Latest News

COLUMBUS, Ind. - In a recently published Travel + Leisure article, Columbus was named the safest and most affordable place to retire in 2026, according to a new ranking by personal finance website GoBankingRates. The study reviewed crime rates, housing costs, and retirement income tax data across the USA.

HOPE, Ind. - Night Owl Country Band presents the third annual "Thunder on the Square" on Saturday, September 12, from 4 to 7 p.m., on the Hope Town Square.

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is looking for dedicated, qualified individuals to serve fellow Hoosiers this winter. Several statewide locations will host winter seasonal hiring events in September and October.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Schneck Medical Center recently announced that Deborah Mann, Executive Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2026 list of “Rural Hospital CFOs to Know." 

WHITELAND, Ind. - UPDATE: 7:54: Crash has been cleared

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Parks and Recreation has launched a new Strategic Master Plan to guide the city’s parks, recreation, and overall quality of life. Building on the success of the 2022 Master Plan, this new initiative establishes a forward-thinking vision for the city’s green spaces.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Seymour Police Department (SPD) responded to a vehicle/pedestrian accident in the 1000 block of N. O'Brien Street on Saturday, September 5, just after 7 p.m.    

COLUMBUS, Ind. - This year's Our Hospice Concert returned to the Bartholomew County Public Library on Saturday, September 5, for an afternoon of music benefiting Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Community partners, raffle participants, sponsors, benefactors, and attendees raised over $110,000 for Our Hospice patients and their loved ones.

EDINBURGH Ind. - After flooding forced the postponement of the inaugural Edinburgh Rubber Duck Regatta, the ducks are getting a second chance to make a splash this weekend.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The City of Franklin has announced that, as part of the ongoing construction in Phase 3 of the US 31 corridor improvement project, Milestone Contractors will close Hospital Road at US 31 on Wednesday, September 9. This closure only involves the approach to Hospital Road at US 31.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Walgreens and the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center (LCNFC) are hosting a flu shot clinic on Tuesday, September 15, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at YES Cinema, 328 Jackson Street, in downtown Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Aubreigh Campbell, a C4 Graphic Design student, has been chosen as the 2026 winner of the Mill Race Marathon Poster Design contest. Her work has earned her a $750 scholarship toward her future creative journey.

FRANKLIN, Ind. -  The Johnson County Community Foundations (JCCF) recently congratulated its 2026 Mental Health Programming Grant recipients.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Greenwood Fire Department (GFD) has announced that Station 95, located at 1763 S Graham Road, is nearing completion and its grand opening celebration.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Jackson County Chamber and Seymour Main Street present the inaugural "Taste of Our Town," this Saturday, September 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., in downtown Seymour. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Thrive Alliance, the local area agency on aging serving Bartholomew and surrounding counties, will present the "Rooted and Renewed Caregiving Seminar on September 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at The Sanctuary Church in Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus invites the community to join in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A Patriot's Day remembrance ceremony will be held on Friday, September 11, at Columbus City Hall Plaza, 123 Washington St., beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus City Council gave initial approval to the 2027 civilian salary ordinance during its Tuesday night meeting, paving the way for two new full-time municipal roles and a planning internship.

JOHNSON/JACKSON COUNTIES, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced that it will soon install delineators at three Indiana locations.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — A massive, interactive climbing sculpture is headed to the Greenwood Fieldhouse Plaza after approval by the Greenwood Park Board on Tuesday, September 1.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - Edinburgh Fire and Rescue recently received a donation from the Shelbyville Fire Department. The gift was the Shelbyville Fire Department's old boat, motor, and trailer.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The City of North Vernon congratulates North Vernon Airport intern Seth Burton for recently earning his private pilot license.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Thanks to the community, Landmark Columbus Foundation (LDF) has reached both of this year's goals for its endowment campaign. There were over 100 donations, and $62,000 was raised.

INDIANAPOLIS – Recent Columbus East High School graduate Sidney Johnson has received a $500 scholarship from the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC), sponsored by SRI, Inc. Her check was presented to her grandfather, a county employee, at the Bartholomew County Governmental Building.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - A vehicle fire parked outside of a residence briefly closed the 2300 block of Gilmore Street on Friday morning, September 4.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Edinburgh Police Department attempted to stop a motorcycle that had fled from a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office Deputy on Thursday, September 3.  

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus has awarded a $290,305 contract to Walls Excavating LLC for the Carr Hill Road extension project.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus City Council officially approved the annexation and rezoning of roughly 80 acres off Sawin Drive during its Tuesday meeting, clearing the way for a potential new residential development.

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. - Deputy Coroner Kerria Carter was elected as the new Johnson County Coroner on Wednesday, September 2.

EDINBURGH, Ind. — The Edinburgh Town Council passed two key resolutions designating surplus municipal property during its special meeting on August 31.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) received information on Wednesday, September 2, that Jacob Layton, 29, of North Vernon, was threatening JCSO deputies.

EDINBURGH, Ind. - The Edinburgh Town Council approved an interdepartmental loan during its August 31 meeting to fund immediate repairs and preliminary engineering studies for the town’s wastewater system.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Greenwood Park Board approved a donation and escrow agreement with the Greenwood Veterans Memorial Association during its meeting on Tuesday, September 1.

EDINBURGH, Ind. — The Edinburgh Town Council voted at its August 31 meeting to stop absorbing credit card and online transaction fees for utility payments, passing those costs directly to customers beginning this fall.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - After the recent resignation of City Council President Frank Miller, the Columbus City Council elected new leadership at its Tuesday, September 2 meeting.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conducted raids at possibly two ethnic restaurants in Columbus on Wednesday afternoon. 

SOUTH-CENTRAL, Ind. - The National Weather Service in Indianapolis announced on Wednesday that the "Heat Advisory" will continue for south-central Indiana until Friday, September 4, at 8 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus city employees and elected officials are inline for a cost-of-living adjustment next year after the Columbus City Council approved the first readings of several 2027 salary ordinances on Tuesday, September 1.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College Columbus science faculty are once again offering free local nature hikes for anyone interested in learning more about their natural environment.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Seymour Fire Department (SFD) is hosting the second "SFD Little Hotshots Challenge" at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, at 1019 West 2nd St., in Seymour.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — Plans are underway to double the full-court playing capacity at Northwest Park after the Greenwood Park Board approved a design agreement on Tuesday, September 1.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - After an investigation, the North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) released more information on Tuesday, September 1, following the bomb threat on Monday afternoon, August 31, near the intersection of State Road 7 and US 50.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The 40th Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Concert is this Saturday, September 5, at the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza, from 4 to 8 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - WTIU is hosting a FREE one-time local showing of the documentary, "TIMELESS," about long-time Indiana University announcer Don Fischer, on Wednesday, September 2, at 6 p.m., at YES Cinema, 328 Jackson Street, in downtown Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus and the Columbus Police Department (CPD) will run a month-long safe‑driving blitz throughout September to reduce dangerous driving behaviors and prevent crashes that cause injuries.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - The Greenwood Fire Department Merit Commission approved a motion on Friday, August 28, to expire its current firefighter eligibility list early, pending final approval from the city's Corporation Counsel.

BARGERSVILLE, Ind. - Bargersville Fire Chief Eric Funkhouser announced late Saturday night that, effective immediately, he is vacating his fire chief position. Deputy Chief Mike Morris has been named the interim fire chief in Bargersville.

GREENWOOD, Ind. - UPDATE: 1:57 p.m. - The crash has been cleared.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has announced a road closure on State Road 7 in Jefferson County.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - A Bartholomew County woman was taken into custody on felony charges on Sunday, August 30, after she allegedly fled from Columbus Regional Health (CRH) property in a vehicle, injuring an officer in the process.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The City of Columbus has announced that beginning Tuesday, September 1, and continuing through Tuesday, September 8, crews will ramp up work on water main and storm sewer improvements on Second Street, between Jackson and State Streets.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Bartholomew County Emergency Management (BCEM) has announced that a Heat Advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 1, until 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 3.

BROWNSTOWN, Ind. - The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) says a former deputy was taken into custody Monday, August 31, on charges related to improperly accessing license plate reader (Flock) data. 

NORTH VERNON, Ind. – UPDATE (6:30 p.m.) The North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) has announced that State Road 7 at the U.S. 50 intersection is now open, and the area is safe.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Foundation For Youth (FFY) has announced John Sumner as its new Chief Executive Officer. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, he brings a strong background in youth development, strategic growth, fundraising, community partnerships, and organizational leadership.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) pulled over a vehicle on N. State Street on Sunday, August 30. During the traffic stop, officers conducted a probable-cause search of the car driven by Zachary Ryan Clark, 32, of North Vernon.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Board of Public Works and Safety approved a $249,000 purchase for a new Peterson knuckle boom loader truck for the Department of Public Works on Tuesday, August 25.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Regional Health (CRH) Foundation has announced the 2026 recipients of the Robert Borczon Memorial Scholarship and the Ronald D. Roberts, M.D., Memorial Medical Scholarship.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Our Hospice of South Central Indiana has received a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, recognizing the organization among the highest-rated hospices in the nation for patient and caregiver experience.  

WHITELAND, Ind. - The Greenwood Fire Department (GFD) was dispatched to Clark-Pleasant Middle School on Friday, August 28, for a small chemical spill in the HVAC room. 

FRANKLIN, Ind. - This year's ultimate networking event, the 2026 "BizBash Business and Community Expo," presented by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, is this Wednesday, September 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Garment Factory Events.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) has received a $200,000 allocation from the Johnson County Commissioners using remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to strengthen early childhood education and literacy throughout Johnson County. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Nick Combs, Financial Advisor and Partner at Forman Investment Services, recently earned the "Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) credential. This achievement follows his completion of an intensive executive MBA-style program offered by the Exit Planning Institute.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) recently recognized Schneck Home Health for delivering exceptional care and earning outstanding patient satisfaction ratings.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety addressed maintenance updates for two local fire stations, approving a masonry repair contract and restarting the bidding process for a roof replacement on Tuesday, August 25.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus City Officials approved multiple agreements to advance traffic control, bridge replacements, and interlocal road funding across Bartholomew County at the Tuesday, August 25, Public Works and Safety meeting.

HOPE, Ind. - Over the next few days, the Hope Police Department has announced it will begin tagging abandoned, inoperable, and/or non-plated vehicles within the Town of Hope.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The City of Franklin highlighted significant commercial growth and private investment during a Joint Common Council and Franklin School Board meeting on Monday, August 24.

FRANKLIN, Ind. — The Johnson County Public Library (JCPL) and Franklin Parks and Recreation invite residents to "The Longest Table" on Friday, Sept. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the DriveHubler.com Amphitheater at Youngs Creek Park in downtown Franklin.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - If you are living with Diabetes, you don't have to do it alone. Johnson Memorial Health (JMH) invites you to the first meeting of its new Diabetes Support Group on Tuesday, September 1, from 3 to 4 p.m., at Compass Park Community Center, 690 State St., in Franklin.

SCIPIO, Ind. - Jennings County Dispatch sent Scipio-Geneva Fire Rescue to a three-vehicle collision on State Road 7 on Thursday morning. Rescue-21, with three crew members and three firefighters, responded.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) received information that a husband and wife were possibly dealing drugs from their residence at 525 Parkway Drive in Columbus. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Animal Care Services (CACS) broke ground Wednesday, August 26, on its new shelter, the Wendy H. Elwood Animal Care Services Center, marking a major milestone in the city’s effort to expand and modernize local animal care.   

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Portions of 18th and Elm Streets will close in early September for a Columbus City Utilities water tower replacement project scheduled for completion by September 30.

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. - Indiana State Police troopers responded to a crash involving a school bus on westbound I-265 at the 33-mile marker, near the 10th Street/State Road 62 exit, just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26.  

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) Deputy Alex Campbell was recently on patrol when he saw something approaching that immediately caught his attention. It was a motorcycle and he clocked it at 118 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.

SEYMOUR, Ind. – A 100-foot American flagpole will soon stand along West Tipton Street following the Seymour Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approving the measure at its Tuesday, August 25, meeting.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - The Schneck Foundation invites the community to a special event, "Live Well, Age Wisely," designed to empower individuals with practical tips and proven strategies for staying healthy, active, and feeling their best as they age.

INDIANAPOLIS - Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon was honored last weekend by the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) Indiana Chapter for her leadership in making Columbus a welcoming, inclusive, and resilient community.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Duke Energy power outage in downtown Columbus forced the closure of the Bartholomew County Courthouse and other Columbus City offices on Monday, August 24. About 250 Duke Energy customers were affected.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country music icon, actor, and philanthropist Dolly Parton died Tuesday at the age of 80.

INDIANAPOLIS – An investigation initiated by the Indiana Gaming Commission’s (IGC) Law Enforcement Division resulted in six arrest warrants and three search warrants for cockfighting in Jennings and Jackson counties on Tuesday, August 25.

FRANKLIN, Ind. — Franklin Community Schools (FCS) announced the official launch of its new, dedicated police department during a joint meeting with the Franklin City Council on Monday, August 24.

FRANKLIN, Ind. — The City of Franklin announced major progress on a massive $50 million quality-of-life investment during a joint meeting of the Franklin Common Council and Franklin School Board on Monday, August 24.

FRANKLIN, Ind.- Franklin Community Schools (FCS) will celebrate the opening of Franklin Cub Academy with a ribbon-cutting and community open house on Saturday, August 29. All community members are invited to attend.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. – The North Vernon Police Department (NVPD) has been conducting a special traffic enforcement campaign targeting high-risk areas throughout local school zones.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. – The North Vernon City Council introduced a new ordinance establishing a formal paid parental leave policy for municipal employees on Monday, August 24.

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Five men were arrested during a sting operation targeting online child sex offenders. Led by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the operation involved federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working undercover to intercept predators seeking unlawful contact with minors.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce presents "Discover Columbus: How It's Made" on September 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at local businesses while exploring the people, processes, and jobs that keep the community running.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The Jennings County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near U.S. Highway 50 and 5th Street after observing a traffic infraction on Monday, August 24, at around 2 a.m.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - For over five decades, Don Fischer has been synonymous with Indiana University athletics. He has narrated the defining moments of Hoosier sports history. Now, his career is the subject of a new Indiana Public Media documentary, "Timeless: Don Fischer’s Half-Century Broadcasting IU Sports." 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Police Department (CPD) released a statement on Monday, just before 7 a.m., saying that due to the ongoing power outage, the traffic lights downtown along Lindsey, Brown, and Jackson Streets are out on Monday, August 24.

SEYMOUR, Ind. - A two-vehicle collision involving a wrong-way driver claimed three lives on I-65 near Seymour early Sunday morning, August 23. Shortly after 2:30 a.m., a caller reported a head-on crash on southbound I-65 in Jackson County, about one mile south of Seymour. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus City Hall welcomed 18 students from Miyoshi-Minami Junior High School in Miyoshi, Japan, for a tour and a firsthand look at city government as part of the long-standing sister‑city exchange on Thursday, August 20.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Phase 1 of the Graham Road project in Franklin begins on or after Monday, August 24. The contractor says Graham Road will be fully reconstructed from Earlywood Drive to Paul Hand Boulevard, and the bridge over Canary Creek will be replaced.

INDIANAPOLIS - At the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday, August 19, the Indiana Department of Agriculture presented several Bartholomew and Johnson County farm families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.   

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Main and Madison Market Café in downtown Franklin has announced that Kathy Jones was recently appointed as general manager.

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office conducted a narcotics investigation in North Vernon on Friday afternoon, August 21. Deputies applied for and were granted a search warrant for a residence in the 1200 block of Country Manor Street.

INDIANAPOLIS — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana and the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation are committing $116,500 to support relief and recovery efforts after severe storms and flooding impacted Central, East Central, and Northwest Indiana.

SEYMOUR/COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Indiana State Police (ISP)-Versailles Post and other first responders were called to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Thursday, August 20, at 7:30 a.m., on State Road 11 near County Road 800S in southern Bartholomew County.  

COLUMBUS, Ind. - In coordination with Columbus/Bartholomew County Recycling, Cummins Inc. will host a free, community-wide recycling event on Thursday, September 3, inviting all local households to participate. 

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) recently announced the latest iREAD results, and the news is good.

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Johnson County Recycling District (JCRD), in partnership with Shares, Inc., is hosting its summer document-shredding evening on Thursday, August 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.

FISHERS, Ind. - Indiana State Police (ISP) troopers are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred Wednesday night, August 18, on I-69 in Fishers. Dispatchers began receiving emergency calls around 9:45 p.m. about what appeared to be a dead body in front of a van on the northbound right shoulder, just south of exit 210.

WHITELAND, Ind. - The Town of Whiteland honored local legend and NHRA champion Bob Glidden on Tuesday by dedicating a new roundabout to his memory. 

NORTH VERNON, Ind. - The City of North Vernon and 180 RCO present a "Community Cookout" on Friday, August 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the North Vernon City Park Shelter House #2.