Estimate on Indianapolis blast damage up to $4.4M
Investigators have increased the damage estimate from the deadly Indianapolis neighborhood explosion by about one-fifth, to $4.4 million.
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State proposes fines over Indy pool that sent 71 to hospital
Indy Parks and Recreation faces $14,250 in potential fines for safety issues at a pool where a chemical leak sent 71 people to the hospital in June.
Authorities seek cause, assess damages of fatal explosion
Indianapolis Deputy Code Enforcement Director Adam Collins said 80 homes were damaged in the Richmond Hill neighborhood, including 31 houses that might need to be demolished. He estimated the damage at $3.6 million.
Johnson County passes tougher smoking law
Johnson County commissioners on Monday morning approved countywide public smoking restrictions that will take effect in January. The ordinance is more restrictive than previous laws passed in Franklin and Greenwood.
Indiana smoking ban sponsor disputes lawsuit deal
A deal struck by the Indiana attorney general’s office to dismiss a legal challenge to the state’s new smoking restrictions law doesn’t square with the law’s intent, its main sponsor said Friday.
Anderson police fighting city’s planned job cuts
Mayor Kevin Smith has proposed a new city budget that cuts seven police officer and 20 firefighter positions.
Lawrence public smoking restrictions start Monday
A new ordinance in Lawrence will ban smoking in restaurants, bowling alleys, hotels and most bars beginning Monday.
Lawmakers seek stage-safety rules that small events can handle
Indiana lawmakers pondering new rules governing the type of temporary outdoor stage rigging involved in the 2011 State Fair stage collapse say they want to make sure the state doesn't overwhelm smaller events like county fairs with regulations.
Ballard: Riggs a ‘great choice’ for public safety director
David “Troy” Riggs, who was officially named public safety director of Indianapolis on Tuesday, said he wants to increase the number of police officers on city streets.
Sheriff’s office defends keeping Anderson, Cottey on payroll
Former sheriffs Frank Anderson and Jack Cottey are each being paid $35,000 per year by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for advice and work on budgeting, jail operations and other issues.
Straub named to lead police in Washington city
The Spokane City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to approve Frank Straub as the city's director of law enforcement.
Anderson officials challenging parts of firefighters’ deal
Officials in Anderson filed a complaint in Madison County Circuit Court this past week challenging portions of the Fire Department contract that prohibit the city from reducing the department's staff or salaries or putting firefighters on furloughs.
Indiana legislators want to defend immigration law
Three state senators say Indiana's attorney general effectively nullified their votes when he opted not to defend sections of a state immigration law he said were rendered invalid when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down similar sections of an Arizona law.
Fumes sicken 13 workers at Indiana State Fairgrounds
A spokesman says more than a dozen people have been taken to hospitals after they were sickened by fumes from gas-fueled power-washing equipment while working at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
MORRIS: Ordeal showed importance of police
Let’s give them as much funding as possible so they can do their job well.
Spokane hires Indy’s former public safety director as police chief
Frank Straub will be the new police chief in Spokane, the mayor of the Washington city announced Wednesday. Straub was director of public safety for the city of Indianapolis until Aug. 10.
Health safety advocates want melon farm identified
Food safety advocates called on federal officials to release the name of an Indiana farm that recalled its cantaloupes amid a salmonella outbreak.
Ballard’s budget omits funds for police, fire recruitment
The Republican mayor's administration also is trying to renegotiate scheduled 3 percent pay raises for officers and firefighters for $5.5 million in budget cuts.
Public safety due for budget cuts, mayor says
Public safety and criminal justice are the only places left in the city-county budgets to look for ways to close a $27 million spending gap for 2013. Sheriff, police, fire and court budgets account for 85 percent of the $569 million general fund.
Bar owners challenging smoking ban seek injunction
The 10 Indianapolis business owners want a federal judge to prevent the city of Indianapolis from enforcing new public smoking restrictions until a ruling is made on their lawsuit. Their original complaint claims the ordinance violates parts of the U.S. Constitution.