Mark Webber

Reporter at The Republic

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Articles

County prepares to pay off jail bond

2 months ago | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

After 17 years, the bond that financed the $18.5 million expansion of the Bartholomew County Jail completed in 2008 may soon be paid off. However, there is still about $1.8 million left on the bond, county commissioner Tony London said. “It will be on the property tax bill that people will get for May and November this year,” county auditor Pia O’Connor said.
County prepares for road work

2 months ago | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

Bids are being sought for what might be the largest overlay program for the county in a while. The Indiana Department of Transporation (INDOT) announced Bartholomew County will receive the maximum annual matching grant of $1.5 million through its Community Crossings grant program. With the required dollar-for-dollar local match, the county will have $3 million to improve 32.88 miles located at 36 different locations.
Empty Bowls returns for its 27th year this Saturday to help feed the hungry

2 months ago | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Returning for its 27th year, the annual Empty Bowls event is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Central Middle School, 725 Seventh St.In the past, the event had brought in between 400 to 550 patrons, event spokesman Dick Boyce said. Pre-ticket sales indicate attendance will likely be in that range, he added. During the event, patrons can listen to music as they enjoy a full meal of all you can eat soup, bread, drink and dessert for $20.
Defendant sentenced to plea agreement terms

2 months ago | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

A judge in Salem, Indiana has sentenced one of four defendants from Jonesville accused of repeatedly coercing a mentally challenged woman for sexual purposes. Christina L. Moffatt, 27, received a four-and-a-half year sentence from Washington Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock after pleading guilty of promoting prostitution as a Level 5 felony.
County receives Community Crossing funds for road work

2 months ago | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

After a winter of freezing and thawing wreaked havoc on many rural roads, Bartholomew County government has 36 projects listed on this year’s overlay program that will cover a total of 32.88 miles. “The total distance of roads is comparable to last year, but most of the individual projects are shorter,” said county highway engineer Danny Hollander, who adds his crews have been filling potholes for the past several weeks.
County approves three new programs for health department nursing division

Mar 7, 2025 | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

Three new programs proposed by the Bartholomew County Health Department nursing division have been approved by county officials. SEAL IndianaA memorandum of understanding between Bartholomew County and the IU School of Dentistry will result in free preventive oral health care to children and preschoolers who don’t have adequate access to such care, division director Amanda Organist said.
Commissioners approve donations to four nonprofits

Mar 6, 2025 | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

Several of the 744 nonprofits in the greater Columbus metropolitan area are facing increasing uncertainty. However, county government officials say they will be extremely limited on how much assistance they’ll be able to provide. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Bartholomew County government was able to help over a dozen nonprofits make up for lost revenue by providing them with federal funds allocated through the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP).
Bird flu cases in wildlife increase in Bartholomew County

Mar 5, 2025 | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

Deaths of 18 Canadian geese and one sandhill crane in Bartholomew County are suspected to have been caused by the highly contagious bird flu, according to the Indiana Departmentof Natural Resources (DNR). The numbers are updated as of Tuesday. Also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), the virus has now been found in 33 of Indiana’s 92 counties that include Jackson and Decatur, as well as Bartholomew. In Jackson County, 648 suspected cases have been reported. On Jan.
County salt barn contract goes to company owned by commissioner’s son

Mar 5, 2025 | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

Construction on a new salt and sand storage building at the Bartholomew County Highway Garage should be completed by the end of September. The Bartholomew County commissioners accepted the base bid of Premium Concrete Walls, Inc. to construct the facility for $848,700. Two other bids were over $1.3 million, while one proposal was for almost $1.5 million.
County sued over its biosolid ordinance by Biocycle, LLC

Mar 4, 2025 | therepublic.com | Mark Webber

A lawsuit has been filed against the Bartholomew County commissioners claiming a sewer sludge storage ordinance is unconstitutional. Biocycle, LLC v. Bartholomew County Board of County Commissioners was filed Feb. 17 in Bartholomew Circuit Court. Two days after the filing, Judge Kelly Benjamin cited a conflict of interest and recused herself from the case.