White River Broadcasting’s WKKG will be recognized this afternoon for its community service efforts.
Brand Manager Kelsey James explains that the station is receiving the Cardinal Award from the Indiana Broadcaster’s Association for the annual Campout for Kids to benefit the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund.
The Cheer Fund is the oldest charity in Bartholomew County and provides presents and food gifts for families throughout the community at Christmas time.
James has been taking part in the event since it started five years ago. She said it is a great chance to help out such an important community group.
She said she is always impressed by one particular type of donor.
The station will be recognized at a ceremony this afternoon.
Family Service Inc. will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with an event tonight at Simmons Winery on County Road 450N.
The not-for-profit group provides mental health care and other services for those in need on a sliding fee scale, says Julie Miller, the agency’s executive director.
The agency started as a mental health initiative.
Last year, more than 15,000 individuals were served by the agency.
The mission has since grown to include early childhood services and child abuse prevention efforts.
Tonight’s event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop will read a proclamation recognizing the anniversary at 5:30 p.m. and the band, Brothers From Another Mother, will be performing. Food and a cash bar will be provided by Simmons Winery.
Crew Carwash will be making a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County this afternoon.
The $3,300 donation is proceeds from the company’s July Crew for Kids fundraiser. Crew Carwashes at 31 locations donated 50 percent of all Works washes and Ultimate washes to the cause. Crew also accepted cash and credit donations at all locations on July 28th.
The proceeds from all the locations meant $94,100 dollars in donations to community Big Brothers, Big Sisters organizations. The Columbus ceremony will be at 1 p.m. this afternoon at the Crew Carwash on National Road.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and Ivy Tech President Sue Ellsperman join students in opening the Cyber Academy at MUTC; WRB staff photo
Gov. Eric Holcomb, along with VIPs from Ivy Tech and the Indiana National Guard, cut a network cable Wednesday afternoon to officially open the Muscatatuck Cyber Academy near Butlerville. The academy fully immerses students in an accelerated associate degree program in which students complete a two-year degree in 11 months in the nation’s most exclusive and realistic cyber-physical training environment.
“This academy will continue to improve our state’s security, prosperity and competitive edge,” Holcomb said. “Building on Indiana’s global reputation as a growing tech hub, the Muscatatuck Cyber Academy is an important program to help us develop a 21st century skilled and ready workforce.”
Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann, Ivy Tech Columbus Campus Chancellor Dr. Steven Combs and Indiana National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Courtney P. Carr joined the governor during the opening ceremony.
“The nation requires a workforce that is relevant, agile and adaptable if it is to remain technically competitive in the global economy and successfully address the continually increasing emergent cyber threats from around the globe,” said Carr, who’s organization hosts the academy at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center.
Jay Carlisle, of Columbus, is an academy student and member of the military. He explained why the program, which sees a two-year program diluted to an intensive 11 month period, was attractive to him…
Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department
A Kentucky man was seriously hurt in a Wednesday morning crash on I-65. Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that at around 5:55 a.m., deputies were dispatched to southbound I-65 near the 61.5-mile maker.
Upon arrival, first-responders reported finding a semi-tractor with heavy damage. It appeared the driver, 65-year-old Scott Pearson, of Louisville, had run off the roadway. Jackson says that Pearson was extracted by fire units and stabilized by EMS before being flown to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Thomas D. Crouch. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.
A man trying to flee from Columbus police last night on a stolen bicycle was arrested.
Police report that an officer noticed 47-year-old Thomas D. Crouch of Columbus riding the bike near Cherry Street and Indiana Avenue at about 8:45 last night and recognized that Crouch was wanted on a Bartholomew County warrant. Police attempted to stop Crouch, but he allegedly fled on the bike. He was captured a short time later in the 600 block of Parkway Drive.
A check of the bike’s serial number revealed that it had been reported stolen earlier this month from a Columbus resident.
In addition to the outstanding warrant, he is facing preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement and possesion of stolen property.
The Columbus movie will be returning to Yes Cinema for a one-week long engagement.
The not for profit theater on Jackson Street downtown is operated by the Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center. Randy Allman with the family center explains that this is the one-year anniversary of the film’s local premiere.
The first showing of the film in its re-release will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening, Aug. 31st. That will be surrounded by special activities including an event at the Inn at Irwin Gardens and the showing of deleted scenes and other extras. Allman says.
There will also be $10 tickets for a drawing to win a Columbus-themed gift basket. That includes dinner at Henry Social Club, a stay at the Irwin Gardens, tickets for the upcoming Yes film fest and more.
Allman says last year’s run was the best-selling movie in Yes Cinema history.
All proceeds from movies and concessions sold at Yes Cinema, as well as the Columbus movie related fundraisers, go to benefit the Lincoln Central Neighborhood Center on 10th and Sycamore streets. Allman explains:
You can get more information and showtimes at yescinema.org
The town of Hope is without a tornado siren. That’s after the tower was hit by lightning.
Town Manager J.T. Doane said the town was contacted by Bartholomew COunty emergency officials after a test revealed the siren was not working. Repair crews were called in and said the electronics for the siren had been fried by the lightning strike. The repair cost is estimated at about $16,000 and the town is working with its insurer to cover the cost of the repairs.
In the meantime, if there is a tornado watch or warning, the town’s police department and volunteer firefighters will patrol the streets with sirens activated and use their vehicle’s PA system to warn residents.
Doane briefed the Town Council members on the situation at last night’s Hope Town Council meeting.
Plans for a new assisted-living facility in Columbus are on track after action taken Tuesday night by the Columbus City Council. Vivera Senior Living of Columbus, LLC wants to construct the facility at the former site of the Bartholomew County Annex at 1971 State Street. According to documents filed with the city, this $15 million project will consist of 114 total units. Fifty-two will be efficiency units and 62 will be one bedroom units.
The developer is requesting that the State Street site be designated as an Economic Revitalization Area. A public hearing on that component will be held at the next council meeting on September 4th. If the ERA designation is granted, that will allow the developer to apply for state tax credits needed to make the project financially feasible. Vivera officials say they will also be applying for local tax abatements.
The town of Nashville and Nashville Utilities have issued a boil order after a contractor struck a water line on State Road 46 West. The following areas are under the order:
468 – 2000 Upper Schooner Road;
870-893 Mullis Road;
Lake Turner Lane;
Cowboy Way;
2087-4243 State Road 46 West;
Residents and businesses in these areas should boil their drinking and cooking water until 4 p.m. on Friday.
