We are going to see some dangerously hot weather lasting through the end of the week.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a heat advisory from now to Wednesday morning and that will be followed with an Excessive Heat Watch from Wednesday through Thursday evening. During the head advisory, it will feel like it is 107 and during the excessive heat watch, heat indexes will be up to 110.

The Bartholomew County Emergency Management Department is suggesting that you take precautions in these possibly dangerous weather conditions.

You should make sure that you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or sports drinks. You should wear light clothing, use sunscreen and wear sunglasses if you have to be outside. You should also schedule any outdoor work or activities during cooler parts of the day. And make sure to take frequent breaks.

In addition to the scorching heat, it is going to be hard to breath for some people.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has declared an Air Quality Action Day for our area today. That means that a combination of high temperatures, light winds, and other factors, are expected to produce conditions where high levels of ground-level ozone emissions may exceed federally mandated standards.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors.

High ozone near the ground acts a lung irritant. It can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors today.

The alert is in effect until midnight.

You can get more information at SmogWatch.IN.gov.

A Bartholomew County farm is being recognized for more than 120 years in operation. The Johnson-Bey Farm received the Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award this week at the Indiana State Fair.

State Sen. Greg Walker and State Rep. Jennifer Meltzer made the announcement yesterday. The farm has been in operation since 1900.

Farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more can qualify for centennial, sesquicentennial or bicentennial Hoosier Homestead awards. Hoosier Homestead farms must consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year

Awards ceremonies are held in the spring and summer each year commemorating the achievements of farm families across the state. More than 6,000 farms have received the designation as Hoosier Homesteads since the awards started in 1976.

Johnson-Bey farm receives Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award. Photo courtesy of Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Dementia Friendly Bartholomew County will be holding a kickoff event for its initiative tomorrow morning at Yes Cinema in downtown Columbus.

Columbus and Bartholomew County were recently recognized as a dementia-friendly community. The partnership through Thrive Alliance works toward making the community more accessible, accepting and livable with residents with all forms of dementia.

Saturday has been proclaimed as Dementia Friendly Awareness Day by the Bartholomew County Commissioners and the Columbus mayor.

Saturday’s event will include a panel discussion, question-and-answer session, and a walk-through brain simulation presented by the IU Health Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center.

The event is from 10 to 11:30 tomorrow at Yes Cinema on Jackson Street. It is free and you are invited to attend but you can find a link to register on our website. dementia.

If you are looking for a new furry feline friend, Columbus Animal Care Services wants to help you out on Saturday.

The agency will be holding a Kitty-Palooza on Saturday at Nexus Park, the former Fair Oaks Mall. The city animal shelter will be bringing 65 cats and kittens to the center for the one-day adoption event.

The event will include reduced adoption fees of $40. that will include spaying or neutering, up to date shots and microchipping.

If you are a renter, you should bring any rental agreement or contract that shows you are allowed to have pets, or a way to contact your landlord.

If you are hoping to bring a new pet home, you should bring a cat carrier, as only a limited number of cardboard cat carriers will be available.

Kitty Palooza will be from noon to 4 Saturday at Nexus park on 25th Street in Columbus.

Three people are facing charges after an investigation in prostitution in Columbus.

According to the Columbus Police Department, authorities found out about an advertisement for an escort service in the city. The investigation led to the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team and Columbus Intelligence Led Policing Unit to arrest 32-year-old Mariel V. Hautman, and 48-year-old Corey S. Singer, both of Columbus for their suspected involvement in the prostitution.

Police say they also found that Singer was a previous sex offender who was required to register with authorities, but had not done so.

A search warrant was served on their home in the 3000 block of Streamside Drive. Investigators discovered several bags with about 45 grams of methamphetamine, packaging material, a digital scale, and drug paraphernalia. They also found a 4-year-old child locked inside a room.

Hautman is facing preliminary charges including dealing in methamphetamine, neglect of a dependent, maintaining a Common Nuisance and prostitution.

Singer is being accused of dealing in methamphetamine, maintaining a Common Nuisance, failing to register as a sex offender and prostitution.

55-year-old Chad Singer of Davenport, Iowa was also arrested at the home. He is being charged with visiting a common nuisance.

Evidence photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department

Rural 25th Street east of Columbus will be closing for up to 45 days starting next week.

According to the Bartholomew County Highway Department, work will start on Monday on the repair and resurfacing of the bridge deck between Rogers Street and County Road 650E.

A detour will take traffic from County Road 500E to 50N to 650E.

The work schedule is dependent on the weather. You should avoid the area, if you can.

A Columbus woman died in a car crash in Decatur County Wednesday.

According to the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called to the scene of the single-vehicle crash on County Roads 100S and 1050W at just before 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after several witnesses reported the accident.

34-year-old Danielle R. Mills of Columbus was a passenger in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Decatur County Coroner’s Office, according to deputies.

The driver, 32-year-old Bearette N. Messina, also of Columbus was seriously injured. She was flown by Statflight Air Ambulance to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment.

Deputies say that excessive speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash. The accident remains under investigation.

Also assisting at the scene were the Burney, Letts and Greensburg Fire Departments, Decatur County medics and Indiana State Police.

Columbus City Hall is hosting a blood drive today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The city is partnering with Versiti to host the mobile blood drive and the bus will be in the City Hall parking lot at 123 Washington Street, Columbus. Organizers stress that hospitals and patients rely on the collected blood to keep the community healthy.

There are a few appointments still available. You can schedule a time at https://donate.indiana.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/161432

Kidscommons is looking for your thoughts as the downtown Columbus children’s museum updates its strategic plan.

According to the not-for-profit organization, your feedback will help the organization focus on its strategic priorities and understand how the community will support turning the goals into reality. The survey will ask you questions about future exhibits, summer camp opportunities and costs of admission.

You can find a link to the survey from our website, or go to https://www.kidscommons.org/about-us/strategic-plan-survey/

You will see restrictions on Terrace Lake Boulevard in Columbus starting tomorrow.

According to the city engineer’s office, crews from Milestone will be working in the area between Shields Drive and Goeller Boulevard as part of the city’s resurfacing project. The street will be reduced to one lane Friday and Monday starting at 8 a.m.

You can expect the area to be congested and delays will be likely. The city recommends avoiding the area if you can and taking Carr Hill Road and County Road 200S as alternate routes.

The work schedule is dependent on the weather.