Community emergency workers will be gathering in front of Columbus City Hall this morning, to remember those who lost their lives in the 9-11 attacks 17 years ago today.

Columbus Fire Chief Mike Compton says that the ceremony is an important one for firefighters.

It will include flags planted on the City Hall lawn by Central Middle School students.

Nearly 3,000 people died that day including 343 New York City firefighters and 71 police officers in and around the World Trade Center.

The ceremony starts at City Hall at 8:40 a.m. and will include an emergency dispatch call at 8:46 a.m., the moment when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

According to our newsgathering partners at TTWN Media Networks,  Vice President Mike Pence and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will speak at a 9-11 memorial at the Pentagon. The annual observance commemorates the 184 lives lost in the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 during the terrorist attacks in 2001.

President Trump will observe the 9-11 anniversary at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Columbus police are asking you to make sure your guns are securely locked up. Four more guns were stolen over the last week, bringing the total to 47 weapons stolen so far this year in the city. Of those, 11 were shotguns and rifles, while the rest were hand guns.

Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that since 2016, 183 firearms have been stolen in the city, most from unsecured vehicles or homes.

He said the Columbus police are urging gun owners to be responsible and to take safety measures to ensure that their firearms are always secure. Harris said police are concerned that the stolen guns are ending up in the hands of people who legally can’t own a firearm and will likely be used in more crimes in the future.

There were 82 firearms stolen last year in the city, Harris said.

A Jennings County woman was sent to an Indianapolis hospital after a Friday morning crash. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that deputies responded to the area of East 100 South/South 525 East at 8:11 a.m.

Upon arrival, deputies located two vehicles in a cornfield, both with serious damage. They say the driver of a pickup truck, 32-year-old Eric Elliott, of Columbus, was traveling northbound on 525 E when he approached the intersection, did not stop, and hit the driver’s side of a second vehicle driven by 26-year-old Jessica Rudd, of North Vernon. Elliott was transported to Columbus Regional Health. Rudd was taken to IU Methodist Hospital. A passenger in Rudd’s vehicle, 78-year-old Leila Carnahan, of Westport, was also transported to Columbus Regional Health.

Local retired journalist Bud Herron has been chosen to be the grand marshal of the Hope Heritage Days parade later this month.

At a ceremony Friday night in Hope, Herron was surprised with the honor.

Michael Dean, CEO of Heritage of Hope which organizes the annual festival, read a proclamation.

Herron was the long time editor and publisher of The Daily Journal in Franklin, as well as publisher of The Republic, The Brown County Democrat, and South magazine. He has served the community of Hope in a number of ways, including at one time heading up the Heritage of Hope not-profit group. Most recently he worked with Advocates for Children as a guardian ad litem, before retiring earlier this year..

Hope Heritage Days runs Sept. 28th, 29th and 30th. The parade is teh afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 30th.

The National Weather Service is reporting that a flood warning continues for rivers and streams in our area, in some places through the middle of the week.

Affected area rivers and streams includes the Big Blue River, Driftwood River, East Fork White and Muscatatuck River. Rainfall of 2 to nearly 8 inches occurred in central and southern Indiana since Thursday evening.

Flood warnings continue for:

• Driftwood River until late Tuesday night with minor flooding forecast.
• East Fork White River at Seymour until Thursday morning with minor flooding forecast.
• Big Blue River at Shelbyville until late tonight. River levels are expected to fall to below flood stage by this afternoon.
• Muscatatuck River at Wheeler Hollow flood warning runs from Tuesday afternoon to Friday afternoon and minor flooding is forecast.

For the most up to date weather and flood information, check out our weather page here. 

A flood warning from the National Weather Service continues for rivers and streams throughout south-central Indiana, with most of the flooding coming this evening and going through mid-week in many areas.

According to the agency, four to six inches of rain fell through central Indiana, with another inch or more was expected last night. The remnants of Hurricane Gordon are tracking northeast along the Ohio River through tonight.

Among the rivers affected in our area are the East Fork White, Driftwood, Flatrock, Muscatatuck and Big Blue.

For other area river forecasts:

• The Driftwood River at Hendricks Ford Bridge was at 5.18 feet as of about7:30 p.m. Saturday night, the last observed level. It is expected to hit 13.5 feet by tonight. That  would be minor flooding and half a foot below moderate flooding.
•  The Flat Rock River at the U.S. 31 bridge in Columbus was at 5.82 feet at 5:30 a.m today, and is expected to hit 10.7 feet by early Monday morning. That is a few inches below the minor flooding level.
• East Fork White River at Columbus is at 3.59 feet as of 6 a.m. today and is expected to crest at about 9.3 feet by Monday afternoon. That is minor flooding and just a few inches above the minor flooding level.
• In Seymour, East Fork White River is at 10.76 feet at 5:45 a.m. today and is expected to crest at about 15.9 feet by Tuesday afternoon. That is moderate flooding and just over a foot below major flooding.
• In Shelbyville, the Big Blue River was at 13.93 feet at 5:45 a.m., with a crest of 14.7 feet expected later this afternoon. That would be minor flooding and significantly lower than anticipated, even last night.
• In Vernon, the Muscatatuck River is expected to crest at 21 feet later this morning, which would be minor flooding. It was at 19.55 feet as of 5:30 a.m. this morning.

The National Weather Service warns that you should never drive into flood water. If you come across water over the roadway they say “Turn around and don’t drown.”

For the most up to date weather and flood information, check out our weather page here. 

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for rivers and streams throughout south-central Indiana, with most of the flooding coming Sunday evening. However, as the rains continue there is a chance of flash flooding.

According to the agency, one to two inches of rain fell across central Indiana Thursday and Friday with up to six inches in some areas. Additional rainfall of four to six inches is expected from now through Sunday evening.  All of central and southern Indiana are under a flash flood watch, with the danger of quickly rising waters.

Many area rivers are under a flood warning through Sunday night and later.

Among the rivers affected in our area are the East Fork White, Driftwood, Flatrock, Muscatatuck and Big Blue.

As of Saturday morning the worst flooding in the area is expected in Shelby County along the Big Blue River. That river is expected to go into major flooding by Sunday afternoon, with a crest of 18.2 feet. That is a few inches above the major flood stage. The weather service says anything above 18 feet means a major flood hitting Shelbyville.

For other area river forecasts:

• The Driftwood River at Hendricks Ford Bridge is at 3.75 feet as of about 8:30 a.m. today, and is expected to hit 15.8 feet by Sunday night. That  would be moderate flooding and just over a foot below major flooding.
•  The Flat Rock River at the U.S. 31 bridge in Columbus was at about 3.88 feet at 8:30 a.m today, and is expected to hit 13.9 feet by early Monday morning. That is minor flooding and just over a foot below the moderate flood stage.
• East Fork White River at Columbus is at 1.47 feet as of 9 a.m. today and is expected to crest at about 12.8 feet by Monday afternoon. That is minor flooding and just over a foot below the moderate flood stage.
• In Seymour, East Fork White River is at 3.11 feet at 7:45 a.m. today and is expected to crest at about 17.6 feet by Wednesday morning. That is moderate flooding and just over a foot below major flooding.
• In Vernon, the Muscatatuck River is expected to crest at crest at 17.8 feet by tomorrow morning, which would be minor flooding. It was at 5.75 feet as of 8:30 a.m. this morning.

The National Weather Service warns that you should never drive into flood water. If you come across water over the roadway they say “Turn around and don’t drown.”

Columbus East High School student, Brook Snyder will host a “Friendly Animal Adoption Event” next month to benefit the animals at the Columbus Animal Care Services Shelter.

City officials say the event will be held on Saturday, October 6th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbus Animal Care Services building at 2730 Arnold Street.

A donation drive for the shelter is also being held. You are being asked to donate cash or these specific items:

Food – especially Puppy & Kitten Food
KMR Kitten Milk Replacer Powder & Bottles
Pill Pockets
Dog Treats
Cat Treats
Clay (Non-Scoop-able) & Scoop-able Cat Litter
Dog Bones (Rawhides, Nylabones or otherwise)
Dog Toys
Cat Toys
Dog Shampoo
Cat Shampoo
Frontline (all sizes)
Rabbit treats
Dog Collars (all sizes – new and gently used)
Dog Leashes
Bleach
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
Paper Towels
Newspapers
Old Bath Towels
Large bottles of Hand Sanitizer

Officials say that cash donations go into the adoption medical fund and are used for both additional medical expenses and towards preparation of dogs going on the Canine Express Transport program to New England shelters.

For more information, call Columbus Animal Care Services at (812) 376-2505.

Jeannine Lake, the Democratic candidate in Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District race is bringing her Straight Talk Tour to Columbus on Monday.

Lake, who is facing Republican Greg Pence in November, will be at the Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 7850 West Goeller Boulevard from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. From there, she’ll appear at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located at 2651 California Street from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Bartholomew County Democratic Party says these are great opportunities to get to know the candidate and ask questions.

The leader of Love Chapel is retiring. Elizabeth Kestler, who has served as executive director of the Christian nonprofit agency since August 1999 is retiring in January.

A special event takes place Saturday to mark a half-century of service for Love Chapel. Kestler explains…

Kestler says there will be plenty of food as well. Saturday’s event is being held at the Commons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kestler adds that everyone is invited, especially those who’ve benefited from Love Chapel and the hundreds of volunteers that have helped over the years.