The city of Columbus will have a new $30 million overpass to take traffic over the Louisville and Indiana railroad tracks at State Road 11 and Jonathan Moore Pike. That’s according to an announcement Wednesday with Gov. Eric Holcomb at the Cummins office building at Fifth and Jackson Streets.

The governor says the overpass is needed, considering the damage that impeded vehicle traffic could inflicted on the local economy…

Officials say the overpass is a necessary solution as CSX moves forward with its plans to make approximately $100 million in upgrades to L&I’s Louisville to Indianapolis rail line. These improvements will be completed in mid-to-late 2018, after which CSX expects to begin increasing the number, size, weight and length of trains.

The governor adds that the project illustrates the state’s commitment to improving infrastructure…

Incoming and outgoing traffic into downtown Columbus would be routed along the overpass, which will include a figure 8 design that loops traffic onto State Road 11.

Columbus officials say that additional train traffic is expected to produce significant delays along this rail line. The concern is especially acute for the local rail crossing at the intersection of Jonathan Moore Pike and State Road 11, which carries approximately 40,000 vehicles per day.

Mayor Jim Lienhoop says that these projects are an example of “The Columbus Way.” He notes that public/private partnerships like these “improve our economy and our quality of life.” The Mayor added, “We are very pleased to see the results that come from working together. The willingness of Indiana’s leadership to listen, recognize and respond to our city’s transportation challenge is heartening. The commitment that Cummins has shown, and continues to show, to Columbus has never been better displayed.”

“We are grateful to all the parties who came together to reach a solution for the long-term success and sustainability of downtown Columbus businesses and residents,” said Rich Freeland, President and COO, Cummins Inc. “A rail solution was critical to our future.”

The Bartholomew County Council hasn’t made a decision yet on whether to approve a new property tax or a new income tax.

The county’s judges and sheriff say the county needs to better fund the criminal justice system.

A cumulative capital development fund would allow the county to build up money from property taxes for construction projects, building repairs or planning for large purchases down the road, while the additional local option income tax would be earmarked for public safety needs.

The County Council held a special meeting Monday night to hear the public’s thoughts on the proposals. The members of the public that spoke were opposed to the tax increase proposals.

Columbus resident Glenn Petri said that those on Social Security saw only a tiny increase in their income last year, and that was more than offset by the increased costs in health care.

Judge Jim Worton said he was not advising the council on its decision one way or another, but he pointed out the vital need for more corrections officers in the county jail. He talked about a recent incident in which an attorney was meeting with a client who became threatening and there was no staff available to help intervene. He said that luckily no one got hurt.

Judge Kelly Benjamin said that there has to be a plan to improve staffing in the jail. She said county decision makers need to ensure a safe work environment for county workers.

Sheriff Matt Myers says that the jail staff and deputies are stretched to the breaking point, having made do with less for years.

Myers said the sheriffs department went through a Six Sigma review with the assistance of Cummins and that review found an immediate need for seven more staff in the jail and 11 in the department.

The County Council is on a tight timeline if it wants to approve the property tax hike. State deadlines would require that decision by the first of August. Council President Laura DeDemonic says that the council would have to vote at its next meeting on July 18th, if it they want to proceed this year.

A Columbus man is accused of driving under the influence after he allegedly rear-ended another vehicle last night.

Columbus police arrested 32-year-old Christopher Arnold on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence with endangerment after the crash on 25th Street and Taylor Road.

Officer Alyson M. Rech, spokeswoman for the Columbus Police Department, says that officers noticed Arnold had slurred speech and his eyes appeared glassy and bloodshot. He failed field sobriety tests which indicated a blood alcohol level of .255 percent, she says.

Columbus City Utilities will be closing Gladstone Avenue on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 5 in the afternoon. that is so they can replace a fire hydrant. The street will be closed between Illinois and Indiana Avenues. Local residents will still be able to gain access to their properties but no through traffic will be allowed.

Northbound Interstate 65 is closed down at the 72-mile marker, as of 5:30 p.m., between Columbus and Edinburgh due to a semi fire.

Dispatchers at the Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center say that authorities hope to have at least one lane of traffic flowing again soon, but it will likely be several hours before the entire interstate is reopened. Authorities recommend you avoid the area by taking U.S. 31.

Two people were arrested on several drug related charges Friday afternoon after their vehicle was stopped for a minor traffic violation. Alyson Rech, Columbus Police Department spokeswoman, says that Officer Drake Maddix was patrolling the area of 19th Street and Cottage Avenue at around 4 p.m. when he saw a vehicle fail to use its turn signal. Maddix stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver, 31-year-old Michael F. McCrory, of Elizabethtown. The officer learned that McCrory’s license was suspended, and that he had an outstanding warrant through Bartholomew County. During the stop, Maddix also learned that the passenger, 35-year-old Bernice A. Woodsen, of North Vernon, had an outstanding warrant out of Jennings County.

Both McCrory and Woodsen were arrested. During a search of the vehicle, police reported finding methamphetamine inside three small clear bags, a glass pipe that also contained methamphetamine, along with multiple syringes, marijuana, a digital scale, a burnt spoon, and numerous pills. McCrory and Woodsen were booked in the Bartholomew County Jail and are being held without bail.

McCrory is facing preliminary charges of:

Two Counts Possession of Legend Drug Injection Device, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Possession of a Legend Drug or Precursor, Level 6 Felony
Five Counts of Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Driving While Suspended, Class A Misdemeanor
Bartholomew County Arrest Warrant

Woodson is facing preliminary charges of:

Two Counts Possession of Legend Drug Injection Device, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Possession of a Legend Drug or Precursor, Level 6 Felony
Five Counts of Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Jennings County Arrest Warrant

A Columbus man who was wanted on a warrant was arrested early Sunday morning after the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call about a man walking in the middle of the road. Judy Jackson, department spokeswoman, says that Deputy Jon Lanning responded to 25th Street near Bush’s Market shortly before 2 a.m. The deputy reported finding 34-year-old Jacob Dale Rice, of Scotland Drive, walking in the eastbound lane. As Deputy Lanning approached, Rice allegedly fled, running toward the Talley Square Addition. He was founder there shortly after. When Rice was captured, police reported finding a set of keys belonging to a recently recovered stolen vehicle.

Along with the outstanding warrant, Rice was arrested on preliminary charges of Auto Theft/Receiving Stolen Auto Parts and Resisting Law Enforcement. He is being held without bond.

Indiana 2-1-1’s mission has been codified into law after a slew of new state regulations took effect over the weekend. Alicia Monroe, director of 2-1-1, says that despite the formal changes, 2-1-1’s mission remains the same.

Monroe says that all calls are handled by a live person, but if you don’t want to talk to anyone, a text service option is available. All you need to do is text your ZIP code to 898211.

The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department is updating the its master plan – setting the direction and priorities for the parks for years to come. Parks Director Mark Jones said that based on the public feedback, the community sees several needs in the years to come.

Jones says that the department’s People Trails system will also be addressed.

Jones said will help predict where the community’s population is growing.

The next steps of the master plan will be a review of all the feedback, which is expected to happen in August.

The Amber Alert for three missing toddlers from Anderson has been cancelled. The cancellation was requested by the Anderson Police Department.