Bartholomew County News

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

TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces upcoming single-lane and ramp closures on I-65 in Taylorsville (Exit 76).

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Columbus have announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Jack Cramer Ideals of Athletic Competition Award.

NASHVILLE, Ind. - The Brown County Humane Society (BCHS) has announced the appointment of its first-ever Executive Director, Suzanne Jalot.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department reminds residents that the new golf cart and UTV ordinance goes into effect this Monday, June 1. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - In a media release on Wednesday, the City of Columbus said it was honored to announce a generous donation from Mr. Iichiro Haga, President of Toyo Corporation, made in memory of his late father, Chairman Akio Haga.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) is once again partnering with Kroger and Love Chapel for the "Pack-a-Cruiser" event this Saturday, May 30. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) is investigating an accidental shooting that occurred on Tuesday afternoon. Officers were dispatched to a report of a person shot at a business located in the 2100 block of North National Road, at around 1:45 p.m.   

HAMMOND, IN – UPDATE (11:26 p.m. on May 26): Detectives continued to gather information and evidence related to the investigation. The female passenger has been released pending further investigation. More details will be released in the days ahead.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), in partnership with ASAP and medical provider Quality Correctional Care, has committed to addressing mental health and substance abuse challenges both inside the jail and beyond release.

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. - A Monroe County man was arrested Sunday evening after fleeing from Indiana State Police (ISP) on southbound I-65 and later striking two vehicles before coming to a stop. A Senior ISP Trooper was on his way home from working the Indy 500 when the incident began.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) held commencement ceremonies over the weekend for seniors at Columbus North, Columbus East, and CSA New Tech High Schools.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has announced that Detective William Kinman Jr., a 23-year BCSO veteran, has officially been sworn in as an FBI Task Force Officer (TFO).

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ind. – Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractor Enneking Pressure Cleaning, Inc. is scheduled to begin a bridge deck overlay project on State Road 7 over Little Sand Creek, on or after Monday, June 1.

EDINBURGH, Ind. – ChampionZone Virtual Golf and Patriot Cafe, 3258 W. Market Place Drive, next to Indiana Premium Outlets in Edinburgh, will celebrate its opening on Thursday, May 28, at 4:30 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The public is invited.

RIPLEY COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP) has released body camera footage from the water rescue on Wednesday in Ripley County, near Holton.

COLUMBUS, Indiana – River Valley Legal Aid is offering a free Legal Walk-in Clinic this Tuesday, May 26, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St., in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Department of Public Works (DPW) officially opened its new workplace on Arcadia Drive with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - City of Columbus and Bartholomew County officials announce that all of their offices will be closed this Monday, May 25, to commemorate the Memorial Day holiday.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Community members interested in participating in this summer’s "Columbus Riverfest: Ya Gotta Regatta," are invited to attend an informational team-captain meeting at 5:30 p.m. on May 28, at United Way Firehouse, 1304 Hutchins Ave., in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The 2025-2026 Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) school year came to a close for students on Wednesday. Teachers will have their last day this Friday, May 22.

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COLUMBUS, Ind. - (SECOND UPDATE: 5-21) - In an official statement, Judge James D. Worton has recused himself from the Bartholomew County Council recount case involving Mark Bense and Leah Beyer due to a conflict of interest.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus Parks and Recreation has temporarily closed Mill Race Park after significant rainfall caused flooding throughout low‐lying areas of the park on May 20. Bartholomew County officials have also announced at least two road closings.

COLUMBUS/EDINBURGH, Ind. – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Flood Warnings for three local rivers that will continue until the early parts of the weekend.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -  Colton Ross (Badge CPD 312) joined the ranks as the newest officer in the Columbus Police Department (CPD) on Tuesday morning. Mayor Mary Ferdon swore in Ross at the weekly Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

JONESVILLE, Ind. – Due to an overnight fire in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 19, just past midnight, the popular Jonesville bar and grill, "The Brick," is now temporarily closed.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Jason Hatton, Director of the Bartholomew County Public Library, has turned in his resignation after nearly 20 years of service to the library system.

COLUMBUS, Ind.- Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services (FCACS) will be handing out pet food through their Furry Friends Food Bank distribution this Thursday, May 21, at Columbus Municipal Airport, 4770 Ray Boll Blvd.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 sentenced a local man on May 6 to five years for charges including attempted residential entry and theft.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Columbus Regional Health (CRH) has announced a new Seymour location for Southern Indiana Heart and Vascular.

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. -A suspect wanted on robbery charges was arrested following a vehicle chase that ended on the Kennedy Bridge on I-65 at the Indiana/Kentucky border on Friday, May 15.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - PromptMed is closing its doors on 25th Street and moving to its new, upgraded location on 10th Street this week.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) released information on Monday afternoon about two drug arrests last week. After a long investigation into narcotics activity, a search warrant was executed on Tuesday, May 12, in the 1300 block of Woodleigh Ct., in Tiption Lakes.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) has announced the advancement of two of its members. Lt. Bryan Bailey has been promoted to the rank of Captain, and Firefighter Ben Noblitt is now a Lieutenant.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Board of Trustees has announced that President Mung Chiang has informed them that he is leaving and has accepted an offer to become president of Northwestern University.

JENNINGS COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers are investigating a drowning that occurred Thursday evening at Crosley Lake, south of Vernon in Jennings County.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (CIP) is still needing volunteers to assist at the 26th annual Salute! Concert this Friday night, May 22, at the Columbus Airport, to kick off the Memorial Day holiday weekend. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) says a Flood Warning is in effect for Bartholomew and Jennings Counties on Saturday morning, May 16, until noon.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - United Way of Bartholomew County will debut a new community event this summer, inviting residents to race cardboard boats, enjoy family-friendly activities, and fund a great cause. The inaugural Columbus Riverfest featuring "Ya Gotta Regatta" is on July 31 at Mill Race Park.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The annual Memorial Day service in downtown Columbus is set for Monday, May 25, starting at 11 a.m., at the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Mill Race Center is celebrating National Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 27, with programs offered throughout the day.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The second annual Columbus Asian Fest is this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Downtown Columbus. The event celebrates the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Asian communities.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A local man is hospitalized after a Wednesday morning accident on Indianapolis Road in Columbus on Wednesday, May 13.

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INDIANA STATEHOUSE – Gov. Mike Braun, while he was at the Clark-Pleasant Community Schools Administration Building in Whiteland on Wednesday morning, signed into law a bill to prohibit student use of personal wireless communication devices during school hours.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus has announced a coordinated water safety campaign to educate residents about local waterway hazards, promote safe practices, and strengthen community awareness throughout Water Safety Month in May.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Dove Recovery House for Women is expanding with a new home in Columbus, its third in the state, addressing a critical need for residential substance use disorder treatment in Southern Indiana, serving 15 women nightly at no cost.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — L.C. Schmitt Elementary School instructional coach Jill Bless is the recipient of the 2026 Bill and Sally Hanley Excellence in Teaching Award administered by Heritage Fund.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - To kick off the Memorial Day weekend, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (CIP) presents the SALUTE! concert, a public patriotic event honoring U.S. Armed Forces veterans and current Service Members. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC) will celebrate the grand opening of Studio C, a new community ceramics space, on Wednesday, May 13, from 4 to 7 p.m., at 4760 Ray Boll Blvd., in Columbus. The event is free and open to the public.

HOPE, Ind. - The Hope Police Department and the Town of Hope remind residents that this Saturday, May 16, is an opportunity to register/renew your golf cart or "side by side" at the police station, from 10 a.m. to noon.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is partnering with the Indiana State Police (ISP) and local law enforcement agencies across the state to urge Hoosiers to buckle up as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which focuses on increasing seatbelt use.

GREENWOOD, Ind.- The Indiana State Police is investigating a serious accident that occurred Saturday morning on northbound I-65 near Greenwood. The crash was the result of a woman fleeing from police.

HOPE, Ind. - The Town of Hope welcomes the annual "Smoke on the Square" this weekend, featuring mouthwatering BBQ, great company, and plenty of fun.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus Fire Department (CFD) has announced the retirement of Captain David Dwyer after a 47-year career with the Department. Dwyer joined CFD on January 10, 1979. He retires as the most senior member of the agency with a career spanning nearly five decades.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - ChampionZone USA Virtual Golf and Patriot Café has opened in Edinburgh, offering a unique destination that combines virtual golf with classic American cuisine. It is located next to Mann's Harley Davidson, adjacent to Indiana Premium Outlets.