Grillo’s Pickles has officially confirmed its plans for a new $54 million dollar Food Manufacturing Plant to opennear Columbus, Indiana. The plant opening comes after growing national demand. The new 155,000 SF production facility is being built in Taylorsville in northern Bartholomew County and will be next to a previously announced Kings Hawaiian bakery operation. Both companies are subsidiaries of IRRESISTABLE FOODS GROUP. The new facility is set to employ 150 people.
The Columbus City Utilities Office will be closed Thursday June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. The office will reopen on Friday June 20th at 7am. If you have a problem with your sewer service contact the business office at 812-372-8861 and follow the prompts.
The 2025 Moonlight Loop bike ride originally planned for this Saturday June 7th, is now postponed until Saturday July 12th. The postponement comes after consultations with multiple weather stations were made and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of the riders. Participants who wish to pick up their T-Shirts may do so at Animal Care Services starting June 9th from 10AM to 5PM. There will be updates posted to the City of Columbus Animal Care Services Facebook Page.
For more information visit columbus.in.gov/animal-care-services or the Columbus Animal Care Services Facebook Page.
River Valley Legal Aid, Pro Bono Indiana is hosting a free Legal Phone Clinic for residents of their eight county district on Tuesday June 10th. The district includes Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Rush, and Shelby Counties. The clinic will be held from 3pm to 5:30pm though registration is required from 12 pm to 2pm.Individuals can register by calling 812-378-0358. A volunteer attorney will return calls to registered individuals between 3 and 5:30pm.
The Bartholomew County Historical Society is inviting the community and sneaker lovers, sports fans, families, and fun seekers to lace up their Converse and join in the celebration of hometown basketball legend Chuck Taylor, at the first ever Chuck Taylor Day. The event will be held this Saturday June 7th from 3pm to 8pm at the Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum located at 524 3rd Street. The event honors Bartholomew County native, basketball trailblazer, and the namesake of the iconic Converse All-Star Shoe. There will be live music from local favorites The Born Mountaineer, and The Revelators, plus a special performance by a local high school band. There will also be opportunities to meet Boomer, the pacers mascot from 3pm to 6pm.Attendees will be able to take photos with IU Columbus Basketball Team members, visit the Fan Jam mobile pop up promoting the 2026 Men’s Final Four, and at 6pm gather on Library Plaza for a massive group photo of Chuck Wearers as Columbus aims to set a Guinness World Record. Food trucks and beverages will be provided by The Garage. For more information visit www.bartholomewhistory.org.
The National Weather Service is working to gather information from the public about recent severe weather, including tornadoes. If you have been directly impacted by a tornado, you were warned that a tornado could impact you, or you were in or near a strong storm that made you concerned about tornadoes it is asked that you assist by taking a few minutes to fill out a survey. The information collected can help the NWS improve information and forecasts ahead of Tornado events. To Take the survey visit our website and scan the QR code.
Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District has announced that the Columbus/Bartholomew Recycling Center, BCSWMD District Offices, and the commercial cardboard route are closed in celebration of the Juneteenth Holiday on Thursday, June 19th. All of the facilities will reopen on Friday June 20th. The Bartholomew County Landfill will be open on the Juneteenth holiday normal hours 7:30AM to 4:30pm.
For more information visit the BCSWMD website at www.bcswmd.com
Columbus Propeller is inviting the public to its open house that is taking place on Wednesday June 11th from 6pm to 8pm, at the facility located at 4760 Ray Boll Blvd. This family friendly event is free and offers a hands on introduction to Propeller’s unique maker space that is designed to support creativity, learning, and community innovation.Guests will be able to take guided tours of the facility, meet local makers, take part in engaging activities, and watch equipment demonstrations highlighting the tools and tech available at Propeller. Visitors will also have the chance to explore Propeller’s Summer Workshop Calendar and can sign up for any upcoming class that covers everything from fabrication to hands on art projects. Food and Drinks will be available from local vendors.
River Valley Legal Aid, Pro Bono Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College- Columbus are coming together to host the first ever free expungement event on Thursday June 12th at the Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus. Registration starts at 3:30pm and lasts until 4pm.The event will take place from 4pm to 6pm. Pizza and refreshments will be available provided by ASAP. Indiana Law allows a one-time opportunity for some low-level convictions, misdemeanors, and arrest records to be sealed from criminal records. This free event offers information about the qualification requirements to have records expunged. If you can’t make it to this event you can visit www.legalaidpbi.org/services to find additional clinics and other ways to receive free legal help.
Indiana University Columbus is hosting walk-in hours June 9 to 13 for students and families to learn about earning an IU degree locally.
All attendees will get an IU Columbus chip clip to help them “seal the deal.” Walk-in week participants can take a campus tour, explore IU undergraduate and graduate programs, and get hands-on assistance with the application process.
Participants will also have a chance to learn about FAFSA for federal financial aid, scholarships and work-study opportunities.
A Spanish-speaking admissions counselor and materials in Spanish will be available upon request.
All visits begin at the Admissions Office, located inside Door 3 in the Campus Center Building at 4601 Central Ave. in Columbus. Attendees should be sure to arrive between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
To apply for IU Columbus with no fee, schedule an appointment, or learn more about IU Columbus admissions, visit columbus.iu.edu/admissions.