Looking Back – November 6

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November 6, 2016

2006

Ted Hooker of Columbus dropped into the Parks and Recreation Department headquarters to tell officials he had just recorded his 2,000th mile of biking on the city’s popular People Trail.

1991

On the coldest Election Day in history, just 5,814 of the 16,636 people registered to vote in the city, the lowest number of voters in a municipal election in at least 20 years, chose to retain all incumbents, including Mayor Robert Stewart.

1966

The new Hauser Junior-Senior High School, which opened for classes in September, was formally dedicated.

End around? Potential move to 5A would let Bull Dogs avoid Trojans

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

Sometimes the harsh reality of sports is that a team is measured by its success in the postseason.

For some teams, that reality is unjust. One such team that would fall into that category is the Columbus North football squad.

This season, the Bull Dogs put together their best regular season since Columbus split into North and East in 1973. North won its first seven games, went 8-1 in the regular season and won its first playoff game.

“It’s awesome to accomplish all of that,” senior running back Mitchell Burton said following Friday’s 41-14 loss to Center Grove. “I wish we could have got the sectional title, but we did pretty good, and I’m pretty proud of my team.”

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Unfortunately for the Bull Dogs, they ran into the same roadblock they’ve run into now five of the past six seasons. Center Grove, now 10-1, is the defending Class 6A state champion. The Trojans also won the 5A state title in 2008, which was the year after North last beat them.

Friday’s loss was especially painful because the Bull Dogs had the best team they’ve had since that 2007 squad came within a touchdown of playing in the state finals.

Many North fans thought this might be the year the Bull Dogs could take down Center Grove.

“It’s not going to sink in right now because we’re in pain,” North coach Tim Bless said. “Everybody is unhappy when you end your season with a bitter loss. But as we reflect on this season, we’re going to be very proud of this senior class and what they accomplished for returning Bull Dog football to excellence.”

That senior class featured several standouts, including Burton and quarterback Triston Perry, who will graduate as the second-leading rusher and passer, respectively, in school history.

Also gone will be four of the five offensive linemen, all four defensive linemen, middle linebacker and leading tackler Tucker Payne and safety Harley Huser, who also was a big-time threat in the passing and return games. Mark Salle-Tabor, who was a solid kicker and punter, also graduates.

But the Bull Dogs have enough key players returning that they should be able to contend for a Conference Indiana title again next season. Leading receivers Jaylen Flemmons, Trey Vincent and Tristan Bailey will be back, as will three of the top four linebackers and three of the four defensive backs, led by Division I prospect J.D. Harris.

Sophomore Trenton Kelley and junior Cortez Bandy will have big shoes to fill as they look to replace Perry and Burton at quarterback and tailback.

“It was an awesome senior class and so many of those kids were impact players,” Bless said. “However, as we look through the roster, we have a lot of young talent that played big roles for us this season. Then, we had a very successful JV and a very successful freshman season, so the future is certainly bright.”

Both the JV and freshman teams went 8-1 this season.

Whether North will have to go through Center Grove again the next two years could be decided this week. If defending Class 5A state champion Fort Wayne Snider wins its regional game against Mishawaka on Friday, the Panthers will move up to 6A under the IHSAA’s tournament success factor.

Westfield is primed to move from 5A to 6A because of a jump in enrollment, and Indianapolis Tech might be knocking on the door, as well. Cathedral needs a win against Ben Davis on Friday to remain in 6A.

So how does that effect the Bull Dogs?

When the IHSAA last classified the teams two years ago, North was the smallest of the 32 teams in 6A. So if Snider or Westfield, or both, move up to 6A, one or two teams will have to move down to 5A, assuming the IHSAA doesn’t mess with the 32-school set up at the 6A level.

One of those teams moving down will be Cathedral, if it loses on Friday. Another might be North.

Moving down to 5A, however, won’t guarantee the Bull Dogs postseason success. If Columbus East, which has beaten North four of the past five years, makes it to the 5A state finals this year, the Olympians would stay in 5A. Otherwise, they move back down to 4A.

Either way, it will be an interesting rest of the postseason and offseason to find out how things will shake out for the next two years.

If the Bull Dogs are lucky, they’ll avoid Center Grove.

Ted Schultz is sports editor for The Republic. He can be reached at tschultz@therepublic.com or 812-379-5628.

Dale Spears

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

Columbus

Dale Spears, 74, of Columbus, died at 5:52 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2016, at Columbus Regional Hospital Emergency Room.

Mr. Spears was born August 26, 1942, in Columbus, to Melvin E. and Beatrice McDaniel Spears.

He married Shirley Denny March 17, 1963. He later married Janice S. Lawles Taylor March 26, 1976.

Dale was a U.S. Navy veteran and was the retired owner of Neal Bait Manufacturing.

An avid boxer, Dale was a PAL boxing coach for 27 years and he was a life time member of Indiana Golden Gloves. He enjoyed fishing and watching cooking programs.

Survivors include his wife, Janice; children, Lisha Branum of Columbus, Larry Taylor Jr. (Bobie Riggs) of Martinsville, Louann (Ray) Vaught of Nashville, Teresa Spears (Tony Irvin) of Columbus, Jeff (Melissa) Spears of Columbus and Larry (Angela) Taylor III of Franklin; grandchildren, Justin Branum, Bolarr, Carter, Jordison and Lydia Taylor, Kyle , Brittany and Sierra Vaught, Johnny Cutsinger, Nastassia Powers, Chris and Jana Anderson, Seth and Shelby Spears, Chelsey and Levi England, Alyssa Kinworthy and Cade Bryant; several great-grandchildren; sisters, Joanie Schooler and Janie (Jack) Mullis of Columbus; and several nieces and nephews.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jonathon Dale Spears; a brother; and three sisters.

The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street. Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time Tuesday. Burial will be at Bethel Baptist Cemetery. Full military rites will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children Burn Care.

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

barkesweaverglick.com

Herschel O’Haver

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

Columbus

Herschel W. “Wayne” O’Haver, 90, of Columbus, died at 7:35 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, at Silver Oaks Health Campus on Chappa Drive.

Born in Bartholomew County on Feb. 19, 1926, Wayne was the son of Artie O’Haver Sr. and Elizabeth Bell Coffman Spaugh. He had worked as a car salesman since the 1950s. He began his career with Harrison Ford, downtown which later became Mahan Ford. Mahan Ford later became Renner Ford where he was still currently working.

Wayne graduated from Columbus High School and enjoyed working, cars, squirrel and rabbit hunting. He had served in the U.S. Navy. He always supported veterans in local activities.

Surviving Wayne are his siblings, Delmos (Janie) Gates of Columbus, Nina (Jim) Meals of Gallatin, Missouri, Wendell Scott Spaugh of Lafayette and Kenneth Spaugh of Columbus.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Artie O’Haver Jr. and Donnie Gates.

A funeral service for Wayne will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, at Myers-Reed Chapel on 25th Street with David Burnett officiating. Burial with graveside rites by the Bartholomew County Honor Guard will follow in Garland Brook Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials for Wayne may be directed to the Indy Honor Flight through the AMVETS post 509 here in Columbus.

Online condolences may be sent to Wayne’s family at www.myers-reed.com.

Tom Hutt

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

North Vernon

Tom L. Hutt, 74, of North Vernon, died Saturday, November 5, 2016, at his home.

Survivors include his wife Betty.

Arrangements are incomplete at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral & Cremation Service.

Patricia Frazier

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

Columbus

Patricia J. “Pat” Frazier, 71, of Columbus, died at 3:20 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.

Pat was born November 17, 1944, in Shelby County, to Noles and Norma Creed.

She was a former employee at the Decatur County Welfare Department. She had been a long time member of Shiloh Baptist Church, where she was the church organist for many years.

Pat had a special love for music and all animals.

Survivors include her children, Sherry (Scott) Seavers and Chris (Stacy) Frazier both of Columbus; a granddaughter, Isabella Seavers of Columbus; and brothers, Joel Creed of Franklin and Dennis Creed of Arizona.

Pat was preceded in death by her father, Noles Creed, and her mother, Norma Thompson.

There will be no services. Private burial will be at Blue Ridge Cemetery in Shelby County.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church, 11988 E. State Road 46, Columbus, Indiana 47203 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, New York 10163.

Arrangements were made by Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Frazier family at barkesweaveglick.com.

Mary McCoy

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

North Vernon

Mary Barnes McCoy, 69, of North Vernon, died at 4:39 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016, at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus.

Ms. McCoy is survived by her daughters, Dawn (Mark) Ritchie of North Vernon and Tammy (Robert) Porter of Butlerville; companion, Ransom Caldwell of North Vernon; sister, Betty Pike of North Vernon; brother in-law, Clayton (Ivy) Caldwell of Tallahassee, Florida; sisters-in-law, Garnet Caldwell of South Bend and Mona Leiter of Indianapolis; four grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Brien Barnes.

A funeral service for Ms. McCoy will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday 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 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to service Wednesday at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorials may be made through the funeral home to the American Cancer Society.

Register by Tuesday for ‘Voices for Veterans’

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

“Voices for Veterans,” a USO musical review by The Lasting Impressions with homemade desserts, will be presented at 2 p.m. Friday at Mill Race Center.

Reservations, which are required by Tuesday, can be made by calling the Mill Race Center business office at 812-376-9241.

Admission is free for veterans, $5 for Mill Race Center members and $10 for the general public.

The concert is sponsored by Bob and Helen Haddad.

Local Police, Fire – November 6

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

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

Arrests

Wednesday

Tyler S.M. Roberts, 19, 635 Daugherty St., Bartholomew County warrant, 4:49 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Daniel L. Stone, 34, Seymour, Bartholomew County warrant, 5:43 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Jessi E. Baldwin, 34, 3841 Villa Drive, Columbus, possession of methamphetamine, conversion and legend drug-injection devices, 8:57 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, released on $20,000 bond.

Adrian L. Jenkins, 46, 5566 Denois St., Bartholomew County warrant, 11:18 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $7,500 bond.

Denise L. Bruton, 50, 2701 Rosedale Drive, Columbus, theft and body attachment, 11:27 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $5,250 bond.

Thursday

Joban Rodriguez-Nava, 29, Boulder, Colorado, operating a vehicle while intoxicated-endangerment, operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of .15 percent or more, operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license, failure to stop after an accident and an out-of-county warrant, 3:41 a.m., by the Indiana State Police, held with no bond.

Jacqueline M. Smith, 51, 6027 Brandermill Ridge, Columbus, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with previous convictions, 7:18 a.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, released on $2,500 bond.

Daniel L. Robbins, 37, 1021 Countryside Court, Columbus, probation violation, 10:11 a.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Dustin M. Wise, 28, P.O. Box 53, Columbus, Bartholomew County warrant, 10:43 a.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $3,500 bond.

William D. Brewer, 24, 2331 Illinois Ave., Columbus, probation violation, 12:01 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Fire, medic runs

Thursday

12:11 a.m. — Person injured in the 3200 block of Northbrook Drive.

2:05 p.m. — Person injured in the 400 block of Vine Street.

4:01 p.m. — Person injured in the 3600 block of Cardinal Court.

Incidents

Thursday

12:25 a.m. — Personal-injury accident in the 8400 block of East 25th Street.

4:26 a.m. — Battery in the 2400 block of West Jonathan Moore Pike.

4:42 a.m. — Personal-injury accident at South Jonesville Road and East Southern Crossing.

6:36 a.m. — Property-damage accident in the 13000 block of U.S. 31 North.

7:34 a.m. — Property-damage accident at Second and Brown streets.

7:40 a.m. — Personal-injury accident in the 100 block of Wolfcreek Road.

7:45 a.m. — Property-damage accident in the 1400 block of 25th Street.

7:52 a.m. — Theft in the 4600 block of Northeastern Boulevard.

7:54 a.m. — Property-damage accident at Fifth and Pearl streets.

8:41 a.m. — Drug violations in the 1600 block of 19th Street.

9:40 a.m. — Damage to property in the 300 block of North Gladstone Avenue.

11:52 a.m. — Property-damage accident at 10th Street and North Gladstone Avenue.

12:18 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 600 block of Franklin Street.

1:01 p.m. — Property-damage accident at 10th Street and Gladstone Avenue.

1:26 p.m.– Sexual assault reported in the 2400 block of 17th Street.

2:24 p.m. — Leaving the scene of a property-damage accident in the 300 block of North Gladstone Avenue.

2:36 p.m. — Damage to property in the 2900 block of North National Road.

2:38 p.m. — Damage to property in the 1200 block of Pearl Street.

3:15 p.m. — Shoplifting reported in the 10000 block of U.S. 31 North.

3:40 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 4600 block of Progress Drive.

4:27 p.m. — Child abuse or neglect reported in the 2900 block of Desoto Way.

4:29 p.m. — Theft reported in the 20 block of Jones Street.

5:02 p.m. — Property-damage accident reported in the 500 block of West Jonathan Moore Pike.

5:07 p.m. — Shots fired at Jenny Lee Street and Fairview Drive.

5:46 p.m. — Theft reported in the 1900 block of 25th Street.

5:59 p.m. — Property-damage accident at 21st and Cherry streets.

6:16 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 1300 block of North National Road.

6:51 p.m. — Burglary reported in the 700 block of Union Street.

8:13 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 50 block of Carr Hill Road.

8:23 p.m. — Shoplifting in the 2900 block of U.S. 31.

8:51 p.m. — Drug violations in the 300 block of Washington Street.

8:53 p.m. — Battery reported in the 400 block of Pence Street.

9:30 p.m. — Property-damage accident at West Carr Hill Road and Charwood Drive.

Regional Hospital, Police – November 6

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Staff Reports

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November 6, 2016

JENNINGS COUNTY

Arrests

Wednesday

Darren Grider, 34, Commiskey, driving while suspended with a prior conviction, 1:43 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $605 bond.

Thursday

Brandon Mecom, 30, North Vernon, warrant, 12:45 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $1,755 bond.

Amber Brooks, 25, Butler, warrant, 12:50 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $1,755 bond.

Curt Thornburg, 34, Columbus, theft, 3:45 p.m., by the North Vernon Police Department, $605 bond.

Angela Brewster, 37, Columbus, warrant and body attachment, 3:47 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $1,548 bond.

Joshua Hudson, 23, North Vernon, escape, 8 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $2,055 bond.

Incidents

Thursday

11:26 a.m. — Suspicious person in the area of Oak Ridge Drive.

2:27 p.m. — Shoplifting reported in the 2400 block of North State Road 3.

6:13 p.m. — Drug paraphernalia located in the 600 block of East Buckeye Street.

9:33 p.m. — Property-damage accident reported in the 800 block of West Walnut Street.