Latest News

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Chamber Foundation continues to offer "Catalyst 100," a new initiative designed to strengthen at least 100 small businesses across Bartholomew County in 500 days.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The 2026 Jack Cramer Ideals of Athletic Competition Award Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 29, at 5:30 p.m. in the Jim Lienhoop Meeting Room A at NexusPark, on 25th Street in Columbus.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Jackson County Public Library will host a miniCon for all ages this Monday, July 13, through Wednesday, July 15, at the Seymour Library. The Friends of the Jackson County Library sponsor all of the free activities.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin officials say they are happy with the progress of roadway improvements, infrastructure projects, and construction that have taken place in the City of Franklin during the second quarter of 2026. 

GREENWOOD, Ind. - On or after the evening of Monday, July 13, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) crews will reduce southbound I-65 to one lane between County Line Road (Exit 101) and Main Street (Exit 99) from approximately 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -  The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (CIP) has announced the lineup for its Fall 2026 series of Cabaret at the Commons. Tickets for the three-show series are now available. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) has announced that applications are now being accepted for Grant Cycle 2: Mental Health Programming.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. – A cybersecurity incident involving the Jennings County Clerk’s Microsoft 365 email account was identified on Thursday, July 9.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Jackson County Public Library and the Seymour Parks and Recreation Department have partnered to bring "World Foamous Foam Parties" to Shields Park in Seymour from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, July 17.

STORY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) crews plan to begin chip seal operations on State Road 135 in Brown County on or after Monday, July 13.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Detectives with the Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) received a cybertip, in early July, through the National Center for Exploited or Missing Children (NCMEC), that a North Vernon man was receiving and distributing Child Sex Abuse Material.

BATESVILLE, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP)-Versailles Post investigated a two-vehicle crash in eastern Ripley County on Monday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m., that claimed the life of a Decatur County motorcyclist.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) has announced the official certification of Deputy Robert Cooper and his K-9 partner, Hondo.

INDIANAPOLIS - The National Weather Service in Indianapolis is forecasting the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms across south-central Indiana on Thursday evening, July 9, into early Friday morning, July 10.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - At a sentencing hearing on July 1, Judge James Worton of the Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 ordered Joshua McKinsey, of Columbus, to serve seven years in the Indiana Department of Correction. He had pleaded guilty on June 1.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) announced on Tuesday that for the next two weeks, police officers and local first responders will be at Columbus North High School conducting "active shooter" training.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Town of Edinburgh recently passed Ordinance 2026-6 and the corresponding Fee Schedule for Utility Task Vehicles (UTV). The ordinance will be valid as of July 17.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Leadership Bartholomew County (LBC) facilitator Amanda Cox has announced that applications for the 2026–2027 Leadership Bartholomew County Class are now available.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Centra Credit Union recently announced that it has been recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions for 2026.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that hunters can now apply for reserved hunts online. The reserved hunts include private and public land hunts.

RIPLEY COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP) and emergency personnel responded to a property damage crash involving an overturned semi on eastbound I-74 near the 151-mile marker in Ripley County at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7.

SUNMAN, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP)-Versailles Post investigated a two-vehicle fatal accident on State Road 46 in northern Dearborn County on Friday, July 3.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The online application for the 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, administered by Heritage Fund and Independent Colleges of Indiana, is now available.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The City of North Vernon recently invested $392,000 through its Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) Program to help 20 homeowners complete critical home repairs. Funding was also provided by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

FRANKLIN, Ind. - It won't be long now. The 2026 Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair is set for July 19-25 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in  Franklin.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Jackson County Young Professionals (JCYP) is having a lunch social on Thursday, July 16, from noon to 1 p.m., at Schwatzer's Restaurant, 113 Indianapolis Ave., in Seymour. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - As part of the 250th celebration of America's birthday, the City of Columbus held a hot dog eating contest downtown on July 4 during "Celebrate 250 Day."

COLUMBUS, Ind. - A Bartholomew County man was recently sentenced to six years for posting a bomb threat to his Facebook page on January 26, 2025.

WHITELAND, Ind. - The Town of Whiteland has announced that the Whiteland Road/Bob Glidden roundabout will be partially opened on Monday, July 6, weather permitting.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin Chamber of Commerce has announced that its very own Traci Hill recently graduated from the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) Hoosier Academy.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Mill Race Theatre Company (MRTC) brings "The SpongeBob Musical" to the stage Thursday through Sunday, July 16–19, at the Columbus East High School Auditorium.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Greenwood Police Department is accepting applications for its Citizens Police Academy through July 15.  It is an 11-week program designed to immerse the average citizen in the world of law enforcement.

NASHVILLE, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public information meeting on Thursday, July 16, for the proposed Mountain Tea State Forest access improvement project in Brown County.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – River Valley Legal Aid Pro Bono Indiana announces a free Legal Phone Clinic for residents of their eight-county district this Tuesday, July 7, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - QMIX 107.3 once again welcomes the community to AirPark Columbus, the evening before Independence Day for the 36th edition of QMIX Musical Fireworks on Friday, July 3.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The final two days of the weeklong "Celebrate 250" Festival, presented by the City of Columbus and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, are today, Friday, July 3, and tomorrow, Saturday, July 4.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - City of Columbus and Bartholomew County officials announce that all of their offices will be closed this Friday, July 3, to commemorate the Independence Day holiday. County offices will reopen Monday, July 6, while City offices remain closed that day and reopen on Tuesday, July 7.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The annual Edinburgh Firecracker Festival will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America this Saturday, July 4, in downtown Edinburgh.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Crews will temporarily close the west approach of Mallory Parkway at U.S. 31 on or after Monday, July 6, to complete pavement and curb installation activities, as well as signal and drainage improvements.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The City of North Vernon announced on Wednesday, July 1, the acquisition of the former Arvin Manufacturing property on South Madison Avenue, marking a significant milestone in the City’s long-term efforts to revitalize our downtown core.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) recently marked its 35th anniversary with an Open House, thanking everyone who has made the last three and one-half decades possible. 

The Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office has announced that after a four-day jury trial and just over three hours of deliberation, a Bartholomew County jury found Brent Clayburn guilty of Attempted Murder and Criminal Confinement with a Deadly Weapon.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -  Centra Credit Union recently supported four local nonprofits in the Bartholomew County area with $2,000 in donations as part of the Centra Foundation’s "Pay It Forward" campaign. 

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has extended the "Extreme Heat Warning" for most of central and southern Indiana for another 24 hours. It will now expire on Friday at 8 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Police Department (CPD) Public Information Officer Lt. Skylar Berry says the agency has prepared for the "All-American Festival on Central" celebration on Friday, July 3. Special traffic patterns will be in effect, and motorists should be aware of them.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus City Councilor Grace Kestler officially announced her candidacy for Mayor of Columbus in the 2027 Election on Tuesday evening. She launched her campaign centered on inclusivity with a vision to build upon Columbus' strengths while preparing the community for the opportunities and challenges of the future.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The weeklong "Celebrate 250" Festival, presented by the City of Columbus and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, continues through Saturday, July 4. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus Regional Health (CRH) welcomes Andrew “Andy” Guz, MHA, for his first day as its next President and Chief Executive Officer on Wednesday, July 1.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Franklin present the 2026 Franklin Firecracker Festival this Friday, July 3, at the DriveHubler.com Amphitheatre at Youngs Creek Park. 

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - South-Central Indiana has been upgraded from a Heat Advisory to an Extreme Heat Warning. The Warning is issued for all south-central Indiana Counties from Noon Tuesday through Thursday at 8 p.m.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Greenwood Fire Department (GFD) recently announced the promotion of Chris Harrell to the rank of Assistant Chief of Operations.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) and Jail Division has announced Tuesday that it has become the 11th Hoosier County to transition to "INJail," Indiana's statewide jail management system. The Indiana Supreme Court funds the system.

STATE OF INDIANA - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers numerous opportunities around the state to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, with four July 4 fireworks displays leading the way.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) says the National Weather Service forecasts excessive heat and humidity for the rest of the week. The extreme temperatures are predicted to reach the mid-90s, with heat index values exceeding 100 degrees, posing a serious threat to health and safety, particularly for vulnerable populations.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) congratulates Lt. Gary Knoef on graduating from the FBI National Academy in the 298th session at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. It is the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire Department, and the City of Columbus want residents to be aware of when you can light personal fireworks over the long Independence Day holiday week.

FREETOWN, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) maintenance crews plan to begin chip seal operations in Jackson and Lawrence counties on or after Monday, July 6.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Kelly Benjamin sentenced Tyler Roberts last week for crimes he was convicted of earlier this year. Roberts will spend five years in the Indiana Department of Corrections for Domestic Battery (level 5 Felony) and 2.5 years for Intimidation (level 6 Felony).

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has announced that a Heat Advisory is in effect for a large portion of the Hoosier State from noon on Monday, June 29, through Thursday, July 2, at 8 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus is partnering with Red Arch Community Events, Inc., to present "Celebrate 250," a weeklong festival marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus has installed 21 commemorative banners along Washington Street in downtown Columbus honoring Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Bartholomew County.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation celebrated the "Catalyst Academy Demo Day" on Thursday evening, June 25, at Helen Haddad Hall, awarding $40,000 in startup funding to eight entrepreneurs who completed the six-month business incubator program.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - "Bloom Johnson County," a new initiative of the Johnson County Recycling District (JCRD), has announced its first community clean-up on August 13-15.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin Chamber of Commerce says there is still time to sign up for "Marketing Summer School" on July 15 at the Franklin College Dietz Center, 201 S. Forsythe St., in Franklin.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services (FCACS) is encouraging potential participants to sign up for this year’s "Moonlight Loop" evening bike before the price increase on July 1.

BARGERSVILLE, Ind. - Bargersville Town Council has taken an important first step toward achieving Tree City USA designation with the recent adoption of an ordinance establishing a Bargersville Tree Board and formalizing policies to protect, manage, and enhance the Town’s tree canopy.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office handed down a five-year sentence last week to Timothy Munn, of Columbus, for felony offenses that occurred in late 2024.

JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP) -Versailles Post responded to an accident on northbound I-65, near the 44-mile marker between Crothersville and Seymour, on Friday morning, June 26.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - One of Central Indiana's biggest summer celebrations, KORN Country Musical Fireworks, returns to Craig Park in Greenwood this Saturday, June 27, immediately following the annual Greenwood Freedom Festival.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The annual Edinburgh Firecracker Festival will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America on Saturday, July 4, in downtown Edinburgh.

COLUMBUS, Ind. (UPDATE: 6/25) - Columbus Police Department (CPD) detectives continue to investigate the death of a 39-year-old Seymour man that occurred at Mill Race Park on Wednesday, June 24.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Detectives and deputies with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), assisted by the Indiana State Police (ISP), served a search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of Laurel Street in North Vernon on Thursday, June 25. It followed a lengthy investigation involving Child Sexual Abuse Material.

HOPE, Ind. – The Town of Hope has announced that the "Old Fashioned Independence Day" event has been greatly scaled down due to the forecasted rain and threat of severe thunderstorms on Friday, June 26.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The team of Tyler Bullard, Andon Self, Joe Bullard, and Dave Self combined to score a 55 and placed first in the 45th Annual "Dr. Bud” Golf Scramble at Shadowood Golf Course on June 24.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin Chamber of Commerce is supporting the businesses along the U.S. 31 corridor during construction with a free "Brave the Barrels" bag giveaway this Friday, June 26, at 11:30 a.m.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Indiana State Champion Wildlife Team from Franklin Community Schools (FCS) was recently honored at the Indiana FFA State Convention for their success this year.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis says that south-central Indiana will see an increasing chance for showers and thunderstorms this weekend. The biggest concern is from late Thursday night into Friday, when widespread, heavier rainfall may lead to flooding. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The 2026 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the fairgrounds on State Road 11 will conclude its nine-day run this Saturday, June 27.

HOPE, Ind. - The Town of Hope has announced that its new sidewalk loop is finished. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) was in Hope last week to help open the new two-mile sidewalk loop.   

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that over 1,400 additional acres of forestland in northern Indiana will soon be part of the Indiana State Parks system.

SELLERSBURG, Ind. — A 20-year-old Salem man has surrendered and now faces murder and attempted murder charges in connection with the June 13 shooting and vehicle crash in Washington County.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The investigation continues following a shooting that killed a local man on Monday, June 22. More details were released on Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Uncommon Cause turns 50 this year, and the Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC) is celebrating by throwing a "Monster Ball" party this Friday, June 26, from 7 to 11 p.m.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - During the Wednesday, June 17, severe storms, the outdoor warning sirens in Jennings County failed to activate. Jennings County 911 engaged its radio/siren contractor to diagnose the problem. Preliminary investigation indicates an electrical issue caused the failure of two battery backups and the primary siren radio.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus is partnering with Red Arch Community Events, Inc., next week, to present "Celebrate 250," a weeklong festival marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - UPDATE: 9:40 AM: Water has receded from roadways. No closures due to high water or downed lines at this time.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) Deputy Blake Maynard was on patrol on Saturday, June 20, when he observed Eric Wilson, of North Vernon, on a motorcycle pull into the parking area of a church in the Commiskey area.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - A squad of Indiana State Police (ISP) troopers targeted Bartholomew County to focus on safe operation of motor vehicles and criminal interdiction on area roadways on Friday evening, June 19.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) has announced that south-central Indiana is included in the area that has potential for severe weather from late Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. An NWS Flood Watch has also been issued for the region.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) has announced that Sgt. Eric Stevens was recently named the Indiana School Resource Officers Association (INSROA) Region 9 School Resource Officer (SRO) of the Year.  

GREENWOOD, Ind. - Greenwood Police Department K9 Zorro recently received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Zorro’s vest was sponsored by Justin Tetrick of Indianapolis.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis announced on Saturday morning that there is a Flood Watch in effect for south-central Indiana from Sunday afternoon, June 21, until 8 a.m. on Monday, June 22.

FRANKLIN, Ind. -  The Franklin Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Franklin have announced that there is a new addition to the Hubler.com Amphitheatre lawn at Youngs Creek Park.

SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP) responded to a reported shooting just after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, on northbound Interstate 65 near the 27‑mile marker, a few miles south of Scottsburg in Scott County.