Horizon Bank will be offering a $5,00 match today for donations at Salvation Army kettles at several locations including Columbus and Greenwood.

The Salvation Army is announcing that the promotions will be going on in at nine Horizon Bank branches in five counties and will benefit Salvation Army efforts including The Salvation Army of Columbus and the Salvation Army Red Shield Center in Greenwood. Those efforts include housing and support for homeless and abused women, food pantries and feeding programs, emergency financial assistance, youth camps and sports and addiction treatment.

Josh Shelley, vice president and district manager with Horizon Bank said the Salvation Army addressing the needs and serves local communities and the bank is “excited to support the kettle drive again this year and encourage others to donate if they can.”

Among the bank branches taking part are the ones at 655 3rd Street in Columbus and at 942 US 31 in Greenwood.

You can get more information at SalvationArmyIndiana.org

Photo courtesy of Salvation Army of Central Indiana

The town of Hope will be celebrating the holidays with Christmas of Today festivities on the town square from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Friday Dec. 15th.

Organized by Main Street of Hope, the activities will include games, letters to Santa and the creation of reindeer food. There will also be hot cocoa, donut holes and popcorn. Proceeds from food sales will benefit the Hauser Band, Choir and Softball.

You can also download a virtual map to tour the Christmas lights around the town. And businesses around the Town Square will be open late for shopping and dining.

A new Indiana State Police dog will be taking to the roads in the local district.

According to the Indiana State Police Versailles Post, Master Trooper Jason Hankins and his canine partner Oswald have graduated from the 14th state police K-9 School.

the 12-week school has over 480 hours of instruction. That includes narcotic odor detection, tracking, criminal apprehension, building and area searches, and evidence location.

Hankins and Oswald will be focusing on criminal interdiction and being an available asset to troopers and other law enforcement in southeastern Indiana. The Versailles Post covers Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland counties.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

First Financial Bank is making a $7,000 donation to help purchase warm clothing for students in need this winter.

The grant will go to United Way of Bartholomew County’s Student Support Line. The Student Support Line is a partnership between the United Way and Bartholomew Consolidated Schools and allows school faculty to provide for specific needs that students have by contacting the line. The line was established in 2018 through the BCSC Counseling Counts initiative.

One of the most requested items through the Student Support Line is warm winter clothing, said Alicia Monroe, Director of United Way’s Volunteer Action Center, which runs the service. Monroe said the bank’s grant would allow them to purchase warm clothing for every child who has that need.

So far this school year, the Student Support Line has received 70 requests from BCSC staff for students in need. This number is up significantly from last school year when the line received 106 contacts for the entire year.

You can get more information here: https://www.uwbarthco.org/about/our-stories.html/article/2023/12/13/warming-children-this-winter

Two Bartholomew County teachers are being recognized with this year’s Reams Family Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County is announcing that private school teachers Brandy Gilliatt and Joleen Krueger are the winners for this year’s awards.

Gilliatt has been a math teacher for 16 years at ABC-Stewart Montessori School. She was nominated for being an enthusiastic, kind and compassionate educator who has had a positive impact on her students, their families, and the school community. She was praised in her nomination for contributing to the school’s growing math program and being a lifelong learner who seeks out professional development opportunities. She is receiving the $5,000 award.

Krueger is a kindergarten teacher who has been with St. Peter’s for 25 years. She is being praised as a dedicated and enthusiastic educator who strives to create an engaging learning environment for her students. She has also been a leader in the school when implementing new technologies, strategies and curriculum. Her award is for $4,000.

The awards, administered by Heritage Fund, were established in 2007 by former Bartholomew County residents Fred and Karen Reams. The awards recognize outstanding educators teaching in private schools serving Bartholomew County. Recipients are nominated by their principals with additional recommendations encouraged from fellow teachers, parents and students.

Photos courtesy of Heritage Fund

A Nashville made bourbon drink is only the second coolest thing made in Indiana, according to voters.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has announced that this year’s winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Indiana contest is Hoosier Racing Tires made in Plymouth. The award was announced yesterday at the Chamber’s Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon.

Nashville-based Hard Truth Distilling Company Maple Bourbon Cream was the runner-up. The contest started with 47 competitors from 38 Hoosier communities and voters cast their ballots online. While a company did not need to be headquartered in Indiana to enter, the product had to be manufactured in the state.

Other area products made it into the top 16 round of the tournament last month including Guardian Bikes made in Seymour and Hiker Trailers made in Columbus. Guardian Bikes made it all the way to the final four in the tournament.

Brown County State Park is encouraging you to spend your New Year’s Day with a hike or horse ride to celebrate.

The park will be hosting a first day hike to the Civilian Conservation Corps Vista. There will be a fire and hot chocolate at the Vista shelter house hosted by the Friends of Brown County State Park. Hikers can start at the nature center between 11 and 1 p.m. on Jan. 1st.

The First Day Ride will start at the Green Horne Shelter in Horseman’s Camp at 11 a.m. Riders will travel to Story with a fire and hot chocolate afterwards also hosted by the Friends of Brown County State Park

If you don’t want to participate in a group, the park is also encouraging you to take a hike or ride along any of the park’s trails on New Year’s Day.

You can get more information here: https://events.in.gov/event/first_day_hike_brown_county_state_park

Brown County State Park Saddle Barn photo courtesy of Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Next week’s Columbus City council meeting is being moved.

The council meeting, normally held on Tuesdays, will instead by held on Monday, Dec. 18th. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Columbus City Hall.

The agenda for the meeting has not yet been released.

A First Financial Bank food drive generated more than 6,600 items for local food banks in its four state region.

According to the bank, there were 92 donations in the Columbus area. Those items were donated to the Nashville Food Pantry, Love Chapel, Blessing Box and Edinburgh Food Pantry. The two-week food drive ran in early November. Customers and associates were encouraged to drop off nonperishable food items at their local First Financial Bank Branch.

First Financial Bank operates in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois.