All posts by John Clark

Fallen Greensburg firefighter to be recognized

Local News

A fallen firefighter from Greensburg will be among eight Hoosiers recognized this weekend at the 44th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

According to the organization, 70 firefighters will be honored who died in the line of duty last year along with 70 who died in previous years. Among those being recognized will be Ralph F. Meyer of the Napoleon Volunteer Fire Department. He was 72 when he died in December, after suffering a heart attack hours after fighting a structure fire in Decatur County. Meyer was the former fire chief.

The memorial weekend event is Saturday and Sunday.

You can find more information here: https://www.firehero.org

Small Business Administration sets up local disaster office

Local News

The federal Small Business Administration and State Disaster Relief Fund will be opening an office in Columbus on today to help businesses and residents suffering damage from the March 19th tornado.

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be at the Doug Otto United Way Center on 13th Street in Columbus in Suite G900. Monday hours will be from 9 to 5 and regular hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The office will close permanently on Saturday May 10th.

The Small Business Administration offers business physical disaster loans, economic injury disaster loans and home disaster loans. The home loans go to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate and personal property including automobiles. Homeowners can apply to replace or repair their primary residence up to $500,000, while homeowners and renters are eligible to borrow up to $100,000 repair or replace personal property.

Businesses have until June 23rd to file for help with physical damage caused by the storm, or until January 22nd to file for Economic Injury.

The outreach center will have staff on hand to answer questions about the loan programs, explain the application process and help you complete your application. Walk-ins are welcome or you can schedule an appointment online at appointment.sba.gov.

St. Bartholomew school holding plant sale fundraiser

Local News

St. Bartholomew Catholic School will be holding a plant sale fundraiser next month.

The annual plant sale will be on Sundays, May 4 and May 11. Organizers say around 250 plants will be for sale – including annuals, houseplants, vegetables, and hanging flower baskets.

This sale is a fundraiser for the Outdoor Learning Lab at St. Bartholomew, and helps support the Horticulture Club at the school. The lab provides lessons to students on various horticulture-related topics geared to their grade level.

The sale will start at 9 am, and close at 3:30 pm each day. It will be held near the school entrance, at 1306 27th Street in Columbus.

Cash and checks will be accepted at the sale.

IU Columbus recognizes students, staff at annual convocation

Local News

IU Columbus held its Academic Honors Convocation last week, recognizing more than 40 outstanding students, along with a staff member and seven faculty members.

Caroline Sheaffer of Waldron was recognized with the Chancellor’s Scholar Award. Wendy Cartwright of Columbus received the Undergraduate Student Service-Learning Leadership Award.

Staff member Jayne Morris received the Vickie Welsh-Huston Staff Council Service Award.

Among the full-time faculty member awards:

  • Laura Liu received the Outstanding Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Award
  • Kevin McCracken received the Outstanding Faculty Service Award
  • Julie Goodspeed-Chadwick received the Outstanding Teaching Award.

Other award winners included:

Division of Business

  • Georgia Blair Miller Business Student | Jazmyn Ketchum – Columbus
  • Division of Business Foundation Outstanding Student in Business | Austin Ford – Elizabethtown
  • Agresta, Storms & O’Leary Outstanding Student in Accounting | Blake Nigg – Columbus
  • Centra Credit Union Outstanding Student in Finance | Jean Berber Souberbielle – Columbus
  • The Republic/AIM Media Indiana Outstanding Student in Marketing | Hannah Grimes – Columbus
  • Outstanding Student in Innovation Management | Michal Greenlee – Hope
  • Outstanding Student in Management | Kaydence Brewer – Columbus
  • Outstanding Student in Supply Chain Management | Maria Garcia – Columbus

Business Scholar Awards

  • Jean Berber Souberbielle – Columbus
  • Kaydence Brewer – Columbus
  • Karen Cima – Columbus
  • Charlie Kramer – Greensburg
  • Blake Nigg – Columbus
  • Justin Oliphant – Seymour
  • Tessa Piper – Columbus
  • Stevie Sedam – Seymour
  • Eric Swihart – Bloomington
  • Ashley Thill – Columbus

General Studies Degree Program

  • Outstanding Graduate Award | Audrey Lawson – Columbus

Division of Education

  • Distinguished Teaching & Learning Performance in K-6 English Language Learner Education | Caroline Sheaffer – Columbus
  • Distinguished Teaching & Learning Performance in Equity Education | Hayden Chadwell – Aurora
  • Distinguished Teaching & Learning Performance in K-6 Special Education | Paxton Heyne – Seymour
  • IU Columbus Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Future Educator | Julia Diebold – Franklin
  • IU Columbus Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Future Educator | Maylee Barriger – Columbus

Division of Liberal Arts

  • Outstanding Student in Liberal Arts | Wendy Cartwright – Columbus
  • Outstanding Student in English | Kylie Brooks – Columbus
  • Best English Essay | Brandi Eweka – Columbus
  • Outstanding Student in Communication Studies | Jimena Leal – Seymour

Division of Nursing

  • Outstanding Pre-Licensure Student in Nursing | Kaylee Hoagland – Trafalgar
  • Outstanding Student in Community Health | Kelsey Wischmeier – Crothersville
  • Vicki Johnson-Poynter Nurse Leadership Award | Tracey Driver – North Vernon
  • Vicki Johnson-Poynter Nurse Leadership Award | Kelley Stam – Columbus

Division of Science

  • Columbus Regional Health Outstanding Student in Science | Krista Blackburn – Hope
  • Outstanding Student in Math | Sarah Dixon – Columbus
  • Outstanding Student in Biology | Jason Clapp – Columbus
  • Promising Future Psychologist | Amanda Eaton – Columbus
  • Outstanding Student in Psychology | Hannah Harris – Columbus
  • Jack P. Young Chemistry Award | Abby McDonald – North Vernon

Also announced were 15 grant award winners through the Office of Student Research.

  • Allison Boilanger – Westport
  • Kaydence Brewer – Linton
  • Kelsey Buchanan – Westport
  • Jacob Clapp – Columbus
  • Nancy Labra Gomez – North Vernon
  • Etta Greathouse – North Vernon
  • Hannah Harris – Columbus
  • Ana Jackson – Bloomington
  • LaShawnda Kirk – Greenwood
  • Shyamala Raghunathan – Columbus
  • Deborah Roach – Zionsville
  • Marina Soto – Seymour
  • Keaton Secrest – Columbus
  • Ashley Thill – Columbus
  • Hope Zimmerman – Franklin

Other faculty awards:

  • Jacqueline D. Franz Outstanding Part-time Faculty Teaching Award | Christopher Sims
  • Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award | Pamela Morris
  • Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award | Karen Garrity
  • W. Coons Distinguished Service Award | Andrea Gillett

The event was Wednesday in the Custer-Nugent Lecture Hall located in the Columbus Learning Center.

Arianne Trail closing today for road work

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Bartholomew County officials say that Arianne Trail will be closed today for repaving.

According to the county highway department, the work will be going on from County Road 300S until the road ends to the south, and between Vine and Pine streets. The work is scheduled to be going on from 8 a.m. in the morning to 5 p.m. in the afternoon.

You should avoid the area, if you can.

Volunteers needed for Bartholomew United Way’s Day of Caring

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The United Way of Bartholomew County is looking for volunteers to help community organizations with the annual Day of Caring next month.

The Day of Caring is being held on May 16th and registration will start at noon on Tuesday for the volunteer slots.

The annual Day of Caring is a full-day volunteer event that connects local businesses and community members with non-profit agencies and organizations. More than 500 volunteers are needed to help organizations that make a positive difference in Bartholomew County.

Volunteer projects will include tasks such as planting flowers, mulching, painting, organizing, and sorting donations.

Organizers say that by volunteering you help free up the staff of the charitable groups to focus on their core mission providing essential services to members of the community in need.

Volunteers of all ages and skill levels can take part

You can sign up by going to https://uwbarthco.galaxydigital.com/need/. 

Nursing scholarship applications open in Seymour

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Applications are now being accepted for the Dr. Bud Scholarship for registered nursing students through Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

The scholarship benefits students working toward becoming a registered nurse. Candidates must have completed their first year of a registered nursing program, or already be a licensed practical nurse. Those who have been accepted into a master’s program to become a nurse practitioner are also encouraged to apply.

The scholarship is primarily for residents of Jackson, Jennings, Scott and Washington counties.

The scholarship is awarded in honor of Dr. H.P. “Bud” Graessle who was a physician and surgeon in Seymour for 53 years.

Applications for the scholarship are available at SchneckMed.org/careers. The deadline to apply is May 16th.

Officials urge safety in roadway work zones

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State highway officials say that it is the start of the spring constructions season and as you start seeing more orange cones and barrels on area streets, roads and highways you need to stay extra alert for worker safety.

Officials from INDOT, Indiana Constructors Inc., Indiana State Police and other partners recognized National Work Zone Awareness Week with a visit to the Interstate 65 Safety and Efficiency project site on the southeast side of Indianapolis. There are more than $3.3 billion in road improvements going on during this construction season in Indiana, across more than 1,200 projects.

Matt Ubelhor, the Indiana secretary of transportation and infrastructure said that last year 30 people were killed in Indiana work zones, and more than 1,500 were injured.

Chad Scott, with Milestone Contractors, says that the company has lost employees over the years in construction zone crashes and had many close calls. He said trying to reach your destination a few minutes sooner, or trying to read a text message while driving isn’t worth anyone’s life.

Safety officials urge you to slow down, to drive without distractions and to be alert to worker safety in all work zones.

Republican ladies give $1,000 scholarships

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The Bartholomew County Republican Ladies League awarded its annual $1,000 scholarships this week to four area high school seniors.

This year’s scholarship winners were:

  • Samantha Holzer, daughter of Denny and Christy Holzer, graduating from Hauser Jr. Sr. High School. She plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University to study education.
  • Katherine Lynn London, daughter of Tony and Amy London, graduating from Columbus North High School. She plans to attend Indiana University Bloomington to study Law.
  • Genea Martoccia, daughter of John and Aimee Martoccia, graduating from Columbus East High School. She plans to attend Indiana University – Columbus to study Psychology.
  • Jonathan Ruch, son of David and Carla Ruch, graduating from Columbus East High School.  He plans to attend  Purdue University to study Mechanical Engineering.

According to the organization, the scholarships recognize outstanding young students involved in many extracurricular, community, and school activities. Among the requirements to qualify for the scholarship, students must pass a 5-question political history test, as well as maintain a 3.0 GPA.

If you would like to support the Ladies League scholarship fund with a donation, you can contact Phyllis Apple at 812-343-1992.

If you would like to learn more about the Bartholomew County Republican Ladies League, you
can follow them on Facebook @barthcoladiesleague.

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Republican Ladies League

Signup lottery starting soon for Columbus Police and Fire camp

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Registrations will be opening soon for the 2025 Columbus Police and Fire Youth Camp and Bitty Boot Camps.

According to organizers, due to the popularity of the camps and limited spaces, there will be a lottery system for enrollment. Registration will be open May 5th at noon and close May 9th at noon. The participants will then be drawn and parents notified.

The Bitty Boot Camp will be June 2nd and 3rd for 6 to 8-year-old Bartholomew County children.

The Youth Academy will be June 4th, 5th, and 6th for 8 to 12-year-old Bartholomew County children.

You can find a more information here: https://www.columbus.in.gov/police/info-documents/columbus-police-fire-youth-academy/