Bartholomew County Commissioners are looking to move the county highway garage. The trio appeared during Monday night’s county council work session to talk about options.

The current facility on State Street is landlocked with little room for expansion. Commissioners are looking at the possibility of purchasing 11.25 acres neighboring the Clay Township Fire Department on 25th Street on the east side of Columbus. The property is currently owned by the Solid Waste Management District.

Commissioners offered options on how the project could be funded, including a piecemeal approach or issuing bonds. Commissioners asked council to consider $8 million in bonds that would be paid back out of CEDIT revenue. In discussions, the council came to a consensus to limit bonding to $6 million with any overages split between the council and commissioners.

The issue is expected to be discussed further when the council meets again next week.

The Jennings County School Corporation has announced the 2018-2019 Textbook Rental, School Lunch Prices & Registration Dates.

Textbook rental prices include textbook rental amounts, consumable materials, and supplies used by students.

Elementary Students

Kindergarten Students $ 91.41
First Grade Students $109.91
Second Grade Students $ 98.53
Third Grade Students $ 99.81
Fourth Grade Students $ 93.18
Fifth Grade Students $ 97.81
Sixth Grade Students $106.76

Middle School Students

Cost varies according to individual schedules.

High School Students

Cost varies according to individual schedules.

School Lunch Prices

Elementary Students $2.75
Middle School Students $2.75
High School Students $2.75
Breakfast $1.50
Adult Meal $3.50
Adult Breakfast $1.85
Milk $0.50

Registration Dates for 2018-2019 School Year

July 23 – Sand Creek – Open to Public 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

July 23 – Brush Creek – Office Opens

July 25 – Sand Creek – CSL Registration Day @ CSL Clubhouse 11a.m. -1 p.m.

July 26 – JCMS – Registration 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

July 30 – JCMS – Registration 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

July 30 – North Vernon Elementary – Registration 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

July 30 – Sand Creek – New Student Registration 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

July 31 –Scipio- New Student Registration 8 a.m. – 11a.m., 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

July 31 – North Vernon Elementary – Registration 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

July 31 – Sand Creek – New Student Registration 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., 12 p.m. -3 p.m.

July 31 – JCHS – Registration: Seniors, Juniors and SCC 12 p.m. – 3 p.m., 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Aug. 1- JCMS – New Student Orientation 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Aug. 1 – Scipio – New Student Registration 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Aug. 1 – JCHS – Registration: Sophomores and Freshmen 12 p.m. – 3 p.m., 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Aug. 2 – Graham Creek – Kindergarten Parent Night 6 p.m.

Aug. 2 – Brush Creek – Kindergarten Open House 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Aug. 3 – Sand Creek – Meet the Teacher Night 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 3 – Hayden – Back to School Night 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 7 – JCMS – Open House 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Aug. 6 – Scipio– Meet the Teacher 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 6 – North Vernon Elementary – Open House 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Aug. 6 – Graham Creek – Back to School Night 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Aug. 6 – JCHS – Freshmen Induction 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Aug. 6 – Brush Creek – 1st – 6th Grades Open House 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

The Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation has announced details of its upcoming Annual Meeting. It will be held August 14th at The Commons in downtown Columbus from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jason Hester, corporation president, says that Japan’s Consul-General in Chicago, Naoki Ito, will deliver the keynote address, speaking on the importance of US-Japan relations and its impact on the local Columbus area economy.

“We are the proud home of more than two dozen Japanese companies who employ nearly 6,000 local residents in Columbus and Bartholomew County, ” said Hester. “Given the significant importance these employers have within our local and regional economy, we are honored to welcome Consul-General Ito to hear his insights into current US-Japan relations and potential economic opportunities for the future.”

The Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago represents Japan’s interests throughout ten states in the Midwest, including Indiana. Ito’s his first trip to Columbus was in October as part of the Consulate’s “Grassroots Caravan Tour.”

The luncheon will also feature a report to the community on current and future activities of the Greater Columbus EDC. Highlights of the EDC’s 2018 Existing Business Survey will also be shared.

The luncheon is open to the public, but advance registration is required as space is limited. Individual tickets are $45, and reserved corporate tables of 8 are available for $360. Registration can be done online at columbusin.org, or by calling 812-378-7300 by close of business, Friday, August 3rd.

A “Junior Birder” program for kids in grades 3 and 4 will be offered at

the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge next week. Donna Stanley, park ranger, says the program consists of two three-hour sessions (from 9 a.m. to noon) on Tuesday, July 10th, and Thursday, July 12. The class will include learning activities covering the basics of birdwatching along with refuge field trips to practice birding skills.

Stanley says this free program will take place at the Refuge Visitor Center. Space is limited and advance registration is required. To register or get more information, call (812) 522-4352 ext. 12.

Cummins is purchasing an electric and hybrid powertrain company. The Columbus-based engine manufacturer on Monday announced that it is acquiring Silicon Valley-based Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. That company designs and produces hybrid and fully-electric power solutions for commercial markets. Cummins officials say that this acquisition helps the company’s efforts to become a global electrified power leader.

“As power needs and technologies continue to evolve, Cummins remains committed to innovations that will deliver the right power solutions for the right applications at the right time to help our customers’ succeed,” said Tom Linebarger, Chairman and CEO, Cummins Inc. “This acquisition will combine EDI’s talented workforce and electrification capabilities with Cummins’ expertise in developing and manufacturing the technologies that power the world.”

This acquisition is the latest in Cummins’ efforts to make electric power systems a growing part of its business. Company officials say that over the past nine months, Cummins accelerated investment in this business. This includes the acquisitions of UK-based Johnson Matthey Battery Systems and North America-based Brammo.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year.

A reminder that July’s JCB Neighborfest has been pushed back one week for the Independence Day holiday. These events, sponsored by JCB, are usually held on the first Thursday evening on the month throughout the summer. Kathryn Armstrong, spokeswoman for the Columbus Area Arts Council explains…

Armstrong talks about how Neighborfest has evolved over last year…

Armstrong talks about what Neighborfest is all about…

The band “Warrior Kings” will be performing a free concert in the 300 block of Washington Street on July 12th. They are described as “a hard rock band with a dark blues soul.” The evening will include a full bar and food.

For more on the JCB Neighborfest series, visit artsincolumbus.org.

A Columbus woman is under arrest on drug charges after a Friday evening traffic stop.

Bartholomew County sheriff’s deputies are reporting that they stopped a vehicle driven by 55-year-old Debbora K. Bozell of Flintwood Drive at 7:15 p.m. Friday evening at North U.S. 31 and old U.S. 31.

She was allegedly found to be carrying methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and was arrested on possession charges.

Jennings County deputies say an intoxicated man tried to flee from a patrol car, leading to even more charges.

Deputies were called Friday after witnesses saw a man walking through yards and acting suspiciously on County Road 500W. They found 31-year-old Robert Anderson of Country Squire Lakes walking across State Road 7 and arrested him on suspicion of public intoxication.

However, as he was being taken to jail, he allegedly jumped from the police vehicle about a mile south of County Road 500N. He then ran through a corn field and allegedly fought with police before being taken into custody in a secure jail van.

He is facing charges of escape, disorderly conduct, public intoxication and resisting law enforcement.

Hope area students can continue to enjoy free lunches through the end of July.

The Flat Rock-Hawcreek Food Services department is announcing that it has approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the summer lunch program that was originally slated to end on Friday.

The program will be taking a break this week, but will be back on Monday. Lunches will be available from 1130 to 12:30 at Hope Elementary on weekdays through July 31st. Lunch is free for children and $2 for adults.

A group of architectural sleuths will be in town this week, digging up the secrets of projects that were planned and designed for Columbus but never built.

Richard McCoy, with Landmark Columbus explains that this investigation will be looking for your help as it digs into the Columbus projects that never were.

McCoy says the Never Built team of Greg Goldin and Sam Lubell have done previous investigations in Los Angeles and New York, and have future projects lined up for Paris and New York’s Central Park.

The Never Built team will be presenting their findings this fall and the second Exhibit Columbus symposium.

There will be a presentation and discussion tonight as the team starts its work. That will be at 6 p.m. tonight at Otter Creek Golf Course and it is free for you to attend.