A multi-million dollar water project in the town of Hope will be a bit cheaper than expected.

Although initial estimates put the project cost at $2.3 million, the low bid has come in at about $1.8 million. Even including an option that will make it possible to do the work without calling for frequent boil-water advisories, the cost would still be about $2 million, town officials were told this week.

The project would replace and improve many of the town’s water mains, most of which are about 80 years old.

The town and its advisers are scheduled to take part in a pre-loan meeting today and to close on the loan from the state revolving fund in early December. After that, the Town Council can award the bids for the project.

First Christian Church, Federal Express and the Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center will be sponsoring a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

The meal will be at the church, at the corner of Fourth Street nd Lafayette Avenue.

Home deliveries will be available for those who can’t make it to the church. You can make arrangements for delivery by calling the church at 812-379-4491 before 4 p.m. Monday.

Former local congressman Lee Hamilton will be receiving a prestigious honor from the president next week.

He will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony Nov. 24. Hamilton, who had an attorney’s office in Columbus when he first took office, represented our area in Congress for 34 years.

Hamilton is a distinguished scholar in the Indiana University School of Global and International Studies and a professor of practice in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He served for 16 years as director of IU’s Center on Congress at Indiana University,  which he founded in 1999.

A White House statement called Hamilton “one of the most influential voices on international relations and American national security over the course of his more than 40 year career.”

Hamilton will be one of 17 people receiving the award next week. The wards are the highest civilian award given by the country and were founded in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence is standing by his decision to try to block Syrian refugees from being settled in the state.

In making the Executive Decision, Pence said that his main duty, as Governor, is to keep the residents of Indiana safe. He went on to say that he was unwilling to risk the safety of Hoosiers at a time when Islamic terrorists appear to be using the refugee situation in Syria as a way to infiltrate their targets. Multiple media outlets have reported that at least one of the attackers in Paris was in possession of a fake passport, identifying him as a Syrian. These passports are reportedly very easy to get for people looking to enter Europe.

The Governor is using the Obama Administration’s own statements in reaffirming his decision. Matt Lloyd, Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications and Strategy, cited statements made on October 8 by President Obama’s FBI Director, James Comey. In testimony before Congress, Comey stated that “gaps” remain in the United States’ process of screening Syrian refugees. Among the statements made by the FBI Director, the Pence Administration had particular concern with the following two:

Comey said, “There is risk associated of bringing anybody in from the outside, but specifically from a conflict zone like that.” He added, “There is no such thing as a no-risk enterprise and there are deficits that we face.”

Lloyd went on to say that that Comey, and other national security officials, have stated that the lack of solid, on-the-ground intelligence assets in Syria has “clouded the U.S.’s ability to crosscheck the backgrounds of every refugee hoping to come to the U.S.”

Gov. Pence says that while Indiana, and her residents, are welcoming, he will do everything in his power to keep a terrorist attack from occurring in the state. He also noted that he wasn’t against resuming help to displaced Syrians in the future. However, he added that more must be done to insure that the vetting process for those seeking refugee status is clear, rigorous and thorough.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is looking for its most wanted suspect this week.

Department Spokesperson Judy Jackson says that Deputies are searching for 34-year-old Aubri Rae Hyden. She is reportedly wanted on an outstanding warrant for dealing methamphetamine. Hyden is described as while, five-feet, three-inches tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes.

If you fave information on Hyden’s whereabouts, please call the Sheriff’s Department Tip Line at (812) 379-1712. Tips can be left anonymously.

A Columbus man was seriously hurt in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday near Clifford.

Indiana State Police (ISP) Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says that ISP Troopers and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the crash at about 5 p.m. on County Road 550 North.

According to the initial investigation by Trooper Matt Holley, a car driven by 26-year-old Tyler D. Downs was traveling westbound on County Road 550 North when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle left the south side of the roadway. The vehicle then struck a mailbox and a tree before overturning. Investigators say the vehicle rolled at least twice before coming to a stop while inverted. During the crash, Downs was ejected from the vehicle.

Downs was reportedly transported by Lifeline Medical Helicopter to Methodist Hospital with life-threatening injuries. A female passenger, 28-year-old Catricia M. Hoard, of Elizabethtown and a two-year-old girl sustained minor injuries. State Police say that Hoard refused treatment at the scene.

ISP say that Downs was not believed to be wearing his seat-belt at the time of the crash. Investigators add that it is not yet known if alcohol or drugs played a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation by Trooper Holley.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is still working to Pack a Patrol Car with nonperishable food for Love Chapel.

The sheriff’s department has containers set up in the lobby of their building on Second Street where you can drop off food donations. Non-perishable food suggestions include canned foods, boxed pasta, peanut butter and cereal.

Food will be collected until Friday night. The food will be delivered to Love Chapel by deputies on Monday.

The Love Chapel food bank is operated by the Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County churches.

Columbus city crews and Franks Tree Service on Friday will be harvesting the Christmas trees donated by local residents to decorate City Hall and The Commons,

Michael Nolting, spokesman for the city, says the 22-foot blue spruce that will decorate City Hall is being donated by Lee Ann Mitchell of Yellowood Court. She said she is donating the tree in memory of her late husband Greg, who died unexpectedly this fall from liver cancer.

Shelley and Jerry Coomer of North Gladstone Avenue are donating a 15-foot tall blue spruce that will be displayed at The Christmas Village at The Commons. Nolting said the family has decorated the tree for many years, but it finally got too big for the family to handle.

Duke Energy is reporting that 1,017 Columbus customers are without power this morning. The affected area stretches from Mapleton to Clifty Drive in East Columbus. There’s no word yet on what caused the outage but the company is estimating power will be restored by 9 a.m.

The Columbus Redevelopment Commission is holding a special joint meeting Thursday afternoon with the city’s Board of Aviation Commissioners to discuss the city’s plans for the infrastructure and marketing of a proposed research & development / industrial park in Walesboro.

The city and the Aviation Board are working together to sell and develop approximately 470 acres of the former airport site. The aviation board currently controls use of the property. Any sale of the acreage is subject to the approval of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. Department of Defense. Airport Board Chairman Caleb Tennis says that he expects both groups to give approval to the plan.

Mayor Kristen Brown, who will be replaced by City Councilman Jim Lienhoop in January, have been exchanging words via local media, as well as social media, about how the project is being handled. Mayor Brown, in response to comments made by Lienhoop in the local newspaper, invited him to attend Thursday’s meeting to contribute to the process. Lienhoop declined, citing prior commitments.

Thursday’s meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside City Hall. You are encouraged to attend.