Daily Journal staff reports
More local homes sold in December and in all of 2012 than during the previous year.
Johnson County home sales increased by about 16 percent for the year and about 45 percent for December, compared with 2011.
The average price homes sold for also increased by about 5 percent, from $145,467 in December 2011 to $153,319 last month,
according to a report from Indianapolis-based F.C. Tucker Co.
All central Indiana counties had increases in home sales in
December and for the year. On average, sales in central Indiana increased about 12 percent for December and about 17 percent for the year, according to the report.
Local home sales had fallen in November compared with 2011 but went back up last month. In Johnson County, 159 homes sold last month compared to 110 sold in
December 2011, the report said.
Johnson County had one of the highest increases in sales, behind an increase of 50 percent in Madison County, the report said.
The number of homes listed for sale in Johnson County fell by about 17 percent, with 739 homes listed for sale last month, compared with 892 for sale in December 2011.
Throughout central Indiana, the number of homes listed for sale was down by more than 18 percent, the report said.
3 face charges after laptops taken from store
Three Columbus residents were arrested Monday after police said they stole laptops from a Greenwood store, took them out to their car and then came back in for more.
Calvin John Dampier, 25, was arrested on charges of theft and possession of drug precursors. Keith Michael Cherry, 24, and Courtney M. Jones, 22, each were arrested on two charges of theft and one charge of possession of drug precursors.
An employee at Walmart in Greenwood told police he saw three people take computers from a case in the store and hide them in a cart under their coats. The employee tried to stop the people, but they left the store and drove away, according to a Greenwood Police Department report.
Surveillance video from the store showed two of the people take two computers from the store and put them in the trunk of their vehicle. They then went back into the store and took more laptops, which is when the employee saw them, the report said.
A police officer stopped the car and found materials used to make methamphetamine in the glove compartment, including pseudoephedrine pills, and keys used to unlock the electronics case,
according to the report. Police have requested a warrant to search the car’s trunk for the laptops, Sgt. Doug Roller said.
All three were arrested and taken to the Johnson County jail.
Dampier, 516 Jewell St., was being held on $6,000 bond. Cherry and Jones, both of 446 Della Road, were being held on $9,000 bond each.
Greenwood man arrested for pain medication fraud
A Greenwood man has been charged with fraud after police said he filled someone else’s prescription for pain medication.
Curtis N. Lindstrom, 30, 1191 Vestman Court, was charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or deceit, according to court records.
Lindstrom reportedly filled and picked up prescriptions for hydrocodone prescribed to a family member last year at Walgreens and CVS on State Road 135,
according to court documents. The family member did not know Lindstrom filled the prescriptions and came home from vacation and had a message from the pharmacy that his prescription was ready, Bargersville assistant chief Todd Bertram said.
Surveillance cameras captured footage of Lindstrom getting the prescription at Walgreens, and an employee at CVS identified his picture, police said.
He was taken to the Johnson County jail, where he was being held on $16,000 bond.
County hires firm to study 911 dispatch fees
County officials have approved hiring a company to figure out how much each community will pay for emergency dispatch services.
As part of a state requirement, the county is consolidating dispatch services into one center, which is expected to cost about $3.2 million per year to manage. Those costs will be divided among the communities that use the center. City and town officials have said they are unsure how they will afford the center’s costs.
On Monday, the commissioners approved spending $4,000 to hire Umbaugh Associates, which will study three options for user fees that would be collected to pay for the center.
The Johnson County 911 board previously proposed the fee
options, which are based on
population, property values and number of 911 calls. Now, the consulting firm will determine how much each community will pay for the three options and how each option would impact the communities’ budgets, Johnson County 911 Executive Director Mike Watkins said.
Once the study is complete, the county council will decide which fee option is most fair to the communities paying for the center, Watkins said.
County zoning board adds 2 new members
Two new members will join a county board that reviews and monitors land use.
The Johnson County Commissioners appointed Charles Canary to join the board of zoning appeals, and the Johnson County Council appointed Louise Jones-Bergdoll.
Canary replaces Melvin Weddle, who was no longer eligible to serve on the board because he moved to Greenwood, county planning director Bryan Pohl said. Board members must live in the unincorporated area of the county, Pohl said. Jones-Bergdoll was named to replace John Norton, whose term ended Dec. 31.
He told the council he would serve again but also liked the idea of having someone new on the board. Jones-Bergdoll said she was interested in serving because there was no woman on the five-member board.
Members of the board serve four year terms, receive a stipend of $50 per meeting and meet once a month or as needed.
Humane Society names board of directors
The Humane Society of Johnson County has announced this year’s board of directors.
Janet Gorrell will serve as president for the second time.
The Franklin resident is a retired teacher and former owner of 3 Sisters Lawn Care.
Matt Cree will serve as vice president. He is an attorney with the Van Valer Law Firm in Greenwood.
Marian Pohley will fill the position of board secretary. She served as executive director of the organization before retiring in 2009.
Pat Stevens will serve as treasurer. Stevens has worked in finance in the private sector and federal government.
County animal shelter plans annual
meeting The Humane Society of Johnson County will conduct the organization’s annual meeting Jan. 29.
The meeting will be 7 to 9 p.m. at the organization’s pet center, 3927 N. Graham Road, Franklin.
RSVPs are not necessary, but appreciated.
Information: 535-6626
Leadership practices focus of workshop
Local professionals can learn about the leadership practices of a Franklin company at a workshop.
Leadership Johnson County and the Johnson County Development Corp. will present “Leaders in Motion” at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at NSK Corp., 3450 Bearing Drive.
Participants will hear an overview of the workplace environment and leadership practices of NSK, followed by an interactive discussion with director of NSK operations Brian Kemple and
local plant managers Jeremy
Peters and Kyle Stiens.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact
Tandy Shuck at tshuck@franklincollege.edu or 738-8264.
YMCA offers diabetes prevention classes
The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis is offering a diabetes prevention class.
The program began Monday at the Baxter YMCA, 7900 S. Shelby St., Indianapolis. New participants can enroll until Feb. 4. Classes will be 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays.
The class helps people with pre-diabetes or who are at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes reduce their risk through modest lifestyle changes.
Participants must be over 18 years of age and have a BMI of 25 or greater.
Risk factors for diabetes include having a family history of Type 2 diabetes, diagnosis of diabetes during pregnancy, being physically active less than two days per week, and being over age 45.
Participants meet as a small group for 16 weeks, led by a certified YMCA lifestyle coach. During the sessions they learn how to make healthier food choices, how to incorporate more physical activity into their daily routine, and how to manage a healthy weight.
A payment plan and sliding scale are available for qualifying participants.
YMCA membership not required. Child care is available for classes conducted during regular hours.
Information: 713-8523; PreventDiabetes@indymca.org; www.OurCauseisYou.org
Make your voice heard at Greenwood meeting
Residents can let Greenwood City Council members know what they think at an upcoming meeting to gather public input.
The city council will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the city building, 2 N. Madison Ave.
Residents can walk into the meeting at any time and offer feedback on any city services or policies.
City leaders want to know what residents think, council member Mike Campbell said.
