Latest News

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Community members who need their taxes done can sign up for free tax filing through United Way Bartholomew County’s "My Free Taxes" program.

INDIANAPOLIS — The 49th annual Richard G. Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow's Leaders hosted by The Richard G. Lugar Academy at the University of Indianapolis will bring more than 175 top high school juniors from Indiana together for a day of discussion on public issues and world events on Saturday, Jan. 31.

GREENWOOD, Ind. Update: 10 a.m.- Crash has been cleared

FRANKLIN, Ind. - A semi-truck accident on southbound I-65 at the 86.5 marker left at least one person injured, the truck badly damaged and overturned on its side, and snarled traffic for about five hours on Tuesday evening.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - UPDATE: The gas leak has been resolved. As of 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, BCSO said that those living in the evacuated area can return home.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - Things are slowly returning to normal after the snowstorm, but a lot of schools in south-central Indiana are still closed or on a two-hour delay for Wednesday.

COLUMBUS, Ind.– Following Bartholomew County's Travel Status being downgraded to Orange, Columbus Regional Health resumed normal operations starting at noon on Tuesday, January 27.

COLUMBUS, Ind. –The Columbus Police Department (CPD) arrested a local man on several charges following a crash, pursuit, and drunk driving investigation on Monday afternoon, January 26. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - As of 8:20 a.m., Bartholomew County has downgraded its travel status to the "Orange" Watch level based on improving conditions across the county.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Jacob Hendricks has been announced as the Associate Director of Recreation for the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County recently announced Carissa Long as its next executive director, effective Feb. 9.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin College recently elected four new members to its board of trustees. They will contribute to the board’s efforts to shape policies, guide strategic priorities, and advance the College’s long-term vision.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Three Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) Deputies, Sgt. Andy Whipker, Sgt. Dustin Newland and K9 Deputy Dylan Prather were heroes to an elderly couple this past weekend during the height of the snowstorm.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - With roads still snow-covered and frigid temperatures forecast, several schools in south-central Indiana and other local organizations have announced closings on Tuesday, January 27.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Since Bartholomew County will remain under a Travel Warning (Red) until at least Tuesday morning, City of Columbus and Bartholomew County officials have determined that most employees will have an E-working Day on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - An Extreme Cold Warning has been issued for all of south-central Indiana from Monday at 7 p.m. through Tuesday at 9 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Public officials with Bartholomew County Emergency Management concluded a meeting early Monday afternoon, January 26, that evaluated the latest road conditions across Bartholomew County.

INDIANAPOLIS– Indiana Governor Mike Braun directed all state executive branch offices to close on Monday, January 26.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Regional Health (CRH) has announced that outpatient provider practices and clinics will be closed on Monday, January 26. Inpatient, Emergency, and EMS services remain fully open and functioning.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service says the Winter Storm Warning ends at 7 a.m. today. However, an Extreme Cold Warning is in effect for Bartholomew, Johnson, Jackson, Jennings, Brown, Decatur, and Shelby Counties from Monday at 7 p.m. until Tuesday at 7 a.m.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The City of Franklin has announced that trash and recycling pick-up will be delayed one day this week.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The travel status of all south-central Indiana counties remains at the Warning (RED) level. This includes Bartholomew, Johnson, Jackson, Jennings, Shelby, Brown, and Decatur Counties.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - There will be more to add to the list, but some school corporations are already officially closed on Monday, January 26.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - As of 8:30 a.m., the Columbus Police Department has responded to 30 motorist assists.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - Indiana State Police (ISP) are alerting residents to stay off the roads this morning.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Seymour Fire Department (SFD) responded to a reported apartment fire at the Canterbury Apartments, 630 East Oak St., on Saturday, at around 4:45 p.m.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) was dispatched to northbound I-65 near the 90-mile marker early Saturday morning for a one-vehicle accident.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) on Friday issued a Winter Storm Warning and a Cold Weather Advisory for south-central Indiana beginning at noon on Saturday.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - According to Hoosier Energy, high demand for electricity and tight power supplies throughout the Midwest are causing a serious power supply emergency for central/southern Indiana and Illinois, including local REMC customers.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Due to the Winter Weather Warning issued for this weekend, the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) will be closed and operate on an eLearning Day this Monday, January 26. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus Public Works and Safety Department (DPW) has announced that all trash and recycling collections will be delayed one day the week of January 26. There will be no pick-ups on Monday, January 26. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Due to the frigid weather, Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) has announced that several Warming Centers will be open starting Saturday, January 24, and continuing through January 30.

COLUMBUS, Ind.—The Columbus East High School Olympians boys' basketball game against the Jeffersonville Red Devils, previously scheduled for Saturday, January 24 has been cancelled and rescheduled due to the severe winter weather.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) has announced that it has issued a Winter Storm Warning for a good portion of Indiana this weekend.

NORTH VERNON, Ind.—Jennings County Deputies responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash on County Road 1000W, near County Road 500N, on the Jackson/Jennings County line, on Wednesday, January 21.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Ongoing improvements to U.S. Highway 31 have significantly impacted traffic patterns and affected businesses along the corridor. 

Columbus, IN — Black History Month Columbus (BHMC) has announced its February 2026 community-wide celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of Black History Month.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Heritage Fund - The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County announces the launch of its "Golden Joybilee," a year-long celebration honoring 50 years of philanthropy, partnership, and community impact.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Evergreen Indiana Consortium has welcomed the Edinburgh Wright-Hageman Public Library to its growing family of libraries throughout the state.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess says the Indiana Sheriff’s Association will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Bartholomew County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Holden announced Wednesday, January 21, that Benjamin Jackson, former Columbus Township Trustee, has been sentenced by Special Judge Matthew Bailey to a term of 28 years.

Hope, Ind. – The Hope Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire involving a detached garage in the 7600 block of North County Road 1000E on Tuesday, January 20.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus City Utilities (CCU) has announced the reappointment of Patrick Andrews to the Utility Service Board (USB) by Mayor Mary K. Ferdon.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus Police Department (CPD) and Columbus Fire Department (CFD) are working in the area of 3rd Street and Chestnut Street with wires down across the roadway.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) said that deputies responded to the 5000 block of E. County Road 600N at around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, after receiving reports of a two-vehicle traffic collision with unknown injuries.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) welcomed its newest merit deputy when Daniel Brenneman took his oath on Tuesday, January 20.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Seymour Police Department (SPD) officers received information on Saturday, January 17, that a juvenile was at a location in town where an adult female allegedly convinced the juvenile to have sexual intercourse with them. 

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The City of Greenwood and Greenwood Parks and Recreation invite parents and their little ones to their annual Valentine's Dance.

MIAMI - The Indiana Hoosiers completed their dream season on Monday night. The College Football National Championship trophy is coming to Bloomington. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Hope Volunteer Fire Department was called to a local structure fire on Sunday night, January 18.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Registration is now open for the Columbus Police Department's (CPD) 2026 Women's Self-Defense classes.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Seymour Police Department (SPD) received information on Friday, January 15, that a wanted individual was at the All-State Inn, at 2603 Outlet Blvd., in Seymour.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Schneck Medical Center recently promoted Mindy Roeder, MBA, to Vice President of Specialty/Surgical Services and Business Development.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus City Utilities (CCU) has appointed Melissa Lin to the Utility Service Board.

Greenwood, Ind. – Dr. William K. Long has announced his intent to retire as Superintendent of Center Grove Community School Corporation effective June 30.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Centra Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Loretta M. Burd Scholarship Program. A total of 34 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors and adult students for the fall of 2026.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – All City of Columbus offices, including Columbus City Utilities, will be closed this Monday, January 19, to observe the holiday celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) welcomed two new members on Tuesday.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Fire Department (NVFD) and North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) responded to a fire that engulfed a Dave O'Mara Contractor workshop on Ertel Lane in North Vernon on Monday night, January 12.

HOPE, Ind. - The Town of Hope hosts its annual Groundhog Day event on Monday, February 2, starting at 8 a.m., on the Hope Town Square, near the bandstand. "Hope" the groundhog makes her appearance at 8:30.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Franklin Indiana Chamber of Commerce invites you to "Meet the Chamber" on Thursday, January 22, from 8:30 to 10 a.m., at the Main and Madison Market Café.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – River Valley Legal Aid Pro Bono Indiana presents a Free MLK Day Legal Phone Clinic for residents of its eight-county district on Monday, January 19, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Seymour, Ind.—The Schneck Foundation Scholarship Committee has announced that applications are now open for the Allied Health Scholarship and the Amanda M. Dick Honorary Scholarship.

WHITELAND, Ind. - The Town of Whiteland is awarding a $1000 Otto Lewis Memorial scholarship to two eligible Whiteland Community High School graduating seniors. Applications are now open.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - If you have not yet discarded this year's Christmas Tree, the City of Columbus Department of Public Works reminds residents that crews will continue to collect the trees curbside (no alleys), on your regular trash day, through Friday, January 30.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Do you have a storm shelter at your home or business? Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) is enhancing its support for emergency responders during severe weather by collecting voluntary storm shelter-location information throughout the county.

The Town of Edinburgh welcomed a new business to its downtown during the first week of 2026.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Center Grove Community School Corporation has announced that four Center Grove High School (CGHS) juniors are among the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) Rising Stars of Indiana Class of 2027.

Franklin College has selected five students to serve as Pulliam Fellows during the 2025-26 academic year.

COLUMBUS, Ind.–   The Bartholomew County Circuit Court has sentenced a Columbus man to 24 years in the Department of Corrections for the crime of Child Molesting.

INDIANAPOLIS— The Indiana Historical Society has announced the appointment of a new Indiana county historian in Jennings County.

Columbus, Ind.- Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services (FCACS) will be handing out pet food through their Furry Friends Food Bank distribution on Thursday, January 15, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Columbus Municipal Airport, 4770 Ray Boll Blvd.