Friday, January 13, 2012

This site will no longer be updated

Because of my time commitment to my TV and radio website, Jake's DTV Blog, and writing newspaper columns, this site will no longer be updated.

Everything that's here, however, will remain as an archive for your information and enjoyment.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

No more generic veteran plates for Indiana: New military branch plates to roll out in '12

Indiana's new military plates (Indianapolis Star photo)
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels unveiled five new license plates today that will replace the long-running Hoosier Veteran plate.

Veterans of each of the five branches of the armed forces will be able, for an extra $15, to obtain a plate with the seal of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard beginning in 2012.  The $15 fee will benefit the state's Military Family Relief Fund.

In addition, veterans can get a "V" on their driver's license on their next renewal.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Indiana to release 10 new specialty plates

Indianapolis CBS affiliate WISH-TV reports today that Indiana motorists will have 10 new specialty license plates to choose from in 2012.  Photos are not yet available, but the plates and the programs they will fund are:
  • Ducks Unlimited, Inc. — wetland conservation
  • Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police Foundation — education and training programs
  • Indiana Motor Truck Association — safer motoring environment
  • Indiana Patriot Guard Riders — care packages to deployed troops
  • Indiana Soccer — soccer outreach programs in the state
  • Indiana Youth Institute — support for community program
  • Indiana University Health — Methodist Health Foundation
  • Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. — animal food stock and medicine
  • Marine Foundation of  Indiana, Inc. — scholarships, Toys for Tots and Young  Marines
  • Tony Stewart Foundation — grants to Indiana non-profit groups 
The new plates will bring the total of specialty editions available to 99.  Is that too many?  Not enough?  What do you think?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

It's coming, Kentucky: A new "I Care About Kids" plate

Kentucky Attorney General's Office image
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway unveiled Kentucky's newest license plate today ... well, actually, it's a redesign of a plate that's been around for the last decade or so.

The "I Care About Kids" plate, the proceeds from which benefit Kentucky's Child Victims' Trust Fund (CVTF), now has the CVTF name and crayons on the right side of the plate, replacing the child-like drawing of kids that we're used to.  It's not an exciting plate, but it does support a worthy cause.

The Attorney General's press release follows the jump.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Kentucky's new "In God We Trust" plate not terribly popular ... yet

When Kentucky introduced its new "In God We Trust" license plate at the beginning of the year, the barely-changed design (compared to the standard "Unbridled Spirit" issue) led me to wonder if it would be as popular as the prettier design of Indiana's plate.

Evidently it isn't.

I realize it's only late March, but since January, I've seen a grand total of THREE of the new plates, and I live in the fourth-largest city in Kentucky.  Meanwhile, I've seen countless newly-issued "Unbridled Spirit" plates.

Cost isn't the problem; the new plates are no more expensive (at $21 plus the usual taxes and fees) than their counterparts, so I have to wonder:  Why is this plate not selling better?

I have my suspicions ... but what do YOU think???