Cummins is announcing the completion of the Columbus-based engine manufacturer’s acquisition of 50 percent of Momentum Fuel Technologies from Dallas-based Rush Enterprises.

Under the agreement, Cummins will produce branded natural gas fuel delivery systems for the commercial vehicle market in North America. Those will combine Momentum Fuel Technologies’ compressed natural gas fuel delivery systems, Cummins’ powertrains and the engineering and support infrastructure of both companies. When the powertrain uses renewable natural gas from methane collected primarily from organic waste, the engines can be credited with net greenhouse gas emissions of zero or below.

The joint venture will offer aftermarket support through Rush Truck Centers dealerships and Cummins distributors which will be able to service both the engine and the fuel delivery system.

The companies first announced plans for the acquisition in June of last year.

You can get more information here.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 91st Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, March 11th at Pewter Hall.

Nominations are being accepted until February 21st for awards including the Business Hall of Fame for small, medium and large businesses, Spirit of the Chamber and Young Professional of the Year. Nomination forms are available at the Jackson County Chamber office and online.

Reservations to attend the annual dinner are $45 per person. You can make reservations at the Chamber website at www.jacksoncochamber.com, by email at [email protected] or by calling 812-522-3681.

Columbus City Council has given its first approval to a new ordinance regulating street trees and shrubs in the city. The changes would apply to trees on public property adjoining a street or in the public right-of-way.

Melissa Begley, with the city planning department, told City Council last night that the previous ordinance was outdated and provided little guidance or control on the location, types or sizes or trees and shrubs allowed near city streets nor how they should be maintained. The existing ordinance essentially says that anyone can plant a tree in the right-of-way. And it gave authority for enforcing the ordinance to a non-existent city office.

She said that it was impossible to determine when the previous ordinance was first written, but it had not been updated since at least 1994.

The Board of Public Works and Safety will also be asked to adopt a tree manual with more specific details, including the types of trees welcome in the right-of-way, their sizes and pruning guidelines.

City Council voted unanimously to approve the new ordinance on first reading and to put it into property channels for next steps.

Columbus City Council will be considering adopting new rules on street trees and shrubs in the city, when it meets tonight.

According to city documents, previous rules covering street trees and shrubs have become outdated. The city contracted with Davey Resource Group to look at similar ordinances throughout the state, current trends and best practices for recommendations. Concerned citizens and city departments worked together to update the rules.

The ordinance will only apply to trees on public property or in the public right-of-way. It outlines street tree care practices and standards and property owner responsibilities. It also sets up a financial assistance program to remove dying, dead or hazardous trees with the property owner responsible for half of the cost and the city picking up the other half.

The Board of Public Works and Safety will also be asked to adopt a tree manual with more specific details, including the types of trees welcome in the right-of-way, their sizes and other details.

City Council meets at 6 p.m. tonight at Columbus City Hall and via Webex. Video streaming of the meeting is available on the city website at columbus.in.gov.

Two Jackson County brothers are being accused of animal cruelty after allegedly killing more than 20 cats.

According to reports from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the incident started with a report on Jan. 9th about an argument between a neighbor and 28-year-old Gavin and Garth Goens of Vallonia who allegedly taunted the woman, saying her cats were dead.

Deputies visited the property on South Main Street and found numerous wire traps containing bait on the property. At first, the two said that they were trapping and killing feral cats, but also admitted that cats matching the neighbors’ pet descriptions had also been caught and killed. They said that after capturing the animals, they were shooting them in the head and then burying them on their property.

The Goens were arrested last week on charges of animal cruelty, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Rick Meyer said that reports of animal cruelty are taken very seriously and no one has a right to kill or harm a neighbor’s pet.

A wanted Columbus man was arrested Saturday night after his vehicle ran out of gas while police were chasing him.

According to reports from the Columbus Police Department, officers tried to stop a vehicle being driven by 38-year-old Kolt A. Kreinhagen of Columbus near 11th and Washington streets at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. But rather than stop, Kreinhagen sped away, running through stop signs and traffic signals for more than 20 miles, police say. The chase ended in the 12000 block of Base Road when the vehicle ran out of fuel.

Kreinhagen ran from his vehicle but police soon used a Taser to take him into custody.

He is facing charges including resisting law enforcement in a vehicle and on foot, reckless driving, driving while suspended with a prior conviction along with numerous traffic citations. He was also wanted on an outstanding Jennings County warrant.

Organizers of Exhibit Columbus are looking for your thoughts on last year’s event.

More than a dozen temporary installations were built around the city’s architectural landmarks when the exhibits opened in August. The theme of the 2021 event was “New Middles: From Main Street to Megalopolis, What is the Future of the Middle City?”

An online survey is available this week with about 20 questions on the exhibition, your attendance and activities surrounding the project. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

One participant will win an an Exhibit Columbus gift bag, including a New Middles tote, catalog, poster, and a limited edition beer stein.

You can get take the survey here or get more information at exhibitcolumbus.org

Columbus Regional Health is cautioning that many outpatient services are experiencing high patient volumes and you could see increased wait times.

The hospital calls it an unprecedented influx of patients and is asking for compassion for the staff, health care providers and physicians.

Walk-ins were temporarily closed yesterday at the hospital’s PromptMed urgent care location, with the next available option being this morning.

Jennings County authorities are declaring Operation Winter Fury a success.

According to reports from the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, deputies and North Vernon Police made 100 traffic stops in a 12-hour time frame Friday, leading to 14 arrests. Most of the arrests were drug related, while others were for operating a vehicle while intoxicated or for outstanding warrants.

The sheriff thanked the deputies and officers, Jennings County Animal Control and Jennings County dispatch center for their work.

A few more candidates have filed to run for election in Bartholomew County’s upcoming primaries.

Since our last report a week ago, in the statehouse races, Ross Thomas, a Democrat has filed to run for Indiana House District 59 which covers most of Bartholomew County and Columbus. Republican Jennifer Meltzer filed to represent House District 73, which will cover the north east corner of the county. In District 69, which includes part of southern Bartholomew County, J. Davisson has filed as a Republican to run.

Republicans State Senator Erin Houchin and Bill J. Thomas have filed to run for the 9th Congressional District seat being vacated by Congressman Trey Hollingsworth. That district now includes southern Bartholomew County.

In countywide races, the only new candidates to file are Lindsey Holden-Kay who is running for county prosecutor as a Republican and incumbent Republican County Assessor Ginny Whipple.

Ben Jackson filed to run again as Columbus Township Trustee as a Republican and Democrat Mark S. Romine filed to run for Clifty Township Trustee.

The last day to file for the major party races is noon on Friday, February 4th in the county clerk’s office. The primary election is Tuesday May 3rd.