Beech Grove, IN (May 2, 2021) - Two storage buildings were heavily damaged by a large fire at the Amtrak Maintenance Facility located at 202 Garstang Street in Beech Grove early Sunday morning. The fire was under control in 1 hour, 22 minutes.
Photo: Indianapolis Fire Department
Beech Grove police first reported the fire just after 12:30 a.m. in the corrugated buildings. When firefighters arrived, they did not find a working hydrant inside the facility, they had to run hoses from Emerson Avenue and used tankers to get water on the buildings.
— Indianapolis Fire Department 🚒 (@IFD_NEWS) May 2, 2021
Both buildings, which housed paint and cleaning supplies, eventually collapsed. Hazardous materials investigators said runoff from the fire tested neutral. Nobody was hurt.
Beech Grove, IN (April 29, 2021) - A Beech Grove, Indiana man has been convicted in the 2019 murder of a man who was celebrating his bachelor party at a bar on the Southside of Indianapolis.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears on Thursday announced that Derek Oechsle was convicted of murder and criminal recklessness in the death of Christopher Smith.
Authorities said Smith was at Jake's Pub, 1280 West Southport Road, celebrating his bachelor party with friends when Oechsle became visibly upset and got into a physical altercation with another person at the bar.
Witnesses told authorities Oechsle pulled out a gun and began hitting the other person when Smith tried to break up the fight. Oechsle then shot Smith and fired other shots into the crowd until one of Smith’s friends returned fire.
Smith was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died. A sentencing hearing for Oechsle has been set for May 20 at 2 p.m.
Beech Grove, IN (March 19, 2021) - Amtrak fans across the country may soon spot a few freshly painted locomotives featuring new anniversary logos rolling down the tracks as America’s Railroad® celebrates 50 years of service this year.
The first of six different commemorative 50th anniversary locomotives has already entered service on the national network.The first of which, P42 #46 in “Phase V 50th,” has already entered service on Amtrak’s national network.
Amtrak trains are being painted to mark 50 years of service. Image courtesy of Amtrak
Each P42 locomotive is being painted and overhauled at the Amtrak Beech Grove shops in Beech Grove, Ind., rolling out over the coming months and entering service across the national network. Employees will also ensure that these locomotives are maintained to high performance and safety standards.
ALC-42 #301 is currently being manufactured by Siemens in Sacramento, Calif. and is expected to be delivered in April to undergo testing in the Northeast Corridor before entering service on the national network.
Among the six locomotives, you can expect to find the following paint jobs:
P42 #46 in “Phase V 50th” — Amtrak’s standard livery for the past two decades, with a special slogan commemorating the company’s 50 years in business;
P42 in “Midnight Blue” — A new paint scheme celebrating the dedication of employees;
P42 in “Phase VI” — The first adaption of the latest Amtrak livery phase on a P42;
P42 in “Phase I” – A rendition of Amtrak’s first-ever livery phase, dating to 1972;
P42 in “Dash 8 Phase III” — The design made for the Dash 8 fleet in the early 1990s, adapted for the first time to a P42 locomotive; and
ALC-42 #301 in “Day 1” scheme — A recreation of the design used for the first day of Amtrak operations on May 1, 1971. Painted on Amtrak’s newest locomotive.
“We chose locomotives already budgeted for new paint as part of our life cycle preventative maintenance program and used the opportunity to celebrate this significant milestone on the most iconic component of our business,” said Amtrak President Stephen Gardner.“The locomotive designs uniquely honor our heritage and our vision of connecting communities, economies and families nationwide.”
Amtrak began service with 184 trains a day on May 1, 1971. The first train departed New York City for Philadelphia shortly after midnight that day. Amtrak continues to prepare for the future. It is completing renovations and expansion at D.C.’s Union Station that will double the station’s concourse capacity. It will take delivery of new, faster Acela trains in 2022.
Amtrak’s long-term goal is tripling passenger capacity and doubling train capacity over the next 20 years.
Beech Grove, IN (November 21, 2020) - If you're still in search of one final dish that will really take your meal to the next level, consider White Castle's burger-stuffed turkey recipe.
To celebrate the biggest food holiday of the year, the chain famous for it's little burgers recently re-released its stuffing recipe and it's a pretty fun take on the traditional dish.
The White Castle's original burger stuffing recipe actually dates all the way back to 1991 when, as the story goes, a White Castle team member used a sack of burgers to beef up her grandmother’s stuffing recipe.
“As a family-owned business, we’re happy to have the Original Slider and the Turkey Stuffing recipe a Thanksgiving staple for so many families across the country" Jamie Richardson, vice president of White Castle, said in a statement.
If you like burgers, this recipe might just be a big home run since you can use it to stuff your bird or bake it off in a casserole dish.
Ingredients:
10-12 White Castle Sliders without pickles
1 ½ cups diced celery
1 ¼ teaspoons ground thyme
1 ½ teaspoons ground sage
¾ teaspoons coarse ground black pepper
¼ cup chicken broth or 1 cup for casserole version
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, tear the sliders into pieces and add the celery, thyme, sage, and black pepper.
Add ¼ cup chicken broth and toss well. Stuff the ingredients into the cavity of the turkey before roasting and then simply cook the turkey for several hours, based on the size of your bird.
Or, place into casserole dish; add an additional ¾ cup of chicken broth, toss, and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. The recipe makes about 9 cups of stuffing (enough for a 10-12 pound turkey).
Note: Allow one slider for each pound of turkey, which will be the equivalent of ¾ cup of stuffing per pound.
While the recipe is pretty out there, it’s not that weird. Those soft, doughy slider buns are a great stand in for any type of bread and a lot of people add sausage or bacon to their stuffing ... so why not beef?
Since some variation of the recipe has been around for over 25 years now, plenty on social media have shared their (mixed) results and reactions.
Indianapolis, IN (November 9, 2020) - Steak ‘n Shake and its franchisees appear to have closed another 13 locations as the brand continued its pullback during a pandemic that has sapped it of much of its customer traffic.
The Indianapolis-based chain, part of the Biglari Holdings conglomerate, has been shuttering locations at a steady pace as years of sales declined have deteriorated its finances.
The company appears to have closed another 11 locations in the third quarter, while franchisees closed another two, based on Biglari Holdings securities filings. Steak ‘n Shake currently operates 528 locations, including 260 company units, 69 operated by “franchise partners,” and 199 by traditional franchisees.
Some 37 of those 260 company-operated locations remain “temporarily closed,” according to the filings.
Steak ‘n Shake has been permanently closing locations all year due to the pandemic. It started 2020 with 610 units, suggesting 82 restaurants have shut down so far this year, or 13% of the chain.
The closures have come as traffic has taken a nosedive during the pandemic. According to the filing, same-store traffic plunged 54.2% in the third quarter ended Sept. 30. Traffic has fallen 44.6% so far this year.
Same-store sales numbers were not published, but the company has seen steady decreases in recent years that have presumably worsened in recent months during quarantine-related dine-in restrictions.
To combat that, Steak ‘n Shake has been shifting its traditionally full-service business into a counter-service model—a rare shift, yet indicative of the challenges facing traditional dine-in concepts at a time when consumers are taking their food with them.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected our restaurant operations and financial results,” Biglari Holdings said in a filing. The company has been adding equipment in reopened restaurants to shift the restaurants’ model to one that emphasizes counter service and does away with wait staff. Yet details in the earnings report suggest the effort has been "limited."
But, the company noted, “the funds needed for the transition are limited under its current debt agreement.” Steak ‘n Shake has $153 million in debt that Biglari Holdings doesn’t guarantee—and refuses to guarantee.
That has put the chain under some pressure to turn itself around before next March, when the debt comes due. “Absent a resolution with the lenders, Steak ‘n Shake may need to seek refinancing options, which may not be available,” the company said. The pandemic could also limit those financing options.
Steak ‘n Shake has been shifting many of its restaurants to operators who would take ownership in exchange for a fee of “up to 15%” of sales and a split of the remaining profits. The company now has 69 such restaurants run by those franchise partners.
But traditional royalties have plummeted during the pandemic: Franchise royalties and fees fell 33% in the third quarter and are down 31.5% for the first nine months of the year.
Beech Grove, IN (October 17, 2020) - Nana loved deserts and her Beech Grove Butterscotch Lush recipe is a rich and refreshing dessert recipe that is delicious any time of the year. It especially works well during the winter holiday season. Serve this recipe at your next dinner party or birthday party.
Beech Grove Butterscotch Lush is a 4-layer dessert of graham cracker crust, cream cheese, pudding, and whipped cream. Topped with butterscotch and chocolate shavings.
Ingredients:
Graham Cracker Crust:
1.5 cup graham crackers, crushed
1 stick butter (1/2 cup), melted
1/2 cup sugar
Cream Cheese Layer ~
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
Pudding Layer ~
2.5 cups milk
2 small packages butterscotch instant pudding
Whipped Cream Layer ~
1 cup heavy cream
3 Tbs powdered sugar
Toppings (optional) ~
Butterscotch ice cream topping
Chocolate bar, shaved
Directions:
Graham Cracker Crust ~
Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press mixture into the bottom of a 8×8 baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
Cream Cheese Layer ~
Use a hand mixer to beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add in 2 cups heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks form. Layer over cooled graham cracker crust.
Pudding Layer ~
Beat milk and pudding mix. If too thick, add a little more milk. You want it thicker than traditional pudding, but not so thick you can’t pour or smooth your pudding layer. Spread over cream cheese layer.
Whipped Cream Layer ~
Beat heavy cream and powdered sugar, until it forms soft peaks. Spread over pudding layer. Chill 4 hours in the refrigerator, or until set.
Toppings (optional) ~
Drizzle warmed butterscotch topping across the top. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate pieces.
Indianapolis, IN (October 17, 2020 - Indianapolis recently received a not-so-great distinction. According to pest control company Orkin, the Circle City is one of the “rattiest” cities in the country--15th to be exact.
Orkin says the ranking is based on the number rodent treatments performed in the last year. Chicago, Los Angeles and New York took the top three spots.
The company warns that as the winter months set in, rodent activity will increase inside people’s homes and places of work as the vermin seek the indoors’ warmth and safety. Orkin adds that coronavirus lockdowns may make matters worse for homeowners as they spend more time at home. Homeowners should take greater care not to leave food scraps around and to “pay extra attention to the attractants that entice rats and mice.”
“Rodents are experts at sniffing out food and shelter, and they’re resilient in their ways to obtain both,” Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist, said in the company’s statement. “Residential properties offer the ideal habitat for rodents, and once they’ve settled in, they’re capable of reproducing rapidly and in large quantities.”
The company also noted that rats cause structural damage with their chewing of wooden beams and their burrowing below structural foundations. Worse, they carry harmful pathogens and diseases that can infect humans and pets.
Orkin also offered a series of tips on preventing rat infestations, including throwing away food scraps, keeping floors swept, making sure garbage is not left to gather, and saying foodstuffs should be kept in sealed glass metal containers.
Outdoors, the company suggests keeping lawns trimmed and to keep weed patches eliminated.
Finally, homeowners were advised to keep an eye out for infestation including droppings, and things that seem to have been chewed.
Beech Grove, IN (October 6, 2020) - Is it possible for those who have passed from this mortal coil to make contact from the spirit world through electronic media? Can a loved one make contact through the humble telephone to say one last good-bye or even give warning of impending disaster?
As odd as it may seem, this phenomenon is not an unusual one and occurs quite frequently, usually with in the first 24 to 48 hours after someone has died. However, many people have reported getting phone calls from deceased loved ones years after they have passed on. These calls are nearly always filled with heavy static and the caller’s voice sounds faint, as if it is coming from a great distance.
Countless people have reported receiving telephone calls that seem to have come from a deceased relative or friend. These strange calls usually happen not more than once or twice and are nearly always brief messages. For some, these phone calls can be frightening, but for others they are a source of comfort and help grieving loved ones move on with their lives.
Often when a person receives such a phone call he or she may not realize, at first, that the person that they are talking to is someone who has passed on from this world and thinks that he or she is talking to corporeal person.
Man people have reported receiving phone calls from a person that they never knew directly in life, but receive an urgent message to relay to another person he or she and the deceased both know/knew. These types of phantom phone calls are more rare. Often, the recipients of such calls say that the voice sounds odd, almost mechanical or unreal in some way.
In most of these phantom phone call cases, people reported that the ring sounded different than it usually did. The tone would be different and the rings would come in shorter than usual bursts. Considering that paranormal investigators use all sorts of electronic equipment to detect spirit activity due to the fact that spirits do indeed seem to be able to communicate through electronic means; then it is not at all far fetched to think that the spirits of departed friends or loved ones could conceivable use the telephone as a medium to make contact between this world and theirs.
If this is indeed the case, then it is quite possible that one day we may find a way to develop such a device that is specifically designed to be able to allow direct interaction with the spirit world using the basic telephone technologies and developing them to a whole new level.
Not only would this enable people to talk to their loved ones, but it would invariable prove that we continue to live on even after physical death. Perhaps we could gain new insights as to what happens after we die and remove the fear and uncertainty from this seemingly inevitable process.
Until such a time comes, the mystery of these phantom phone calls will continue to be just that, a mystery.
Beech Grove, IN (October 4, 2020) - Ohio Sate Offensive tackle Josh Fryar was given the honor of having his black stripe removed yesterday. Fryar was a three-star recruit from Beech Grove, Indiana, coming in at 6 feet, 4 inches and 275 pounds.
The black stripe ritual was designed by Urban Meyer as an in-house motivational tactic for his players. The stripe doesn't come off a freshman's helmet until he has proven he's worthy of being a Buckeye.
So the longer it's on, the more stressful it becomes. Everyone in practice sees it.
Fryar becomes the first of six offensive linemen to lose the black stripe. More than a player's personal pride is at stake because the coach announces every time a freshman has his stripe removed. In a world where Ohio State invites top-rated prospects into the program every year, it gives fans -- who can't see practice -- a way of tracking which players are acclimating to the program the right way. It's very public.
Fryar was excited about the honor and had some words of gratitude.
“I just want to thank everybody here, thank you Coach Stud, especially, thank my O-line unit, thank my strength coaches, and I especially want to thank the defense for going hard every day and giving me a look. Go Bucks!”
Fryar becomes the eighth freshmen to lose their black stripe, a list that includes Miyan Williams, Trey Sermon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kourt Williams, Gee Scott, Jr. and Julian Fleming.
Beech Grove, IN (September 18, 2020) - Made with butter and brown sugar, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whenever Nana made these brownies they were gone in no time. We have listed all the steps so you just need to follow them.
Feel free to add more ingredients if you feel that this recipe can do better. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts
Coffee Frosting (Optional)
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons water
½ cup butter softened
3 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the oven and preheat to 180 degrees C or 350 degrees F.
Step 2: Apply cooking spray in a 11x7x2-inch baking pan.
Step 3: Place a large saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Add in the butter and allow it to melt. Add in 2 cups of brown sugar and stir until well mixed and dissolved completely. Remove from the heat and let it cool at room temperature. Add in the vanilla and eggs. Beat until well blended.
Step 4: In a small mixing bowl, sift baking powder, flour, and salt.
Step 5: Transfer the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir until well mixed then toss in the walnuts and stir.
Step 6: Transfer the batter into the greased pan.
Step 7: Place inside the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until cooked through.
Step 8: Remove from the pan and let it sit on a wire rack to cool at room temperature.
Step 9: Make the Frosting: In a medium mixing bowl, add in coffee and pour in water. Stir until coffee is dissolved completely.
Step 10: In another small bowl, add in the confectioners’ sugar and butter. Whisk until well mixed.
Step 11: Transfer the butter mixture into the dissolved coffee. Stir until well mixed.
Step 12: Spread the mixture on top of the brownies.
Step 13: Serve and enjoy!
Washington, D.C. (September 15, 2020) - Amtrak President William Flynn has told members of Congress that the company needs a $4.9 billion appropriation for fiscal 2021 to avoid employee furloughs and reduced long-distance train frequencies planned for October.
Flynn, Rail Passengers Association President and CEO Jim Mathews, and labor officials representing the Transport Workers Union and Transportation Communications Union testified Tuesday at the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Rail Subcommittee hearing titled, “Amtrak’s response to COVID-19.”
Amtrak CEO William Flynn testifies during Wednesday's online House hearing on Amtrak's response to COVID-19.
Amtrak declined to provide the figure needed to avoid the job and service cuts to Capitol Hill staffers until late last week, despite requests from elected officials in June [see “Senators seek more details on Amtrak service, job cuts,” Trains News Wire June 29, 2020.
That drew sharp criticism in the opening statement from subcommittee chairman Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) for “just now submitting their amended FY21 supplemental request to Congress less than one month before the current fiscal year expires and Amtrak plans to implement these furloughs.”
If Senate and House conferees don’t come up with the $4.9 billion (which includes the $2 billion Amtrak originally asked for in its annual Grant and Legislative Request in February), Flynn told Lipinski that with a “cash burn at nearly $250 million a month right now, we would have to make very dramatic reductions across the company to stave off bankruptcy.” He added that this would include “substantial reduction in all services and perhaps some elimination of some long-distance services if that’s the cash burn we’re having with no supplemental funding.”
In questioning from U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas), Flynn repeated management’s previous assertions that in fiscal 2019, “we were generating a surplus on our Northeast Corridor — essentially a break-even level of operation in our state-supported network, but the operational subsidy fundamentally underpins the long-distance services. So the vast majority, if not all, of that subsidy, if we were to do it on a service line basis, would be on the long-distance service.”
Rail Passengers Association President and CEO Jim Mathews pushed back against Flynn and the assertion by Babin and four other GOP lawmakers that Amtrak is required to make a profit.
“It is not — it is only required to minimize subsidies,” Mathews said. “A conversation about (Amtrak) profit ignores the benefit that communities receive.” In his opening statement, he unveiled research that quantifies by long-distance route exactly what those benefits are.
The document lists the direct and indirect economic impact of daily service, and the negative effects when four of seven weekly departures are eliminated.
The model, developed by the Rail Passengers Association with the help of Transportation 4 America, contends that the cuts will result in a “$2 billion bomb on ‘Flyover Country.’” It is available here.
Other revealing exchanges during the session:
— Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) raised concerns about aspects of Amtrak’s accounting methodology, such as considering taxpayer-funded state payments as revenue and not including depreciation in operating results.
— Flynn said that there were no plans to furlough any employees at the Beech Grove Heavy Maintenance Facility, and in fact Amtrak had to hire essential workers after some employees decided to take the company-wide buyout offer.
— Acela lead service attendant Amy Griffin, who testified as Local 1460 president of the Transport Workers Union of America, recounted a July incident in which she had been ordered to continue working after a co-worker tested positive for COVID-19. She eventually was told to quarantine, but then was ordered back to work after 10 instead of 14 days by Amtrak’s medical staff because she showed no symptoms
— Flynn was criticized by several lawmakers for reinstating a 401K retirement plan company match for management beginning Oct. 1 at the same time it counted on receiving bailout money and was laying off 2,000 employees. He defended the decision because it helped the company retain personnel and would not agree to reverse it, but did say Amtrak would withdraw a communications Request For Proposal that allowed outsourced bidders to shift jobs offshore.
--Near the end of session, Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) told Flynn, “I fully support using money you make on the north end of the Northeast Corridor to provide service to some of those rural areas — the ‘red’ states. Those lines don’t necessarily benefit my district but they benefit the country. … I hope you take very seriously the credibility that you will lose by engaging in these furloughs, and the representational damage that comes to Amtrak management. I’m asking you to reconsider that [because] it is not going to save the day.” Cutting 2000 employees, Lynch said, “is going to reduce service and spiral that bottom-line deficit. You’re going to lose the faith of members of Congress like me, who are behind you, because of this decision.”
Video of the entire 2 1/2 -hour hearing and links to the witnesses’ prepared testimony is below.
Amtrak’s Response to COVID-19
Subcommittee: Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Time: 11:00 AM
Beech Grove, IN (September 9, 2020) - Many schools in Indiana are working to provide some sort of in-person instruction to students as they reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, but some school leaders say a shortage of teachers could force them to once again move students online.
Teachers everywhere are providing instruction in person, online, and in some cases, both. But substitute teachers are in high demand and have been in critically short supply.
Frontier School Corporation Superintendent Dan Sichting says his corporation employs 50 certified teachers, and has just five substitutes on hand this fall. Only two of them are available to work at the junior-senior high school.
"This is by far more difficult than any other years that we've seen up to this point," Sichting said.
He says the shortages have meant closing things like the school library or computer lab for the day while existing staff fill in.
But Beech Grove High School principal Lizz Walters says solutions she and other leaders have looked to for temporary relief in the past are wearing thin.
Teachers have given up their prep time to cover classes in a crunch before. But she says things have intensified this year, and it's not fair – or feasible – to ask teachers to regularly give up the small amount of time they have during the day to get ready for the classes they usually teach.
"You know we're now looking at the possibility of doing that more than once or twice a week, so that's very difficult from a sustainability standpoint," Walters says.
Many of the substitutes that school corporations like Sichting's rely on are retired, and he says several of them have concerns about their health and safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Others, like Noblesville substitute teacher Deb Marcum aren't as worried about the possible health risks. But Marcum said she's been pulled into a regular teaching role as her school navigates how they should conduct learning online and in-person at the same time.
Which means, one less substitute teacher available to cover when other classroom leaders get sick, have to quarantine, or need time off.
"To be honest with you it'll be a shortage of teachers that will cause schools to close rather than I think the illness of kids," Marcum said.
State leaders have urged schools to at least prepare for a return to online learning as the fallout from the ongoing pandemic continues. And Walters said she and others have prepared to move online in case local health departments close schools because of the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.
But the start of flu season is here, and Sichting and Walters both said they're already thinking about whether or not they will need to shift to online learning – and when – if they don't find more qualified staff soon.
Indianapolis, IN (August 12, 2020) - The Kroger Company, America’s largest grocery retailer, announced Kroger Ship will expand to offer an extended ship-to-home assortment through a marketplace offering of third-party sellers powered by Mirakl, the leading software platform enabling B2C and B2B digital marketplaces.
“Our customers are increasingly turning to our e-commerce solutions provided at Kroger.com for their grocery and household essential needs. To better serve our customers, we’re continuing to invest in technology that enables us to expand our digital services to deliver anything, anytime, anywhere,” said Jody Kalmbach, Kroger’s group vice president of product experience. “Leveraging Mirakl’s best-in-class marketplace solution, we are broadening Kroger’s ship-to-home capabilities by offering more relevant products for our customers through exciting new partnerships with reputable third-party sellers.”
Kroger Ship, which launched in August 2018, will offer customers an extended aisle of products made available through marketplace partners. Initially, more than 50,000 additional items will be available to customers across multiple categories, including natural and organic, international food, specialty items, housewares and toys.
“Kroger has long been a retail giant, and by integrating an online marketplace into its leading eCommerce experience, Kroger is continuing to lead from the front,” said Adrien Nussenbaum, CEO and Co-founder of Mirakl. “It’s clearer than ever that digital marketplaces are the foundation of the next generation of commerce, and we look forward to supporting Kroger as it takes advantage of this opportunity.”
Kroger’s marketplace products are expected to launch this fall. Eligible Kroger.com orders earn loyalty rewards like fuel points.
“The expansion of our Kroger Ship platform will continue to bring together our industry-leading customer insights and merchandising data to offer our customers a digital shopping experience that includes staples available in our physical stores as well as products that are exclusive to Kroger.com,” said Stuart Aitken, Kroger’s senior vice president and chief merchant and marketing officer. “As part of our continuing transformation, we look forward to accelerating the development of our e-commerce platform and providing our customers with even more choices.”
Kroger’s strategic investments in e-commerce technology and channels over the past two and half years under Restock Kroger have positioned the company to more effectively respond to the sustained, increased demand of delivery, pickup and ship-to-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beech Grove, IN (August 12, 2020) - Purdue University and LED lighting manufacturer Energy Harness have announced a ceiling-mounted ultraviolet (UV) system called Active-Airflow that is intended to deactivate pathogens including the novel coronavirus. Energy Harness intends to have systems available for two Central Indiana school districts before classes restart.
The integration of UV-C sources in air-circulation systems has great promise, especially given the growing knowledge about the dangers of airborne spread of the coronavirus. One obvious possibility is installing UV-C systems in HVAC equipment, and Utility TVA is offering incentives for customers that install such systems. The Energy Harness approach is independent of the HVAC system, but still uses active air handling to draw room air into the unit.
“We have demonstrated and studies have shown the effectiveness of UV-C light in killing the COVID-2 family of pathogens,” said Patricio M. Daneri, managing director of Energy Harness’ Midwest division. “Our Active-Airflow unit provides the added advantage of safe usage during the school day in occupied classrooms. The unit has a fan system to draw in the air, where it is cleaned and then cycled back into the room.”
The LEDs in the unit radiate in the 260–280-nm range — wavelengths known to have germicidal efficacy. Ultimately, germicidal efficacy is based on UV-C dosage, which is a function of UV-C power per area multiplied by exposure time. So in this instance, the key factors would be the radiometric output of the UV-C LEDs (168W) and the airflow (116 CFM).
The company states the UV dosage to be 12,000 to 18,000. Energy Harness said that each unit can disinfect a 256-ft2 space. That would typically mean multiple units in each classroom in a school setting.
Beech Grove City Schools Install System
Beech Grove City Schools will have 15 units scattered
throughout its five buildings—in the nurses’ stations and
select classrooms, Director of Operations Tom Gearhart
said. Beech Grove had worked with Energy Harness to replace its fluorescent lights in classrooms and hallways
“and have been very satisfied with them as an
organization.” So when Daneri told district officials about
the UV-C fixture, they were interested.
The Active-Airflow system is being installed in schools that are part of the Beech Grove City Schools and Franklin Township Community Schools districts in Indiana. “We have had success working with the Energy Harness team before and are excited about this new technology product to help keep our community safe,” said Tom Gearhart, director of operations for the Beech Grove City Schools.
Marion County, IN (July 23, 2020) - Indianapolis Mayor Hogsett announced new COVID-19 restrictions for Marion County today. The new changes will go into effect tomorrow, July 24.
Masks will remain mandatory. They must be worn in a way that covers the nose and mouth.
Social gatherings cannot exceed 50 individuals, other than religious ceremonies.
Indoor religious ceremonies can operate up to 50% capacity. Outdoor services can continue without restrictions.
Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food will close through at least August 12.
Restaurants will operate at 50% capacity, and all restaurants must close between midnight and 5 a.m.
Personal services such as hair salons and tattoo parlors will be by appointment only.
For K-12 schools, in-person instruction can not begin until August 5.
Gyms will operate at 25% capacity.
No travel restrictions are being made at this time, but travel to states with high virus rates should consider quarantining for 14 days upon returning, the mayor said.
The positive rate in Marion County jumped by 50%. Hogsett said, “Without a response, that trajectory will undo all the hard work we’ve done, have put in, over the past four months.”
Transmission of the coronavirus most often occurred indoors for social occasions, especially the age group 20-30 in gyms, bars and other venues, the mayor said, citing research.
Beech Grove, IN (July 22, 2020) - Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several businesses have begun to require every customer to wear a mask or some type of face covering before entering their establishment, regardless of whether or not it is required by that county, city or state.
Nearly 40 states now require masks in public places, with Alabama, Arkansas and Colorado adding mandates and Ohio requiring masks in a dozen counties. Individual businesses can choose to institute further restrictions, and the National Retail Federation is encouraging retailers to set nationwide mask policies to protect shoppers and employees.
Here is a list of businesses that have announced that customers at all of their locations nationwide will be required to wear masks or some type of face coverings before entering.
Indianapolis, IN (July 22, 2020) - After passing the 2,000-store marker, Aldi announced Tuesday that it will open over 70 new stores this year. The privately held grocer is on track to become the third largest supermarket chain behind Kroger and Walmart in terms of store count, with 2,500 stores by the end of 2022.
Aldi did not announce where the 70 new stores would be, but it will enter Arizona, its 37th state, later this year, with four new stores in the Phoenix area. Aldi will also open a new regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Alabama, to distribute to stores in Alabama, Florida and Louisiana.
Aldi has a low-cost business model and boasts that its prices are up to 50% cheaper than traditional supermarkets. Stores, at around 12,000 square feet, are much smaller than a typical US supermarket of 40,000 square feet. More than 90% of the brands Aldi sells are its own private labels.
There are other quirks to the store, too. Shoppers need a quarter to rent a shopping cart. At checkout, cashiers hurry shoppers away, expecting them to bag their own groceries in a separate location away from the cash register.
Aldi opened its first US store in 1976, but in recent years it has invested more than $5 billion to remodel existing stores and to open hundreds of new stores.
Aldi is expanding at a moment when much of the retail industry is in turmoil. The pandemic has forced retailers such as JCPenney into bankruptcy, led to job losses and caused thousands of permanent store closures. A record 25,000 US stores may close this year.
Indianapolis, IN (July 16, 2020) — Walmart is changing up how you pay your bill. You can still use cash, but Walmart is asking customers to pay with credit or debit cards when possible. Here's a statement from Walmart Spokesperson Avani Dudhia:
“Like most retailers, we’re experiencing the affects of the nation-wide coin shortage,” spokesperson Avani Dudhia said. “We’re asking customers to pay with card or use correct change when possible if they need to pay with cash.”
Some self-checkout registers have been converted to card-only registers. Dudhia added that some stores have been moving registers to card-only on an as-needed basis.
The coin shortage was caused due to a supply chain disruption since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, government officials have explained.
This coin shortage won’t last forever. The Walmart spokesperson says their issues won’t either. But in the meantime, you’re being asked to “charge it”.
Wheatfield, IN (July 15, 2020) - A Beech Grove man driving through Jasper County last week was arrested and charged with four offenses by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.
Tymothy J. Debolt, 31, will face charges of dealing in methamphetamine (Level 4 felony), possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 felony), habitual traffic offender (Level 6 felony) and possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor) after he was spotted at a gas station in Wheatfield on July 7.
According to police, a female called 911 advising the sheriff’s department that a vehicle had followed her from Indiana 2 and I-65 into Wheatfield.
After his car was found stopped at a gas station, deputies approached Debolt, who said he followed the other vehicle because he thought it was one of his “buddies.” Deputies would later discover that Debolt was a habitual traffic offender and should not have been driving.
Because Debolt appeared nervous and because of his previous record, JCSD brought in K9 Alfa and his handler to complete an open-air sniff of Debolt’s vehicle. Alfa alerted police to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
Eventually, deputies obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which revealed individual baggies containing a crystal substance that field-tested positive for meth. Paraphernalia was also found.
Debolt was later transported to the Jasper County Detention Center. Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Beech Grove, IN (May 20, 2020) BGI - You don’t have to like buttermilk to like this great tasting custard like dessert. Beech Grove Buttermilk pie is great any time and so easy to make. You can’t go wrong with Nana's pie and she has never served it to anyone who didn’t like it.
This pie is wonderful for any occasion or event and you won’t bring any home. It keeps for several days in the refrigerator and is wonderful with coffee as a dessert or with milk for a snack.
How To Make Beech Grove Buttermilk Pie
Ingredients
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup) room temp.
3 large eggs
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 9″ pie shell, unbaked
Instructions
Cream together the sugar and butter till well blended. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, until the mixture is nice and smooth. Add in the vanilla, salt and flour. Beat in the buttermilk until well combined. Place the pie shell on a baking sheet lined with foil (catches any overflow).
Fill the pie shell with the buttermilk mixture, just to the top of the shell. Pour any remaining into an ungreased custard cup. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let set until almost cooled before serving. Store covered in the fridge.
