Suspects take guns in daytime robbery
(Greenwood) – Using a stolen SUV, two robbers broke into a gun store early Wednesday morning. Their activity was captured on store surveillance cameras which showed the duo driving the vehicle right through the front entrance of Elmore’s Gun Store in the 500 block of N. State Road 135. Most of the store’s inventory was locked in a safe, but the burglars managed to take a rifle, handgun and silencer all worth $10,000. Damage to the store was estimated at more than $35,000.
Man arrested with gun at airport
(Indianapolis) – A Fishers man was arrested at Indianapolis International Airport after security found he was in possession of a loaded weapon. The .22 caliber semiautomatic handgun was found in a backpack at a security checkpoint Tuesday. Brad Kendall, 52, told authorities he owned the gun and had forgotten to take it out of his bag. He was arrested and charged with carrying a gun without a license and possession of a weapon in an airport.
Legislator proposing improved working conditions
(Indianapolis) – A safer workplace is what State Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, is proposing in the wake of several convenience store robberies in central Indiana. The most recent incident involved the shooting of Marcella Birnell while working at a Village Pantry store at 86th and Ditch Road two months ago. She is still recovering from her injuries. A 15-year-old boy has been charged in the case and is awaiting trial. Delaney asked the Indiana Department of Labor to gather a forum with other convenience store owners, victims, family members of victims and police to discuss solutions.
Retail shops and apartments have construction start date
(Indianapolis) – Development plans for the old Keystone Towers site detailing construction could begin in April 2012. According to the “Indianapolis Business Journal”, the project titled The Point on Fall Creek is under the direction of The Whitsitt Group LLC. The $22 million project has been presented to the Metropolitan Development Commission and could be approved as soon as December 21st. Development will take place in three phases: construction of 58 mixed-income apartments by November 2012 with 80 more units to follow. The final state would see a 1.5-acre area near Binford Boulevard and Allisonville Road for retail businesses. The Keystone Towers’ 15-story apartment building and accompanying eight-story office building was demolished in August.
Charter schools in danger of closing
(Indianapolis) – Two local charter schools are facing closure after Ball State University refused to approve their applications. Mayor Greg Ballard decided to close Fountain Square Academy effective in 2012 due to performance reasons and delayed renewing the charter for Fall Creek Academy until 2011 student test scores can be reviewed prompting the charter school’s board to turn to Ball State officials for sponsorship. Charter schools receive public funding based on student enrollment, but must adhere to an outside agency to stay open. Stonegate Early College High School announced last week their doors would close on December 16th due to lowered student enrollment and financial troubles.
