The Bartholomew County Highway Department says that County Road 800 North and Executive Drive, will be closed at the intersection to all traffic, beginning Monday, Nov. 4th, at 8 a.m. That closure is expected to last for approximately 3-4 days for utility extensions.
You are asked to avoid this area.
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.
An Illinois woman was arrested Thursday as part of an investigation into a stolen vehicle.
Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess says that deputies responded to the 6600 block of East County Road 650S in Edinburgh. During the time of the call , police were in the area searching for a suspicious female. The female was believed to have fled earlier in the day from the Hilltop Motel while a warrant was being served on another individual from the county’s “Drug Round-Up” operation.
Authorities located the stolen pickup near the intersection of State Road 44 and Sugar Creek Road. A deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, only for the pickup to speed away, driving the wrong way and passing three vehicles. The vehicle pulled over about a quarter-mile down the road.
The driver, 34-year-old Michelle T. Wess, of Quincy, IL, was arrested for Auto Theft, Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle, Possession of Injection Device and Possession of under 30 Grams of Marijuana. Wess was also wanted on a warrant out of Marion County for Auto Theft, Possession of a Narcotic and Possession of Paraphernalia.
The city of Columbus partners with other local and state agencies along with private companies for many projects and programs including emergency dispatchers, the railroad overpass being built downtown and the purchase of Fair Oaks Mall.
We asked candidates for Columbus City Council for their thoughts on the city partnering with other local governments in projects that help the larger community.
Frank Miller, the incumbent Republican in City Council District 4 is running for re-election against Democrat Michael Schoumacher.
Miller said that Columbus and Bartholomew County could work together more.
Schoumacher says that quality partnerships are good for everyone involved.
In City Council District 5, incumbent Republican Tim Shuffett is facing Ross Thomas, a Democrat.
Shuffett says that Columbus is known for working together with others.
Thomas says the city must engage in partnerships where it makes sense.
In the four-way race for the two at-large seats on the council, incumbent Republican Laurie Booher and Democrat Tom Dell are running against Republican Josh Burnett and Democrat Grace Kestler.
Dell said that city has a reputation for quality partnerships.
Burnett said that public safety benefits from good partnerships.
Booher says Columbus has had some great partnerships, but noted that it is important to keep seeking them out.
Kestler agrees that it’s important to always look for quality partnerships.
The race in City Council District 1 pits incumbent Republican Dascal Bunch against Democrat Jerone Wood and independent Michael Kinder.
Wood said that partnerships are great if they make sense.
Bunch said it makes sense for Columbus and Bartholomew County to work together.
Kinder said partnerships are important, especially for major projects.
Elaine Wagner, the incumbent Democrat in City Council District 2 is running for re-election against Republican Jim Hartsook.
Wagner said that Columbus has a spirit of partnership.
Hartsook says partnerships are possible with the county, as well as other city governments.
In City Council District 3, incumbent Republican Dave Bush is facing Democrat Katea Ravega.
Bush says the city has a history of partnership and cooperation.
Ravega said Columbus is in a good spot, geographically and financially, to partner with others.
The election is Tuesday. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Early voting continues today, Saturday and Monday in Bartholomew County.
You can vote at the courthouse until 5 p.m. today or Donner Center from until 6 p.m. today. Both locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow. You can also still vote until noon Monday at the voter registration office in the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps says that yesterday the county broke its record for early voting in a municipal election when it passed 1,500 early voters. That tops 2015, where there were 1,451 early votes.
Election Day is Tuesday. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All of the seats on Columbus City Council are contested in next week’s election.
A Kentucky man died after a single-vehicle crash late Wednesday night in Jackson County.
Indiana State Police say the investigation indicated that 53-year-old Robert O. Bell, of Radcliff, was driving a semi pulling a trailer near the 45 mile marker near Seymour when it left the west side of the interstate before coming to stop just off the roadway. Troopers and other first responders arrived and began administering CPR to Bell, who was unresponsive. He was transported to Schneck Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators learned that Bell was on the phone with someone just prior to the crash and indicated he was suffering from a medical emergency. Evidence from the scene indicated that the crash itself did not appear to be the cause of Bell’s death.
The Columbus Fire Department is holding a chili fundraiser Friday night at the Fair Oaks Mall. Ben Noblitt with the department explains.
Cost is $5 for a bowl of chili, drink and desert. For $7, you get all that, as well as a Jimmy John’s sandwich. Noblitt says that $10 gets you an endless bowl of chili. Firefighters will also be raffling off some items for those in attendance.
You can line up for chili at the former JC Penny store in the mall starting at 5:30 p.m.
Money raised goes toward the Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund, which provides Christmas gifts for the needy children of the community.
The city of Columbus has been looking at ways to replace the dam between the Second and Third street bridges, to shore up the riverbanks and possibly install attractions that would lure residents and tourists to the area.
We asked candidates for Columbus City Council about their thoughts on the downtown riverfront and plans for developing the area.
In City Council District 3, incumbent Republican Dave Bush is facing Democrat Katea Ravega.
Bush said there is a safety issue with the low head dam.
Ravega said that she doesn’t know if it is possible for the city and businesses will get back what they will put into the riverfront project.
Frank Miller, the incumbent Republican in City Council District 4 is running for re-election against Democrat Michael Schoumacher.
Miller said that safety concerns means some work has to be done.
Schoumacher agreed that the dam and the trash site need to be addressed.
In City Council District 5, incumbent Republican Tim Shuffett is facing Ross Thomas, a Democrat.
Shuffett says that the riverfront project has grown from a desire to connect the People Trails, remove the dam and fix the riverbank.
Thomas says the city must take care of the dam and the erosion, and he would like to see the People Trail connection.
In the four-way race for the two at-large seats on the council, incumbent Republican Laurie Booher and Democrat Tom Dell are running against Republican Josh Burnett and Democrat Grace Kestler.
Dell said that connecting the People Trail also allows the city to fix other problems in the area.
Burnett said there is one common question that residents have about the project.
Booher said the dam work must be done and she likes some of the other proposals.
Kestler said that some beautification can be done as part of the other repairs at a minimal cost.
The race in City Council District 1 pits incumbent Republican Dascal Bunch against Democrat Jerone Wood and independent Michael Kinder.
Wood said that the safety problems need fixed, but the rest needs to be weighed against other needs.
Bunch said that the dam is a hazard that needs to be addressed
Kinder said he favors the dam cleanup and the People Trail connection.
Elaine Wagner, the incumbent Democrat in City Council District 2 is running for re-election against Republican Jim Hartsook.
Wagner said that she agrees that the city needs to remove the dam and shore up the banks.
Hartsook said he is concerned about how any new project will be maintained
Early voting continues from 8 until 5 today and tomorrow at the Bartholomew County courthouse voter registration office and 10 to 6 at the satellite voting center at Donner Center. Both locations will be open on Saturday from 8 to 3. Early voting wraps up on Monday from 8 to noon at the courthouse.
Election Day is Tuesday. Polls will be open from 6 to 6.
North Vernon police say that the community’s trick-or-treating hours are being moved to Friday.
Police Chief James Webster announced yesterday that the city will hold trick or treating from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday evening. Madison Avenue will also be closing in the area of Stellar Plaza to host the community Sweet Street, Webster said.
It is going to be a windy Halloween night in parts of our area. The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a wind advisory for an area including Johnson and Shelby counties lasting from 3 p.m. this afternoon to midnight. The agency reports wind gusts as high as 45 to 50 miles per hour are possible with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph.
You can expect to see tree limbs falling and any unsecured items in your yard getting blown about.
Area residents interested in saving the historic Crump theater in downtown Columbus got a chance to take a look at the inside of the historic structure during an event Wednesday evening. Jessica Schnepp is the administrator for the “Save The Crump” Facebook group. She coordinated the event to celebrate 130 years for the building. Schnepp explains why the event was held.
The stage, seating area and balcony were closed off to visitors. Visitors milled around the lobby and in front of the building.
Schnepp says that, currently, there is no plan in place to rehabilitate the building.
More than 100 people visited the Crump during Wednesday night’s event.
If you would like to learn more about efforts to save the theter, visit “Save The Crump” on Facebook.
Cummins on Wednesday announced successful legal actions against Turbotechsnab LLC and Weifang Yuhang Turbocharger Co. Ltd. for infringement upon Cummins’ trademarks and patents.
Cummins officials say that in the decision reached by the Moscow City Arbitrazh Court, Turbotechsnab was held to have infringed Cummins’ HOLSET trademarks. The court awarded an injunction against Turbotechsnab prohibiting further illegal use of Cummins’ HOLSET trademarks in connection with selling, offering to sell, storing and advertising turbochargers. Additionally, the court ordered Turbotechsnab to pay damages and fees to Cummins.
As part of the settlement with Weifang Yuhang Turbocharger Co. Ltd., that company agreed to cease and desist purchasing, making and selling any nozzle ring product that infringes Cummins’ patents, and agreed to destroy all existing infringing stock.
“For more than 100 years Cummins has created dependable quality power technologies and we are committed to defending our intellectual property for the success of our customers,” said Shon Wright, Vice President of Cummins Turbo Technologies. “With support from our global partners, we will continue to survey the global marketplace to ensure the company’s intellectual property is protected.”
