An electrical fire damaged a home on 13th Street Friday morning.

At about 10 a.m., Columbus Firefighters were called to the 2100 block of 13th Street for a residential fire. Columbus Police officers were first to arrive on the scene, and initially reported no evidence of fire. After further examination of the home, officers later reported smoke was visible at the rear of the home in what appeared to be an attached garage. When firefighters arrived on the scene the amount smoke had increased and was visible from the street. The home was cleared of occupants.

Firefighters suspected that the fire was isolated within the attached garage at the rear of the residence. They entered the home and made their way to the garage, where firefighters found flames and a high concentration of smoke. The fire was extinguished quickly and was contained to the garage of the 700 square-foot home.

Firefighters say high heat and flames damaged the interior walls separating the garage from the home. Flames also damaged the home’s water heater. Due to damages the home’s utility system, the power and water utility have been disconnected until repairs are made.

Investigators determined that the garage fire was electrical in nature. Damages are estimated at approximately $5,000 to the building and its contents. No Injuries were reported.

The Columbus Fire Department is taking this opportunity to remind you that, nationally, winter months have historically seen an increase in home fires. While the most common cause of fire remains cooking fires, electrical and heating fires also increase during the winter months.

A water main break has resulted in the issuance of a Boil Order for the town of Nashville and Nashville Utilities. Residents and businesses in the following areas should boil all cooking and drinking water through Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.:

– 474 to 610 Artist Drive
– West Drive
– Oak Run

A time and date for the recount to determine the winner of the Columbus City Council District 1 race is expected to be set next week.

Councilman Dascal Bunch,a Republican, and Democrat Jerone Wood appeared with counsel before Superior Court I Judge Jim Worton Tuesday afternoon. Wood defeated Bunch, the incumbent, by a single vote, 260-259 in November’s general election. Independent candidate Michael Kinder received 81 votes.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Worton instructed both candidates to have their recount commissioner named by the end of business on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The court will work with Clerk Jay Phelps to name a third member to the commission, a “mechanic,” that understands how the voting machines operate. The three-member commission will be tasked with counting each ballot in the district’s seven precincts. Each side is also permitted to have a “watcher” on hand during the recount.

Judge Worton says he anticipates approving the candidates’ representatives and setting a date for the recount by the middle of next week.

By law, the recount must be complete and the election certified by December 20.

Cummins plans to cut its workforce by 2,000.

Jon Mills, company spokesman, says that demand has deteriorated even faster than expected, resulting in needed adjustments to reduce costs. He explains that the company has already taken several actions in response to declining revenues.

Because the downturn is happening at a sharper pace than was experienced in the previous two cycles, Cummins will reduce global workforce by approximately 2,000 by the first quarter of 2020. Where these cuts will be made is yet to be announced.

Mills says these actions are necessary, but added that this is “incredibly tough and disappointing.” Company officials stress that, by taking actions now, Cummins can navigate this downturn and emerge stronger when markets return.

Lowell Road Bridge, just east of CR 325 West, will be down to a single lane Tuesday. Bartholomew County Emergency Management says that restrictions are in place from 9 a.m. until noon.

You are asked to avoid the area, as long delays are anticipated.

If you are looking for more traffic information, download the WAZE app for your smartphone and join the WCSI Traffic team powered by Crew Car Wash. You can find updated traffic information on our website, on-air and on the app.

The city’s Christmas tree has been installed in front of Columbus City Hall. Jamie Brinegar is the city’s director of finance.

Brinegar, in a recent appearance on “A.M. Columbus” with John Foster enourages you and your family to drive by city hall and see the tree lit up in all of its glory Friday evening.

Brinegar adds that tree-wrap lights have also been extended down Fourth Street.

City officials say the lights on the tree will be turned on by 5 p.m. Friday. There will not be a tree-lighting ceremony this year, but you’re encouraged to visit downtown and take in the sites.

You can get a link to a video of the city’s Christmas tree being here: columbus.in.gov/see-the-2019-city-christmas-tree-installation/#.

The City of Columbus has launched a new section of the City website aimed at bicyclists and pedestrians called “Bike Walk Columbus.”

Emilie Pinkston, senior planner with the Columbus Planning Department, says the website features an online interactive map of existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities which will continually be updated to reflect the most current inventory of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Columbus and Bartholomew County. She says this tool can be used at home or on the trail to assist bicyclists and pedestrians with route planning.

Pinkston says the website also features an interactive map of ongoing bicycle and pedestrian-related construction projects. This map is intended to provide up-to-date information on the various public infrastructure projects underway in the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County that include sidewalks, bicycle lanes, trails, and similar infrastructure.

The Bike Walk Columbus website is available at columbus.in.gov/bikewalk/.

A grant of over $1 million will allow the creation of low-income housing in Seymour.

Thrive Alliance says it has received a $1.2 million allocation of low-income housing tax credits from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. These funds will enable Thrive Alliance and partner Jonesboro Investments to move forward with construction of Crossroads Village, a $12.5 million, 64-unit affordable apartment complex at 500 South Poplar Street in Seymour.

“We are extremely pleased to have IHCDA provide funding to make this project a reality,” said Mark Lindenlaub, Thrive Alliance Executive Director. Lindenlaub credited local officials in helping bring the project to fruition. “The involvement and support of Mayor Luedeman, the city council, and other community leaders has been invaluable in helping move this project forward,” he said.

In June, the Seymour City Council voted to provide tax abatement for the project and to invest $51,000 in local funding to install new sidewalks around the property.

Officials say the complex also benefits from a unique relationship with neighboring Schneck Medical Center, which plans to provide on-site access to health screenings, health education and counseling services, nutrition education, dementia care and other services.

“We are pleased to partner with Thrive Alliance to help address the growing demand for housing in Seymour and Jackson County,” said Jacob Sipe, Executive Director of IHCDA. “Crossroads Village will also support the City of Seymour’s continued revitalization and redevelopment efforts while at the same time providing a new housing option for seniors.”

The project is slated for completion in 2022.

Residents in Decatur County can chat with staff of their U.S. Representative. Congressman Greg Pence, a Columbus Republican, announced Friday that his team will host Community Office Hours for constituents in Greensburg on Monday, Nov. 25.

Members of Pence’s staff will be available to meet with Hoosiers and help on topics including assistance with federal agencies, grant applications, the purchase of U.S. Flags, military academy nominations, and tours of Washington, D.C.

Monday’s event will be held in the Plan Meeting Room at Greensburg City Hall from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. You are invited.

Cummins, Inc. is preparing for an expected downturn in business next year.

At a meeting with analysts and shareholders Thursday in New York City, members of the company’s leadership team shared plans to effectively manage through what they are calling a cyclical downturn by lowering structural costs by $250  to $300 million in 2020.

President and COO Tony Satterthwaite explained the cost-cutting will include reducing discretionary workers, employee shifts and overtime.

He said the company is also saving by reorganizing its North American distribution network.

Satterthwaite reiterated that while battery and fuel cell technologies have been a clear focus of Cummins, its investments in diesel and natural gas platforms would continue. He says that “diesel will be the primary source of energy in commercial vehicles for many years to come.”

Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger explained that the management team has experience in making it through downturns.

At the meeting, called the Cummins Analyst Day, Chief Financial Officer Mark Smith reminded investors that Cummins has a strong track record of improving cycle-over-cycle profitability and cash flow.

You can read more from the company’s announcement here.