If you thought efforts to consolidate local government had slowed down in the recent legislative session, you would be wrong. The legislators stopped their progress and made consolidation harder.Pence in Ossian
U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, the GOP candidate for governor, will make a “pro jobs policy announcement” this morning in Ossian, his campaign said.
Pence will announce his policy at Perma-Column, which makes precast columns used as foundations for pole barns.
Council and abatement
The Fort Wayne City Council is expected to vote this evening on a dentist’s plan to build an office on Coldwater Road.
Dentist David Painter of Auburn has offered to allow the city to annex the property – but only if he receives a property tax abatement. Some council members are concerned about linking the annexation with abatement, which county officials previously denied.
The council is also expected to act on a proposed ordinance that would result in Huntertown paying much higher water rates unless it reaches agreement for a contract with Fort Wayne City Utilities.
Threat in Evansville
Evansville police are investigating what they described as threatening online posts against police, including one that named the police chief. A Vanderburgh County judge approved two search warrants, the Evansville Courier & Press reported, and the first one was served. Police used a stun grenade to raid an Evansville home where they found a teenage girl and her grandmother inside – the people they sought.
More primaries
The two parties have their presidential nominations locked up, but primaries continue and still carry big stakes.
In Utah, veteran GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch faces his first primary challenge since he was first elected in 1976. Though some observers though Hatch, 78, faces the same fate as veteran Hoosier Sen. Richard Lugar, he is now the favorite to win.
In New York, 21-term U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel is on the ballot for the first time since the House rebuked him for failing to pay taxes and improper financial disclosure filings. His district was also redrawn, and he is considered vulnerable in today’s vote.
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120626/APA/1206260558
Florida storm
Parts of Interstate 10 across northern Florida were closed because of flooding this morning as Tropical Storm Debby batters the state. The storm is about 85 miles west of Cedar Key, Fla., and moving eastward at 3 mph, carrying winds of near 45 mph.
