Bartholomew County REMC will be moving utility poles along a portion of Country Club Road next week. Officials say this project will require a road closure on County Club Road from State Road 46 to the first entrance of Harrison Lake on the city’s west side.

The road closure will begin on Tuesday, February 26th and will continue on weekdays for approximately three weeks as the weather allows. An alternate route will need to be taken during weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. when signs are posted indicating the road is closed.

The Columbus Area Arts Council invites you and your family to downtown Friday evening. Kaitlyn Smith is program manager for the Arts Council.

This month’s event is a play called “Alice in Neverland” put on by the Know Theatre out of Cincinnati.

First Fridays for Families is held inside the Commons. Doors open Friday at 5:30. The show begins at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit artsincolumbus.org.

A program aimed at helping young women be safe as they transition into adulthood is being held locally. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, explains the SAFE program…

SAFE stands for Situational Awareness For Everyday. The free program includes instructors offering advice and tips on how to stay safe, along with physical tactics training.

A session for senior girls at Columbus East is set for Thursday, March 7th during the regular school day.

The date for the Columbus North session has not yet been set.

A Hope man is behind bars in Johnson County after a disturbance in Whiteland Tuesday morning.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 5200 block of North 525E at about 10:40 am. When they arrived, they met with two people who explained that two others had stolen their SUV and fled.

While deputies continued to speak to the pair, a member of the Greenwood Police Department located the SUV at Main Street and County Road 325E. The Greenwood Police Officer says he tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop.

The driver, 31-year-old Demetrius Ford, led several agencies, including Greenwood Police, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Beech Grove Police Department, through the streets of southern Marion County, until he bailed out of the vehicle at the Beech Grove Middle School. From there, Ford allegedly fled on foot. He was captured moments later.

During the course of the investigation it was found out that Ford had another occupant in the car with him when he left the initial scene on CR 525E in Johnson County. She was identified as 20-year-old Columbus woman. Police say she exited the vehicle on Main Street in Greenwood when the initial traffic stop was being made and Ford began fleeing.

Ford is facing preliminary charges of Auto Theft, Battery and Felony Resisting. He also has a pending warrant out of Bartholomew County. He is also currently on Probation through Bartholomew County.

Authorities say Ford was transported to an area hospital, as they suspect he ingested illegal drugs prior to his arrest.

The Milk Bank and Columbus Regional Health are co-hosting one of central Indiana’s first breast milk donation drives. Women who are currently or have recently finished lactating are encouraged to donate their stored, surplus milk to care for ill and fragile infants across the region.

The drive is Wednesday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. in Cafeteria Dining Room D at CRH. Donors will be asked to fill out a medical history form and complete a quick blood draw to determine the best use of their donated milk.

Ideal candidates for milk donors are non-smoking women in good general health who take limited or no medications and herbal supplements. For clarification on eligibility, contact The Milk Bank at 877.829.7470 or visit themilkbank.org/donate-milk.

A water main break has led to a Boil Order in Nashville. The town and its utility department announced the order Tuesday afternoon after the break at 54 East Franklin Street.

Officials say that homes and businesses in the following areas should boil all cooking and drinking water prior to consumption:

748-1170 Clay Lick Road;
Hill Top Lane;
Treetops Drive;
960-1304 Old SR 46;
Mail Pouch Lane;
Eads Lane;
McGee Road;
Tuck A Way Ridge;
Highland Drive;
Coffey Hill Road;
1325-1878 SR 135 North;
Ridgeway Drive;
Pine Tree Hills;
Dogwood Ln.;
54 E Franklin St.;
123 E Main Street;
150 School House Lane

This Boil Order is in effect through 4 p.m. Friday.

Customers with questions should call Nashville Utilities at (812) 988-5526.

Cummins Inc. announced the appointment of four new Vice Presidents of the company on Monday. They are:

Cary Chenanda – Vice President, Cummins Electronics and Fuel Systems

Cummins says these businesses have shown dramatic improvement in technology and profitability under Chenanda’s leadership. He is described as a “long-time leader” at Cummins, having served in many different parts of the company.

Julie Furber – Vice President, Electrified Power Business

Cummins says this is a challenging leadership role as the business is new, the market is starting to develop, and the technology is rapidly changing. Company officials say Furber brings the tireless energy, strategic leadership and customer focus the company needs to launch this start-up business. Furber has proven herself to be a capable leader who understands Cummins’ customers, business and its people.

Diana Rey-Marrero – Vice President, Cummins Business Services

Cummins Business Services provides hundreds of support services that keep its global workforce focused and productive. Company officials say Rey-Marrero has demonstrated strong leadership in several functions over her career, both at Cummins and at other companies.

Shon Wright – Vice President, Cummins Turbo Technologies

Cummins says its Turbo Technologies business is critical to many of the company’s key customer relationships. Under Wright’s leadership, company officials say CTT is a highly successful and profitable business for Cummins. Wright has held leadership roles in several areas of Cummins before becoming the CTT leader.

A North Vernon man wanted on a felony warrant was arrested in Columbus Saturday evening after he was seen disregarding a stop sign while riding a bicycle. Columbus Police say that at approximately 6:45 p.m., officers saw 41-year-old Tyron J. Brown riding a bicycle near 10th Street and Cottage Avenue. Brown reportedly disregarded a stop sign and was stopped by officers a short time later.

Police say Brown initially gave them a fake name. The officers determined Brown’s identity a short time later and confirmed he was wanted on a felony warrant out of Jennings County. Brown was taken into custody and booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on a new preliminary charge of False Informing.

Congressman Greg Pence, a Columbus Republican, held an open house at his Columbus office Friday afternoon. He and his staff met dozens of residents during the event.

Pence says he plans to continue living in Columbus and commuting to work.

Pence says the government shutdown made it difficult to get much accomplished.

Pence says it is important to have an office in the same city where he lives. His team moved into the building, at 555 First Street, in early January. You can reach Pence’s Columbus office at (812) 799-5230.

A North Vernon man is facing drug and counterfeiting charges.

On Thursday at about 10:30 a.m., the Jennings County Sherriff’s Department served a felony arrest warrant in Lovett Township. Upon arrival at the home, they made contact with the wanted person, 37-year-old Jason Farris. Farris was wanted out of Jennings County for passing counterfeit bills.

Further investigation led to deputies allegedly finding numerous prescription and controlled substances, as well as multiple syringes and paraphernalia inside of the home. Farris was arrested on the following preliminary charges:

– Jennings County Arrest Warrant for Counterfeiting – Level 6 Felony;
– Possession of Syringe – Level 6 Felony;
– Violation of Legend Drug Acts – Level 6 Felony
– Possession of Controlled Substance – Level 6 Felony
– Possession of Paraphernalia – A Misdemeanor