COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) welcomed two new members on Tuesday.
Firefighters James Hopkins and Nick Lynn were sworn in by Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon during the January 13 Board of Public Works and Safety meeting held at Columbus City Hall.
Hopkins, 35, is a Jackson County resident and Volunteer Firefighter with the Brownstown Volunteer Fire Department. He is a certified EMT, holds Indiana Firefighter I & II certifications, and has hazardous materials awareness and operations certifications. Hopkins is also a part-time employee with Jackson County Emergency Medical Services.
Lynn, 25, is a Johnson County resident who holds Indiana Firefighter I & II certifications as well as hazardous materials awareness and operations certifications. He will receive additional training to achieve the basic EMT certification, a requirement for all Columbus Firefighters.
Both of the new CFD firefighters will undergo an orientation and training program, which will conclude with station and shift assignments.
The addition of Hopkins and Lynn increases the department to 93 firefighters, two short of full staff. CFD is currently hosting a hiring process to establish a hiring list for 2026 and fill immediate vacancies left by recent retirements.
COLUMBUS, Ind. - On Monday evening, an 11-year-old girl disappeared in the water of East Fork White River in Mill Race Park in Columbus. After more than two days of searching, her body was recovered on Thursday morning.
COLUMBUS, Ind. - UPDATE (Thursday morning): Indiana Conservation Officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources have recovered the body of the 11-year-old girl who went missing in the East Fork of the White River in Columbus on Monday evening.
COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus Engineering Department has announced that starting on or after Thursday, April 2, and continuing for approximately two months, All Star Paving will be working in front of City Hall to install new ADA‐compliant accessible ramps.
TAYLORSVILLE/COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Emergency Management has announced that beginning on or after April 20, Driftwood Utilities, in coordination with Heritage Heights, will conduct smoke testing on select portions of the sanitary sewer system within the Heritage Heights area.
MORRISTOWN, Ind. - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department was notified of a possible threat made to a student at Morristown Jr./Sr. High School on Tuesday afternoon. The threat was communicated using a social media app.
Bring the kids out to Risen Saviour Bible Church in North Vernon for a fun, free Easter Egg Hunt! There will be prizes for all! This is a rain or shine event.