Storms strike Indiana:
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The National Weather Service says a tornado struck suburban Indianapolis. The weather service says the EF-1 tornado struck Greenwood Wednesday. Details about the twister were not immediately available, but such storms can pack winds of 86 to 110 miles per hour. Indianapolis television stations showed images of damage including a portion of a roof blown off of a veterinary office. The tornado occurred as spring-like storms raked Indiana, toppling semitrailers on highways and leaving thousands of people without power. Power companies reported 16,500 customers without service across Indiana early Wednesday evening. Leslie Beard of Win Energy reported storms caused significant damage in their service territory including broken poles and power lines. Crews have been busy restoring power to customers in Knox, Gibson, Sullivan and Vigo Counties. High winds in our region caused other problems including flying debris on roadways and wind was so strong Wednesday afternoon a Semi-Truck and trailer was tossed on it’s side on US Highway 41 in Southern Knox County.
Traffic Accidents in Washington
A 3 vehicle accident shut down traffic for nearly an hour Wednesday near the intersection of Business Highway 50 and 257 in Washington. According to City Police logs, the wreck occurred just after 5:30pm. One child was injured with cuts to the face and a possible broken log. Two vehicles were towed and one vehicle was driveable. A state police accident report is pending. No other details are available at this time.
City police also investigated an accident Wednesday morning at the Intersection of Business 50 and Highway 57. A female victim complained of neck pain. No other details were available.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A review panel has found a computer glitch had no discernible impact on the ISTEP standardized tests for students in third through eighth grades. The Indianapolis Star reported Wednesday, however, the panel said some individual students’ tests possibly weren’t scored accurately. The panel said a better assessment of the issue was impossible since the problem occurred last spring. The panel conducted the review for the state using data provided by CTB McGraw Hill, the state’s ISTEP testing vendor.
AVON, Ind. (AP) — A state lawmaker is seeking to move more educators into Indiana’s classrooms by allowing them to negotiate their own contract with schools.
Republican state Sen. Pete Miller of Avon said his proposed legislation would allow educators to negotiate their contracts rather than be subject to the collective bargaining contracts teachers unions negotiate.
Miller tells The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/1V7hMwH ) his bill will aim to address concerns that Indiana is facing a shortage of licensed educators opting to work in the field. His measure would allow schools to hire high-demand teachers in science, math and special education through individual contracts and at a higher pay rate.
The state’s largest teachers union has denounced Miller’s proposal. The Indiana State Teachers Association says it would weaken collective bargaining instead of addressing the teacher shortage.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Some of Indiana’s state employees are getting performance-based raises that are expected to cost $42 million over the next year.
Gov. Mike Pence authorized the raises for state employees Tuesday. The Indianapolis Star reports (http://indy.st/1RGaP6G ) Pence told state workers in a letter that the pay increases will be based on performance evaluations that are completed in January.
Workers who meet expectations can expect a 3 percent raise, while those who exceed expectations will receive a 4 percent increase. Those rated outstanding will get a 6 percent hike.
Pence spokeswoman Kara Brooks says the raises are estimated to cost $17.5 million during the final five months of the fiscal year, which ends June 30.
She didn’t say how many employees were expected to receive raises. Indiana employs about 28,000 full-time workers.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Department of Transportation is seeking to promote safe travels this holiday season by tracking the movements of Santa Claus through Indiana by social media. INDOT says motorists in Indiana can learn about traffic and road conditions, crashes and construction on state highways by visiting http://indot.carsprogram.org or by calling 1-800-261-ROAD or dialing 511 from a mobile phone. INDOT is predicting that Santa Claus will enter the state near the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, at 4 p.m. Thursday and travel north through the state, passing Indiana landmarks along the way.
Lotto:
The Powerball drawing last night produced no winners. Saturday’s jackpot is now an estimated 255 Million dollars.
In Sports:
The Indiana Pacers honored former Loogootee High School Basketball Coach Jack Butcher as last nights’ Pacers vs. Kings game. Butcher was joined by his wife Rita and several former Lions players. The recognition is part of the Pacers season long salute to Indiana basketball. Butcher holds the record in Indiana for most wins by a high school coach. The Pacers lost last night 108-106.
This community calendar reminder. The Washington Catholic Junior Class will once again be hosting the WC Hardee’s Dodgeball Classic this Saturday, December 27th at the WC Bird Cage with team sign-in at 4:30pm and play beginning at 5pm. The event is a fundraiser for the Washington Catholic Junior Prom. Admission is only 2 dollars per person. There is still time to sign-up a team. The cost is $10 per player or $80 per team. For more information, contact Jan Schuler-Hicks at 698-00-76.
Obituary
Now this funeral notice from WAMW:
-75 year-old Myrna K. Keith of Plainville died Wednesday at Eastgate Manor Nursing Center. She was a US Army Veteran. Funeral services will be Monday at 10am at Ed Lee Mortuary with visitation Sunday from 4 to 8pm.