Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis woman to be honored on historic deep space mission
INDIANAPOLIS — Jo Ann Holder always longed for her final resting place to be among the stars.
When she passed away in 2019, her son Joe Cassady set out to make that wish a reality.
“From the time I could remember, she was sitting me down in front of the TV every time there was a launch or something happening I was watching it,” Cassady said.
On January 8, her remains along with more than 200 others, will be launched on Celestis’ Deep Space Voyager mission, known as the Enterprise flight.
Also on the flight will be the remains of original cast and crew members of Star Trek and even President George Washington.
“She loved her grandchildren, the space program and Purdue athletics,” Cassady said.
Holder’s fascination began in the 1960s, when America turned its attention to the Moon race.
In her lifetime, she witnessed over two dozen launches from Kennedy Space Center.
Her passion inspired Cassady to begin a career in aerospace.
He works for a company that builds rockets and — as a coincidence — will be helping fulfill his mother’s dream in more ways than one.
“We’re actually providing the rocket engines for the upper stage on the launch. When they go out and do the maneuver to go into orbit around the sun, we’re gonna be the engine that does that,” he said.
Holder had a career in law enforcement with the Indianapolis Public School Board.
She loved photography and had a never-ending sense of wonder.
Cassady says now, he’ll feel her spirit anytime he looks up at the sky.
“I can always say when I look out to the moon and beyond, mom is out there,” he said.
If you’d like to honor a deceased loved one or send DNA to deep space, you can reach out to Celestis for reservations.
Its second upcoming Voyager Mission, known as the Infinite Flight, is tentatively scheduled for 2025.
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.
Indianapolis, IN
Exclusive | Taylor Swift was ‘shocked’ by Travis Kelce’s ‘last-minute’ appearance at Indianapolis Eras Tour show
Taylor Swift was “shocked” when Travis Kelce showed up at her Indianapolis Eras Tour concert on Saturday, a source exclusively tells Page Six.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end arrived while Swift was onstage performing during the sold-out show at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Videos circulating on social media captured the Super Bowl champion surprising the “Cruel Summer” singer’s mom, Andrea Swift, 66, and brother, Austin Swift, 32.
“Andrea and Austin didn’t think Travis was going to be able to make it,” the insider tells us.
“They were shocked when he showed up. It was an amazing surprise and they were thrilled he was able to be there for such an important occasion.”
In the clips shared online, the NFL athlete, 35, could be seen walking up to the pair and greeting Austin with a huge bear hug.
Austin, who was dressed in a white shirt, could be seen giving the football player a few huge pats on the back.
Meanwhile, Andrea’s jaw dropped as she appeared just as stunned to see Kelce.
Our source says it was “really important” to the Chiefs star to attend Taylor’s show.
Kelce made it a point to make an appearance since it was the weekend of the Grammy Award winner’s final US shows before wrapping her record-breaking Eras Tour.
“Travis had practice earlier that day and he wasn’t even sure if he was going to be able to make it,” the insider tells Page Six.
“It was a last-minute decision,” the source adds. “Thankfully, he was able to get out of practice on time and show up.”
The Chiefs are scheduled to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. Swift, 34, has hinted she may be there to return the favor and support her beau.
The pop star’s Eras Tour kicked off in Glendale, Ariz., in March 2023 and concludes in Vancouver on Dec. 8.
Taylor and Kelce started dating in summer 2023. They went public with their romance in September of that year, two months after he publicly expressed interest in the songstress.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two men have been taken into custody for their roles in a fatal shooting that happened Friday on Indianapolis’ east side.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were dispatched around 7 a.m. Friday to the 3600 block of North Dearborn Street to investigate shots fired.
They found evidence of shots being fired, but couldn’t find a victim. They later located two men shot just a few blocks away in the 3500 block of North Lasalle Street.
The men were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police say one man was not shot and only had a laceration, but unfortunately, the other victim was pronounced shortly after arriving at the hospital.
IMPD identified the man on Monday as 25-year-old Jasper Dugan.
Officers continued their investigation and identified two suspects, Jesse Williams, 27, and Royeon Spells, 22. Both men were later arrested.
Police say the Marion Count Prosecutor’s Office will make the final charging decisions.
Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to contact Det. David Miller at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or by email at David.Miller2@indy.gov.
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