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Bus riders are glad Indiana lawmakers let IndyGo Blue Line move ahead

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Bus riders are glad Indiana lawmakers let IndyGo Blue Line move ahead


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The fate of the IndyGo Blue Line was in doubt after Indiana lawmakers in January advanced a bill that would have effectively killed the city’s bus rapid-transit project.

Riders were glad to hear Thursday that the bus project will move forward.

Lawmakers voted to pause the construction in January. But, House Speaker Todd Huston on Thursday announced, Senate Bill 52 will not move forward this legislative session. The Republican from Fishers said in a news release that IndyGo and state lawmakers came to a compromise.

Some Irvington area business owners in October had expressed fears the Blue Line would drive away customers.

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Now, the Blue Line project will have to allow for two lanes of general eastbound and westbound traffic wherever possible on Washington Street.

Riders said the bus rapid-transit projects — one is done; another is in progress; and the Blue Line remains in the planning phase — are necessary to keep the city competitive.

“If we want to be a major metropolitan area and compete with other big cities comparable to us in the Midwest, we need to have a public transportation system,” Scout Trout said. “They want to be the sports capital of the Midwest; well, you need to get people around.”

Other riders want lawmakers to know they depend on the buses, and they want rapid transit and other transportation that’s more efficient.

“I do not have a car,” Laura Greenfield said. “I am a senior citizen and I would like to keep public transportation available because I do work and I like to get to work on time. The Red Line is not as close to my house as some of those other lines, but those other lines are so undependable.”

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Jamyia Cooper said of the existing rapid transit bus line, “It helps because I only have to ride one bus and I would usually have to ride multiple (buses) to get to my job, so it would be safer if I rode one bus.”

Many riders as well as advocates for mass transit want state lawmakers to stay out of projects that only affect Indianapolis.

“I think they need to stop picking on Indianapolis and realize we’re an important economic generator for this state and let us flourish,” Jeff Jones said. “Quit holding us back.”

IndyGo and the city’s Democrat mayor, Joe Hogsett, thanked the House speaker following the decision.

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Young male dead after shooting on Indy’s northeast side

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Young male dead after shooting on Indy’s northeast side


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Police say one “young man” is dead after a shooting at the 1200 block of Rue Rabelais at about 7:19 p.m. according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

That is near the intersection of 56th Street and Binford Boulevard.

Police say the victim was taken to Riley Hospital where he later died. Investigators say they are still working to identify the victim.

There was no known information about a suspect. Police did say that they believe this is a targeted incident.

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There was no other information immediately available.

This story has been updated with information from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.



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Mother and boyfriend accused in death of 4-year-old boy found in closet

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Mother and boyfriend accused in death of 4-year-old boy found in closet


This story contains descriptions of distressing circumstances involving children.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A mother and her boyfriend were accused of causing the death of a 4-year-old-boy found dead in a basement closet on Monday. 

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrested Angel Lovely, 37, and Nicholas Bergdoll, 36, on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent causing death. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office by Friday had not filed formal charges. 

A sibling found the 4-year-old dead on Monday, according to investigators. Lovely and Bergdoll were in the home at the time but told police they were asleep when he died. 

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Born premature with cerebral palsy, the 4-year old couldn’t walk, was nonverbal, and ate through a feeding tube. Lovely claimed she would rarely put the child in the closet, only “when he won’t stop screaming” or when she “needed a break.” 

But when investigators interviewed Lovely’s three other children, they said that the boy “stays in the closet all day,” and that “mom locks him in the closet” and “does not pay attention to him.” 

An exact cause of death hasn’t been determined, but the child was found with blood in his mouth. Lovely said he’d been aspirating.

One of Lovely’s children told investigators they heard the 4-year-old gagging but didn’t say anything because it wasn’t unusual.

A neighbor living on Monticello Drive, Michelle Johnson, told News 8, “It’s horrible. It breaks my heart.”  

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Johnson had seen the other children outside the home but never knew there was a boy in a wheelchair living there. She said if she suspected they were being neglected, she would have called police or the Indiana Department of Child Services.

“We’re supposed to be a village and raise kids together,” Johnson said. “That’s really heartbreaking.” 

Bergdoll told police, according to the investigators’ report, that he didn’t agree with putting the child in the closet: “I am not going to tell her how to f****** raise her kids.” 

“I’m sickened,” IMPD Public Information Officer Tommy Thompson told News 8 in an interview.
“Think about putting yourself in that situation. Every day, do you want to be in a closet? Locked up, no light?”

Court records show the Department of Child Services had removed the boy from Lovely’s care because of medical neglect, but she regained custody last year against DCS recommendations.  

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Thompson, the neighbor, hopes the tragedy can be an opportunity for others to speak up when they see a child who can’t speak up for themselves. “Maybe you’ve got to make that tough phone call. Reach out. The city has resources.”

Johnson wishes she would have known what was happening so she could have said something. “Children don’t have a voice and we’re supposed to be their voice.”

Help is available for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Below is a list of suggested resources, both national and local:



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Police arrest suspect in Westfield homicide

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Police arrest suspect in Westfield homicide


WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Police have arrested someone in connection to a homicide earlier this month in the Hamilton County city.

In a Friday night social media post, the Westfield Police Department announced the arrest but gave no details, including who was arrested or what preliminary charges the person may face.

“Due to the active nature of this case, limited details are available for release at this time,” the post said.

As WISHTV.com previously reported, James “Matt” Lushin, 47, was found dead shortly after 7:25 p.m. March 12 with trauma at his home in the 3900 block of Westfield Road, also known as State Road 32.

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Social media posts from the scene showed police tape and emergency vehicles at a red brick house between Shady Nook Road and Gray Road.

Lushin’s obituary said the Kokomo native was a key partner with the real estate investment company, FLF Property. The obituary also said, “Matt was also a respected and accomplished member of the international poker community. He traveled the world competing in tournaments and built an impressive and successful career.”

Police have previously said the death was believed to be isolated, posing no ongoing threat.

Officials have not released a specific cause or manner of death.

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