The Bartholomew County Historical Society is inviting the community and sneaker lovers, sports fans, families, and fun seekers to lace up their Converse and join in the celebration of hometown basketball legend Chuck Taylor, at the first ever Chuck Taylor Day. The event will be held this Saturday June 7th from 3pm to 8pm at the Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum located at 524 3rd Street. The event honors Bartholomew County native, basketball trailblazer, and the namesake of the iconic Converse All-Star Shoe. There will be live music from local favorites The Born Mountaineer, and The Revelators, plus a special performance by a local high school band. There will also be opportunities to meet Boomer, the pacers mascot from 3pm to 6pm.Attendees will be able to take photos with IU Columbus Basketball Team members, visit the Fan Jam mobile pop up promoting the 2026 Men’s Final Four, and at 6pm gather on Library Plaza for a massive group photo of Chuck Wearers as Columbus aims to set a Guinness World Record. Food trucks and beverages will be provided by The Garage. For more information visit www.bartholomewhistory.org.

The National Weather Service is working to gather information from the public about recent severe weather, including tornadoes. If you have been directly impacted by a tornado, you were warned that a tornado could impact you, or you were in or near a strong storm that made you concerned about tornadoes it is asked that you assist by taking a few minutes to fill out a survey. The information collected can help the NWS improve information and forecasts ahead of Tornado events. To Take the survey visit our website and scan the QR code.

Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District has announced that the Columbus/Bartholomew Recycling Center, BCSWMD District Offices, and the commercial cardboard route are closed in celebration of the Juneteenth Holiday on Thursday, June 19th. All of the facilities will reopen on Friday June 20th. The Bartholomew County Landfill will be open on the Juneteenth holiday normal hours 7:30AM to 4:30pm.
For more information visit the BCSWMD website at www.bcswmd.com

Columbus Propeller is inviting the public to its open house that is taking place on Wednesday June 11th from 6pm to 8pm, at the facility located at 4760 Ray Boll Blvd. This family friendly event is free and offers a hands on introduction to Propeller’s unique maker space that is designed to support creativity, learning, and community innovation.Guests will be able to take guided tours of the facility, meet local makers, take part in engaging activities, and watch equipment demonstrations highlighting the tools and tech available at Propeller. Visitors will also have the chance to explore Propeller’s Summer Workshop Calendar and can sign up for any upcoming class that covers everything from fabrication to hands on art projects. Food and Drinks will be available from local vendors.

River Valley Legal Aid, Pro Bono Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College- Columbus are coming together to host the first ever free expungement event on Thursday June 12th at the Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus. Registration starts at 3:30pm and lasts until 4pm.The event will take place from 4pm to 6pm. Pizza and refreshments will be available provided by ASAP. Indiana Law allows a one-time opportunity for some low-level convictions, misdemeanors, and arrest records to be sealed from criminal records. This free event offers information about the qualification requirements to have records expunged. If you can’t make it to this event you can visit www.legalaidpbi.org/services to find additional clinics and other ways to receive free legal help.

Indiana University Columbus is hosting walk-in hours June 9 to 13 for students and families to learn about earning an IU degree locally.

All attendees will get an IU Columbus chip clip to help them “seal the deal.” Walk-in week participants can take a campus tour, explore IU undergraduate and graduate programs, and get hands-on assistance with the application process.
Participants will also have a chance to learn about FAFSA for federal financial aid, scholarships and work-study opportunities.

A Spanish-speaking admissions counselor and materials in Spanish will be available upon request.

All visits begin at the Admissions Office, located inside Door 3 in the Campus Center Building at 4601 Central Ave. in Columbus. Attendees should be sure to arrive between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To apply for IU Columbus with no fee, schedule an appointment, or learn more about IU Columbus admissions, visit columbus.iu.edu/admissions.

The 44th Annual Dr. “Bud” Charity Golf Scramble will be held Wednesday, June 25th, at Shadowood Golf Course in Seymour. All proceeds from the annual scramble provide scholarships for nursing students from Jackson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington counties.

There are Morning and afternoon tee times available at 8am and 1:30pm.

For online registration and credit card payment as well as sponsorship opportunities, visit www.schneckmed.org/events.

A Seymour Attorney was Arrested Tuesday on Multiple Charges Related to Theft and Tax Evasion. The investigation began in 2024 when reports were made to Indiana State Police that Attorney Jason Smith of Seymour, Indiana had not filed personal or business tax returns for the last few years. After an investigation detectives determined that Smith had not paid any income tax personally or for his businesses Smith Law Services and Floyd Harris Holdings LLC. From 2019 to 2023, Smith had deposited$2.5 million into his Law services bank account. During this same time period, he deposited over $1.3 million into Floyd Harris Holdings account. The Investigation determined that Smith did not pay taxes on the income deposited into those accounts and the accounts were used for personal purchases. On Tuesday officers with the Greenwood Police Department located Smith and arrested him without incident. Smith was charged with multiple felonies including Tax Evasion, Theft, and Corrupt Business Influence. Smith was also charged with possession of a controlled substance that was discovered during a search warrant on his residence in October of 2024.

Jason Smith, Photo Courtesy of Indiana State Police

Tickets are now on sale for the 39th Annual Our Hospice Summer Concert which will be taking place labor day weekend, Saturday August 30th at the Circle K Fieldhouse, Nexus Park, in Columbus. The exciting night of music will consist of tribute bands playing classic hits from Elton John, Billy Joel, and The Eagles.Concert tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Children 5 and under are free but must have a ticket to enter.There will be a raffle for a chance to win $10,000 and can be purchased in advance at the Hospice Center or from Our Hospice, Palliative Care, and volunteer team members.The drawing will take place right before the final act performs. You do not need to be present at the concert to purchase or win. For more information visit ourhospice.org/concert.

Ivy Tech Community College Columbus biology faculty are offering free local nature hikes for anyone interested in learning more about the natural environment around them.
The next hike will begin at 7:30 a.m. This Saturday, June 7th, at the Callie Nature Preserve east of North Vernon. Ivy Tech Columbus science faculty member Dr. Tom Sobat will lead the hike, focusing on birds and wildflowers.
The hike is open to the public, and all community members are welcome. Hikers will meet at the preserve’s parking area.
Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather. The college will have some binoculars available for use, but participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars if they have them.
For more information, contact Dr. Tom Sobat at [email protected].