Some of the Major Flooded Roadways

State Road 9-north of Columbus

I-74-around Greensburg

I-65-north of Edinburgh around mile marker 83

I-70-around mile marker 42

US 31-between Seymour and Columbus

In Morgan County State Roads 37 and 67

Bartholomew County Road Closings

800 S between SR11 and US31

400N between US31 and River Rd. (Tinkey Road)

SR58 at Jackson County Line

900N between 200E and 300E

300S between 500E and 600E

SR11 at Garden City

Tellman Rd off of Indianapolis Rd

Signs were put out at 8315 N 330W.

Mill Race Park, Noblitt Park and portions of the People Trail 

Rising Waters Close State Roads in Seymour District
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces rising waters have caused the closure of roads in the Seymour District. The closures will remain in effect until waters recede. The following sections of roadway have either been closed or INDOT is advising motorists to use caution around these areas of high water:

Jackson County:
SR 258 and 58 Junction
SR 235 East of Medora
SR 258 from Cortland to Seymour
SR 250 between Dudley and Union

Jennings County:
Hwy 50 between Butlerville and Nebraska 

When encountering a flooded roadway, INDOT urges drivers to turn around and not drive through standing water. 

Minor Flooding Along East Fork of White River

Recent heavy rains have pushed the East Fork of the White River out of its' banks, flooding low-lying areas.  The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the East Fork of the White River through Saturday afternoon.  The river is expected to crest at 9 point 6 feet.  At 10 feet, every Bartholomew County road approaching or crossing the river, including Southern Crossing, is flooded.  Mill Race and Noblitt Parks are currently under water, and the People Trails there will be out of commission until the water recedes and crews can clean up any mud and debris left behind.

Police Arrest Two Men And Juvenile accused Of Raping Woman
Police have arrested and now accuse two men and a juvenile in the rape of a woman. Johnson County authorities say they have arrested Greenwood residents Luis-Felipe Gomez Coronel and Roberto Rodriquez-Martinez along with the juvenile after a woman was abducted from the Westminster Apartment complex parking lot. Police say the suspects took the victim back to the complex. The men were caught a short time later. Authorities say all those arrested are illegal immigrants.

Daniels And Skillman Tour Tornado Damage At Atterbury
The federal government will pay for most of the 19-million-dollars in tornado damage at Camp Atterbury. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman got an up close look at the wreckage during a tour of the training center this morning. Daniels says it is hard to believe no one there was hurt. Standard training operations have not been impacted, according to officers at the base. About two-thousand personnel were at Camp Atterbury when the tornado hit on Tuesday night. That total includes a thousand U.S. Marines who are training in Indiana this month. The damage included overturned civilian vehicles and army humvees. The twister wrapped part of a metal roof around nearby trees. Skillman also toured tornado damage in the Rush County town of Moscow.

In Funding Your Retirement, Education is Key
As the responsibility for funding one’s own retirement has become the norm, Paul Winkler says you are doing yourself a great disservice if you fail to educate yourself. Winkler, a certified investment coach, registered investment advisor, and host of WCSI’s “Investor Coaching Show” says individuals need to get away from the traditional means of financial education. You can catch Paul Winkler’s advice every Saturday afternoon from four to five p.m. on “The Investor Coaching Show”. 

NV Man Guilty of Drug Charges
A North Vernon man has been found guilty of numerous drug charges. Chaz Harper has been convicted of dealing and possession of methamphetamine and heroin. He was also found guilty of possession of a stolen firearm and being a habitual offender. Harper could be facing eighty years in prison at his sentencing hearing.

Senior Products Growing
Senior Products will soon be moving into an expanded work space at the new Senior Center at Mill Race Park. Along with the increase in floor space comes an increase in types of help available from Senior Products. Janice Stillinger, with the Senior Center, says Senior Products is about more than sorting and general labor. Senior Products is partnering with Elwood Staffing to help make the area’s seniors more accessible to companies that would benefit from their help and experience.

Schneck Hosts Vaccine Program
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most American adults know everything about their children’s vaccinations and very little about their own. Join Schneck Medical Center Foundation’s Community Relations Committee as it hosts I Thought Vaccines Were for Kids. Featured speaker Dr. David Hartung, will discuss the importance of adult vaccinations and which vaccines adults need or need to update in order to be protected against certain illnesses. To make your reservation please call Schneck Medical Center at 812-524-4247. Space is Limited.

Weather Service Confirms Two Tornado Hits On Tuesday
The National Weather Service has confirmed at least two tornado touchdowns in central Indiana on Tuesday night. One of the hardest hit areas was Rush County, where an F-3 tornado critically injured one person in the town of Moscow. Diane Hester was found about 100 feet from her destroyed home, according to state police. Hester is being treated at an Indianapolis hospital. A tornado of that strength has winds up to 148 miles an hour. Seven other people suffered non life-threatening injuries and about two dozen homes sustained damage in the town of about 80 people. An F-2 tornado also hit the Indiana National Guard training base Camp Atterbury on Tuesday.

FEMA Assessing Indianapolis Tornado Damage
The federal agency in charge of disaster response has started its assessment of the damage caused by last week's tornado in Indianapolis. Representatives of FEMA toured the east side area that includes a nearly destroyed an apartment complex at 38th Street and Mitthoeffer Road. Leo Skinner with FEMA says the investigation will be meticulus. The state of Indiana will have to determine if it, along with local governments, can pay for repairs by themselves. A request for help from FEMA would come after that. The EF-2 tornadolast Friday caused about 29-million-dollars worth of damage over a two-and-a-half mile area. It is too early to tell how much time FEMA staff will need to complete the assessments and reports.

Senior Products Partners with Elwood
The Columbus Senior Center has announced a new partnership for the center’s Senior Products division. Elwood Staffing was teamed with Senior Products in an effort that the Senior Center’s Janice Stillinger says will benefit both organizations, as well as area businesses. Stillinger says obtaining help from Senior Products will remain unchanged. Companies in need of temporary help should continue to contact Senior Products. Work can be done at the business site, or at Senior Products.

ISP Seek Information On Missing Man
Indiana State Police are looking for a North Vernon man who disappeared last month. Twenty-five-year-old Daniel Reeves vanished last month and his car was found in a Madison neighborhood. Police say they found his vehicle unlocked with his license, wallet, credit cards, and money inside. A reward is being offered on any tips that help find Daniel Reeves. Family members say it is completely out of character for Daniel to just disappear. 

CNHS Names New Coach
Columbus North High School has named a new Varsity Boys Basketball Coach. Jason Speer is currently the Assistant Coach for the Varsity team. The appointment needs school board approval before becoming official. The next BCSC school board meeting is Monday, June 9th.

Headache Institute Clients Suffer Migraines Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
This week is Headache awareness week and a doctor with the Headache Institute at Roosevelt Hospital says certain light bulbs may cause headaches. The doctor said some of his clients suffer from migraines due to the compact fluorescent light bulbs. A doctor with Columbia University Medical Center says he has yet to see one patient suffering from migraines due to the energy saving light bulbs while a neurologist from the Headache Institute says he suffers from headaches and the compact bulbs trigger them. 

Centra Credit Union to Host Women & Investing Seminar
90% of all women will be solely responsible for managing their finances at some point in their lives. Centra Credit Union associates will be having women and investing seminar on Tuesday June 24th at the Columbus Learning Center’s Summerville Room at 7 pm. This is your chance to hear essential investment information for women of all ages, not just how and when to invest, but the difference that investing makes. The seminar is free but space is limited. Register by calling 812-314-0444 or by logging on to www.centra.org.

Downtown Traffic Flow Change
Columbus City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance to change some traffic patterns downtown Tuesday night. Parts of California and Chestnut Streets will become two–way. City Engineer Steve Ruble said the change is part of the Cummins Plant One expansion. Ruble said those streets will become two-way between 2nd and 6th streets. He said the city hopes to have that done by the end of the summer.

Preventing Summer Lawn Mower Injuries
As you mow your lawns this summer, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission wants to remind you to be safe. They estimate that more than 40-thousand Americans will be injured in lawn mower accidents this year, and many are children. Experts say more than 22-percent of lawn mower injuries involve the hands, fingers or wrist. It's important to always make sure the engine is off, and the mower blade has completely stopped rotating, before removing debris or making adjustments. Wear the right footwear, and never mow the lawn in flip-flops or open-toed shoes. And remember, riding mowers have the potential to tip over when going up slopes, so use extra caution.

Marines Begin Two Week Training
U.S. Marines based in North Carolina will be in Indianapolis and other central Indiana cities starting today for training exercises. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be practicing urban combat operations and other tactics for the next two weeks. Colonel Mark Desens said in a statement that the aim is to expose Marines to realistic scenarios and stresses that come with operating in an actual urban community. Residents in Indianapolis, Columbus, and Butlerville can expect to see helicopters overhead, military vehicles on the roads, and Marines patrolling on foot. People living near some sites will be told in advance about mock raids.

Eating Pizza Benefits Cheer Fund
Hungry Howie’s Pizza held a pizza eating contest Tuesday to benefit the Cheer Fund. Paul Barrows, the owner of Hungry Howie’s, said had a small entry fee. Barrows said this was one way for him to give back to the community. Hungry Howie’s is located in the Columbus Center, near Dairy Queen.

Severe Weather Hits Area
Bartholomew County and surrounding counties were hit hard by severe weather on Tuesday…twice. The first weather system rolled through the area in the mid-afternoon and caused downed trees and power lines. Damage near the Atterbury-Bakalar Airport was severe enough to force neighboring Indiana Business College to cancel Wednesday classes. The evening storms included confirmed tornadoes in the area. Edinburgh was hit particularly hard, as power wan knocked out to homes and businesses. One gas station, just off of Interstate 65, had gas pumps torn from the ground, coming to rest on a nearby vehicle. No damage estimates have yet been reported. 

Nominations Being Accepted for “Women of Distinction”
Your local Girl Scouts are involved in much more than selling cookies. The Tulip Trace Council covers a fifteen county area and boasts a membership of over five-thousand girls and women. This is the fifth year that the Tulip Trace Council is holding a “Women of Distinction” program to celebrate area women and the good they do. Ashley McDonald, of the Girl Scouts, said they are currently accepting nominations. To get a nomination form, call the Council Service Center or visit www.tuliptrace.org.

Governor to Make Fourth Trip to Japan
Governor Mitch Daniels will meet with officials from more than a dozen Japanese companies when he travels to Japan for the fourth time the week of June 9th. Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Sony are among the companies the governor will meet with while in Tokyo and Nagoya. He will depart on June 9th and will return to Indiana on Saturday, June 14th. Since 2005, Japanese companies have invested nearly $1.5 billion in Indiana, creating nearly 5,500 new jobs. More than 220 Japanese companies currently operate in Indiana.

Columbus recognized by National Association of Sports Commissions
The Columbus Visitors Center has been named the 2008 “Member of the Year” by the National Association of Sports Commissions due to the growth of its sports tourism efforts. Since 2003, the number of major amateur sporting events in Columbus has grown from 29 to 53 events. Community officials anticipate a 2008 economic impact of $16 million with more than 50,000 athletes and spectators expected to visit the community. The award was presented at the National Association of Sports Commissions national conference in Nebraska. Jim Dietz, director of sports tourism, accepted the award on behalf of the Columbus Visitors Center. 

Daniels Declares Special Olympics Week
Governor Mitch Daniels has issued a proclamation designating this week as Special Olympics Week across the state of Indiana. Special Olympics Week will take place in conjunction with the largest annual Special Olympics event in Indiana, the 2008 Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games. The event is set for June 6th through the 8th on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute. More than 2,400 Special Olympics athletes are registered to participate in the Summer Games, making this year’s Games the largest to-date. Of Special Olympics Indiana’s 69 county delegations, 66 will be sending athletes. 

Fourteen Skydivers Jump To Safety Before Plane Crash Lands
The pilot of a small skydiving plane in Indiana ordered his 14 passengers to jump to safety when the engine malfunctioned. The "Greensburg Daily News" reports the skydivers parachuted to safety in a Greensburg field. They looked on as the pilot attempted to safely crash land the plane, which flipped over when the nose caught the ground. The pilot survived the landing and no injuries among the group were reported. The pilot's name is not being released. 

Two People Killed in Greensburg Crash
Two people were killed when a tractor trailer rolled onto their car. David Filler was driving through Greensburg when he collided with a semi trailer loaded with hogs. Semi driver Joel Griffin swerved to miss Filler's car, but lost control causing the trailer to overturn on top of the car. Filler and his passenger, Heather Gibbs, were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said several of the hogs on the trailer had to be killed at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

County Commissioners Might Sell Land
The Bartholomew County Commissioners might be selling some land soon. They were recently approached by a group who want to purchase a 4 and a half acre piece of property that the county currently owns. Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said the land would be part of a forest preserve.
The preserve is located at 550 North, just north of the Owens bridge park.

Indiana GOP Picks Zoeller As A.G. Nominee
Indiana Republicans have sided with Greg Zoeller in a contentious attorney general nomination contest. Zoeller beat out Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas by just over 300 votes from more than 17-hundred ballots cast at the state party convention. Zoeller has served as the chief deputy to outgoing Attorney General Steve Carter. Zoeller told the delegates his first job will be working to help re-elect Governor Mitch Daniels, who had supported Costas for attorney general. Daniels delivered a half-hour address touting changes during his administration, including transportation projects through the Toll Road lease and the HIP program. The attorney general's race was the only contested spot on the statewide Republican slate.

Scouting for the Cure
Your local Girl Scouts of the Tulip Trace Council will be holding an educational program on breast cancer this Saturday. Ashley McDonald, of the Tulip Trace Council, says the program is called “Scouting for the Cure” and is for any female age ten or older. The program will be held at Sherwood Oaks Church in Bloomington. For more information, visit www.tuliptrace.org. 

Four Vehicle Accident in Jackson County
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department responded to a four vehicle accident late Monday afternoon. Matthew Meyers, of Seymour, was stopped on US 50 at the top of Crane Hill, waiting to make a left turn onto a county road. He was struck from behind by a van driven by Joshua Dailey, also of Seymour. The impact caused Meyers’ truck to end up in the path of a semi driven by Terry Wagoner, of Springfield, Indiana. A fourth vehicle driven by Adam Disque, of Brownstown, was damaged by flying debris. Dailey was flown by medical helicopter to the University of Louisville Hospital, where he is being treated for leg injuries. Meyers was treated and released from Schneck Medical Center. 

Hurricane Season Begins; Could Bring Higher Gasoline Prices
Sunday was officially the start of hurricane season and it could bring with it even more pain at the pump. CNN reports southern states could see gas prices spike as high as six dollars a gallon if a severe hurricane hits. This windy season is expected to be particularly rough, threatening to disrupt pipelines and upend refineries. A global energy analyst says the country saw the same gas price hikes after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Katrina alone led gas prices to jump 46 cents a gallon in just one week. Although capacity at refineries has expanded since the two storms, there has not been a new refinery built in the U.S. for 30 years. 

This Week Is National Headache Awareness Week
This week is recognized as National Headache Awareness Week. Suzanne Simons, national director of the National Headache Foundation, says there are so many treatment options available for people suffering from disabling headache. More than 29-million people suffer from migraines. For more information log onto www.headaches.org.

Job Interviews Overflow At New Lucas Oil Stadium
Job interviews are overflowing at the new Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Even people retired are looking to get hired for whatever job because they are bored and looking for some excitement. Over the weekend, hundreds showed up to apply for numerous positions available. Facility staff answered questions to help those filling out forms. All of the positions now are part-time. 

Tornado Destroys Indy Apartments
A tornado with winds topping 125 mph tore through part of Indianapolis’ east side, ripping roofs off several apartment buildings, snapping trees and leaving a trail of downed power lines and debris. The tornado was part of a storm system that swept through Illinois, central Indiana and parts of northern Indiana with heavy rain, high winds, thunder and lightning. Eye witnesses also reported a tornado touching down in an open field in Carroll County, according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. That twister did no damage.

Indiana Boy Wins Spelling Bee
A 13-year-old West Lafayette, Indiana boy has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee championship. The "Ottawa Citizen" reports Sameer Mishra earned his win by spelling "guerdon" a word meaning reward. He'll receive 35-thousand dollars in cash in addition to other prizes and his trophy. He outdueled 12-year-old Sidharth Chand of Bloomfield, Michigan who misspelled "prosopopoeia" in the 15th round. This year's competition began with 288 spellers.

Jackson Place Tax Abatement
A company building “green” apartments downtown has requested a tax abatement to help spur interest in the project. Community Development Coordinator, Jim Clouse, said the apartments will be called Jackson Place. Clouse said the complex will be a combination of apartments and businesses and be built in the roundabout downtown. The buildings will be lead certified.

Seymour “Best of the Midwest”
For the second year in a row, Seymour has been named to the Midwest Living’s “Best of the Midwest” special issue. The 2008 edition features 100 top Midwest towns and includes more than 1,400 recommendations of where to go, where to stay, and what to eat and do. Seymour is ranked number 71 and the listing boasts John Mellencamp’s Small Town, the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, and Jackson-Washington State Forest. 

Rock the Park
The First Annual Rock the Park concert will take place this summer at Mill Race Park. The concert is sponsored by The Republic, White River Broadcasting, Cummins, Ivy Tech, Irwin Union Bank, and Enkei (N-kye). Chuck Wells, Publisher for The Republic, said the collaboration in the community is one thing that makes Columbus great. This year’s concert will feature BoDeans and The Why Store starting at 7pm. Tickets for the July 18th concert are 12 dollars in advance and 15 dollars at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at arts IN Columbus dot org, or White River Broadcasting, The Republic, Viewpoint Book Store and the Columbus Area Arts Council.

Superpowers Not Required
X-ray vision is overrated. According to the winners of Johnson County Public Library’s Fourth Annual Teen Poetry Contest, service, character, and personal courage are the hallmarks of true heroes. The contest required entrants to interpret the open-ended theme, “heroes.” In the high school division, Olivia Ehrle (EARL) won first place with her “Ode to the Unmasked Hero.” Kendra Lucas won the middle school division with her poem, “My Hero…My Grandpa.”

Cummins President and CEO Retiring
Cummins is going to loose one of its high-ranking executives in 2009. After almost 35 years with the company President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Loughrey will retire in March of next year. Loughrey has been working with the board for more than two years in planning his departure. Loughrey will remain a member of the Board of Directors until he retires.

PAAL Holding Tae-Kwon-Do Classes
The Columbus Police Athletic Activities League (PAAL) announces that registration is open for a new Tae-Kwon-Do class. The classes will meet at Ko’s Martial Arts Academy on Taylor Road. The classes take place three times per week, beginning on Monday, June 16. The registration fee is $100 and includes class time, uniform, and other necessities. 

Indy Man Charged in Stabbing
Marion County prosecutors filed arson and battery charges against an Indianapolis man accused of stabbing his girlfriend, then setting the apartment on fire. A probable cause affidavit says Calvin D. Yates began attacking the woman during dinner, prompted by an argument about whether her 9-year-old daughter should finish her macaroni. Wielding a knife, he chased the woman into the bathroom and stabbed her repeatedly, the affidavit says. The woman and the girl escaped. While police waited for Yates’ surrender, the affidavit says, he set fire to the apartment by igniting brandy on a mattress. The blaze caused approximately $250,000 in damage to the building. 

Congressman Pence Weighs-In on Farm Bill
Recently 6th District Congressman Mike Pence weighed-in on the Farm Flex portion of the 2007 Farm Bill. Congressman Pence stated that it is a pilot program and the idea started in Indiana and that the credit for the bill should go to the farmers. Pence said the bill will allow farmers to diversify their income.

ISP Seymour Post Unveil Mustang Patrol Unit
In addition to the commonly seen Ford Crown Victoria patrol car, Indiana State Police Troopers are patrolling the highways with a new police vehicle. The Indiana State Police recently acquired 18 Ford Mustangs for patrolling Indiana highways as part of an effort to enhance traffic safety and highway enforcement efforts. Master Trooper Kevin Riordan is assigned Seymour District’s HPV Mustang and will focus on two lane roads in Bartholomew, Jackson, and Jennings Counties. Riordan is a twenty-five year veteran of the Indiana State Police and has served on the department’s High Performance Vehicle Patrol Unit from 1998 until present. 

Camp Atterbury Bustling with Activity
Officials with Camp Atterbury want to inform you of the many activities that will be taking place over the next month. Various units training at the Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center will be conducting day and night training on small arms ranges. The Air National Guard will also be conducting heavy equipment drops, day and evening bombing and strafing runs toward designated ground targets in training areas May 31st through June 6th. Starting June 2nd there will be a large scale exercise going on at Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center. The exercises will be ongoing throughout the day and night hours. There will be a potential increase of traffic, aviation activity and noise during these dates.

Flip Flops Equal Free Smoothies
Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the Clover Center is approaching its second anniversary of being in business. The Café will re-run a promotion that was quite successful last year. Kim Knapp, of Tropical Smoothie, says their will be an opportunity for you to enjoy a free smoothie and help out a good cause. Free smoothies will be given away to the first 500 people to wear flip-flops into the restaurant on the first day of summer, June 21st. The Tropical Smoothie Café is located in the Clover Center in Columbus.