Delaware County’s ban on smoking in bars upheld
Tavern owners in Muncie maintain that their profits have dropped sharply since the new ordinance went into effect in August.
Government & Economic Development
Articles
Turkey processor to hire up to 600 for new Vincennes plant
Huntingburg-based Farbest Foods Inc. said it will invest $69 million to build a 220,000-square-foot facility.
Daniels gives state workers year-end pay raises
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels on Wednesday announced pay raises of up to 6 percent depending on state employees' performance. About 75 percent will see a 2 percent increase under the plan.
City-County councilor, two others indicted in scheme to defraud
A City-County Council member and two associates persuaded an Indiana physician to invest $1.7 million in their foundation and an ethanol-production business they said would fund it, but instead spent the money on personal luxuries, according to a federal indictment filed late Tuesday.
Grand jury indicts City-County Councilor Paul Bateman
The indictment charges the Democrat and associates used a charitable foundation to obtain money from a doctor that was to be used for investments, but instead went toward vehicles, entertainment and travel for themselves and others.
State SBDC network gets new director
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced Tuesday morning that Jacob Schpok officially has been named director of the agency. He was appointed interim director earlier in the month.
Indiana jobless rate stays at 9 percent
The state’s unemployment rate held steady in November at a seasonally adjusted 9 percent, slightly higher than the overall U.S. rate that dropped to 8.6 percent, the state’s Department of Workforce Development said Tuesday morning.
City goes after tow-company license
Indianapolis is moving to revoke the license of a prominent local towing company that officials say has violated local ordinances and elicited more than two dozen consumer complaints.
Democrats rankled by ‘flawed’ leadership vote
Indiana Democrats admit they face a significant challenge trying to unite the party in time for important 2012 elections after a messy leadership squabble over the weekend left key officials divided.
Rolls-Royce employees begin move to downtown campus
Rolls-Royce Corp. began moving employees to its new downtown office building on Monday—a shift an IUPUI analyst projected could generate $510 million in annual economic activity.
Most stage collapse claimants accept offers
The state Attorney General's Office said Monday that 64 of the 65 claimants accepted the settlements totaling $5 million, the maximum under Indiana law.
Judge refuses to dismiss voter fraud charges against White
Hamilton Superior Court Judge Steven Nation says Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White must face trial on criminal charges including voter fraud that could lead to his removal from office.
Neighborhood eyesore headed for demolition
The city is soliciting bids from companies to tear down four buildings on the 16-acre Avanti Development Corp. property, which is tucked in a residential area a few miles west of downtown Indianapolis.
New ban on texting while driving yields few tickets
In its first five months on the books, Indiana's texting-while-driving ban has led to only a few dozen citations by state troopers—a trend police blame on restrictions in the law that make it difficult for them to enforce.
Indy Partnership leader leaving organization
Executive Director Scott Fulford said he is retiring and handing over leadership to Troy Whittington, who currently is director of business development. He officially becomes interim director on Jan. 1.
Officials seek tougher prostitution law before Super Bowl
Those trying to fast-track legislation cite estimates that the 2010 Super Bowl brought 10,000 prostitutes to Miami and resulted in 133 arrests in Dallas at the 2011 Super Bowl.
Taxpayer refund has to survive 2012 session
A state tax processing error resulting in $320 million more in the bank for the state and improved tax collections could put a nominal amount back in Hoosiers' purses and wallets next year. But a bi-partisan thirst to restore education funding and pay down state debts could just as easily take that refund away.
State Democratic chairman Parker rescinds resignation
Dan Parker, the chairman of the state Democratic Party who abruptly resigned this week, reversed himself Saturday and narrowly survived a vote to keep his post, a party official told The Associated Press.
CME Group says it’s staying in Illinois
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday signed tax-break legislation designed to keep the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Sears Holding Co. from fleeing the state. CME had talked to Indianapolis officials about moving to central Indiana.
State AG to challenge order for Daniels to testify
An Indiana judge on Friday ordered Gov. Mitch Daniels to be deposed in two lawsuits over the state's cancellation of a $1.37 billion contract IBM received to modernize the state's welfare system, but the state attorney general said he would challenge the order.