State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) today unveiled a draft of legislation she plans to introduce in the 2017 legislative session to require DNA collection from individuals arrested for a felony.

The legislation has received bipartisan support from Indiana lawmakers and the nonpartisan Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council. She was joined by State Sen. Jack E. Sandlin (R-Indianapolis), State Rep. B. Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend), State Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon), Boone County Prosecutor Todd Meyer, and Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen.

Similar to how law enforcement gathers photographs, fingerprints and other identifying information after an arrest, this bill would allow police to collect DNA samples that would be uploaded to a registry. DNA samples from individuals who are later acquitted of felonies would be expunged from the registry.

“Keeping our communities safe and giving law enforcement every tool they need to do their jobs efficiently and accurately is a top priority,” Houchin said. “DNA profiling is an accurate, widely used tool that will help law enforcement solve crimes and convict those who are responsible.”

Houchin noted the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the practice of obtaining DNA samples from felony arrestees.

Currently, more than 30 states and the federal government have laws that authorize the analysis of DNA samples collected from individuals arrested or charged of certain crimes.

The Indiana General Assembly will reconvene on Jan. 3 to begin discussing proposed legislation.

A Preliminary Draft of Houchin’s proposed legislation is attached below.

draft-dna-felony-arrest draft-dna-felony-arrest

The 7^th Annual Orleans Christmas on the Square is set for Sat., Dec. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Historic Congress Square (town park) downtown.

Family fun holiday event Wrap up and join us in historic Downtown Orleans for this very special community holiday happening.

Sponsored by Orleans Chamber of Commerce with support provided by our Community Partners Duke Energy, Visit French Lick/West Baden, Dollar General, HD Graphix, and Profab.

(New Kick Off Event)  4 p.m. Annual Santa Hat Run/Walk FREE. All Ages Welcome to Participate. Bring your Santa Hat & join the fun. Meet near bandstand

The popular Children’s Christmas Funtime Express (train ride) returns and will provide rides around the decorated historic Congress Square. FREE

Live holiday entertainment is planned throughout the evening including special performances from the O.E.S Choir, O.H.S Band.   Special Musical Guests “Ladies for Liberty”  will perform a FREE Christmas Concert from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the new Bicentennial stage located in the southwest corner of the park.  Don’t miss it!

Nativity with live animals telling the traditional Christmas Story, sponsored by the Orleans Ministerial Association. (South Side of Square)

Horse & Carriage rides, weather permitting. Rides will leave from Chamber Welcome Center, located on north side of square

Santa Claus arrives downtown that evening via the town’s restored 1926 Peter Pirsch Firetruck at around 5:10 p.m. or so at the historic  decorated picturesque bandstand,  and the official town Christmas Tree.  Members of the Orleans Elem. School Choir under the direction of Mrs.  Deb Edwards are expected to be on hand to greet Santa in Song. Youngsters will be welcome to visit with the Jolly Old Elf and share their Christmas wishes.   Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.

Free “Postcards to Santa” available from the Chamber Welcome Center, located on the north side of the square. Santa’s Mailbox in front of Chamber office.

A number of vendors are expected to be set up inside the park area that evening including Tri Kappa who will be offering up warm drinks, food items, and other homemade holiday goodies for purchase.

Mt Pleasant Baptist Church will be serving free coffee and hot chocolate at this year’s Christmas on the Square Come by their booth set in the park to pick up a treat bag for the kids and register in a drawing to win a prize!

12 U Indiana Trailblazers will also be setting up and offering warm food & drink that evening.

Some business owners around the square have also announced plans to be open during the event and invite attendees to stop in including Sprigler’s Market & Deli.

For more event information contact the Orleans Chamber, 812 865 9930, www.historicorleans.com

It can’t be wrapped or placed under a tree, but the perfect gift can help save patient lives this holiday season. The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give the lifesaving gift of a blood donation in December, a time when donations decline but the needs of patients remain steady.

Barbara Coger will never forget the donors that gave the blood that her husband received during the holidays. “I have been donating blood for some time, but really started encouraging others to do so after my husband received a donation on Christmas Eve,” she said. “He had not been doing well and would not survive much longer, but with that extra boost, he was able to share a big smile with me on Christmas morning, something I will always cherish.”

Donors of all blood types are needed this holiday season to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients. To encourage donations, all those who come to donate Dec. 22, 2016, through Jan. 8, 2017, will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

• Senior Citizens Center, 515 Buckeye St. North Vernon, IN 47265
• 12/20/2016: Noon – 4 p.m.
• First United Methodist Church, 240 W. Poplar St. North Vernon, IN 47265
• 12/20/2016: 1 – 6 p.m.
• Walmart, 2363 Highway 135 N. Corydon, IN 47112
• 12/20/2016: 2 – 7 p.m.
• Walmart, 2410 N. Highway 3 North Vernon, IN 47265
• 12/28/2016: 3 – 7 p.m.

The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance in identifying the male in this photo who was involved in damaging a vending machine located at the Morris Bang Shop on the afternoon of Sunday, December 4, 2016. 

Police are also looking for this vehicle, which was caught on surveillance footage. 

Santa will take time from his busy schedule this year and stop by his local holiday house located on North Main Street, just off the courthouse. 

Santa will also be at Ace Hardware this Saturday from 11a to 1p for cookies with his guests and will be available for photos. 

The hours for the Santa House are:

• Friday, Dec. 9 & 16, 6pm-9pm
• Saturday, Dec. 10 & 17, 2pm-8pm
• Sunday, Dec. 11 & 18, 1pm-5pm
• Monday–Wednesday, Dec. 19-21, 6pm-9pm

Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies and ISP Troopers arrested a 39-year old Seymour man on Saturday for criminal recklessness with a firearm.

Thomas J. Young, 39, Seymour, was taken into custody. He faces a charge of Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, a Level 6 Felony.

Police responded to a 9-1-1 report of shots fired near Ironwood Apartments east of Seymour on December 3rd .

At the scene, Deputy Jeff Walters received information that five to seven gunshots were heard and that they came from a residence behind the Apartment Building. A neighbor then reported the shots came from a home on Colvin Court.

Walters then saw a male subject exiting the Colvin Court home holding a handgun by his side. Walters ordered the male several times to drop the weapon, and he finally complied.

Walters then took Young into custody.

Young told Walters he was upset with his neighbor and wanted to scare them so he fired 7 gunshots into the ground. The neighbor’s home is approximately 20 feet from Young’s.

Walters retrieved Young’s Remington .380 pistol and transported Young to the Jackson County Jail where he faces a charge of Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon, a Level 6 Felony.

Assisting was Jackson County Deputy Rob Henley, ISP Troopers Rob Simpson, Ed Olibo, Seth Davidson and Chris Lockman.