INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A charity of billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, have given a $2.5 million grant to an Indianapolis-based nonprofit health care provider that helps communities that are underserved and people who are homeless.

HealthNet Inc. announced the grant Wednesday in a news release. Kay Wiles, director of HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program, said in a statement that the money will help the nonprofit “refashion services for families, reducing the time they experience homelessness” in Indianapolis.

A news release from HealthNet said, “Specifically, HealthNet plans to use its funds to implement a ‘no wrong door’ approach for families experiencing homelessness. With an entry point team versed in housing problem-solving and the array of resources available to help families rapidly exit homelessness, HealthNet will increase family housing stability planning, streamlined connections to housing solutions, and creative collaboration among family shelter providers. These funds will have permanent impact.”

HealthNet has at least eight health centers in Indianapolis, and a location in Bloomington.

The release also cited a 2024 report that says 34 affordable housing units are available for every 100 low-income households in Indiana, and 76% of Hoosiers spend more than half their income on housing.

Bezos, the founder of Amazon, for seven years has given grants to organizations working with families that are homeless. Experts on family homelessness helped chose recipients of grants from Bezos; Day 1 Families Fund. Bezos and Sánchez have been in a relationship for five years, getting engaged in May 2023. Sánchez said Wednesday morning in a media interview she’s in the midst of wedding planning.

Central Indiana is poised to see its first accumulating snowfall of the year Thursday thanks to a cold front blowing into the Midwest beginning Wednesday.

Despite earlier reports the snow might not stick around, forecasters with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis now predict 1-2 inches of snow could accumulate in the Indy metro area, potentially impacting Thursday’s rush hour traffic.

Here’s what Hoosiers living in Central Indiana can expect.

When will it start snowing in Central Indiana?

Meteorologists said Central Indiana could see light snow falling Wednesday night into Thursday morning, followed by a second round of snow beginning around 4 p.m. Thursday.

Gusty winds and snow could impact Hoosier’s commute Thursday

Along with the frosty weather, forecasters said Hoosiers should brace for strong, freezing winds that might reduce visibility on some roads.

“We’re looking at wind gusts in the 40 mph range peaking around (Thursday afternoon), so that could cause some lower visibilities than what we usually see with these snow rates,” said NWS meteorologist Aaron Updike, who urged motorists to take caution and stay up to date with the weather.

“The snowfall should be pretty compact so it shouldn’t drift much, but whenever you get these high winds, you can have slicker roads,” Updike said. “If you’re traveling to and from work Thursday, just make sure you’re giving yourself extra time.”

How much snow could Indianapolis, Indiana, get?

Some areas of Central Indiana could see 1-2 inches of snow on the ground late Thursday, while areas north of Indianapolis into Kokomo might receive 2-3 inches, according to a social media post by NWS.

The heaviest snowfall is expected to occur Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

“That’s going to make for a pretty dreary and cold Thursday,” said NWS meteorologist Andrew White on Tuesday. “Wind chills are going to be in the upper teens across portions of Central Indiana.”

Temperatures later into the week are expected to remain cold, with highs predicted to be in the upper 30s to mid 40s Friday into Sunday.

Live weather radar for Central Indiana

Winter weather is on the way: Tips to prevent frozen pipes, safely heat your home

Weather forecast for Central Indiana, per NWS

🌧️ Wednesday: Showers, mainly before noon. Steady temperature around 46. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

🌧️❄️ Wednesday night: Scattered rain and snow showers before midnight, then scattered rain showers between midnight and 2 a.m., then snow showers likely after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

❄️ Thursday: Snow showers before 5 p.m., then snow showers, possibly mixed with rain. Steady temperature around 33. West wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

❄️🌧️ Thursday night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 7 p.m. Low around 32. North northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

❄️🌧️ Friday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 45. West northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

☁️ Friday night: Cloudy, with a low around 36. West northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

☁️ Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. West wind around 8 mph.

☁️ Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

🌤️ Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light south wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

🌧️ Sunday night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southwest wind around 8 mph.

🌧️ Monday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

🌧️ Monday night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

🌧️ Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.

Story continues after photo gallery.

How to prevent frozen pipes

To keep pipes from freezing Citizens Energy group recommends taking these steps: 

• If the indoor temperature drops as low as 55 degrees, open your faucets slightly so they constantly drip. 
• Open cabinet doors below sinks to let warm air circulate around the pipes. 
• Insulate pipes that may be exposed to cold air. 
• Make sure the lid on your water meter pit is secured tightly. If your water meter is in the basement, ensure the area is heated and check for broken windows. 
• If you have piping in the garage, ensure the garage doors stay closed and try to insulate the pipes. 
• Know where your water shut-off valve is so you can turn the water off quickly in the event a pipe bursts. Those valves can be found in the garage, basement, utility closet or main entry for the water line into your house.

Signs your have frozen pipes:

• Your faucets won’t flow and your toilets won’t refill after a flush
• A water line is coated in frost or is bulging

What to do if your pipes freeze

In the event that you identify a frozen pipe, here is what Citizens Energy recommends you do:

• Turn off the water at the shut-off valve. 
• Open the faucet attached to the frozen pipe to allow water to flow through and relieve pressure buildup. Running water through the pipe will also help melt any remaining ice. 
• Apply gradual heat to the section of frozen pipe. That can be done by wrapping the pipes in bath towels or using a space heater to heat up the area where the pipes are located. Keep applying heat until the water pressure is restored and the water flows through freely. Make sure to never apply direct heat to the affected area. 
• If a pipe is bulging or you can’t find the location of the blockage, then call a licensed plumber.

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John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.

INDIANAPOLIS — A big partnership for IMPD in its efforts to recruit more officers.

The latest numbers show IMPD is short almost 300 officers. Officials hope working with the Colts will help them score more recruits to serve the city.

Colts center Ryan Kelly spent his evening at the IMPD training academy with Pre-Academy Reediness (PAR) participants. The PAR program helps prepare candidates for the physical and mental demands of training camp.

Kelly is from Cincinnati, Ohio. His father served with the Ohio State Police Officer for more than 30 years before retiring.

Kelly’s message Tuesday night was it takes a special person to wear the badge and Indianapolis needs you.

“The reason you would be here today is because somebody believed in you along the way, that you would be a good fit for this community to make it better. Right? There’s crime, there’s violence no matter where you go, but the right people on the right side of the law are the ultimate ones that bring the community back together,” Kelly said.

WRTV

As of now, there are 1,455 sworn officers with IMPD. The department is budgeted for 1,743 sworn officers.

IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said having the Colts on board to help with this effort may be the push they need to bring more folks on board.

“The Colts have a nationwide audience. Every Sunday when they’re in town, there are 65,000 plus people in there. We have some advertising in the scout magazine that you see every weekend at the Colts game. It’s another opportunity for us to reach a large group of people,” Bailey said.

WRTV

According to IMPD, Colts fans will see IMPD recruitment messages featured on outdoor marquees during select games, in publications like the Colts Scout and Yearbook, and hear radio spots on 93.5/1070 The Fan, as well as 97.1 Hank FM.

Additionally, IMPD recruiters have had a visible presence at various Colts games and in American Family Insurance Touchdown Town, giving them a chance to connect directly with community members who may be interested in a career in public safety.

Kelly stuck around to help participants in the training academy with their workouts.

WRTV

The most recent city budget includes a four percent increase for IMPD and much of that money will go towards the department’s recruitment and retention efforts.

The starting salary for new IMPD officers is around $72,000 a year.

IMPD’s push to hire has been going on for a while.

WRTV

About two years ago, the department put billboards up in cities in other states, including Detroit and Cincinnati, encouraging anyone interested in a law enforcement career to “make a move” to Indianapolis.

If you are interested in joining IMPD, visit JoinIMPD.Indy.gov and apply.