Telecom bill promises big changes

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana General Assembly is on the cusp of giving final approval to a dramatic change in state laws that govern telephone and cable television services.

As early as today the House could send House Bill 1279 to Gov. Mitch Daniels, who is expected to sign it into law over the objections of the AARP and some consumer groups and to the cheers of business groups and companies such as AT&T.

Read more about this story online at the Courier-Journal.com

Democrats seek eavesdropping special counsel

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should appoint a special counsel to investigate the legality of the Bush administration's eavesdropping program, 18 House Democrats told President Bush in a letter released Monday.

The lawmakers said the surveillance of terrorists must be done within the bounds of U.S. law, but complained that their efforts to get answers to legal and factual questions about the program have been stymied -- "generally based on the feeblest of excuses."

For more information on this stroy, go online to CNN.com

Children's home gets possible reprieve

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
lstedman@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana House approved an amendment yesterday that would force Gov. Mitch Daniels to keep the Silvercrest Children's Development Center in New Albany open.

However, the provision is by no means guaranteed to remain in the bill at the end of the legislative process.

The amendment's author, Rep. Bill Cochran, D-New Albany, said he is hopeful he can persuade lawmakers that the center — which the Daniels administration has moved to close — is the best choice for children with multiple disabilities who have been unable to make it in the public schools.

Read more about this important development at the Courier-Journal!

No End to Questions in Cheney Hunting Accident

By ANNE E. KORNBLUT
and RALPH BLUMENTHAL

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 — The White House sought with little success on Monday to quell an uproar over why it took the better part of a day to disclose that Vice President Dick Cheney had accidentally wounded a fellow hunter in Texas on Saturday and why even President Bush initially got an incomplete report on the shooting.

The victim, Harry Whittington, a 78-year-old lawyer, was transferred from the intensive care unit to a private room in a Corpus Christi hospital on Monday. He was listed as stable, with wounds to his face, neck, chest and rib cage from the pellets sprayed at him from 30 yards away by Mr. Cheney's shotgun.

Read more online at the NY Times Website!

Precinct Committee Meeting Announced

Preparing for the May 2006 Primary Election, Democratic County Chairman Randy Stumler and the Floyd County Central Committee has announced a Precinct Committee Meeting for February 25th at 10:00 a.m. at the Redman Club located at 404 Main Street in New Albany.

Click here for more information: www.floyddems.org/precinct.doc

Latest Primary Election Filings

As of January 31, 2006, the following candidates have filed for office on the Democratic ticket in Floyd County. The Deadline is February 17, 2006 at noon. For more information, visit the Floyd County Clerk's Office.

U.S. Representative:

Gretchen Clearwater
Baron Hill
John (Cosmo) Hockersmith
Lendall B. Terry

State Representative - District 70:

Paul Robertson

Clerk of Circuit Court:

Linda Moeller

County Auditor:

Teresa Plaiss

County Sheriff:

Wayne Kessinger
Darrell Mills

County Assessor:

Brenda Egge

County Commissioner:

Randy Stumler

County Council - District #1:

Ted Heavrin

County Council - District #2:

Coen (CJ) Fessel
Joe Schindler

County Council - District #3:

Steven Mennemeyer

County Council - District #4:

Jeff Fessel

Franklin Township Trustee:

Mike Riley

Franklin Township Advisory Board:

Randy L. Hubert

Georgetown Township Trustee:

David Riley

Georgetown Township Advisory Board:

Terry L. Kehrer
Karen Pritchett
Dennis Roudenbush
Greenville Township Trustee:

Hilda Gibson

Greenville Township Advisory Board:

C. Jeanette Cundiff

Lafayette Township Trustee:

Evan Freiberger

New Albany Township Assessor:

Barbara Sillings

New Albany Township Trustee:

Tom Cannon
Jeannie Freiberger

New Albany Township Advisory Board:

Lodema Applegate
James Hollis
Rick Jones
Patricia (Patty) Walker

Precinct Committeepersons:

Beth Hardin - New Albany #14
Matthew Denison - New Albany #15
Rick Jones - New Albany #15A
Linda Moeller - New Albany #19
James Hollis - New Albany #25
Letty Walker - New Albany #29
Martha Prow - New Albany #29A
Steven Mennemeyer - New Albany #32
Carol Shope - New Albany #32
Teresa Plaiss - Georgetown #2
Jean Ogle - Georgetown #4
Mike Mills - Georgetown #6
Darlene McCoy - Greenville #1
Charlie Zipp - Lafayette #2
Russ Zwilling - Lafayette #3