Matthew Kent
The Republic
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Past articles by Matthew:
Unusual visitors: Columbus adopts new strategy about allowing exotic animals within the city
Columbus officials are taking a new approach when considering approvals for exotic animals visiting within the city limits after denying a year-long waiver request from a local petting zoo.Owners of Zoo'Opolis Exotic Petting World approached the Columbus Board of Works earlier this month seeking the waiver that would have allowed the organization's exotic animals within → Read More
Indiana Smokehouse reopens after major renovation
Indiana Smokehouse fans who have been waiting more than six months for a remodel to be finished need wait no longer.The business, at 2825 Middle Road, reopened its doors earlier this month after closing its doors since June for improvements that have brought new lighting, additional seating, bathroom upgrades and digital menu boards.The response from → Read More
City expects environmental report on storage building soon
City officials anticipate learning more this week about potential contamination of and any remediation steps for a Jackson Street property the parks department is planning to purchase for equipment storage.Indianapolis-based Ark Engineering Services is expected to release the findings of a Phase II assessment conducted at 1360 Jackson St., city parks director Mark Jones said.The → Read More
City expects environmental report on storage building soon
COLUMBUS, Ind. -- City officials anticipate learning more this week about potential contamination of and any remediation steps for a Jackson Street property the parks department plans to purchase for equipment storage. Indianapolis-based Ark Engineering Services is expected to release the findings of a Phase II assessment conducted at 1360 Jackson St., city parks director Mark → Read More
East senior hopes to inspire others through event
A Columbus East High School senior is organizing an event to help middle and high school female students discover their potential.Maia Campbell has organized Empower You 2019 that will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. March 2 as part of her senior project at First United Methodist Church, 618 Eighth St. The event is → Read More
Pet care facility eyes different west-side location
A proposed pet care facility in Columbus Crossing on the city’s west side is temporary on hold after city officials learned the owners may be considering a different site.Barkefellers, based in Indianapolis, has proposed building a 20,500-square-foot facility north of the Walmart store on Merchants Mile. Owners had sought the city’s approval to amend a → Read More
Prevention focus: High school seniors take on substance abuse prevention projects
High school students are embracing the opioid addiction prevention efforts of the local Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress through their senior projects.The projects represent a wide range of prevention efforts, from a sobriety support group for youth ages 12 through 18 to an opioid awareness presentation developed for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. coaches and athletes.Columbus → Read More
Local automotive fastener company receives tax abatement
A Columbus automotive fastener company has received a 10-year tax abatement after announcing a $6.5 million planned expansion at Woodside Northwest Industrial Park.Columbus City Council members voted unanimously to approve the tax abatement request for OSR, Inc., 7715 S. International Drive, a company that has been in Columbus since 2002.The company plans to construct an → Read More
Groups approach council about baby boxes
A decision by city officials that a Safe Haven baby box would not be appropriate for installation in a city fire station was debated again at Tuesday’s Columbus City Council meeting.Walter Peycha, Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc. president, said he was approaching the council to initiate a dialogue.“Abandonment has serious consequences for the baby and → Read More
City funds next phase for State Street revitalization
Construction for the next phase of Columbus’ State Street Revitalization Project is expected to begin this spring after the city granted $1.745 million in funding.Columbus City Council on Tuesday voted 5-1 to approve a resolution to fund Phase 2B of the project, developing the north side of Third Street from Central Avenue to California Street → Read More
Council hears feedback on baby box decision
A decision by city officials that a Safe Haven baby box would not be appropriate for installation in a city fire station was debated again at Tuesday's Columbus City Council meeting. Walter Peycha, Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc. president, said he was approaching the council to initiate a dialogue. → Read More
Columbus council approves tax abatement for OSR
OSR, Inc., a local automotive fastener company, has received a tax abatement from the city of Columbus for construction of a new 82,000 square foot facility near its existing building at 7715 S. International Drive at Walesboro. The $6.5 million investment will retain 29 jobs and add 12 more with an average wage of $20.17 → Read More
Council approves next phase of funding for State Street Revitalization Project
Construction on the next phase of the State Street Revitalization Project is expected to begin in the spring after Columbus City Council members approved funding totaling $1.745 million. The council on Tuesday voted 5-1 to approve a resolution to fund Phase 2B of the project, which will begin in March or April. City Councilman Tom → Read More
Back in the swim of things: FFY offers year-round pool opportunities
It’s the time of year when those who have made a resolution to get back into shape are wavering in their commitment.But the Foundation for Youth is encouraging people not to give up yet, and to consider getting back into the swim of things this month with a variety of pool programs targeted to all → Read More
Ellspermann talks higher education funding in local visit
State lawmakers will hear from Ivy Tech Community College’s president on Wednesday about funding tied to a proposed $29 million capital project at the Columbus campus.The local campus is ranked first on Ivy Tech’s priority list among all of its statewide campuses for capital projects, Ivy Tech president Sue Ellspermann said Monday, while visiting with → Read More
Ellspermann to speak at Legislature Wednesday about new building for Ivy Tech – Columbus
State lawmakers will hear from Ivy Tech Community College's president on Wednesday about funding tied to a proposed $29 million capital project at the Columbus campus. The local campus is ranked first on Ivy Tech's priority list among all of its statewide campuses for capital projects, Ivy Tech president Sue Ellspermann said Monday, while visiting → Read More
New development: Assisted living facility proposed for west side
A developer is seeking city approval to annex and rezone acreage along Goeller Road to build an assisted living facility.Leo Brown Group, based in Indianapolis, received initial approval to rezone about 17.3 acres at 4300 Goeller Blvd. in Tipton Lakes for the project, and annex 8.5 acres of the property at 4441 W. County Road → Read More
War history through letters: North senior creates new display at Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum
A Columbus North High School senior is creating a new display at the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum highlighting the lives of World War II soldiers and those who served in the Korean conflict through their letters.Anthony Watson, 18, is working with the museum to develop the display as part of his senior project. Entitled “Letters from → Read More
Safety features added at site of Hauser student accident
HOPE — Traffic safety improvements, including a slower speed limit, have been implemented near Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School where four students were injured in an auto accident in August.Hauser High School senior Erin Newcomb was critically injured in the accident when the vehicle carrying four students was struck by an oncoming truck.Newcomb suffered a traumatic → Read More
Where the director knows your name: Boys and Girls Club’s Nathan Larrison spends his life helping kids
As children line up to check in at the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus, they wave, yell out a quick hello or stop to talk to Nathan Larrison, club director.Larrison greets them all by first name as they move past the Foundation for Youth check-in desk, methodically swiping their membership cards.He asks them questions → Read More