Columbus firefighters were busy in Friday morning’s nasty weather.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, they were called out to the Taco Bell on Jonathan Moore Pike at about 9:30 a.m. in the morning on a report of a vehicle fire in the parking lot. Firefighters were able to get to the scene before the fire spread to the adjoining building and put the fire out.

No one was injured but the SUV is a total loss. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

At 11:11 a.m. Friday morning, firefighters were called to Flambeau Inc. on Middle Road on a report of a trash compactor on fire. When firefighters arrived they discovered that the fire had been already been extinguished and the company had temporarily evacuated the business. Heavy smoke remained inside and cleanup efforts allowed the business to safely get back to work.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department.

Indiana State Police believe they have the solution to a 29-year-old attempted murder cold case in southern Indiana through the use of DNA analysis. But the suspect has already died.

According to troopers, they and Scott County deputies were called to investigate an attempted murder, assault and robbery that happened in May of 1995 in rural Scott County. Several leads were followed by investigators at the time but no clear suspect was identified. However DNA evidence was collected.

The collected DNA was entered in a national database in 2000 but no one was a match.

With the increase in the use of familial DNA as an investigation tool, in August Parabon Laboratories performed familial DNA testing and was able to identify a close family relative matching the DNA. Detectives, lab and intelligence analysts and genealogist CeCe Moore were able to then identify a suspect.

The suspect would have been in his early 30s at the time of the crime, lived near the crime scene and could be connected to the victim through further investigation. However, investigators learned that the suspect moved out of state after the crime and died in 2003. Under state police policy, potential suspects are not identified until formal charges are filed so the suspect’s name will not be released.

While no charges can be filed, troopers say that investigators are pleased to be able to bring the case to a close.

Funding for the familial DNA testing was provided by  Seasons of Justice, a non-profit group that assists law enforcement in solving unsolved violent crimes.

The Columbus Area Career Connection will be holding an open house next week at its facilities at Columbus North High School.

The goal is to introduce the C4 programs and courses to potential students and their families. The open house will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

C4 offers classes in fields including nursing, cosmetology, welding, precision machining, criminal justice, engineering, graphic arts, electronics, and education. It emphasizes hands-on learning to prepare students for higher education and the workforce. College credits can be earned in many of the classes.

Interested students and families of students who will be in high school next school year are encouraged to come to the Open House to meet teachers and experience the hands-on activities.

C4 serves students from Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, and Decatur counties, as well as Edinburgh.

The open house will go on even if there is a two-hour delay for BCSC schools, but if school is canceled for the day, the open house will be rescheduled for January 31st from 5:00-7:30pm.

For more information about the Open House or C4, visit http://www.bcscschools.org/c4 or call (812) 376-4240.

The winter weather advisory for our area has been extended until 1 this afternoon.

According to the Bartholomew County Emergency Management Department, although snow is expected to be leaving the area soon, there is a continuing danger of blowing snow. Bartholomew and Jennings Counties are both under a travel advisory, the lowest level of travel warning. You should use caution if you have to out on the roads.

According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis a wind chill advisory goes into effect this evening and lasts through Saturday morning for our area.

Forecasters say we can expect wind chills as low as 15 degrees below zero. That means you could be in danger of hypothermia or frostbite if you don’t take precautions outdoors. You should make sure you go out in appropriate clothes including a hat, and gloves.

The wind chill advisory is in effect from 7 tonight to 10 Saturday morning.

The non-profit Park Theatre Civic Centre in North Vernon will be hosting an evening of country music Saturday with the Keith Swinney Band.

The band performs traditional old-school country music covering classics as well as original songs. Singer-songwriter Colt Wienhorst will be the opening act.

Tickets are $15 and are available in advance at the Park Theatre box office on North Madison Ave., in North Vernon, and, if still available, will also be sold at the door Saturday night. The box office is open 2 to 5 p.m. today and from and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Park Theatre opened in 1916 with shows ranging from vaudeville acts to silent films but closed in the 1960s. A not for profit group was formed in the 1990s to renovate the venue and reopened it as a civic center.

For more information, call the Park Theatre at 812-346-0330.

A joint venture including Cummins Accelera brand will be building a battery cell production facility in Mississippi.

According to an announcement from the partners, which includes Cummins, Daimler Trucks, Paccar and EVE Energy, the new facility will be built in Marshall County, Mississippi. It will be an advanced battery cell manufacturing factory that will localize battery cell production for commercial electric vehicles. It is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs, with the option for further expansion. The 21-gigawatt hour factory is expected to begin producing battery cells in 2027.

The company’s announced the joint venture in September saying that it would make a $2 to $3 billion investment for the battery factory. The joint venture will initially focus on lithium-iron-phosphate  batteries for commercial  trucks.

Accelera, Daimler Trucks and PACCAR each own 30 percent of the joint venture with EVE Energy owning 10 percent.

Kristin Munn has been promoted to vice president of operations and development for Heritage Fund: The Bartholomew County Community Foundation.

According to the foundation, Munn has been with Heritage Fund since 2013 most recently serving as director of development. Previously, she served as as manager of grants and community outreach. She will now be assuming responsibility for administrative operations, including gift and fund administration, office management and donor outreach.

Tracy Souza, Heritage Fund’s president and CEO said that Munn “has a deep respect and affection for the Bartholomew County community.” Souza also praised Munn’s rapport with Heritage Fund donors.

Munn, her husband Tracy and their two children live in Columbus.

Heritage Fund was formed in 1976, to set up, manage and distribute charitable funds to benefit the Bartholomew County community.

Note: This story has been updated.

Bartholomew Consolidated Schools Superintendent Jim Roberts is retiring this summer and will take on a new role as vice president of the Community Education Coalition.

The school district and coalition made the announcement today that the change will happen in July.

Roberts has been with the Bartholomew school district for eight years. He previously served as superintendent of the Batesville Community School Corporation for 9 years, and spent 23 years in Batesville as an administrator. He previously worked at Hauser Jr. Sr. High School in Hope as a mathematics and computer science teacher for 6 years.

In his new role, Roberts will be working on enhancing equitable educational access, attainment, and success, creating seamless pathways to regional career opportunities, encouraging young people to stay and work locally and attracting more companies to grow and establish themselves in the region.

Roberts has already worked with the coalition in his role as superintendent on programs such as iGrad, Counseling Counts and other initiatives. He has also served on the leadership team of the coalition.

Kathy Oren, President and CEO of the Community Education Coalition said that the group is “fortunate to have Jim stepping into this role, where he will continue to make a lasting impact on education and economic mobility in our community and throughout the region.”

Roberts said that he decided to apply for the vice president’s role so he could continue “making a difference far beyond (his) time as superintendent.” Roberts said that the partnership, has been able to positively “impact the lives of students, their families, and the broader community.”

Roberts said that the decision to leave in five months is a commitment to to families and staff to ensure a smooth transition in leadership at the school district.

Community Education Coalition Press Release

The Community Education Coalition (CEC) of Columbus proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Jim Roberts as its new Vice President, effective July 2024.

Demonstrating strong community collaboration, Dr. Roberts has been instrumental in BCSC’s efforts to pursue equitable outcomes for all students, which is also central to CEC’s mission. Under Dr. Roberts’ leadership, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) has worked with CEC stakeholders to develop and maintain highly acclaimed programs like iGrad and Counseling Counts at BCSC, as well as other CEC initiatives that benefit children and families in Bartholomew County from early learning to post-secondary education.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jim Roberts as Vice President of the Community Education Coalition,” said Kathy Oren, President and CEO of CEC. “A dedicated servant leader committed to enhancing lives through education and community development, Jim’s collaborative and innovative leadership has left an indelible mark on students, families, and the entire community. The CEC is fortunate to have Jim stepping into this role, where he will continue to make a lasting impact on education and economic mobility in our community and throughout the region.”

Building on his impressive tenure in educational leadership, Dr. Roberts brings a rich history of achievement and experience to his new role at the Community Education Coalition.

Dr. Roberts is in his eighth year as Superintendent of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, served as Superintendent of the Batesville Community School Corporation in Batesville, IN, for 9 years, and spent 23 years in the same corporation as an Administrator. He previously served as a mathematics and computer science teacher at Hauser Jr. Sr. High School in Hope, IN, for 6 years. Dr. Roberts has been a state and national presenter in the area of Coordinated School Health Programs (CSHP) and equitable access to technology, and he has received numerous awards and recognition regarding health, wellness, and equitable access to technology. He was most recently honored with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Wellness Volunteer Award, for his work with the Wellness Council of Indiana.

Dr. Roberts added, “I am pleased to become a member of the Community Education Coalition leadership team. I initially planned to retire as BCSC’s superintendent in 2025, but when I saw the CEC Vice President role posted, I decided to apply because it was more than a role to me; it’s about being deeply rooted in our community and making a difference far beyond my time as superintendent. I have admired the work of CEC from the time I was in Batesville and its use of the CivicLab stakeholder engagement process. I wanted to incorporate this approach into my work as superintendent at BCSC, and we have made great strides in service to students using this way of thinking. Our BCSC team, and the broader CEC partnership, have done so much together to positively impact the lives of students, their families, and the broader community. I greatly look forward to serving the community and including BCSC well into the future in my new role.”

Jim Schacht, CEC Board Chair, said, “Dr. Roberts is a visionary leader who leads with compassion and commitment in all that he does. His vision for educational growth and economic empowerment aligns seamlessly with the CEC’s objectives, making him an ideal leader for us. Under Dr. Roberts’ stewardship, we expect to achieve new heights in educational excellence and economic opportunity in our community.”

“We welcome Dr. Jim Roberts to the CEC team with great enthusiasm,” added Jack Hess, Executive Director of CivicLab. “Jim passionately believes that having equal access to educational opportunities is essential to achieving the American dream. He is the epitome of CivicLab’s stakeholder approach to leadership, demonstrating his willingness and ability to build relationships and internalize the interests and voices of the whole community into his decision-making process.

In this key leadership role, Dr. Roberts will focus on:

• Enhancing equitable educational access, attainment, and success across all levels of the education continuum, from early learning to adult education
• Creating seamless pathways to regional career opportunities
• Retaining talent in the region by encouraging young people to stay and work locally after graduation in well-paying careers;
• Attracting more companies to grow and establish themselves in the region.

Dr. Roberts will play a pivotal role in forging robust partnerships and advancing the growth of the AirPark Columbus College Campus. He will be instrumental in enhancing program outcomes, and applying CivicLab’s stakeholder engagement model in his work. The overarching aim of his leadership is to bolster various community-focused programs, cultivating a more inclusive, educated, and economically prosperous community.

For more information about the Community Education Coalition and its initiatives, visit https://educationcoalition.com/.

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Press Release

At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, Dr. Jim Roberts will retire from his current role as Superintendent of Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation and continue his work in education in Columbus as Vice President of the Community Education Coalition (CEC).

After serving eight years as Superintendent at BCSC, Roberts’ decision came after considerable reflection with family and careful consideration of an opportunity to continue to serve the educational community, focusing on equitable access to early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary education possibilities.

“These past eight years as the leader of our school corporation provided me with an opportunity to partake in an extraordinary journey. Collectively, I feel we have appropriately navigated the ever-evolving landscape of education, celebrated numerous successes, and tackled challenges with resolve. It has been a privilege to lead and collaborate with a team of exceptionally talented educators, dedicated support staff members, and committed School Board members.” Dr. Roberts said.

Throughout his time at BCSC and over 37 years in education, Dr. Roberts has received a number of educational, community and state-wide accolades for his student-first attitude. Most recently, Dr. Roberts was awarded the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Wellness Volunteer Award for his work with the Wellness Council of Indiana and 2023 AASA/CoSN EmpowerED Superintendent of the Year. He credits much of these recognitions to the team he works with each week.

“I am proud of the work we have done together. Any successes we have achieved are a direct result of our staff and School Board’s unwavering support and the collaborative spirit that characterizes our school system,” Dr. Roberts notes.

Two Columbus residents have been arrested in an investigation into the sale of counterfeit pain killers.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, the investigation began last year with a tip about narcotics sales at a home in the 4500 block of Juniper Court. A search warrant was served at the home and 130 counterfeit oxycodone pills were recovered by the Columbus SWAT Team along with a digital scale and packaging materials.

On Tuesday, police arrested 25-year-old Blaine Sims at the home and 23-year-old Mykenzie Brookover was arrested during a traffic stop, which recovered over 170 counterfeit oxycodone pills.

Police say that the seized narcotics seized have a street value of more than $4,500.

Authorities say that counterfeit pills have been associated with multiple overdoses and overdose deaths in Bartholomew County in recent years. These particular pills are round and blue with the letter “M” and number “30” imprinted on them.

Sims and Brookover are facing preliminary charges of dealing in and possessing narcotics, as well as maintaining a common nuisance and for possessing drug paraphernalia.

The case was investigated by the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Columbus Police and the county prosecutor’s office targeting dangerous drugs in the city and county.

Photos courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

The Jackson County Chamber is now accepting applications for the Dick Moren Agribusiness Scholarships.

Two scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors from a Jackson County school who will pursue an agriculture-related degree starting this fall.

The Chamber hosts a breakfast for the scholarship winners, their families, area FFA members, farmers and Chamber members. This year’s breakfast is scheduled for 7 a.m. on March 8th at the Seymour High School Ag-Science Facility.

You can get a scholarship application on the chamber website at jacksoncochamber.com com, in e-mail from [email protected] or from the chamber offices.

If you are interested in being a sponsor for the breakfast or want to register to attend, you can go to the chamber website or call 812-522-3681.