Man arrested on child molestation charges
(Noblesville) — A Noblesville Schools District bus driver has been arrested on multiple felony charges. Garrett Cornell, 42, is facing seven felony counts of child molestation and one felony count of child exploitation. Investigators say a search warrant was obtained for a home in the 1500 block of Hannibal Street, and that a student is involved in the investigation. School officials say no incidents occurred on school property. Cornell has been suspended from his job and is being held in custody on an $180,000 dollar bond.
Meth lab discovered during stop
(Vigo County) — Indiana State Police conducting a DUI checkpoint over the weekend instead busted a mobile meth lab. Jeremy Gibson, 39, and Bruce Thomas, 36, both of Terre Haute, were stopped at the check point just west of the Wabash River. Authorities say Gibson’s green SUV had a defective license plate light, which led to the stop. As Gibson exited his car, troopers noticed a plastic bag sticking out of his pants pocket. The bag held items commonly used to manufacture meth. A further search of the vehicle revealed a mobile “meth lab” in the back seat. Both suspects were taken to the Vigo County Jail on felony charges of manufacturing and possession of meth and are being held on an $85,000 bond.
Doctor pleads guilty in medical malpractice case
(Bloomington) — A doctor has pleaded guilty to federal charges of unlawful drug distribution and health care fraud. “The Herald-Times” reports that Dr. Kamal Tiwari, 60, pleaded guilty to two counts as part of an agreement with prosecutors late Friday in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis. A grand jury indicted Tiwari, in 2011 on 13 counts alleging that he prescribed narcotics when not medically necessary and defrauded insurers by performing unnecessary procedures. If Judge Sarah Evans Barker accepts the plea deal, Tiwari will spend at least six years in a federal prison and will have to repay more than $1 million dollars in restitution.
Missing teen’s body discovered
(Oaktown) — A missing teen from Knox County has been found dead. The Knox County Sheriff’s Department said the remains of Clinton Hamilton, 19, were found in a field yesterday afternoon not facr from where he vanished. Hamilton disappeared on December 11th and his vehicle was found in floodwaters near Oaktown. An autopsy will be performed today to determine the cause of the teen’s death.
I-69 extension is closer to reality
(Bloomington) — Extending Interstate 69 from Indianapolis southward is one step closer to reality. The “Evansville Courier & Press” reports the Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization is ending its opposition to the highway. The board voted 7-6 on Friday night to approve the interstate project after state officials issued the warning that federal dollars for road projects in Bloomington hung in the balance. Work has already begun to build the highway from Evansville to Bloomington. When complete, I-69 will run from the Mexican border to Port Huron, Michigan on the Canadian border.
President Obama okays assistance for tornado victims
(Washington, DC) — President Obama has signed a major disaster declaration for six southern Indiana counties devastated by killer tornadoes a week and a half ago. The President’s declaration is for Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warwick, and Washington counties meaning assistance can be awarded in the form of grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
General Assembly done for the year
(Indianapolis) — The Indiana General Assembly wrapped up session around 1 a.m. Saturday morning, approving another six-million dollars for victims of the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair, giving the green light to 50-dollar tax refunds for Hoosiers and voting for a phase-out of the state’s inheritance tax over the next nine years. Lawmakers also approved $80-million dollars to fund kindergarten from money that was discovered sitting in an account last year.
