Two North Vernon residents were arrested Sunday night on drug related charges.

North Vernon Police say that at 11:18 p.m., officers stopped a vehicle in the area of South Jackson Street. They learned that the driver, 26-year-old Ethan Rose was driving with a suspended license. An investigation determined that Rose was also in possession of meth. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Driving while Suspended with a Prior Conviction, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. His passenger, 28-year-old Kayla R. Rose, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

In just over a week, area voters will be choosing from a handful of contested races on the ballot. Indiana House District 59 encompasses a large section of Bartholomew County. Voters will be deciding between Republican Ryan Lauer, Democrat Dale Nowlin and Libertarian Clyde Myers.

Lauer, 41, is an engineer in Engine Testing at Cummins. He is married to wife Blair. They have three young children with a fourth on the way. Lauer has a degree in bio-chemistry from Indiana University. Lauer previously served on the Bartholomew County Council, serving as President in 2014.

Nowlin, 61, is an educator with the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. He serves as math chair and administrator for both Columbus North High School and Northside Middle School. Married to wife Issabelle for 42 years, they have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Myers, 41, is an information technology manager. He is married with two daughters. Myers has two degrees in the IT field.

We asked the candidates about the need for a hate-crime statute in Indiana.

Lauer says he believes such a statute is an inevitability.

Nowlin says he supports such a statute.

Myers says its important to be wary of unintended consequences.

We asked the trio about their thoughts on legalizing marijuana in Indiana.

Lauer says that that marijuana doesn’t come up much with the voters he has talked to.

Nowlin says that it’s time to consider legalizing marijuana.

Myers says marijuana shouldn’t be illegal in the first place.

We asked the candidates about their thoughts on abortion.

Lauer says that every life is precious.

Nowlin says that abortion should be safe and legal.

Myers says that abortion should be legal.

Early voting has been underway at the Bartholomew County Courthouse. Additional early voting locations open Monday at Donner Center, Flintwood Wesleyan Church and the German American Bank on Jonathan Moore Pike. Election Day is Nov. 6th.

The world’s largest ethanol producer has chosen Shelbyville for its newest bio-fuel facility.

POET, LLC announced that it will build a $160 million ethanol production plant in the city. The company says that 45 full-time jobs will be created, along with 275 temporary construction jobs. Hiring for full-time positions will begin in spring of 2019.

When brought online in spring 2020, officials say the plant will produce 80 million gallons of ethanol a year. That ethanol will be the result of $110 million worth of corn purchased from farmers within a 30-mile radius. The plant will feature environmental controls that eliminate discharge of processing water.

“POET’s project provides jobs right here in Shelby County, but its indirect effects will extent well beyond that,” said Brian Asher, executive director of Shelby County Development Corp. “This boosts income for farmers, expands the tax base and circulates new dollars across the state economy.”

The site, at County Road 300 North and Tom Hession Drive, is west of Indiana Grand Racing & Casino and approximately one mile southwest of Interstate 74. Shelbyville is annexing the site.

In just under two weeks, area voters will be choosing from a handful of contested races on the ballot. Indiana House District 59 encompasses a large section of Bartholomew County. Voters will be deciding between Republican Ryan Lauer, Democrat Dale Nowlin and Libertarian Clyde Myers.

Lauer, 41, is an engineer in Engine Testing at Cummins. He is married to wife Blair. They have three young children with a fourth on the way. Lauer has a degree in bio-chemistry from Indiana University. Lauer previously served on the Bartholomew County Council, serving as President in 2014.

Nowlin, 61, is an educator with the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. He serves as math chair and administrator for both Columbus North High School and Northside Middle School. Married to wife Issabelle for 42 years, they have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Myers, 41, is an information technology manager. He is married with two daughters. Myers has two degrees in the IT field.

We asked the candidates what the state’s role should be when it comes to funding local roads.

Lauer says he has reservations about the recent increase in the state gas tax.

Nowlin says the gas tax increase was controversial. He has concerns.

Myers says its important to be financially responsible.

We asked the trio about their thoughts on funding public education.

Lauer says that parents need to have more control over their kids’ education.

Nowlin says that school vouchers have gone too far beyond what they were originally designed for.

Nowlin adds that too much taxpayer money is going to private schools with a “D” or “F” grade.

Myers strongly supports school choice and vouchers.

We asked the candidates about the state sending low-level felons to serve their time in county jails.

Lauer says this arrangement is not beneficial to the county.

Nowlin says there doesn’t appear to be any benefits for taxpayers.

Myers says this wouldn’t be an issue if we fixed the laws on the books.

Early voting has been underway at the Bartholomew County Courthouse. Additional early voting locations open Monday at Donner Center, Flintwood Wesleyan Church and the German American Bank on Jonathan Moore Pike. Election Day is Nov. 6th.

A Johnson County woman was arrested for allegedly trying to traffic with an inmate. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that on Sept. 27th, Tasha A. Harrison, 26, of Nineveh, attempted to provide tobacco and several Suboxone pills to an inmate while at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.

Harrison was arrested at her home on Oct. 19th and charged with:

Attempted Trafficking with an Inmate – Level 5 Felony
Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance – Level 6 Felony

Harrison is also being held in the Bartholomew County Jail on a felony probation violation. She remains behind bars without bond.

On Saturday, the Drug Enforcement Administration is sponsoring the 16th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.

Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. Locally, you’ll be able to drop off medication at the Jay C store, located at 2325 North Highway 3 in North Vernon, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This program is for liquid and pill medications. Needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

Ivy Tech Community College is inviting you to visit “Ivy Republic”. Described as an “upscale garage sale,” the event offers gently used professional and casual clothing and accessories for a very low cost.

A two-day event, Ivy Republic will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 6th and 7th in the Poling Hall Student Commons on the Ivy Tech Columbus campus, located at 4475 Central Ave. The event includes gently used professional and casual clothing and accessories that are donated by Ivy Tech faculty and staff and sold for only $1 per item. All funds raised provide scholarships each year for Ivy Tech students.

Ivy Republic is held twice each year, once in the fall and once in the spring. This event also features a silent auction with prizes that can be bid on by students, staff, faculty, and the public. Proceeds from the silent auction also contribute to the student scholarships.

The event is open to all.

It’s time to recognize a teacher, former teacher or administrator for outstanding service and extraordinary contribution to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.

Officials are encouraging you to nominate your choice for the BCSC Education Fall of Fame. The school system that your nominee must be a licensed teacher or administrator and have worked for BCSC for at least of 15 years.

Nomination forms are available online at bcsc.k12.in.us. You may also call the Superintendent’s Office at (812) 376-4220 or email surfacej@bcsc.k12.in.us. Nominations will be accepted by the Superintendent’s Office at the Administration Building, 1200 Central Avenue, until November 1st.

Two people were arrested Thursday morning on drug charges after a traffic stop. At approximately 1 a.m., Columbus Police stopped the vehicle near Third and Lindsey streets for a minor violation. Officers determined that the driver, 39-year-old Gregory A. Ferrell, of Shelbyville, did not have driver’s license. He was then placed under arrest.

Officers also observed prescription medication inside the vehicle while speaking with Ferrell’s passenger, 28-year-old James M. Stewart, of Franklin. After confirming that the pills were a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Stewart was also placed under arrest. While searching Ferrell’s vehicle, police reported finding drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale and methamphetamine.

Ferrell was arrested on preliminary charges of:

Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Operating a Vehicle Without a License

Stewart was arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance with an Enhancing Circumstance.

Halloween is less than a week away and Columbus Police what you to be prepared. Lt. Matt Harris is the department spokesman. He says police will be ready.

Harris asks parents to take steps to keep their children as safe as possible. Kids should be equipped with reflective tape, flashlights or glow-sticks. Drivers should take extra precautions and allow extra time to reach their destinations.

Trick or Treat hours in Columbus are from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.