While work continues on developing Columbus’ downtown riverfront between the Second and Third Street bridges, some people have concerns that were raised during the recent presentation to a joint meeting of the City Council and Redevelopment Commission. The proposal includes a walking and cycling connection taking people under the Second Street bridge and connecting it to Mill Race Park, a white water park, the removal of the low-head dam and stabilizing the banks on the east and west side of the river.

Dennis Tibbetts, with the Sierra Club, says that he is “99-percent excited” about the project, but he and his group have concerns.

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Tibbetts says that the bacteria is coming from a tributary of the Driftwood River, which empties into the city’s riverfront. He adds that his group plans on meeting with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to share their data and try to reconcile what he says are inconsistencies in IDEM’s methods and applications in dealing with information that should be acted upon.

City officials say the next public discussion about the riverfront will come in January during another joint meeting of the city council and redevelopment commission.

The Indiana Pacers will be in Columbus Tuesday for their “Season of Giving Big Toy Giveaway.” This event will be held on at 11 a.m. at The Commons in Columbus. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that JAAKS Pacific and the Pacers organization have donated 2,000 toys to the Columbus community to be distributed this holiday season. Harris says that they will be handing out toys out to approximately 75 local children during this one hour event. The remaining toys will be distributed later next month to children in need by local charitable organizations.

Tuesday’s event is scheduled to feature NBA and WNBA Mascots Boomer and Freddy Fever as well as Pacemates who will assist in handing toys out to the children. Mayor Jim Lienhoop and Columbus Police Chief Jonathan Rohde will be also be in attendance along with representatives from local charitable organizations.

A North Vernon man was killed in a Thursday evening crash in Jennings County. Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, say that at approximately 6 p.m., ISP Troopers and Jennings County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a one-vehicle crash on County Road 450 West near US 50.

The initial investigation revealed that a car driven by 31-year-old Travis D. Green was traveling northbound on County Road 450 West, approximately a half-mile south of US 50. For an unknown reason, Green, who was alone in the car, lost control of the vehicle, which then ran off the road and struck a tree. Green’s car then came to rest on the edge of County Road 450 West where the vehicle caught fire. Green was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.

ISP says that the investigation is ongoing. It is unknown whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Columbus police arrested two people on drug charges after a traffic stop early this morning.

Officers pulled over a vehicle for a minor traffic violation at about 1:30 a.m. this morning at 10th and Wilson Streets and noticed the smell of marijuana inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle allegedly revealed a bag of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The driver, 23-year-old Bryan L. Miranda-Alvidrez of Columbus was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle without receiving a license and maintaining a common nuisance

A passenger, 25-year-old Brittnee B. Bryant, of Columbus was found to have eight outstanding warrants. She is also facing new charges of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and visiting a common nuisance

The Festival of Lights parade starts at 6 p.m. tomorrow in downtown Columbus.

You will see a lot of road and street closures around downtown for the parade from 5:30 until about 10 p.m.. INDOT will be rerouting State Road 46 via Franklin, 11th and Lindsey streets. You will also see street closings at 8th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd Streets going east to west, as well as Washington, Jackson and Brown Streets north-south between 11th and 3rd Streets.

And before the parade, you can enjoy the Christmas Village Winter Wonderland at The Commons from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund is having a desperate shortage of toys for its annual toy drive. They have canceled tonight’s planned toy boxing session, because of a lack of toys.

Firefighters are especially in need of new and gently used toys for 8-12 year olds. Capt. Mike Wilson explains that you can drop off toys at any Columbus fire station or at the Doug Otto United Way Center on 13th Street.

Wilson explains the process the toys go through, once they reach the city firefighters.

Firefighters hope to be able to restart the boxing sessions on Monday. If you want to volunteer for those you can stop by the Doug Otto United Way Center on 13th Street from 6 to 9 in the evening Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and follow the signs at the entrance.

There are many jobs involved for volunteers, Wilson explains.

The delivery day for the packages is Saturday, Dec. 16th. Volunteers are needed that morning also to deliver toys throughout Bartholomew County.