Vernon man identified among the remains from North Korea

President Trump yesterday identified the remains of a Jennings County man from those released to the U.S. by North Korea.

The president sent out a Tweet on Thursday identifying the recovered remains of two U.S. soldiers who served in the Korean War. One of them was Army Master Sgt. Charles H. McDaniel of Vernon who was 32 at the time of his disappearance. He was a medic and went missing in action Nov. 2, 1950.

In July, the North Korean government handed over American remains in 55 boxes. The boxes were then flown to a military laboratory in Hawaii for analysis and identification. At the time, McDaniels dog tag was among the remains found.

Also identified yesterday by the president was 19-year-old Army Private First Class William H. Jones, of Nash County, North Carolina.

A flag used during an August ceremony when those remains were returned to Hawaii, was presented to the Korean War Veterans Memorial in DC yesterday by Vice President Mike Pence. Pence said the Korean War Memorial is a reminder that freedom is not free.

About 7,700 service members from the Korean conflict remain unaccounted for.

Red Cross asking for donations in wake of Florence

The American Red Cross is asking for your help as it continues to aid those impacted by Hurricane Florence. Specifically, authorities are asking for donations of blood. Red Cross officials say the hurricane caused nearly 200 Red Cross blood drives in the Southeast to be cancelled, resulting in more than 5,200 uncollected blood and platelet donations.

You can help locally at the following locations:

Columbus – Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Centra Credit Union, 300 Washington Street;

North Vernon – Sept. 26 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 240 Poplar Street;

Financial donations are also needed and allow the Red Cross to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting RedCross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Cummins announces partnership to grow electric powertrain business

Cummins continues its efforts to grow its electric powertrain business. The company announced Thursday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with KAMAZ for the development of electrified power solutions for a new product line of KAMAZ battery-powered vehicles.

“Cummins has made strategic moves to bolster our Electrified Power Business,” said Tom Linebarger, Chairman and CEO, Cummins Inc. “KAMAZ brings a proven electrified portfolio, which will broaden the range, and increase the reliability, of our electrified power systems as Cummins continues to bring the right solutions to our customers at the right time.”

Based on the long-term productive partnership of the companies, KAMAZ and Cummins agreed on collaboration aimed to create electrified-power trucks and buses. Cummins officials say it intends to develop and supply to KAMAZ high-voltage fully electric powertrain prototypes with applications for city buses and medium range delivery trucks.

Columbus Police arrest two on drug charges

Two people were arrested early Thursday morning on drug charges after a traffic stop. Shortly before 2 a.m., Columbus Police stopped a vehicle near 11th and Chestnut Streets for a minor traffic violation.

While speaking with the occupants, 36-year-old Aaron L. Gray, of Greensburg, and 25-year-old Jessica L. Patterson, of Seymour, a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department police dog alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. During a search of Gray’s vehicle, officers allegedly found syringes, drug scales and methamphetamine.

Gray was arrested on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Patterson is facing a preliminary charge of Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device.

Exhibit Columbus events start anew on Wednesday

The next symposium for Exhibit Columbus will be next week with events here in Columbus and in Indianapolis.

The opening programs including a reception will be held at Newfields, the former Indianapolis Museum of Art on Wednesday. On Thursday, the group of architects, designers and fans will come to Columbus with walking tours and events at local landmarks.

Richard McCoy, director of Landmark Columbus, said that both local leaders and national leaders will be taking part in symposium events.

The Exhibit Columbus program, which began in 2016, calls for a symposium on even years, and then the installation of displays, sculptures and other elements around the community, tying into important Columbus architectural, design and artistic landmarks.

For example, last year a popular site was the wooden “conversation plinth” built around the Large Arch sculpture on the front patio of the Bartholomew County Public Library.  At next week’s symposium, those who are designing and creating next year’s installations will be on hand to discuss their projects, while they are still a work in progress, McCoy said.

McCoy explains that there is a special $100 rate for Bartholomew County residents that remains in effect until the start of the events next week:

That price does not include the Wednesday reception.

The symposium events run through Saturday. For more information, you can go to ExhibitColumbus.org.

Some Mill Race Marathon street closings start today

The Mill Race Marathon is Saturday, but you will see some street closings and parking restrictions starting as soon as today.

According to the city of Columbus, there will be no Parking on 5th Street between Jackson and Franklin streets and on 7th Street between Jackson and Washington Streets from 6 a.m. until noon for placement of the portable restrooms.

Street and parking restrictions starting on Friday include:

  •  No Parking on 6th St between Jackson St and Washington St from noon Friday until 4 p.m. Saturday.
  • No Parking on Washington St between 5th St and 7th St from 6 a.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Saturday.
  •  6th Street will be closed between Washington St and the alley west of Franklin St from 6 a.m. Friday  until 4 p.m.  Saturday.
  •  4th St will be closed between Jackson St and Franklin St from noon Friday until 9 p.m. Saturday.
  • No Parking on Washington St between 3rd St and 5th St from noon Friday until 9 p.m. Saturday .
  •  Washington Street will be closed between 3rd St to 5th St from 6 p.m. Friday until 9 p.m. Saturday. The intersection at 4th Street will be closed .
  • Washington Street will be closed from 5th Street to 7th St between 6 p.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Saturday. The intersection at 6th Street will be closed.

Saturday closings and delays include:

  • The intersection at Washington St and 5th St will be closed from 5:00 am until 4:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • The intersection at Washington St and 7th St will be closed from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on Washington St between 7th St and 11th St from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Washington St will be closed between 7th St and 11th St from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm on Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on Jackson St (east curb) between 2nd St and 3rd St from 6:00 am Saturday 9/22 until 4:00 pm Saturday 9/22 for shuttle bus drop off/pick-up.
  • 11th St will be closed between Washington St and Indianapolis Rd from 7:30 am until 8:00 am Saturday 9/22 for start of the races.
  • Indianapolis Rd will be closed from Brown St to Carl Miske Dr from 7:30 am until 8:00 Saturday 9/22 for start of the races.
  • Carl Miske Dr will be closed from 7:00 am until 8:15 am Saturday 9/22.
  • Lindsey St will be restricted to one lane between 5th St and 3rd St from 7:00 am to 8:30 am Saturday 9/22.
  • 3rd St will be closed from Lindsay St to Jonathon Moore Pike from 7:40 am until 8:10 am Saturday 9/22 for transition of runners onto bridge. One lane of bridge will be available when safe to allow traffic to cross through the runners/walkers.
  • Jonathan Moore Pike/Brown St restricted to two lanes from State Road 11 to 2nd St. from 7:00 am to 8:30 am Saturday 9/22.
  • Traffic control at Brown St and 2nd St from 7:45 am until 8:30 am Saturday 9/22 to allow runners to cross.
  • Traffic control at Brown St and 3rd St from 7:45 am until 8:30 am Saturday 9/22 to allow runners to cross.
  • 3rd St. restricted to one lane from Central Ave to Brown St from 7:00 am to 9:00 am Saturday 9/22.
  • Central Ave will be closed from 10th St to 3rd St from 7:30 am until 10:00 am Saturday 9/22. Northbound lanes open from 7th to 10th St.
  • 6th St will not be restricted but runners will use entire road between Cottage Ave and Chestnut St from 7:45 am to 9:30 am Saturday 9/22. No Parking on south curb 6th St between Cottage Ave and Chestnut St from 6:00 am until 10:00 am Saturday 9/22.
  • 5th St. will not be restricted but runners will use entire road between Chestnut St and Franklin St from 7:45 am to 9:45 am Saturday 9/22. No Parking on 5th St between Chestnut St and Franklin St from 6:00 am until 10:00 am Saturday 9/22.
  • Franklin St will not be restricted but runners will use entire road from 5th St to 11th St from 7:50 am to 10:00 am Saturday 9/22. No Parking on Franklin St between 5th St and 11th St from 6:00 am until 10:00 am Saturday 9/22.
  • 11th St will be closed from Washington St to Michigan St and 10th St from Michigan St to Central Ave from 7:45 am until 10:15 am Saturday 9/22.
  • State Street will have two eastbound lanes open and one west bound lane open from Central to Marr Rd. from 7:30 am to 11:00 am Saturday 9/22. No center turn lane.
  • Coovert St will not be restricted but runners will use entire road between State St and Indiana Ave. No Parking on Coovert St between State St and Indiana Ave from 6:00 am until 10:00 am Saturday
  • Indiana Ave will be closed from Coovert St to Gladstone Ave from 8:10 am until 10:30 am Saturday 9/22.
  • Gladstone Ave will be closed from Indiana Ave to 10th St from 8:10 am until 10:30 am Saturday 9/22.
  • Traffic control at Gladstone Ave and 10th St to allow runners/walkers to cross from 8:15 am until 10:45 am Saturday 9/22.
  •  Gladstone Ave southbound lane from 10th St to 17th St will be closed from 8:15 am until 11:00 am Saturday 9/22.
  • 17th St will be closed to traffic east bound from Gladstone Ave to Orinoco St from 8:20 am to 11:15 am Saturday 9/22.
  • Orinoco St will be closed between 16th and 17th St from 8:20 am until 11:15 am Saturday 9/22.
  • 16th St will be closed between Gilmore St and Orinoco St from 8:25 am to 11:30 am Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on south curb of 16th St between Orinoco St and Gilmore St from 6:00 am until 12:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Michigan Ave between 16th St and 13th St will be restricted to traffic between 8:25 am to 11:30 am Saturday 9/22
  • No parking on north curb of 13th St between Michigan Ave and Chestnut St from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon) Saturday 9/22.
  • Chestnut St west curb lane closed from 13th St to 23rd St from 8:00 am to 11:00 am Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on east curb between 13th St and 16th St from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Lafayette St closed from 17th St to 27th St from 7:50 am to 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22. No Parking on Lafayette St from 17th St to 27th St between 6:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • 17th St closed from Lafayette St to Washington St from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on 17th St from Lafayette St to Washington St from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Washington St one lane open for north bound traffic and one lane for south bound traffic between 11th St and 18th St from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Saturday 9/22. Runners will be in two east side lanes.
    Traffic control at Washington St and 11th to allow runners to cross.
  • 5K – Franklin St will not be restricted but runners will use entire road from 11th St to 15th St from 7:50 am to 8:30 am Saturday 9/22. No Parking on Franklin St between 11th St and 15th St from 6:00 am until 10:00 am Saturday 9/22
  • 5K – 15th St will not be restricted but runners will use entire road from Franklin St to Lafayette St from 7:50 am to 8:30 am Saturday 9/22. No Parking on 15th St between Franklin St and Lafayette St from 6:00 am until 10:00 am Saturday 9/22.
  • 5K – Lafayette St will not be restricted but runners will use entire road from 15th St to 13th St from 7:50 am to 8:30 am Saturday 9/22. No Parking on Lafayette St between 15th St and 13th St from 6:00 am until 10:00 am Saturday 9/22.
  • 5K – 13th St will not be restricted but runners will use entire road from Lafayette St to Chestnut St from 7:50 am to 8:30 am Saturday 9/22. No Parking on north curb 13th St between Franklin St and Chestnut St from 6:00 am until 10:00 am Saturday 9/22. 5K joins marathon/half-marathon route at this point.
  • Traffic control at Lafayette Ave and 25th St from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22 to allow runners to cross.
  • No Parking on east curb of Franklin St between 27th St and 26th St from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on south curb of 26th St between Franklin St and Lafayette St from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Traffic control at Lafayette St/Franklin Drive/Franklin St from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm to allow runners to cross.
  • No Parking on south curb of Tipton Ln between Franklin Dr and Sycamore St from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on north curb of Tipton Ln between Sycamore St and Home Ave from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Home Ave/Westenedge Dr west curb lane (southbound) will be closed to traffic from Tipton Ln to Rocky Ford Rd from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22. Northbound will be open.
  • Traffic control at U.S. 31 and Westenedge Dr/Home Ave from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22 to allow runners to cross.
  • Rocky Ford Rd south curb lane (eastbound) will be closed to traffic between Washington St and Westenedge Dr from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm Saturday 9/22. Rocky Ford Rd north curb lane  westbound) will be closed to traffic between Washington St and Westenedge Dr from 8:30 am until 11:30 am.
  • Washington St east curb lane (northbound) will be closed from Rocky Ford Rd to 37th St from 8:35 am until 11:10 am Saturday 9/22.
  • Washington St west curb lane (southbound) will be closed from 37th St to Rocky Ford Rd from 9:25 am until 1:30 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • 37th will not be restricted but runners will use entire road. No Parking on south curb between Washington St and Woodfield Dr and No Parking on north curb between Woodfield Dr and Sycamore St from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on Sycamore St between 37th St and Roselawn Dr from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on east curb of Roselawn Dr between Sycamore St and Royal St from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Traffic restricted in west curb lane (southbound) on River Rd between Ridgeway Dr to Washington St from 8:45 am until 2:30 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on south curb of Washington St between River Rd to Ridgeway Dr from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on west curb of Washington St between Ridgeway Dr to N Riverside Dr from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on east curb of N Riverside Dr between Washington St and River Rd from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on west curb of N Riverside Dr between house 4232 and house 4250 (inclusive) from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • No Parking on west curb of N Riverside Dr between N Riverside Ct and house 4390 from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • River Rd will be closed to southbound traffic between N Riverside Dr and Cunningham Dr from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Saturday 9/22. Northbound traffic will be sent north on River Rd at Cunningham Dr.
  • No Parking on north curb of Peregrine Dr between Northern Goshawk Dr and People Trail from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Cunningham Dr will be closed to traffic from Central Ave to River Rd from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Arnold Dr will be closed to traffic from Cunningham Dr to Kelly St from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Saturday 9/22.
  • Traffic control on Poshard Dr at Wade St from 9:00 am until 2:30 pm Saturday 9/22 to allow runners to cross.
  • Traffic control on Poshard Dr at Chapa Dr/Ray Boll Blvd from 9:00 am until 2:30 pm Saturday 9/22 to allow runners to cross.
  • Traffic control on Arnold St at Andrews St from 9:00 am until 2:30 pm Saturday 9/22 to allow runners to turn toward airport gate.

Events this week to help veterans, honor MIA and POWs

There are a couple of events this week aimed at helping and honoring our nation’s veterans, MIA and POWs. A special event Thursday is aimed at helping local veterans. Bob Miller is event coordinator for the Fourth Annual Veteran Stand Down event.

Miller says the purpose of this event is to help veterans find services they may need, but not be aware of.

These events evolved from a concept that was created during the Vietnam War. Thursday’s event will include informational booths, blood pressure tests and haircuts for veterans who need them.

Miller says that there is an event Friday evening in Columbus to remember and honor our nation’s MIA and POWs.

Miller says that the whereabouts of more than 82-thousand American soldiers are unknown. Friday night’s event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans. The ceremony is expected to last 30 to 45 minutes and you are invited.

‘Souper Supper’ set for next month in Seymour

The Southern Indiana Center for the Arts will host a “Souper Supper” Fall Festival at Chateau de Pique in Seymour next month. Organizers say the fundraiser will be October 27 at 5 p.m. in the event tent at 6361 N. Co. Rd. 760E. in Seymour.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. The first 100 ticket buyers will be guaranteed a handmade bowl, created, glazed and fired in the Don Hill Pottery Barn at SICA. Guests can enjoy a variety of soups, courtesy of the Pines, with all of the fixings and desserts. Chateau de Pique’s wines and beers will be available for purchase.

Entertainment will be provided by the Actor’s Community Theater of Seymour and Don Hill, portraying James Whitcomb Riley. A variety of raffles will be held during the evening and include Indiana Pacers tickets, Indiana University men’s basketball tickets and John Mellencamp autographed items, among others. Raffle tickets are $50 each and all proceeds from sales will benefit the operation of the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts.

For tickets, call (812) 522-2278.

Ivy Tech and TIEM to unveil welding lab

Ivy Tech Community College and Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg. Inc. will unveil the new Toyota Industrial Equipment Welding Laboratory at Ivy Tech Columbus with a special ceremony next week.

Ivy Tech officials say the lab is part of a significant $367,800 gift TIEM has donated to the college. Of the gift, Ivy Tech used $250,000 to renovate, expand and upgrade its welding lab, nearly tripling its size and giving students access to advanced equipment that aligns with industry standards. TIEM also provided 19 engines valued at $117,800 that will be distributed to the Ivy Tech campuses throughout the state.

The unveiling ceremony will be at the new welding lab at the Ivy Tech Columbus Agriculture Industrial Technology Center building, located at 2565 Grissom Street. The ceremony is set for Tuesday, September 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Hope driver injured in early-morning crash

Photo courtesy of Columbus Township Fire & Rescue.

A Hope area man was seriously injured in a crash this morning on 25th Street, east of Columbus.

A Bartholomew County deputy noticed the crashed vehicle in the 8300 block of East 25th Street at about 2:08 a.m. this morning. A car had run off the road, hitting multiple mailboxes and snapping off a utility pole before stopping in the front yard of a home.

The driver, 24 year old Jordan Shehan of Hope, was flown by Lifeline helicopter to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. His condition is not yet known.

Agencies assisting at the scene included the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Hospital paramedics,  Columbus Township Fire and Rescue Department and Clay Township Volunteer Fire Department.