The city of Columbus is splitting off an area next to the Bartholomew County Jail into its own special taxing unit. That will be used as a tool to fund a $40 million project including apartments and a downtown grocery.

Columbus City Council this week gave its approval to the proposal to move the property just to the east of the jail into its own tax increment financing district allocation area. It had been previously part of a larger central TIF district encompassing the downtown all the way to Walesboro. A TIF district allows the city redevelopment commission to siphon off increasing property taxes in an area to fund improvements within that zone, essentially allowing development to pay for itself.

The city is partnering with developer Flaherty & Collins of Indianapolis to build 200 apartments and a 12 thousand to 15 thousand square foot grocery at the property just east of the jail. The project would open in about three years. In addition to providing the property for the project, the city through the Columbus Redevelopment Commission would guarantee more than $11 million dollars in bonds.

After the council’s approval, the measure goes back to the redevelopment commission for final actions.

A gas leak Wednesday evening led to the evacuation of about 15 homes and gas being cut off in a larger area, according to Bartholomew County emergency officials.

Columbus Fire Department reported that a vehicle struck a 10-inch gas line at around 6:30 Wednesday evening near County Road 200W and Abbey Place. The road was shut down until Vectren could get the leak under control.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management reports that the gas had to be shut off while repairs were made for an area affecting Lowell Road, Princeton Park and the Talberton neighborhoods, north to the river.

Residents were allowed to return home at around 10:30 p.m. last night.

North Vernon police say that a suspect in a battery incident went on to fight with officers at the scene.

Officers were called to a battery complaint in the Hidden Cove Apartments at about 6 p.m. Tuesday evening where a victim said that she had been battered by another resident. The suspect, 65-year-old Roland A. Foust of North Vernon, called dispatchers to complain that the victim was dumping her trash in the apartment complex dumpster. And then began cursing the dispatchers over the phone.

As police talked with the witness, Foust began to interrupt and when police told him to stop, he allegedly attacked and tried to choke an officer. Foust was arrested on charges including obstruction by interfering with an investigation, battery on a police officer, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

You can get rid of unwanted prescription medications at events across the area Saturday.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration is sponsoring the 20th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The goal is to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal.

Unwanted medications may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post, except the Toll Road Post, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Bartholomew, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings counties are all part of the Versailles State Police district and that headquarters is at 902 S. Adams Street in Versailles.

North Vernon will be holding a take back event at the North Vernon Fire Department on Madison Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to the DEA and state police, the take back program is for liquids and pills. Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken. Needles, new or used, WILL NOT be accepted for disposal.

This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District is planning Earth Day events on Saturday at the Columbus/Bartholomew County Recycling Center on Mapleton Street.

Activities will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bartholomew County residents can dispose of, free of charge, up to two refrigerant-containing appliances, two gas grill propane tanks, and four personal vehicle tires, without rims. No household hazardous waste will be accepted during the event.

Document shredding will be available from 9 to 1 provided by Toyota Material Handling. The company is also providing free river birch seedlings to everyone attending the event.

Bartholomew County residents can also get one pick-up sized scoop of mulch or compost loaded for free from 8 to noon. You can also register to win a rain barrel kit.

You can get more information on the event and other Earth Day activities on the Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management District Facebook page.

A California based company has been approved for local tax breaks on a $103 million dollar investment in a new Columbus facility.

Columbus City Council approved a request by Ninth Avenue Foods last night for a tax abatement for its planned Midwest headquarters on County Road 175 West, in the Woodside Industrial Park. The company is planning to spend $1.5 million for land, $32 million in improvements and $70 million on equipment.

Company Vice President of Operations, Joe Lunzer, explained the decision to come to Columbus.

The family-owned business intends to build a 260,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art dairy and plant-based beverage facility and create up to 101 new jobs for the community by the end of 2024. The average wage is expected to be just over $21 an hour.

Under a tax abatement, property taxes on new investment are phased in over a period of 10 years, rather than being due all at once. The approved abatement will save the company about $7.7 million in property taxes according to city calculations.

Council unanimously approved the request.

The cold weather is sticking around for another day at least, according to the National Weather Service.

The current freeze warning expires at 10 this morning, with another going into effect at 1 a.m.  Thursday morning and lasting through 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Temperatures as low as 29 degrees are expected in some areas.

The jury in the Derek Chauvin trial in Minnesota, has found the former police officer guilty of all three charges against him — second degree murder, third degree murder and manslaughter.

The second-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Third-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years and the manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years. If convicted, Chauvin is not expected to receive the most severe sentences because he has no prior convictions.

Chauvin was accused in the death of George Floyd by kneeling on the black man’s neck until he died. The death set off nationwide protests.

Gleaners Food Bank will be holding a drive-thru food pantry distribution from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Columbus Municipal Airport at 5175 N. Warren Drive.

You will be able to stay in your vehicle and the food will be delivered to you. There will be no early arrivals and there is no parking allowed on River Road or Cunningham Drive.

North Vernon police are looking for a suspect in an armed robbery Monday night at a gas station.

Police were called to the Sunoco station at about 11:30 p.m. that night after a white man armed with a handgun robbed the store. The suspect is between 5-6 and 5-9, and was wearing dark blue or gray shorts with a dragon design on the side, a light gray undershirt with a dark gray shirt over top and a ski mask. The handgun was described as a silver gun with a black handle.

The suspect ran from the store with an undisclosed amount of cash, after brandishing the gun at the clerk, according to police.

If you have any information, you can contact the North Vernon Police Department at 812-346-1466 or 812-346-2345.