106.1 The River will be holding Hot Rods and Rock & Roll, its annual free community car show and concert on Saturday, September 18th from 3 to 9 p.m. in the heart of downtown Columbus.

Hot Rods and Rock & Roll, now in its 25th year, is one of the largest single day events in Columbus. Local radio station, 106.1 The River, is committed to keeping this a free event, one that attracts thousands to beautiful downtown Columbus.

The car show begins at 3 p.m. and is followed by a free concert at 7 p.m. featuring “Rick K and the Allnighters.” This energetic band plays classic hits, mainly from the 70s and 80s, but they also include some 60s, some Motown and, some patriotic songs too! Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and maybe a light jacket.

Attendees are always encouraged to visit the wide variety of restaurants and stores in downtown Columbus, who welcome the show every year.

For more information, contact: Brad Jackson, programming coordinator for  106.1 The River at 812-372-4448.

Due to increasing COVID-19 numbers, Our Hospice of South Central Indiana is canceling Camp Eva, a bereavement camp for children, that was originally set for Sept. 18th at Columbus Youth Camp.

Laura Leonard, the hospice president, says that children 5-12 are not yet eligible for vaccinations and organizers did not want to risk exposing the children and their families to the virus.

The hospice offers Transformers, a child/family support group that meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

You can get more information at ourhospice.org

Columbus is going to become a friendly place for bees and other pollinators.

Columbus City Council last night approved efforts to have the city designated as a Bee City USA.

The Bee City USA designation is awarded by the Xerces Society and Columbus would be the first Bee City USA in Indiana. According to the society, Bee City USA works to sustain pollinators by increasing native plants, providing nest sites, and reducing the use of pesticides. Bee cities also encourage pollinator conservation through education and outreach.

A Columbus Pollinator Committee has been pursuing the designation. A series of free public programs has been held throughout the summer, encouraging planting of native plants and flowers that provide vital food to pollinators such as butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Parks staff said the fees for the Bee City application would be paid by the Park Foundation through donations, not from city funds.

Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop swore in three new police officers at this morning’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting at Columbus City Hall.

Kyle Hildebrand is a graduate of Jacksonville Christian Academy in Florida. Hildebrand is an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy graduate and previously worked as a patrol officer with the Greensburg Police Department. He also serves as a volunteer with Columbus Township Fire and Rescue.

Tyler Boswell is a graduate of Jennings County High School and is a graduate of the University of Indianapolis where he earned a Bachelor’ Degree in Criminal Justice. Tyler previously worked as a corrections officer, reserve deputy and most recently a merit deputy with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office.

Ethan Boutwell is originally from Edwardsburg, Michigan. He is attending IUPUC where he serves as a cadet officer and is scheduled to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the spring. Boutwell has served with both the Indiana and Michigan National Guard.

The officers will begin orientation and in-service training at the police department and then continue on to the department’s field training program.

Schneck Medical Center is putting into place its surge plans, in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. That means some surgeries may be delayed.

According to the Seymour hospital, surgeries that require an inpatient admission after surgery, but can be safely postponed, may be delayed.

These postponements will allow Schneck Medical Center to conserve intensive medical resources, such as hospital beds and supplies. Additionally, this will allow caregivers to be reassigned to treat COVID-19 and non-COVID hospitalized patients.

Any patient affected by this will be directly notified and given further instructions. Any postponed procedures will be rescheduled after the surge subsides.

Schneck will continue to provide care for urgent situations and emergency patients.

Schneck is urging the community to get vaccinated, to mask up, to social distance, to wash hands, and to stay home when they are sick.

Dr. Eric Fish, the hospital’s President & CEO, said “This is as dire a situation as we have seen since this pandemic began. “

Indiana State Police intercepted a quarter of a pound of methamphetamine being trafficked from Louisville to southern Indiana on Labor Day.

According to police reports, troopers in the Bloomington district had been investigating 22-year-old Brooklyn E. Smith of Bedford and received information that Smith was making the trip from Louisville with a large amount of methamphetamine. She was intercepted in Lawrence County and was found to be carrying 113 grams of meth.

She is facing charges for dealing and possessing the drugs.

Cummins is pushing back its in-person reopening plans for office workers.

According to company officials, the timeline to fully reopen offices is being pushed back to early 2022.

Jon Mills, spokesman for the Columbus based engine manufacturer, said that Cummis is reevaluating its return-to-office plans and looking at more phased reopening pilots based on local conditions and infection rates.

The company plans to maintain all existing safety precautions, including masking for all employees.

The voluntary return-to-office pilot program at the Corporate Office Building in Columbus will continue for vaccinated employees. Employees need to have completed the vaccine verification process.

Not-for-profit groups whose revenues took a hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic could qualify for a new grant program from Bartholomew County and the city of Columbus.

According to the local governments, the American Rescue Plan provided funds that can be used to aid not-for-profits that meet certain U.S. Department of Treasury uses and guidelines.

Applicants must be headquartered within Bartholomew County and be a 501(c)3 agency in good standing. They must have been in operation for at least the last five years and annual operating expenses must be less than $2 million. The group must provide direct services. And you must demonstrate a detrimental impact as a result of the pandemic.

The deadline to apply, including the application forms and supporting documentation, is Sept. 30th. You can get more information at columbus.in.gov or bartholomew.in.gov.

The U.S. Forest Service is considering raising the prices at campgrounds in the Hoosier National Forest to $10 a night. But there is still time for you to weigh in on the decision.

The increased fees would be at seven campgrounds: Hickory Ridge, Buzzard Roost, Saddle Lake, German Ridge, Blackwell, Shirley Creek and Young’s Creek. Five of the sites currently have no fees, while Saddle Lake is now $5 and German Ridge is $8 per night.

Under the federal Lands Recreation Act, new fees and any fee changes must be proposed and approved by a citizen’s advisory committee. You are invited to comment on the proposed fees with a deadline of October 31st. You can call and leave your comments at 812-275-5987. Or you can send comment by email, online or by mail.

Mail: Hoosier Forest Service, Attention: Stacy Duke, Forest Recreation Program Manager, 811 Constitution Avenue, Bedford, IN 47421

E-mail: [email protected].

Online: https://bit.ly/3yxGfE7

After the deadline, the proposed fee changes and comments will be reviewed by a Recreation Advisory Committee, who will submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.

You can get more information on the projects and fees at https://www.fs.usda.gov/hoosier.

Photo: Water falls from Hemlock Cliffs in Hoosier National Forest. Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service

You could notice some applications on the city of Columbus website stop working today and tomorrow.

The city is planning to upgrade its financial and Human Resources Computer System. The city IT Department and Tyler Technologies are installing a new version of the MUNIS system, which operates the financial, payroll and human resources software for the city.

During the upgrade you won’t be able to view or apply for jobs on the city website and other applications may be unavailable.

If you have any questions you can email [email protected].