You could find it hard to breathe today, with high levels of ground level ozone being possible.

According to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, an Air Quality Action Day is in effect for parts of our area, including Jennings and Jackson counties until midnight tonight.

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. 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.

IDEM is offering tips on how to help reduce the ground level ozone including:

• Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation.
•  Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7pm.
• Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.

For additional information,  you can visit the IDEM Smog page at https://apps.idem.in.gov/smogwatch

A long-time Bartholomew County councilwoman has stepped down from her at-large seat on the council ahead of schedule.

Evelyn Strietelmeier Pence was honored at yesterday’s County Council meeting after 46 years of service on the council. The Bartholomew County Commissioners recognized Pence with a proclamation honoring her years of service. Councilman and former Sheriff Mark Gorbett talked about the impact Pence had on him as a new deputy, sheriff and council member.

State Rep. Ryan Lauer, a former member of the Council, recognized Pence with congratulations from the state for her years of service.

The councilwoman sent a letter announcing her decision to retire to Luann Welmer, head of the Bartholomew County Republican party, expressing health concerns. Previously she had decided not to run for re-election.

The Red Cross is stressing the urgent need for blood donations, as a shortfall in donations continues.

The agency says donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets. In celebration of World Blood Donor Day on Friday, those who donate between now and the end of the month will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.

According to the group fewer donors have been making donations in the past month and the Red Cross is running behind where it needs to be to maintain the blood supply. The lower than normal donations could be caused by several factors including severe weather and a spike in travel.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

Today from 12:15 p.m. – 5 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center on Buckeye Street in North Vernon, and from from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., at Edinburgh Methodist Church on West Campbell St,

Also coming up June 19th from 10 to 4 p.m. at The Commons in downtown Columbus and on June 20th from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Public Library.

You can schedule an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS

Three newly graduated Indiana State Police troopers have been assigned to the Versailles post that covers our area, including one from Greensburg.

According to the state police, Troopers Noah Moore, Jacob Lusby and Bryce Potraffke all graduated with the 85th Indiana State Police Academy Lateral Class, meaning they all have previously worked in law enforcement. The troopers have reported to the Versailles Post and will now begin a two-month field training period, riding with veteran troopers. After completing the field training, they will be assigned a state patrol vehicle and will begin solo patrol.

Moore is 27 and a Greensburg native. He graduated from North Decatur High School and worked as a corrections officer in Bartholomew County before serving as a Decatur County deputy for nearly five years.

Lusby is 26 and from Milan. He graduated from South Dearborn High School and Indiana University East. He served as an officer with the Aurora Police Department for nearly five years.

The 26-year-old Potraffke is also from Milan and a graduate of Rising Sun High School and Ivy Tech. He worked for Dearborn County Community Corrections as a field officer before being hired as a police officer with the Rising Sun Police Department.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police.

The owners of the Kings Hawaiian Plant being developed in northwestern Bartholomew County are already making plans for an expansion that would bring an $55 million dollar investment to the community and 150 new jobs.

Irresistible Foods Group requested a tax break from the county government yesterday, outlining its expansion plans. Company officials said they are planning a second plant in the community, with $40 million in construction and building costs and $14 million for machinery and equipment. The planned jobs would have an average wage of just over $25.

This expansion was hinted at last year, when the owners announced an $180 million investment to build a bakery on 86 acres just off of the intersection of Interstate 65 and U.S. 31 in Taylorsville. At the time, the company suggested further expansion possibilities at the site.

The County Commissioners yesterday certified a statement of benefits for the company’s plans and the County Council approved a 10-year tax abatement. Kristen Goecker with the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation said that while the abatement will save the company an estimated $1.2 million in property taxes, they would still be paying $1.1 million in new taxes to the community.

Map courtesy of Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation.

Local tourism officials say that visitors to Bartholomew County spent more than $200 million dollars in the most recent year surveyed, making it the 15th highest ranked county in the state for visitor spending.

The Columbus Area Visitors Center has released the results of the study of 2022 visitors behavior, showing a 10 percent increase in visitor spending impact over 2021. According to the study, that impact amounted to $166 million.

Columbus Area Visitors Center Executive Director, Misty Weisensteiner said,  “Tourism matters and is an important contributor to the Bartholomew County economy.”

Visitors spend their money in local bars and restaurants, stores, hotels, on transportation and at entertainment events supporting local arts and cultural organizations.

The center says tourism related businesses makes up the seventh largest employer segment in the community, with more than 2,600 jobs tied to the visitors.

The study shows that visitors generated $21.2 million in tax dollars in 2022, a 10.3 percent increase from 2021. And that without those outside dollars, local households would have to pay $646 more in taxes to keep up with the current services.

Indiana University Columbus will be hosting visits to the campus on Wednesday for those who might want to become students there.

The visit day will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The sessions are open to anyone who would like to learn more about attending IU in Columbus including including high school juniors and seniors, new students, and returning students.

If you attend, you will be able to meet with an admissions counselor, get information about programs, be assisted with the application process and take a campus tour. There will also be information about filling out the Free Application For Federal Student Aid, as well as scholarships and work-study opportunities.

You can get more information at columbus.iu.edu/admissions.

The Indiana National Guard is celebrating the upgrades to its newly renovated armory in Shelbyville.

The armory on Michigan Road was originally built in 1971. The $15.7 million dollar renovation brought the armory up to current code requirements and industry standards. It made improvements to restrooms, showers, mechanical systems and added a sprinkler system. There were also improvements to the site, including expanded parking and a storm water management system.

The renovation added more than 7,300 square feet, bringing the building up to more than 47,700 square feet.

According to the Guard, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday for the armory renovations.

About 430 Indiana National Guard aviation soldiers base their training and operations at the Shelbyville Armory and its adjoining flight facilities.

Correction: Due to a White River Broadcasting error, information about a drawing for IU tickets was incorrect in an earlier version of this story. We apologize for the error.

The United Way of Bartholomew County is making plans to holds its annual meeting next week.

The meeting will be June 18th from 4-5:30 p.m. at The Commons. The umbrella group for many local not-for-profit agencies will recognize businesses, non profit organizations and community members doing vital work in the community to lift others out of poverty and allow them to reach their full potential.

The event will start with light appetizers and a cash bar.

The event is open to the public and you are invited to attend. If you are planning to come, you should pre-register here: https://www.uwbarthco.org/get-involved/events.html/event/2024/06/18/annual-meeting/481179

The Fraternal Order of Police is looking for volunteers to help with its project parking cars at the upcoming Bartholomew County 4-H Fair.

Money brought in from fair parking helps fund the FOP Youth Program. The fair is June 21st through the 29th and help is needed each night directing vehicles to parking areas.

Volunteer shifts are from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. If you take part you will receive a T-shirt, beverages and you will be entered into a drawing to win a gas grill, cash or other prizes.

If you want to volunteer you can contact Alan Trisler at 812-343-2742.

Photo courtesy of Fraternal Order of Police Earl L. Brown Lodge 89 in Columbus