City cites apartments for hundreds of violations
Five local apartment complexes and one owner of multiple rental properties were accused of unreasonably consuming city, public, and law enforcement resources.
Public Safety
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Council advances smoke-detector requirement
Indianapolis homeowners and landlords would have to buy smoke detectors with non-removable, non-replaceable batteries under a proposal that’s advancing through the City-County Council with bipartisan support.
Council sues city over public safety lease deal
The City-County Council wants to force officials to produce documents relating to the controversial lease of the public safety operations center on the east side. It was vacated in September due to safety and health code violations.
City’s animal care and control chief resigns after suspensions
An interim administrator plans to get to the bottom of an apparent morale problem and fill at least 10 openings within the department.
Brokers fear criminal justice complex could harm downtown
City officials and real estate professionals debated on Thursday the pain from moving jails, courts and other criminal justice functions to a proposed complex outside of downtown.
State slams glass factory with record safety fine
The death of one worker and an injury to another prompted investigations at Pilkington North America’s plant in Shelbyville.
Indiana mayors frustrated by FEMA aid rejection
State officials had sought federal grants for government and certain not-for-profit organizations in 49 counties to cover storm costs.
Groups allege state pharmacy official violated ethics rules
Two consumer watchdog groups say the former president of the state pharmacy board, who also worked for Walgreen Co., improperly intervened on the company’s behalf.
Tighter Indiana scooter rules signed into law
The new law will require scooter operators to obtain license plates from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, have valid state ID and pass a road sign test. The new rules take effect in January.
Financial emergency sparks cuts in Connersville
The city’s clerk-treasurer estimates the city's general fund will have less than $15,000 in the bank as of May 1, yet its monthly payroll and claims typically exceed $700,000.
Criminal code update pleases some, worries others
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said the bill “has been a long time coming” and will provide “sentencing reform that really has been sorely needed.”
Indianapolis leaders tout plan to curb violence
Last year, the city shifted 100 officers to patrol duty to help combat crime. Despite that, Indianapolis suffered 125 homicides in 2013, its highest tally in seven years.
Lawmakers vote to put Energizing Indiana program on hold
A bill that would sideline the state’s energy-efficiency program was sent to the governor Monday, but Indiana lawmakers are still mulling bills that would relax gun regulations in school parking lots and make some welfare recipients undergo drug-testing.
Ban on teen tanning heads to governor
New restrictions on teen tanning are one step from becoming law after legislation passed the Indiana Senate and moved to the governor on Thursday.
Bill to allow booze sales at Indiana State Fair in home stretch
The Indiana Senate passed a bill to lift the ban 33-13 last month, and the state House now has the measure. It cleared the second of its required three readings in the House on Monday.
Governors: Buzz about legalizing pot just smoke in most states
Colorado’s governor is warning other state leaders against rushing to follow his lead to legalize recreational marijuana.
Indiana gun permit applications surge 83 percent
"It really was an aberration of things happening nationally in politics, and both sides, pro-gun and anti-gun, making an issue of it," Indiana State Police Capt. David Bursten said.
Prominent criminal lawyer: Airport site for complex ‘cannot work’
A spokesman for Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said the airport site hasn’t officially been selected, although it did score highest among sites the city evaluated.
Indiana Supreme Court throws out Evansville smoking ban
A divided Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Evansville’s amended smoking ban, which exempted the former Aztar riverboat casino, now known as Tropicana Evansville.
Sheriff’s challengers prepare for high-profile political fight
Marion County Sheriff John Layton faces heavy criticism from two challengers, Republican Emmitt Carney and Democrat Mark Brown.