A Bartholomew County man has been arrested on child molesting charges after an investigation by Indiana State Police.

According to state troopers, the investigation began in August after allegations were reported to the agency. The investigation concluded that 20 year old Jayden K. Hardwick had improper contact with two juveniles in Bartholomew County. The findings of the investigation were turned over to the Bartholomew County prosecutor’s office and a warrant was issued for Hardwick on two felony counts of child molesting and one charge of sexual misconduct with a minor.

Troopers arrested Hardwick on Friday afternoon.

A reminder that Marr Road is scheduled to close today as contractors work between 25th Street and Brent Cross.

According to the city engineer’s office, Marr Road will be closed from about 9 to 2 today as crews cut into the roadway to install new infrastructure to manage storm water.

The city’s work is being done by Milestone Contractors and funding for the work is part of the city’s Community Crossings Matching Grant with the state.

You are urged to seek alternate routes, to slow down and use caution in work zones and don’t drive while distracted.

A wanted Columbus man is facing new charges after his arrest Sunday night.

According to the Columbus Police Department, officers served an arrest warrant at a home on North Hinman Street at about 8:45 p.m. Sunday night, looking for 31-year-old Ryan C. Lee. They found Lee, who was wanted on five outstanding warrants in the back yard of the home and he was arrested without incident. After he was taken into custody, officers found he was carrying a syringe and other drug paraphernalia.

In addition to the outstanding warrants, he is now facing charges for possessing the drug-related items.

North Vernon authorities are taking part in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back day on Saturday.

According to North Vernon police, you can drop off old, expired, unused or unwanted medications from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the EMA building behind the North Vernon Fire Department on North Madison Avenue. It is the white building with garages next to Walmart. The event is being organized by The Indiana Board of Pharmacy, Jennings County Health Department and the North Vernon police and fire departments.

Indiana State Police posts are also taking part in the takeback event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to the DEA, the Takeback Day is for liquid and pill medications. 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.

You can look for more area locations to drop off your medications at https://www.dea.gov/takebackday

Bartholomew County Commissioners are moving ahead with new rules about how processed human waste can be used on local farm fields.

The commissioners gave their first approval on a new ordinance banning outside bio-solids from being shipped in from other communities. But two residents in the business say that the proposed rule is unworkable and possibly violates state and federal statutes.

Last month, county commissioners asked the county attorney to draft the ordinance, over concerns that the outside materials could be dangerous or harmful without the proper processing and quality controls.

Evan and Jim Daily spoke out against the proposed rule, saying that the materials are safe and highly regulated. They also pointed out that because laws require that local materials must be mixed with outside materials before being used on fields, that the ordinance would actually make it harder to dispose of and dispense locally processed waste. Evan Daily has applied for an IDEM permit to process bio solids in Bartholomew County.

Commissioners approved the ordinance on first reading, but said that the ordinance can still be modified before it is approved a second and final time.

Ivy Tech is looking for your donations today on Ivy Tech Day.

The Ivy Tech Foundation is organizing this as a statewide day of giving to help support students pursuing higher education. The school says that Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon has ordered the Robert N. Stewart Bridge be turned green in recognition of Ivy Tech Day.

Columbus Chancellor Stephen Combs is offering to gift an arcade cabinet to the campus if 200 individual donations are made to the school today.

This is the second year for the initiative which is part of the Foundation’s 5-year, $285 million campaign. Last year’s fund drive generated 2,032 gifts with more than $243,000 raised.

Ivy Tech was founded in 1963. The school now has 19 campuses and more than 190,000 students.

Just after midnight the school began accepting donations toward its goal of breaking down barriers to higher education. You can make a donation online at ivytech.edu/giveday .

An Indiana State Police trooper was recognized recently for risking his own life to save a suicidal woman in Johnson County last year.

According to Indiana State Police, the incident happened in August, when Sgt. Bill Spalding arrived to help a woman who was standing on an Interstate 65 overpass in Greenwood. She told police she was suicidal.

Spalding tried to talk her down for more than 25 minutes but eventually she laid on the ledge and began lowering herself over the edge before releasing her grip. Spalding leapt to rescue her, extending himself over the wall and grabbing her arms while risking his own safety. Despite her struggling, he held on until other officers could assist him to pull her to safety.

He was awarded the Silver Star by the department last week.

A man walking along a road  in Jennings County was killed Friday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle.

According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, Ross Miller was killed after an accident while walking on State Road 7 at about 4:44 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Deputies say that Miller was walking southbound along the highway, when he attempted to cross the road and was struck by an SUV driven by Bonnie Bryant of Scipio. Several military medics were on hand to provide aid and Jennings County medics and deputies also provided assistance, until he could be taken to from the accident scene. Police say he later succumbed to the injuries caused in the crash.

Bryant was taken to the hospital by medics to be checked out.

Police say that neither alcohol nor drugs are believed to have been a factor in the crash.

Early voting continues this week ahead of the May 7th primary election, with the addition of voting places on Saturday in Bartholomew County.

You can vote early from 8 to 5 on weekdays at Donner Center. There will be early voting this Saturday 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.

Unlike recent elections, there will be no early voting this election at Nexus Park or at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.

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.

The Bartholomew County Soil and Water Conservation District will be holding its 13th annual tree giveaway on Friday at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in celebration of Arbor Day.

There will be 1,200 trees to be given away including red pine, persimmon, cherrybark oak, redbud and buttonbush. They will be available on a first come first served basis and there is a limit of five trees per person.

The event will be accepting donations to help Turning Point Domestic Violence Services. The shelter’s top needs are tissues, toothbrush covers and trash bags. There are also constant needs for personal hygiene supplies, journals and pens, twin or full sized blankets and sheets, bath towels, baby monitors, baby wipes and diapers, collapsible laundry baskets and laundry detergent pods.

The event will start at 5 p.m. at the fairgrounds off of County Road 200S and Jonesville Road.

You can get more information by calling 812-378-1280.