The Indiana Department of Transportation says that lane restrictions on U.S. 31 in Jackson County will begin next week.

INDOT says that crews from E&B Paving will close U.S. 31 and implement lane restrictions between Crothersville and Uniontown on or after Monday, July 29. The work, which is dependent on the weather, consists of bridge replacement and bridge deck overlay projects in Jackson County.

U.S. 31 will close over Grassy Creek, between County Road 500 South and County Road 400 South for approximately 120 days while crews complete an $870,000 bridge replacement project. The road is expected to reopen by November 29th.

Lane restrictions with a temporary traffic signal will be in place at Blau Ditch between County Road 500 South and County Road 600 South for approximately 100 days for an $890,000 bridge deck overlay project. The road is expected to reopen by November 11th.

The official state detour for both closures is State Road 250 to I-65.

A ground-breaking ceremony for a new $1.2 million dollar, 8,000 square-foot Hindu Temple is set for Saturday, August 3rd on West Goeller Road in Columbus.

Organizers say the new temple will accommodate about 700 people during Hindu festivals and other special celebrations. The temple will include a sanctuary, a stage, kitchen and an open area for special events. The site is also expected to function as a Hindu community center catering to the recreational and social needs of the community. It will host classes for India’s music, dance and languages.

The work is expected to be finished by next spring.

The ground-breaking ceremony with ancient Hindu rituals conducted by seven priests; will be held at the site, located at 7930 West Goeller Road from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 3rd. A free lunch is included.

Everyone is welcome to attend the the groundbreaking ceremony.

Indiana Department of Transportation is announcing lane restrictions on U.S. 31 in Bartholomew County starting next week for projects replacing a box culvert and repair a bridge.

Work is set to start Monday, as Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. works on a box culvert south of County Road 100S, almost nine miles north of the Jackson County line. INDOT reports both shoulders of U.S. 31 will be closed and a 12-foot width restriction will be in place, with one lane open in each direction.

Dave O’Mara will also be working on a a bridge deck overlay on U.S. 31, just south of State Road 7, over Fishers Fork. An 11-foot width restriction will be in place while work is completed on the bridge.

All work is weather dependent and is expected to be complete by November 15.

Columbus police have arrested another wanted man on a bicycle downtown.

Officers noticed 36 year old Thomas E. Childers of Columbus near a home in the 1300 block of Lafayette Avenue at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and realized he was wanted on an outstanding Marion County warrant. During a search of his clothing, officers report finding a clear plastic bag containing heroin.

He was arrested on the outstanding warrant and on a new charge for possession of heroin.

The city of Columbus and local not for profit groups will be celebrating a new pilot program for affordable housing today — a home built by high school students on a formerly blighted downtown property.

Eric Frey, with Administrative Resources Association, explains that the Pearl Street property formerly held a condemned home that was an eyesore.

The property now contains a brand new affordable home built by high school C4 students through a partnership between several local agencies including the Southern Indiana Housing Development Corporation, Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center, United Way of Bartholomew County and Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

Frey said the Lincoln Central Homebuyer Program developed through the mayor’s council on safe and affordable housing.

The goal was to help a first time homeowner purchase a property in Columbus — a city with high barriers to entry for new and lower income homeowners.

Frey said that the first attempt has been a success and the group plans to offer a similar opportunity soon.

There will be a celebration today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the new home in the 1500 block of Pearl Street.

Frey said that if there is anyone interested in participating in the next effort, you can contact Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center to get the ball rolling.

A Jennings County woman is being accused of stealing and wearing another woman’s dentures.

Deputies received a report from a victim in Country Squire Lakes Monday who said that Joann Childers had taken her dentures. Deputies talked to a probation officer who confirmed that when Childers came in for an appointment, she was wearing dentures that were clearly not her own.

A deputy interviewed Childers on Wednesday and the false teeth were out in plain view in her home, and even had the victims’ name on them. The stolen teeth were recovered and Childers is facing preliminary charges of theft, according to police reports.

Columbus Parks and Rec will have additional storage space under a purchase agreement approved Wednesday afternoon by the Columbus Parks Board.

The board voted unanimously to approve an agreement to purchase the vacant former Machinery Moving Inc. site at 1360 Jackson Street for $205,000. The site is currently owned by Norma Lienhoop, aunt of Mayor Jim Lienhoop. The mayor has recused himself from all business related to the proposed purchase.

The previous agreed-upon price for the site was $300,000, but environmental contamination found in subsequent inspections resulted in lower appraisals, resulting in the updated purchase price. Under the agreement, the city would pay Ms. Lienhoop annual installments of $34,166.67. The first installment would be paid at closing, while subsequent annual payments would be made before on, or before, March 1st.

Parks Director Mark Jones has indicated that the property would be used as a storage facility for the department. He noted the property’s proximity to other parks properties.

Pam Harrell, director of business services for parks and rec, explains that there is a solution related to the issue of cleanup…

Harrell explained that until the property is owned by the city, discussions with Indiana Brownfield are at a standstill.

The measure now goes to the Board of Public Works and Safety for consideration.

You can find out if you have correctly installed a child’s car seat in your vehicle at an event Friday with with the Columbus Police Department and Dorel Juvenile Group. The car seat safety checks will be going on Friday, July 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the police department parking lot behind City Hall at 123 Washington Street.

Lt. Matt Harris, CPD spokesman, encourages you to stop by and have your car safety seats checked by certified car seat technicians from Dorel.

There is no cost for this service, which should take less than 15 minutes.

Southwest Volunteer Fire Department in Bartholomew County is among the rural and volunteer fire departments from 46 counties across the state that have been awarded more than $297,000 in Volunteer Fire Assistance grants. Southwest is receiving $3,910 for safety equipment.

The grants, announced by DNR director Cameron Clark, are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Grants may be used for training, installation of dry hydrants or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires. DNR says that a total of 71 departments received grants, ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.

Other local fire departments receiving grants are:

– Letts Community Volunteer Fire; Decatur; $2,588 for water handling
– Campbell Township VFD; Jennings; $4,935 for radios
– Spencer Township VFD; Jennings; $5,000 for radios
– Scottsburg Fire Dept.; Scott; $4,071 for radios
– Fountaintown Community VFD; Shelby; $5,000 for safety

North Vernon Police arrested a Kentucky man Tuesday afternoon after a traffic stop. At about 1:45 p.m., a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Anthony Menendez was pulled over for speeding on West Walnut Street.

The vehicle Menendez was driving was reported stolen out of Louisville last week. The vehicle also had a false registration plate. Menendez was arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle. He was being held on $1,555 bond.