Bartholomew County Works is now accepting applications for its upcoming job readiness workshop series.

Bartholomew County Works is committed to helping members improve their lives, gain full-time employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency. It provides resources in areas including transportation, finances and budget setting. The workshops are a program of Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center

The weeklong full-day workshop series will start on Monday July 7th and run through July 11th at Yes Cinema.

An orientation session will be held July 3rd from 10 to 11 in the morning.

To get more information on signing up, you can call Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center at 812-378-2638 or email [email protected]

INDOT is planning a public information session later this month to discuss plans for improvements on State Road 7 in Bartholomew and Jennings counties.

The project is meant to improve safety along the stretch of highway by widening the roadway to install shoulders and a middle turn lane along parts of the roadway. The goal is to reduce crashes on the highway.

The project will require single lane closures as the work is being done. INDOT plans to coordinate with area schools, emergency agencies and others to ensure that disruptions are minimized.

The project is expected to be let to bidders in 2028.

The public session will be held on Wednesday, June 25th at Jennings County High School on West Walnut Street in North Vernon. Doors will open at 5:30 and there will be time to view displays on the project and talk with project personnel. The session will start at 6 p.m.

Questions can be submitted to Alyssa Kern with American Structurepoint, Inc. at (317) 547-5580, or via email at [email protected].

Project information, will be available  at bit.ly/SR7Bartholomew-JenningsCounty.

The Columbus Firemen’s Cheer Fund will be offering a new fundraising opportunity next month, the charity’s first golf outing.

The Cheer Fund is the oldest charity in Bartholomew County, operating since 1930. The effort provides Christmas gifts for the needy children of the community. It is funded entirely by donations and relies on community volunteers for its efforts.

The golf outing is going to be at Otter Creek Golf Course on July 17th and registration is now for teams of four is now open. Both morning and afternoon flights are being considered, with final tee times determined by the number of teams that register. Space is limited for the event.

Lunch will be provided for all participants.

You are encouraged to sign up early to secure a spot. The deadline for registrations is June 30th.

Organizers are also seeking sponsors for the event. You can find more information or register at https://www.columbusfiremenscheerfund.org/

The Columbus Area Arts Council is looking for your help to name a cat mascot designed for the new 6th Street Arts Alley parklet.

The giant inflatable alley cat construction has been in place this week at the alley between Washington and Franklin streets in anticipation of opening festivities this afternoon.

Organizers say that the cat design is part of a fundraising campaign to support the small, pedestrian friendly park. For a $50 donation you will receive a commemorative T-shirt with the cat design by local artist Annie Shields.

The arts council is looking for a name for the mascot and you can make suggestions through their Instagram account at @artsincolumbus. The winning name will also receive a T-shirt.

The opening activities will include a ribbon cutting, music, food and a reception for artists at the 411 gallery. Those will be going on from 4 to 7 p.m. today.

A Columbus man is being accused of sexually abusing a child over several years.

According to the Columbus Police Department, an investigation launched after the victim reported the abuse in January. Police say that the victim alleges that 44-year-old Shaun Berger has abused the victim since they were seven.

After gathering evidence, a warrant was issued for Berger’s arrest on charges including attempted rape, child molestation, child seduction, criminal confinement and voyeurism. Investigators spoke to Berger over the phone on Tuesday and he turned himself in later that day, police say.

Anyone with more information on the case is asked to contact Detective Maren McCrary at 812-376-2623.

There is still time to make a nomination for this year’s Jack Cramer Ideals of Athletic Competition Award

According to the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, the awards are presented annually to a local male and a female athlete, coach or sports organizer. All nominees must live or work in Bartholomew County and be a senior in high school or older.

The award is in honor of a former local athlete who died in 1978 at the age of 33.

You can find information and nomination forms at Nexus Park or at https://columbusparksandrec.com The deadline to enter is June 18th.

The Columbus Area Arts Council will be celebrating the opening of the city’s newest parklet with activities at the 6th Street Arts Alley tomorrow afternoon.

The small, pedestrian friendly park is on Sixth Street between Washington and Franklin streets. Features include a new ground mural, colorful furniture, shady spots, free public Wi-Fi, and
upgraded electrical for concerts and vendors.

The parklet was designed by the LAA Office architectural firm and created with support from Force Construction, Force Design and Heritage Fund: The Bartholomew County Community Foundation.

Activities will be going on from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday including a ribbon cutting, music, local artists’ displays and food and drinks.

The event was originally scheduled for last Friday but had to be postponed due to weather concerns.

The event is free and you are invited to attend. You can find more information at  https://www.artsincolumbus.org/arts-alley

Photo courtesy of Columbus Area Arts Council Facebook page

The Yellow Trail Museum will be hosting the Hope Old-Fashioned Independence Day festivities on the Hope Town Square on the Friday before the 4th of July.

Activities start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday June 27th and will include crafts, pioneer games, contests, the crowning of Miss and Mr. Firecracker, a bike parade, music and fireworks.

The fireworks are scheduled to start at 10 p.m. You should bring your own chair or blanket.

The deadline is coming up on Wednesday, June 25th, for Hope area kids to enter to reign as this year’s Miss and Mr. Firecracker.

Area children between 3 and 10 years old are invited to take part. Participants are urged to decorate cans for penny vote donations and place them around town, or to solicit donations from friends and family members. Every penny raised counts as one vote. Money raised will go to support the Yellow Trail Museum’ sponsorship of the event.

The winners of the contest will lead the bike, trike and stroller parade around the square.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has declared an Air Quality Action Day for central Indiana.

According to the state agency, the high temperatures in the mid 80s with dry air, light winds and cloud cover are combining with a high pressure system to make for elevated ozone levels across the region. There is also smoke from the Canadian wildfires at the ground level.

The ozone levels are reaching conditions where they are unhealthy for those in sensitive groups. High ozone near the ground acts a lung irritant. It can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. Children, the elderly, anyone with heart conditions or with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exposure today.

The Air Quality Action Day is in effect until midnight tonight.

You can get more information at SmogWatch.IN.gov.

Some customers of Nashville Utilities are under a boil water advisory after a water main break on Hickory Knob Road

According to the town, the boil water advisory affects some customers on Hickory Knob Road and Green Valley Church Road.

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.

The boil water advisory is in effect until 4 on Friday afternoon.

If you have any questions you can call Nashville Utilities at 812-988-5526.