Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts naturalization ceremony
Ali Fattah didn’t communicate any English earlier than coming to the U.S., however on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he smiled, stood in entrance of a crowd and led them in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I am grateful for this superb alternative,” Fattah, 19, mentioned on Tuesday, holding his new citizenship certificates in hand. He simply accomplished highschool and shortly hopes to attend faculty, now as an American citizen.
Fattah was one among 33 random Hoosiers invited to take his official oath of citizenship on the monitor’s first day of Indy 500 observe. Most naturalization ceremonies are hosted at courts, colleges and museums, however for the primary time, IMS hosted one for the small group at Pagoda Plaza.
The variety of new residents, 33, represented the variety of beginning drivers within the Indianapolis 500. They secured their place on this nation, in a venue wealthy with American custom and Hoosier Hospitality.
Images:Drivers take to the oval for the primary day of Indy 500 observe
“I hope that every of you feels at the moment love of this place,” Choose Tanya Walton Pratt mentioned, “and surprise on the blessing of being a citizen of america of America. Welcome.”
She famous the great thing about American alternative in her personal life, as Chief Choose of the U.S. District Courtroom for the Southern District of Indiana. She by no means dreamed she’d maintain this place. Neither did IMS president Doug Boles, he mentioned. Being American means having the possibility to dream.
“You might be an instance to all of us of what this nation means,” he informed the gang. “You possibly can dream. And you may get locations you’ll be able to’t even dream about. Actually, I am ready as president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that I may by no means have dreamed. I hope you for every of the 33 of you … you don’t cease dreaming.”
After they took their oath, Boles recounted the location’s storied, worldwide heritage.
In 1909, the first 5-mile race was received by racing pioneer and philanthropist Louis Schwitzer, an Austrian driver who went on to turn out to be a naturalized U.S. citizen.
In 1911, the very first Indianapolis 500 was known as “a global sweepstakes,” Boles mentioned, “as a result of this small state in the course of this nation, with no ocean and no mountains, that lots of people have by no means heard of, needed to be a spot the place we introduced all people collectively.”
On Tuesday, IMS introduced collectively individuals from 18 international locations world wide — together with China, Haiti and the Philippines — and so they waved mini American and black and white checkered flags.
Lal Ngheti and Kennya Santiago have been a few of them.
“I’m very excited. I’m very proud,” her husband, Lucas Mung mentioned, earlier than the ceremony.
Once they left Burma (previously Myanmar) a number of years in the past, they arrived right here as refugees, unsure about their futures. On Tuesday, Mung watched with their 5-year-old son, as Ngheti raised her proper hand and introduced her allegiance to the U.S.
“After we come, we do not have something, any thought (of) citizenship,” Mung mentioned, however now they really feel reduction. “Every part is OK … now.”
Story continues under gallery.
For Santiago, an IMS worker, the second was even longer within the making.
She was born in Mexico, however has known as Indianapolis for the reason that age of 4, her husband Darrin Knorr, mentioned. The 2 are highschool sweethearts who met at Ben Davis Excessive Faculty.
Boles gave her a shoutout, together with different IMS staff who’ve turn out to be naturalized residents through the years: the IndyCar Collection’ director of engine growth, who initially got here from the U.Okay. An IMS senior account, initially from Ukraine. The monitor’s neighborhood outreach supervisor, Luisa Macer, can be a naturalized citizen, initially from Mexico.
When she pitched the concept to host the naturalization ceremony on the monitor this yr, it was a “no brainer,” Boles mentioned.
“It is not simply you all and it is not simply the racecar drivers,” Boles mentioned. “However even contained in the partitions, the 200+ staff … we welcome you all. It’s due to you that this nation might be higher.”
Mike Fleetwood, a racing fan who occurred to stroll by the ceremony, stopped to look at. This yr, he’ll attend his 56th Indy 500 race, and although he is by no means attended a naturalization ceremony earlier than, he thought it was completely on model for IMS, Roger Penske and the individuals who make up the monitor.
“The whole speedway has at all times been very open-minded. very community-oriented,” Fleetwood mentioned. “I am a bit of shocked that this did not happen out right here earlier, however I am glad it did happen at the moment.”
“Particularly with the entire politicization of what is going on with the immigrant neighborhood … that is what it needs to be about.”
Contact Rashika Jaipuriar at rjaipuriar@gannett.com and observe her on Twitter @rashikajpr.
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Indianapolis, IN
Josh Downs expects big jump in second year with the Colts
![Josh Downs expects big jump in second year with the Colts Josh Downs expects big jump in second year with the Colts](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/27/AP24162745262753.jpg)
WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Josh Downs dazzled in the wide receiver footwork drills, making cuts that were on another level compared to the rest of the group.
He rifled his feet through the ladder.
And on Saturday’s practice, him and Anthony Richardson connected for a nice pass and catch down the sideline between two defenders.
Downs has been impressive at training camp and got off to a good start in his first year, hauling in 68 receptions on 771 yards and two touchdowns, but he expects more this year.
“Year one to year two, it’s always been a big jump for me,” Downs said. “High school, college, it was both the same.”
He’s not exaggerating. In his freshman year at North Carolina, he had seven catches for 119 yards. That skyrocketed to 101 receptions for 1,335 yards in his sophomore year. His touchdown count also jumped from three to eight.
Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter agrees with Downs’ confidence. He’s been impressed with Downs so far at training camp, and thinks he’s learned a lot from his first year in the league.
“Josh (Downs) is going to make the most of that from a route running perspective from a defensive coverage identification perspective,” Cooter said. “Josh (Downs) is primed and ready to have a big camp out here and do some really good things.”
Downs is processing the game better this year. He said he’s not thinking about the route he’s running as he gets set up at the line of scrimmage. Instead, he’s analyzing the defense and determining what coverage they’re in.
Someone that has helped him with this is cornerback Kenny Moore II. Downs considers Moore II to be at the top of his position in the NFL. He said Moore II is really smart and likes to mix it up with Downs when they’re matched up together, disguising whether he’s in man coverage or zone coverage.
Downs says he has the best slot receiver job in the league because he gets to go up against Moore II every day.
Downs has also been building his chemistry with Richardson. It’s now getting to the point where they’re running plays that aren’t in the playbook.
“We’re seeing different plays, it might not be in the playbook,” Downs said. “He’ll (Richardson) be like, ‘hey, JD, do you see this? Do that.’ I’m like, ‘I was thinking the same thing.’”
“I know Anthony (Richardson) trusts me. I trust him. We’re clicking before practice, after practice, even off the field. That’s my dog,” Downs said.
The Colts return to practice on Sunday at Grand Park from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Indianapolis, IN
PHOTOS | Indy sneakerheads line up for the new Air Jordan 4
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Indianapolis, IN
IMPD: No suspect in custody in officer's shooting, but there is no 'ongoing threat'
This article will update.
A police officer was injured in a shooting on the city’s far east side Friday and police were searching late into the night for whoever pulled the trigger.
Police said the event started unfolding shortly after 8:30 p.m. in the 3600 block of North Wittfield Street, near East 36th Street and North Post Road in the city’s Northeastwood neighborhood. The shooting happened after officers responded to the area on a “shots fired” call.
Shortly after the shooting police said the immediate area was not safe and residents were asked to stay inside their homes and avoid the neighborhood. About 11:15 p.m. police said a sweep of the area — including with K-9s — did not surface a suspect, but they did not believe there was an ongoing threat any longer.
Anyone with information or video footage is asked to call 911.
“There’s a lot that we don’t know about this incident. And we’re hopeful that we will learn more later on,” Capt. Shane Foley said during a media briefing at the scene.
The 8-year veteran officer was taken to Eskenazi Hospital in stable condition.
Shortly before 1 a.m., during a briefing at the hospital, Asst. Chief Michael Wooley said a house also was hit by gunfire but no residents were struck. Wooley said no officers fired their weapons and body cameras were activated throughout the situation.
The injured officer suffered gunshot wounds to his abdomen and right arm and was stable after undergoing surgery, Chief Chris Bailey said.
“He is expected to make a full recovery, although (he) is going to be in the hospital for some days,” Bailey added.
Police have not released a description of the suspect in the shooting, who remained at large early Saturday.
“Right now, officers are all over the city, looking for the individual or individuals responsible for what happened,” Bailey said.
Officers will remain in the neighborhood collecting evidence likely past sunrise, he added.
The K9 sweep of the area is complete.
IMPD is not aware of any ongoing threat to the public at this time, however, no suspects are currently in custody.
Media should stage at 36th/N Post Rd just east, but park on the NW corner. https://t.co/Es3zCovZrU
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) July 27, 2024
Second Indianapolis police officer shot this year
This is the second time this year an Indianapolis police officer has been shot. In March an off-duty officer working security at an east side bar on East Washington Street was hit in an exchange of gunfire with at least one suspect. A man who was injured in that shooting died at a local hospital.
The bar where that shooting happened, 11:11 Bar & Grille, located at 9439 E. Washington St., was closed by unanimous vote of the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission.
11:11 Bar & Grille shooting: State shuts down club where 6 people were shot, including off-duty IMPD officer
Bar shooting: Shooting at east side bar injures multiple people including IMPD officer
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis police officer shot. Suspect at large late Friday
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