Prosecutors determine White County Officers shot suspect out of necessity
White County Prosecutor’s Office has reviewed the case and determined that the actions of County Sheriff’s Deputies on June 15th were necessary to defend their lives. Officers opened fire that day on a man to which they were serving an arrest warrant, after being fired upon by the man in question. A Wolcott Town Marshal was also shot, but suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The man being served a warrant died as a result of his gunshot wounds.
DNR will enhance patrolling waters for alcohol use over 4th of July weekend
Boaters preparing for Independence Day weekend should be aware that Indiana Conservation Officers will be on high alert for violations of boating-under-the-influence laws as part of Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water, a year-round program, will be in heightened effect July 2–4. Indiana Conservation Officers, in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard, will focus on educating boaters about safe boating practices, including keeping alcohol off the boat, for both operators and passengers. Officers will be on the lookout for impaired boaters. Boaters will notice an overall increase in patrols, both on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints, to remove dangerous and impaired boaters from the waterways.
Operating a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries, death, and legal consequences. In Indiana, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Indiana Conservation Officers remind boaters to always boat sober and to wear a life jacket when on or around the water. Visit operationdrywater.org for more information about boating under the influence.
Indiana Department of Insurance Warns Damage from Fireworks May Not Be Covered by Insurance
As Independence Day celebrations kick off, the use of fireworks may increase in your area. The Indiana Department of Insurance is warning Hoosier homeowners and renters that accidental damage caused by fireworks that are banned in their counties may not be covered by their homeowners or renter’s insurance policies. Many insurance policies contain provisions disclaiming coverage for illegal acts committed by the insured. However, consumers who experience property damage due to another person’s use of fireworks may be able to claim benefits under their homeowners or renter’s policy.
In 2019, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Annual Fireworks Report, fireworks were involved with an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 36 percent of the estimated fireworks-related injuries.
The following are laws governing fireworks in the Hoosier state, and many towns and cities have additional ordinances that Hoosiers must follow:
- Fireworks can be purchased only by persons 18 years of age or older.
- Fireworks use is limited to personal property, the property of someone who has approved the use of fireworks or a location designated specifically for the use of consumer fireworks.
- Consumer fireworks may be used only between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on most days that are not holidays, but this may be limited further by local ordinances – check with local officials.
- On holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and New Year’s Eve), fireworks may be used between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. (You should check first with local officials.)
The times on the following dates are protected in Indiana for consumer use of fireworks and may not be prohibited by local ordinance:
- June 29 to July 3: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset;
- July 4: from 10 a.m. to midnight;
- July 5 to July 9: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset; and
- December 31: from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.