Fire and police investigators are looking into the cause of an apartment complex explosion Thursday night on Indy’s northwest side. Six people were injured, two of them critically, following this blast at Pangea Riverside Apartments. Emergency crews responded to calls of some sort of explosion at the complex in the 2600 Block of Cold Spring Road and found severe damage with injuries. They are still trying to determine the cause of this explosion which also has displaced more than 20 people. They have been place in temporary housing during this investigation. For the latest updates to this story, click HERE.
Today is the 59th annual National Bike to Work Day. In some cities like San Francisco, thousands of people take part every year, and many are supported by corporate sponsors. Portland, Oregon ranks first in the percentage of people who ride a bike to work on a regular basis. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has been vigilant regarding boosting Indy’s “bike friendly” national profile.
The city is cracking down on prostitution by ordering two hotels to close in the southwest area. On Thursday, police served orders for everyone to be out of the Best Inn and America’s Best Inn by noon Saturday. They say it’s part of an attempt to clean up drugs and prostitution in the area near I-465 and Harding Street. Too many arrests and health code violations are at issue.
Also, four women were arrested for prostitution after police raided three massage parlors on Indy’s westside. Law enforcement officials say undercover officers went to Aegean Spa, Spiritual Spa and Tranquil spa and were offered much more than back rubs. These businesses are now on the brink of closure for violating various city ordinances.
Presidential spokesman Jay Carney says U.S. special forces are not being considered for deployment in Nigeria at this time. Carney said the U.S. continues to offer support and expertise to Nigeria in the search for more than 200 missing schoolgirls. The girls were kidnapped almost a month ago by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram. U.S. military personnel are now flying manned surveillance missions over Nigeria and some drones have also been deployed. #BringBackOurGirls
The pole for the 2014 Indy 500 is up for grabs this weekend. In a new format, the pole sitter will be determined from among Saturday’s nine fastest qualifiers through a requalification on Sunday. It’s “Fast Friday” in which lap speeds are expected to climb in preparation for qualifying. James Hinchcliffe suffered a concussion during last weekend’s Grand Prix of Indianapolis, but has been cleared to resume driving. The Indy 500 is one week from Sunday.
The Indiana Fever are on the road to start the WNBA regular season. They face the Chicago Sky at Allstate Arena Friday night. Indiana went 1-and-3 in the preseason, including a 73-66 setback to Chicago. The Fever are also hosting the Atlanta Dream on Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Indiana Pacers have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in NBA Playoff action. Click HERE to read more about it.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling says “no” to paying a $2.5 million dollar fine handed down by the NBA. Multiple sources report that Sterling’s lawyer told the league that his client will not pay the fine and that he should not have been punished at all for racist comments that were recorded and made public by his female friend, V. Stiviano. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fined Sterling and banned him for life from any activities involving the team or the league. Silver also said he would urge other owners to force Sterling to sell the Clippers franchise, a move that Sterling also rebuffed.
Rain is in the Indianapolis forecast for Friday. Cool temps are still expected, the High will be 58 degrees.
Happy Friday!!!
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