Early voting is starting today in Bartholomew County ahead of the May primary elections.

There will be no early voting this election at Nexus Park or at the Bartholomew County Courthouse. Instead, you can vote early from 8 to 5 on weekdays at Donner Center.

There will be early voting on Saturdays April 7th and May 4th. You can vote on those Saturdays at Donner Center and at the Bartholomew County Governmental office Building on Third Street from 8 to 3.

Early voting wraps up at noon on May 6th with election day from 6 to 6 on Tuesday, May 7th at 14 voting centers around Bartholomew County.

Bartholomew County Republican voters will be making choices in the race for County Commissioner District 1 and in the at-large seats for the Bartholomew County Council. In the commissioners races, long-time County Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz has a challenge from Rick Miller in the Republican primary.

None of the three current at-large members of the County Council filed for re-election. Four new Republicans did file for the County Council seats: Michael R. Bell, Kim Bennett, John Prohaska and Marcus D. Speer.

Democrats have no local contested races on the ballot in this primary election.

A motorcyclist died Monday afternoon in a crash in Jackson County.

According to the Indiana State Police, the single vehicle crash happened at about 3:45 p.m. on Jackson County Road 700E near County Road 725N just north of Seymour. 40-year-old Timothy Kerkhof of Seymour was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jackson County Coroner’s Office.

According to investigators, Kerkhof lost control on a sharp curve and went off the road. Kerhkof was thrown from the bike and suffered fatal injuries.

A state police crash reconstructionist was called to the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

State police were assisted at the scene by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Police Department, Jackson County EMS, Redding Township Fire Department, and 31 Wrecker Service.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police

Two people are dead after a crash on Interstate 65 in Greenwood Sunday morning.

According to the Indiana State Police, the crash happened about six miles north of the Franklin exit at about 9:38 a.m. Sunday morning. Witnesses said an SUV ran off the highway and struck a tree. When rescue workers arrived, two passengers, 52 year old Cearmease Evans and 17 year old Chaise Franklin, both from Chicago Illinois, were found unconscious. Despite life saving efforts, both were pronounced dead.

The driver was conscious and alert and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say that they don’t know why the vehicle ran off the road, but it went into a ditch and then hit several trees on the passenger side. Evans had bee in the front passenger seat of the SUV and Franklin in the rear passenger seat. The coroner said they both received traumatic injuries in the collission.

The right two lanes of Interstate 65 were restricted for several hours while the crash was investigated and cleaned up.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Jennings County Jail commander has been arrested, accused of drunk driving after nearly hitting a deputy.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy on patrol Friday night in the area of Butlerville on U.S. 50 saw a van cross the centerline and nearly striking his patrol vehicle. After pulling the vehicle over, he identified the driver as Natasha Goins, the county jail commander.

After noticing the signs of alcohol impairment, the deputy immediately called in the Indiana State Police to investigate.

Goins was arrested and taken to the Ripley County Jail. According to the sheriff, she has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending termination upon release from jail.

The Columbus Human Rights Commission is looking for student entries and judges for its annual J. Irwin Miller Art Contest and Benjamin M. King Essay Contest.

This year’s theme is “Living your authentic life.” One winner will be selected for both contests in three divisions by grade. those include grades 5 and 6, 7 and 8, and high school students.

A panel of volunteer judges will anonymously select the winning entries. Winners will receive a $100 award, an award-winning book, and complimentary
tickets to the 2024 Human Rights Commission’s Annual Dinner.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 30th by 5 in the afternoon.

Volunteer judges are also needed to judge both contests. If you are interested, you can contact the Human Rights Commission by Tuesday, April 25th. You can find more information on the city website at columbus.in.gov/human-rights, by calling the department at 812-376-2532 or email at [email protected].

A road project that would have closed State Road 3 in Decatur and Jennings counties for several months is being delayed.

According to INDOT, as early as Tuesday, contractors were scheduled to close the highway between U.S. 50 and Westport while crews resurfaced the road. That work is delayed and will be rescheduled.

INDOT urges you to slow down, to drive without distractions, to use extra caution and to be alert to worker safety in all work zones.