Stolen Car Scanner Now In Lawrence

The Mercury News -

Scanner helps Ind. police find stolen cars

INDIANAPOLIS - Lawrence police officers are using a new scanning device that can quickly identify stolen cars. The system has helped the department recover 21 stolen cars in seven weeks. It uses two cameras attached to a squad car that scans license plates and compares them in less than a second to a nationwide FBI database of reported stolen vehicles.

A police officer in the Indianapolis suburb sought the system and funding after a fellow officer was killed last year by a driver in a stolen vehicle.

Craig Herbert, a five-year veteran of the department, died when a 15-year-old driving a stolen van lost control of the vehicle that was traveling more than 90 mph and plowed into Herbert's squad car, authorities said.

Read more ...

Brought to you by TheIndyBlog.com

Fire Merger Approved

IndyStar -

City-County Council approves fire department merger

The Indianapolis and Washington Township fire departments will merge next year after the City-County Council voted Monday for a consolidation.

The 17-10 vote included the 14 Democrats present, as well as three Republicans. Opponents said they doubted the merger would improve public safety in Washington Township and questioned the estimated savings of $2.3 million projected by Mayor Bart Peterson.
Indianapolis Fire Chief James Greeson said he’s excited to bring what the IFD offers to the rest of Washington Township.

“What’s going on is a giant step toward much better delivery of fire services,” Greeson said.

Operationally, Greeson said the two departments work closely together in areas such as hiring, training, equipment and communications. He said the remaining work includes merging areas like human resources and technology.

Continue reading ...

Brought to you by TheIndyBlog.com

Arbonne International Comes to Greenwood

Expansion Management Online -

Arbonne Opens Distribution Center Near Indianapolis, Indiana

GREENWOOD, Ind. (July 17, 2006) — The state of Indiana offered incentives include up to $112,500 in training grants, along with approximately $1 million in tax credits based on job creation and capital investment.

Arbonne International recently held the official opening of a new 208,000 square foot distribution center in Greenwood, Ind. A developer of skin care products, Arbonne has hired more than 400 new employees to date at the new facility, and plans to add additional jobs throughout the year as the facility reaches full capacity.

The company’s new technologically advanced distribution and inventory management center is designed to serve two-thirds of the U.S. and will allow 99 percent of Arbonne orders to be delivered within three days, according to the company. Arbonne has one other distribution facility in Irvine, Calif. Continue reading ...

Brought to you by TheIndyBlog.com

"Circuit Breaker" Tax Cap

Indianapolis Business Journal -

Tax-cap concern growing

Law limits property levies, but local officials fear resulting service cutbacks
By Peter Schnitzler pschnitzler@ibj.com

Local officials say a new state law that caps property tax bills for homeowners and businesses will send the city into a financial tailspin if legislators don’t modify it in an upcoming session.

The law was intended to shield homeowners from unmanageable tax increases as Indiana moves to a market-based assessment system. But city leaders say the new cap limits their ability to generate revenue and will cause them to forfeit millions of dollars in taxes from businesses, some of which already pay more than the cap would allow.

Bond rating agencies have noted the city’s predicament, which is increasing the cost of issuing municipal bonds. In just a few years, the law might force local officials to choose between firing cops, firefighters or teachers.

“It’s a recipe for disaster,” said City Controller Bob Clifford. “If this remains unchanged, you will see draconian cuts in every aspect of the city.” Continues ...

Brought to you by TheIndyBlog.com

Lost and Found

The IndyChannel -

State Steps Up Effort To Return Unclaimed Property
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. -- State officials are intensifying their campaign to return to Indiana residents more than $325 million in unclaimed property -- much of it forgotten money squirreled away in idle checking and savings accounts.

At a news conference Friday in Jeffersonville, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter said the state is trying to boost the public's awareness of the resources available to help them reclaim lost or forgotten property.

"It's their money, and they deserve to have property returned to them," Carter said.
Continues ...

Brought to you by TheIndyBlog.com

Bayh Campaign Trail?

IndyStar -

Bayh Watch
Senator sharing with Iowans

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh has such important things to say about America's middle class that after he delivers what's being billed as a major speech on the topic in Washington on Monday, he's flying to Des Moines to give it all over again.

Bayh's spokeswoman said the Indiana Democrat is going to Iowa instead of, say, Indiana, "because he wanted to share his thoughts with the people of Iowa, who will play a critical role in the 2006 and 2008 elections."
Bayh's office said he will talk about how the Bush administration's policies have failed the middle class.
Asked what Bayh did while governor, 1989-96, to help Indiana's middle class, spokeswoman Meg Keck said he passed a tax cut, created new jobs, invested in higher education and worked for pension security. Continues ....

Brought to you by TheIndyBlog.com

A Casting Call In Indianapolis

Reporter-Times -

Inventors wanted for PBS show
By Nicole Kauffman | nkauffman@heraldt.com
Friday July 14, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS

Time to dust off that flux capacitor.

A new PBS television show, "Everyday Edisons," will feature amateur inventors -- and on Saturday, Indianapolis is one stop on a five-city casting call.

"First off, one of the things we're looking for are products that are easy to understand, easy to communicate, functional and very useful," said Louis Foreman, an executive producer of the show.

Only 12 to 14 people will be chosen for shows to air nationwide in 2007. An estimated 5,000 people are expected to audition. Other casting call cities are Boston, Houston, Phoenix and Seattle. Continue reading ...

Brought to you by TheIndyBlog.com