Traffic will be tied up starting tomorrow on U.S. 50 on the east side of Seymour.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, contractors will be two thin bridge deck projects over Mutton Creek Ditch and Storm Creek Ditch, just east of U.S. 31. There will be temporary traffic signals in place while the work is going on.

The work is expected to last two weeks, weather permitting.

The contractor for the project is RAM Construction.

INDOT asks that you slow down, use extra caution, drive without distractions and be alert to worker safety in all work zones.

Some Eastern Bartholomew Water customers are under a boil water advisory after  a damaged water main caused a water outage yesterday.

The utility says the affected area is from County Roads 450S to 850S, east and west of Jonesville Road.

The boil water advisory is in effect until Wednesday at noon.

Under a boil water advisory, you should bring water to a full boil for three to five minutes before drinking it or using it in food preparation.

If you have any questions you can call the utility at 812-526-9777.

The Mill Race Theatre Company and Columbus Indiana Philharmonic are announcing a collaboration on a production of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.”

According to the organizations, the philharmonic will be serving as the orchestra for the production, set to take the stage next summer.

The presentation will take the stage July 18-20th of 2025 at the Judson S. Erne Auditorium at Columbus North High School.

This will be an updated musical presentation of “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory”. It will include many of the classic songs from the original film but the performances will feature modern twists such as the gum-chewing character Violet Beauregarde as the Queen of Pop or Mike Teavee being addicted to social media. The show is based on the novel by Roald Dahl.

Tickets are now available by purchasing a 2024-25 season ticket for the Mill Race Theatre Company. Individual tickets will be available next spring. You can get more information or buy a season ticket at online at www.millracetheatre.org.

Texas Roadhouse in Columbus will be hosting a summer Kids Bash today including a rib-eating contest between Columbus police, firefighters and Columbus East high school football players.

According to the restaurant, the event will include games, bounce houses, vendors, and the rib eating competition. Anyone who brings in two school supply donations will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a tethered hot air balloon ride from Balloons over Bloomington, weather permitting.

The Summer Kids Bash will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the restaurant on Merchant Mile on the west side of Columbus.

Work is starting on a bridge rehabilitation project on State Road 11 between Seymour and Jonesville.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, crews are going to be working on the bridge over the John Thompson County Ditch , which is about a mile south of the Interstate 65 and State Road 11 interchange.

Temporary traffic signals will be put in place while the work is going on. The work is expected to be finished by November, weather permitting.

Work has also wrapped up on a bridge project on the East Fork White River overflow just to the south.

This project is part of a $6.9 million contract awarded to Milestone Contractors that includes three bridge projects and one guardrail project.

INDOT reminds you to slow down, to use extra caution and to drive without distractions in all work zones.

Bartholomew County continues to have trouble buying vehicles for the county government.

Yesterday Bartholomew County Commissioners approved the purchase of a used van for the county animal control department, despite the county already having an order in for a brand new van.

Commissioner Carl Lienhoop explained that the department has one van that has been out of service with transmission problems for several months, but parts are not available to repair it. A second van was also out with mechanical problems recently but is now back on the road. Lienhoop said that the county paid to purchase a new van from a local dealer last year, but the new van won’t start being built until at least next month.

Earlier this year the county detailed problems getting patrol vehicles for deputies, despite having the money in hand for new vehicle purchases.

To keep the animal control department operating, Lienhoop said the county found a used 2022 cargo van with 21 thousand miles for sale that was already fitted for use by animal control at Country Chevrolet in North Vernon.

Commissioners approved the $36,500 purchase to be made from COVID relief funds.

Note: This story has been updated

A driver was found dead in their vehicle after a pickup drove into a lake in western Bartholomew County yesterday.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, witnesses saw the truck strike a mailbox in the 8000 block of West Old Nashville Road at about 3:43 p.m. yesterday. It then drove across a yard and through a carport, crashed into a deck and a fence, before going down a hill and across a dock at the lake, ending up partially in the water.

Residents went into the water to help the driver until rescue workers arrived. Deputies say that despite the assistance from the bystanders and medics the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff’s department says the driver possibly suffered a medical episode which led to the crash. The investigation is ongoing and the driver’s name has not yet been released.

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department will be holding an open house this weekend at their new fire station.

According to organizers, there will be an open house at the station on the west side of Bartholomew County from 10 to 2 on Saturday. You will be able to tour the station, see the equipment and meet with the volunteer firefighters. Hot dogs and picnic food will also be available.

The station is at 9441 Old Nashville Road.

Photo courtesy of Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department

The Columbus Regional Health Foundation says it will not be holding its 29th annual VIMCare Benefit Dinner and Reverse Raffle this year.

The fundraiser was used to support expenses such as education assistance, financial navigation and mental health support. In previous years, organizers said that the annual event has been the largest fundraiser for the former Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, making up about a third of the clinic’s budget. Organizers say that the foundation will continue to fund services through alternative fundraising.

Organizers will consider holding the raffle again next year.

The foundation will host a new event next with month with the Impact and Gratitude Expo on August 22 at Nexus Park. The Expo will highlight the Foundation’s support of hospital and community health initiatives.

You can get more information at https://www.crh.org/foundation

A proposed solar farm project in northern Bartholomew County will be considered tonight by the Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals.

Arevon Solar, based out of Scottsdale, Arizona and New York City, is planning a 200-megawatt commercial solar facility in Clay and Flat Rock townships in north and eastern Bartholomew County to be called Swallowtail Solar.

Kevin Smith, CEO of Arevon Energy explains:

The project would be on just under 1,200 acres of privately owned land the company will be leasing from property owners.

Smith talks about the benefits that new electricity will bring to the local area:

Smith discusses the expected impacts on neighboring and nearby property owners:

The project is scheduled for consideration tonight by the Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals as a conditional use on the agriculture zoned properties. The city/county planning department staff is recommending approval of the project, saying all of the conditions have been yet.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. this evening at the meeting room at Columbus City Hall.