The Columbus Visitors Center reminds you that the 2021 Exhibit Columbus opens on Saturday, August 21st.

It is an entire day of free events that will allow you to get to know the curators, designers, architects, and artists through a series of conversations at First Christian Church and the Mill Race Park Amphitheater.

The first weekend is the only chance during the show’s three-month run to see it all along with the architects, artists, and designers who created the installations.

There will be introductions and conversations by the curators, tours, and live music in Mill Race Park.

Visit the events page on the Exhibit Columbus website to view a full list of events and register. All Opening Day events for the 2021 Exhibit Columbus are free and open to everyone.

Two people were busted on drug charges after they led Columbus Police Department officers on a vehicle pursuit Monday evening.

CPD tried to stop a car, driven by Amber David, of Columbus, near 11th and Chestnut Street.

However, she did not pull over and reportedly sped away, disregarding a nearby stop sign. After a quick pursuit, David did pull over and police conducted a high-risk traffic stop taking both the driver and her passenger, Chester Sidwell, also of Columbus, into custody.

CPD discovered that her license was suspended, and allegedly located meth, synthetic marijuana, and other drug-related items in her car

Meth was also found in Sidwell’s clothing.

Both were booked into Bartholomew County Jail and face drug possession charges along with resisting law enforcement.

A Bartholomew County man was arrested Friday afternoon on several felony charges in conjunction with a narcotics investigation.

Officers were sent to McClure Road after the report of an overdose. A search warrant for the residence was obtained and during the investigation, law enforcement says it established probable cause to arrest Michael Ames of Columbus, on drug charges.

Police later located Ames riding a bicycle near 7th and Cherry Streets. Officers attempted to stop him, however, he allegedly began fleeing on his bike. While attempting to evade CPD, Ames supposedly began discarding items he had in his clothing. He eventually lost control of his bike, crashed, and was taken into custody.

Ames is facing several drug charges including: dealing meth, possession of meth, and resisting law enforcement.

The Bartholomew County commissioners issued an order on Monday that all visitors and employees inside all county buildings must wear a mask while conducting any business.

Virtual meetings will continue until the end of August and are available to the public via Zoom.

If Gov. Eric Holcomb’s emergency orders continue through September, the virtual Zoom meetings will continue through the month.

Employees will continue to work and meet with members of the public in county buildings.

Two wanted individuals were arrested Thursday, after The Seymour Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff Office received a tip. The information relayed to police said that on Thursday that Brian Willman, Of Seymour, and Lindsey Grigsby  of Anderson,  were staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Seymour. Brian Willman, 37, of Seymour, Both wanted on Jackson County warrants for drug charges.

SPD patrol officers located the suspects behind the motel and they were taken into custody.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the motel room and a K-9 alerted officers to narcotics in the room. Meth, mushrooms, a stolen handgun, and other drug paraphernalia was found in the room. Both were arrested on their outstanding warrants and taken to Jackson County Jail also facing several new charges.

Columbus Regional Health (CRH) announced Wednesday the swearing-in of the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of the newly formed Columbus Regional Hospital Police Department. Anthony “Tony” Pope, Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA), serves as the hospital’s Chief of Police and James Webster is Assistant Chief.

Pope and Webster officially took the oath in late March. Wednesday’s official ceremony marked one milestone in the transitional process as the health system works to develop and implement its law enforcement status. The CRH Board of Trustees approved the formation of a Columbus Regional Hospital Police Department in December 2020.

“The safety and protection of our patients, workforce, and visitors are of the utmost importance, and this needed change provides a greater level of security for everyone as well as enhanced training and support for the department,” said Pope.

The newly formed police department will consist of a combination of CRH Protective Services employees who are sworn and non-sworn officers. Several will undergo training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy to become sworn officers.

Shari Lentz has officially filed her candidacy for the office vacancy of the Bartholomew County Circuit Court Clerk. Lentz filled out her paperwork on Tuesday with GOP Party Chairwoman, Luann Welmer.

She has served within the Bartholomew County Clerks Office for eight years, most recently as Supervisor of the Voter Registration and Elections Office. After starting as an Elections Deputy in 2013, Lentz was promoted to office supervisor when Jay Phelps became Clerk in 2015.

Recently, the new candidate for Clerk was chosen by her peers as President of the Indiana Voter Registration Association. She has been tasked with working closely with election administrators and voter registration officials across the state in solving any functionality issues with the statewide voter registration system.

Lentz continued the success of vote centers during the 2020 Presidential Elections, assisting Phelps in completely revamping the election process so voters could vote freely, inhibited, and in a safe environment during the pandemic. Over 20,000 ballots were cast at Fair Oaks Mall during absentee voting, which led to the highest voter turnout ever in Bartholomew County.

The Bartholomew County Council met Tuesday evening and approved the creation of a county economic development commission to work in tandem with the Columbus Redevelopment Commission in bringing new business activity to the county.

Jason Hester, president of the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC), told the council that such a body was necessary in order to issue TIF anticipation bonds that could entice businesses to locate facilities in Bartholomew County.

He said GCEDC hosted four site visits in 2020, despite the pandemic dampening economic activity.

Appointments to the county’s redevelopment commission will be decided at a later date.

Columbus Regional Health is pleased to welcome a new executive, Grant Byers – Vice President and Chief Financial Officer – to its administrative leadership team.

Byers will provide the vision, leadership, direction, and administration of financial systems and strategy for all Columbus Regional Health entities: Columbus Regional Hospital, Columbus Regional Health Physicians, Southeastern Indiana Health Management, Inc., and Columbus Regional Health System Services. Collaborating with senior leadership, he will work to maximize financial resources to achieve the organization’s long-term financial sustainability as an independent health system. Byers succeeds Mrs. Marlene Weatherwax, who retired in March after 25 years of service.

Byers and his wife, Jenny, recently relocated to the Columbus community. They have three children and one grandchild in the area. Prior to joining Columbus Regional Health, Byers served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, GA. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Kelley School of Business and Indiana University.

A Bartholomew County man was arrested on multiple charges Monday evening after the Columbus Police Department  responded to a local motel. Officers were dispatched to the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites at around 11:00 PM in regards to a disturbance.

When police arrived at the motel room, they made contact with Terry Barnhart, of Columbus who they said falsely identified himself. CPD later confirmed two local warrants for his arrest. The suspect allegedly attempted to flush narcotics and drug paraphernalia down the motel room’s toilet prior to speaking to the officers.

Barnhart was placed under arrest and faces multiple drug charges.