Stakeholders in Columbus continue to work on the future of the Fair Oaks Mall property. As part of the Fair Oaks Mall Master Plan process, you’re invited to attend one of four upcoming public engagement meetings. These meetings are designed to help you learn more about the project and offer your input.
The first public meeting is set for Thursday, July 11th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fair Oaks Mall. Dates for future public engagement meetings will be announced at a later date.
The Fair Oaks Community Development Corporation, made up of Columbus Regional Health, The Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County and the City of Columbus, have contracted with MKSK to develop a Master Plan. City officials say the company will also design ideas for the best use of the mall and Donner Center properties for recreation and community wellness purposes.
Three North Vernon residents were arrested on alcohol-related charges after a weekend incident.
North Vernon Police say that just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to the area of North State Street and FDR Drive for a report of two UTVs driving recklessly in a parking lot. Officers arrived in the area and found the vehicles parked and unoccupied.
While officers were observing traffic in the area, they say both UTVs began to travel from FDR Drive to Henry Street. Police initiated a traffic stop on one of the UTVs driven by 19-year-old Todd Madden. A second officer then stopped the other UTV, driven by 24-year-old Dustin Coleman, in the area of West O&M Avenue.
Madden and Coleman were both arrested for Operating While Intoxicated. Madden is also facing a charge of Minor Consumption. A passenger, 19-year-old Maggie Mote, was also arrested for Minor Consumption.
Columbus Fire Chief Mike Compton has announced that he’ll be retiring from the department in mid-July. Chief Compton was sworn as a firefighter on January 22, 1988 by Mayor Robert Stewart.
Over his three decade career, Chief Compton was promoted through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief. On January 1, 2016 Compton was appointed Chief of Fire by Mayor Jim Lienhoop. Chief Compton’s official retirement date will be July 23rd.
Chief Compton, led to a major capital funding request to replace CFD’s aging vehicle extrication rescue equipment and the refurbishment of a 20 year old rescue vehicle. He also oversaw the development of the department’s first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program that allows drones to aid emergency personnel.
“As my career with the Columbus Fire Department comes to an end, it cannot be overstated that the support of the department personnel, Mayor Lienhoop and his staff, the Columbus Common Council, the Board of Public Works and Safety, and all of the City’s departments, made the job fulfilling and satisfying,” said Compton.
Mayor Lienhoop expressed gratitude for Compton’s service. “Chief Compton has a deep understanding of what a well-run fire department should look like and he worked hard to make that happen. He is well-respected and dedicated to the men and women who work for the Columbus Fire Department; his leadership will be missed.”
Dep. Chief Paul Lay; photos courtesy of Columbus Fire Dept.
Mayor Leinhoop has selected Paul A. Lay, currently serving as Deputy Chief of Fire Department Operations, as the next Chief of Fire. Lay will take over as Fire Chief on July 23rd.
City officials say that Lay has served as the Deputy Chief of Operations since 2016, and has served the Columbus Fire Department since 1997. Lay has held the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain before being named Deputy Chief under Chief Mike Compton. Lay also served with the Shelbyville Fire Department prior to joining CFD. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve our community as Chief of Fire,” said Lay. “I look forward to working with Mayor Lienhoop and our city administration, our community partners, and the men of women of the Columbus Fire Department.”
A man with area ties is running 300 miles to raise awareness and money for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress. Harold Killinger says this is the fourth consecutive year that his son Kyle is making the journey to raise awareness of the high rate of suicide among military vets. He left from Bowling Green, IL over the weekend.
Killinger adds that you can take part in an associated 5k.
Funds raised go towards “Operation Combat Bikesaver.” This is a workshop for veterans suffering from PTS, traumatic brain injury and/or depression to learn from those trained in motorcycle mechanics, restoration and customization. You can learn more about them at combatbikesaver.org.
For more information, to donate, or to learn how you can run the final stretch with Killinger, visit 300milesbecausehesmybrother.org.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an Air Quality Action Day for Friday, June 28th for much of the state.
It is forecasting high ozone levels for the following area counties:
– Bartholomew
– Brown
– Jackson
– Johnson
– Jefferson
– Scott
– Washington
IDEM encourages you to reduce ozone by making simple changes to daily habits, including:
– Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation
– Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip
– Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
– Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds
– Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above
Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says that the campgrounds, cabins and Abe Martin Lodge were still closed Wednesday at Brown County State Park. DNR officials add that day use park activities are now extended to Thursday.
The lodge and other amenities have been closed since June 17th after heavy rains stirred up sediment sediment into Ogle Lake. The lake serves as the park’s water supply.
DNR says that if water production capacity and water sampling continue successfully, the campground, cabin and lodge may reopen for Thursday night guests. That determination is expected Thursday morning.
Health officials continue their efforts to combat Hepatitis A and other diseases.
The Bartholomew County Health Department is holding free testing for HIV and Hepatitis C and free vaccinations for Hepatitis A on Friday at Love Chapel. Services are being offered from 9 a.m. to noon at the facility at 311 Center Street.
An identical clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2nd from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Public Library. Services will be offered outside on the plaza.
Health officials will be on hand for three days at the Bartholomew County Fair. A Hepatitis A vaccination clinic will be offered all day, July 9-11, at the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department tent.
The health department says that at risk for these diseases include the homeless, those who’ve been in jail recently, those who engage in illicit drug activity and those who have close contact with an infected person.
Recent and soon-to-be high school graduates in Bartholomew County are being encouraged to apply for the 2020 Lilly Endowment Scholarship. The scholarship is administered by Heritage Fund and Independent Colleges Indiana.
Organizers explain that scholarships will be awarded to two Bartholomew County students. The Lilly Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees and up to $900 for books and equipment for four years for undergraduate study at any accredited public or private university in the state.
Applicants must reside in Bartholomew County and be on course to graduate high school by the end of June 2020 with a GPA of no lower that 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants should be able to demonstrate school involvement, community service, leadership skills and financial need.
The Indiana Department of Transportation says that maintenance crews will begin chip sealing a 10-mile section of State Road 258 in Jackson County next week. The work is set to take place from State Road 58 to the bridge over the east fork of the White River (west of S.R. 11/Seymour), on or after Monday, July 1st.
Drivers in the area should expect lane closures and delays. Flaggers will be present to manage traffic.
INDOT stresses that the work is dependent on the weather.
If you are looking for more traffic information, download the WAZE app for your smartphone and join the WCSI Traffic team. You can find updated traffic information on our website, on-air and on the app.
The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department arrested two North Vernon residents believed connected to an early Tuesday morning shooting incident in Spencer Township.
Shortly after 1 a.m., deputies were dispatched to an address on County Road 1000 West in reference to shots being fired and a suspicious vehicle. They learned the homeowner had returned home and discovered the vehicle in the middle of the roadway. He checked his house and property and eventually found a man hiding in his yard. Police say the man opened fire on the homeowner with a small caliber weapon. The property owner returned fire and the suspect fled on foot.
Authorities say that one suspect, 26-year-old Alex Mullikin, was taken into custody later that day after he was seen walking in the area. He was apprehended without incident.
The second suspect, 18-year-old David Eggerts, was taken into custody by Sgt. Cody Low and his police dog Axle. Chief Deputy David Turner says that Eggerts was seen walking on Hoosier Street. He was ordered to stop by Sgt. Low, but Eggerts reportedly took off on foot. Axle was deployed and was able to allow Eggerts to be taken into custody.
Authorities say that during the arrest, a handgun that Eggerts had pulled out during the foot pursuit was found under a nearby vehicle. Turner says the handgun was taken by Eggerts after he fled from the original scene and stole another vehicle in the area.
Mullikin is facing a preliminary charge of Theft. He is being held on $1,055 bond.
Eggerts is facing preliminary charges of Attempted Murder, Possession of Firearm by Felon, Theft and Criminal Recklessness with a Weapon. Authorities add that Eggerts was also wanted on an outstanding parole warrant.
