Indiana
Distracted driving and speeding campaign in effect across Indiana
INDIANA (WSBT) — Indiana is cracking down on distracted driving.
It’s part of the annual “Safer Roads Campaign” targeting both distracted and speeding drivers.
Indiana is cracking down on distracted driving. It’s part of the annual “Safer Roads Campaign” targeting both distracted and speeding drivers (WSBT File).
The nearly week-long campaign will have officers working overtime to spot distracted drivers violating Indiana’s Hands-Free Law, as the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute partners with State Police to increase patrols across the state.
It’s a big pet peeve of a lot of people, and I think if we’re honest, we’ve all been guilty of either or both of those things at some point during our time of driving,” said Sgt. Ted Bohner, Indiana State Police.
With both Indiana and Michigan being hands-free states, Sgt. Bohner said that it’s not just cellphones that are distracting, but playing with the radio, fixing the GPS or even talking to other passengers play a part.
Indiana is cracking down on distracted driving. It’s part of the annual “Safer Roads Campaign” targeting both distracted and speeding drivers (WSBT File).
This is federally funded overtime and. A lot of people are like, ‘Well, shouldn’t you be looking for these things every day?’ And the answer is a resounding yes, absolutely. It puts extra officers on the road, you know, especially as we kind of get into the spring and the construction season,” said Sgt. Bohner.
As spring begins, travel season becomes busier and accidents increase.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shared their latest data, and said in a statement:
Indiana recorded 249 speeding-related fatalities in 2023, and distracted driving accounted for 47 fatal incidents. However, limitations in data collection suggest that the actual number of deadly crashes caused by distracted drivers is likely higher than reported.
Sgt. Bohner said that spreading awareness of this campaign is important.
Indiana is cracking down on distracted driving. It’s part of the annual “Safer Roads Campaign” targeting both distracted and speeding drivers (WSBT File).
As technology goes, there’s a lot more things to distract us as well. Follow the rules of the road, not just when it comes to speeding, but just everything, driving sober, and wearing your seatbelt. Doing all those things that we can do to make the roads as safe as possible,” said Sgt. Bohner.
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The campaign will run from April 4th to April 13th.
Indiana
Coldwater man arrested after leading sheriff’s deputies on vehicle chase into Indiana
A Coldwater man was arrested after a vehicle pursuit that went into Indiana Monday night.
Just after 9:45 p.m., deputies from the Branch County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for a license plate violation on Fiske Road near Newton Road.
The driver did not stop, and a vehicle pursuit was engaged. The vehicle fled south on Fremont Road, west on Copeland Road, then south on I-69.
The chase continued into Indiana, where the Indiana State Police (ISP) assisted. The vehicle came to a stop after a successful deployment of stop sticks.
The driver, a 39-year-old Coldwater man, attempted to flee on foot. He was quickly apprehended by BCSO deputies and ISP troopers.
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The driver was arrested and lodged by the Indiana State Police. Charges are being sought by the Branch County Sheriff’s Office.
Indiana
Severe storm damages Greenwood Community High School auditorium
GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) — A tornado-warned storm late Monday night that moved through Greenwood has damaged a school auditorium.
Superintendent Terry Terhune of Greenwood Community Schools tells News 8 that at least one tree was downed and the auditorium received some damage at Greenwood Community High School. Strong winds lifted some siding from the back of the auditorium.
Terhune said the storm put some small holes in the school’s roof where water was leaking, and the damage assessment was continuing shortly before midnight Monday.
A tornado warning was issued for the area around 10:50 p.m. Monday.
Indiana
Monkee’s of Indianapolis: New boutique caters to Indy’s fashion needs
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Monkee’s of Indianapolis, a new women’s boutique owned by Missy Llewellyn and Whitney Schmitt, opened on March 12, 2026. The store, located at 8659 River Crossing Blvd. in Indianapolis, offers a personalized shopping experience featuring clothing, shoes, home decor, and gifts.
The boutique is the first Monkee’s franchise location in Indiana and aims to provide a welcoming space for shoppers seeking wardrobe updates and specialty home items.
Llewellyn and Schmitt, who met as neighbors nearly 20 years ago, launched the business as they entered their empty-nester years. Both bring decades of marketing experience and prior franchise ownership.
“I think the best thing that we’ve heard is everyone says Indy needed this,” Llewellyn said. “So that makes it worth it to us that we’ve brought something that the community feels like was needed.”
Llewellyn said she first discovered the Monkee’s concept while traveling in the South. “We went in, and it was a Monkee’s, and I’d never been in one, and I fell in love,” she said.
The owners said their different styles help shape the store’s selection. “We both have different personalities. We have different styles,” Llewellyn said. “So we tried to combine those two when we were shopping and thinking of what we wanted at our store.”
The boutique carries casual and event wear, a denim selection, and footwear brands such as Back 70. It also features jewelry, home decor, and gift items.
“We tried to have something for everybody,” Schmitt said. “We have clothing, shoes, lots of jewelry, but we wanted to have plenty of gifts — hostess gifts, wedding gifts, shower gifts, birthday gifts.”
The store also offers a candle, Opulence No. 6, created to represent the owners’ friendship and their six daughters.
Monkee’s of Indianapolis is the 69th location in the franchise, which is primarily based in the South. The store operates Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
The boutique also plans community events, including girls’ nights, sip-and-shop gatherings, mahjong events, and trunk shows.
To learn more and explore the shop’s website, visit monkeesofindianapolis.com.
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