Cummins and power management company Eaton have announced an agreement to form a joint venture for automated transmissions for heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles. The joint venture will be named Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies.

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Cummins and Eaton will each own 50 percent of the new joint venture. Cummins says it will pay Eaton $600 million for its stake. The formation of the joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Cummins officials expect the transaction to close in the third quarter of this year.

“Customers are focused on powertrain solutions that provide the best combination of technology, performance and quality,” said Craig Arnold, Eaton chairman and chief executive officer. “Our joint venture with Cummins will leverage the technical strengths and experience of two industry leaders with long histories and deep industry expertise to provide superior automated transmission technology for our global customers.”

“Our growth strategy includes expanding our product offerings and extending our global footprint by becoming the world’s leading powertrain supplier,” said Tom Linebarger, chairman and CEO, Cummins Inc. “Our JV with Eaton will deliver the most advanced automated transmissions and develop an integrated powertrain and service network that supports our customers like never before. Just as we’ve done for the past 100 years, we will use our experience in partnerships and technological expertise to ensure our customers’ success.”

A Shelbyville lawmaker’s bill allowing for the establishment of a Shelby County magistrate could soon be law.

State Rep. Sean Eberhart, who represents Shelby County and portions of Bartholomew and Hancock counties, says this legislation would allow Shelby County to appoint a full-time magistrate, which is a civil officer or lay judge who administers the law. Eberhart’s office says that most magistrates conduct court proceedings, handle minor offenses and preliminary hearings for more serious offenses.

“As of now, Shelby County only has three judges and they are overwhelmed with the work of more than four judges,” Eberhart said. “The new position would help to ensure a more efficient administration of justice.”

Eberhart says that Shelby County was granted a judicial officer 40 years ago and has since had a population increase. The legislation would give the power of appointing the magistrate to the county judges.
House Enrolled Act 1053 now moves to the governor’s desk for consideration.

The Columbus Park Foundation has announced the election of four new members to serve on its Board of Directors.

“The Columbus Park Foundation is made up of a very dedicated group of directors and we are pleased to welcome these four new members, each of whom brings a wide array of talents and expertise which will be invaluable to our board,” said Board President Chip Orben.

The new members of the Columbus Park Foundation Board of Directors include:

• Jeff Baker – Owner, Baker’s Fine Gifts and Accessories
• Nancy Conner – Retiree, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
• Seth Rayburn – Sourcing Analyst, Corporate Machine Components, Cummins, Inc.
• Michael Spears – Commercial Relationship Manager, Vice President, Old National Bank

“Throughout the year our volunteer board members diligently work and support the mission of the Columbus Park Foundation, which is to maintain and enrich the vitality of the Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation and its facilities,” said Chip Orben.

The Columbus Park Foundation’s stated mission is to aid and encourage the parks department in the acquisition, conservation, and development of lands for parks and recreation purposes, as well as to make sure those efforts are adequately funded.

View the complete list of the Columbus Park Foundation Board of Directors at www.columbusparkfoundation.org/about-us/board-of-directors.

A report of a possible drunk driver at a gas station on Columbus’ west side led to the arrest of a Seymour man on drug charges Friday night. Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman, says that officers were called to the 2300 block of Jonathan Moore Pike at 11:10 p.m. When they got there, officers reported finding 28-year-old Scot A. Barker, Jr., who showed signs of being under the influence of drugs. During the investigation, officers reportedly saw heroin and drug paraphernalia inside Barker’s vehicle.

When Barker was taken into custody officers reported finding two small bags of methamphetamine and a syringe inside of his coat. Barker is facing preliminary charges of Possession of Heroin, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Columbus Police are thanking the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department for its help with this investigation.

An Elizabethtown woman was arrested last night in Columbus, accused of having a stolen vehicle packed with items stolen from other vehicles.

Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle on Gilmore Street at about 9:45 p.m. last night. They discovered a car that had been reported stolen earlier in the day. Witnesses pointed out to officers that two women had left the car and went into a nearby home. The women allegedly tried to get out the back of the home, but were caught by police.

Lt Matt Harris, spokesman for the police, says that officers recovered items stolen from vehicle burglaries including a baseball bat, sports equipment and a bag of clothing.

28-year-old Natasha Carr is facing preliminary charges of auto theft and possession of stolen property.

Columbus firefighters say that a home on Sixth Street was a complete loss after a Friday evening fire.

Fire Inspector Matt Noblitt says that passersby noticed fire coming out the window and up the side of the home in the 2100 block of Sixth Street at about 8:15 Friday evening.

The tenant of the rental home was not home at the time of the fire. Noblitt said that firefighters initially thought a dog might be inside the residence, but none was discovered. The fire is believed to have started near the corner of the bedroom, beside the chimney but no cause has yet been determined.

Noblitt said the home was a total loss. He estimated the damages at more than $100,000 including contents. No one was injured.

Schneck Family Care in North Vernon has announced that it is closing again today due to problems caused by a water main break Friday near State Road 3.

If you need immediate care, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Schneck Family Care of Jennings County is located at 2145 N. State Highway 3 in North Vernon. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.  The office may be reached during normal business hours by calling (812) 346-6010.

A Columbus home was seriously damaged Friday after an attic fire smoldered for hours undetected.

Fire Inspector Matt Noblitt says passersby noticed the fire in the home in the 2100 block of Conestoga Court and called firefighters at just before 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. After forcing their way into the garage, firefighters discovered a small hole in the ceiling and a fire burning in the attic. Noblitt said the fire did serious damage to the rafters and ceiling joists. Firefighters had to pull down ceilings in the home to check for the spread and fight the fire.

The homeowner, who was not home at the time, said he had noticed the smell of something hot near the water heater and firefighters discovered that the breaker had tripped but not before the fire ignited and smoldered in the insulation and wall.

Noblitt estimated the home suffered $100,000 in damages.

The town of Hope received three bidders for its proposed project to provide townwide trash service.

J.T. Doane, the  town manager, said that bids were opened for the project Friday. The exact details are not available until the bids  are reviewed and presented at a Town Council meeting in two  weeks. But he said they fell within the bounds of estimates  the companies provided earlier this month.

If the council approves a contract, the town is expecting to add the trash
collection fee to the town water bills. Doane said that the proposal would save money for many residents, who are paying more than $25 now for individual trash collection.

Depending on the options chosen by town officials, the companies estimated they would charge customers around $15 a month.

The three companies that submitted bids also attended a Town Council meeting last month to answer questions and hearing from the public. They are  Rumpke, CGS and Bestway.

Area families were among those recognized during a Friday ceremony at the Statehouse aimed at honoring Hoosier farming families. Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Ted McKinney presented 39 families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.

“Agriculture contributes $31 billion to our state’s economy, and it’s because of the hard work, dedication and innovation of Indiana’s farming families,” said Lt. Governor Crouch. “I want to congratulate them on earning the Hoosier Homestead Award and for their commitment to continuing Indiana’s legacy as an agricultural leader.”

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1000 of agricultural products per year. Based on the number of years, farms were eligible to receive the Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, the Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership. Notably, the Bicentennial Award was presented to one family during Friday’s ceremony.

Since the program’s inception in 1976, more than 5,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award.

Families honored included:

Glenn & Nellie Glick – Sesquicentennial (Bartholomew County);
Original Speaker Lane Farm – Centennial (Bartholomew County);
Deniston – Sesquicentennial (Decatur County);
Evans – Sesquicentennial (Decatur County);
Wischmeier/Wehmiller – Sesquicentennial (Jackson County);

“Generation after generation of Indiana’s farming families have dedicated their lives to feeding their neighbors, the state and the world,” Director McKinney said. “They have contributed so much to our state’s legacy, both economically and socially, and are the engine that drives our industry forward. It was an honor to recognize all of these great families at the Statehouse.”