Scammers are attempting to trick some Jackson County residents by calling and pretending to be from the county clerk’s office and demanding money.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the scammers are trying to get victims to send money to the clerk’s office. However, the real clerk’s office will never call and request money from you.

The sheriff’s department warns that you should never send money that an unknown caller demands. Instead you should hang up, look up the number and call an agency or organization directly.

Authorities warn that phone scammers are persuasive and technically savvy. They are able to spoof your caller ID making their call appear to come from a legitimate number. Scammers will often play on your emotions and fears to get to your money. Authorities also caution that no legitimate agency will demand you pay a fine, debt or bill in gift cards, phone apps, crypto currency or a pre-paid debit card.

If you have received one of these calls, you should report it to authorities.

The city of Columbus has a new director of finance. The city announced that Regina D. McIntyre is taking on the role and will be the city’s new controller when the city moves to second class status in January.

Second class cities do not have the combined and elected clerk/treasurer position, instead splitting that role between an elected clerk and an appointed controller. The controller will serve as the fiscal officer for the city, overseeing finances, budgets, accounting operations and stragegy.

McIntyre previously worked for Columbus Regional Health for 21 years, serving most recently as director of patient finance.

McIntyre started her new duties on Wednesday according to city officials.

Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services will be holding their Moonlight Loop evening bike ride later this month to benefit the shelter pets.

Registration for the 19-mile bike ride will be $35 through July 28th, with $40 registrations available on the day of the Saturday, July 29th event. If you register by July 14th you can ensure you receive a glow-in-the dark T-shirt celebrating the ride.

The ride starts at 9 p.m. and starts and finishes at the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza.

All proceeds from the Moonlight Loop ride go to support Columbus Animal Care Services. The ride has raised more than $81,000 for the city-run animal shelter in years past.

Last year’s ride had to be canceled due to low registration and limited staff.

You can find a link to register here: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=MTY3Nzg2Mjk4NDg2OTWMAVvfLmgagEtu

You can get more information on the ride at https://www.columbus.in.gov/animal-care-services/moonlight-loop/

Photo courtesy of City of Columbus.

Contractors will be closing Walnut Street in Seymour starting today and you are urged to find a different route if you need to go to Schneck Medical Center.

This is part of a resurfacing project on U.S. 50 in Seymour. Walnut Street is due to close today to remove and replace the pavement. The south side of the intersection, which is also State Road 11, is scheduled to close today, followed by the north side. Walnut Street is anticipated to re-open by end of day Thursday.

The next phase of the $6.3 million dollar project will move to Pine Street. Overnight lane restrictions will continue on U.S. 50 through Seymour through the fall. Dave O’Mara Contractors are performing the work on the project which began this spring.

The work schedule is dependent on the weather.

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

The Bartholomew County Humane Society along with the Greensburg and Decatur County Animal Shelter will be offering low-cost adoptions starting this week as part of the Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters event.

From Thursday through July 31st, adoptions for a cat or a dog will only cost $50. That will cover the cost for a fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped pet.

The Bissell Pet Foundation is partnering with animal shelters across the country for its “Empty the Shelters” adoption event with more than 335 shelters in 44 states taking part. The project had lead to more than 126,000 pets finding homes. The foundation was started in 2011 and this month’s event is being supported by MetLife Pet Insurance.

The foundation does want to remind potential pet owners, that adopting a pet is a long-term commitment.

The local humane society encourages you to check out the animals available for adoption on the website, and to call the Humane Society to set up an appointment. You can go online to https://www.bartholomewhumane.org/

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office suggests that you check to see if you are owed any money through the state’s unclaimed property website.

So far this year over $35 million has been returned to Hoosiers through the program and last year $65 million was returned.

Unclaimed property includes items such as unclaimed wages or commissions, money orders, contents of safety deposit boxes, savings and checking accounts, refunds and overpayments.

You have 25 years to claim money once it is reported to the state’s Unclaimed Property Division.

You can go online to check https://www.indianaunclaimed.gov or call the Unclaimed Property Division at 1-866-462-5246.

U.S. 50 will be closing next week in Seymour while CSX Railroad crews work to replace a railroad crossing.

According to INDOT, the railroad will be closing the highway between Jeffersonville Avenue and East or Circle Streets starting on Tuesday. The highway is expected to reopen the afternoon of Thursday, July 13th.

A detour will take traffic from State Road 11 to State Road 250 to Interstate 65.

The work schedule is dependent on the weather.

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

Schneck Medical Center in Seymour is announcing the winners of this year’s Dr. Bud Graessle Golf Scramble held last week at Shadowood Golf Course.

The golf scramble raises funds for the Dr. Bud Scholarship program, which benefits students working toward becoming a registered nurse. It is primarily for residents of Jackson, Jennings, Scott and Washington counties. The scholarships are awarded in honor of Dr. H.P. Bud Graessle who was a physician and surgeon in Seymour for 53 years.

Eric Fish, President and CEO of Schneck Medical Center, said that the scholarships help meet the regional need for nursing professionals by ensuring “nursing students graduate on time and enter the workforce where their expertise is greatly needed.”

The hospital reports that 63 teams participated in Wednesday’s tournament. The first place team of Jim Doolan, Craig Moore, Parker Wiethoff, and Ron Zike combined to score 53.

The hospital also recognized men and women for the longest drives with Abby Lauck and Jim Doolan; Closest to the pin with Carol Brock and Luke Warren; and longest putt with Lainey Jackson and Matt Johnson.

Columbus native and presidential candidate Mike Pence will remain in Iowa today after spending yesterday in the state.

Pence was in the Urbandale Fourth of July parade yesterday, then attended a meet-and-greet in Boone. Pence will be in Northwest Iowa today. He’ll attend a meet and greet with Congressman Randy Feenstra at a mall at Sioux Center, and another at Pizza Ranch in Sioux City.

Former President Donald Trump was not on the campaign trail yesterday, but is also heading to Iowa this week, holding an event at the MidAmerica Center in Council Bluffs on Friday.

Photo: Mike Pence campaigns with Rep. Randy Feenstra on Independence Day. Photo courtesy of Feenstra Twitter feed.