According to the most recent update from the Indiana State Department of Health, there are 29,274 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indiana, an increase of 581 cases since Yesterday’s report.

There have been 1,716 deaths in Indiana as of this update, an increase of 38 deaths from Yesterday’s numbers.

Bartholomew County has 448 confirmed cases, an increase of 10 since yesterday’s update. There have been 31 deaths from COVID-19 in Bartholomew County.

In other area counties, Decatur County has had 220 cases and 31 deaths, Jennings 121 cases and 4 deaths, Jackson 338 cases and 1 death, Brown 31 cases and 1 death, Johnson 1029 cases and 99 deaths, Shelby 302 cases and 20 deaths.

The Bartholomew County 4-H Fair has been cancelled for 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The fair board announced the fair , scheduled for July 10^th-18^th will not be held in person. The fair board felt that it would “be impossible to comply with the requirements and ensure the safety of those in attendance”. The plan is to allow 4-H(ers) to show their projects virtually. More information on that will be forthcoming.

Law enforcement officers from the Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office have teamed up with  the (Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative) and Viewpoint Books to assist with a summer reading program.  Starting on Wednesday, May 20^th, students and their families who have received books from JDAI will be able to get online and read along with law enforcement officers who were video recorded reading select chapters from the books. A link to the videos will be shared every Wednesday morning on CPD and BCSO social media pages.  So far, JDAI and Viewpoint Books have distributed over 70 sets of books from the Trouble at Table 5 book series to families in the community.

The Indiana Department of Education announced Tuesday that all Indiana teachers have been named the 2021 Teacher of the Year.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought new complexities and challenges to schools with no advance warning,” said State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick. “Teachers across our state have displayed a level of flexibility and commitment.”

Normally, one Hoosier teacher wins the award from the IDOE. The Department has been handing out the annual award for more than 60 years.

The Bartholomew County Redevlopment commission and Mayor Jim Lienhoop have reached an agreement for a land swap which will make way for future development in the downtown area.

The property involved is the Court Services building and the county owned parking lot between second and third streets.

The city of Columbus would take ownership of the block and would assist the county with the building of a new court services building south of the Bartholomew County Jail.

The proposed development is part of Envision Columbus, the 2018 initiative commissioned by the Heritage fund to study the needs and potential for future growth in Columbus.

Officials believe that the area could be revitalized into a destination that would attract cultural , dining, and entertainment opportunities.

Detectives with the Indiana State Police are conducting an investigation into the death of an inmate being held on a murder charge at the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown.

On May 10th, 2020, Tobias Au (ow), age 30, was found unresponsive in a bathroom area of the Jackson County Jail.  He was provided medical attention before being transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana.  On Sunday, May 17th, Au passed away at the hospital.

Au was being held at the Jackson County Jail after he was arrested by officers with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department on May 6th  for allegedly shooting and killing a man at an apartment near Seymour.

The investigation into Au’s death is ongoing although no foul play is suspected at this time.

According to the most recent update from the Indiana State Department of Health, there are 28,255 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indiana, an increase of 492 cases since Yesterday’s report.

There have been 1,621 deaths in Indiana as of this update, an increase of 14 deaths from Yesterday’s numbers.

Bartholomew County has 432 confirmed cases, an increase of 12 since  yesterday’s update. There have been 30 deaths from COVID-19 in Bartholomew County.

In other area counties, Decatur County has had 220 cases and 31 deaths, Jennings 116 cases and 4 deaths, Jackson 332 cases and 1 death, Brown 32 cases and 1 death, Johnson 1002 cases and 94 deaths, Shelby 297 cases and 20 deaths.

Indiana State Police arrested an armed robbery suspect in Jennings County Thursday afternoon.

19-year-old David R. Eggert of Wabash is being accused of pulling a gun and taking money form a location in Vernon at about 1:28 yesterday afternoon. The sheriff’s department received the report that the suspect had fled the scene in a silver car and the suspect’s description was broadcast to local law enforcement.

About 20 minutes later a member of the State Police All Crimes Policing Unit stopped the car on U.S. 50 at the Jackson/Jennings County line. Police recovered a handgun as well as money, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Eggert was arrested on preliminary charges of robbery, pointing a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firarm without a permit, possession of marijuana and of drug paraphernalia.

The Hope Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration has been cancelled for this summer.

Organizers at the Yellow Trail Museum in Hope say that Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Back on Track plan does not allow for gatherings of more than 250 people until July 4th and the event was originally scheduled for July 3rd on the Hope Town Square.

The museum board members decided it it is prudent to cancel the celebration in light of so many unknowns.

According to the most recent update from the Indiana State Department of Health, there are 26,043 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indiana, an increase of 634 cases since Wednesday’s report.

There have been 1,508 deaths in Indiana as of this afternoon’s update, an increase of 26 deaths from Wednesday’s numbers.

Bartholomew County has 383 confirmed cases, an increase of 13 since Wednesday. There have been 29 deaths from COVID-19 in Bartholomew County. That’s two more than yesterday.

In other area counties, Decatur County has had 216 cases and 31 deaths, Jennings 109 cases and 4 deaths, Jackson 304 cases and 1 death, Brown 29 cases and 1 death, Johnson 952 cases and 91 deaths, Shelby 275 cases and 18 deaths.