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What’s Going on in the Headlines on Friday…

IMPD Officer Perry Renn

A city says goodbye today to a fallen officer who spent a career serving and protecting it. IMPD Officer Perry Renn will be laid to rest in funeral services that get underway this morning around 11. His flag-draped coffin is lying in state after being escorted into Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis by honor-guard. Renn’s service is open to the public. 

Watch the live stream of Renn’s funeral HERE, courtesy WRTV-6. 

Expect several road closures due to Officer Renn’s funeral procession—Pennsylvania and Delaware streets between McCarty and Washington among them. IMPD says traffic congestion can be expected through the afternoon as Renn’s procession will pass by IMPD North District where he spent his career. It will then travel through the streets of Indy taking him to his final resting place in the Heroes of Public Safety section of Crown Hill Cemetery. 

As IMPD deals with the reality of the violent loss of one of its own and saying goodbye, the department is beefing up its force. IMPD is getting eleven new officers. They’re transferring from other police departments in Indiana, Illinois and South Carolina. Officials say the new officers will be split between six districts. They’re expected to be on the streets in a couple of months. 

Broad Ripple Avenue is now closing to traffic on weekends. Not so the roadway can become a street festival, but in response to the violence that the village has seen recently. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s office says cars will be prohibited from College to Guilford Avenues from midnight to 4 a.m.—peak party and hang out times. Pedestrians will still have to walk on the sidewalks. The city is hoping to enforce the new policy beginning Friday night, but they aren’t sure if the logistics will be ready in time because of the funeral for IMPD Officer Perry Renn. 

A man facing several charges is seriously injured after stealing a car with a 13-year-old in it, and then wrecking it.  Police say it happened last night while a woman was pumping gas on East 21st Street near Post Road, and the suspect jumped in the car and took off. They say the teenaged boy was found moments later with minor scrapes at a Waffle House. The suspect was driving the car at speeds close to 100 miles-per-hour before rolling it off an I-70 ramp.  

A former Indiana governor may try to get his old job back.  Evan Bayh told the “Howey Politics Indiana” newsletter, “I think it’s less likely than more likely, but I haven’t ruled it out.”  Bayh served as governor from 1989 to 1997. He was later elected as a U.S. Senator in 1999 and served until he retired in 2011. 

Tamika Catchings tallied 21 points and seven rebounds to lead the Indiana Fever to a 72-68 home-win over the Sun. Briann January added 13 points for the Fever, which has won four of five to get to 10-and-10 record. The Fever face the Dream on Saturday. 

The Summer Celebration events continue today as Indiana Black Expo holds its largest fundraiser—a 10-day cultural event in the city. Click HERE to see their schedule.

Friday weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy…a High of 85 degrees..

Save the date for “Praise in the Park” on the Canal, Saturday July 26th—powered by INHP & Metro PCS featuring “Gospel’s Best” stand out Danetra Moore, the return of Isaac Carree and more!  Make it a great day as you listen to us all day on  “Indy’s Inspiration & Praise Station” AM-1310 The Light and here online at praiseindy.com…I’m Kim Wells.

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kimwellsmedia 071114

Twitter: @kwellscomm

(Photo credit: WRTV-6)