Latest News

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department is embarking on a multi-year effort to earn national accreditation as part of a broader strategy to compete for national recognition.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Minor league hockey is back at the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena at Lincoln Park as the Indiana Sentinels opened their second season against the Alliance of Northern Michigan on Friday night, October 9, with a 4-2 win.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance has appointed Eder Arteaga as a new agent at the Columbus office,  221 Chestnut St.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin Chamber is now accepting nominations for its annual awards to be presented at the 2027 Franklin Chamber Annual Meeting on February 11, 2027.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — Winterization efforts are nearly complete at Freedom Springs Aquatic Center following the end of the summer season.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — City leaders and local business community members will gather at the Greenwood Fieldhouse for next year's annual civic address.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The City of North Vernon has scheduled two public meetings this month about creating by-laws for the Historic Preservation Commission.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — The Seymour Board of Public Works and Safety approved an awarded contract with a deductive change order for new flow meters at its Water Pollution Control (WPC) facility during its meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — The City of Seymour is projecting significant construction savings on the Second Street project as work continues across municipal infrastructure developments.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Parks and Recreation has announced plans to renovate Freedom Field, the city’s largest accessible playground on Parkside Drive, for $1.3 million, with construction slated for early 2027.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Ethnic Expo returns to downtown Columbus near City Hall at 123 Washington Street this Friday and Saturday. The popular two-day festival has brightened the community for over 40 years.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus City Council approved a resolution authorizing the Columbus Redevelopment Commission to spend $1,798,040 in TIF funds for infrastructure improvements in the Central Allocation Area.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Greenwood Parks and Recreation Board approved a new three-year sponsorship deal with Franciscan Health during its October meeting.

FRANKLIN, Ind. — The Franklin Public Art Advisory Commission is looking to enhance downtown streetscapes with new public art installations this fall. Beginning soon, several locations will feature freshly wrapped utility boxes designed by local artists.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Johnson County Highway Department announced that Peterman Road (County Road 400W) in White River Township will close between Smith Valley Road and Fairview Road, Monday, October 12, through Friday, October 16.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) estimates that over 58,000 Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) members may not currently comply with, or be exempt from, the HIP Work Requirements that will begin January 1, 2027.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Greenwood Common Council has voted 8–0 to approve a rezoning request for a new residential development on the city’s west side.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - A pedestrian was struck and killed by a train in the area of Broadway Street in Seymour on Wednesday, October 7. Just before 10 p.m., Seymour Police Department officers responded to the scene.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus City Council voted unanimously to approve a $3 million Tax Increment Financing (TIF) grant to support the restoration and expansion of the historic Crump Theatre as part of Project Encore.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus City Council passed the second reading and official adoption of Ordinance No. 2026, establishing the city’s budget for fiscal year 2027.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Historical Society presents the latest in its Open Door Tour Series, "A Bite of History," on Saturday, October 17, from 2 to 5 p.m.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Schneck Foundation invites the community to a special seminar, "Live Well, Age Wisely," designed to empower individuals with practical tips and proven strategies for staying healthy, active, and feeling their best as they age. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Heritage Fund - The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County announces that online applications are now open for two music scholarships that will be awarded in 2027. Completed applications are due by 4 p.m. Jan. 29, 2027.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety has approved two key expenditures for the Columbus Police Department (CPD), including upgrading the range and replacing a patrol vehicle.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus City Utilities contractors will begin a waterworks project near Southside Elementary School and the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds on or after Friday, October 9, requiring temporary road closures on Spears Street.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. -The Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) arrested a 67-year-old woman after she drove in circles around the lawn of the Jennings County Courthouse, 24 N Pike St., on Monday, October 5.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Greenwood Fire Department (GFD) and Mayor Mark W. Myers recognized citizen Amanda Schultz for her life-saving actions over the Fourth of July weekend.

FRANKLIN, Ind. – Franklin College has received the largest gift in its history, a $15 million donation from Virginia Staff Shannon, Class of 1945, to construct the Charles B. Staff Center in honor of her father, a member of the Class of 1914.

FRANKLIN, Ind. — Johnson County REMC (JCREMC) announced that applications for the fall 2026 cycle of "Operation Round-Up" are open. Nonprofits in or near the JCREMC service area can apply for grant funding up to $5,000. The deadline is October 31.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Utility Service Board announced during its October 5 meeting that all municipal water customers will soon receive annual notifications regarding their service line materials.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - SPARK Shop, Jackson County’s new community coworking space at 301 E. Second St. in Seymour, will officially open its doors with a Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, October 22, from 4–6 p.m.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Utility Service Board reviewed several major infrastructure repairs during its October 5 meeting, including emergency repairs at the High Service Pump Station.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Visit Columbus has $14,000 remaining in grant funds available through its Tourism Development and Event Support programs.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -  "Battle of the Bowls - Greyson's Chili Cook-Off" is the senior project of Columbus North student Greyson Kesler. The community event, hosted by Fun on 4th, raises money for Toys for Tots in Columbus.

EDINBURGH, Ind. — The Edinburgh Town Council has officially approved an amendment to the Edinburgh Police Department’s vehicle-pursuit standard operating procedure, granting officers a new tactic to end high-speed chases safely.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The "Evening with the Music of Harry Chapin," featuring Dale Sechrest and Friends, has been postponed because a band member has a health emergency.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Ethnic Expo returns this weekend to downtown Columbus near City Hall at 123 Washington St. The festival has brought together the community for over 40 years.

COLUMBUS, IND. — Centra Credit Union and the Centra Foundation announced that Turning Point Domestic Violence Services has been awarded $75,000 in grants: $15,000 to the organization and $60,000 in Community Multiplier grant funds through the Indianapolis Community Multiplier–Member Match program.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin Police Department announced Friday that the grand jury returned an indictment in a case that began 20 years ago. Chynna Dickus, 26 at the time, and her 10-year-old stepson were stabbed to death in their home in the Branigin Woods neighborhood in Franklin on July 24, 2006.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Forbes has named the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) one of Indiana’s top employers for the second straight year as part of the magazine’s annual list of the country's best employers.

EDINBURGH, Ind. — At its Monday, September 28 meeting, the Edinburgh Town Council took formal action to prepare for the completion of the Timbergate subdivision.

WHITELAND, Ind. - The Town of Whiteland invites residents to participate in a "Community Clean Up Day" this Saturday, October 10, from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will take place on Elm Street, east of the Whiteland Fire Department, at 141 S. State St.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Step back in time to Indiana’s pioneer days and enjoy the history and natural beauty of Southern Indiana at the annual "Log Cabin Day" festival, Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge on U.S. 50, three miles east of Seymour.

COLUMBUS, Ind.- The City of Columbus has announced that the old low-head dam on the East Fork White River has been removed.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The City of Columbus has finalized its municipal insurance coverage renewals, maintaining flat rates for workers’ compensation while capping property and equipment cost increases at 1.1%.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — City of Columbus engineering officials are soliciting bids from contractors to replace the signal system at Rocky Ford Road and Central Avenue, identifying the site as a priority crash location.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety approved a five-year contract renewal with Axon to upgrade law enforcement technology across the city police department.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus will revitalize Parking Lot 10, at Franklin and 6th Streets, as part of an initiative to expand the downtown tree canopy.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon City Council has approved street closures in downtown North Vernon to accommodate the annual Sweet Street trick-or-treating event scheduled for Halloween night.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The City of Seymour will celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2027, with a year full of ways to celebrate the community planned. The City wants to feature one special happening each week, but officials need your input.    

COLUMBUS, Ind. -  Four major sporting events will bring more than 15,000 athletes and spectators to Columbus and Bartholomew County this weekend. Together, the tournaments, from October 2-4, are expected to generate nearly $2 million in economic impact for the City and County. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - At the recent Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) 68th Annual Conference, it was announced that Bartholomew County Recorder Tami Hines received the 2026 Indiana Outstanding Recorder Award.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Mill Race Theatre Company is hosting auditions for Miracle on 34th Street, directed by Nick Hogan, on Tuesday, October 6, and Wednesday, October 7, from 6–8 p.m., at the Columbus North High School Studio Room.

EDINBURGH, Ind. — The Town of Edinburgh took its first step toward finalizing its annual financial plan during the Town Council meeting on Monday, September 28.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals has denied a conditional use permit request to operate two home-based businesses out of a large accessory structure in rural Bartholomew County.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — City officials and local homebuilders gathered Monday evening as the Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission conducted a state-mandated public hearing regarding Indiana House Enrolled Act 1001.

EDINBURGH, Ind. — Public safety equipment and municipal fleet needs were key topics at the September 28 Edinburgh Town Council meeting, resulting in a vehicle purchase approval and an inter-agency police car donation.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — The Seymour Common Council has formally opened public discussions on the city’s proposed appropriations and tax rates for fiscal year 2027.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The first Jennings County Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce (MUST) meeting on Monday, September 28, addressed impending municipal funding shifts across local taxing units.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — The Seymour Common Council is considering a 10-year tax abatement for L&NK Corporation to support a nearly $9 million expansion at its facility at 1625 Bateman Drive in East Side Industrial Park.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — Officials from Jennings County and local municipalities met on Monday, September 28, to recommend adjustments to how state local income taxes are distributed among municipal units.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — A residential property on Seymour's East Fourth Street is one step closer to commercial redevelopment following a recent Seymour Common Council vote.

INDIANAPOLIS - Late Tuesday, September 29, Indiana State Police (ISP) Detectives and Crash Reconstructionists continued investigating an earlier crash involving a school bus and an ISP pickup truck.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Parks and Recreation welcomes athletes, coaches, and the public to the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark for the "War of the Roses" Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament this weekend.

TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. — A local homeowner has received approval from the Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals to repair and restore a fire-damaged residence located within a designated floodplain.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission voted 7–1 to issue a favorable recommendation for a zone map change that clears the way for a new residential development on the city’s south side.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The City of Franklin is conducting a Downtown Parking Study to better understand the functions of the parking system, identify ways to improve it, and develop recommendations that support downtown businesses, residents, employees, visitors, and future growth.

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana State Police (ISP) troopers are investigating a two-vehicle crash involving a school bus and an ISP pickup truck on I-465 northbound, north of Washington Street, on the east side of Indianapolis.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Ivy Tech Community College Columbus science faculty is again offering a free local nature hike for anyone interested in learning more about the natural environment around them.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission unanimously approved a landscape waiver request for a 20-acre industrial site at its Monday night meeting on September 28.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — At the North Vernon City Council meeting on Monday, September 28, a rezoning request to allow future mixed-use development on N. Highway 7 was approved.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Oktoberfest week in downtown Seymour has finally arrived. The 53rd annual Seymour Oktoberfest is Thursday through Saturday, October 1-3.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Construction on the Haw Creek Meadows development on Midway Street is expected to be finished soon, bringing dozens of new affordable housing units and dedicated childcare space to the city.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Drivers navigating downtown Columbus can expect ongoing lane restrictions as crews work through underground delays on the 2nd Street Thoroughfare Project.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Mill Race Monster Festival is coming to Mill Race Park in October, and the Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC) needs your help. You can get involved in two ways, and both are open now.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Community events and downtown revitalization projects received board approval at the North Vernon Board of Public Works and Safety meeting on Thursday, September 24.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - As September comes to an end, Columbus Regional Health (CRH) is raising awareness about Suicide Prevention Month.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — A North Vernon man is dead following a golf cart accident on Saturday evening, September 26.

TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. - One man was arrested for harassment after the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) was notified of a disturbance in the 9400 block of Main Street in Taylorsville on Saturday, September 26, just after 9 p.m.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Governor Mike Braun has nominated census tract 101 in downtown Columbus for the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Opportunity Zone (OZ) 2.0 program.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus has announced that County Road 325W, between Lowell Road and Carlos Folgers Drive, will be closed to through traffic on Monday, September 28, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for centerline striping.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - To better serve residents, the City of Greenwood is updating its payment portal starting in the October billing cycle.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Edinburgh Municipal Utilities will begin flushing water mains at 7:30 a.m. on October 5 and continue through October 16.

WHITELAND, Ind. - Bright Beginnings Early Care and Education Coalition presents its next Provider Fair on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m.to noon at the Johnson County Public Library (JCPL) Clark-Pleasant Branch, 350 Clearwater Blvd., in Whiteland.   

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of South Central Indiana launches its "Family to Family" program, an eight-session educational course designed to support the loved ones of adults living with mental health conditions this Monday evening.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Following recent vandalism in restrooms at North Vernon City Park, officials have confirmed that suspects were identified, and criminal charges were issued.

SEYMOUR/BROWNSTOWN, Ind. - The Jackson County Clerk's Office has announced the dates, times, and locations for early voting in the 2026 General Election.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Board of Public Works and Safety addressed local residents' growing concerns over street navigation and engineering standards in the Woodfield Court cul-de-sac during its meeting on Thursday, September 24.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) closed the southbound lanes of US 31 at W. County Road 900N at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, because of a structure fire.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Work to remove the low-head dam along the riverfront in downtown Columbus is officially underway following the release of frozen federal funds.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County was honored at the annual Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) conference on Wednesday, September 23, with the 2026 Local Government Corporation Award for its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Redevelopment Commission has unanimously passed Resolution 19-2026 to commit $3 million toward the restoration and reopening of the historic Crump Center for the Performing Arts.

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Amazon plans to invest more than $100 million to establish a new advanced manufacturing operation in Greenwood, bringing 300 high-paying jobs and a significant new investment to Johnson County.

GREENFIELD, Ind. - An Indiana State Police investigation has led to the arrest of 33-year-old Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy James Heneghan on charges of intimidation, official misconduct, and fraud. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The 2026 Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) Unrestricted Community Needs Grant Cycle opens on Monday, October 5.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Greenwood Common Council unanimously passed the first reading of Ordinance 2629 on Monday, authorizing the creation of four municipal riverfront district development project areas.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) went to the North Vernon Wal-Mart on September 21 to follow up on a fraud case. Upon arrival, a deputy noticed a Wal-Mart Asset Protection (AP) officer was trying to stop someone in the parking lot.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — Work on the North Vernon Quarry Park project is entering its final stages despite weather and equipment delivery delays, according to city officials.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - A Columbus child is a finalist in the 2026 Stan Lee’s Super Kid Competition and is seeking community support to get into the Top 20.

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. –UPDATE: 4:25 p.m.: Northbound I-65 is currently heavily backed up and traffic is moving at almost a standstill due to emergency crews cleaning up the wreckage of a double semi-trucker crash from earlier this morning, September 24.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC) presents the inaugural "Mill Race Monster Festival," October 23-25 at Mill Race Park. Experience Columbus, Indiana’s own cryptid legend. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Since 2021, the State of Indiana and Lilly Endowment Inc. have committed $1.25 billion to local quality of place through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), and communities have matched it with local and private dollars.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus will begin landscaping improvements at Parking Lot #10, at Franklin and 6th Streets, as part of ongoing efforts to expand the downtown tree canopy with native, sustainable, and low‑maintenance plantings.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — City officials officially introduced the proposed 2027 municipal budget at Monday evening's Greenwood Common Council meeting, outlining key updates to public safety and civilian employee compensation.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — Water Department Superintendent Will Spencer provided operational and regulatory updates during the North Vernon Utility Service Board meeting on Monday, September 21.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Utility Service Board reviewed financial and administrative items at its regular session on Monday, September 21.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Redevelopment Commission is evaluating a potential land sale to local business owner Steve Gasper for an approximately 20-acre parcel of city-owned industrial property located north of the bypass.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — Damage to downtown infrastructure following local car-cruising events prompted council discussion on enforcement and event management during last Monday's meeting, September 14.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety has approved a request for banners for the 2026 Ethnic Expo.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Utility Service Board convened on Monday, September 21, 2026, to address potential industrial contamination in the city’s municipal sewer system.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Regional Health (CRH) has named Chris Winters as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 21. He has been the Interim CFO since June 2025.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — United for Youth, a United Way of Bartholomew County Impact Commons group, presents a drive-through tenderloin fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 2, at the American Legion, 2515 25th St., in Columbus.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Greenwood Common Council approved re-zoning approximately 80.15 acres on the southeast corner of Interstate 65 and Worthsville Road to accommodate a new Buc-ee's travel center on Monday, September 21.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — Seymour Police Department (SPD) officials presented updated operational statistics and addressed privacy considerations regarding the city's automatic license plate reader (ALPR) system at last week's Common Council meeting.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — Mayor Shawn Gerkin announced that the city is preparing to formally commit local matching funds for a proposed multi-million-dollar community youth center anchored by the Boys & Girls Club.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The City of Columbus is evaluating the Columbus People Trail safety regulations after public feedback regarding the rise of motorized transportation devices.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Downtown Columbus and other areas of the City will be busy on Saturday, September 26. The day begins with the Mill Race Marathon, followed by the race "After Party." After the Mill Race Marathon activities, the second annual Columbus Oktoberfest will take place.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Historical Society invites you to attend the third Evelyn Seward Speaker Series event of 2026 on October 8, when paranormal investigator, writer, and researcher Matthew D. Jackson presents "Haunted History and Lore of Bartholomew County."  

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. – Health insurance costs are rising for many local employers, yet "taking no action" was the most common response when businesses were asked how they are managing those costs, according to a recent survey by Aspire, the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Johnson County.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - River Valley Legal Aid and Pro Bono Indiana announce a Free Legal Walk-In Clinic for low-income residents on Friday, September 25, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Franklin Branch of the Johnson County Public Library, 401 State St.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — The Seymour Common Council voted 4–2 on first reading to pass an annexation ordinance for an 80-acre industrial parcel at 6693 North County Road 1000E at last week's council meeting.

SEYMOUR, Ind. — Discussions surrounding the prolonged vacancy of the District 2 city council seat were brought before city leadership by residents during last week's Common Council meeting.