Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Beech Grove warming center loses power

Beech Grove, IN (January 30, 2019) IBG — Power outages across central Indiana left thousands of homes without heat on the coldest day of the year. "It was cold when I got back in,” said Beech Grove resident Donavan Hartwell.

Hartwell was already at work when the power went out, and it was back on by the time he returned home. While his apartment was a few degrees colder than normal, he was very lucky it came back on when it did.



"Definitely," Hartwell said. "Heat is very important.”

The city's warming center at Hornet Park Community Center is directly across the street from Hartwell's apartment complex, but that was also in the dark.

“I was panicked this morning because we’re the warming center, and to not have power means we don’t have warmth,” said Hornet Park Community Center Facility Manager Angel McKenna.

Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley was on his way to the warming center when he realized what had happened.


"I got up to Main Street and noticed everything south of Main Street was just dark," said Buckley. "And I said ‘ohhh no.’”

As the staff thought of a backup plan, crews fixed power lines and within a few hours, power was restored power to most of the area. With the heat back on, Hartwell won’t have to search for a place to stay.

"There’s a hotel right down the street," Hartwell said with a relieving smile. "I would've just went to a hotel."

The warming center in Beech Grove will remain open until about 8 p.m. Wednesday and will also be open on Thursday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no one came by the center.

SOURCE:  FOX 59

Monday, January 28, 2019

Invisible Beech Grove

Beech Grove, IN (January 30, 2019) IBG —Invisible Beech Grove is focused on two projects:

1. Promoting the history of our wonderful city through the use of social media and other platforms.

2. Highlight legitimate businesses, share local news and events. Our most important role is to advocate for the ignored business community.


More Stuff: We are not affiliated with any City, Town, County, and Government, Chamber of Commerce or any political organizations. And as such we have the absolute right to kick, ban, delete any comment, photo, statement or anything else not listed.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Josh Fryar pleased to be offered by FSU Football

Beech Grove, IN (January 22, 2019) IBG — Three-star junior offensive lineman Josh Fryar was offered by Florida State on Tuesday. It didn't mark the starting point of Fryar's relationship with the Seminoles. Fryar has visited FSU at least three times - last spring for practice, camping over the summer and then for a game this past season.

He has also maintained regular contact with offensive line coach Greg Frey for much of the past year. His relationship with FSU's current offensive line coach pre-dates his recruitment and Frey's time at FSU. “I know him from Indiana. My dad played at Indiana and they had a close bond. I went to Indiana when I was younger and met him, I just always loved him,” Fryar had told Noles 247 in a prior interview.


Still, the offer finally being extended to the 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman marked another important day in the process between he and FSU. "It means a lot," Fryar said on Wednesday afternoon. Fryar spoke with Frey about the offer. "Coach Frey said that I am a great talent and I need to get down there for a visit," Fryar said of their conversation.

At this time, Fryar doesn't know when he will next make his way to Tallahassee for another visit. Back in June, Fryar stated after attending FSU's camp that if an offer was extended 'I think I’d commit right there.

Coach Frey would be a great mentor for me.' But months have passed and his recruitment has taken offer - more than a dozen offers and plenty of others interested. So do those words still hold weight? "I would say yes and no," Fryar said.

The 6-foot-4.5, 295-pound lineman made it clear that FSU is still a school that interests him a great deal. Potentially playing for Frey is also very appealing. He just isn't yet ready to put an end to his recruitment at this time.

Fryar is considered the No. 5 offensive center in the 2020 class by the 247Sports Composite Rankings. The 247Sports team Crystal Ball reads 100% for the Seminoles, with three total predictions to date.

Follow Josh Fryar on Twitter at: @joshfryar2

SOURCE: 247Sports

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Beech Grove Moose Lodge Moving Forward

Beech Grove, IN (January 19, 2019) IBG — Christmas miracles do come true ... just ask Michele Campbell of the Beech Grove Moose Lodge. When learning in November that the lodge’s board voted to close January 2nd, she and some of her fellow female members vowed not to go down without a fight.

Beech Grove Moose Lodge #1883 is located at 3320 South Emerson Avenue in Beech Grove, Indiana

“There was a group of women and families that didn’t want to see it close, so we wrote letters to International (the governing body) and District headquarters telling them that many members were really willing to help keep it open,” Campbell said, “and they listened to us. We have a new board, and we have six months to prove we can turn the club around.” Campbell said the board has a great attitude. “These guys will work.

We will clean the lodge throughout and paint it. Everyone is coming in and wanting to know what they can do. “We have good leadership. Rick Skirvin is a new board member. He owns Night Owls Saloon and Grill in Beech Grove. He’ll help to run this place like a business.” The board will also rely on the knowledge of longtime member Jerry Erisman. “He really knows the workings of the lodge,” Campbell said. “We are very optimistic. We are working well together.”

Chartered in 1962, Moose Lodge #1883 at 3320 South Emerson Avenue, is known for its camaraderie and philanthropic activities, most notably its Toys for Tots and Christmas programs for the needy. “We also have Christmas, Easter and Halloween parties for the children. We also work with senior citizens and are involved with the community year-round,” said Campbell, who is excited that the club is reintroducing some of its old programs. “We are going to serve food and have entertainment on the weekends."

The lodge serves all-you-can-eat fried fish dinners on Fridays

The menu includes all-you-can eat fish and other good food. And since Campbell’s Christmas miracle came true, she sees no reason why the lodge won’t be open for a visit from Santa come December.

You can keep up to date on the lodge on their Facebook page below.






SOURCE: The Southsider Voice

Monday, January 14, 2019

Beech Grove Events is now live

Beech Grove, IN (January 14, 2019) IBG — Every so often some of the simplest things get overlooked by some, when it should have been a priority. After a couple years of seeing local events not getting the recognition or promotions, we decided to create a simple and basic event page. So we took the bull by the horns and created one. On our new Beech Grove Events page, we implemented a simple Facebook calendar feature in one easy string.  

Beech Grove Events
We post pretty much anything local as long as it is in Beech Grove or sometimes even the surrounding area. These local events include bands, car shows, church events, comic book events, school events, sports events and more. Alas, what should have been a chamber staple all along is now a reality.
The direct website link to the page is: www.BeechGrove.events


Monday, January 7, 2019

Beech Grove's Mayor reflects on success in 2018

Beech Grove, Indiana (January 7, 2019) — Investments in infrastructure have led to beginning or finishing paved roads, new sidewalks and roundabouts in 2018. Also, local parks are being renovated to include more playground equipment and areas for athletics, and trails are being added to make for walkable cities. 

Dennis Buckley, Mayor of Beech Grove, Indiana 

Although there are still concerns for drug-related crime, the Beech Grove police department works hard to create safe havens for their residents as evident that Beech Grove was recently named the 19th safest city in Indiana.

Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley Questions:


What were the city’s greatest accomplishments of 2018?

Buckley: Our property values continue to increase. The assessed value of our city continues to increase as well so that’s good news for business. Our debt continues to decrease. We’ve made significant investments in our public safety departments. We have the highest staffing levels ever for our police and fire departments. This year we purchased new radios for the police and fire departments. We’ve purchased more police cars and we also re-chassied the ambulance.

We’ve also ordered a new breathing apparatus with over 30 air tanks and 40 regulators. We purchased a new trash truck. We just recently became re-credited as a national ambulance service. We continue to pave local roads. We have a very good working relationship with INDOT. They have given us more than $800,000 in the last two years to pave local roads. We continue to conduct lining of sewer pipes. We continue to make drainage improvements in local neighborhoods.

Safety: Crime is really bad all around us. A lot of it is drug-related. We are working with other agencies to try to mitigate that. We filed a lawsuit in federal court for those who distribute opioids. Beech Grove was recently rated as the 19th safest city in Indiana last year. Beech Grove is the only city in Marion County that received that distinction.

What is the biggest challenge the city overcame in 2018?

Buckley: The demolition of the hospital. It was very dusty, loud and the heavy equipment damaged a couple of local roads, which they have repaved. The utilities were capped properly and drainage problems in the neighborhood were corrected. It was a very major undertaking but it’s finished and the ground is ready for redevelopment.

What do you feel is the greatest strength of your city, going into the new year?

Buckley: We provide good services, we have good police and fire, excellent trash pickup, our parks are good and clean and functional. We offer a lot of free amenities including shredding and recycling at no charge (including medical disposables). Our budgets are balanced; we don’t spend more than we take in. For the past seven years we’ve given full-time employees cost of living adjustments. We live in a clean, safe community; in the next three to four years, we’ll see improvements to our streets.

Is there anything else you would like to add, summarizing 2018 or looking forward to 2019? 

Buckley: In 2019, I look forward to receiving more federal funding for Phase 2 of the greenway; I look forward to making the roads at 25th and Churchman avenues safer for vehicle traffic with the addition of a roundabout. I look forward to the development of the old St. Francis Parkway. We are working with CFX, right next to Amtrak, and will have news of development by spring 2019.

SOURCE: The Southside Times