A  crack down on drunk and impaired driving around Labor Day led to 10 arrests by Bartholomew County deputies.

The sheriff’s department is reporting that the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign ran between August 18 and Labor Day. Deputies issued 145 citations during the three-week blitz.

Among the charges of those arrested, were driving while a habitual traffic violator, interfering with an emergency incident, resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, paraphernalia, a syringe and marijuana, false informing, three outstanding warrants on drug-related offenses and carrying a handgun without a license.

More than 200 law enforcement agencies participated in the statewide crackdown. The effort was supported with funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration distributed by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Investigators now believe a man found dead last week by a Jennings County highway may have been struck and killed earlier in the week.

According to Indiana State Police reports, investigators believe 27-year-old Joseph T. Gill was possibly struck while walking along State Road 3 between 3 and 6 in the morning Tuesday. His body was discovered by an INDOT crew Thursday morning near the Jennings and Decatur County line.

Investigators are asking if you traveled through the area and saw something, or believe you may have struck something in the roadway, to contact the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.

They are also asking anyone with home video surveillance in that area who may have captured State Road 3 traffic to contact the sheriff’s office.

You can reach the sheriff’s department at (812)346-4911.

An autopsy is scheduled for today.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

Organizations throughout South Central Indiana are partnering in $378 million dollars in projects to stimulate housing, regional amenities, workforce training and innovation in the region.

To that goal, the group announced yesterday that it would be applying for a $49.5 million dollar grant from the State of Indiana.

The South Central Indiana Talent Region includes the communities of Columbus, Seymour, North Vernon and Edinburgh, and their counties of Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and portions of Shelby and Johnson counties. That includes about 156,000 residents.

The organizations put together a 187-page grant proposal offering details on 25 projects and initiatives to be implemented in the region. Those include:

1. Mobility Test Park & Proving Ground — Columbus, $31.8 million.
2.  Propeller Innovation Center & Venture Studio — Columbus, $6.7 million.
3. Seymour High School Career & Technical Program Extension — Seymour, $10 million.
4. AirPark Columbus College Campus Access & Success Project — Columbus, $19.8 million.
5. Jackson County Learning Center Expansion — Seymour, $2 million
6. Panther Technology Education Center — North Vernon, $10 million.
7. Arvin Manufacturing Blight Elimination Project — North Vernon, $1.6 million.
8. Country Squire Lakes Housing Redevelopment — North Vernon, $17 million.
9. Downtown Columbus Housing & Urban Grocer — Columbus, $40 million.
10. Edinburgh Housing and Road Extension Project — Edinburgh, $8.5 million.
11. Housing Developer Incentives Program — Regionwide, $7 million.
12. Jennings County Broadband Expansion — Jennings County, $6.8 million.
13. Land Bank of South Central Indiana — Regionwide, $10 million.
14. North Vernon Knobstone Subdivision — North Vernon, $28.6 million.
15. Uniontown Sewer Expansion — Uniontown, $8 million.
16. “Welcome Home” Talent Attraction Program — Regionwide, $1 million.
17. Workforce/Affordable Multi-Generational Housing — Seymour, $13 million.
18. Chateau de Pique — Jackson County, $3 million.
19. Columbus Riverfront Project — Columbus, $10 million.
20. Downtown Hotel & Conference Center — Columbus, $44 million.
21. Downtown Revitalization Fund — Regionwide, $5 million.
22. NexusPark — Columbus, $78 million.
23. Quarry Adventure Park — North Vernon, $5 million.
24.  Schneck Cancer Center Linear Accelerator Project — Seymour, $7 million.
25. Shared Arts-Based Placemaking Programming — Regionwide, $600,000.

The group is applying for funding through the state’s READI grant program, or Regional Economic Acceleration Development Initiative which was first announced in May. The program requires all READI funds be matched on a dollar for dollar basis by local governments or other public sources. The program established 18 regions, with the possibility of up to $50 million in grants for each and the hopes of attracting $2 billion in private and public investment.

You can read more about the plan here.

The Meridian Kiwanis Club recently presented seven members with Legion of Honor awards for their long service to the organization.

Chuck Vanatta has been a charter member of the club for 60 years. Cited for 30 years or more of service were: Tom Currens, John Asel, Mike Kell, Ken Kaiser, Larry Schuyler and Jeff Blasdell.

A reminder that Indiana State Department of Health’s COVID Strike Team and the Indiana National Guard will be offering another testing and vaccination clinic in Bartholomew County this week according to the county health department.

The clinic will be from 12 to 8 p.m. today and Saturday at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in the midway area, off of County Road 200S.

The 48th annual Seymour Oktoberfest continues today with music, crafts, food, carnival rides and other activities in the downtown area.

Entertainment today on the north stage includes Colts in Motion at 3, Tapp’d Seymour at 6:30 and Mellencougar at 8. Other entertainment includes the Balsamic Vinagrettes, Country Kickers, Hoosier Hills, Dan Branaman & Eagle Ridge and the Left Field String Band. The Schulhaus 4+3 German Band playing on the German American Bank Stage from 6:30 to 10:30.

The carnival is open from 1 to 11 p.m. today and ride bracelets can be purchased at the Boys and Girls Club of Seymour on O’Brien Street.

Seymour Oktoberfest runs from 11 to 11 each day through Saturday.

A driver was injured after crashing into a home Wednesday evening in the Prairie Stream Estates subdivision in Columbus.

According to Columbus police reports, witnesses saw a driver speeding in a Dodge Charger before losing control of the car and crashing into the home in the 6000 block of East Meadow Ridge Road at about 8:40 p.m. in the evening.

The front end of the car was heavily damaged and the driver, 19-year-old Cameron T. Ackerman of Columbus was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The last of this year’s smaller, four-part Ethnic Expo events will wrap up the series on Saturday with Fiesta Latina on Fourth Street from noon to 10 p.m.

The event will feature food, music, culture and dance, along with vendor booths.

The event’s host countries are Mexico and Brazil and Fiesta Latina is sponsored by Tu Futuro, and Su Casa.

Columbus police are joining in efforts to aid Afghan refugees at Camp Atterbury. The police department is organizing a Pack-a-Patrol-Car donation drive through October 8th.

The police department will be accepting new and gently used fall and winter clothing including coats and jackets, as well as new and unopened healthcare and hygiene products. You can drop the items off at a police patrol vehicle parked in front of the department between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Police Chief Mike Richardson said the hope is that enough clothing and supplies will be donated to fill a couple of police vehicles. He said he hopes the department can help the refugees in a small but vital way.

Note: This story has been updated

The Ivy Tech Community College building under construction at the Columbus Air Park campus will have a new name. The school announced yesterday that it will be Moravec Hall in recognition of Tony Moravec and his contributions to the school and community.

Moravec has previously served on the Ivy Tech State Board of Trustees. He owns BlairEx labs, Applied Laboratories, and is responsible for the restorations of both Zaharakos, which he also owns, and the Pump House restaurants in downtown Columbus.

Ivy Tech Columbus Chancellor Stephen Combs explains the decision:

Therese Copeland, with the Ivy Tech Foundation, said Moravec has a 30-year history of support for Ivy Tech. She explained that Moravec sponsors a scholarship for STEM education, aimed at students with average grades because of his belief in fighting for the underdog.

Moravec talked about his love of Ivy Tech and education.

The existing Poling Hall, named after Harvey S. Poling Jr., will be torn down when Moravec Hall opens, but it will be memorialized in the new building with details about the former school dean and vice president it is named for.

Photo: Tony Moravec signs a ceremonial beam at a ceremony Thursday at Ivy Tech. WRB photo