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This Week’s Issue: Aug. 28-Sept. 3

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:00:33 +0000

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Enforcement Campaign Begins

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:11:09 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is partnering with the Indiana State Police (ISP) and local law enforcement across the state to increase patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints as part of the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national enforcement campaign, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Through the Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP), an ICJI initiative that provides federal funding for local traffic safety enforcement, officers statewide will work overtime now through September 7, 2026, to identify and stop motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
As communities across Indiana continue to respond to the recent severe weather and support ongoing disaster relief efforts, law enforcement officers remain committed to protecting Hoosiers on the road during this challenging time.
Preliminary data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that in 2025, nearly 23% of Indiana’s traffic fatalities involved alcohol, and more than 41% involved drug impairment.
In Indiana, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, although drivers can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired.
“Drunk driving kills 32 people every day in the U.S., and every single death is preventable,” said ISP Superintendent Anthony Scott. “The Indiana State Police will be working with its law enforcement partners enforcing the law and holding impaired drivers accountable. We urge everyone to be responsible — if you consume alcohol, plan ahead with a rideshare, public transportation, or designated driver.”
To encourage safe travel, Project Plan Ahead, a program of ICJI, is offering $10 off Uber and Lyft rides every weekend through Sept. 27. Up to 1,000 free credits are available every Friday through Sunday and are valid for rides between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. that begin or end in Indianapolis or Fort Wayne.
To redeem a ride credit, visit IN.ProjectPlanAhead.com and click “Redeem Ride Credits.” Follow the instructions for the selected rideshare service. Tips are not included in the discount, and users are responsible for any charges exceeding $10. A pickup cannot be scheduled in advance. Possession of the code does not guarantee availability. Credits are available while supplies last.
For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

2026 Indiana State Fair “Taste of the Fair” Winners Announced

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:10:32 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fair recently announced the winners of its annual Taste of the Fair Presented by Pepsi competition, a fan-favorite contest that highlights the creativity, innovation, and flavor of Fair food concessionaires. From sweet treats to savory specialties, this year’s entries showcased the unique culinary experiences that have become a hallmark of the Indiana State Fair.
Determined through public voting during the Fair, the top three winners received cash prizes and year-long bragging rights as the 2026 Taste of the Fair champions.
To view all 2026 Taste of the Fair entries and learn more about Indiana’s favorite Fair foods, visit IndianaStateFair.com.
The winners were:
• 1st Place – The S’Mork – Nitro Hog BBQ
• 2nd Place –Pickle Pesto Pizza – Swains Concessions
• 3rd Place – Raspberry Sweet Tea Slushie – Colp’s Concessions

CICOA Gets Gift to Support Older Adult Services

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:10:10 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — As demand for services that help older adults remain independent and connected continues to grow, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions recently announced a $50,000 commitment from the Kittle Property Family Foundation. The investment will support programs and services for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers throughout Central Indiana.
The gift builds on a longstanding partnership between CICOA and Kittle Property Group. Since 2008, CICOA has provided congregate meal services and community-building programs at Nora Commons, helping residents stay connected and engaged while aging in place.
The commitment will help CICOA continue providing care management, nutrition programs, caregiver support, and other essential services that help people live independently and with dignity.

Former Black Acre Brewing Property Gets New Owners

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:10:01 +0000

IRVINGTON — The former Black Acre Brewing Co. Garden on Bonna Ave. in Irvington has been empty for years, but will get a new life as Pots & Pans Pie Co.’s commercial kitchen. They will begin construction in fall 2026 and hope to have it completed in spring of 2027. Pots and Pans Pie Co. will renovate one of the buildings on the site into the 15,000- to 17,000-square-foot commercial production kitchen.
Pots & Pans Pie Co. sells savory and sweet pies with their signature butter and lard crusts, starting in 2016 at farmer’s markets before opening their store at 4615 N. College Ave. in 2018.
The company also plans to have a retail space, as well as a green space and parking.
They have seasonal selections, depending on what’s fresh, as well as year-long favorites such as Apple Crumble Pie. They also offer take-and-bake savory pies, pastries and cookies.
Visit potsandpansindy.com for more information about their products.

Lawrence Moving to Establish Riverfront Liquor License Districts

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:09:54 +0000

LAWRENCE — City of Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield has announced that the City of Lawrence is moving to establish two Riverfront Development Districts that could create new opportunities for restaurants, entertainment venues and cultural destinations in the Fort Harrison and Oaklandon areas.
Indiana law allows municipalities to establish designated Riverfront Development Districts where certain state liquor licensing requirements, including standard population quotas, do not apply. The districts are intended to support economic development and encourage investment in designated areas.
On August 19, the Lawrence Common Council adopted two resolutions establishing the Fort Harrison Riverfront Development District and the Oaklandon Road Riverfront Development District.
Under the resolutions, the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority (FHRA) and the Lawrence Redevelopment Commission (RDC) will develop guidelines for license applications and recommend to the Lawrence Common Council whether to issue licenses.

Midwest Food Bank Indiana Breaks Ground on New Distribution Center

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:09:52 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Midwest Food Bank Indiana broke ground at the start of construction on its new distribution center. The project, part of the Under One Roof Campaign, will expand the organization’s capacity to rescue more food, serve additional nonprofit partners, and strengthen disaster response throughout Indiana. The location is at 6450 S. Belmont.
Food insecurity continues to affect communities across Indiana. More than 800,000 Hoosiers, including approximately one in six children, experience food insecurity each year.
Since opening its Indiana Division in 2008, Midwest Food Bank has grown into a statewide resource for hunger relief. Today, the organization serves 547,601 Hoosiers annually, partners with more than 240 nonprofit agencies across 52 Indiana counties, provides 13.5 million meals each year, and rescues 17.4 million pounds of surplus food.
More than 50 nonprofit agencies are currently on Midwest Food Bank Indiana’s waiting list, highlighting the growing demand for food assistance across the state. Operating from three warehouses in two locations limits the organization’s ability to expand and serve additional partners. The new distribution center will bring operations together under one roof, improve food rescue efforts, reduce transportation costs, increase volunteer capacity, and enable Midwest Food Bank to serve more nonprofit agencies throughout Indiana.

Stroke Support Group Will Meet Sept. 8

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:09:46 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Stroke Support Group at Franciscan Health Indianapolis will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Cancer Center Conference Room and will discuss the importance of caregivers.
Caregivers are an essential part of long-term recovery for stroke patients. They help bridge the gap between hospital discharge and independent living by managing medications, assisting with physical rehabilitation, and preventing complications, such as falls. The continual emotional and practical support provided by caregivers often determines the survivor’s quality of life and prevents re-hospitalization.
In addition, a group activity will take place, entitled “Human Bingo.”
As part of the ongoing stroke support group, attendees gain insights from knowledgeable speakers and talk with others who are coping with the effects of stroke. A facilitated discussion will take place after the presentation.
Franciscan medical experts, including physicians, nurses, speech therapists, occupational therapists and social workers are part of the stroke support group.
The Franciscan Health Indianapolis Cancer Center Conference Room is located at 8111 South Emerson Ave., in Indianapolis.
Attendees will use Entrance 4, then take the elevator to the second floor, turn left and enter the first door on the left. Stroke Center staff will be available to guide attendees to the conference room.
Those with questions can contact Laura Williams at: Laura.Williams2@FranciscanAlliance.org or call 317-528-8872.

Indiana Authors Awards Announces 2026 winners

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:09:30 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Nine titles by Indiana authors have been honored by the 2026 Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards.
Selected from numerous nominated works published in the last two years across nine categories, the winning titles were written by a diverse collection of authors, many of whom currently live in Indiana.
The 2026 award winners are:
• Fiction: Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
• Poetry: Death Styles by Joyelle McSweeney
• Nonfiction: What a Building Does: The Hoosier Modernisms of Evans Woollen by Phillip Cox and Niall Cronin
• Debut: Level Watch by Mary Ardery
• Genre: Departure 37 by Michael Koryta, writing as Scott Carson
• Children’s: Something Good by Kenneth Kraegel
• Middle Grade: Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
• Young Adult: Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson
• Drama: And I Will Follow by Bennett Ayres

“Picnic” at the Epilogue Players Sept. 10-20

Weekly View — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:09:22 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Epilogue Players will present their next show Picnic, a classic play by William Inge directed by Kathleen Clarke Horrigan, on Sept. 10-20. Thursday-Saturday performances start at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays start at 2:00 p.m.
On a sweltering Labor Day morning, the women of a quiet neighborhood are preparing for the annual picnic. Watchful mother Flo Owens has hopes that her beautiful daughter Madge will get a proposal from Alan, the local millionaire’s son. Younger sister Millie, the “smart one,” yearns to grow up and leave her small town behind. Good-natured Mrs. Potts is happy to get a break from taking care of her aged mother. And spinster schoolteacher Rosemary Sydney cheerfully keeps her boyfriend Howard at arms’ length. This environment is disrupted when Hal Carter, a muscular and charming young drifter who happens to be a former fraternity brother of Alan’s, hops off the freight train, and straight into Mrs. Potts’ hospitable home. Hearts are broken and lives are changed in the following twenty-four hours, as Hal’s lively, dangerous, masculine energy wakes up the sleepy community. A small Kansas town in the 1950s is the setting for William Inge’s bittersweet melodrama Picnic, which explores themes of sexuality, repression, rites of passage, and disappointment.
Epilogue Players Theatre is located at 1849 N. Alabama St. General admission is $20, seniors and students are $18, and Thursday performances for everyone are $15. Order tickets online at epilogueplayers.com/reservations