All posts by John Clark

Central Avenue road work to tie up traffic in Columbus

Local News

Dave O’Mara Contractor, Inc. plans to start milling and overlaying  on Central Avenue today and Friday in Columbus. You will see restrictions from 25th Street to National Road.

Restrictions today will include the northbound and southbound driving lanes on Central Avenue, the eastbound driving lane on 25th Street and the eastbound right turn lane and westbound outside left turn lanes on National Road.

Officials warn that the area will be very congested due to the construction deliveries into and out of the site. You should avoid the area if you can.

Bartholomew man heading to federal prison for child exploitation

Local News, Top Story

A Bartholomew County man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison yesterday for three counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

28-year-old Levi A. Walters of Westport will also have to serve an additional 15 years of supervised release following his federal prison sentence. He was also ordered to pay over $10,000 in restitution to the victim, a girl who was under the age of 10.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Indianapolis, the investigation started in July of 2019 when the victim’s mother found videos on Walters’ phone showing him engaging in sexual conduct with her child. When Bartholomew County deputies arrived, Walters allegedly had two firearms and was threatening to commit suicide. He was taken into custody safely.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, and the Indiana State Police.

U.S. Attorney Josh J. Minkler said it is every parent’s worst nightmare to find out that man they trusted entered a child’s bedroom and preyed upon her innocence while she tried to sleep.

Pack-a-Patrol-Car drive canceled for this year

Local News

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is announcing that it will not be holding its annual pack-a-patrol car drive to help local food banks.

The event usually begins with the Ethnic Expo parade and continues until almost Thanksgiving as a way to provide non-perishable food to those in need. However, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, the department could not find a way to operate the annual drive.

Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane said that the department has struggled with the decision since having to cancel this year’s summer youth academy.

Instead, the department is suggesting that you donate directly to local food banks. Those include Love Chapel, the Salvation Army, and the Community Center of Hope.

Last Hope Cruise-in of year set for Friday on Town Square

Local News

The Town of Hope will be hosting its First Fridays Cruise-In on the Town Square from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. This will be the last cruise-in of the year.

The Good Time Review band will be performing from 6 to 8 p.m. Food will be available from local restaurants and not-for-profit groups on the square.

There will be prizes for oldest vehicle, people’s choice and most unique vehicle. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and donations will be accepted to support the ongoing Cruise-in costs.

The monthly event is organized by the town of Hope and Main Street of Hope.

Date changes for House District 69 debate in Seymour

Local News

The Seymour Chamber of Commerce is announcing a new date for a debate between candidates for Indiana House District 69. The new debate will be Tuesday, Oct. 13th instead of the original date on the next Thursday.

Indiana House District 69 includes parts of Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Jefferson counties.

According to the chamber, Incumbent Republican Jim Lucas of Seymour has agreed to debate, as has Katrina “Kat” Hardwick, an independent running for the statehouse seat. Democratic candidate Jeffery Prewitt has yet to confirm his participation.

The debate will be moderated by Dan Robison, president of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce and Arann Banks, executive director of the Jackson County Visitor Center. The questions for the debate will be submitted by various community leaders throughout Jackson County.

The debate will begin at 6 the evening of Oct. 13th at the Knights of Columbus hall on 2nd Street in Seymour. COVID-19 precautions will be in place. Those could include seating arrangements, face coverings and limits on attendance.

Deputies arrest two drunk drivers in Drive Sober holiday blitz

Local News

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over blitz led to the arrest of two drunk drivers around the Labor Day holiday.

The campaign began in mid-August and ran through the Labor Day. During that period deputies conducted overtime patrols and stopped 311 vehicles. In addition, to the intoxicated driving arrests, police made several misdemeanor and felony drug arrests and several driving while suspended arrests.

More than 200 state and local law enforcement agencies participated in this year’s national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which was funded by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

The sheriff wants to remind drivers that it is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. Additionally, drivers under the age of 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and having their license suspended for up to one year.

Design work underway for new Bartholomew Court Services building

Local News, Top Story

Early work is getting underway on a new Bartholomew County court services building. The City of Columbus and Bartholomew County agreed to swap properties in downtown Columbus last week, with the county giving up the parking lot and court services building on the lot across from the jail on 2nd and 3rd streets, and the county getting lots around the jail including the former Eynon law offices, the site for the new court services building.

County Commissioners at their meeting this week said design work on the new building is already underway by Steve Risting, with atelierRISTING architects in Indianapolis.

Commissioners agreed this week to a contract with Taylor Brothers to act as construction manager for the county on the project. Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said that the company would be active on the county’s behalf not just during construction but during pre-construction working with the architect to find ways to cut costs.

The contract is for $78,000 with $18,000 for preconstruction, $60,000 covering construction and reimbursable expenses that could total $20,000 Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop said.

The city redevelopment commission has agreed to put up $1.5 million for design and construction costs. Anything above that would be paid by the county through a rental agreement at 3 percent interest over 15 years.

Teen suspect arrested in Waynesville murder

Local News, Top Story
Sheriff Matt Myers and murder suspect Bobby N. Truitt II Tuesday night.

A 19-year-old man is in custody in the beating and strangulation death of a woman found dead in Waynesville Monday.

Sheriff Matt Myers said Tuesday night that 19-year-old old Bobby N. Truitt II was taken into custody Tuesday evening in Indianapolis by deputies, Columbus Police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. He is being hold on a 48-hour hold on preliminary charges of murder, rape, and auto theft.

Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting told The Republic newspaper that the victim, 64-year-old Sharon K. Lovins died from blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxia by strangulation. He said the manner of death is a homicide.

Deputies were called to the scene of the reported death in the 2700 block of South East Street in Waynesville at about 6:30 a.m. Monday morning. After finding Lovins dead, deputies secured the scene and called in the city-county-state joint death investigation team.

The victim’s vehicle was missing from the scene and was recovered in Indianapolis Monday.

Duke Energy grants Columbus $5k for riverfront lighting

Local News

Duke Energy is giving a $5,000 grant to the city of Columbus for lighting along the river as part of the downtown riverfront project.

The power company announced the grant to the Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday, saying that the lighting planned for under the Second and Third Street bridges and along the riverfront will meet environmental protection standards. Those standards match up with Indiana Department of Natural Resources guidelines to support wildlife in the area.

Chip Orben with the Duke Energy Foundation said that knowing the funds would go toward energy conservation efforts made the project appealing to the Foundation.

The downtown riverfront project is due to start next year and will take about 18 months to complete, according to city officials. You can get more information online at columbusriverfront.org.

Authorities seeking person of interest in Waynesville death

Local News, Top Story

Bartholomew County deputies are looking for a person of interest in the death of a woman found yesterday morning in Waynesville.

Investigators believe 19-year-old Bobby Neil Truitt II was the last person to see the woman alive.

Deputies were called to the scene of the suspected death in the 2700 block of South East Street in Waynesville at about 6:30 a.m. Monday morning. They found a dead woman with suspicious injuries. Deputies secured the scene and called in the city-county-state joint death investigation team.

The incident remains under investigation and the victim’s name has not yet been released.

The Republic newspaper is reporting this morning that the victim’s vehicle was missing from the scene and has since been recovered in Indianapolis.

Authorities are seeking any information on Truitt, no matter how seemingly insignificant.  Anyone with information regarding Truitt’s whereabouts is asked to contact: Detective Will Kinman at 812-565-5926.

The Bartholomew County Death Investigation team includes Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Police Department, Indiana State Police, Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.