One person was killed and another injured in a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Brown County. Dep. Gregory Pittman, public information officer for the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, says that at 2:41 p.m., deputies responded to a head-on collision just west of the old Ski World resort on State Road 46 West.

Pittman says that the eastbound driver, 60-year-old Timothy Ellison, of Crooked Creek Road, was taken to Bloomington Hospital for minor injuries. The westbound driver, 28-year-old Joseph E. Dusard, of Bloomington, was trapped in the vehicle and had to be removed by fire units. Pittman says that emergency personnel, including a doctor at the scene, tried to resuscitate Dusard, but were unsuccessful. Dusard was pronounced dead on the scene.

Pittman says that both drivers were wearing seat belts and airbags were deployed. State Road 46 was closed for several hours in both directions. The crash remains under investigation.

A Hope man was hospitalized after his overturned vehicle was discovered Tuesday morning. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson, says that deputies were called to the 5800 block of East County Road 450 North at 9:46 a.m. on a report of a vehicle that was off the road and possibly submerged.

When deputies arrived, they reported finding the vehicle along the side of the river next to a bridge. The driver, 21-year-old Tony Whittington, was conscious, but trapped inside the upside-down vehicle. The fire department, working with Bartholomew County Water Rescue and Recovery, extracted Whittington from the vehicle. He was then life-lined to Indianapolis with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries. Jackson says that investigators believe that Whittington may have been trapped inside the vehicle for about four-hours.

It is not known at this time what caused the accident, but Jackson says that a report is being forwarded to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for drug-related items allegedly found inside the vehicle.

A Columbus woman was flown to an Indianapolis hospital after a Monday afternoon crash. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that just after 2 p.m. deputies responded to a one-vehicle crash on County Road 650 East, just south of 25th Street.

Investigators say that the driver, Mary V. Swinney, drove off the east side of the roadway on County Road 650 East, hitting two mailboxes before striking a large tree. They add that Swinney wasn’t wearing a seat-belt, resulting in her being thrown into the passenger’s seat.

Phase Two of the “Connecting State Street” project has cleared one hurdle after the Columbus Redevelopment Commission gave its unanimous approval Monday evening. The body heard a presentation about the project from United Consulting.

The project includes a side-path extending south from the Haw Creek bridge, near Stadler Drive, to Mapleton Street. Just under a half-mile long, officials call this path the “core” of the State Street project. Future sections will complete connections to downtown and Mill Race Park.

Phase Two also includes five green spaces. This includes two near Stadler Drive and three near Indiana Avenue. This spaces are slated to include 84 shade trees, 10 flowering trees, benches and 6,719 bricks. Nine-hundred of those bricks will be engraved.

Total cost of this phase of the project is estimated at $2.6 million, which is in line with what city officials had expected.

Due to the expense, the redevelopment commission’s approval of the project is only a “recommendation” for the city council to move forward with necessary funding. That body is expected to consider the matter next month.

A North Vernon man was arrested Sunday afternoon after police there executed a search warrant. At about 4:30 p.m., officers served the warrant, which ended in the arrest of 58-year-old David W. Uberin. Police say the warrant came about after Officer Isaac Barkes gathered information over several weeks that indicated drug activity was taking place at the home.

During the search, police say they found several capsules of a non controlled, prescription medication not contained in a labeled prescription container, along with a small bag with white residue. Drug analysis on the bag is pending.

Uberin was arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of a Legend Drug without a Valid Prescription, a level 6 felony.

The Bartholomew County Highway Department is requesting an additional appropriation for just over one-million dollars for the Cumulative Bridge Fund. Danny Hollander, county highway engineer, explains…

Hollander is asking the county council to put the $1,010,000 left over from last year’s projects into this year’s bridge budget. Hollander says that money in the Cumulative Bridge Fund can only be used on bridge projects…

County Council meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. on the fourth floor of the County Government Office Building.

A Columbus man was arrested Friday night after he allegedly threatened people with a chainsaw.

Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman, says that at approximately 8:40 p.m. officers responded to a gas station in the 1600 block of Central Avenue after receiving calls about the man. Police say that 32-year-old Ian A. Walker was threatening customers with a chainsaw in the parking lot. They say that Walker then started the chainsaw and was revving it as he was walking towards a station employee.

Officers arrived and arrested Walker on preliminary charges of Disorderly Conduct and Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon.

A Columbus North High School Student is doing what she can to help homeless kittens. Nicohl Birdwell Goodin, general manager of Columbus Animal Care Services, says that Madeline Morris will host “The Whole Kitten Caboodle” Kitten Shower on Saturday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Animal Care Services Center, located at 2730 Arnold Street.

This event is being held to help provide the felines with the items they need. If you would like to help, you are asked to donate any of the following items:

• Kitten Chow
• Cat Litter
• Bottles for Nursing Kittens
• KMR Brand Kitten Formula (found at local pet stores or online)
• Bleach & Paper Towels
• Dawn Dishwashing Liquid (blue)
• Monetary donations

Attendees can enjoy refreshments and visit the animals available for adoption at the shelter.

Severe Weather and Flood Preparedness Week runs from April 19 thru April 25. Officials say that Indiana typically has its most severe weather during the spring months. You and your loved ones are urged to plan, prepare and practice what to do in the event of severe weather.

As part of the week, a statewide tornado test will take place Tuesday. Tornado sirens throughout the state are slated to be tested at 10:10 a.m. and again at 7:35 p.m. In the event of severe weather, the test will be rescheduled.

Dave Tucek, a meteorologist from the Indianapolis National Weather Service office will conduct a basic Severe Weather Spotters Class. This free class will be offered March 28th at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbus Learning Center. It is open to all first responders and the public.

JC Penney is closing five stores in Indiana, one of them inside the Fairoaks Mall in Columbus. The chain announced Friday that it is shuttering 138 stores nationwide in an effort to boost profitability. JC Penny says that approximately 5,000 positions will be affected by the closings. The chain says that liquidation at most affected stores should begin April 17th, with the stores completely closed by sometime in June.