INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Plans are moving forward on Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s proposal for a new criminal justice center that would include a jail and assessment center to treat people with mental illness and drug addictions. The Indianapolis Star reports the City-County Council of Marion County and Indianapolis on Monday approved the Hogsett administration’s request for $20 million for planning and design work on a project that could cost up to $575 million. Hogsett says in a statement that the Community Justice Campus will save tax dollars “by addressing the root causes of crime, focusing on assessment and intervention in the lives of those struggling with substance abuse and mental illness.” Hogsett plans to return to the council next year with a more detailed proposal to redevelop the former Citizens Energy site.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s newest state Supreme Court justice has joined the bench, completing a remaking of the high court that began in 2010. Former Wabash County Superior Court Judge Christopher Goff was sworn in Monday by Chief Justice Loretta Rush at the court’s Statehouse offices. The 45-year-old succeeds former Justice Robert Rucker, who retired in May after 18 years on the court. Rucker became only Indiana’s second black justice in 1999 when Democratic Gov. Frank O’Bannon named him to the court. All five justices are now white and all have been appointed since 2010 by Republican governors to replace retiring justices. Gov. Eric Holcomb chose Goff from among three finalists selected by a state commission. The other finalists were Boone Superior Court Judge Matthew Kincaid and Clark Circuit Court Judge Vicki Carmichael.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say the driver of a bus that slammed into the rear of minivan, killing three people, told investigators he was distracted by ice under his feet. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says 46-year-old Brian Hodges of New Albany told deputies he was looking down, trying to kick away the ice, before he looked up Saturday and saw the minivan had stopped for a lane closure on the Indiana 37 Business Route just north of Bloomington. The Herald-Times reports Hodges said he could not avoid the collision and didn’t see signs warning of the lane restriction. The crash killed three occupants of the minivan: 54-year-old Rose Pettus, 30-year-old Shante Lewis 29-year-old Orlando Lewis Jr., all of Greenwood. At least two other people were injured in the five-vehicle collision.
VINCENNES, Ind. (AP) — Eight siblings who grew up in southwestern Indiana have amassed nearly 450 years of combined marriage. Bruce Clinkenbeard of Freelandville, Indiana, and his wife Sally have been married for 53 years, but that’s just the tip of the Clinkenbeard family’s matrimonial iceberg. Bruce and his seven siblings have together racked up a combined 448 years of marriage, and counting. Seven of the eight siblings either have been or were married for more than a half-century. That includes a sister who died in 2013 after 63 years of matrimony. Bill Clinkenbeard has been married 59 years, but he and his wife Karen have always worked out any differences they’ve had. He tells the Vincennes Sun-Commercial their marriage is “a lot of give and take — and a lot of love.”
INDIANPOLIS (AP) – Indiana’s two U.S. senators say they’re seeking qualified individuals to fill state-level leadership positions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sens. Todd Young and Joe Donnelly announced Monday they will review applications for the two posts and make a joint recommendation to President Donald Trump, who then will select the nominees. The state director of the Farm Services Agency administers its programs in the state. The director also administers purchase and operation loans and some disaster programs. The state director of rural development oversees housing and community facilities programs, business programs, and utilities programs. Qualified applicants can send their cover letters, resumes and up to three letters of recommendation by Aug. 18 to nominations@young.senate.gov for the two positions.