FRANKLIN, Ind. - Johnson County Court announced Wednesday, April 29, that Coroner Mike Pruitt has agreed to a plea deal that requires him to resign from his elected position by January 1, 2027. He had been charged with providing alcohol and cannabis gummies to a 17-year-old girl.
Pruitt pleaded guilty to seven counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, all Class A misdemeanors. In addition to being required to resign, the agreement stipulates that he must spend 365 days in jail, with two days served for time already spent, and 363 days suspended to probation.
He must also undergo a mental health evaluation, complete moral reconation therapy, and pay $13,098 in attorney fees associated with a related civil protective order case.
Police originally accused Pruitt of providing alcohol to the teen, as well as a friend, on multiple occasions between May 2024 and July 2025. He was also accused of sending unwanted text messages and tracking her location. The coroner was arrested in October 2025 and subsequently released on bond.
COLUMBUS, Ind. – Portions of 18th and Elm Streets will close in early September for a Columbus City Utilities water tower replacement project scheduled through Sept. 30.
NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) Deputy Alex Campbell was recently on patrol when he saw something approaching that immediately caught his attention. It was a motorcycle and he clocked it at 118 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.
INDIANAPOLIS - Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon was honored last weekend by the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) Indiana Chapter for her leadership in making Columbus a welcoming, inclusive, and resilient community.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Duke Energy power outage in downtown Columbus forced the closure of the Bartholomew County Courthouse and other Columbus City offices on Monday, August 24. About 250 Duke Energy customers were affected.