Ivy Tech Community College has selected a Vice Chancellor of Student Success for the Columbus campus.

Dr. Jennifer Englert-Copeland will join Ivy Tech Columbus in October. She brings extensive experience in higher education, including academic advising, assessment, retention, and student success services. Ivy Tech officials say that Englert-Copeland will “lead staff in supporting students as they persist toward completing their education and career goals.”

“Dr. Englert-Copeland’s collaborative, data-driven approach to student success along with her belief in the importance and value of community college make her an excellent fit for Ivy Tech,” said Dr. Steven Combs, Ivy Tech Columbus chancellor. “Her comprehensive experience in academic advising and other student success initiatives will bolster the incredible work of our academic advising team and help further progress our efforts to advance the student experience at Ivy Tech Columbus.”

Before joining Ivy Tech, Dr. Englert-Copeland served as Director of Advising and Assessment at Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville. She also has previously served as the Developmental Advising Counselor and an academic advisor at Jefferson.

Dr. Englert-Copeland earned a doctorate in philosophy, education and social change from Bellarmine University in Louisville and a master’s degree in English from Western Carolina University. Her bachelor’s degree is in English Literature from Western Kentucky University.

“Ivy Tech is committed to providing an accessible doorway to higher education while providing students with the support they need to reach their educational and career goals,” Dr. Englert-Copeland said. “The outreach and services provided at Ivy Tech Columbus emphasize the student-centered approach that community colleges must take to ensure the best possible outcomes for their students. I look forward to collaborating with the outstanding staff at the Columbus campus in helping students develop and overcome challenges on their paths to success.”

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation has issued a Boil Water Advisory in effect through 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5th for the Southwest Section of Lowell Addition. That includes the following streets: Shady Lane, Southline Drive and Birchwood.

All water used for consumption and cooking should be boiled at least five minutes before use.

A local man was arrested on multiple charges after fleeing a traffic crash Sunday night.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s responded to a personal injury crash shortly after 10 p.m. in the 12000 block of 25th Street. Authorities say a woman was driving when 42-year-old Kevin Groover Jr., of Columbus, grabbed the steering wheel and caused the crash. The driver sustained injuries during the crash and was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital.

Authorities say that Groover then jumped into the driver’s seat and fled the scene in the wrecked vehicle. A deputy located the vehicle and stopped Groover in the 3000 block of North State Road 9. He was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated-Endangerment and Resisting Law Enforcement

Groover has since been released.

The Columbus Museum of Art and Design has announced a new round of grant funding to promote local art and design projects.

CMAD’s spring 2019 round of funding received nine project proposals. Organizers say that four were supported with grants totaling $12,700. CMAD has now made available an additional $7,500 to fund art and design projects or experiences that contribute to the legacy of Columbus.

While no specific parameters are required, successful applications will use the funding for short-term projects that might not be viable without CMAD’s help. Innovative art that engages a broad range of the Columbus community will be preferred.

Applications are available at cmadart.org/grants and responses are due by October 30, 2019.

Traffic switches are planned next week as part of the I-65 reconstruction and added travel lanes project in Bartholomew and Jackson Counties.

The Indiana Department of Transportation says that E&B Paving Inc. will shift traffic on southbound I-65 back to southbound lanes from mile marker 61.2 to mile marker 58.5 the evening of Tuesday, September 3rd. Traffic will shift back to northbound lanes from mile marker 58.5 to mile marker 56, and back to southbound lanes beginning at mile marker 56, north of S.R. 11 at Exit 55 at Jonesville.

Additionally, E&B Paving Inc. will shift traffic on northbound I-65 to southbound lanes from mile marker 58.5 to mile marker 61.2 on the evening of Thursday, September 5th. Traffic will shift back to northbound lanes at mile marker 61.2 using the existing crossover at Exit 64 at Walesboro. All of this work is dependent on the weather.

Drivers should be aware of the 55 mph speed limit in this area. Use extra caution in the ongoing construction zone between Columbus and Seymour. All trucks should use the left lane for travel.

The project is expected to be complete in August of 2020.

A house fire in the 1700 block of Cottage Avenue kept Columbus firefighters busy Friday morning.

Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, says that three residents were able to escape the blaze, but at least five cats were killed. He says that firefighters were called to the scene at approximately 6:21 a.m.

A resident told investigators that shortly before the fire was discovered, the home’s power went out. A breaker had tripped and was manually reset, allowing the power to return. About 20 minutes later, residents noticed a glowing light behind a closed bedroom door at the rear of the home. When they opened the door, fire was visible inside. They tried to put the fire out with water, but were unsuccessful.

Investigators reported the official cause of the fire as undetermined. Damages to the home were extensive and are estimated to be over $ 50,000 to structure and contents. The family has been displaced and are being helped by The Salvation Army.

Wilson says there were no working smoke detectors in the home.

Duke Energy is sending crews to assist in restoring power to customers in the Southeast who are affected by Hurricane Dorian.

Crews are leaving from eight different operations centers in Indiana, including:

• Aurora
• Bedford
• Clarksville
• Edinburgh
• Princeton
• Shelbyville
• Sullivan
• Interstate 70 at Cloverdale exit

Departure times will be at approximately 7 a.m., Friday, Aug. 30th. Crews will drive to Macon, Georgia to spend Friday night. They will await further instructions as to where they will be deployed, either in Florida or the Carolinas, depending on the track of hurricane and level of damage.

Duke officials says that it is unknown at this point how long crews will be deployed.

Nearly 30 people were arrested during a Wednesday evening law-enforcement sweep across Jennings County.

Officers from the North Vernon Police Department joined deputies from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, officers from Indiana State Parole, officers from Jennings County Superior Court Probation and officers from Jennings County Circuit Court Probation in the sweep. The officers aided parole and probation with compliance checks and conducted saturation patrols in high crime areas.

Sgt. Andrew Richmond, spokesman For the North Vernon Police Department, says the sweep yielded a total of 28 arrests. Those arrested face charges ranging from possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of syringes, active warrants served and compliance violations for both probation and parole.

North Vernon Police Chief James Webster said, “these sweeps allow the departments to pool their resources and perform functions no one department could do on their own. They also strengthen the working relationships between the departments. The results speak for themselves. A great amount of planning goes into bringing the elements together to have a successful operation like this one.”

Reports of an extremely slow driver on Highway 50 in Jennings County ended with the arrest of a North Vernon man.

Just before 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, North Vernon Police found the vehicle on the west side of town and stopped it. They say the driver, 27-year-old Christopher M. Ryan, was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The investigation continued and field sobriety testing led officers to believe Ryan was driving under the influence.

Ryan was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating while under the Influence (controlled substance), OVWI with Endangerment, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.

The Columbus Engineering Department says the westbound lanes of 11th Street between Washington Street and Jackson Street will be closed Thursday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. Jackson Street between 12th Street and 11th Street will also be closed.

Officials say that was recently a water main break in this area and now that the repairs are complete, the area is ready to be repaved.

You are asked to avoid this area on Thursday.

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.