Bartholomew County News

Since opening in April 2024, the Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark continues to draw crowds, energize local businesses, and establish itself as a premier destination for regional sporting groups and organizations.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Administrative Resources association (ARa) recently announced its 2026 Board of Directors Executive Committee, ushering in a new year of collaboration and regional impact.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Local residents can help their neighbors stay healthy by rolling up their sleeves and giving blood at a blood drive later this month.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Bartholomew, Johnson and other South-Central Indiana counties on Wednesday Morning, March 11 until 9:45 a.m.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. -The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Wind Advisory at 8 a.m. for portions of central, east central, south central, southeast, southwest, and west central Indiana until 5 p.m.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has issued a Tornado Watch until noon on Wednesday for south-central Indiana.

COLUMBUS/FRANKLIN, Ind.- Ivy Tech Community College continues its series of free FAFSA Filing Events during March and April to help students and families complete the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Town of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Parks and Recreation have announced that this summer's Edinburgh Firecracker Festival will celebrate America's 250th anniversary.   

COLUMBUS, Ind.—The Columbus Bluegrass Jamboree is back this Saturday, March 14, at "The Rec" at Nexus Park.

SEYMOUR, Ind. – Indiana Conservation Officers found the body of a Jackson County man who went missing in floodwaters around 7 a.m. on Friday.

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. - Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) announced that Bartholomew County is currently under a Slight Risk for severe weather on Tuesday, March 10.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Historical Society invites the public to the first Evelyn Seward Speaker Series event of 2026 on Friday, March 20, when author Dr. Byron James Cartwright will present "Roots and Rabbit Holes: A History of Music in Columbus."

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) announced Saturday night that State Road 11 (Jonesville Road) is once again open from State Road 46 to Garden City. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) is joining communities across the state in recognizing Indiana Severe Weather Preparedness Week, from March 8-14.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) recently announced the conclusion of “Operation ICE Pick,” a proactive narcotics enforcement initiative that began during the last week of December 2025 and continued through early March 2026. 

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - Due to more rain falling on Saturday, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has extended the Flood Warnings for several rivers in south-central Indiana.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) has announced its latest list of Road closings and high water areas to avoid as of 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 7.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) and other emergency crews were on the scene of a train/van collision on Indianapolis Road on Friday morning, March 6.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Troopers from the Indiana State Police (ISP)-Versailles Post arrested a New York man for operating while intoxicated and other charges following a traffic stop on I-65 in Bartholomew County on Saturday, February 28.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC), St. Peter's Lutheran, and St. Bartholomew Catholic Schools have announced that they are operating on a two-hour delay for Friday morning, March 6.

COLUMBUS/TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has extended the Flood Warnings for the Driftwood River near Taylorsville until early Monday morning, and the East Fork White River at Columbus through Sunday afternoon.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - An 18-year-old Columbus resident is in jail after the Columbus Police Department (CPD) was dispatched to a report of a shooting in the 1900 block of Cottage Avenue on Wednesday, March 4, at around 3:40 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Regional Health (CRH) Police Department announced James Webster as its newly appointed System Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management.

CLIFFORD, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis issued a Flood Warning at 11 p.m. on Wednesday for Haw Creek, near Clifford. It will be in effect until 2 a.m. on Friday, March 6. The Flood Warning has been extended for the Flatrock River until late Saturday evening, and for the East Fork White River in Columbus until late Sunday morning.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) officials have announced that, due to the excessive rain the last two days, several roads are now closed.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Fire Department (CPD) firefighters assisted the Bartholomew County Water Rescue team on Wednesday evening on a flooded Clifty Creek near 850 U.S. 31N.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department CPD is investigating a shooting that happened Wednesday afternoon in the 1900 block of Cottage Avenue. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Sentencing was held last Thursday for a local man who was charged with battery in October 2025. Brandon Weddle, 27, of Columbus, pled guilty on February 23 to Battery Against a Public Safety Official (Level 6 Felony) and Domestic Battery (Class A misdemeanor).

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. – UPDATE, 12:30 a.m.: The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has extended a second Flood Warning on Wednesday, March 4. The Warning is now in effect until Monday for several local rivers, including the Driftwood River

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department has updated its information about city parks. As of mid-afternoon on Wednesday, three parks are closed. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Several sections of the Columbus People Trail system are temporarily closed as of Wednesday morning following excessive rainfall and flooding in low‐lying areas.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an Areal Flood Warning for specific locations in multiple south-central Indiana counties on Wednesday morning. The Warning is in effect until 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Edinburgh Police Department (EPD) executed a narcotics search warrant in the 400 block of Morris Street in Edinburgh on Saturday, February 28.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - In alignment with its 2025 Destination Master Plan and the City of Columbus’s Downtown 2030 Plan, "Visit Columbus" has initiated an Event Calendar, which will serve as the official community calendar for Columbus and all of Bartholomew County. 

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has issued a Flood Watch for most of Central, South-Central, and Southeastern Indiana from 7 p.m. on Tuesday through Wednesday at 10 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the way foster care begins, is coming to Bartholomew County this Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Printed maps for the upcoming Columbus Transit Bus Loops are now available. Pick up a copy at the Transit Center, or on board any of the city buses.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Solid Waste Management (BCSWM) district will host "Free Senior Mulch and Compost Loading" on the last two Wednesdays of this month.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) announced Sunday that there is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for south-central Indiana from 2 to 9 a.m. on Monday for Bartholomew, Johnson, Jackson, Jennings, and Brown Counties. 

Columbus, Ind. - The 40th Annual Our Hospice Concert will take place on Saturday, September 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Public Library steps in downtown Columbus, where the concert began in 1987.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Following the success Columbus had with the SEARS Indoor Winter Market, the Office of Downtown Development will premiere the Downtown Columbus Spring Market on 4th Street later this month.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – River Valley Legal Aid Pro Bono Indiana presents another free Legal Aid Phone Clinic for low-income residents of its eight-county district on Tuesday, March 3, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - The Shelby County Sheriff's Department responded to a fatal crash on Thursday at 7:45 a.m. A van and a tanker truck were involved in the wreck that resulted in the van driver's death. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC) series, First Fridays for Families, continues its 2026 season on Friday, March 6, at 5:30 p.m. at Helen Haddad Hall. Doors open at 5:00.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Franklin College's annual summer camp, CampGRIZ, offers middle and high school students entering grades 5-10 in Fall 2026 experience and insight into the value of higher education.

HOPE, Ind. - The Town of Hope is in the process of being provided with a new fiber optic network through Mainstream Fiber.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - Several area schools are experiencing delays due to unexpected snow flurries and heavy sleet on Thursday morning, February 26.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Local pet owners can now nominate their furry, scaly, or feathered companions to become the first pet mayor of Columbus, as part of a new fundraiser benefiting IU Columbus student scholarships and Columbus Animal Care Services.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Centra Credit Union has announced a total special dividend payment of more than $1.5 million to Centra Members. Since Centra is a credit union, its Members are also owners of the Credit Union and the beneficiaries of Centra’s profits.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The United Way of Bartholomew County reminds community members that sign-up is now available for free tax preparation through the "My Free Taxes" program.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Several providers and practices within the Columbus Regional Health (CRH) Physicians network are making strategic moves to enhance efficiencies and service quality for patients.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Ivy Tech Community College Columbus invites Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars to an informational session on Tuesday, March 3, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Moravec Hall, located at 4475 Central Ave.

TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. - Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation (EBWC) announced Tuesday morning that a contractor had cut a water main, temporarily interrupting service in Bluff Acres.

INDIANAPOLIS - To hold the record of Best Airport in North America for 14 years straight and 15 years overall, as the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) has done once again, is no small feat.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - Edinburgh Main Street is hosting another Comprehensive Plan information meeting at the Timbergate Golf Community clubhouse this Tuesday, February 24, at 6:30 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) welcomed a new deputy to the force on Wednesday, February 18.

HOPE, Ind. - The Hope Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) invites you to "Breakfast at the Firehouse" this Saturday, February 28, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus Engineering Department has recently upgraded the traffic signal at the intersection of 10th Street and Whitfield Drive, near Walmart and Lowe's.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Cummins Inc. recently announced a new $500 incentive for owners of eligible RAM 2500 and 3500 model-year 2013–2018 trucks who complete Emissions Recall 67A.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Edinburgh Fire Department is seeking a chaplain to support its firefighters, paramedics, and staff.

COLUMBUS, Ind.– River Valley Legal Aid has announced a Free Legal Walk-In Clinic on Tuesday, February 24, at the Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP) has now initiated a death investigation regarding an incident with an inmate at the Bartholomew County Jail on February 14.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Salvation Army of Bloomington is actively monitoring the impact of Thursday night’s tornadoes and is in communication with key community stakeholders as damage assessments continue across the region.

INDIANAPOLIS - Officials confirmed a tornado touched down in Bloomington on Thursday evening. That storm continued east through Brown, Bartholomew, and Johnson Counties.

COLUMBUS, Ind.- The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) announced the promotion of Firefighter Casey Taylor to the rank of Lieutenant. Lt. Taylor joined CFD in 2018. He has served in the fire service since 2009.

COLUMBUS/SEYMOUR/NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that low-interest federal disaster loans are available to small businesses and private nonprofits (PNP) in Bartholomew, Jackson, and Jennings Counties, which sustained economic losses due to significant rainfall occurring from April 1 to Dec. 31, 2025.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service has extended the Tornado Watch for much of the south-central and southern Indiana areas until 11 p.m. on Thursday.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. – UPDATE (8 P.M.): A confirmed Tornado is moving east toward the COLUMBUS area along State Road 46 at 40 mph. It is currently impacting Taylorsville and Edinburgh. The Tornado Warning for Bartholomew County has been extended until 8:30 p.m. Storm damage to homes and power outages are already being reported in Bloomington. Ping pong-sized hail is being reported. Listen live to QMIX 107.3 for minute to minute weather updates. Get to a safe indoor location now!

COLUMBUS, Ind.- The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning that a potent storm system is possible in Bartholomew County on Thursday night with a chance of strong to severe storms between 2 and 10 p.m.