Bartholomew County is seeing a drop in the state funding for its problem-solving courts.

Brad Barnes, head of the court services department for the county, told the county council this week that the department is seeing a loss of about a third of the state funding for pre-trial programs and about 10 percent for the problem-solving courts this year.

This comes after the state has urged communities to adopt the new system, which diverts people such as troubled veterans and those with mental health or substance abuse issues into special courts meant to help them get back on track. Barnes said that statewide, more communities are adopting the problem-solving courts, meaning less funding for the existing programs.

Councilman Matt Miller said that this appears to be a trend with the state, encouraging the creation of programs by offering funding and then slowly pulling back the money.

Barnes said the county is able to absorb some of the impact of the lowered funding because of funds leftover from previous years. And many people in his office are pulling double duty, providing services for the problem solving courts in addition to their regular responsibilities.

We could be in for the first snowfall of the season.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis says that rain this afternoon is expected to turn into a dusting of snow overnight. We could see half an inch of snow on the ground by Thursday morning. Snow is expected to continue into the day Thursday with up to three inches of accumulation possible.

You could also see some dense fog out there this morning. Far southeastern Indiana is under a dense fog advisory until 9 a.m. and forecasters say you could see some hazardous driving conditions out there.

If you are on the road, they say you should slow down, leave plenty of distance between the vehicles ahead of you and use your low-beam headlights.

Two people were arrested after a police chase Monday through eastern Bartholomew County and Columbus, and after they switched seats in the car.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy tried to stop a vehicle that failed to yield at about 10:51 p.m. Monday night near North Buckingham and West Farmstead Drives. But instead of stopping, the vehicle took off, at one point stopping in the middle of the road to switch drivers. The driver struck a tire deflation device put out by Columbus police, but kept going.

The chase finally ended when Indiana State Police used a maneuver to spin the vehicle to a stop.

The driver, 24 year old Brandon Burton and a passenger, 18 year old Audrianna Hoover, both of Columbus, were taken into custody. Police say narcotics and paraphernalia were found in the vehicle.

Burton is facing charges of resisting arrest with a vehicle, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a previous conviction, operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment, possession of a syringe, possession of legend drug, possession of meth, possession of look-a-like substance and reckless driving. He was also wanted on two Bartholomew County warrants.

Hoover is being accused of resisting arrest with a vehicle, operating a vehicle while intoxicated,  operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment, reckless driving, possession of a syringe and possession of a look-a-like substance.

A new group has been formed to help veterans with their mental health and other needs.

According to the Bartholomew County Mental Health Matters initiative, the veterans group held its first meeting on Monday evening and plans to meet every other week. The goal is to bring together veterans who are dealing with difficult circumstances around basic needs such as housing, mental health and wellness. The group is facilitated by psychologist Dr. Myriam L. Graham.

Organizers say that the group grew out of efforts by local high school senior Chelsie Santiago-Ramos. She wanted to help her uncle, a veteran, with a mental health support group. She worked with two of the Mental Health Matters initiative Health Equity Ambassadors and coordinated with the local American Legion and the Veterans Affairs office.

The group will be meeting at 6 p.m. in the evening every other Monday at Graham & Associates. That is at 1704 Central Ave in Columbus. Dinner is provided to attendees. For more information you can call or text 812-995-1609.

Four local companies continue to advance in the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Coolest Thing Made IN Indiana contest, making it into the round with the last 16 businesses.

Hiker Trailers from Columbus, Guardian Bikes from Seymour and both Hard Truth Whiskey Co. and Bear Wallow Distillery from Nashville have advanced. There were initially 90 products from 50 communities represented, which has now been whittled down to only 14 cities and towns.

The fourth round of voting is underway and will last through Thursday evening.

The finals will wrap up December 5th with the winner announced at the 2024 Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on December 11 in Indianapolis.

You can find a link for more information and to cast your vote here: www.indianachamber.com/coolestthing

A pet food pantry distribution is set for Thursday afternoon at the Columbus Municipal Airport.

Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services will be holding their Furry Friends Food Bank giveaway from 4 to 5:30 p.m. or until the food runs out. The pet food will be distributed in the airport parking lot at 4770 Ray Boll Boulevard in front of the Charlie 119 cargo plane.

The purpose of the pantry is to assist community members in need to keep their pets in their homes and out of area shelters. If you take part you should stay in your vehicle and the food will be brought to you.

Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services is the non-profit partner of the city-operated animal shelter.

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation has issued a boil water advisories for some customers in the Midway Addition

According to the water company, a boil water advisory is in effect for the area between State Road 7 and State Road 46. That includes County Road South 450E to Midway along with Rockwood and Mulberry. The boil water advisory will be in effect until 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

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.

Two southeastern Indiana immigrants have been arrested, accused of setting up fake businesses to make it possible for those unable to buy or register a vehicle to do so.

According to the Indiana State Police, 50-year-old Jony Zavala and 40-year-old Maria Bonilla of Clarksville, have been arrested. Zavala allegedly registered 29 corporations in recent years for what appeared to be fake businesses. He then allowed people to buy vehicles through the corporations and register and title them to the corporate entity. Troopers say that after the Indiana Department of Revenue ordered tax returns be filed on nine of the LLCs the couple were principal member of, they only produced records on two. And those records were incomplete, missing bank statements.

The two were arrested Monday on charges including Racketeering, Theft and Tax Evasion.

Indiana State Police referred to the couple as “unauthorized immigrants.”

A gas line was struck by a contractor at Nexus Park Tuesday morning, but the building did not have to be evacuated.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, firefighters were called to the scene of the former Fair Oaks Mall on 25th Street at about 8 a.m. yesterday morning after the three inch gas line was struck by a contractor using an auger mounted on skid-steer.

After firefighters inspected the building, they could find no gas inside. They say that CenterPoint Energy arrived on the scene and secured the leak within minutes. Repairs to the gas line were soon underway. Portions of the building have been temporarily without gas service while the work was ongoing.

Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the fire department, said that the contractor had not checked the location of underground utilities before starting the digging.

The building was not evacuated and no one was injured.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department

Parts of Second Street in downtown Seymour will be closing down through next fall as crews completely reconstruct the roadway.

According to the city of Seymour, work began yesterday on the process of tearing out the existing roadway and replacing storm drains. The work began east of Community Drive and the Second Street intersection and will continue east, two to four blocks at a time. During the work in each area, the street will be closed along with adjoining side streets.

Although the project was originally expected to finish by next June, delays in utility work have pushed back the schedule. Organizers hope to have the street completed in time for Oktoberfest next year. Crews from Milestone Contractors will work on the project through the winter, with the exception of a break for the holidays.

You are urged to avoid the area if you can.

Photo courtesy of City of Seymour