Two Jackson County Jail inmates were charged with battery following a fight.

“The Tribune” in Seymour is reporting that 34-year-old Michael Dale Taylor was charged with two felony counts of battery causing moderate bodily injury. Thirty-year-old Clarence McDonald was charged with a Level 6 felony of battery and a Class B misdemeanor of battery. Both men are from Seymour.

The newspaper says incident began Wednesday in one of the pods at the jail in Brownstown when Taylor accused others of telling jail staff he knew how to bypass a lock on the door of a cell.

Authorities say jailers took two inmates to Schneck Medical Center for treatment of injuries to the face and head. They were later returned to the jail.

More information is online at tribtown.com.

The Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team arrested two people after serving an arrest warrant for an area man wanted on federal weapon charges.

On Wednesday, JNET and agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms were conducting surveillance on the Jonesville Road home of 40-year-old Shawn Miller. Agents reported seeing Miller and two other men leave in a vehicle. Columbus Police Department’s ILP (Intelligence Led Policing) officers and Indiana State Police all Crimes Policing Unit (ACP) conducted a traffic stop and Miller was taken into custody without incident.

JNET and ISP units remained at Miller’s residence and made contact with a woman, 31-year-old Amie Chapman, of Lake Wales, Florida. Officers reported seeing a white powdery substance, a green plant-like substance and pills in plain view.

Once the residence was secured, officers reported finding approximately six ounces of methamphetamine, approximately two grams of heroin, multiple pills, marijuana and paraphernalia.

Miller was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of:

Shawn Miller was taken into custody on preliminary charges of:

Dealing in Methamphetamine
Possession Methamphetamine
Possession of Heroin
Possession Paraphernalia
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of a Legend Drug
Possession of Marijuana
Maintaining a Common Nuisance
Federal Warrant on Weapons Charges

Miller has since been transported him to Marion County.

Chapman remains behind bars on preliminary charges of:

Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Paraphernalia
Maintain a Common Nuisance

“This is a perfect example of multiple agencies working well together and conducting a complete and thorough case. ISP’s ACP unit and JNET have been working closely on multiple cases. Information sharing, among ACP, JNET and CPD’s COPS unit, has been a huge asset in these investigation,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers.

JNET, the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, is a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office. JNET proactively targets the manufacturing and abuse of dangerous drugs in Columbus and Bartholomew County.

The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic is welcoming Hannah Nieman as Marketing & Communications Specialist for the organization. Officials say she will manage all facets of marketing for the Philharmonic.

Nieman, who grew up in Brownstown, comes to Columbus following two years in Muncie working as a digital media specialist at the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

“The Columbus Philharmonic is delighted to welcome Hannah to our organization. She brings a wealth of expertise, energy, and passion for the arts to her new position,” Music Director David Bowden said.

Nieman holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Indianapolis where she majored in communication with an emphasis in electronic media and a minor in political science.

Schneck Medical Center announced its Guild volunteers have given over 20,000 hours of service to the hospital in 2018. That’s the highest in Guild history.

“For more than 60 years, the Schneck Guild volunteers have given of themselves helping our staff provide excellent service and care to our patients,” stated Warren Forgey, President/CEO of Schneck Medical Center. “They have played a significant role in our accomplishments and their service is valued and appreciated by the Schneck staff and more importantly by the patients that we serve.”

Volunteers serve in many areas of the hospital including the gift shop, admitting and information desks, driving the parking lot shuttles, the emergency department, chaplaincy, hospice, and various other hospital departments.

The Guild is also active in fundraising. Hospital officials say the group has donated $153,779.19 in 2018 and sustains many projects and programs including:

• Two parking lot shuttles, which have been in high demand during our recent construction phase
• Junior Volunteer program
• Kim Quilleon Varnell Junior Volunteer Memorial Scholarship
• Pediatric toy totes for all pediatric admissions
• Cancer baskets for newly diagnosed cancer patients
• Prayer shawls for Hospice patients
• Patient charity fund which benefits a variety of patients’ needs
• And, much more.

“Our volunteers are simply priceless,” said Amy Cockerham, Volunteer Manager. “We are inspired by the sacrifices they make and by the gift of their time and talents. It’s nothing less than impressive.”

Volunteer positions are currently available days, evenings, and on weekends. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Schneck Medical Center, call Cockerham at (812) 522-0439.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers has announced the retirement of Sergeant Kris Weisner and K9 Bolt.

Myers says that Weisner has served BCSO and the citizens of Bartholomew County for 36 years working his way through the ranks from jailer, to process server to currently serving as a merit deputy sheriff and K9 handler in BCSO’s Road Patrol Division.

“I want to personally thank Deputy Weisner for his outstanding achievements while serving the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office”, said Sheriff Myers. “Kris’s professionalism and expertise greatly enhanced the readiness of those who worked with and around him. Kris is a true public servant”.

Sergeant Weisner and K9 Bolt will be presented with retirement badges during a special ceremony on January 31st.

Another candidate has thrown her hat in the ring for local political office.

Grace Kestler is a Democrat running for one of the two At-Large seats on Columbus City Council. She joins Republican Josh Burnett as the only candidates who have filed to run for council At-Large. The seats are currently held by Democrat Tom Dell and Republican Laurie Booher. Neither Dell or Booher have filed to run for re-election yet.

Kestler owns Grace Kestler Consulting. She also works part-time with Advocates for Children as the Community Outreach Coordinator.

Candidates have until noon on Feb. 8th to file. You can keep up to date on candidate filings at bartholomew.in.gov.

The Indiana House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee supported State Rep. Randy Frye’s legislation Tuesday that would establish the Ivy Tech Public Safety Scholarship.

According to Frye, a Greensburg Republican, this scholarship would provide tuition for a public safety officer to pursue any certificate or associate degree program offered by Ivy Tech Community College for two academic years or less.

“The demand for new public safety officers in Indiana is high,” Frye said. “This scholarship would help recruit young people to this rewarding career while encouraging them to grow their skills and remain in our community.”

Frye said the scholarship would only be available to volunteer firefighters for the first two years of the program. After July 2021, the program would open up to all public safety officers, including paid firefighters, police officers and EMTs.

If this scholarship is established, applicants must have a high school diploma.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter announced that Trooper Zachariah Ruble, of Jackson County, is being promoted to Sergeant to serve as a District Squad Leader with the Indiana State Police, Versailles District.

Sgt. Ruble is a 1999 graduate of Southwestern High School. He joined the United States Marines where he served over five years, achieving the rank of Sergeant in 2002. During his time in the Marines, he was awarded the Marine Corps Combat Aircrew Wings and First Strike/Flight Air Medal for his actions in Afghanistan in 2004.

Sgt. Ruble attended the 65th Indiana State Police Academy and graduated in April 2006. After graduation, he was assigned to the Seymour District of the Indiana State Police until its closing in 2010. He was then transferred to the Versailles District.

As a trooper, Sgt. Ruble has been a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon, Honor Guard, and a field training officer. He is certified as a Control Tactics, Taser, and Firearms Instructor. He has been a core instructor at the Indiana State Police Academy for five years and recently served as a counselor for the 78th ISP Recruit Academy.

Sgt. Ruble’s new responsibilities include supervising and evaluating a squad of troopers who patrol the Versailles District.

Columbus Parks and Recreation has received the latest environmental report for property at 1360 Jackson Street. In November, the city council gave approval to provide an additional appropriation to purchase the property, which would be used for storing department vehicles and equipment. Parks Director Mark Jones explained the property, which contains outbuildings, is desirable because because of it’s size, existing structures and because it neighbors existing parks property.

The property is owned by a relative of Mayor Jim Lienhoop, who’s recused himself from involvement in the sale. The site was formerly home to a machinery moving company. If the report is positive, the city will pay $300,000 for the property in six annual installments of $50,000 each.

Parks officials say they are reviewing the report and will have additional comment once that is complete.