Listen Live
PraiseIndy Featured Video
CLOSE

More measles cases being reported

(Indianapolis)  —  Thirteen confirmed cases of measles have been reported by state health officials and concern exists that the number could go even higher. Currently the reported outbreak is linked to individuals who have had contact with the first reported case two weeks ago, with all of the cases in Boone and Hamilton counties. State health officials say the outbreak began with an infected person visiting Super Bowl Village two days before the February 5th Super Bowl game. The Indiana State Department of Health has an information hotline for residents to get their questions answered about measles.  The hotline is open from 8:15 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The number is 1-877-826-0011 or TTY/TTD 1-888-561-0044. 

Officer surrenders after standoff

(Indianapolis)  — An IMPD officer reportedly upset after a conversation with a girlfriend and his removal last month from the SWAT team engaged other officers in a four hour standoff  Tuesday morning. The incident unfolded around 9 a.m. at Tarkington Park near 40thand Illinois Streets on the city’s near northside. Craig Ratcliff, 54, had reported to work at the North District but was later found walking in the park with a cell phone and a gun. SWAT negotiators and the officer’s family and friends were in continuous communication with Ratcliff as officers blocked off surrounding streets and IPS School #43 was placed on lockdown. He eventually surrendered and was taken away by ambulance.

Woman injured from stray bullet

(Indianapolis)  — An eastside woman was the unknowing target of a stray bullet Tuesday morning.  Pamela Parks, 50, was struck in her upper right arm around 2 a.m. in her home in the 300 block of Beville Avenue. Parks told police she was asleep in an upstairs bedroom when she heard gunshots in an alley near her home. Three shell casings were found by police in the alley. Parks was transported to Wishard Hospital for treatment.

Irsay says he would like Manning to remain on the team

(Indianapolis)  —  “The Indianapolis Star” is reporting this morning that Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay says quarterback Peyton Manning can remain on the team, but there are conditions involved. Irsay commented that he would love to have Manning finish his career in Indianapolis with a restructured contract that reflects the uncertainty of his health. Manning missed all of the 2011 season following his third neck surgery in September and is due a $28 million dollar bonus on March 8.  If the Colts choose not to pay, Manning becomes a free agent. Manning and Irsay will reportedly meet next week for further discussions. 

Task force assmebled over misuse of courts

(Indianapolis)  — The Indiana Supreme Court has created a task force to investigate accusations of abuse within the nine Marion County small claims courts. The courts handle cases primarily between landlords and tenants involving collections and disputes. Some of the accusations made include property managers and collection companies receiving preferential treatment. Plaintiffs have been accused of manipulating the courts by filing cases at locations without access to public transportation. The idea is to create a hardship for defendants to attend a hearing leading to a default judgment issued in favor of the companies. The task force will also look into allegations that township trustees have undue influence on court staff and operating budgets. Public hearings will be scheduled, and the task force will meet with judges and staff.

Children found at gas station begging for food

(Indianapolis)  — Fox 59 is reporting that a mother is being investigated by police after her 3, 5 and 7-year-old children were at a near eastside gas station alone. The children were found outside a Marathon station at 10thand Rural Streets last Sunday morning. Police reports indicate with temperatures in the low 20s, one of the children was not wearing shoes, another one did not have a shirt on and that one was holding a sign asking for money. Officers took the children to their home a few blocks away. Upon arriving they found a 9 and 13-year-old asleep on mattresses with holes in them in the home filled with trash and dried food. The children told police their mother had not returned from work the night before. When the mother eventually arrived home, she told police she was overwhelmed as a single mother raising five kids. Child Protective Services took all five children into protective custody.

Child care worker arrested

(Fishers) — A day care employee was arrested earlier this week on felony battery charges. Kristy M. Lopez, 30, is accused of injuring a 3-year-old boy at the Primrose School in the 12000 block of Olio Road. Officials with the facility were aware of the incident, but thought the child had injured himself. Lopez then reportedly told a co-worker she slammed the child more than once to the floor because he was running around the facility. Doctors at the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital say the boy’s foot had been broken on two separate occasions.

Parents charged in toddler’s death

(Richmond)  — A 4-month-old boy is dead and now police have charged his parents in the case. “The Palladium-Item” is reporting that Amy Hockett, 21, the infant’s mother and Joseph Pierson, 26, were arrested this week on charges of neglect of a dependent. Preliminary autopsy reports reveal Khaiden Hockett died of malnutrition, but investigators are waiting on autopsy results. The infant was pronounced dead at the couple’s home on February 5 after emergency personnel determined the baby was not breathing. The pair were taken to the Wayne County Jail.