Indianapolis, IN

The Twisted Tale of Indianapolis’ White River

Published

10 months ago

February 4, 2024

First-time visitors to Indianapolis might look at the White River and see a natural oasis in a vast urban landscape. They could spend a day paddling through some of Indianapolis’ most populated neighborhoods, but not see another person on the water. Towering oak trees line the banks for much of its path through the city, in the summer offering some needed respite from the sweltering sun. Underneath the clear water, visitors might see dozens of carp, sunfish, and smallmouth bass dart beneath their boat as a blue heron stands in the shallows, waiting for its next meal.

This idyllic scene is just the latest chapter of the White River saga, which has almost as many twists and turns as the waterway itself: Historic blunders. Massive pollution. Unchecked environmental racism. A $2 billion infrastructure project called DigIndy promises to solve many of the problems facing the river. But as the pollution decreases, city officials’ desires to use the river as an economic driver and recreational amenity continue to increase. After years of living next to polluted waterways, the questions for the surrounding residents are now: Will they be able to afford to stay and enjoy the revitalized river? And with other contaminants continuing to flow into the water unchecked, combined with centuries of neglect and abuse, just how clean is the river actually?

Known as the Wapahani by the Indigenous Miami Nation, the White River was a major reason European settlers laid the foundations of Indianapolis here more than two centuries ago. After quickly realizing the river was too shallow for shipping goods, they found other, ultimately much more damaging, ways to utilize it.

Almost from the start, Indianapolis sewage discharged directly into the river, along with industrial waste from factories and slaughterhouses. As the city grew, so did the amount of pollution, becoming a problem that generations of officials believed was too big to solve, a mindset that would continue into the 1980s and 1990s. Reports from the time described the surface of the river routinely being coated with a “black scum,” while “bubbles of gas rise to the surface,” according to late local historian Paul Mullins.

With the river too dirty to safely swim or recreate in, beginning in the 1920s the city constructed more than 20 public swimming pools—all but one of which were earmarked for white residents only. Black residents had two choices: the Douglass Park pool or Belmont Beach, the city’s unofficial Black beach. The beach was located on one of the most polluted spots on the river, so children often swam in water contaminated by dead fish and human feces.

In the 1950s, Indianapolis constructed a series of combined sewage and storm water sewers; in the ensuing decades, every time a large rain event would occur, human waste would back up and spill out into the waterways. The stench coming off the river and its tributaries—such as Fall Creek—after a rainstorm was enough to make even the strongest person retch.

After years of mostly white residents on the northside of Indianapolis complaining about their own sewage backups in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the city surreptitiously began piping more than two million gallons of sewage annually away from wealthier neighborhoods and into Fall Creek, which drained into the White River. It’s no coincidence the surrounding neighborhoods were inhabited by minority and low-income families. The racist overtones couldn’t be ignored, local historian and advocate Leon Bates told Sierra. That’s when the federal government stepped in.

A group of social- and environmental-justice advocates filed a complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency, alleging the sewage issues disproportionately affected minority residents. The EPA agreed, and in 2006, mandated Indianapolis solve the issues once and for all. In 2011, Citizens Energy Group began to oversee the $2 billion DigIndy project. Six huge tunnels totaling 28 miles would store up to 250 million gallons of wastewater before being treated at the Southport Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. DigIndy is slated to wrap up in 2025 with the completion of the Fall Creek and Pogues Run tunnels, the last major sewage-overflow contributors to be remediated.

Residents are already seeing huge improvements. After a massive fish kill in 1999, marine life has returned to the river. Routine volunteer cleanup events help remove tires, old mattresses, and other trash recklessly discarded on and around the river. A canoe and kayak rental shop opened on the banks earlier in 2023, encouraging more people to explore the river. After nearly 200 years of being one of the most polluted waterways in the US, the White River received a C grade for overall health (in Indiana, a C student is called a Hoosier valedictorian). With E. coli levels still dangerously high, the water is clean enough for boating, but not swimming. Most of the experts who spoke to Sierra admitted it likely never will be. And yet, things are looking up enough that along with fish and birds, humans are also returning to utilize the river.

“I’m on the river three or four times a week,” says Ed Fujawa, author of “Vanished Indianapolis” and a local resident.

In November, officials broke ground on the $13 million Riverside Adventure Park, which will include boat ramps and trails for hiking and biking. And Belmont Beach has also been resurrected, this time as a pop-up park run by the city’s parks department. Talks are ongoing between the city and residents of the Haughville neighborhood about making the site a permanent park.

“[The Belmont Beach] project has always been led by Haughville residents, for Haughville residents,” says Ebony Chappel, Friends of Belmont Beach executive director. “The president of our board is a fourth-generation child of Haughville and I’m third generation … We’re aware and sensitive to concerns from others in the community, which is why we’re always including their thoughts in the forefront of everything we do.”

Some residents have expressed concern that the much-anticipated river improvements could lead to gentrification. After years of living next to the horribly polluted river, the resulting cleanup and renewal could lead to long-suffering residents being priced out of their homes. Both the city and Haughville neighborhood group are optimistic that won’t happen, but Bates remains skeptical.

“We’ve already seen people get priced out of the neighborhoods” nearby, Bates says, adding that Indianapolis should proactively make efforts to slow or stop widespread gentrification, such as freezing property taxes for long-term Haughville residents until they die or sell the property.

The city’s White River Vision Plan promises to “explore the enormous potential of our river to enhance regional vibrancy, ecological integrity, livability, and economic vitality.” Tourism and city economic officials have traveled as far away as Singapore to study how communities best use their rivers, says Carmen Lethig, Long-Range Planning Administrator for Indianapolis. In the works for riverside developments are plans for a multimillion-dollar retail and entertainment complex centered around a new soccer stadium, as well as the new corporate headquarters for a pharmaceutical company. But there doesn’t seem to be much, if any, political will to improve the water quality even further; surface level improvements seem to be enough.

One of the most polluted states in the nation, Indiana has the most miles of rivers and streams deemed too polluted to swim in of any state, according to a report by the Environmental Integrity Project. Pollution from farm runoff—which contains herbicides, fertilizers, and animal waste—and other contaminants continue to flow into the White River from upstream.

Testing should be done daily, says Sierra Club Heartland Group chair Jesse Kirkham, as the pollution levels can vary wildly day-to-day. But water-quality testing by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management in the White River and its tributaries has dropped precipitously over the years for lack of funding. Volunteers with the Sierra Club, White River Alliance, and other groups have picked up some of that slack. Considering its history, the White River’s comeback thus far is nothing short of miraculous, but there’s still a long way to go before a true happy ending can be written.

Source link

Click to comment

Indianapolis, IN

2 call for change to prevent sexual harassment in Indiana politics

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

2 call for change to prevent sexual harassment in Indiana politics

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two members of Indiana’s best political team on Friday said a major cultural change is needed in Indiana politics to prevent sexual harassment.

Senate Democrats reelected Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, as Senate minority leader on Monday after the IndyStar revealed two female former staffers and a female former intern accused Taylor of sexually harassing them over several years. Taylor did not deny the allegations in a statement to the IndyStar but has refused to answer any questions about the allegations since. He made only a vague reference to them in his Organization Day remarks on Tuesday. The allegations against Taylor come barely four months after three former administration and campaign staffers revealed a pattern of sexual harassment by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former chief of staff and deputy mayor, Thomas Cook.

Dana Black, podcast host and former deputy director of engagement for the Indiana Democratic Party, told “All INdiana Politics” that men have a responsibility not only to not subject women to unwanted sexual advances, but also to dissuade other men from doing so. She said she knows Taylor personally and is “incredibly disappointed” by the allegations against him.

“Somebody needs to stand up to these men who feel like it is okay to do whatever they feel like doing,” she said.

Mario Massillamany, chair of the Hamilton County Republican Party, has lobbying experience at the Statehouse. He said the General Assembly needs stricter policies governing lawmakers’ behavior not only toward their staff and interns, but also toward lobbyists and others who work there every day.

“There is a serious problem at the Statehouse as it pertains to protecting interns, as it pertains to protecting lobbyists, and protecting other people that deal with that,” he said.

“All INdiana Politics” airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WISH-TV.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Anthony Richardson Ready to Take on Lions Challenge

Published

11 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Colts’ Anthony Richardson Ready to Take on Lions Challenge

Anthony Richardson’s return as the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts played out like a movie last Sunday afternoon.

After being benched two weeks prior, putting his future with the team that drafted him No.4 overall in jeopardy, Richardson was reinserted into the starting lineup and produced the best game of his career. The young quarterback finished the game with over 300 total yards and three touchdowns to will the Colts to a 28-27 victory over the New York Jets.

It has been widely documented that the Colts benched Richardson due to a lack of preparation and attention to detail. Shane Steichen and the Colts coaching staff expected more out of Richardson and believed he needed to develop as a pro before seeing the field again.

Richardson took the message to heart and went to work, making great strides in a short amount of time to show he could go the extra mile and make the sacrifices necessary to be the leader of this team. The preparation and new approach during the week paid dividends, as evident by his performance on Sunday.

As the Colts prepare to take on the 9-1 Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium, Richardson is building on his preparation habits from last week and hoping to produce similar results.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates his touchdown in a white jersey.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

“The main thing is just being consistent,” Richardson said when asked what he is focusing on this week. “Just trusting my guys each and every play, trusting the play call each and every play, and then just trusting the preparation – just putting in the work throughout the week and just letting it show out on the field on Sundays.”

Richardson revealed after the game that it was the most relaxed he has ever felt on the field. He was able to succeed both on the ground and through the air. Richardson was not pressing; instead, he trusted his preparation and made decisive reads, allowing him to deliver the football accurately to his receivers.

It is no coincidence the best game of Richardson’s young career came after a more detailed approach to his preparation was implemented. When asked what was different in his preparation, Richardson pointed to one thing in particular.

“I’d probably say my focus,” Richardson admitted. “I was trying to focus on all the little things a little bit more, just be consistent throughout it. That was really the main thing I was focused on, just trying to make sure I was detailing up the small things and just being consistent.”

For all of the good Richardson did last week, the quarterback is not a finished product. He still has plenty of things to clean up with his game. There were a few throws in the short area of the field that he missed as well as some zone reads that he would like to have back.

What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

However, the biggest area Richardson wants to improve on is ball security. Failing to protect the football or putting it in harm’s way is a recipe for losing games. And after putting the ball on the ground twice against the Jets, Richardson wants to ensure he is taking better care of the football.

“I had two fumbles throughout the game,” Richardson remarked. “So, definitely trying to keep the ball in our hands, and pushing the ball down the field and moving the ball. But just being consistent with that, and just having a clean game with no turnovers.”

Richardson’s Colts teammates never wavered in their support for the quarterback throughout his benching, and his big game against the Jets only strengthened their confidence in #5. That confidence will serve Indy well this weekend against a Lions team outscoring its opponents by an average of 15.9 points per game.

As Steichen has been saying all season, this team is a resilient bunch. Richardson believes they will need that toughness and resiliency on Sunday.

“Just seeing the toughness from our team. We’re definitely trying to carry that over because we know we’re getting ready to play a physical team,” Richardson explained. “So, they’re going to bring it to us. We got to bring it to them.

“But just trusting my guys each and every play, like I did in that fourth quarter, and just trust in my ability. I feel like I’m a decent football player, and I like to make plays out there. And we had the opportunity to do so, and then my guys just helped me out and we just made it happen.”

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) scores a touchdown in a white jersey.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) scores a touchdown over New York Jets safety Jalen Mills (35) and defensive end Micheal Clemons (72) in the first half at MetLife Stadium. / Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Richardson will take on a Lions’ defense that gives up the sixth-most passing yards per game (232.7) but allows the fifth-fewest yards on the ground (94.8). While the quarterback run game was successful against the Jets, Richardson may have to do most of his damage with his arm. The Lions also thrive on taking the ball away, tied for fifth in the league with 19 takeaways.

While protecting the football will be key, Richardson has noticed something about the Lions’ defense that Indy will need to counteract if they want to win.

“The physicality. That was one of the main things I mentioned earlier,” Richardson mentioned. “Their front four or five guys are definitely physical. Linebackers flow pretty fast, and then their DBs like to play man and get physical on the receivers. So that’s what we’ve been talking about all week – just being physical and just bringing it to them.”

The Lions are the hottest team in the NFL, and it will be an immense challenge for the Colts to come out on top. But if you ask Richardson if he is worried about the challenge, the answer is simple. He believes his team can get the job done.

“No concerns, honestly,” Richardson declared. “Every week you’re playing a great team, but we all know like this is a pretty good team that we’re getting ready to go up against. But I feel like we’re a great team as well. So, we’ve just got to prepare like that and just get ready to go out there and compete.”

Not many people are expecting the Colts to beat the Lions on Sunday. However, not many expected Richardson to have the best performance of his career off a two-week benching.

Crazier things have happened, and with Richardson back and leading this team, the Colts always have a shot at victory.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Shootings at 2 apartment complexes injure 3, may be related

Published

19 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

Shootings at 2 apartment complexes injure 3, may be related

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Three adults were found shot Thursday night at two apartment complexes on the northwest side, and Indianapolis police think the two scenes may be somehow related.

Police went just before 8:40 p.m. Thursday to a report of a person shot in the 3900 block of Wind Drift Drive East. That’s at the Lakeside Crossing at Eagle Creek apartments located northwest of the I-465 interchange for West 38th Street.

At 9 p.m. Thursday, police were called to another report of a person shot in the 4400 block of Moller Road. That’s at the Colonial Square apartments located southwest of the I-65 interchange for Lafayette Road.

Capt. Rob Rider of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says two of the adults were found at the Lakeside Crossing apartments. One adult was stable, and the other was in critical condition.

IMPD found the third adult at the Colonial Square apartments. That adult was stable.

Crashed vehicles that police found at Lakeside Crossing were believed to be connected to the shootings.

Rider was unsure of the genders of the three adults. He noted that no children were shot despite initial reports from the Lakeside Crossing scene.

Indianapolis police went just before 8:40 p.m. Nov. 21, 2024, to a report of a person shot in the 3900 block of Wind Drift Drive East. (WISH Photo/TJ Whitmer)