North Vernon Police arrested eight people after serving a search warrant at a property in the 1500 block of West Locust Street earlier this week. Officers say it was part of an investigation into methamphetamine dealing.

At 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, the North Vernon Police Department Emergency Response Team entered the home with the assistance of other officers. Police also searched a garage/residence on the property. NVPD reports that officers confiscated 91 grams of methamphetamine, along with drug paraphernalia, baggies and a digital scale.

Arrested were:

William White, 46, North Vernon, charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine over 10 grams, Possession of Methamphetamine over 28 grams, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Norma Stokes, 45, North Vernon, Possession of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

Darlene Walterman, 55, North Vernon, Possession of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

Troy Young, 53, North Vernon, Possession of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

Emily Marthin, 30, Madison, Visiting a Common Nuisance.

Levi Young, 34, Dupont, Visiting a Common Nuisance.

Jacob Campbell, 50, Commiskey, Visiting a Common Nuisance.

Shiela Campbell, 46, Madison, Visiting a Common Nuisance.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department and Columbus Police Department are planning patrols for aggressive drivers.

Authorities say with spring just around the corner, Hoosier drivers are tempted to increase their speeds and take more risks behind the wheel.

Local authorities and about 230 law-enforcement agencies across Indiana are warning drivers of increased patrols this March for aggressive driving violations. Overtime traffic enforcement is funded through National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

“The rules of the road are not only the law, they are designed to help everyone reach their destination safely and efficiently,” said Sheriff Matt Myers. “By warning drivers of aggressive driving enforcement, our aim is to make prevent unsafe driving and save lives.”

Statistics show that young drivers, particularly young men, are more likely to be engaging in unsafe driving behaviors before a crash.

Columbus police say a man driving without a license twice this morning was also found to be carrying a handgun without a permit.

Police stopped a vehicle at about 4:05 this morning and cited 44.year-old Kipper L. Doran for driving without a license. He was ordered not to drive until he got the license sorted out. But Doran allegedly found driving the vehicle again near Second Street and Central Avenue and cited a second time.

As officers prepared to tow Doran’s truck, a loaded handgun was found in the back seat of the vehicle — a gun Doran did not have a permit to possess. He was arrested on a preliminary charge of possession of a hand gun without a license.

A woman has been hospitalized and a North Vernon man is behind bars after an alleged hit-and-run Thursday morning.

At 7:49 a.m., North Vernon Police were dispatched to a personal injury accident on College Street. Officers were advised that a female pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle and that the driver had fled the scene.

Officers arrived quickly and found the 26-year-old woman. Her injuries were treated by EMS while officers began searching for the suspect’s vehicle. The unidentified woman was flown by helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Her condition has not been made available.

During the investigation, officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle on West Walnut Street. Officers were also able to locate the driver, 21-year-old Stephen A. Vaughan. Vaughan was interviewed by police and taken to the St. Vincent Jennings Hospital for a blood draw before being booked on a preliminary charge of Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, a Level 6 Felony. His bond is currently set at $1,055.

A developer working on renovating the former Faith Victory Church in Columbus could qualify for a tax abatement after the City Council gave initial approval to label the site an economic development target area.

Rick Sprague, the owner of the property, says that he plans to offer market-rate apartments at the site in the 1700 block of Home Avenue. He says that hundreds of thousands of dollars in rehabilitation and improvements in the nearly century-old building are needed before any potential renters could move in.

Council members were enthusiastic about the development, noting the need for housing in the area. A second reading is set for the council’s March 5th meeting. If the council gives final approval, Sprague will be able to apply for the accompanying tax abatements.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department has three Georgia residents in custody pending further investigation and the possibility of forthcoming additional charges.

Two men, identified as: Askari Greer, 27, of Atlanta, and Jacobey Nelson, 23, of Forest Park, Georgia, are behind bars and facing a charge of Theft. However, detectives believe the pair may have falsely identified themselves. A female, identified as Tamecia James, 23, of Atlanta, is also facing a charge of Theft.

Authorities say this is an ongoing, multi-agency investigation that involves additional counties and may involve additional states. BCSO detectives believe these suspects may have committed multiple thefts and may have other charges and they are now checking with other counties and states.

Currently, the suspects are being held in the Bartholomew County Jail on a 48-hour hold without bond. The investigation is ongoing. “We believe that other thefts may have occurred in other counties or even in other states so Detectives have their work cut out for them over the next couple of days as they gather additional information,” says Sheriff Matt Myers.

Otter Creek Golf Course will be getting some repairs and updates. The Columbus City Council approved a resolution to allow the city to act as guarantor for a loan of $175,000 not to exceed 10 years. Jamie Brinegar, the city’s director of finance, explains that the course is owned by the city.

He explains that the course is run by a management board that handles day-to-day operations.

Brinegar noted that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system are original to the 1960s clubhouse. All are slated to be replaced. In addition, the course is set to see work on drainage and bank stabilization.

Council voted 5-0 to approve. Councilwomen Elaine Wagner and Laurie Booher were absent.

Jackson County authorities rescued four people who spent the night outside in floodwaters in the northwestern part of the county.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department says that five people were in an SUV driving at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when the vehicle became stuck in floodwaters in the 10000 block of North County Road 1190 West, just north of Robertson Cemetery. As floodwater made its way into the vehicle, all five got out of the SUV and sat on the roof. The group had no cellphone coverage and limited battery power on their phones. After a short time, one of the men left to search for help.

He showed up at a home about 1.5 miles south of the vehicle shortly before 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. The man told authorities that he had been searching for help since 6:30 p.m. the previous day.

Authorities converged on the submerged vehicle to find no one at the scene. The Sheriff’s Department used a drone to make sure there was no one in or around the SUV. A short time later, a 911 call came in from one of the missing women. She advised that the four people in her group burnt purses and other items throughout the night to stay warm. At around 7 a.m. Wednesday, the group left the SUV and walked north as flood waters were rising.

Emergency officials were able to locate the woman’s cell signal, placing her a quarter-mile north of the officers’ location. The missing four were rescued moments later. All five were taken to Schneck Medical Center for symptoms of Hypothermia. All were later released.

The Indiana House of Representatives voted in support of State Rep. Sean Eberhart’s legislation that would allow contracts for gestational surrogacy.

Eberhart, a Shelbyville Republican, said his legislation would establish a system for surrogacy agreements to be implemented in Indiana to ensure the parties involved understand their responsibilities and financial arrangements. Currently, Indiana does not recognize contracts for surrogacy, but the practice is legal.

“This bill provides safeguards for surrogates and biological parents,” Eberhart said. “Without this legislation, no rules exist so either party can do whatever they like with no legal consequences. The guidelines put in place by this bill would prevent situations like the parents abandoning the unborn child, or the surrogate mother keeping the child even though it is not biologically hers.”

A Columbia Law School study found that Indiana is one of four states where surrogacy contracts are void and unenforceable.

Eberhart said this legislation would put a strong legal framework for surrogacy in place to lower the legal risk for surrogates and intended parents.

House Bill 1369 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Eberhart represents House District 57, which consists of all of Shelby County and a large portion of Bartholomew County along with a small section of Hancock County

A local drug court and residential treatment center for women is a step closer to becoming reality.

The ASAP Board requested help from local officials to fund the Fresh Start Recovery Center. The center is a residential treatment program for pregnant women and women with young children. The board is recommending the city of Columbus and Bartholomew County split a one-time $200,000 payment to get the program established. City Council gave final approval for $100,000 in funding out of Substance Abuse Non-Reverting Fund during it’s meeting Tuesday night.

The ASAP Board also recommended that the city and county split the cost of an Adult Drug Recovery Court. The court is designed to integrate substance abuse and mental health treatment, drug testing, sanctions and incentives. The hope is to reduce recidivism, as well as offer hope and opportunity for those in the system. The city and county split funding $92,603 to get the court established, with final approval from the city coming Tuesday night.

The Bartholomew County Council gave its approval last week to fund both programs.

Judge Kelly Benjamin, who will preside over the drug court, says the hope is to start the program in April. The hope is for the recovery center to be operational, with 22 beds to start, by the end of this summer.