Johnson County News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country music icon, actor, and philanthropist Dolly Parton died Tuesday at the age of 80.

FRANKLIN, Ind. — Franklin Community Schools (FCS) announced the official launch of its new, dedicated police department during a joint meeting with the Franklin City Council on Monday, August 24.

FRANKLIN, Ind. — The City of Franklin announced major progress on a massive $50 million quality-of-life investment during a joint meeting of the Franklin Common Council and Franklin School Board on Monday, August 24.

FRANKLIN, Ind.- Franklin Community Schools (FCS) will celebrate the opening of Franklin Cub Academy with a ribbon-cutting and community open house on Saturday, August 29. All community members are invited to attend.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - For over five decades, Don Fischer has been synonymous with Indiana University athletics. He has narrated the defining moments of Hoosier sports history. Now, his career is the subject of a new Indiana Public Media documentary, "Timeless: Don Fischer’s Half-Century Broadcasting IU Sports." 

SEYMOUR, Ind. - A two-vehicle collision involving a wrong-way driver claimed three lives on I-65 near Seymour early Sunday morning, August 23. Shortly after 2:30 a.m., a caller reported a head-on crash on southbound I-65 in Jackson County, about one mile south of Seymour. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Phase 1 of the Graham Road project in Franklin begins on or after Monday, August 24. The contractor says Graham Road will be fully reconstructed from Earlywood Drive to Paul Hand Boulevard, and the bridge over Canary Creek will be replaced.

INDIANAPOLIS - At the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday, August 19, the Indiana Department of Agriculture presented several Bartholomew and Johnson County farm families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.   

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Main and Madison Market Café in downtown Franklin has announced that Kathy Jones was recently appointed as general manager.

INDIANAPOLIS — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana and the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation are committing $116,500 to support relief and recovery efforts after severe storms and flooding impacted Central, East Central, and Northwest Indiana.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Recycling District (JCRD), in partnership with Shares, Inc., is hosting its summer document-shredding evening on Thursday, August 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.

FISHERS, Ind. - Indiana State Police (ISP) troopers are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred Wednesday night, August 18, on I-69 in Fishers. Dispatchers began receiving emergency calls around 9:45 p.m. about what appeared to be a dead body in front of a van on the northbound right shoulder, just south of exit 210.

WHITELAND, Ind. - The Town of Whiteland honored local legend and NHRA champion Bob Glidden on Tuesday by dedicating a new roundabout to his memory. 

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security's (IDHS) August Disaster Resource Hub is now available. The hub serves as a comprehensive resource center for individuals seeking state and federal assistance and updates related to the severe weather events that began on August 11.

BARGERSVILLE, Ind. - A Bargersville Community Fire Department Lieutenant was injured while Rescue 201 was returning to the district after a mutual-aid water rescue in Madison Township on Monday morning.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) has officially completed its final "Color the County" mural, marking the conclusion of a decade-long program that transformed public spaces throughout Johnson County.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced several actions in response to historic flooding and storm damage.

EDINBURGH, INDIANA - The inaugural Edinburgh "Rubber Duck Regatta," originally scheduled for this Saturday, August 22, at Irwin Park, has been postponed due to flooding and unsafe river conditions.

MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ind. -  The Madison Township Fire Department (MTFB), along with several surrounding fire departments, was dispatched to the area of Smokey Row Road and State Road 144, and Centenary Road and Centenary Lane on Sunday, August 16, just before 8 p.m.   

BARGERSVILLE, Ind. - The Bargersville Fire Department (BFD) responded to two separate water rescues early Sunday morning. The first was at 5:30 a.m. Both involved vehicles being stranded in high water.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The ultimate networking event of the year, the 2026 BizBash Business and Community Expo presented by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, is set for Wednesday, September 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Garment Factory Events.

STATE OF INDIANA - Governor Mike Braun has declared a statewide disaster emergency due to the flooding, severe weather, and tornadic activity that have impacted the state since August 11.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) recently received a $200,000 allocation from the Johnson County Commissioners using remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to strengthen early childhood education and literacy throughout Johnson County.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The City of Franklin Fire Department (FFD) honored Lt. Chuck Ridpath this week on completing 25 years of dedicated service to the department and the citizens of Franklin.

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - The City of Shelbyville’s community rebranding initiative was recently named a finalist in PR Daily’s 2026 Media Relations Awards in the Brand Messaging category, placing it alongside entries from organizations including PepsiCo Foods, Purdue University, and PwC. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) is alerting the public to an increase in incidents involving the social media trend of juveniles kicking doors at random homes.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a Flood Warning for parts of Bartholomew, Johnson, Jennings, Jackson, and Shelby Counties in south-central Indiana until 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. – A four-year-old child was killed when a tree fell on a Country Squire Lakes home along Honey Locust Drive during a thunderstorm on Tuesday afternoon, August 11.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin Community Schools announced Tuesday, August 11, that Custer Baker Intermediate School math teacher Amanda Ray, has been named one of the Top 10 finalists for the 2027 Indiana Teacher of the Year.

WHITELAND, Ind. - (UPDATE): Whiteland officials have released the name of the man who died in the two-vehicle wreck at U.S. 31 and Whiteland Road on Monday afternoon. Medical and Whiteland Fire personnel at the scene determined that the driver who perished was Danny Fine, 72, of Indianapolis.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis says that south-central Indiana has the potential for severe weather beginning late Tuesday afternoon and continuing through early Wednesday. The threat is at an "Enhanced Risk" (level 3/5).

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Discover Downtown Franklin announced Monday, August 10, that for the second time, the Franklin Farmers Market has been voted Indiana's Ultimate Farmers Market by "Indiana Grown." 

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) has advised that South-Central Indiana, including Bartholomew, Johnson, Jackson, and Jennings counties, is under a "slight risk" (2 out of 5) for severe weather on Monday, August 10.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett presented the "Marty and Carolyn Williams Volunteer of the Year" award to Deb Stubbeman at the August Franklin City Council meeting last week. 

INDIANAPOLIS - Crew Carwash has announced the results of its 17th annual "Crew for Kids" fundraiser that took place on July 18 and 19. The two-day effort at all locations in three states, including those in Columbus and Greenwood, raised $268,632 in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). 

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) presents the next workshop in its free "Elevate Impact" series on Wednesday morning, September 23, at the Greenwood Fieldhouse, 411 S. Madison Ave.

EDINBURGH, Ind. – Edinburgh Main Street has been awarded a grant from Festival Country Indiana to help launch the first annual "Edinburgh Rubber Duck Regatta," a new family-friendly festival on Saturday, August 22, at Irwin Park.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - Raise a glass and celebrate summer at WAMMfest, a one-day festival highlighting Wine, Art, Music, and Microbrew on Saturday, August 15, from noon to 8:30 p.m., at Craig Park in Greenwood. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin Parks and Recreation and the Franklin Family Aquatic Center have scheduled "Doggie Pool Day" for Wednesday, September 2.