An investigation into allegations of ghost employment at the Columbus Police Department is expanding to include former Police Chief Jon Rohde, according to a report from WRTV-6.

You can find the station’s report here.

According to an investigation by the TV station, Rohde moonlighted at a security job at Columbus Regional Hospital on a schedule that overlapped with the 8 to 5 administrative hours of the Columbus Police Department on more than 130 occasions.

Former officers Daniel Meister and Ronald May are facing similar allegations and have been charged with theft, ghost employment and official misconduct.

The station also reported that Rohde moonlighted as a mediator for the Indiana Office of Court Services, mostly during normal administrative hours. The office of police chief is a salaried position, not hourly.

The TV station is reporting that Indiana State Police, the Indiana State Board of Accounts and special prosecutors confirmed to the station that they are investigating allegations into the department’s record keeping and police pay.

Rohde stepped down as police chief last November, taking a position as a captain in the department while he ran for Superior Court judge. He won that race and is due to be sworn in today.

Former Columbus Mayor Kristen Brown was one of the subjects interviewed for the TV station’s report and compiled records on Rohde’s working hours and side jobs.

The Main Street of Hope group has selected 18 finalists for its Deck the Town Contest. You can view the top town light displays on the group’s Facebook page and vote for your favorite. The deadline to cast your vote is 10 on Sunday evening.

The winner will receive the travelling trophy — a replica of the leg lamp featured in the Christmas Story movie.

Organizers also encourage the community to come and tour the town’s light displays.

Photo courtesy of Main Street of Hope

Two Edinburgh residents are facing drug dealing charges after a raid last week by town police.

According to Police Chief Doyne Little Jr., police executed a search warrant at a home in the 400 block of South Main Street after a two-month long investigation on Thursday. Officers found 13 grams of methamphetamine and marijuana on the kitchen table.

When they searched the pockets of a man at the home, Shawn Park, they allegedly discovered 79 grams of methamphetamine in a baggie. Drug paraphernalia, syringes and prescription narcotics were also found inside the home.

Park is facing a charge of dealing methamphetamine.

A woman at the home, Monica Gilp, was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine, and possessing a controlled substance and marijuana.

Columbus firefighters are urging you to be careful this holiday season as the danger for fires increases along with the holiday cheer.

Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the department, explains

Wilson said to be extra cautious while cooking, as kitchen fires increase this time of the year.

Wilson also said to make sure that you keep fresh Christmas trees well-watered. They need to drink a gallon of water a day. And it is a good time to check to make sure your smoke detectors are all in working order.

Wilson said not to overload your outlets when stringing together strands of Christmas lights and make sure you don’t leave any lit candles unattended.

A missing 10-year-old girl from Wisconsin was found safe in Hartsville and her father taken into custody.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department 10 year-old Jocelyn Van Duyn was found safe by law enforcement in Hartsville at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

She had been reported missing on Sunday from Walworth, Wisconsin.

She was found in the company of her father 33-year-old Jonathan J. Van Duyn. The FBI’s Indianapolis Division SWAT team and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office took him into custody without incident. He will be held at the Bartholomew County Jail until he is extradited to Illinois where he is wanted on an active warrant for failure to appear.

Family members are traveling to Indiana to reunite with the girl.

Donna Browne has been chosen as the winner of this year’s Joan Pearcy Senior Citizen of the Year award from Mill Race Center.

The center announced yesterday that Browne has been privately honored for her work in the community. She is the leader of the Lasting Impressions Show Choir at the center. She is a member of the Bartholomew County Retired Teachers Association and in 2018 received that group’s volunteer of the year award for her work with the choir.

The Senior Citizen of the Year award has been given out since 1957 and in 2011 was renamed in honor of Pearcy. It recognizes a senior citizen for their service to the community and is meant to encourage continued achievement and service from seniors in the community and reinforcing the contributions that seniors make.

Today is the deadline to enroll for Bartholomew Consolidated elementary students parents who want to send their children back to class next year through the Bridge online learning option.

At this week’s school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts said that a survey of teachers wrapped up on Monday, finding out which educators want to take part in the Bridge program. The assumption is that the schools will start in person learning again on Jan. 5th, but some parents will want to continue online learning. The district is working to gauge not just the teachers’ interest but also the parents intentions.

Enrollment forms have been sent to all those parents, Roberts said.

A North Vernon man is being accused of battering a two-month-old girl.

Jennings County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that Child Protective Services contacted investigators after the infant was taken to an area hospital with severe injuries last week.

After four days of gathering evidence and talking to witnesses, deputies arrested 22-year-old Buddy W. Woods on charges of neglect of a dependent, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.