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It can be difficult and extremely frustrating to try and help someone with mental illness who is adamant that they do not need help. Attempts to do so may even backfire and cause the person to move further away from getting help.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has re-established a board overseeing the state’s workforce training programs just months after a similar board was dissolved.

Community members will ring in the new year Saturday during the second go-round of the S.E.A.R.S. Indoor Winter Market.

High winds this week roughed-up one of the installations featured during the fifth Exhibit Columbus cycle, but repairs were completed on Wednesday.

The following closings have been announced for the New Year’s holiday.

• The city of Columbus offices and city hall will be closed today.
• The Columbus City Utilities office will be closed today. Regular business hours will resume on Friday at 7 a.m. Customers with a problem with water or sewer service should call the business office at 812-372-8861 and follow the prompts.
• There will be no Columbus city trash collections today and today’s and Friday collections will be delayed one day, with Friday’s collections on Saturday. Toters should be out by 7 a.m. on your collection day. The office will be closed today and will reopen Friday at 7 a.m. Visit www.columbus.in.gov/public-works for more information.

• Bartholomew County offices and the courthouse will be closed today and Friday.
• The Bartholomew County Solid Waste District Management offices and Columbus/Bartholomew Recycling Center, 720 S. Mapleton St., will be closed today and Friday. The Bartholomew County Landfill will be closed today. For more, visit www.bcswmd.com.

• All Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) branches will be closed today. Branches will resume regularly scheduled business hours Friday. Customers can still conduct many transactions online at the myBMV website or at any BMV kiosks during these holiday closures. For more information, visit IN.gov/BMV.
• The Republic will be closed today to allow its employees to enjoy the holiday with their families.

By the Franklin Daily Journal

By Noah Crenshaw | Daily Journal

Community members will ring in the new year Saturday during the second go-round of the S.E.A.R.S. Indoor Winter Market.

State lawmakers representing parts of Bartholomew County have started filing bills for the 2026 legislative session, covering topics ranging from firing squads and birth control for low-income Hoosiers to changes to food stamp benefits and barring mid-decade redistricting.

An age limit for social media. Limits on law enforcement duties for Indiana National Guard members. Rape kit testing. Data center water regulations.