Residents in Decatur County can chat with staff of their U.S. Representative. Congressman Greg Pence, a Columbus Republican, announced Friday that his team will host Community Office Hours for constituents in Greensburg on Monday, Nov. 25.

Members of Pence’s staff will be available to meet with Hoosiers and help on topics including assistance with federal agencies, grant applications, the purchase of U.S. Flags, military academy nominations, and tours of Washington, D.C.

Monday’s event will be held in the Plan Meeting Room at Greensburg City Hall from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. You are invited.

INDOT is reporting that work has begun on the overpass project that will take traffic into downtown Columbus over the railroad tracks at State Roads 11 and 46.

The agency reports that you will see little effect through the spring, but you should keep an eye out for construction traffic entering and exiting the work site and there will be equipment and materials being delivered in the coming weeks.

The work will eventually realign State Road 46 at the downtown bridges and create two large circular interchanges that will reroute and lift traffic over the tracks..

You will see lane restrictions and closures late next summer and fall.

They expect to open the new interchange in 2021.

Cummins, Inc. is preparing for an expected downturn in business next year.

At a meeting with analysts and shareholders Thursday in New York City, members of the company’s leadership team shared plans to effectively manage through what they are calling a cyclical downturn by lowering structural costs by $250  to $300 million in 2020.

President and COO Tony Satterthwaite explained the cost-cutting will include reducing discretionary workers, employee shifts and overtime.

He said the company is also saving by reorganizing its North American distribution network.

Satterthwaite reiterated that while battery and fuel cell technologies have been a clear focus of Cummins, its investments in diesel and natural gas platforms would continue. He says that “diesel will be the primary source of energy in commercial vehicles for many years to come.”

Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger explained that the management team has experience in making it through downturns.

At the meeting, called the Cummins Analyst Day, Chief Financial Officer Mark Smith reminded investors that Cummins has a strong track record of improving cycle-over-cycle profitability and cash flow.

You can read more from the company’s announcement here.

The Ivy Tech Columbus Science Club is hosting a river cleanup in downtown Columbus from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 in downtown Columbus.

The cleanup will focus on the west bank of the river between Second and Third streets. The club welcomes all who are interested in helping to clean up the river.

Officials say that parking will be available along the People Trail just west of the Indiana 46 westbound bridge. Gloves and trash bags will be provided, as will snacks and water.

Two men were arrested on drug charges after a Wednesday traffic stop in Jackson County resulted in the discovery of a large amount of suspected methamphetamine.

The incident began at approximately 10:30 a.m. when an Indiana State Police Trooper conducted a traffic stop on northbound I-65 near the 39 mile marker, just north of Crothersville. During the stop, police became suspicious that criminal activity was taking place. ISP police dog Jinx conducted a sweep of the exterior of the vehicle and alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a plastic bag containing more than one pound of suspected crystal methamphetamine.

The driver of the vehicle, 37-year-old Zachary D. Williams, of Lafayette, reportedly gave police a fake name. A passenger, 39-year-old Mark A. Sneed, of Louisville, was also found to be in possession of suspected marijuana.

Williams was arrested on charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, False Informing and Identity Theft. Sneed was charged with Dealing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Marijuana.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers says that an arrest has been made in a reported stabbing yesterday morning near Taylorsville.

30-year-old Ross K. Stroud of Columbus was arrested on a preliminary felony charge of aggravated battery.

This investigation is ongoing.

Two Columbus residents are facing drug charges after police stopped the car they were in for having an expired tag.

Columbus police report that they stopped the vehicle at about 4:50 p.m. Wednesday afternoon near 17th and Maple streets. A police dog alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle and a search revealed a bag of methamphetamine.

The driver, 41-year-old Anne M. Lovelace and her passenger, 34-year-old Kristopher A. Lobdell were arrested on a preliminary charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Columbus police arrested two men on drug charges after their vehicle was stopped for a broken headlight last night.

Police stopped the vehicle near 7th Street and Gladstone Avenue at about 8 p.m. Wednesday night. A police dog alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle and officers found heroin, a THC vape pen and drug paraphernalia inside.

The driver, 29-year-old Dustin S. Bryant of Westport, was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of heroin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. A passenger, 53-year-old Gary L. Bryant of Columbus, is being accused of possession of heroin.

The Seymour Sixth Grade Center was placed under an active shooter scenario Wednesday following a false alarm.

“The Tribune” in Seymour is reporting that officers were called to the school at 1000 S. Poplar St., around 3 p.m. on an active shooter alarm.

Superintendent Brandon Harpe told the paper that the school was not under a threat, but that one of the multiple alarms activated. Police and the school are investigating whether the system malfunctioned or if it was set off intentionally or by mistake.

For more on this story, visit tribtown.com.

Heritage Fund – the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County recently awarded $84,000 in grant funding to local nonprofit organizations as part of their fourth quarter grants cycle.

Fourth quarter grant recipients include:

• Bartholomew County Humane Society — $20,000 to install solar energy panels and reduce energy costs at their animal shelter.
• Southern Indiana Housing and Community Development Corporation — $25,000 for construction costs of a new residential development in the Lincoln Central Neighborhood as part of the Columbus Homebuyer Program.
• Family Service, Inc. — $ 19,773 to fund an IT server transition and to fund the 2020 Darkness to Light program pilot.
• Columbus Area Chamber Foundation — $10,000 to develop a strategy, broadcast-quality short videos and a compelling website to promote the Columbus area as an attractive, dynamic and welcoming place to live and work.
• Columbus Redevelopment Commission — $10,000 in support of the City’s efforts to obtain an award from Indiana’s Next Level Trails Grant program.

Kyle Hendricks, Manager of Community Impact, says that Heritage Fund distributes approximately $500,000 in grants to local nonprofits each year from the Community Fund. He says that these grants help Heritage Fund to meet emerging needs in Bartholomew County in the areas of Youth Development, Substance Abuse, Neighborhood Revitalization, Innovation and Creativity, and Welcoming Community.