Authorities are continuing their search for a man who went missing in Bartholomew County more than two months ago.

Bartholomew County deputies along with Jennings County and Indiana State Police have been searching for 25-year-old Joseph Ross of Brownstown, since he went missing on May 31st. He was last seen heading into woods near Amberly Addition in Columbus and has not been seen since.

Ross is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs between 135 and 145 pounds. He has blond hair and hazel eyes and he was last seen wearing blue jeans and a green T-Shirt.

If you have any information, no matter how insignificant, you are asked to contact Detective Terry Holderness at 812-565-5927. Or you can call the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s department tip line at 812-379-1712. Tips can be left anonymously.

Bartholomew County deputies arrested two people last night on drug related charges after a traffic stop.

According to police reports, deputies pulled over a vehicle in the 400 block of Gladstone Avenue at about 11:50 p.m. Monday night and found that the license plate did not match the vehicle. Further, the driver, 47-year-old Jeffrey N. Beckwith of Columbus was a habitual traffic violator without a license. And the deputy allegedly could smell marijuana inside the vehicle.

A search allegedly revealed marijuana, pills, paraphernalia and 20 grams of methamphetamine.

Beckwith was arrested on various preliminary possession related charges and for driving as a habitual traffic violator. A passenger, 47-year-old Dena McFarlin of Seymour is also facing drug possession charges.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department will be out in force tomorrow morning in school zones to ensure school safety, as well as looking for those who are speeding or not paying attention to school bus stop arms.

Sheriff Matt Myers says that his office is increasing daily patrols at schools as a proactive measure to ensure the safety of Bartholomew County students.

Myers urges parents to talk with your children and let them know if they see or hear anything suspicious, they should report it immediately to school officials or law enforcement. He says any suspicious activity will be thoroughly investigated.

Bartholomew Consolidated and Flat Rock-Hawcreek schools are both back in session tomorrow.

With school starting tomorrow, Bartholomew Consolidated Schools are updating parents on new security measures and procedures that are being added to schools.

The changes are based on a survey of security procedures done by a consultant hired by the district and by parent suggestions.

Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts says that all entry to schools will be restricted to a single entry point and schools will be issuing badges to adults in the school building, including staff, substitute teachers and visitors.

Roberts explains that a vetting process will be in place by Aug. 24th.

During recent school board meetings, several parents have suggested metal detectors as a screening device . In a BCSC video, Roberts said the district is not ready to take that step.

A Sunday night traffic stop led to the arrests of two people on drug charges. Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that at approximately 11:35 p.m., Sgt. Kris Weisner was southbound on I-65 traveling behind a vehicle that was driving erratically. Following a traffic stop at the southbound rest park, K9 Bolt was deployed and alerted to narcotics inside the vehicle. A search allegedly resulted in the discovery of approximately four grams of crystal methamphetamine, along with marijuana and drug-related paraphernalia.

The driver, 45-year-old Aaron D. Osborne, of Monrovia, was wanted on an out of county warrant. He is facing additional preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.

His passenger, 60-year-old David M. Riley, of Louisville, was arrested on

preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. He is being held on $63,500 bond.

Two Columbus residents were arrested on drug charges after an early Monday morning traffic stop. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 2:40 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle in the 2200 block of Ohio Avenue. He notes that a police K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from inside the vehicle.

A search allegedly resulted in the discovery of heroin inside the vehicle’s center console. Officers also located several pills and drug paraphernalia, including syringes, inside a bag that belonged to a passenger, 43-year-old Michelle S. Clark. Officers also reported finding a small amount of methamphetamine in Clark’s possession. She was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device, Possession of a Legend Drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Police searched the driver, 42-year-old Charles Sims, and allegedly found cocaine and methadone inside one of his pants pockets. Sims is facing

preliminary charges of Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

A local man was arrested early Monday morning after he allegedly tried to flee from Columbus police officers. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 3:45 a.m., officers observed Aaron MC Christian, of Columbus, inside a vehicle in the 1600 block of Central Avenue. Officers confirmed an active local warrant for Christian’s arrest when he allegedly tried to flee from the vehicle and push the officers. After a short scuffle, Christian was taken into custody on a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.

The Columbus City Council is set to hear a resolution Tuesday night that will allow the city’s redevelopment commission to move forward with a $750,000 grant to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation to aid in workforce development. Specifically, money will go towards the iGrad program, STEM and Transition Planning. If approved by council, this will mark the third consecutive year that the city has granted funds to BCSC.

City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at city hall and you are invited.

A hotdog restaurant in the FairOaks Mall has extended its online crowdfunding campaign to help fund a potential relocation.

Special Dogs & More launched its $50,000 online fundraising campaign to help finance a move to a new location on Washington Street in downtown Columbus. The restaurant had initially set a deadline of Thursday to secure all of the needed funding, but the campaign has been extended to Sept. 2.

The business, which employs individuals with emotional and intellectual disabilities, has been operating at the mall since October. Randy Lapidus, co-owner, says the original plan was to stay in the mall for a few years before moving to a bigger location, but fewer businesses in the mall has resulted in less foot-traffic and the need to move the restaurant as soon as possible.

If you would like to help in this effort, visit “Special Dogs and More” on Facebook.

Columbus Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a day and night of fun at Mill Race Park at the first annual Great Columbus Campout, scheduled for September 8-9.

Organizers say this overnight camping trip is intended to provide individuals and families with a chance to participate in a number of different activities, experience nature and create memories. Activities planned during the campout include arts and craft activities, s’mores, campfire songs, cornhole, a Family Glow Walk and more. Campers are required to bring their own tent, sleeping bag and other camping supplies.

Registration is now open. Cost is $15 per person ages 2 and up if you register by August 17. After that date, the cost is $20 per person. Children 2 and under are free. The registration cost includes a t-shirt, the above activities, dinner and breakfast by Blackerby’s Catering.

You can register online at columbusparksandrec.com, by calling the Columbus Parks and Recreation registration line at (812) 376-2680 or stopping by Donner Center during regular business hours, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Organizers are thanking Thompson Furniture for their generous support as the title sponsor for this event.