The Jennings County School Corporation is seeking applicants to fill the remaining term of former JCSC School Board member James Warren Lucas. This vacancy cover District 1, comprising Bigger, Campbell, Columbia and Vernon Townships.

Those interested in this position must meet the following qualifications:

– Be a registered voter in the territorial limits of Jennings County School Corporation and have been for at least one year.

– Have resided in one of the townships in District 1 for at least one year.

– Be at least 21-years-old.

– Do not hold any elective or appointive political office under the jurisdiction of any precinct, township or county unit.

– Have no interested in any contract with, or claim against Jennings County School Corporation, either directly or indirectly.

Applications may be picked up at the Jennings County School Corporation Central Administration Office Building, 34 West Main Street, North Vernon. They must be returned no later than June 19th by 4 p.m.

If you would like to comment on the rate changes requested by Brown County Water Utility, Inc., you now have that opportunity.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, is reviewing the utility’s request and is scheduled to file testimony on July 26th.

Along with its legal and technical review, the OUCC is inviting written consumer comments through July 19th.

Brown County Water Utility is a not-for-profit entity providing service to more than 5,300 retail customers. Its current base rates were approved in 2015.

The utility’s proposal would raise its overall rates by nearly $302,000, an 8.8 percent increase over current revenues. However, rates for Brown County Water Utility residential customers would decrease by 14.2 percent. Rates for Brown County Water Utility commercial and industrial customers would rise by 35.6 percent, while wholesale rates charged to the Town of Nashville would rise by 154.1 percent under the utility’s request.

Brown County Water officials say the utility is seeking the changes due to higher operating and maintenance costs and to pay for capital improvements. These include main, hydrant, valve, meter, and service line replacements.

The Town of Nashville has formally intervened in the case. Any testimony it may file is also due on July 26th.

Consumers who wish to submit written comments for the case record may do so via the OUCC’s website at in.gov/oucc/2361.htm, by email at uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov, or by mail at:

Consumer Services Staff
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 South
Indianapolis, IN 46204

The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than July 19th.

Comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to “IURC Cause No. 45210.” Do not include account numbers or other sensitive information. Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff at 1-888-441-2494.

An IURC evidentiary hearing is scheduled for September 19th at the PNC Center, located at 101 West Washington Street in Indianapolis. A final decision in the case is expected sometime this year.

Updates on this case are being posted on the OUCC’s website at in.gov/oucc/2505.htm.

Be prepared for possible traffic delays if you are headed into Brown County on Saturday. The Indiana Department of Transportation says it has issued a permit to close State Road 135 through Nashville beginning at 10:30 a.m. for the annual Murat Shriner’s parade. State Road 135 is scheduled to reopen at approximately 1:30 p.m. In the event of rain, the parade and closure will be extended until 2 p.m.

The Nashville Police and Brown County Sheriff’s Departments will assist with the closure.

The parade detour routes are as follows:

– Northbound traffic: Pat Reily Drive/Jefferson Street/Washington Street/Johnston Street/Mound Street/Jefferson Street/State Road 135;
– Southbound traffic: Artist Drive/Commercial Street/Old State Road 46/Snyder Road/State Road 46

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.

A Decatur County man was arrested after a Thursday afternoon on several charges after a crash.

Just before 2 p.m., the Indiana State Police received 911 calls about a pickup truck driving recklessly on northbound I-65 near Jeffersonville. Callers reported that the driver was driving aggressively. There were also reports that both he and a passenger were hanging out the windows and making obscene gestures towards other drivers.

A trooper observed the vehicle making lane changes without signaling. However, the trooper was in a state-owned car without lights or siren and was not in uniform. He continued to observe the truck as it sped away and reported seeing the driver make several reckless lane changes without signaling and passed multiple semi-trucks utilizing the right-hand emergency lane. Authorities say the driver was also slowing and sometimes stopping in traffic for no apparent reason and drove into the median more than once.

Other troopers and officers from nearby agencies attempted to locate and catch up the vehicle. At one point, the truck was observed taking the Memphis exit and completely disregarding the stop sign at the bottom of the ramp before re-entering the interstate and continuing northbound at a high rate of speed.

Officers were able to catch up to the truck near Scottsburg. That police department gave chase. The truck soon entered the median near the 35 mile-marker where it overturned and crashed.

The driver was identified as 27-year-old Paul Clifton Barger Jr., of Westport. He is facing preliminary charges of:

– Felony Resisting with a Vehicle – Level 5 Felony;
– Resisting Law Enforcement – A Misdemeanor;
– Possession of a Legend Drug – Level 6 Felony;
– Operating While Intoxicated – C Misdemeanor,
– OWI Endangerment – A Misdemeanor;
– Reckless Driving – A Misdemeanor.

Barger was booked in the Scott County Jail.

The female passenger was treated and released from the scene. She was not charged.

Contractors are scheduled to begin preliminary work next week on a $3.1 million patching and paving project on a 9.7-mile section of U.S. 50 in Jennings County.

The Indiana Department of Transportation says that work will take place approximately two miles east of State Road 3 to nine miles west of U.S. 421.

Patching is expected to begin on or after Monday, July 8, followed by milling and paving. The schedule is dependent on the weather.

Motorists should expect lane closures along the route, with flaggers to maintain traffic. You are reminded to use caution throughout the work zone and and avoid distracted driving.

The project is expected to be complete by Halloween.

A traffic stop in North Vernon led to the arrests of two people and the seizure of meth and weapon.

Sgt. Andrew Richmond, spokesman for the North Vernon Police Department, says that at about 8 p.m. Wednesday, Officer Anthony Bagby initiated a traffic stop at Veterans Drive and Hurly Drive. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, Officer Bagby became suspicious and called for backup from Officer Shane Trepanier and his police dog Zobi.

Zobi alerted to the odor of a narcotic coming from within the vehicle. A search allegedly uncovered 22 grams of methamphetamine, 16 pills (prescription schedule 2 amphetamine), drug packaging materials, digital scales, two handguns, one shotgun and two rifles.

Timothy Hulse, 37, of North Vernon is facing preliminary charges of:
– Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 4 felony)
– Dealing in a Controlled Substance (Level 5 felony)
– Serious Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Level 4 felony)
– Possession of Paraphernalia (A misdemeanor)

Carmen Hulse, 32, of North Vernon, is facing preliminary charges of:
– Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 4 felony)
– Dealing in Controlled Substance (Level 5 felony)
– Possession of paraphernalia (A misdemeanor)

The investigation is ongoing.

Beezer Homes has been given approval to annex more than 40 acres on Columbus’ south side. The Columbus City Council unanimously approved a request to rezone and annex acreage for the extension of the Shadow Creek subdivision at its meeting this week.

Beazer Homes has plans to extend Creekside Lane. The move is expected to add 51 additional lots on just over 19 acres. The remaining acreage is not being developed at this time.

The council approved Beazer’s request at its meeting Tuesday night.

Cummins kicked off its 6th annual June Environmental Month celebration on Wednesday, in conjunction with World Environment Day. Blair Claflin, Director of Sustainability Communications for Cummins, explains that this marks the time of the year when employees across the company engage in environmental projects at work, home and in their communities.

Sites across the company will be offering activities and programs around four weekly themes: how the company and its employees can decrease waste, improve water conservation, limit energy use and work within their communities to make a difference.

Organizers of the celebration expect about two-thirds of the company’s workers will participate in one or more events.

The Columbus Engine Plant will host its 9th annual Community Wide Recycling Day from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 13th in the plant parking lot. In addition to common recyclable items, employees and community members are also invited to bring in electronic waste, used batteries, used motor oil and paint. Items like tractor tires, light-bulbs, mercury thermometers, Styrofoam and pressure vessels and tanks will not be accepted.

Claflin explains that Cummins also tries to use the month to educate employees on what it is doing to reduce its environmental impact as a company. He says that some Cummins employees will be traveling to northwestern Indiana later this month to learn more about the company’s support for an expansion at the Meadow Lake Wind Farm.

One of the company’s environmental goals is to increase the availability and use of renewable power. Claflin says the company will also discuss its progress on goals around waste, water and energy later this month.

A Jonesville woman accused of shooting another woman has entered a not guilty plea and has been assigned a public defender.

Our news-gathering partners at “The Republic” are reporting that 51-year-old Vicky E. Shade appeared for an initial hearing Wednesday in Bartholomew Circuit Court by video feed.

Shade is facing a felony charge of Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon in the May 26th shooting of 49-year-old Susan F. Tolbert at Shade’s home at 309 Jackson Street. Tolbert was treated at an Indianapolis hospital and later released.

The paper says a pre-trial hearing for Shade was set for 10:15 a.m. Oct. 28th with a jury trial set for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 26th.

For more on this story, go to therepublic.com.

The Bartholomew County Historical Society is offering a behind the scenes look at area landmarks this weekend with an “Open Door Tour.” Diane Robbins explains that these event will be held Friday night and Saturday.

Tickets for Friday’s VIP event are $50.

Robbins talks about Saturday’s event, a walking tour focusing on nine homes on Columbus’ north side.

Robbins says Saturday’s tour run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can follow that up with a visit to the Inn at Irwin Gardens from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A cash bar will be offered there from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For tickets, or more information, visit bartholomewhistory.org.