Jeffersonville's Latest Community News

Before most people even thought of owning their own computers, John Archer was already hard at work fixing and selling them in Louisville.

Archer, owner of Premium Computer Solutions, 3951 1/2 Taylorsville Road, in the McMahan Center, got his start with computers in the mid-1970s ago and started Premium 20 years ago.

 “I’ve seen a lot of advances in technology,” Archer said. Computers were once seen as geeky devices. “They’re integrated in everything people do now.”   Through the ever-changing landscape of desktops and laptop systems and the growing field of video conferencing, he’s carved out a business where personal service is their keystone.  

The Hikes Point shop  is an authorized dealer for Dell and HP, and also sells a variety of used systems for shoppers on a budget. The shop services most major PC brands and some generics, as well as Apple laptops and the MacBook, MacPro

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Visiting the lions and tigers and bears at the Louisville Zoo is going to cost a little more starting July 1. Oh, my!

The zoo announced June 15 that admission will increase $1 for ages 12–59, bringing the total to $12.95. The price for children 3–11 years old and seniors 60 and up will increase by  55 cents, which will push the total for both age groups to $9.50. Children 2 and under are still free.

According to the zoo’s announcement, price increases typically occur in the same year as a major new exhibit, which can add new operational expenses for keepers, animal food, programs and more not covered by the capital fundraising efforts that help finance exhibit construction.

The current price change was scheduled to coincide with the ongoing development of Glacier Run. The Seal and Sea Lion habitat at Glacie

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 As the Pitino trial continues, one of Karen Syphers's sexual partners testified today saying that Sypher told him that what she did was "stupid" and "I should not have done that."

Tyree Fields, a former executive at Federal Express and Frito Lay who later worked as a basketball talent scout, told a Louisville federal jury that when he met Sypher in 2009 "she indicated it was a stupid thing, and she regretted doing it."

Cross-examination by Sypher's lawyer revealed that Fields acknowledged that Sypher told him that the year before she had been raped twice by Pitino and had to have an abortion.

Since Sypher admitted to the crime to Jim Earhart, Sypher's lawyer, while they sat in his car in 2009 and told him that what she did was wrong, he says that he cannot shake this account.

 Day six of the trial came with some shocking news. Two witnesses testified that Karen Sypher admitted to "doing something stupid" and wanted to "take down" the University of Louisville coach Rick Pitino.

The surprising testimony came from a former lover on Monday, who said that Sypher admitted to trying to extort Rick Pitino. Sypher's ex-husband also testified she turned down a plea deal from prosecutors because she wanted to gain revenge against the UofL coach. \

Karen Sypher left the U.S. District Court after two witnesses testified that she acknowledged her crimes and her intent to get revenge against coach Pitino. Sypher spent the last hours of Monday's proceedings with her head hung low as the jurors were shown a video recording her interview with Metro Police. 

Three witnesses have now testified the knowledge Sypher had about her actions.

 Entering the eighth day of trial, Karen Sypher's lawyer rests their case. Sypher was quoted earlier in the week saying she was "waiting for my day", but she and no other witnesses will take the stand for the defense.

Sypher, who is charged with demanding millions of dollars from UofL basketball coach to keep quiet about their sexual tryst will not be on the stand for questioning during this trial. 

Prosecutors say that Sypher demanded $10 million, college tuition for her children, and her house to be paid off in exchange for her silence. Witnesses have also testified to her knowledge of the crime.

The trial has lasted over a week and closing arguments are expected to begin later on Wednesday. 

A Louisville federal jury resumed deliberations early Thursday morning in the trial of Karen Sypher. Sypher, who is charged with extorting University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino and lying to federal agents, rested her dense yesterday. It is now up to the jury to decide Sypher's fate.

Sypher faces up to 26 years in prison on all charges. However, her attorney James Earhart has said that under federal sentencing guidelines, Sypher is more likely to get seven to eight years.

The Courier-Journal will update as soon as the verdict is out.

With so much evidence and testimony presented over the eight-day trial, the jury took two days and a total of six hours of deliberations to reach a verdict. The federal jury in the Sypher extortion trial unanimously decided on a guilty verdict.

The biggest message portrayed from the jurors was that the panel took its time and based its decision on what was presented in court. "None of said she's guilty of everything right off the bat," said Brian Ross, one of the jurors. "We just did it each charge by each charge."

All jurors believed Sypher to be guilty on counts of extortion. Glen Elder, the jury foreman, said, "I do believe the verdict we came up with, the guilty verdict, on all six counts was justified."

Elder says the guilty verdict stems from what the 12 members of the jury that took part in the deliberations heard in court. "We all discussed the case. We discussed all of the testimony that we heard and took time to ma

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A 4-year-old girl was found unconscious laying face down in a backyard pool Monday afternoon. The little girl was on life support for less than 24 hours after she was found unconscious in a backyard kiddie pool of her Portland Neighborhood home on Columbia Street.

"The result of the brain injury from lack of oxygen about four o'clock this morning she did pass away. The family wants to thank the community for their prayers and just ask that they continue to remember the family as they grieve and continue to suffer with this loss," says Michael Troy Shells, pastor at Baptist Tabernacle Church who spoke on behalf of the family. "She really came in having been without oxygen for a long time. The staff here and the doctors, they just were awesome and did a great job and gave it all they had."

This should be a wake up call to all families, especially parents with little kids. Experts warn never to leave a child unsupervised near a pool or without adult

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A Louisville parent was able to use her missing 16-year-old's cell phone GPS to track him down.

According to an arrest report, Police were dispatched to the 9000 block of Blossom Lane Tuesday night after the mother told police that she had used the GPS to track her missing son to that location. 

The police were met by 40-year-old Lisa M. Davenport, who told police that she knew who the missing boy was, but he was not there. According to the police report, when Davenport was confronted about the GPS signal, she said that her daughter might have the missing boy's phone. Davenport then walked inside and handed police the boy's missing phone.

Police say thats is when they saw the missing 16-year-old try to jump out of a window.

The mother of the missing boy told police that he has used this home as a hideout several times in the past, and that Davenport may have been allowing a relationship between her 13-year-old daughter and the boy.

Davenp

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The Ford Kentucky Truck Plant will hold the 8th Annual JDRF Awareness Ride and Poker Run Sunday, August 29. The ride will begin at the Kentucky Ford Truck Plant on Chamberlain Lane and the end destination is the Talon Winery in Lexington. Ride leaves at 9 a.m., rain or shine.

Ride day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The route is 115 miles with 3 water stops. $15 to ride, $15 optional lunch, $15 optional t-shirt, and beer/wine cash bar will be available at the end destination. 

Additional raffle tickets, poker hands, silent auction items, Ford/ Harley merchandise will be available for purchase on the day of the ride. 

For more information about the ride and registration, call 502-432-4879 or visit www.fordktpcares.com. 

On Saturday, August 14 and 21 the Mall of St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center will host the music-inspired mall tour. Shop Til You Rock empowers teens to look and feel like rock stars through love local concerts, exclusive teen activities, and special mall offers and giveaways. 

Teen rock band NAKED will perform at Mall St. Matthes at 4 p.m. on Saturday. After the concert, the band will host a meet and greet with the fans.

The live, in-mall music performances will be complimented with cool activity stations designed exclusively for teens. Teens can visit the Shop Til You Rock online headquarters at www.ShopTilYouRock.com to learn more about tour activities taking place in Louisville and exclusive mall deals.

Around 900 Jefferson County Public School  buses departed the Wilhoit Bus Compound Tuesday morning for th e first day back to school.

Transportation officials advise you to arrive early to your bus stop and to be patient; it is the first day and delays are inevitable. "For the first day, for the first week, it is slow," bus driver Bob Funk said. "There are parents, students, drivers, and schools all trying to coordinate. It usually takes three to four days."

Changes have been made this year, so keep that in mind. Some changes are designed to shorten bus routes and the time students, particularly elementary students, are on the bus.

There has also been some downsizing. "We've had to reduce our high school and middle school depot buses," JCPS spokesperson Rick Caple said. "You lose some of the flexibility, but everyone who qualifies for transportation does have a bus."

"Be there early, but be patient,&qu

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A Jefferson County Public School kindergarten student has been found safe after she ended up at the wrong school on the first day of classes.

According to police, the child attends Kennedy Montessori School, but ended up at Frazier Elementary School. MetroSafe dispatch said they received a call from a parent stating their child did not make it to school earlier this morning. Metro Police were sent to investigate.

School officials and police say it appears the young student failed to change buses during a scheduled transfer at the Moore bus compound.

The young girl was returned to the appropriate school.  

A Jefferson County Public School kindergarten student has been found safe after she ended up at the wrong school on the first day of classes.

According to police, the child attends Kennedy Montessori School, but ended up at Frazier Elementary School. MetroSafe dispatch said they received a call from a parent stating their child did not make it to school earlier this morning. Metro Police were sent to investigate.

School officials and police say it appears the young student failed to change buses during a scheduled transfer at the Moore bus compound.

The young girl was returned to the appropriate school.  

The 2010 Kentucky State Fair kicks-off today with the annual commodity appreciation breakfast.

The event serves Kentucky politicians and agricultural officials a variety of treats from around the state. Along with other breakfast food, items on the menu include steak, ham, pork chops, eggs, and fruit.

In addition to this annual breakfast, Thursday is also WLKY Day at the fair. Everyone is welcome to come meet and greet your favorite WLKY personalities in the South Wing of the Expo Center.

Admission to the fair is $8 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and children up to age 12. 

 U.S. Marshals in Tennessee have arrested a fugitive suspected of raping a 12-year-old girl in Louisville. Bobby White was taken into custody in Nashville after he had fled the state.

Investigators say White cut off his ankle monitoring system on Monday and left Kentucky. White had been court ordered home incarceration awaiting trial on charges of sexual abuse, sodomy, and rape of a 12-year-old.  

According to the U.S. attorney's office, Karen Sypher was told that there is no reason to give her more time to file for a new trial. 

Jim Earhart, Sypher's lawyer, filed a motion suggesting one or more witnesses against Sypher committed perjury and he wants 45 days to investigate.

However, the government says if newly discovered evidence is uncovered, Sypher has three years from the time of her conviction to ask for a new trial. 

Sypher was convicted earlier this month for trying to extort money from University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino.

Karen Sypher is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 27.

Students at the University of Louisville headed back to school today. Students will be filling the classrooms on the U of L campus as the fall semester begins. New for the students this year is a new west side dining facility located at the University Tower Apartments at the corner of Third and Brandeis. 

Enrollment seems to be up this year according to preliminary data. In 2009, enrollment was 20,102 and this year it is up to 20,411.

Along with the University of Louisville beginning class today, close-by Bellarmine University commences its first week of full classes today. Bellarmine is also unveiling a new dining facility early this semester.

The 28-year-old man that was shot and killed Saturday from a gunshot wound in the head was the man who inspired a popular dance adapted by former University of Kentucky basketball player John Wall.

Lashawn 'Sugar Shizz' Talbert was apparently shot in the 1100 block of Clay Avenue off Preston in Okolona. He was rushed to University Hospital after the shooting, and he was pronounced dead three days later.

John Wall, who now plays for the NBA's Washington Wizards, introduced his own version of Talbert's dance during Big Blue Madness last fall. It garnered national attention as the "John Wall Dance," but Wall told Sports Illustrated in January that he got it from 'Sugar Shizz' and local Louisville rapper Kenzo's single "Do the Shizz." 

Anthony Easley, a former member of Kenzo's management team, said Talbert's dance seemed to always draw a crowd and he always performed it locally on stage with Kenzo.

Brittany Taylor, a Louisville n

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Metro Police are now investigating the case of a couple whose bodies were found dead inside their burning home as a homicide.

53-year-old Joyce Browning, who was bound to a wheelchair, was strangled to death before the house caught fire. The cause of her husband's death is still being investigated and police say they are not ruling out any possibility in this case.

"We haven't ruled out any factors at this point," said Metro Police spokesperson Dwight Mitchell. "Even to the fact that this could have possibly been a murder-suicide. We haven't ruled that out."

According to fire officials, the fire was intentionally set and broke out in the victim's living room. Both bodies were found together.

"It's still unreal to me," said Tina Fuson, Joyce Browning's daughter. "It's like it's just a dream...It's like it didn't really happen."

Ian Ritchie, a local Louisville chef, has created his own soup delivery business that is spreading through the Louisville area.

After losing his job, Ritchie said he started his one-man business to make some money. After some research, Ritchie launched his soup delivery service at the end of winter.  "I had trouble finding a job, you know, with today's economy not too many people are hiring," he says.

He started small, delivering to friends and family, but once the word spread he has been delivering more than just a few bowls a week. Ritchie can be spotted riding his bicycle, loaded up with soup-filled coolers, up and down Eastern Parkway as far down as U of L and downtown. 

He says his soup contains fresh local ingredients. Even though Ritchie's business is not yet profitable, he hopes to make it so as the cooler weather approaches and there is more demand for his product. 

"I just decided to cook some soup&nbs

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 Kentucky's first double hand transplant was completed Wednesday at Louisville's Jewish Hospitial Hand Care Center. Surgeons documented the surgery by using Twitter to provide short, real-time updates as the procedure took place.

According to lead surgeon Dr. Warren Breidenbach, it was the first time that doctors were able to use the nerves of the patient's own hands for the procedure. "We were able to salvage tissue from the hand to help reconstruct the new hand. So in essence we were able to take a hand from the donor and then drape it or slot it over the structures which we could save in the hand which were functional and would help it," said Breidenbach. 

During the procedure, a laptop placed just outside the operating suite was used to document the procedure. Christiana Savvidou, a fellow hand M.D., was an inactive participant in the surgery but was focused on providing live documentation of this first-ever procedure. 

"

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Third annual silent auction fundraiser with a totally new twist!  Along with our Charitable Partner, Gilda’s Club Louisville, the Original Highlands Neighborhood Association is happy to announce “A Slice of the Highlands,” a compelling pizza competition and silent auction event.  Our aim is to raise awareness and funds for both organizations and to put on a whimsical, yet competitive, event that draws neighborhood participation and goodwill.

 We are grateful for our appetizer, beer, and wine sponsors, Valu Market, Kentucky Ale, and The Wine Market, respectively.  In addition to the pizza restaurants already on board, the planning committee invites any and all pizza restaurants in The Highlands to participate.  Awards will be given for People’s Choice as well as

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Bellarmine graduate and Columbus native Zach Braman has just launched his own clothing line, IGG-E Threads. Something that started as a dream is now becoming a reality for the inspired entrepreneur.  

The company was co-founded by Zach Braman and Kyle Ramsey. The two set out to create a company for those individuals who are ambitiously pursuing their love, passion, and dreams. "IGG-E Threads is not only an apparel line, rather it is a lifestyle; a lifestyle that caters to any individual or group of people who are aggressively pursuing their dreams and daily living their passion," says Braman. 

After graduating Bellarmine University, Braman tapped into his creative side and began drawing up the developmental stages of what is now IGG-E Threads. The website, www.iggethreads.com, launched Wednesday evening and is officially up and running. 

The two entrepreneurs are excited for what is to come and make their dreams a reality. "Wheth

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The Bullitt County Health Department unveiled a study showing how unhealthy secondhand smoke is in Bullitt's businesses.  Restaurants and other businesses in Bullitt county are still allowed to smoke indoors.

According to the study done by the University of Kentucky's College of Nursing, the amount of particulate matter in the air was almost 43 times higher in 11 Bullitt venues compared to those in Louisville after it implemented a smoking ban.  The level of particulate matter was also higher in Bullit's bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues than matter found in Louisville venues before the ban was in place. 

The level of particulate air in Bullitt's venues was almost 11 times higher than the U.S. Environment Protection Agency's standard for outdoor air. 

The study was done with intentions to spark discussion on banning smoking in Bullitt's restaurants and bars. Local restaurants and bar employees are mixed on what action, if any, th

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Streetcar few Desire

The Cincinnati Enquirer recently reported the findings of a poll conducted by New Jersey-based SurveyUSA about the proposed Cincinnati streetcar.  According to the poll, 48% of the respondents called the streetcar line “a waste of taxpayer money,” and another 20% said “it’s a risky project.”  

At a time when the city faces paying for pensions with disappearing funds, and budget constraints threatening basic services, many believe a streetcar is an unnecessary expense.   Additionally, people argue that the proposed streetcar from downtown to the university area of Clifton, a route already served by the financially struggling Metro bus line, won’t be used.  And then there are those that say that the streetcar will simply never be built, and those naysayers (46% of the people polled) point to our infamous “tunnel to nowhere” that once promised to be a subway

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A hub for residential and commercial interior designers and contractors seeking quality natural stone and ceramic tile, Mees Distributors is also an inspiring showroom for do-it-yourselfers. 

Park your car and take a tour of the building’s exterior with sparkling stonework and exquisite carvings of Cincinnati scenes and icons.  Walk inside and be dazzled first with the mosaic star on the showroom floor and then beautiful tile everywhere.

The many, many stone samples and tiles for sale easily overwhelm visitors but it’s exciting for consumers to see the rich variety stone and tile available.  Friendly salespeople are there to assist customers and will show you how to read the price code and learn what’s in stock and what must be special ordered, but basically the staff will leave customers on their own to discover their preferences.

Mees Distributors grew from twin brothers, Howard and Stanley Mees’,

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On a side street of MainStrasse Village in Covington, take a short walk from the square’s fun and food, toward the Clock Tower. From April through October, the clock gives an hourly mechanical show of the legend of the Pied Piper, but before, or just after the clock strikes the hour, go to the building on the corner, and follow the footpath. Take the stairs, go in the street door, turn to the right, and then enter the Magic Shop.

It’s not much to look at.  A glass countertop displays scarves, cards and magic wands. Tricks and books and novelty items stuff the shelves and display racks. It’s cluttered and crowded, but there’s magic amid the chaos.

Owner and Magician Artie Kidwell appears. He’s been doing magic since he was five, and he’s eager to help both novice and professional magicians. His store houses all the latest in the art of illusion, along with vintage tricks honed from esta

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A portrait lasts generations, captures personality, speaks of tradition and represents the ideal version of a person. Stop in the portrait studio of award-winning artist Carol Strebel, owner of StrebelArt, and see the results of her passion for portraiture.

"People are endlessly fascinating,” she says. “My primary interest has always been people. I think my gift as an artist is to bring life to people on canvas, and I strive to convey emotion and mood in my work."

Multiple easels line the work area, often filled with canvases of clients’ work in progress. There’s also the model stand, lights and various equipment Strebel uses to capture her models. “People always tell me what fun they had through the whole process -- from consultation to photo-shoot, to seeing the sketch, doing the color study, visiting the painting as it progresses and to finally owning the completed portrait. Some of them change their outfits

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Ryan Widmer will face his third murder trial in early 2011 for the drowning death of his wife, Sarah Widmer.

The third trial comes after Judge Neal Bronson recently decided he would not grant a motion to acquit Widmer following the second trial, which ended in a hung jury.  The first trial actually ended with Widmer’s conviction, but the guilty verdict could not stand after evidence of jury misconduct was discovered.

Apparently, jurors conducted their own home experiments and used the results to reach their verdict.  Part of the trial hinged on the fact that Sarah Widmer’s body, allegedly pulled from the bathtub by her frantic husband, was dry when rescue workers arrived.  Jurors timed their own air-dry time, but the legal system dictates that only evidence presented in court be used in the decision of guilt or innocence.

Two other developments complicate Widmer’s trial further.  Prosecutors claim they have a confession f

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The crowd stood at Riverfront Stadium.  The count was 1-1.  T.V.s transfixed baseball fans throughout Cincinnati and across the nation.  Hit King Pete Rose crouched low and swung.  Flashbulbs popped.  Everyone cheered.  Hit 4192 flew to left-center field. 

Pete Rose topped Ty Cobb’s record with that famous single on September 11, 1985.

A few years later, Pete’s actions made him infamous.  His gambling habits led to charges that he bet on baseball.  An offense deemed, rightly or wrongly, as one of the worst offenses a baseball player could commit, ever since the “Eight Men Out” of the Chicago White Sox intentionally threw the World Series of 1919 to win a bet.  So, Pete Rose was banned from baseball because of gambling.

Still, the Cincinnati Reds wanted to honor their hometown hero Pete Rose for his amazing record.  The organization petitioned baseball commissi

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Look!  Up in the sky!  No, down on the ground.  It’s no bird, or plane.  But it is Superman.  Walking.

Superman’s taking a walk across the country and he’s stopping in Cincinnati.  In a 12-issue series, the Man of Steel is reconnecting with his adopted roots, meeting everyday people, and helping them out as he travels across the U.S.  His first two stops took him to Philadelphia and Detroit, and now he’s headed to Cincinnati, according to The Source, DC Comics' official online blog.

It’s still a secret about what the superhero will do in Cincinnati, or what landmarks he might visit, but comic book aficionados seem fairly certain about why he’s visiting the Queen City—it’s our Union Terminal.  Superman fans say that the iconic art deco Union Terminal building served

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If you’ve ever needed an excuse to pamper your pooch, there is no better way than taking Fido to Indy’s gourmet bakery for dogs. The Three Dog Bakery is simply a delight for canine and human companion alike. One foot through the door and you and your loyal quadruped will be tantalized by the sweet aroma of yummy cookies. It’s difficult to remember that none of the goodies are for human consumption!

The most striking feature of the Three Dog Bakery is at the back of this downtown Indianapolis store. Follow your dog’s nose up to the gleaming glass-covered counter displaying a remarkable range of gourmet treats. All of the Pooch Pastries are made with natural ingredients and are available for puppies and adult dogs, with reduced calorie formula foods for those weight-watching pups.

Owners Scott and Stacey Petcu highly recommend the Peanut Butter Cookies, which are packed with 100 percent peanuts and contain no additional sweeteners

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For the fresh foodie, this place is Indy’s one stop shop for local produce. Goose the Market offers everything from meats and cheeses to breads and wines, plus a small café that offers sandwiches, soups, and even Gelato. You can grab a pint of your favorite local downstairs, or visit the wine cellar and select a great bottle of wine.

This neighborhood market sits on the corner of 25th and Delaware and evokes the old world style of a downtown market, so don’t expect to find certain vegetables when they are not in season.

Consider Goose the Market to be the meeting place for Indiana’s finest foods. With a little help from local suppliers like Fischer Farms, Good Life Farms, Upland Brewing Company, Traders Point Creamery and Apple Family Farm, the Goose stocks its shelves high.

Cheese – So passionate about their cheeses, Goose have selected 12 of their favorites for you to try, including chèvre, big blue veins

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For a day with a difference, why not try Climb Time Indy, an entertaining climbing facility in Indianapolis that is sure to provide a great day out? Whether you are a seasoned climber or a novice, this gym is a safe place to experience the thrill of rock climbing.

Climb Time Indy offers a wide range of difficulty levels, from very easy to extremely difficult, and has over 4,000 different climbing holds to choose from. If you are a nervous beginner and want to start slowly, then you can practice at your own pace. There is a separate area for members and a space to practice your rappelling, or “abseiling,” as it is often referred to by veterans.

Providing more than 8,000 square feet of climbing surface, Climb Time Indy is the place to learn a new skill. All equipment like harnesses, ropes and shoes are available to rent for a small fee, and there are no age restrictions. If you are a little more confident and want to do some “

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Although not quite as spacious as the Central Perk, this charming Broad Ripple coffee shop certainly has oodles of charm, and is a favorite haunt for locals. Hoosiers are known for supporting their local independent establishments, and this coffee Mecca is perfectly located just off the Monon Trail.

Established in 1997, the Monon Coffee Company is Indy’s java joint to grab and go before work, or to just spend some downtime on a comfy sofa over a relaxing cup of coffee and a homemade pastry. The Monon Coffee Shop is the place to go for business meetings because of the convenient location and the free Wi-Fi on premises. The prices are much more reasonable than your typical coffee shop chain, and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. During the warmer months, there is also a small seating area at the front of the coffee shop.

Their selection of coffee brews is extensive and exciting, with many of their own creations on the menu. If you are looking

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It’s finally here - Indy’s one-stop ice-cream shop at the best possible location, lovingly nestled against the Monon Trail.

While this wooden building is perhaps best remembered as the Monon Railway's Broad Ripple train station, until 1959, and then as the Whistle Stop Deli, it has now been shrewdly resurrected by owners of “Brics” – the Broad Ripple Ice Cream Shop.

Ideally located at 64th and the Monon, this chilly sensation with its warm, pristine space and modern décor, features all mod –cons and even genuine crockery. No plastic bottles or cups here either, just glassware bottles designed for recycling, and a water station for filling water bottles of passers-by.

Brics overloads its shelves with 40 flavors of Sherman's hand-dipped ice-cream (Shermans is a Michigan-based ice cream company that, like tradition Baskin-Robbins ice creams has a higher-than-traditional milk fat content).&n

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Full of elegance and charm, a stroll down the cobblestone avenues of Lockerbie Square will undeniably conjure up the past grandeur of Indianapolis’s oldest surviving neighborhood.

The area originally took its name from the Lockerbie family who came to Indianapolis in 1831 and later began to develop the district. With many of the early Lockerbie Square residents of German descent, the neighborhood also became known as Germantown.

The housing demand of the late nineteenth century saw Lockerbie Square flourish. However, those times were long forgotten after the turn of World War I when many wealthy residents moved northwards and left the inner city. Lockerbie Square fell into disarray and the buildings were either abandoned or forgotten. It was only during the 1960s and 1970s that the square finally became restored to its former elegance, and began to thrive once more.

Only a stone thrown away from downtown, this near eastside area can right

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Every building tells a story, and occasionally we stumble across a row of buildings that could claim to write a book of them. Tucked away in the middle of a shabby eastside district of Indy is a collective of buildings that characterize fine architectural examples of the Victorian, Edwardian, Colonial, and Eastlake era, to name just a few.

Woodruff Place, as this area is known, was designed between 1872 and 1873 by James Orton Woodruff. His vision was to create an affluent residential area of the inner city abundantly decked with parks, lush boulevard lawns, flower urns, and grand statues and fountains. Devised to feel like an escape from the city without ever leaving the city, Woodruff Place was Indianapolis’ first suburb.

Take a pleasant stroll around the neighborhood and you will notice that it is divided into three drives - East, West, and Middle that run north-south. Cross Drive naturally crosses over them, with beautifully ornate water foun

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In the world of big business where making money is the name of the game, it’s good to see a local establishment stepping up to the plate using its powers for good, not evil.

Named after first Indianapolis lawyer, abolitionist, senator and farmer, Calvin Fletcher, Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company is a relatively new coffee shop set just south-east of downtown Indianapolis. It's aptly named because this unusual coffee shop seeks to promote the building of relationships within the community in which they live and work. Diligently working to provide a high standard of products, they donate all of their profits to organizations and charities within the Fletcher Place neighborhood that serve local and national needs.

Since September 2009, the coffee shop has seen an increase in revenue as the word gets around. As the only coffee shop in the historic Fletcher Place area, they offer their premises for neighborhood meetings and events,

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Dwindling financial resources and the near-depletion of what was once a rainy-day fund of more than $2 billion is turning the preview of this January’s biennial session of the Indiana Legislature into a slug-fest nearly six months before lawmakers convene.

“I can’t even imagine the conflict that’s going to occur when the two houses (of the legislature) get into session next year,” one prominent long-term staff director for two powerful state legislators told HelloIndianapolis in an exclusive interview. “It’s bad enough when one party is controlling both the House and the Senate. We should be hoping that the House turns Republican, only if to save the sanity of the people that work for these elected officials. Otherwise, it’s going to be a blood bath, and the people of Indiana are going to be the losers.”

Indiana accumulated an additional 9 percent in tax revenues in July compared to the same time a year ago, but t

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It’s not often that the Circle City is the venue for the premiere of a motion picture from the likes of Rob Reiner. But Indianapolis made a little bit of film history on August 4 with the Hilbert Circle showing of Reiner’s film, Flipped, starring Callan McAuliffe, Madeline Carroll, Aidan Quinn and Rebecca DeMornay.

Don’t tell Hoosiers that Rotten Tomatoes, so far at least, has given the film only a 25 percent positive “Tomatometer” rating – the thousands that thronged to Monument Circle downtown to get a glimpse of the Hollywood ensemble who flew to Indianapolis to participate in this showpiece sponsored by Heartland Truly Moving Pictures were overwhelmed by the experience.

"I make films about human beings that live on earth, there are not a lot of explosions, there's not a lot of CGI [computer-generated imagery]. It's about real human beings with real feelings going through the things that we all go through.”

Fl

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This year at the Idiana State fair is "Year of the Pig."  Today was the start of the 17 day run of what is sure to be a great time filled with fun, exhibits and festivities.  Among some notable events this year are the biggest hog competition and the high school marching band competition.  The recent cooler temperatures will hopefully allow for a turnout like last year, which saw almost a million people.  So kick off the tradition, go grab some greasy fair grub, and enjoy all the Indiana state fair has to offer. 

This year will be the year that the inaugural Big Ten football championship game will take place in Indy.  This will bring in thousands of people to the state and generate millions of dollars.  Several cities put in bid buy in was Indianapolis that got it this year. This is only a one year bid so next year a different city will host the event.  Indy already hosts multiple other noteable sports events including the Big Tens mens and womens basketball tournaments, final fours sparatically, and is also set to host the 2012 Super Bowl.  The game will be set for December 11 at Lucas Oil Stadium, and is expected to generate at least ten million dollars.  Hosting the event will bring positive exposure to the city as well as the event. 

Indiana's own John Mellencamp announced tour dates for the first leg of the No Better Than This Tour. It starts Oct. 29th in Bloomington, then continues with four other stops in Indiana in four weeks including two in Indianapolis, one at Clowes Hall and one at Hinkle Fieldhouse.  The other two cities apart from Indianapolis are Fort Wayne and South Bend Tickets go on sale this Saturday.  Mellencamp is famous for the exhilarating shows and performances. Keep your eyes open for this one.  

At the most recent meeting on the subject which occured yesterday, it was stated that hourly rate will double going from 75 cents to a dollar and a half.  This increase if  funds for the city would go to repair sidewalks and streets, and install meters accepting credit cards in the downtown and Broad Ripple areas of Indianapolis. 

Most meters run until 6 pm but with the new city plan this would extend to 8, 9 or 11 p.m. depending of the area.  The hourly meter rate which have not increased in 35 years could start to take place by the the end of this year or early next year.  The city has made a formal request for proposals to oversee almost 3,600 parking meters, two city garages, three downtown garages, two state owned parking garages and a surface lot. 

The health care company Eli Lilly is utilizing more than 9,100 workers for the "beautification" of a large stretch of interstate 70.  They will be cleaning up the highway and planting a huge number of flowers and trees.  The date set for the closure will be Thursday, October 7th, and will be closed down from 6 am to 6 pm.  National traffic is be re routed  southbound on I-465 and local traffic will have to use U.S. 40 or 10th street to get downtown.  So on October 7th give yourself a few extra minutes to get where you need to go.

Early Monday morning in Indy, a family lost there house and basically everthing they owned.  The children were left without clothes or basic necessities.  Sadly this happens all to often.  Due to cases like the IMDP has decided to start a program called Clothe A Chid.  The program is going to help children and families that have become victims of fires.  The Eli children involved in the fire Monday were taken to Meijer's(who chiped in on the donation) and Shoe Carnival for a shopping spree.  Each child aslo recieved $250 to replace basic needs.  This is an excellent program that keeps families on there feet, and keeps children from going without.  Shout out to the IMPD and all the stores who make this program work.

If you would like to make a donation they can be made to:

IMDP Clothe a Child

Attn: Detective Jerry Sedam

50 N. Alabama St.

Indianapolis, IN 46206

For the first time this year cases of the West Nile virus have been documented in Indiana.  The State Department of Health announced Friday morning that cases of the virus have been found in humans in both Marion county and Allen county. Some may remember when the virus killed eleven people back in 2001. The same year almost 300 people were diagnosed with the illness.  Tests have shown that mosquitos carrying the West Nile Virus have been found in 31 counties all across the state. 

The State Department of Health says that you should always use insect repellent when outside. Make sure the repellent contains DET.  This advice should be followed especially in wooded and marshy areas. Even though the mortality rate is only around 1-4 percent, the dangers of West Nile should be taken seriously.