Archived NewsBytes located at the bottom of the page

July 31

• An IU fraternity has been booted off campus. Beta Theta Pi members were told Monday their national organization had revoked their charter for repeated violations of national rick management policy (which generally applies to things such as alcohol consumption and pledge rules). In the past three years, the fraternity's chapter has had five alcohol cases brought against it by IU. Two are still pending.

• 18-year-old Brandy Kline and 18-year-old Dale Catlett, both of Bloomington, are among three arrested so far for what police say may be gang-related robberies. Kline was arrested Saturday and said the group is headed by Catlett who was arrested Monday.  Catlett told police he became associated with the "Vice Lords" while serving time in Lake County. He added that he has recruited members in Bloomington, Bloomfield, Pekin and Salem. A 17-year-old Bloomington was also arrested Saturday. Police say arrests are pending against at least two other juveniles.

• The state of Indiana is planning almost $52 million in Medicaid cuts and payment delays for nursing homes to help the state's budget shortfall.  The overall reduction would amount to about 3.3% since Medicare will help offset some of the cuts.  However, critics of proposed plan, predicting that such cuts and delays will force some nursing homes to close and possibly curtail good care in others, are asking Gov. O'Bannon to find savings someplace else.  There is pressure to control Medicaid costs which are rapidly growing out of control, and the General Assembly appropriated less money in the budget than people in the Family and Social Services Administration believe is necessary to pay for services.   Medicaid recipients comprise 67% of the Indiana nursing home population.  The cuts will probably result in very large increases for those residents who pay privately.  The administration is working with the industry to identify possible compromises. 

• Sargento Foods Inc. is recalling 8-ounce packages of Sargento Fancy Shredded Mozzarella that bear the dates 19OCT01 and 20OCT01, and Sargento 6 Cheese Italian Blend Shredded Cheese that bears the date 20OCT01 because they may be contaminated with dangerous bacteria.  The cheese was sold nationwide.  Do not eat the cheese, but return it to the place of purchase for a refund. The cheese may be contaminated with listeria, bacteria that typically cause flulike symptoms in healthy people and can cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections in young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Also, it can cause miscarriages and stillbirths even if pregnant women themselves feel no symptoms.
  For further information call  Sargento at 1-800-243-3737 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. EST.

• The Air Pollution Control District and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have issued a health alert for Tuesday .  The air quality forecast for both greater Indianapolis and greater Louisville areas is that there will be potentially harmful levels of ground-level smog ( ozone).  Those people in sensitive groups, such as children and older adults, and especially anyone with chronic breathing problems, are advised to limit outdoor activity and physical exertion, and even healthy people are advised to avoid midday or afternoon jogging along roadways.  This is the summer's fourth Nozone Action Day for Indy.  Ozone forms when air is somewhat stagnant for a number of days.  The extended weather forecast indicates conditions may prompt more Nozone days during the next two weeks.  To help reduce the ozone build-up, reduce car trips, don't go through drive-though service lanes at businesses, and don't mow until after 6 p.m.  Always good advice:  Walk, don't ride!  And be glad you don't live in the big city!

July 30

• IF you paid Federal taxes and IF your Social Security number ends with digits between "10-19", your check is in the mail!  See the table above.  If you filed jointly, the Social Security number of the first name on the return determines the mailing date.

• Life in prison without the possibility of parole.  That's the recommendation of a Bartholomew county jury for Robert Bassett Jr. Bassett was convicted Thursday night of four counts of murder. The jury deliberated only 10 minutes Friday before recommending the sentence.

• Sunny, hot, and humid are the weather descriptives for the first part of the week.  The high temps will be around 90 degrees, and lows will be around 70.

July 28

• Your agenda may get wet today.  There is an 80% chance of scattered showers for today, and some of them could be heavy.  The highs should reach into the lower 80's, and the showers and thunderstorms will become more numerous this afternoon, continuing into the evening with occasional showers and thunderstorms.  Sunday will be warmer and chance of showers diminishing.  Better carry an umbrella if you are going to the fair today!

• Funding for Two Military Construction Projects Totals Nearly $15 million, Hostettler Says.  The House Military Installations and Facilities Subcommittee included two important projects for the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, U.S. Rep. John Hostettler announced Friday.  The Subcommittee, on which Congressman Hostettler sits, authorized $9.1 million in funding for a Microwave Devices Engineering Facility and $5.8 million for a Special Warfare Munitions Engineering Facility.  Crane currently performs life cycle management of microwave devices for Naval Radar and Electronic Warfare systems in four separate buildings, creating a necessity for redundant equipment and support spaces. The Microwave Devices Engineering Facility will be critical to Crane's ability to service all versions of search, fire control, and navigational radar devices coupled with electronic warfare system devices aboard a variety of Naval craft.  The Special Warfare Munitions Engineering Facility will enhance Crane's timely and cost effective delivery of Special Purpose Munitions engineering designs, prototypes, acquisitions, and testing.  The munitions facility was originally in the Future Year Defense Plan for fiscal year 2004. "The fact that the President's budget moved this project up two years speaks to the unique and vital expertise that Crane provides to the Navy" Hostettler said. "Given proper, modern facilities, Crane consistently produces quality work at low cost, producing invaluable products and engineering for the Navy.  I'm pleased that the subcommittee recognized Crane's critical contributions to our national defense and I will work to maintain these projects when the full Armed Services Committee considers this bill."

• On Friday a federal appeals court comprised of three judges, divided 2-1 to uphold a preliminary injunction that bars Gov. Frank O'Bannon from erecting a Ten Commandments monument on the lawn of the Indiana Statehouse. The majority writing:  The display of the Ten Commandments on school or public property has caused quite a controversy in many communities of Indiana, including Lawrence County.  The two judges in the majority opinion stated that the planned Statehouse monument added up to an endorsement of religion by the state and that nothing on the grounds around the monument softens the religious message of the monument.  No decision has been made yet concerning an appeal to the full 7th Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court.  The Indiana Attorney General points out the fact that U.S. coins display a reference to God, that the Commandments are displayed on a wall in the U.S. Supreme Court chambers, and that Congress and the Indiana General Assembly begin their sessions with prayers.  The ICLU has had much success in its ongoing quest to prevent the display of the Ten Commandments on public property.

• Today Mead Johnson Nutritionals has announced a recall of sample packs of its LactoFree infant formula because the packages fail to list ingredients on the back of the box.  Although none was shipped to stores in Indiana, they were shipped to stores in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.  Consumers who bought the product should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  The recalled sample packs contain two 3 ounce ready-to-use Nursett bottles and two Easy One single serve powder packets. No other sizes or forms of the LactoFree product are affected by the recall. The company said it had received no reports of any infants who have become ill because of the labeling error.  Consumers with questions can call Mead Johnson at 1-888-222-9223.

July 27

• Today at the Fair features the Fashion Show in the Grandstand at noon.  The Mello-tones will perform in the Pavion at 5:30 p.m., with the German Band at 6:45 p.m. and square dancing at 8 p.m.  The grandstand show is T.G. Shepphard at 8 p.m.  The FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL  is MOONLIGHT MADNESS, featuring unlimited carnival rides 6:00 p.m. till Midnight with $12 bracelet.  Tomorrow, Saturday is  KIDDIES' DAY with unlimited carnival rides from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. with $8 bracelet.

• As a result of sunset laws enacted by the General Assembly almost seven years ago, nurses in Indiana will be paying more for their nursing licenses starting this fall.  The Health Professions Bureau has started adjusting its licensing fees for nearly all of the approximately 60 health occupations, ranging from hypnotists to athletic trainers.  In the only increase approved so far, a new, 2-year RN license will jump from $30 to $50, plus the cost of the test.  A license renewal will almost triple, however, in a monumental leap from $17 to $50!  Although the price of everything does increase with time, there is concern on the part of the Indiana State Nurses Association  that this increase will not  bededicated to increased services to nurses as stated, but rather that the $5.3 million in generated revenue over the next two years may find its way into the state's general fund.  The Health Professions Bureau reports that nurses currently supply about 40% of the revenue while accounting for 60% of the workload.

• Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine are undertaking the largest prostate cancer prevention study ever launched by the National Cancer Institute.  They home to answer the question about whether of not nutritional supplements protect males again prostate cancer, particularly selenium  and vitamin E, and they need healthy males 55 years old and older to take part in the study.  The national study hopes to have more than 32,000 men take part in the study, which will cover a 12 year time period.   Prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common form affecting men.  In Indiana alone, 4,400 will get prostate cancer and 700 will die of it.  Central Indiana men participating in the study will visit the IU Cancer Center every six months. Upon enrollment, they will be assigned by chance to one of four groups. Those interested in participating in the study should call the Department of Urology at 317-630-6044, or clinical research coordinator Janis Aichinger, RN, at 317-630-8913.  For more information about the SELECT study and prostate cancer, visit the following Web sites:  National Cancer Institute: http://cancer.gov/select Southwest Oncology Group: http://swog.org (choose SELECT) IU School of Medicine, Department of Urology:
  http://www.iupui.edu/ percent7Eurology/ Clinical Trials at the Indiana University School of Medicine: http://dmed.iupui.edu/ctp/

• First its a Burmese python and then it's Indiana alligators in a river.  The most recent reported encounter was with another alligator, this one in an abandoned home near Gary.  Police had been called to check out the home because neighbors had noticed a window in the house had been broken, but they hadn't seen anyone inside the house for months.  The officer who made the check heard a hissing and growling sound and then a 3-4 foot long alligator lunged from inside a 150 gallon aquarium in the living room, lifting the lid off.  The officer called the Gary Animal Control at more police support.  Using the tricks of the trade, they secured the alligator and transferred it to a pet owner outside the city.  They said it was possible the alligator may have been along for as long as three months.

July 26

• Today at the Jackson County Fair the carnival special is $8 with a Poor Jack Coupon from 6 p.m. until closing.  The Pet & Hobby Parade will be at 10 a.m.  Tonight at 6:30 Indiana Boots and Jeans will be in the Pavilion, and at 7 p.m. the AMSA Winged Sprints, Indiana Super Stocks will be the Grandstand attraction.

• It's "five finger discount city". At least the Lawrence County police must have that feeling after 5 or 6 vehicles have been reported stolen in the last week. Monday evening or Tuesday morning, two 2002 Pontiac Trans-Ams were taken from Burton Pontiac. Monday evening, a 1985 Chevy pickup was taken from Herb Moore Auto Sales on Indiana 37. One of the missing Trans-Ams was found completely burned in a field near Georgia off Indiana 60. The theft of the truck led to a police chase and arrest of an Indianapolis man.

• Kids are getting an early start, but not on the right things. Two Monroe County youths, ages 9 and 11, were apprehended earlier this week in Monroe County for the theft of five guns and other items in five residential burglaries. The boys admitted to the thefts and were released to their parents' custody and referred to probation officers.

• Opponents of a college student production of "Corpus Christi" are appealing a judge's decision to allow the performance to go forward.  Last Friday  U.S. District Judge  ruled against a group of residents and legislators who believe that taxpayer money should not be used to help subsidize the production because it attacks religion.  The play is scheduled to open Aug. 10 for a six-day run at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and features a character named Joshua who is growing up gay in modern-day Texas with 12 other gay male characters, most of whom bear the names of Christ's disciples.  The judge stated that the university was not involved in the selection of the play, but the appeal argues that the university's theater is a mouthpiece for the school.  Ever since it opened in New York in 1998, the play has been the subject of controversy in most communities where it has staged.

• Of worms and viruses.  Have you received e-mail lately with strange text and attachments?  Were you tempted to open the attachments just out of curiosity?  The best advice is - DON'T - not even if you use protection!   It is wise to have virus  protection software on your computer and keep it updated weekly, but there is a constant supply of  new worms and viruses to challenge the software developers.  The SirCam worm recently discovered on July 17th, steals files or sensitive documents from an infected PC and then forwards the file to all of the e-mail contacts in a user's Windows address book.  Some software vendors predict it could be one of the year's hardest-hitting viruses, and experts say that on October 16th, there is a 5% chance that the worm will wipe all files from the infected computer's hard disk.  Is that enough to make your hair stand on end?  Many virus protection companies have updated their wares to block the SirCam worm. Another worm, called Code Red has infected over 300,000 servers since it surfaced last week, and corporations and government agencies are shoring up their defenses against it. The worm was used to launch a denial of service attack on the White House web site on July 19.  Again, DON'T OPEN ATTACHMENTS unless they are sent as secure documents.  Microsoft documents are especially vulnerable to worms and viruses.

• In the Coast Guard hearings concerning the Ohio River accident in which a small fishing boat collided with a barge tow, the toxicology report indicates that the six men who died had consumed alcohol and/or illicit drugs.  A fishing buddy of the six men also testified that he had noticed when he was on the small boat four days before the collision that the fishing boat needed rear lights and were not sure they had been fixed.  The 3-day hearing began Wednesday.

July 25

• Today is Kiddies' Day at the Jackson County Fair.  There will be unlimited carnival rides from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. with n $8 bracelet.  Other features are the Pedal Tractor Pull at 3:30, a Tractor and Pick-Up Pull and a tomahawk throw, both at 6:30.  At 7 p.m. you can get tips for that perfect lawn you've always wanted!

• Yesterday morning on I 65 in Seymour, a front-end loader being hauled by a northbound semi struck the U.S. 31 overpass.   , Three beams on the bridge were ripped and forced through the bridge deck.  The loader was knocked from the trailer onto the highway.  There were no injuries, but it was reported that the bridge sustained more than $100,000 in damage.

• Although thunderstorms have been and will be possible all week, the rainfall has been spotty, and everyone knows it is humid.  Lower temps may be on the horizon, however, with highs in the lower 80's on Thursday and a high around 80 on Friday and Saturday!

• The Indiana State Fair is August 8-19th.  Entertainment will feature concerts by Kenny Rogers, O-Town, REO Speedwagon, Kansas, Cornell Gunter's Coasters, Marvelettes and Platters.  Tickets are on sale NOW at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Box Office or any Ticketmaster location. Call charge-by-phone at (317) 239-5151, or you can visit the Indiana State Fair Box Office or call (317) 927-1482.  The fair will also offer entertainment for the entire family on their  many free stages. See the website for schedule of activities.

• Of worms and viruses.  There are always new worms and viruses challenging the software developers.  The SirCam worm discovered on July 17, steals files or sensitive documents from an infected PC and then forwards the file to all of the e-mail contacts in a user's Windows address book.  Some software vendors predict it could be one of the year's hardest-hitting viruses.  Experts say that on October 16th, there is a 5% chance that the worm will wipe all files from the infected computer's hard disk.  Many virus protection companies have updated their wares to block the SirCam worm. Another worm, called Code Red has infected over 300,000 servers since it surfaced last week, and corporations and government agencies are shoring up their defenses against it. The worm was used to launch a denial of service attack on the White House web site on July 19.

July 24

• This is family night at the fair!  Unlimited rides from 6 p.m. to closing with $10 bracelet!  Check out the other activities on their website.

• The class-action lawsuit filed last September after Bob Knight was fired has resulted in a special judge ruling that Indiana University President Myles Brand did have the power to fire Knight.  Still in question and being allowed to proceed to trial, however, is the issue concerning the Board of Trustees meetings and whether there was a violation of the state open meetings law.  The university claims the meetings did not violate the law since neither meeting had a quorum and therefore had asked the judge to dismiss the entire lawsuit.  In her decision, the judge referred to an e-mail sent by Myles Brand, which may support the claim that Brand intentionally violated the intent of the law.  No trial date has been set.  The Indianapolis Star also sued the university over withholding documents pertaining to Knight's dismissal, and that case will be argued Aug. 10.

• According to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, the Indianapolis home builder who was accused of overbilling rock star John Mellencamp will plead guilty to theft and pay more than $98,000 restitution.  The Melloncamps had hired The Eldredge Group to build a $2.5 million home at Lake Monroe.  Eldredge asked subcontractors to submit two invoices, one showing actual cost and the other a higher amount, which Melloncamp paid.  Eldredge, then, paid the lesser amount to the subcontractor and pocketed the difference.

• The Kentucky State Fair will run Aug. 16-26. On Aug. 16, Hank Williams, Jr. and Toby Keith with special guest
  Montgomery Gentry will perform at Freedom Hall at 8 p.m. Tickets will be $30.  The hottest stars in country, hip-hop, rock n’ roll and Christian music are taking their electrifying shows on the road to bring Louisville eleven days of "Out of the Ordinary" concerts.  No trip to the Fair can be considered complete without catching a performance from this musical extravaganza, and many are free with paid gate admission!  Among the free ones are:  Grand Funk Railroad, The Oak Ridge Boys, Willie Nelson, George Jones.  See the website for more information about the fair concerts.

July 23

• The Jackson County Fair has is underway!  And the hot humid weather will continue throughout the week with high's around 90, lows in the 70's, and the possibility of thundershowers every day.  This is the kind of weather that makes the corn grow!

• A motorist around Bloomington saw two Bloomington teens playing with a gun and called police out of concern. After stopping the teens, police discovered the gun was only a pellet gun and that the teens were only re-enacting the death of rock star Kurt Cobain in 1994. The teens were released to their parents. The gun was retained by police. The teens can get the gun back if their parents give the okay.

• Thursday the state's Bipartisan Task Force on Election Integrity is holding simultaneous public hearings in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Gary, and New Albany, all linked by video.  So if you have recommendations to offer regarding changes in how voting is conducted in the state, this is your chance to speak up.  The meeting in Indianapolis will be at IUPUI Lecture Hall, Rm 100, at 325 University Blvd.  The New Albany meeting will be at IU Southeast in Hillside Hall, Rm 102, McCullough Plaza.  The task force will send its recommendations to the governor in October.

• Gov. Frank O'Bannon is considering the possibility of calling a special legislative session yet this year to work on overhauling the state's tax system.  However, his popularity with the Republicans and Democrats alike has fallen, and some may not be interested in working with him because of his recent public bashing of the Legislature.  Although the Governor's plans are not public at this point, many believe it involves raising state sales and income taxes to reduce dependence on property taxes.  

• EVEN A LITTLE SECONDHAND SMOKE IS DANGEROUS.  While many people think mostly of cancer as one of the hazards of smoking, results of a recent Japanese study (reported in the July 25 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association)  indicate that just 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke by healthy non-smokers may have a substantial impact on a function in coronary circulation, thereby emphasizing the consequences of heart disease as well.   The findings, added to an increasing body of research, suggest that everyone should be protected from even short-term exposure to secondhand smoke, such as in workplaces, restaurants, groceries, entrances to buildings, etc.  Some communities have already taken steps to protect citizens.  What has your community done lately? 

July 20

• Flood statement for the East Fork White River in southern Indiana.  Near flood stage conditions will occur along the East Fork White River in southern Bartholomew County and much of Jackson County. River levels will rise steadily through tonight at Columbus and Friday night at Seymour. River crests will be slightly higher than levels previously seen this Summer.  Agricultural and recreational interests should monitor river conditions daily. High water will affect State Road 235 east of Medora late Friday and local river roads in Jackson County.  High water from Jackson County will cause the East Fork White River to rise in Lawrence and Martin counties during the weekend, but at this time flooding is not expected in Lawrence or Martin counties.  Do not drive through flooded roads...keep children away from flooded areas...recreational and agricultural interests should be alert to changing river conditions... 

• Night two of the Monster Truck Shootout takes place tonight at the Lawrence County 4-H Fair. It starts at 8 p.m.

• The check will be in the mail soon.  The Feds plan to start mailing the tax rebate checks today to those who actually paid Federal taxes and whose Social Security numbers end in "00-09".

July 19

• Jackson County Commissioners approved an ordinance which will permit off-road vehicles to operate on most county roads.  The ordinance takes effect Aug. 1 and permits all off-road vehicles except for golf carts to operate on all but a handful of county roadways.  All operators are required to have a valid motor vehicle driver's license, valid vehicle registration and liability insurance.  Although there were some public concerns raised about public safety, vehicle noise and uninsured off-road vehicle users, it was reported that more people favored the ordinance than were against it.  Some believe that it will help deter some illegal riding by youngsters.  The county will review the law in a year and can rescind the ordinance if needed.

• The 2001 Lawrence County 4-H Fair continues.  Action tonight and tomorrow night includes the Southern Indiana Monster Truck Shootout. It starts at 8 o'clock each evening. 

• More on the 12 foot long Burmese python found in the forest west of Nashville, IN.  The snake had been living in Bloomington, but it had been missing since late last week, when the owner checked the garage where " Big Boy" was kept and found it empty.  The owner still doesn't know how Big Boy ended up miles away in rural Brown County, but he is  delaying reclaiming the snake until he moves into a new home.

• Tetanus is a bacterial disease that affects the nervous system, can contracted through an infected wound, and can be fatal.  If you have tried to get a tetanus shot recently, you may have learned that there a shortage of the vaccine in Indiana.  In fact, the shortage is nationwide, and hospitals and health clinics are being forced to ration their supplies.  Indiana state law requires students to get the vaccination before enrolling, but this year that requirement is on hold for now.  The shortage was precipitated because one of the two laboratories producing the vaccine decided last year to halt its production.  Although the other lab is increasing its supply, production requires 11 months, so it will be spring before the supply reaches the demand level.  Currently shots are available only for people traveling to countries where the risk for diphtheria is high, those with open wounds, and pregnant women who have not been vaccinated in 10 years.  If you are in immediate need of a tetanus shot, hospital emergency rooms may be your best option since they are able to obtain priority shipments.  

• As Gov. O'Bannon has lifted the moratorium he placed on the Build Indiana Fund, he has also added some controls requiring nonprofit groups and townships to be sponsored by a city or town in order to be eligible to receive money from the fund.  When the Fund was established, the law dictated that the money is supposed to go to government units for capital expenses. However, in recent months an investigation by the Indianapolis Star revealed the existence of abuse in the disbursement of the funds.  The decision to return to the 1989 law establishing the Fund is generating complaints from some members of the General Assembly, as well as some organizations who rely on the grants to help fund their programs and projects.

July 18

• Look out for fake $100 bills. Police in Bedford and Bloomington say fake bills have been received by businesses in both cities. A reward is being offered for information which leads to an arrest. If you have information about where the counterfeit money is coming from, contact local police.

• 20-year-old Clarence Young, a Detroit native and IU football player, bonded out of the Monroe County Jail Monday and is facing a rape charge. Because of the charge, Young is expected to be suspended from the Hoosier team until the case is resolved.

• According to state environmental officials, it was sawdust residue from a Loogootee logging company that killed about 3,500 bass, bluegill, and crappie in Seed Tick Lake at Crane.  The fish died after runoff from decomposed materials in a sawdust pile reached the lake via a small creek after heavy rain occurred in the area.  .Crane is not to blame for the fish kill.  Officials report that the fish kill is a serious one, but fortunately not all the lake's fish were killed.

• Cooked goose on the menu?  Could be!  An overpopulation may cook the goose for the geese at Westwood Lake Park in New Castle, IN.  Because they pull vegetation out by the roots when they feed, they are causing the soil to erode around the lake, so officials are wanting to reduce the flock.  Relocation is not an option because the geese would simply fly home.  Officials have been told that a special hunt would be the most economical and effective method, but no decision has been reached yet.

• To many people a snake is a snake is a snake.  One is no different from another if you don't like snakes!  What would YOU do if you were out walking in the woods and saw a 12 foot long, 8 inch thick snake along the way.  That happened last weekend in Yellowwood Forest, just west of Nashville, IN.  The hiker notified authorities.  They captured the creature, who was no Indiana native.  It was a Burmese python and thought to be someone's abandoned pet.  Several people have stepped forward with offers to adopt the "pet".  One requirement should be a very sturdy cage!

July 17

• As promised last week, The Indiana Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of  the state's new curfew law, claiming it violates the First Amendment rights of minors.  Last year they won a court order when U.S. District Judge John Tinder ruled that Indiana's previous curfew law was unconstitutional because it, too, violated the First Amendment rights of minors.  The ICLU believes the new law gives police officers probable cause to arrest young people for curfew violations without considering the reasons, and it shifts the burden of proof from the state to children.

• Telemarketers should eventually get the point!  This year's General Assembly passed a law which will require telemarketing companies to refrain from making calls to phone numbers listed on the telephone privacy list.  The law becomes effective on January 1st.  A call center was established so Indiana residents could join the telephone privacy list, and it has been overwhelmed with calls from people wanting to ensure telemarketers can't reach them.  So far about 115,000 Indiana residents have signed up.  At this point the call demand exceeds the capacity of the call center, so callers are advised just to be patient and keep trying.  

• Today is the beginning of the Great American Car Race, otherwise known as the Green Mountain Energy's Winston Solar Challenge, and the drivers consist of eight teams of high school students from the U.S. and Mexico driving solar-powered cars they have designed.  Starting at Round Rock, near Austin, TX, the race will cover 1,400 miles through OK, KS, MO, IL, and end in Columbus, IN.  The average speed is expected to be 27-35 mph.   Last year's race was only four days, but this year it is an eight day race.  Get more information and follow the progress of the race on the Internet at http://www.wscinfo.org

July 16

• Warm, humid weather has returned to the state.  Today will be partly sunny with a high in the mid 80s tonight
  will be partly cloudy with a low of 65 to 70. The possibility of thundershowers is mentioned for tomorrow and the rest of the week.   After all, it is county fair time, and it IS July!

• John Walda, who has been president of the I.U. Board of Trustees since 1994, has announced that he will not seek reelection to that position at the meeting in August because he need to devote his time to serving as chairman of the Association of Governing Boards, a group of college and university trustees and based in Washington, D.C.  He is one of two board members who who investigated allegations of physical and verbal abuse by Bob Knight.

• Just what is considered acts of  terrorism in Indiana?  A new law states that the manufacture of a weapon of mass destruction or calling in phony terrorism threats as felonies.  It also also requires the Indiana State Department of Health to catalogue mysterious biological substances and allows training for emergency medical personnel to deal with administering antidotes and vaccines in an emergency.  State officials want to be prepared for such an emergency if if should ever happen.  Just for the record, there have been at least 58 anthrax hoaxes in central Indiana alone during the past two years.

• Five people are missing as the result of a small boat and barge collision yesterday on the Ohio River.  A search was being conducted on the Ohio River.  It happened just upriver from Bethlehem, Clark County, IN, as a towboat crew  was  pushing 15 barges.  Some seats, a cooler, fish bait, a baseball cap and a broken oar were found soon after the accident, but the search continues for the victims of the accident.

• Because an Indiana University student has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, the health center at the university is offering free TB tests to students and faculty who may have been exposed to the disease.  Officials report that the student is taking the appropriate medication, is being treated off-campus, and is staying isolated. Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne bacterial disease and can spread only through extended contact in close quarters. It is curable but can be fatal if left untreated.

July 13

• It's Friday the 13th, but the weather couldn't be better!  It will be mostly sunny with highs of 80 to 85.  Tonight
  will be clear with lows of 55 to 60. It's ditto to Saturday and Sunday, too!!  A great to time be out! 

• The Lawrence County Fair "gets underway" tonight with the annual pre-fair concert. Tickets for the show to see Jett Williams and the Fox Brothers are still available. Tickets are $13 for reserved seating and $10 for general admission. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

• LOOKING FOR:  As many as three alligators had been seen recently in the Wabash River near Andrews, IN, but it has been reported they are not in the river anymore.  Actually no one really knows where they are at this point.  They were last seen around the Indiana 105 bridge.  The alligators are believed to be abandoned "pets".  Rescuers, who say the community isn't in danger from the reptiles, would like to find the alligators because they won't survive the winter.  

• As reported in the news yesterday, cuts in spending are on the agenda for the state of Indiana, and there are accusations on both sides of the fence.  O'Bannon is accusing the legislators who passed the deficit budget without increasing the 50 cent per pack cigarette tax increase he wanted.  Republicans blame the administration for funding programs they like without properly evaluating them.   The budget that was passed by the General Assembly in April passed into law without Gov. O'Bannon's signature.  Schools, universities, and property tax relief account for about 55% of the budget.

• The ICLU plans to file a federal lawsuit to fight the state's new curfew law on the grounds that it is too restrictive of the First Amendment rights of minors.  The current law requires children under age 18 to be home by 11 p.m. on weekdays and applies even if the minors are with their parents or at work, school, or church events.  The ICLU would like a curfew law that recognizes parental right.

• Following exoneration by Congress, Capt. Charles Butler McVay III, the captain of the USS Indianapolis has been absolved of any wrongdoing  in the sinking of his ship by a Japanese sub 56 years ago in World War II.  Survivors of the tragedy were grateful for the news since they had been working for years to clear the captain's name, as had McVay's son.  The captain was court-martialed and found guilty of failing to steer a zigzag evasion course.  Only 316 men aboard were alive when rescued.  The captain stayed in the Navy but was not promoted to rear admiral when he retired.  He committed suicide in 1968.  The captain's son, Kimo Wilder McVay died in Hawaii two weeks ago.  "In Harm's Way:  The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of its Survivors", written by Doug Stanton, has been on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list for 12 weeks.  The 56th anniversary of the sinking will be July 30th, and the author of the book will appear on NBC's Today show that day.  Stanton book website is http://www.ussindianapolisinharmsway.com

• According to Sen. Richard Lugar's office, the nomination of an Indiana farmer from Clarks Hill, IN, (Tippecanoe County) to become the No. 2 person in the Agriculture Department has been approved by the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee.  The nomination of James Mosely will now be advanced to the full Senate for approval.   President Bush selected Moseley for the position in April.  Moseley owns Moseley Land Corp. and is half owner of AgRidge Farms and Infinity Pork, which includes 2,800 acres for planting corn and soybeans and raising 50,000 pigs.  In 1989 he served as an agricultural adviser in the EPA, and from 1990-1992 he was assistant agriculture secretary for natural resources and the environment.

July 12

• Another Summer Art Camp for Youth, ages  7-13, is scheduled at SICCA for July 16-20.  For more information, call 812-522-2278.

• In July 2000, Gov. O'Bannon reported at a news conference that Indiana was in sound fiscal shape.  He even suspended the state's sales tax on gasoline for a period of time.  Now the rosy picture has changed, and we are told that it will take more than smoke, mirrors, and creative accounting to bring the state's spending in line with revenue (although the state still will employ some creative accounting practices).  Spending cuts and fee increases will be used to offset a reported critical drop in state revenue, a decrease that Indiana has not had since 1980.  With the exception of education and property tax replacement credits for homeowners, every line item in every state program under O'Bannon's control will be cut by 7% in the 2002 budget year.  Social programs will be affected, state hiring might be limited, and pay raises could be affected.  The 2001-2003 budget  spends at least a half-billion more than the state is expected to collect in revenue over the next two years.  It was passed by the General Assembly in April and O'Bannon allowed it to become law without his signature.  He reports that probably he will again propose the 50 cent a pack cigarette tax increase he wanted during the last session.

• It's no surprise that the Water and Resource Regulation Advisory Council agreed Wednesday to increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses.  However, after the concerns voiced by the public at a meeting yesterday, the Council did not give blanket approval to the DNR's proposed fee schedule representing increases up to 74% .  The Natural Resources Commission will make the final decision in August. and until then people can send their comments to the DNR.

• On the move.  Even though the primary election is more than 10 months away,  Melina Fox has been endorsed by Democrats in the new 6th Congressional District to challenge incumbent Republican Mike Pence in the 2002 election.  The new district extends from Columbus to the Ohio border and from Fort Wayne to Lawrenceburg.

• Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it will give computer makers more flexibility in configuring the Windows desktop. Computer makers will be able to alter the Start menu and make other changes, effective immediately. Microsoft said the new development will not affect the Oct. 25 launch date of Windows XP.

July 11

• Bluegrass Calls!  The Driftwood Valley-Jackson County Bluegrass Jamboree at Olde Fort Vallonia will be this Saturday, starting at 7 p.m.  Those wishing to perform may call ahead at 812-522-8327.  The Norman Conservation Club will host an event on Sunday at 2 p.m.  Those wishing to perform may call 277-1705 or 388-7397.

• Since April the Bloomington tree sitters who attempted to stop a planned apartment project in a wooded area of the city have been in the news.  Last week they were forcibly removed and charged with trespassing on the site.  The activists believe they were acting "in the best interest of the community" and therefore charges should be dropped.  Now they have indicated that each one wants a jury trial.

• For area fans of Shapiro's Deli in Indianapolis, the owner plans to close its deli at 2370 W. 86th Street and relocate it (hopefully opening in December) in the City Center in Carmel.  The reasons for the move are that the current lease expires at the end of the year and the Jewish customer base has moved north into Hamilton County.  However, the historic downtown deli, which is almost 100 years old, will stay where it is.

• This was no Jesse James!  An Indiana man is now considered a suspect in several Mississippi bank robberies
  because he left his wallet and driver's license at one of the banks.  Jayme D. Allen from South Bend, IN, has been identified from his drivers license picture.  It was reported that he entered the bank under the pretense of purchasing a money order.  In the process he took out his wallet and keys but suddenly pulled a gun.  In his haste, he forgot to take the wallet, the keys, and the gun with him.

• The mail will continue to go through, even on Saturday!  The Postal Service has announced they will  continue delivering mail six days a week in spite of the losses they face.  They discovered that cutting out Saturday delivery was not a popular solution with Congress, industry, and the public.

July 10

• After storms Sunday knocked out power for around 116,000 Cinergy customers statewide, most now have their power restored.  Officials with Cinergy say the remaining people without power should have it restored today.

• The Red Cross for the River Valley Region has issued an emergency blood appeal. Levels of blood are at about a half-day supply instead of the three day supply needed. Call your Red Cross office today to find out about the next blood drive.

• It's county fair time in the area.  The Lawrence County 4-H Fair starts Friday night with a concert by Jett Williams/Fox Brothers at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds.  Tickets are $13 for reserved seating and $10 for non-reserved and are available at Karma Records in the Stone City Mall, on line at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at 317-239-5151.  For more events see the fair schedule.

• The Indy Jazz Fest started yesterday and will continue all week.  See the concise schedule or check out IndyJazzFest.org.

• Need input....   Natural resource officials want to know how the public feels about the suggested hunting and fishing hikes that were announced last week.  There has been no increase in the fees for fourteen years, and officials say they are necessary to meet the expense of operating and managing the programs and lands involved.  The proposed increases will be discussed by the Bureau of Water and Resources Regulation Advisory Council at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Fort Harrison State Park.   The Council will make its recommendations to the state Natural Resources Commission, which makes the final decision on the increases.  People who are not able to attend the meeting to voice their opinions may send comments by mail or e-mail.

• A bit of trivia!  A study by a British manufacturing firm has concluded  that 25% of computer users have, at one time or another,  struck a part of their computer out of anger.  Imagine that!

July 9

• Storms moved through the area Sunday causing downed limbs, downed power lines and downed telephone lines. Power outages reported by a spokesman with Cinergy\PSI said around 116,000 customers statewide had power knocked out by the storms and around 80,000 had had the power restored with many still in the dark.   Various recorded rainfall amounts were in the vicinity of 1.25".

• Food stamps and monthly aid checks will soon be replaced by the Hoosier Works card, which looks like and will work like an ATM card.  Mandated by the the Feds and already in use by three counties in northern Indiana since May, the card is expected to be used statewide by early 2002.  Citicorp is providing the card service to the state for $35 million over the next seven years.  Benefit amounts will be affected for the approximately 135,000 people who receive assistance, but the new system is expected to reduce welfare fraud.   Some who are already using it hail its convenience, while there are some concerns that it may be too difficult for some persons who may have trouble keeping track of their own spending. 

• The cost of making a local call at a pay phone will soon increase by 15 cents, costing the user 50 cents!  Local charges apply to any call within an eight-mile radius.  All pay phones on the SBC network, of which Ameritech is a subsidiary, will be converted to the the new fee by September.  According to the officials, the 15 cent increase is needed to maintain remaining pay phones since so many people have started using wireless and prepaid communication.  The states affected by the increase are Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, California, Nevada, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Arkansas.

July 6

• Time is running out for farmers to certify their crops. The deadline is July 16th. For more information, contact the FSA office.

• Today will be a practically perfect day!  -- Sunny and warm, with a high in the lower 80s. Light wind. Tonight will be mostly clear and warmer with the low in the lower 60s. Light wind.  Possible thunderstorms are on the horizon for Saturday and Sunday.

• The hunt is on!  Each year Indiana undertakes a program to stop the spread of ditch weed and cultivated marijuana along the roadside, and this year's program began last month.  During World Wars I and II the Feds subsidized the raising of marijuana because hemp was used to make rope for the wartime efforts.  Since then, however,  marijuana has become a widely used drug, and the Drug Enforcement Administration has aggressively tried to stop it.  The wild marijuana is very hardy and difficult to eradicate because the seeds, which are spread by animals, birds, and wind, can lay dormant in the soil for 7-10 years before sprouting.

• Some jazz musicians in Indiana feel that Indiana has forgotten its musical heritage and that little has been done to celebrate it as the focus has gone to cities like New Orleans and Chicago.  Things are changing, though, because the third Indy Jazz Fest begins Monday and will feature some well known groups as well as some newcomers to Indiana's jazz history during a week of music and will offer many educational workshops.  Among the highlights of the festival will be performances by local musicians Mel Rhyne and Jimmy Coe and a tribute to local musician J.J. Johnson on Sunday night. Johnson, an influential trombonist who performed with Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie, died Feb. 4 in Indianapolis.  Other performers at the festival will include Chuck Mangione, James Brown, Lucina Williams and Los Lobos.

July 5

• Saturday is the Brownstown Round Barn Bike Ride, sponsored the Brownstown Exchange Club et al, featuring
  tours of 32 or 62 miles of flat to gently rolling rides through scenic and picturesque countryside. You will see the county's three round barns, with opportunity for a self-guided tour through two, as well as seeing one of Indiana's longest covered bridges, just outside of Medora. Entry fee - $12 ($15 after 6/16) Lunch provided for riders on the 62 mile ride.  Phone Larry Raymer (812-358--5040 or e-mail lraymer@hsonline.net for further information.

• Although it did not rain on area celebrations, thunderstorms with heavy rain in some parts passed through the area very early this morning.  Today will be mostly sunny with highs in the lower 80s.  Tonight is supposed to be clear and unseasonably cool for July 5th with lows in the lower to mid 50s.

• Since New York has successfully passed a law prohibiting motorists from using cellular phones while driving.  In the recent session of the Indiana General Assembly, two  measures concerning cell phone use failed to receive so much as a committee hearing, but some Indiana lawmakers, encouraged by the success in New York, are now vowing to renew the push for such a ban in the 2002  session.  Strong opposition is expected again from some lawmakers ho are adamantly opposed to it, and the telecommunications industry argues that such restriction are not necessary.  Gov. O'Bannon has been hesitant to give his support the restrictions and says there is a need for further study.  While forty states are considering such proposals, there are actually twenty-three countries that already have adopted nationwide bans.

• Action on the Ohio River at Madison Regatta begins Saturday morning.  For information call 812-265-5000 or visit their website.

July 4

• HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!  Many communities have planned celebrations for today and this evening.  There will be activities in Shields Park during the day, and fireworks are scheduled at Freeman Field tonight, weather permitting  The Lawrence County Heritage Festival Parade, featuring a fly-over by a B-2 Stealth  will start at noon today, followed by an ice cream social, concert by C.J. Watson tonight, and ending with a fireworks display tonight.  Check the schedule for times.

• The weather may not cooperate with planned festivities today, so plan ahead!!  A cold front from southern Wisconsin to northern Missouri this morning will move southeast across the state this afternoon and early evening. Thunderstorms are expected to accompany this front as it moves across central Indiana. It will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms.  This afternoon .thunderstorms are likely, with highs in the lower to mid 80s.  Chance of rain is 70 percent. There is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon into early evening with the main threat being large hail and damaging winds.   Tonight thunderstorms are likely in the early evening then decreasing cloudiness overnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain is 60 percent.  Keep track of the weather with Local Radar.

• Last week a group of about 100 Indiana senior citizens traveled by bus from Indianapolis to Windsor, Ontario, Canada to purchase cheaper prescription drugs.  The 3-day trip, financed largely by labor organizations, was sponsored by the Indiana Prescription Drug Coalition, which includes United Senior Action, Indiana State Council of Senior Citizens, Region 3 UAW, IN St Fed of the AFL-CIO, AARP, and Citizens Action Coalition.    Organizers reported the trip was quite successful.  Each person making the trip had to have his doctor's permission, and each participant was allowed to buy a three-month supply of their prescriptions, with the assurance those can be refilled for a year by the Canadian pharmacy in Windsor.

July 3

• Senator Lugar will be visiting in Seymour and Bedford today.  He will attend a luncheon at the Pines at noon.  Then he will be at the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce Offices from 3-4 p.m.

• The Hoosier National Forest has support of the Senate Inerior Appropriations Committee to spend an additional 2-million dollars on land purchases. The money was approved after requests from U.S. Senators Evan Bayh and Richard Lugar to continue the program.  The Forest Headquarters are located in Bedford.

• Investigators still work to determine what caused a boating accident over the weekend which left a Williams man dead. 39-year-old Kent Chaillaux died of head injuries after his boat struck another boat on the White River Saturday afternoon. Officials are saying alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision.

• Take your umbrella with you today as thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon.  Highs should reach  into the lower 80s. Southwest wind 10 mph. Chance of rain is 60 percent. 

• Remember Monument Circle's young peregrine falcon that was injured in a fall from the nest last month?  There was some question about whether or not she could be rehabilitated.  Monday she was returned to the nest Monday after spending some time at clinics in Indiana and St. Paul, MN, but she  not receive a warm welcome back to the nest box from her dad.  However, she soon took a few flights over the Circle.  The experts say she probably won't be able to catch her own food for a while but are convinced she'll get by as a result of begging (and possibly pilfering) from her parents and sibliings.

July 2

• Kent Chaillaux of Williams died Saturday afternoon when his 14 ft. bass boat collided on White River with a 16 ft boat carrying five people.  The five were treated for minor injuries.  The accident occurred in an open area of the river where there were no visual obstructions, and Chaillaux was not drinking alcohol.  The accident is still under investigation.

• Interested in visiting a quarry and seeing a demo inside a limestone mill?  The public has that opportunity tomorrow as one of the planned activities of the Limestone Heritage Festival in Bedford.  There are two guided tours available - 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. -- and you will be taken by bus to the quarry.  Buses board at the Stone City Mall on west 16th Street.  There is a limit of  75 for each tour.  Tickets are required, but they are FREE.  Tickets are available at the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce at 1116 16th St.

• Morgan County authorities are in the process of confirming identification of a body found in s field yesterday in Morgan County.  The body, with several stab wounds, was of a man believed to be in his 40's, and had probably been in the field for two to four days.

• The state Department of Educations reports that eighty-three percent of Indiana's class of 2001 passed the graduation exam, compared to the 86 percent pass rate for last year's senior class.  This is the second year students have been required to pass the exam in order to receive a diploma, unless they received a waiver.  The exam is meant to ensure that graduates have a minimum 9th grade skill level in English and math and is first administered during the sophomore year.  Students not passing as sophomores may try again as juniors and seniors.  At this point 75% of the students who hope to graduate next year have passed both parts of the exam. 

• Those familiar with the Purdue University campus know about its two beautiful fountains, one a sculpture donated by the Class of 1939 and designed to fire 588 gallons of water 40 feet in the air each minute. During the past year, however, Purdue University has had a problem because students like to run through these fountains to celebrate various events and children get in the pools and play in the water.  Injuries have been reported from time to time, and Purdue officials finally reacted to their safety concerns by turning off the water and announcing other planned safety measures, causing protests from one of the fountains designer, as well as students.  Although there is no plan for the Loeb fountain yet, a polished 10-1/2-foot tall, 32-inch diameter cylinder idea was proposed by retired University of Illinois professor Robert Youngman, who designed the sculpture.  He says that the mirror-like surface would reflect the images of clouds, buildings, passers-by and the seasons.  Already approved by the faculty committee, the final decision will be made by university administrators.

• Although this is a record year for road construction in Indiana, work crews are planning to take a break, most of them on Tuesday and Wednesday, making travel easier for those of you on the road during the holiday.

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