Democrats absent from House session
(Indianapolis, IN) — Indiana House Democrats were a no-show from the chamber for a second session day over right to work legislation. Democratic Leader Patrick Bauer and State House Speaker Brian Bosma met for less than 30 minutes Thursday as Bauer took his party’s demands for statewide hearings on the controversial proposal to Bosma. No agreement was reached. Democrats said they plan to hold their own hearings this weekend in Fort Wayne and Evansville.
Smoking ban and school start date legislation introduced
(Indianapolis, IN) — State Representative Eric Turner of Cicero says he supoorts a statewide smoking ban making it illegal to smoke in bars and other workplaces while exempting private clubs, cigar bars and casinos. The Republican lawmaker announced the bill Thursday although Democrats were not present in the chamber for session. The House passed a smoking ban last year, only to have it die in the Senate. In other legislation news, State Senator Mike Delph of Carmel has introduced legislation which would push the start date for schools back to after Labor Day in Indiana. Right now, schools can begin the first week of August. Delph’s legislation would mandate the later start date to help extend the summer tourism season and require the academic year to end before June 10.
Embattled businessman seeks to have charges dismissed
(Indianapolis, IN) — Businessman Tim Durham wants federal charges against him tossed out on the grounds that there were problems with a search warrant. Durham’s attorney filed papers with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana yesterday asking for evidence obtained through searches of his businesses and a wiretap to be suppressed. Durham and two business partners are facing a dozen felony charges for allegedly running a $200 million Ponzi scheme in Indiana and Ohio.
Double murder suspect beaten behind bars
(Indianapolis, IN) — One of the two men accused of killing 7-year-old Kyleigh Crane and her 21-year-old uncle Jeremy Crane in their Cumberland home last month was reportedly beaten up by as many as five inmates while behind bars. Court documents say the inmates at the Marion County Jail are facing charges this morning for allegedly beating up Michael Bell on December 18. Bell sustained bruises to his face, eyes and lips. Bell and Jeremy Priel are accused of killing Kyleigh and Jeremy Crane and then stealing video consoles from the Crane’s home to sell for marijuana and cash.
Church files lawsuit over highway project
(Indianapolis, IN) — A central Indiana church is suing the state in hopes of blocking the expansion of State Road 25 between Fort Wayne and Lafayette. Delphi Pentecostal Church Pastor Tim Stewart says if the Hoosier Heartland corridor happens, his church will have to find a new location and claims the state is not offering enough money to purchase the land the church is on. The Indiana Department of Transportation is offering $535,000 for the property. But two appraisals performed on the property estimate its worth at between $1.8 million and $2.6 million before the land is taken into account.
