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.

The Duke Energy Foundation is providing grants to two local public safety organizations to help with rescue efforts for first responders.

According to the power company, nearly $285,000 in grants are being made across Indiana to help agencies improve their response capabilities. The goal is to improve capabilities during weather and other emergencies through advanced preparation, planning, equipment and training.

In central Indiana, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is receiving $2,000 for drone equipment including battery packs, propellers, and operational gear to ensure drones are available for deployment at any time.

The Columbus Township Fire and Rescue Department is receiving $3,000 to purchase personal protective equipment for rescue workers so they can stay safe.

Grants from the Duke Energy Foundation are funded by Duke shareholders.

Traffic will continue to be tied up on State Road 135 in Greenwood, as crews continue to work on a bridge deck overlay project.

According to INDOT, the next phase of the project is scheduled to start Wednesday between County Line Road and Fairview Road. The highway will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Michelle Lane and Stonegate Drive, with both northbound and southbound traffic moved to the southbound lanes of the highway. Both the east and west entrances to the highway from Fry Drive will be closed.

The project is expected to be finished by the end of June. The work schedule is dependent on the weather.

Milestone is doing the work as part of a $3.7 million contract.

INDOT reminds you slow down, to drive without distractions and to be alert to worker safety in all work zones.

Authorities are searching for a Jackson County man accused of 13 felony charges in a bank robbery, who skipped a court date.

According to Indiana State Police, authorities are looking for 36-year-old Jeremiah Bragg who was arrested in February of last year and did not show up for court this week. Troopers say that Bragg is accused of using a gun to rob a bank in Brownstown, leaving with an undisclosed amount of cash. He and two others fled the scene but were arrested on Vallonia Road by Brownstown officers and Jackson County deputies.

State police led the investigation and Bragg is facing 13 felonies including armed robbery and criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon.

Troopers say that anyone who is found to have been assisting Bragg could also face criminal charges.

If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department or Indiana State Police. You can call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 812-358-2141 or the Indiana State Police Versailles Post at 812-689-5000.