A transformer fire in downtown Columbus Wednesday afternoon caused a power outage downtown and several reports of fires.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, the incidents started at about 3:53 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after a fire alarm went off at the Volunteers of America of Indiana residential building in the 700 block of Washington Street. Firefighters arrived to find residents being evacuated and no obvious signs of smoke or flames. But the building was without power and there was a faint smell of smoke inside.

Firefighters traced the alarm to a basement storage room where they found sprinklers had activated, dousing a fire that destroyed several shelved items.

Further investigation traced the outage to a nearby transformer which had an electrical arc, sending a surge of energy into the building. The ground wire carried the charge into the building, where the cable was wrapped around a water pipe, which transferred the charge to the metal storage rack holding the items.

A witness also reported seeing sparks coming from the transformer fire behind the Washington Street address.

Damage from the fire was isolated to the storage room.

While firefighters worked at the first scene, they received reports of a strong electrical odor at Yes Cinema on Jackson Street but there was no evidence of a fire.

Once power was restored downtown, the fire alarm system at the Armory Apartments on Washington Street alerted to a structure fire there. But firefighters couldn’t find any sign of a fire there, and suspect the original electrical disturbance triggered the alarm once power had been restored.

Fire investigators say that the sprinkler system at the Volunteers of America of Indiana residential building also put out a cooking fire at the building in March.

Forecasters say we could be in for some heavy rain starting tonight and over the weekend.

The National Weather Service says that the front pushing across Indiana bring a marginal risk of excessive rainfall in most of the state, as it stalls overhead. However, our area would be among the driest through Sunday, with up to an inch of rain likely according to forecasters. Other areas of the state are expecting up to three inches of rain.

We could also see some thunderstorms starting this afternoon and into tonight. Some could turn severe across southern Indiana with damaging winds and large hail possible Saturday.

A project that will close State Road 9 north of the Bartholomew County line is now expected to begin on Monday.

According to INDOT, the highway will now close about five miles north of the Bartholomew/Shelby County line starting on April 21st as crews replace a drainage structure. The work will be going on between Shelby County Roads 750S and 800S at the Amos Ditch. The official detour takes State Road 46 to Interstate 74.

The highway is expected to be closed until mid-Mays but the work schedule is dependent on the weather.

Work was expected to start on the drainage structure replacement project on in March but was delayed.

INDOT urges you to slow down, to drive without distractions and to use extra caution for worker safety in all work zones.

White River Broadcasting’s 66th annual WCSI Community Easter Egg Hunt gets underway Saturday at 10 a.m. in the morning.

For the second year the hunt will be held indoors at the Circle K Fieldhouse in Nexus Park, the former Fair Oaks Mall on 25th Street.

There will be four separate areas set up for children younger than 2, from 3 to 4, from 5 to 6 and from 7 to 8. Local police, fire, companies and organizations will have information available at Nexus Park.

At 11 a.m. in the morning we will be hosting the WKKG Egg-Ceptional Community Easter Egg Hunt, also at Nexus Park. This hunt is for children with sensory or mobility issues.

Children should bring their own baskets.

Jennings County would be losing a judge under a proposal approved yesterday by the Indiana Senate.

The bill, promoted as a cost-savings measure, would eliminate judges in Jennings along with Blackford, Carroll, Gibson, Greene, Monroe, Newton, Owen, Pulaski, Rush and Scott counties, along with six juvenile magistrate positions in Marion County, if it becomes law.

The state Senate added an amendment to the bill, based upon a formula that weighs case load against how many judges there are in the county.

The state’s fiscal team estimates the elimination will save the state about $749,000 in Fiscal Year 2027, and as much as $2.7 million by FY 2032. Judges in Indiana make about $183,000 per year and magistrates make about $146,000.

The bill now heads back to the House, where it originated. If the House doesn’t approve of the changes, the House and Senate can negotiate in a conference committee.

Story courtesy of Network Indiana

Jennings County Courthouse photo courtesy of usda.gov

There is a chance we could see some bad weather on Friday.

According to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, Bartholomew County is under a marginal risk for severe weather on Friday. Forecasters say that a cold front will be moving southeast into our area, bringing widespread thunderstorms. Some of those could turn into strong to severe storms late Friday afternoon into Friday night. The greatest danger is from 11 p.m. Friday evening into 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

They say that damaging winds and large hail will be the most likely hazards from the storms. There will be multiple rounds of rain expected through the weekend, with isolated flash flooding also possible.

Emergency officials say that you can prepare by identifying a safe spot at home and at work, should the weather turn severe.. A basement or storm shelter is best, but an interior room, stairway or hall without a window or door to the outside is also acceptable.

You should also make sure that flashlights and radios have fresh batteries and that your cell phones are charged.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Department press release

Franklin, IN – The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with multiple law enforcement partners, led a countywide roundup today targeting individuals with felony-level arrest warrants for dealing dangerous narcotics. This proactive operation reflects an ongoing commitment to keeping our communities safe from those who threaten public health and safety through drug trafficking and the violence that often accompanies it.

Officers from the Greenwood Police Department, Franklin Police Department, Edinburgh Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department participated in the operation, along with support from the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office.

The arrests stem from investigations into the distribution of highly dangerous drugs linked to numerous overdoses, violent crimes, and long-term community harm. Sheriff Duane Burgess emphasized that these efforts are far from over.

“The people that sell, traffic, and provide these extremely dangerous drugs will continue to be put behind bars in Johnson County,” said Sheriff Burgess. “They cause countless deaths through the drugs and the violent crimes that support them. They have shattered thousands of lives, and we will not rest until we have made them answer for these crimes.”

Sheriff Burgess reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to pursuing drug traffickers and those responsible for flooding neighborhoods with illicit substances. This ongoing mission is fully supported by Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner, who continues to partner with law enforcement in the prosecution of these cases.

Sheriff Burgess added, “We will continue to take decisive action against anyone who endangers our citizens through drugs and violence. With the full backing of Prosecutor Hamner, we are standing firm in our responsibility to protect Johnson County families.”

Arrests included:

Mercedes Anderson — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance
Katelynn Anderson — Dealing Methamphetaminem, Dealing Narcotic Drug
Jessica Arnold — Conversion
Christopher Bailey — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Narcotic Drug
Crystal Baker — Dealing Methamphetamine
Nataija Carter — Dealing Cocaine, Dealing Marijuana
Tyson Chandler — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Marijuana
Heidi Crawford — Dealing Methamphetamine
Jordan Dillehay — Dealing Methamphetamine
Yolana Fox — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance, Dealing Hashish Oil
Michele Gadberry — Dealing Methamphetamine
Nathan Garrett — Dealing Methamphetamine
James ‘Jamey’ Gentry — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Paraphernalia
David Holzhausen — Dealing Methamphetamine
Stephen “S Dot” Jacobs — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Narcotic Drug
Austin Johnson — Dealing Methamphetamine
Michael Kelly — Dealing Methamphetamine
Brianna McCown — Dealing Methamphetamine
Tara McGinley Dealing — Methamphetamine
Christian McKinney — Dealing Methamphetamine
Robert McNeal — Dealing Cocaine, Dealing Marijuana
Rhonda Merchant — Dealing Methamphetamine
Tzon Miller — Dealing Narcotic Drug
Ivan Morales — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance
Dajuan Morris — Dealing Cocaine
Samuel Murray — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance
Victoria Muse — Dealing Schedule III Controlled Substance
Brian Nelson — Dealing Methamphetamine
Krista Parmer — Dealing Narcotic Drug
Ernest Payne — Dealing Cocaine
Derek Pickerell — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Narcotic Drug
Melinda Quimby — Dealing Methamphetamine
Dennis Raquet — Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, Dissemination of Harmful Material
Evan Sears — Dealing Methamphetamine
William “Gage” Shellhouse — Dealing Cocaine
Colby Smith — Dealing Narcotic Drug
Jessica Sprankle — Dealing Methamphetamine
Justin Sweet — Dealing Methamphetamine
Joshua Terzui — Dealing Schedule III Controlled Substance
Justin Thompson — Dealing Methamphetamine
Da Mondre Vaughn — Dealing Narcotic Drug, Dealing Marijuana
Amanda Vaughn — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Paraphernalia, Theft
Amanda Villegas — Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance, Dealing Marijuana
Ricky Wheatbrook — Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Schedule I Controlled Substance, Dealing Hashish Oil
Jenny Wrightsman — Dealing Schedule II Controlled Substance

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 find links to other ways to leave your comments, on our website.

{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
Ask questions via INDOT4U at indot4u.com or by calling 855-463-6848)
Project information, including the presentation will be available online at Seymour.indot.in.gov

Trash and recycling routes in Seymour will not be running on Good Friday due to the holiday. Normal Friday trash routes will be picked up today instead.

In Columbus. the Department of Public Works says there will be no change to the trash collection schedule on Good Friday April 18th. You should have your trash to the curb by the normal 7 a.m. tomorrow.

A two-day music festival in downtown Columbus is coming up next week to benefit several local not for profit groups.

The two-day long Hutchfest will feature bands performing on Friday April 25th at The Commons and in venues across the downtown area on Saturday.

Hutchfest, in its third year, is named in honor of local businessman Hutch Schumaker and celebrates his birthday with the fundraiser. According to Landmark Columbus Foundation, proceeds from the events will be split between the foundation, restoration efforts at The Crump and the Miller House and Garden.

The Friday performance at The Commons will be $10 with the Revelators playing from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Barnstormers from 8:30 to 10:30

There is no cover charge for Saturday night’s performances, but they are being held at 21 and older venues. Those performances will include

• 4th Street Bar & Grill: The Jackson Way,
• The Garage Pub & Grill: Downstairs Mix-up,
• The Eagles #741: Fabulous Hickbillys
• The Moose Lodge #398: Albino Catfish Band

There are also four sponsorship levels ranging from $100 to $2,500.

You can get more information or buy tickets at hutchfest.org.

Photo courtesy of Landmark Columbus Foundation