A commercial and residential project in the historic downtown area of Columbus can move forward after columbus City Council signed off on its rezoning this week.

The project would replace the former Joe Willy’s Burger Bar building and other unused spaces at the corner of 11th, Washington and Jackson Streets.

Rubicon Investment Group of Bloomington requested the rezoning for just over two acres on four properties at the corner. That includes a residence, the former restaurant and a drive-thru bank building. The change from the Commercial:Neighborhood zoning to the Commercial:Downtown district would allow for more dense development at that location.

Residents spoke out against the proposal, saying that they are concerned about the traffic the development would bring to already busy streets, the lack of setbacks and of parking and of the loss of mature trees.

City Council voted 7-2 in favor of the proposal with Councilmen Jerone Wood and Jay Foyst voting against it.

A Freetown man has been arrested, accused of sex crimes involving a child.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, deputies received a report at 8:48 p.m. Sunday night about a sexual assault in Freetown that involved a 15-year-old boy. Detectives discovered that 45-year-old Bradley A. Moore had allegedly paid for and received a sexually explicit photo from the boy on Saturday. Police say that Moore then fondled and raped the boy Sunday morning.

Moore was interviewed by police on Monday and they say he admitted to the crimes. He was arrested on preliminary felony charges of Promotion of Sexual Trafficking, attempted Rape and sexual Misconduct with a Minor.

Jackson County investigators were assisted by the Indiana Department of Child Services.

The investigation remains ongoing, police say.

A Brownstown man was arrested shortly after a bank robbery yesterday at a JC Bank branch in Jackson County.

According to Indiana State Police, the robbery happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon when an armed man entered the bank, pointed a gun at employees and then ran away with about $900 in stolen cash. Brownstown police and Jackson County deputies responded to the bank’s alarm and began investigating. A witness said that a man ran through his yard, got into a black car and then fled the scene.

Brownstown police found a vehicle matching that description on Vallonia Road near Poplar Street and pulled it over. A man got out of the back seat carrying a gun and cash. After dropping the gun the man, identified as 35-year-old Jeremiah M. Bragg was arrested by police. He is facing a preliminary felony charge of robbery.

Two women in the car were released.

Local authorities asked the Indiana State Police to investigate and the investigation is ongoing. Troopers say more charges are likely.

A Jennings County deputy stopped at a store for a bathroom break and ended up arresting the store’s worker on drug charges.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy John Amis stopped at the local business to use the facilities and discovered a meth pipe inside the restroom that was still smoking. Amis questioned the store’s employee, 64-year-old David Collett of North Vernon, who admitted to smoking the pipe and leaving it when he heard a customer enter.

Collett was on parole and police say he told them he was smoking meth because his parole officer was on vacation. Collett was arrested and deputies secured the business until a manager could arrive.

The United Way of Bartholomew County will be holding a Community Resource Fair next week, where those in need can find out about help available from local organizations and companies.

Organizers say the goal is for residents to be able to “meet face-to-face with those who are offering assistance, and get connected with available resources” says Cathy King, community impact director for the United Way.

Organizations taking part in the Community Resource Fair include:

• The Arc of Bartholomew County
• ASAP Bartholomew County
• Centerstone Health Services
• Columbus Regional Health
• Columbus Township Trustee
• Family School Partners
• Human Services, Inc.
• Just Friends
• Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center
• Love Chapel
• Sans Souci
• Stride Center
• Su Casa
• Turning Point Domestic Violence Services

The community resource fair is being supported by a $5,000 grant from Duke Energy. The power company will have representatives on hand to assist with bill management, energy assistance funds, and energy efficiency programs

The event will be at Memorial Baptist Church on 7th Street from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, February 16th. A light breakfast will be served. The event is free and you are invited to attend.

Bartholomew Consolidated Schools are looking for your thoughts on the next superintendent.

The school district has a survey they would like you to complete as they look for new leadership. Dr. Jim Roberts is stepping down from the superintendent role at the end of this school year.

The district is working with University Search Team, a group that specializes in helping public school districts find leaders. The survey is being conducted by Dr. Terry McDaniel, a professor at Indiana State University. You will remain anonymous and no identifying information will be collected.

The final report from the survey will shared with the school board.

The deadline to take part is Friday, February 16th. You can take the survey here: https://indstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ui638TwCyHJuyq

Cummins is reporting a loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 after a $2 billion dollar charge to settle regulatory actions, voluntary retirement costs and the separation of Atmus — the company’s former filtration component.

According to the Columbus-based engine manufacturer’s financial filings for the quarter and year, the company had record full-year revenues and operating cash flow. Looking at the year as a whole, Cummins revenues of $34.1 billion were 21 percent higher than in 2022.

Earnings for the full year of 2023, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, were $3.0 billion, compared to $3.8 billion a year ago. Net income for the year was $735 million compared to $2.2 billion in 2022.

The company had fourth quarter revenues of $8.5 billion, which was up 10 percent from the same quarter in 2022. However, once the regulatory, retirement and filtration costs are taken into account, Cummins had a net loss of $1.4 billion last quarter, compared to net earnings of $631 million in the 2022 quarter. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization showed a $878 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a positive $1.1 billion a year ago.

In December, the company announced a settlement with regulators of more than $1.6 billion, the largest ever penalty for violations of the Clean Air Act. Authorities say that Cummins installed emissions defeat devices on nearly a million pickup engines between 2013 and 2023.

The company did not admit wrongdoing to the accusations.

Company press release

Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2023 results.

“High global demand for Cummins’ diverse set of innovative products drove record full year revenues and operating cash flow in 2023,” said Jennifer Rumsey, Chair and CEO. “Excluding the impacts related to the agreement to resolve U.S. regulatory claims, 2023 was a record year for EBITDA, Net Income and EPS for Cummins. Also, EBITDA percent improved year over year in the Components, Distribution and Power Systems segments. I want to thank all our employees for delivering high-quality products to our customers and making 2023 a successful year.”

Fourth quarter 2023 revenues of $8.5 billion increased 10% from the same quarter in 2022. Sales in North America increased 8% and international revenues increased 13% reflecting strong demand across most of Cummins’ global markets during the period.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, net loss was $1.4 billion, or $(10.01) per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $631 million, or $4.43 per diluted share, in 2022. The results reflect the recording of a charge related to the agreement to resolve U.S. regulatory claims previously announced in December of $2.04 billion, or $13.76 per diluted share; costs related to the voluntary retirement and separation programs of $42 million, or $0.22 per diluted share; and costs related to the separation of Atmus of $33 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. The fourth quarter of 2022 included $19 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, of costs related to the separation of Atmus. The tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2023 was negative 13.3% due primarily to the non-deductible costs related to the agreement to resolve U.S. regulatory claims.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the fourth quarter of 2023 was a loss of $878 million, or negative 10.3% of sales, compared to positive $1.1 billion, or 14.2% of sales, a year ago. EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2022 included the costs noted above.

Revenues for the full year 2023 were $34.1 billion, 21% higher than 2022. Sales in North America increased 22% and international revenues increased 20% compared to 2022 due to the addition of Meritor and strong demand across most global markets.

Net income for the full year 2023 was $735 million, or $5.15 per diluted share, compared to $2.2 billion, or $15.12 per diluted share, in 2022. 2023 results included costs related to the agreement to resolve U.S. regulatory claims of $2.04 billion, or $13.78 per diluted share, costs related to the separation of Atmus of $100 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, and costs related to the voluntary retirement and separation programs of $42 million, or $0.22 per diluted share. Full year 2022 results included costs related to the indefinite suspension of operations in Russia of $111 million, or $0.72 per diluted share and costs related to the separation of Atmus of $81 million, or $0.45 per diluted share. The tax rate in 2023 was 48.3%, which is higher than our external guidance, primarily due to the non-deductible costs related to the agreement to resolve U.S. regulatory claims.

EBITDA in 2023 was $3.0 billion, or 8.9% of sales compared to $3.8 billion, or 13.5% of sales, a year ago. EBITDA for 2023 and 2022 included the costs noted above.

Operating cash flow for 2023 was a record inflow of $4.0 billion, compared to $2.0 billion in 2022, as Cummins continues to focus on working capital management within the business.

You can see more here: https://investor.cummins.com/news/detail/635/cummins-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2023-results

State Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour is defending his controversial exchange with a group of students advocating against gun violence at the Statehouse last week.

Lucas displayed his holstered handgun to the group from Muncie which was assembled in the atrium of the Indiana Statehouse. That prompted group members to say they felt “uncomfortable and threatened.”

Lucas says he probably could have handled a conversation with a young group of girls advocating against gun violence at the Statehouse better.

Lucas said that he noticed the group while walking in the atrium and took some free time to engage in a conversation with them about their concerns. He said the dialogue between them was initially polite and constructive.

“I was using that as an opportunity to educate them on some facts that they were obviously not aware of,” Lucas said to “The Gun Guy” on 93 WIBC.

That’s when Lucas was seen on video saying “Look. I’m carrying right now”, lifting his suit jacket to reveal his holstered handgun.

“I got caught up in the moment talking to a young group of adults there. It was unscripted, unscheduled. It just happened,” Lucas said. “Somewhere along the way, someone has instilled into these young adults an absolute fear of somebody exercising their constitutional right that posed absolutely zero threat to them.”

Lucas encourages people to watch the whole video from start to finish to see for themselves how the exchange went.

Lawmakers are allowed to carry handguns in the Indiana Statehouse. Lucas is also supporting legislation that would expand that ability to staff members of lawmakers and cabinet members.

Story courtesy of Network Indiana

Columbus City Council is being asked for its final approval tonight on a proposal to rezone property at the corner of of 11th, Washington and Jackson Streets that would allow a commercial and residential project in the historic downtown area.

The project would replace the former Joe Willy’s Burger Bar building and other unused spaces at the corner. Residents have said they are concerned about the traffic the development would bring to already busy streets, the lack of setbacks and of parking.

Rubicon Investment Group of Bloomington is requesting the rezoning for just over two acres or four properties at the corner. That includes a residence, the former restaurant and a drive-thru bank building. The change from the Commercial:Neighborhood zoning to the Commercial:Downtown district would allow for more dense development at that location.

The proposal received a positive recommendation from the city plan commission in December. The city and county planning department staff is also recommending approval of the zoning change.

Columbus City Council gave its first approval to rezoning the properties at its meeting last month.

City Council meets at 6 p.m. tonight at Columbus City Hall.

Sans Souci will be celebrating its 45th anniversary later this month.

The non-profit thrift store opened on Feb. 21st in 1979. The goal of the store is to help everyone in the community live life “without worry,” the meaning of its French name.

The original goal was to support pregnant women and women with young children. It now provides free clothing, shoes and winter coats to residents in need, allows community members to stretch their budget by offering donated goods at low-cost, and provides employment opportunities for those who suffer from barriers preventing them from employment elsewhere.

It first started on 12th Street and has moved several times, including 14th Street, Jackson Street and State Street locations before moving to its current 13th Street location across from the Doug Otto United Way Center on 13th Street in 2003.

Sans Souci became a United Way agency in 1998. During the 2008 flood recovery, it was the official donation relief site for the community.

The agency is also celebrating the 29th work anniversary today of its executive director Sheryl Adams, who started as a cashier and has also served as store manager, truck driver and operations supervisor. She became executive director in 2008.

The store will be holding a celebration open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on February 21st. It will include celebratory cupcakes and the store will be open for evening shopping.

You can get more information at sans souci dot org.