Local Briefs

Amity man arrested

in domestic dispute

An Amity man was arrested after his wife told police he put his arm around her throat.

Derek Weisend, 25, 5770 E. County Road 300S, was arrested on charges of domestic battery, strangulation and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

A woman reported at 1:30 a.m. Sunday that Weisend put his arm around her throat and squeezed.

While strangulation means the act of killing by squeezing the throat, Indiana law defines it as intentionally applying pressure to another person’s throat.

Police noticed that a hole was punched in a wall, drawers and items from several rooms were strewn around the house and cabinet doors were missing from the kitchen, according to a Johnson County Sheriff’s Office report.

Weisend was attempting to leave the home in his vehicle when police arrived. He failed sobriety tests at the scene, according to the report.

Erratic driving leads

to arrest in Ninevah

A Nineveh man was arrested after police said he hit telephone poles with a stolen truck, drove through several yards and almost a hit a man driving a moped.

Michael Smith, 31, 7314 Marshall Drive, was arrested on charges of driving while suspended with a previous conviction, criminal recklessness with a vehicle, theft of a vehicle and intimidation of a law enforcement officer.

According to a Johnson County Sheriff’s office report, Smith left the home of an acquaintance in the 7300 block of Marshall Drive in Nineveh on Friday night. Witnesses reported he drove through yards and hit a power box, telephone pole and a tree.

He also almost struck a 21-year-old man driving a moped, according to the report.

He reportedly was driving the truck without the owner’s permission, police said.

Mental illness alliance offers support group

A support program for family of people with mental illness begins this week at Mount Pleasant Christian Church.

The 12-session series of classes will start Wednesday at Mount Pleasant Christian Church at 381 N. Bluff Road in Greenwood. The classes will meet from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

The Family to Family Education Program is offered through the National Alliance of Mental Illness.

The course will cover information about schizophrenia, mood disorders (bipolar disorder and major depression), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, coping skills such as handling crisis and relapse; basic information about medications; listening and communication techniques; problem-solving skills; recovery and rehabilitation; and self-care around worry and stress.

The curriculum has been written by an experienced family member and mental health professional.

To register, contact NAMI at 257-7517 or email info@nami

indy.org.

Informational meeting

on public access set

Residents, elected officials and anyone interested can attend an informational session on public access laws this month.

Indiana Public Access Counselor Joe Hoage will lead the discussion on public access laws and how to follow them.

The meeting will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Beeson Hall, 396 Branigin Blvd., Franklin.

The meeting is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Local artists sought

for fall church festival

Artists are wanted for the SS. Francis and Clare Fall Festival Art in the Park.

The festival will be from noon to dusk Sept. 29 at SS. Francis and Clare Roman Catholic Church, 5901 W. Olive Branch Road, in the Center Grove area.

The festival will include local artists’ work for display and sale, wine tastings and live music.

For more information or to get an application, contact Rory Small at rorysmall@yahoo.com.

Library seeking grant

for literacy program

Greenwood Public Library supporters can vote online to help the library win a $5,000 grant that will enhance literacy programs.

The library is asking its supporters to vote online to help it become one of the most nominated libraries. The Read! Build! Play! grants are offered through LEGO DUPLO and the Association for Library Services to Children.

Voting is open through Oct. 1 at readbuildplay.com, where libraries are ranked by the number of vote nominations they receive.

Entries sought for

teen film festival

Calling all area teen filmmakers: Entries are wanted for the 2012 Teen Film Festival.

The festival is open to teens in Grades 9 to 12. Entries are due by Nov. 2. The festival is set for Nov. 15.

The festival is being organized by the Johnson County Public Library, the Greenwood Public Library and Greenwood Community High School.

For information, call teen services librarian Erin Kirchoff at 885-1330 or visit greenwoodlibrary.us/teenfilmfestival.asp.