A Johnson County man was injured over the weekend in a tree-stand accident. Conservation Officers were called to the scene in Morgan County Saturday morning to investigate the incident, which injured 33-year-old Bradley Wise, of Whiteland.

Investigators say that Wise began climbing his ladder tree stand shortly before 10 a.m. When he got to the last step of the stand, Wise reportedly got dizzy and passed out. When Wise regained consciousness, he was on the ground and in pain. After several minutes, Wise was able to reach his cellphone and call for help from a friend who hunting the same property.

Investigators say Wise fell about twelve feet. He was wearing a safety harness, but it was not attached to a safety lanyard.

Wise was transported to Methodist Hospital by I.U. Life Line with multiple broken bones and spinal fractures.

The Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress announced upcoming Volunteer Orientation Sessions for the ASAP Hub. The hub is designed to provide immediate help for those looking to get better from drug-use disorders.

Examples of ASAP Hub volunteer roles are: Front Desk Reception, Case Management, Recovery Coach, and Life and Employment Skills Educators, among others.

Volunteer Orientation Sessions will be held as follows at the ASAP Hub (1531 13th Street, Columbus):

– Tuesday, October 15th 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
– Monday, October 28th 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

For more information, contact Volunteer Services Manager Tracey Clark at tclark@asapbc.org or (812) 418-8705.

Stephanie Flinn, a longtime Seymour resident, has been named executive director of the Schneck Foundation.

In her new role, Flinn will be responsible for building community relationships, promoting organizational awareness, and garnering support for Schneck Medical Center and its efforts. She succeeds Rexanne Ude, who will retire later this year.

“We are very pleased to have someone of Stephanie’s caliber and character leading the Foundation to connect donors and supporters with the mission of Schneck,” said Warren Forgey, President/CEO of Schneck Medical Center. “Under her leadership, I know the Foundation will continue to flourish and support the Medical Center in new and extraordinary ways.”

Flinn is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. She currently serves as chairperson for the Seymour Chamber of Commerce and Clarity.

“Seymour is my home and I am proud to be part of an organization that is such a vital part of the community I love,” said Flinn. “It will be a privilege to work alongside the dedicated leadership, staff, volunteers and donors of Schneck.”

Work on State Road 7 in Jennings County continues. The current closure is expected to move north on or after Wednesday, October 16th. Crews will begin work on the fourth and final box culvert between Vernon and the Jefferson County line.

Officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation say State Road 7 will close 5.71 miles north of the county line on Wednesday, just south of the junction of State Road 3/State Road 7 near Vernon for box culvert maintenance and repair. The road will reopen at the previous culvert location, where crews have been working since mid-September.

INDOT says the official state detour for the closure is State Road 3 to State Road 256. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and use caution near the work zone.

The project is currently expected to be complete by October 31st. However, all work is dependent on the weather.

Columbus Police arrested a local man for warrants and a drug possession charge after he was spotted outside a Columbus home Sunday afternoon.

Shortly after 4 p.m., officers observed 20-year-old Lennon M. Couch, of Columbus, standing outside of a house in the 900 block of California Street. The officers confirmed two local warrants for Couch’s arrest and he was taken into custody without incident. While searching Couch’s clothing, officers reportedly found methamphetamine in his socks and a pants pocket.

Couch was arrested on a new preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine.

Columbus Police arrested a local man on suspicion of driving a vehicle while intoxicated after he was spotted driving with two flat tires on Saturday night.

At approximately 9:15 p.m., officers received a report of a vehicle weaving erratically near 11th and Washington streets. Officers spotted the vehicle a short time later and spoke with the driver, 48-year-old Craig D. Dearing, of Columbus. While speaking with Dearing, the officers detected the strong odor of alcohol on his breath and noted that his speech was slurred.

Police say Dearing failed several field sobriety and was taken to the Columbus Regional Hospital for a blood draw. He was eventually arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated-Endangerment.

The burn ban in Decatur County has been lifted.

The Decatur County Emergency Management Agency says that county commissioners made the decision on Monday, Oct. 14. However, officials are stressing the following points:

– The burning of trash remains prohibited.
– Open burning within Greensburg city limits is prohibited under city ordinance.
– If you intend to have a large burn, notify your area’s fire department.
– Fireworks restrictions are lifted. They can be used in compliance with state law.

Decatur County officials stress that a burn ban may be put back in place if necessary.

A North Vernon man was arrested on Friday on charges of child solicitation and drug dealing, among other offenses, according to police.

Police had been conducting a multi-month long investigation into 44-year-old Kristen E. Smiley’s alleged attempts to solicit sexual conduct with what he believed was a 15 -year-old. A warrant was issued for his arrest and Friday evening at about 9:10 p.m., his vehicle was pulled over by North Vernon Police.

A bag of meth was found on Smiley and police determined that he had been using a THC e-cigarette in the vehicle. A search allegedly found 56 grams of methamphetamine, 176 grams of marijuana, 3 vials of a prescription only steroid, a digital scale, packaging materials and other drug paraphernalia, along with $4,420 in cash.

In addition to the warrant he is facing charges of dealing in a controlled substance, methamphetamine and marijuana, possession of a syringe and drug paraphernalia and obstruction of justice.

After kicking off during Saturday’s Ethnic Expo Parade, there are still opportunities to help the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department pack a patrol car to help the needy.

The effort, in its fifth year, seeks to raise non-perishable food items over the next month, which will then be donated to Love Chapel and Salvation Army food pantries.

Collection boxes are set up in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Department offices on Second Street in Columbus. Containers will also be set up in the Bartholomew County Courthouse and the County Governmental Office Building on at Third and Franklin streets.

On this Saturday and Saturday, Oct. 26th, Sheriff Matt Myers will be collecting donations at Kroger. He also suggests that you consider setting up a collection box at your workplace, school or other locations.

Columbus East senior, Devon Reese, is assisting “Pack-a-Patrol Car” for his Senior Project.

The food drive wraps up and deliveries will be made on Nov. 15th.

Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center is organizing a free first-time homebuyer workshop at Yes Cinema on Saturday, Oct. 19th.

The workshop is a partnership between Apprisen, First Financial Bank and Southern Indiana Housing and Community Development Corporation.

The workshop will be from 9 to 3 at Yes Cinema on Jackson Street in downtown Columbus. For more information or to register, please call the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center at (812) 379-1630