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Chicago Tribune
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Gary council passes citywide firearm ordinance
At its Tuesday meeting, the Gary Common Council unanimously passed an ordinance placing restrictions on weapon use and discharge in the city. Councilman Dwight Williams, D-6th, was absent from Tuesday's meeting, which was held at the Gary Sanitary District's administrative building. The council's Public Safety committee first heard the ordinance, which makes it unlawful for anyone to shoot or discharge guns within city limits. Indiana Code prohibits political subdivisions from placing multiple restraints on firearms, including the ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, registration, transfer and storage of the weapons, according to state code. Political subdivisions include governing bodies in cities, towns and counties. No provision specifically prohibits local governing bodies from regulating the firing or discharge of firearms and weapons, according to the Gary ordinance. 'Many cities have on the books already that you're prohibited from shooting firearms in the city,' said Carla Morgan, corporation counsel for the city of Gary. 'Because what legitimate reason, if you're not a police officer, do you have for doing such a thing?' City leadership previously believed there was an ordinance that established firearm rules in Gary, but it couldn't be found, Morgan said. Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon supports the ordinance. 'This ordinance, in its totality, is in alignment with other municipalities in this area,' Cannon said. 'Even Lake County has adopted an ordinance for unincorporated areas that is similar.' Councilman Kenneth Whisenton, D-at large, at the public safety committee meeting, asked if pellet guns were included in the ordinance. 'Nowadays, you have pellet guns that use air that can drop a human in a heartbeat,' Whisenton said at the public safety committee meeting. Whisenton and Councilman Dwayne Halliburton, D-2nd, both asked for language defining weapons to be included in the final version. On Tuesday, Morgan told council members that air guns and rifles, crossbows and firearms were defined in the ordinance's final version. The ordinance's final version also removed a section allowing hunting in the city's natural areas, of which Cannon previously disapproved. It's 'inherently dangerous' for people to hunt near the city's populated areas, Morgan said. All changes to the ordinance were included in an amendment, which was unanimously approved Tuesday night. A first offense will result in a $250 fine, a second will lead to a $500 fine, a third a $750 fine, and a fourth will mean a $1,000 fine. The fifth and any subsequent offenses will result in a $2,500 fine. All existing Gary code that conflicts with the changes will be null and void, according to the ordinance. In 2024, the city saw non-fatal shootings decrease about 10%, going from 147 incidents to 132, according to a previous announcement from the Gary Police Department. The city also had 40 total homicides, falling 23% from 2023 and the lowest number recorded since 2018. 'Through more proactive policing, we've taken a strong stance on crime prevention,' Cannon previously said in a statement. 'The improvements we've made are a direct result of our commitment to staying ahead of criminal activity and building relationships with community partners who can help solve more cases.'
Chicago Tribune
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Gary council to look at creating city-wide weapon use regulations
The Gary Common Council will later hear an ordinance that will establish weapon use and discharge regulations in the city. The council's Public Safety committee will first hear the ordinance before the whole body votes. '… it is appropriate and necessary for residents to be safe and secure in their persons and properties,' the ordinance reads, 'and that the unsafe or irresponsible discharge of firearms within the City of Gary poses a significant risk of serious bodily injury, death, or damage to person and property…' Indiana Code prohibits political subdivisions from placing multiple restraints on firearms, including the ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, registration, transfer and storage of the weapons, according to state code. Political subdivisions include governing bodies in cities, towns and counties. No provision specifically prohibits local governing bodies from regulating the firing or discharge of firearms and weapons, according to the Gary ordinance. If passed, the ordinance will make it unlawful for anyone to shoot or discharge guns within the city. Some will have exemptions, including local law enforcement, those with a valid license and acting in self-defense, those with a valid hunting license, and anyone discharging a weapon at a local shooting range or gun club. The ordinance cannot constrict legal possession, purchase or use of firearms in accordance with Indiana law, the state constitution or the U.S. constitution. A first offense will result in a $250 fine, a second will lead to a $500 fine, a third a $750 fine, and a fourth will mean a $1,000 fine. The fifth and any subsequent offenses will result in a $2,500 fine. If passed, all existing Gary code that conflicts with the ordinance will be null and void, according to the ordinance. In 2024, the city saw non-fatal shootings decrease about 10%, going from 147 incidents to 132, according to a previous announcement from the Gary Police Department. The city also had 40 total homicides, falling 23% from 2023 and the lowest number recorded since 2018. 'Through more proactive policing, we've taken a strong stance on crime prevention,' Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon previously said in a statement. 'The improvements we've made are a direct result of our commitment to staying ahead of criminal activity and building relationships with community partners who can help solve more cases.' The Gary Common Council will vote on the weapon use ordinance at a later date. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. June 17.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USI to propose no tuition increase at public forum June 5
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The University of Southern Indiana (USI) is proposing that tuition and mandatory fees be held flat for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years in response to a recommendation by the Governor and Indiana Commission for Higher Education, as well as a desire 'to maintain affordable educational excellence.' Officials say a hearing to solicit public comment will take place at 10 a.m. on June 5 in the Griffin Center. Under Indiana Code, each state educational institution is required to set tuition and fees for a two-year period following the adoption of the State's biennial budget and to hold a public hearing before the adoption of any proposed rate increases. IN State Comptroller Nieshalla calls to delist Chinese companies According to USI, the university recommends that the 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-semester, credit-hour student fee remain at the 2024-25 amount of $299.19 for Indiana resident undergraduate students; $446.94 for Indiana resident graduate students; $727.23 for non-resident undergraduate students and $875.33 for non-resident graduate students. Officials say it is also recommended that the other mandatory fees not be increased for 2025-26 and 2026-27. It should be noted USI is the latest in a list of schools opting for no tuition increase. This comes on the heels of Harvard offering free tuition for families that make less than $200K. Eyewitness News is looking into other area universities who are considering a similar approach. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indianapolis Star
03-06-2025
- Health
- Indianapolis Star
Can you leave your kids home alone in Indiana? What the law says, what experts recommend
Note: A version of this story first published in July 2024. It might be for a quick trip to the grocery store or because of an 8-hour work day, but all parents eventually ask themselves: "Can I leave my kid home alone?" For that matter, is it legal in Indiana? Here's what the law says in the Hoosier state about leaving children home by themselves, and what parents might want to consider regarding their child's welfare before shutting the door and stepping away for a few hours. Story continues after photo gallery. Technically, there's no law in the Indiana Code that prevents children from being left home alone. Hoosier parents have discretion on when it's appropriate to do so based on the maturity level of their children. There are, however, consequences if a child suffers harm as a result of neglect. Parents and legal guardians in Indiana are ultimately responsible, the law says, for the welfare of their children until age 18. Neglect of a dependent carries felony charges that include stiff penalties and potential jail time. Children, according to are generally ready to be left unsupervised around age 12-13. Granted, children develop at different rates. There's no "magic age" when a kid becomes suddenly responsible enough to be left by themselves for long hours at a time. What it really comes down to, experts say, is maturity. The Indiana Department of Child Services advises parents to assess what tasks children can do themselves, whether they have the common sense to make good judgments on their own, and how capable they are at handling unexpected challenges. Children, experts say, should have several basic skills before becoming latchkey kids, which include knowing the following: Of critical importance: they must have a reliable method of communication to call their parent or guardian, or 9-1-1. Story continues after IndyStar's 2024 summer photo gallery. Experts recommend parents assess their child's needs, which begins with a conversation. Does your child want to be alone? For other considerations, the Children's Service Society of Utah has this checklist: Indiana law requires anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect to contact authorities and make a report, which can be done so anonymously. Hoosiers can call DCS' Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-800-5556. The phone line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays and caller can report abuse and neglect anonymously. In 2023, according to DCS, nearly 200,000 calls were made to the child abuse hotline in which officials handled 215,852 reports of alleged abuse and neglect. Planet Fitness Summer Pass: Indiana teens get free gym access to Planet Fitness; how to sign up.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New details released in Marshall school bomb case
MARSHALL, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — More details were released regarding the 19-year-old woman who was arrested last week, after police say she allegedly had multiple 'incendiary devices' and was planning to use them at her former school. According to court documents, Ahnna Tipton, now of Evansville, was arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device after police said she told them she planned to deploy the devices at her former school, Marshall High School, in hopes of harming other people. On May 29, a detective with the Evansville Police Department, who is also certified as a Bomb Technician, was dispatched to St. Vincent's Emergency Room in reference to a possible destructive device. Upon arrival, another officer had transported Tipton to the emergency room for a psychological evaluation after she made suicidal threats, said officials. During that time, police said they allegedly found 'a pill bottle wrapped in duct tape with a matchstick protruding from the lid and a piece of cloth affixed.' Inside the same backpack, police also allegedly found a piece of aluminum piping with both ends secured by duct tape. After removing the tape from the piping, an officer saw incendiary materials inside and detected a strong chemical smell, according to court documents. These items were confirmed to be improved incendiary devices by bomb technicians, according to officials. During an interview with police, Tipton allegedly admitted to creating the devices and planned on initiating the devices by using a matchstick or another flammable ignition source. Tipton also allegedly told police she had two similar devices located inside her home. Inside Tipton's bedroom, the Evansville Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit allegedly located the two additional devices inside energy drink bottles, constructed using the same materials and design as the devices located in her backpack. Tipton then allegedly explained to police that she had planned to use the devices at Marshall High School with the intent to commit harm, according to court documents. 'The construction of the devices demonstrates a deliberate attempt to create an improvised incendiary weapon. Of particular concern is the presence of confinement, especially in the aluminum pipe device. Confinement significantly increases the potential hazard posed by such devices. When a flammable or reactive mixture is ignited inside a confined space, pressure can rapidly build, resulting in a deflagration or low-order explosion. This can cause the container to rupture violently, dispersing hot materials and shrapnel, and dramatically increasing the likelihood of injury, fire, or structural damage,' said court documents. The Evansville Police Department said a bomb unit was then sent to the school to check for more of these devices. According to court documents, these devices meet the definition of a 'destructive device' under Indiana Code § 35-47.5-2-4, resulting in Tipton being arrested and charged with possession of a destructive device, a level five felony. 'If deployed as designed, these devices would pose a serious risk to life and property. The intentional manufacture, possession, and planned use of such items reflect a clear and dangerous threat to public safety,' said court documents. Tipton is scheduled for an initial court hearing on June 4 at 1:00 p.m. in the Vanderburgh Circuit Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
