All of central Indiana will see downstream impacts of smoke from Canadian fires today and tomorrow. Reduced visibilities are expected, primarily between 3 and 4 miles, with peak reductions of 1 mile possible, according to Bartholomew County Emergency Management.
Air Quality may also be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
If traveling be prepared for haze that could suddenly reduce visibilities.
Conditions are expected to improve beginning on Thursday.
The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Country Squire Lakes on Sunday in response to a report of a suspicious man. The caller stated that the man, who was unknown to the caller, was naked on their porch.
When they got there, deputies saw a male subject sitting on the porch completely naked and actively performing a sexual act on himself, according to law enforcement.
The man, identified as Justin Fletcher, 35, of North Vernon, allegedly resisted arrest and, after an altercation, was taken into custody. Officers were reportedly covered in fecal matter during the altercation.
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that injured two juveniles, one seriously, in Jennings County.
Shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday., responders were dispatched to the area near the 9000 block of County Road 850 West in Paris Crossing for an accident with injuries.
Initial investigation shows a 14-year-old juvenile was operating a side-by-side ORV on the roadway when they lost control, causing the vehicle to roll onto the driver’s side and pinning them underneath. The juveniles were not wearing helmets or safety harnesses at the time of the accident.
The juvenile operator was transported via StatFlight helicopter to Norton Hospital in Louisville. The juvenile passenger was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
Other assisting agencies include Indiana State Police, Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, and Jennings County Emergency Medical Service.
Indiana law requires riders younger than 18 to wear a Department of Transportation approved helmet. More information on ORV laws and safe operating procedures is at offroad-ed.com/in/handbook/ and on.IN.gov/offroading.
The Columbus Police Department and the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office are handing out gun locks at their tents located at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair on Wednesday.
The gun locks were purchased with funding provided by Columbus Regional Health and the giveaway is a part of the Be SMART campaign. People will also have a chance at winning a biometric safe through a free raffle.
The Be SMART initiative promotes responsible gun ownership in order to reduce the deaths, injuries and trauma that can result when a child or teen is able to access a gun.
For More Information visit besmartforkids.org.
INDOT contractor Milestone Contractors LP plans to begin a asphalt resurface project this week on State Road 11 in Jackson County.
As of Monday, June 26th, motorists should expect lane closures with flagging between Dudleytown and Seymour as crews complete patching, milling and paving. State Road 11 will closed to traffic on or after Monday, July 24th, between County Road 300 N. and Steven’s Dr. for a small structure replacement.
The closure is expected to last up to 20 days, through mid-August, weather permitting.
The $2.6 million contract was awarded to Milestone in May and is scheduled for completion by the end of October.
INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling in and near construction zones.
All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.
U.S. Senator Todd Young will be visiting in Columbus Tuesday as a part of the launch of his Housing Affordability Tour.
Sen. Young will meet with Indiana realtors and other stakeholders at Hotel Indigo to discuss solutions to the housing affordability crisis.
According to Sen. Young’s Office, legislative proposals that will be discussed include:
The Yes In My Backyard Act (YIMBY Act), which would eliminate barriers to much-needed housing by requiring transparency in local land use, zoning, and housing decisions.
The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, which would revitalize distressed neighborhoods by creating a tax credit for building and renovating homes in blighted areas.
and
The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA), which would improve and expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, providing an additional 44,500 units in Indiana alone.
The local public is invited to meet PGA legend Tom Kite and design partner Billy Fuller at Otter Creek Golf Course, Wednesday, June 28th, at 2:15 p.m.
Fans are asked to gather near the Otter Creek scoreboard for the official redesign announcement and photographs.
It was announced last week that the Kite/Fuller team had been hired to redesign the layout of the course and bring it up to “today’s golf course standards.”
Several Johnson County roads and neighborhoods are closed due to tornado damage this afternoon, according to Sheriff Duane Burgess.
Burgess says there is tornado damage in White River Damage. Road closings include:
Travis Road is closed between Mullinix Road to Morgantown Road
Morgantown Road from Mullinix Road to Whiteland Road
Stones Crossing Road from State Road 135 to Saddle Club Road
Saddle Club Road from Stones Crossing Road to Smokey Row Road
“Several neighborhoods along those roads are also closed off to the public as well due to storm damage. We are asking people to stay out of the area due to powerlines being down and the amount of homes that have been affected.”
A list of neighborhoods that have been affected by the tornado will be available at a later time.
The American Red Cross will have a shelter at Greenwood Middle School, it should be open at 7 p.m. . Greenwood Middle School is at 1584 Averitt Road.
The Bartholomew County Public Library will be hosting a performance by the Southern Indiana Taiko drummers on the library plaza tonight.
Southern Indiana Taiko is the state’s only all-female Taiko drumming group.
The library says you can bring a lawn chair, dinner and accepted beverages to enjoy the free show at the library on Fifth Street in Columbus.
The performance will start at 6 p.m.
Photo: Southern Indiana Taiko courtesy of Bartholomew County Public Library
The Yellow Trail Museum will be hosting the Hope Old-Fashioned Independence Day festivities at the Hope Town Square on the Friday before the 4th of July.
Activities start at 6 p.m. on Friday June 30th and will include an apple pie contest, the crowning of Miss and Mr. Firecracker, a bike parade, music and fireworks.
The fireworks are scheduled to start at 10 p.m.
The deadline is coming up on Wednesday, for Hope area kids to enter to reign as this year’s Miss and Mr. Firecracker.
Area children between 3 and 10 years old are invited to take part. Participants are urged to decorate cans for donations and place them around town, or to solicit donations from friends and family members. Participants must turn in their can to the Yellow Trail Museum by Wednesday. Every penny raised counts as one vote.
The winners will lead the bike, trike and stroller parade around the square.
Events include: