Columbus Township Fire & Rescue, the joint operation of Columbus Township and the East Columbus Independent Fire Department, has announced that a new Public Protection Classification (PPC) audit and inspection has resulted in the department receiving a, updated, and improved, rating of 4/4Y. Captain Dave Thompson explains that this rating places Columbus Township Fire & Rescue in the top 12% of fire departments in Indiana and inside the top 42% in the country.

Thompson says that Columbus Township Fire & Rescue began modernizing its apparatus and operations many years ago. The goal, he said, has always been to provide the best fire protection achievable. Building on the hard work of several generations of firefighters, Thompson says that the men and women of Columbus Township Fire & Rescue set high training standards, kept apparatus and equipment updated and in top working order, and began using a paid day-staff. All of these efforts, he says, have contributed to this recent achievement.

Thompson says that this new rating will be important to all property owners and residents receiving fire protection from Columbus Township Fire & Rescue.

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He explains that since many insurance companies base rates on a property’s ISO/PPC rating, all residents and commercial property owners are encouraged to contact their insurance company to receive any possible savings from an increase in classification.

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Thompson stresses that since there is no way to automatically notify insurance carriers of a PPC rating/classification change, policy holders must notify them.

Thompson says that all members of Fire & Rescue thank the residents of Columbus Township for their support in helping them achieve this new rating. He also thanked all current, and former, firefighters, officers, chiefs, trustees and board members.

Upland Brewing Co. announced Wednesday that it is in the process of hiring management and staff positions for its newest brewpub, inside the historic Columbus Pump House.

Officials with the Bloomington-based company say they are looking for an Assistant General Manager, Assistant Front of House Manager, and Executive Chef. In addition, they add that Upland is also looking to hire approximately thirty service staff members and thirty culinary staff members. A company spokesperson says that all positions require a passion for craft beer, and that full, and part-time, roles are available. Upland says that it offers competitive wages, as well as benefits to full-time staff, including paid time off, health insurance, and company-matched retirement savings.

Upland officials say that the brewpub is expected to open in June or July. They add that this location will feature indoor and outdoor seating, with a large patio overlooking the river, as well as a banquet hall for private events.

General Manager Jake Fehrenbach says that the pump house location is special. “The history, architecture and setting of the Pump House are incredible and unique, so we owe it to the building to do something special,” he said. Fehrenbach went on to say that “Upland’s work-hard, play-hard culture and commitment to craft beer will be the same, but our Pump House team will put its own twist on the equation. We value experience but we are also interested to talk to people who have a passion for craft beer and food but who have not worked in the industry before.”

Upland officials add that they would also like to hear from area farmers and growers who would like to supply the restaurant. “Upland considers farmers to be part of our team, just like brewers, bartenders and dish washers,” according to Fehrenbach.

The company is looking for local artists to display their work in the building. Upland officials say that the new location expects to showcase the work of two-to-three artists on a rotating basis throughout the year, noting that the building has opportunities for both small, and large-scale pieces, including outdoor sculptures.

To apply for jobs, visit uplandbeer.com. Farmers and artists are asked to send inquiries and information to farmtofork@uplandbeer.com and pumphouseart@uplandbeer.com.

The Franklin Police Department (FPD) continues to ask for your help in locating a vehicle that they say was involved in a hit-and-run crash on

Jan. 23. FPD officials say that the crash occurred on East King Street, just east of Forsythe Street, and involved three vehicles. Police say that the suspect vehicle rear-ended a vehicle that was then sent into oncoming traffic and collided with a third vehicle. They say that the crash caused serious injuries to both drivers and one passenger.

FPD officials say that witnesses have described the suspect vehicle as a small, to mid-size, SUV with four doors, which had significant damage to the front bumper, as well as the driver’s side. The SUV was believed to be tan in color. Witnesses described the driver as being a white male, possibly in his 20’s, with dark hair. The vehicle was last seen headed westbound on Jefferson Street from the area of Forsythe Street.

Through the course of this investigation, FPD investigators say that they have received video of the possible suspect vehicle. They say that the vehicle is on video for approximately one minute after the initial 911 call was made. They explain that the vehicle was captured on video in the area of Franklin College, traveling away from the accident scene. Investigators have identified the vehicle as a Toyota Rav 4, model year of 2002-2005.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FPD tip line at (317) 346-1100. Authorities say that tips and information can be left anonymously.

A Bartholomew County sheriff’s department deputy is off work after being kicked by a suicidal man Tuesday.

Deputies were called to the County Road 100E at almost 6 p.m. that night about a report of a suicide attempt. The suspect began walking toward deputies and acting as if he had a gun behind his back.  Deputies worked to defuse the situation, says Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department.

As the man was being handcuffed, he kicked and injured Deputy Dane Duke, Jackson says.

Duke was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital where he was treated and released.  Jackson says that Deputy Duke will be off work for an undetermined amount of time due to his injuries.  The suicidal subject was admitted to CRH.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that 39 people were arrested for underage drinking at an event at a Grandview Lake home Tuesday night.

At about 10:25 p.m., deputies were called to the home and found three 20-year-old women who appeared to be intoxicated. That led to more underage drinkers at the home admitting they had been drinking, says Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department.

All told, 39 Indiana University students were taken into custody on charges of illegal consumption.

Saturday night’s show at the Harlequin Theatre in Fair Oaks Mall has been canceled.

Robert Hay-Smith, with the theater, says that you can get refunds for the canceled April 16th performance of Mad Dogs and an Englishman: The Delta Ladies at the same location where you bought the tickets.

He said the show had to be canceled because of scheduling conflicts and a military commitment.

For more information call 812-343-4597.

Last Saturday’s Crooners for CASA fundraiser at The Commons raised nearly $60,000 to aid abused and neglected children in the area.

Rick Scalf, spokesman for Court Appointed Special Advocates, says that 8 teams took part in the karaoke and performance event and 350 people turned out to watch the teams participate.

Teams competed for the grand prize by raising money and this year’s winner was a tie between “Rockin Rossetti and his Homerun Hotties” and a team called “3 American Idol Finalists.”

A new Veteran’s Court in Bartholomew has received an infusion of cash from the state.

Superior Court I Judge Jim Worton appeared before the Bartholomew County Council Tuesday night to request an additional appropriation of $44,751. That money, said Worton, is from the Indiana Judicial Center. He says that the county requested approximately $66,000, but the court is pleased with what was received. Worton added that the money received will go towards supplementing county funds used to pay probation officers. He also said that the court will continue to apply for this money on a yearly basis, for as long as it is offered.

Worton explained that the Veterans Court is aimed at helping those who served in the United State military. He explained that the court is aimed at those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other issues associated with PTSD, like addiction. “If but for their service to our country,” said Judge Worton, “they would most likely not be involved in the criminal justice system.” He went on to say that the overall goal of the court is to help return affected veterans to the lives they enjoyed before their run-ins with the criminal justice system. Worton explains that the court is doing great things in getting help to those who need it. The court has a line in to the Veterans Administration, which is represented at each vet’s hearing, said Worton.

There are 24 Veterans Courts in Indiana, said Worton. Sixteen of those courts are certified, he said. Judge Worton added that Bartholomew County’s court is provisionally certified. He says that a full certification is coming in the next several months. According to Worton, this court, which meets the second and fourth Thursday of every Month, covers veterans in Bartholomew, Decatur, Jennings, Jackson and Brown Counties. He notes that this is the only Veterans Court in this Judicial District.

The council unanimously approved the additional appropriation, noting that it won’t cost the county any additional money.

The Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corporation is offering its customers the chance to give their thoughts on a requested rate increase.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is inviting written consumer comments on the utility’s rate request through June 22. The OUCC is the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Officials expect that the review of the utility’s request and filing of testimony will be finished by June 29.

The Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corporation is a not-for-profit entity serving more than 3,000 customers in Bartholomew and Brown Counties. It is proposing a two-phase increase. Officials with the utility say that there will be increases in operating and maintenance costs with the implementation of proposed capital improvements. The utility says that among these projects are new water mains and 200,000-gallon elevated storage tank in Brown County.

The OUCC says that, according to its testimony and exhibits, the utility’s request would raise the monthly water bill for a residential customer using 5,000 gallons from $39.36 to $48.94 in the near-future, then to $52.32 in 2018. State officials add that the utility is also seeking approval to issue up to $2.23 million in long-term debt. The OUCC notes that current rates for Southwestern Bartholomew Water Corporation were approved in 2008.

Consumers who wish to submit written comments for the case record may do so via the OUCC’s Website at www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm, or by mail, email or fax:

• Mail: Consumer Services Staff
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204
• email: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov

• Fax: (317) 232-5923

The OUCC says it needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than June 22, 2016. Comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to “IURC Cause No. 44754.”

Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.

A North Vernon man was arrested after the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department began investigating possible child molesting and incest.

Lt. Mike Mowery says that the alleged victim is under the age of fourteen. He says that the investigation began after the department

received a report of the alleged incidents Sunday night. Mowry says that after an extensive investigation by Sgt. Allen Ritchie and Det. Sgt. Jeff Jones, search warrants were obtained for 44-year-old Jeffrey S. Newton. Authorities say that the warrants were executed at 4:39 p.m. on Monday, resulting in Newton’s arrest.

Mowery says that Newton was booked into the Jennings County Jail on preliminary charges of Child Molestation (Level 1 Felony) and Incest (Level 4 Felony). He adds that Newton is being held without Bond pending an initial hearing.