State News:
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s unemployment rate edged higher in June from May.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development said Friday the rate was 3.3 percent, up from 3.2 percent in May. It follows three months where the rate was steady.
The state’s rate remained below the national rate of 4 percent. With the exception of October 2014, when it was equal to the national rate, the state’s unemployment rate has been below the U.S. rate for more than four years.
Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of more than 14,950 over the previous month, which was a result of more than 3,785 unemployed residents no longer seeking employment and a more than 11,150 increase in residents employed. Indiana’s total labor force is 3.3 million.
Branson tragedy
BRANSON, Mo. (AP) — The 17 people killed when a tourist boat sank in a Missouri lake were remembered Sunday during a service attended by hundreds of people in the tourism community of Branson.
A church bell at Williams Chapel at College of the Ozarks chimed 17 times for those who died Thursday at Table Rock Lake. Nine of the victims were from one Indiana family.
More than a dozen survivors of the tragedy, along with their family and friends, filled the front pews of the church to organ music. Although a patrolman guarded their privacy, he allowed one attendee, Carmen Lawson, to deliver pink and red roses after the service to the Hoosier a family that lost nine loved ones.
“It was such a tragedy,” said Lawson, 61, of Branson, who delivered the flowers. “I feel for the family.”
Branson Mayor Karen Best recalled the desperate family members who turned to City Hall for information about their loved ones.
“We started putting faces with names. Those who were once strangers to us quickly became family,” Best said. “They were a part of our community. And we did what families do. We held hands, we wept and we prayed together.”
Online fundraisers had raised more than $400,000 for the Indiana family’s funeral expenses by Sunday afternoon.
Others killed were from Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois.
Move over Law:
BREMEN, Ind. (AP) — Indiana State Police are targeting drivers who fail to abide by the state’s “move over” law.
The statewide patrols began Sunday and continue through Saturday.
Under Indiana law, drivers should change lanes to steer clear of emergency or work vehicles stopped on the side of the road. If a lane change isn’t safe, they must instead reduce speed to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit.
Drivers who fail to do so can be ticketed.
The law applies to emergency workers like police, paramedics and firefighters who are stopped. But the same goes for road crews, tow truck operators and others with flashing amber lights.
South Bend Police car / fatality
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A priest says South Bend’s Hispanic community is hurting after a young mother died when a police car struck her vehicle as she was returning home from work.
Erica Flores died early Friday when South Bend police officer Justin Gorny’s patrol car collided with her vehicle in an intersection. The 22-year-old Flores had two daughters, ages 3 and 4.
St. Joseph County’s prosecutor says Gorny was traveling with his emergency lights flashing when he collided with Flores’ vehicle.
The Rev. Kevin Bauman is pastor of Our Lady of Hungary. He says Flores’ youth and her reputation as a hardworking, devoted single mother and parishioner is hitting the local Hispanic community hard, and some are angry.
Bauman tells the South Bend Tribune that Flores “always put her children first.”
Holiday World Road Work
SANTA CLAUS, Ind. (AP) — A new road is being built that aims to relieve traffic congestion near southern Indiana’s popular Holiday World amusement park.
Construction has started on the road on the west side of the town of Santa Claus, which will connect Indiana 162 and Indiana 245. The (Jasper) Herald reports land for the project was donated by the estate of Philip Koch, a member of Holiday World’s founding family who died in 2013 at age 47. The road will be named for him.
The new road will also incorporate a biking and hiking trail that will connect to the recreational trail system in the town about 35 miles northeast of Evansville.
A federal grant is paying for 80 percent of the $1.3 million project, which is to be completed this year.
Don’t dump gold fish
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana wildlife officials have a message for those thinking about getting rid of unwanted goldfish by dumping them into a lake, pond or stream: Don’t do it.
The Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife warns that the small aquarium dwellers can grow “huge” in the wild, tend to breed prolifically and become and invasive pest.
That threatens native fish species, throws the food chain out of whack and decreases biodiversity.
Wildlife officials note that goldfish can legally be used for fishing bait in Indiana.
But there are other options, too. Officials suggest trading them away or donating them to pet stores, school museums or zoos. You can also ask a veterinarian or pet store for advice.
