Indianapolis, IN

Five arrested for allegedly filming a music video in historic Indianapolis synagogue

Published

7 months ago

March 22, 2025

Five arrested for allegedly filming a music video in historic Indianapolis synagogue

(JTA) — Five people were arrested in Indianapolis for allegedly breaking into the city’s oldest synagogue building to film a music video.

The group was found with video equipment at Beth-El Zedeck Temple after police responded to calls reporting a burglary on Saturday evening, according to the local NBC affiliate, WTHR.

Upon arrival, police saw several people in the driveway of the historic site and four people inside, according to WTHR.

One of the suspects, D’Shawn Parrish, was arrested after being chased by police.

The other arrests were of Anthony Bellamy, Jaylen Young, Aniah Weaver and a fourth person who was not named. Young was hired to record a “rap music video,” according to court documents obtained by WTHR.

A man watches the sunset while wearing a headphone and listening to music, in Colombo, Sri Lanka February 23, 2023. (credit: DINUKA LIYANAWATTE/REUTERS)

The synagogue’s history

The site of the group’s musical aspirations, Beth-El Zedeck Temple, is a cornerstone of Indianapolis’ Jewish history.

The building was dedicated in 1925 and served as the home of the eponymous congregation, which was originally Conservative. For a time, the author and philosopher Milton Steinberg served as its rabbi.

When the building first opened, Indiana Gov. Edward Jackson was in attendance, said Mark Dollase, a vice president of the Indiana Landmarks Foundation, which was notable given the politics of the time.

“This was during the year of the Ku Klux Klan, and they had a great deal of political power in the state,” Dollase told the local Fox affiliate. “And certainly a governor speaking before a Jewish audience would have been significant.”

Another congregation later used the building until 1968, after which it was used by several Christian groups. It became vacant in the 2000s, according to Indiana Landmarks, which obtained the building in 2014.

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Today, Congregation Beth-El Zedeck remains active and is located in another neighborhood of the city. It is affiliated with both the Conservative and Reconstructionist movements.

In its application for the National Register of Historic Places, the synagogue was described as “one of the most well preserved places associated with the history of the Jewish community in Indianapolis,” and is cited as an example of “the architectural heritage of the Jewish community.”

It’s still looking for a new tenant. The building is currently listed at $299,000 on the Indiana Landmarks website.

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Indianapolis, IN

Purdue to buy Canal Square Apartments for Indianapolis campus expansion

Published

5 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Press Room

Purdue to buy Canal Square Apartments for Indianapolis campus expansion

Purdue University in Indianapolis continues to expand its urban campus on the northwest side of downtown, with the intent to buy a 35-year-old apartment complex along the Canal Walk.

The Purdue Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the Canal Square Apartments at 359 N. West St. for $70.1 million on Oct. 10 at a meeting in Indianapolis, pending terms of the acquisition, which the university says will require state approval. The university hopes to close on the property owned by Canal Square Associates by the end of the year.

Built in 1990, the four-story, block-long complex spans 3.6 acres and 320 units, some of which overlook the canal walk that weaves from 11th Street to the White River State Park.

Purchasing the building is a part of Purdue’s 50-year plan to buy and develop real estate in Indianapolis. Last year, the school split from Indiana University Indianapolis.

Since then, Purdue officials have said they plan to attract thousands more students to the urban campus. At Friday’s meeting, the Board also approved the purchase of 501 Indiana Ave., which Purdue is under contract to use primarily as student apartments.

Purdue said they will honor current leases as they take over the complex, but long-term, the apartments will primarily house students a short walk from campus.

“This city offers Purdue students more than just the classroom, it offers a vibrant downtown environment for experiential learning, and acquiring this complex is part of our long-term effort to enhance their overall experience of living, working and studying here,” said Michael B. Cline, senior vice president for administrative operations at Purdue, in a statement. Cline will serve as chief operating office at the Indianapolis campus starting in January.

After IUPUI split in 2024, IU kept most of the downtown campus land and facilities, requiring Purdue to quickly plan how to build up a campus in the state’s capital city.

Last month, Purdue opened a Student Center at 518 and 520 Indiana Ave. as a social hub. In April, the university broke ground on its $187-million Academic Success Building, a 15-story building that will serve as a core structure of the 28-acre Purdue campus.

Alysa Guffey writes business, health and development stories for IndyStar. Have a story tip? Contact her at amguffey@gannett.com or on X: @AlysaGuffeyNews.

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Indianapolis, IN

$2 billion DigIndy project completed, protecting Indianapolis waterways

Published

17 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Press Room

billion DigIndy project completed, protecting Indianapolis waterways

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The DigIndy construction project is finished after more than a decade.

A ribbon-cutting on Thursday marked the official end of the tunnel construction and a beginning of a new chapter.

Michael Miller, manager at the Citizens Energy Group Digindy program, said, “To wrap it up, it’s surreal at this point. I’m very proud of the team. I’m one of hundreds if not thousands of people who have touched this project.”

The $2 billion DigIndy Tunnel system covers 28 miles, with tunnels around 20 stories below the city. The system’s job is to collect sewage and stormwater overflows during heavy rains, treat it and then release it.

“Environmentally speaking, it’s a huge impact because we are eliminating billions of gallons of sewage that would have normally go to the river system.”

Citizens Energy Group says it will divert at least 95% of sewage and stormwater so it can protect rivers and prevent flooding. That’s good news for canoe and rental owner Peter Bloomquist. “This is going to change our waterways, and we’re working to show our citizens, residents, and visitors that this (White River) is the predominant public space.”

Bloomquist said he’s already seen some changes. He’s seen less pollution and more animals in the White River.

More than 150 community leaders, partners and builders gathered in White River State Park to celebrate.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Colts build new playground for Butler Lab School 60

Published

2 weeks ago

September 23, 2025

Press Room

Indianapolis Colts build new playground for Butler Lab School 60

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts organization was at it again on Community Tuesday.

Some Indianapolis Public School students have a new playground, all thanks to the Colts.

Until Tuesday, students at Butler Lab School 60 on North Pennsylvania Street didn’t have a great place to play. Assistant Principal Heidi Wilson said, “Our playground has been put together piecemeal over the years.”

Ande Sadtler, director of community impact for the Colts, explained how its playground program works. “We find a playground that either is falling apart of doesn’t have the newest equipment or just really needs some love. So, we work really hard to identify the need, and then we come in and build the playground.”

The Colts organization reached out to the elementary school and surprised students this week with the exciting news. The assistant principal said, “Once they (students) found out, it (excitement) was through the roof. We actually created a viewing room on the third floor where they have little mini binoculars so they can look out and check out the progress.”

More than 150 volunteers including staff, partners, players and cheerleaders helped build students a playground from the ground up, working with the experts at Sinclair Recreation. Sadtler said, “We’re going to have swings, we’re going to have slides, we’re going to have a climbing wall, so a little bit of everything.”

It was the Colts’ 17th annual playground build.

Wilson said, “I think we’re so lucky to have the Colts organization choose us to receive this playground. The kids are going to like it.”

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