Around Indiana

2010 National Maple Syrup Festival

When 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and March 13-14

Where Tickets and parking are available at Medora Community School, 82 S. George St., Medora, Ind. A shuttle will take people to the festival grounds at Burton’s Maplewood Farm.

Cost $6 for 5- to 15-year-olds, $10 for adults. Free admission for children under 4 years old. Bring a canned food donation for a $2 discount.

More info Proceeds will go toward the Heads Up!!! Foundation, which will be used to benefit a Riley Hospital summer camp for children with craniofacial anomalies.

General Assembly passes gambling winnings for child support bill

The Indiana Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill that would require deadbeat parents who hit big slot machine jackpots at casinos to give up the cash to their children.

The Senate voted unanimously Thursday to endorse House changes to a bill that had cleared the Senate previously. It now goes to Gov. Mitch Daniels for his consideration.

The measure would withhold gambling winnings from parents who are behind on their child support payments. Supporters say it makes sense in a state where just 58 percent of child support payments are collected.

More than 165,000 noncustodial parents each owe more $2,000 for back child support in more than $2 billion of delinquencies.

The withholdings would generally kick in on slot machine winnings of $1,200 or more.


— AP Reports