Local family farms were recently recognized at the Statehouse for being in operation for 100 years or more.

The Robert and Barbara Pruitt Farm, located in Edinburgh and in operation since 1919, received a Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award. The Franke-Thompson Farm, located in Columbus and in operation since 1898, also received a Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award.

The Hoosier Homestead Award Program recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more. Families can qualify for the centennial, sesquicentennial or bicentennial award.

“These families have given numerous years of their lives to running their farms through generations,” said State Rep. Ryan Lauer (R-Columbus). “Dedication and perseverance are critical to the success of any farming operation. Bartholomew County family farms continue to positively impact our community, and I wish them success for the next 100 years.”

“Sustaining a family farm for this long is a tremendous feat,” said State Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus). “These families are an example to all Hoosiers for their diligence, and I’m proud to congratulate them on this achievement.”

For more information on the Hoosier Homestead Award Program, visit
in.gov/isda/2337.htm.

A 24-day traffic-enforcement blitz led to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department issuing 338 traffic citations and making 17 arrests. About 230 police agencies increased patrols across Indiana for aggressive and impaired driving.

The overtime traffic enforcement is funded through National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

“As temperatures rise, so do crashes involving impaired and aggressive driving,” said Sheriff Matt Myers. “If you venture out to watch the NCAA Tournament, ride your motorcycle or take your kids on spring break, watch for bikes and pedestrians and make sure your plans include a sober, defensive driver.”

Columbus residents are invited to bring their dogs to a late celebration of Mardi Gras to benefit Columbus Animal Care Services.

City officials say “Mardi Growl” is an inaugural event co-sponsored by the newly formed Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services along with their partner agency, Columbus Animal Care Services. The event is described as a “festive dog parade.” It is set for Sunday, April 7th beginning at 1 p.m. at the Cummins parking lot at Eighth and Brown Streets.

The minimum cost of the Mardi Growl is $15 for a single dog registered by April 5th. All additional dogs are $10. Day of registration will be $20.
Additional information and links to online registration and a printable registration form are available by visiting columbus.in.gov/animal-care-services.

Columbus has been named one of the best small cities for business in America for 2019. ChamberofCommerce.org has published a study ranking Columbus third on the list.

Variables considered in the ranking include personal income per capita, cost of living and unemployment rate, among others.

They called Columbus a quirky, Midwestern city, and cited the low unemployment, the percentage of young people with a bachelor’s degree, and the number of mid-sized firms. They also praised the city’s livability calling it “a peaceful city surrounded by dazzling architecture.”

Top 10 Small Cities for Small Business in 2019

1. Fargo, North Dakota
2. Billings, Montana
3. Columbus, Indiana
4. Bismarck, North Dakota
5. Rochester, Minnesota
6. La Crosse, Wisconsin
7. Midland, Texas
8. Lake Charles, Louisiana
9. Elkhart-Goshen, Indiana
10. Appleton, Wisconsin

This list continues onward to include a total of 164 American cities with populations below 250,000. You can find the complete list here: chamberofcommerce.org/best-small-cities-for-business/.

The Jennings County Clerk’s Office is looking for a new poling location for this year’s city elections. Shawn Gerkin, North Vernon’s clerk-treasurer, explained to city council Monday night that the usual poling location at the Bethel Baptist Church on Norris Avenue is unavailable for the 2019 primary and general elections.

Specifically, county officials inquired about using the Carnegie Government Center in the 100 block of East Walnut Street. Councilwoman Connie Rayburn expressed concerns with the request. Citing issues with accessibility, she said the site doesn’t have adequate parking. Rayburn is also worried about how the extra foot-traffic will impact the work of city employees inside the building.

Councilman Jerry Lamb echoed Rayburn’s concerns, but ultimately moved to make the building available for the May primary if a few remaining options are exhausted. He added that it only makes sense that a government office be utilized for such a need. Lamb suggested that the request for the general election can be revisited later in the year after the primary.

Council voted 3-1 to approve the request.

The City of Columbus and Columbus Municipal Airport have announced that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds flight demonstration team will be headlining the “Birds & Brews” event on September 18th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

City officials say Birds & Brews will replace Columbus Aviation Day for 2019, which is traditionally held in June. Organizers say this will be the first time the Canadian Forces Snowbirds have ever been in central Indiana. This event is free and the public is invited to attend.

In addition to the Snowbirds, Birds & Brews will also offer a beer garden. In celebration of this event, Zwanzigz Brewery of Columbus will be creating a one-of-a-kind Canadian brew only available at the event.

There are also scheduled to be food vendors, a U.S. military flight demonstration and parachute jump, children’s educational activities and a Hot Air Balloon Glow.

North Vernon Police arrested a local man over the weekend for Military Desertion. At about 12:20 p.m. Saturday, officers conducted a traffic stop on Buckeye Street. During the stop, officers learned that 37-year-old Scott Burton, of North Vernon, was wanted on the warrant, out of Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Military officials say Burton went AWOL more than 14 years ago.

A man accused of shoplifting alcohol at a Columbus Walmart was also allegedly carrying a handgun when police chased after him.

Columbus police report that the incident happened Thursday evening when officers were called to the shoplifting report at the east side Walmart. Police say that 32-year-old Stephen A. Banks, of Indianapolis, was carrying a silver handgun when police confronted him, and as he ran away he dropped the weapon.

Officers found the .45 caliber pistol was loaded and had a round chambered. A search allegedly revealed Banks was carrying heroin in his clothing.

Banks is facing preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of Heroin, Possession of a Handgun by a Serious Violent Felon and Theft.

Time is running out to apply for scholarships provided by the Indiana Sheriff’s Association. The organization will be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies.

Approximately 40 $750 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state. The deadline to apply is April 1st.

To qualify, the applicant must be an Indiana resident, be a current member of the association or a dependent child or grandchild of a current member of the association, attend an Indiana college or university, major in a law enforcement field and enroll as a full-time student (12 hours).

Applications needed to apply for the scholarships are available from area high school counselors and the Sheriff’s Office front desk during regular business hours. The scholarship application can also be downloaded at indianasheriffs.org.

The final days of a 30-day public comment period for the Columbus Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Draft of the 2020-2024 Transportation Improvement Program Update. The TIP identifies transportation projects that will be funded in Bartholomew County over the next five years.

A public open-house will have information on the proposed projects. That will be held in Conference Room 3 at City Hall on Monday, March 25th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A presentation will be given at 5 p.m.

Public comments on the TIP may be made in the following ways:
– sent by mail to Laura Thayer, Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington Street, Columbus IN 47201;
– by email to lthayer@columbus.in.gov;
– by phone to (812) 376-2550.

CAMPO, which is part of the City of Columbus-Bartholomew County Planning Department, is charged with planning and programming federal funding for transportation projects in Columbus and Bartholomew County. The City and County manage the projects in their jurisdictions and provide the required match, which is usually 20-percent of the total project cost.

City officials say projects in the draft TIP are improvements for:
– Talley Road from 25th Street to Rocky Ford Road;
– Lowell Road from CR 325 West to Indianapolis Road;
– Sections of Goeller Road and County Road 350 West;
– Planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities include improvements for the People Trail between Noblitt, Donner and Lincoln parks. The TIP also includes capital and operational funding for ColumBUS Transit.

Six INDOT railroad projects in Bartholomew County are also included in the TIP to ensure coordination among agencies. These safety improvement projects at CR 800 N, CR 650 N, CR 550 N, Industrial Road, Spear Street, and CR 950 S.