A reminder that Bartholomew Consolidated Schools are closed Tuesday, Nov. 19 so that staff can attend the “Red for Ed” event at the Indiana Statehouse.

Thousands of teachers from across Indiana are expected to flood the Capitol for the rally. Reports are that more than 130 school districts are calling off classes.

BCSC will make this day up on March 10th.

Other area school districts also closed for the day are:

– Edinburgh Community Schools
– Jennings County Schools
– Decatur County Community Schools

The Bartholomew County Highway Department says that Blessing Road will be closed to all traffic, from State Road 11 to Roosevelt Drive, for repairs, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 19th. That stretch of road is slated to reopen sometime on Tuesday, Nov. 26th.

If you are looking for more traffic information, download the WAZE app for your smartphone and join the WCSI Traffic team powered by Crew Car Wash. You can find updated traffic information on our website, on-air and on the app.

The Yellow Trail Museum in Hope will be hosting the community’s annual Christmas of Yesteryear on the Hope Town Square, Friday evening.

Activities will include a bake sale, crafts, cookie decorating and strolling carolers. A live Nativity will be staged at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. There will be a wagon ride where participants can interact with reenactors of historical Hope Christmas festivities and Santa Claus will make an appearance at the Sweet Chiropractic Clinic.

There will also be business promotions and many town businesses will stay open late for the festival.

Christmas of Yesteryear in Hope runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.

The North Vernon Police Department records division is closing for most of the week for staff training.

The department reports that the office will closing during the day Tuesday and will remain closed through Thursday.

Any reports needed will have to be picked up on Friday. Friday hours will be from 7:30 to 11 a.m. in the morning and from 1 to 4 p.m. in the afternoon.

If you need assistance from an officer during the down time, you can call the Jennings County Dispatch Center at 812-346-2345.

A Columbus man is under arrest on battery charges after a domestic dispute Saturday.

Bartholomew County deputies were called to the fight at about 7 p.m. on Saturday evening in the 6500 block of Tyler Too, and a witness told police that the suspect, 28-year-old Miguel A. Martinez-Maltos, was running toward his home.

Deputies caught Martinez-Maltos and he had to be taken to Columbus Regional Hospital to be checked for injuries before being arrested on preliminary charges of battery, battery with serious bodily injury and domestic battery, along with resisting law enforcement.

A Columbus woman is accused of fleeing from police at speeds of up to 100 mph while driving a stolen car.

A Columbus officer tried to stop a vehicle driving without headlights at about 2:25 a.m Sunday morning near Fifth and Washington streets. But instead of stopping, the driver took off, blowing through several stop signs and heading the wrong way down 10th Street for several blocks.

As the chase left the city and headed down U.S. 31, officers joined the pursuit from Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and Seymour Police Department.

Police say the driver went over three sets of tire deflation devices before finally being stopped on U.S. 50 near Seymour after striking a curb. 33-year-old Whitney K. Watkins was arrested on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement in a vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle and reckless driving.

Columbus police arrested a mom who is accused of driving under the influence with her toddler in the car.

The incident started at about 3:20 a.m. Friday morning when police saw a vehicle driving left of the centerline on 25th Street, nearly striking the curb. After a traffic stop, police reportedly noticed a strong odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, 19-year-old Lilly E. Hall failed several field sobriety tests.

A search revealed marijuana in the car and in a diaper bag, along with a THC vape pen in the center console. After a blood test at Columbus Regional Hospital, she was arrested on preliminary charges of driving while intoxicated with a minor present, along with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The 13-month-old was turned over to a family member after the Department of Child Services was called in, according to police reports.

Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus will be helping new students get on board at an Express Enrollment event tomorrow on the campus.

Ivy Tech employees will be on hand to help anyone interested in enrolling at the College. Among the activities: you will be able to complete enrollment steps, to get financial aid questions answered, to meet with an advisor, to register for the semester and to find out about orientation.

Classes start January 13. Express Enrollment Day will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Ivy Tech’s Columbus facility on Central Ave.

One person was arrested after deputies with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office partnered with members of the U.S. Marshal Service to conduct a county-wide surprise check on registered sex offenders on Thursday, Nov. 14th.

Deputies conducted surprise offender checks on about 100 sex offenders throughout Bartholomew County to determine the validity of information provided by individuals currently registered with Bartholomew County’s Sex Offender Registry.

Convicted sex offenders are required to report any residential and/or employment changes to the Sheriff’s Office within 72 hours of the change.

One arrest was made during the sweep when an offender was found to be in possession of marijuana. Details of that arrest have not yet been released.

Four others were found to be out of compliance with the terms of their registry. This could result in additional charges for them.

Authorities say this sweep was conducted in addition to regular checks that are conducted throughout the year.

The annual “Great American Smokeout” is coming up and groups in Jackson County want to help smokers quit.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, smokers nationwide will be encouraged to quit smoking as part of the nationwide event, which takes place the third Thursday of every November.

Schneck Medical Center, Healthy Jackson County-Decreasing Tobacco Use Workgroup, and the American Cancer Society are partnering to support this cause.

“We’re inviting people to commit to healthy, smoke-free lives. To quit smoking is extremely difficult. Just the idea can be intimidating. However, with the right support, the chances for success spike,” said Dr. David Wilson, Schneck Pulmonology and Medical Director of Healthy Jackson County-Decreasing Tobacco Use Workgroup.

The annual event challenges people to quit smoking for at least 24 hours with the goal that the decision not to smoke will last longer, ideally forever. According the American Cancer Society, quitting, even for one day, reduces cancer risk.

“The Great American Smokeout is the perfect occasion to commit or recommit to kicking this life-threatening habit. You don’t have to quit in a day—we’re encouraging people to use this platform as a first step in their journey toward a tobacco-free life,” said Dr. Wilson.

Schneck Medical Center and the Jackson County Health Department offer a free smoking cessation program. Call 812-522-0401 or 812-522-6474 to learn more.