IUPUC’s master’s degree program in mental health counseling is being recognized by a regional organization for being an outstanding and innovative program.

The school has received the Innovative Counselor Education Program Award from the North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, which covers 13 states. IUPUC received the award, after making changes to the curriculum in 2018 in response to the rise in cases of substance abuse disorder..

Faculty members Dr. Stephanie Scifres and Dr. Darrin Carr modified the curriculum with three new addictions-focused courses that better prepare graduates to counsel clients with substance abuse disorders, and also enabled graduates to apply for an additional license as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor Associate.

The program organizers also decided to combat the opioid epidemic through the hiring process, grant writing and scholarship. Faculty members participate in organizations such as Bartholomew County Substance Abuse Council, and the ASAP Opioid Prevention Action Team. IUPUC also opened the Tom and Barbara Schoellkopf Community Counseling Center on the campus, which serves students and the community.

Bartholomew County Councilwoman Laura DeDomenic is stepping down from her council seat to take a full-time job with the County Auditor’s office, according to the Republic newspaper.

The paper is reporting this morning that DeDomenic turned in her resignation from the council yesterday to take a position as county government payroll administrator in the office of Auditor Pia O’Connor. An elected official can not work in a department where they set the salary, leading to her resignation.

DeDomenic represents Council District 2, which covers northwestern Bartholomew County. The county Republican party will hold a caucus to appoint someone from that district to finish the rest of her term.

You can get more information at therepublic.com

A Walesboro-area alloyed aluminum manufacturer is planning to add 10 new jobs in Columbus as part of a more than $6.1 million dollar expansion.

Nikkei MC Aluminum America asked Columbus City Council last night for a tax break on a $1.2 million dollar expansion of its facility on Inwood Drive and $4.9 million in new manufacturing equipment. The company says that the expansion will let it keep 85 existing jobs and add 10 more by July of next year. The average wage of the new jobs would be $15.30 per hour.

The company started in Columbus in 1989 as MC Aluminum America with 20 employees. The company manufactures aluminum alloys usable for automotive components from scrap aluminum according to the presentation to City Council. The expansion will allow the company to provide all of the aluminum it ships next door to Enkei Wheels as molten metal, instead of having part of the aluminum provided as cooled ingots. The company will be adding a furnace and processing equipment.

The tax abatement would phase in the taxes on the real property and personal property over 10 years, saving the company about $413,000 dollars in taxes over the life of the abatement.

Columbus City Council approved the abatement request.

Columbus Regional Health is looking for participants for a survey of residents about their opinions, precautions and reactions to COVID-19. And they are offering a chance to win various gift cards to those who take part.

The hospital is looking for information on participant’s personal well-being, the community and CRH’s response to COVID-19 and continued care, and overall perceptions.

In addition to the grand prize winner, who will receive a $350 package of gift cards, there will also be 50 other winners of $5 gift cards to Gramz Bakery and $5 gift cards to Lucabe Coffee.

You can find a link to the survey here.

Indiana’s U.S. Attorney, Josh Minkler, is explaining the laws that ensure you can vote safely, accurately and without intimidation or influence.

Minkler said recently that every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud.

According to authorities, federal law protects against intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes. It also provides that you can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass you.

Minkler says that Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Preston will be leading his office’s efforts on Election Day. She will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at 317-452-0242 or at 317-229-2401.

The FBI will have special agents available in each field office to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. You can reach the local FBI field office at 317-595-4000.

In the case of a crime of violence or intimidation he suggest you call 911 immediately.

You can also make complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC at 800-253-3931 or find a link to a complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/

Bartholomew County Commissioners are lifting the burn ban they put in place on Friday. That comes after rains overnight and today, plus more rain expected through the week.

The burn ban limited campfires, open burning, debris burning and the use of burn barrels over the weekend.

Commissioners formally ratified the ban they put in place at this morning’s meeting, then moments later formally lifted the ban.

Bartholomew County Commissioners also extended the partial closing of county government buildings through Nov. 14th, based on last week’s decision by the governor to keep the state at Stage 5 of the Back on Track Indiana plan. The commissioners announced that county buildings would remain closed to the public except by appointment only. The lockdown was originally set to be lifted on Oct. 31st.