Residents of Greensburg and Decatur County Rural Water customers remain under a boil water advisory after repairs to a water main break.

According to the city of Greensburg, crews worked through the night to repair the break on North Broadway and the water treatment plant is again running at full capacity.

However the boil water advisory cannot be lifted until clean water samples ahve been collected and analyzed. The city hopes to lift the advisory in the next few days.

Under a boil water advisory, you should bring water to a full boil for five minutes before drinking it or using it in food preparation.

Former Vice President and Columbus native Mike Pence capped off a day of events launching his 2024 presidential campaign with a town hall meeting on CNN from Iowa.

Last night, Pence told voters it’s time to “rethink” the criminal justice reform system and bring harsher penalties down on offenders.

When asked about the investigations into former President Trump, Pence said he hopes the Justice Department “thinks better” of indicting him, arguing it would be too divisive for the country.

He went on to say he has “no interest” in pardoning rioters convicted in the January 6th attack, and believes those involved “should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

After his afternoon presidential announcement, Pence went on to hold interviews yesterday with Fox News and Newsmax. He is scheduled for an interview on Fox & Friends at 8 a.m. today.

You can find out more on the campaign website at https://mikepence2024.com

Columbus police and Bartholomew County deputies say a May crackdown on repeat offenders led to seven arrests on a variety of charges.

According to the Columbus Police Department, the investigations were a collaboration between the Columbus Police Intelligence Led Policing Unit and the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Among the cases, two people are facing drug dealing charges.

• 41-year-old Antonio Dickerson of New Castle was arrested on May 11th on charges including dealing in a narcotic, possession of a narcotic and methamphetamine, as well as driving while suspended.
• 43-year-old Christopher Hubbert of Columbus was arrested on May 17th on charges including Dealing in Methamphetamine and for possessing meth and drug paraphernalia.

Two of those arrested on May 25th are suspected of numerous property crimes on the east side of Columbus. 34-year-old Keith Meredith, of Hope and 36-year-old Tameka Brantley of Columbus are accused of burglary and unlawful entry in a motor vehicle.

Also arrested were:

• David Compton, 25, of Edinburgh on May 25th resisting law enforcement and an outstanding warrant for robbery.
• ayson Ackenback, 39 of Columbus on May 25th for possession of a firearm by a serious, violent felon as well as five outstanding Bartholomew County warrants.
• Amber Hadley, 37 of Columbus on May 26th on an outstanding warrant for conversion.

A man accused of shooting his brother and 3-year-old nephew in Hope last week has been formally charged with one count of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery.

The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office announced that the charges had been filed against 35-year-old Robbie L. Perez of Columbus.

The incident happened a week ago in the 300 block of Elm Street in Hope at about 11:25 Thursday nigh. Perez’s brother, 36-year-old George Perez Jr. and his 3-year-old son, both suffered gunshot wounds and were taken to Indianapolis area hospitals by IU Lifeline helicopter. The boy remains in the hospital.

Investigators say that a long-term feud between the two brothers escalated into the shooting incident.

Robbie Perez was found in his vehicle in Johnson County, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to Eskenazi Hospital to be treated.

A search of the vehicle recovered a firearm.

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corp customers on State Road 7 in the Elizabethtown and Scipio area will be without water today as crews work on a water main.

According to the water company, crews will be doing maintenance and updating the main from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The affected area includes State Road 7 starting at 900 E to 925 N to Crossroad Community Church and Providers Place. And it includes County Road 950N, 900N and 500S.

After water is restored customers will be under a boil water advisory until 2 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Under a boil water advisory, you should bring water to a full boil for five minutes before drinking it or using it in food preparation.

If you have any questions you can call Eastern Bartholomew Water Corp at at 812-526-9777.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is declaring an Air Quality Action Day due to the heavy particulates and smoke in the air from Canadian wildfires.

IDEM says the particulate counts are exceptionally high throughout the state. Due to north to northeast winds, this smoke and debris is expected to continue traveling through Indiana in the coming days

The particulate danger comes from microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. People at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of exposure.

IDEM is encouraging everyone to help reduce the levels my avoiding burning wood in fireplaces, or wood-fired burners and any unnecessary fires. You should reduce your time outdoors to reduce unhealthy exposures and avoid exercising near busy roads.

Columbus native Mike Pence is officially in the race for president in 2024. In Iowa Wednesday afternoon he took part in a rally announcing his decision to run.

Pence launched his campaign website yesterday morning, along with a video announcing his candidacy. In Iowa, Pence was introduced by his brother, Columbus Congressman Greg Pence, and his wife, Karen.

Pence made his announcement:

Pence talked about his decision to face off against his former boss, President Donald Trump, who is leading the Republican primary race in the polls.

Pence explained that his platform would be based on traditional conservative values and a return to civility in our politics.

The former vice president served in Congress from our area for 12 years before serving as Indiana governor.

You can find out more on the campaign website at https://mikepence2024.com

Watching Fmr. VP Pence Announces Presidential Campaign at Iowa Rally @CSPAN https://t.co/0pObmZYdXL

— News Talk 1010 WCSI (@1010wcsi) June 7, 2023

Columbus Fire Department has six new firefighters, sworn in Tuesday by Mayor Jim Lienhoop.

The department had vacancies created by Columbus firefighters leaving for other fire agencies around the state.

The six include:

• 27-year-old Cody Ross and 27-year-old Thomas Smith, both from Columbus .
• 32-year-old Alexis Baxter and 29-year-old Matthew Mellencamp, both from Seymour.
• 26-year-old Peyton Gerkin from Jennings County.
• 28-year-old Maura “Mo” Shea from Bethesda, Maryland.

The new firefighters will now go through a department orientation and training program. Firefighters who are not already certified will get trained for basic emergency medical technician, Firefighter I & II and Hazardous Materials Operations and Awareness certifications. They will then receive a station and shift assignment.

More about the firefighters:

• Baxter is a 2009 graduate of Trinity Lutheran High School in Seymour. Baxter is a certified emergency medical technician and has been a volunteer firefighter with the Southwest Fire Department in Bartholomew County since 2021.
• Gerkin is a 2015 graduate of Jennings County High School and is a graduate of IUPUI with a bachelor’s of science in public safety management. Gerkin served in the Army National Guard Airborne Infantry for seven years and previously served as a Greensburg police officer from 2020-2023.
• Mellencamp is a 2012 graduate of Trinity Lutheran High School in Seymour and received a bachelors of science degree in criminal justice with minors in psychology and business administration from the University of Indianapolis. Mellencamp has been a firefighter since 2011 serving in  volunteer and career firefighter capacities with Hamilton Township Volunteer Fire Department in Cortland, Cicero Fire Department and the Zionsville Fire Department.
• Ross is a 2014 graduate of Columbus North High School and has been in the fire service since 2020. He is a volunteer firefighter with the Southwest Fire Department in Bartholomew County and the Columbus Township Fire and Rescue Department.
• Shea is a 2012 graduate of Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland and holds a bachelors of science degree in athletic training from Xavier University and a doctorate in Athletic Training from Indiana State University.
• Smith is a 2014 graduate of Columbus East High School and has been a member of the German Township Volunteer Fire Department  in Bartholomew County  since last year.

Photo: New firefighters sworn in Tuesday include Matthew Mellencamp. Peyton Gerkin, Thomas Smith, Cody Ross, Alexis Baxter and Maura Shea. Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department.

The deadline is coming up to register to take part in the next Bartholomew County Works job readiness workshop.

Bartholomew County Works is committed to helping members improve their lives, gain full-time employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency. It provides resources in areas including transportation, finances and budget setting.

The day-long workshop series will start on Monday June 19th and run through June 23rd at Yes Cinema.

An orientation session will be held June 15th from 2 to 3:30 in the afternoon.

The deadline to sign up is by 3 p.m. in the afternoon on June 14th. To get more information or to sign up, you can call Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center at 812-378-2638.

Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County is announcing the completion of a project to improve a facility used to help residents on their road to recovery.

Money from Heritage Fund’s unrestricted Community Fund helped repair the parking lots at The Columbus Fellowship Club on Jonesville Road. The club serves as a meeting place for many recovery groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Alateen, Al-Anon, Nar-Anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics with up to 35 meetings a week held at the facility.

The $103,000 project repaired the parking lots originally built in the 1980s and have been heavily damaged by erosion and age. The work was done by CASE Construction and funding help included $50,000 from Heritage Fund, and by support from Columbus Regional Health Foundation, Custer and Nugent Foundations and First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee.

Each year, Heritage Fund distributes between $600,000 and $700,000 in grants from the Community Fund. The unrestricted funds are meant to meet emerging needs in the community.

For more information you can call Heritage Fund at 812-376-7772.