November 30, 2006

• Chance of rain today is 100%, and some could be heavy.  Take an umbrella!
• The November 19th house fire that killed four people in North Vernon has been ruled an arson by the state fire marshal.  Although information was not released about how the fire was set,  the focus of the investigation now is on who set the fire.   A toddler, his aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother died in the fire. 
• It is reported that the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan commission consisting of five Democrats and five Republicans chaired by former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton, will give its report to President Bush next week.  While specifics have not been disclosed, its middle ground approach will recommend that the U.S. begin a gradual pullout of troops in Iraq, although it does not set a firm time table.

• Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona said in June that children exposed to secondhand smoke suffer an increased risk of respiratory ailments and sudden infant death syndrome.  Starting Jan. 1, Texas will restrict smoking in foster parents' homes at all times and in cars when children are present.  Vermont, Washington and other states and counties already prohibit foster parents from smoking around children in their homes and cars.  Arkansas and Louisiana passed laws this year forbidding anyone from smoking in cars carrying young children. Courts are ordering smoke-free environments in custody and visitation disputes.  The Surgeon General's report states specifically that second-hand smoke is bad for all non-smokers.  Every individual has a right to breathe clean air.

November 29, 2006

• After more than a week of unseasonably nice weather, a change begins today with a 40% chance of rain.  Tomorrow the chance of rain is 100% with falling temperatures.  By Friday the high temp will be only in the 30s with snow likely.

• Ho, ho, ho!  This is a busy week for Santa as he makes appearances at area celebrations marking the opening of the Christmas season.  This past Monday evening he ushered in the season in Seymour.  He will arrive at 6 p.m. Friday for the  Brownstown Hometown Christmas celebration at the Jackson County Courthouse.  There will be refreshments inside the courthouse, free carriage rides, and free pictures with Santa will be available.  The 33rd annual Medora Christmas Parade will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in downtown Medora.  Medora festivities will begin at 8 a.m. with area craft and flea market vendors surrounding the Medora school and the downtown with gift ideas and food, as well as entertainment on stage from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.  Bedford's Christmas Parade, a lighted night parade, begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, December 2nd, and follow a route around the courthouse square. 

November 28, 2006

• Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is proposing full-day kindergarten for every child in Indiana.  That was one of the major topics discussed yesterday at The Indiana Education Roundatable, a group that includes representatives from the field of education, business, and the legislature.  They agreed that the need is there, but some think it should be phased in, while others want it to start everywhere next year.  And then there are those who want still more discussion about standards and teacher training.  That does sound like a typical committee, doesn't it?  The Governor will announce his proposal at a luncheon speech Dec. 5 at the Kids Count in Indiana Conference of the Indiana Youth Institute.  The bottom line is that the governor can make proposals, but it is the state legislature that will decide what the plan and its implementation will be.  The legislative session will begin January 8th.  Will full-day kindergarten be a political football? 

• This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week.  While the hype for getting flu shots focuses people's awareness in early October, there are some health departments that have just received their supply of flu shots.  The Jackson County Health Department began its flu shot clinic yesterday.  People came, but there were no long lines, and the wait was short.   It is reported that interest in getting the flu vaccination usually tapers off after Thanksgiving, but it is also pointed out that November and December are still good times to get the vaccination because flu activity usually peaks in February.  If you have not yet received your flu shot, this is a good time to do it. 

November 27, 2006

• The weather during the Thanksgiving holiday could not have been better.  A lot of people took advantage of the warm weather to put up their Christmas decorations.  Enjoy the warm weather while it is here because forecasters are predicting a big change after Wednesday, and it might even bring snow.  For sure, it is going to be colder, with highs only in the mid-30s by next weekend.

• Be sure to attend the Christmas event at One Chamber Square this evening in Seymour.  Santa will arrive, and there will be fun for everyone!

• Thanksgiving is barely over, but we are reminded on the 500 Festival website that if we want be one of the 35,000 runners and walker in the 2007 Mini-Marathon on May 5th, the field is 94% filled.  Last year the the field was full on December 2nd.  The current registration fee is $45, but that will increase to $65 on Saturday if there are still places available.  You may register online at www.500festival.com or get an application at Marsh or Finish Line.

• Purdue won the Old Oaken Bucket game this year, but I.U. has won the Blood Donor Challenge Bucket for the second year in a row.  Started 10 years ago by the Purdue and Indiana alums, the blood drive is a challenge to see which school can donate the most blood.  I.U. students and alums donated 4,700 units this year, and this year's excess of 8,500 total units broke the record.  Purdue has won the challenge 6 out of the 10 years.

• An idea being proposed by the Democrats in the the Democrat-controlled Indiana House is the elimination of the state sales tax on gasoline.  Only seven states charge an additional sales tax on gasoline.  House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, believes that if the sales tax on gasoline is eliminated, then Hoosier will pay less to drive and can spend more money elsewhere.  It seems that Indiana got into financial difficulty when a former governor suspended the sales tax on gasoline a few years ago.

November 24, 2006

• The weather is wonderful!  And early bargain shoppers are heading to the stores today by the droves for what is called "Black Friday".  It is expected to be a good day for the retailers!  And then there are those of us who don't like crowds.  The Internet is a good alternative for us.  Cyber Monday is the after Thanksgiving and has become a huge online shopping day because that's when people return to work, and their work computers.

November 23, 2006

• Happy Thanksgiving!  

November 22, 2006

• Today the Seymour smokefree ordinance takes effect for all workplaces.  The only exemptions are bars and private clubs.
• Yesterday was a day of ceremony at the Statehouse as state senators and representatives were sworn in.  Patrick Bauer again was selected and sworn in as House Speaker since the House is now controlled by the Democrats..  The Senate is still controlled by Republicans, but yesterday Sen. David Long, R-Fort Wayne was sworn in as the new pro tem.  The session of the Indiana General Assembly will begin January 8th, and the big issues on the agenda will be the budget, property taxes, health care, full-day kindergarten, among others.
• Purdue will be heading to Orlando to play in the Champs Sports Bowl on December 29th in Orlando.  Their opponent in that game won't be known until after the ACC championship game December 2nd.  Purdue's record so far this season is 8-4, with one game remaining this Saturday--in Hawaii!
• There seems to be new information about the North Vernon house fire in which four people died Sunday.  On Monday officials announced they had ruled out accidental causes and it was under criminal investigation.  While they are still pursuing the criminal aspect, they have new information that it might have been accidental.  Based on statements from people, they now believe that the accelerant in the fire could have been oil from decorative oil candles that were in the house.  The investigation continues as they attempt to determine if the oil was indeed the cause and whether it was intentional or accidentally ignited.

November 21, 2006

November 20, 2006

November 17, 2006

• Orange County Police Chief Roy McFarland fatally shot Kevin Cook Thursday after he refused to drop the shotgun he was carrying, state police said.  According to the state police report, two Orange County sheriff's deputies went to the home of Kevin Cook, 47, to serve an arrest warrant for failure to appear in court, but Cook went out the back door carrying a shotgun.  Officers ordered Cook to drop his weapon, but Cook got into his pickup truck and drove away from his home.  While the deputies were following Cook, Cook tried to hit police vehicles several times.  After hitting a police car, Cook got out of his truck with the gun and approached the damaged police car carrying Chief McFarland, who got out of the car and took cover.  Cook refused to drop his weapon and Cook shot him.  According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting was justified.
• The Nostalgia Band returns to the Mitchell Opera House on Saturday, November 18th, at 8 p.m.  The show will feature a 17-piece BIG band sound with vocalist offering memorable songs.  Tickets are $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for ages 18 and under.  For information or ticket hold, call the Opera House at 849-2337.
• Oops!  Somebody goofed!  It seems that the ad agency for Indianapolis-based Steak n Shake mailed more than 600,000 coupon flyers to Indianapolis residents--flyers carrying the Dallas Cowboys logo and saying the restaurant is a proud sponsor of the Cowboys. And to add further salt to the wound, the ad also states that the the Colts play the Cowboys Sunday in Dallas.  An embarrassment for Steak n Shake, the flyers were never supposed to end up in Indianapolis, but 2 million of the coupons meant for the Dallas market were mistakenly mailed to homes in Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis.  In an attempt to make amends, Steak n Shake is offering free shakes on Sunday to anyone that turns up at one of their restaurants wearing Colts apparel.  Not only has the mistake been a concern locally, but NFL rules do not allow sending coupons with the Cowboys logo to other markets. 

November 16, 2006

• Today is the Great American Smoke-Out sponsored by the American Cancer Society, with the focus on urging smokers to quit the habit.  In addition, ACS is asking everyone to support non-smoking workplaces.  Already several cities and some counties have adopted smoke-free ordinances.  Monroe County and Zionsville, IN, are the most comprehensive of the area ordinances because they don't allow smoking in any public place.  This week the Cancer Society and Smoke-free Indy, released a survey showing that 78% of the adults in Marion County favor the smoke-free workplace.

• There are a number of events scheduled for this weekend.  Little Theatre of Bedford is presenting "A Christmas Story" Friday and Saturday nights.  It is a great way to begin the holiday season with the family!  Order your tickets by calling the box office at 279-3009.

November 15, 2006

November 13, 2006

• It is almost mid-November, and people are starting to think about snow--and skiing.  Paoli Peaks is a favorite winter spot for that activity, but some of us don't ski.  Never fear.  When the slopes open this winter, there will be fun even for those who don't ski!  Artic Blast, the new tubing park for the fainter of heart, will help attract more customers to the area when the Peaks open for business in December. 

• Do you know what CJD is?  It is a dreadful disease that destroys the brain with symptoms similar to Alzheimers, but it kills quickly.  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is always fatal--there is no cure.  No one knows where it comes from or what causes it, and it is present right here in Indiana.  This is National CJD Awareness Week.  WTHR has done a story with information about this terrible disease that lurks among us.  It is worth reading!

• How do you feel about this?  You may remember that back in August in Chicago an illegal immigrant woman was supposed to surrender to federal authorities for deportation to Mexico, but instead she took refuge in a United Methodist Church to avoid being deported.   Originally she was arrested in 1997 soon after crossing into the United States and was sent back to Mexico.  However, she returned and was arrested again in 2002 and was convicted of working as a cleaning woman at O'Hare International Airport under a false Social Security number.  After coming back illegally into the U.S. for the second time she had a son, who of course is now a U.S. citizen.  The woman has said deporting her would effectively deport her son, and violate his rights.  The son, now 7 years old is now going to Mexico to meet with members of the Mexican House of Representatives and and Mexican Senate in order to get a resolution supporting the woman's efforts to stay in the U.S.  Do we have a problem here or not?  Is it time we address this serious issue of illegal immigration?  Should people be able to enter the U.S. at will from Mexico?  Is it time for a constitutional change addressing the issue of automatic citizenship for children born to people who are not yet citizens of the U.S.?  Are we going to try to save the sinking ship?

November 10, 2006

• A major manufacturer of acetaminophen sold by Wal-Mart, CVS, Safeway and more than 100 other retailers has issued a recall of 11 million bottles of the pain-reliever after discovering some were contaminated with metal fragments.  The recall affects bottles containing various amounts of 500-milligram caplets made by the Perrigo Co.  The contaminated pills included metal fragments ranging from "microdots" to portions 1/3 of an inch long.  There have been no reports of injuries or illness.  The 129 retailers that could potentially be affected by the recall sell the Perrigo-made pills under private labels.  The FDA posted on its Web site the recalled batch numbers and the dozens of chains supplied by Perrigo, which bills itself as the world's largest manufacturer of store-brand nonprescription drugs. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/perrigo/perrigobatchlist.html
• Will this proposal fly in the affected counties?  Governor Daniels has announced a proposal for the construction of a 75-mile toll way that would run from Interstate 69 northeast of Indianapolis and loop east and south of the city before connecting with Interstate 70.   He says a public-private partnership would build the proposed toll way and that it would help finance the state's proposed I-69 extension from Indianapolis to Evansville. The proposed Indiana Commerce Connector would link six interstates in five central Indiana counties including  Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Hancock and Madison counties, although the precise route has not been determined.  The new plan would require legislative approval and the governor's office says if the plan is approved the project could be complete and open to traffic within 10 years.  Gov. Daniels says the 142 mile I-69 extension project would be fully toll-free, although a state law passed this spring specifies that the I-69 project would be a toll way from Martinsville to Evansville. INDOT's budget includes $700 million of Major Moves money to start building I-69 in 2008. The Major Moves money is expected to build the portion of the road from Evansville to the Crane Naval Warfare Center in approximately six years after construction begins. The estimated construction cost of the entire highway is more than $2 billion. 

• The 16th Annual Holidays Art & Craft Market will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at the American Legion Annex at 414 W. Second St.  Admission is free. There will be homemade baked goods, snacks, coffee, soft drinks and lunch served throughout the day. 

November 8, 2006

• It's time to move on.  The political mud slinging is over, change has happened, and the Democrats are coming.  The main focus of the election was change, Iraq, and anti-Bush sentiment.  What changes will happen with the Democrats in control of the House?  Although they campaigned on a platform of change, no candidates offered any real plans.  Will security be improved? We'll have to wait and see.  How will the illegal immigration issue be addressed?  Will taxes go up?  Will the terror threat be reduced?  Will the United States be safer and more secure?  Will moral and ethical issues remain an equal focus for both parties?  The Democrats are inheriting an already good economy, and hopefully that will continue.  In his victory speech Joe Lieberman offered a glimmer of hope for a new Washington spirit as he vowed to be an "independent" senator working to seek common ground for the common good and break Washington's partisan gridlock.  We pray that every U.S. Senator and Representative, regardless of his political affiliation, has that goal in his heart and mind as he goes to Washington. 

• Yesterday Arizona voted overwhelmingly for a proposition making English the office language of the state.  This is expected to significantly reduce government sponsorship and funding of dual language-printed material for circulation.  Perhaps other states, and the nation as well, should follow the Arizona lead?

• Yesterday voters in Ohio, Nevada, and Arizona voted in favor of smoke-free workplace laws.  So twenty-three of our fifty states now have smoke-free workplace laws.  Yes, folks, we are  talking about whole states!  That is getting close to 50% of our country.

November 7, 2006

• Election Day is finally here!  Some predictions are for a higher than normal turnout, but will that really happen?  Who is likely to win?  At this point, many of the races are dead heats.  And it is almost guaranteed that we won't know the results of some of these this week because they will be contested on various grounds.  Indiana is being closely watched nationally because of the three important, currently Republican, House of Representative seats the Democrats are hoping to win to help them gain control of the House.  In any event, the process soon will be over, and the campaign bombardment will end for a few months--until they start again for 2008.  In spite of the ad bombardment, we are indeed blessed to be living in a free country that permits its people to vote without fear.  Have YOU voted yet?

• It is still a threat!  On Monday State health officials reported 16 new human cases of West Nile virus in Indiana, including a death in Marion County.  So far this year, there have been four West-Nile related deaths in Indiana, with a total of 80 human cases thus far.  The virus itself has been identified in 75 of Indiana's 92 counties.  Authorities warn that the West-Nile season is not over yet because we have to have a hard freeze to kill the mosquito larvae.  Even then, incubation time after a mosquito bite is 15 days, and with the time required for case investigation, the reports could continue for an additional month and a half after the mosquito season really ends. 

November 6, 2006