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'Hoosiers' legends celebrate 70th anniversary of 'Milan Miracle' at iconic Indy hardware store

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'Hoosiers' legends celebrate 70th anniversary of 'Milan Miracle' at iconic Indy hardware store


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Customers stopping by Sullivan’s Hardware and Garden on Saturday might have had the chance to bump into a pair of basketball legends.

Indiana Basketball Hall-of-Famer Bobby Plump and former actor Maris Valainis dropped in the hardware store at 71st Street and Keystone Avenue for a special visit celebrating the 70th anniversary of Milan High School’s win at the 1954 Indiana High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball State Championship.

Plump shot the game-winning basket for Milan High School in the 1954 State Championship, more commonly called the “Milan Miracle” and retold by the film “Hoosiers.” The IHSAA later awarded Plump the Trester Award for mental attitude and sportsmanship.

Valainis’ tie to the “Miracle” comes from acting days when he portrayed “Jimmy Chitwood,” the character based on Plump in the 1986 movie.

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The two men enjoyed their morning at the hardware store signing autographs on photos and basketballs, and taking calls on a local radio show.

Many might ask why the two “Hoosiers” chose to spend their time celebrating at the well-known shop, and the answer comes from a handful of unique connections.

While 2024 is the 70th anniversary of the championship, Sullivan’s Hardware also marks its 70th year in business. But the connections don’t end there – both Plump and Valainis have personal ties to the store.

Store managers shared with News 8 that Plump’s family had an account at the store, and he has remained a lifelong customer. Additionally, Valainis worked at Sullivan’s Hardware for some time before being cast in “Hoosiers.”

Plump spoke to News 8 about what happened in life after sinking the winning shot.

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“There wasn’t very much money made back in the NBA then, (but) the state department sent us to Mexico for three weeks, we were in the Middle East for seven weeks. And for a kid from Pierceville, Indiana, when they said, ‘We’re going to the Middle East,’ we had to get a globe and turn it around and find out where the hell the Middle East was!”

He continued by expressing his love for the people who have remembered him and the “Milan Miracle” after all this time.

“It’s just been a wonderful, wonderful time, and I’m just appreciative of the fact that people remember. They’ve been awfully nice to me,” he said.



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Indianapolis, IN

Neighbors call for change to intersection following multiple fatal crashes

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Neighbors call for change to intersection following multiple fatal crashes


INDIANAPOLIS — Neighbors and business owners are calling for changes to an east side intersection after two fatal crashes in less than a month.

“There is no stop here on mass and people just fly around this corner and people are just jumping to get out of this left turn here so it never stops,” Will Woodrow with 5108 studios said.

Woodrow said he put up cameras outside his business to catch wrecks. “I set one of my cameras up facing this intersection to catch the wrecks and there are probably one a week,” Woodrow added.

Most recently, police say 20-year-oldDeondrey Pirtle was killed on Saturday when his car crashed into in a parked semi-truck near the intersection.

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Then on July 12th police say 31-year-old Ivan Castro was killed in a hit and run. Surveillance video captures the moments the collision happens.

WATCH | Family seeks justice in deadly hit and run

Family seeks justice in deadly hit and run

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“Nobody has to die before something gets done – but they have,” concerned neighbor Melinda Harritt told WRTV on Monday.

Councilor Ron Gibson represents the people of this area. He says it will take a concentrated effort to cut down on the number of wrecks.

“The fact of the matter is that people are driving too fast all over the city,” Councilor Gibson (D) District 8 said.

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works conducted a traffic study of the area within the past year. It found nearly 11 thousand people drive through there each day.





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Indianapolis, IN

IPS to host vaccine clinic for students and families

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IPS to host vaccine clinic for students and families


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students and families in Indianapolis are encouraged to attend an immunization clinic next week.

The Indianapolis Public Schools district is hosting the clinic on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Shepherd Community Center on East Washington Street. It will be held from 4:30- 8 p.m. 

Walk-ins are welcome, however, people are asked to complete the online registration form, use the enrollment code: IN65942, and select Shepherd Community-8/15/24.

People under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian consent. You are also asked to upload or send the immunization records for the person getting vaccinated and bring insurance cards.

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Organizers say all insurance types will be accepted and billed (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid). For people without insurance, there is no cost for vaccines – except for the Shingles and adult RSV vaccines, which may require a co-pay.

According to IPS, all CDC-recommended vaccines will be provided. If you wish to refuse a specific vaccine, please contact the Indiana Immunization Coalition at least 48 hours before the event at clinic@vaccinateindiana.org.



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Indianapolis, IN

Colts QB Anthony Richardson reacts to being featured on the JW Marriott Indianapolis

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Colts QB Anthony Richardson reacts to being featured on the JW Marriott Indianapolis


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — JW Marriott Indianapolis is known for making sports “larger than life.”

For instance, the hotel has featured a large March Madness bracket on its windows in the past. Most recently, it featured an image of Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark in a Gatorade ad.

This past week, the hotel put a new image on the east windows of its building. The image features three members of the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

News 8 Sports’ Andrew Chernoff asked Richardson about the image on Friday after the team’s training camp practice in Westfield, Ind.

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“That’s definitely cool,” Richardson said. “I appreciate the city embracing me. It means a lot to me and lets me know I’m doing something right. I got a lot of support behind me. So, I’m thankful for it.”

The north window features the phrase “For The Shoe,” the official hashtag of the Colts on X, formally known as Twitter.

Richardson is gearing up for his second season as the Colts starting quarterback. Last year, his rookie season was cut short after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October.

He’s back healthy and ready to play a full 2024 season.

“It’s definitely easier to manage our offense now,” Richardson said. “I’m a lot more comfortable, a lot more comfortable with the calls when Shane (Steichen) is calling them. Then just looking at a defense, I’m able to scan the defense a lot longer and just check out what I’m going to have on a certain play. So I’m definitely a lot more comfortable in the offense, and I want to plan on continuing to get more comfortable in it.”

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The Colts continue training camp on Monday when they practice from 2 p.m. EDT to 3:30 p.m. EDT at Grand Park.

The team’s first preseason game is just one week away when it hosts the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. EDT inside Lucas Oil Stadium.



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