Indiana State Police conducted a traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County that led to the arrest of a wanted Jackson County man.

The investigation began at approximately 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the southbound lanes on the Interstate near the 40 mile marker. A Trooper initiated a traffic stop and spoke to the driver38-year-old John J. Bates, of Seymour. Authorities say that Bates initially gave false information about his identity. After his true identity was realized, Bates was found to be wanted on Jennings County on warrants for Battery and Criminal Mischief.

Bates was arrested on the warrants and is facing new charges of Identity Theft, False Informing and Driving While Suspended/Prior.

Due to the extreme weather conditions, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended delivery service throughout most of the state on Thursday, January 31st. Authorities first suspended deliveries on Wednesday due to the bitter cold. All local post office retail operations will be open.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this weather related service disruption has caused,” said District Manager Todd Hawkins, Greater Indiana District. “The safety and well-being of our employees is of paramount concern to the Postal Service.”

Customers can call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) to obtain information, including available, alternate Post Office retail locations, or check the Postal Service website at usps.com.

A Columbus man is facing a number of felony charges after allegedly trying to elude police. At approximately 4:40 p.m. on Tuesday, officers from the Columbus Police Department’s Intelligence Led Policing Unit tried to stop a vehicle on Terrace Lake Road being driven by 27-year-old Daniel C. Miller. Police say Miller refused to pull over. The pursuit continued until Miller’s vehicle stopped in front of his home in the 4100 block of County Road 25 South a few minutes later. A high risk traffic stop was conducted and Miller was taken into custody without incident.

Miller was wanted on an outstanding Bartholomew County warrant for Dealing Methamphetamine, Neglect of a Dependent, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Dealing Marijuana. When Miller was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail, officers reported finding methamphetamine and a controlled substance concealed in his clothing.

A search warrant for Miller’s home was later granted and officers located a large amount of drug paraphernalia inside the home. This includes digital scales, syringes and drug packaging materials.

Miller is facing new preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Legend Drug and Trafficking with an Inmate

Miller remains behind bars on a 48-hour hold as the investigation continues.

Three people were taken to the hospital after a Tuesday night fire at an apartment complex. Columbus Firefighters were called to 175 Cambridge Square at approximately 11:53 p.m. Firefighters arrived on the scene within five-minutes. As firefighters assessed the scene, Columbus Police reported that all occupants were out of the building and that three injured residents were being transported to Columbus Regional Health.

All three of those injured were adults who lived in different apartments within the complex. One of the injured, a 62-year-old woman, was transported with burn injuries to her lower body. Two other residents were transported for smoke inhalation. Their conditions are unknown.

Firefighters reported light smoke conditions as they entered the apartment. They found a small fire in the apartment’s bedroom, which was quickly extinguished with a small amount of water.

CFD investigators determined that the fire began in a bedroom and that the cause of the fire may have been attributed to smoking material and oxygen use.

No other apartment tenants were displaced.

Columbus Animal Care Services and other animal advocates are urging you to take extra care for your pets in this weather.

Nicohl Birdwell Goodin, director of the Columbus animal shelter, says to take precautions with your pets if you are taking them for a walk including protecting their feet from the cold and from salt on sidewalks.

She suggests bringing outdoor pets inside if you can. If they must stay outside a dog house will keep a dog dry and help maintain body heat. The house should only be large enough for him to turn around inside and not much bigger.    The house should be half-filled with straw for bedding and insulation.  Face the opening of the dog house to the south and nail heavy plastic or cloth strips over the door to keep the wind outside and body heat inside.

For bedding, she said straw is better than blankets as the straw allows the animal to burrow down for extra warmth, while blankets can get wet and freeze.

She says that you will have to take special care with outdoor pets to make sure that they have water that isn’t frozen and extra food.

Goodin says that ultimately,  if it is too cold for you out there, it is too cold for them.

The said the Columbus Animal Care Services recommends that outside pets be brought into a house or garage when temperatures are below 20.

Columbus Police arrested a local man after he reportedly assaulted man and tried to take his wallet. Officers were called to the 1200 block of California Street Tuesday night. Shortly after 11 p.m., officers met with the victim who stated that the suspect approached him while he was walking and demanded his wallet. When the victim refused, a struggle ensued and at one point the suspect allegedly tried to use a stun gun on the victim.

Police say the suspect, 29-year-old Zackary C. Townsend, of Columbus, fled the area after the altercation. He was located a short time later in the 1300 block of Lafayette Avenue where he was taken into custody. He was also wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Townsend is facing preliminary charges of Battery and Robbery.

Columbus Police arrested a local man Tuesday morning after his vehicle struck a pole in the parking lot of an apartment complex. At approximately 8 a.m., officers were called to the 3500 block of Cardinal Court and discovered the driver had a small child with him inside of the crashed vehicle.

Officers say they had difficulty waking the driver, 40-year-old Phillip Menefee, who appeared to be under the influence. After failing several field sobriety tests, Menefee was taken to Columbus Regional Health for a blood draw. The child was not injured and was released to a family member.

Menefee is facing a preliminary charge of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated (Endangerment).

The dangerously cold weather is here today.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning that is in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Wind chills are expected to be 20 to 40 below. That is with sustained winds of up to 18 mph and wind gusts of up to 30

The cold weather has already left six dead in the Midwest and the temperatures are still dropping.

If you need shelter today, in Columbus, you can visit the Community Engagement Center, at 1951 McKinley Avenue during the day. There is also a warming shelter at Donner Center open until 10 p.m. tonight and from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday

Overnight shelter can be found in Columbus at the Brighter Days Shelter at 421 S. Mapleton. Their number is (812) 344-4512.

In Seymour, the homeless can go to The Alley Church at 416 E Second Street. Their number is (812) 946-0258.

In Jennings County, the Country Squire Lakes Clubhouse will be open today through Thursday as a shelter for those that have no heat or electricity. If you need a ride you can call (812) 346-7841.

If you need help but don’t know where to turn, you can call 2-1-1.

These cold temperatures have resulted in numerous closings and cancellations:

• You can find a list of school closings here.
• You can find business and event closings and cancellations here.

Indiana State Police say that if you have a vehicle breakdown on the road in these temperatures and are not able to heat your vehicle, you should call 911. They say that it is not only acceptable but it is expected in these dangerously cold temperatures. State police say that they will send officers to your location to get you someplace warm and help make arrangements for your vehicle.

The Columbus Redevelopment Commission hired a Chicago-based consultant to help city officials find a developer for a proposed downtown hotel and conference center.

Heather Pope, the city’s director of redevelopment, brought forth the proposal Monday afternoon that the city would contract with Hunden Strategic Partners. Pope says that this organization has done past work for the city. Hunden will be charged with creating a market and financial feasibility analysis for the project. The commission voted unanimously to approve the contract, for an amount not to exceed $62,600.

Pope says Hunden is a good fit for Columbus, as the company specializes in hospitality industry projects. She adds that the project could include an urban grocer, as a recent study found that a proposed site on downtown Third Street could be utilized for hotel, conference center and grocer.

Pope estimates it will take six to eight months for Hunden’s work to be complete.