner put on by the Bartholomew County Republican Party.

Gov Holcomb says it’s also important to find a way to reach out to those who have been out of the workforce and offer them a way to transition back in to work whenever possible.

Holcomb says the state is doing a good job at adapting to the changing times.

Holcomb notes that challenges remain for the state. They including education, infrastructure and maintaining a well-qualified workforce, among others.

The governor talked about the mission of his administration…

Approximately 250 people turned out for Thursday evening’s event at Simmons Winery. They included Rep. Greg Pence, Mayor Jim Lienhoop, State Rep. Ryan Lauer, State Rep. Jim Lucas and State Sen. Greg Walker, as well as other local officials and candidates.

A team of Jennings County High School students will join 10 other high school teams in Indianapolis for the final round of the 2019 “Innovate WithIN” pitch competition. This event is a statewide initiative hosted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Department of Education and Ball State University.

Koltan Hauersperger and Brooks Wathen lead Kolt Electronic Solutions at JCHS. Representing Region Two in the competition, the team plans to create a power line monitoring system that tracks voltage and detects obstructions and damages.

After submitting video pitches for the first round of the competition, more than 65 teams were selected to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas at regional competitions across the state. The Jennings County group was named one of nine regional finalists, who each received a $1,000 cash prize and qualified for the state competition

In addition to the state title, the team is competing for the chance to win $10,000 cash prize, $10,000 toward one year of in-state tuition, internship opportunities and mentoring services.

“Innovate WithIN™ empowers Indiana’s young entrepreneurs to draw upon their creative thinking and problem-solving skills to develop, execute and present an idea for a business, product or venture,” said Elaine Bedel, president of the IEDC. “We’re overwhelmed by the support and encouragement expressed by Hoosier students, parents, school administrators and teachers throughout this process, and can’t wait to watch as our finalists showcase their innovative ideas during the state competition.”

The state competition is April 4th.

A career-fair aimed at adults seeking employment opportunities in Columbus and other area communities is right around the corner.

Sponsored by Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus, Ivy Tech Community College and the Purdue College of Technology, the event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at the Columbus Learning Center, located at 4555 Central Avenue.

“We are hopeful that area residents take advantage of this opportunity to connect with potential employers,” said Randy Proffitt, director of communications and marketing at Ivy Tech. “We are pleased that so many great companies will be represented this year and appreciate their support and interest in meeting candidates for positions they may have available now or in the future.”

Carol Kostrzewsky, coordinator of career services at IUPUC, says as many as 60 prospective employers are expected to be represented. She adds that all of the employers have immediate openings to fill.

Bartholomew County Circuit Court says that the Youth Services Center’s Emergency Shelter received a Superior Rating for this past year’s residential and clinical audit review. Court officials say this accomplishment is extraordinary given the facility’s age, condition and limitations. Judge Kelly Benjamin notes, “This award speaks directly to the heart, care for the kids, and hard work of the staff who work there.”

Anita Biehle, director of Youth Services Center, says, “The rating signifies that the Youth Service Center’s programs’ service delivery practices and policies fully meet and reflect “best practice” in all of the identified areas.” She adds that while the Youth Service Center has always passed these yearly audits, this is the first year a Superior Rating has been awarded.

This audit is conducted by the Indiana Department of Child Services and involves a thorough review of program and clinical areas.

A change in how Bartholomew County Sheriff’s sales will be processed is coming in April.

Department officials say that contracting through SRI Inc.’s Sheriff’s Sale program will reduce unnecessary administrative burdens placed on BCSO’s Sheriff Sales/Sex Offender Coordinator. The change is expected to allow him to allocate more time toward sex offender enforcement functions. Last year, BCSO scheduled 141 Sheriff sales. SRI is an Indianapolis company that assists several Indiana counties with such sales.

BCSO Sheriff’s Sales will continue to be conducted as usual at the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, 543 Second Street, Columbus. Funding for SRI will come from fees collected from sheriff sales.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers is inviting county residents to become members of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association. He explains that the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association is a nonprofit, professional, educational and service organization dedicated to improving the criminal justice system and protecting the lives and property of all Hoosiers.

The membership program was instituted to provide citizens with an opportunity to lend their support of crime prevention and awareness programs, promote public safety and support programs like the Summer Youth Leadership Camps and College Scholarships for teenagers interested in law enforcement.

“We are inviting the public to help us better serve them by joining our efforts to provide effective law enforcement,” Sheriff Myers said. Bartholomew County residents should soon receive membership applications in the mail. If you don’t receive an application by mail, you can visit the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association website at indianasheriffs.org to join.

The Sheriff says that this letter of invitation sent to citizens is the only manner or way used to invite citizens to become members of the Association. He stressed that no telephone solicitation or other methods are used to solicit members.

Gov. Eric Holcomb will be in Bartholomew County Thursday evening. He’ll join area Republican Party faithful during the annual Lincoln Day Dinner at 450 North Brewery. The governor is the special guest and keynote speaker for the event. Barb Hackman, Bartholomew County Republican Party chairwoman, says tickets are $30 each and payment can be made at the door.

A VIP reception with Gov. Holcomb is set for 5:30 p.m. Tickets for that are $100.

A social is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.