Winter Storm Warning
Indiana is on track to be hammered by another winter storm.
The latest storm is
expected to hit tonight and continue to cause problems through Wednesday morning.
The majority of the state--along with
the local area is under a winter storm warning tonight through Wednesday...with expected snowfall in the local area predicted
to be 3 to 5 inches.
Some area's in the state could see between 6 and 8 inches of snow.
Tomorrow night could bring
35-mile per hour wind gusts that could create white out conditions and drifting snow.
Vincennes City Council
to Discuss Storm Water Utility
The Vincennes City Council will begin discussion tonight on an proposed ordinance that
would implement a new Storm Water Utility.
Last spring the city council voted to support the results of an in-depth study
to examine the city's water run-off--which recommended a utility rate based on the amount of run-off for each property.
Mayor Al Baldwin is urging the council to quickly pass the ordinance to put the utility in place.
The funds collected
would be used to help the city deal with storm-water run-off--as well fund work on the Vincennes levee system.
The US
Corp of Engineers is requiring the city to pay for two studies in order to retain FEMA certification of its Levee--and ultimately
keep its flood protection. Tonight's city council meeting gets underway at 6pm at city hall.
VU Looking to Save Energy
Vincennes University is planning to save money by cutting its energy
usage by 20 percent over the next two years.
The university says it has appointed its first ever Director of Energy
Conservation to help achieve that goal.
VU staff member Richard Davis began his new duties today.
Davis’
responsibilities will include reviewing historical data on energy consumption and making recommendations on how energy usage
can be reduced throughout the VU system.
The recommendations will be specific for each VU building and will include
input from individuals in each building.
Production Resumes at TMMI
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana resumed production today.
The Princeton operation
joined the automaker‘s other production facilities in the resumption following a shutdown prompted by a massive safety
recall.
Approximately one-thousand Princeton employees reported to work despite the production suspension.
The
suspension also affected Camrys produced at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette.
Sullivan
Meth Bust
A Sullivan couple, accused of supplying
meth to several Linton residents, is in jail.
The Greene County Drug Task Force worked with the Sullivan County Sheriff's
Department and other agencies to arrest Fred and Heather Ritcheson, of Shelburn.
Police exercised a a search warrant
and found meth and all of the items used to make it as well as a stolen hand gun. Three small children were at the home at
the time of the arrest and have put in the custody of Child Protective Services.
The Richesons each face several felony
charges and are being held in the Sullivan County Jail on 65-thousand dollars bond.
Pike
Co. Woman Arrested for
Drugs & Neglect
A Pike County woman has been jailed on drug and neglect charges.
State Police and Pike Sheriff's Deputies responded to a Stendal home at 10-pm Sunday to investigate illegal drug activity.
When police entered the home they found small amounts of meth and marijuana, and later a meth lab in a yard barn outside
the home.
38-year-old Lillian Jones was arrested and taken to the Pike County Jail. Jones' three children were taken
into protective custody and later released to relatives.
Jones is charged with manufacturing meth and neglect of a dependent.
She's also charged with several possession crimes.
Vincennes Drug Arrest
Around noon on Sunday, police were on routine patrol and saw a white vehicle going south on 11th Street
in Vincennes.
Police knew the driver as Thomas Lindauer and turned to check on Lindauer's driving condition and when
the officer turned around, police say Lindauer fled. Officer DJ Halter pursued going east through an alley between 12th and
13th, and Buntin and Broadway. As Lindauer approached 13th Street a front seat passenger jumped out of the suspect vehicle
and fled on foot.
Police say two other occupants of the car, Brittany Ridge and Robert Cullivan were detained and arrested
for possession of meth, reckless possession of paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and possession of legend drugs. Also
arrested was Crystal Catiller charged with possession of meth, paraphernalia, marijuana and legend drugs.
Police say
Lindauer was not located.
Legislature to Consider
Ethics
Reform
Entering into the second half the shortened
legislative session, state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree ethics reform is one of their top priorities.
Both
the Indiana House and Senate have passed bills that would make legislators wait one year before becoming lobbyists.
Both
plans would also require lobbyists to report gifts worth $50 or more instead of the current amount of $100.
Senator
Patricia Miller of Indianapolis credits both Republicans and Democrats with embracing the measure.
She expects it to
be passed in both houses and become law.
