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Our Weekly Columnists
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Steven R. Barnett
100 Years Ago -
Rose Mary Clarke
Senior Lifestyle -
Al Hunter
Bumps in the Night -
Linda Hamer Kennett
What’s in the Attic? -
Steve Nicewanger
Sports Voice -
CJ Woods III
Words from Woods
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Recovery Begins After Historic Flooding in Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS — The heavy rains began on August 12, when a powerful storm system dumped several inches of rain in the eastern and central parts of the state. The rain didn’t let up until August 15 in many areas, with a total of 11-17 inches falling in Henry County. Rain fell into tributaries to the White River, then into the river itself at a record rate. A day or two later, closer to Indianapolis, Muncie and Anderson saw river levels rise to 24 feet, surpassing the levels of the historic … Read More
2026 Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest Winners Announced
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the 2026 Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest . This contest, in its 18th year, features photos which are a powerful testament of this hardworking community and the invaluable contributions of our Hoosier farmers. The winning photos were chosen from hundreds of entries in the following four categories: Agritourism, Conservation, Faces of Agriculture and On the Farm. Two winners were selected from each category, along with two winners overall. To be considered, the photo had to be taken in the … Read More
Library Sets New Summer Reading Record
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Public Library is celebrating a record-breaking 2026 Summer Reading Program, with more than 27 million minutes read by kids, teens and adults. This year 28,992 kids, teens and adults took part in the 107th Summer Reading Program, which ended on August 1. Readers devoted 27,606,252 minutes to reading while earning prizes generously donated by community sponsors, far surpassing the Library’s goal of 22 million minutes read. A total of 22,574 kids participated in the 2026 Summer Reading Program. For the sixth consecutive year, kids kept track … Read More
Art Squared Returns to Fountain Square in September
INDIANAPOLIS — Art Squared, Fountain Square’s longest-standing arts festival, is always on the third Saturday of September. This year the event will be on September 19th, 11am to 5pm, with the annual Masterpiece in a Day competition beginning at its traditional 9 a.m. start time. Logistically, organizers are undeterred by ongoing road construction in the neighborhood. “Art Squared” is the all-encompassing name for one event made up of several main activities: The Art Squared art vending area, the Masterpiece In A Day (MIAD) competition, and new this year, a silent … Read More
Feast of Lanterns August 22 — Eastside Gets a Glow-Up
INDIANAPOLIS — The 2026 Feast of Lanterns takes place on Saturday, August 22, from 4- 11 p.m. at Spades Park (1800 Nowland Avenue). Admission is free for this family-friendly event, which features glowing paper lanterns, live music, local makers, and food trucks. The Near Eastside tradition transforms the park into a magical evening oasis, with many community booths, vendors, a beer and wine garden, kid’s zone, food trucks, and over 60 local artisans. There will be performances by Ethereal, Busman’s Holiday, Brandon Meeks, Rock E Bassoon, and Sweet Poison Victim. … Read More
Mechanical Skills Opens New Training Center in Beech Grove
BEECH GROVE — Mechanical Skills, Inc. and the City of Beech Grove celebrated the grand opening of a new plumbing apprenticeship training center on Monday, Aug. 10, marking the completion of a project that has transformed a longtime vacant parcel into a hub for the skilled trades in the heart of the city. Located at 1831 Albany Street, the site was once home to a Marsh and Safeway grocery store before sitting vacant for years. The new 20,000-square-foot facility now serves as a center for education and workforce development, while … Read More
Indianapolis Children’s Choir Expands Locations
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Children’s Choir is expanding choir locations across central Indiana to include choir sites on Indy’s south and east sides. All locations are enrolling singers now. See all choirs at icchoir.org/join Indianapolis Children’s Choir Irvington will provide a Preparatory Choir and Beginning Level Choir that will rehearse at Irvington Presbyterian Church, 55 Johnson Ave. Indianapolis Children’s Choir University of Indianapolis will have rehearsals at the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, 1230 Greyhound Lane, on campus, and will offer a Preparatory Choir, Beginning Level Choir, and Lyric Choir. … Read More
New Playground Opens at Garfield Park
INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Parks and city leaders recently celebrated the opening of Garfield’s Park new signature playground. The oldest park in the city, Garfield Park received $5.5 million from the Lilly Endowment Grant to Indy Parks to restore the Sunken Garden Fountains and build a new playground. The Friends of Garfield Park oversaw the restoration of the Sunken Gardens which were reopened earlier this summer. As of August 5, 2026, Indy Parks and foundation partners have completed projects at 19 parks funded by the $80 million grant. Twenty-one other projects … Read More
Mayor Proposes $1.89 Budget for 2027
INDIANAPOLIS — Recently, Mayor Joe Hogsett proposed the budget for fiscal year 2027 that totals about $1.89 billion, about 11% more than the 2026 adopted budget. The Department of Public Works would get a $335.3 million bump, up nearly $78 … Read More
Shakespeare, Thunder, and Girl Scout Cookies – IndyFringe Favorites
The IndyFringe Festival has been in full force this week, celebrating its 21st year with 63 different shows, each with multiple performances at several theaters in the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District. Many shows will continue into this weekend, through … Read More
“Ring of Fire” at Beef & Boards
INDIANAPOLIS — Celebrating the legend that is Johnny Cash, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre welcomes six new talented performers who will join a few veterans of its stage for Ring of Fire, opening Aug. 27. Indiana University and Lawrence Central … Read More
Fresh Air Camps
The burning heat of summer arrived early in 1890 Indianapolis. By the end of June, the heat wave had taken the lives of 37 people, including 22 children under the age of two years. To ease the suffocating heat impacting … Read More
Applause!: Aug. 21-27
• The Indiana State Fair will offer free admission to all First responders, current and former Military, and their families through the remainder of the Fair (Sunday, August 23rd) to thank them for their efforts to help flood victims. • … Read More
FACE to Hold Last Low-Cost Animal Clinic for 2026
INDIANAPOLIS — Saturday, August 22, FACE will hold its final pop-up clinic for the season. They will be providing vaccinations to your dog and/or cat for only $5 per animal. The clinic will hold this clinic at Wes Montgomery Park … Read More
FSSA Will Provide Tools to Determine HIP Work Requirements
INDIANA — Beginning January 2027, HIP members ages 19–64 who are not exempt will be required to complete 80 hours each month through work, part-time education, job training, or community service. To help HIP members determine whether they may be … Read More
Greenfield: The Great Flood of 1913, Part 1
Oh, how it rained! For 48 straight hours, it rained. Martha Duncan stood on the porch of her house, located on the north side of Fourth Street between State and Pennsylvania, wondering if it was ever going to stop. It … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 21-27
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, August 23, 1926: Six bicycle teams, two youthful cyclists each, will compete in the third annual Irvington race. The fifteen-mile contest will take place on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Irvington Speedway, 5750 Hibben … Read More
Singing Again
On August 16th of this year, I had the pleasure of accompanying the Creative Director of this publication to an IndyFringe performance in the Arabian Room at the Murat Theatre. When asked to choose from several selections, I told Paula … Read More
Federal Grant will Assist Ex-Offenders Through Training Programs
INDIANAPOLIS — The Dept. of Labor recently gave a $5.1 million federal grant for Indianapolis nonprofits funds job training, second chance for former inmates. The recipiens were Keys2Work and RecycleForce, long-standing programs to connect former inmates with jobs once they … Read More
Bio-Pic “Jimmy” to Open 35th Heartland Film Festival
INDIANAPOLIS Heartland Film is honored to announce that the Opening Night film for the 35th Heartland Film Festival will be the Festival World Premiere of Jimmy the untold true story of Jimmy Stewart starring KJ Apa. The Heartland Film Festival, … Read More
Tax Incentives for Metrobloks Data Center Under Discussion
INDIANAPOLIS — The Metropolitan Development Commission was set to hear and vote on a proposed $56 million incentive package for the Metroblocks high-density data center in Martindale-Brightwood at the commission’s Aug. 5 meeting. However, a city official with the Department … Read More
Indiana Literacy Rates Increase for Fifth Consecutive Year
INDIANAPOLIS — For the fifth consecutive year, Hoosier students continue to achieve gains on the Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment. Following a historic jump last year, scores once again increased in 2026 — climbing 7.5 percentage points since … Read More
Applause!: Aug. 14-20
• It seems like every other day, there is a new recall on food and medications. Stay up-to-date on the latest recalls online at fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts — bookmark it! • Every Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon, the Cumberland Farmers Market is open … Read More
Washington Square Mall Pre-Development Meeting Held
INDIANAPOLIS — East side residents participated in City-County Councilor Michael-Paul Hart (R) town hall on Monday, Aug. 3. Based on a pre-development site study in February, led by Schmidt Associates, and privately funded by real estate group, Lauth Group, the … Read More
The Use of Language
A woman called the office I managed in Culver City California, and I answered the phone; she asked for me and I replied, “This is he.” She then exclaimed, “Your mother taught you well!” Her comment about my reply was … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 14-20
From The Indianapolis Times, Thursday, August 19, 1926: The police have started a campaign against “jay walking” in an effort to decrease the fast-growing death toll among pedestrian who fail to observe traffic regulations Inspector Lester Jones, of the traffic … Read More
James Brown’s Hair
James Brown is remembered as the “Godfather of Soul” for his many contributions to music made during a six-decades-long career. Brown’s influence is a little more complicated than that. Truth is, not only was Brown a music legend, he was … Read More