Several local pre-schools are hoping you will pop-in over the next few days to learn about the importance of pre-kindergarten efforts.

The Pop-in for Pre-K program is being organized by the statewide All-In for Pre-K coalition, which hopes to convince state legislators to provide funding so all Indiana children can attend pre-k classes.

Chelsea Kendall is the executive director of the Hope Community Center. She says that people can stop by the center between 9 and 11 a.m., today through Thursday to see the program in action.

She says The Pop-in for Pre-K program is being organized by the statewide All-In for Pre-K coalition, which hopes to convince state legislators to provide funding so all Indiana children can attend pre-k classes.

“They want to make it so people are aware of it, so we can kind of build the education, so to speak, in the community and let them know how important it is so that we can offer pre-k to more than just the kiddos are in it now,” she said.

Kendall says the goal is to provide a solid base of learning for the children before they start kindergarten.

Other local programs taking part in the visits over the next few days include Bartholomew Consolidated Schools, First Presbyterian Preschool and Children Inc. Hours and locations include:

• First Presbyterian Preschool, yesterday through Friday, 9 to 11 a.m.
• Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation’s Pre-K Program, Wednesday  and Friday, 9 to 11 a.m. with tours at 9 and 10 a.m. both days.
• Children Inc., today and Thursday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information All-IN for Pre-K

The town of Edinburgh is reporting a water main break that has shut off water for customers this morning in the area of East Main Cross, Lind Drive, Harrell Drive and Brown Street.

After water is restored, those customers will be under a boil-water advisory. They should boil any water for five minutes before using it for cooking or human consumption. The deadline for the boil water advisory has not yet been announced. Affected customers will also be notified with door hanger cards.

For questions call 812-526-3514 and hit option 1.

For more information: http://www.edinburgh.in.us/eGov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=1413

The Ivy Tech Columbus chapter of the Thi Pheta Kappa international honor society recently inducted 17 students.

For the fall 2016 semester, the Alpha Rho Tau chapter of the society inducted:

• Bloomington: Taylor Harris;
• Bargersville: Elizabeth Goff;
• Columbus: Bailey Branstetter, Leighton Cameron, Hannah Gregory, Emily Joyce, Angie Kramer, Elizabeth Vance, and Lee-Anna Watson;
• Greensburg: Carrie Weisenbach;
• Greenwood: Cynthia Camic;
• Nashville: Deanna Manzenberger and Krista Marshall;
• North Vernon: Edrei Garcia, Ocklawaha Holt, and Henry Schultz;
• Seymour: Mika Mosier and Jeffrey Tirrell;
• Shelbyville: Hobert Hurley.

According to the Columbus campus, Phi Theta Kappa “recognizes academic achievement and provides opportunity for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship” for students in two-year schools.

Columbus police arrested a wanted man this morning who surrendered rather than getting a jolt from the officer’s Taser.

A Columbus officer recognized 28-year-old Shawn C. Bryant walking in the 800 block of Creekview Drive at about 5:15 a.m. and confirmed that Bryant had an outstanding arrest warrant alleging a probation violation in Johnson County. But when the officer tried to talk to Bryant, he allegedly ran away, says Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus police spokesman.

After running away from police, the officer threatened to fire his Taser and Bryant stopped and was arrested. Police searched his backpack and allegedly found a small amount of heroin and syringes. He is facing preliminary charges of possession of heroin, of a syringe and of drug paraphernalia, and resisting law enforcement.

A Columbus pair is accused of stealing a minivan on Friday after finding the keys inside it.

Columbus police found the vehicle in the 1300 block of Sycamore Street at about 9:15 Saturday morning. While checking the area for witnesses, they came across 23-year-old Brandon A. Kincheloe, who allegedly told police that he and his girlfriend, 18-year-old Mary L. Snyder found the vehicle with the keys in it and drove it to Sycamore Street, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus police department.

Kincheloe was arrested on a preliminary charge of auto theft. While being searched during her arrest, Snyder allegedly had a small bag of methamphetamine in her pants pocket, Harris says. She is facing charges of auto theft and possession of meth.

With the cold weather, Columbus firefighters are offering some safety tips as people try to stay warm.

Columbus Fire Department Spokesman Capt. Mike Wilson says you should take care of the basics including having an inspection of your home heating system every year, whether it is a gas, oil or electric furnace or wood heat. He said one of the dangers of incomplete burning is that carbon monoxide is produced.

He said everyone should have working carbon monoxide detectors in their home.

Wilson also said that space heaters can be a danger. He suggested clearing a three foot circle from any flammable materials around any space heater.

He said you should also be aware of the dangers of extension cords. They are meant for temporary power use, not for a permanent solution.

Bird watchers and bird enthusiasts are invited to the Christmas Bird Count at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge on New Year’s Day. The annual “bird inventory” of the refuge in Jennings County will be conducted by volunteers and is expected to last the entire day. Officials say that you should meet at the refuge Visitor Center at 7:30 a.m. to form groups and be assigned areas. You are welcome to help out as long as you would like.

Muscatatuck officials say that the Christmas Bird Count offers a wonderful opportunity for less experienced birders to learn from experts in bird identification. If you would like to take part, you should bring binoculars, warm clothing and waterproof footwear. A free, hot lunch will be provided by Muscatatuck Wildlife Society volunteers.

For more information, contact Muscatatuck@fws.gov or call (812) 522-4352, extension 12.

The Heritage Fund: the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County has announced that Columbus North High School senior Daniela Chaparro and Hauser Junior-Senior High School senior Pete Trotter are recipients of the 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships for Bartholomew County.

Amy Laker, scholarship manager Heritage Fund, explains that the scholarships are sponsored by Lilly Endowment, managed by Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. and administered locally by Heritage Fund. She says that the Lilly Endowment is in its 20th season of awarding scholarships to Indiana students to pursue four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis that lead to a bachelor’s degree at any Indiana public or private accredited college or university. Chaparro and Trotter will receive full tuition for four years to the Indiana college of their choice,as well as a $900 annual stipend for books and equipment. Chaparro plans to pursue a major in art education. Trotter plans to pursue a major in biology and chemistry.

Laker says that Heritage Fund received 101 applications for this year’s scholarships. Ten students were chosen for interviews by the Selection Committee. Finalists not receiving Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships will receive a $1,000 award from Heritage Fund.

Columbus police are reporting an arrest early this morning of a man who allegedly pulled a knife and made threats during an argument.

The incident happened at 4:35 this morning in the 1100 block of California Street. Police say they heard a loud argument upstairs and when they got there they saw a bedroom door had been kicked in. Witnesses said that 34-year-old Melvin G. Foree was intoxicated and began threatening a woman with a knife after knocking the door off its hinges.

Police found the knife behind a couch and arrested Foree on a preliminary charge of intimidation with a deadly weapon.