An Air Quality Action Day has been called for Monday and Tuesday for the local area.
Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) Range throughout most of today. A system of high pressure across the lower Ohio Valley has allowed for some light smoke to reach the surface. This combined with light winds and sunny skies may lead to uncomfortable conditions for those with breathing conditions.
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According to the County Highway Department,
County Road 400 West between State Road 58 and 550 South will be closed today from approximately 7:30am until 3:00pm for road repairs. Please avoid this area if at all possible.
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Base Road, between County Road 300 East and Jewell Village, will be closed on Tuesday, August 6th and on Wednesday, August 7th from approximately 7:00 am until 4:00 pm both days. This is for tree clearing for relocation of a lift station for Utilities. Please avoid the area if at all possible.
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Co Rd 700 South (between 500 West and St Rd 58) is closed as of Monday, August 5th, 2024 thru approx. 3:30pm on Friday, August 9th for pipe replacement, NO THRU TRAFFIC is allowed.
West Nile Virus has been found in Bartholomew County.
According to the Bartholomew County Health Department, Mosquitos collected in Bartholomew County have tested positive for the disease. This is the first time this year that a positive test has been reported in Bartholomew County. The Health Department will be concentrating their mosquito vector control efforts in the areas the West Nile Virus activity has been detected.
The Health Department is asking the public to take special precautions when enjoying the outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitos are the most active.
Make sure your property is free from any standing water, which could be breeding grounds for mosquitos. Be sure to check flower pots, buckets, animal water bowls, and clogged gutters.
Use insect repellant containing DEET. Check the label of the product to be sure.
If your home has any sewer issues with standing waste water, home owners should repair all septic systems to avoid West Nile infected mosquitos.
West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitos that have been bitten by infected birds.
Someone who may have been infected by a mosquito may show symptoms 3-15 days following the bite.
Some symptoms of West Nile Virus include high fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle weakness or paralysis, and confusion.
8:43 p.m. update
Police say the missing man has been located.
Previous version:
The Columbus Police Department is asking for help in locating a missing adult male.
84-year-old Steve Lewis is missing from Greentree Assisted Living at 4895 Pineridge Dr approximately two hours ago. He is a white man, 5-10. 155 pounds with white hair, white mustache and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey sweater and navy blue pants.
If you have any information you can contact the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600 or Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center at 812-379-1689
On Friday August 2nd, Deputies with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about two individuals who had been struck by lightening. Deputies responded quickly to the scene and discovered an 18 year old male and a pregnant teenager who had been camping in a tent outside their residence. Both individuals were inside the tent when they were struck by lightening. Deputies rendered aid until medical personnel arrived. Both individuals were treated for their injuries and are in serious but stable condition.
The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office received word that the baby was ok as well.
Two Women were arrested on Saturday after stealing from the Indiana Premium Outlet Mall and then leading Police on a chase, all while having two children in the vehicle.
On Saturday August 3, 2024, Edinburgh Police attempted to stop a vehicle on US 31 and I65 after the suspects in the vehicle were reported as stealing from the Indiana Premium Outlet Mall. The suspect vehicle fled northbound on I65 at speeds of 100 MPH.
Several agencies including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the pursuit and set up stop sticks at the 90mm. The suspect’s vehicle hit the stop sticks at the 90 MM and pulled over just north of the Franklin exit with 2 flat tires. The 2 adult female occupants identified as 27 year old Alea Turentine and 33 year old Breanna Johnson, were taken into custody. While clearing the vehicle, Officers located 2 children inside the vehicle unharmed.
Turentine and Johnson have been arrested for multiple charges for the thefts, resisting with a vehicle and Child Endangerment.
The Children 2 years of age and 10 years of age were released to a family member. No one was injured in the incident.
Jim Bickel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Columbus Regional Health, has announced his intent to retire after nearly 34 years of service with Columbus Regional Health in 2025.
(Steve Baker and Jim Bickel, Courtesy of CRH)
With Bickel’s announcement , the Columbus Regional Health Board of Trustees has initiated a succession plan, effective August 1st, 2024 that will separate the roles of President and CEO of Columbus Regional Health. Jim Bickel will continue in the role of CEO, and the Board has announced that the current Chief Operating Officer, Steve Baker, will assume the role of President, in addition to his duties as Chief Operation Officer. As CEO, Jim Bickel will focus on strategic and long-term initiatives for Columbus Regional Health, and as President and Chief Operation Officer, Steve Baker will oversee daily operations of Columbus Regional Health.
Legal Aid is holding a Free Legal Aid Phone Clinic for residents of their eight-county district on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024. The district includes Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Rush, and Shelby Counties. The phone clinic will be held from 3 pm – 5:30 pm, though registration is required between 12 pm to 2 pm.
The Legal Aid Clinic and Pro Bono Program utilizes local volunteer attorneys, offering free legal consultations to low-income individuals for the access of legal advice and assistance who might not otherwise be able to afford the counsel of an attorney. Anyone seeking legal consultation must register by calling Legal Aid at 812-378-0358 on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024, between 12 pm and 2 pm. A volunteer attorney will return calls to registered individuals between 3 pm and 5:30 pm. Individuals must be available between 3 pm and 5:30 pm to answer a call from an attorney.
No Criminal law questions will be answered during this event.
Columbus Regional Health has been nationally recognized for it’s stroke care.
Columbus Regional health has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get with the Guidelines® – Stroke Quality Achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
The Gold Plus designation was achieved by an 85 percent or greater adherence on all safety, quality and care measures for at least two consecutive years. CRH was also named to the Stroke Honor Roll Elite.
Columbus Regional Health also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. This recognition aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
The Get with the Guidelines program puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines.
Exhibit Columbus has announced the curatorial theme for their 2024-25 cycle of events. The theme for this cycle is called Yes And.
According to Exhibit Columbus, Yes And is an invitation to explore the legacy of Columbus by adding to the multiple and overlapping lives of buildings and spaces.
This theme will be the driving force in all aspects of Exhibit Columbus for their October and February Design Presentations and for the Exhibition that takes place between August 15th and November 30th in 2025.
All three events take place in downtown Columbus and will be free and open to the public.
For more information you can visit the Exhibit Columbus Website at landmarkcolumbusfoundation.org/exhibit-columbus.