Starting tomorrow, it is time again to pick up low-cost mulch or compost recycled here in Columbus and Bartholomew County.

The loading program for Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District starts Friday and will be held on Fridays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. behind the Bartholomew County and Columbus Recycling Center on Mapleton. Bartholomew County residents will be able to get the pickup sized scoop for $10 per load.

To take part in the mulch or compost loading program, you must first stop at the office and pay by check or with exact cash at the black box on the porch. Then take a ticket marked “M” for mulch or “C” for compost to the loading area.

The Friday Loading Program is for Bartholomew County residents only and no businesses are allowed. For more information call 812-376-2614 or visit www.bcswmd.com.

Bartholomew County deputies arrested an Indianapolis man on drug-related charges after a traffic stop Tuesday night.

The sheriff’s department reports that a deputy stopped a vehicle at Lewis Drive and U.S. 31 at about 9:31 p.m. Tuesday night. The deputy smelled marijuana inside the vehicle and a search revealed two baggies containing a white crystal substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine, and two other baggies containing a green, leafy substance.

The driver, 24-year-old Charles F. Russell of Indianapolis was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine, and for possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and a synthetic drug.

Evidence photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Major renovations are getting ready to start up again on Taylor Road in Columbus.

The Columbus city engineer’s office say that Taylor Road will be closed on or after April 21st from 25th Street to 31st Street. The road should reopen by the end of October.

The improvement project is expanding the road to 11 feet in each direction. There will be an 8 foot concrete side path on the west side and a 5-foot concrete sidewalk on the east side. There will also be new curbs and gutters and mini roundabouts.

The previous phase, from 31st Street to Rocky Ford Road, began last fall and ran through this month.

The engineer’s office says the improvements will make the road significantly safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Former Vice President Mike Pence is shifting from politics to books.

On Wednesday, Simon and Schuster revealed that Pence has signed a double-book deal with the publisher. The first book will be Pence’s autobiography, which at the moment is scheduled to hit book shelves in 2023. In a statement, the former VP said he appreciates having the chance on detailing his work “in public service to the American people.”

The Columbus native is rumored to be considering running for President in 2024. He is scheduled to speak in South Carolina at the end of this month.

He is also starting a new advocacy organization to promote conservative values. Pence said his “Advancing American Freedom” group will build on the success of the past four years. He said in a statement that conservatives will not stand by as the current administration threatens America’s standing as the greatest nation with its destructive policies.

Story courtesy of our news-gathering partners at TTWN Media Networks Inc.

Columbus police are releasing more photos and video of the suspect in vandalisms that left the logo of a white supremacist group on downtown Columbus buildings.

Spray-painted stencils with a logo for a Texas white supremacist group were found on buildings Saturday including First Presbyterian Church, the Cummins corporate office building, in Friendship Alley between Fourth and Fifth streets downtown and on the Jackson Street parking garage.

Authorities believe there is a single suspect who acted alone. Police describe the man as a white male, wearing eye glasses, a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans, and a black backpack.

Police say that if you have any information on the suspect’s identity, you can call the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600. Tips and information can be submitted anonymously.

A wanted local man was arrested after Columbus police recognized him near the downtown area.

Police report that officers spotted 43-year-old Jerome S. Brantley of Columbus while patrolling near 12th Street and Cottage Avenue at about 5:40 p.m. Monday evening. After confirming that Brantley was wanted on an outstanding Bartholomew County warrant, officers took him into custody.

Officers discovered three small bags with a white material inside a nearby vehicle and Brantley allegedly confirmed that they were his and that they contained methamphetamine.

He was arrested on the warrant and on a new charge of possessing the methamphetamine.

INDOT says that you can expect to see rolling roadblocks on Interstate 65 near the Johnson and Shelby counties line tonight and Thursday.

Contractor crews will be demolishing the bridge deck at Johnson County Line Road overnights this week and will slow down and stop the traffic for up to 20 minutes at a time tonight and Thursday. Southbound traffic will be affected tonight, stopping intermittently at State Road 44 between 11 tonight and 5 tomorrow morning. Northbound traffic will be stopped on Thursday night, from 10 at night until 5 in the morning with stoppages at State Road 252

The work is taking place about three miles north of State Road 252.

INDOT says you should consider allowing extra time to reach your destination or use an alternate route to avoid delays.

The work is dependent on the weather.

Bartholomew County deputies will be out in force tomorrow, looking for drivers who are playing with their phones while behind the wheel.

The Connect 2 Disconnect push on April 8th will see high-visibility patrols of deputies reminding motorists not to drive while distracted.

Although there are many kinds of distractions including eating, grooming or fiddling with the stereo, the most pervasive remains texting according to the sheriff’s department.

Officials recommend that you put your phone on Do Not Disturb while you are on the road. You could also lock it in the glove box, stash it in the center console or put it in the back seat

In 2020, Indiana enacted a new law prohibiting distracted driving with fines of up to $500. Indiana drivers are not allowed to hold a mobile device while driving, except in emergencies. Since it went into effect last July, nearly 3 thousand people have been cited and more than 7 thousand, 300 warnings have been given out.

The one-day effort is being funded by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Columbus has put new limits prohibiting the sale of puppies, cats and rabbits in stores within the city. The City Council gave its final approval to the ordinance change last night.

The ordinance bans the sale of those animals at city stores, however the stores are free to work with the city’s Animal Care Services, or nonprofit groups to provide adoptions at their locations.

Nicohl Birdwell-Goodin, director of the city animal shelter, said that the only real change would be blocking the sale of rabbits at Rural King. Neither dogs nor cats are sold elsewhere in the community.

Council voted 5-2 to approve the ordinance change with Frank Miller and Tim Shuffett voting against it.

Plans are underway for a socially distanced prom for Bartholomew Consolidated School students. The school district is planning an outdoor shin-dig for the students at Columbus North, Columbus East and CSA New Tech to be held from 8 to 11 on Saturday, May 1st at Northside Middle School.

The event will take over the football field, patio and cafeteria.

The school district says that seniors and their dates will take priority for tickets. After the senior ticket allotments, there will be a lottery by school where juniors and their dates can try to obtain tickets.

The prom will require wearing masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene and contact tracing. In the event there is a spike of COVID-19 cases in the community, the event may be canceled.

BCSC will live stream the prom arrivals and you can find a link at bcscprom.com.

After prom will be postponed until 2022.