Note: This story has been updated

A driver was found dead in their vehicle after a pickup drove into a lake in western Bartholomew County yesterday.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, witnesses saw the truck strike a mailbox in the 8000 block of West Old Nashville Road at about 3:43 p.m. yesterday. It then drove across a yard and through a carport, crashed into a deck and a fence, before going down a hill and across a dock at the lake, ending up partially in the water.

Residents went into the water to help the driver until rescue workers arrived. Deputies say that despite the assistance from the bystanders and medics the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff’s department says the driver possibly suffered a medical episode which led to the crash. The investigation is ongoing and the driver’s name has not yet been released.

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department will be holding an open house this weekend at their new fire station.

According to organizers, there will be an open house at the station on the west side of Bartholomew County from 10 to 2 on Saturday. You will be able to tour the station, see the equipment and meet with the volunteer firefighters. Hot dogs and picnic food will also be available.

The station is at 9441 Old Nashville Road.

Photo courtesy of Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department

The Columbus Regional Health Foundation says it will not be holding its 29th annual VIMCare Benefit Dinner and Reverse Raffle this year.

The fundraiser was used to support expenses such as education assistance, financial navigation and mental health support. In previous years, organizers said that the annual event has been the largest fundraiser for the former Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, making up about a third of the clinic’s budget. Organizers say that the foundation will continue to fund services through alternative fundraising.

Organizers will consider holding the raffle again next year.

The foundation will host a new event next with month with the Impact and Gratitude Expo on August 22 at Nexus Park. The Expo will highlight the Foundation’s support of hospital and community health initiatives.

You can get more information at https://www.crh.org/foundation

A proposed solar farm project in northern Bartholomew County will be considered tonight by the Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals.

Arevon Solar, based out of Scottsdale, Arizona and New York City, is planning a 200-megawatt commercial solar facility in Clay and Flat Rock townships in north and eastern Bartholomew County to be called Swallowtail Solar.

Kevin Smith, CEO of Arevon Energy explains:

The project would be on just under 1,200 acres of privately owned land the company will be leasing from property owners.

Smith talks about the benefits that new electricity will bring to the local area:

Smith discusses the expected impacts on neighboring and nearby property owners:

The project is scheduled for consideration tonight by the Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals as a conditional use on the agriculture zoned properties. The city/county planning department staff is recommending approval of the project, saying all of the conditions have been yet.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. this evening at the meeting room at Columbus City Hall.

President Joe Biden is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.

In a stunning moment, Biden released a letter on X, saying it was time for him to step down and focus on the rest of his presidency. He is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

This comes after Democratic leaders for weeks have expressed concerns about the 81-year-old’s mental fitness and his path to victory over Donald Trump. Biden was diagnosed with COVID on Wednesday, and has been in self-isolation at his beach house in Delaware. The Democratic National Convention to nominate the party’s candidate for president is scheduled to be held August 19th through the 22nd.

Complete Statement:

My Fellow Americans,

Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.

Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years.

Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.

For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.

Story courtesy of TTWN Media Networks

Some Columbus city offices are reporting problems related to worldwide technology outages.

According to the city, there have been minimal issue so far, but there are problems facing some administrative functions in the community and city officials are asking for your patience.

Among the problems, Columbus Fire Department inspectors are having issues with their inspection software. The problems are not expected to affect service to the community.

The Columbus Police Department records division is encountering some software problems, but other systems are operating normally.

Columbus City Utilities is facing problems with its online payment system. They are taking cash or check payments at their offices on McClure Road.

Jackson County authorities announced this morning that the worldwide computer problems meant that their 911 system was down. According to the Jackson County Dispatch Center in Brownstown, if you have an emergency you should call 812-358-2141, and hit option 1 to go directly for dispatch. You can also text 911, if you are unable to talk. But they stress that calling the number is better. Again that is 812-358-2141.

Bartholomew County emergency operation center dispatchers said this morning that the center was not encountering any problems.

Industries and organizations worldwide are trying to come back online after what is being called a global IT outage. The outage was caused by a Windows update overnight by Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Microsoft says it’s aware of the event and is working with companies to get them back online.

Our news-gathering partners at TTWN Media Networks contributed to this report.

Cummins is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its plant in Jamestown, New York.

According to the Columbus based engine manufacturer, The Jamestown Engine Plant was established in 1974 and recently celebrated the production of its 2.5 millionth engine. The company says the milestone marks half a century of cutting-edge engineering, a dedicated workforce and a commitment to community and sustainability. The plant sets industry standards for quality, efficiency and innovation, company officials say.

Cummins recently announced a $452 million investment into the 998,000 square foot facility. They will be producing the industry’s first fuel-agnostic internal combustion engine platform. It will allow the use of a range of fuels including natural gas and will help achieve the company’s Destination Zero strategy.

Cummins Chair and CEO Jennifer Rumsey said the plant will launch the heavy-duty X15N engine this year. She said she is “excited about our continued journey towards providing sustainable power solutions with Jamestown playing a critical role.”

Some areas of the Hoosier National Forest are closed due to recent storm damage.

Forest Service staff at the Hoosier National Forest are working to clear debris and assess storm damage throughout the northern part of the forest affected by a June 25 storm.

The U.S. Forest Service said today that Charles C. Deam Wilderness Peninsula Trail and the Pate Hollow Trail system, have been temporarily closed until further notice.

Campsites 12 and 21 in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness are also closed.

The area surrounding the Peninsula Trail contains fallen trees, branches and other storm damage, so visitors are encouraged to avoid the area.

Visitors are also encouraged to stay on established trails and not make detours or cut throughs so as not to worsen the trail conditions.

Visitors should be aware the Peninsula Trail is expected to be closed into the fall or later.

Complicating the cleanup efforts, because of its designation as a wilderness area, The Charles C. Deam Wilderness has restrictions on what activities can be conducted there, including the use of mechanized equipment.

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A Hayden man died after a crash yesterday on U.S. 50 in Jennings County.

According to the Jennings County Sheriffs Department, 82-year-old Jerry L. Bridges was taken to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour after the crash where he later died.

Deputies say that the accident happened shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon on westbound U.S. Highway 50 at County Road 700W. Investigators say that for unknown reasons, Bridges drove his van from the county road onto the highway, into the path of a concrete truck being driven by Travis Carroll of Lovett.

The highway was closed for about two hours while the crash was investigated and debris was cleaned up.

Also assisting at the scene were Jennings County EMS, Spencer Township Fire Department, Stat-Flight helicopter and 31 Wrecker Service.

A North Vernon man is being accused of pulling a gun on an officer during a traffic stop Thursday.

According to the North Vernon Police Department, an officer stopped a vehicle for speeding at 8:15 p.m. Thursday night in the 800 block of State Street. While talking with the driver, the officer noticed the smell of alcohol and asked the driver to leave the vehicle. When the driver got out, the officer had to ask the driver repeatedly to remove his hands from his pockets for safety reasons.

The driver refused field sobriety tests but a breath test revealed he had a .08 blood alcohol level. The driver, identified as 54-year-old Andy L. Edgar allegedly admitted to drinking several beers, but when the officer began reading him his rights, police say he told officers he wasn’t going back to jail, pulled a pistol from his pocket and ran away.

After fighting with officers, injuring one officer’s hand, Edgar was taken into custody. He was taken to Ascension St. Vincent Jennings Hospital to be checked out and then to jail on preliminary felony charges including criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon; resisting law enforcement with a deadly weapon and intimidation with a deadly weapon. He is also being charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.