Indiana
Humane Indiana Finds New Home for Sandhill Crane ‘Sandy’
A sandhill crane treated by Humane Indiana Wildlife in Northwest Indiana has a new home on the Eastern Seaboard. A news release says Sandy suffered an injury to her wing and had been in rehabilitation for five years at another wildlife center before being admitted to Humane Indiana late last year and it was determined the past injury resulted in her being unable to fly again. The Region-based nonprofit said sandhill cranes have extremely specific needs, a special diet and a yearning to be around other cranes, and the “optimal permanent home” they said needed to be found since she was unable to be released to nature; the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., Humane Indiana said, came to the rescue.
(Photo provided by Humane Indiana Wildlife)
(Photo provided by Humane Indiana Wildlife)
“This is an incredibly unforgettable moment,” expressed Brian Fitzpatrick, CEO of Humane Indiana, as he welcomed guests to the farewell celebration last month. “We are grateful to be a part of Sandy’s journey and to assist with placing her in an environment suitable for the distinct needs of a sandhill crane.” Members of the Humane Indiana team traveled ten hours to personally escort Sandy to her new home she’ll be sharing with two other sandhill cranes, among turkeys and geese, in an enclosure with a pond and a stream. During the send-off gathering, guests enjoyed coffee, donuts, and views of Sandy in Humane Indiana’s flight training enclosure. Guests also signed a ‘Bon Voyage’ banner for Sandy, writing good luck and well wishes for the crane whose story touched the hearts of so many. Representatives from Chesterton Feed and Garden and the Porter County Community Foundation were also in attendance.
(Photo provided by Humane Indiana Wildlife)
(Photo provided by Humane Indiana Wildlife)
A wildlife supporter built Sandy’s travel crate to precise specifications, using blueprints provided by the International Crane Foundation. Sandy navigated the journey with ease, bellowing the occasional resounding honk that is the trademark call of sandhill cranes, a news release said. “Due to her injury, Sandy had been in captivity for five years and was growing accustomed to being around people during this time. We knew a zoological setting would be the best fit for her, and I am overjoyed the Smithsonian could provide her with an appropriate home,” remarked Harmon. “The Smithsonian gave her a new lease on life.”
(Photo provided by Humane Indiana Wildlife)
“Facilitating the improvement of a wildlife animal’s circumstances is the ultimate reward. Partnering with an organization of the caliber and magnitude of the Smithsonian validates the hard work and dedication our team puts into each injured or orphaned animal, “Fitzpatrick added. “We are truly grateful to everyone who supported and donated to make Sandy’s positive outcome possible.”
“Sandy will always be in the hearts of wildlife lovers in Indiana, and she is now a national treasure, greeting visitors from around the world in the nation’s capital,” said the news release from Humane Indiana Wildlife.
The Humane Indiana Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center admits nearly 3,000 birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians yearly. For information on how to contribute to the cost and care of wildlife species like Sandy, a sandhill crane, visit HumaneIndiana.org/wildlife-donate .
Fernando Mendoza did not attend Indiana University’s visit to the White House commemorating the Hoosiers’ college football national championship on Monday. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback said earlier this month that he would not attend if it interfered with any activities with his new team.
“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza said following a rookie minicamp practice. “I got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but I just wouldn’t. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look, and I want to try to best serve my teammates. And I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”
According to the team’s official offseason schedule, the Raiders did not have any formal practices or workouts on Monday. The team’s next organized activity is May 18, its first OTA workout.
“Fernando couldn’t be here today because, as I said, he’s now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders,” President Donald Trump said in his address. “Let’s see how good of a team they have, and I think he’s gonna do great. He’s a winner.”
Mendoza wasn’t the only absence. Center Pat Coogan and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds were among the other Hoosiers not in attendance for the event due to NFL obligations. Indiana had a program-record eight players selected in April’s NFL Draft.
Trump highlighted Mendoza’s accomplishments and contributions to the school’s first football national title. He celebrated Mendoza as Indiana’s inaugural Heisman Trophy winner and praised his fourth-quarter touchdown run in the championship game against Miami.
“He’s gonna be a good one,” Trump said.
Indiana was well-represented by returning members of the team. Charlie Becker, one of Mendoza’s go-to receivers during the College Football Playoffs, and Jamari Sharpe, whose late interception secured the title-game victory, both spoke on behalf of the school, as did head coach Curt Cignetti.
Mendoza is one of four members of the national champion Hoosiers who joined the Raiders this offseason. Running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. signed as undrafted free agents in the days following the draft. Wide receiver Jonathan Brady earned a contract after impressing as a tryout player during rookie minicamp.
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating a triple shooting that took place on Muncie’s south side Sunday evening that left a woman dead and two men injured.
According to police, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Muncie Police Officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of South Walnut Street in reference to reports of several people being shot.
Officers arrived and located three gunshot victims: A 23-year-old female who died from “multiple wounds,” a 39-year-old male who is hospitalized in stable condition, and a 40-year-old male who was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition.
Police say a suspect is in custody, a 21-year-old man.
Police did not provide any additional information.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Muncie Police Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or dispatch at 765-747-4838.
Candace Parker, Cynthia Cooper share thoughts on Knicks playoff run
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg asks WNBA legends Candace Parker and Cynthia Cooper to give their thoughts on the Knicks hot playoff run.
Sports Seriously
The Indiana Pacers lost 63 games this season for a chance at a franchise-changing lottery pick. On Sunday, May 10, they lost that chance, too.
All Pacers president Kevin Pritchard could do was apologize for taking the risk.
Indiana’s pick landed at No. 5 in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, one spot outside the top four protections attached to a midseason trade. The selection now belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers .
Shortly after the results were announced, Pritchard took social media and apologized.
“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” Pritchard wrote. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck.”
The Pacers entered the lottery with a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick after finishing 19-63, the second-worst record in the NBA. It wasn’t enough.
Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick to Los Angeles in the midseason deal for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown, along with the conditional 2026 first-rounder. The pick was theirs to keep only if it landed in the top four.
Zubac appeared in just five games for Indiana after the trade because of a fractured rib.
“This team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year,” Pritchard wrote. “We have always been resillient.”
Pritchard will have to be resilient if he looks at the replies to his statement. About half of the Pacers fans’ comments were not happy, and fans of other teams called him out for “tanking.”
There were also a large number of fans who were supportive of Pritchard taking that risk.
Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return next season after tearing his Achilles in last year’s NBA Finals. The Pacers will have him Pascal Siakam and a roster they think is built to compete. They just won’t have that first-round pick to add to it.
The 2026 NBA Draft begins June 23 in Brooklyn.
-
Minneapolis, MN5 minutes agoMinneapolis grocer charged in $1.1 million SNAP fraud scheme
-
Indianapolis, IN11 minutes agoMartindale-Brightwood neighbors sue to stall Metrobloks data center
-
Pittsburg, PA17 minutes agoDragon softball sweeps Kansas City Piper
-
Augusta, GA23 minutes agoBrent McMillian named as Augusta University’s new Athletics Director – AOL
-
Washington, D.C29 minutes agoNonprofit sues the federal government over plans to paint Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue
-
Cleveland, OH35 minutes agoPaint the Town: Sherwin-Williams Opens Massive 36-Story Headquarters in Cleveland – Scioto Post
-
Austin, TX41 minutes agoMan fatally shot during dog walk in Northwest Austin, neighbor arrested
-
Alaska53 minutes ago10 Reasons the 2026 Princess Cruises Season Is the Ultimate Alaska Power Move – AOL