IUPD

Man held for 500-plus days on murder charge is released

TIPTON, Ind. -- A man jailed for more than a year on a murder charge was released after the Indiana Supreme Court ruled he had been held longer than state law permits. Michael Shane Bramley, 28, was released from the Tipton County Jail on his own recognizance Monday, three days after the high court ordered his release. In its 5-0 decision, the court ruled Bramley had been held without trial longer than allowed by state law. That decision overturned a July ruling by a Tipton Circuit judge who rejected Bramley's request for release.

Van strikes Bloomington cyclist

An accident at the intersection of 10th Street and Smith Road left a female bicyclist hospitalized Wednesday according to Bloomington Police Department reports. BPD responded to a call around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and found a van had struck the bicyclist. The bicyclist was conscious when police arrived and was transported to Bloomington Hospital to be checked for internal injuries, said Sgt. Myrick Williams of the BPD. The driver of the van was uninjured.

Monroe County to get 2 new courts

The County Council will vote at 5 p.m. tonight on whether to send a budget proposal for a new court to the state, cutting almost $200,000 off the original estimate of just under $1.7 million. The State Department of Local Government Finance still has to approve the proposal, and there is "no guarantee," said Mark Stoops, president of the County Council.

New state law requires court advocates for children's cases

A new state law requiring advocates for foster children lacks a provision providing the money for such advocates. Senate Bill 529 became law July 1, requiring advocates to be appointed for children in abuse and neglect cases. Advocates for children's rights hail the law, saying it is important someone represent youths in court.

Hurricane ravaged Saints could face vagabond season

There is only one certainty about the New Orleans Saints' future: They will live and work out of the Marriott Riverwalk in San Antonio for a while.

Fab fish: Marlin hits grand slam in first ever at-bat

MIAMI - Florida's Jeremy Hermida became the first player in more than a century and only the second ever to hit a grand slam in his first major league at-bat, connecting in the seventh inning off the St. Louis Cardinals' Al Reyes on Wednesday night.

Hoosier coach doubles as team's master craftsman

Anyone looking for IU rowing coach Steve Peterson shortly after dawn between June and August will find him in the boathouse at Lake Lemon in northern Monroe County.

Should we be ashamed? No.

City vocally supports local artists

Bloomington residents came together Wednesday night for what Mayor Mark Kruzan called the "absolute best use of a purple wall in the city of Bloomington."

Shoe show treads new ground for IU students

The Mathers Museum is presenting an exhibit on materials that united people of most cultures, but rarely noticed. "Everyone wears shoes," said Ellen Sieber, curator of collections at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures.

IU's beautiful campus flourishes with the many flowers blooming in Bloomington

Walking around the IU campus, students might overlook many things. They might not see the nearly transparent fish in the Jordan River, the pastel chalk scribbles on the sidewalks or the intricate stone chiseling on the Chemistry Building. It is virtually impossible, however, to fail to notice the campus's beauty.

Jordan River Forum

I wasn't surprised to read a column both critical and ignorant of the basic tenets of Intelligent Design. Mr. Schmidt's column ("The New Creationism," Aug 24.) was a careful and well-rehearsed repetition of everything his professors have taught him to believe. His mockery of those with commitments both to scientific inquiry and to supernatural belief only demonstrates his lack of respect for either. I'm afraid (Intelligent Design) is not simply a few religious zealots astonished by an eyeball, and the columnist would be well-served by a thorough reading of Behe, Dembski and others.

Making the most of 'new beginnings'

Welcome to a new academic year at IU-Bloomington! For each of us, this week marks a "new beginning," whether you are a freshman starting your college career, a returning student facing new challenges, a graduate student preparing to plunge into your chosen field or an international scholar who has come from afar to join the IU family.

Dude, I think I need a thesaurus

Oh my gosh. Like ... you know" No, actually, I don't.

Not 'our tsunami'

This is our tsunami," Biloxi, Miss., Mayor A.J. Holloway said of Hurricane Katrina to multiple news services Tuesday. Though the death toll from Katrina is not yet established, it appears the damage is extensive.

Time to face reality

When I first started middle school, my dad gave me a piece of advice. He told me to never pick fights and peacefully settle problems others might have with me. If, however, a fight could not be avoided, he said that my only goal should be to put down my opponent so brutally that he would neither want nor be able to get up and continue the disagreement.

Arousing awareness

The incorporation of urinal screens in IU men's rooms is the most recent publicity campaign to combat sexual harassment. It is a silly but effective way to raise awareness of a common and tragic problem occurring not only at IU-Bloomington, but on campuses nationwide. The campaign is part of a growing national effort to shift blame for rape from the victim to the potential perpetrator.

Legislators halt impeachment case against Philippine president

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's congressional allies dealt a major blow Wednesday to efforts to oust her, using their dominating majority -- and the opposition's absence -- to toss out all three impeachment complaints against her.

4 arrested in L.A. terrorism plot

LOS ANGELES -- The head of a militant Islamic prison gang and three others were indicted Wednesday on federal charges of planning terrorist attacks against National Guard facilities, the Israeli Consulate and other Los Angeles-area targets.

Stampede in Baghdad kills more than 700

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Panicked by rumors of a suicide bomber, thousands of Shiite pilgrims broke into a stampede on a bridge during a religious procession Wednesday, crushing one another or plunging 30 feet into the muddy Tigris river. About 800 died, mostly women and children, officials said.