The city of Columbus will receive nearly $2 million through the Indiana Department of Transportation for two public safety infrastructure projects.

According to the city, a new cloud-based traffic signal system will be installed at 62 intersections across the city. It will be able to change signals as needed to allow rescue workers to reach their destinations more quickly. The city expects a cost saving to residents through lower insurance premiums and to taxpayers through fewer accidents involving police or fire vehicles.

The city will also be installing a pedestrian-activated beacon crossing system at 19th Street and Central Avenue. That intersection has been identified as a high priority in the city’s bike and pedestrian plan and will make it easier for residents to cross the busy intersection.

The state last week announced $1.9 million in funding for the projects with a 90/10 match from the city, which amounts to about a $217 thousand dollar city contribution. The projects are expected to be completed in 2027.

Columbus police are warning about scammers claiming to be police officers as a way to get your money.

According to the department, there have been several reports recently of callers trying to use scams such as saying you have an outstanding warrant and need to pay bail money, or trying to get you to make donations to a fake police charity.

Authorities say that scammers try to play on your emotions and hurry you to make bad decisions. They will frequently try to keep you on the line using threats or deadline pressure while they walk you through the steps of their scam. A caller demanding you make a payment via crypto currency or store gift card is always trying to scam you. Be cautious sharing any personal information over the phone or online. You should verify any supposed information independently by hanging up and calling back to an official number.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should contact local police directly.

For the second year in a row, a local distillery is in the final round of the Coolest Thing Made in INdiana Contest.

The contest, in its fourth year, is being organized by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the winners are being determined by online voting.

Hard Truth Whiskey Co. from Nashville with its Sweet Mash Whiskey have made it to the finals again and are competing against the handcrafted harps from Harpsicle Harps in Rising Sun.

Hard Truth distillery finished last year as the runner up.

The final round is open for your votes until Thursday evening. Awards will be presented at the Best IN Manufacturing Awards Luncheon on December 11 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.

You can vote here: https://www.indianachamber.com/coolest-thing-made-in-indiana-tournament/

Residents were evacuated Saturday night after an explosion at an egg production facility in Jackson County.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Departments, emergency crews were called to 4000 block East County Road 800N at just before midnight after a fire and explosion at Cort Acres. The Seymour Tribune is reporting that the explosion happened in the ammonia room that controls refrigeration in the egg cooler at the plant. The exact cause of the fire and explosion has not yet been identified and the fire is still under investigation.

Residents in the immediate area were evacuated for their safety.

Hamilton Township Volunteer Fire Department and other area departments worked to fight the fire. Jackson County Medics also assisted at the scene. No one was injured.

The scene was finally cleared early Sunday morning.

Emergency officials say that we could see some slick roads overnight.

There is about a 20 percent chance of freezing drizzle for the Bartholomew County area through Wednesday morning, officials say. Winds and real temperatures in the low 20s are going to make it feel like it is the single digits tonight.

You should plan to allow yourself extra time if you have to be on the road tonight or on your way to work tomorrow morning.

Jackson County authorities are releasing more information about a fatal crash on State Road 258.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, the crash happened in the 2000 block of State Road 258, west of Seymour at about 5:45 p.m. Friday afternoon. That’s when an eastbound car driven by 19-year-old Hannah M. Reedy of Seymour crossed the centerline into the path of a pickup being driven by 18 year old Michael J. Carpenter of Freetown. Firefighters say that the pickup burst into flames and passersby tried to rescue Carpenter from the wreckage.

Carpenter suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jackson County Coroner’s office.

Reedy and a passenger were treated by Jackson County medics at the scene and were then taken to Schneck Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries. They have since been released.

Also assisting at the scene were the Hamilton and Pershing Township Volunteer Fire departments and the Indiana State Police.

Authorities are warning that you could run into some slick spots on the roads out there this morning.

Last night, a crash on Interstate 65 just south of Seymour backed up traffic for hours, after a truck dropped a load of engines on the highway.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles with the Indiana State Police said through social media at about 9 p.m. last night that the crash was about four miles south of Seymour and the incident involved multiple vehicles and several people were injured. As traffic came to a standstill in the northbound lanes, people were stuck on the highway for hours. Traffic was rerouted off of the interstate onto U.S. 31 via State Road 250 and Uniontown.

The crash scene was finally cleared up and traffic back to normal at about 1 a.m. this morning.

Many area school districts have delays or closings this morning. You can find a complete list here: https://delays.1010wcsi.com

Downtown Columbus merchants and non profits will be taking part in an annual Not so Silent Night event Thursday evening, with extra hours, entertainment, food and activities to get people shopping downtown.

The event organized by Downtown Columbus and Swine and Dine will be going on from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday evening. You will be able to meet Santa and his reindeer at the Bartholomew County Historical Society, experience Victorian Christmas activities at the Heritage Fund, enjoy crafts and cocoa at the Bartholomew County Public Library and the Commons will offer a Santa Hut for games and prizes.

Xenia Miller’s crèche collection will be on display at the visitors center where you can also get free kettle corn. Kidscommons will be open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at half price and there will be tents outside the museum offering carolers, hair tinsel and ornament making.

Downtown businesses will also be taking part including:

• Blondie’s Salon & Spa – Free hot cocoa & up to 50% off in store shopping
• T.S. Artisans’ Secret Santa Grab Bag
• Book launch & signing at Viewpoint Books with local author Brandon Andress
• Lucabe Coffee 10% off Build Your Own Gift Box!
• Swine & Dine Drop-in from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring:
  • Meli Market
  • Artistry Cookie Co.
  • Cornerstone W&S Wine Tasting
  • Gracie Mae Events Flowers & Plants
  • Abflo Creative

Bloomington-based Bender Lumber Company is offering a matching gift program for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive this weekend in Columbus and Bartholomew County.

According to the company, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday Bender Lumber will match donations dollar for dollar at red kettle locations in three of the communities it serves in southern Indiana — Bartholomew, Jefferson and Monroe Counties. The company plans to match up to $5,000 in Bartholomew County, and $11,700 in the other counties for donations made those days.

The kettles will display special signs, letting shoppers know that their donations will be doubled.

This is the fifth year for the matching program. Ben Watters, President of Bender Lumber, says that the Salvation Army helps many local families going through tough times and the lumber company also values serving and helping others.

If you are interested in helping the Salvation Army as a bell ringer you can sign up for a shift at RegisterToRing.com

Johnson County authorities say that they have identified three juveniles as possible suspects in the investigation into baseballs, softballs and other debris thrown onto Interstate 65 from overpasses.

According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, similar incidents happened on the evenings of Nov. 9th and 23rd, with hundreds of the balls scattered along the interstate and surrounding fields. Debris and packaging material were also found nearby. A semi driver reported the items thrown from the overpass struck and damaged his vehicle in the most recent of the incidents.

On Wednesday night, deputies received a tip about the incidents and tracked the sporting goods to thefts from a Franklin Little League organization. That led to the identification of three juveniles connected to the incidents. The three were interviewed about the incidents.

Information from the investigation and interviews is being forwarded to the Johnson County Prosecutor’s office for review and possible charges.

Sheriff Duane Burgess said that the incidents were troubling and the community is fortunate that no one was hurt. He also praised the investigators, saying that their work “demonstrates the dedication of our officers to ensuring public safety and holding those responsible accountable.”

If you were a victim and your vehicle was damaged by an item thrown off an overpass, you should contact Sergeant Ryan Bartlett at 317-346-4767.