An exhibition of photos of Columbus landmarks has moved to Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning.

According to the Landmark Columbus Foundation, the American Modern exhibition features 12 large-scale photos by photographer Iwan Baan and design work by Studio Lin premiered in Columbus at the Columbus Area Visitors Center. The artwork was commissioned to offer a compelling look at the modernist design heritage in Columbus.

Richard McCoy, executive director of the Landmark Columbus Foundation, said he was thrilled the work has moved to Ball State’s College of Architecture and Planning, saying the school “is home to some of the nation’s most innovative architectural and urban planning programs.”

The artists and Columbus-native author Matt Shaw, collaborated on a book called “American Modern: Architecture, Community, Columbus, Indiana” that was released last year.

The exhibit is now open to the public at the college’s gallery in the Ball State University Architecture Building in Muncie, Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can find more information here: CAP Exhibit Gallery

Landmark Columbus Foundation’s mission is to care for, celebrate, and advance the cultural heritage of Columbus and like-minded communities.

Jackson County authorities say an inmate has walked away from a work crew near Vallonia.

According to the Jackson County dispatch center, Michael D. Brown is an inmate from the Edinburgh Correctional Facility who had been on a work detail near the Vallonia Tree Nursery. He was last seen near Starve Hollow.

Brown is described as a light skinned black male, 5 foot 8 inches tall and 184 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Dispatchers say he has several tattoos including a rose on his right hand, a royal crown on his right arm and a Chicago bulls logo on his left leg.

He was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and pants, a Carhartt style jacket and an orange hat. However, he could be just wearing long John style undergarments now.

Authorities say that if you live in the area you should lock your door. If you see the escaped prisoner you should call 911.

Force Construction is being recognized as the employee-owned company of the year in Indiana.

According to the Columbus based construction company, it was recognized recently by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or ESOP Association’s Indiana chapter. Force says it is a 100 percent employee owned company that fosters a workplace where every employee has a stake in its success.

The association presents the annual award to celebrate organizations that foster a culture where employee-owners are empowered, educated, and invested in the company’s success.

Cummins Chief Administrative Officer Sharon Barner will soon be retiring.

The Columbus based engine manufacturer made the announcement yesterday that Barner would be retiring effective May 31st after 13 years with the company.

Prior to her time with Cummins, Barner at private practice law firms focused primarily on intellectual property law. She served in the U.S. Department of Commerce as Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

She joined Cummins in 2012, serving first as vice president and general counsel. She became Chief Administrative Officer in 2021.

A Bedford man is facing drug dealing and other charges after a traffic stop in southeastern Indiana Monday.

Indiana State Police say that they pulled over a vehicle in Salem Monday night suspecting it may have been involved in a protective order violation. Troopers noticed drugs in plain view during the traffic stop. A passenger at first refused to identify himself and then gave a fake name. But authorities determined he was 30 year old Dakota W. Stinson of Bedford who was wanted on an outstanding warrant from Lawrence County. During the stop, troopers say he tried to destroy evidence and was found to be carrying a stolen handgun.

Stinson is facing preliminary charges including dealing in and possessing meth and narcotics, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, theft of a firearm, false informing and obstruction of justice.

A local architecture firm is being recognized for its work restoring the iconic tower at First Christian Church in Columbus.

The Partners for Sacred Places recently announced its annual Religious Architecture and Art Award Winners for 2024 and Louis Joyner Architects of Columbus has received the Restoration Award.

The church and tower were designed by architect Eliel Saarinen in 1942 and it is recognized as one of the first Modernist church designs in the United States. However, a 2019 assessment of its condition found significant cracking, delaminating of the veneer, rust and other problems.

The repairs were completed in 2023, in a $3.2 million project that included community donations, and grants from the National Fund for Sacred Places, the National Parks Service, and the Jeffris Family Foundation.

The jury comments for the Partners for Sacred Places competition called it “wonderful to see that this modern landmark church is receiving such thoughtful care.”

With more severe weather possible, Columbus officials want to remind residents that they can sign up for text, phone and email alerts in the event of bad weather.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management issues the alerts through its Everbridge system but to take part you need to sign up. If you do, you will receive the county’s updates as severe weather or other emergencies unfold. You can set up the alerts to arrive in a variety of ways and tailor your choices to only receive the alerts you are most concerned about.

You will need to set up an account and you can do so online. Authorities say that signing up takes just a few minutes, but it can make all the difference when it comes to staying safe during emergencies.

You can sign up here:  https://member.everbridge.net/453003085611297/login Or you can call 812-379-1500 or email [email protected] if you need more assistance.

Forecasters say that our area is under a slight risk for severe weather today and it could get windy this afternoon and evening.

According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, we could see strong winds with gusts of up to 60 mph. There is also a chance of thunderstorms late today with some possibly severe. Damaging winds could be the biggest threat from the storms with isolated tornadoes possible as the storm system moves through the state .

A wind advisory goes into effect in our area from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Emergency officials say that you should make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and warn that tornado sirens are meant to be heard outdoors and may not be audible in a building. You should also make sure you know a safe space to go in your home or at work if severe weather hits.

A flood warning on East Fork White River at Seymour has been allowed to expire after the river dropped back below the flood level overnight. According to river gauges, the river is now at about 11 and a half feet, which is six inches below the minor flood stage. The river crested yesterday afternoon and dropped below the 12 foot flood level by about 2 a.m. this morning. The flood warning was originally set to expire this afternoon.

A flood warning continues for East Fork White River at Seymour and areas downstream, although the flooding in our area appears to have crested this afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, the flood warning has been extended through Wednesday evening with minor flooding ongoing and minor flooding expected.

The agency says that our area saw 1 and a half to two inches of rain over the weekend. As of this afternoon, the river was at 12.8 feet, about nine inches the 12 foot minor flood stage. It appears to have crested at 13 feet this afternoon and is heading back down. It should drop back below flood stage by Wednesday morning.

You can look for flooding updates on our website.

U.S. 31 will be closing in northern Jackson County for a month and a half or more.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, contractors will be rehabilitating a small drainage structure just north of Reddington starting on March 31st. That is between East Jackson County Road 1200N and County Road 1150N. The road is expected to be closed until mid May but the schedule is dependent on the weather.

Signs are in place now, warning of the closure. While the highway is closed the detour will follow U.S. 50 to State Road 11 to State Road 46 and then back to U.S. 31.

Olco, Inc. will be the contractor for the project.

INDOT reminds you to slow down, to drive without distractions and to be extra alert to worker safety in all work zones.