Around Town – November 4

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November 4, 2016

Orchids to …

• the men who came from First Christian Church and other locations near the church on Lafayette Avenue early Wednesday afternoon to help a young woman who was being verbally abused and threatened by an out-of-control man.

• Steve Collins for his letter to the editor, his attempts to voice his concerns and his service to our country as a U.S. Marine.

• Mike at Auto Zone for being wonderfully helpful Wednesday morning.

• Mackenzie Walls and Ashley Janvier for a wonderful job keeping Senora Orr’s memory alive with the Day of the Dead, as it was a great success.

• Viorica Pavlov, an angel and my friend and neighbor, for all of her help and hard work helping me move, as I would never had made it without you, from Nancy R.

• Bill Rose and Denny for your hard work helping me move my heavy furniture, from Sharon.

• all those responsible for Day in a Wheelchair, from a person who is confined to a wheelchair and has experienced the same problems and hopes changes will be made in Columbus.

• Guernsey Plumbing for saving us thousands of dollars, from the Corner Cafe in Hope.

• Debbie Greene, for the delicious soups because you are so sweet and thoughtful and a great cook, from Deanna Wenzler and Karen O’Connor.

Onions to …

• an incompetent assistant manager at the store who was rude and unhelpful with the billable business account purchase.

• city officials who give themselves orchids.

• the teacher who was talking negatively about a student to another teacher in Spanish, not taking into account she was around other students who also speak and understand Spanish.

• those who always seem to be in a big hurry just to get to the next traffic light.

• all the students smoking at the restaurant on their lunch break.

• those who don’t realize I drive below the speed limit to be prepared and cautious of those who will disregard stop signs or run red lights in Columbus.

• those voting for the Democratic presidential candidate.

Happy Birthday to …

• Theresa Handley, from Bethel Baptist Church.

• Jordan Austin, from Brown’s Corner Chapel Church.

• Vicky Mahoney, from Bill.

• Danielle Eberhart, Dinah McCartney, Suzanne McClain, David Wiwi and Emily Burge, from friends at the Moravian Church.

• Josh Shepert, Joseph Kidwell, Sophia Farmer, Cookie Stroup and William Marshall Stone.

• Grover Rogers on No. 5, with love from Grandma Jackie.

• Anna McKinney, from Jean, George, Kathy, Karen, Kim, Joan, Wilma and Mark.

• Jordan Scott, on No. 18, from Mom, Dad, Allison, Matthew and Judy.

• Marlin Brown from Pastor Marvin Brown and Trinity Baptist Church.

Happy Birthday to …

• Eayon Madden on No. 8, from Mommy, Daddy, Sydney, Aunt Tahcia, Uncle Chris, Grams, Granddad, Aunt Ashley, Uncle Mark, Carley and Uncle Jimmy.

Friday Night Lights

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Staff Reports

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November 4, 2016

Whiteland at Columbus East

Game time: 7 p.m.

Records: Columbus East 10-1, Whiteland 6-4

Last week: Columbus East beat Martinsville 49-9, Whiteland beat Franklin 34-0

Last year’s meeting: Columbus East won 28-14

Coaches: Bob Gaddis is 287-132 in his 38th year, including 169-32 in his 16th year at East; Darrin Fisher is 148-121 in his 26th year, including 87-49 in his 12th year at Whiteland

Key players: Columbus East QB Josh Major, RB Jamon Hogan, WR Cam Wilson, OT Jared Clark, C/LB Harry Crider, LB T.C. O’Neal, DB Ethan Summa, DB Wade Forman; Whiteland RB Ryan Hammond, RB Edwin Cisneros, WR Evan Hillman, OL T.J. Singh, DL Ryder Emberton, LB Logan Mullinix, LB Ryan Hahn, LB Gared Kleyn

What to watch for: Last year’s win against the Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak to Whiteland for the Olympians, who had fallen 59-22 in the teams’ previous meeting in 2010. Both teams come into the game with a lot of momentum. The Warriors have won six of seven following an 0-3 start. Class 5A No. 4 East has won nine in a row following a loss at Columbus North the second week of the season.

Prediction: Columbus East 42, Whiteland 14

Center Grove Columbus North

Game time: 7 p.m. today

Records: Columbus North 9-1, Center Grove 9-1

Last week: Columbus North beat New Albany 52-6, Center Grove beat Jeffersonville 62-6

Last year’s meeting: Center Grove won 34-7

Coaches: Tim Bless is 125-87 in his 19th year, including 113-78 in his 17th year at North; Eric Moore is 218-60 in his 22nd year, including 170-55 in his 18th year at Center Grove

Key players: Columbus North QB Triston Perry, RB Mitchell Burton, OT David Redding, DT Coleman Tennyson, DT Hunter Wolford, LB Tucker Payne, WR/CB J.D. Harris, WR/S Harley Huser; Center Grove QB Jack Kellams, RB Russ Yeast, RB Titus McCoy, RB Triston Clark, OL Clay Hadley, DE Dan Root, LB Bailey Bennett, DB Corbin Laque

What to watch for: These two teams have met in the sectional four of the past five years, with the Trojans winning all four times. Class 6A No. 3 Center Grove has won nine in a row following a season-opening loss to Warren Central, which is now ranked No. 1. The 6A No. 6 Bull Dogs are looking for their first sectional title and first 10-win season since 2007, which is the last year they beat the Trojans.

Prediction: Columbus North 23, Center Grove 20

Local Police, Fire – November 4

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Staff Reports

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November 4, 2016

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

Arrests

Monday

Riley T. A. Shoultz, 29, 1609 Franklin St., Columbus, false informing, Bartholomew County warrant and body attachment, 3:39 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held in lieu of $15,000 bond.

Shantez L. Drane, 19, Indianapolis, theft, 4:18 p.m., by the Edinburgh Police Department, released on $5,000 bond.

Josh L. Szyszkiewicz, 32, 1714 Chandler Lane, Columbus, out-of-county warrant, 6:05 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Hugh A. Reynolds Jr., 39, Seymour, Bartholomew County warrant, 6:31 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $3,500 bond.

Terry A. Barnhart, 34, 6780 W. County Road 450S, Columbus, Bartholomew County warrant, 7 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Elizabeth N. Axsom, 26, 2629 37th St., Columbus, theft, 7:24 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $5,000 bond.

Tommy L. Nichols, 39, Bartholomew County warrant, 7:53 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Dominique M. E. Nichols, 21, 729 Fourth St., Columbus, out-of-county warrant, 8:04 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held with no bond.

Jeffrey S. Brogan Jr., 23, Greensburg, body attachment, 8:24 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $1,280.36 cash bond.

William R. L. Johnson, 23, 1538 Pearl St., Columbus, domestic battery, 9:15 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held in lieu of $7,500 bond.

Daniel S. Roberts, 29, 412 Smith St., Columbus, possession of a controlled substance, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license and criminal recklessness with a vehicle, 9:53 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $15,000 bond.

Steven W. Minor, 62, 2614 E. Main Cross St., Columbus, operating a vehicle while intoxicated — endangerment, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct, 10:40 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, released on $13,500 bond.

Tuesday

Jacob A. Perry, 28, 2055 Thriving Drive, Columbus, possession of paraphernalia, public intoxication, legend drug injection devices and possession of cocaine or narcotic drug, 2:10 a.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on $21,000 bond.

Miguel Teles-Xique, 21, Shelbyville, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .15 percent or more and operating without ever receiving a license — with previous conviction, 8:45 a.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, released on $7,500 bond.

Fire, medic runs

Tuesday

5:59 a.m. — Structure fire in the 1000 block of Pennsylvania Street.

6:43 a.m. — Injury in the 1000 block of California Street.

6:52 a.m. — Unconscious person in the 1800 block of West County Road 450S.

8:41 a.m. — Injury in the 3500 block of North Indianapolis Road.

9:03 a.m. — Unconscious person in the 13000 block of U.S. 31 North.

9:10 a.m. — Injury in the 2500 block of West Farmstead Drive.

12:09 p.m. — Unconscious person in the 4900 block of North County Road 150W.

3:20 p.m. — Injury in the 1300 block of Sycamore Street.

4:33 p.m. — Structure fire in the 3200 block of Country Brook Street.

7:44 p.m. — Injury in the 8100 block of East County Road 450N.

9:59 p.m. — Structure fire in the 14000 block of South County Road 725W.

11:34 p.m. — Injury in the 4900 block of Anna Maria Drive.

Incidents

Tuesday

12:24 a.m. — Drug violations in the 2400 block of Charleston Place.

5:30 a.m. — Property-damage accident in the 3400 block of West County Road 450S.

7:25 a.m. — Subject refusing to leave in the 1100 block of Seventh Street.

7:41 a.m. — Property-damage accident in the 600 block of Third Street.

7:42 a.m. — Leaving the scene of an accident in the 4000 block of West Goeller Boulevard.

8:18 a.m. — Mischief or vandalism in the 1800 block of 21st Street.

9:05 a.m. — Theft reported in the 5200 block of South Poplar Drive.

10:00 a.m. — Property damage in the 500 block of Central Avenue.

10:18 a.m. — Property damage in the 800 block of Lindsey Street.

10:57 a.m. — Fraud in the 2100 block of Midway Street.

11:06 a.m. — Theft reported in the 3300 block of Deerbrook Drive.

12:16 p.m. — Fraud in the 2200 block of Poshard Drive.

12:28 p.m. — Shoplifting in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

12:34 p.m. — Property-damage accident at the intersection of 25th Street and Griffa Avenue.

1:57 p.m. — Shoplifting in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

2:16 p.m. — Protective order violation in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

2:50 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 1500 block of U.S. 31 North.

4:47 p.m. — Property damage in the 600 block of Fourth Street.

4:51 p.m. — Shoplifting in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

5:05 p.m. — Fraud in the 3500 block of 10th Street.

5:30 p.m. — Drug violations at the intersection of South Wolfcreek and West Youth Camp roads.

5:34 p.m. — Residential burglary in the 2700 block of East Kimberly Court.

5:41 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 2400 block of Beam Road.

7:42 p.m. — Property damage at the intersection of 25th Street and Jordan Drive.

7:44 p.m. — Property damage in the 1400 block of Sycamore Street.

7:51 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 2200 block of Kreutzer.

7:55 p.m. — Subject refusing to leave in the 3400 block of West Jonathan Moore Pike.

8:17 p.m. — Attempted theft in the 200 block of North Gladstone avenue.

8:24 p.m. — Shoplifting in the 2100 block of State Street.

8:51 p.m. — Battery at the intersection of 12th and Chestnut streets.

9:15 p.m. — Theft reported in the 100 block of South Hinman Street.

10:13 p.m. — Protective order violation in the 2200 block of Newton Street.

11:07 p.m. — Attempted theft in the 2900 block of U.S. 31 North.

Loretta Hicks

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Staff Reports

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November 4, 2016

Columbus

Loretta W. Hicks, 65, of Columbus, died Nov. 2, 2016, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.

She was born Dec. 13, 1950, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Virginia and Ralph Thompson.

Loretta was raised in Carrollton, Kentucky, where she met and married William A. “Bill” Hicks on February 22, 1969. They moved to Indiana where they resided along with their family for the last several years.

Loretta was a 16-year breast cancer survivor. She enjoyed caring for people, always doing more for others than she ever did for herself. An LPN, she worked at Hickory Creek of Columbus for over 20 years, as well as Keepsake Village and Silver Oaks. She loved the residents and her co-workers and spoke fondly of them often.

She loved mystery shows, country cooking and being with her grandchildren.

Loretta is survived by her children, Lorie Hicks, Jennifer (Cary) Carmer and Matthew (Joanna) Hicks, all of Columbus. She had eight grandchildren that she loved very much and who will greatly miss their “Nana,” Austin (Melissa) Hicks, Connor Holcomb, Cayden, Chloe, Ashley and Tyler Carmer, Gabriel and Hunter Hicks; a brother, Wayne Thompson of Carrollton, Kentucky; a nephew, Anthony Thompson of Columbus; a niece, Alisha Thompson of South Carolina; and several cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband July 11, 2013.

In keeping with our mother’s wishes, cremation is planned and a private family service will be held.

Hathaway-Myers Chapel on Pearl Street is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hathaway-myers.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.

www.hathaway-myers.com

Christina Mitchell

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November 4, 2016

North Vernon

Christina Kreutzjans Mitchell, 82, of North Vernon, died at 1:25 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, at Lutheran Community Home.

Survivors include six children, Michael (Nancy) Kreutzjans, Paul (Kim) Kreutzjans, Jovita Williams, Karen (Kevin) Begeman, Marie (Scott) Rayburn and Loretta (Paul) Nelson; a sister, Carol Ramsey of Evansville; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren Mitchell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Ann Catholic Church with the Rev. Jerry Byrd officiating. Calling will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral & Cremation Service in North Vernon, with a Rosary service beginning at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be at St. Ann Cemetery.

Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Schneck Hospice or Mercy Rescue.

Marianna Beckett

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November 4, 2016

Greensburg

Marianna Mayme Beckett, 76, of Greensburg, passed away at 10:28 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016, at her residence. She was born July 7, 1940, in Greensburg, the daughter of Casper and Claris (Hawkins) Wilmer.

A lifelong resident of Decatur County, she graduated from Burney High School in 1958. Marianna worked at Greensburg Community Schools for 18 years and as a florist at Knueven’s IGA for 18 years. She was a member of Women of the Moose, Women’s Auxiliary of Greensburg American Legion Post and the Conservation Club. She enjoyed camping, gardening and crocheting.

She married Roger Ray Beckett in Greensburg September 5, 1959, and he survives. Other survivors include her daughters, Jane (Allen) Dance, Mary “Jody” (Carl) Faris and Patty (Ernie) Stephens, all of Greensburg; her sons, David Beckett of Champaign, Illinois, and Eddie (Holly) Beckett of Greensburg; her sisters, Sherry Israel and Kattie Ledford, both of Greensburg, Martha “Cookie” Sneed of Hartsville and Rita Veerkamp of Shelbyville; her brothers, Casper Wilmer of Westport and Norbert Wilmer of Greensburg, Indiana; her 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Margaret Kroger; and brothers, Lowell Wilmer and Chuck Wilmer.

Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2016, at Bass & Gasper Funeral Home in Westport with Pastor Steve Bell officiating. Burial will follow at Union Baptist Cemetery. The family will receive visitors on Sunday from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Our Hospice of Decatur County.

Online condolences can be made to the family at www.bassgasper.com.

Mary McCoy

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Staff Reports

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November 4, 2016

North Vernon

Mary McCoy, 69, of North Vernon, died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, in Columbus.

Arrangements are incomplete at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon.

Robert Lay Jr.

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November 4, 2016

Maryland

Robert E. Lay Jr., 86, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, died Oct. 30, 2016, at Fenwick Landing Senior Care Community in Waldorf, Maryland.

He is survived by sons, Michael Robert Lay and David Thomas Lay; a daughter, Karen Mary Reese; sisters, Margaret Stambaugh of Columbus and Ethel Matlock-Kuehn of Seymour; eight grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Mayes Lay.

Funeral service was to be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Mechanicsville, with Pastor Steve Humphrey officiating, followed by burial at the church cemetery.

Letter: Supreme Court most important consideration

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November 4, 2016

From: Don Strietelmeier

Hope

There are many imperfect people in the world. Four of them are running for president of the United States.

Two of the candidates must be near perfect since we don’t hear much about them. The other two representing the two major political parties have all kinds of various faults based on news reports, campaign ads and domestic and world events.

For this election especially, many people have thought, “Is this the best we have to offer?” Of all the decent and able people we have in this country, why can’t we have a decent and able person at the top of the ticket?

There are many decent and able people well qualified to serve, but they don’t care to put themselves and their family through such scrutinizing and possible outrageous charges.

This time through the primary process voters chose a career politician and a celebrity.

In making my decision, I will try to overlook the imperfections and base my choice on what each has proposed on how it will affect the future and security of our country.

Perhaps the most important consideration, and one which will determine the direction of our country for decades, would be nominees to the Supreme Court.

Questioned on this, Hillary Clinton answered that she would nominate someone who would in my words “listen to the people for what they want at the time,” or put another way, legislate through the court.

Mr. Trump answered that he would nominate someone committed to upholding the Constitution. Huge difference.

On foreign affairs, Hillary has had years of experience as secretary of state and the violent loss of life and refugee problems are worse than it’s ever been with no clear strategy to defeat ISIS.

Trump has not been a political figure on the world stage, but he says he will bring back respect for the United States, reduce America’s share of protecting countries who have the resources to pay more, and he would secure our borders.

In a speech in Brazil, Clinton said she was for open borders. Questioned on this during the third debate, she answered that she was referring to an electric grid. I see no connection.

Our military has become smaller with much of our weaponry out of date over the past seven years. Clinton makes no sign of changing course. Trump says he will build up our military and take better care of veterans.

On jobs, Mrs. Clinton added 25,000 employees to the state department payroll. Trump created thousands of private-sector jobs.

Lastly, but still just as important, is the significant advantage Trump has with his running mate. Mike Pence provides a strong conservative voice on fiscal and ethical issues and he is well respected in the U.S. House and Senate.

Letter: United States works best with God as leader

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November 4, 2016

From: Jewel Fleetwood

Columbus

The United States of America was founded for certain freedoms and to give God, our creator, his rightful place among us. My question: today, as a nation, what are we?

First, some notable sayings from early Americans.

George Washington: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”

Abraham Lincoln: “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”

Patrick Henry: “The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”

U.S. Grant: “The Bible is the sheer anchor of our liberties.”

Robert E. Lee: “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.”

Andrew Jackson: “That book, sir, is the rock on which our Republic rests.”

Horace Greeley: “It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”

Back to the question: who or what are we as a nation?

First, we are the perishing. Why do we perish? We perish because of sin. Our time on earth is limited to let us be and become until we rise to our level of incompetence or as God has obtained us. Mentally we know this, but subconsciously we try to bury these thoughts, and now it seems, we want to decide what is best for ourselves. How do we do this?

Some who want things their way raise loud and continuous voices until they have someone in power, usually legally, to agree with them. Then there is a law and/or regulation passed, stating that if we do not obey the law or regulation, fines would be levied.

It is most interesting to me that some of us, especially in the election year, have forgotten God and the foundation God gave us, the holy Bible.

I want to believe there are those Americans and others who still have an obedient heart to the gospel and have righteousness implanted into the very marrow of their bones, never to be persuaded to give in to evil, worldly pleasures.

Wake up, America! God is our refuge, our redeemer, our protector. God can do mighty and marvelous things through us if we will ask and let him.

Indeed, Jesus himself has said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him who believeth.” (Mark 9:23)

We all could very well be amazed and surprised what God will do if we ask him to forgive us for the errors of our ways and then to heal our land.

Yes, I firmly believe with God leading us we can and will remain the most envied nation among nations.