What’s Going on in the Headlines on Wednesday…
>>Public Safety Leaders Want Money For More Officers
Criminals follow the path of least resistance. That’s according to FOP Vice President Rick Snyder, who was joined yesterday by Public Safety Director Troy Riggs and IMPD Chief Rick Hite to call for the funding needed to hire more police officers. According to the group, the city would have enough money to hire 250 officers if there was a public safety tax increase and the homestead tax credit was eliminated. The group added that sentencing laws must be stricter because officers can’t be tasked with arresting the same people over and over.
>> IMPD Investigating Early Morning Northwest Side Shooting
IMPD is investigating a shooting on 56th Street between Moller and Georgetown Roads. The city’s latest shooting incident happened in the early 7 o’clock hour on Wednesday morning as officers were called to the scene to find a car in a ravine with a victim suffering from gunshot wounds inside. Fox 59 News reports the victim is a man who was shot in his vehicle from a moving vehicle beside him. He was shot at least two times and has been taken to St. Vincent in serious but stable condition. Police told the station they have a very good lead.
>>Two Found Dead In Home
Police are investigating the case of two people found dead in a home on Indy’s northwest side. Police say Deanna Rooks and Michael Hall were found dead Monday with a vehicle running in the garage. They say the home registered high levels of carbon monoxide and Hall showed signs of trauma to his head. His death is being treated as a homicide.
>>Security Changes Proposed For Broad Ripple
Changes could be coming to Broad Ripple as a result of last weekend’s violence. Indianapolis police are considering adding more officers to the area, stiffening trespassing policies, and even changing traffic flow. Police might start a no trespassing or loitering list of known troublemakers and arrest them if they violate it.
>>Indy Going Blue For Police
A grassroots movement to support fallen Officer Perry Renn and the rest of the Indianapolis Police Department is sweeping across the city. Indy Going Blue for IMPD urges everyone to display blue to honor officers. They suggest switching a plain porch light for a blue one for a public display of thanks. The Fraternal Order of Police is holding a special prayer vigil tonight at 7:30 at the Indianapolis FOP Lodge number 86.
>>Governor Pence Declares Period Of Mourning
Hoosiers are being asked to remember the service and sacrifice of three law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Governor Mike Pence declared an official period of mourning yesterday and ordered flags to be lowered across the state. Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Calvin died in a car crash last week while responding to an emergency. IMPD Officer Perry Renn and Gary police officer Jeffrey Westerfield were killed over the weekend.
>>Ritz Accuses Board Of Education Of Undermining Her
Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz says her efforts to extend the state’s waiver from the No Child Left Behind Act are being undermined by the State Board of Education and the education agency created by Governor Mike Pence. Later today, the board will meet to consider two measures that would place new restrictions on Ritz’s department and take away some of her power. Ritz says passing them would place the state’s waiver in serious jeopardy and may result in ramifications from Washington.
>>Indianapolis Public Library Adds Video Streaming
The Indianapolis Public Library is expanding its digital collection. Yesterday, the library unveiled its video streaming. Nearly one-thousand videos are available to watch, but officials say that number will continue to grow. The library also offers eBooks, and downloadable audiobooks and magazines that can be accessed on tablets, computers and smartphones.
>>New Recycling Plan Involves All Citizens
A City County Council committee meets tonight to look at a plan to bring recycling to every home in Indianapolis. It would allow people to throw all their trash and recyclables into one bin, at no extra cost. It calls for building a 45-million-dollar recovery facility to separate out the recyclables. Some recycling advocates are against it, saying trash mixed with recyclables contaminates and reduces their quality.
>>New Orleans’ Former Mayor Sentenced Today
It’s a day of reckoning for the former two-term mayor of New Orleans today. Ray Nagin will be sentenced this morning by a federal court judge on 20 criminal counts including bribery and money laundering. He was convicted earlier this year of receiving cash and gifts from those doing business with the city. Federal sentencing guidelines indicate Nagin should serve a minimum two decades in prison for his crimes. Nagin who has spoken here in Indy, was the mayor in office during Hurricane Katrina.
>>Obama, Perry To Meet On Border Crisis Today
In Dallas today, President Obama and Texas Governor Rick Perry will meet to discuss the southwest border crisis. Perry has called for National Guard troops to help curb a surge of Central American nationals into the U.S. The White House is working to fast-track child deportation hearings in hopes of removing tens of thousands of unaccompanied migrants from the United States. The government is expected to announce today that children will have priority over adults for deportation hearings.
Wednesday weather:
Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High of 82 degrees..
Save the date for “Praise in the Park” on the Canal, Saturday July 26th—powered by INHP & Metro PCS featuring “Gospel’s Best” stand out Danetra Moore, the return of Isaac Carree and more! Make it a great day as you listen to us all day on Indy’s R&B Leader 106.7 WTLC and here online at tlcnaptown.com.
###
kimwellsmedia Twitter:@kwellscomm 070914
