INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Looking for a unique way to get your steps in this weekend? The 42nd annual Bop to the Top stair climb is happening Saturday at the iconic OneAmerica Tower in downtown Indianapolis.

This beloved tradition, hosted by Tuxedo Brothers Events, invites participants of all fitness levels to climb the 36 floors of the tower while supporting a great cause. For more than four decades, the event has partnered with Riley Hospital for Children, raising significant funds to support their critical work.

“Forty-two years ago, we started this as something fun and competitive to do indoors during the winter,” Don Carr, owner of Tuxedo Brothers and the event’s host, said. “We quickly realized it was the perfect opportunity to tie in a charity component. Riley Hospital has been a part of this from the beginning, and it’s been an incredible partnership.”

Participants can sign up as individuals, families, or teams, with categories to match any level of competitiveness. There’s even a “triple step” option for those brave enough to tackle the climb more than once. And, yes, everyone who completes the climb will be rewarded with a long-sleeved T-shirt—perfect for the chilly Indiana weather.

Registration costs $30 to $35, depending on the category, and you can sign up online or in person on the day of the event. The climb starts at 8:30 a.m.

“Whether you’re fast, slow, or just there to have fun, everyone is welcome,” Carr said. “It’s all about making it to the top, enjoying the experience, and supporting an amazing cause.”

For more information or to register, click here.

Councilor Jared Evans, who grew up in Indianapolis, described the city’s response to recent snowstorms as “the worst that I’ve seen” at Thursday night’s meeting of the Public Works Committee.

He wasn’t alone. Officials representing districts throughout the city said their constituents were left frustrated and concerned after residential streets went unplowed in the aftermath of early January’s snowfall.

‘This will be a long fight for our crew’ Indy officials discuss plans ahead of Winter Storm Blair

Indianapolis once hired private contractors to plow residential streets following 6 inches or more of snowfall. That rule was scrapped in 2020 in favor of a new policy requiring plows to clear busy connector streets. Officials totals from the National Weather Service in Indianapolis show parts of the city have received more than 15 inches of snowfall since Jan. 5.

The concerns were so abundant that the committee’s chair, Kristin Jones, invited leaders from the Department of Public Works (DPW) to address the issues.

Indianapolis snow plowing: How long will it be before your road is finally plowed? The answer may be ‘never.’

Sam Beres, DPW interim director, delivered remarks for the committee alongside Natalie Van Dongen, deputy director of policy and planning.

Before taking questions, Beres and Van Dongen shared a presentation emphasizing crews’ relentless efforts to clear major thoroughfares and their connecting streets — a round-the-clock effort that’s so far required more than 13,000 overtime hours.

Despite a challenging battle against the snow, contractors weren’t brought in to help with residential streets. Beres said that the decision wasn’t based on financial constraints, instead citing concerns about property damage on narrow streets and the potential for further icing.

That explanation didn’t suffice for Councilor Brian Mowery.

“Now all of those neighborhoods are a sheet of ice anyway, because they didn’t get plowed, and they were driven on top of, and it just compacted the snow into ice,” Mowery said.

Councilors emphasized that they appreciated the efforts of the city’s crews — more than a dozen of whom were sitting in the audience — but they were unhappy with the department’s lack of any clear plan for the city’s residential street.

“You will see this council at least have a discussion — and a vote — on changing this policy,” Councilor Josh Bain said.

Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@gannett.com or (317) 800-2956.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The annual McDonald’s All American Games are less than three months away.

The basketball showcase will take place on April 1 in Brooklyn, N.Y. inside the Barclays Center.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that 17 Indianapolis-area basketball players were nominated to play in the game.

The boys basketball players who were nominated are:

• Alex Couto – Carmel High School
• Justin Kirby – Fishers High School
• Braylon Mullins – Greenfield-Central High School
• Deric Cannady – Cathedral High School
• Lebron Gough – Cathedral High School
• Aidan Hughes – Cathedral High School
• Brady Koehler – Cathedral High School
• Lamose Waites – Cathedral High School
• Azavier Robinson – Lawrence North High School
• Maguire Mitchell – Zionsville Community High School
• Drew Snively – Zionsville Community High School

The girls basketball players who were nominated are:

• Aniah Smith – Avon High School
• Avery Gordon – Brownsburg High School
• Maya Makalusky – Hamilton Southeastern High School
• Laila Abdurraqib – Lawrence Central High School
• Jaylah Lampley – Lawrence Central High School
• Meredith Tippner – Noblesville High School

“Players were nominated by a high school coach, athletic director, principal or member of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee based on competitive criteria,” according to a press release.

The “competitive criteria” can be found here.

The complete list of nominees can be found here.

The final roster of 48 players for the games will be unveiled later this month. The roster will consist of 24 girls and 24 boys.

An Indiana high school basketball star made the final roster for the 2024 McDonald’s All American Game. Kokomo’s Flory Bidunga, who was a five-star recruit, played for the West Team in the contest earlier this year.

The McDonald’s All American Girls Game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. EDT on April 1, with the boys game to immediately follow at approximately 9 p.m. The girls game will air on ESPN2, while the boys game will air on ESPN.

To purchase tickets to this year’s McDonald’s All American Games, click here.