A new restaurant, event space and brewery is being planned for County Road 550S in Bartholomew County.

812 Farms LLC filed with the city of Columbus to operate the new facility at the 147-acre site of the former Oak Knoll Golf Course.

In filings with the city, the company says it will use existing buildings on the property and the applicants intend to utilize the hops that are currently grown on the property for the brewery. They are planning for a restaurant that will seat up to 60 people and an event space that could accommodate up to 150 people. Initially the facility would be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals voted this week to allow conditional use of the property  at 1705 W. County Road 550 South in Wayne Township for the agri-business facility. While outside of city limits, it falls under the Columbus’ two-mile zoning jurisdiction.

While board members expressed some concerns about traffic flow in the area, the request was granted. The facility must still gain state approval.

The Bartholomew County Health Department is offering cholesterol screening. The screenings will be held the mornings of July 10th and July 24th at the department’s office at 2675 Foxpointe Drive, Suite B. Testing will cover total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL as well as Hemoglobin.

The cost for the Cholesterol screening is $15. The cost of the Hemoglobin is $2. Cash, debit, or credit card accepted. Participants must fast 12 hours prior to the Cholesterol screening. Fasting is not required for the Hemoglobin screening. Participants may schedule for both screenings.

For complete details and to schedule an appointment, call (812) 379-1555, Option 1, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a suspect in a hit-and-run that was caught on video. Sheriff Doug Cox says that on Sunday evening, a woman had her vehicle parked in front of her son’s home in the Walnut Woods subdivision when it was struck by someone riding a motorized scooter. A neighbor had video of the incident.

The video showed two people riding scooters in the area of 386 White Oak Lane just before 5:30 p.m. Police say one rider was a male driving a blue scooter and a female with long blond hair driving a black scooter. As the pair were riding around the cul-de-sac, video shows the female driving her scooter into the driver’s side of the parked car. The pair seemed to inspect the damage for several minutes before driving away.

If you have any information on either rider, you are asked to contact the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department Tip-Line at (317) 346-4654 and ask for Detective Jason Wools.

Video: http://bit.ly/2KhDeUf

The final public input meeting for the Envision Columbus downtown plan is coming up on July 9th.

The city of Columbus and Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County are behind the updated downtown plan. The area under consideration is 938 acres stretching from south of the downtown to Donner Park and from Mill Race park to California Street.

The goal is to update the downtown strategic development plan, which was last updated in 2005.

Jamie Brinegar, finance director for the city, says that the city is looking for your thoughts on what should happen in the area.

Brinegar says that projects recommended by the public’s preferences could be considered for funding by the city.

This last public input session will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 9th at Columbus City Hall. You can get more information or take an online survey at the city’s website at envisioncolumbus.org.

INDOT crews will be taking State Road 11 down to a single lane tomorrow between County Road 800S and 850S in Bartholomew County to replace a failed drainage pipe under the road.

Flaggers will direct traffic around the worksite but there will be periods where the entire road will be closed. That could cause some significant delays.

Columbus City Council has canceled next week’s scheduled council meeting.

The meeting was originally set for Monday, July 2nd. The next meeting will now be held on Tuesday, July 17th.

North Vernon city officials continue their work addressing the city’s parks and pool situation. Earlier this year, the city council voted to support a request from the parks board to close the city pool. Officials noted numerous repairs that needed to be made to the pool and surrounding facilities to make it acceptable to open for the summer. Parks officials explained that the options facing the city as it relates to the pool included spending thousands of dollars for temporary repairs that would allow the facility to be open for a single summer, permanently closing the pool or completely redesigning and rebuilding the pool and surrounding area and buildings.

North Vernon is considering issuing bonds to cover the expense of these repairs. The city council approved an ordinance this week that would allow it to pledge funds out of a recently expanded Tax-Increment Financing District to cover the repayment of these bonds. City officials say the move gives them some latitude to cover anticipated expenses.

Work on proposals for the pool are ongoing.

Legal Aid is hosting a free legal clinic for Brown County residents on Tuesday, July 10th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Brown County Public Library in Nashville. These clinics are aimed at low-income residents.

Organizers say that these clinics utilize local attorneys to offer free legal advice to those who may be unable to afford legal help. Those who choose to take part in the clinic can expect to receive a 10 minute consultation to answer general questions, offer legal information, or to receive other limited assistance or advice. Organizers say that clients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis. There is no need to register in advance.

Affordable housing continues to be a challenge for North Vernon city officials.

The City Council and Redevelopment Commission held a joint meeting Monday night to discuss the issue. Members of the Redevelopment Commission noted that this is a good opportunity for both bodies to work together to address a major need for the community.

Members of both bodies say that the city has done much to bring businesses and jobs to North Vernon. Unfortunately, members say they have heard from business leaders that many employees live outside of the city due to a lack of affordable housing.

Shawn Gerkin, North Vernon’s clerk-treasurer, says the tax data verifies this concern. Officials agree that increased housing will better serve area businesses, their employees and improve the city’s tax base.

Members of the redevelopment commission are considering a $50,000 study to determine how best to address the housing problem. City Council voted to express its support of pursuing a solution. A decision on whether or not to proceed with the study is expected in the coming weeks.

If you stop by Texas Roadhouse in Columbus on Thursday, you will see some well-armed wait staff. The Indiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies will be raising money for Special Olympics at the Columbus restaurant as part of their annual Tip-A-Cop event.

Customers will have an opportunity to leave a tip for Special Olympics in a provided envelope that they can either give to their server, or to a trooper stationed at the restaurant’s entrance. You are also encouraged to chat with the officers and to take a look at the vehicles they will have on display at the restaurant. The event runs from 4 to 9 p.m. in the evening.

The goal is to help more than 11,000 athletes with Special Olympics of Indiana. State police posts around the state are working with Texas Roadhouse restaurants in their districts this week for the fundraising program. Since the program began, Tip-A-Cop has raised more than $2.5 million dollars for Special Olympics.