Bartholomew County News

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus is partnering with Red Arch Community Events, Inc., to present "Celebrate 250," a weeklong festival marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus has installed 21 commemorative banners along Washington Street in downtown Columbus honoring Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Bartholomew County.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation celebrated the "Catalyst Academy Demo Day" on Thursday evening, June 25, at Helen Haddad Hall, awarding $40,000 in startup funding to eight entrepreneurs who completed the six-month business incubator program.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Friends of Columbus Animal Care Services (FCACS) is encouraging potential participants to sign up for this year’s "Moonlight Loop" evening bike before the price increase on July 1.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office handed down a five-year sentence last week to Timothy Munn, of Columbus, for felony offenses that occurred in late 2024.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis has issued a Flood Watch for Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings, Brown, and Decatur Counties in south-central Indiana through Saturday afternoon.   

JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP) -Versailles Post responded to an accident on northbound I-65, near the 44-mile marker between Crothersville and Seymour, on Friday morning, June 26.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The annual Edinburgh Firecracker Festival will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America on Saturday, July 4, in downtown Edinburgh.

COLUMBUS, Ind. (UPDATE: 6/25) - Columbus Police Department (CPD) detectives continue to investigate the death of a 39-year-old Seymour man that occurred at Mill Race Park on Wednesday, June 24.

HOPE, Ind. – The Town of Hope has announced that the "Old Fashioned Independence Day" event has been greatly scaled down due to the forecasted rain and threat of severe thunderstorms on Friday, June 26.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis says that south-central Indiana will see an increasing chance for showers and thunderstorms this weekend. The biggest concern is from late Thursday night into Friday, when widespread, heavier rainfall may lead to flooding. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The 2026 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair at the fairgrounds on State Road 11 will conclude its nine-day run this Saturday, June 27.

HOPE, Ind. - The Town of Hope has announced that its new sidewalk loop is finished. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) was in Hope last week to help open the new two-mile sidewalk loop.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The investigation continues following a shooting that killed a local man on Monday, June 22. More details were released on Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Uncommon Cause turns 50 this year, and the Columbus Area Arts Council (CAAC) is celebrating by throwing a "Monster Ball" party this Friday, June 26, from 7 to 11 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2026 "Women in Leadership" award.   A recognition luncheon will be held on August 28 at The Commons to honor the recipient.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus is partnering with Red Arch Community Events, Inc., next week, to present "Celebrate 250," a weeklong festival marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - UPDATE: 9:40 AM: Water has receded from roadways. No closures due to high water or downed lines at this time.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - A squad of Indiana State Police (ISP) troopers targeted Bartholomew County to focus on safe operation of motor vehicles and criminal interdiction on area roadways on Friday evening, June 19.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) has announced that south-central Indiana is included in the area that has potential for severe weather from late Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. An NWS Flood Watch has also been issued for the region.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) has announced that Sgt. Eric Stevens was recently named the Indiana School Resource Officers Association (INSROA) Region 9 School Resource Officer (SRO) of the Year.  

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis announced on Saturday morning that there is a Flood Watch in effect for south-central Indiana from Sunday afternoon, June 21, until 8 a.m. on Monday, June 22.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Anthony “Tony” Pope, retired Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management at Columbus Regional Health (CRH) was awarded the Douglas J. Leonard Indiana Caregiver of the Year Award by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) at the 20th annual Indiana Quality and Safety Summit, held June 18 at the Forum Events Center in Fishers.

NASHVILLE, Ind. - The Brown County Lions Club announces "America’s Best Small Town Fireworks" is moving in 2026. The show has traditionally been held at the Brown County High School football field, but its new home is at Eagle Park, just west of the north entrance to Brown County State Park.

SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP) responded to a reported shooting just after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, on northbound Interstate 65 near the 27‑mile marker, a few miles south of Scottsburg in Scott County. 

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Mike Braun has declared a state of disaster emergency for 63 Indiana counties impacted by severe weather from June 6 through June 18.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Following the recent severe weather and concerns from residents about the sirens, Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) wants to reiterate the purpose of the warning sirens.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Regional Health (CRH), in partnership with Ascension Recovery Services, announced on Thursday, June 18, the launch of an initiative to transition the ownership and operations of CRH’s Treatment and Support Center (TASC) to Indiana Recovery Homes.

MADISON, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the City of Madison celebrated the opening of the Clifty Connector Trail with a ribbon-cutting, which aligns with Governor Mike Braun’s focus on making Indiana healthy and supporting time outdoors.

COLUMBUS, Ind.- UPDATE: 10:30 A.M: Due to severe weather on Wednesday evening, several hundred homes in South-Central Indiana have been left without power in Bartholomew, Johnson and Jennings counties. Monroe and Owen County received significant storm damage from a potential tornado.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Following a two-week search, the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) has hired Dr. Dominick Stella as the next principal at Columbus North High School.

HOPE, Ind. - The annual Hope "Old Fashioned Independence Day" celebration is Friday, June 26, from 5:30 to 10 p.m., on the Hope Town Square.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - Pop-up thunderstorms traveled through parts of central and southern Indiana on Tuesday, and the National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis says a more potent system could move into the state on Wednesday. It might mean an increased risk of severe weather in the region. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Although there have already been some pre-fair activities, the 2026 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair officially opens this Friday, June 19, at 5 p.m., at the fairgrounds, on State Road 11, in Columbus. The fair continues for nine days.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Landmark Columbus Foundation has announced that "Yes And," the 2024–25 cycle of Exhibit Columbus, has received an Honorable Mention in the Place Art category of the 2026 Great Places Awards presented by the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA).

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) Board of School Trustees voted unanimously on Monday night to place an operating referendum renewal on the November 3 general election ballot, asking voters to continue funding competitive teacher and staff compensation and school safety personnel for eight more years through 2034.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (BCICAC) is welcoming a new four-legged member to its team. Rico, an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9, has been partnered with Detective Jarod Aspenson of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service (NWS) is tracking a weather pattern that could develop this week for south-central Indiana, with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday.

HOPE, Ind. - The Hope Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the area of Jackson Street and Aiken Street, just after 2 a.m. on Monday, June 15. While responding, Engine 11 observed significant flames and smoke in the area.

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. - The German Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to northbound I-65 near the 73-mile marker for a multi-vehicle crash early Monday morning, June 15.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Upon receiving reports of a shooting and possible hostage situation, the Columbus Police Department (CPD) responded to a home in the 300 block of Sunset Drive on Friday, June 12, just after 9:30 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Juneteenth is this Friday, and the City of Columbus has a weekend of programs planned, June 19-21, in honor of this important day. 

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police (ISP) said he stopped a car traveling in the left lane of southbound I-65 in Bartholomew County last week for traveling below the speed limit and remaining in the left lane for miles 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Regional Health (CRH) recently swore in Keith Hartman as the Columbus Regional Hospital Police Captain.

COLUMBUS, IN — Mill Race Center and Advocates for Children have announced that the inaugural "Jackpots for Generations" fundraiser raised more than $30,000 through the support of sponsors, donors, volunteers, and approximately 120 attendees.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -  The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce (CACC) is hosting a retirement celebration for outgoing president Cindy Frey on Thursday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Historical Society invites you to attend the second Evelyn Seward Speaker Series event of 2026 on Thursday, June 18, when County Historian Dr. Tami Stone Iorio presents "Bartholomew County on the Map: 1776-2026."

SEYMOUR, Ind. - JCBank was recently named a recipient of the Indiana Bankers Association’s (IBA) "Commitment to Community Award" in the mid-sized bank category ($750 million to $3 billion in assets), recognizing the bank’s outstanding community service and investment across its service areas.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – UPDATE: 11:08: The Columbus Police Department (CPD) released information at around 9 a.m. on Wednesday that a 12-year-old child named Bentley had been missing since Tuesday evening. About two hours later, there was good news. CPD said Bentley was found and is safe.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew County Highway Department has announced that Legacy Excavating will be maintaining railroad crossings in two locations next week and closing roads in the process.

TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. - Columbus Transit recently announced that "Red Loop" Stop #604 at Heritage Heights in Taylorsville will soon become a fixed-route stop.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Two Columbus parents face felony charges after the death of a 7-month-old child earlier this year.

INDIANAPOLIS - The National Weather Service has issued a "Hazardous Weather Outlook" for south-central Indiana for Wednesday and Thursday. It includes Bartholomew, Johnson, Jennings, Jackson, Brown, Shelby, and Decatur Counties.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Heritage Fund is requesting nominations for two annual awards established by the estate of longtime Columbus residents Donald and Catherine Jurgemeyer to honor noteworthy heroes and projects in the community.

NORTH VERNON, Ind.— A Jennings County Grand Jury was convened and indicted Jennings County Sheriff William K. “Kenny” Freeman, Jr., 60, of North Vernon, on multiple charges following a six-month investigation into the alleged theft of campaign signs on Thursday, June 4.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus, in partnership with the Columbus Capital Foundation (CCF), has issued a coordinated Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and a Request for Information (RFI) to accelerate transformative downtown redevelopment initiatives aligned with the Columbus Downtown 2030 Strategic Plan.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Olesya's Kitchen, located at 908 25th Street in Columbus, is the only Ukrainian restaurant in Indiana. The eatery began as a garage catering business and gradually became a sit-down restaurant five years ago.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. -Bartholomew County is included in an area identified by the National Weather Service(NWS) as having at least a 15% chance of rapid-onset flash flooding this afternoon through tonight on Monday, June 8.