Former Columbus mayor Kristen Brown has won her open records lawsuit against the city. Our news-gathering partners at The Republic say the city will have to pay her legal fees and other costs in the action.

Judge Richard W. Poynter, of Jackson County,  ruled in the former mayor’s favor earlier this month, according to the newspaper.

The action stems from an alleged domestic disturbance in August of 2016 involving a married couple employed by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Brown filed the lawsuit in February of 2017, alleging that the Columbus Police Department and Chief John Rohde failed to document and provide her with information regarding that incident.

In a statement released today, city attorney Alan Whitted, said that the city released records in compliance with procedures set down while Brown was mayor. Since then, new procedures were instituted that fully conform with state law. During the litigation all of the available records on the incident have been released to the former mayor.

Whitted also said that Judge Poynter found that the city did not act in bad faith in this case.

The Indiana Public Access counselor had sided with the former mayor, opening the door for her lawsuit and holding the city accountable for her costs.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an Air Quality Action Day for Friday, June 28th for much of the state.

It is forecasting high ozone levels for the following area counties:

– Bartholomew
– Brown
– Jackson

– Johnson
– Jefferson

– Scott

– Washington

IDEM encourages you to reduce ozone by making simple changes to daily habits, including:

– Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation

– Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip
– Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.

– Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds
– Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above

Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

Many Brown County State Park facilities are open again after 10 days, and drinkable water is now considered safe again at the park.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources reports that campgrounds, cabins, restrooms and drinking fountains, as well as Abe Martin Lodge have been reopened. And the public pool was scheduled to reopen at noon for its regular schedule.

Those water facilities had been closed since June 17th after heavy rains stirred up sediment in Ogle Lake, which clogged the filters on the park’s water treatment facility. The park’s potable water comes from the Lake.

Some trails are being evaluated for storm damage and are still closed. DNR reports that the horsemen’s campground is open, but horse trails are still being assessed. Mountain bike trails remain closed and are being assessed as well. Some hiking trails remain closed due to flooding damage to boardwalks and staircases.

Two people were arrested after a domestic dispute last night in downtown Columbus, with one accused of attacking police officers.

Columbus police report that they were called to the home in the 700 block of Wilson Street at about 11:15 p.m. last night and found a man and woman fighting in the home. Officers also noticed that a window was broken out and a concrete block had been thrown through the windshield of a vehicle.

36-year-old Clarissa D. Johnson, and 39-year-old Timothy K. Meadows, both of Columbus, were arrested.

Johnson then allegedly tried to kick the window out of a patrol car, and asked to be taken to the hospital. While at the hospital, police say she tried to get out of her handcuffs and kicked two officers before being restrained and taken to jail.

Meadows is facing a charge of disorderly conduct, while Johnson is being accused of disorderly conduct, battery on a police officer and resisting law enforcement.

Columbus Regional Health is holding an open house for its new Treatment and Support Center tonight.

The center is an outpatient treatment program for those suffering from substance use disorders. Katrina Applegate, program manager for the new center, says that they will be working with the public for self-referrals, along with doctor’s referrals and the courts and criminal justice system.

A new client will have an assessment and access to group and individual therapy as well as medical treatments, if necessary . And they will be paired with a recovery coach and medical professional.

The goal is to provide a facility that offers a less sterile medical environment and instead a welcoming place for those trying to get help. Applegate said that some people who are addicted to illegal substances would feel uncomfortable in a more clinical setting, afraid that they are going to be incarcerated.

The open house is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. tonight at the center, located at 2630 22nd Street.

The center is scheduled to begin serving patients on July 1st.

Two people cruising in a stolen Camaro were arrested Wednesday night in Columbus.

The Columbus Police Department is reporting that the vehicle was driving slowly in the 1900 block of Cottage Avenue at about 8:10 p.m. last night. When an officer checked the license plate and discovered it had been reported stolen recently from Rush County.

After pulling the vehicle over, police arrested 57-year-old Timothy E. Barrow of Rushville on a charge of theft, and 43-year-old Kristi M. Schofner is being charged with trespassing. Schofner was also wanted on a Rush County warrant.

The Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress in Bartholomew County has a new executive director.

Former Columbus Regional Hospital President and CEO Doug Leonard will take on the role next month. Leonard served as the head of the hospital for 10 years and then spent another 10 years as president of the Indiana Hospital Association.

ASAP’s original leader, Jeff Jones, will continue on in an advisory role during the transition.

Since originally being formed by the hospital, city of Columbus and Bartholomew County just over two years ago to look into solutions to the opiate addiction crisis, ASAP has morphed into a non-profit group that will operate the Hub — a resource center that will provide a one-stop shop for those who need help navigating the programs and agencies addressing the crisis.

The Hub is expected to open in August in the United Way building on 13th Street.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says that the campgrounds, cabins and Abe Martin Lodge were still closed Wednesday at Brown County State Park. DNR officials add that day use park activities are now extended to Thursday.

The lodge and other amenities have been closed since June 17th after heavy rains stirred up sediment sediment into Ogle Lake. The lake serves as the park’s water supply.

DNR says that if water production capacity and water sampling continue successfully, the campground, cabin and lodge may reopen for Thursday night guests. That determination is expected Thursday morning.

Health officials continue their efforts to combat Hepatitis A and other diseases.

The Bartholomew County Health Department is holding free testing for HIV and Hepatitis C and free vaccinations for Hepatitis A on Friday at Love Chapel. Services are being offered from 9 a.m. to noon at the facility at 311 Center Street.

An identical clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2nd from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Public Library. Services will be offered outside on the plaza.

Health officials will be on hand for three days at the Bartholomew County Fair. A Hepatitis A vaccination clinic will be offered all day, July 9-11, at the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department tent.

The health department says that at risk for these diseases include the homeless, those who’ve been in jail recently, those who engage in illicit drug activity and those who have close contact with an infected person.

Recent and soon-to-be high school graduates in Bartholomew County are being encouraged to apply for the 2020 Lilly Endowment Scholarship. The scholarship is administered by Heritage Fund and Independent Colleges Indiana.

Organizers explain that scholarships will be awarded to two Bartholomew County students. The Lilly Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees and up to $900 for books and equipment for four years for undergraduate study at any accredited public or private university in the state.

Applicants must reside in Bartholomew County and be on course to graduate high school by the end of June 2020 with a GPA of no lower that 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants should be able to demonstrate school involvement, community service, leadership skills and financial need.

For more information, or to apply, visit heritagefundbc.org.