Indiana State Police are reporting that police dog Barrett has retired from his patrol duties. He and Senior Trooper Matthew Wilson have patrolled together since 2012 in central Indiana, mostly as part of a drug interdiction team.

Barrett was named after Trooper Daniel Barrett who was killed in the line of duty January 27, 2008.

Troopers say that Wilson and Barrett are responsible for seizing significant amounts of narcotics and capturing violent criminals. Barrett has seized more than a ton of marijuana, 487 pounds of meth, 280 pounds of cocaine, 146 pounds of heroin and more than $1.2 million dollars in cash.

Barrett will now spend his retirement with the Wilson Family.

You will see traffic switches on U.S. 50 in Seymour on Friday according to INDOT.

On or after Friday, all traffic will be moved to the westbound side of U.S. 50 between Agrico Lane and Sandy Creek Drive. Crews will then begin work on the eastbound side of the roadway. This will mean traffic will all be on the westbound lanes from Dupont Drive to U.S. 31, with two travel lanes in each direction and turn lanes available at Myers Street. This configuration will remain in place through late fall or early winter.

Access will still be available for residences and businesses located on the south side of U.S. 50.

You will also see temporary signals and temporary ramps continuing to remain in place in Interstate 65 at U.S. 50 during this phase of construction.

This is all part of the $15 million dollar pavement reconstruction project along U.S. 50 in Jackson County.

Dave O’Mara Contractor, Inc. plans to start milling and overlaying  on Central Avenue today and Friday in Columbus. You will see restrictions from 25th Street to National Road.

Restrictions today will include the northbound and southbound driving lanes on Central Avenue, the eastbound driving lane on 25th Street and the eastbound right turn lane and westbound outside left turn lanes on National Road.

Officials warn that the area will be very congested due to the construction deliveries into and out of the site. You should avoid the area if you can.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is announcing that it will not be holding its annual pack-a-patrol car drive to help local food banks.

The event usually begins with the Ethnic Expo parade and continues until almost Thanksgiving as a way to provide non-perishable food to those in need. However, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, the department could not find a way to operate the annual drive.

Chief Deputy Maj. Chris Lane said that the department has struggled with the decision since having to cancel this year’s summer youth academy.

Instead, the department is suggesting that you donate directly to local food banks. Those include Love Chapel, the Salvation Army, and the Community Center of Hope.

The Town of Hope will be hosting its First Fridays Cruise-In on the Town Square from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. This will be the last cruise-in of the year.

The Good Time Review band will be performing from 6 to 8 p.m. Food will be available from local restaurants and not-for-profit groups on the square.

There will be prizes for oldest vehicle, people’s choice and most unique vehicle. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and donations will be accepted to support the ongoing Cruise-in costs.

The monthly event is organized by the town of Hope and Main Street of Hope.

The Seymour Chamber of Commerce is announcing a new date for a debate between candidates for Indiana House District 69. The new debate will be Tuesday, Oct. 13th instead of the original date on the next Thursday.

Indiana House District 69 includes parts of Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Jefferson counties.

According to the chamber, Incumbent Republican Jim Lucas of Seymour has agreed to debate, as has Katrina “Kat” Hardwick, an independent running for the statehouse seat. Democratic candidate Jeffery Prewitt has yet to confirm his participation.

The debate will be moderated by Dan Robison, president of the Seymour Chamber of Commerce and Arann Banks, executive director of the Jackson County Visitor Center. The questions for the debate will be submitted by various community leaders throughout Jackson County.

The debate will begin at 6 the evening of Oct. 13th at the Knights of Columbus hall on 2nd Street in Seymour. COVID-19 precautions will be in place. Those could include seating arrangements, face coverings and limits on attendance.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over blitz led to the arrest of two drunk drivers around the Labor Day holiday.

The campaign began in mid-August and ran through the Labor Day. During that period deputies conducted overtime patrols and stopped 311 vehicles. In addition, to the intoxicated driving arrests, police made several misdemeanor and felony drug arrests and several driving while suspended arrests.

More than 200 state and local law enforcement agencies participated in this year’s national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which was funded by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

The sheriff wants to remind drivers that it is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. Additionally, drivers under the age of 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and having their license suspended for up to one year.