Latest News

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Governor Mike Braun appointed Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon to the statewide Workforce Development Board as part of 99 new appointments to various state boards and commissions in March.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin College raised $364,266 during its 14th #GivetoGRIZ Day of Giving on Wednesday, April 15, marking the most successful single-day fundraising effort in the institution’s history. The total surpassed the campaign’s goal of $300,000.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus Engineering Department announced that two sidewalk projects, which could impact vehicle traffic flow, will commence on Wednesday, April 22.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Compass Park hosted a media conference on Thursday afternoon to update the community on the progress following the fire on Friday, April 10, that displaced residents and gutted new, unoccupied buildings of the senior-living facility.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Greenwood Fire Department (GFD) was dispatched to the 400 block of Boonesboro Road for a reported residence fire on Wednesday, just after 2 p.m.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Seymour Fire Department (SFD) was among many vendors to participate in the College Transition Fair at Seymour High School on Wednesday. 

TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. - A fully engulfed semi-truck fire closed northbound I-65 at Mile Marker 76.8, near the Taylorsville exit, on Wednesday morning, April 15. 

GREENSBURG, Ind. - The Greensburg Police Department responded to a report of an injured male on Interstate 74, near the 132-mile marker, just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Witnesses advised Decatur County Communications that the man had jumped off the overpass.

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. - The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and Franklin Police Department (FPD) conducted an early Wednesday morning warrant roundup of individuals accused of selling illegal narcotics to undercover narcotics investigators.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of South Central Indiana will hold a series of "Peer-to-Peer" classes beginning Tuesday, May 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Bartholomew County Public Library.   

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Schneck Foundation invites the community to "Doc Talk" featuring Dr. Steven Windley, Integrative Medicine Specialist at Schneck Medical Center, on Thursday, April 30, from 6 to 7 p.m., in the Schneck Professional Building, 411 W. Tipton St. 

VERNON, Ind. — The Jennings County community is invited to come together for a day of movement, wellness, and connection at the "Vernon Moves: Fitness and Community Healthfest," taking place on Saturday, May 16, at the Vawter Recreation Center in Vernon.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County residents are invited to take part in Day of Caring, a one-day, community-wide celebration of volunteerism that brings together individuals, families, businesses, civic groups, churches, and local government.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Historical Society and the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department are hosting “Talking Tombstones 2026” at the historic Columbus City Cemetery on Friday, May 8, from 5 to 8 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Meridian Kiwanis Club of Columbus presents its annual 5K Walk/Run to support Riley Hospital and the Kiwanis K-Bug reading program for kids.

WHITELAND, Ind. - The Whiteland Farmers Market is now accepting applications for vendors for the 2026 summer market.

BARGERSVILLE, Ind. - The Bargersville Fire Department (BFD) welcomes another member of the 2026 recruit class, Mitchel Tuttle, to the team.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The City of Franklin Fire Department Chief Joshua Snyder and Compass Park CEO Mike Spencer held a press conference to discuss updates on residents displaced by the Compass Park fire and the investigation into the fire's cause on Monday, April 13.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractor Milestone Contractors, L.P., is scheduled to reduce U.S. 50 to one lane east of U.S. 31 in Seymour beginning on or after Wednesday, April 15.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The North Vernon Police Department responded to the area of 7th Street and Hoosier Street at 6:15 p.m. on April 10 for a reported domestic battery in progress. A caller reported a male striking a female inside a moving vehicle.

GENEVA TOWNSHIP, Ind. - Deputies with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) and firefighters from the Scipio-Geneva Township Fire Department were dispatched Monday afternoon to the 1300 Block of Magnolia Place in reference to a residential fire.     

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Indiana University Columbus and the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department announced Monday a new agreement for the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark to become the new home for Crimson Pride men’s and women’s soccer.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -  Bartholomew County reminds citizens that it is in the process of implementing a new community mass notification system, "CodeRED" by Crisis24, which will replace the current alert system, "Everbridge."

COLUMBUS, Ind.- Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services (FCACS) will be handing out pet food through their Furry Friends Food Bank distribution on Thursday, April 16, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Columbus Municipal Airport, 4770 Ray Boll Blvd.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. The North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) has charged a local woman with driving while intoxicated following a crash on U.S. 50 on Thursday, April 9.

GENEVA TOWNSHIP, Ind. - Scipio-Geneva Fire Rescue, the Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO), and Jennings County EMS were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the area of Honeylocust Place in Country Squire Lakes at around 3 p.m. on Sunday. Initial reports indicated a male occupant was still inside the residence.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation's (BCSC) third annual Educator Signing Day is Tuesday morning, May 5, in the Clarence E. Robbins Auditorium at Columbus East High School.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Late Saturday morning, the City of Franklin and Mayor Steve Barnett released a statement concerning the Compass Park blaze that occurred early Friday morning.

EDINBURGH/COLUMBUS, Ind. - IHG Hotels and Resorts (IHG), with nearly 7,000 global properties across 21 brands, has honored Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbus/Edinburgh and its team with a 2025 Torchbearer Award. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin College has named Rev. Thomas Bartley as its chaplain and director of religious life. He will begin his new role at Franklin College on May 1.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Seymour Main Street presents "Crossroads Acoustic Fest," a boutique music festival with world-class musicians and intimate performances in downtown Seymour on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25.

INDIANAPOLIS - Youhuang Xiang (“Xiang”), 32, formerly a post-doctoral researcher at Indiana University and a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, has been sentenced to more than four months in prison, a $500 fine, and one year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to smuggling biologic materials into the United States from China.

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. – River Valley Legal Aid/Pro Bono Indiana announces a free legal walk-in clinic on Wednesday, April 15, at the Blue River Community Foundation, from 3 to 5 5 p.m.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - UPDATE- 10 p.m. -Johnson County Fire crews are continuing to extinguish hot spots. Crews will remain on scene for an extended period of time.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus/Bartholomew County Planning Department presents another open house for the Columbus and Bartholomew County Transportation Plan this Monday, April 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Columbus City Hall.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The City of Columbus has named Jody Coffman to take on the new role of community development specialist.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Wednesday, April 8, was a very active day for the City of Franklin Fire Department (FFD).

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Recycling District (JCRD), in partnership with Shares, Inc., is hosting its spring document shredding evening on Thursday, April 23.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Real Estate Institute (IREI) and Ivy Tech Community College recently formed a new partnership that focuses on increasing awareness of real estate education opportunities and career pathways in the Hoosier state. 

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Wings Over Muscatatuck, the annual spring migratory bird festival, is at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Seymour on Saturday, April 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., hosted by and supporting the Muscatatuck Wildlife Society.

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun announced on Wednesday, April 8, that he will suspend Indiana's gas tax to combat higher prices incurred because of the war with Iran.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Start your engines, Columbus, for the IndyHoodRats Block Party Season Opener on Saturday, April 25, at Columbus Municipal Airport.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Regional Health (CRH) has announced that Columbus Internal Medicine Associates will close its location at 4050 Central Avenue at the end of the day on Thursday, April 9, and reopen at NexusPark, Suite C, on Monday, April 13, at 8 a.m.

FREETOWN, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractor E&B Paving, Inc. is scheduled to close State Road 58 over a tributary to the South Fork Salt Creek on or after Thursday, April 16, to complete a box culvert replacement project southwest of Freetown.

Greensburg, Ind. — The Greensburg Municipal Airport Board announced the appointment of Robert Pumphrey to fill the vacancy left by Gary Bailey earlier this year.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus City Utilities has announced that Rocky Ford Road, between Middle Road and Candlelight Drive, will be closed starting at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Office of Downtown Development continues its Downtown Columbus Spring Market on 4th Street this Saturday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The City of Franklin reminds residents that the first 2026 Comprehensive Plan Public Presentation and Open House is this Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m., in the Franklin City Council Chambers, at 70 E. Monroe St.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District (BCSWMD) is honoring Earth Day with a special event at the Columbus/Bartholomew Recycling Center, 720 S. Mapleton St., on Friday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

GREENWOOD, Ind. - Center Grove Community School Corporation has announced that Cathy Statzer, Corporation Treasurer, has been named the Indiana Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) Region 8 School Business Official of the Year.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Duke Energy will soon be in select North Vernon neighborhoods as part of its 'Neighborhood Energy Saver Program.' Their team will go door-to-door to educate homeowners on energy-saving products and may provide certain items at no cost.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin College is hosting events featuring its art and music majors this month. Two chamber concerts are set for April 14 and 16, and a senior art exhibition reception is set for Monday, April 20.

SEYMOUR, Ind.- The Seymour Police Department (SPD) arrested one suspect on charges that include dealing and possession of marijuana on Monday, April 6.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -Ivy Tech Community College Columbus has announced that student leader Dakota McLaughlin, of Shelbyville, has earned three of the nation’s most prestigious honors for community college students.

COLUMBUS/SEYMOUR, Ind. - Two traffic stops on I-65 by the Indiana State Police (ISP), within minutes of each other, resulted in several arrests on Monday afternoon.

COLUMBUS, Ind.- The Bartholomew County Health Department presents a Community Baby Shower on Saturday, April 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Bartholomew County Health Department Nursing Division, 2625 Foxpointe Drive, in Columbus.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) was called to a residence in rural Butlerville on Saturday afternoon regarding to a report of a female who had allegedly been battered by a male subject, later identified as Ethan Hall.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Jackson County Chamber presents its upcoming "Women in Business" Luncheon on June 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at W.R. Ewing in Brownstown.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Treasurer Barbara Hackman has announced that property tax bills will be sent out soon.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Hutchfest 2026 is being stormed by a British Invasion. The annual fundraiser is at The Crump Theatre on Saturday, April 25, featuring The Revelators and The Rigbys.

TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. - Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) deputies were on the scene Saturday morning in Taylorsville when they were dispatched about a possible explosive device.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin Community High School i(FCHS) has announced that it will hold its annual College and Career Fair on Thursday, April 23, at 10 a.m.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Leadership Johnson County (LJC) is hosting a workshop, "Being a Coach… As An Approach to Leadership," on Tuesday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to noon, at The Sycamore at Mallow Run.

BARGERSVILLE, Ind. - The Bargersville Fire Department was dispatched just before 12:30 p.m. on Thursday to the intersection of North County Road 800W and West County Road 100N for a reported vehicle fire.

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. - 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. - Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractor E&B Paving, Inc., is scheduled to begin a bridge deck overlay project on U.S. 31 between Lowell Road and Commerce Drive on or after Monday, April 6.

FRANKLIN, Ind. — Johnson County REMC (JCREMC) has announced that applications for the spring 2026 cycle of "Operation Round-Up" are now available.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin Parks and Recreation presents "Pets on the Trail," an inclusive walkathon on Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m. All people and pets of any size are welcome.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. -Ivy Tech Community College Columbus invites high school students and their families to a campus-wide open house on April 28 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Moravec Hall, 4475 Central Ave.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Bright Beginnings, a Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) initiative, in partnership with the Johnson County Public Library (JCPL), will host an Early Care and Education Provider Fair at the JCPL Franklin branch, 401 S. State Street, in Franklin.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Two men were busted by the Seymour Police Department (SPD) after their car was stopped for a traffic violation near West 9th and North Elm Streets on Wednesday, April 1, at 6:20 p.m.  

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.

HOPE, Ind. - The Hope Police Department has released its Spring 2026 list of abandoned/inoperable/non-plated vehicles. These cars and trucks were recently tagged for removal, per Hope Town Code 8-69, Article 10, and Indiana I.C. Code 9-13-2-1.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Seymour Community Schools is having a "Kindergarten Enrollment Roundup" on Tuesday, April 7, at its five elementary schools. Parents with children entering kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year should register their child at the school that day. 

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), Indiana State Police (ISP), and local law enforcement are partnering to increase patrols aimed at reducing speeding and distracted driving as part of the annual Indiana Safer Roads Campaign, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) is hosting three preliminary information sessions this month about the redistricting process scheduled to go into effect at the start of the 2027-28 school year.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Following an extensive investigation, the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) on Monday, March 30, arrested Gabriel Guenthenspberger, 25, of North Vernon, after receiving a cyber tip through the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

GREENWOOD/FRANKLIN, Ind. - Aspire Johnson County, the chamber of commerce and local economic development organization serving Johnson County, has announced the finalists for its annual business awards.     

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has announced the purchase of five portable translation devices designed to improve communication between the Sheriff’s Office and members of the community.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin College is gearing up for its 14th annual "#GivetoGRIZ" next month. The annual 24-hour Day of Giving Challenge is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15.

INDIANA STATEHOUSE - The 2026 legislative session concluded with the passage of several new laws aimed at lowering everyday costs, streamlining government, and giving families and communities opportunities to thrive, according to a Johnson County lawmaker.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) has named Officer Graham Heffelfinger as its 2025 Officer of the Year.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - All City of Columbus offices, including Columbus City Utilities, will be closed this Friday, April 3, to observe the Good Friday holiday.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -The Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center (LCNFC) annual Easter Egg Hunt will be Saturday, April 4, starting at 11 a.m. on the grounds of BCSC’s Administration Building at the corner of 13th Street and Cottage Avenue.

COLUMBUS, Ind. —Nonprofit organizations in Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Decatur counties that serve aging adults and special needs populations are eligible to apply for grant funding from the Voelz, Reed, and Mount (VRM) Foundation.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Seymour Main Street has announced that the Seymour Area Farmers Market is now accepting applications for the upcoming outdoor season. Spaces fill quickly, so vendors are encouraged to apply early.

NORTH VERNON, IN – The North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) took a Madison woman into custody on charges of Reckless Driving on Saturday, March 28.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce presents the first session of its "Taking Care of Business" workshop series next month.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC) series, First Fridays for Families, continues its 2026 season on Friday, April 3, at 5:30 p.m. at The Commons in downtown Columbus. Doors open at 5:00.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) manages an extensive Grants Program each year, offering cash awards to nonprofit organizations for charitable programs and projects in Johnson County or serving Johnson County residents.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin Chamber of Commerce presents a "Lunch and Learn" online virtual session on Tuesday, April, at 11 a.m. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Center of Diversity and Inclusion at Franklin College recently hosted the annual Women of Distinction Awards in recognition of National Women’s History Month. The theme for this year’s event was “Legacy: What it Means to Set Roots.”

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Last September, Darrell W. Crow, Jr. was charged with two counts of Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 2 felonies) and one count of Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 4 felony).