Mayor names new Beech Grove police chief

Beech Grove, IN (December 30, 2019) — A long-time officer with the Beech Grove Police Department has been tapped to succeed retiring Chief Mark Swartz. Mayor Dennis Buckley on Monday named Deputy Chief Michael Maurice as the new chief of the department.

Maurice has been with the department since February 2002. According to a biography provided by the department, Maurice has worked 10 years on the middle shift, with seven of those as shift lieutenant. He has also served as field training officer, Fratneral Order of Police representative and as a member of the Special Response team.

The department said Maurice has served the past eight years as deputy chief. Buckley also named Capt. Robert Mercuri as assistant police chief. Mercuri has been with the Beech Grove Police Department since the start of his law enforcement career in 1991. Captain Mercuri worked in the road patrol division for ten years and in the investigations division for 19 years.

New police chief in Beech Grove
WATCH: Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley is announcing the new police chief following the retirement of Mark Swartz.
Posted by RTV6 (WRTV - Indianapolis) on Monday, December 30, 2019

In 1998 Mercuri was promoted to Corporal and one year later promoted to Sergeant. By 2004 Mercuri became a Lieutenant and soon after was promoted to Captain.

In 2006 Mercuri graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He has been a supervisor at the Beech Grove Police Department since 2011. The announcement comes days after the previous police chief, Mark Swartz announced his retirement.

SOURCE: WRTV

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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

In 1897, an 8-year-old girl from Manhattan, Virginia O’Hanlon, wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun. The reply, written by Francis P. Church, the editor of the newspaper, was titled, "Is there a Santa Claus?”

The editorial took on a life of its own over time and is reportedly one of the most widely reprinted editorials in history. It also has been memorialized in books, movies and songs.

Today, we are publishing Virginia’s letter and the editor’s famous response.

Dear Editor:

I am 8 years old.

Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon

115 West Ninety-Fifth Street

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except (what) they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little.

In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.

There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal life with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?

Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart.

Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond.

Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
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Beech Grove competes in historic gym

Beech Grove, IN (December 18, 2019) — On Saturday, December 28th the boys basketball team will travel to Knightstown, Indiana to take on the Brebeuf Jesuit Braves. Both Junior Varsity and Varsity will compete in the historic Hoosier Gym.

Inside Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana

Built in 1921, the gym is an embodiment of Indiana high school basketball and was made famous in the movie Hoosier’s.


Even the Indiana Pacers pay homage to the iconic movie by wearing the old Hickory Huskers uniforms. Proceeds from those games actually helped fund some needed restoration and repairs to the nearly 100 year old gymnasium.

The restored facility continues to be enjoyed by thousands of people for private events and spotlight games like the one between the Hornets and the Braves.

Outside Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, Indiana

Gym capacity is limited to 600 seats, and we are expecting a sold out crowd for the evening of the 28th. Beech Grove will have 100 presale tickets available.

These tickets can be purchased through the athletic department located in the main office of Beech Grove High School. Tickets will be sold at the door the day of the event but seats will be limited. We encourage you to buy your tickets early to ensure entry into the game. JV will begin play at 6:00 pm with Varsity to follow at 8:00 pm.

STORY: Quinten Starks
SOURCE: Beech Grove Athletics
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SIGNED: Josh Fryar Is Officially A Buckeye

Beech Grove, IN (December 18, 2019) — Offensive lineman Josh Fryar from Beech Grove, Indiana is now officially a Buckeye. Fryar sent in his signed Letter of Intent to join Ohio State’s 2020 recruiting class.

He stands 6-foot-5 tall and weighs 305 lbs, already in the range of most current OSU offensive linemen.

Here’s a look at what Fryar brings to Ohio State.

Ranking:
He is a 3-star prospect, considered the No. 20 guard and 3rd-best player in the state of Indiana this year.

Other Offers:
He picked the Buckeyes over offers from schools like Alabama, Oregon, Michigan State, Penn State, and Wisconsin.

Positional Projection: 
Fryar projects to play somewhere on the interior of the offensive line. He is ranked as a guard by recruiting services, but has played center as well. It’s likely that Harry Miller and Luke Wypler lock that spot down after Josh Myers leaves, but Greg Studrawa loves players who can fit in at multiple spots along the line and Fryar can certainly do that.

Commitment:
He committed to the Buckeyes in July 2019.

Enrolling:
Fryar will wait until summer 2020 to enroll at OSU.

Projected Impact: 
With some spotty recruiting along the line in recent years and at least two, and possibly as many as four linemen headed to the NFL after this year, replenishing that room was a top priority.

Fryar is one of six linemen the Buckeyes are expecting to sign. With Jonah Jackson, and possibly Wyatt Davis gone after this year, there will be spots available on the two-deep at guard.

Related | Josh Fryar honored as an All-American

While it’s never wise to project a true freshman to win playing time up front, Fryar might be in a position to at least get on the field somewhat regularly fairly early in his career.

The safe bet is always to project an offensive lineman for a redshirt year. But don’t be surprised if Fryar is a regular contributor by 2021.

You can watch Fryar’s junior season highlight reel below.


SOURCE: TheOzone
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Remembering: Vicky L. Davis

Beech Grove, IN (December 15, 2019) — Vicky L. Davis, 68, went to be with her Lord on December 12, 2019, at her home in Franklin.

Vicky was born in on March 4, 1951 in Beech Grove, Indiana. She graduated from Beech Grove High School class of 1969. She attended IVY TECH College. Vicky married Timothy Mark Davis on August 14, 1987 and they began their lives together in Whiteland, Indiana.

Vicky was employed by Just Rite Restaurant in Whiteland and was an Instructional Assistant at Whiteland High School for 14 years. Vicky loved to read, cook, boat, decorate and was an avid NASCAR fan. Vicky was happiest spending time with her family.

Vicky was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Cora (Hunley) Cathcart.

Vicky is survived by her husband Timothy Mark Davis of Franklin, IN; sister, Jacqueline Gearhart; and a brother Donald “Pete” Cathcart Jr. Her children Jeff (Dawn) Hardcastle of Indianapolis, Breck (Christina) Hardcastle of Franklin, Kelly Davis (Chris) Cofer of Whiteland, Mark (Miriam) Davis of Texas, Julie (Joey) Owen of Franklin and Josh Davis of Greenwood. She had 14 grandchildren.

A service will be held Friday, December 20, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN where friends may call from 11:00 a.m. till service time at 1 p.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood immediately after the service. Pastor Rick Davis will conduct the celebration of life service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Victory Christian Church 1720 North Graham Road Franklin, IN 46131. Online condolences may be sent to the family at SwartzMortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.

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Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers diagnosed with Parkinson’s

Greenwood, IN (December 13, 2019) — The mayor of the Johnson county’s largest city announced Friday he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, 58, said in a statement he was diagnosed with the central nervous system disorder last month, and that it wouldn’t affect his role as the city’s top leader.

Mark Myers, Mayor of Greenwood, Indiana 

“As with every challenge life has presented, I intend to take a head-on approach and have never known any other way,” Myers said. “Thankfully, we discovered the disease early, which provides a much greater opportunity to treat and manage symptoms.”

Myers said he has an excellent team of doctors and has started kickboxing sessions at 9Round Fitness on the southside. Studies done by Butler University and the University of Indianapolis have found that intense exercise, particularly the kind that forces people out of their comfort zones such as boxing or kickboxing, can slow the progression of the disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative and relentless neurological disease in which the brain produces increasingly less of a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for allowing the brain to communicate to the muscles throughout the body, so as less becomes present, it becomes more difficult to move normally.

Myers has reached out to both the Indiana Parkinson Foundation and Parkinson’s Awareness Association of Central Indiana seeking to learn more about the disease and offering his assistance in raising awareness, according to his statement.

“I feel strong, fit and more passionate than ever about leading Greenwood’s resurgence. As always, thank you for your support,” he said.

During the last seven years, the life-long Greenwood resident and son of a former mayor helped revive downtown Greenwood by working to fill vacant storefronts, beautifying facades and improving city streets. He added jobs, attracted Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon to the outskirts of the growing city and built a staff he raves about.

In Greenwood, conversations have centered around future development, particularly downtown and on the southeast side of the city.

Redevelopment of the 16-acre middle school property is part of the mayor’s years-long $24.5 million plan to turn downtown Greenwood into a place to live, work and play. His hope is the area will eventually be home to more than 580 apartments and townhouses, 75,000 square feet of retail shops, restaurants and office space, 9.9 acres of open green space and include 1.9 miles of new or renovated streets, something he hopes to see come to fruition in the next five years.

Myers was just re-elected and will start his third term next month. He plans to continue serving Greenwood as mayor.

SOURCE: Daily Journal
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Hoosier Hysterics Podcast - Brian Snow: The Sequel

Southport, IN (December 10, 2019) — Hoosier Hysterics Podcast -- Brian Snow: The Sequel

The Snowman is back, dishing out the latest on Hoosier recruits, his take on Indiana University and how Archie stacks up against Holtmann & Mack, plus giving us the monster lineup for this his very own basketball bonanza, the Forum Tipoff Classic this December 16th at Southport.

Listen to "Hoosier Hysterics! - BRIAN SNOW: THE SEQUEL" on Spreaker.

Trains stored in Beech Grove return to Milwaukee

Beech Grove, IN (December 10, 2019) — The passenger trains the state of Wisconsin ordered more than a decade ago are coming home, if only for a little while. An Amtrak spokesperson confirmed Monday the trains built by Spanish train manufacturer Talgo to run in Wisconsin are back at the company's maintenance facility in Milwaukee.

Talgo originally built the trains to run on Amtrak's Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago, but they were caught up in a legal battle that was born out of Wisconsin's high-speed rail debate.

The state purchased the trains in 2009 under the leadership of former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. The state of Wisconsin defaulted on the Talgo contract in 2012 after Republican lawmakers decided not to pay for their maintenance.

The state settled a lawsuit with Talgo in 2015. Under the terms of the agreement, Wisconsin paid Talgo $50 million and Talgo got to keep the trains. According to an analysis by the Legislature's nonpartisan budget office, the deal and subsequent settlement expenses cost the state about $59 million.

As reported by WPR's "Derailed" podcast, Talgo had been storing the trains at Amtrak's Beech Grove, Indiana, maintenance facility for the past five years while it searched for someone to buy or lease the trains.

The trains are being considered for use as interim equipment on Amtrak’s Cascades line through the Pacific Northwest, after a 2017 derailment on that line took several trains out of commission.

The Federal Railroad Administration granted Amtrak a waiver in November 2018 that would allow it to operate the trains, although Amtrak has yet to announce whether it will take that step.

Asked Monday about the movement of the Talgo trains, Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari released a statement that confirmed the trains are in Milwaukee but stopped short of confirming that they were headed to the Cascades line.

"The Talgo Series 8 rail equipment that had been stored at the Amtrak facility in Beech Grove, Ind., has been moved to the Talgo facility in Milwaukee," said the statement from Amtrak. "These train sets are among the interim equipment options being considered by Amtrak for use in the Pacific Northwest."

While these trains won't run in Wisconsin, Talgo still has a presence in downtown Milwaukee where it performs maintenance on train sets that run in California. The company announced earlier this year that it was expanding, growing its workforce from about 30 people to 90.

Nora Friend, Talgo's vice president of public affairs and business development, released a statement from the company Monday that hinted at where the trains could be headed next.

"Talgo is working with Amtrak to place the Series 8 train sets in service in the Pacific Northwest," the statement read. "They have been moved to Milwaukee for preparation of that service later next year."

Part of the reason the trains might be put into service on Amtrak's Cascades line through Oregon and Washington is that Talgo built two identical trains that are currently running on that line. Those trains were also built at the Milwaukee facility.

While the trains that were moved over the weekend were originally designed to run on the Hiawatha line, the Doyle administration hoped its deal with Talgo would make Milwaukee a Midwest rail manufacturing hub.

Doyle also hoped Talgo would build trains to run on a new high-speed passenger rail line connecting Milwaukee to Madison. That prospect seemed close to reality after Wisconsin was awarded $810 million to build the rail line as part of the 2009 federal stimulus bill.

SOURCE: Wisconsin Public Radio

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Josh Fryar honored as an All-American

Beech Grove, IN (December 9, 2019) — The All-American Bowl Selection Tour was at Beech Grove High School on Monday to award four-star offensive lineman Josh Fryar with his jersey to play in this year’s game.

Fryar is tabbed as the No. 1 recruit in Indiana and No. 12 offensive guard in the country. He is committed to Ohio State.

“It was great,” Fryar said of his ceremony. “I loved it. It was kind of exciting seeing this whole All American thing. I’ve been seeing it for the past few years and I’m excited to be part of it.”

Fryar is part of roughly 90 of the nation’s best high school football players headed to San Antonio to play in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 4. NBC will have the national broadcast from inside the Alamo Dome.

“Competition,” Fryar said of what he’s looking forward to. “Just competing against the best guys in the nation and especially seeing how I match up against them.”

The 6-foot-5 1/2, 305-pound Fryar committed to the Buckeyes on July 4 over his other finalists Indiana, Oregon and Penn State. He remains fully locked in and will put pen to paper during the Early Signing Period on Dec. 18.

“The atmosphere around the program right now is electric,” Fryar said. “Coach (Greg) Studwara has the offensive line right and Coach Mick (Marotti) obviously I think is the greatest weight lifting coach, strength coordinator, whatever you want to call it in the nation. They’re just rolling right now and it’s all built on toughness.”

Fryar is part of an Ohio State class that ranks No. 4 nationally. He is joined by Paris Johnson Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gee Scott Jr., Lathan Ransom, Luke Wypler, Cody Simon and Kourt Williams as an All-American.

SOURCE: 247 Sports

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Josh Fryar receives All-American jersey

Beech Grove, IN (December 9, 2019) — Josh Fryar is not the star of the 2020 class. He’s ranked as a three-star offensive lineman out of Beech Grove High School, and he’ll be a developmental prospect who’s been evaluated as someone who won’t see the field until further down the road in his Buckeye career but can be a really good long-term option.

So, with all that being said, the Buckeyes will have a hell of a developmental prospect waiting in the wings over the next year or two.

Fryar, the No. 3-ranked senior in Indiana, received his All-American Bowl jersey on Monday.

This kid may drive me crazy at times but we laugh hard at the dumb things. He will always be a big Loser in my book. Congratulations on making the #allamericanbowl pic.twitter.com/yYfvEdxCud

— Tabitha (@thacker30) December 9, 2019

Fryar is one of eight 2020 Buckeye commits who have been named to the All-American Bowl roster, and he is one of three offensive line commits, joining Johnson and Luke Wypler.

Pretty impressive for a player whose ranking puts him at No. 17 in this Ohio State class out of 25. Speaks to the depth of this class.

SOURCE: Eleven Warriors 
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Deadline approaching to get letters from Santa

Beech Grove, IN (December 8, 2019) — The United States Post Office is helping children get a personalized letter from the big guy — complete with a North Pole postmark.

Follow these steps to ensure your children get a response letter from Santa:

1. Have your child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.
2. Later, when alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response. To save paper, write the response on the back of the original letter.
3. Insert the response letter into an envelope and address it to the child.
4. Add the return address: SANTA, NORTH POLE to the envelope.
5. Affix a First-Class Mail stamp, such as a new Winter Berries Forever stamp to the envelope.
6. Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope — preferably a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope — with appropriate postage and address it to:

North Pole Postmark
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Drive
Anchorage, AK 99530-9998

Greetings from the North Pole Post Office must be received by the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than Dec. 13. Santa’s helpers at the Postal Service will take care of the rest.
• When responding as Santa, make the response as personal as possible by highlighting your child’s accomplishments over the past year, for example, helping around the house, receiving good grades in a particular subject at school or participating in community service activities.
• This is a great activity to do that the whole family can enjoy, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other caregivers.

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Beech Grove Library offers genealogy sessions

Beech Grove, IN (December 8, 2019) — The Samuel Bryan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be offering to the public two types of genealogy sessions through the 2020 calendar in partnership with the Beech Grove Public Library.

The Lineage Research Workshop, formerly Ancestry Workshop, will have both afternoon and evening sessions, and representatives from the Samuel Bryan Chapter will provide genealogy research assistance using the library edition of Ancestry.com and other online resources.

Kim Shepherd, team leader for the upcoming sessions

The Samuel Bryan Chapter will be introducing the Genealogy Learning Series, focusing on several genealogy topics that would enhance any family historian’s research skills. These sessions are geared for both the beginner and the intermediate learner. Kim Shepherd stated that “these sessions are progressive or they can stand alone. Take some or take all,” of the Genealogy Learning Series. Nine sessions are being held at the Beech Grove Public Library.

Participants can register for both the Lineage Research Workshops and the Genealogy Learning Series sessions through the Beech Grove Library’s link HERE. Early registration is encouraged as there is limited seating available.

SOURCE: The Weekly View
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Beech Grove man charged in fatal gunfight

Beech Grove, IN (December 8, 2019) — A man is facing four charges, including murder, in connection with a bar gunfight that killed another man. Derek Oechsle, 32, of Beech Grove also was charged Thursday with attempted murder, battery and criminal recklessness in connection with the fatal shooting of Christopher Smith, 41, of Indianapolis on November 29 at Jake's Pub.

Witnesses told police Oechsle came into the bar and sat down across from a group celebrating Smith's bachelor party, The Indianapolis Star reported, citing a probable cause affidavit.

One member of the group who told police Oechsle stared at him and asked Oechsle whether he thought he was pretty. Oechsle got up, pulled out a gun and hit the man in the head with it, the affidavit said.


Smith was trying to separate the two when Oechsle allegedly fired and struck Smith several times, the affidavit said. Smith suffered one shot to the head and one shot that hit multiple organs.

Another witness pulled out his own gun and shot Oechsle, who then ran outside and fell, the affidavit said. Smith and Oechsle were taken to a hospital, where Smith was pronounced dead.

Oechsle was booked into the Marion County Jail. His attorney said he had no comment on the case at this time.

SOURCE: Associated Press
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