An Areal Flood Watch is in effect in our area including, Johnson, Shelby, Brown, Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings counties.

The National Weather Service says that excessive rain runoff is leading to flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.

Some areas of south-central Indiana have seen as much as two inches of rain this evening and more heavy rain is expected.

You should be prepared to take action should flash flooding begin to occur.

The areal flood warning is in effect until 8 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 2 a.m.  More heavy rain is expected
overnight as a system moves in from south central Illinois and a warm front stretches across the area and interacts with an unstable and very moist atmosphere.

A Columbus plastics company is planning a $1.8 million investment in new equipment at the city airport.

Columbus City Council approved a tax break request from Flambeau Inc. at this week’s council meeting.  The company asked for a tax abatement on the new manufacturing equipment, saying that the investment in a larger press will allow Flambeau to make bigger parts than they can currently make.

The move will allow the Middle Road company to retain 135 jobs and add 10 new jobs with wages averaging $15.65 an hour. Those jobs would be added by the end of this year.

The tax break would save Flambeau just over $100,000 in property taxes over the 10-year life of the abatement.

There is heavy fog out there this morning in some areas.

The National Weather Service is warning that visibility is reduced to less than half a mile in those locations. You can expect fog in low lying areas and near water sources. If you are driving, you should remain alert for sudden reductions in visibility.

Authorities suggest that you slow down, use your low beam headlights and allow yourself space for extra stopping distance.

The fog should break up later this morning.

Bartholomew County residents can get a pickup-full of mulch or compost for $10 every Friday at the Columbus and Bartholomew County Recycling Center on Mapleton Street.

To take part you must come into the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District offices at 720 S. Mapleton Street to pay and to get a loading ticket. The loading takes place at the yard waste site behind the recycling center.

The Friday loading is from 2 to 4:30 and the program runs through October 28th. The program is available for residents only, not businesses.

If you need more information, you can call 812-376-2614 or visit www.bcswmd.com.

You will see lanes closing on Interstate 65 in Jackson County starting next week, as crews work on bridges in the area.

INDOT says the work will start on Monday with single lane closures in the southbound lanes near mile marker 48 where a bridge approach is being repaired and on the northbound highway near the 49 mile marker where a bridge deck is being patched and joints are repaired.

You can expect lanes to be closed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The work is expected to be finished by early June. The schedule is dependent on the weather.

INDOT reminds you to slow down, to drive without distractions and to be alert to worker safety when driving through construction zones.

A Columbus teen is being accused of attempted murder after a shooting in downtown Columbus.

According to reports from the Columbus Police Department, officers were called to the 400 block of Jackson Street at about 1:40 a.m. Friday morning on a report of shots fired. They found one person who had minor injuries.

Police soon found a vehicle that they believe was involved in the shooting but when they tried to pull the vehicle over, the driver instead sped away. During a short pursuit, two handguns were thrown from the vehicle and recovered by police. The driver stopped near Third and Lindsey Street and police took 18-year-old Guage K. Berger into custody.

The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges yesterday against Berger of Attempted Murder, Criminal Recklessness, Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Handgun Without a License and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

A Jennings County man is being accused of child molesting against foster children in his home.

According to Jennings County Sheriff’s Department reports, deputies and the Indiana Department of Child Services started the investigation into sexual abuse involving a child last month. The investigation revealed that there were possibly more than one victim in the home. All of the children were relocated to another location.

On Wednesday, authorities interviewed 30-year-old Lamar Yoder of Butlerville. After the interview, he was arrested on three felony counts of child molesting.

The Bartholomew County Highway Department is reporting that County Road 800N between Road 50W and Base Road closed yesterday afternoon and will be closed until further notice. That is due to a bridge repair.

No through traffic is allowed.

This is the weekend for the Great U.S. 50 yard sale, the 23nd annual event which encourages sales across the country on the highway, stretching from Maryland to California.

The sales will be taking place Friday through Sunday.

All of the sales are individually organized. If you are planning a sale, organizers remind you not to set up in the state right of way and don’t set up on private property without permission. Sites should allow for off-road parking. You should also make sure you follow all local laws.

Authorities are asking you to be careful if you are running a sale or just visiting them. Drivers should keep their speeds down and be alert to hazards, such as pedestrians crossing the highway or walking along the route. If you are searching for a sale, you should make sure not to stop suddenly and keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead of you, as they may suddenly stop. And make sure you park in a safe spot, if you do find a sale you want to visit.

A Jennings County man is facing drug-related charges after a traffic stop in Jefferson County.

According to Indiana State Police, a trooper noticed a pickup speeding on South Street in Dupont at about 8 on Tuesday evening. After pulling the driver over, the troopers police dog alerted to the smell of illegal drugs in the vehicle. A search revealed a lunch box containing 15 grams of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia. Other paraphernalia was found in the vehicle.

44-year-old Robert J. Graham of Paris Crossing was arrested on charges of possessing the drugs and paraphernalia.