The United Way of Bartholomew County is looking for volunteers to help community organizations with the annual Day of Caring next month.

The Day of Caring is being held on May 17th and registration will start at noon today for the volunteer slots.

The annual Day of Caring is a full-day volunteer event that connects local businesses and community members with non-profit agencies and organizations. Nearly 500 volunteers are needed to help 21 organizations that make a positive difference in Bartholomew County.

Volunteer projects will include tasks such as planting flowers, mulching, painting, organizing, and sorting donations. According to organizers, volunteers of all ages and skill levels can take part.

The deadline to register for a volunteer slot is May 15th. You can sign up by going to : https://uwbarthco.galaxydigital.com/need/

Ivy Tech Community College Columbus campus will be hosting a showcase of student businesses as well as a pitch competition next week.

The activities will be going on April 30th at the airpark campus on Central Avenue in Columbus. The showcase will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and the pitch competition will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

During the pitch competition, students will present their business ideas with the chance to win cash prizes. They will have a chance at $2,500 for 1st place; $1,250 for 2nd place; and $750 for 3rd place. Students in the college’s Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be presenting. Students in the college’s other programs as well as alumni are welcome to enter the competition. You can  enter the competition here: link.ivytech.edu/competition

Community members are encouraged to attend the showcase and pitch competition to hear the student’s proposals and give your feedback.

The event is free and you are invited to attend.

The Crump Theatre will be holding a community concert this weekend featuring blues musicians Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel.

Jess Schnepp, head of the Crump renovations efforts, explains that proceeds from events like these go right back to funding improvements at the not for profit theatre. The theatre recently finished renovations on a women’s lounge upstairs, and now will work on the men’s lounge.

Schnepp said that this is the last event for a few months at the Crump, as the theatre will close to perform more renovations.

The next big events will be coming up in October to celebrate the theatre’s 135th anniversary.

The concert will also include Kyle Bledsoe, who recently performed the National Anthem on Opening Night at Victory Field .

The concert will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday night and all ages are welcome. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission and there are red carpet tickets available that include a VIP meet and greet.

You can get more information on the Crump Theatre Facebook page. You can purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rock-the-crump-w-mike-milligan-steam-shovel-tickets-877424880437

Note: This story has been updated

Indiana State Police are investigating the death of a prisoner yesterday at the Jackson County Jail.

According to troopers, state police detectives were called to the jail at about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Jail staff reported that they were talking to a prisoner, 35-year-old Antonio D. Fox of Jackson, Mississippi, who was being detained in a holding cell. That’s when Fox collapsed.

Jail staff began life-saving measures and Jackson County medics arrived to provide further medical care. Fox was transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled today in Hamilton County, Ohio.

The sheriff’s department called in state police to investigate. Troopers say that the results of the investigation will be turned over to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office for review.

Original Indiana State Police press release

This evening, April 23, 2024, Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post began investigating the death of an inmate that was being held in the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown, Indiana.

The initial investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives indicated that at approximately 5:15 pm this evening, jail staff responded to a holding cell to check on the inmate who has been identified as Antonio D. Fox, 35, Jackson, Mississippi.  While the jail staff was speaking with him, Fox collapsed inside the cell.  Jail personnel began administering life saving measures to Fox, who was the only occupant of the cell.  Jackson County EMS was called and arrived on scene to provide further medical care.

Fox was transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana where he was soon pronounced deceased.  The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department requested Indiana State Detectives respond to investigate the death of the inmate.

The investigation remains ongoing.  An autopsy is scheduled to be performed in Hamilton County, Ohio tomorrow.  Antonio Fox’ family has been notified.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Indiana State Police Detectives have been assisted in the investigation by the Jackson County Coroner’s Office.

First Financial Bank is kicking off a book donation drive next month at its local locations to help raise financial literacy.

According to the bank, you can donate books about personal finance and similar subjects at bins in the Columbus, Edinburgh and Hope branches from May 6th through the 24th. Once collected the books will be donated to local schools, libraries and other non profit groups in the community.

To take part you do not have to be a client of First Financial Bank.

Roddell McCullough, chief corporate responsibility officer for First Financial said that reading and financial literacy go hand and hand and he said “this is an opportunity to team up with the community to help our neighbors improve their financial wellbeing.”

First Financial’s most recent book drive was in 2022 and led to more than 20,000 books donated at branches in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois.

Photo: First Financial Bank held a book drive and financial literacy campaign in April of 2022. 

Ignite Columbus, a pitch competition organized by the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, is returning on Thursday.

Ignite is an idea-sharing competition held in over 100 cities worldwide. Organizers say the events are a venue for innovative thinkers to share their personal and professional passions . Participants will present their ideas in five minute pitches. Each pitch will have 20 slides, each shown for 15 seconds. There will be two judged categories, “Most Enlightening” and “Most Innovative.” along with a People’s Choice Category.

Presenters for Thursday’s pitches will include Jessica Bowman, Stephanie Stroghmann, Jonathan Isbill, Chaitra Shekar, Vachel Hudson and Andres Nieto.

There will also be food and a cash bar available.

Ignite Columbus will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Helen Haddad Hall at the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic headquarters at 315 Franklin Street

You can register to attend at columbusareachamber.com.

A Bartholomew County man has been arrested on child molesting charges after an investigation by Indiana State Police.

According to state troopers, the investigation began in August after allegations were reported to the agency. The investigation concluded that 20 year old Jayden K. Hardwick had improper contact with two juveniles in Bartholomew County. The findings of the investigation were turned over to the Bartholomew County prosecutor’s office and a warrant was issued for Hardwick on two felony counts of child molesting and one charge of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Troopers arrested Hardwick on Friday afternoon.

A reminder that Marr Road is scheduled to close today as contractors work between 25th Street and Brent Cross.

According to the city engineer’s office, Marr Road will be closed from about 9 to 2 today as crews cut into the roadway to install new infrastructure to manage storm water.

The city’s work is being done by Milestone Contractors and funding for the work is part of the city’s Community Crossings Matching Grant with the state.

You are urged to seek alternate routes, to slow down and use caution in work zones and don’t drive while distracted.

A wanted Columbus man is facing new charges after his arrest Sunday night.

According to the Columbus Police Department, officers served an arrest warrant at a home on North Hinman Street at about 8:45 p.m. Sunday night, looking for 31-year-old Ryan C. Lee. They found Lee, who was wanted on five outstanding warrants in the back yard of the home and he was arrested without incident. After he was taken into custody, officers found he was carrying a syringe and other drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the outstanding warrants, he is now facing charges for possessing the drug-related items.