Jana Wiersema
The Republic
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Past articles by Jana:
Flooring replacement continuing as library reopens to the public
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Bartholomew County Public Library has reopened following a brief closure for flooring replacement that marked the start of a seven-month project. The closure, which lasted from March 6 to March 10, is expected to be the only time the entire library shuts down during the building-wide endeavor, said library Director Jason Hatton. However, smaller, departmental closures are… → Read More
City proposes updated event policy
Columbus city staff are looking at ways to improve coordination, security and planning around events held on city property. City engineering technician Aimee Morris and Skylar Berry with the Columbus Police Department discussed a new city event policy at the Columbus Board of Works. It is their hope that, after taking the week to review the draft document, the board will be ready to vote on its… → Read More
Council approves Cole bond payoff
The city of Columbus will use about $939,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars to pay off bonds that helped fund construction of The Cole apartment complex. Columbus City Council has approved a resolution authorizing the Columbus Redevelopment Commission to make the necessary payments to retire the bonds. The city issued the Series 2011 bonds in the original amount of $1.635 million and… → Read More
Art honors: North and East students win regional art and writing awards
Students from Columbus East and North high schools have earned several regional honors from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. East students won a total of three Gold Key awards, six Silver Keys and 10 honorable mentions, all in various artistic categories, according to a release from the school’s art department. Annie Hughes won a Gold Key in photography; Yuliett Lozano and Kate Sandusky… → Read More
Commission considers more parking changes
The Columbus Parking Commission is recommending that the city expand its trial of unlimited parking on downtown side streets. The commission has decided to ask the Columbus Board of Works to add Jackson Street, from Second to Fifth Street, to the area where three-hour limits on parking spaces are currently not being enforced, said Chairman and Columbus City Councilman Tom Dell. This… → Read More
Lienhoop honors sister city leadership in Japan
As Mayor Jim Lienhoop prepares for a visit to Miyoshi, Japan, he has commended past leaders from Columbus’ sister city. He issued an initial proclamation at a Columbus City Council meeting on Tuesday, declaring March 7, 2023 as “the Honorable Kenji Onoda Day” in recognition of the former Miyoshi mayor. He added that he would also share a proclamation to in honor of former Miyoshi Council Chair… → Read More
Crouch visits local makerspace
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, left, talks with Eric Silver about battery technology he is working on at Columbus Propeller as she tours the site in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, March 8, 2023. State officials learned more about a local innovation center that is receiving $50,000 in matching grant funds from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Lt.… → Read More
Movie filming begins next week
Submitted photo Writer/director Robert Moniot is planning to shoot at Zaharakos next week for his film “The Ice Cream Man.” City officials will close several areas around Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor next week as filmmakers begin shooting footage for a movie about the Holocaust. The Columbus Board of Works approved a special use of right of way request for the film, which is titled “The Ice Cream… → Read More
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch tours Propeller
COLUMBUS, Ind. — State officials learned more about a local innovation center that is receiving $50,000 in matching grant funds from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and IHCDA Executive Director Jacob Sipe toured Columbus Propeller on Wednesday. The local makerspace recently completed a successful crowdfunding campaign for an external makeover by… → Read More
‘Ice Cream Man’ filming to begin at Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor next week
Copyright, The Republic, Columbus COLUMBUS, Ind. — City officials will close several areas around Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor next week as filmmakers begin shooting footage for a movie about the Holocaust. The Columbus Board of Works approved a special use of right of way request for the film, which is titled “The Ice Cream Man.” The request, submitted by Driver Productions, is to begin Sunday… → Read More
1821 Trail dedication: City to celebrate grand opening of bicentennial project
Mike Wolanin | The Republic A view of the 1821 Trail at First and Washington streets in downtown Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The city of Columbus has set a date for the official grand opening of its main bicentennial project. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the 1821 Trail has been scheduled for April 6 and will be at the intersection of First Street and Washington Street, said… → Read More
City to celebrate grand opening of 1821 Trail
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The city of Columbus has set a date for the official grand opening of its main bicentennial project. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the 1821 Trail has been scheduled for April 6 and will be at the intersection of First Street and Washington Street, said Redevelopment Heather Pope. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with refreshments, and the formal presentation will begin at 9… → Read More
State of the City: Lienhoop delivers final update as he finishes up second term as mayor
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Mary Ferdon, executive director of administration and community development, talks about progress at NexusPark during the annual State of the City address at The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Monday, March 6, 2023. Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop and other city leaders identified two major challenges early in his administration — the increasing number of people suffering… → Read More
Humane Society seeks tips on dog killed near Hartsville
Photo provided Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies released this photo of a dog collar and leash found on a dog that had been shot to death near Hartsville. HARTSVILLE, Ind. — Bartholomew County officials are looking for leads on who was involved in the shooting death of a dog on the side of the road in Hartsville. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department responded to information about a… → Read More
Investigators seek tips in case of dog shot to death near Hartsville
HARTSVILLE, Ind. — Bartholomew County officials are looking for leads on who was involved in the shooting death of a dog on the side of the road in Hartsville. The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department responded to information about a “young, adult male, black and white pit mix” on Feb. 23, according to a recent social media post from the Bartholomew County Humane Society. “This dog was found… → Read More
Education Third House: Legislators discuss library materials, firearm training with teachers
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, and Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus, address issues related to legislation during a Third House session with state legislators in the council chambers at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Monday, March 25, 2019. As Indiana passes the halfway mark of its legislative session, lawmakers are continuing to look at a number of education-related… → Read More
Downtown parking: Commission to consider more changes
The Columbus Parking Commission is expected to make more recommendations about removing three-hour limits from certain downtown parking spaces. The group will meet at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday in Conference Room 3 of Columbus City Hall. The agenda includes discussions regarding expansion of unlimited parking on side streets, a recent parking utilization study and parking rates in leased areas. The… → Read More
State of the City set for Monday
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop talks about the history of the NexusPark site during the NexusPark groundbreaking ceremony at NexusPark in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. The photo below Mayor Lienhoop shows 25th Street and the gate leading to the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds in 1911. The Bartholomew County Fairground used to occupy the site where NexusPark is… → Read More
Commission to pay off Cole bonds
City officials are considering using $920,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars for early payoff of bonds that helped fund the construction of The Cole apartment complex in downtown Columbus. The Columbus Redevelopment Commission has approved a resolution authorizing the redemption of taxable economic development revenue bonds from the project. This decision will also require approval… → Read More
Zoning appeals board denies request for variances for new private school
COLUMBUS, Ind. — A new private, “classical” school will have to continue its search for a location, as the academy’s proposed site has been rejected by zoning officials. The Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals voted Tuesday to deny two variance requests from Liberty Academy of Columbus for property at 1460 Jackson St. School leaders sought variances to allow a school in the Industrial: General… → Read More