State News from Muncie Free Press

FRENCH LICK, IN:  An Orange County man was arrested yesterday for being in possession of  stolen articles that had been taken in recent burglaries on SR 56 west of French Lick.

On August 30 the Indiana State Police responded to 9669 W SR56, French Lick, to investigate a burglary.  While at the residence, an employee of the Wayne Ferguson Agency located at 9711 W SR 56 approached the investigators to tell them that the Wayne Ferguson Agency office had also been burglarized.  Detectives and crime scene investigators processed both scenes and it was determined that the total dollar amount for both burglaries was approximately $4,000.

Yesterday, while following up on leads investigators made contact with David Walker, 20, French Lick.  While talking with Walker the investigators located some of the items i.e. a GPS, Wii Game System and a chain saw that had been taken.  Walker was placed under arrest and transported to the Orange County Jail.  He later bonded out on a $1,000 cash bond.

Investigators are continuing their investigation into the burglaries and anyone with information is asked to call the Jasper Post at 812-482-1441 or 800-742-7475.

Arrested and Charges: 

            David Walker, 20

            9673 Hamilton Oaks Apt #12 French Lick, IN

1.      Possession of Stolen Property, Class D Felony

Lead Investigator:  Master Trooper Detective Rick Magill

Assisting Agencies:  The Orange County Sheriff's Office and the French Lick Police Department

AUBURN, IN -  Backed by the world’s largest collector car auction house, the newly-formed Auctions America by RM has generated tremendous momentum in the final days leading up its inaugural Auburn Fall Collector Car Auction scheduled for September 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 2010. The sale, to be held at the recently acquired and upgraded 235-acre Auburn Auction Park, has an incredible 1,000 motor cars currently scheduled to cross the auction podium. The range of vehicles spans brass era cars, American classics, Detroit muscle, hot rods and late model exotics.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming collector car enthusiasts and their families to what is poised to be a spectacular and successful first showing in Auburn,” said Donnie Gould, Auctions America by RM

The gates officially open on Wednesday, September 1^st for a free public preview followed by the four-day event, coinciding with the celebrated Auburn Cord Dusenberg Festival, from Thursday, September 2^nd to Sunday, September 5^th.

The auction action kicks off at 10:00 am daily, beginning with memorabilia and followed closely by the quality selection of collector cars and motorcycles. On both Friday and Saturday, the arena will be hopping with two simultaneous auction rings.

In addition, the swap meet, with its 700 reserved spaces, and the car corral, with over 250 vehicles on offer, will be buzzing with activity. A selection of more than 60 food vendors is also available for the thousands of participants expected at the highly anticipated Auctions America debut in Auburn over the Labor Day weekend.

Event Details: AuburnFall Collector Car Auction

Free public preview:            Wednesday, September 1^st

                                                8am to 6pm ET

Auction:                                  Thursday, September 2^nd to Sunday, September 5^th

                                                10am to 8pm ET daily

Swap meet & Car corral:      Thursday, September 2^nd to Sunday, September 5^th

                                                8am to 8pm ET daily

Gates open at 8am and close at 10pm ET daily, with the exception of Sunday, September 5^th when the gates will close at 6pm

Admission:                             $10 day pass per person

                                                $25 weekend pass per person

                                    $100 bidder registration (admits two for the weekend and includes VIP parking)

                                                Children 12 and under are free

VIP Parking:                           $20 day parking pass

                                                $50 weekend parking pass

                                                Registered bidders and consignors park for free

Location:                                AuburnAuction Park

                                                Exit 126 off I-69, Auburn, Indiana

For those unable to attend the auction in person, it will stream live on the Internet at www.rmauctions.com. Remote bidding options include online, telephone and absentee. For bidder registration, please contact Tyler Castle on +1 519-437-3019 or at tcastle@auctionsamerica.com.

For more information or to consign an automobile to the Auctions America Auburn Fall Collector Car Auction, please call 1-877-906-2437. To view a regularly updated consignment list, visit: http://www.rmauctions.com/CarList.cfm?SaleCode=AF10

About RM

With over three decades of experience in the collector car industry, RM's vertically integrated range of services, from restoration to private treaty sales, auctions, estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM’s restoration division has achieved unprecedented accolades earning “Best of Show” honors at the world’s top concours events.

Auctions America by RM launched in July 2010 with the acquisition of the Auburn Auction Park located in Auburn, Indiana, U.S.A.

Hoosier Lawmaker Will Use Coursework to Help Promote Economic Development, Job Creation

STATEHOUSE - Competitively selected from a group of global applicants, State Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Lafayette) recently completed an executive education course at Harvard University on Comparative Tax Policy and Administration.  

Hershman said he was honored to be selected for the program, and plans to use the knowledge he gained to ensure Indiana's tax system promotes economic development and job creation.

"In today's difficult economy, we need to ensure that Indiana is well positioned to attract new jobs as well as retain existing employers," Hershman said. "Vital government programs rely upon tax revenue, so it's not realistic for taxes to be entirely eliminated, but we need to make sure our tax system is fair, competitive, and asks for as little money from businesses and families as possible. By benchmarking tax systems around the world, we can position Indiana to compete and win in the race for job growth."

Program attendees included high-ranking government and tax officials from the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa.  Presenters consisted of a wide range of senior Harvard faculty, as well as officials from the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Internal Revenue Service. 

Hershman, who chairs the Indiana Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy, was the only state legislator in the United States selected for this year's program. He was among high-level practitioners from government, academia and the private sector to examine the latest developments in the design and implementation of tax systems throughout the world.

Under Hershman's leadership, working in partnership with the Daniels Administration, Indiana has been recognized as having the most improved business tax climate in America. Hershman was also a key leader of property tax reform which includes the only property tax caps for business currently enacted in the United States.  The caps, which Hershman co-authored, have been projected by Ball State University economist Dr. Michael Hicks to help create as many as 100,000 new jobs in the State of Indiana.

Hershman represents Senate District 7, which includes Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, Tippecanoe and White counties.

DUBOIS, IN - Dubois man has been arrested after allegedly choking wife and possessing a destructive device.

Preliminary investigation reveals that at approximately 12:37 p.m. the Dubois County Communications Center received a call from 4201 W 2^nd Apt. 21, in Dubois.  The caller advised that her husband had choked her and that he was threatening to harm her with a homemade destructive device.

Officers from the Indiana State Police and the Dubois County Sheriff's Office responded.  When officers arrived at the apartment, the suspect, Shane Green, 27, Dubois was nowhere to be found.  Officers located the destructive device in the living room which was made of a plastic bottle, camp fuel and a sock.  A trooper with the Indiana State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team responded to the scene and made the device safe. 

Officers searched the area for Green but were unable to locate him.  Then at approximately 5:13 p.m. Dubois County Deputy Tim Rasche located Green at his apartment.  He was arrested without incident and transported to the Dubois County Security Center.

The victim was transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital, treated for her injuries and later released.

Arrested and Charges:

            Shane T. Green, 27, Dubois

1.      Possession of a destructive or explosive device to intimidate or to destroy property, Class A Felony

2.      Intimidation, Class D Felony

3.      Strangulation, Class D Felony

4.      Domestic Battery, Class A Misdemeanor

5.      Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor

Investigating Officer: Senior Trooper Mark Green

Assisting Agencies:  Dubois County Sheriff's Office, Dubois County EMS, and Dubois Fire Department

Coal company to move equipment across roadway

SHELBURN, IN - The Indiana Department of Transportation announces that State Road 54 (S.R. 54) will be closing near Dugger. 

Working in conjunction with Peabody Coal Company officials, INDOT will be closing S.R. 54 from the junction of U.S. Route 41 (U.S. 41) to the junction of State Road 59 (S.R. 59).  The coal company will be moving equipment across the highway, 6.77 miles east of U.S. 41.

The road is currently scheduled to close on or after Saturday, August 28 and could remain closed up to five days.  There is a possibility the closure could take place as soon as Wednesday, August 25, if all issues are resolved.  All closure dates and times are dependent upon weather and equipment. 
 
No through vehicle traffic will be allowed, however local residents will have access to the point of closure.  All lanes of traffic will be closed at the equipment crossing location.  The official detour will follow U.S. 41, S.R. 48 and S.R. 59.

INDOT reminds motorists to follow the posted work zone speed limit, use caution and consider worker safety when traveling through a construction zone. For more information regarding this project, please contact Meg Gallagher of Peabody Coal Company at (314) 342-7963.

BROOKVILLE, IN - Rubber products producer, Sperry & Rice Manufacturing Co. LLC, announced today it is expanding its manufacturing operations here, creating up to 40 new jobs by the end of 2010.

Sperry & Rice, which produces rubber seals and hoses for the appliance, automotive and truck and bus industries, is consolidating some operations from the company's Killbuck, Ohio facility into the Franklin County site.
 
"Indiana is competing and winning investment from companies that are looking to consolidate and more efficiently run their business," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "Sperry and Rice continues to invest in its Brookville operation and it's resulting in more jobs for Hoosiers in Southeast Indiana."

In August 2009, the company announced it would create 25 new jobs and offer advanced training to existing workers at the Brookville facility as the result of a state training grant and funding from the city of Lawrenceburg's Regional Economic Development Grant program.

"This consolidation allows the company to balance production and focus each plant on its process strengths to provide a higher level of service to our customers," said Jim Gregory, president and chief executive officer of Sperry & Rice.

Sperry & Rice was established in 2004 after Sperry Rubber & Plastics and Rice Chadwick Rubber Co. were acquired and combined. Today the company employs nearly 60 associates in Brookville.

"We are excited about the expansion of Sperry's facility here," said Frank Thompson, Franklin County's Economic Development Director.  "We look forward to working with them to bring future success to their company and the workforce of our county."

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has offered Sperry & Rice Manufacturing and Co. LLC up to $200,000 in performance based tax credits based on the company's job creation plans.  Franklin County will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Franklin County Economic Development Commission. Additionally, Sperry and Rice will receive a $500,000 grant from the city of Lawrenceburg's Regional Economic Development Grant program.

"We're very fortunate to be able to use riverboat gaming money for the economic benefit of the 10-county region," said Mayor William Cunningham "We're happy to help Sperry put people to work and look forward to working with them in the future."

Since January 2009, more than 60 firms have chosen Indiana as the low-cost state to consolidate their operations, committing more than 10,000 new jobs and $360 million in committed capital investment.

About Sperry & Rice, Co. LLC
Sperry & Rice Manufacturing Company combines innovative engineering solutions, advanced manufacturing processes, and comprehensive quality controls to produce precision rubber extruded components. Specializing in products for the appliance, automotive and transportation industries, Sperry and Rice delivers parts that meet your specifications, on-time and cost-effectively. 

About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.  For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.

STATEHOUSE - State Sen. Brent Waltz (R-Greenwood) joined school and community leaders today to commend the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC) for moving a controversial parole office out of the Bates Hendricks neighborhood.

Waltz worked with constituents from the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association, DOC and James A. Garfield Elementary School leaders to relocate Indiana Parole District 3, which opened earlier this year.

Parolees including violent criminals and sex offenders - traveling to and from the facility - are only blocks away from about 450 kids enrolled in grades K-6 at Garfield Elementary, according to Waltz. Department of Correction officials estimate 80 to 100 parolees visit the office each day.

Waltz, neighborhood and school officials commended the DOC for working quickly to move the facility, located at 512 E. Minnesota St., to a business district in the 400 block of Norwood Avenue. Waltz said he shared residents' concerns for the close proximity of the parole office to Garfield Elementary, the lack of public transportation and parking for parolees and increased traffic in the area.

Waltz said the Norwood Avenue location currently serves as the Indianapolis Men's Community Re-Entry Center (IMCRC), but will relocate to Liberty Hall at 675 E. Washington St. Liberty Hall will provide services for about 150 work release offenders and give the DOC an additional option to expand the program.

Officials from the DOC said moving the IMCRC to Liberty Hall reduces the daily costs of housing by $17 per day while moving both facilities will save more than $1 million.

State Sen. Brent Waltz represents Senate District 36, which includes a portion of Johnson and Marion counties.

Crews to Perform Maintenance on Pipeline under Highway

LAPORTE, IN - The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces State Road 39 (S.R. 39) will be restricted to one lane of traffic, just south of the Toll Road interchange, beginning Wednesday, August 25 while crews perform maintenance work on a pipeline under the highway.

Vehicles will be guided through the construction zone with a temporary signal that will allow traffic to pass safely through, one direction at a time. The restrictions are anticipated to be lifted Wednesday, September 1; however, the schedule is subject to change in the event of inclement weather.

INDOT reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone. For the latest news and information about INDOT, please visit www.in.gov/indot or http://www.trafficwise.in.gov/. 

PENDLETON, IN - Lt. Bob Burke, Commander of the Pendleton Post, has announced the marijuana eradication efforts of the Indiana State Police are currently underway in the Pendleton State Police District and will continue year round. 

Outdoors, marijuana growers typically grow their plants on other people's property and in farmer's crops. Indoors, they establish elaborate grow operations using artificial lighting, traditional planting methods, and hydroponics within outbuildings and residential homes. Typically, the growers will attempt to conceal the indoor grow operation by covering the home or outbuilding windows from the inside.

Growing marijuana is a crime and is punishable by fines and imprisonment. Failure to report or destroy marijuana plants is also a crime.

Marijuana growers:

• Sell drugs to kids
• Trespass on other people's property
• Destroy precious farmland/crops
• Decrease residential  property values

The public can anonymously report suspicious activity around crop fields, outbuildings, and residential homes where the possibility of growing marijuana is suspected. The Marijuana Tip Line is 888-873-1694.  The Pendleton Post number is 800-527-4752.

Source: Indiana State Police

September's the time for Hoosier history buffs-and others who want to broaden their horizons-to learn about archaeological sites and artifacts, make stone tools and talk with archaeologists.

That's because it's Indiana Archaeology Month. 

Gov. Mitch Daniels has proclaimed Sept. 1 as Indiana Archaeology Month Kick-off Day.

This year's slogan, "Archaeology Rocks," is a play on words in several ways. It conveys the excitement of archaeology and what can be learned through the science. The commemorative poster design this year features an interesting array of prehistoric stone artifacts, all found in Indiana. 

Years of archaeological investigations have helped state residents understand the complexity of the prehistoric and historic people who also called this land home.

"Archaeology tells us not only about the past but sheds light about ourselves today and our future," said Robert E. Carter Jr., DNR director. "Archaeology Month provides a perfect way for Hoosiers to learn how with programs that are not only educational and informative but also fun."

In honor of this celebration, the DNR invites Hoosiers to discover the stories behind the facts of the state's archaeological tale. For instance, the state archaeologist works for the DNR. Also, archaeologists have conducted investigations in Indiana since the early 1800s, finding and recording more than 59,000 archaeological sites.

Indiana Archaeology Month features events for all ages. For a schedule and more information, see dnr.IN.gov/historic or contact Amy Johnson of the DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, ajohnson@dnr.IN.gov or (317) 232-1646.