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• Elkhart fails to approve smoking ban exemption 

Nearly three hours of debate ended without a single change. The Elkhart city council voted 5-4 against an exemption that would have allowed smoking inside bars and pubs, so long as they only allowed those over the age of 21 inside.

Democrat Dave Osborne joined Republicans Brian Thomas, David Henke and Mary Olson voting in favor of the proposed changes. Democrats Ron Troyer, Brent Curry, Tonda Hines, Ralph Bean and Council President Rod Roberson voted against it.

City leaders passed the original smoking ban in April 2008, but bars had one year to comply.

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