Senior Trooper Ryan Winters of the Lafayette State Police post is one of four finalists for the International Association of Chiefs of Police/Motorola trooper of the year award. An award ceremony will be held March 27 in Alexandria, VA, to honor the finalists and name the trooper of the year. Winters was nominated by the …read more.

An intense debate is causing controversy in the nation’s billion dollar pork industry as farmers are facing increased pressure to reevaluate how they raise their animals. Most large-scale sow farms use gestation crates, which are approximately seven feet long and two feet wide. They are large enough for pregnant sows to stand up or lie …read more.

A random act of kindness involving scarves has made its way to Indianapolis over the last several days. People have been sharing photos on social media and with news outlets of scarves tied around trees and light poles across the city with notes saying for passersby to take them if they are cold. It is …read more.

A settlement has been made in a lawsuit regarding a 2013 parasailing accident which critically injured two Indiana teens. Alexis Fairchild and Sidney Good were both 17 when their parasail came loose from a boat in Panama City, FL. High winds carried them up in the air and into a hotel balcony before they fell …read more.

LaPorte police officers responded to a report of a man leaving Christo’s Restaurant at 1462 SR 2 West without paying Sunday afternoon, Feb. 22. Employees described the man and said he had ordered a meal priced at $33, but started to exit the building without paying. One worker confronted the man, who he said he …read more.

The White House Internship Program announced participants for the spring 2015 session Friday, Feb. 20. Four Indiana natives have been selected to participate. They are: * Connor Brashear, hometown of Washington and Indiana University Bloomington * James Brokaw, hometown of Indianapolis and University of Notre Dame * Olivia Fitchett, hometown of Sellersburg and Indiana University …read more.

Residents of Miami county, Indiana, who wish to receive financial assistance from nonprofit groups and service agencies will soon be required to participate in community service projects in order to receive funds. The new program will be administered by Miami County Resource Network, which began partnering with community agencies to help facilitate outreach programs last …read more.

Nearly one year after implementing “Text to 911,” Indiana is at the forefront in the US with the program. So far, 88 of the state’s 92 counties have implemented the service. Only Lake, Jasper, Marion and Ripley have not. Vermont and Maine are currently the only two states where all counties accept text messages to …read more.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has reportedly purchased a famous 1954 Les Paul Gibson guitar known as “Black Beauty” at auction for $335,500. Irsay is widely known for his extensive guitar collection, part of which has been displayed at an Indianapolis museum in recent years. Guernsey’s auction house stated the six-string with gold-plated hardware set …read more.

A tanker accidentally dumped a load of excrement on the southbound Interstate 65 exit ramp onto Indiana 18 northwest of Lafayette at approximately 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19. Roughly 300-400 gallons of raw sewage were spilled, forcing the road to be closed while authorities cleaned it up. The waste was about 6-8 inches deep in …read more.

John Walters of Columbia, IN, has made it his mission to put busted tombstones and statues back together again for the past 19 years. He’s known as The Graveyard Groomer. Among his many projects, he’s currently working on a statue of Private John Shaw, who died in action in the Philippines in 1900. The statue …read more.

Television legend Regis Philbin will give the commencement address at Trine University in Angola May 9. During the ceremony Trine will also present him with an honorary doctorate of humane letters. The commencement is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 9 at the Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium and is open to the public. “We are honored …read more.

A space suit worn by astronaut Buzz Aldrin will be on display at The History Museum in South Bend as part of an exhibit entitled “On the Move: Transportation Through the Ages” beginning Saturday, Feb. 21. The suit was worn by Aldrin during training for the Apollo 11 moon mission. It is on loan to …read more.

A recent Gallup poll has ranked Indiana as one of the country’s most miserable states, according to the people that live here. The seventh annual Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index rankings are based on more than 176,000 phone interviews with people living in all 50 states regarding how they feel about their daily lives and overall health. …read more.

The train that derailed in West Virginia at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Monday most likely traveled through northern Indiana, and possibly even Kosciusko County. The train, which was carrying crude oil, was reportedly still burning as of Tuesday night, with oil pouring from the wreckage. Members of the affected community in West Virginia have been …read more.

Food banks and pantries around the area are low on supplies and having a hard time keeping stocked, a common problem come February. “After the holiday season entering into the new year, this is really our slowest time of the year [for donations], but the need continues to be great,” stated Marijo Martinec, associate director …read more.

Dunkin’ Donuts has announced a plan to open new restaurants in Indiana over the next few years. Multi-unit store development agreements have been officially signed with two existing franchise groups to open 46 locations around the state. Existing franchise group Kings Point Ventures, led by Alex Smigelski, Tom Hughes and Tom Carpenter, plans to develop …read more.

Actor John Travolta will soon be filming an action thriller movie in Columbus, OH. Patriot Pictures’ “I Am Wrath” will be about a man out for justice, Travolta, who is after a group of corrupt police officers that are unable to catch his wife’s killer. Crew members are already in Ohio preparing for the shoot. …read more.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources would like to offer Hoosiers some advice on dealing with Canada geese that may have become a nuisance on their property. According to the DNR, most goose issues occur from March through June, during the birds’ nesting season. This is when geese can become especially aggressive, sometimes attacking and …read more.

According to the Indiana Youth Institute, prescription drug abuse is growing among Indiana teenagers. The organization says the number of high school seniors who admitted to having abused prescription drugs nearly doubled in 2014 to 13.5 percent, up from 6.9 percent in 2013. The report also states teens as young as 13 are abusing prescription drugs. …read more.

Purdue University is partnering with three Indiana zoos and the state on a conservation program for hellbender salamanders. The program will involve raising salamanders in captivity and then returning them to their natural habitat after a few years to be tracked. Rod Williams, associate professor of wildlife science and leader of the university’s hellbender project, …read more.

Conan O’Brien spent the weekend of Feb. 12-15 filming in Cuba for his TBS late night show, making him the first American late night host to film in the country since the US embargo began in 1962. The episode is scheduled to air March 4. O’Brien’s show representatives have stated the episode will give the …read more.

Indianapolis International Airport (IND) has been named the best airport in North America for the fourth time by the Airports Council International as part of its prestigious annual Airport Service Quality awards for performance and excellence. IND previously received the award from ACI in 2013, 2012 and 2010 as well. The annual ASQ survey gathers …read more.

Ride sharing service Uber will add a new security measure for users in Chicago in the next few months. A panic button will now be available, allowing riders to alert police directly from Uber’s mobile app if they feel they are in a threatening situation. The initiative comes after two Chicago Uber drivers were charged …read more.

Students at the University of Michigan are being asked to sign a pledge saying they won’t use certain words, such as “crazy” or “insane,” and will encourage their friends and peers not to use them either. The pledge is part of an initiative called the Inclusive Language campaign, which, according to the school’s website, “aims …read more.

An Ohio school bus driver has lost her job after posting a photo of herself with an alcoholic beverage on Facebook while on the job. The driver stated there were no students on the bus and her shift was over. However, her employer, school transportation company First Student, investigated the matter immediately upon learning of …read more.

According to the Hoosier Lottery, nine Powerball tickets sold in Indiana may not have hit the $500 million jackpot, but are worth $10,000 or more. The winning numbers for the Feb. 11 drawing were: 11, 13, 25, 39 and 54 with a Powerball of 19. The Power Play number was 3. Nine tickets sold in …read more.

On Monday, Feb. 9, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced efforts to restore the natural habitat of Monarch butterflies. Monarchs have decreased in population an estimated 90 percent since the 1990s, due to the decline in the milkweed plant, the Monarch’s sole food source. “The last three years have been the lowest in …read more.

Facebook has created a new feature that allows users to designate one friend who will be able to access their account if they die. The feature, called a legacy contact, can be activated in Facebook’s security settings menu. Users can choose one specific Facebook friend to control aspects of their page, such as profile and …read more.

The state of Michigan is offering license-free fishing this weekend. Residents and out-of-state visitors will be able to fish in Michigan’s waters at no charge Feb. 14 and 15. Another free fishing weekend is also scheduled for later in the year, June 13 and 14. “The free fishing weekends help increase awareness of Michigan’s world-class …read more.

Lake and LaPorte counties are working on a joint bid to buy the bankrupt Indiana Toll Road. The effort made it through the first round of the process on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and the next step for the two counties is to form a board of directors for the project in order to proceed. Reports …read more.

Hundreds of school bus drivers and head start teachers from across Indiana are being asked to pay back jobless benefits they’d been receiving during the summer months for the past several years. According to Fox News, many teachers and bus drivers had filed for and received unemployment benefits while school was out in the past. A law …read more.

Former Whitley county auditor Jenny R. McGuire was sentenced to 5.5 years in jail Monday, Feb. 9. However, 18 months of the sentence was suspended by the judge and the remaining four years will be served in work release. McGuire pleaded guilty to and was convicted of stealing more than $100,000 from the county and …read more.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured an image of a galaxy cluster, named SDSS J1038+4849, that resembles a smiling face. According to analysis, NASA says the two “eyes” in the face are very bright galaxies and the “smile” lines are arcs formed by an effect known as strong gravitational lensing. The gravitational pull exerted by …read more.

Approximately 30 soldiers from the 38th Military Police Company, Indiana Army National Guard, deployed Saturday, Feb. 7, to Guantanamo Bay to assist with Operation Enduring Freedom. A deployment ceremony was held at Twin Lakes High School in Monticello and family and friends were given the opportunity to bid farewell to the guardsmen before they left. …read more.

A Chicago man was amazed to get his class ring back recently, 22 years after losing it at a lumber yard in Nashville, IN. Kurt Altmann said the ring slipped off his finger while he was in Brown county. Unbeknownst to him, a 9 year old boy found it and gave it to his mother. That …read more.

The Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square in Saginaw, MI, has welcomed a new Eastern Grey kangaroo. He arrived from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Andre the kangaroo is 2 years old and joins the zoo’s other kangaroo, Nikki, who has been in residence since 2005. Nikki is considered elderly for a kangaroo at the age of …read more.

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) has received approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to build five solar power facilities across northern Indiana and southern Michigan. I&M intends to use the power to generate electricity and supplement its coal-fired, hydro-electric, nuclear and wind farm operations. Two of the solar facilities will be built in St. Joseph …read more.

Sean Killion, who was being transported by U.S. marshals from Florida to Indiana on federal drug charges, overpowered a guard and escaped in Cartersville, GA, at approximately 7 p.m. Wednesday night, Feb. 4. Killion reportedly shoved the guard and ran when the private transport van stopped for a restroom break at a gas station about …read more.

Some Michigan senators have proposed a constitutional amendment to impose the death penalty on offenders convicted of first degree murder for slaying a police or corrections officer. The law change faces a difficult task, as it would need two thirds support in the state legislature before going on the ballot in November 2016. The resolution …read more.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information to help locate Byron Bussard, 45, who was last seen Jan. 22 at his residence on CR 23, Bristol. Family members reported Bussard missing. He is described as approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 220 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on Bussard and/or …read more.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson has been accused of punching a pizza delivery man twice during an argument over a parking spot in Washington, D.C. Jackson, the player who sparked the “Deflategate” controversy in the AFC championship game against the New England Patriots, lives in Washington, D.C., during the offseason. The incident reportedly took place …read more.

Gareth Evans, foreign minister of Australia from 1988 to 1996, will serve as the first ever Distinguished Diplomat in Residence at Indiana University’s School of Global and International Studies. Evans has been chancellor of Australian National University since 2010. He was named a “Top 100 Global Thinker” by Foreign Policy magazine in 2011 and led …read more.

Concord High School senior Caleb Owens, 17, has filed his candidacy for mayor of Elkhart. He is the fourth candidate to seek the mayor’s office in this year’s municipal elections and is running as a Democrat. Owens, who will turn 18 on April 21, is a member of the Indiana Army National Guard, a minister …read more.

Amazon held a grand opening today of Amazon@Purdue, the company’s first ever staffed order pickup and drop-off location, housed in the Krach Leadership Center on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus. Amazon@Purdue will give students a convenient, money-saving option for receiving textbooks and other supplies from Amazon, as well as a simple way to return text …read more.

Kelley Baumgartner, currently of Jacksonville, FL, posted a photo to her Facebook page Saturday seeking her birth mother and family. She was born Feb. 3, 1987, in the Goshen/Elkhart area and later adopted through Catholic Social Services in South Bend. Baumgartner felt that social media was a good place to take her search, as it …read more.

President Barack Obama will visit Indianapolis Friday, Feb. 6. He will be speaking at Ivy Tech Community College about jobs and economics. Specific information about a time and location for the campus event has not yet been announced. The President is expected to speak about the free community college initiative he announced last month during …read more.

WGU Indiana Celebrates Graduation Milestone – Online university marks “2,015th graduate in 2015” INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – (February 3, 2015) – WGU Indiana is celebrating its 2,015th graduate since their launch in 2010. The milestone comes after just over four years of operating in Indiana and just weeks after reaching enrollment of 4,000 students. The statewide …read more.

All residential and business consumers throughout Indiana’s 812 area code should be prepared for changes that are coming this year in preparation for the addition of the 930 area code. Beginning Feb. 7, 2015, all local calls made within the 812 area must be placed using the 10-digit telephone number (area code + the 7-digit …read more.

Sheriffs removed approximately two dozen horses suspected of being neglected from a farm in Henry county, IN, Jan. 29. Three other horses were found deceased on the property. A tip received from a passerby alerted authorities to the situation. Sheriff Ric McCorkle said most of the horses were underweight. Several mares were in foal and …read more.

A Plainfield, IN, correctional officer has been arrested for trafficking drugs to inmates. Through an internal affairs investigation, Officer Ryan Daniel was arrested Jan. 27. Facility correctional officers allegedly found 13.6 ounces of spice, 0.1 ounces of heroin and 3.6 ounces of tobacco in Daniel’s belongings. He faces charges of trafficking with an inmate, a …read more.

INDOT has announced that Amtrak will continue to operate the Hoosier State Line train between Indianapolis and Chicago under a contract extension approved through April 1. The previous extension is set to expire Jan. 31. The agreement allows an extra 60 days to complete long-term contract negotiations for Amtrak to continue operating the line with …read more.

A Fort Wayne doctor is the first in Indiana to begin implanting 3D printed knees in patients, a cutting-edge technology that’s taking the orthopedic sector by storm. Dr. William Berghoff of Ortho NorthEast in Fort Wayne has done approximately 70 procedures over the past six months using ConforMIS Customized Knee Implants, developed by the medical …read more.

Indiana State University has obtained a rare 15th century book, which will be displayed in the Cunningham Memorial Library’s Cordell Collection. The book, entitled “Vocabularius incipiens teutonicum ante latinum,” was published by Johann Gruninger in 1495. It is considered one of the best-known examples of a German to Latin dictionary. David Vancil, curator emeritus of …read more.

Yosemite National Park has confirmed the sighting of a rare Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator), which hasn’t been seen in the park for almost 100 years. The fox was caught on motion sensor cameras in a far northern part of the park on two separate dates, Dec. 13, 2014, and Jan. 4, 2015. …read more.

The board of directors of McDonald’s Corporation announced Jan. 28 that Don Thompson will retire as president and CEO after almost 25 years of service to the company, effective March 1. Thompson is a Purdue University graduate and attended North Central High School in Indianapolis. He was named CEO in 2012. “It’s tough to say …read more.

The Indiana State Police polygraph unit recently became the first polygraph accredited agency in the state. The certification was performed by the Polygraph Law Enforcement Accreditation (PLEA). As part of the accreditation process, the ISP polygraph unit was subjected to an inspection and review of procedures and casework. The process includes the examination of every …read more.

Fort Wayne is one of four Indiana cities chosen to participate in a pilot program to assist homeless people. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority has developed the program to reach chronically homeless individuals. Fort Wayne, along with Lafayette, Bloomington and Evansville, will begin identifying eligible individuals with a focus on those who have …read more.

By CHERYL PIROPATO Education and Communications Director, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo After an 11-year absence, Tasmanian devils will soon return to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo as part of an Australian program to save these unique animals from extinction. “We are very eager to share Tasmanian devils with our fans and to participate in an …read more.

The state of Indiana experienced a record year for popcorn production in 2014. Hoosier farmers planted 91,000 acres of corn used to make popcorn, which is 10,000 more than in 2013. Total production for the state was 432 million pounds, up from 372 million in 2013. The crop value was $81.65 million, up nearly 1 …read more.

South Bend Common Council member Henry Davis Jr. has introduced a proposal that would rename Columbus Day in the city, changing it to “Indigenous Peoples Day” to honor Native Americans. The cities of Seattle and Minneapolis have already changed the name of Columbus Day. Some people see honoring Columbus as controversial, as historical records (including …read more.

According to new drug numbers from Indiana State Police, Indiana will likely have the most meth lab seizures in the country for 2014. ISP reports that troopers busted more than 1,400 meth labs last year, which is actually a 17 percent decrease from 2013. However, other states around the country are seeing 30 to 40 …read more.

The recent upsurge in measles cases, with 85 so far reported in seven states, may not be an issue for Indiana. According to Ross Silverman, a professor of health policy and management at IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana has stricter vaccination requirements for children to enroll in school than other states. …read more.

An asteroid, designated 2004 BL86 by NASA, will pass by the Earth safely today. From the asteroid’s reflected brightness, astronomers estimate it to be about a third of a mile in size. The flyby will be the closest of any known asteroid this large until 2027. At the time of it’s closest approach, it will …read more.

The American Lung Association released its 13th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report Jan. 21, giving Indiana a failing grade when it comes to enacting policies to end the tobacco epidemic. The report evaluates tobacco control policies at the federal and state level, assigning grades based on whether laws protect citizens from the toll taken …read more.

Amazon.com Inc. has teamed with Pattern Energy Group LP to construct and operate a 150 megawatt wind farm in Benton county, Indiana. The new project will be called the Amazon Web Services Wind Farm (Fowler Ridge) and is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The new wind farm is projected to …read more.

Visit Indy is reporting that 2014 was a record-breaking year for convention and tourism business. The organization booked more than 880,000 convention and hotel room nights for future dates, the most since its founding in 1923. The results significantly exceeeded Visit Indy’s goal of 750,000 bookings. The previous record was set in 2002. “2014 was …read more.

Employees at Kmart in Plymouth were informed late last week that the store will close in mid-April. Approximately 70 employees will be affected. The store is expected to start liquidating remaining inventory next week. Sears Holdings Corp. has been closing “underperforming” Kmart and Sears stores across the country for the last five years. Numbers have …read more.

Grand Design RV in Middlebury was recognized by the office of the Secretary of Defense Tuesday for being a “patriotic employer.” The company was awarded a plaque for showing it’s support of the National Guard and Reserve by employing people who also serve to protect the nation’s safety. Employee Gilbert Hodges nominated Grand Design for …read more.

The city of Franklin, Indiana, has been chosen to host an international Google summit in April. Students and the school’s commitment to technology have been credited with helping bring the town and school to Google’s attention. At Franklin Community High School, using technology to create lessons is a daily routine. Every student has a Google …read more.

The Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend was recently ranked #85 in a list of 200 top theaters worldwide by Pollstar, the concert industry’s leading trade publication. The ranking is based on ticket sales. The Morris has been included among the top 100 theaters worldwide since 2000, placing it first in the state of …read more.

Stevia Corp. of Indianapolis, an international farm management and healthcare company focused on commercial development of products that include stevia and hemp, announced Jan. 19 that it is filing a provisional patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the treatment of pain using ibuprofen and Cannabidiol (CBD). The patent closely follows the …read more.

Jaimi Luke Smith, 34, of Lafayette, was arrested yesterday after Indiana State Police caught him driving 100 mph in a 55 mph zone. A state trooper was northbound on SR 37 in Bloomington when Smith passed him doing 100 mph. The trooper stopped the car and spoke to Smith, who said he was “exempt from …read more.

A new medical treatment being investigated by scientists, immunotherapy, is showing promise for patients with various forms of cancer. Immunotherapy was originally developed to fight lymphoma, but has been proven to help fight other deadly cancers such as melanoma, colorectal cancer and kidney cancer. It works by using the patient’s own immune system to fight …read more.

Purdue University is planning a moment of silence at noon Wednesday, Jan. 21, to remember Andrew Boldt who was killed on campus one year ago. Purdue Student government is planning a campus-wide event. “The idea is for all students, all professors, all faculty members to take a moment and pause wherever they are. So, it’s …read more.

A woman was arrested in Battle Creek, Michigan, Jan. 19 wearing clothes that were stolen from one of two businesses she had broken into earlier in the day, according to police. The female suspect was caught on security cameras shortly after midnight at Family Dollar and then again at Walgreens smashing windows with rocks. She …read more.

Oreo has announced a new flavor in its limited edition line: red velvet. The cookie will be dyed dark red with a red velvet cake flavor to it and have cream cheese flavored cream. The red velvet Oreos are set to hit stores Feb. 2 and be available for six to eight weeks. Nabisco has …read more.

Indianapolis has made it onto a dubious top ten list for 2014, an article on the Daily Beast has ranked it as the number nine city in the US for number of murders. The state capitol had 135 killings last year. Indianapolis police report that is an 8 percent increase from the year before and …read more.

Two teenagers died Sunday afternoon after falling through ice while ice fishing in Owen county with family members. Rescue workers were called just before 1:30 p.m., but had to negotiate through steep, rocky terrain to reach the rural rock quarry north of Spencer, IN, where the boys had been fishing. After reaching the ice, first …read more.

A woman was discovered to be living in a Walmart store in Grand Blanc, Michigan, last week and had been there for at least two days before being asked to leave. Employees of the store finally noticed the 45 year old woman on security cameras and approached her, but she refused to go. Police had …read more.

Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, the parent company of Horseshoe Southern Indiana casino in Elizabeth and Horseshoe Hammond, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Jan. 15. Caesars Entertainment said that all of its properties will continue to operate as normal, continuing to host meetings and events as well as providing the facilities, amenities and experiences its guests …read more.

Indiana Teacher of the Year Kathy Nimmer is one of four finalists for the 2015 National Teacher of the Year award. Nimmer, an English teacher at William Henry Harrison High School in West Lafayette, was selected from a group of teachers from each state. The program is run by the Council of Chief State School …read more.

An Indiana couple who had been married for 76 years died just four hours apart in December, but rather than mourn the loss their family is celebrating their lives and the love they had for each other. John and Ruby Cassady were married Thanksgiving day, 1938. The marriage brought them two children, four grandchildren and …read more.

[weaver_youtube wUOvenGJAa0 rel=0] The Indiana State Police have shared a video entitled “A Look Back at 2014” with video and images from ISP department photographer Tom Triol. The video shows a variety of behind the scenes footage not normally visible to the public, as well as events ISP participated in around the state. From fun, …read more.

Governor Mike Pence has declared tomorrow “Believe in Blue Friday” in Indiana to show support for the Indianapolis Colts as they head to the AFC championship game Sunday in New England. Gov. Pence and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker also agreed to a friendly wager on the game. As Indiana is a leading state in pork …read more.

A deer went through a car windshield and landed in the passenger’s lap this morning in LaGrange county. Officers responded to an accident involving two vehicles and a deer in the early morning hours on County Road 700 S. just west of County Road 080 E. James Fredrick, 64, of Wolcottville was driving eastbound and …read more.

Two Italian car production companies, OMR and Sirmax, announced plans to build new facilities in central Indiana during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit today. OMR, which manufactures parts such as chassis, engine supports and suspensions for the Fiat Group will build its North American headquarters in Speedway. Ground breaking for the $10 …read more.

A Carmel firefighter’s lost good luck charm has been returned thanks to Indianapolis Colts player Ricky Francois. Lt. Steve Edwards’ helmet, with a four leaf clover keychain he’d had attached for more than two decades, fell off Carmel fire engine #41 last week when it was being driven to a repair shop. He and his …read more.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo turns 50 years old in 2015, and the entire community is invited to be part of the celebration. “The zoo was built by this community, starting with the school children who donated pennies to build Monkey Island back in 1965,” said Zoo Director Jim Anderson. “Since then, thousands of families …read more.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art broke its all-time attendance record in 2014. More than 161,000 guests visited the Indianapolis museum, the most in its 25 year history. The museum’s largest exhibit of 2014, a collection of Ansel Adams’ photographs, attracted nearly 88,000 visitors over its five month run making it the …read more.

Trine University has created a new position to oversee its athletics program and has given the job to longtime head football coach, Matt Land, who also served as athletic director of the university for the past three years. Under his new title as assistant vice president of athletics, Land will team with other campus officers …read more.

The Indiana General Assembly is expected to take on several hot topics this session, which runs through April 29. Among the bills filed for consideration are legalizing medical marijuana, a push for Sunday alcohol sales and permitting caterers and florists to refuse to take part in same-sex weddings. A bill that could toughen gun laws, …read more.

Brothers Austin, Trevor and Connor Bartz of New Brighton, Minnesota, have become a viral sensation with the giant sea animals built from snow they create in their home’s front yard. This year they have created a sea turtle from snow. Pictures of the boys and their creation have been featured on TV shows such as …read more.

One of the country’s largest farm shows is underway today at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. An expected crowd of approximately 36,000 will have a chance to visit more than 950 company booths showcasing technology from solar and renewable energy to grain handling and farm drainage. The three day event will …read more.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has announced that conservation officer Captain Jason Lee graduated from the 258th FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia. “This is a unique opportunity for members of our leadership,” said DNR law enforcement director Danny L. East. “We are proud of Captain Lee’s accomplishments and we are excited to …read more.

A north Chicago park board commissioner and two park district employees, one of which is the commissioner’s son, were charged with felony theft Monday, Jan. 12, for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of donated toys shortly before Christmas. The toys, which had been dropped off in a park facility by members of the Marine …read more.

By KARA BROOKS Indiana Governors Office The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs has named United States Air Force veteran Laura J. McKee as its state women’s veteran coordinator. Senior Master Sergeant McKee is an Air Force Reservist with the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base. She is an Assistant Chief Inflight Refueler …read more.

Two children missing from Delaware were found safe in Indiana Saturday and their father arrested. The children’s mother is still missing. Delaware State Police issued an Amber Alert Saturday, Jan. 10, for Colette Hamilton, 4, and Cortez Hamilton Jr., 4 months, of Smyrna, Delaware. The children and their mother, Keisha Hamilton, 35, had not been …read more.

By SABRINA LIST Vice President of Marketing and Communication, 500 Festival The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization committed to enriching the quality of life for Indiana residents and visitors, today announced the organization has been approved for a specialty license plate in Indiana. Available immediately through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Hoosier motorists can …read more.

Rather than fight a lawsuit, former dentist Joseph Beck of Kokomo has agreed to settle with the state by paying a $12,000 fine for violating patient privacy and federal HIPAA regulations after 60 boxes of records including patient names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, social security numbers, credit card information and more were found in …read more.