Cody Wooten and Sean Deem joined the ranks of the Columbus Police Department when they were sworn in by Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop during Tuesday morning’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

Officer Cody Wooten is a 36 years old Westport resident and a graduate of South Decatur High School. He previously worked for New Albany Police Department where he was a Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor and a member of the SWAT Team. Wooten has also been with the Indiana National Guard for 19 years, where he holds the rank of First Sergeant. During his time in the National Guard, Wooten has been deployed to Bosnia and Iraq.

Officer Sean Deem is 26 years old and from Greenwood. He graduated from Greenwood High School and attended Indiana State University where he graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology. Deem is also a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and is currently in the Indiana Army Nation Guard.

Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that both Wooten and Deem will begin the Columbus Police Department Field Training program later this month.

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.

Indiana Department of Transportation’s contractor plans to begin making pavement repairs next week on U.S. Highway 50 between U.S. 31 and the roundabout construction site at the west end of the North Vernon bypass.

INDOT says that Dave O’Mara, the state’s contractor for this $1.9 million rehabilitation project, will make full and partial-depth asphalt patches in advance of milling and surface-paving operations along the 8.3-mile section of east-west roadway. The work is dependent on the weather.

Flaggers will be onsite to direct motorists around individual worksites. Work is slated to begin Monday or Tuesday.

The Mill Race Theatre Company will perform Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” at 7:30 p.m. July 13th and 14th and 2:30 p.m. July 15th at Columbus North High School’s Erne Auditorium.

Tickets are available online at millracetheatre.org and can be purchased in person at Mill Race Center, 900 Lindsey Street. Advance tickets are $6 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $12 for adults.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced traffic pattern shifts on State Road 9 between Broadway Street in Shelby County and the Shelby/Bartholomew county line for continued pavement work.

Beginning Friday night, traffic will switch from two-way traffic to only southbound traffic for 15 days. Traffic is anticipated to resume two-way traffic flow on July 14th. INDOT says that local access will be maintained during this traffic shift.

A traffic shift is also underway between Hasecuster Lane in Shelby County and the Shelby/Bartholomew County line. INDOT says that traffic has switched from only southbound traffic to two-way traffic for 25 days. Traffic is expected to return to southbound only traffic on July 23rd between County Road 750 South and the Shelby/Bartholomew County line. Local access will be maintained during this traffic shift.

This work is part of a $10.3 million contract to replace or resurface pavement on more than 12 miles of State Road 9 in Shelby County. The work also includes the replacement of storm sewer, concrete curb and gutter, and sidewalks.