The Bartholomew County Emergency Management Agency has downgraded the county’s travel status to an Advisory Level. It’s the lowest level of local travel advisory, meaning that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.

County officials say that roads have improved since Sunday. There are still going to be some slick spots and roads will still be snow covered in areas. Temperatures will again remain below freezing tonight.

Columbus officials say there is relief from these cold temperatures for those who need it. Those individuals are encouraged to come to the Community Engagement Center, at 1951 McKinley Ave. during the day. Those needing a place to stay overnight should reach out to the Brighter Days Homeless Shelter, at 421 South Mapleton Street. The shelter opens at 6 p.m. The phone number is (812) 344-4512.

Columbus Firefighters rescued a woman from the East Fork of the White River Friday morning after she apparently jumped from the Third Street Bridge.

Columbus Police first responded to the bridge at 8:52 a.m. after receiving a call for a suspicious person leaning over the bridge. A CPD officer witnessed the woman jump from the bridge, prompting a call-out of the Columbus Fire Department and the Bartholomew County Water Rescue and Recovery Team. Police converged on the east bank of the river to maintain a visual of the woman’s location as she drifted down river. Officers reported seeing her travel over the low head dam between Second and Third streets and was continuing to move down river toward the Water Street public boat ramp.

Columbus Fire Department Engine Company 3 arrived at the boat ramp within minutes. Upon arrival, firefighters learned that the woman was able to speak, but did not appear to move her arms or legs. Wearing a water rescue suit, Firefighter Daniel Pinnow entered the water and swam out to the victim. Once secured, both were pulled from the river bank at approximately 9:01 a.m.

The condition of the woman is unknown at this time. Firefighter Pinnow was not hurt.

Columbus Police arrested a local man on drug charges during a traffic stop Thursday night. At approximately 7:20 p.m., officers stopped a vehicle for a minor violation near Eighth and Reed Streets. A short time later, the officers determined that the driver of the vehicle, 33-year-old Kristopher D. Harris, of Columbus, had a suspended driver’s license and a Johnson County warrant for his arrest. After Harris taken into custody, the officers reported finding a syringe and a digital scale in Harris’ vehicle, as well as methamphetamine in Harris’ clothing.

Harris is facing the following preliminary charges:

Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony)
Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device (Level 6 Felony)
Driving while Suspended (Class A Misdemeanor)
Johnson County Arrest Warrant

The 22nd annual celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. will be held Monday morning at The Commons. Jamie Brinegar, Columbus’ director of finance, explains that events kick off at 7 a.m. with a breakfast and the formal program starting at 7:30 a.m. Featured speakers will be Mayor Jim Lienhoop, CBS 4 morning anchor Frank Mickens and BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts.

Events are scheduled to wrap up at 9 a.m.

This event is free and you’re invited.

Construction on the next phase of the State Street Revitalization Project in Columbus is expected to begin in the spring.

Redevelopment Director Heather Pope says the work on Phase 2B will continue the same trail design in developing the north side of Third Street from Central Avenue to California Street. From there, she says the work will go north on California Street to Fifth Street. The work include a 10-foot wide multi-use trail, pedestrian lighting, new curbs, gutters and ADA-compliant ramps. In addition, all overhead utilities will be relocated underground. Pope says this phase of the project covers approximately 1,572 feet.

The council on Tuesday voted 5-1 to approve a resolution to fund Phase 2B of the project, at a cost of $1,475,000. City Councilman Tom Dell was the lone “no” vote. Councilman Frank Miller was not in attendance.

This year’s primary and general elections in Columbus will see some changes. Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps says there will only be one satellite absentee voting center.

You’ll also be able to cast an early ballot at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.

Phelps says there will be eight vote centers open on Election Day.

As far as candidates, only six Republicans and zero Democrats have filed to run as of the close of business on Tuesday. They all filed on the first day.

Candidates have until noon on Feb. 8th to file. You can keep up to date on candidate filings at bartholomew.in.gov.

A local automotive fastener company is looking to expand after the Columbus City Council gave approval for 10-year tax abatements.

OSR, Inc. currently has a facility at 7715 S. International Drive in the Walesboro industrial park. Company officials say they have plans to construct a new 82,000 square-foot facility near the existing campus. The new facility would see an investment of over $6.5 million. The expansion is slated to retain 29 jobs and add 12 more with an expected average wage of $20.17 per hour by the beginning of next year. The building site, expected to be in the 6800 block of S. International Drive, is in an Economic Revitalization Area.

Council approved the ten-year abatements unanimously. That move is expected to save OSR more than $600,000 in local taxes over the next decade.

It’s been one week since candidates could start filing to run for elected office in Columbus. The Bartholomew County Voter Registration Office says that there have been no filings since that first day.

Six Republican candidates, including five incumbents, filed on the first day. They are: Mayor Jim Lienhoop, Clerk-Treasurer Luann Welmer, District 1 Councilman Dascal Bunch, District 4 Councilman Frank Miller and District 5 Councilman Tim Shuffett. Newcomer Josh Burnett has filed to run for Council At-Large. There have been no candidate filings for seats on the council for District2 and District 3.

Candidates have until noon Feb. 8th to file. That is done at the Voter Registration Office in the Bartholomew County Courthouse. Candidates must be a resident for at least one year before November’s general election. They must also be registered to vote and have no felonies.

You can keep up with candidate filings through the county’s website, at bartholomew.in.gov.