A pair of events aimed at helping area children are scheduled for next weekend.

The 13th annual Jennings County Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser is set for Saturday, February 20. The 22nd annual Jackson County Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser to benefit the local Big Brothers Big Sisters program will be held on Sunday, February 21. Both events will be held at Kingpins Bowl in Seymour. Saturday’s bowling times are 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday’s bowling times are 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Last year nearly $17,000 was raised through Bowl for Kids’ Sake in Jennings County. Organizers say the goal is to raise $18,000 through this year’s event, and all proceeds benefit the Big Brothers Big Sister mentoring programs and program expansion efforts in Jennings County.

Last year’s event in Jackson County raised over $32,000, say organizers there. They add that the goal is to raise $35,000 through this year’s event, with all proceeds benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sister mentoring programs and program expansion efforts in Jackson County.

To participate, individuals are asked to organize a four-member bowling team. For the Jennings County event, you are asked raise a minimum of $35 per person. Players for the Jackson County event are asked to raise a minimum of $45 per person. In addition, all collections are to be brought it on the of the event. Organizers say that each bowler will receive one hour and fifteen minutes of free bowling, free shoe rental, free pizza and soft drinks, a Bowl For Kids’ Sake t-shirt and the chance to win door prizes. They add that there are extra incentive prizes for those who raise more than the minimum amount. There will also be a silent auction, and other prizes.

For more on these events, visit the Facebook page of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Indiana.

The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) has announced the promotion of seven officers. CFD Captain Mike Wilson explains that the promotions of three Captains and four Lieutenants is due to recent retirements, as well as changes to the fire department administration that took place at the beginning of the year.

Wilson says that Captain Brian Snyder retired from CFD in January after serving 31 years. Also retiring in January 2016, was Lieutenant Dana Parks, who served CFD for 22 years.

Wilson says that Lieutenant Steve Yeley has been promoted to the rank of Captain. Yeley is a 24-year veteran of the department with certifications including; Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Officer Strategy and Tactics certified, Hazardous Materials Technician, Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Technician and is aircraft rescue-firefighter certified.

Lieutenant Jeff Cain has been promoted to the rank of Captain. Wilson says that Cain is a 22-year veteran of the department with certifications including; Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Officer Strategy and Tactics, Hazardous Materials Technician and is aircraft rescue-firefighter certified.

Lieutenant Rusty Thompson has been promoted to the rank of Captain. Wilson says that Thompson is a 19-year veteran of the department with certifications including; Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Officer Strategy and Tactics certified, Hazardous Materials Technician, Rope Rescue Technician, Swift Water Rescue Technician, Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Technician and is aircraft rescue-firefighter certified.

Firefighter Jim Miller has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Wilson says that Miller is a 19-year veteran of the department. Lt. Miller is an Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials Technician and is aircraft rescue-firefighter certified.

Firefighter Eric Darlage has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Wilson says that Darlage is a 17-year veteran of the department. Lt. Darlage is a Paramedic Technician, Hazardous Materials Technician, Rope Recue Technician, Swift Water Rescue Technician, Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Technician, Confined Space Rescue Technician and is aircraft rescue-firefighter certified.

Firefighter Shawn McNealy has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Wilson says that McNealy is a 15 year veteran of the department. Lt. McNealy is an Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials Technician and is Fire Officer Strategy and Tactics certified.

Firefighter Yancey Murphy has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Wilson says that Murphy is a 15 year veteran of the department. Lt. Murphy is an Emergency Medical Technician, Hazardous Materials Technician, Rope Rescue Technician and a Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Technician.

Fire Chief Mike Compton expressed his satisfaction with the recent promotions. Chief Compton, along the administrative Board of Chiefs, interviewed 32 officer candidates before announcing their selection for promotions. Chief Compton said, “The quality of the field of applicants gives us great hope for the future of the Columbus Fire Department. We are fortunate to have so many talented and supportive people wanting to help the department move forward.”

A Jennings County Sheriff’s Deputy and two other Jennings County residents were arrested Wednesday in connection with an altercation that took place near Butlerville last summer.

Indiana State Police (ISP) Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says that Detective Kip Main began the investigation on Aug. 8 when ISP were contacted to investigate an alleged battery that took place at a grocery store during a memorial motorcycle ride. The alleged victim, Jason Earl, told police that he was battered by the Deputy, 26-year-old Cody Low, along with Low’s father-in-law, 43-year-old Jeffery Royce, and 26-year-old Jeremy Littrell. The Lows are residents of North Vernon, while Litrell is listed as living in Scipio.

ISP investigators say the investigation determined that Royce allegedly became angry at Earl for urinating in front of Royce’s wife. Royce then allegedly battered Earl. A short time later, Low and Littrell allegedly learned about the earlier incident and confronted Earl, leading to another battery. Investigators say that Earl was allegedly injured during both altercations.

Wheeles says that once the investigation was completed, the case was turned over to a special prosecutor due to Cody Low being employed as a Jennings County Sheriff’s Deputy. After reviewing the case, he explains that the special prosecutor ultimately filed charges against Low, Royce, and Littrell. All three men reportedly turned themselves in to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.

Low was arrested on a warrant for Battery and Public Intoxication. Royce was arrested on a warrant for Battery with Bodily Injury. Littrell is facing charges of Strangulation and Public Intoxication. ISP investigators add that as a result of the investigation, Earl was also cited for Public Intoxication and will be forced to appear in court on that charge. After being booked into the Jennings County Jail, all three men were released on bond.

As of this time, there has been no comment from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department about Deputy Low’s status with the department.

A Columbus couple is under arrest after allegedly passing counterfeit bills at a Johnson County motel.

Johnson County Sheriff Doug Cox says that 29-year-old Christine M. Pettit and 20-year-old James M. Purdue, both of 733 Pearl Street in Columbus, were arrested Tuesday after an investigation going back to early January. They are facing preliminary charge of forgery.

According to a police report, deputies were called to the Hilltop Motel on a report of counterfeit money passed to a pizza delivery driver at the motel. The motel’s owner and son also talked to the officer about suspicious money used to pay for rent. The deputy said that a $20 bill and a $10 bill used for rent appeared to be fake.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is warning of an imposter pretending to be a police officer who stopped a driver on Interstate 65 this morning.

The man was on his way to work on Interstate 65 just south of Columbus when a black Dodge Charger with red and blue flashing lights pulled him over. The man in the Charger demanded the driver’s license and registration but the driver noticed that the supposed officer was not wearing a badge. When the driver asked for a police ID, the impersonater attempted to open the car door and the victim drove away.

According to the sheriff’s department, all legitimate law enforcement officers will have and will provide official identification when asked.

Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann is resigning, with former Mitch Daniels chief of staff Eric Holcomb nominated to replace her and to serve as Gov. Mike Pence’s running mate this fall.

Our news-gathering partners at Network Indiana are reporting that Ellspermann has been eying the open presidency of Ivy Tech since last fall, and Gov. Pence has enthusiastically touted her qualifications for the post. But Ivy Tech’s board may not choose the school’s new president until June.

Ellspermann says she wishes the timing had lined up better, but says Pence needs a smooth transition. And House Speaker Brian Bosma had said he’d prefer to see Ellspermann’s status resolved before the legislature’s adjournment March 14, to avoid the need for a special session to confirm a replacement.

Ellspermann will set a date for her resignation after legislative leaders schedule Holcomb’s confirmation vote.

Ellspermann and Pence dismiss speculation that her departure is a result of policy disagreements.

Ellspermann wouldn’t say directly whether she’d have wanted to stay if the Ivy Tech job hadn’t opened. She says she and Pence agreed Ivy Tech is “an even better seat on the bus” to serve the state.

Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) says he wishes Holcomb the best, but says legislators need to “thoroughly vet” his selection. He calls Ellspermann’s resignation “a blow to diversity.”

Columbus city officials are changing the parking time limits on the spots in front of the Post Office on Jackson Street.

Those spaces will now be only 15 minutes. They had been changed to three-hour spots during the construction of the parking garage at Fourth and Jackson streets but were never changed back after the garage opened.

The Board of Public Works and Safety approved the change yesterday morning.

There is still time to voice your opinion on new rules being proposed for confined feeding operations on farms in Bartholomew County.

The county plan commission is holding a hearing this morning on the issue. That will be immediately after the commission’s regular meeting, which starts at 8:30 a.m. at Columbus City Hall in the meeting hall.

A look at the daily police blotter illustrates it, but Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers confirms that there continues to be a drug problem in the county.

Myers was in attendance for Tuesday night’s meeting of the Bartholomew County Council. He was there to support a $48,745 grant aimed at addressing drug abuse in the county, particularly among the youth. Myers notes that the Joint Narcotic Task Force, which includes the Sheriff’s Department, Columbus Police and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office, is paying dividends. He adds that not only is the task force making arrests, but it’s also gathering valuable intelligence in the fight against drug addiction.

Myers, in supporting the grant, stresses that education is key. He says that includes educating local leaders about the realities of the drug problems in Columbus and Bartholomew County. While the Sheriff was unable to give specifics at this time, he says there are plans in place to provide a presentation to county council members illustrating those very points during a work session in March. Council members indicated that they are very interested in hearing the presentation and asking questions.

Poor weather and equipment logistics has postponed bridge work in Franklin. Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Spokesman Harry Maginity says that their contractor will again try to set I-beams at Interstate 65’s bridge over State Road 44 at mile marker 90 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Maginity stresses that traffic will not be impacted until Friday. On that day, he says that a series of short-term closures of State Road 44 are tentatively scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Maginity says that State Road 44 will be closed in both directions in 20-minute intervals while 80-foot-long steel beams are extended overhead toward the interstate’s median area where additional travel lanes will be constructed later this year.

Maginity says that Indiana State Police will implement four or more 20-minute closures and direct I-65 ramp traffic at the Franklin exit. He adds that there are no plans to close the on and off-ramps. However, weather could continue to play a role, delaying this project further.