The Republic from Columbus, Indiana • Page 1

vv vv a 0 jiOcente REFUB Columbus, Indiana Tuesday, Decembe Football Chimps beat to prevent n. college kids 'V lie B5i holiday pet disasters bf2007 si "5 A I computer game dpons, Page B1 Pet Connection, Page A5 Science, Page B5 0 4 CRH to ask for approval of rezoning for expansion Hospital needs more land to build 62 more private rooms, new emergency department By Paul Minnis pminnistherepublic.com Columbus Regional Hospital's plan to expand its building by feet over the next three years will be mulled during Wednesday's Columbus Plan Commission fe iQ mr 'wmitf-fV-f''" meeting. Hospital leaders If you go What: Columbus Plan will ask the commis Vr Commission meeting. sioners to support Wh wednes-their plan to rezone wen. 4 p.m.

weanes about eight acres, Where: City Hall Council from single-family and institutional uses A to special uses, city Agenda highlight: Dio rt Rezone 7.8 acres for SrS Columbus Regional Hospital Director The Republic photos by Joel Philippsen Zachariah Blanton, 18, is escorted down Jackson County Courthouse steps Monday, afternoon after he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness. Blanton is guilty of firing a rifle from an overpass of Interstate 65 near Seymour, killing Jerry L. Ross, 40, of New Albany and injuring an Iowa man traveling in a separate vehicle July 23, 2006. expansion. Bergman said, would Approval a recommendation to Columbus City serve as ODDEM SGSHjDffl! mmmm mm nsm sj jacKson By Kirk Johannesen johannesentherepublic.com BROWNSTOWTf A teenager accused of killing one County 1 vldoo man and wounding another sniper-style on Interstate 65 will avoid murder charges under a plea agreement accepted Monday.

Zachariah Blanton, 18, of Gaston, was accused of killing Jerry L. Ross, 40, of New Albany, and wounding Robert Hartl, of Exira, Iowa, on July 23, 2006, when he riusekuiui Rick Poynter answers questions from reporters at Jackson County Courthouse, Monday afternoon. 63. Uierepubiic.com Council, which has final authority. CRH wants to build at least 62 private patient rooms and a new emergency department to enhance its patients' quality of care.

Officials have said private rooms reduce the possibility of infection from another patient, (See CRH on Back Page) Autopsy shows hunter died of heart attack Staff Reports An autopsy revealed that a Greensburg hunter who died in Columbus succumbed to a heart attack. Initial reports indicated the cause of death was accidental strangulation. Ronnie D. Tempest, 52, was dead before he fell from a tree and got entangled in his hunting harness in woods of South Crossing Lane, said Bartholomew County Coroner Larry Fisher. "There is no indication that he was alive and struggled once he fell," said Fisher after an autopsy was conducted Monday.

"His harness was on correctly," Fisher added. A preliminary report from Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department indicated that Tempest had been strangled after he fell and became entangled in his hunting harness. Tempest was part of a hunting group that split up at 10:30 a.m. to hunt in the woods for the day. The group's other members discovered Tempest's body around 4 p.m.

fired a rifle into traffic on Interstate 65 from an overpass near Seymour. Blanton had been charged with murder, attempted (See SNIPER on Back Page) 1 1 Victim's family upset with agreement won't be tried for murdering Ross. That charge was amended to voluntary manslaughter with a deadly weapon, to which Blanton agreed. It is a Class A felony that carries a sentence of 20 to 50 years in prison. Murder carries a 45- to 65-year sentence.

"This really isn't what we had in mind," said Terry Ross, the twin brother of Jerry, who was driving the truck when the bullet hit it. Terry described his brother as a good guy to a crowd of reporters. The brothers were returning home to New Albany after visiting friends in Indianapolis when Blanton fired his rifle into (See VICTIM on Page A3) By Kirk Johannesen jonannesentherepublic.com BROWNSTOWN Standing outside Jackson County Courthouse in the wind and cold Monday, friends and family of Jerry Ross protested a plea agreement they believe doesn't deliver sufficient punishment for Zachariah Blanton. Under the plea agreement, Blanton Columbus Mayor E.A.Welmer, fore front, leads mem' Experts foresee changing constitution arduous task bers of Downtown Development Association on Copies of 'Steps' still available Staff Reports Copies of the pictorial essay "Bartholomew County: Steps Through Time" are available at The Republic to be picked up or purchased. The 128-page hard-cover volume is a chronological collection of photos centering on Bartholomew County institutions and people.

Photos span the late 19th century to the present but the majority covers 1950 to 1990 when the com- (See STEPS on Page A3) "Clean Sweep" march up ington Street In this scene from the 1960s. It Is featured In "Bartholomew County: Steps Through Time." By Paul Minnis pminnistherepublic.com I. Changing the state constitution to reflect r-r and ultimately protect Gov. Mitch Daniels' proposed property tax changes would prove a challenging and lengthy job. State officials wanted it that way so the constitution could not "change on a whim, said Mary Jane Michalak of Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.

Daniels' plan would cap property tax (See TASK on Page A3) Connect The Republic TODAY Commons on the mezzanine level. The group will explain its purpose and create messages youth can spread to their peers. Snacks will be provided. Information: Kate Connor, youth tobacco program coordinator, 375-3406 or Obituaries, Page All Ronald Fred Bartes, 67, Wabash. William "Matt" Knapp, 27, Columbus.

Jimmie D. Miller, 74, Brown-stown. Marell "Mo" Rhoades, 54, Decatur County. Patricia Ann Rlster, 64, South Jonesville Road. Amanda J.

Roberts, 77, Veeder-sburg. Joe W. Smith, 79, North Denny Street. Ronnie Tempest, 52, HIGH: 46 LOW: 28 Forecast: Sunny. MAP, PAGE AU Awards may be picked up 8 a.m.

to 5 p.m. this week at Donner Center. SEWER OVERFLOW: Sunday, sewage waste mixed with storm runoff entered the waterways directly at the Jackson Street location and might be in the rivers several days. Anyone who swims, wades or ingests this water, might become ill. -Source: Columbus City Utilities.

ANTISMOKING YOUTH: A youth-led anti-smoking group called VOICE will be launched at 7 p.m. Monday with an informational meeting at The Thought for the day "People who have what they want are fond of telling people who haven't what they want that they really don't want it." Ogden Nash American humorist 1902-1972 Index Around Town A2 Business Classifieds Comics B6 Lotteries Movies B5 Opinion Sports B1-3 TV Listings B4 Weather 2 GOOD MORNING! AND THE PARADE WINNERS ARE: Winning entries in the annual Festival of Lights Parade over the weekend Dec. 1 were: Best Overall Catch-A-Star Performing Arts Center. Best Use of Lights Face and Body Day Spa. Best Children's Entry Scipio Junior Troop 73.

Best Nonfloat Columbus North High School Band. Best Equine Cindy, Denny and Demi Oakes with Santa Claus sleigh. Best Locally Built Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. 1 Inside STAR MOURNED: Thousands filled a university arena for Sean Taylor's funeral with his coach praising his "excitement for life." Story, Page B1 'itf Looklng ahead Wednesday Health news arid notes. Thursday Zone.

Friday NASCAR. (c) 2007 Th Republic USPS 463-060.