Senior hopes new sport turns tide in her favor

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December 6, 2016

A Columbus North runner has recorded a three-peat.

Rachel Brougher has earned her third consecutive The Republic Girls Cross-Country Runner of the Year honor.

A multiple winner on many levels, the four-year Columbus North varsity runner twice earned All-State honors with top-25 finishes at the state finals. After finishing 10th this year at the Brown County Semistate, Brougher came back with a 36th-place finish in the state finals, falling short of earning her third consecutive All-State honor.

Brougher’s senior season didn’t go quite as she had hoped, but she accepted that fact philosophically.

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“Every season is different,” Brougher said. “The weather is different, and the team is different. So I was happy with the way it turned out.”

That includes earning Brown County Sectional and Regional titles, despite dealing with a sinus infection earlier in the season.

After swimming competitively prior to starting seventh grade at Northside Middle School, Brougher found a new interest in cross-country and track — and became hooked.

She also gave up basketball after that year to focus on running.

Although she plans to run at the collegiate level, Brougher’s only official visit so far has been to Indiana University, where she would have to walk on. She plans to check out Belmont University in Nashville and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in January, and also is considering visits to IPFW in Fort Wayne and Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti.

But those college visits have been put on hold for now. That’s because Brougher is back in the pool, swimming for the Columbus North Bull Frogs.

She wanted to see if being a competitive swimmer would take her fitness to the next level, and Brougher said she has already noticed a difference.

“I’m using muscles that I don’t work out in cross-country,” she said. “I already feel so much stronger on my runs. I feel fresh, and I get less tired.”

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The 2016 The Republic All-Area Girls Cross-Country team:

Rachel Brougher, Columbus North: The senior won the Brown County Sectional and Regional and finished 10th in the Brown County Semistate and 36th at state.

Arig Tong, Columbus North: The junior finished second in the sectional and regional, sixth in the semistate and 72nd at state.

Olivia Morlok, Columbus North: The freshman finished third in the sectional, fourth in the regional, seventh in the semistate and 63rd at state.

Ana Singhal, Columbus North: The junior finished seventh in the sectional, sixth in the regional, 44th in the semistate and 118th at state.

Kennedy Kerber, Columbus North: The freshman finished ninth in the sectional, eighth in the regional, 72nd in the semistate and 145th at state.

Emma Smith, Columbus North: The sophomore finished eighth in the sectional, 14th in the regional, 56th in the semistate and 171st at state,

Lily Dozier, Columbus North: The freshman finished 10th in the sectional, 16th in the regional and 137th at state.

Ashley Heindel, Jennings County: The sophomore finished third in the Southwestern (Hanover) Sectional, 18th in the regional and 94th in the semistate.

Emma Morrison, Jennings County: The freshman finished fourth in the Southwestern (Hanover) Sectional, 21st in the regional and 95th in the semistate.

Emma Mensendiek, Columbus East: The senior finished 15th in the sectional, 22nd in the regional and 124th in the semistate.

Kristen Lyons, Columbus East: The junior finished 17th in the sectional, 24th in the regional and 114th in the semistate.

Honorable mention

Brown County: Haley Abraham, Mica Selby. Columbus East: Hannah Harris, Lindsey Morgan, Ashley Novreske, Amanda Pottorff. Columbus North: Jennifer Gutman. Edinburgh: Bailey Woodall. Hauser: Tori Chandler. Jennings County: Alana Daeger, Nicole Richardson, Sydney Taylor. South Decatur: Sierra Kalli.

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North band needs pledges for inauguration parade trip by Friday

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December 6, 2016

An all-out blitz seeking to raise money to send the Columbus North High School Band to the inaugural parade in January is hoping to have enough pledges to fund the trip by Friday.

Rep. Milo Smith, R-Columbus, said he and the band booster organization have sent out an email to all North band boosters, band parents and students asking them to have their pledges in by Friday. About 1,000 requests were sent seeking a pledge, Smith said.

Smith announced he would take the rest of the week to try to raise the $125,000 the North band needs to attend the parade in Washington D.C. The effort has about $20,000 so far, not enough for the band to make a commitment to place reservations and begin the process of planning the trip.

For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

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Staff Reports

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December 6, 2016

The Republic will commemorate the date that “will live in infamy,” the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, with two days of coverage beginning Wednesday and continuing Thursday.

On Wednesday, three Columbus veterans will give their reaction to the bombing 75 years ago, and how it changed the course of their lives and military service.

On Thursday, coverage of the attack from 75 years ago will be recounted, along with information about how readers can learn more about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath locally.

For more, pick up Wednesday and Thursday copies of The Republic.

High school scoreboard – December 6

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Staff Reports

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December 6, 2016

BOYS BASKETBALL

Greensburg 76, Hauser 70

Hauser;16;14;15;25;–;70

Greensburg;13;19;22;22;–;76

Hauser (2-2): Mason Sherman 4 0-0 9, Clayton Wilson 3 1-2 7, Andrew Titus 1 1-2 3, Connor Wilson 6 1-2 16, Brad Paetzel 2 6-6 10, Justin Compton 3 1-1 9, Pete Trotter 0 1-2 1, Alex Gross 6 3-4 15. Totals: 25 14-19 70.

Greensburg (3-1): Mason McLeod 3 3-4 9, Miles Wilkison 2 2-2 6, Matt Martin 1 7-10 9, Sam Slusher 1 1-2 3, Andrew Welage 8 11-11 28, Drew Comer 6 2-4 19, Trevor Reynolds 1 0-0 2. Totals: 22 26-33 76.

3-point goals: Hauser 6 (Co. Wilson 3, Compton 2, Sherman); Greensburg 6 (Comer 5, Welage).

Red Cross urging blood donations during month of December

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Staff Reports

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December 6, 2016

The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood during December.

Upcoming donation opportunities in Bartholomew County are:

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 16, 23 and 30 and Jan. 6 at La Quinta, 101 Carrie Lane, Columbus.
12 to 5 p.m., Dec. 28, First Christian Church, 531 Fifth St., Columbus.

Upcoming donation opportunities for Jennings County:

12 to 4 p.m., Dec. 20, Senior Citizens Center, 515 Buckeye St., North Vernon.
1 to 6 p.m., Dec. 20, First United Methodist Church, 240 Poplar St., North Vernon.
3 to 7 p.m., Dec. 28, Wal-Mart, 2380 N. State Road 3, North Vernon.

Donations tend to decline around December, but the needs of patients remain steady. All blood types are needed to ensure a sufficient supply for patients, the Red Cross said in a news release. Those who donate between Dec. 22 and Jan. 8 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

To make an appointment or for more information: Call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.

Run-off election for NAACP president Dec. 12

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Staff Reports

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December 6, 2016

The Columbus/Bartholomew County Area Branch of the NAACP will hold a run-off election for the office of president from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 12 in the United Way Building, 1531 13th St., Columbus.

The meeting will be in the ground floor conference room.

A recent election ended in a tie between candidates Delores Smith, current president, and Stella Collins, vice president.

Local Police, Fire – December 6

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Staff Reports

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December 6, 2016

CPD patrol car — A Dodge Charger police patrol car. From neighborhood spats, to seat-belt enforcement and criminal activity, the Columbus Police Department has been directed to be more proactive in its work with the public. The idea is to make a difference in the community before problems escalate, or even start. (Joe Harpring | The Republic)

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

Arrests

Friday

Chad A. Shead, 37, 5602 E. Karlsway Drive, Columbus, probation violation, 3:29 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Toy L. Martin, 58, 349 Smith St., Columbus, criminal trespassing and theft, 4:24 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $5,000 bond.

Charles R. Barr Jr., 37, 1165 N. Gladstone Ave., Columbus, probation violation, 6:07 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Zarek J. Moffatt, 19, 2383 Shadow Bend Drive, Columbus, illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and public intoxication, 9:07 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, released on $3,500 bond.

Jena M. Peck, 27, 804 Hutchins Ave., Columbus, Bartholomew County warrant, 9:20 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $10,000 bond.

Trevor E. Merrick, 20, 725 Pearl St., Columbus, criminal trespassing, 10:09 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $5,000 bond.

Saturday

Elijah J. Ferril, 27, 1902 Caldwell Place, Columbus, theft, resisting law enforcement, possession of heroin and possession of paraphernalia, 4:14 a.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $7,500 bond.

Fire, medic runs

Saturday

12:23 a.m. — Injury in the 700 block of Glendale Drive.

7:30 a.m. — Injury in the 300 block of North Gladstone Avenue.

1:19 p.m. — Unconscious person in the 1600 block of State Street.

2:04 p.m. — Injury in the 2700 block of Hawcreek Boulevard.

3:23 p.m. — Structure fire at the intersection of McKinley Avenue and McShane Street.

5:34 p.m. — Injury in the 800 block of North Monroe Court.

6:40 p.m. — Injury at the intersection of Third and Washington streets.

9:31 p.m. — Injury in the 2600 block of Foxpointe Drive.

11:12 p.m. — Injury in the 1000 block of East County Road 450S.

Incidents

Saturday

1:26 a.m. — Drug violations at the intersection of 15th and Union streets.

2:05 a.m. — Shoplifting in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

2:29 a.m. — Shoplifting in the 2000 block of Merchants Mile.

2:45 a.m. — Shoplifting in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

6:04 a.m. — Battery in the 1000 block of Pennsylvania Street.

8:38 a.m. — Drug violations in the 1900 block of State Street.

9:09 a.m. — Theft reported in the 1800 block of North National Road.

10:36 a.m. — Mischief or vandalism in the 3100 block of North National Road.

10:32 a.m. — Residential burglary in the 1200 block of West County Road 650N.

12:21 p.m. — Theft reported in the 1900 block of Caldwell Place.

2:21 p.m. — Theft reported in the 2100 block of Park Avenue.

2:33 p.m. — Theft reported in the 2600 block of 23rd Street.

5:06 p.m. — Property-damage accident at the intersection of 11th and Pearl streets.

7:05 p.m. — Shoplifting in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

7:25 p.m. — Leaving the scene of an accident in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

7:35 p.m. — Leaving the scene of an accident in the 3200 block of Sunrise Drive.

8:47 p.m. — Theft reported in the 2100 block of 25th Street.

9:13 p.m. — Subject refusing to leave in the 300 block of Clifty Drive.

10:48 p.m. — Theft reported in the 400 block of South Gladstone Avenue.

11:58 p.m. — Subject refusing to leave in the 400 block of Tipton Lane.

Regional Hospital, Police – December 6

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Staff Reports

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December 6, 2016

JENNINGS COUNTY

Arrests

Saturday

Shane Kimbler, 38, North Vernon, possession of methamphetamine, 8:05 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $6,255 bond.

Toby Marsh, 34, North Vernon, driving while suspended with prior conviction, 11:40 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $905 bond.

Michael Bowling, 37, Butlerville, dealing in methamphetamine, trafficking with an inmate, possession of paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance, 11:40 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $20,055 bond.

Incidents

Friday

8:16 a.m. — Property-damage accident in the 800 block of West Walnut Street.

11:23 a.m. — Property-damage accident in the 1 block of North Madison Avenue.

12:56 p.m. — Theft reported in the 1400 block of North State Street.

3:17 p.m. — Leaving the scene of an accident in the 1 block of East Walnut Street.

5:10 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 2700 block of State Road 7 North.

Saturday

6:43 a.m. — Theft reported in the 500 block of Daniel Drive.

3:13 p.m. — Theft reported in the 2400 block of Highway 3 North.

Oliver Hamel

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Staff Reports

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December 6, 2016

Butlerville

Oliver Lee “Ollie” Hamel, 41, of Butlerville, died at 2:45 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2016, in Jefferson County.

He is survived by his father, Terry Hamel of Butlerville; his mother, Mary Wright of Madison; and a sister, Bobbie (Richard) Stokes of Madison.

A funeral service for Mr. Hamel will be conducted at noon Thursday at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon, with the Rev. Edward Wooddell officiating. Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Burial will be in the Otter Creek Cemetery in Jennings County.

Memorials may be made through the funeral home for Expenses.

Vicky Fixmer

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Staff Reports

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December 6, 2016

Columbus

Vicky L. Fixmer, 54, of Columbus, died December 2, 2016.

Vicky is survived by her husband, John Fixmer; daughter, Amanda Anderson; mother, Doris Hand; two sisters, Janet Laporte, Brenda Hartman; brother, Mike Hand; and three grandchildren.

Arrangements were entrusted to Simplicity Funeral & Cremation Care.