A Butlerville man is under arrest, accused of cutting a woman’s neck with a knife during an argument while she was driving.

Jennings County deputies were called to the area of County Roads 350N and 150E at about 4:04 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and found the woman suffering from a cut across the front of her neck. She said that she and her boyfriend, 34-year-old James Davis were arguing when he pulled a knife and sliced her neck. She stopped the car and got out, but Davis allegedly took over the car and left. A passerby stopped to help the victim until rescue workers arrived.

The victim was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital by Jennings County paramedics where she was treated and later released.

Jennings County authorities learned that Davis had fled the area and a warrant was issued for his arrest. At 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Indiana State Police and Owens County deputies found Davis at a gas station in Cloverdale. He was arrested on charges of aggravated battery and domestic battery with a weapon and will be transported back to Jennings County.

Ivy Tech Community College will be offering virtual express enrollment days for the upcoming June semester throughout the month of May.

During the online appointment, participants will receive assistance with assessment, meeting with an advisor, and registering for classes.

The Columbus campus will be hosting the Express Enrollment Days May 17th through May 20th, from 9 to 6 each day. Ivy Tech Columbus serves Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and Shelby counties with community-based sites in Franklin, Greensburg, North Vernon, Seymour, and Shelbyville.

Classes for the June semester will start on June 7th . Hundreds of classes are available in multiple formats, including through IvyOnline.

To take part you need to RSVP online at IvyTech.edu/EEDay

The town of Hope is bringing back its monthly Cruise-Ins to the town square.

The first Cruise-In to Hope of the season will be held from 5 to 8 on Friday May 7th on the Hope Town Square with cars and trucks on display and prizes for the oldest vehicle, people’s choice and musician’s choice. The Night Owl Country Band will perform on the bandstand from 6 to 8 that evening. Food to go will be available from restaurants on the square.

Organizers will also be accepting donations of food or money to help the Community Center of Hope food bank. The event is being organized by the town and by Main Street of Hope.

The Cruise-ins have been held on the first Fridays of the month, May through October, but were restricted last year during the pandemic. The events re-started in August last year.

The Seymour Chamber of Commerce is announcing the winners of the Dick Moren Agribusiness Scholarships.

The chamber’s Environmental Committee recently announced that Kourtney Otte, a senior at Seymour High School was awarded the $1,000 scholarship. She is the daughter of William and Angie Mousa and will pursue a degree in Agriculture Education at Purdue University.

Macey Stuckwisch, a senior at Brownstown Central High School, was awarded the $500 scholarship. Macey is the daughter of Keith and Misty Stuckwisch and will pursue an Agribusiness Management degree at Ivy Tech Community College.

The scholarships are open to any Jackson County high school senior who will pursue an Ag related degree at a college or university.

Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus is formalizing its nickname and looking for the public’s help finding a costumed mascot style for the school.

The school announced yesterday that it plans to formally be known as the Eagles, and is asking the public to help choose a mascot style from three choices: Fierce, Friendly or Proud.

The school’s former basketball team was known as the Eagles and Chancellor Dr. Steven Combs said the Eagles name fits in well with the school’s campus at the Columbus Municipal Airport.

The mascot will represent the school at community and campus events. The eagle will be named at a later date.

You can view the mascot styles and vote for your favorite at link.ivytech.edu/mascot.

The deadline to vote is Tuesday, April 27th.

The city of Columbus is splitting off an area next to the Bartholomew County Jail into its own special taxing unit. That will be used as a tool to fund a $40 million project including apartments and a downtown grocery.

Columbus City Council this week gave its approval to the proposal to move the property just to the east of the jail into its own tax increment financing district allocation area. It had been previously part of a larger central TIF district encompassing the downtown all the way to Walesboro. A TIF district allows the city redevelopment commission to siphon off increasing property taxes in an area to fund improvements within that zone, essentially allowing development to pay for itself.

The city is partnering with developer Flaherty & Collins of Indianapolis to build 200 apartments and a 12 thousand to 15 thousand square foot grocery at the property just east of the jail. The project would open in about three years. In addition to providing the property for the project, the city through the Columbus Redevelopment Commission would guarantee more than $11 million dollars in bonds.

After the council’s approval, the measure goes back to the redevelopment commission for final actions.

A gas leak Wednesday evening led to the evacuation of about 15 homes and gas being cut off in a larger area, according to Bartholomew County emergency officials.

Columbus Fire Department reported that a vehicle struck a 10-inch gas line at around 6:30 Wednesday evening near County Road 200W and Abbey Place. The road was shut down until Vectren could get the leak under control.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management reports that the gas had to be shut off while repairs were made for an area affecting Lowell Road, Princeton Park and the Talberton neighborhoods, north to the river.

Residents were allowed to return home at around 10:30 p.m. last night.

North Vernon police say that a suspect in a battery incident went on to fight with officers at the scene.

Officers were called to a battery complaint in the Hidden Cove Apartments at about 6 p.m. Tuesday evening where a victim said that she had been battered by another resident. The suspect, 65-year-old Roland A. Foust of North Vernon, called dispatchers to complain that the victim was dumping her trash in the apartment complex dumpster. And then began cursing the dispatchers over the phone.

As police talked with the witness, Foust began to interrupt and when police told him to stop, he allegedly attacked and tried to choke an officer. Foust was arrested on charges including obstruction by interfering with an investigation, battery on a police officer, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

You can get rid of unwanted prescription medications at events across the area Saturday.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration is sponsoring the 20th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The goal is to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal.

Unwanted medications may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post, except the Toll Road Post, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings counties are all part of the Versailles State Police district and that headquarters is at 902 S. Adams Street in Versailles.

North Vernon will be holding a take back event at the North Vernon Fire Department on Madison Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to the DEA and state police, the take back program is for liquids and pills. Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken. Needles, new or used, WILL NOT be accepted for disposal.

This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District is planning Earth Day events on Saturday at the Columbus/Bartholomew County Recycling Center on Mapleton Street.

Activities will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bartholomew County residents can dispose of, free of charge, up to two refrigerant-containing appliances, two gas grill propane tanks, and four personal vehicle tires, without rims. No household hazardous waste will be accepted during the event.

Document shredding will be available from 9 to 1 provided by Toyota Material Handling. The company is also providing free river birch seedlings to everyone attending the event.

Bartholomew County residents can also get one pick-up sized scoop of mulch or compost loaded for free from 8 to noon. You can also register to win a rain barrel kit.

You can get more information on the event and other Earth Day activities on the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District Facebook page.