Schneck Medical Center announced its Guild volunteers have given over 20,000 hours of service to the hospital in 2018. That’s the highest in Guild history.

“For more than 60 years, the Schneck Guild volunteers have given of themselves helping our staff provide excellent service and care to our patients,” stated Warren Forgey, President/CEO of Schneck Medical Center. “They have played a significant role in our accomplishments and their service is valued and appreciated by the Schneck staff and more importantly by the patients that we serve.”

Volunteers serve in many areas of the hospital including the gift shop, admitting and information desks, driving the parking lot shuttles, the emergency department, chaplaincy, hospice, and various other hospital departments.

The Guild is also active in fundraising. Hospital officials say the group has donated $153,779.19 in 2018 and sustains many projects and programs including:

• Two parking lot shuttles, which have been in high demand during our recent construction phase
• Junior Volunteer program
• Kim Quilleon Varnell Junior Volunteer Memorial Scholarship
• Pediatric toy totes for all pediatric admissions
• Cancer baskets for newly diagnosed cancer patients
• Prayer shawls for Hospice patients
• Patient charity fund which benefits a variety of patients’ needs
• And, much more.

“Our volunteers are simply priceless,” said Amy Cockerham, Volunteer Manager. “We are inspired by the sacrifices they make and by the gift of their time and talents. It’s nothing less than impressive.”

Volunteer positions are currently available days, evenings, and on weekends. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Schneck Medical Center, call Cockerham at (812) 522-0439.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers has announced the retirement of Sergeant Kris Weisner and K9 Bolt.

Myers says that Weisner has served BCSO and the citizens of Bartholomew County for 36 years working his way through the ranks from jailer, to process server to currently serving as a merit deputy sheriff and K9 handler in BCSO’s Road Patrol Division.

“I want to personally thank Deputy Weisner for his outstanding achievements while serving the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office”, said Sheriff Myers. “Kris’s professionalism and expertise greatly enhanced the readiness of those who worked with and around him. Kris is a true public servant”.

Sergeant Weisner and K9 Bolt will be presented with retirement badges during a special ceremony on January 31st.

Some minor flooding is expected along area rivers and a flood warning is in effect. Continuing rain and melting snow are contributing to the rising water levels.

The National Weather Service is estimating that in Columbus, the East Fork White River will peak at a few inches above the minor flood stage by this afternoon. In Seymour the river will be peaking at about 9 inches below the moderate flood level by Friday morning.

Flat Rock River is expected to rise to just over a foot above the minor flood stage by this evening and Driftwood River is expected to peak tomorrow morning in the minor flood stage.

The high water is affecting some area roads. The Bartholomew County Emergency Management Agency is reporting that the following roads have high water as of 1:30 p.m. Friday:

• County Road 750S east of State Road 58.
• County Road 650S east of State Road 58.
• North Dellasburg Road at East Base Road.
• South Gladstone (south of the bridge).
• County Road 175E, just north of Southern Crossing.
• County Road 400N east of U.S. 31
• County Road 800S between State Road 11 and U.S. 31.

Sheriff Matt Myers is warning that the cold temperatures and wet roadways are causing some icy slick spots out there this morning.

If you are looking for more traffic information, download the WAZE app for your smartphone and join the WCSI Traffic team powered by Crew Car Wash. You can find updated traffic information on our website, on-air and on the app.

Another candidate has thrown her hat in the ring for local political office.

Grace Kestler is a Democrat running for one of the two At-Large seats on Columbus City Council. She joins Republican Josh Burnett as the only candidates who have filed to run for council At-Large. The seats are currently held by Democrat Tom Dell and Republican Laurie Booher. Neither Dell or Booher have filed to run for re-election yet.

Kestler owns Grace Kestler Consulting. She also works part-time with Advocates for Children as the Community Outreach Coordinator.

Candidates have until noon on Feb. 8th to file. You can keep up to date on candidate filings at bartholomew.in.gov.

The Indiana House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee supported State Rep. Randy Frye’s legislation Tuesday that would establish the Ivy Tech Public Safety Scholarship.

According to Frye, a Greensburg Republican, this scholarship would provide tuition for a public safety officer to pursue any certificate or associate degree program offered by Ivy Tech Community College for two academic years or less.

“The demand for new public safety officers in Indiana is high,” Frye said. “This scholarship would help recruit young people to this rewarding career while encouraging them to grow their skills and remain in our community.”

Frye said the scholarship would only be available to volunteer firefighters for the first two years of the program. After July 2021, the program would open up to all public safety officers, including paid firefighters, police officers and EMTs.

If this scholarship is established, applicants must have a high school diploma.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter announced that Trooper Zachariah Ruble, of Jackson County, is being promoted to Sergeant to serve as a District Squad Leader with the Indiana State Police, Versailles District.

Sgt. Ruble is a 1999 graduate of Southwestern High School. He joined the United States Marines where he served over five years, achieving the rank of Sergeant in 2002. During his time in the Marines, he was awarded the Marine Corps Combat Aircrew Wings and First Strike/Flight Air Medal for his actions in Afghanistan in 2004.

Sgt. Ruble attended the 65th Indiana State Police Academy and graduated in April 2006. After graduation, he was assigned to the Seymour District of the Indiana State Police until its closing in 2010. He was then transferred to the Versailles District.

As a trooper, Sgt. Ruble has been a member of the Tactical Intervention Platoon, Honor Guard, and a field training officer. He is certified as a Control Tactics, Taser, and Firearms Instructor. He has been a core instructor at the Indiana State Police Academy for five years and recently served as a counselor for the 78th ISP Recruit Academy.

Sgt. Ruble’s new responsibilities include supervising and evaluating a squad of troopers who patrol the Versailles District.

Columbus Parks and Recreation has received the latest environmental report for property at 1360 Jackson Street. In November, the city council gave approval to provide an additional appropriation to purchase the property, which would be used for storing department vehicles and equipment. Parks Director Mark Jones explained the property, which contains outbuildings, is desirable because because of it’s size, existing structures and because it neighbors existing parks property.

The property is owned by a relative of Mayor Jim Lienhoop, who’s recused himself from involvement in the sale. The site was formerly home to a machinery moving company. If the report is positive, the city will pay $300,000 for the property in six annual installments of $50,000 each.

Parks officials say they are reviewing the report and will have additional comment once that is complete.

A vehicle driving in downtown Columbus without brake lights, led to the arrest of the driver and a passenger on drug-related charges Tuesday.

Columbus police stopped the vehicle near 11th and California streets after noticing the non-working equipment.  A passenger, 47-year-old Tyrone C. Williams of Martinsville was found to have an outstanding warrant and during a search as he was arrested, officers report finding heroin in his wallet.

Officers also allegedly discovered narcotics and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, leading to the arrest of the driver, 48-year-old Lori L. Cobb of Columbus.

Williams is being accused of heroin possession along with the outstanding warrant.

Cobb is facing preliminary charges of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a legend drug injection device.

A traffic stop turned into drug arrests for two Bartholomew County residents Tuesday after one allegedly struggled with police and the other tried to hide evidence.

Columbus officers stopped a vehicle at about 5:20 Tuesday on County Road 200S, but discovered that a passenger, 31-year-old Jared R. Turner of Hope, had an outstanding warrant. Turner allegedly refused to leave the vehicle and then tried to reach into the back seat. Police report that they dragged him from the vehicle and after a short struggle he was arrested.

Police say they found a small bag of heroin in the back seat, near where Turner was seated.

Another passenger, 27-year-old April N. Retz allegedly was carrying heroin and drug paraphernalia in her purse, and police say they recovered methamphetamine and heroin she tried to hide in the vehicle. After she was taken into custody, jail officers allegedly found more heroin she was carrying.

Turner is facing charges of possessing heroin, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with resisting law enforcement and the original warrant.

Retz is being accused of dealing and possessing both heroin and methamphetamine, along with obstructing justice and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bartholomew County deputies assisted in the case.

.