A new service will allow Bartholomew County emergency officials to warn anyone with a cell phone of life-threatening emergencies, even if they are from out of the area and have not signed up for local emergency alerts.

Emergency management director Shannon Cooke presented an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency during Monday morning’s meeting of the Bartholomew County Commissioners to allow the county to take part in the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. Cooke said that the service would piggyback on the existing Everbridge alert system, which allows the county to make automated phone calls, text messages and emails to those who sign up, warning them of emergency conditions such as weather alerts or missing children.

Cooke said that the new service would allow the system to identify those in a particular area and send them targeted alerts in the case of life-threatening situations. She said that could include thing such as a tornado warning or a criminal on the loose. It would use the geo-location function of cell phones to send the messages to anyone in the designated area using the same protocols as the wireless alert system that issues Amber Alerts.

The key difference being that it would identify any cell phones in the designated area to send alerts. For example, out-of-county attendees at a sporting event could be alerted if there was a tornado warning during a game.

It would also allow the use of NOAA weather radios for alerts and could be used to send messages over cable television.

Commissioner Tony London said that out of 85 thousand people in Bartholomew County, only about 27 thousand have signed up for Everbridge.

Cooke said that the service is being provided free of charge to the county. County emergency officials have already been trained in the use of the system and once their certification is submitted the service would be available. She estimated it would be available in about a month.

Commissioners approved the memorandum of understanding with the federal agency to allow the county to take part in the service.

The Jackson County Chamber is making plans for its annual golf tournament.

According to the chamber, the Jackson County Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, June 20th at Shadowood Golf Course in Seymour. Organizers say that the tournament is a opportunity for networking, friendly competition and outdoor fun. Golfers of all skill levels are invited to take part.

The event will be an 18-hole scramble with prizes, contests and sponsorship opportunities available.

Proceeds from the tournament will support Chamber initiatives that foster business growth and
community development in Jackson County.

You can find more information or sign up on the Chamber website at jacksoncochamber.com.

Jennings County deputies made an arrest Friday after a stolen motorcycle was found at the Dollar General Store on State Road 7.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, the motorcycle was located using surveillance techniques at about 9:15 a.m. Friday morning at the store. They located the driver, John J. Meisberger II and found that he was wanted on an outstanding Jennings County warrant for theft. A search found that he was carrying about 18 grams of fentanyl, along with items that had been stolen from the store.

He was arrested on preliminary charges including auto theft, theft, dealing narcotics, driving while suspended and possession of drug paraphrenia, as well as the original warrant for theft and criminal trespassing.

The Seymour mayor’s office is looking for high school students to be members of the Mayor’s Youth Council.

The youth council operates as an advisory board to the mayor on issues affecting youth in the community. Council members take part in city meetings, tour city facilities, hear from guest speakers and participate in other leadership activities. Participants will need to agree to take part in youth council meetings up to twice a month through the school year.

Applications are open to students who will be 9th through 12th graders starting this fall at Seymour High School or at home schools. You can find a link for more information or an application here or email [email protected]

Columbus Area Arts Council will be hosting an event next weekend to celebrate and to let you learn about pinhole photography.

The artist led workshop will be from noon to 5 on Sunday, April 27th at the 6th Street Arts Alley. Bridget Conn and Ken Klehm will lead the workshops on the original analog cameras. The event is in celebration of World Pinhole Photography Day.

The workshop will be in one hour time slots from noon to 4 with a photography meet-up from 4 to 5 p.m.

During the event participants will learn how to use the simple cameras, take a tour of downtown sites for photos, then learn how to develop the film in a portable darkroom.

The event is made possible through a Positive Change Grant from Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and the city of Columbus. You can find more information or register at the Arts Council website at https://www.artsincolumbus.org

Low-income Bartholomew County residents will have a chance for free legal advice Tuesday.

River Valley Legal Aid will be offering a walk-in legal clinic. If you take part you will have a brief consultation with a volunteer attorney to answer general questions, to offer legal information or to receive other advice.

The walk-in clinic will be from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Public Library on Fifth Street.

Authorities are warning about several types of scams circulating after the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in the past few weeks.

The Indiana Attorney General’s office is offering tips on how to protect yourself from some of the more common scam attempts.

If you need repairs after the storm damage, authorities say that you should make sure to take your time making a decision and don’t let a would be contractor pressure you into making a decision. Instead, you should do your research on the proposed repairs, making sure that they are charging rates that you can afford for the work you need done.

You can talk to friends and family members to get recommendations on reputable contractors and check the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the Better Business Bureau to see if there are complaints or information on any contractor you are considering.

The attorney general’s office cautions you to always be skeptical if someone shows up at your door, saying that they saw damage to your home from the street, that they are working in the neighborhood already or that they are offering a special deal that is only available for today only.

And, in general, it is probably best to go with a well-respected, well-reviewed local contractor instead of someone who you only know through a flashy ad, or who shows up at your doorstep pressuring you to accept their offer.

Scammers also can try to get you to give up your money to questionable charities.

According to the attorney general, you should be wary of those offering to provide aid or services to victims of disasters. Don’t feel pressured to make an immediate donation. You should be able to take as much time as you need to feel confident that your money is being used legitimately. Remember that a real charity will accept your donations any day of the week.

You should be wary of attempts to solicit donations by phone, email, mail or social media. Make sure you are dealing with a legitimate organization, rather than a sound-alike scammer. Authorities suggest researching the name of the organization or cause before handing over your money.

If you do want to make a donation, make sure to donate by credit card. That allows you to be protected should the donation turn out to be questionable.

You can find links with more information on researching charities at CharityNavigator.org, CharityWatch.org, Give.org, and Guidestar.org.

If you suspect you’ve encountered a scam attempt you should report it immediately to the Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at indianaconsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.

A Jackson County man has been arrested for the murder of his father.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Departments, deputies began investigating the death of 76-year-old Larry D. Fox of Norman on January 30th. After collecting evidence and conducting interviews detectives identified his son, 28 year-old Robert W.D. Fox, also of Norman as the suspect in the case.

Sheriff’s deputies and Seymour police arrested the son at about 4:50 p.m. Saturday without incident on a charge of murder.

INDOT will be looking for your thoughts next week on a proposed project in Jennings County.

According to the agency, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday for the proposed Muscatatuck River bridge rehabilitation project located on Park Road in Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area in Jennings County. You will have a chance to talk with the project team, to receive the latest updates for the project, and to provide your official public comments.

The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the bridge so that it can continue to be used by motorists. That will include rehabilitating the truss, bridge deck, gusset plates, low chord, and secondary truss members. Replacing concrete, pier caps, and handrail are also included in the project. The estimated construction cost is about $942 thousand dollars.

Construction is expected to begin next year and the bridge will remain closed while construction is in progress.

The hearing will be at the Jennings County Public Library on Indiana 3 in North Vernon with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and a presentation beginning at 6 p.m.

The public comment period ends on May 7th. If you can’t make the meeting you can still leave your comments:

By email: [email protected] or [email protected]
By phone: 317-806-4342 or 812-528-1868
By mail: Egis Atten: Kristin Wing, 8320 Craig Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
Questions: 855-463-6848
Project information, including the presentation will be available online at Seymour.indot.in.gov

Duke Energy says that a Columbus lineman is heading to an international competition in October.

According to the power company, Travis Vidal of Columbus was part of a team that took third place at the International Lineman’s Rodeo last week. The other members of the Journeyman Team were Marc Mitchell of Noblesville and Chase Nickell of Carmel.

The competition tests skills such as as climbing poles, handling tools, making equipment repairs and performing rescue operations. Categories of tests include equipment repair, pole climbs and “hurt man” rescues. The competition also promotes safety, camaraderie and teamwork.

Winners from last weekend’s Midwest Lineman’s Rodeo in Plainfield will advance to the International Lineman’s Rodeo to be held in Bonner Springs, Kan., on Oct. 18th.

Duke Energy is celebrating its crews today on National Lineworker Appreciation Day. The company has more than 10,000 employees and contract lineworkers across Duke Energy’s teams in the Carolinas, Florida and Midwest. April has been especially busy for lineworkers in Indiana, with the major storms, tornadoes and flooding requiring repairs for nearly 100,000 customers.

Nickell said that his kids don’t always want him to leave home, but they understand people are without power and they are proud of their dad.

Photo: A Duke Energy team took 3rd Place in the Journeyman Team competition held in Plainfield last weekend. From the left, Travis Vidal of Columbus, Marc Mitchell, Chase Nickell, along with Chris Lange, regional senior vice president of power grid operations for Duke Energy. Photo courtesy of Duke Energy