Indianapolis, IN
Ambulance group honors Indiana EMS professional for dedication, mentorship
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An emergency medical technician has been named the 2024 American Ambulance Association Stars of Life recipient.
Steve Emery’s contributions are being celebrated on a national level, honoring a legacy of resilience, commitment, and care for his community.
The Stars of Life award is a prestigious honor highlighting EMS professionals who go above and beyond in their service to the community.
“It feels good. It feels really good,” Emery said Monday.
Emery’s journey in EMS began in 1978 when he earned his certification through the Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department. He recently retired this year from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Fire Department. Emery served at Aid Ambulance, Rural Metro, and, since 2014, Seals Ambulance, where he’s described as a pillar of support and mentorship.
“I do some 911 but mostly just transports like hospital-to-hospital transports. I’ve gotten to do a lot of neat things,” he said. “I worked on the track rescue team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so I’ve been in the pit, and I’ve been on the sidelines for NFL games a few times, so that’s neat.
At Seals Ambulance, Emery has fostered a culture of camaraderie. As he sees it, always being willing to assist, being reliable and showing leadership is key. “I’m doing the best I can to help people.”
Although he’s retired, Emery likes to be of service and still volunteers his time. His legacy continues at Seals Ambulance with colleagues describing his commitment to career as having shaped the evolution of EMS in Indiana. For people new to the industry, Emery says, it’s important to be committed to the work.
“Do the best they can with what they got to work with and whatever it takes to help the patient,” Emery said.
Emery will be formally recognized Nov. 11-14 in Washington, D.C. Honorees can attend an awards ceremony and visit with their respective U.S. senators and representatives.
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:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/J4H46T5NDFCLDCI7YK2J4ALDXM.jpg?w=80&resize=80,80&ssl=1 "Ohio police officer suffers medical emergency, dies on duty New Year’s Day")
The return of Creekend and the Phish triple-header can mean only one thing: It’s summer concert season in Indiana.
Old favorites will fulfill their time-honored obligations to the Hoosier state, big names will bring new tours to town and Indiana’s own rock star will unload all of his hits in what promises to be a sprawling set.
Even with the full power of the IndyStar arts staff, there are simply too many summer concerts to capture in one story. Two stories (check out our guide to free shows around the region) doesn’t cover it either.
The highlights will have to suffice. These are the top, can’t-miss shows headed for the Indy area this summer.
Dave Matthews Band
June 26 and 27. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3wh7vhrc
DMB is back for another summer double-header at its time-honored “Creekend” tradition.
Phish
July 10, 11 and 12. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yc5v4a8u
Also holding up its end of the annual Ruoff pilgrimage, cult favorite jam band Phish is back for a three-show stint.
Death Cab for Cutie
July 12. Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3vk6y7j9
The 2000s alternative group is hitting the road and headed to downtown Indianapolis on the heels of their latest album.
‘They Call Me Genêt’
July 16-19 and 23-26. District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave. Tickets: indydistricttheatre.org
Indianapolis actress Jen Johansen will play Janet Flanner in this play about her life by D. Paul Thomas. Flanner, the daughter of a well-known Circle City family, helped shape “The New Yorker” as its Paris correspondent for 50 years, chronicling the Nuremberg trials, cultural movements and more.
‘Extreme Home Makeover’
July 16-Aug. 2. Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St. Tickets: phoenixtheatre.org
In this American Lives Theatre production, a Latino family auditions for a popular home decorating show as a step toward resilience and healing after their patriarch dies.
‘The Play That Goes Wrong’
July 16-Aug. 23. Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Road. Tickets: beefandboards.com
The Cornley University Drama Society is struggling with its newest production, “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” thanks to actor mishaps, an unconscious leading lady and a corpse who appears unable to remain deceased.
Rock the Ruins
July 17-Sept. 12. Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road. Tickets: https://www.rocktheruins.com/
The outdoor concert series returns with headliners Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (July 17), Jesse Welles (Aug. 4), Big Thief (Aug. 11) and Indigo Girls (Sept. 12).
John Mellencamp
July 18. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/f4t4s3ky
Indiana’s native son returns to Noblesville’s Ruoff Music Center, where he promises all the hits (some for the final time ever) on his Dancing Words Tour.
Indy Dance Festival
July 18-19. Tobias Theater at Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road. Tickets: indydancecouncil.org/indy-dance-festival
Companies from across Indiana will perform Indian classical dance, contemporary dance, Africanist dance and more.
Benson Boone
July 19. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/2u5rteue
In one of the only Gainbridge Fieldhouse concerts of the summer, Grammy-nominated Benson Boone will backflip his way into Indianapolis on his Wanted Man Tour.
Harry Connick Jr.
July 20. Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets: thecenterpresents.org
The TV, Broadway and film star will deliver jazz standards, New Orleans classics and popular hits.
Indy Shorts Film Festival
July 21-26. Tickets: heartlandfilm.org/events/indyshorts
The festival that focuses on short-form film storytelling will return with program announcements to come June 25.
Audrey Hobert
July 25. Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/msdw7ap5
With performances at Bonnaroo and Governors Ball under her belt, singer-songwriter Audrey Hobert is embarking on her solo Staircase to Stardom Tour.
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner
Aug. 7. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3n8r5cya
Not one but two classic rock acts are hitting the road on the Double Trouble Double Vision tour.
American Football
Aug. 13. Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4xztm3kc
Fresh off their first album in seven years, the math rock favorites are slated for Old National Centre.
IndyFringe Festival
Aug. 13-23. Venues on and around Mass Ave. More information: indyfringe.org/festival
The experimental theater and performing arts festival will be back for its 21st year, with shows and venues to be announced.
TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue
Aug. 20. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/34x2vp8x
The powerhouse R&B triple bill hits Noblesville on the It’s Iconic tour.
Gala: Opus 2026
Sept. 19. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. Tickets: indianapolissymphony.org/event/26-27-iso-gala/
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto, called the “Emperor,” under the baton of Maestro Jun Märkl with pianist Denis Kozhukhin.
.jpg?environment=live&width=1200&height=630&fit=crop&ssl=1 "Meza takes Trans Am TA2 victory at Indianapolis")
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — On Sunday’s edition of “All INdiana Politics,” WISH-TV Government Reporter Garrett Bergquist weighs in on Max Engling winning the nomination for secretary of state from Indiana’s GOP.
Later, Bergquist breaks down United Way’s 2026 ALICE report, which found that 40% of Indiana households can’t afford cost of living.
Last but not least, Bergquist sits down with Democrat Lindsey Haake and Republican Whitley Yates to discuss the race for Indiana secretary of state, the ALICE report, and the fragile peace deal between Iran and the U.S.
“All INdiana Politics” airs at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on WISH-TV.
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