INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Terrifying moments near Massachusetts Avenue after a gunman open fire. It happened early Friday morning at the intersection of East St. Clair and Broadway streets.
According to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, a man in a vehicle pulled up to another man walking along St. Clair and yelled, “Do you know what time it is”” before firing multiple shots. The victim took off running toward Massachusetts Avenue, where he saw a police officer. That officer also reported hearing several shots fired.
Friday afternoon in downtown’s Mass Ave. district, people were out and about, however, on edge.
“We have kids that use this area. There’s people walking dogs. This is a family, family affair down here. We do not condone or even invite violence,” said L.A. Arnold.
The suspect was not able to get away with anything and fled in an unknown direction. Police asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 with any information that could lead them to the suspect.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – There’s a party on Massachusetts Avenue to raise money for a nonprofit who helps grant wishes to children battling cancer.
“Mardi on Mass” for the Little Wish Foundation is Friday at the Art Bank parking lot on Massachusetts Avenue. That’s by Saint Clair Street and College Avenue.
The event will feature a New Orleans-style food and live jazz music from the Indianapolis group “Still Blue” and a cash bar.
The celebration starts at 5 p.m. and goes until 10 p.m.
Tickets are $20 per person and you do have to be 21 or older to attend.
Tickets are also available for $24 at the event. Click here to purchase your tickets.
The Little Wish Foundation has granted more than 600 wishes to children battling cancer.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A proposed digital canvas project proposed for Mass. Ave. was pulled by the developer Wednesday evening according to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.
Councilors said they would vote against it, so the developer withdrew the petition before a vote was taken on the issue.
The “Montage on Mass” proposal has been controversial from the start. Developers pitched the plan last year to build a $50 million complex that would include a three story display screen that would rotate and be lit 24 hours a day. The display would have showcased local artists.
Local artists were in favor of the plan, however, opponents like the IHPC said the project would not fit in with the historic district.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A dramatic re-design for downtown Indianapolis is about to get some study.
It’s in a project called Montage on Mass. The five-story building is being designed to take the place of the old Indianapolis Fire Department headquarters on Massachusetts Avenue.
The building will have apartments and shops. But what makes it distinctive is a big screen. Developers call it a “digital canvas.”
Mayor Greg Ballard is a fan.
“Mass Ave is a happening place,” he told 24-Hour News 8. “It’s not a quaint, little village type of place.”
The electronic screen has critics and he knows it.
“Just because something says ‘electronic’ doesn’t mean it can’t be fit in to a place, right?” he asked.
The display canvas will present works of art – and maybe occasional messages.
“I think it’s in character with what Mass Ave is and certainly what most of the millennials feel Mass Ave is. I think it’s completely in character with it,” he said.
But it must get past the Historic Preservation Commission and some members have expressed reservations about the concept.
They’ll meet Wednesday evening at the City-County Building to discuss it.

Look no further than the stores along Mass Ave for thoughtful gifts for Mother’s Day. Plus, Mass Ave gets in gear for the Indy 500 with its annual Tire Sculpture display contest, the Tour de Tire
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and what better place to find a unique, locally sourced gift idea for mom than along Mass Ave.
I always encourage people to start and one end and go all the way to the other end…make it an experience.” Laura Walters, Mass Ave Merchants Association
For example:

For the new mom, try a fashionable teething necklace.

Great hand-made bracelets

For a mom that quilts, a packet of selected quilt fabric

Or a Homespun bag.

All the fun of May in Indianapolis hits Mass Ave! Several popular businesses along the Cultural District are hard at work building their sculptures for the 13th Annual Tour de Tire outdoor art event. Businesses compete each year for the best artwork award. Storefronts are elaborately decorated utilizing used Indy Car tires and bicycle tires; turning them into creative works of art in honor of Indy’s prominent and growing bicycle community, the Indy 500 and all the other exciting events happening throughout the month of May.
The tire artwork will be placed on display Friday May 1 and will be exhibited throughout the month of May. This year, the official judges of the tire art will be from the Center for Inquiry, IPS School #2 Art Club. Fans of Mass Ave are also encouraged to cast their vote for their favorite (People’s Choice Award) using the Mass Ave social media. Visit the avenue Friday May 1 through Sunday May 3 and tag #MassAveIndy, and #TourdeTire2015. Also include the favorite tire-artist’s name or business where the sculpture is located.
A winner will be announced during the month of May and a featured article, along with a picture of the winning sculpture will be showcased in NUVO Newsweekly.
The annual Tour de Tire began in 2002 as a way to attract Indy 500 visitors to Mass Ave. The program is sponsored by the Mass Ave Merchants Association (MAMA). It has become a favorite tradition among Mass Ave businesses, Mass Ave Shoppers and visitors to the city. MAMA (Mass Ave Merchants Association) businesses are the local shopping, music, theater, art, food, toys, beauty, wine and chocolate on Massachusetts Avenue. For what makes Mass Ave.45 degrees from ordinary, or for more information, visit www.discovermassave.com, or www.facebook.com/massaveindy
BRENHAM, Texas (KXAN) – The Food and Drug Administration, along with state and local health experts, is trying to figure out how a potentially deadly bacteria got into a Central Texas ice cream plant. Blue Bell confirms two batches of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream from its Washington County facility contained Listeria, prompting a 23-state recall.
Blue Bell is headquartered in Brenham, Texas, where the creamery got its start 108 years ago. On Tuesday, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce emailed “We Proudly Support Blue Bell” flyers to its 750 members to print and post on their doors across the small town.
“We wanted to show very visibly that this whole town stands behind Blue Bell Creameries,” said Page Michel, president and CEO of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. She said they are arranging a community wide prayer vigil this weekend for the company, employees and customers.
Michel said Blue Bell employs about 900 people.
“They are literally working 24/7 right now to make up for lost time,” said Michel. “We’re encouraging everyone to do the little small acts of kindness, you know, offer to babysit the kids, bring a meal, mow the lawn, little things so that they can spend the time they have away from the plant with their own family.”
Around town it is hard to not see anything Blue Bell-related. The company’s logo is plastered on murals and Blue Bell memorabilia hang as decorations in stores and businesses across the city.
Restaurants like Must Be Heaven, located in the town’s square, have a display case dedicated to Blue Bell and take pride in the company’s rich flavors and history. Included with a sign explaining why they are not selling the ice cream was the message, “The best things in life are worth waiting for.” Store owner Charlie Pyle said he does not plan on having any substitutions for ice cream.
“Absolutely not. Not only might I get run out of town, I wouldn’t even consider anyway – no Dippin’ Dots, not any other brand,” said Pyle.
A Blue Bell spokesperson told KXAN it first had a problem at its Brenham facility in March and was able to isolate the Listeria to one machine, shut it down and close off the room. Then, they had another problem at their Broken Arrow, Okla., plant after a 3-ounce cup and pint of Banana Pudding ice cream tested positive for Listeria.
This week, a half-gallon of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough from the Brenham tested positive for Listeria,prompting the massive voluntary recall of all its products.
“We got to do what’s right here and be 100-percent sure and let’s pull out all the products in 23 states,” said Joe Robertson, Blue Bell’s advertising and public relations manager. “We want everyone to know that every decision that we made along the way, whether it was to have recalls or suspend operations to the facilities, is that we have the consumers in mind when we made those decisions. It’s important that they know that.”
Robertson said Blue Bell is working with the FDA. State and local health departments have assembled a team of local experts, including some microbiologists, to narrow down how the Listeria got into their facilities.
“It’s emotional for us a little bit because we haven’t gone through anything like this, and we have so much support from our consumers, from our retail partners,” said Robertson. “Our plan now is to just work our way back, earn our way back, and come back stronger and better than we were.”
Blue Bell is still producing ice cream, but Robertson said they are testing the ice cream, holding it, and when the results come back negative, they will distribute it. The test results take about three days.
There is not an exact timetable for when Blue Bell ice cream products will return to the shelves, but the company said some stores may have it back in the next two weeks. They admitted that was being “optimistic.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 people in four states were treated for Listeria, and three deaths in Kansas were linked to the illness.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — “Hoosier Hospitality is alive and well” was the message behind a rally in downtown Indianapolis Monday afternoon.
The march and rally had roots in the anti-RFRA movement., but the businesses represented want to look forward and dispel any negative feelings about Indianapolis.
Indy residents wore their hearts on their shirts Monday, trying to send their message loud and clear that they “proudly serve everyone.”
They marched from Mass Ave. to a business-based rally downtown at the American Legion mall.
“There’s a lot more of us who are pro-everyone versus anti-anyone,” Real Estate Agent Gavin Frost said.
During the Religious Freedom Act fallout., he started getting concerned about property values and long term effects from a business perspective.
“When you get to the bigger names like Delta Faucet and NASCAR and NCAA being upset all of a sudden you start to worry because that brings a lot of people into Indy,” he said.
Since the law “fix” went into effect, many of those businesses have taken back their issues with Indiana.
But Frost showed up to the #IAMHoosierHospitality rally because he feels there’s still a rift that needs mending.
“We’re more concerned just about down the line we want to make sure that everyone knows that Hoosiers are happy people and it’s a happy place to be and make sure they come around,” he said.
Another local business owner, Amy Watt, was one of the first to put up anti-RFRA signage in her flower store window.
“It’s just been crazy,” she said, “We put up the ‘We Serve Everybody’ sign in our shop and it’s just been seen all over the world.”
She wants to keep the conversation going. She feels this movement can help put a positive light on Indiana. That’s why she said she will keep attending events like this.
“We’re just here to keep a fire under what’s happened in the state this last month,” she said.
National legislators are expected to introduce an anti-discrimination resolution this week, in response to RFRA.
At Monday’s event the organizing group “We Never Serve Hate” wanted to stay away from talking about any specific legislation.
They’re trying to move forward by changing their slogan to I Am Hoosier Hospitality.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Congressman Andre Carson introduced a resolution in response to RFRA. The resolution expresses Carson’s disapproval for RFRA and that discrimination against the LGBT community is unacceptable. However, one group is asking Hoosiers to move on from RFRA.
We Never Serve Hate organized a peaceful march Monday evening. Dozens of people attended. The organization hopes to take the focus off of politics and back on Indiana.
“What’s done is done. We don’t need to talk about it. We don’t need to throw stones. It’s over. Lets move forward,” said Anne Carroll of We Never Serve Hate.
The group, known for offering “free hugs,” is working to do damage control to repair Indiana’s reputation. They consider themselves the opposite of RFRA movements that called for a boycott or ban on Indiana.
“If you punish Indiana, you’re punishing the people of Indiana. Whether you support it or not, and that’s not fair,” Carroll said
We Never Serve Hate points to record breaking numbers during the Final Four tourney last weekend that Indy hosted as proof of Hoosier Hospitality.
“Everyone was so angry at us and mad. For us to do even better, that’s incredible,” Carroll added, “Just come here and check us out. People come here because we’re nice. That didn’t change. That hasn’t changed.”
But one change Carroll said she is hoping for is a change in perception.
“All we care about is promoting Hoosier Hospitality. We don’t care about politics. We don’t care about any of that stuff. We just want to promote Hoosier hospitality.
The group is so committed to this cause, that they’re changing their name to I Am Hoosier Hospitality.
Monday’s march started on Massachusetts Avenue, to North Street and ended at Memorial Park. At Memorial Park businesses set up, giving away freebees. There was also a DJ and other entertainment. After, that, Tinis on Mass Ave will host an after party.
Home opener for Indy Eleven vs the New York Cosmos is coming up on Saturday at 7:30pm and will be seen on WISH-TV.
It is an honor…try to lead by example and do the right thing. We are excited to get back in front of our home fans.” Greg Janicki, Defender and New Team Captain
The team is celebrating all week long with kick-off week events.Monday, April 6 – Indy Eleven Scavenger Hunt
The Indianapolis area will be abuzz leading up to the collegiate final of “that other sport with a round ball” that Hoosiers love so much. Feeding off that energy, Indy Eleven will reward fans across the area with opportunities to seek out various prizes during an Indy scavenger hunt, which will include giveaway items, official team merchandise and tickets to the home opener vs. New York! Fans will be asked to stay tuned to the team’s social media channels to receive clues throughout the day.Tuesday, April 7 – Social Media Day
Indy Eleven will be “virtually everywhere” throughout the day on Tuesday, when players and personalities will infiltrate the club’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram homes, host a Reddit AMA session and more. Again, check out the team’s social media channels for a full itinerary as Tuesday approaches.Wednesday, April 8 – BYB Gold Membership Town Hall Meeting
Brickyard Battalion Gold Members will have the chance to rub elbows with the Indy Eleven leadership trio of owner Ersal Ozdemir, President/GM Peter Wilt and head coach/director of soccer operations Juergen Sommer during a special town hall event at the Indy Eleven Theater on Mass Ave.
The event will be moderated by TV play-by-play voice of your Indy Eleven and 1070 The Fan “Soccer Saturday” host Greg Rakestraw and will also feature appearances by a pair of the “Boys in Blue” and a raffle contest for a team-autographed 2015 alternate jersey. BYB Gold Members can arrive starting at 5:45 p.m. to pick up their 2015 gift packages before the Q&A session and season preview begins at 6:15 p.m.
Click here to see how to become a BYB Gold Member and then click here to register for this exclusive event (just 10 spots remain as of April 2).Thursday, April 9 – IPS School Assembly, presented by Church Brothers Collision Repair
Select Indy Eleven players will interact with students at IPS Carl Wilde School 79 on the city’s west side Thursday afternoon as part of the team’s ongoing IPS School Assemblies series, presented by Church Brothers Collision Repair. The event will include a Q&A with both players in attendance, a banner-building workshop, inflatable target kick game and other activities that will get the Carl Wilde students on their feet and staying active alongside the “Boys in Blue”.Thursday, April 9 – Indy Lemonade Day “Game Show Night”
It’s back to the Indy Eleven Theater on Thursday night, when Peter Wilt will join fellow local celebrities for a night of good clean fun during Lemonade Day Indy’s “Game Show Night” – featuring a take on the 90’s family game show, Double Dare. Tickets for this kickoff event for Lemonade Day Indy’s 2015 campaign are available now for $20. Click here for more details, including the full list of participants and information on how to secure your spot at the newly-renovated home for IndyFringe events on this special night!Friday, April 10 – Wear Your Colors Day
Indy Eleven asks all supporters to don the red, white & blue of their beloved club on Friday. You could be rewarded for your smart fashion sense, as the team’s mascot, Zeke, will be roving the city in the team’s Honda Odyssey and passing out Indy Eleven prizes to fans sporting Eleven their gear!Saturday, April 11 – Home Opener vs. New York Cosmos – 7:30 p.m.
Finally, the time to “Pack The Mike” once again appropriately falls on the 11th, when Indy Eleven welcomes the New York Cosmos to the Circle City for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium. After going undefeated against the Cosmos with three draws last season, Indy Eleven will look for their first win against the storied franchise, which features legendary Spain National Team and Real Madrid striker Raul. Early birds arriving at Carroll Stadium will be rewarded, as the first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive an Indiana-shaped 2015 Schedule Magnet, courtesy of WISH-TV and Visit Indiana.
Tickets are going fast but remain available. Purchase yours online at http://cosmos.indyeleven.com or over the phone by calling the Indy Eleven Front Office at 317-685-1100 weekdays from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET. Check out the details at www.indyeleven.com
WISH-TV is the home for Indy Eleven home games in 2015.
The live broadcasts will air on WISH-TV from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. A rebroadcast of each match will follow the WISH broadcast on MyINDY-TV 23 starting at midnight unless otherwise noted.
- 4/11: Indy Eleven vs. New York Cosmos
- 4/25: Indy Eleven vs. Carolina RailHawks
- 5/16: Indy Eleven vs. Minnesota United FC
- 5/30: Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
- 6/13: Indy Eleven vs. FC Edmonton
- 7/5: Indy Eleven @ New York Cosmos1
- 7/11: Indy Eleven vs. Carolina RailHawks
- 7/25: Indy Eleven vs. New York Cosmos
- 8/1: Indy Eleven vs. Atlanta Silverbacks
- 8/8: Indy Eleven vs. Ottawa Fury FC
- 8/19: Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies2
- 9/5: Indy Eleven vs. Jacksonville Armada
- 9/19: Indy Eleven vs. FC Edmonton
- 10/10: Indy Eleven vs. San Antonio Scorpions
- 10/17: Indy Eleven vs. Minnesota United FC
- 10/24: Indy Eleven vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers
1 Away game broadcast starts at 7 p.m. Replay might move to WISH-TV.
2 Post game show will air from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Replay might move to WISH-TV.
GRABILL, Ind. (WANE) – A massive fire destroyed an old grain mill in Grabill on Tuesday.
Firefighters were first alerted around 7:30 p.m. to the huge blaze on Main Street. Multiple fire departments from around the area were called to assist.
Fire officials said the old mill was being used as storage for a lumber yard.
The first arriving firefighters found the building fully engulfed in flames. Thick, dark smoke could be seen for miles as it towered into the air.
Utility crews cut power to the area because of lines running near the building and to protect firefighters operating aerial ladder trucks. Indiana Michigan Power reported 162 customers without electricity. As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, I&M was no longer reporting any outages.
Northeast Fire Department Lieutenant Kris Miller said crews started removing lumber from the area to help control the flames and see what they are working with inside.
Miller said the size of the building and the fuel (lumber) was the biggest hurdle in fighting the flames. Three ladder trucks were being used to help douse the flames.
Firefighters also sprayed water on nearby structures to prevent them from catching fire. Officials have not commented if any other structures were damaged.
Miller said officials do not believe anyone was inside the building when the fire started.
Crews were expected to remain on scene overnight to put out remaining hot spots and begin overhaul of debris.
Several streets surrounding the fire were closed. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.