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Archived NewsBytes located at the
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June 28
June 27
June 26
June 24
June 21
June 20
June 19
June 18
June 17
June 14
It's Flag Day! A flag retirement will be held this afternoon at 4:30 at the Cecil C. Martin American Legion post in Mitchell. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony
The body of a 2-year-old boy was pulled from Bean Blossom Creek this morning. Police say the boy's 14-year-old half sister was hospitalized with a slashed throat after she and the toddler were thrown off a Monroe County bridge last night. Police charged 30-year-old Robert Stewart of Gosport with attempted murder and murder. Police say he was angry with the children's mother over money issues. Police say Stewart then took a knife from the kitchen area and cut the throat of the girl. Stewart then threw both children off the bridge over Bean Blossom Creek.
The 377th Military Police Company has been called up to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom. They leave Bloomington for Cincinnati, Ohio on Monday. They will then travel to Fort Dix, New Jersey on Wednesday. The size of the unit and where it's going are not known.
A Martinsville woman was found innocent of murder relating to the fire that killed her 18-month-old son. The verdict for Susan Gail Wilson came after three-and-a-half hours of deliberation yesterday. Wilson says she owes the rest of her life to the jury.
Bedford native Craig Bowden started his first round of the U.S. Open in rough fashion. After three holes, Craig was 3-over. But, he shot 2-under for the final 15 holes to finish the first round with a 1-over-par 71. Craig is just four shots off the lead held by Tiger Woods who shot a 67. This is the second time Craig has qualified for the U.S. Open.
The BNL Stars shot a team score of 615 to finish 6th in the State Golf Finals. Zionsville won the event with a team score of 599. Among the other teams competing was Bloomington South which shot a score of 622 to finish in 9th place
The White house has granted aid for several Indiana counties. Under the declaration, homeowners and business owners in Dubois, Gibson, Hamilton, Marion, Martin, Pike, Posey, and Vigo are eligible for low-interest loans and other direct federal aid. .Federal aid was also approved for county governments in six of those counties and 20 others to pay for damaged bridges and roads and other costs such as worker overtime. Those counties are: Brown, Crawford, Dearborn, Dubois, Franklin, Gibson, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Martin, Montgomery, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Parke, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Sullivan, Switzerland, Union, Vermillion, Vigo, and Washington. Not included in the declaration are Fayette, Hancock, Lawrence, Monroe and Perry counties -- all of which O'Bannon had included in his aid request last week., although aid may still be approved for those and other Indiana counties because the Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to assess damage in the state, the White House said in a statement. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance Friday by calling 1-800-6213362, or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
A federal audit concluded the Indiana State Department of Health owes the U.S. government because funds were inappropriately shifted by AIDServe Indiana, the agency that distributed the money to about a dozen groups, so Indiana is being asked to repay nearly $800,000 in federal money. Federal auditors also say they couldn't find proper documentation for an additional $5.3 million and recommended that the state and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services continue trying to find or rebuild the paperwork to show if the money was spent correctly. The state has until July 1 to respond to the findings, which involve a recommendation for better fiscal oversight, but it will likely take months to resolve the situation. The Indiana Department of Health severed its contract with AIDServe in November 2000 because of mismanagement, and the agency filed for bankruptcy in June 2001., but the situation triggered the federal audit.
June 13
Two black men in the 20s are being sought by Bloomington police after they robbed a pawn shop Wednesday about noon. Police say the two entered the Gold N Pawn Shop on Walnut Street. Police say one of the men pulled a handgun on the female employees demanding cash. The two female employees were then bound with duct tape, ordered to a back room and then the two men left. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bloomington police
Lawrence County was awarded nearly 1.5 million dollars Wednesday in Community Focus Funds. Bedford received 495-thousand for construction of a new Center for Behavioral Health and the demolition of the current location. South Lawrence Water received 480-thousand dollars for improvements. Oolitic received 475-thousand dollars for improvements to the water distribution system.
Trying to side-step a controversy? At its May meeting, the Bedford City Council rejected an ordinance to preventing charitable soliciting on Bedford City Streets. A motion was made at its meeting Tuesday night to discuss the subject further because a number of residents "want something done". The motion for further discussion was denied by a 5-2 vote. Perhaps it is time to let YOUR views be known. Call the City Council members (see the list under "Government") and write letters.
It is now down to six. That's the number of teams which have advanced to tonight's finals in the 2002 Brain Games. It will be held at the Bedford Little Theatre. Tonight's competition will be double-elimination.
Indiana's Senate Finance Committee has discussed its plan for the tax/budget bill in answer to the bill sent to them from the House, and the committee was expected to endorse the plan on Thursday. The chairman predicts the plan will pass the full chamber next week if there aren't any significant changes made. The GOP-drafted tax plan would shift all school operating costs to the state but include no provisions to expand gambling. The individual income tax rate would go to 3.9 percent and the cigarette tax would go to 45.5 cents per pack. (The plan that passed the Democrat-controlled House did not boost individual income taxes, and raised cigarette taxes to 55 cents per pack.) The Senate plan will also allow substantial cuts in property taxes for homeowner and businesses. There has been intense lobbying for the gambling interests, but those provisions would have to be added back into the bill when it is presented on the floor of the Senate, possibly as soon as Monday. In any event, the House and Senate will have very few days to reach and pass a compromise by the June 22nd deadline for the special session. Will the governor have to call another special session? He has said he will if that is what it takes to get a budget passed.
A recent challenge to a Ten Commandments display in Ohio. It seems that last year the ACLU of Ohio sued a county judge and the county commissioners in Mansfield, Ohio, because the display made an ACLU member feel as though the judge forced religion on him. He was ordered by another court to take down the poster, but the judge says that rather than take the poster down he will take the case to a higher tribunal. The legal director of the ACLU in Cleveland, stated that "It is imperative that church-state separation be honored, above all, in the very courtroom where judges are sworn to uphold the Constitution". The U.S. Supreme Court about a year ago decided against hearing a case involving display of the Ten Commandments. The court chose not to rule on the constitutionality of a Ten Commandments display in front of the Elkhart, Ind., Municipal Building and let stand a lower court ruling that a marker violated the constitutional boundaries between church and state. What will the Supreme Court do when the ACLU challenges the displays of "religion" in its chambers?
June 12
Three people were injured in a multi-vehicle accident last evening near the Monroe/Owen county line. The accident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. at the intersection of Indiana 46 and County Line Road. The accident occurred when one driver struck a vehicle waiting to turn at the intersection, and then collided head-on with a third vehicle. The driver of the pickup which collided with the other two vehicles was thrown from her truck and now faces charges for driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and speed too fast to avoid a collision. The woman underwent surgery to her ankle.
Reassessment field workers will begin gathering data in Perry and Shawswick townships this week. Work is currently underway in Pleasant Run and Indian Creek townships as the reassessment of real property is being carried out in all 92 Indiana counties. The reassessment was to be effective March 1st of this year but pending legislation currently being held up by the republican-controlled Indiana Senate may change the initial tax payment date
Thoughts of a casino in Orange County may be dead once again. Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee plan to take provisions to expand legalized gambling out of the tax-and-budget bill passed by the Indiana House last week. Senate Finance Chairman Larry Borst says his committee will remove language that would allow riverboat casinos to remain permanently docked, authorize a casino in Orange County and allow slot-like machines at horse racing venues in Central Indiana. Borst says he doesn't know whether the full Senate will vote to restore the gambling expansion language next week.
Purdue agricultural economists say the nation's corn production may be in jeopardy. Economist Chris Hurt says planting remains behind average throughout much of the midwest, despite warmer and drier weather recently. Reports from Lawrence county say that in the south and east parts of the county, corn is doing okay, and some corn is already 10-inches out of the ground. The western and northern parts of the county are not doing as well with heavy planting taking place. Losses in Lawrence County are near 25%.
As we have all heard on the news, Elizabeth Smart, a 14 year old girl from Salt Lake City, was taken from her home at gunpoint early Wednesday morning, June 5, 2002, in the Federal Heights area of the city. She is still missing. Friends of the family have established a website and are circulating email asking citizens all over the country to be on the lookout for Elizabeth. A $250,000 reward created by family, friends and community is being offered for information about the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart. For pictures of Elizabeth, a printable "Elizabeth Smart Missing" poster, and further information, see http://www.elizabethsmart.com/. You are asked to consider printing or copying the poster and putting it up in your area. Please be on the look out for Elizabeth nationwide, and if you have any leads to her whereabouts, call the Tip Hotline at 800-932-0190.
June 11
An 8-year-old Bloomington boy is listed in serious but stable condition after being burned while trying to light a camping stove. The accident happened Monday afternoon. The boy, whose name has not been released, was trying to light a camping stove inside a lean-to when he suffered third-degree burns over 30-percent of his body. The child's mother suffered flash burns to her hands when she tried to put out the fire.
Bedford city residents may apply through mid-July for forgivable loans worth up to 5-thousand dollars. Money for the loans were made available through a Housing Finance Authority's Community Development Block Grant. Residents who live within Bedford city limits, own and live at the property to be improved, and who meet income requirements may apply. Call City Hall for more information.
The Lawrence County Health Department has cancelled tomorrow's walk-in immunization clinic. The nurses will be attending a Rural Health Conference in French Lick that day. The next walk-in clinic will be held next Wednesday, June 19th, from 1-3 p.m. For more information call the Health Department at 275-3234
In sports, Notre Dame has advanced to the College World series for the first time in 45 years by beating Florida State Monday 3-1. The Fighting Irish are 49-16 on the season and will now face Stanford in round one of the College World Series. The Irish beat Florida State 2 games to 1 winning the first game 10-4, falling in the second game 12-5 and then winning yesterday 3-1. Notre Dame and Stanford will meet this Saturday at 12:30 (Bedford time) in Omaha, Nebraska
Politics is a dirty game and tax payers are left with the task of filling the coffers! Although the bill was called "sleek" and "on target" by Democrat House Rep. B. Patrick Bauer when it finally garnered enough votes to move to the Senate, there was no public mention of the goodies that resulted from power deals--amendments added for "pet projects" not really related to the current budget crisis but designed to buy votes for passage, to solidify support from certain groups, and perhaps help Bauer maneuver into the Speaker's chair next year. Does an agricultural history facility in Indy really need to be expanded? Should $7 million be set aside from gambling revenue for a Lake Michigan shoreline environmental trust? Should $15 million from a fund intended to clean up leaking underground storage tanks be diverted to a program for free emissions testing for motorists in polluted areas of northwest and southeast Indiana? Should Indiana State Police funding be rearranged to help shore up the group's finances at the expense of state highway projects? Should State Police be allowed to charge schools for bus inspections, as well as charge higher fees to the public for accident reports and criminal background checks? These are but a few of the "pet projects" included in the bill that is now in the Senate. Senate Finance Chairman Lawrence Borst claims the bill spends too much and the Senate will begin stripping the bill of the extra items to meet the state's financial crisis. We are all quite aware of the reality that we always get more liability than we wanted, and we are told that the deal making process is how legislation actually gets passed. So we are left wondering what kind of "pet projects" will be required for passage in the Senate and especially if/when it becomes law!
June 10
A Spencer teen died in an automobile accident Sunday Morning. Police reports say 18-year-old Jason Murphy may have been asleep when his vehicle went off the road hitting a parked horse trailer. Murphy was pronounced dead of blunt force trauma to the head.
Hundreds of youth participated in activities ranging from basketball to air games to face-painting and many more during the fourth annual Safe Night Lawrence County. The event was held Saturday night at the Lawrence County 4-H fairgrounds.
Nearly 100 teachers, organizations leaders and community leaders from across the state will be in Anderson this week to discuss the need for character education in Indiana schools. The development of a student's social, emotional and ethical skills to be taught.
One of the leaders of a Mexican drug ring that smuggled 11 tons of marijuana into Indiana has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. US District Judge Richard Young sentenced 26-year-old Jose Antonio Trejo-Pasaran on drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms charges. In February, three other men were sentenced to prison in the same drug operation.
June 7
25-year-old Jessie Mills of Avoca is facing three felony charges after being arrested by Bloomington Police this week. Police say on two occassions, they purchased drugs from Mills totalling $400. Mills faces two Class B felony charges and one Class D felony charge of dealing the drugs.
Unemployment rates went down according to the latest figures released by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. In Lawrence County, the jobless rate fell to 8.1% for April, down from 8.7% in March. Orange County had the highest jobless rate with 9.8% of the workforce without a job. Despite the high number, Orange County's rate did fall from March figures when the jobless rate was 10.7%. For the state, the rate fell from 5.7% in March to 5.3% in April.
15 young ladies from BNL and Mitchell high schools will compete for the title of Junior Miss 2003 tomorrow night at the BNL Performing Arts Center. The event begins at 7 p.m
Youngsters from pre-school through high school age are invited to the Lawrence County 4-H fairgrounds tomorrow for Safe Night. The drug-free, alcohol-free, tobacco-free event begins with a flag-raising and opening ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Among activities include the fireworks at 9 p.m. Airgames, face-painting, a lip-sync contest, and air-games are among the free activities which will be offered.
Now it the Indiana Senate's turn! Yesterday the Democrat-controlled Indiana House passed a tax and budget bill by a slim majority, 51-47, and so H.B. 1001 moves to the Senate. Three House Republicans joined 48 Democrats in approving the bill, while the House Speaker and three other Democrats voted against it. The fate of the bill is unsure as it is goes to the Senate, but the House Ways and Means Chairman sent the bill to Senator Meeks because it was believed that Meeks could win more votes for the bill than Senate Finance Chairman Borst. However, Meeks' initial reaction is that the bill raises and spends too much money and expands gambling. Among some of the features, the House bill would legalize dockside gambling, allow a casino at French Lick and West Baden Springs, and permit slotlike machines at horse tracks and Marion County betting parlors. Although many senators are closely allied with the casino and horse-racing industries, the Senate has been wary of allowing slot machines and the new southern Indiana casino. The bill also would increase the gasoline tax by 3 cents a gallon to pay for road construction; Hoosiers now pay a tax of 15 cents a gallon. Legislators have until June 22 to finish this session, which began May 14, but Gov. Frank O'Bannon warned that if lawmakers don't send the bill to him this month, he will call them back for another 40-day special session.
Ask any motorist!! It doesn't take a think tank genius to come up with this idea, but The Reason Foundation, a Los Angeles-based think tank, issued a report yesterday that suggests creating a nationwide system of separate toll truck lanes alongside existing interstates across the country. A key U.S. House committee chairman wants that idea inserted into next year's federal transportation bill. Separated by concrete walls and given their own exit ramps, truck-only lanes would be built mostly in rural areas and designed to hold longer, heavier semi combinations -- like double and triple trailers -- that are illegal in most states, including Indiana, except on the Toll Road. Indiana, which ranks third in the nation in the value of annual truck shipments, and 162 people died in 2000 as a result of truck accidents. That's about 19 percent of the 875 truck-related fatalities nationwide. The report further suggests the trucking industry would save about $40 billion a year -- by moving bigger loads longer distances -- and there would be far fewer accidents. The proposal has the support of Rep. Don Young, D-Alaska, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, who wants pilot programs in next year's transportation bill. The estimated cost: $2 million to $3 million per mile, and no tax money would be used. Highways would be financed by toll revenue bonds. Truck tolls would pay off the bonds and fund upkeep.
June 6
A substitute judge began his duties as Lawrence Superior Court I judge Wednesday afternoon. A senior judge from Jackson County, Jonathon Robertson was appointed to take over the duties of Raymond Kern while Kern serves a suspension. Kern was suspended with pay after the Indiana Judicial Commission recommended he be removed from office. The Indiana Supreme Court will decide the punishment. Kern is accused of violating judicial ethics rules when he made an emergency temporary custody order in September 2000. He is also accused of lying later during disciplinary hearings.
After 45 years as Loogootee head basketball coach, Jack Butcher has resigned. Butcher leaves with an overall record of 806-250. The 806 wins is an Indiana career record. The only title Butcher could not win was the state championship through his career with saw 42 winning seasons, 20 sectional titles, 8 regional championships and a Coach-of-the-Year award.
Ernie Pyle is being honored this week by becoming the newest GI Joe action figure. The 12-inch doll will sell for $20 and depicts Pyle wearing a utility cap, jacket, pants, boots and accessories including a portable typewriter. Pyle was from Vermillion County in Indiana. He was killed by Japanese gunfire in April 1945 while working as a World War II correspondent. The action figure from Hasbro is to mark the 58th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
Grissom Municipal Airport in Lawrence County is among airports around the state to share in 20-million dollars from the FAA. The money will be used for projects that will enhance safety, security, and capacity at air facilities. The Lawrence County facility will receive slightly over $186,000.
The "peace camp" that has occupied Dunn Meadow in front of Indiana University's student union since October will disband for the summer amid concerns that camp rules had been violated and because IU officials have finally decided it could not continue without active involvement of registered IU students. Permission to use Dunn Meadow for vigils is granted for two weeks at a time, and at the end of each two-week period, the sponsors of the demonstration -- who must be IU students -- are required to get reauthorization to remain in the meadow. It seems that permission is generally granted unless another group wants to use the same space or rules violations are found. This is college life for some!! And taxpayers help to fund education! Is this what education is all about? Is there a need for reform someplace here?
A flood statement has been issued for the East Fork White River in Jackson County. The East Fork of White River at Seymour had risen more than 3 feet since Wednesday evening. Locally heavy rains of up to 4 inches fell in southern Decatur and northern Jennings counties Wednesday evening immediately upstream of the Seymour area. The East Fork White River at Seymour will approach flood stage of 12 feet by late this afternoon or early evening. Because the heavy rain was not widespread...the river at Seymour will return to near normal levels by Friday evening. High water may affect State Road 235 east of Medora on Friday. Motorists should avoid flooded roads and take alternate routes. Recreational and agricultural interests should be alert to changing river conditions. Use caution when walking near riverbanks.
There may be some movement in the special session of the General Assembly. A sweeping tax-increase and tax-restructuring plan is eligible for a vote before the full Indiana House after several changes were made to make it friendlier to business. The changes included a quicker phase-out of the inventory tax, tax cuts on new business production equipment and a one-year delay on the impact of the unfolding, statewide property tax reassessment. The revised plan would cut property taxes and other taxes by about $1.8 billion over three years and raise about $3 billion in new tax revenue to shore up the state's budget deficit. Under the plan, property taxes for homeowners would be cut an average of 12 percent when new bills come due in spring 2004. Businesses would see average property tax cuts of 32 percent that year, while farmers would pay an average of 10 percent less. The plan would raise taxes on cigarettes by 39.5 cents per pack, increase wagering taxes on casinos and expand legalized gambling. That new revenue would be used to close a projected $1 billion budget deficit. It would raise sales taxes from 5 percent to 6 percent, with that money used to make substantial cuts in property taxes. Among other things, about 40 percent of school operating and transportation costs would be shifted from local property tax rolls to the state. The sales tax increase would go into effect in December, just after the November election and before Christmas. The bill would phase out the inventory tax over four years, instead of five years as specified in the plan before Wednesday's changes. Provisions that would create a new supplemental tax on most business entities were scrapped, but the plan would no longer repeal the corporate gross income tax and it also eliminates a delay in the phase-down of the insurance premium tax. The plan would also increase the gasoline tax by 3 cents per gallon, generating about $100 million a year for road construction. Many House Republicans reluctantly voted for the changes, saying they made "a bad bill better", and they say the plan would generate too much tax-increase revenue for the budget and not do enough to create jobs. Although many of the chamber's Republicans are expected to vote against the bill, Bauer predicts it will pass -- perhaps as early as Thursday -- and be sent to the Senate. Democrats control the House 53-47, while Republicans control the Senate 32-18.
Wednesday Gov. Frank O'Bannon requested federal disaster aid for 33 counties in central and southern Indiana as the result of widespread flooding after the state's wettest spring on record caused major damage to roads and bridges. He says 32 Indiana counties appear to meet federal criteria for FEMA's Public Assistance Program, which provides money to offset the high costs borne by local governments for their emergency efforts to protect human life. FEMA pays 75 percent of such costs. Among those counties are Brown, Crawford, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Switzerland, Washington, and Vermillion.
Wednesday the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center officials dedicated a new strategic weapons center which will evaluate naval electronic components and technologies, missile and space systems and commercial systems. Crane, located mostly in northern Martin County has also served as a storage site for munitions and manufactures items such as night-vision goggles and guidance systems for aircraft. The new $7.2 million center, approved by Congress three years ago, is expected to play a major role in a revised U.S. nuclear strategy.
The city of Mishawaka has decided to give up the fight to keep a Ten Commandments monument in front of City Hall. They cite the results of the similar 4-year legal battle in Elkhart, the resulting huge attorney fees, and the fact that Mishawaka is governed by same court as Elkhart as the reasons for their decision. The losing party in a civil suit is often ordered to pay the winner's legal bill, so Elkhart had to pay the ICLU almost $63,000. In further action, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Elkhart case. The Mishawaka monument was donated to the city in 1959 by the Mishawaka chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and was moved to the lawn in front of the city's new City Hall in 1986. In October, attorney David R. Hoffman, who lives in the city, filed the lawsuit against Mishawaka. Why don't concerned citizens purchase or donate highly visible property for these monument displays?
June 5
Lawrence Superior Court I Judge Raymond Kern has been suspended with pay. The suspension is a result of an Indiana Supreme Court order issued May 31st. His suspension is an interim step following the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualification's recommendation filed the day before that called for Kern's permanent removal from office. Temporary suspension with pay is automatic and pending until the final resolution of the case. Kern has until the end of this month to file a petition for review. Once the Supreme Court has reviewed all evidence, they could issue a reprimand, continue the suspension with revisions, or remove him from office.
Be ware of summer scams. Local police are warning area residents, especially older homeowners, to be ware of scam artists. Major Dennis Parsley with the Bedford Police Department says the early part of the summer is the time a lot of "home improvement" scams occur. Officials say if someone tries to solicit their services, check them out. Call the chamber of commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and get references.
Money to improve the courthouse was approved by the County Commissioners during their regular bi-weekly meeting Tuesday. The Commissioners approved nearly 11-thousand dollars to help with drainage on the north side of the building and a basement wall. The appropriation will now have to gain approval by the County Council.
A new paver and two new flatbed trucks for the highway department received initial approval by the Commissioners. Highway Superintendent Eace Roberts asked for $50,000 for the paver and $60,000 for the flatbed trucks for the highway department. As the appropriation for the courthouse improvements, the appropriations for the highway department must also be approved by the County Council.
A work in progress! A local development group in Stinesville, the town about 10 miles north of Bloomington, raised more than $10,000 for a statue and sign to be placed at the edge of town. The statue will depict a carver from the 1900s and proclaim Stinesville as home of the Quarry Lads, the mascot for the old high school that closed in 1964. The carvers, Tom Dixon and Barney Duncan, are now rough-cutting the large block of stone. The statue and sign, on a limestone base on the edge of the town about 10 miles north of Bloomington, are expected to be completed by fall.. The group hopes the sculpture and sign will be completed by September, so it can be unveiled at the annual Stone Quarry Festival.
The past spring has been one of the wettest on record, and many Indiana farmers are trying to make up for lost time to get their crops planted, often working into the night. According to a Purdue report 75% of the state's corn crop is in, but corn planting is 18 days behind average in the state. Some bottomlands are still too muddy to plant, but farmers still waiting for fields to dry out enough to support their farm machinery have about a week before they need to consider their options in fields where they still hope to plant corn. The key to this summer's corn crop is whether or not fields will get adequate rainfall during July and August's typically hot, dry conditions. Because corn pollinates about 60 days after its planted, late-planted corn runs the risk of being in its crucial pollination stage during the hottest days of summer, thereby reducing yields. If June 10 passes and a field planned for corn still isn't planted due to wet conditions, farmers may switch to soybeans, which mature more quickly than corn. Farmers who plant corn after mid-June face an increased risk of reduced yields and an early frost that could damage late planted crops before they reach full maturity. At this time Indiana's soybean planting is 20 days behind the average, but there is still plenty of time for farmers to plant soybeans. So far, this hasn't been an average year for farmers. From March 1 to about May 15, an average of 16 inches of rain fell across Indiana, ranking it as the wettest spring since record-keeping began in 1895, said Ken Scheeringa, the state climatologist at Purdue. He said long range forecasts call for normal temperatures and above normal precipitation through August across Indiana and surrounding states.
A military truck hauling propellant used to fire howitzer cannon shells lost its load Tuesday when the truck's container hit an Interstate 64 overpass, closing the highway's westbound and eastbound lanes about 10 miles west of Louisville, Ky., for more than an hour after the noon accident. No injuries reported, and no evacuations were ordered since no explosive shells were believed to have been in the container. The truck, from Indiana's Crane Naval Weapons Support Center, was hauling a load to Kentucky's Bluegrass Army Depot when the container hit an overpass at the interchange of I-64 and Indiana 64, Richmer said. The container fell to the pavement, but the truck stayed upright. A crew planned to check the overpass for any damage.
June 4
June 3
Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez has accepted the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State. Fernandez accepted the nomination Saturday in Indianapolis.
Those traveling along E street around 16th street will need to find a way around a one-block area. E street north of 16th will be closed this week as part of the U.S.50 East reconstruction project. E street north of 16th (for one block), will be closed at least through this Friday.
Hoosier Uplands Board of Directors have announced the Lawrence County recipient of the $12oo scholarship for 2002. MHS graduate Aubrey Furbee is the winner. Furbee will be attending USI to become a registered nurse.
Lawrence County Safe Night 2002 will take place this Saturday at the Lawrence County 4-H fairgrounds. The opening ceremony takes place at 4:45 p.m. New to this year's event is a lip-sync contest.
The BNL Spring Sports Awards banquet will be tonight starting at 6 p.m. with refreshments and special awards being presented at 6:30 p.m. Activities will take place in the auditorium.
Bob Knight in an anger-management class? Probably should happen in real life but at least it will happen in the movies. Knight is expected to be in an upcoming movie "Anger Management" which is scheduled to open in June 2003. The "class" will be taught by a character played by Jack Nicholson.
A new breed of chicken, and the reports from the Casino Aztar in Evansville are that it is very good. We're not talking about fried chicken here. This chicken plays tic-tac-toe and is part of the free "Chicken Challenge" game on the riverboat casino. The chicken always gets to go first by pecking on a game screen and then the human players viewing the game screen from outside the machine make their own moves and wait for the bird's next move. The Aztar's sister property in Atlantic City, NJ started this game in September and reportedly they have had only five human winners since then. Actually, there are 15 hens (all leghorns from a farm in Springdale, AR), in case that makes a difference) on the team, and they are rotated in and out of the "Chicken Challenge" booth while the game is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It can be a slow moving game sometimes when the chicken takes a while to make its move. Human winners get nothing for a draw game, but a win will get you $5000! How's YOUR tic-tac-toe game? Good enough to go up against a chicken!?
Shortly after the U.S. began bombing Afghanistan in October, a "peace camp", a collection of tents and makeshift shelters moved into the Dunn Meadow area in front of the student union. During the school year, the administration took the lenient approach even thought there were violation being committed (such as cooking and sleeping in the meadow), but now I.U. is considering whether or not the camp can remain there if there are no IU students present. Permission to use Dunn Meadow for vigils is granted for two week periods, but that permission must be renewed at the end of the period, and the sponsors of the demonstration must be IU students. The "protestors" are making claims of police harassment and insist that there they will resist any effort IU makes to close down the camp. What courses of study at IU allow time for "peace camps" and protests? Is there a need for some redirection?
During the current special session of the Indiana General Assembly, all the publicity has centered on the House. Where is the Senate? It seems that after the May 14th meeting, most of the Republican-controlled Senate went home because there was no real reason to be there until the Democrat-controlled House sent them a tax and budget bill to consider, since that was THE reason the Governor called the special session in the first place. There have been reports of lots of political maneuverings in the House and that will continue, but be assured the Senate won't be on the sidelines forever, even though it could be several more days before the Senate gets a bill and officially weighs in on the debate. Then differences will have to be reconciled. Getting all that done by June 22, when the special session must end, seems iffy at best.