Dear Indy,
It sure feels like driving around the city since the coronavirus pandemic has gotten hairier. It’s like the aggressive drivers, freed from the burden of traffic for those few months of the shutdown, have gotten even more entitled to speed, weave and disregard traffic laws. And this year, with all of the road work, it feels even worse.
But a lot of these problems can be reined in fairly easily with traffic control devices cities commonly use. The Indianapolis Department of Public Works, in fact, is creating a “lending library” so neighborhoods themselves can rent and install equipment such as plastic bollards, removable lane barriers, temporary warning signs and portable speed bumps in areas where motorists commonly break the rules.
Our Peter Blanchard talked to folks in one neighborhood who are tired of all the crashes at 32nd Street and College Avenue, many of which were caused by motorists ignoring a no-left-turn sign. The neighborhood is using the lending library to install barriers to physically prevent cars from turning left from 32nd to College.
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In other news
- Leaders of The Mind Trust’s Indy Summer Learning Labs program say it’s significantly improving math and English skills. Every summer, the program pays licensed teachers to work with students at more than 50 summer camp sites in Marion County. Word must be catching on, because a record 5,300 students are participating this year.
- Nearly 100 immigrant Hoosiers from Russia, Cuba, Jordan and beyond became United States citizens July 3 at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. The special ceremony happens annually in correlation with July Fourth. See photos captured by photojournalist Doug McSchooler.
- Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges, who was the first Black student to integrate a Southern elementary school, will speak Nov. 4 at the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana’s annual fundraising event at the Indiana Roof Ballroom on Washington Street. Tickets go on sale today. Find out more here.
Today’s weather from WTHR
Beryl’s remnants begin showing up today with increasing showers and thunderstorms. Heavy rain at times overnight and possibly some rotating storms and/or tornadoes too before it departs midday Wednesday.
What’s going on around the city
- Thursday, July 11: White Pine Wilderness Academy, 841 W. 53rd St., will host Summer Family Nights starting at 6 p.m. The free, weekly event features live local music, campfires, snacks and more.
- Thursday, July 11: Dream Palace Books, 111 E. 16th St., will host an Artists Talk at 6 p.m. in preparation of a solo exhibition from artist Jes Nijjer, which opens to the public on July 27. Public. Free.
- Saturday, July 13: Military Park, 601 W. New York St., will host the Indianapolis Water Lantern Festival starting at 6:30 p.m. A ticket gets you a floating lantern kit, a scavenger hunt and other goodies. Food trucks will also be in the park for the event, which runs through 10:30 p.m. Adult tickets start at $28.33.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- Chalkbeat Indiana: The Perry Township school board has more open seats than candidates in the November election. Here’s what happens when no one runs.
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: The average Hoosier makes about $4 per hour less than the $22.07 per hour it takes to afford a 2-bedroom apartment/rental unit in Indiana, according to a new report.
- WFYI Indianapolis: Two walruses, named Ginger and Aku, are back at the Indianapolis Zoo. Ginger and Aku had been staying at SeaWorld while their exhibit was renovated. Only four U.S. facilities have walruses.
Resources
Federal judges in Kansas and Missouri blocked new benefits from President Biden’s student debt relief plan from going into effect on July 1 as planned. Here’s what you need to know.
We have more resources on our website. Find them here.
Notes from our Documenters
This week, we have six meetings on our schedule.
Yesterday, we covered the Citizens’ Police Complaint Board and the Indianapolis City-County Council.
Today, we’re covering the Indianapolis Public Library board committees and the City-County Council’s Education Committee.
Tomorrow, we’re covering the City-County Council’s Municipal Corporations Committee.
Thursday, we’re covering the Pike Township school board.
What other meetings should we cover? Let me know.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
Interested in being a Documenter? Here’s how.
Reflections
Today and tomorrow are looking like mostly rainouts with potentially dangerous hurricane remnants rapidly approaching.
I don’t know what I’m going to do with these kids if we can’t go outside to get out all their energy. I guess I’ll just hang on and wait it out. Anyway, plan ahead and stay safe.
Chris
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at chris.sikich@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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