Syracuse University’s women’s basketball team will play in its first Final Four game on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. To catch you up on all things Indianapolis, here are this week’s five biggest news stories from the Indianapolis area.

 

1. Indiana State Road 37 chosen for Interstate 69 final section 

The Indiana State Department of Transportation has selected Indiana State Road 37 — a route between Martinsville and Indianapolis — as the most “reasonable” path for the final section in Interstate 69.

The state highway will be reconstructed as a federal highway and is expected to cut travel times and bring economic benefits, according to The Indianapolis Star. At the same time, about 279 homeowners and 96 businesses have to move somewhere else in order to accommodate for the construction.

 

2. Firefighter sues Indianapolis Fire Department over racial discrimination  

An Indianapolis Fire Department firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit against the fire department over racial discrimination. Jason Hardister accused his unit supervisors of harassment and retaliation, according to The Indianapolis Star. Hardister said his supervisors made false accusations against him that led to a demotion. A spokeswoman for the fire department said it has not been notified of a lawsuit.

 

3. Funeral service held for slain officer

A funeral service for a police officer who was killed in the line of duty was held Tuesday afternoon. Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz was fatally shot while serving a search warrant in Russiaville, Indiana, on March 20, according to local FOX affiliate WXIN.  The Indiana State Police Department reported that 2,000 officers and 800 civilians attended the funeral, including Indiana state Gov. Mike Pence.

 

4. Beer wholesaler affiliate under investigation over campaign finance probe 

A special prosecutor is investigating an Indiana beer wholesaler and its affiliated company over allegations that they broke state campaign finance law. Former Indiana Inspector Gen. David Thomas was appointed as the special prosecutor, according to The Indianapolis Business Journal.
The Indiana Beverage Alliance filed a complaint in August 2014 alleging that since 2002, Monarch Beverage has made more than $1.47 million in campaign donations through Vision Concepts LLC, the wholesaler’s affiliate. Even though the state imposes a $22,000 limit in corporate campaign contribution, its election laws don’t cover limited liability companies like Vision, since the business model did not exist when the laws were written.

 

5. Pastor pleads guilty for drug charges

A pastor in Indiana who operated a drug ring in his church pled guilty on two federal charges on Tuesday. Robert Jaynes Jr., 45, pled guilty on making almost 100 tons of synthetic marijuana and conspiracy to commit fraud. Jaynes made a plea deal with prosecutors who agreed to set a prison sentence no longer than 12 and a half years, according to The Indianapolis Star. The pastor said he made $2.6 million selling drugs.

Published on March 31, 2016 at 7:32 pm

Contact Satoshi: ssugiyam@syr.edu | @SatoshiJournal