Coronavirus Concerns Prompts Two Libraries to Close

Indianapolis, IN (October 20, 2020) - The Indianapolis Public Library’s East Washington and Southport Branches are closed to the public Tuesday, October 20, after a staff member who had worked in both locations recently learned that they had been exposed to a family member with Covid-19. 

Both branches will remain closed through October 20 for deep cleaning, and both are tentatively planned to reopen to the public on Wednesday, October 21.

The employee and any fellow staff with whom they had close contact (defined as within six feet for ten or more minutes) are under a 10-day quarantine. Patrons who visited the East Washington or Southport Branch Library on or around October 17-19 are encouraged to self-monitor for any symptoms.

ALERT: The East Washington Branch and Southport Branch are both temporarily closed due to a staff member being exposed to COVID-19. For more information, please visit https://t.co/XZXWvEAihp

— Indianapolis Public Library (@indylibrary) October 20, 2020

All Indianapolis Public Libraries have had a face mask requirement in place since reopening in June. Other precautions include capacity limits at libraries, one-hour time limits for patrons when necessitated by building capacity limits, accessible hand sanitizer, regular surface cleaning, and 96 hour quarantining of returned books and other library materials.

“Library administration hopes to utilize staff from other locations to continue to serve the East Washington and Southport patrons immediately after a deep clean,” said Jackie Nytes, Library CEO. “Nimble scheduling for an issue like this is a necessity, as we understand that The Library is essential for residents who need access to information, materials, wi-fi, and computers – and we aim to fulfill our mission of providing access to these services as safely as possible.”

Visit The Indianapolis Public Library's website or follow The Indianapolis Public Library on social media for the latest on this situation, and for any future incidents of potential COVID-19 exposure at libraries.

SOURCE: Indianapolis Public Library

The 9 Signs Your Child Can See Ghosts

Southport, IN (October 8, 2020) - Most children can see spirits. For some, this ability starts as soon as they can focus their eyes and for others, the ability to see Spirits develops as they get older.

Until, at some point, when they tend to stop seeing Spirits. There’s a societal and cultural conditioning that exists that continues to tell children that their friends are imaginary and that monsters aren’t real, and neither is the man they keep talking about. 

This is the same reason most adults cannot see spirits – because at some point along the way, we were told in numerous ways that our experience wasn’t real.

But before this happens, and it doesn’t have to, there’s a period of time in childhood where most, if not all, children can see, hear, and feel those in Spirit. Good and Bad. All kinds.

This period of time is generally most evident to parents between the ages of 2 to 8 years old. Although, it can start much earlier and go on much, much later.

Think your child can see Ghosts? 

Here’s a list of the most common signs that a child can and is seeing those in Spirit.

1. Your child has a long history of sleeping troubles, usually starting in infancy and toddler hood with not sleeping through the night. 

2. Your child frequently stares off into empty space, blank walls, or windows. 

3. Your child talks about “peoples,” “bats,” “monsters,” etc. that you cannot see. 

4. Your child talks to your about individuals and beings that you cannot see. 

5. Your child points and talks about animals that you cannot see. 

6. Your child has conversations with “nothing.” 

7. Your child shares their food and drink with a seemingly non-existent being. 

8. Your child suddenly gets nervous and scared in public places, often looking down and averting their eyes. 

9. Your child comes running to you fearfully while playing outside with no discernible danger

SOURCE: Morticia

Southport Salisbury Steak

Southport, IN (September 25, 2020) - Served with mashed potatoes and gravy, there's nothing that says comfort food and home cooking like Nana's delicious Southport Salisbury Steak. We suggest a nice serving of southern style green beans on the side.

We have listed all the ingredients and steps for you to follow. Feel free to add more ingredients though if you feel that you can make this even better.

Prep time: 15 mins | Cook: 25 mins | Total: 40 mins | Servings: 4 | Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1-pound lean ground beef 
• ⅓ cup dry bread crumbs 
• ¼ cup chopped onions 
• 1 egg, beaten 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 
• 2 cups beef broth 
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced 
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms 
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch 
• 3 tablespoons water

Directions:


Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, add in the ground beef, chopped onion, bread crumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Step 2: Make 4 patties, 3/4-inch thick out of the mixture.
Step 3: Place a large skillet on the stove and turn the heat to medium.
Step 4: Pan-fry the burger patties for 10 minutes on both sides or until the color turns brown.
Step 5: Add in the broth, mushrooms, and onion. Allow it to boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the patties are cooked through.
Step 6: Place the cooked patties on a clean plate. Let it sit at room temperature to cool.
Step 7: Allow the onion mix to boil.
Step 8: In a small bowl, add in the cornstarch and water. Stir until well mixed then pour the mixture into the onion mixture.
Step 9: Cook for 1 minute or until the sauce becomes thick.
Step 10: Spread the sauce over the patties.
Step 11: Serve and enjoy..

SOURCE: Nana

Southport Sausage Gravy

Southport, IN (September 8, 2020) - This is a really easy and super delicious recipe for sausage gravy from Nana that will have your family begging you to make this again and again. This recipe makes a hearty breakfast that is perfect any time of the year or any day of the week. Serve with hot biscuits or even eggs to round-out a filling lunch.

The trick to a great Southport Sausage Gravy is to really brown the sausage in a skillet until it has a deep brown caramelization on the outside. Not only will the sausage taste better, the drippings will have also have a deeper, tastier flavor to impart in the roux

Ingredients 

• 1-pound breakfast sausage, hot or mild 
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 
• 3 to 4 cups whole milk, more to taste 
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt 
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, more to taste 
• 12 cooked biscuits, warmed, for serving

Preparation 

With your finger tear small pieces of sausage and add them in a single layer to a large heavy skillet. Brown the sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Sprinkle on half the flour and stir so that the sausage soaks it all up, then add more little by little. Stir it around and cook it for another minute or so, then pour in the milk, stirring constantly.

Cook the gravy, stirring frequently until it thickens (this may take a good 10 to 12 minutes). Sprinkle in the seasoned salt and pepper and continue cooking until very thick and luscious. If it gets too thick too soon, just splash in another 1/2 cup of milk or more if needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Spoon the sausage gravy over warm biscuits and serve immediately. This recipe can be easily doubled to serve 24.

Source: Nana

Southport Police Blood Drive

Southport, IN (July 24, 2020) - Now is a good time to give blood if you have never done so. The Southport Police Department is holding its annual Fallen Officer Blood Drive tomorrow.

The police department blood drive is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the training room at the Southport Municipal Complex at 137 Worman Street. To schedule a time to donate, click here.

Press release regarding this Saturday’s, “Fallen Officer Blood Drive” in partnership with Virsiti Blood Center of Indiana.

Use the link below to schedule your appointment to donate ahead of Saturday. #SouthportStronghttps://t.co/sfGQ8YWcU2 pic.twitter.com/UnNoVmX5tx

— Southport Police (@SouthportPD) July 22, 2020

This an opportunity for you to “raise your sleeve” in memory of the Indiana police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Use the map below to find your way to the Blood Drive.



July 27 will mark three years since the department lost Lt. Aaron Allan, who was shot and killed in the line of duty. The goal of the blood drive is to give a little in honor of those who gave all.

Discount Grocery Chain Aldi Expands

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.

SOURCE: Aldi Newsroom

Bodacious Bourbon Bread Pudding

Southport, IN (June 15, 2020) BGI - Most everyone knew Nana liked taking a nip or two of good bourbon whiskey on special occasions. When asked, she would make this for pot luck dinners and it was always a huge hit. But no worries with this recipe, as the alcohol burns off during the cooking phase.

Ingredients 

• 1 loaf french bread 
• 1 quart milk 
• 3 eggs 
• 1 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1 Ocean Spray craisins 
• 2 Tablespoons vanilla 
• 3 Tablespoons butter

Bourbon Sauce

• 1 stick of real butter 
• 1 cup of sugar 
• 1 egg, beaten 
• 3 Tablespoons bourbon whiskey

Directions

Tear bread in pieces and soak in milk for at least one hour. Beat eggs with sugar and vanilla. Add to bread mixture. Stir in raisins.

Melt 3 Tablespoons butter in oblong baking dish. Pour pudding into dish and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Let cool then cut into serving cubes and place in bowls. Top with Bourbon Sauce.

Bourbon Sauce: In a saucepan, mix 1 Cup Sugar, 1 Stick Butter, 1 egg beaten and 3 Tablespoons Bourbon. Cook on low heat until sugar has dissolved stirring constantly.

Quick Tip: This pudding is even better if the bread you use is a tad stale.

SOURCE: Nana

Perry Township Schools Honored

Indianapolis, IN (April 14, 2020) - The Indiana Department of Education has announced the recipient of the 2019-2020 Title III Distinguished Indiana School District Award.

Perry Township Schools was chosen to receive this distinction for demonstrating a commitment to English Learner success through strategic programming, rigorous instruction, inclusive school culture, and beneficial partnerships with families and the community.

“I applaud the dedicated work of the students, families, staff, and communities of Perry Township Schools,” said State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick. “Under the leadership of Director Whitney Wilkowski, Perry Township Schools represents the vision of working together for student success by ensuring English Learners, and all children, have opportunities to succeed.”

Perry Township Schools was selected after a review of English Learner performance data from all public school districts and charter schools, followed by a two-part interview process, including an on-site visit.

For more information on Title III funding, click here.

SOURCE: WBIW

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Southport Reserve Officer Charged

Southport, IN (February 25, 2020) —An investigation that began around mid-January has led to the arrest of a Franklin man on the charges of criminal confinement and neglect of a dependent, both are Level 6 Felonies.

It began in January after a staff member at Franklin High School was made aware of a situation involving a 15-year-old student that took place off campus, according to the release. The staff member contacted the Department of Child Services, which then notified authorities.

DCS contacted the Franklin Police Department who then turned the case over to the Indiana State Police when it was determined the alleged crime occurred in Marion County.

According to state police detectives, 37-year-old Timothy Hayes Jr. who at the time was a reserve police officer for the Southport Police Department, allegedly utilized his position as a police officer for an attempted scare tactic for his 15 year old son, state police said.

Hayes Jr. allegedly left his son handcuffed and unattended in an intake holding area at the Southport Police Department for over 30 minutes. Hayes Jr. then drove his son, who was still handcuffed, to the Adult Processing Center for the Marion County Jail and parked in an area designated for police vehicles, however neither Hayes Jr. nor his son exited the vehicle. Hayes Jr. then drove back to his home in Franklin.

Indiana State Police detectives presented the results of their investigation to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors reviewed the case and subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Timothy Hayes Jr. on Monday. Earlier this morning, Hayes Jr. turned himself into the Marion County Jail.

The Southport Police Department has been fully cooperative with this investigation, state police said. Timothy Hayes Jr. on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

All suspects named are considered innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.

Pedestrian plan under review for Marion County

Beech Grove, IN (January 17, 2020) — Time is running out for more than a million people in central Indiana to weigh in as an effort is now underway to write a new master plan for new sidewalks and priorities to keep pedestrians safe when they’re walking near their homes and offices.

There’s about 30 people a year killed and another 100 people seriously injured along roads in Marion County and surrounding areas. Many of these incidents happening in an area with no sidewalk.​

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The last master plan helped Churchman Avenue in Beech Grove get a new sidewalk several years ago. The last plan was created back in 2006 but a lot that has changed in more than 13 years. That’s why planners want to hear from residents.​

Churchman Avenue has homes, the high school and even a police station. Yet it didn’t get a sidewalk between Emerson and Arlington until 2017.

After 18 months of work, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization or MPO is in the final stretch of its latest Regional Pedestrian Plan.​

MPO principal planner Jen Higginbotham tells News 8 the idea is to prioritize which roads most desperately need help so that in future years they can be addressed.​​

“So many people are actually dying on the roadways possibly because they’re not visible, possibly because they’re not on a sidewalk. We don’t know exactly but there are people that need safe places to walk.”​

The MPO takes the federal dollars raised from the gas tax and allocates them to big projects including roads, roundabouts, trails, transit as well as sidewalks.​

MPO VIDEOS (Metropolitan Planning Organization)

Planners say of more than 5,400 miles of main roads in the 8-county area, just 31% have a sidewalk. More than 3,700 miles do not — mileage which does not include interstates and neighborhood streets.​ 

Higginbotham said it’s a bit of a surprise to see how many even urban pockets don’t allow people to walk a short 0.5 mile to the grocery store.​​ 

“Walking is important,” she said. “If you think about it, for one, it’s the cheapest way to get around, it’s free to use your legs and for reasons of health.” 

​​And of course, not everyone has access to a car.​ 

So if you live in the 975-square mile area covered by the MPO, and there’s 1.5 million people who do, take a look and tell the MPO what you think because it may be another 13 years before it happens again.​​ 

“We would like to see for the communities in the region to take the plans we’ve created and use it as a resource in their own planning,” said Higginbotham.​​ 

These plans affect 33 cities and towns in 8 counties from A to Z, Arcadia to Zionsville. 

There are a number of ways you can leave feedback including email, Facebook and Twitter. ​The deadline for public input is Jan. 22, that’s Wednesday.​ 

The Pedestrian Plan will be presented to the Regional Transportation Council on Feb. 19.​ 

Click here to view the current plan and submit your input online.

SOURCE: WISH

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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.