Naming part of Interstate 65 “John Mellencamp Way” would happen if some lawmakers are able to get it passed at the state house.

Our news-gathering partners at Network Indiana report that a resolution passed the House yesterday and is now on its way to the Senate to name I-65 John Mellencamp Way from Exits 34 to 50 in southern Jackson County.

Mellencamp grew up in Seymour.

A Hope man was arrested on drunk-driving charges after a traffic stop early this morning.

Columbus Police Lt. Matt Harris says that an officer saw a vehicle change lanes without a turn signal on 25th Street near National Road at about 3:20 a.m. While speaking with the driver, 37-year-old Joseph M. Lewis, the officer detected an odor of alcohol, Harris said.

Sobriety tests revealed that Lewis allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .22 percent, nearly three times the legal limit. He was arrested on a charge of operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .15 percent or greater.

The Columbus City Council will be taking more time to consider changes to the city’s animal control ordinance dealing with livestock in city limits and other issues. Council members originally said the ordinance changes would be considered tonight, but now those are being pushed back.

City Councilman Frank Miller is heading up the council committee looking at changes to the ordinance. He said at the last council meeting two weeks ago that the issue grew out of concerns about chickens in the city limits. But Miller said he believes the city needs to take a more comprehensive look at the city’s ordinance and not rush through immediate changes.

Last year, the discussion of a draft ordinance was tabled for 90 days. Rather than bring the issue up again tonight, the council formed a committee of Miller, Elaine Wagner and Dascal Bunch to look into changes to the city ordinance.

Lower interest rates have given Columbus leaders an opportunity to improve the city’s financial position.

The city of Columbus will be moving ahead with a proposal to refinance up to $9.75 million in bonds that were used back in 2007 to build the Jackson Street parking garage. The plan is to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest by refinancing those bonds with today’s lower interest rates. Mayor Jim Lienhoop said he asked the city’s financial advisers to look at all of the city’s debts to see if there are savings to be found. They determined that this refinancing plan is a good opportunity.

Anneliese Williams, with Barnes & Thornburg, appeared before the Columbus Redevelopment Commission Monday night to discuss the resolution to refinance the two bonds. The resolution would allow up to $9.75 million to be refinanced, though Williams says the actual figure should be closer to $8.9 million. She explains that they purposely made the figures higher to give them a “cushion” that would allow them the ability to work on the plan without having to constantly adjust figures as interest rates fluctuate. Under the plan, the city would see a net saving of approximately $684,000, based on current interest rates.

Representatives from the city’s financial advisers, Reedy Financial, as well as legal advisers, Barnes and Thornburg, would be paid out of the proceeds from the bond sales. The amount that the groups are paid will depend on a number of variables. During Monday night’s meeting, Andrew Lanan, with Reedy Financial, explained that his fee is tied to the amount of work he’ll have to do. He also noted that there are differences between a public offering and private placement for the bonds, which affects what he and his company are paid. Regardless, the city’s savings are expected to be substantial. However, Reedy Financial, Barnes & Thornburg and city officials stress that this plan is time-sensitive. There is concern that savings could diminish if the city takes too long to approve the plan. If approved Tuesday night by city council, officials expect the refinancing to be finished by late-March.

The Redevelopment Commission approved the resolution with no objections. The city council is expected to give it’s approval during its meeting Tuesday night. That meeting begins at 6 p.m. inside of City Hall and you are encouraged to attend.

Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop will be part of an event aimed at encouraging adult Hoosiers to return to school to complete their education.

Columbus’ Director of Administration and Community Development Mary Ferdon says that Mayor Lienhoop will be joining Governor Mike

Pence, Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers and representatives from Comcast to launch Indiana’s “You Can. Go Back.” program. This event takes place at the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 16. at 2 p.m.

State officials say that there are currently about 750,000 Hoosiers who at one time earned college credit, but failed to earn a degree. They say that this program is Indiana’s statewide effort to get encourage these adults to return and finish a credential beyond high school.

Ferdon says that Mayor Lienhoop will also be joined by John Burnett, President and CEO of the Columbus Education Coalition, Jack Hess, Executive Director of the Institute for Coalition Building and Kathy Huffman, EcO Attainment Network Manager.

Ivy Tech Community College is inviting Jennings County residents who recently earned their high school equivalency diploma to “Go Ivy Night” to learn about the College and receive information about how to file for financial aid.

Ivy Tech Spokesman Chris Schilling says that Go Ivy Night is a free event taking place at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Jennings County Adult Education Center, in North Vernon. He explains that Ivy Tech staff will be on hand to provide a short presentation about the college, its programs, and career pathway opportunities. After the presentation, financial aid professionals are scheduled to be available to assist with beginning the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“Ivy Tech can help prepare students for academic success and provide a pathway to a well-paying, rewarding career,” said Monica Ozaeta, Ivy Tech Assistant Director of Admissions. “We encourage anyone who has recently earned their high school equivalency diploma to join us February 24 to learn about what Ivy Tech offers, receive information on the how to file for financial aid and gain a better understanding of the different types of financial aid available.”

The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide. School officials say the FAFSA must be filed by March 10 to be considered eligible for Indiana financial aid.

Schilling stresses that students who have earned their high school equivalency diploma can enroll at any Ivy Tech campus. Classes are offered at the Columbus and Madison campuses as well as at a number of off-site locations. These include the Education and Training Center in North Vernon and the Jackson County Learning Center in Seymour.

The Purdue Club and Indiana University Alumni of Bartholomew County are jointly sponsoring a special viewing party of the Purdue/Indiana Men’s Basketball game on Saturday at YES Cinema. Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center Spokesman Diane Doup says the game will be displayed live on the theater screen.

Doors are scheduled to open Saturday at 7:45 p.m. The game begins at 8:30 p.m. Doup says that admission to this event is free of charge, but concessions, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Organizers say that no outside food or beverages will be allowed. The event will be open to the public.

For more information, call the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center at (812) 379-1630.

A Columbus man was arrested Friday night after crashing his vehicle.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that at 8:06 p.m. on Friday, Deputy Nate Nichols responded to the one-vehicle crash in the area of County Roads 250 South 400 West. Jackson says that the driver, 24-year-old William Mings, was not injured in the accident. However, he was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated and Resisting Law Enforcement.

Mings was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on $7,500 bond.

A Columbus woman was arrested early Sunday morning on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that at 4:46 a.m., Deputy Matt Bush reported seeing a vehicle

driving near 11th and Chestnut Streets that had its bright headlights on. As the deputy passed the vehicle, he reports that the driver did not dim them.

Jackson says the deputy initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver and passengers. One of the passengers was identified as 50-year-old Angela Pferer, of California Street. Authorities say Pferer had an outstanding warrant from Lawrence County. As she was being taken into custody, Pferer allegedly told Deputy Bush that she was in possession of narcotic drugs.

Jackson says that Pferer was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Heroin, along with the outstanding warrant. She is being held without bond.

A Columbus man was arrested Saturday after allegedly brandishing a weapon at his fiance.

According to police reports, Columbus police were called to the 1000 block of Eighth Street at about 6:50 Saturday night. According to witness reports, 42-year-old Sean D. Grant allegedly grabbed his fiance by the hair, choked her and pointed a gun at her head.

Officers found the firearm in the home and secured it. Grant had already left the home but was found nearby and arrested on preliminary charges of possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon; intimidation with a deadly weapon and domestic battery in the presence of a minor.