The legal age to buy tobacco products is now 21, but some Indiana retailers say they are unaware of the change.

On December 20th, the President signed legislation to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and raise the federal minimum age of sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years.

It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product — including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes — to anyone under 21.

The Indiana Food & Fuel Association in a Friday news release called the situation “wildly irresponsible.”

“To expect the more than half a million clerks, employed by some 10,000 tobacco retailers in Indiana, not to mention their customers, to discover that this law is already in effect is completely reckless” Scot Imus, executive director, said in the release.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that claimed the life of the operator.

At 8:35 p.m. Sunday, officers were dispatched to the 7000 blocks of South River Bottom Road in Hanover, in Jefferson County.

Cory Garver, 35, of Madison, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jefferson County coroner.

Initial investigation determined Garver was operating his side-by-side ORV north on River Bottom Road when he came to a curve. Tire marks indicated the ORV was braking before the curve and continued off the roadway where the vehicle turned sideways, flipped and struck a tree.

Garver was wearing a seat belt, but not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and Jefferson County EMS assisted on scene.

An autopsy will be conducted later this week by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today released the Federal 2018-2019 School Accountability Ratings. Over 56 percent of high schools and 53 percent of elementary and middle schools received a rating of Meets Expectations or Exceeds Expectations.

Due to differences between federal and state accountability requirements, for the second year, Indiana schools will be assessed under two accountability systems. In an effort to provide more clarity and move away from the issuance of two grades, however, the US Department of Education approved IDOE’s amendment to Indiana’s ESSA plan allowing for schools to receive federal accountability ratings in lieu of federal accountability grades. As the purpose of the federal accountability system is to provide actionable data that is accessible and aligned to long-term policy goals for student achievement, this change will also allow for a better understanding of the system as a tool to more accurately measure achievement and provide motivated progress towards success, as opposed to it simply becoming a punitive mark.

“I am proud of the work Indiana schools are doing to academically prepare our children for life beyond high school,” said State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick. “To better serve schools for future successes, however, it is important we develop a single modernized state-legislated accountability system that is fair, accurate, and transparent. Our kids, schools, teachers, and parents deserve it.”

Please note, due to the recent request by Superintendent McCormick and the Indiana General Assembly to pass a hold harmless on 2018-2019 State Accountably Grades, the State Board of Education has adopted a resolution withholding any vote to release state accountability grades until the General Assembly has officially taken action in the upcoming 2020 legislative session.

For more information regarding the standard-setting process used to establish federal ratings including a summary of federal supports and improvement statuses, please visit: www.doe.in.gov/accountability/federal-accountability-ratings. To view Indiana’s ESSA plan, please visit: www.doe.in.gov/essa.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced the results of the overtime patrols that were conducted by nearly 40 law enforcement agencies to create safer school bus stops around the state.

The departments, which were awarded Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) grants, issued a total of 2,675 citations and 1,430 warnings during the two-month mobilization, which kicked off at the start of the 2019 school year.

The SAVE program is funded by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

“There’s no excuse for driving dangerously or distracted around a school bus, but there are consequences,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Parents shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their child going to and from school, which is why we’ll continue to make improving bus stop safety a priority.”

As a result of the funding, officers conducted an additional 2,057 patrols and worked an extra 5,690 hours, targeting speeding, aggressive driving, stop-arm and other traffic violations along with bus stops and routes.

Out of the thousands of citations issued, 453 were stop-arm violations and another 1,239 involved speeding. Other larger citation categories included failing to stop at a stop sign or stop light (173), not wearing a seat belt (134) and equipment violations (113).

ICJI Executive Director Devon McDonald said that the SAVE program, a first for Indiana and surrounding states, offers a unique, innovative approach to improving school bus stop safety and can be used as a model by other states.

“A critical component of the SAVE program was the collaboration that took place between the schools, bus operators and local law enforcement,” McDonald said. “Together, they identified problem areas and routes, allowing them to coordinate their efforts, and focus their attention and resources strategically.”

McDonald added that while police officers are watching every day for motorists, who are speeding or checking their phones while driving near buses, it’s imperative for drivers to slow down and pay attention to the road, especially in school zones.

State law requires a school bus to use flashing lights and extend its stop arm while loading and unloading students. The law also requires drivers to stop while the arm is extended. On highways divided by a physical barrier or unimproved median, vehicles traveling in the opposite direction as the school bus may proceed with due caution.

ICJI plans to start accepting applications for the next round of SAVE grant funding early next week.

Visit www.cji.in.gov to learn more about the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the SAVE program.

On Thursday, January 2^nd, the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section and the Indiana State Police Bloomington District ACES concluded a lengthy drug investigation by arresting David Cecil Phillips, 44 years old, of Solsberry, Indiana. 

The Indiana State Police had received information that Phillips was dealing large quantities of methamphetamine in both Greene and Lawrence Counties.  In addition, it was known that Phillips was operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.

At approximately 3:45 p.m., today, Trp. Caleb Garvin, Trp. Richard Klun, and Sgt. Greg Day observed Phillips driving a white, 2001 Dodge pickup truck eastbound on SR 54 in Avoca.  Trp. Garvin conducted a traffic stop on Phillips for the known driver’s license violation. 

Trp. Klun deployed his canine, Loki, who gave a positive alert to the odor of a controlled substance in the vehicle.  Troopers searched the truck and located over 28 grams of methamphetamine, scales, and other items of evidence. 

Phillips was taken into custody and transported to the Lawrence County Jail, where he is currently detained. 

 Arrested and Charges:  David C. Phillips, 44, Solsberry, IN

• Dealing Methamphetamine over 10 Grams, Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine over 28 Grams, Level 2 Felony
• Driving While Suspended with a Prior Conviction, Class A Misdemeanor

Anyone with illegal drug information is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411.  Tips can remain anonymous.

For the complete results including the 16 semi-finalists visit www.indianastatefair.com. The 2020 Indiana State Fair will be held August 7-23 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, Indianapolis, IN.