An Austin man is behind bars after a stabbing.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department says that deputies were called to the 8400 block of County Road 850 East at about 10:45 p.m. Thursday. The victim was reportedly stabbed in the back twice by 19-year-old Nicholas Couch, the brother of the victim’s girlfriend.

Authorities say that Couch and the victim live at the same address. There was an argument between the two over text messages that the victim sent to Couch’s mother. During the argument, police say that Couch pulled out a hunting knife and stabbed the victim. The two were ultimately separated by others.

The victim was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital. He was later released.

Couch is being held on charges of Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon and Disorderly Conduct.

Columbus police say that they arrested a wanted man who threw a can of soda at an officer and tried to run away.

The incident starts at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon in the 1300 block of Union Street. Officers spoke to a man who allegedly gave a fake name. He turned out to be 28-year-old Roger K. Godsey of Columbus who was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Jennings County. As they tried to take him into custody, he allegedly took off and threw a can at an officer, splattering police with the contents.

Officers tried to hit him with a Taser but it was not effective and he continued to flee, jumping a fence and running through several yards before being caught about a block away.

He is facing preliminary charges of battery on a public safety officer, resisting law enforcement and false informing along with the original warrant.

The Civil Air Patrol has been holding its largest training activity of the year – the National Emergency Services Academy, at Camp Atterbury and Columbus Municipal Airport.

According to an announcement from the U.S. Air Force, the academy hosted 52 Air Force officers from 38 bases around the world. In addition to its Air Force students, more than 500 CAP members have participated in NESA this year from every state.

The Columbus event has included a new Pilot Prep Program — a Civil Air Patrol introduction to aviation designed to identify future fliers. That program provided six to eight hours of actual flight from Columbus Municipal Airport along with ground instruction and additional training time in flight simulators. The goal is to make the participants competitive for the Air Force’ Undergraduate Flight Training Selection Board in September.

Brian Payne, the city’s airport director, says that the event has had more than 600 takeoffs from the airport over the past few weeks and led to a significant amount of fuel sales for the airport.

The activities are slated to wrap up this weekend. You can get more information about the Pilot Prep Program here.

In Jennings County, Dave O’Mara Contractors will be starting a paving project on Monday that will affect 9.7 miles of U.S. 50. This is part of a $3.1 million dollars paving and patching project.

The work will be taking place from east of State Road 3 to nine miles west of U.S .421. Flaggers will be in the area directing traffic and you can expect delays due to lane closures due to the work.

The work is expected to last until Oct. 31st.

INDOT asks that you use caution through work zones and keep an eye out for crews and equipment.

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A Columbus woman has been chosen as one of 33 creative entrepreneurs across the state to participate in the 2019 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator, the Indiana Arts Commission announced this week.

Graphic designer Brooke Hawkins will receive $2,000 to travel to New York to attend the Adobe 99U Conference. She plans to hear from a diverse group of thinkers and to participate in hands-on workshops featuring new disciplines and technologies.

Following a three-day entrepreneurship workshop, the 33 fellows were eligible to request up to $2,000 to implement their newly honed career goals, business skills, and community engagement learning.

Click here for more information on the 2019 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator

The Indiana Department of Transportation says that lane restrictions on U.S. 31 in Jackson County will begin next week.

INDOT says that crews from E&B Paving will close U.S. 31 and implement lane restrictions between Crothersville and Uniontown on or after Monday, July 29. The work, which is dependent on the weather, consists of bridge replacement and bridge deck overlay projects in Jackson County.

U.S. 31 will close over Grassy Creek, between County Road 500 South and County Road 400 South for approximately 120 days while crews complete an $870,000 bridge replacement project. The road is expected to reopen by November 29th.

Lane restrictions with a temporary traffic signal will be in place at Blau Ditch between County Road 500 South and County Road 600 South for approximately 100 days for an $890,000 bridge deck overlay project. The road is expected to reopen by November 11th.

The official state detour for both closures is State Road 250 to I-65.

A ground-breaking ceremony for a new $1.2 million dollar, 8,000 square-foot Hindu Temple is set for Saturday, August 3rd on West Goeller Road in Columbus.

Organizers say the new temple will accommodate about 700 people during Hindu festivals and other special celebrations. The temple will include a sanctuary, a stage, kitchen and an open area for special events. The site is also expected to function as a Hindu community center catering to the recreational and social needs of the community. It will host classes for India’s music, dance and languages.

The work is expected to be finished by next spring.

The ground-breaking ceremony with ancient Hindu rituals conducted by seven priests; will be held at the site, located at 7930 West Goeller Road from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 3rd. A free lunch is included.

Everyone is welcome to attend the the groundbreaking ceremony.

Indiana Department of Transportation is announcing lane restrictions on U.S. 31 in Bartholomew County starting next week for projects replacing a box culvert and repair a bridge.

Work is set to start Monday, as Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. works on a box culvert south of County Road 100S, almost nine miles north of the Jackson County line. INDOT reports both shoulders of U.S. 31 will be closed and a 12-foot width restriction will be in place, with one lane open in each direction.

Dave O’Mara will also be working on a a bridge deck overlay on U.S. 31, just south of State Road 7, over Fishers Fork. An 11-foot width restriction will be in place while work is completed on the bridge.

All work is weather dependent and is expected to be complete by November 15.

Columbus police have arrested another wanted man on a bicycle downtown.

Officers noticed 36 year old Thomas E. Childers of Columbus near a home in the 1300 block of Lafayette Avenue at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and realized he was wanted on an outstanding Marion County warrant. During a search of his clothing, officers report finding a clear plastic bag containing heroin.

He was arrested on the outstanding warrant and on a new charge for possession of heroin.

The city of Columbus and local not for profit groups will be celebrating a new pilot program for affordable housing today — a home built by high school students on a formerly blighted downtown property.

Eric Frey, with Administrative Resources Association, explains that the Pearl Street property formerly held a condemned home that was an eyesore.

The property now contains a brand new affordable home built by high school C4 students through a partnership between several local agencies including the Southern Indiana Housing Development Corporation, Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center, United Way of Bartholomew County and Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

Frey said the Lincoln Central Homebuyer Program developed through the mayor’s council on safe and affordable housing.

The goal was to help a first time homeowner purchase a property in Columbus — a city with high barriers to entry for new and lower income homeowners.

Frey said that the first attempt has been a success and the group plans to offer a similar opportunity soon.

There will be a celebration today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the new home in the 1500 block of Pearl Street.

Frey said that if there is anyone interested in participating in the next effort, you can contact Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center to get the ball rolling.