Indiana State Police are urging you to completely remove snow and ice from your vehicle before you drive and also warning other drivers to stay away from those who do not.

According to Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, troopers were called to several incidents in Jackson County this week, where large slabs of snow and ice broke off of a vehicle and smashed into other vehicles on the road. Some of those caused significant damage to other driver’s windshields.

Wheeles said it is a driver’s responsibility to make sure that their vehicle is clear of snow and ice so you are not a hazard to others. But it also a reminder in this winter weather to leave extra space between you and drivers ahead of you on the road, so you don’t have to replace a broken windshield or even worse possible damage.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

Forecasters say that we can expect another three to four inches of snow in our area as the next winter storm blows through.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a winter storm advisory that is in effect from this morning through 1 on Saturday morning.

They say that we can expect southeastern Indiana will be the hardest hit by this storm with up to six inches possible in some spots.

If you have to be out on the roads, you can expect conditions to turn slippery especially on bridges and overpasses. And watch out for ice on your steps and sidewalks.

Travel restrictions are still in place for our area from Sunday and Monday’s snowfall. Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Johnson and Shelby counties are under a yellow travel advisory, the lowest level of restriction. You could find travel hazardous and restricted in some areas and you should avoid those areas if you can.

Jennings County is under an orange travel watch. Only essential travel is recommended and conditions are considered threatening to the public.

The Columbus Bluegrass Jamboree is returning on Saturday to Nexus Park.

The bluegrass and gospel music show begins with an open jam at 4 and you are encouraged to bring your instrument. Group performances will begin at 5 and will include bands such as Backroad Hollow, Highway 46 and High Sierra.

The Jamboree is free but donations are accepted and concessions will be available for sale.

The show is sponsored by the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department and the Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center. To get more information you can call 812-376-0714.

Two people are facing drug charges after a traffic stop in Bartholomew County.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, deputies stopped a vehicle with an obstructed license plate at just before 1 a.m. in the morning on January 2nd in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65. The driver crossed the centerline while being followed by the deputy before he was pulled over.

Deputies say the driver, 59-year-old Paul Crank of Indianapolis initially gave a fake name and said he was having a panic attack and requested an ambulance. A search of the vehicle uncovered syringes in Crank’s backpack. After being checked out at the hospital, he was arrested on preliminary charges including making a false identity statement, possession of paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of methamphetamine as well as an out of county warrant.

A female passenger, 32-year-old Kayla Flynn of Bloomington, also began having a panic attack and requested a trip to the hospital. At the hospital she admitted to carrying drugs and she was found to have hidden 34 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, pills, marijuana and a fake $100 bill. She was also found to have an outstanding warrant from another county.

Flynn is being accused of possessing the drugs and paraphernalia, as well as counterfeiting.

Photos courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department

You could see some patchy freezing fog out there this morning.

According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, the fog could lead to slick spots on untreated roadways and walks. There could also be sudden reductions in visibility.

All of our area counties remain under travel restrictions this morning.

Jennings and Decatur counties remain under orange travel watch conditions. Under an orange travel watch, only essential travel is recommended and conditions are threatening to the public.

Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Johnson and Shelby Counties are under yellow travel advisories, the lowest level of traffic restrictions. You could find travel hazardous and restricted in some areas and you should avoid those areas if you can.

If you have to head out this morning, forecasters urge you to use extra caution and to allow for extra time to reach your destination.

The next round of bad weather looks to be on the way.

Forecasters have issued a winter weather advisory that goes into effect for our area early Friday morning lasting into Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, we can expect 2 to 4 inches of snow in this next round of storms.

The highest amount of snow is expected in our area and the rest of southeastern Indiana.

The advisory is in effect in our area from 4 Friday morning through 4 Saturday.

A Seymour man is under arrest after shots were fired during an argument over a parking spot.

According to the Seymour Police Department, officers were called to the scene at about 12:25 p.m. Tuesday afternoon in the 6200 block of Northfield Drive on reports of gunshots.

Investigators say that witnesses reported a suspect became angry after clearing snow from a parking spot, and another driver parking there. The suspect, identified as 48 year old Kenny J. Kirchner Jr. of Seymour is accused of then firing three shots into the air. He was taken into custody and a search warrant was issued for his residence.

Inside the apartment, officers discovered marijuana, ammunition, and anabolic steroids.

Kirchner is facing felony charges of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of a schedule III controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.

Columbus Regional Health is partnering with a renowned Ohio-based medical facility, one of only two hospitals in the country chosen for the Cleveland Clinic Connected program.

According to CRH, the program provides access to the Cleveland Clinic’s knowledge to improve patients’ experiences, care, safety and ultimately outcomes of their treatment. The program is building a worldwide network of like-minded organizations with a focus on quality to have a positive impact on patient care worldwide.

CRH CEO Jim Bickel explains how the local hospital became involved in the selection process almost two years ago.

Steve Baker, President and Chief Operating Officer at CRH said The Cleveland Clinic reached out to CRH to be considered for the program, based on the local hospital’s high-ranking in performance metrics, particularly in quality and safety.

Bickel said  the partnership will allow the local hospital to maintain its independence and local decision making while also expand services, care and quality.

The partnership will provide several benefits to local medical care including allowing CRH clinicians to take part in educational opportunities either at Cleveland Clinic or through distance learning. CRH physicians will also be able to request input from Cleveland Clinic experts on complex cases. The Cleveland Clinic will also be making available quality improvement services and other training opportunities.

Cleveland Clinic and Columbus Regional Health are working together to identify strategic focus areas, which will begin with specific services and expand as the program advances.

Columbus Regional Health Press Release

Cleveland Clinic and Columbus Regional Health are pleased to announce an exciting program membership as Columbus Regional Health accepts the invitation to join Cleveland Clinic Connected.

Cleveland Clinic Connected is a robust program that provides members with access to this world-class healthcare institution’s wealth of knowledge to enhance patient experience and care, safety, and outcomes. The goal of the program is to build a global network of independent, like-minded, quality-focused organizations that have a positive impact on patient care around the world.

Cleveland Clinic approached Columbus Regional Health as a potential member, based on CRH’s high performance in quality and safety through publicly reported metrics, and extended official membership to join the program. Columbus Regional Health is pleased to join the program as one of two initial members in the United States and the only Indiana health system to be a part of the Cleveland Clinic Connected program.

“Our goal with the Cleveland Clinic Connected program is to connect like-minded healthcare systems together and positively impact patients no matter where they live,” said Tommaso Falcone, MD, Cleveland Clinic Executive Vice President & President, International & Emerging Markets. “Together we are aligned in our outcomes, our concept of a patient-first culture and strong quality parameters. We are excited to welcome Columbus Regional to the Cleveland Clinic Connected program.”

As a Cleveland Clinic Connected member, CRH is enabled to more rapidly accelerate the already great service line, program and initiative work, amplify patient care and experience, and more robustly support its workforce members, providers, and physicians. CRH clinicians will be able to access educational opportunities either at Cleveland Clinic or through distance learning, as well as best practices and protocols that are used at Cleveland Clinic locations worldwide. CRH physicians will also be able to request input from Cleveland Clinic subspecialists regarding complex cases. In addition, CRH’s staff can access Cleveland Clinic’s continuous quality improvement and advisory services, plus education and training including clinical observership programs.

“CRH shines when we are at the forefront of innovative, creative, and critical initiatives that affect our organization, the patients we care for, and the communities we serve,” said Jim Bickel, CEO of Columbus Regional Health. “The Cleveland Clinic Connected program provides a depth of resources and best practices in clinical and operational excellence. Pair that with the current culture, compassion, and clinical expertise of Columbus Regional Health, and you’ll have a healthcare program unmatched in the state of Indiana.”

Experts from Cleveland Clinic work with hospitals and health systems to ensure the highest standards of patient care delivery, enhancing operational efficiencies and supporting the professional development and education of clinical and non-clinical staff. Cleveland Clinic and Columbus Regional Health are working together to identify strategic focus areas, which will begin with specific service lines and expand as the program advances.

“Our organization has a long and robust history in this area,” said Steve Baker, President and Chief Operating Officer of Columbus Regional Health. “We know our patients, our workforce, and the communities we serve best. The Connected program allows Columbus Regional Health to maintain our independence and local decision making, while expanding our services, care, and quality further, faster.”

Area emergency officials are keeping travel restrictions in place, citing continued poor road conditions that likely won’t improve as temperatures have turned bitter cold.

Most area counties are maintaining an orange watch level traffic restrictions, which means conditions are threatening to the safety of the public. Only essential travel such as to work or in emergencies is recommended. That includes Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings and Shelby counties.

Johnson County has scaled back to a travel advisory, the lowest level of travel restrictions. You could find travel hazardous and restricted in some areas and you should avoid those areas if you can.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management says road and travel will likely continue to be affected through the end of the week and road crews are continuing to work to clear side streets and rural county roads.

Temperatures are expected to turn bitterly cold tonight with the National Weather Service forecasting a low of -2 degrees tonight. And with the wind it is going to feel even worse.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management suggests that you should stay home if you can, take extra time to travel, be careful of slick roadways and dress in layers to keep warm during the cold snap.

A fire in Columbus yesterday caused more than $150,000 in damages to a home in the Heron Cove Neighborhood and killed a family pet.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, a neighbor saw smoke coming from the home in the 6100 block of Pelican Lane at about 2:51 p.m. yesterday afternoon. When firefighters arrived on scene they discovered smoke coming from the garage and eaves. The owner of the home returned as firefighters prepared to battle the blaze and told the rescue workers that two cats were still inside.

Firefighters cut a hole in the roof to vent the hot gases but crews going inside encountered heavy smoke, high heat and zero visibility. They used a thermal camera to identify the fire source and extinguished the small flames, but it had already caused extreme heat damage inside. That included melting of plastic surfaces and blistering of cabinets. There was also extensive smoke damage.

Rescue crews found the two cats, one of which had died from smoke inhalation. The second cat was treated with oxygen by Columbus Regional Hospital paramedics and returned to homeowners. It is expected to recover.

Investigators believe they have discovered a source of the fire and the investigation is ongoing.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department