By Lindsay Fisher
Mother arrested for drunk driving
A New Castle mother is in jail after she allegedly passed out at a drive-thru window Saturday night. Thirty-three year old Amber Ford took 13 minutes to order fast food, while her two young children were in the car, then passed out at the window. Ford was charged with two counts of operating while intoxicated and one count of public intoxication.
Religious Freedom bill passes the House
The Religious Freedom bill has passed the House. The bill could allow business owners to refuse service to same-sex couples, by citing religion. A similar bill has already passed in the Senate. Those who support the bill say it protects business owners with religious beliefs from government intrusion and lawsuits. Those opposed say the bill allows business owners to discriminate against homosexuals under the premise of religion.
Bill could allow for Christmas celebration in schools
A new bill referenced as the "Merry Christmas" bill is attempting to legalize celebrating Christmas in Indiana public schools. Senate Bill 233 would allow for religious symbols to be used as decoration and say "Merry Christmas" in the classroom — as long as other religious symbols were displayed. The bill was written by Sen. Jim Smith to protect schools from lawsuits. However, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment would make it difficult for the bill to protect schools.
Peru police officer files tort claim
A former Peru police officer has filed a tort claim against the city. Jules Buffington was terminated in February — after Buffington threatened to kill someone in a meeting. According to Lt. Tussey, Buffington said he would kill somebody if he couldn't get a day off to attend his son's birthday party. Buffington's tort claim says he was fired from the police force in retaliation for not obeying a order from the chief. Buffington is asking for $700,000 in damages.
Terminally ill patients to get access to experimental drugs
A proposal that would give terminally ill patients in Indiana better access to experimental drugs not yet carried at pharmacies will become law today.
Gov. Mike Pence will sign the bill into law during a ceremony today. Legislators approved the bill last week. It will give Indiana patients access to experimental drugs after they've cleared the first phase of U.S. Food and Drug Administration process. Terminally ill patients will then be given the right to try experimental drugs that haven't been fully approved by FDA.
