It’s a ranking Indiana isn’t proud of.

In 2013, it had more meth incidents than any other in state in the U.S.

The 2014 stats, so far, have it staged to repeat as the nation’s meth capital again.

That’s why a state lawmaker is proposing a new bill aimed at getting rid of that title. Representative Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) hopes to further restrict the amount of pseudoephedrine Hoosiers can buy over the counter. It’s a common decongestant and a main ingredient used the make meth.

Smaltz’s bill would allow customers to purchase 9.6 grams of the ingredient per year over the counter. That’s significantly less than what’s currently allowed by state law.

To put things into perspective Indiana customers can currently buy two, 30-count boxes of 12-hour Claritin D in a month under current Indiana law without a prescription. But under the new bill, they would only be able to buy two and a half boxes of it in a year.

Smaltz says Oregon, Mississippi, and Missouri have all implemented some variety of pseudoephedrine prescription. In all three of those states, they have seen dramatic decreases in the amount of one pot labs.

But the Indiana Retail Council opposes the bill. It’s president, Grant Monohan, said it would inconvenience too many customers and raise health care costs by forcing more people to get prescriptions saying a majority of their customers purchase the products for a legitimate reason and they ought to be able to continue to do that.

Sgt. Bob Burgess with the Indiana State Police supports Smaltz’s bill. He said Indiana is currently suffering from a meth epidemic, and that calls for desperate measures.

Smaltz’ bill would also create stricter charges for dealing and possessing meth, especially around children. He hopes to introduce it in a couple of weeks.

Columbus Police are investigating an inside theft at Northside Middle School.

Sgt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department Spokesman, says employees at Northside Middle School noticed a number of past due notices being received for bills that should have been paid.

According to the affidavit, the issue was brought to Principal Amy Dixon.

Principal Dixon confronted the administrative assistant who was responsible for paying those bills, Michelle R. Rooks.

Rooks, who served as the school‘s treasurer, allegedly confessed to school officials, and later to Columbus Police investigators that she had been stealing from the school for the past six years.

The affidavit states that Rooks told investigators that when she would make cash deposits, she would keep a portion of the money for herself.

Rooks was arrested and is facing one Felony count of Theft, though more charges could be forthcoming.

A statement from Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp (BCSC) Superintendent Dr. John Quick indicated that Rooks has been fired and the State Board of Accounts has been notified to perform a proper accounting of Northside‘s finances.

Dr. Quick added that since Rooks was bonded and the school corporation is insured, neither the school nor BCSC should suffer financial losses.

This morning, an autopsy was completed by the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville, KY on the body of four year old Hayden Dukes. A preliminary cause of death was not determined

The official cause of death will not be determined until toxicology and other test results have returned which typically take up to six weeks.

The preliminary autopsy results along with pending test results will be given to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office.

These reports will supplement the investigative reports already submitted to the prosecutor’s office to assist in determining if additional charges will be filed against Christopher Bruck, Hayden Dukes father.

All further inquiries in reference to this case should be directed to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office.

On January 8, 2015, Hayden Dukes, four years old of 22416 Campbell Street in Underwood, IN, (rural Clark County) passed away. Hayden was in Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY after allegedly being battered by his father, Christopher A. Bruck. The Aggravated Battery and Neglect of a Dependent case against Christopher A. Bruck has now officially turned into a Death Investigation case.

On January 3, 2015, Detective Raichel Abbott and Detective David Mitchell from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg were sent to the Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY to investigate serious and suspicious injuries to a four year old male child from 22416 Campbell Street in Underwood, IN, (rural Clark County). The child had been transferred to Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY from the Scott County Hospital located in Scott County, IN. A doctor at the Scott County Hospital contacted the Indiana State Police after seeing the child and suspecting possible injuries from child abuse.

While at the Kosair Children’s Hospital, Detective’s Abbott and Mitchell interviewed the father of the child, Christopher A. Bruck, 27, from the above mentioned address in Clark County. While talking to Christopher Bruck it was learned that he became upset at the four year old child and struck him. Later that same afternoon Scott County E.M.S. was called to the address in Underwood and transported the child to the Scott County Hospital for treatment.

After speaking to Christopher A. Bruck, he was transported back to Indiana where he was arrested and incarcerated at the Clark County Jail. He was charged with Aggravated Battery, Level 3 Felony and Neglect of Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Level 3 Felony.