Osgood Teen Found Dead at Versailles Lake Sunday Evening

A missing Osgood Teen was found deceased Sunday evening.

Carson Hughes, 18, of Osgood, went missing Friday afternoon at Versailles Lake in Versailles State Park. His unlocked car with the keys inside was found Friday near the boat ramp and the search began but was postponed on Friday night.

After a two-day search, Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the body of Hughes, from Versailles Lake on Sunday evening.

According to the Indiana DNR media release, conservation officer divers utilized sonar to find Hughes in six feet of water at around 6:50 p.m.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says an autopsy on Hughes was completed Monday morning, and the preliminary cause of death was determined to be probable cold-water drowning.

No other evidence of injury was present. The final autopsy report and cause of death are pending toxicology results.

Carson Hughes was an avid wildlife photographer and had a following online. His mother is honoring his memory and asking others to do so by celebrating and sharing his Wildlife photography online.

Photo Courtesy of Indiana DNR

BCSC Robotics Team 4926 Receives Inaugural Impact Award

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) Robotics Team 4926 received the inaugural Impact Award at last weekend’s 2024 FIN Columbus FRC District Event

 at Columbus East High School, marking a historic achievement in its robotics journey.
The Impact Award is the highest award at the competition and “honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to simulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST”.
This award also gives them an automatic bid to the state championship
Representing students statewide, the FIRST Indiana Robotics Student Board of Directors drives initiatives for greater FIRST program accessibility. They advocate for coach stipends and mental wellness awareness, fostering a supportive environment and showcasing Indiana’s young STEM leaders’ collaborative spirit.

For More information you can visit https://www.bcscschools.org

Photos Courtesy of BCSC Facebook Page

Cummins Announces Atmus Stock Exchange Final Results

Today, Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) (“Cummins”) announced the final results of its previously announced offer to its shareholders to exchange their shares of Cummins common stock for shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ATMU) (“Atmus”) common stock owned by Cummins. The exchange offer expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on March 13th, 2024.

Pursuant to the exchange offer, Cummins has accepted 5,574,051 shares of Cummins common stock in exchange for 67,054,719 shares of Atmus common stock.

Because the exchange offer was oversubscribed, Cummins accepted only a portion of the shares of its common stock that were validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, on a pro rata basis in proportion to the number of shares tendered. Shareholders who owned fewer than 100 shares of Cummins common stock, or an “odd-lot,” who validly tendered all of their shares, were not subject to proration, in accordance with the terms of the exchange offer. All shares validly tendered by eligible “odd-lot” shareholders were accepted. The final proration factor of 6.99255200% was applied to all other validly tendered shares of Cummins common stock that were subject to proration to determine the number of such shares that were accepted.

Following completion of the exchange offer, Cummins did not retain any outstanding shares of Atmus common stock.

“Through this final separation, we are pleased to bring the greatest value to both Cummins and Atmus shareholders,” said Jennifer Rumsey, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Cummins. “Cummins will continue its focus on advancing innovative power solutions, while Atmus is now well positioned to advance its filtration technologies, grow into new markets, and help both existing and new customers be successful. We are proud of our employees’ hard work and all who were involved to ensure a successful separation, and we are excited to see what the future holds for both Cummins and Atmus.”

Based on the final count by the exchange agent, Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, LLC, the final results of the exchange offer are as follows:

  • Total number of shares of Cummins common stock validly tendered and not validly withdrawn: 65,176,180
  • Shares tendered that were subject to proration: 64,081,568
  • “Odd-lot” shares tendered that were not subject to proration: 1,094,612
  • Total number of shares of Cummins common stock accepted: 5,574,051

Shares of Cummins common stock tendered but not accepted for exchange will be returned to the tendering shareholders in book-entry form promptly. In addition, the exchange agent will promptly credit shares of Atmus common stock for distribution in the exchange offer in book-entry form to accounts maintained by the Atmus transfer agent for tendering shareholders whose shares of Cummins common stock were accepted in the exchange offer. Cash in lieu of fractional shares of Atmus common stock will be delivered after the exchange agent has aggregated all fractional shares and sold them in the open market.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as dealer managers for the exchange offer.

State Police Arrest A Local Man For Reckless Driving

Indiana State Police arrested a Columbus man for reckless driving and engaging in a speed contest Saturday night after stopping the motorcycle he was riding in excess of 130mph on I-65 in Bartholomew County. The suspect was allegedly racing two other motorcyclists who were not able to be stopped or identified.

The Indiana State Police would like to remind you to PLEASE DRIVE RESPONSIBLY.

Photo Courtesy of Sgt. Stephen Wheeles Facebook Page.

Registration Open For IEngage, IU Columbus Civics Camp for Kids

Registration is now open for a free weeklong camp at IU Columbus. The camp takes place June 24th through June 28th, for students currently in grades 4-8 to learn how to make a difference in their school, neighborhood and community.

Register for the iEngage civics camp at go.iu.edu/iengage. Early sign-up is encouraged; space is limited to the first 90 campers.

There is no cost to those who participate in iEngage. In addition to the camp itself, students are provided a camp t-shirt, lunch and snacks each day, and if needed, wrap-around care and transportation to and from the Foundation for Youth, 405 Hope Ave.

“We want youth to feel that this community also belongs to them, as we pass down democracy purposefully to the next generation,” explained Stephanie Serriere, Ph.D., iEngage Executive Director and IU Columbus Professor of Social Studies Education. “At a time when our nation is more polarized than ever, we are teaching young people how to work collaboratively, have their voices heard, and make a difference.”

Serriere noted that after participating in iEngage, last year’s campers:

  • increased their knowledge of what’s happening in the community
  • saw themselves as more involved citizens
  • increased their belief that they could make a difference in their community
  • were more likely to do research and get others involved in solving a community issue

The Columbus iEngage program closely involves local leaders in the non-profit sector, industry and public service.  iEngage features a different guest speaker each day, a community fair of local nonprofit groups, and mid-week presentations to a panel of local representatives. This year’s camp will also feature a session on college readiness and campus tours. On Friday, campers present their findings to the public during formal presentations and a celebration with root beer floats at the Columbus Learning Center.

New this year is the role of community-based codirectors, Angie Kirkham and Greicy Patiño, as well as a partnership with the Council for Youth Development (CYD). CYD’s new Youth Empowerment Program Coordinator, Freddie King, will serve as an iEngage Master Teacher, and CYD Youth Ambassadors will serve as camp interns. IU Columbus Education students and graduates will again serve as camp counselors. In addition, this year’s camp co-director is Elizabeth Osborn, Ph.D., representing IU’s Center on Representative Government.

The IU Columbus iEngage program is funded by the Heritage Fund Positive Change Grant, Duke Energy, the Cummins Foundation, Bill and Norma Perry Memorial Fund, Don and Doddy Harvey Philanthropic Fund, the IU Center on Representative Government, and IU’s Office of School and Community Partnerships through Lilly Endowment’s Indiana Youth Programs on Campus.

In addition, iEngage is partnered with the Foundation for Youth, the Council for Youth Development, Indiana University Columbus, Indiana University’s Political and Civic Engagement program, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.

To learn more about iEngage, including how to get involved, visit go.iu.edu/iengage. To donate to the Columbus iEngage program, visit go.iu.edu/iengagesupport.

Columbus Parks and Rec Announces Columbus City Cemetery Clean Up Dates

Columbus City Cemetery, south of Donner Park, is scheduled for spring clean-up on Monday, April 1st, 2024. Those who have family plots in the Cemetery are asked to pick-up any items that they wish to save by Sunday, March 31st. Parks Department personnel will remove and discard worn and out-of-season decorations that remain on the ground on Monday, April 1st.

Fall clean-up is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1st, 2024

For more information: (812) 376-2599

Columbus Department of Public Works Announces Yard Waste Collection Details

The Columbus Department of Public Works has announced that Starting Monday the 18th through December 13th of this year, the Sanitation Department will begin running weekly brush and yard waste toter collection routes. Brush and yard waste toters will be collected on the same day as trash collection.

The City yard waste program is intended for the disposal of common green yard wastes such as grass clippings, weeds, leaves, and flowers.

The Department of Public works would like to remind residents that yard waste toters must be free of:

· Trash or recycling of any kind, such as garden pots and soil bags

· Sticks, branches, wood, or tree trimmings

· Rocks and mulch

· Household food

· Pet waste

To participate in the brush collection program, please have your brush stacked neatly at the curb on your trash day by 7 a.m. for chipper truck collection. Large piles of brush exceeding 6’ in length, or are larger than a pick-up truck load, must be submitted for collection through the CurbCycle App, or called in to the Department of Public Works Office at 812-376-2509 for collection.

For more information about the brush and yard waste collection programs, including a full list of acceptable yard waste materials, please visit our website at https://www.columbus.in.gov/public-works/. Follow the Department of Public Works on Facebook @ColumbusRecycles.

Legal Aid District 11 Hosting Legal Aid Walk in Clinic on Tuesday

Legal Aid District 11 is holding a free Legal Aid Walk-In Clinic on Tuesday, March 19th, at the Jennings County Public Library, on State Highway 3, in North Vernon, from 3pm to 5 p.m.

The Legal Aid Clinic and Pro Bono Program utilize local volunteer attorneys, offering free legal advice to low-income individuals who might not otherwise be able to afford the counsel of an attorney.

Individuals coming to the Legal Aid Clinic on March 19th will receive a  free 10-minute consultation to answer general and eviction questions, offer legal information, or receive other limited assistance or advice. This is a in person event and on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no need to register in advance.

Fire Destroys Home in Clifford

The Clifford Volunteer Fire Department battled a fire early Friday morning that destroyed a local residence.

When firefighters arrived on the scene heavy flames and smoke were prevalent. Crews attacked the blaze from all sides and eventually extinguished the house fire.

The Hope Volunteer Fire Department and Flat Rock Volunteer Fire Department assisted with operations and manpower.

All occupants of the home made it out of the fire safely. No injuries were reported and officials did not give an estimate of damages.

Photos Courtesy of Clifford Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Steve Norman Appointed Columbus Chief of Police

Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon announced Friday that Deputy Chief Steve
Norman, has been appointed the next Chief of Police for the Columbus Police
Department (CPD).

Norman will officially take office on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, following
his swearing-in ceremony at the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting at
Columbus City Hall.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of our next Chief of Police. His dedication to
serving our community, his integrity, and his leadership skills make him the perfect fit for
this role.” Mayor Ferdon continued, “I have no doubt that under Chief Norman’s
guidance, the Columbus Police Department will continue to uphold the highest
standards of professionalism and work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of
all our residents.”

A 29-year veteran of the Columbus Police Department, Norman began as a patrolman
in 1994 and has served in a variety of supervisory leadership roles including a narcotics
detective, public information officer, uniform lieutenant, uniform captain, and deputy
chief over the last 25 years. He was appointed as deputy chief by Chief Mike
Richardson in January of 2020, whom will retire from CPD at the start of June 2024 and
was recently appointed Director of Security and Risk for the city of Columbus.
The chief of police oversees the daily activities of the 85 police officers and multiple
support staff in the Columbus Police Department. In addition to this role, the chief also
collaborates closely with the Mayor, the Common Council, Board of Public Works and
Safety, various city departments, and a range of public and private organizations and
citizen groups.

Mayor Ferdon noted, “I would like to thank the interview committee which included leaders from within the City and community who dedicated their time to make to assist in the important decision”.

Norman is a 1992 graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Criminal Justice and Criminology. He has held multiple state mandated certifications
throughout his career. He is a lifelong resident of Bartholomew County and resides with
his wife, Janae, and their three children.

“I am committed to developing the future leaders of this department. I am determined to
make the Columbus Police Department, Columbus, Indiana, and Bartholomew County
the very best that it can be,” stated Norman.

In his first move, Norman appointed Matt Martindale to be Deputy Chief of the department.
Martindale’s career in policing began in 2012 after graduating from the Indiana
University Police Academy. He continued on, receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in
Criminal Justice in 2013. A native of South Bend, Martindale began working for the
Columbus Police Department in 2014 and moved to Columbus at that time. While
serving as a patrol officer for 4 years, he became involved as a field training officer and
with the DARE program. He also joined the department’s bomb squad and currently
serves as the commander. In 2018, Martindale was assigned as a detective in the
criminal investigations division and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2019.