A Kentucky man is facing child neglect and drug possession charges after he was arrested at a Columbus restaurant Tuesday night.

Police were called to the restaurant in the 2200 block of Jonathan Moore Pike at about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday after witnesses say a man spent about 45 minutes in the bathroom with a crying infant.

Columbus police report that they found 28-year-old Joshua C. Edwards of Simpsonville, Kentucky in a vehicle in the parking lot. He appeared intoxicated and at first didn’t recognize that police were on the scene as officers tried to communicate with him. After waking him up, police allegedly found he was carrying heroin and was caught reaching for a syringe. He was taken into custody and the small child was released to a family member.

Cummins is announcing that its X12 engine will be going into Western Star trucks.

Production is expected to begin in August for the new engine/truck combination. Cummins announced the pairing yesterday, saying that the X12 is the lightest engine in its class and has the highest power-to-weight ratio — capable of 500 horsepower and 1700 pound-feet of torque, while weighing only 2 thousand and 50 pounds.

A Western Star company spokesperson says the engine will be available in the 4700 model trucks, one of the company’s best selling models.

The X12, which is begin made in Jamestown, N.Y., has already been announced in partnerships with Freightlner and Autocar.

If you have been putting off donating blood, the Red Cross says now is an excellent time to donate, as the blood supply is in critical need.

The Indiana Blood Center yesterday issued the critical statewide appeal for donors. The Blood Center says all blood types are needed, but O-negative and O-positive supplies are critically low. The need is critical, due to the recent snow and frigid temps.

The next Columbus area blood drives are Feb. 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College, Feb. 14th from noon to 4 p.m. at Henry Chiropractic Center and Feb. 15th at Developmental Services Inc. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There is also a blood drive scheduled at Camp Atterbury on Feb. 10th from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment or to get more information you can go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS

Some Jennings County residents are under a Boil Water Advisory. Hayden Water Association officials say that a water main break on Monday led to the advisory. All Hayden Water customer should boil all cooking and drinking water prior to consumption.

The advisory ends at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Jennings County deputies and Westport police arrested three people last week on drug and child neglect charges, after what started as a search for stolen property.

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that they sought a search warrant for a Country Squire Lakes home last week after receiving information from Westport police about the possible location of property stolen from that community.

The agencies worked together to serve the warrant on Thursday and allegedly discovered the stolen property, along with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to police reports. Two children at the home were taken into the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Protective Services.

Three people were arrested:

• 39-year-old Larry Marksberry Jr. on preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and stolen property, along with felony neglect of a dependent.
• 32-year-old Brittany Morgan and 53-year-old Carl Morgan, both on preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia, along with felony neglect of a dependent.

Many local school districts had closings or delays today. Bartholomew Consolidated Superintendent Dr. Jim Roberts talked recently about how those decisions are made.

He said crews begin assessing county roads, talking to highway officials and police at about 4 a.m.

Roberts said that those investigating the road conditions have a group phone call at about 4:50 a.m.  to make a decision.

They then make an announcement by 5:15 a.m., getting the word out using local media, social media and the district’s own e-alert system.

Roberts suggested you follow the school district on Facebook or Instagram.

A traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Jackson County turned into a three-county chase yesterday morning that ended in a crash.

State Police report that they pulled over a vehicle about two miles south of Seymour for a traffic violation. It turned out that the driver, 45-year-old Anthony Glenn of Louisville was wanted on several felony warrants including evading police and wanton endangerment. When the trooper tried to arrest Glenn, he allegedly took off down the interstate.

In Scott County, Glenn’s vehicle ran over a tire deflation device placed in his way by deputies. He continued on into Clark County until he lost control, struck a guardrail and flipped the vehicle. He was taken to Scott Memorial Hospital for treatment and then to jail.

Glenn is facing numerous charges including resisting law enforcement in a vehicle, reckless driving, and operating while intoxicated.

Columbus firefighters had to deal with the frigid cold this morning to fight fires at an aluminum smelting factory on Inman Drive.

An employee at Nikkei MC Aluminum saw flames inside the facility at about 3:30 a.m. this morning and called firefighters. Four engine companies and two rescue companies were dispatched to the scene, along with support and command staff.

When emergency crews arrived, the company’s 10 employees who had been working at the time had already evacuated and no one was injured.

Firefighters found heavy smoke inside the building. And while the sprinkler system had activated, the fire was above the sprinklers in the steel i-beams overhead and in a dust collector system on the outside of the building, says Capt. Mike Wilson with the fire department.

Firefighters discovered that the fire had ignited in dust and debris in the i-beams in the ceiling, then spread to other accumulations of flammable materials in the facility, causing several more spot fires.

Company officials told firefighters that the fire originally appeared in an afterburner furnace that is meant to limit the amount of pollution that goes into the air.

It took firefighters about two hours to get all of the fires under control, Wilson said. There’s no word yet on how long the plant will be out of commission.

The Bartholomew County Emergency Management Agency has downgraded the county’s travel status to an Advisory Level. It’s the lowest level of local travel advisory, meaning that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas.

County officials say that roads have improved since Sunday. There are still going to be some slick spots and roads will still be snow covered in areas. Temperatures will again remain below freezing tonight.

Columbus officials say there is relief from these cold temperatures for those who need it. Those individuals are encouraged to come to the Community Engagement Center, at 1951 McKinley Ave. during the day. Those needing a place to stay overnight should reach out to the Brighter Days Homeless Shelter, at 421 South Mapleton Street. The shelter opens at 6 p.m. The phone number is (812) 344-4512.