The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department and Columbus Fire Department are partnering to offer community classes in active threats awareness and “stop the bleed” training.

The agencies held a class this week at Precision Tools Service Inc featuring Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane and the fire department’s deputy chief Mike Kutsko. More than 60 people took part in the six hours of classes.

Lane says that the classes provide information on active shooters and how to treat wounds, including the use of tourniquets in life-saving efforts.

The departments are available to provide the training to other area companies and organizations at no charge. You can get more information by calling the sheriff’s office at 812-565-5961 or the fire department at 812-376-2679.

An Elizabethtown man is facing drug charges after being stopped by police for a traffic violation on his moped early this morning.

Columbus police say that they pulled the moped over at about 12:30 this morning near Marr Road and McKinley Avenue, after the driver disregarded a stop sign at the intersection.

31-year-old Paul M. Atkins did not have a driver’s license according to police and he was arrested. A search revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in his clothing. He is facing charges of operating a vehicle without a license, and possession of the drugs and paraphernalia.

A team of Jennings County High School students will join 10 other high school teams in Indianapolis for the final round of the 2019 “Innovate WithIN” pitch competition. This event is a statewide initiative hosted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Department of Education and Ball State University.

Koltan Hauersperger and Brooks Wathen lead Kolt Electronic Solutions at JCHS. Representing Region Two in the competition, the team plans to create a power line monitoring system that tracks voltage and detects obstructions and damages.

After submitting video pitches for the first round of the competition, more than 65 teams were selected to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas at regional competitions across the state. The Jennings County group was named one of nine regional finalists, who each received a $1,000 cash prize and qualified for the state competition

In addition to the state title, the team is competing for the chance to win $10,000 cash prize, $10,000 toward one year of in-state tuition, internship opportunities and mentoring services.

“Innovate WithIN™ empowers Indiana’s young entrepreneurs to draw upon their creative thinking and problem-solving skills to develop, execute and present an idea for a business, product or venture,” said Elaine Bedel, president of the IEDC. “We’re overwhelmed by the support and encouragement expressed by Hoosier students, parents, school administrators and teachers throughout this process, and can’t wait to watch as our finalists showcase their innovative ideas during the state competition.”

The state competition is April 4th.

A career-fair aimed at adults seeking employment opportunities in Columbus and other area communities is right around the corner.

Sponsored by Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus, Ivy Tech Community College and the Purdue College of Technology, the event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be held at the Columbus Learning Center, located at 4555 Central Avenue.

“We are hopeful that area residents take advantage of this opportunity to connect with potential employers,” said Randy Proffitt, director of communications and marketing at Ivy Tech. “We are pleased that so many great companies will be represented this year and appreciate their support and interest in meeting candidates for positions they may have available now or in the future.”

Carol Kostrzewsky, coordinator of career services at IUPUC, says as many as 60 prospective employers are expected to be represented. She adds that all of the employers have immediate openings to fill.

Bartholomew County Circuit Court says that the Youth Services Center’s Emergency Shelter received a Superior Rating for this past year’s residential and clinical audit review. Court officials say this accomplishment is extraordinary given the facility’s age, condition and limitations. Judge Kelly Benjamin notes, “This award speaks directly to the heart, care for the kids, and hard work of the staff who work there.”

Anita Biehle, director of Youth Services Center, says, “The rating signifies that the Youth Service Center’s programs’ service delivery practices and policies fully meet and reflect “best practice” in all of the identified areas.” She adds that while the Youth Service Center has always passed these yearly audits, this is the first year a Superior Rating has been awarded.

This audit is conducted by the Indiana Department of Child Services and involves a thorough review of program and clinical areas.

A change in how Bartholomew County Sheriff’s sales will be processed is coming in April.

Department officials say that contracting through SRI Inc.’s Sheriff’s Sale program will reduce unnecessary administrative burdens placed on BCSO’s Sheriff Sales/Sex Offender Coordinator. The change is expected to allow him to allocate more time toward sex offender enforcement functions. Last year, BCSO scheduled 141 Sheriff sales. SRI is an Indianapolis company that assists several Indiana counties with such sales.

BCSO Sheriff’s Sales will continue to be conducted as usual at the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, 543 Second Street, Columbus. Funding for SRI will come from fees collected from sheriff sales.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers is inviting county residents to become members of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association. He explains that the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association is a nonprofit, professional, educational and service organization dedicated to improving the criminal justice system and protecting the lives and property of all Hoosiers.

The membership program was instituted to provide citizens with an opportunity to lend their support of crime prevention and awareness programs, promote public safety and support programs like the Summer Youth Leadership Camps and College Scholarships for teenagers interested in law enforcement.

“We are inviting the public to help us better serve them by joining our efforts to provide effective law enforcement,” Sheriff Myers said. Bartholomew County residents should soon receive membership applications in the mail. If you don’t receive an application by mail, you can visit the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association website at indianasheriffs.org to join.

The Sheriff says that this letter of invitation sent to citizens is the only manner or way used to invite citizens to become members of the Association. He stressed that no telephone solicitation or other methods are used to solicit members.

Gov. Eric Holcomb will be in Bartholomew County Thursday evening. He’ll join area Republican Party faithful during the annual Lincoln Day Dinner at 450 North Brewery. The governor is the special guest and keynote speaker for the event. Barb Hackman, Bartholomew County Republican Party chairwoman, says tickets are $30 each and payment can be made at the door.

A VIP reception with Gov. Holcomb is set for 5:30 p.m. Tickets for that are $100.

A social is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.

The Bartholomew County Substance Abuse Council is going to be giving away several items meant to help stem the drug epidemic.

Rachel Flohr David with the council explains that the group, made up of a cross-section of organizations fighting drug addiction locally, will be giving away locking bags meant to keep prescription medicines away from children or those who might pilfer them.

You can pick up a locking drug bag at Fair Oaks Mall from 3 to 7 Thursday.

The council is also going to be giving away drug neutralization kits. The kits contain an appropriately sized envelope or bag, into which you can drop unwanted medication containing opioids, mix in warm water, and the chemicals will permanently neutralize the drugs.

Although there are locations around the community where people can drop off unwanted medications, the drug disposal kits have the benefit of being usable at home, she said.

You can get more information on the Substance Abuse Council at BCSAC.org or through their Facebook page.

Local family farms were recently recognized at the Statehouse for being in operation for 100 years or more.

The Robert and Barbara Pruitt Farm, located in Edinburgh and in operation since 1919, received a Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award. The Franke-Thompson Farm, located in Columbus and in operation since 1898, also received a Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award.

The Hoosier Homestead Award Program recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more. Families can qualify for the centennial, sesquicentennial or bicentennial award.

“These families have given numerous years of their lives to running their farms through generations,” said State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus). “Dedication and perseverance are critical to the success of any farming operation. Bartholomew County family farms continue to positively impact our community, and I wish them success for the next 100 years.”

“Sustaining a family farm for this long is a tremendous feat,” said State Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus). “These families are an example to all Hoosiers for their diligence, and I’m proud to congratulate them on this achievement.”

For more information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program, visit
in.gov/isda/2337.htm.