Some customers of Eastern Bartholomew Water Corp. are under a boil water advisory.

The water company says there was a water outage for the Hammer Heights Addition after another company damaged a water main while working in the area. The affected area also includes South County Road 600E near Ceraland. Customers will be under a boil water advisory until noon on Friday.

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.

For more information, call the water utility at 812-526-9777.

The city of Columbus says that Cleveland Street will be closed today.

The city engineer’s office says that Columbus City Utilities will be repairing a water main break south of 7th Street. The work is expected to start this morning and last until about 4 p.m. this afternoon. Residents will still be able to access their homes.

You should avoid the area, if you can.

Columbus City Council approved a new noise ordinance at their meeting last night that will limit loud and obnoxious noise levels in the city.

The new ordinance outlines several categories of specific noises to be regulated including loud animals, vehicles, construction equipment, loudspeakers and musical instruments. It also limits yelling, shouting, whistling or similar activity on public streets from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Penalties will start at $100 for violations. Anyone who violates the code more than three times in a 12-month period can be declared a public nuisance. Anyone who  continues to make noise so after being asked to stop by police or by a code enforcement officer is committing disorderly conduct.

Residents who want to report a violation can contact the city code enforcement department, or city police in an emergency case.

The Jackson County Community Foundation and Purdue Cooperative Extension Service will be holding their 22nd annual Farmers Breakfast next week.

According to the foundation, the event will be February 12th in Brownstown. The featured speaker will be Michael Langmeier of Purdue University. He is a professor and extension economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics and serves as associate director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture. He will provide an ag forecast at the meeting.

The community foundation supports local farmers through efforts such as the Bob Myers Memorial Scholarship Fund and the C.B. Hess 4-H Memorial Scholarship Fund. The foundation also supports the annual Giving the Gift of Grain and Giving the Gift of Livestock programs.

The program will begin at 7:30 a.m. February 12 at Pewter Hall in Brownstown. Doors open at 7 a.m. The event is free. To attend, you should call 812-523-4483 or email [email protected].

Cummins is reporting record revenue and other measures for 2024.

The Columbus based engine company issued its quarterly and annual reports yesterday. According to Jennifer Rumsey, Cummins chair and CEO, the company had record full year revenues, net income and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. She said the company has made “significant progress in advancing our Destination Zero strategy” but also that “the adoption of certain zero-emissions solutions has slowed in some regions around the world.”

Although year over year revenues were flat statistically, the company still eked out a record year with $34.1 billion in revenue in 2024, compared to $34.065 billion in 2023. Operating expenses were down and operating income was up leading to net income of $3.9 billion dollars compared to $735 million in 2023.

2023 revenues were affected by $2 billion in settlement with the federal government lawsuit, as well as $100 million for the separation of the filtration business.

In the 4th quarter of 2024, revenues of $8.4 billion were down by about 1 percent over the previous year. The company said that sales were flat in North America while international revenues were down 3 percent from the same time in 2023.

Looking ahead, the company expects 2025 revenue to be in the range of down -2 percent to up 3 percent, year over year.

Cummins Inc. Press Release

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2024 results.

“Cummins delivered strong operational results in the fourth quarter and achieved record full year revenues, net income, EBITDA and EPS, despite a decline in heavy duty truck demand in North America,” said Jennifer Rumsey, Chair and CEO of Cummins. “In the fourth quarter, we recorded charges related to the reorganization of our Accelera by Cummins segment. The charges were the result of a strategic review to streamline operations and focus investments, as the adoption of certain zero-emissions solutions has slowed in some regions around the world.”

“2024 marked a transformative year for Cummins as we made significant progress in advancing our Destination Zero strategy and delivered record results. I am tremendously proud of our employees for delivering innovative technologies for our customers, strengthening our position in key markets and achieving our financial performance targets,” concluded Rumsey.

Fourth quarter 2024 revenues of $8.4 billion decreased 1% from the same quarter in 2023. Sales in North America were flat while international revenues decreased 3%.

Net income attributable to Cummins in the fourth quarter was $418 million, or $3.02 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 billion, or $(10.01) per diluted share, in 2023. The current quarter results include Accelera reorganization actions of $312 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, which were primarily non-cash charges. The fourth quarter of 2023 included the recording of a charge related to the Settlement Agreements of $2.0 billion, or $13.76 per diluted share; costs related to the voluntary retirement and separation programs of $42 million, or $0.22 per diluted share; and costs related to the separation of Atmus of $33 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. The tax rate in the fourth quarter was 32.8% due primarily to non-deductible costs related to the Accelera reorganization actions.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the fourth quarter were $1.0 billion, or 12.1% of sales, compared to a loss of $878 million, or negative 10.3% of sales, a year ago. EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023 included the costs noted above.

Full year 2024 revenues of $34.1 billion were flat to 2023. Sales in North America increased 1% and international revenues decreased 1% compared to 2023. 2023 included a full year of Atmus Filtration Technologies revenues, whereas 2024 included Atmus until final separation on March 18.

Net income for the full year 2024 was $3.9 billion, or $28.37 per diluted share, compared to $735 million, or $5.15 per diluted share, in 2023. 2024 results included the gain related to the separation of Atmus, net of transaction costs and other expenses, of $1.3 billion, or $9.28 per diluted share; charges related to Accelera reorganization actions of $312 million, or $2.12 per diluted share; and first quarter restructuring expenses of $29 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. Full year 2023 results included costs related to the Settlement Agreements of $2.0 billion, or $13.78 per diluted share; costs related to the separation of Atmus of $100 million, or $0.54 per diluted share; and costs related to the voluntary retirement and separation programs of $42 million, or $0.22 per diluted share. The tax rate in 2024 was 17.0%, primarily due to the non-taxable gain on the separation of Atmus partially offset by non-deductible costs related to the Accelera reorganization actions.

EBITDA in 2024 was $6.3 billion, or 18.6% of sales, compared to $3.0 billion, or 8.9% of sales, a year ago. EBITDA for 2024 and 2023 included the gains and costs noted above.

2025 Outlook:

Based on its current forecast, Cummins projects full year 2025 revenue to be in the range of down 2% to up 3%, and EBITDA to be in the range of 16.2% and 17.2% of sales.

Cummins plans to continue generating strong operating cash flow and returns for shareholders and is committed to our long-term strategic goal of returning 50% of operating cash flow back to shareholders.

“In 2025, we anticipate that demand will be slightly weaker in the North America on-highway truck markets, particularly in the first half of the year, but offset by strength in other key markets. Despite a relatively flat revenue forecast and relative weakness in the key North America truck markets, we expect to improve profitability and cash flow. Cummins remains well-positioned to deliver strong financial performance, invest in future growth and return cash to shareholders,” said Rumsey.

2024 Highlights:

• Cummins increased its common stock cash dividend for the 15^th straight year and returned a total of $969 million to shareholders through dividends.
• Cummins finalized the complete separation of Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. through a share exchange offer which reduced Cummins’ shares outstanding by approximately 5.6 million shares.
• Cummins introduced the Cummins HELM™ engine platforms. Applied across Cummins’ legendary B, X10 and X15-series engine portfolios, the HELM platforms provide customers with the option to choose the fuel type – either advanced diesel or alternate fuels like natural gas and hydrogen – that best suits their business needs and offers the power customers expect – while also reducing emissions. In September, Cummins began full production of the X15N™ natural gas engine at the Jamestown Engine Plant in New York, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.
• Cummins and Isuzu announced the launch of a new 6.7-liter engine designed for use in Isuzu’s new medium-duty truck lineup available in Japan and other global markets. Cummins also announced plans to launch a battery electric powertrain for Isuzu’s F-series in North America. Availability of the medium-duty truck is expected in 2026 and will include Accelera’s next generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology.
• Accelera™ by Cummins, Daimler Trucks & Buses PACCAR, and EVE Energy completed the formation of their joint venture, Amplify Cell Technologies, to localize battery cell production and the battery supply chain in the United States. This strategic collaboration will advance zero-emissions technology for electric commercial vehicles and industrial applications. Amplify began construction of a 21-gigawatt hour (GWh) factory in Marshall County, Miss., with potential for further expansion as demand grows. The factory is expected to create more than 2,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs and is targeting the start of production in 2027.
• Cummins Power Generation introduced four new generator sets to the award-winning Centum™ Series, two each powered by Cummins’ QSK50 and QSK78 engines. In response to high market demand, these new models have been engineered specifically for the most critical applications such as data centers, healthcare facilities and wastewater treatment plants. These products build on decades of experience meeting our customers’ needs and deliver a step-change improvement in power density, assured reliability, sustainability and low emissions.
• Cummins received several prestigious honors recognizing our focus on our people and our communities. Of note, we were named industry leader in the Commercial Vehicle and Machinery category for America’s Most JUST Companies list and a 2024 Handshake Early Talent Award winner for our role in shaping the workforce of the future. For the third consecutive year, Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) awarded Cummins a rating of AAA – the highest sustainability rating in the industry. Additionally, we were named a Veteran Friendly Employer by U.S. Veterans Magazine, a Top Company for Women to Work in Transportation, and ranked in the top 100 on Glassdoor’s Best Places to work in 2024.

SPARK Jackson County is extending the deadline to apply for the next session of its SPARK Tank entrepreneurship competition.

According to the competition rules, any Jackson County resident high school age or older can submit one business proposal or idea for a chance to win $10,000 in funding. The ideas could be for a new business startup, or an idea to improve an existing business or service. Those submitting the top ideas will be lined up with a coach to help them sharpen their proposals. At the live event on March 27th, competitors will have a chance to pitch their project to a panel of judges for five minutes, followed by a 5 minute long round of questions.

Applications are now due by Friday, Feb. 7th. You can find  for more information or apply here: https://forms.gle/MwQJQeiNMG25Zynx9

With the warm weather leading to some early spring cleaning efforts, the city of Columbus Department of Public Works is reminding you that there are limits to the amount of trash that they will haul away.

The city does provide bulky item pickups, on a limited basis. Those can include up to two 2 appliances, two pieces of furniture and up to 20 bags or boxes of trash. After you place the appropriate items curbside, you should contact the city Department of Public Works through the CurbCycle app or by calling 812-376-2509. Crews will remove the items within two to four days.

Officials stress that the service is not meant to be used regularly for weekly trash removal. Instead, if you regularly require extra pickups, you may purchase service with an additional trash Toter for a small fee.

There are items city crews will not haul away including:

• Carpeting
• Lumber
• Shingles
• Concrete
• Fencing or any construction or remodeling debris
• More than 20 bags or boxes of trash.

You should not place excessive amounts of trash or large piles of items at the curb, as they will not be collected.

Indiana conservation officers are praising a Washington County deputy and firefighter who saved a Crothersville man who fell through the ice last week.

According to conservation officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 76-year-old Jasper Combs of Crothersville was about 100 yards from the shore when he fell through the ice on Elk Creek Lake in Washington County at about 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

Other anglers had called 911 for assistance, and Washington County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Matt Hein and Gibson Township Fire Department Captain Andrew Mull arrived on the scene. They ran nearly a half mile around the lake to reach Combs. Conservation officers say by that time he had been clinging to the ice for nearly 45 minutes and was losing strength.

The two rescuers went out on the ice, threw a rope to Combs and dragged him to safety. They then carried him back around the lake to a waiting ambulance.

Conservation officers say that there is no doubt that the rescue workers saved Combs life.