Ivy Tech Community College is hosting a series of upcoming information sessions at the Columbus campus for its Accelerated Associate Program (ASAP). These sessions are designed to provide prospective students and their families with detailed insights into the program, its benefits, and the enrollment process.

The ASAP program at Ivy Tech Community College offers students the opportunity to earn an associate degree in just 11 months, providing a fast-track to further education or entering the workforce. The program is tailored for recent high school graduates and aims to support students in achieving their academic and career goals efficiently.

The upcoming info sessions will be held virtually over Zoom with an in-person tour scheduled in April. The info sessions will be at noon March 17th, noon March 31st, and 6:30 p.m. April 15th. The in-person tour will be from 6-7 p.m. April 23rd at the Ivy Tech Columbus Moravec Hall, 4475 Central Ave., Columbus.

During these sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the program structure, meet faculty members, and ask questions about the application process and financial aid options. The in-person tour will also provide a chance to explore the campus facilities and get a feel for the learning environment at Ivy Tech Columbus.

To RSVP for one of the info sessions or the tour, visit link.ivytech.edu/ASAPsessions.

Dry vegetation and light winds led to a property damage fire after hot embers escaped a back-yard burn pit at a River Road home.

On Friday at 10:18 am Columbus Firefighters were called to the 3600 block of River Road for a report of a structure fire. While responding, firefighters received additional information from 911 dispatchers that the fire originated in a burn pit and had spread to the lawn before extending to a wooden privacy fence. When firefighters arrived on the scene, smoke and flames were visible from the rear of the residence with the fire damaging approximately 20 feet of privacy fence. Firefighters deployed a hand line to the rear yard and quickly brought the flames under control.

Firefighters spoke with the property owner who stated that sticks were burning in a portable fire pit when embers left the pit and contacted dry pine needles. The flames quickly moved across the dry pine needles and spread to a nearby brush pile situated next to the fence. The flames intensity left burned pine needles in a live tree located in a neighboring yard with damage visible approximately 15-20 feet above the ground. Also damaged was a bench located near the fire pit. The cause of the fire was ruled accidental and No injuries were reported. Firefighters confirmed that the open burn container used by the property owner met the open burning regulation requirements within the City of Columbus. Damages are estimated at less than $ 2500.

While open burning within approved containers is permitted, the CFD recommends to avoid open burning when dry conditions and wind conditions are unfavorable. Dry lawn vegetation is fuel for fire, and winds can spread fire rapidly. CFD recommends that all dry vegetation is removed from any area where open burning will take place. In addition, pre-wetting of the area around a burn pit can reduce the chance of inadvertent fire spread.

Below are the City of Columbus regulations for open burning:

1. Open burning of rubbish is prohibited.
2.  Open containers having a bottom, sides and a ¼ inch mesh top are approved for burning.
3.  The minimum required distance from a structure is 15 feet.
4.  A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a 4-A rating or other approved on site fire extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck shall be available for immediate utilization.
5.  Burning material shall be constantly attended by a person knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment required by this section and familiar with any limitations that restrict open burning.  An attendant shall supervise the burning material until the fire has been extinguished.

The Johnson County Community Foundation received a generous gift donation of over $1 million dollars from James  Kocher, marking the largest living donor
contribution in the Foundation’s history. The donation establishes the James R. Kocher
and Evelyn J. Kocher Fund, and  an endowment fund, dedicated to supporting seniors, addressing food
insecurity, and assisting veterans’ organizations.

The fund will provide essential support to local nonprofits that work to improve the quality of life for
seniors, ensure access to food for those in need, and aid organizations that serve veterans.

Minor Flooding is forecasted this week along the East Fork White River in Seymour. Recent rain over the past few days has caused some areas of the East Fork White River to flood. The flooding is expected through Thursday afternoon.  On Sunday at 6:45am the flooding stage was at 9.1 FT. The river is expected to rise above flood stage and crest at 14.1 Ft. by early Tuesday Afternoon. It is expected to fall by Thursday morning. Officials ask everyone to turn around and don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. For more information visit www.weather.gov/ind.

Jennings County Sheriff Deputies helped put out a fire and evacuated apartments after a fire was reported. On March 14th JCSO Deputies and NVPD Officers were dispatched to Moir Street Apartments about a reported fire. Upon arrival officers were able to determine that the smoke was coming from an apartment in the basement of the building. Deputy Michael Watts and Officer Connor Emily were able to locate the apartment and talk to the resident. While talking the officers could see heavy smoke and flames coming from the bathroom. Deputy Watts used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire while Officer Emily got the resident out of the building. The other two floors of the building were also evacuated during this time.
The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office wants to take this time to remind citizens to please have smoke detectors in your home and to make sure to replace the batteries on a regular basis.

Screen Grab from Deputy Watts’ bodycam footage courtesy of Jennings County Sheriff’s Office

A Bartholomew County man was convicted of child molesting and being a habitual offender on Thursday.
Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Holden-Kay announced yesterday that Thomas Neal of Columbus, Indiana was convicted by a jury after a two-day trial
in Bartholomew County Circuit Court.
Detective Jason Lancaster began an investigation on March 9th of last year when the sheriff’s office received a report of offenses pertaining to sexual abuse of a child. The Sheriff’s Office conducted a full and thorough investigation that led to the arrest of Thomas Neal a couple of weeks later on March 22, 2024.
The jury deliberated for twenty minutes before reaching a verdict as to the criminal
offense and spent less than five minutes deciding the Habitual Offender enhancement. Neal is
scheduled to be sentenced on April 10th, 2025.

According to Bartholomew County Emergency Management sub zero wind chill is expected through the end of the week…

An arctic air mass will settle over the region through the rest of the week. Daily highs will struggle to get out of the teens with nightly lows in the single digits to near zero. Expect wind chill values to drop into the zero to -10 degree range each night, with the coldest locations across North Central Indiana.
Be sure to wear warm clothing and to take warming breaks if you work outside.

Financial aid professionals will be at IU Columbus helping collegebound students and their families with the most important form for financial aid during College Goal Sunday. The event is set for 2-4 p.m. on Feb. 23rd at 39 sites across Indiana. In Columbus the event will be held at 4601 Central Ave, (Door 2).

This free program assists Indiana students with filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, many scholarships, and even federal student loans at most colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools nationwide. Filing must occur by the State of Indiana priority deadline of April 15 to guarantee state aid for those that qualify. Most families and students find filing out this particular paperwork a difficult task, making this event crucially important for incoming college students.

Students who are interested in attending should come with their parents or guardians, bring completed 2023 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 forms, and other 2023 income and benefits information.

Students who have worked should also bring their income information. Students 24 years of age or older may attend alone and bring their information. Students and parents are encouraged to apply for their U.S. Department of Education FSA IDs at studentaid.gov before coming to the event.

Volunteers will be available to assist with the online form and answer all families’ individual questions during College Goal Sunday. All sites offer FAFSA online capabilities and many have Spanish interpreters available. A complete list of sites is available at CollegeGoalSunday.org.

Attendees could possibly win a scholarship from College Goal Sunday
Students may also win one of five $1,000 scholarships. Students who attend College Goal Sunday and submit a completed evaluation form will automatically be entered in a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. The winners will be notified and scholarships will be sent directly to the higher education institution selected by the winning students.

For more information about College Goal Sunday visit CollegeGoalSunday.org.

According to Bartholomew County Emergency Management, Widespread heavy rainfall is expected throughout Saturday into early Sunday night with total rain amounts as high as 3 inches. This could cause isolated flooding this weeekend into early next week, especially across Southern Indiana. Wet roads, along with pooling water on roadways, especially in low lying areas, combined with falling temperatures can cause slick roadways and the possibility for ice and black ice on the roads. Please remember to be weather aware and slow down when driving.

Eastern Bartholomew Water Corp. has issued a water outage for Hamor Heights addition.  This includes Pisgah Way and Vista Boulevard.  Once the water service is restored you will be under a boil water advisory.  The boil advisory is in effect until noon on February 17th. Any water that is to be consumed or used for cooking purposes should be boiled for at least 5 minutes and cooled before consuming.  For more information, call the water utility at 812-526-9777.