The proposed donation of just over 1.5 acres of land to Columbus Parks and Recreation is a step closer to happening.

The Columbus City Council gave final approval Tuesday night to rezone the site at the west end of 26th Street near the Hawcreek People Trail. The property was zoned for commercial use, but has since been changed to “Residential: Single Family 2.”

Jeff Bergman, city-county planning director, explained the land is being donated by Discount Tire, which purchased the property for a new location next to Burger King. He explained that this 1.5 acres is in a 100-year flood plain that was severely impacted by the 2008 flood. Company officials decided to not risk building in that particular area.

Parks officials say the site has the potential for a new trailhead, but no final decision has been made.

The Columbus Emergency Ambulance Board is set to meet Thursday afternoon. Mary Ferdon, the city’s director of administration, says this is an annual meeting required by ordinance. The purpose, she explains, is to get an update from the Oversight Committee on ambulance metrics including usage, placement and response times.

The board meets Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in conference room 3 at city hall.

February 2019 pended sales in Bartholomew County decreased by 17.3 percent over February 2018, while home prices increased by 5.8 percent to an average of just under $214,000. Monthly real estate stats from F.C. Tucker Company indicate a small decrease in homes sold, but higher sale prices and increased inventory.

Home prices in Jennings County dropped over the same period by 2.3 percent. The average sale price is just over $108,000. That, in spite of the fact that active listings in that county decreased by 22.5 percent.

Brown County home prices dropped 0.6 percent to an average of nearly $194,000.

Home prices in Decatur County were down 2.4 percent compared to February of 2018. The average sale price was just under $136,000.

Johnson County saw a considerable increase sale price over the same period. The average sale was nearly $214,000.

Home prices in Shelby County also increased. Prices were up 6.5 percent to an average of just over $147,000.

F.C. Tucker says 2019 pended home sales decreased 1.3 percent compared to February 2018 while the average year-to-date sale price for the 15 county Central Indiana region increased 6.7 percent to $206,941.

Developmental Services Inc. is celebrating Disability Awareness Month with art shows in Columbus and Seymour.

The art show starts today in Columbus and you can stop by the facility on 10th Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays through next Wednesday. It will include client-created art such as glasswork, tie-dye, abstract works, soaps and photography.

On Friday the Columbus center will have a choir performance and reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

DSI in Seymour will be holding an art show next week. You can stop by Monday through Thursday from 12 to 2 p.m. to see the art created by the agency’s clients and available for purchase. On Friday, March 29th there will be an art show and carnival from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. including games and prizes. Carnival tickets are four for $1.

The Seymour DSI center is on 1st Avenue.

For more information you can go to DSIservices.org

Bartholomew County Emergency Management is giving away 20 weather radios this week as part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week.

The agency is urging you to have several ways to receive warnings of approaching severe weather, including radio, the county’s Everbridge telephone, text message and e-mail alert system and having a weather radio in your home.

To enter to win the weather radios you need to go to the Bartholomew County Emergency Management page on Facebook and both like and share the weather radio story that is on the page. Winners will be chosen randomly on Friday.

Correction: The accident happened Tuesday night. An earlier version of this story was incorrect on the time.

A 20-year-old Greenwood woman died in a crash with a train yesterday evening near Whiteland.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that they were called to the scene at Tracy Road and Emerson Avenue at 10:43 p.m. yesterday morning and found the car about 1,500 feet north of Tracy Road.

The driver, 20 year old Shauna B. Synesael was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies say that the CSX train was pulling 83 cars with two locomotives and it appears that Synesael pulled in front of the train at the intersection.

A developer seeking the annexation of over 45 acres at 6970 West State Road 46 received initial approval during Tuesday night’s Columbus City Council meeting.

R.L. Rynard Development Corporation wants to build a retirement, nursing and assisted living facilities on 29 of those acres which would be rezoned from “Agriculture: Preferred” to “Residential: Multi-Family with Commitments.” The developer is proposing 56 independent-living spaces in 28 units, a 50-unit assisted-living facility and a 45 room skilled-nursing facility.

A few neighbors expressed concerns with proposed project, including increased traffic and drainage.

Council voted unanimously, 6-0, to approve both the annexation and rezoning. Both measures are set for a second reading on April 2nd.

A Seymour High School student took home the top honor at the 11th annual Jobs for America’s Graduates Career Development Conference in Indianapolis on March 15th.

Carina Muñoz won the Outstanding Senior Award at the event, which is the culmination of months of regional competitions focusing on several disciplines critical to future employment.

The top students in each category from the regional competitions advanced to state competition in Indianapolis for a chance to earn monetary awards by showcasing the employability skills they learned through the program.

JAG is a state-based, national not-for-profit organization that assists high school students by helping them overcome academic challenges and achieve graduation. JAG Indiana is administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Muñoz competed against 11 other seniors from throughout the state to win the Outstanding Senior Award. She is a member of the National Honor Society and plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus. Her career goal is to be an elementary teacher.

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation has issued a Boil Advisory for customers in Waynesville. The utility stresses that customers outside of Waynesville are not affected. Any water that is to be consumed should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before consuming.

This boil advisory is in effect until noon on Friday, March 22nd.

Indianapolis Police have called for a statewide Silver Alert for a missing girl.

They are investigating the disappearance of 8 month old Amiah Robertson. She is white, 23 inches tall, 13 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes.

Amiah is missing from Indianapolis and was last seen on Saturday, March 16th at 4:35 pm. She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.

If you have any information on Amiah Robertson, contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 317-327-6540 or 911.