A Jennings County dispatcher is being recognized for her role in ending a recent police pursuit.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, dispatcher Sandra Beam is being recognized with the Knight Chevalier award from the American Police Hall of Fame. During a recent chase, Beam spoke directly with the fleeing suspect encouraging them to stop fleeing from officers. The sheriff praised her quick thinking, exceptional communication skills, and dedication to public safety. He said that she helped ensure the safety of law enforcement officers and the community.

Beam has been serving Jennings County for more than 24 years.

Photo: Jennings County Sheriff Kenny Freeman and dispatcher Sandra Beam. Photo courtesy of Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.

Local law enforcement will be looking for distracted drivers as part of a national initiative to encourage safe driving.

According to the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department and Seymour Police Department, April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Officers nationwide are taking part in the initiative to enforce texting and distracted-driving laws. They want to remind people to put away distractions while on the road.

Violators of Indiana’s Hands-Free Law could face a Class C infraction with fines of up to $500. They also could have points added to their license.

During the initiative, drivers can expect officers to stop and ticket anyone who is caught texting and driving The enforcement effort is being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Forecasters say parts of our area fall under an enhanced or even moderate risk of severe weather today.

The National Weather Service says severe storms are possible and those could include large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. A severe weather event is likely this afternoon and evening, with the biggest threat from 2 to 10 p.m.

A moderate risk assessment is the second highest level of risk issued by the agency and that area includes southeastern Indiana in a line stretching roughly from Corydon through North Vernon. The rest of our area falls under the lower enhanced risk assessment.

A flood watch remains in effect for our area through this afternoon. Forecasters say that excessive rainfall continues in our area and runoff could result in the floodign of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood prone locations. Flash flooding is possible.

The flood watch is in effect until 2 p.m. this afternoon.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management press release

Bartholomew County has been upgraded to an Enhanced Risk for severe weather Monday evening and Tuesday. A Slight Risk remains for Flash Flooding for Tonight through Tuesday morning.

Increased Risk for Flash Flooding on Tuesday.
Multiple rounds of strong to severe storms likely through Tuesday evening.
Additional strong to severe storms possible Tuesday afternoon through early evening, mainly near and south of the I-70 Corridor. Widespread 1-3 inches of rain expected with locally higher amounts possible.

Increasing concern for severe weather on Tuesday afternoon. Threat on Tuesday is greatest across south and east portions of the area.

Timing: Greatest threat – After 5 PM (Monday)

Multiple rounds expected through Tuesday.

• 12 PM to 8 PM (Monday)
• 8 PM (Monday) to 4 AM (Tuesday)
• Most likely timing for Flash Flooding risk – 5 PM (Monday) to 8 AM (Tuesday)
• Increased Risk of Flash Flooding (2”+) – 5 PM to 8PM (Tuesday)
• Heaviest rain expected 10 PM (Monday) to 6 AM (Tuesday)

Main Threats:

• Heavy Rain (Monday and Tuesday)
• Large Hail – (Monday)
• Damaging Wind and Possible Tornadoes (Monday)

Actions/What To Do:

• Be weather aware.
• Have multiple ways to receive warnings.
• Have a safety plan in place and be ready to act when severe weather is imminent.
• Be ready to seek higher ground should flood waters near your location.
• Motorists – NEVER cross a flooded roadway.
• Use caution when driving at night. Flooded roadways are hard to see in the dark.

The Columbus AirPark Campus at the Columbus Municipal Airport is holding a career fair Wednesday with more than 50 area employers.

According to IU Columbus, the career fair will feature jobs in business, construction, education, engineering, communications, hospitality, health care, human services, and technology. Employers will be searching for full time and part time employees.

This event is free and you are invited to attend. You should bring printed copies of your resume.

The career fair will be on Wednesday from 10:30 to 1 in the afternoon throughout the Columbus Learning Center at 4555 Central Avenue.

A reminder that IU Columbus will be holding an open house this week so you can meet the local Crimson Pride college athletes.

The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 4th at Circle K Fieldhouse at Nexus Park, the former Fair Oaks Mall on 25th Street.

There will be family friendly activities and a chance to talk with the coaches, athletes and athletic staff. IU Columbus is fielding men’s and women’s soccer teams, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball along with softball, and baseball. The school is adding men’s and women’s basketball, track and field, and competitive cheer and dance teams.

For more about the Athletics Open House, visit go.iu.edu/6lHQ.

Authorities are investigating after a man’s body was found west of Seymour near East Fork White River.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, authorities were alerted at about 7:11 p.m. Thursday evening after the body was discovered in the woods near the Bellford Bridge.

The identity of the man is being withheld until family members are notified.

An autopsy is scheduled to determine his cause of death and deputies say the investigation is ongoing.

INDOT says that traffic on State Road 11 will be restricted between Jonesville and Seymour starting soon, due to bridge work.

According to the agency, crews will be rehabilitating a bridge in Jackson County over East Fork White River overflow, about two miles north of Seymour and just north of the blue bridge. You can expect temporary traffic signals to be in place while the work is going on.

The work will start on or after April 9th and is scheduled to wrap up in July, but the work schedule is dependent on the weather.

After the project is done, contractor crews will begin work on another bridge on State Road 11 in Jackson County.

This is part of a $6.9 million contract awarded to Milestone Contractors that includes three district bridge projects and one guardrail project.

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.