Friday’s News & Headlines With Kim Wells
Law enforcement officers stand accused of crimes here in the Indianapolis metro area. This tops our Friday headlines.
A Marion County sheriff’s deputy is accused of rape. Officials say Craig Ryland turned himself in at the Hendricks County Jail Thursday morning, but bonded out a short time later. Details surrounding the allegations haven’t been revealed. In the meanwhile, Ryland is on unpaid administrative leave.
An IMPD officer accused of stealing guns that were supposed to be taken to the department’s property room is now facing charges. Officials say Christopher Dickerson was arrested also Thursday for failing to follow rules concerning the proper handling of evidence during an investigation in November. According to court documents, Dickerson is an avid gun collector and he allegedly told investigators he threw the guns into a river.
The state’s “On My Way Pre-K” program will now accept 100 more children than was previously announced. The program was originally capped at 350, but officials increased the number to 450 because of high demand. More than 1,800 families applied. A lottery system will be used to fill the slots.
President Obama will face reporters today for the last time this year. Obama will likely take questions about the new U.S. policy toward Cuba, the Sony hacking incident and relations with Congress in his end-of-the-year news conference.
President Obama is also forming a task force to examine police practices and improve the relationship between law enforcement and local communities. The move comes after weeks of protests following the police killings of a number of unarmed people. The White House says the eleven-member panel will submit its recommendations to the President by early March.
The Secret Service needs more agents, better training, and a higher fence around the White House. Those are the recommendations of an independent panel created after a fence jumper got inside the White House before he was stopped earlier this year. The panel recommends hiring at least 200 more uniformed officers and more than 80 new plain clothes agents.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is going into the week’s final session after its best day of the year. The Dow closed up more than 400 points Thursday. A day after the Fed announced it would not be raising interest rates in the near future, the Dow closed with a gain of 421 points to 17-778.
If you’re heading out of town for the holidays, several area police departments are offering free home security checks. The service is available in Brownsburg, Avon, Greenwood, Westfield and here in Indianapolis. Police say before leaving, make sure you lock your doors and windows, and set your lights on a timer so it looks like someone is home. Police also recommend not posting your vacation plans on social media.
While some are traveling, for others the Christmas shopping season is just about to begin. This rings true for one in five Americans. A new poll by RetailMeNot.com finds that 20-percent of people surveyed say they don’t start Christmas shopping until the Saturday before Christmas.
In Sports:
The Pacers continue their quick road trip playing the Nuggets Saturday at the Pepsi Center. Indiana is coming off a two-point loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. The Pacers are 8-and-18 while Denver plays Los Angeles tonight.
The Crossroads Classic is also Saturday going down at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Up first is Butler and Indiana. That game tips at 2:30 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. Following that is Notre Dame and Purdue. They tip off at 5:15 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.
The Colts clash with the Cowboys on Sunday at AT&T Stadium. Indy has already clinched the AFC South. Dallas is looking to lock up a postseason berth or the NFC East and can do so with a win and some help. Go Horse!
Indianapolis Weather:
Partly Cloudy on this “Fabulous Friday.” The High near 34 degrees.
Spend some time with me this Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Eastern (7 a.m. Central) on “Access Indy.” I’m continuing part three of our four-part finance series and dealing with last minute holiday stuff you need to know. It’s lively, appointment radio that you won’t want to miss. “Access Indy” with Kim Wells, on 106.7 WTLC and your favorite radio app.
( @1067wtlc )
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