High school sports roundup – December 10

By

-

December 10, 2016

BOYS BASKETBALL

Crusaders stay perfect

INDIANAPOLIS — Columbus Christian jumped out to an 18-3 lead after one quarter Friday night and went on to post a 51-22 win at Crosspointe Christian.

Lain Isley led the led the Crusaders (9-0) with 12 points. Logan Roth and Evan Reed each added nine.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Columbus Christian falls

INDIANAPOLIS — Columbus Christian fell behind 23-6 at halftime and couldn’t catch up in a 48-22 loss at Crosspointe Christian.

Lauren Barker led the Crusaders (0-5) with eight points.

Patriots down Eagles

NASHVILLE — Brown County trailed by only four points after three quarters, but Owen Valley pulled away in the fourth for a 51-40 Western Indiana Conference win.

Azhia Morgan and Maddy Edds each scored eight points to lead the Eagles.

Bull Dogs fall in OT to Flashes

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

Columbus North and Franklin Central needed an extra period to decide Friday night’s back-and-forth game.

Franklin Central withstood 13 lead changes before giving the Bull Dogs their first loss of the season, 46-43, in a Conference Indiana game.

Mason Hardimon led the Flashes with 13 points, and Grant Pedigo ended the game with a double-double. He scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

“We like Mason having the ball,” Franklin Central coach John Rockey said. “He is a very strong kid around the rim.”

Marquel Harper played an efficient game to help the Flashes, shooting 50 percent from the field on his way to 11 points. Rockey was pleased with how his team played offensively but said the defense was the key to getting the win.

It was a grind-it-out game the entire way, with the biggest lead coming in the fourth quarter when Franklin Central (1-1, 1-0) went up by five. North (4-1, 0-1) struggled to score points at the free-throw line, hitting only 9 of 17 to go along with its 17 turnovers.

“It’s tough to win close games when you turn the ball over that much and don’t shoot free throws very well,” North coach Paul Ferguson said.

Alex King kept the Bull Dogs in the game by posting game highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Both Ethan Mitchell and King protected the rim down the stretch with two blocks apiece.

“Alex has had a great season,” Ferguson said. “He played an outstanding game. We just didn’t have enough as a team offensively tonight.”

Ferguson was pleased with the effort his team gave, despite the offensive struggle. North won second and third quarters by a seven-point margin but could not pull it through in the fourth and overtime.

The loss ends the Bull Dogs’ four-game winning streak, but Ferguson said this is not a bad time for his team to take a defeat.

“We can learn and grow from this,” Ferguson said. “We have a big weekend next week. I think this motivates us to come out and have an outstanding week of practice.”

Nominate a great Christmas light display

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

Nominate a great Christmas light display

The Republic is looking for nominations of great Christmas light displays.

If you know of one in Columbus or the surrounding area, please email the location, name and telephone number of the homeowner to editorial@therepublic.com.

If you are self-nominating, please include your telephone number so we can contact you about the lighting design.

Purdue extension offering free health insurance workshop at library

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

Purdue extension offering free health insurance workshop at library

Purdue Extension Bartholomew County will present a free Smart Choice Health Insurance workshop at the Bartholomew County Library.

The session will be 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12, said Harriet Armstrong, extension educator. The library is located at 536 Fifth St. in Columbus.

Health insurance navigator Leah Boas will answer questions about the Health Insurance Marketplace for this year’s enrollment.

To register, call the library at 812-379-1255 or go to host6.evanced.info/barth/evanced/eventcalendar.asp.

Information: 812-379-1665

Shelter visits rise as temps drop

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

Frigid temperatures blanketing the city are sending more people to Columbus’ Brighter Days emergency shelter.

The east-side facility at 421 S. Mapleton St. sheltered 20 people Thursday night, after providing beds to 24 on Wednesday night, said Elizabeth Kestler, Love Chapel’s executive director. That’s about double what the facility occupancy was when the shelter opened this fall.

The facility has had an average of 14 beds filled each night as of Nov. 27, Kestler said.

“We have seen an increase steadily as the weather has gotten worse,” she said.

Temperatures plummeted late in the week to lows in the 20s, with some snow squalls Friday morning, and temperatures are expected to be cold through next week, according to the National Weather Service.

The shelter, in a renovated former Columbus Township fire truck maintenance facility, has a 36-bed capacity, but has cots available if needed, Kestler said.

Love Chapel operates the shelter in a public/private partnership with the Columbus Township Trustee’s office, which owns the building.

The shelter has provided overnight housing to 79 different individuals so far since it opened, Kestler said. There are 25 beds for men, and 21 for women at the shelter, which was renovated by community members and businesses who donated much of the materials and labor.

The Columbus facility was renovated to provide emergency shelter particularly for those who might endanger their lives by trying to stay outdoors in dangerous weather conditions.

In Indianapolis, police found the body of a homeless man on fire Thursday night in a wooded area near the IUPUI campus, The Associated Press reported. Investigators said a propane tank on a stove exploded, setting fire to the man and a tent. Indianapolis detectives said the area was being used as a homeless camp.

The Columbus Police Department checks on individuals they see outdoors in severe weather during their patrols, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman. Officers check under bridges and in areas known to be frequented by the homeless to encourage them to find shelter at Brighter Days or another facility, he said.

Officers also patrol Interstate 65 a few times each shift to look for stranded motorists who might be walking to an exit to find assistance, he said.

While the Brighter Days shelter is limited to providing beds for Bartholomew County residents, Love Chapel staff members are prepared to help those from outside the county find shelter and transportation, Kestler said.

Horizon House in Columbus offers emergency housing for families and Love Chapel has other contacts to provide placements as necessary.

Adults seeking emergency shelter may stop in at Brighter Days for in-take between 6 to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Clients can take a shower in the morning and are served breakfast before they leave the facility at 9 a.m. Every individual who enters the facility undergoes a background check for security reasons, Kestler said.

To provide shelter for individuals during the day, Brighter Days is offering enrichment activities to help them move toward self-sustainment, Kestler said.

Many clients from the shelter also are working with Centerstone caseworkers to deal with substance or mental health issues. Bus vouchers are also provided so individuals can travel to appointments or meal sites, Kestler said.

Columbus Township Trustee Ben Jackson also said many clients at the shelter are actively working to gain housing stability and staff at Brighter Days are assisting with that.

“Our goal is to get people to be as independent as they can,” Jackson said.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How to help” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

For information about how to donate or volunteer with Brighter Days Housing, contact Love Chapel by e-mailing volunteer@columbuslovechapel.com. Volunteers are needed to work four-hour shifts from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

For general information, visit Love Chapel’s website at columbuslovechapel.com/

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Need emergency housing?” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Brighter Days Housing, 421 S. Mapleton St., has 36 beds available for individuals needing emergency shelter assistance. The facility accepts individuals on an in-take basis from 6 to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

All clients are required to undergo a background check when they arrive and are allowed to bring one bag inside with them. No food or drinks permitted. Officials also ask that prospective clients don’t arrive before 6 p.m.

The facility, which is operated by Love Chapel, can be reached at 812-344-4512.

[sc:pullout-text-end]

Regional Hospital, Police – December 10

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

JENNINGS COUNTY

Arrests

Wednesday

Jarrett Hamrick, 39, Butlerville, theft, by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, 1:55 p.m., $605 bond.

Patricia A. Stacy, 35, North Vernon, possession of a syringe and possession of paraphernalia, by the North Vernon Police Department, 3:23 p.m., $1,055 bond.

Dennis Johnson, 34, North Vernon, criminal mischief, by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, 5:45 p.m., $605 bond.

Incidents

Wednesday

12:18 a.m. — Disturbance in the area of Moir Avenue.

12:10 p.m. — Overdose in the 200 block of West Walnut Street.

12:35 p.m. — Noise complaint on Greensburg Street.

Seymour competitor lands big sprint-car ride

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

Chad Boespflug has been named the driver of the famed Hoffman Auto Racing Team based in Loveland, Ohio.

The team is coming off another successful season with driver Brady Bacon behind the wheel. It captured the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Championship for the 11th time and captured the Indiana Sprint Week Title and scored their 100th USAC win, as well. Bacon left the team to pursue an opportunity to run more Winged Sprint Car racing.

That opened the door for Boespflug to become the team’s driver as it pursues its 12th title in 2017. Back in August, Boespflug scored the biggest win of his career by capturing the $50,000-to-win feature event at Badlands Motor Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota.

Chad is the son of Todd and Monica Boespflug of Seymour. His grandparents, Bob and Phyliss Gatten, live in Columbus.

Staying the same are the return of the team’s major sponsor, Mean Green Cleaner & Degreaser, associate sponsors Lykins Energy Solutions, XYZ, and the addition of EZR. HAR remains an Official Military Order of The Purple Heart Race Team.

“As it is, we are excited to carry on our legacy with Chad. He will drive the 69 car. Chad’s career is taking off, and with the addition of Davey Jones as the crew chief, that makes us a threat every night, and for our 12th USAC National Sprint Car Championship,” said Richard Hoffman, President of Hoffman Racing.

The team will be headquartered out of Indianapolis.

“I am looking forward to working with Dynamics Inc. Hoffman Racing,” Bosepflug said. “With the help of EZR we will be chasing another championship in 2017. It’s a tall feat to follow in the footsteps of their accomplishments over the years, but also a huge honor to help carry on the Hoffman Racing legacy of excellence and championship. They truly helped evolve the sport of racing.”

Bosepflug began racing micros in 1998 in his home state of California. He graduated to sprint cars in 2004. He won the SCRA championship in 2005 and made the big move to Indiana in 2007.

Bosepflug became the Lawrenceburg track champion in 2011. He began his own team with the help of Chuck Eberhardt and Fred Zirzow and ran the entire USAC National Sprint Car schedule. They racked up six USAC National wins in 2016.

Hoffman Auto Racing has won more National races and championships than any other team in USAC sprint car history. HAR also has seven Silver Crown wins and one USAC midget win for a total of 108 USAC National wins. In 2003, HAR was recognized for excellence by the Ohio State Senate and House of Representatives.

HAR has finished in the top three in USAC National Sprint Car owner’s points 20 times since 1989.

Drivers from the past 87 years read like a who’s who of racing: Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Tracy Hines, JJ Yeley, Kasey Kahne, Kenny Irwin Jr., Rich Vogler, Dave Darland, Johnny Parsons Jr., Tim Richmond, Jay Drake, Brian Tyler, Robbie Stanley, Eric Gordon, Steve Butler, Jerry Coons Jr., Ryan Newman, Dave Steele, George Snider, Tom Bigelow, Shorty Templemen, Don Branson, Eddie Sachs, Bill Puterbaugh, Elmer George, Pancho Carter, Roger Ward, Andy Michener, Kyle Larson and Brady Bacon.

In all, approximately 131 drivers have competed in the Hoffman cars. Of those, there are four father-son combinations: Dick and Dickie Gaines, Jim and Tracy Hines, Kerry and Dave Norris of Columbus and Clark and Shorty Templemen. Two brother combinations are Larry and Steve Cannon and Pancho Carter and Johnny Parsons Jr. HAR also had a step-grandfather and step-grandson combination of Elmer George and Ed Carpenter.

Paragon Speedway lauds champions

Paragon Speedway has announced its 2016 track champions.

For the sixth time in his career, Josh Cunningham is the Sprint Car Track Champion at Paragon. Chris Hillman of Camby, who also captured the Super Stock Title at Bloomington Speedway this year, did the same at Paragon.

Mark Smith of Franklin was the top driver in the Bomber Division. Charles Shipley of Morgantown won the Pure Stock Title, and Chad Taylor garnered top honors in the Hornet Class.

Cunningham, who captured his first Paragon title back in 2004, took this year’s Sprint Car Division for the sixth time. Andrew Prather of Martinsville was second in the final standings, followed by Jake and Jensen Scott, both of Morgantown, and Brandon Spencer of Nineveh.

Hillman had a spectacular 2016 racing season, winning both Bloomington and Paragon titles. Steve Hawkins of Bloomington was second to Hillman in points at Paragon, with Winston Howe of Bloomington and Mike Ham and Rob Paris, both of Martinsville, completing the top five.

Smith took his first title in the Bomber class. Jacob Ham and Mike Swango, both of Martinsville, finished second and third behind Smith, with David Shepherd of Bowling Green and William Summers of Paragon rounding out the top five competitors.

Shipley took the Pure Stock division title for the first time, as well. Mike Swango Jr. of Martinsville finished second in points, followed by Frank Horvath of Mooresville, Jadas Whitaker of Martinsville and Ethan Litton of Paragon.

Taylor of Unionville captured the Hornet title at Paragon over A.J. Hobbs of Bloomington, Wendy Lainhart of Charlestown, Reece Novak of Gosport, Kyle Julius of Indianapolis and Jacob Babbs of Bloomington.

Local Police, Fire – December 10

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following information was summarized from the records of city, county and state police, and fire and hospital agencies.

Arrests

Tuesday

Brenton M. Lee, 26, 1203 Pearl St., Columbus, two Bartholomew County warrants, 5:53 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held in lieu of $12,500 bond.

David B. Defibaugh, 48, 627 Chestnut St., Columbus, probation violation, 6:49 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held with no bond.

Caesar A. Miranda, 44, 4060 N. County Road 150W, Columbus, domestic battery, 11:36 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held in lieu of $7,500 bond.

Nathan F. Ingram, 26, 3719 Camelot Lane, Columbus, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle and two Bartholomew County warrants, by the Columbus Police Department, held in lieu of $17,500 bond.

Wednesday

Christopher M. Hubbert, 37, 1617 Cottage Ave., Columbus, possession of marijuana and legend drug-injection devices, 12:26 a.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held with no bond.

Daniel W. Neal, 27, Seymour, operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of .08 percent or more, 4:59 a.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $2,500 bond.

Dustin A. Hurley, 27, 1808 Maple St., Columbus, Bartholomew County warrant, 7:25 a.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $10,000 bond.

Rebecca Hendrix, 42, Seymour, out-of-county warrant, 11:27 a.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Fire, medic runs

Wednesday

1:20 a.m. — Difficulty breathing in the 700 block of Eighth Street.

8:10 a.m. — Gas odor in the 500 block of Smith Street.

8:27 a.m. — Possible overdose in the 1800 block of Cottage Avenue.

8:50 a.m. — Unconscious person in the 400 block of South Mapleton Street.

9:10 a.m. — Gas odor in the 1000 block of Spear Street.

9:49 a.m. — Difficulty breathing in the 1300 block of West County Road 200S.

12:52 p.m. — Difficulty breathing in the 3500 block of Central Avenue.

2:13 p.m. — Person injured in the 5200 block of East Harvard Court.

5:28 p.m. — Small hazardous material spill at Fifth and Brown streets.

8:29 p.m. — Difficulty breathing in the 10000 block of South County Road 800W.

10:01 p.m. — Difficulty breathing in the 900 block of Chestnut Street.

10:22 p.m. — Transformer fire at Two Worlds Drive and Midway Street.

Incidents

Wednesday

2:14 a.m. — Battery at Parkside Drive and Central Avenue.

5:19 a.m. — Damage to property in the 2900 block of Ninth Street.

7:32 a.m. — Property-damage accident at Rocky Ford Road and Taylor Road.

9:29 a.m. — Property-damage accident at 10th Street and North National Road.

10:20 a.m. — Personal-injury accident at West Jonathan Moore Pike and Jonesville Road.

10:28 a.m. — Drug violations reported in the 700 block of Washington Street.

10:32 a.m. — Property-damage accident in the 1600 block of Central Avenue.

12:11 p.m. — Fight in the 1100 block of 25th Street.

12:31 p.m. — Damage to property in the 3600 block of Central Avenue.

12:47 p.m. — Property-damage accident at West State Road 46 and West Old Nashville Road.

1:24 p.m. — Fight in the 400 block of Ninth Street.

2:36 p.m. — Burglary in the 40 block of South Hinman Street.

2:34 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 600 block of South Gladstone Avenue.

2:37 p.m. — Vandalism in the 2100 block of 25th Street.

4:12 p.m. — Battery in the 700 block of Creekview Drive.

5:17 p.m. — Property-damage accident at Fifth and Brown streets.

6:16 p.m. — Personal-injury accident in the 3600 block of West Jonathan Moore Pike.

6:17 p.m. — Burglary in the 1500 block of Lawton Avenue.

6:34 p.m. — Burglary in the 6200 block of East County Road 450N.

6:40 p.m. — Battery in the 900 block of Chestnut Street.

7:31 p.m. — Property-damage accident at North Gladstone Avenue and Indiana Avenue.

8 p.m. — Accident, type unknown, at Chestnut and 16th streets.

8:41 p.m. — Damage to property in the 2600 block of Chestnut Street.

9:09 p.m. — Theft at 22nd Street and Cottage Avenue.

John Pence

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

Hope

John A. Pence, 92, of Hope, passed away Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at Silver Oaks Health Campus.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Old Union United Church of Christ, with Pastor Kirby Rupp officiating. Calling will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Norman Funeral Home in Hope and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at Old Union Cemetery.

A complete obituary will appear in Sunday’s edition of The Republic.

Michael Crippen

By

Staff Reports

-

December 10, 2016

North Vernon

Michael Lee Crippen, 62, of North Vernon, passed away at his home on December 7, 2016.

Mike was born on June 5, 1954, in Columbus, Indiana, to Perry and RoseMary Denny Crippen. He attended Wayne Township Elementary School, Central Junior High School and graduated from Columbus High School.

Mike served in the U.S. Navy for three years. He had previously worked in construction and at Applied Laboratories.

Fishing, camping and working on cars were among his favorite activities.

Mike is survived by his parents, both of Columbus; children, Valerie (John) Noel of Smithfield, Kentucky, Micah, Nikita and Ethan Crippen of Columbus; three grandchildren, Jesse Copeland, Micaiah Copeland and Gavin Newman; a great-grandchild, Luna Copeland; and sisters, Diane Arnett (Ivan Smith) and Carolyn Lohr (David) of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Charles and Pearl Denny and Oliver and Zella Crippen.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, December 12, 2016, at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with Pastor Adam Carrigan officiating.

Family and friends may call from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and from 9 a.m. until service time on Monday.

Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Crippen family at barkesweaverglick.com.

barkesweaverglick.com