Indianapolis, IN

Cooking in the library: Indianapolis offers free nutrition classes

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2024

Cooking in the library: Indianapolis offers free nutrition classes

(MIRROR INDY) — The smell of garlic and tomato wafted through the Indianapolis Public Library’s Haughville branch as Julia Sluis diced carrots.

Sluis added the orange vegetables, along with peppers, zucchini and celery, to a simmering pot dubbed “Sneaky Tomato Sauce” — a healthier alternative to your store-bought usual.

Cooking demonstrations like this one on May 14 are part of free monthly nutrition classes offered to Indianapolis residents at parks, gardens and libraries throughout the city. The public health department hosts the classes as part of the Diabetes Impact Project, a partnership among several organizations to support communities with higher risks and rates of diabetes.

That includes neighborhoods on the northwest, northeast and near west sides.

“Many of these neighborhoods have been identified as food deserts, where there isn’t access to as many fresh food options,” said Olusegun Ajibabe, a nutrition educator with the Marion County Public Health Department. “What they need most is time and consistent exposure to nutrition information.”

Community members say the resources are making a difference.

“At first I was sad when I found out I was prediabetic,” said Debi Johnson, 67, a former Marion County resident who drives from Avon to attend classes. “But now I know it’s something I can manage before I get to that stage.”

Haughville resident Tawonia Taylor, who has a family history of diabetes, agreed.

“My dad had lots of complications, so I am just trying to live a healthier lifestyle,” the 56-year-old said.

During a previous class, she and her son Jeremiah received a packet of vegetable seeds to plant at home.

“We can have our own vegetables,” she said. “That will save us some money.”

[Haughville school uses urban farming to teach students how to start their own gardens]

Before the group sampled the tomato sauce, Sluis debunked common myths, including that all carbohydrates and fats are “bad” and that skipping meals is an effective way to lose weight. She recommended focusing on eating healthy meals and moving your body instead.

“If it’s something you feel like you can’t do forever, it’s probably not a good choice,” Sluis said. “You don’t want to get caught in that diet cycle.”

Two more nutrition classes are scheduled this summer at the Haughville library branch, Rhodius Park, Municipal Gardens on Lafayette Road and Riverside Park.

June’s topic is cooking with greens, beans and berries, while the July class will focus on prebiotics, probiotics and maintaining gut health. Call Indy Parks at 317-327-7275 or the Haughville library branch at 317-275-4420 to register.

The Marion County Public Health Department also offers free appointments with dietitians to all residents. Referrals are not required. Call 317-221-7403 for more information.

Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at 317-721-7648 or email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.

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Indianapolis, IN

Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades

Published

8 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Good and bad from Colts’ 2026 NFLPA report card grades

What grades did the Indianapolis Colts earn on the 2026 NFLPA report cards?

The NFLPA is no longer able to make their annual report cards public. However, ESPN’s Kayln Kahler was able to obtain a copy of the reports following the 2025 NFL season, and the Indianapolis Colts were again around the middle of the pack.

In these report cards, players rate numerous aspects of the organizations they play for, from ownership to the training facilities and everything in between. According to Kahler, 1,759 players contributed to these grades.

So, where did the Colts end up this year relative to the rest of the NFL this year?

Overall, the Colts ranked 17th. Below is a breakdown of each individual grade they received.

Treatment of Families: B
Home Game Field: D
Food/Dining Area: B
Nutritionist/Dietician: A-
Locker Room: C+
Training Room: B
Training Staff: B+
Weight Room: B
Strength Coaches: A
Position Coaches: B
Offensive Coordinator: B
Defensive Coordinator: B+
Special Teams Coordinator: B+
Team Travel: B-
Head Coach: A-
General Manager: A
Team Ownership: A

Of note, although the Colts haven’t been to the postseason in five years, Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard both received high marks.

Carlie Irsay Gordon, Kalen Jackson, and Casey Foyt earned an A in their first year as the primary owners.

The field at Lucas Oil Stadium received a very low mark, earning a D, while the locker room was given a C+. Those were the two lowest grades the Colts received.

Compared to the 2025 rankings, the Colts moved up two spots this year, after coming in at 19th last year.

The biggest jumps the Colts experienced came in the Food/Dining grade, which went from a C to a B. The Team travel grade also jumped from a D+ to a B-.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis police search for 3 people after shooting, stolen vehicle crash

Published

20 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After a shooting, Indianapolis police were searching for three people who fled on foot following the pursuit of a stolen vehicle and its crash on Thursday afternoon.

No information was provided in the notification about the three people being sought. News 8 reached out to IMPD by email to find out details about the three people. Anyone with information regarding the incident or the people who fled the crash was asked to contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

The stolen vehicle was linked to a Thursday shooting, prompting the lockdown of a nearby child care center, IMPD said in a media notification. No information was provided about where the shooting happened, what may have led to it, or whether anyone was hurt.

IMPD, however, said the stolen vehicle and crash were not related to a shooting reported at 12:35 p.m. Thursday at a gas station and restaurant at West 38th and Meridian streets.

IMPD officers found the stolen vehicle around 12:45 p.m. Thursday near East 38th Street and Post Road. When a detective attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled westbound before crashing a short time later near Whenner Drive, the notification said. It did not say what type of vehicle was abandoned in the crash.

Three people from the crashed vehicle fled southwest on foot. IMPD established a perimeter with assistance from the Indiana State Police, the Lawrence Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office — using specialized resources, including a state police helicopter, a special weapons and tactics team, and the IMPD’s police dogs — but did not find the three people.

IMPD said a firearm was found in the crashed vehicle, and a man detained at the crash scene was later released once investigators determined he was not directly involved in the incident.

Police have since lifted the lockdown on the child care center.

IMPD’s public information office can be reached at 317-327-3424.

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Indianapolis, IN

Oakland tops IU Indianapolis; Maguire Mitchell scores 25

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Oakland tops IU Indianapolis; Maguire Mitchell scores 25

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Brody Robinson had 19 points in Oakland’s 86-74 win against IU Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Robinson added 13 assists for the Golden Grizzlies (16-14, 12-7 Horizon League). Tuburu Niavalurua scored 16 points, going 6 of 10 and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line. Ziare Wells had 14 points and finished 7 of 15 from the field.

Maguire Mitchell led the Jaguars (7-23, 3-16) in scoring, finishing with 25 points and four assists. Kyler D’Augustino added 14 points for IU Indianapolis. Micah Davis also had 12 points.

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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