Family, friends and colleagues of Bartholomew County’s first female County Commissioner are mourning the loss of Juanita Harden.

She died April 7th at her Bartholomew County home at the age of 84. Calling is from 4 to 8 today at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with services Thursday, April 13th,  at 11 a.m.

Harden served as a County Commissioner from 1982 – 1994. She helped design and establish the Bartholomew County flag, and served on the county planning commission. She was instrumental in establishing the Bartholomew County Juvenile Shelter.

Juanita had served on the Bartholomew County Fair Board and helped organize and chair the first pie baking contest at the Bartholomew County Fair, which she later helped judge. She was a longtime member of the Grandview Extension Homemakers Club.

She lived at, and co-managed, the Columbus Youth Camp for 22 years, along with managing the camp kitchen.

For more information, go to www.jewellrittman.com

Bartholomew County courts will be getting some much sought after help after the Bartholomew County Council agreed to increase staffing. Circuit Court is being allowed to hire a part-time employee. Superior Court I will take a part-time employee to full-time and Superior Court II is being allowed to hire a full-time staff member.

Superior Court II Judge Kathleen Coriden explained to the council Tuesday night that conditions in her court were untenable.

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Along with the new statewide “Odyssey” system to track court cases, Superior Court I Judge Jim Worton explained that there are simply more cases to handle.

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Judge Coriden responded to council’s inquiry about possibly waiting a few months until they have a clearer picture of the county’s finances.

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The council voted unanimously to approve the staffing increase, at a cost of not more than $65,530 for the rest of the year. That money will come out of the county’s “rainy day” fund. The increased staffing will have to be budgeted for each court for next year.

The city of North Vernon continues its efforts to make its facilities solar-powered. The city council voted Monday night to pursue financing for the project, expected to cost just over nine-million dollars, including interest.

Kurt Schneider, vice-president and partner of Johnson-Melloh Solutions, has been working with city officials for nearly two years in developing the solar-power plan. He says his company led the switch to solar at the Jennings County Public Library. Schneider says that the city is poised to reap a net savings of over $5.8 million in utility costs over the next 20 years if his company’s proposal is carried out. At a February city council meeting, Schneider explained that the city won’t have to pay a large amount of money to get the project underway.

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At the same meeting, Schneider talked about the cost-savings opportunities.

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City officials say that three lenders are “in the running” to help North Vernon finance this project. The terms of the financing include an expected repayment period of 15 to 18.5 years. The city council voted 4-1 to pursue the project, with the understanding that financing can be obtained and that the city’s ability to borrow for other projects won’t be affected. Councilman Jerry Lamb was the lone “no” vote, citing concerns with the length of the repayment period.

Germany will be celebrated this year as the Host Country of the 34th annual Ethnic Expo presented by First Financial Bank in downtown Columbus. The two-day festival, which organizers say fosters understanding and an appreciation of Columbus’ diverse population, will take place on October 13th and 14th outside Columbus City Hall.

Friends of Germany, will represent Germany at this year’s Ethnic Expo. As host country, the cultures and foods of Germany will be featured in the main booth of the festival village and will be celebrated in the Ethnic Expo parade.

City officials say that Ethnic Expo celebrates the traditions and customs of more than 30 countries with native residents who live in Columbus. Approximately 35,000 people attend Ethnic Expo every year.

Ethnic Expo is organized by the city, but organizers stress that the annual festival wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of sponsors. They include First Financial Bank, which is serving as the presenting sponsor for the eighth consecutive year, as well as Coca-Cola, Vectren Foundation, ERMCO Electric and Milestone. The city is also thanking the Indiana Arts Commission, the Columbus Area Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for their support.

“First Financial is proud to be a part of the Columbus community. We are honored to participate again in the annual Ethnic Expo, which focuses on gathering together to showcase our hometown’s diverse culture and heritage.” said Al Roszczyk, Regional President for First Financial Bank. “First Financial is proud to be the title sponsor for the eighth year and our team looks forward to celebrating with the community this October.”

“Please join the City of Columbus in celebrating our bountiful cultures and heritages from around the world. “Prost” (Cheers in German) to Germany for serving as this year’s Host Country and we look forward to experiencing their customs and traditions,” said Mayor Jim Lienhoop.

A driver who fled from a traffic stop on 25th Street east of Columbus last night, ended up getting arrested on drug-related charges.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department reports that a deputy stopped a vehicle near the Clay Township Volunteer Fire Department at about 9:45 last night. The officer allegedly smelled burnt marijuana on the driver, 59-year-old Jami Martin.

That’s when Martin allegedly took off.

Deputies, Columbus police and the Indiana State Police helped pursue the vehicle through the county. Martin didn’t stop until he ran over tire deflation devices at County Roads 550N and 100W, deputies report. After the stop, officers allegedly found marijuana and methamphetamine in his vehicle.

Martin is facing charges including resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, possession of meth and marijuana, reckless driving and several traffic citations.

Columbus police are looking for information about a pedestrian who was hit by a vehicle last night, and the driver fled the scene.

A 41-year-old man was found with injuries to his face and leg at about 11:45 Monday night in the 200 block of Smith Street. He said he had been hit by a vehicle. He was flown to IU Methodist Hospital for treatment and is now in stable condition with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus police.

Police say they have no other information about the incident. If you can provide any details, you can contact the Columbus Police at 812-376-2600. Tips and information can be left anonymously.

Columbus firefighters battled two blazes this morning simultaneously, both believed to have been sparked by lightning.

Firefighters were called to the 4200 block of Reece Lane on a report of a structure fire at 4:50 a.m. this morning and to a reported structure fire in the 3400 block of Rost Street at 4:52 a,n, this morning.

Reece Lane is in the Tipton Lakes neighborhood, while Rost Street is in the northern part of the city, off of Rockyford Road.

Matt Noblitt, fire inspector for the city fire department says that at Reece Lane they discovered a lightning strike appears to have ruptured a gas line and when the gas cloud got big enough, it was ignited by the pilot light on a water heater. The fire scorched the sides of the water heater, Noblitt says. It burned until the gas could be turned off.

At Rost Street they discovered a storage shed that was completely engulfed in flame. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, Noblitt says.

North Vernon Utilities are extending a boil water advisory for some customers until Wednesday.

This goes back to a water main break near the Schneck Family Care of Jennings County clinic on State Road 3 Friday. The utilities office says the only affected customers are those north of the park.

You should boil any water for five minutes before consuming it or using it  in food preparation.

Bartholomew County emergency officials are recognizing outstanding work by the county’s emergency dispatchers.

Ed Reuter, director of the county’s emergency operations center, praised the work of the county’s dispatchers during several recent emergencies.

He talked about the work of Dispatchers Tony McClain, Shannon Stewart, Kelly Wilhite and Emily Moore during a bank robbery in the Edinburgh area on January 11th.

McClain was also individually honored for his handling of a call involving a violent person who was high on heroin, hiding out in a home in southern Bartholomew County.

Reuter commended dispatcher Amanda Aird for her handling of a text-to-911 message in January where a victim was able to text while in the midst of a domestic dispute and fearing for her life. He said Aird’s skills helped save the victim from serious injury.

Former dispatcher Dylan Prather was commended for his help saving the life of Columbus resident Jan Brinkman. Dr. Roger Brinkman, her husband, found his wife struggling for breath and without a detectable pulse at around 2 in the morning last June 21st.

Prather sayed on the line with Dr. Brinkman, keeping count during the CPR, for 8 minutes. The Brinkmans credit Prather, along with paramedics and doctors, with saving Jan’s life. Prather has since gone on to study to become a police officer.

Reuter presented the dispatchers with plaques at yesterday morning’s County Commissioners meeting.  County Commissioners also read a proclamation, recognizing this as National Telecommunicators Week.

The heroin epidemic affecting our area has law-enforcement, lawmakers, doctors, non-profits and other concerned parties looking at ways to tackle the problem. A 2016 survey from the Indiana Prevention Resource Center shows heroin use among high school students in central and southeast Indiana counties peaks during the junior year of high school.

The Indiana Youth Institute, Brown County YMCA and Brown County Schools are hosting an event to help adults and parents learn how to help young people and families caught up in heroin addiction. This free community event will be on Thursday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Goldberg Room at Brown County High School.

Karen Little with Desert Rose Recovery, Great Life Recovery Group and Terry West with Brown County Community Corrections will speak about the causes and consequences of heroin use. Attendees will learn the role emotional trauma and pain play in the heroin epidemic, the short- and long-term impact of addiction on individuals, families and the community, and how Brown County’s legal system works with those who need help. In addition, the presentation will cover resources and services available to help those fighting addiction.