Sheriff Pay Review By State House

IndyStar -

Daniels: Assembly could review pay

The Indiana legislature may need to review how county sheriffs are paid after revelations that Marion County's sheriff was paid more than $350,000 last year, Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday.

"I don't have a lot to say about this except that it's just one more example that we have a very antique system of local government in this state," Daniels told reporters at his regular weekly news conference.
"We have talked about it so often: We have more offices than we need. We have more layers than we need. We need a modernization, and (addressing the compensation of sheriffs) may well be part of that."
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Sting Nets 51 in Housing Fraud

Wish-TV -

51 People in Indianapolis Charged with Housing Fraud
A sting operation by the Indianapolis housing authority nets 51 people. All are now charged with welfare fraud. The U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development was in Indianapolis to applaud the crack down.

"By exposing those who do wrong, we're making it difficult for others to hide out," said Alphonso Johnson, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Johnson praised the Indianapolis housing agency for rooting out fraudulent claims against HUD. A multi-agency investigative team has been checking welfare recipients' paperwork. For example, investigators found the woman who lived in one east side home received more than $21,000 in assistance while allowing an unregistered sex offender to live with her. Police arrested both the woman and the man. A few blocks away police say another home used to be a drug house. While the owner received federal assistance investigators say she lied about living here. Continue reading..

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Emergency Landing at Indianapolis International Airport

IndyStar.com:

"A privately owned twin-engine plane with two people on board made a safe emergency landing on its belly Saturday at Indianapolis International Airport after its landing gear failed.

The plane landed on a runway and skidded at about 5:30 p.m., said Terry Burns, airport spokesman. The plane had experienced 'complete gear failure,'' he said.
There was no fire, and no one was injured, Burns said."

Jeff Gordon's Hope for Victory

Keeping his legacy on track | IndyStar.com:

"Time is the ultimate trickster. How else to accept the fact that in August, Jeff Gordon, who it seems like only yesterday was attending high school in Pittsboro, Ind., and dreaming of a big-time auto racing career, turns 35?

This afternoon at Daytona International Speedway, Gordon begins his 14th year as one of the top drivers at the top level of U.S. stock car racing. From his front-row starting position alongside pole sitter Jeff Burton, Gordon has his eye on a fourth Daytona 500 victory that could serve as a springboard to a fifth NASCAR championship."

One winner in $365 million Powerball

AP Nation | IndyStar.com:

"A Powerball ticket sold in Nebraska has the winning numbers for the largest jackpot in the nation's history - $365 million - lottery officials said Sunday.

Only one winning ticket was sold for Saturday's jackpot, according to the Powerball Web site. No one had come forward to claim the jackpot early Sunday, Nebraska Lottery spokesman Brian Rockey said."

Small-town New Palestine is on the road to growth | IndyStar.com

Small-town New Palestine is on the road to growth | IndyStar.com:

"Small-town New Palestine is on the road to growth
By Jill Phillips

Barbara and Michael 'Mick' Devito moved to New Palestine from their native Richmond to be closer to family.

Eighteen months later, Mick Devito no longer misses his hometown.
"I like this atmosphere right here," he said between bites of his breakfast at the bustling Cafe 52.
Just east of Indianapolis on U.S. 52, New Palestine was founded in 1871 by German settlers.
The Devitos like the community because it's close to Indianapolis for basic necessities, but keeps its small-town charm.

Marsh drops State Fair sponsorship | IndyStar.com

Marsh drops State Fair sponsorship | IndyStar.com:

"Marsh drops State Fair sponsorship
By Diana Penner

Marsh Supermarkets, the financially shaky company up for sale, has ended its longtime sponsorship of some features at the Indiana State Fair.

Marsh has exercised an option to end its six-year contract with the State Fair as it approached the fifth fair in that contact, said Andy Klotz, spokesman for the State Fair.
Marsh this week fired four high-ranking family members and has taken other steps to make itself more attractive to potential buyers and improve its fiscal outlook."