Truck-A-Palooza 7, powered by Dorel Juvenile Group will be Saturday, June 9th, at Dorel’s State Street parking lot in Columbus.

The free, anything-on-wheels show will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live music starting at noon. Free registration and parking for the anything-on-wheels show will begin at 8:30 a.m. Those entering the anything-on-wheels show should enter off of Cherry Street. Trophies will be handed out for several categories and driver prizes will be raffled off throughout the show.

The free concert will be headlined by HotWired, who take the stage at noon.

HotWired has been playing Truck-A-Palooza since the first show. They’re a country band from southern Indiana and have been performing for over 12 years. The band’s versatility allows them to perform a wide variety of songs including Top 40 Country, older country, music from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, modern rock and more.

Kelsey James, the event organizer and brand manager for Indiana Country 101.5 WKKG said there is a reason that Truck-A-Palooza continues to grow, year-by-year.

“It’s hard to believe it’s time again for Truck-A-Palooza. I’ve been involved since the third event and it’s something I look forward to every year. I really enjoy any event that can bring the radio station and community together. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. Whether you’re coming out for the whole day or just for a portion of the show we can’t wait to see everyone again this year.”

Food will be available for purchase courtesy of Ellison Concessions and Tailgaters BBQ.

Get there early to snag one of the Truck-A-Palooza 7 T-shirts that will be on sale for $5 each, courtesy of Sound Hearing Solutions and JD Byrider. WKKG will also be giving away official Truck-A-Palooza 7 stadium cups courtesy of Vince Moore Allstate Insurance. This is a family-friendly event with a free bounce house, touch-a-truck area and the Mill Race Clowns will be handing out balloon animals.

Free spectator parking will be available off of Gladstone Avenue.

Truck-A-Palooza 7 is sponsored by: Skooter’s Family Restaurant, Jessen Family Funeral Home, Mann’s Harley Davidson, Wyaloosing Creek Golf Course, Columbus Regional Health, Buck Valley Septic and Portable Toilets

For more information, you can contact Kelsey James at 812-372-4448 or kelseyjames@wkkg.com.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has issued a permit to Project Hero for a traffic-controlled event on northbound State Road 135 in Brown County this Saturday. INDOT says that a number of bicyclists will access State Road 135, between Gatesville Road and Spearsville Road, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. as part of a fundraiser ride to benefit Project Hero’s veteran rehabilitation program.

INDOT says that registered bicyclists will ride alongside soldiers and first responders injured while serving their county or community. Many will following the event’s 60-mile route that journeys from the rail center at Camp Atterbury through the Princes Lakes area, Taggart, Nashville, Bean Blossom, Spearsville and Trafalgar.

Drivers should anticipate encountering bicyclists and sag wagon support vehicles.

In commemoration of National Police Week, a memorial service to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty will be held Friday at 9 a.m. at the Public Safety Plaza near Second Street and Jackson Street in Columbus.

During the 30 minute ceremony, officers will read the names of 135 police officers and 24 police canines who died in the line of duty during 2017. Organizers say that a wreath will be placed at the memorial in honor of Southport Police Department Lieutenant Aaron Allen and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Mojo who died in 2017. Mayor Jim Lienhoop is scheduled to speak at this event, which will feature area law enforcement Honor Guards, bagpipes, a “21 gun” salute, and the playing of taps.

The event is free and you are invited.

Three Columbus residents were arrested on drug charges after a weekend traffic stop in Jennings County. North Vernon Police say that at 1:11 a.m. on Saturday, officers stopped a vehicle for speeding and no plate lights in the 200 block of West Walnut Street. Police determined that the driver, 26-year-old Christian Najera had never received a driver’s license. After speaking with the occupants, officers suspected possible drug activity. Jennings County Sheriff’s Department K9 Vampir was called in and was alerted to the odor of drugs. Officers allegedly found methamphetamine, marijuana and smoking devices. Police say that two loaded handguns were removed from the vehicle and seized.

Najera, along with passengers Damien Kelley and Bryce Endicoff, were all arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. Najera was also charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License.

A local woman was arrested on several charges after she allegedly tried to flee from officers at a Columbus store early Monday morning. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 12:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Whitfield Drive on a shoplifting call. Authorities say the suspect, 31-year-old Amanda J. Redford, of Columbus, refused to stop for security and fled from the store. She was apprehended by officers after a short foot pursuit in the parking lot. Harris says that officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia inside Redford’s purse.

Redford was arrested on preliminary charges of Theft, Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Two Columbus residents were arrested on felony drug charges after their vehicle was stopped early Friday morning. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 1:35 a.m., Officer Drake Maddix stopped the vehicle for a minor traffic violation near State Road 46 and Carrie Lane. Maddix later confirmed that the driver, 43-year-old Kevin J. McCarty, had a suspended driver’s license.

Harris says that McCarty was taken into custody and a police K9 later alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle reportedly resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Both McCarty and his passenger 35-year-old Christine M. Hilderbrand, were arrested.

McCarty is facing preliminary charges of Driving While Suspended, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Methamphetamine. Hilderbrand is facing preliminary charges of Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Cummins is announcing this morning that it has formed a 50-50 joint venture with JAC Motors of China. The deal came about after Cummins purchased Navistar’s equitty in the JAC-Navistar Diesel Engine Company.

Cummins currently supplies light-duty, mid-range and heavy-duty engines to JAC Motors for its domestic market in China as well as its global operations.

The ownership change of the joint venture is subject to regulatory approval and the operations of the new joint venture are expected to commence following completion of all approvals.

For more information, click here

The Hope Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual meeting on Wednesday evening at Willow Leaves of Hope, on the north side of the Hope Town Square. Doors open at 5:30 with the meal starting at 6 and the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Tim Cooney will be the Keynote Speaker, discussing the “Benefit of a Chamber to the Community.”

Chamber members receive one ticket for free and more tickets can be purchased for $15 each. A reservation is required.

The parent company of JCB recently announced consolidated net earnings of over $3.2 million for 2017. Marvin Veatch, made the announcement during the annual stockholder meeting for Bancorp of Southern Indiana. Veach serves as the president of Bancorp of Southern Indiana and the president and CEO of JCB.

Veatch says that consolidated net earnings of $3,287,000 are 2.3 percent higher than 2016. Earnings per share amounted to $2.42, an increase of 2.1 percent over 2016.

Veatch highlighted various accomplishments in 2017, including the opening of a state-of-the-art banking center on Central Avenue in Columbus last July.

A Taylorsville man was arrested early Friday morning after Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a possible burglary in progress in the 2700 block of Perry Drive.

Judy Jackson, department spokeswoman, says that deputies arrived at the home at approximately 2:18 a.m. On arrival, Sergeant Kris Weisner observed a vehicle leaving the residence and attempted a traffic stop. He says the driver, identified as 34-year-old Timothy Hill, refused to stop until he reached Main Street in Taylorsville.

Hill allegedly admitted to having been at the home and having recently used methamphetamine. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Under the Influence/Drugs, Resisting by Fleeing in a Vehicle and Criminal Trespass

Hill has since been released.