A local man was arrested early Monday morning after he allegedly tried to flee from Columbus police officers. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 3:45 a.m., officers observed Aaron MC Christian, of Columbus, inside a vehicle in the 1600 block of Central Avenue. Officers confirmed an active local warrant for Christian’s arrest when he allegedly tried to flee from the vehicle and push the officers. After a short scuffle, Christian was taken into custody on a preliminary charge of Resisting Law Enforcement.

The Columbus City Council is set to hear a resolution Tuesday night that will allow the city’s redevelopment commission to move forward with a $750,000 grant to the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation to aid in workforce development. Specifically, money will go towards the iGrad program, STEM and Transition Planning. If approved by council, this will mark the third consecutive year that the city has granted funds to BCSC.

City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at city hall and you are invited.

A hotdog restaurant in the FairOaks Mall has extended its online crowdfunding campaign to help fund a potential relocation.

Special Dogs & More launched its $50,000 online fundraising campaign to help finance a move to a new location on Washington Street in downtown Columbus. The restaurant had initially set a deadline of Thursday to secure all of the needed funding, but the campaign has been extended to Sept. 2.

The business, which employs individuals with emotional and intellectual disabilities, has been operating at the mall since October. Randy Lapidus, co-owner, says the original plan was to stay in the mall for a few years before moving to a bigger location, but fewer businesses in the mall has resulted in less foot-traffic and the need to move the restaurant as soon as possible.

If you would like to help in this effort, visit “Special Dogs and More” on Facebook.

Columbus Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a day and night of fun at Mill Race Park at the first annual Great Columbus Campout, scheduled for September 8-9.

Organizers say this overnight camping trip is intended to provide individuals and families with a chance to participate in a number of different activities, experience nature and create memories. Activities planned during the campout include arts and craft activities, s’mores, campfire songs, cornhole, a Family Glow Walk and more. Campers are required to bring their own tent, sleeping bag and other camping supplies.

Registration is now open. Cost is $15 per person ages 2 and up if you register by August 17. After that date, the cost is $20 per person. Children 2 and under are free. The registration cost includes a t-shirt, the above activities, dinner and breakfast by Blackerby’s Catering.

You can register online at columbusparksandrec.com, by calling the Columbus Parks and Recreation registration line at (812) 376-2680 or stopping by Donner Center during regular business hours, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Organizers are thanking Thompson Furniture for their generous support as the title sponsor for this event.

The incident Thursday that resulted in a section of I-65 being closed is being attributed to a tire fire. Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that deputies arrived to the 77-mile marker of the southbound interstate just after 11 a.m. She says the tractor and trailer, driven by Robin D. Kutruff, were destroyed before being extinguished at the scene.

Both lanes of I65 were closed for almost an hour. One lane remained closed for several hours.

Kutruff was not hurt.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers announced the appointment of two additional DARE Deputies on Thursday. They are Deputy Nick Martoccia and Deputy Andrew Whipker. The pair join current DARE Deputy Jessica Pendleton.

Deputy Martoccia began his career with the Sheriff’s Office as a Merit Deputy in 2009. He is a graduate of Columbus East High School and holds an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement from Vincennes University.

Deputy Whipker began his career with the Sheriff’s Office as a Merit Deputy in 2015. Prior to his service with BCSO, Whipker served as a Probation Officer with the Greenwood, IN Probation Department. He is a graduate of Columbus East High School and holds a Criminal Justice degree from IUPUC.

Deputy Pendleton began her career with the Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy before becoming a Merit Deputy in 2009. In 2011, she was BCSO’s K-9 Officer and, in 2015, she became the Sheriff’s DARE Officer.

Sheriff Myers says that in addition to their DARE duties, Deputies Pendleton, Martoccia and Whipker will continue to perform a variety of law enforcement duties including those of responding to calls for service.

Sheriff Matthew A. Myers says it is important to get more deputies into county schools. He noted: “Our DARE deputies perform a variety of duties. In addition to their duties in law enforcement, they will instruct Bartholomew County students and other youth in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and coordinate program activities with local school administrators, teachers, parents and peers.”

The Columbus Police Department is inviting you to take part in Saturday’s “Public Safety Family Fun Day.” Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says the event will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Lowes parking lot located at 3500 10th Street.

Officials say this family friendly event, which is in collaboration with “National Night Out”, will feature Columbus police officers and firefighters as well as other public safety personnel. Those in attendance will be able to ask questions and interact with public safety personnel and see equipment such as police cars and fire trucks up close.

Several local businesses and not for profit groups are also scheduled to have information tables set up at the event.

A Reddington man is being accused of drug dealing after his arrest early this morning by Columbus police.

Officers stopped a vehicle near 7th Street and Gladstone Avenue for a minor traffic violation at about 12:15 a.m. The driver, 54-year-old Troy L. Iverson, appeared nervous to officers and a police dog was brought to the scene. The dog alerted to the smell of narcotics inside the vehicle..

A search of Iversons’ vehicle allegedly found drug paraphernalia, 19 syringes, and over eight grams of methamphetamine, according to police reports.

Iverson is facing following preliminary charges of dealing in methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine, a legend drug injection device and drug paraphernalia.