Local News Headlines: December 17, 2021

IU to hold Winter Commencement at Assembly Hall
Indiana University will host their Winter Commencement ceremony for graduates tomorrow at 10am. The 90-minute event will be held at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on the Bloomington campus, and will be offered as a first-come, first-served basis for guests.

Senior Daisy Trujillo is the featured student speaker to highlight the resilience and passion of IU students. Trujillo is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in international law and institutions from the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. During her time at IU, Trujillo has supported underrepresented communities as president of the Indiana University Multicultural Greek Council and helped immigrant victims of human trafficking secure U.S. visas during an internship. She was selected as the student speaker through a process that included nominations and interviews.

Holiday Patrols to Target Dangerous Drivers
The Indiana State Police Bloomington District announced that it will be increasing patrols during the holiday season, as part of a statewide crackdown on impaired driving. Starting this week until the new year, Officers will be on high alert for anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Law enforcement will also be watching for seat belt violations and other forms of dangerous driving. This is part of the Safe Family Travel Campaign aimed at reducing crashes and traffic fatalities around the holidays when statistics show an increased potential for drunk driving. The high-visibility patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with a grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

Every year, more than 10,000 people die in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S. That’s approximately one person every 52 minutes. While driving under the influence is a daily concern, it’s more prevalent around certain holidays, with Christmas and New Year’s among the deadliest. Last December, 73 people lost their lives in fatal collisions in Indiana. Of those, 11 involved a drunk driver, according to ICJI.

The department is asking for the public’s help to keep Indiana roads safe this holiday season by designating a sober driver or using a ride service, public transportation, or taxi if alcohol is consumed. Motorists are also encouraged to wear a seat belt, slow down, put down the cell phone, and to make sure kids are properly buckled up. In addition to being required by law, wearing a seat belt also reduces the risk of injury or death in a crash. Motorists can report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 or contacting the department.

This Week in Hoosier History

1871 – Edward Eggleston published The Hoosier Schoolmaster, a novel about a teacher and his students in an early Indiana school. Eggleston, born in Vevay in Switzerland County, was a historian who wrote stories about pioneer life. His other books include The Hoosier Schoolboy, The End of the World, and Faith Doctor

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