Lower water levels and a break from the record low temperatures allowed emergency personnel to search the Big Blue River again today for a potential drowning victim.

First responders from Indiana Conservation Officers, Johnson County Dive Team, Shelby County Water Rescue Team and Franklin Fire Department conducted a complete search of the river from the dam to approximately 200 yards downstream. There were over twenty personnel in the water, using poles and their hands and feet to search the bottom of the river. They were searching for the body of a white male who reportedly went over the dam at the Big Blue River near Edinburgh on the afternoon of Jan. 24th. A witness reported that the man had blond hair, thin build and was wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.

Conservation officials say that agencies will always be on the lookout. However, unless there is significant information about the identity of the potential victim, there are no further plans to have a coordinated search of the river.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers wants schools to be safer. He joined Porter County Sheriff Dave Reynolds, who also the Legislative Chairman of the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, to support his testimony for Indiana House Bill 1225.

HB 1225 provides that school corporations, with their county sheriff, may apply for a grant from the Indiana Secured School Fund to provide for the initial set up costs for an active event warning system. When installed, Myers says the system would notify all law enforcement of a dangerous situation.

Sheriff Myers says he supports this bill because it serves as another way to secure the safety of children. In addition, he says the bill will provide law enforcement in our communities with quicker response times to incidents. Myers explains that on-duty and off-duty law enforcement officers would immediately be notified in case of an Active Assailant incident, even notify officers who may be in another county. It also allows every officer to know every other officer who is on scene.

That’s not to say that Sheriff Myers is completely happy with the proposal. “What I don’t support about this particular bill is the fact that schools will need to apply for grants overseen by the State to install the Automated Immediate Notification System in schools. I believe these systems should be mandated by the State and funded by the State.”

A Columbus man was arrested for inappropriate contact with a child. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that detectives began an investigation several months ago when a 14-year-old girl alleged that she had been a victim of sexual misconduct with 22-year-old Brandon Scott Wade.

Wade was arrested Thursday afternoon. He’s facing a preliminary charge of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor. Wade has since been released on bond.

Food safety experts say that you can keep your snacks safe for your Super Bowl party by following a few simple rules.

Janell Goodwin with the USDA explains:

Goodwin says that the most important tip is to keep cold foods cold, and hot foods hot, she says.

She calls it the “two-hour rule.” Keep food out for less than two hours and don’t let them get lukewarm. She says cold foods should be kept below 40 degrees.

She said hot foods should be kept above 145.

A food safety trick you can use on Super Bowl Sunday is to split dishes into two servings. Put one out before the game and swap it for a fresh serving at half-time.

This month’s First Fridays for Families event is tonight at the Commons. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band will be performing at 6 p.m.

Katherine Armstrong with the Columbus Arts Arts Council says Mayor Jim Lienhoop will kick off the evening…

First Fridays for Families is a family entertainment series that introduces young audiences to a wide variety of performing arts in a fun, informal setting. This signature event series is free to attend thanks to the sponsorship of Old National Bank and the City of Columbus. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit artsincolumbus.org.

A local man was arrested after Columbus Police recovered methamphetamine along with several stolen items inside a garage on Wednesday night. Shortly after 11 p.m., officers responded to the 1700 block of Elm Street to determine if items stolen from a vehicle earlier in the day were inside a garage behind the home.

Officers later spoke with 24-year-old Aaron M.C. Christian, of Columbus who lives in the garage. He reportedly told police that a stolen computer was inside. Christian refused to allow officers inside the garage and a search warrant was eventually obtained. While searching the garage, officers reportedly found the meth, as well as a backpack and shoes that were stolen from a vehicle earlier in the day. Christian was taken into custody and officers reported finding counterfeit money in his clothing.

Christian is facing preliminary charges of Theft, Possession of Methamphetamine and Counterfeiting/Forgery.

Three Jennings County residents wanted by police were captured in Kentucky. Chief Deputy David Turner with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department says that authorities received a tip about the whereabouts of the wanted trio. On Wednesday, the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Kentucky State Police, found the three staying in an apartment in Milton, Kentucky.

Arrested were:

Darrell G. Brazee (age 55)
Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance- Level 6 Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia- Class B Misdemeanor
Bond set at $62.000

Pamela J. Brazee (age 52)
Failure to appear for Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony
Possession of Paraphernalia- Class C Misdemeanor
Bond set at $25,500

Tosha B. Brazee (age 23)
Failure to appear for the original offense of Attempted Fraud- Level 6 Felony
Bond set at $738

The three were transported to the Carroll County, Kentucky jail and are awaiting extradition back to Jennings County.

Local volunteers are stepping up to help residents with their tax filings.

Kyle Hendricks, spokesman for the United Way of Bartholomew County explains that signups for the tax assistance program are underway now with the first appointments next week.

Hendricks said the program is a combination of IRS and AARP programs to help taxpayers.

To qualify for free tax assistance, you must make less than $60k per year, be a senior, be disabled or be a taxpayer with limited English speaking skills.

He said the program continues to grow. Last year was the largest yet, with more than 1,000 residents assisted.

Hendricks praised the volunteers and their efforts to help those who need assistance.

To schedule an appointment you can call United Way 2-1-1. Appointments will available be on a first come, first serve basis. To get more information including an intake form that needs to be filled out, you can go to uwbarthco.org.

A wind chill warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

Wind chills are expected to be down to minus 9 this morning. The polar vortex bringing this extreme cold to our area is being blamed for nine deaths across the Midwest.

And there is a Winter Weather Advisory that goes into effect this evening for some of the counties in our area with up to four inches of snow forecast. That starts at 7 p.m. tonight and goes through 10 a.m. Friday morning and the affected area includes Johnson, Shelby and Decatur counties.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is reporting that they plan to have a full roll out of their snowplows this evening. They will hit the roads starting at about 4 p.m. with the first snow expected at about 5 p.m.

INDOT asks that you give snow plow drivers plenty of room on roads and highways. Especially as they work to keep roads clear during peak driving hours.

If you need shelter today, you still have options. In Columbus, you can visit the Community Engagement Center, at 1951 McKinley Avenue. There is also a warming shelter at Donner Center open today until 5 p.m. That is at 22nd and Sycamore streets.

Due to the extreme weather, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended delivery service throughout most of the state today. All local post office retail operations will be open.

Columbus Animal Care Services suggests you give the hood of your vehicle a good thump before you drive on cold mornings. Shelter director Nicohl Birdwell Goodin explains that wild animals and outdoor cats like to climb up inside your engine compartment for warmth.

Indiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County that led to the arrests of two people.

The investigation began at approximately 5:45 p.m. Tuesday when a Trooper stopped a car on I-65 Northbound near the 48 mile marker. During the course of the traffic stop, the Trooper believed the driver of the vehicle was providing false information about his identity. He eventually identified the driver as 25-year-old David K. Darnell, of Elkhart. Darnell was wanted on an outstanding warrant for Robbery out of Elkhart County.

Darnell was arrested on the warrant. He is also facing charges of Identity Theft, False Informing and Driving While Suspended/Prior. His passenger, 28-year-old Ayla K. Granning, also of Elkhart, was found to be wanted on a warrant for Robbery out of Elkhart County, Indiana.

Darnell and Granning are awaiting extradition to Elkhart County.