Cummins is reporting record revenues in its quarterly financial reports.

The Columbus based engine manufacturer says it brought in $6.6 billion in revenue and is maintaining its guidance that revenue will be up 8 percent for the entire year.

According to the report, the $6.6 billion was increase of 8 percent over the same quarter last year. North American sales were up 15 percent, while international sales were down 2 percent. The company said the slump was caused by a slowdown in China and the suspension of operations in Russia.

The company also reported net income of $702 million, or 10.7 percent of sales, for the quarter. That was up over $100 million from 2021.

The company reported quarterly highlights including the acquisition of Jacob Vehicle Systems and Meritor.

You can read more about Cummins quarterly report here.

Local organizers are working on relief for those affected by the flooding in eastern Kentucky.

Several organizations have supply drives underway. Real World Testing in Columbus is accepting donations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at their facility at 6471 S. 50W in Columbus. The company plans to transport the items to the Whitesburg, Kentucky area starting on Wednesday.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church on Tally Road is collecting items from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, also for the Whitesburg area.

Local resident Roger Neptune is working with Orphan Grain Train in Jonesville, organizing a relief drive and says items can be dropped off at the Columbus Fire Department Cheer Fund facility at the airport on Saturday, Aug. 13th. Neptune says he has frequently traveled to the Hazard, Kentucky area over the years, dropping off supplies for those in need.

Needed items include water, non-perishable food items, diapers, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, towels and wash cloths and electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade, Powerade or Pedialyte.

Kentucky’s governor says the death toll now stands at least 37, but hundreds are still unaccounted for.

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s Twitter feed

Contractors will be closing State Road 235 in Jackson County starting next week and lasting about a month while crews replace a box culvert.

INDOT says that E&B Paving will be closing the highway just west of County Road 600W near Medora starting Monday for an estimated 30 days. Traffic will be detoured on State Road 135 and U.S. 50 during the work. The work schedule is dependent on the weather.

The work is part of a $744,000 contract that also includes replacing a box culvert north of Medora on State Road 235. That second project is expected to start in September.

INDOT asks that you slow down, drive without distractions and be alert to worker safety in all construction zones.

Bartholomew County officials are mourning the loss of a long-time county employee in a weekend car crash near Versailles.

According to Indiana State Police reports, 66-year-old Lenord “Ray” Sheldon Jr. of Elizabethtown was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on State Road 129 in Ripley County at about 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Bartholomew County Commissioners remembered Sheldon yesterday as a more than 30-year-employee of the county surveyor’s office. Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said Sheldon was always very professional and very responsive. County engineer Danny Hollander said Sheldon was very particular and accurate in his work.

Troopers say that a pickup was traveling northbound on State Road 129 when the driver crossed the centerline into the path of Sheldon’s southbound car.

His wife, 59-year-old Beth A. Sheldon was a passenger in the car and suffered serious injuries. She was flown by helicopter to University of Cincinnati Hospital.

The deadline is coming up on Friday, to sign up if you need to dispose of unwanted pesticides.

Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District will be offering a chance on Aug. 17th to get rid of unwanted pesticides as part of the Office of the State Chemist’s Clean Sweep program.

For free, you can can get rid of up to 250 pounds each of weed killers, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides or other pesticides. The event is open to farmers, schools, nurseries, golf courses, local governments and others.

You can bring containers to the site that are labeled, leak free and safe to transport. You should not mix materials. You should bring with you a list of products you are carrying and a contact phone number.

You can drop off materials from 9 to 3 p.m. at the Solid Waste Management District.

You do need to register in advance by August 5th. You can download the participation form at the Office of the Indiana State Chemist website to download the participant form   or contact Nathan Davis at [email protected] to have a participant form emailed. Those wanting to participate are required to complete and submit the participant form by mail, e-mail, or fax by Friday August 5th.

Bartholomew Consolidated Schools will begin holding open houses for the upcoming school year starting today.

Today, there will be open houses for Bright Beginnings and Busy Bees as well as Clifty Creek, Mt. Healthy, Schmitt, Southside and Taylorsville elementary schools and Northside Middle School.

On Wednesday, open houses are scheduled for CSA Fodrea, CSA Lincoln, Parkside, Richards, Rockcreek and Schmitt elementary schools as well as Central Middle School.

The elementary open houses will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the afternoon, while the middle schools will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the evening.

Columbus East will hold its open house on Aug. 10th, Columbus North will have a virtual open house on Aug. 22nd and CSA New Tech on Sept. 14th. You can check the school district website for dates and times for the Columbus Virtual Pathway open house.

You can get more information at bcscschools.org.

Cummins is investing $24 million in a German company developing energy storage systems with new battery technology.

The Columbus-based engine manufacturer announced the investment in VoltStorage. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany and develops battery solutions based on redox flow technology. The company is working on low-cost iron salt batteries, suitable for ensuring base load capability for wind and solar farms.

Cummins President and chief operating officer Jennifer Rumsey said the investment is part of Cummins Destination Zero strategy to decarbonize. She said “By investing in VoltStorage, we are taking steps to advance solutions focused on the grid and energy storage.”

According to VoltStorage, Cummins’ investment will go toward developing larger-scale redox flow storage systems for commercial and agricultural enterprises and residential neighborhoods.

The Schneck Foundation is planning seminars later this month to help you sign up for Medicare.

Called Medicare Simplified, the program will feature guest speaker Scott Donohue who will discuss information on how and when to sign up for Medicare, details on the components of the program, how to review and make changes to your coverage and what to consider if you already have a plan through your employer.

The seminars will be Aug. 17th and Aug. 22nd in Classroom 500 of the Schneck Professional Building in Seymour, with dinner at 5 p.m. and the seminar starting at 5:30 p.m.

You must register by August 10. You can find more information at SchneckFoundation.org org or by calling 812-524-4244.

Members of Indiana’s Task Force One are in Kentucky this week, helping local relief and rescue efforts after last week’s deadly storms and flooding.

Columbus Firefighter Jarrad Mullis is among the members of the task force, according to the Columbus Fire Department.

Indiana’s Task Force One is one of four crews from FEMA that are searching to rescue and recover victims of the flooding. On Saturday alone, they cleared 500 structures. They say they’ll continue their work until they’re no longer needed.

At least 28 people are dead following last week’s flooding. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says they expect to find additional victims in the coming days. There are at least four children among the victims.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department

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

The American Heart Association is recognizing Columbus Regional Health and other hospitals statewide for their efforts to improve the health outcomes of Americans dealing with heart disease or strokes.

37 hospitals in Indiana and 2,600 nationwide were honored in the association’s Get With The Guidelines initiative. The program promotes up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States

Columbus Regional Hospital was recognized for its stroke efforts with the Bronze and Silver Plus stroke awards, the Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and the Target Stroke Honor Roll.

Learn more at heart.org/getwiththeguidelines.