The Bartholomew County Council continues its work on next year’s budget. Councilman Jorge Morales compares last year’s budget sessions to this year’s…

Morales, and other council members, say that its important to “take care” of county employees, especially after the hit they took last year on increased healthcare costs…

One of the measures being considered is reducing the work week for county employees from 40 hours to 37.5, while keeping their weekly pay the same. Council members say that employees working in public safety would stay at 40 hours. Morales says that he isn’t sure that this is fair to the employees…

In addition to the reduced hours, the council is also considering a pay-raise of up to 2.5-percent for all county employees. Morales says that, while he wants employees to receive a raise, it would essentially be doubled for those whose work weeks are reduced.

Council members say that if employees need to work more than 37.5 hours, they will receive straight-time up to 40 hours, then time-and-a-half after that.

The council is scheduled to meet again Tuesday at 5 p.m. to continue budget talks. Sessions are also scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. You are invited.

Paver repairs are set to begin Monday along Fourth Street in Columbus.

The Columbus City Engineer’s Office says that Decorative Paving Company will be doing the work. These repairs are set to take place along the sidewalk and center drain areas, say officials. They say that the repairs should minimize the tripping hazards that have developed due to settling.

The Engineer’s Office says that the contractor anticipates each block taking one week to complete. However, they have until September 16th to complete the work in the event of poor weather.

Officials say that the work will begin on the east block, from Washington Street to Franklin Street, on Monday. From there, the work will move to the west block, from Jackson Street to Washington Street, beginning the week of September 6th.

March of Dimes will be holding a community baby shower for mothers and families in South Central Indiana at Fair Oaks Mall, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The event will be just inside the mall’s main entrance and attendees will be able to take classes in breastfeeding, safe sleep, smoking cessation, nutrition, baby wearing and more.

Participants will also receive an Infant Survival Kit which includes a Graco Pack-n-Play, a wearable blanket, pacifier and recommendations to take home.

The slate of candidates are set for November’s school board elections in Bartholomew County.

After a noon deadline today, all three incumbents in the Bartholomew Consolidated school board races will see opponents, while the voters in Flat Rock-Hawcreek school district will see only familiar names on the ballot.

In Bartholomew Consolidated schools District 3, incumbent Polly Verbanic will face Jim Persinger. In District 5, board member Pat Bryant will face Tim Woods and in District 7, Jeff Caldwell will face Dennis White..

In Flat Rock-Hawcreek schools Steve Wilson will run unopposed for re-election in the Hawcreek District and Brian Rose faces no opposition in the Flat Rock District.

An attempted bicycle theft on Thursday morning led to the arrest of a Columbus man on battery charges.

Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus police, says officers were called to the incident in the 1300 block of Central Avenue at about 9:55 a.m. Thursday to see the victim jump into the back of a moving truck to avoid an attack by two men. Officers caught and arrested one of the alleged attackers, 22 year-old Kwayshar M. Booker.

The victim said he ws riding his bike when Booker allegedly threatened to steal it, knocked the victim off the bike and then started a fight. Booker was arrested on a preliminary charge of battery with bodily injury.

The second suspect ran away and has not yet been caught, Harris said.

If you are used to voting a straight party ticket in the November election, you will need to take extra steps this November.

A new state law requires that straight party votes will not be applied to at-large races such as those for Bartholomew County Council. County Clerk Jay Phelps explains that the county’s election officials will be trying to get the word out before Election Day that you must vote individually for each of the at-large races.

He said that will include signs at the voting centers and on the voting machine ballots themselves.

08-26 Jay Phelps Election-1

If you need dental care, but can’t afford it, White River Dental on Jonathan Moore Pike will be offering free dental care to at least the first 50 patients who show up tomorrow morning.

The third annual Dentistry from the Heart event will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m., and the first patients seen at 8 a.m. Although many people will arrive earlier. Jerry Strickland, spokesman for the dental clinic, says that in previous years people have begun lining up as early as midnight. He cautions that you should dress appropriately for the weather, bring a lawn chair and make sure you have drinks or snacks, if you need them.

Strickland says the clinic will be performing limited services on a first-come first serve basis — either fillings, extractions or cleanings.

The clinic is at 2459 W. Jonathan Moore PIke. For more information go to www.WRDental.com.

Jennings County deputies have made another arrest in relation to the slew of drug overdoses Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Lt. Mike Mowery, spokesman for the sheriff’s department, says that officers were investigating the overdoses and gathered enough information to serve a search warrant on a home on West Mark Drive. While searching the home at about 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, deputies allegedly found a small amount of drugs, stolen handguns and drug paraphernalia.

They arrested 18-year-old Jordan McCarty on preliminary charges including altering the serial number on a handgun, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Jackson County United Way (JCUW) will be kicking off its 2016-2017 campaign next week. Sean Hildreth, JCUW Resource Development Director, says the campaign is entitled: “Growing Together: From Roots to Results Campaign.” He says that a kickoff celebration will be held Wednesday, August 31, at the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce.

Hildreth adds that the JCUW is has JCB Vice President, Mary Ellen Jaynes, serving as Campaign Chair, while Rick and Jennifer Meyer serves as Campaign Vice-Chairs. Officials say that they look to reach a goal of $810,000, which is five-percent higher than the goal for the 2015-16 campaign.

“JCUW fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our county. We can’t do this alone, this work is challenging, all encompassing, and weaved together. We need collective impact where all organizations and individuals are working to create a stronger community,” said Jaynes.

Hildreth says that there are avenues available to help make the most out of community donations. They include:

– All new gifts of $100 or more earn dollar for dollar match.
– Any increases of any amount earn a dollar for dollar match on the increased amount.
– Giving at a Leadership Club level makes an even greater impact.

Leadership Club Levels

PATRON: $500
BOOSTER: $1,000
MERIT: $1,500
PACESETTER: $3,000
JACKSON SOCIETY: $5,000
Hildreth says that giving to the Jackson County United Way can be done in many ways. These include: cash, check, or charge. He adds that you may also have your pledge billed throughout 2017. The JCUW says that they are also looking for volunteers to organize or lead a workplace campaign where employees can sign up to give a payroll deduction gift. For more information, send an email to [email protected], or call (812)-522-5450.

A Wednesday afternoon traffic stop by the Indiana State Police in Jackson County led to the discovery of heroin and drug paraphernalia, as well as the arrests of two Seymour residents.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, ISP spokesman, says that the investigation began when Trooper Randel Miller stopped a car heading south on I-65 near the 51 mile marker, just north of the Seymour exit. During the traffic stop, Miller reportd seeing “indicators of criminal activity.” The Trooper’s K-9, “Jinx,” reportedly alerted to the odor of an illegal substance coming from the vehicle. During a search of the car, Trp. Miller and Trp. Jimmy Wells allegedly found a syringe and other drug paraphernalia. The driver, 26-year-old Clinton Johnson and his passenger, 24-year-old Sara Biggs, were subsequently arrested.

While at the jail, officers there allegedly found that Biggs was concealing two bags of suspected heroin on her body. Trp. Miller also reported that Johnson had originally provided a false name during the traffic stop.

Both Johnson and Biggs were charged with felony charges of Possession of Heroin and Possession of a Syringe, along with a misdemeanor charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In addition, ISP says that Johnson is facing charges of Identity Theft, False Informing and Driving While Suspended.

Indiana State Police say that these arrests come after numerous heroin drug overdoses occurred in Jennings and Jackson Counties.