It is going to be dangerously hot this week. The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a heat advisory from 1 p.m. this afternoon until 9 p.m. Wednesday night for central and southern Indiana.

The weather service is forecasting temperatures in the mid 90s and high humidity combining for heat index values of up to 108 for parts of Indiana.

Forecasters say that you should drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

You should take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.

Forecasters say the dangerous heat could continue into Thursday.

There is also a chance for severe thunderstorms today and tomorrow. The weather service has most of central and southern Indiana under a slight risk of severe weather, with the possibility of damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain.

Government offices will be closing on Monday in celebration of the Independence Day holiday

In Columbus, city trash, recycling and yard waste routes will be running a day late all week, with normal Monday routes running on Tuesday. Normal Friday routes will be running on Saturday. You should have your trash to the curb by the normal 7 in the morning.

Columbus City Utilities offices will also be closed Monday. If you have a problem with your water or sewer service, you can call 812-372-8861 and follow the prompts.

The National Weather Service says central and southern Indiana are now under a marginal threat of severe weather tonight.

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop this afternoon and evening. A few isolated thunderstorms could produce damaging winds and large hail. Forecasters say lightning is a threat in any thunderstorm.

Heat index values near 100 are possible this afternoon.

Indiana Conservation Officers are urging you not to be out boating if you are under the influence. They will be out in force cracking down on impaired boating Saturday through the 4th of July for Operation Dry Water.

Operation Dry Water is a campaign to heighten awareness and enforcement of safe and sober boating practices. The goal is to lower the number of boating incidents and fatalities that happen over the Independence Day holiday weekend.

Conservation officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are working in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard on the campaign.

Because alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths, Indiana Conservation Officers will be working to increase public awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you are on the water this weekend, you will notice more officer patrols on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints.

Operating a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries, death, property damage and legal consequences. Indiana Conservation Officers reminds boaters to always boat sober and to wear a life jacket when on or around the water.

You can get more information at operationdrywater.org.

A Medora woman has been arrested in Seymour after being caught with items stolen from several area stores.

According to reports from the Seymour police Department, officers were called to the Seymour Wal-Mart Thursday after a woman was seen on video footage taking electronics from the store. Police say that the video showed her obtaining keys and a security tag removing device, then unlocking a cabinet taking electronic devices.

An officer found the woman at a store Thursday and police took 29-year-old Kennedie P. Miller into custody. A search revealed she was carrying other people’s identification and credit cards as well as clothing from other stores with the price tags still attached. Police say that Miller had used two of the credit cards for transactions at the Wal-Mart.

After obtaining a search warrant for a purse that Miller did not have in her immediate possession when arrested, police discovered the keys, the security removal tool and the electronic devices, along with cell phone SIM cards.

She was arrested on preliminary charges of theft, criminal trespass and fraud. More charges are expected for the stolen clothing items.

Government offices will be closing on Monday in celebration of the Independence Day holiday

In Columbus, city trash, recycling and yard waste routes will be running a day late all week, with normal Monday routes running on Tuesday. Normal Friday routes will be running on Saturday. You should have your trash to the curb by the normal 7 a.m. in the morning.

Columbus City Utilities offices will also be closed Monday. If you have a problem with your water or sewer service, you can call 812-372-8861 and follow the prompts.

The Town of Hope is bringing back its Old-Fashioned Independence Day celebration this evening.

The Yellow Trail Museum and Main Street of Hope are partnering for a combined holiday celebration and the monthly car Cruise-in on the Hope Town Square.

The Cruise-in will start at 5 p.m.. Old-fashioned Independence Day events will start at 6 p.m. and fireworks will start at dark.

The Bartholomew County 4-H fair continues today with Athens Animal Clinic Day at the fair.

Tonight’s entertainment includes The 4-H Supreme Showmanship and Livestock Awards at the pavilion starting at 6:30 and the Indiana Pulling League starting at 7 p.m. at the grandstands. Midnight Madness on the Midway with $20 wristbands starts at 8 p.m.

The fair ends Saturday.

You can get more information at bartholomewcountyfair.com.

Ivy Tech Community College will be holding events Tuesday at its Columbus and Franklin campuses to give more information to students interested in the school’s entrepreneurship and public service programs.

The school spotlight will feature the School of Public Affairs and Social Services and the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship, allowing prospective students to explore academic programs and potential career options.

There will be a morning session from 9 a.m. to noon, and an afternoon session from 1 to 4 p.m., at both campuses Tuesday. The sessions will include tours of the campuses, presentations on academic programming, and one-on-one meetings with Ivy Tech staff. The Columbus event will focus on the college’s human services and entrepreneurship programs, while the Franklin day will be looking at criminal justice program.

No registration is required.

Columbus firefighters are reminding you to be safe if you are planning to use fireworks this holiday weekend.

Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the fire department, explains that all fireworks can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

About 11,500 fireworks related injuries were reported nationwide last year. And about half of those happened to children.

Wilson says you should never smoke or consume alcohol while setting off fireworks. You should not attempt to make or alter fireworks. While setting off fireworks, you should have a fire extinguisher, hose or bucket of water nearby.

If a lit firework did not go off, you should let it sit for 20 minutes before trying to move it. And then soak it in a bucket of water.

Under city ordinances, between now and Sunday, fireworks are allowed in the city between 5 p.m. in the afternoon and up to 2 hours past sunset. On July 4th itself, fireworks are allowed from 10 a.m. to midnight. The hours go back to 5 p.m. through two hours past sunset on July 5th through the 9th.