A Columbus boy died Saturday while riding a dirt bike in southern Bartholomew County according to Indiana conservation officers.

The officers say that the accident happened at about 2:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon in the 12000 block of West 525 South when the 5-year-old was riding the dirt bike up an incline, lost control and crashed into a tree.

Family members tried to revive the boy and he was taken to Southwest Fire Department in Ogilville for further assistance. The boy was then flown to IU Riley Hospital for Children by Lifeline helicopter, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators say that he was wearing a helmet and other protective safety equipment at the time of the accident.

Other assisting agencies include Bartholomew County Sheriff Department, Columbus Regional Hospital Ambulance.

An auto lighting fixture manufacturer in Seymour plans to add on to its facility at Freeman Field Industrial Park.

“The Tribune” in Seymour is reporting that the Valeo North America asked for tax abatements on its planned investment of $22.4 million. The paper says the project will result in about 78,000 square feet of new floor space but will not create any new jobs at this time.

Seymour City Council approved the abatements last week.

Valeo is the largest employer in Jackson County.

For more on this story, visit tribtown.com.

We are taking a look back at our top stories of the year 2019.

In late January, the bitter cold temperatures were the top story. Forecasters said the wind chill could hit 20 below. Shannan Hinton, Bartholomew County’s director of emergency management, said that your best bet was stay indoors…

Earlier in the month, a Seymour grandmother and grandson were found dead after a suspected murder/suicide. The Seymour Police Department said that dispatchers received a 911 call from 68-year-old Wanda Huber. Huber made sure that police had her correct address, noting that a murder had just occurred. When police arrived at the home, they reported finding that she had apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. Officers also found her grandson shot in the head.

Also in January, rescue workers futilely searched Big Blue River looking for a possible victim who disappeared into the river. A caller to 911 reported a man who went into the frigid water from the top of the dam near State Road 252 and River Road at Edinburgh and was swept downstream. The search was eventually called off and no victim identified.

In February, the candidacy of Chris Rutan for Columbus City Council was being challenged in an attempt to remove him from the ballot. He was facing accusations of financial wrongdoing in his role as a rental property manager, but there were no felony convictions against the candidate. Rutan denied the charges made in the complaint.

Ultimately, the Bartholomew County Election Board voted that it had no grounds to remove Rutan from the May Republican primary ballot.

Also in February, police rescued a 12-year-old girl on Interstate 65 after a carjacking in Seymour with the girl still inside the vehicle. A Seymour woman reported that her car was missing from the Dollar General Store on Tipton Street, and that her daughter was still inside. The girl then called dispatchers, saying that she was inside the car and that a woman had taken the vehicle and was not letting her go.

The girl stayed on the line and continued to provide information and landmarks until Columbus police and Bartholomew County deputies caught up with the vehicle on Interstate 65 at the Columbus exit.

Earlier in the month, an early morning fire seriously damaged the Burger King restaurant in Taylorsville. Firefighters located the fire between the building’s roof and the drop ceiling in the kitchen. Firefighters on the roof discovered the fire extended to the building’s rubber roof and the kitchen ventilation system.

In March, Columbus Regional health officials announced that high rates of smoking in Bartholomew and surrounding counties are leading to higher rates than expected of lung cancer.

Dr. Mark Henderson, a radiation oncologist at Columbus Regional Health explained:

Henderson says that the vast majority of lung cancers are directly related to smoking.

Also in March, the town of Hope decided to move forward with a grant request for a project to beautify and brighten the town square. The Town Council approved a request from the non profit Main Street of Hope organization to apply for state funds to replace more than 40 aging and dim street lights in and around the square, and to upgrade the sidewalks and trails through the small park to make them accessible under ADA standards.

Susan Thayer-Fye, director of the Main Street group explained.

Earlier in the month, the Brownstown area was hit by a tornado during a bomb cyclone weather event. The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado briefly touched down, damaging a barn, grain silo, trees and irrigation system. The estimated winds were 94 mph and the 40-yard wide tornado was on the ground for about a mile and a quarter.

If you are in recovery and looking for an alcohol-free New Year’s Eve event in Columbus, the Recover Out Loud group will be holding their second Sober Bash.

John Cunningham, an organizer for the event says that will be at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Tuesday night. Events start at 7 p.m. with food and fellowship. The celebration will start at 8 p.m.

A suggested donation of $5 is requested.

North Vernon police are looking for the public’s help finding a suspect in a burglary case.

The department issued the call on social media this morning, seeking information on a black man seen in photos wearing what appears to be a leather jacket on top of a hoodie with the word “Individual” in large letters around the outside front of the hood.

If you have any information North Vernon Police are asking that you call 812-346-1466.

Sheriff’s deputies are warning of a rental property scam that is popping up on social media. They say that you can get ripped off through Facebook Marketplace if you find a rental property listed at well below market value.

Scammers will find an ad with a property renting for say $2,000 a month, and then relist the same information at a much lower cost.

The Better Business Bureau says the scammers want you to act quickly to catch the deal before someone else does. The goal is to get you to pay the security deposit and rent to the scammer online, without a real lease or ability to move into the property. They will frequently ask you to wire the money and claim that they can’t meet you in person because they are out of town. They will promise to mail you the key after receiving the money, but no key ever arrives and you are out the cash.

Johnson County deputies say you should protect yourself by confirming who actually owns the property before providing personal information or money. Legitimate companies will require some sort of contract. You should contact the company directly to confirm that it is legitimate.