Thrive Alliance is holding it’s Veterans Stand Down event this week. Sue Lanborn is an organizer.

Lanborn explains that vets can receive free haircuts, a meal and resources to help with medical care, food, clothing and other benefits. The event begins Thursday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. at Donner Center in Columbus.

This program is designed to help veterans in Bartholomew, Jackson, Brown, Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties.

Columbus Police, firemen and first responders will be on hand for the annual “Touch a Truck” event on Wednesday.

Columbus Police Department spokesman Lt. Matt Harris explains that vehicles and equipment from all departments will be on hand for youngsters to get up close and personal.

Wednesday morning’s event will be held at Clifty Park beginning at 9 a.m.

More than 600 residents from the Columbus-area joined the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease on Sunday, at Mill Race Center. Participants raised $115,223, exceeding the Greater Indiana Chapter’s goal of $98,000.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the support we’ve received from this community,” said Kyle Davern, manager, Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Columbus. “The event itself is an important way for individuals and families who are impacted by the disease to come together in a spirit of hope, and every dollar raised has an impact long after the last participant crosses the finish line.”

Organizers say that the money raised through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s supports local care and support programs available to the community free of charge. It also funds Alzheimer’s and dementia research.

A local man is being accused of a number of drug-related charges.

At about 11:45 p.m., Sunday, Columbus Police transported 27-year-old Eric Winship, of Columbus, to the Bartholomew County Jail. Winship was asked if he had anything on his person to which he responded “no”. After a pat down, Winship was taken to the jail’s recently purchased) body scanner. Police say the scanner clearly showed Winship was in possession some type of “pouch.” Officers eventually found a large corner-cut clear bag with a white powdery substance which tested positive for nearly nine grams of methamphetamine. A second check allegedly uncovered a smaller bag containing orange-colored pills which tested positive for Suboxone.

Winship was arrested on preliminary charges of:

Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Methamphetamine
Possession of Marijuana
Trafficking with an Inmate

Winship remains behind bars in lieu of $88,500 bond.

The City of Columbus and Columbus Fire Department has announced participation in the 2019 “Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters.” This is a national campaign calling for the illumination of landmarks and fire stations to recognize firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

The Columbus Fire Department submitted a request to the City of Columbus Engineering Department, requesting that the Robert N. Stewart Bridge be illuminated in red from Sept. 29- Oct. 6, to coincide with the annual observation the of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

According to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation website, Indiana currently has 4 cities that have landmarks scheduled to be illuminated. Outside of Columbus, they include:

– The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge- Fort Wayne;
– IPL Building – Indianapolis;
– River Lights Plaza – South Bend;

Fire Chief Andy Lay said he hopes that motorist will see the Robert Stewart Bridge glowing red and share in a moment of respect and reflection for all firefighters who have laid down their lives during the call of duty. Chief Lay states, “When a member of the fire service makes the ultimate sacrifice in a community hundreds of miles from Columbus, we feel the loss here at home. The Light the Night program illustrates our respectful connection with the communities and fire departments who’ve suffer a loss.”

Columbus City Cemetery, located south of Donner Park, is scheduled for clean-up on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Staff with Columbus Parks and Rec says those who have family plots in the City Cemetery are asked to pick up any items that they wish to save by Monday, Sept. 30. Parks Department personnel will remove and discard worn and out-of-season decorations that remain on the ground on October 1st.

The next clean-up is scheduled for April 1, 2020.

A Burn Ban has been issued for Jennings County. Public Safety Officials have issued a burn ban due to the lack of rainfall and dry conditions in the county.

The following activities are prohibited in Jennings County:

1. Open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood, or any other combustible material, with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes, propane or pellets.
2. The burning of debris, such as timber or vegetation, including leaf litter, and other such debris that results from building construction activities.
3. Campfires and other recreation fires, unless enclosed. In addition, residents should refrain from using fireworks or other such devices during this ban.

This burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.

A 73-year-old man was severely injured early Wednesday morning as he was cutting firewood east of Brownstown.

“The Tribune” in Seymour is reporting that Richard Sowers, of Medora, sustained a severe wound to the abdomen and was flown to a trauma center in Indianapolis after the incident in the 1500 block of South County Road 100E.

Police say Sowers was conscious and alert and was treated at the scene before ultimately being flown to a trauma center in Indianapolis.

It is believed Sowers was cutting a piece of wood that became lodged in the saw when the accident happened.

You can get more information at tribtown.com.

The Columbus Walk to End Alzheimer’s is this weekend. Hundreds are expected to participate.

Funds raised support the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. Participants will honor those affected by the disease with Promise Flowers during the Promise Garden Ceremony. That is described as a “display of hope to represent the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s.” Participants can join a team or register to walk as an individual at alz.org/Indiana/walk.

The Columbus Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Sunday, Sept. 29. Registration is at 12:30 p.m at Mill Race Center. The opening ceremony is at 1:45 p.m., with the walk to follow.

If you live or work in Johnson County, your taxes are about to go up.

The Indiana Department of Revenue says that, effective October 1st, a number of county income tax rates will increase. The local tax rate in Johnson County is increasing 20 percent, from .01 to .012. after county officials approved the change.

These tax rates affect businesses with employees who live or work in Johnson County. County tax rates for individuals are based on the employee’s Indiana county of residence as of Jan. 1, 2019.

A complete list of current rates for all Indiana counties is available at dor.in.gov by clicking on the “Legal Resources” icon, then choosing “Tax Library” and selecting “Departmental Notices.”