Toyota Industries North America, Inc. announced Wednesday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Hoist Liftruck Mfg., LLC. The agreement for the company went into effect Feb. 8th and the new company will be known as Hoist Material Handling, Inc.

“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished in building a terrific brand and quality products,” said Hoist Founder Marty Flaska. “I am retiring and will no longer be part of the business, but the company is in good hands. It’s an honor to hand it off to the industry leader Toyota.”

“This is the perfect next step in the expansion of our Toyota Heavy Duty line,” said Jeff Rufener, President of Toyota Material Handling U.SA. “Hoist has been a great manufacturer of heavy-duty equipment for years and brings a group of passionate, talented associates that will help us in our role as a full-line equipment supplier. We are excited about the future of Hoist Material Handling.”

The acquisition of Hoist Material Handling adds to Toyota’s presence in Indiana. Headquartered in East Chicago, with a 550,000-square-foot factory, Hoist has nearly 25 years of experience manufacturing heavy-duty cushion tire and pneumatic forklifts, reach stackers, container handlers and associated equipment.

A drug court and a residential treatment center for women are a step closer to becoming reality. Over the past few weeks, the ASAP Board presented a plan to local officials to fund the Fresh Start Recovery Center. The center is a residential treatment program for pregnant women and women with young children. The board recommended that the city of Columbus and Bartholomew County split a one-time $200,000 payment to get the program established. City Council approved $100,000 in funding out of Substance Abuse Non-Reverting Fund during it’s meeting last week. County Council approved funding it’s $100,000 contribution during its meeting Tuesday night. These contributions will be utilized to refurbish the old post office site at Seventh and Washington streets.

County Commissioner Carl Lienhoop says he’s excited.

Officials indicate they hope to have the recovery center up and running by the end of this summer.

The ASAP Board also recommended that the city and county split the cost of an Adult Drug Recovery Court. The court is designed to integrate substance abuse and mental health treatment, drug testing, sanctions and incentives. The hope is to reduce recidivism, as well as offer hope and opportunity for those in the system. The city and county split funding $92,603 to get the court established.

County Councilman Mark Gorbett voted to fund both…

Judge Kelly Benjamin, who will preside over the drug court, says the hope is to start the program in April.

Expect slowed traffic or delays on northbound I-65 Wednesday between Columbus and Seymour. The Indiana Department of Transportation are advising drivers to be aware of advancing lane closures between U.S. Highway 50 at Seymour and the Walesboro exit south of Columbus.

Two contracted crews have been scheduled to repair potholes between mile markers 50.0 and 64.0 requiring lane closures at worksites impacting northbound and southbound traffic. At the same time, a pavement striping operation will occur along the same roadway—also requiring restricted lanes. Many identified pothole locations are along center line pavement joints and in I-65 left lanes.

This work is part of the state’s $143 million Next Level construction project between Seymour and Columbus. When completed, I-65 will be completely rebuilt as a six-lane highway between U.S. 50 and State Road 58.

The Columbus Engineering Department says that emergency utility repair will affect traffic on State Road 46 in downtown Columbus.

The left two lanes of westbound Third Street/State Road 46 are slated to close in downtown Columbus from Wednesday morning through Friday evening.

Northbound California Street will also be closed at the Third Street intersection. Westbound State Street (State Road 46 and State Road 7) traffic will be diverted to the right lane approaching California Street.

Columbus City Utilities will have emergency repair crews working on a broken sewer, estimated to be 90 years old. Authorities say the sewer main and brick manhole collapsed due to the heavy rains, creating a large pothole in the pavement. Traffic has been temporarily diverted around the pothole since Friday. City officials say they are working with INDOT and other agencies to expedite the repair.

You are encouraged to take an alternate route and avoid the area, if possible.

Real World Testing, a testing company for engines, donated $4,000 toward the purchase of a second K9 for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department. The company made the donation on Tuesday.

Previously, Real World Testing donated $18,000 to purchase the department’s second police dog, Diesel, and also chose his name. Since K9 Bolt retired last month, BCSO has only one police dog available.

“It is our goal to send a deputy to K9 school next month and to have two dogs back on our streets in May,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers. He says the department’s ultimate goal is to have three K9 units. Sheriff Myers says this donation helps towards that goal. “I can’t thank the folks from Real World Testing enough for stepping up again”, said Myers.

Real World Testing’s donation comes one day after Emmylou and John Wischmeier donated $10,000 toward the purchase of a second K9.

If you would like to donate to this project, send an email to: sheriff@bartholomew.in.gov.

Schneck Medical Center announced it has been named one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

Schneck was one of only a few hospitals in southern Indiana to be named. The others are: King’s Daughters’ Health in Madison, Major Hospital in Shelbyville and Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper.

“We are honored to have been recognized as a top performer among rural hospitals in the nation. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to providing excellent healthcare, while maintaining efficient and effective operations,” said Warren Forgey, President & CEO of Schneck. “It is the dedication and compassionate care of all our staff which has made this distinction possible.”

Hospitals recognized as a Top 100 facility scored in the top 100 among all rural and community hospitals nationally. Now in its ninth year, the INDEX leverages 50 rural-relevant indicators across eight pillars of hospital strength to determine an overall score for each hospital.

“In an era of increased complexity and uncertainty, Top 100 hospitals have established themselves as a bellwether for rural provider performance,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader of The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Top 100 status is a real indicator of how proactive these hospitals are when it comes to pushing for performance improvement in areas such as quality, outcomes, patient safety, market share and finance.”

The Fair Oaks Community Development Corporation Finance and Facilities committees held a joint meeting at the mall earlier this month. Mary Ferdon, the city’s director of administration, explains that a third committee, called a Design Committee, has been formed. It has nine members and is chaired by Mark Levett, Columbus Parks Board president. This new committee is set to meet on Friday.

That body will be charged with coming up with a master plan on how to proceed with the property. City officials have long said that hopes for the site include an indoor sports complex and a CRH-run clinic of some kind.

Ferson says Friday’s meeting will largely be organizational. It is at 3:30 p.m. inside the mall. The meeting is open to the public.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office received a $10,000 donation to go toward the purchase of a new K9. The donation, from Emmylou and John Wischmeier, will help fund a replacement for police dog Bolt, who retired last month with his handler, Sgt. Kris Weisner.

The Sheriff’s Department is slated to send a deputy to K9 training in March and should have two K9s on the street sometime in May.

“There are many reasons that K9s are important in assisting law enforcement,” said Sheriff Matt Myers. “Our goal is to have three K9 units,” added Myers.

If you would like to make a donation to help the program, you are encouraged to email: sheriff@bartholomew.in.gov.

A shed on Clifty Drive suffered damage in a Monday morning fire. Columbus Firefighters were called to 382 Clifty Drive at approximately 9:11 a.m. for a report of a storage building on fire behind a home.

Capt. Mike Wilson, CFD spokesman, says that Engine Co. # 3 arrived first and found smoke coming from a 10’ x 15’ building in the back yard. Firefighters entered the storage building and found a small fire in a corner. It was quicjkly extinguished.

The official cause of the fire is undetermined. Damages are estimated at $500. No one was hurt and the investigation is ongoing.

Eight candidates are looking to replace Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman. The three-term Republican announced in November that he would not seek a fourth term.

Five Republican and three Democrats are aiming for the city’s top job. They are:

Matthew Nicholson currently represents Seymour’s Third District. He is facing former Jackson County Council President Bridey Grant Jacobi, Matt Rowe, Thomas Joray and Nathan Otte for the Republican mayoral nomination.

Rexanne Early Ude, executive director of Schneck Foundation, is facing Jim (Mike) Kelly and Tyler Henkle for the Democratic nomination.

Contested primary races include Council District 3, where Republicans Chad Hubbard and Joshua Dailey campaign to replace Nicholson.

District 4 incumbent James Rebber is being challenged by Seth Davidson in the Republican primary.

Four people are running to replace Clerk-Treasurer Fred Lewis, who announced that he would not seek reelection. In November, Democrat Kristine Hackman will face the winner of the Republican primary, consisting of current Council At-Large member Darrin Boas, Dave Stidham and Robin Ann Carpenter.

This year’s Primary Election is May 7th. The General Election is Nov. 5th.