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.
Local Government
Articles
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.
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.
Mind Trust calls for decentralizing IPS district
By gutting its central office, Indianapolis Public Schools could free up $188 million to provide universal preschool, to pay key teachers more than $100,000 a year and to transform itself into a network of autonomous “opportunity” schools.
Waltons give $1 million to Mind Trust charter incubator
The $1 million grant from the Arkansas-based Walton Family Foundation will fund a team that will open its first charter school in the 2013-2014 school year as part of what the group hopes will become a network of high-performing charter schools.
Celadon plans expansion, $3.4M office building
Celadon Group Inc. is seeking tax abatements from the city to build a $3.4 million office building at its far-east-side headquarters. The local trucking firm plans to hire 100 more employees by 2016.
City avoids foreign brands in adding to its fleet of hybrid vehicles
The Department of Public Works bought Ford Fusion hybrids after the purchase of Toyota’s a few years ago stirred controversy.
City announces street closures for Super Bowl
Several streets in downtown Indianapolis, including part of Monument Circle and those surrounding Lucas Oil Stadium, will be closed in the few weeks leading up to the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.
Ten Hoosiers chosen for Georgia Street memorials
The honorees include business leaders, former U.S. presidents, famous novelists, a Shawnee chief and a feminist pioneer.
City-County committee nixes tougher smoking ban
The City-County Council's Rules and Public Policy Committee voted 6-2 Tuesday night against sending a tough smoking-ban proposal to a full council.
Mayors back transit tax hike in Marion, Hamilton counties
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard say more local transit options are needed despite the steep cost. A ballot referendum would be required so voters could consider a 0.3-percent income-tax increase to pay for a $1.3 billion project.
GOP brass opts not to battle townships
Republican leaders in the General Assembly who have backed local government reform will trade ambitious proposals they’ve pursued in years past for more moderate—and widely accepted—ideas in the next legislative session.
Rolls-Royce tax-incentives deal set for hearing
A plan to offer a 10-year tax abatement worth $23 million for Rolls-Royce Corp. to redevelop two plants on the west side and move thousands of office workers into downtown’s Faris campus is scheduled for an initial hearing Wednesday.
Indiana communities run into higher salt prices
Communities across Indiana could have less money to pave roads and fill potholes because of rising road salt costs.
‘Buy local’ law to be tweaked
New requirement that local governments hire local bidders came under fire.
Plowman receives 40-month federal sentence
A federal judge on Thursday afternoon sentenced former City-County Councilor Lincoln Plowman to 40 months in prison for attempted extortion and bribery.
Prosecutors recommend 6-1/2 years for Plowman
The former City-County Councilor, convicted in September on federal bribery and attempted extortion charges, is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday afternoon.
LEADING QUESTIONS: Council prez takes 11th-hour run at ban, redistricting
Why is Ryan Vaughn ending his tenure as City-County Council president with two hot-button proposals? Can he get the votes for a stronger smoking ban? How does he react to a call for his removal?
Passengers likely would shoulder chunk of transit system costs
Federal transit data suggests passenger fares would generate about one-fourth of the money needed to operate a suburban rail and expanded bus system proposed for the region.
City-County Council Republican to propose tougher smoking ban
The Republican president of the City-County Council in Indianapolis says his party plans to introduce an expanded smoking ban that would take effect before the Super Bowl.