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The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is encouraging parents and caregivers to take the time during Child Passenger Safety Week to make sure their child is properly secured in an appropriate car seat or booster seat.

The annual safety week, which runs this year from September 15-21, ends with a national car seat education event known as National Car Seat Check Saturday. Throughout the week, organizations across the state will be hosting child passenger safety events. During these events, certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will check car seats, let caregivers know if their children are in the right seats for their ages and sizes, and show them how to install the right seats correctly.

"A properly installed car seat is a child's best defense against injury in a crash,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI’s Executive Director. “Let's ensure every child is riding safely."

Statistics show that nearly 1 out of every 5 children aged 4 or younger who died in crashes from 2018-2022 were unrestrained. ICJI wants caregivers to know that it’s never safe to allow a child to ride in a passenger vehicle unrestrained, no matter how short the trip or how big the vehicle is.

When it comes to child passengers, there is a right seat for every age and developmental stage. No matter what the stage is, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can put parents’ minds at ease by discussing correct car seat selection and showing them how to correctly install that seat in their vehicle.

"Every child deserves a safe ride,” said Jim Bryan, Traffic Safety Director for ICJI. “We urge parents and caretakers to take advantage of the resources available to help them choose and install the right car seat for their child."

Safety checks are available year-round and typically take 20-30 minutes. Those visits can be conducted at one of Indiana’s many fitting stations, which can be found by visiting: on.in.gov/SafeKids.

State of Indiana

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 17, 2024) –The following is a statement from Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch on the groundbreaking of the I-69 Ohio River Crossing.

“As co-author of the Major Moves legislation as a state representative, it’s great to see continued progress toward the completion of I-69 with the groundbreaking of the Ohio River Crossing. Living in Evansville, I know the addition of this bridge will expand interstate connectivity in our state and increase accessible travel throughout southern Indiana.”

At its September monthly meeting, the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) Board of Directors took a significant step in enhancing local economic growth. By unanimous vote, the Board approved a resolution prohibiting the future sale of a large portion of remaining land within the Commerce Center to companies whose projected average wage is not greater than the current Clark County average wage.

The resolution requires that new positions created within the specified area offer an aggregated average hourly wage above the county's current rate, which for 2024 is $24.44 per hour, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Future wage rates will be adjusted on a yearly basis, and the map below highlights the portion of land that will fall under this new prohibition.

"With today's action, the Board of Directors is reinforcing River Ridge’s commitment to our region by ensuring that companies locating within the Commerce Center are creating quality jobs. It has always been our mission to provide residents throughout our community with the types of employment opportunities with which they can support themselves and their families, and be proud of RRDA,” said Jerry Acy, Executive Director of RRDA. “The mission of the River Ridge Development Authority is to replace the lost economic impact from the closure of the former Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, and today’s resolution further emphasizes that mission.”

River Ridge’s action is applauded by other local leaders. Tony Waterson, President & CEO of Southern Indiana Works, the local workforce development board, said in response to the decision, “The River Ridge Development Authority Board of Directors today took a huge step in advancing quality job and career opportunities for labor throughout our region. The River Ridge Commerce Center is one of the key drivers of our local and regional economy and their commitment to putting the needs of our region’s workforce first is commendable.”

The RRDA anticipates that these measures will contribute to a more balanced and equitable development process, aligning growth with the broader goals of community enhancement and economic health.

Additional resolutions approved by the RRDA Board at the meeting include:

Negotiation of Sale for Tract 31C
Sewer Improvements Geotechnical Exploration Contract for Tract 19C
2024 Pavement Repairs Construction Contract
RRCC Water System Resiliency Project – Division A Construction Contract
Water Main Relocation Construction Contract – Tract 16D

Board Meeting Materials Now Available Online

Additionally, as part of its commitment to transparency and accessibility, the RRDA announced that materials from its board meetings are now accessible on its website at

http://www.riverridgecc.com/. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="0">www.RiverRidgeCC.com.

About River Ridge Development Authority

The River Ridge Development Authority, spanning over 6,000 prime acres, has become a source of major economic development for the Louisville-Southern Indiana region. Established to mitigate the economic impact of the shuttered Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, the River Ridge Development Authority has evolved its mission to meet the tailored needs of the community. Our goal extends beyond mere replacement of lost revenue to creating a premier destination for advanced manufacturing, distribution, and industrial companies from across the nation and around the globe.

Serving as home to more than 80 companies, RRDA contributed an estimated $2.93 billion to the region's economic output in 2023, supporting over 18,000 jobs. In addition, RRDA funded approximately $20 million in capital projects in 2023. These initiatives include vital infrastructure improvements, including $5.9 million in roadway projects, $6.2 million in utility enhancements, and $3.5 million allocated to demolition and site preparation.

At its monthly meeting June 17, the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) made significant strides forward in its mission to drive economic activity in Southern Indiana.

Jerry Acy, RRDA's Executive Director, is leading negotiations for the sale of approximately 23.5 acres of undeveloped land, known as Tract 12G, strategically positioned along Salem Road and within Jeffersonville, presenting an attractive opportunity for development. The potential buyer intends to construct a 150,000 square foot industrial building on the site. A 60-day window has been set for the execution of a purchase and sale agreement, highlighting the urgency of the process.

The potential economic impact of this venture emphasizes the RRDA's commitment to fostering growth and job creation in Southern Indiana.

The Board also approved a contract for $1.3 million to Excel Excavating, Inc. to extend 1,700 linear feet of access road and drainage infrastructure near its headquarters building to serve future tenants of the River Ridge Commerce Center.

Board Meeting Materials Now Available Online

Additionally, as part of its commitment to transparency and accessibility, the RRDA announced that materials from its board meetings are now accessible on its website at www.riverridgecc.com.

About River Ridge Development Authority

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander sent letters demanding the CEOs of Walmart, Costco, Kroger and other large retailers immediately start dispensing the abortion drug, Mifepristone, in every state where the drug is legal in order to maximize sales and long-term shareholder value.

Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla sees this as a faulty fiduciary duty argument.

“If we take this reasoning of the NYC Comptroller to its natural conclusion, there may be short-term gain from drug sales, but there would be lifetimes of loss in the decreased sales of diapers, formula, food, clothing, school supplies and on and on,” said Comptroller Nieshalla.

NYC Comptroller Lander, who serves as the custodian and trustee of $1.32 billion in total pension assets invested in these retail corporations, threatened divestment if the drug was not made available for sale.

“This pressure campaign by the NYC Comptroller disregards all the factors companies consider when deciding whether to sell a particular product,” states Comptroller Nieshalla. “The leaders of Albertsons, Kroger, McKesson, Costco and Walmart should determine what goods best serve their customer base and shareholders (free markets) without coercion from an elected official.”

Costco recently conveyed they had no material demand for the abortion drug.

Comptroller Nieshalla, along with 15 other state financial officers, sent a letter to each of the pharmaceutical leaders urging support to disregard the NYC Comptroller’s recent demands, which prioritize political advocacy over fiduciary duty.