PERU- A traffic stop by an Indiana State Trooper in Miami County led to the arrests of two Tennessee men on drug charges Wednesday. Police say a pickup truck allegedly failed to move to the left lane for a trooper who was on the roadside of US 31 near Miami County Road 100 North assisting a disabled semi. While speaking with the pickup’s driver, 37-year old Adrian M. Forrest of Jackson, Tennessee, the officer requested a drug-detecting police dog. The dog reacted and a search of the pickup truck allegedly uncovered about 114 grams of suspected marijuana. 35-year old Douglas Torrence was riding in the truck and was also arrested.

WARSAW- Warsaw’s new city hall could open in October. Mayor Joe Thallemer is quoted in a story in yesterday’s Times Union as saying the transformation of the former National City Bank building at Center and Buffalo Streets is on-schedule for opening this fall. Thallemer says the new city hall will bring many departments that are currently spread out throughout town into one building, and keeps the hub of the city in the downtown area.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - A prosecutor says a South Bend man burned his three sons with an iron until their skin fell off and beat one of the boys until he died. The South Bend Tribune reports Deputy Prosecutor Joel Gabrielse said in his opening statement Thursday in the trial of Terry Sturgis Sr. that the Nov. 4 death of 10-year-old son Tramelle Sturgis was preceeded by years of abuse against all three boys.
The 35-year-old Sturgis is on trial on 14 counts including murder and eight counts of felony battery.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Police in Indiana are stepping up efforts to enforce wearing seat belts heading into the Memorial Day weekend. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute says more than 250 law enforcement agencies throughout the state will conduct special patrols to identify and ticket unrestrained motorists. Institute Traffic Safety Director Ryan Klitzsch says last year more than 1,000 people were ejected from their vehicles in accidents in Indiana. In 2010, 52 percent of all occupants killed in crashes in Indiana were not wearing seat belts. The campaign begins Friday and runs through June 3.

UNDATED- You might be eligible to get a refund on some shoes that were supposed to help you lose weight. Indiana is among the states involved in a settlement with Skechers over a shoe the company claimed could get you in shape without stepping into a gym. Skechers claimed the shoes, marketed under names such as Shape-ups, Tone-ups and the Skechers Resistance Runner, would help you lose weight. The Federal Trade Commission says there was no scientific evidence to back up the claims.

INDIANAPOLIS- Mike Pence says he’s close to selecting his running mate. The GOP candidate for governor says he expects to make the announcement on his website in the next few days, but did not give an exact day and time when it would be posted. He did say he has been looking for an individual with high character who has the ability to step in and become governor at any moment. He’s also looking for someone with experience in the private sector and has an understanding of state government.

WARSAW- The local Relay for Life is this weekend at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. The relay has two purposes: to raise money in the fight against cancer and to remember those who lost their battle. The walk around the fairgrounds begins at 3pm tomorrow afternoon, runs all night Saturday night and ends Sunday morning at 9am. People often walk as teams, with the goal of making sure at least one team member is walking the course at all times.

WARSAW- Voting and bidding for “Rain on Kosciusko 2012 is underway. Various businesses throughout the county have taken rain barrels and decorated them as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County. The link below is to the Habitat page with pictures of all of the rain barrels, and you can vote for the one you like the best at a cost of $1 per vote. The barrel that brings in the most money will win the “People’s Choice Award”. The barrels themselves will also be auctioned off in a silent auction format starting at $70 each. http://www.kosciuskohabitat.com/fundraisers/rain-on-kosciusko/2012/

WINONA LAKE- The Remnant Trust will be open for viewing this weekend. The Trust announced last month that it more-than-doubled its collection in advance of the spring and summer tourism seasons. The Trust will be open from 9am-1pm Saturday. Group tours are available.  http://theremnanttrust.com/