Work will begin soon on a project to improve a section of Rocky Ford Road in Columbus. When finished, city officials say there will be new curbs, gutters, a storm sewer system, a continuous left turn lane, bicycle lanes and sidewalks.

The city’s Engineering Department joined project designers, contractors and Fourth District Councilman Frank Miller in an open house Thursday evening to explain the work to area residents. The open house, which was held in the Richards Elementary School cafeteria, drew well over 100 people. These residents listened to a presentation, asked questions and shared their concerns about the project.

The one portion of work set to get underway immediately is the cutting down, and removal, of trees in the project area. Steve Ruble, a design manager for Strand & Associates, explained that the tree work is being dictated by environmental regulations. Specifically, he said, in regards to the Indiana Bat. Ruble noted that contractors are in a race to get the trees removed before the bats return to this area for nesting. He explained that simply cutting the trees down is not enough, as the bats will also nest in downed trees. Ruble said that the marked trees need to be removed before the end of the month as the bats are on schedule to return shortly thereafter. If the trees are not removed in time, Ruble explained that the work would be pushed back to November.

Representatives of the contractor, Milestone, told residents that if the trees are removed in time, as expected, work on moving earth will begin after area utilities do their part. Milestone says they hope to begin that work in May or June. City officials stressed that they cannot force utilities to follow their timeline. With that, officials say that the project’s completion date is set for November of 2017.

Columbus Executive Director of Public Works Dave Hayward also talked about a peripheral project aimed at making it safer for students who walk to, and from, school in that area. While not a part of the core project, Hayward explained that the plan is to get this work done in conjunction with the Rocky Ford Road project. He explained that this is a “Safe Routes to School” project that targets Parkside and Richards Elementary. Hayward says that the work includes a side path from Richards to Rocky Ford Road, as well as pedestrian actuated traffic-light system that would alert drivers to children in the area. The hope, says Hayward, is to have this project done late this year or early in 2017.

Hayward says that you can learn more about this, and other, projects, by visiting www.columbus.in.gov/engineering.

Police have identified the shooter in Thursday morning’s double-shooting at the Cummins Technical Center in Seymour. Seymour Police have identified him as 37-year-old Qing Chen, of Seymour.

Seymour Police Chief Bill Abbott says that both Chen and his alleged victim, 49-year-old Ward R. Edwards, of Columbus, were dead when officers arrived on the scene. Abbott says that the first 911 calls were made at 8:44 a.m. and officers were on the scene by 8:47 a.m.

A 9mm handgun was recovered at the scene, on the second floor of the building, on East Third Street, said Abbott. Police have not revealed a motive, or how many shots were fired.

Abbott says that Edwards was Chen’s direct supervisor. He also said that police executed a search warrant on Chen’s vehicle and apartment, as well as Edwards’ vehicle. Abbott adds that his department’s background investigation will be continuing with the “full cooperation of Cummins and their employees.”

Abbott says that autopsies for both men are scheduled for Friday morning in Louisville.

Bartholomew County officials have approved a new version of the county’s emergency management plan.

Shannan Hinton, the director of emergency management for the county, said the plan is reviewed annually. The plan covers how emergency workers will respond to events and disasters such as winter storms, Hinton said. She said the plan had only minor changes this year.

Both the County Commissioners and County Council adopted the plan this week. The Columbus mayor and area fire departments also must sign off on the plan Hinton said.

A Tuesday morning traffic stop in Jackson County led to the arrest of a an Alabama man on a number of drug charges.

Indiana State Police (ISP) Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says that at approximately 10:22 a.m., Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop

on vehicle traveling southbound on I-65 near the 51 mile marker. During the course of the traffic stop, Miller reported indicators that criminal activity was taking place. That led to the trooper utilizing his K-9, “Jinx,” who alerted to the odor of an illegal drug coming from the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, authorities allegedly found heroin, marijuana and other controlled substances. They also determined that a passenger, 30-year-old David Earl Berryhill, of Pinson, Alabama, was in possession of the drugs found in the vehicle.

Berryhill was arrested and booked in the Jackson County Jail on preliminary charges of Dealing Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Dealing a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana.

The driver of the semi killed in Wednesday morning’s crash on southbound I-65 in Johnson County has been identified. Indiana State Police (ISP) say the victim was 52-year-old Tyrone McKenney, of Quinby, South Carolina.

ISP say that McKenney was involved in the one-vehicle crash when his semi ran off the road, just north of Franklin. Investigators say the semi struck a guardrail, then went approximately 50 feet off the road and struck a tree before catching fire. Authorities still don’t know why the semi left the roadway.

State Police credit a Good Samaritan, 56-year-old Bryan Corns, of Crown Point, for trying to save McKenney’s life. They say that Corns, at great personal risk, managed to pull the driver from the wreckage. Authorities say that Corns suffered burns and smoke inhalation in the rescue attempt.

McKenney was taken to an area hospital, where he was later died at approximately 7:14 a.m. Corns is expected to be o.k. ISP say the crash closed that section of southbound I-65 for approximately 90 minutes.

An Indianapolis man was arrested for alleged drunk driving Tuesday night.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that at approximately 11:19 p.m., Deputy Adam DeBoth was

dispatched to the 68 mile marker of northbound I-65 in regard to a possible intoxicated driver.

Deputy DeBoth reportedly found the suspect vehicle, which he noted was continuously crossing both lanes of traffic without any warning. The deputy said that the vehicle nearly caused several crashes.

Deputy DeBoth initiated a traffic stop and the driver, 46-year-old Mehn Tun, allegedly stopped his vehicle, at a severe angle, in the middle of the right lane of the interstate. After moving Tun’s vehicle to the shoulder of the road, the deputy said that he immediately detected the odor of alcohol and saw an empty alcohol bottle in the vehicle.

Jackson says that Tun was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence. She says that he has since been released on $2,500 bond.

The Bartholomew County Plan Commission is recommending that county leaders approve measures set forth by a committee to regulate Confined Feeding Operations (CFOs).

This vote comes after months of wrangling over what county officials should do to balance the rights of farmers, CFO operators and their neighbors. The Plan Commission voted to approve the plan by a vote of six-to-three. The vote includes a change that would make CFOs a “conditional use.” This change would require that neighbors of a property being considered for use as a CFO be notified so they have an opportunity to raise objections.

The plan now moves on to the Bartholomew County Commissioners for further hearings and, eventually, a vote.

A Wednesday morning traffic stop led to the arrest of a Columbus woman on multiple charges.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that at approximately 3:30 a.m., Deputy Teancum Clark stopped a vehicle in the 2000 block of Merchants Mile. After making contact with the driver, 52-year-old Jennifer Vogt, Deputy Clark reportedly noticed the odor of burnt marijuana. The deputy says that Vogt appeared to be under the influence and was found to be in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Vogt was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle While under the Influence, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. Authorities say that Vogt remains behind bars on $82,500 bond.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that its most wanted fugitive for the week has been captured.

Deputies had been searching for 20-year-old Tanner M. Fleetwood, of Columbus. Judy Jackson, spokesman for the sheriff’s department, reports this morning that he has been arrested.

The department has already named its next fugitive deputies are searching for, 33-year-old Allen L. Asher of Columbus. Asher is a white man, 5 feet six inches tall and 130 pounds with brown hair and grey eyes. He has numerous tattoos including on his face, neck, hands, arms, wrist and thigh. Jackson says that Asher  is wanted on several outstanding warrants.

If you have any information about Allen L. Asher, you can contact the sheriff’s department tip line at 812-379-1712. Tips can be left, anonymously.

The Franklin Police Department has made 21 arrests in drug-dealing cases, the police announced this morning.

The department reports that it closed multiple investigations into drug-dealing in the city within the past month, issuing 20 arrest warrants. As of today 21 of the wanted suspects have been arrested. Those arrested include:

• Tammi M Hendricks, 43, Franklin: Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance x 2, Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Heroin)

• Quinton L. Cundiff, 36, Franklin: Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Heroin) x 2

• Sophia Alldredge, 22, Franklin: Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance x 2, Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance, Dealing Marijuana x 2, Theft (drug related)

• Natoshia N. Alldredge, 26, Franklin: Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance, Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance x2, Dealing Marijuana x2, Theft (drug related)

• Steven Garvin, 26, Edinburgh: Dealing Methamphetamine x 2

• Jessica B. Sheckles, 35, Edinburgh: Dealing Methamphetamine x 2, Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Heroin)

• Brittany L. Hart, 25, Franklin: Dealing Methamphetamine, Theft Felony (drug related)

• Francisco R. Negron, 26 Franklin: Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance x3

• Justin W. Burton, 20, Edinburgh:Dealing Methamphetamine x 2

• Brian J. Burton, 26, Edinburgh: Dealing Methamphetamine x 2

• Matthew R. Eden, 34, Franklin: Dealing Methamphetamine

• Shawn M. Shaw, 25, Franklin: Dealing Methamphetamine

• Megan A. Atwood, 23, Franklin: Theft Felony (drug related)

• Courtney L. Dausch, 27, Franklin: Theft Felony (drug related)

• Jordan A. Black, 24, Franklin: Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance x2, Dealing in a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Dealing a Legend Drug, Taking a Minor to Common Nuisance

• Dallas B. Martin, 19, Franklin: Dealing in a Schedule IV Controlled Substance x2, Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Dealing Marijuana and Paraphernalia.

• Lawrence A. Turnbloom, 20, Edinburgh: Dealing in a Substance Represented to be a Controlled Substance

• Dalante D. Hampton, 26, Franklin: Dealing Marijuana, Neglect of a Dependent

• Amber S. Hampton, 27, Franklin: Dealing Marijuana, Neglect of a Dependent

• Robert Ellett, 55, Franklin: Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Heroin) x4, Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance, Dealing Paraphernalia

• Angela L. Steineck, 38, Whiteland: Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance

Police have scheduled a press conference for this afternoon to release further information.