Also, Ivy Tech honors distinguished alum; Taylor Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 17

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Howard County Prosecutor Mark A. McCann is warning motorists that driving without a valid driver’s license or without the insurance Indiana law requires can lead to heavy fines, long license suspensions and jail for repeat offenders. Unlicensed drivers who injure or kill someone face felony charges.

“Every driver on a Howard County road is trusting that the people around them are licensed, trained, and insured,” McCann said. “When someone drives without a license or without insurance, they are putting that risk on everyone else. My office will hold those drivers accountable.”

Under Indiana law, knowingly driving on a public road without ever having obtained a valid driver’s license is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 (IC 9-24-18-1). The charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000, if the driver has a prior unrelated conviction for the same offense or causes bodily injury.

If an unlicensed driver causes serious bodily injury, the charge is a Level 6 felony. If an unlicensed driver kills or catastrophically injures someone, it is a Level 5 felony.

Knowingly driving without proof of financial responsibility, Indiana’s minimum liability insurance, is a Class A infraction that can bring a judgment of up to $10,000 (IC 9-25-8-2). A driver who knowingly or intentionally does it again after a prior conviction or judgment commits a Class C misdemeanor and faces possible jail time.

Court penalties are only part of it. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) suspends the driving privileges of uninsured drivers. Getting them back can cost a reinstatement fee of $250 for a first suspension, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third or later, and uninsured drivers are generally required to keep SR22 high-risk insurance on file with the BMV for three years.

Driving on a suspended license is a separate violation. A driver who knows the license is suspended and drives anyway within ten years of a prior judgment commits a Class A misdemeanor (IC 9-24-19-2). Drivers who rack up traffic judgments, including convictions for driving without ever being licensed or knowingly driving while suspended, can be designated habitual traffic violators and lose their driving privileges for years.

“A traffic stop for an unlicensed or uninsured driver is more than a ticket,” McCann said. “It can mean a criminal record, a suspended license, thousands of dollars in fines and fees, and for repeat offenders, jail. And if you drive without a license and hurt someone, it can mean a felony.”

McCann also pointed to the cost for crash victims. When an uninsured driver causes a crash, the injured person can be left with medical bills and repair costs nobody pays.

“Insurance exists to protect the people you might hurt,” McCann said. “Families in this county should not have to absorb the cost of someone else’s choice to drive uninsured.”

McCann urged anyone driving without a license or insurance to fix it before they are stopped. Drivers can apply for a permit or license, check the status of their driving privileges and find reinstatement requirements through the Indiana BMV at in.gov/bmv.

“The fastest way to stay out of my office is to get licensed and get insured,” McCann said. “If your license is suspended, call the BMV and find out what it takes to get it back. Do it now, not after you’ve been pulled over or caused a crash.”

Howard County law enforcement agencies will continue to enforce license and insurance laws during routine traffic stops, and the Prosecutor’s Office will review those cases for charges as the facts and the law allow.

Ivy Tech honors distinguished alum

Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo has recognized Jeff Hodson of Kokomo as a recipient of the Ivy Tech Foundation’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, the College’s highest honor for alumni achievement.

Hodson was among 19 distinguished alumni from across Indiana recognized by the Ivy Tech Foundation recently during a statewide celebration in Indianapolis. The award honors high-achieving graduates who have made a lasting impact on their professions, communities, and Ivy Tech through outstanding professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments.

A graduate of Ivy Tech’s Network and Data Communications and Business Administration programs at the Kokomo campus, Hodson has distinguished himself by utilizing those Ivy Tech credentials in pursuing not only a career change but a mission-driven calling – to provide the information technology support he knew many small businesses desperately needed.

“Jeff is a prime example of the impact Ivy Tech can have on an individual – and, by extension, his community,” said Ethan Heicher, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area. “Jeff had had a successful 24-year career in entertainment production when he decided to study computer science at Ivy Tech. Making a complete career switch to meet a community need required great courage and commitment. We are proud to recognize him as a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.”

Selected through a competitive statewide nomination process, Distinguished Alumni Award recipients exemplify the value of an Ivy Tech education through leadership, service, and career success. The Kokomo Service Area includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski and Tipton counties

“Our Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent the very best of Ivy Tech’s mission in action,” said Stephannie Bailey, Ivy Tech Foundation president. “Their professional achievements, leadership, and service demonstrate the transformative power of education and the lasting impact our graduates make in their communities across Indiana. We are proud to celebrate alumni whose success inspires current and future generations of Ivy Tech students.”

With his entertainment company hit hard by the global economic meltdown of the Great Recession of 2008, Hodson turned to Ivy Tech to pursue a new career in information technology. By 2011, he had earned multiple IT certifications and an associate degree in Network and Data Communications, and then earned a second associate degree in Business Administration.

In 2011, Hodson founded Elsewhen Technology with the vision of building a company on responsiveness, integrity, and relationship-centered service. Today, the company helps businesses and organizations manage their technology through managed IT services, cybersecurity, help desk support, business phone systems, security cameras, and data cabling. He is credited with building a company whose client-first approach has been exceptionally well received. Hodson also owns Kokomo Computers, offering home computer and technology support, and Sunshine Group LLC, a redevelopment company that renovates existing homes in Kokomo.

Hodson’s commitment to the community extends beyond his work at Elsewhen Technology. He supports local nonprofits through sponsorships and regular participation in fundraising events, including those benefiting Gilead House, the Kokomo Humane Society, and Family Services Association. He has also established a discounted managed services rate for nonprofits, helping make IT support and cybersecurity protection more affordable so organizations can devote more resources to their missions. He has also been instrumental in developing future IT professionals and preparing the next generation for technology careers.

As colleague Todd Wideman, a professor in Information Technology at Ivy Tech Kokomo, wrote, “Jeff’s journey demonstrates that career reinvention is possible at any stage of life, that lifelong learning creates opportunity, and that Ivy Tech graduates can lead with both expertise and heart.”

For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Awards, visit ivytech.edu/alumniawards.

Taylor Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 17

Taylor Community School Corporation is proud to announce its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Coat Giveaway, and Care Fair on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The community-wide event will take place on the Taylor Community Schools Middle/High School campus, located at 3750 E., County Rd. 300 S., Kokomo, IN 46902.

Building on the success of prior years, where the school district annually serves more than 800 free meals, gives away more than 700 winter coats, and hosts 20 local community organizations, this year’s event promises even more support, fun, and connection for area families.

“We are incredibly thankful for our school community, and this event allows us to gather, give thanks, and ensure our students and families have the support and resources they need heading into the winter season,” said Steve Dishon, Superintendent of Taylor Community School Corporation. “It is a true celebration of community care and collaboration.”

Event highlights include:

• Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner: A warm holiday meal served in the Taylor Middle/High School cafetorium for all local community members and families.
• Free Winter Coat Giveaway: Distribution of winter coats to help local children and families stay warm this season.
• Interactive Care Fair: Hosted in the Taylor Middle School Gymnasium, featuring local organizations offering valuable community resources. Participating families will receive a punch card to enter a special prize drawing by visiting partner tables, where kids can enjoy simple games, trivia, and giveaways.
• Family Games & Activities: Fun activities designed to engage children and bring families together.
• Free Transportation: Convenient shuttle rides will be available from Taylor Elementary School to transport families across the campus.

Local organizations and service providers are invited to host a table at the Care Fair to share resources directly with attendees. Table setup begins at 4:30 p.m. on the day of the event. Organizations interested in hosting a table should contact jhertzog@taylor.k12.in.us..

For general inquiries or additional details about the event, please contact Steve Dishon at (765) 453-3035.