Hoosier Happenings

SMOKING BAN
INDIANAPOLIS – An Indiana House committee has advanced a bill that would ban smoking in most public places statewide, although it exempts casinos and some horse racing tracks. The House passed a similar bill last year, but it failed in the Senate and died during late-session negotiations.

FAITH-BASED  DAY-CARE BILL
INDIANAPOLIS – An Indiana House Committee chairwoman sponsoring legislation to license faith-based child care centers unexpectedly postponed a hearing on the bill Wednesday, saying she had become the target of a smear campaign by its opponents who rallied even her own pastors against her. Rep. Vanessa Summers, D-Indianapolis, rescheduled the hearing for next week but later said she was unsure whether the bill would go forward this session.

ASIAN CARP
INDIANAPOLIS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to collect water samples this spring from two northwestern Indiana rivers that flow into Lake Michigan as part of its efforts to track the spread of the invasive Asian carp.

HOLDING BACK
INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mitch Daniels’ proposal to hold third grade students back a year if they can’t read well may have hit a snag Wednesday because of its price tag. Republican Sen. Luke Kenley of Noblesville, Ind. said the bill comes with such a large price that he doesn’t see how the Senate could pass it this year.

John Edward Hair Salon celebrates renovation with fund-raiser
What: Selective free salon & spa services
When: Sunday, Jan. 24 from 12 to 5 p.m.
Why: To raise money for Monroe County Humane Association’s annual Fire & Ice Benefit
Where: John Edward Hair Salon, 116 S. Indiana Ave.