A reminder that Bartholomew Consolidated Schools are closed Tuesday, Nov. 19 so that staff can attend the “Red for Ed” event at the Indiana Statehouse.

Thousands of teachers from across Indiana are expected to flood the Capitol for the rally. Reports are that more than 130 school districts are calling off classes.

BCSC will make this day up on March 10th.

Other area school districts also closed for the day are:

– Edinburgh Community Schools
– Jennings County Schools
– Decatur County Community Schools

The Bartholomew County Highway Department says that Blessing Road will be closed to all traffic, from State Road 11 to Roosevelt Drive, for repairs, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 19th. That stretch of road is slated to reopen sometime on Tuesday, Nov. 26th.

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.

One person was arrested after deputies with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office partnered with members of the U.S. Marshal Service to conduct a county-wide surprise check on registered sex offenders on Thursday, Nov. 14th.

Deputies conducted surprise offender checks on about 100 sex offenders throughout Bartholomew County to determine the validity of information provided by individuals currently registered with Bartholomew County’s Sex Offender Registry.

Convicted sex offenders are required to report any residential and/or employment changes to the Sheriff’s Office within 72 hours of the change.

One arrest was made during the sweep when an offender was found to be in possession of marijuana. Details of that arrest have not yet been released.

Four others were found to be out of compliance with the terms of their registry. This could result in additional charges for them.

Authorities say this sweep was conducted in addition to regular checks that are conducted throughout the year.

The annual “Great American Smokeout” is coming up and groups in Jackson County want to help smokers quit.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, smokers nationwide will be encouraged to quit smoking as part of the nationwide event, which takes place the third Thursday of every November.

Schneck Medical Center, Healthy Jackson County-Decreasing Tobacco Use Workgroup, and the American Cancer Society are partnering to support this cause.

“We’re inviting people to commit to healthy, smoke-free lives. To quit smoking is extremely difficult. Just the idea can be intimidating. However, with the right support, the chances for success spike,” said Dr. David Wilson, Schneck Pulmonology and Medical Director of Healthy Jackson County-Decreasing Tobacco Use Workgroup.

The annual event challenges people to quit smoking for at least 24 hours with the goal that the decision not to smoke will last longer, ideally forever. According the American Cancer Society, quitting, even for one day, reduces cancer risk.

“The Great American Smokeout is the perfect occasion to commit or recommit to kicking this life-threatening habit. You don’t have to quit in a day—we’re encouraging people to use this platform as a first step in their journey toward a tobacco-free life,” said Dr. Wilson.

Schneck Medical Center and the Jackson County Health Department offer a free smoking cessation program. Call 812-522-0401 or 812-522-6474 to learn more.

Cummins Inc. on Friday announced its next environmental sustainability strategy. Company officials say this strategy includes science-based goals that meet or exceed the goals in the United Nations Paris agreement on climate change. Cummins is targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“Our communities and our business depend on our collective response to improve the health of the planet while creating prosperity for all,” said Tom Linebarger, Cummins Inc. Chairman and CEO. “It’s clear that government, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and communities must unite behind swift, decisive action to address the environmental threats we face.”

The strategy, called PLANET 2050, is focused on three priority areas: addressing climate change and air emissions, using natural resources in the most sustainable way, and improving communities.

The Columbus Redevelopment Commission will be discussing the proposed downtown hotel and conference center at its meeting Monday afternoon.

Heather Pope is the city’s director of redevelopment. She explains that the hotel/conference center team will be making recommendations to the Redevelopment Commission.

Pope says there has been talk of purchasing property downtown to bring this project to fruition.

Monday’s meeting begins at 4 p.m. at city hall.

You are invited.

North Vernon Police arrested two area residents after a traffic stop Wednesday night.

Shortly after 11 p.m. officers stopped a vehicle in the area of Norris Avenue. Inside, they found 21-year-old Hannah R. Teipen, of North Vernon, who was wanted on a Jennings County warrant. During the investigation, police also arrested her on preliminary charges of Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Police also arrested 24-year-old Corby D. Deaton, also of North Vernon, on preliminary charges of Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of Paraphernalia.

The Ivy Tech Community College Columbus campus is hosting a special enrollment event next week.

Express Enrollment Day will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Ivy Tech Columbus, located at 4475 Central Ave. Ivy Tech employees will be on hand to help anyone interested in enrolling.

At Express Enrollment Day residents can:

• Complete steps to enroll as a student;
• Get financial aid questions answered;
• Learn about and meet assessment requirements;
• Meet with an advisor;
• Register for the semester;
• And find out about orientation.

Ivy Tech Columbus has more than 30 programs in business, healthcare, information technology, education, aviation, and manufacturing.

Classes start January 13th.

The Indiana Department of Transportation says that crews will be conducting two traffic switches on I-65 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties as part of the $143 million reconstruction and added travel lanes project. INDOT says these switches will be the first step toward moving traffic into the project’s winter shutdown configuration.

On Friday night (Nov. 15), southbound traffic will be shifted back to the southbound side of I-65 from just south of State Road 11 to Seymour. On Saturday night (Nov. 16), northbound traffic will be shifted back to the northbound side of I-65 from just north of State Road 11 to south of State Road 58.

INDOT says that motorists should continue to adhere to the 55 mph speed restriction and use extra caution in the construction zone. All trucks should continue to use the left lane for travel.

The project is expected to be complete in 2020.

Brown County State Park will be dedicating a mountain bike trail on Friday morning. The park will be celebrating the addition of Weed Patch Trail, a 2.4 mile mountain bike trail constructed in partnership with the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association.

Parks officials say Weed Patch Trail will provide an integral connection between the campground, the Limekiln Trail and the rest of Brown County’s existing 36-mile mountain bike trail system. Funding for the project includes a Next Level Trails grant to HMBA, who is providing the required match dollars. The grant includes Weed Patch and two other new mountain bike trails in the park, which will total 7.5 miles of new trail by 2021.

Mountain bike trails in Brown County State Park are multi-use and are open to hiking as well as cycling.