Indianapolis, IN

Starbucks closing prompts concerns about downtown Indianapolis safety

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2022

Starbucks closing prompts concerns about downtown Indianapolis safety

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A metropolis authorities spokesperson mentioned Friday that downtown Indianapolis stays protected after the Starbucks coffeehouse on Monument Circle cited security as a purpose for its closing Oct. 28.

Starbucks, in response to a press release issued Friday, “routinely opinions” its shops to see whether or not they’re “thriving” and to find out if staff, which it calls “companions,” “really feel supported” in serving prospects.

The Starbucks assertion on the closing of the placement on the southeast quadrant of Monument Circle mentioned, partly, “Our first precedence is to ensure our companions are protected at work. We are going to proceed to work to guarantee that companions can concentrate on crafting beautiful drinks and creating connections in a protected, heat, and welcoming setting.”

Mark Bode, the director of communications for the town authorities, despatched a press release, too. He famous the downtown police district is the most secure in Marion County. He additionally cited the 97% housing occupancy fee and $3.8 billion in deliberate financial growth.

Starbucks additionally operates downtown places within the Hyatt Regency at 1 S. Capitol Ave., and within the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District at 430 Massachusetts Ave.

Brian Mowery, the minority chief on the Indianapolis-Marion County Metropolis-County Council, issued a press release on behalf of himself and 4 different Republican council members. It mentioned, partly, “For years now, we’ve been saying that this metropolis must get severe about public security, and now companies are closing on Monument Circle as a result of we can’t preserve it protected. It’s time for the prosecutor, mayor, and council to come back collectively to attempt to repair this drawback earlier than it will get worse. We can’t wait to behave.”

Kim Nething owns Rocket Fizz, which sells soda, sweet and novelty gadgets only a couple doorways down from Starbucks on Monument Circle. “If I hear a couple of enterprise leaving downtown Indianapolis due to crime and issues of safety, there’s extra to it than that,” she mentioned.

She mentioned she has by no means skilled a significant drawback with crime within the 10 years she’s owned her enterprise though she has a security plan in place for workers in case one thing occurs.

Nething mentioned, “I’ve police that are available in my store not solely as prospects commonly however they arrive in commonly simply to test on us.”

CNN reported in July that as a consequence of “a excessive quantity of difficult incidents that make it unsafe to proceed to function,” Starbucks was closing 16 places in Seattle; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; and Portland, Oregon. The choice got here as Starbucks’ interim CEO labored to vary the corporate tradition.

A letter issued July 11 to staff famous they’re “seeing firsthand the challenges going through our communities — private security, racism, lack of entry to healthcare, a rising psychological well being disaster, rising drug use, and extra,” they wrote, including that “with shops in hundreds of communities throughout the nation, we all know these challenges can, at occasions, play out inside our shops too.”

Within the July letter, Starbucks execs additionally famous that they routinely learn staff’ quite a few incident experiences. Consequently, the corporate execs mentioned they’ll provide staff new coaching alternatives that included find out how to cope with active-shooter conditions. The corporate additionally deliberate to supply staff extra psychological well being advantages, entry to abortion care, readability round shifts and retailer insurance policies.

The corporate in June additionally introduced it might once more shut its restrooms to the general public.

Statements

“We routinely evaluate the companion and buyer expertise in our shops, to see if the shop is prospering, companions (staff) are feeling supported, and that we’re assembly buyer wants. Our native leaders are, and have all the time been, empowered to make use of the numerous sources at their disposal to change retailer operations and create the very best expertise for our communities. However when obligatory, we’ll make the choice to shut a retailer.
“Our first precedence is to ensure our companions are protected at work. We are going to proceed to work to guarantee that companions can concentrate on crafting beautiful drinks and creating connections in a protected, heat, and welcoming setting.”
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Sam Jefferies, senior supervisor of name repute and disaster communications specialist for Starbucks

“The Metropolis continues to work with IMPD and stakeholders to maintain Downtown a protected and vibrant place to reside, work, and play. Because of that collaboration, in addition to funding in public security ambassadors, IMPD cameras, and expanded cleansing capability, Downtown stays the most secure district in Marion County. That has helped affect a 97% occupancy fee for housing items within the Downtown space; $3.8 billion in deliberate financial growth tasks; the continued attraction of main conventions yearly; and the opening of over 70 retail and restaurant companies final yr alone. On Monday night time the Metropolis-County Council will vote on Mayor Hogsett’s proposed 2023 finances, which options an unprecedented public security funding that helps fund 200 extra IMPD officer positions, will increase first-year officer pay, and continues to construct out sturdy regulation enforcement know-how infrastructure.”
Mark Bode, the director of communications for Indianapolis metropolis authorities

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Indianapolis, IN

‘Supernatural’ convention bringing stars Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and more to Indy

Published

3 hours ago

July 30, 2024

Press Room

‘Supernatural’ convention bringing stars Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and more to Indy

An SPN Family reunion is coming to Indianapolis.

Creation Entertainment’s “The Road So Far… The Road Ahead” tour is bringing stars of the CW’s “Supernatural” to downtown Indy next month, including Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and more. The weekend-long event includes panels, meet-and-greet opportunities as well as a special event hosted by Collins.

Here’s what you need to know about the event, scheduled for Aug. 23-25.

‘The Deliverance’: New Lee Daniels film inspired by an infamous Indiana haunting hits Netflix next month

Where is the ‘Supernatural’ convention in Indianapolis?

The Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St. Aug. 23-25.

Lineup includes Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins and more

According to the event’s website, the following stars and special guests are expected to attend the event:

Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester)
Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester)
Misha Collins (Castiel)
Jeffrey Dean Morgan (John Winchester)
Samantha Smith (Mary Winchester)
Ruth Connell (Rowena MacLeod)
Rob Benedict (Chuck Shurley)
Richard Speight Jr. (Archangel Gabriel)
Matt Cohen (young John Winchester, Archangel Michael)
Briana Buckmaster (Donna Hanscum)
Julian Richings (Death)
Kim Rhodes (Sheriff Jody Mills)
DJ Qualls (Garth Fitzgerald IV)
Osric Chau (Kevin Tran)
Adam Rose (TikToker)
Jason Manns (musician)

Creation cautions that all guests and scheduling are subject to change.

How much do Supernatural convention tickets cost?

Single-day general admission tickets start at $70 for Friday, $80 for Saturday and $100 for Sunday. A general admission weekend pass is $249.

A variety of weekend packages, with benefits like exclusive panels and autograph opportunities, range in price from $379 to $1,775. For tickets and more information, visit bit.ly/4d8xc16.

‘Supernatural’ meet-and-greets, autographs

Photo opportunities and autographs will be available for purchase with many of the scheduled guests. Here are the prices for photos and autographs with the headlining stars:

Jensen Ackles: Photos $199 / Autographs available for gold and silver weekend patrons only
Jared Padalecki: Photos $199 / Autographs $169 (will not be signing for gold and silver patrons)
Misha Collins: Photos $149 (Saturday only) and $169 (in costume, Sunday only) / Autographs $119
Jeffrey Dean Morgan: Photos $199 / Autographs $169

Interactive opportunities with the featured guests don’t stop there. DJ Qualls will also host a masquerade-themed karaoke night with ticketed pre- and post-events.

For a full list of experiences and prices, visit bit.ly/4d8xc16.

What’s the schedule for the ‘Supernatural’ convention in Indy?

The full schedule has not yet been released as of late July. According to Creation’s website, the final schedule will be released closer to the event.

Misha Collins’ special event at Creation Indianapolis

Collins will host a special, 18+ event on Saturday evening called “It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time.” In a June Instagram post, he described it as a one-person show that’s “part memoir, part therapy and part indecent exposure.”

Do I need convention passes for Misha Collins’ show in Indy?

No; this is a separately ticketed event that does not overlap with the convention’s scheduled Saturday night concert. Tickets are priced at $79 for general admission and $139 to $189 for reserved seats. For more information, visit bit.ly/3WfAlFQ.

Things to do in Indianapolis: Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.

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Indianapolis, IN

IU approves policy that will shutter pro-Palestinian camp at Indy campus

Published

10 hours ago

July 29, 2024

Press Room

IU approves policy that will shutter pro-Palestinian camp at Indy campus

by Claire Rafford

The Indiana University board of trustees approved a new policy Monday that will effectively shut down a three-month pro-Palestinian encampment at IU Indianapolis.

In a news release, board of trustees Chair W. Quinn Buckner said arrests and chaos at an IU Bloomington pro-Palestinian protest in April led the board to update and standardize policies across all campuses.

“We can’t let one person or group’s expression infringe on the rights of others, disrupt learning experiences for our students or interrupt regular university business,” Buckner said in the release.

Members of the Indianapolis encampment say the policy is targeted at the pro-Palestinian student movement and will limit their freedom of speech.

Layth Abdulbari, a leader in the encampment and student at IUPUI, said though he is sad that the policy passed, he and the other members of the camp are looking into other ways to protest and build community. They are eventually planning to take legal action against the university.

“We’re really going to respond with action,” the 21-year-old said. “That’s going to be our primary response.”

Students have been camping out under the Kelley School of Business on IU Indianapolis’ campus since April 26 to protest Israel’s invasion of Gaza following the Hamas missile strike on Oct. 7. The students also are demanding that IU divest from Israel and the Crane naval base.

Abdulbari said that though the students plan to pack up the encampment in the next few days, they feel their presence did make a difference.

“The policy being made is an example and a testament to us being heard, because they refuse to listen, but they hear us,” he said. “There’s something to say about that.”

Organized by the Palestinian Solidarity Committee at IUPUI, the encampment is one of the few remaining in the country after pro-Palestinian protests swept college campuses across the country this spring.

What’s in the new policy?

The new policy will ban all camping, no matter the time of day, unless it is part of a university-approved event. It also prohibits protest activity from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. A draft of the policy released in June only banned overnight camping.

The policy also bars demonstrations within 25 feet of building entrances, requires that temporary structures such as tents be approved 10 days in advance, mandates pre-approval for hanging signs and symbols on university-owned property, including lampposts, and prohibits amplified noise that “materially and substantially” disrupts university life.

The newly-approved protocol also includes limits on where and how students can write messages. Students can still draw with washable chalk on sidewalks, but cannot display messages on other university buildings, lampposts or walls; or write with permanent or semipermanent substances on any university property.

The new policy will take effect Aug. 1.

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Indianapolis, IN

Reports: Colts defensive end out for season with Achilles tear

Published

17 hours ago

July 29, 2024

Press Room

Reports: Colts defensive end out for season with Achilles tear

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts had their first big injury blow of Training Camp.

According to NFL Network, starting defensive end Samson Ebukam is expected to miss the entire season after tearing his Achilles tendon during team drills Sunday afternoon.

Ebukam was poised to have another big year as one of the Colts’ most dangerous edge rushers. Last season, the seven-year veteran helped the Colts defense set a new franchise sack record with his own career-high of 9.5 takedowns. Ebukam added 57 tackles and three forced fumbles during his first year with the Colts.

Before moving to Indianapolis, Ebukam was an impact player for the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

Ebukam’s loss will have a significant impact on the defensive line depth chart. His absence could open up more opportunities for rookie Laiatu Latu, who the Colts drafted 15th overall in this year’s draft. Latu was the first defensive player chosen, as well.

Fourteen different Colts players had at least one sack for the Colts’ record 51 last season. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley returns for his third year in Indy with most of his veteran playmakers — like Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore II, DeForest Buckner, and Grover Stewart — back in the locker room, as well.

Saturday, Bradley was feeling confident with his leadership up front.

“I mean that’s where it starts, right, is with your defensive line, especially with who we have upfront,” Bradley said after practice Saturday. “We like our veteran presence, the leadership there. So we’re counting on them to kind of set the tone for the whole defense because we have a saying, it starts upfront. And really with us, that’s true.”

The Colts return to Training Camp Tuesday for the first practice in pads. Head coach Shane Steichen knows he and the coaching staff will learn a lot about their team with they go live.

“It’s the first time we’ve put on pads since the end of the year,” Steichen said Sunday. “(We’re looking for) toughness really. You know what I mean? Pads are going to come on, it’s going to be more physical obviously out there and looking forward to that.”

News 8 will have continued live coverage from Grand Park in Westfield all Colts Training Camp.

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