Indiana Weekend Digest
AP-Indiana stories for the Labor Day weekend of Sept. 5-7. May be updated. Members using Exchange stories should retain the bylines and newspaper credit lines. If you have questions, please contact the AP-Indiana bureau at 317-639-5501, 800-382-1582 or indy@ap.org.
SATURDAY EXCHANGES:
EXCHANGE-INDIANAPOLIS-AYRES CLOCK
INDIANAPOLIS - After climbing up scaffolding to 29 feet above the sidewalk, John Klinkose pulled handfuls of rust out of the inside of the iconic Ayres clock and put it into a bucket. 'œThere's really a lot of work to be done,'ť he said. Repairs on Indianapolis's beloved Ayres Clock began Aug. 21 as crews constructed scaffolding at the southwest corner of Washington and Meridian streets. The Ayres clock has been located at that corner since 1936 and was named for the L.S. Ayres department store that occupied the historic building the clock is attached to for most of the twentieth century. The clock itself also became much more than just a timepiece - it's an iconic landmark. 'œMeet me under the Ayres clock'ť was a known saying as the clock became a gathering place for people to meet. By Christine Fernando. The Indianapolis Star. SENT: 1,130 words, photos requested.
EXCHANGE-JEFFERSONVILLE-BLACK VOICES
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. - Every day for the past several weeks, Claysburg resident Vanessa Brown has been watching as the message of vibrancy, strength and unity comes to life through a soon-to-be finished mural in the heart of the neighborhood. 'œSoulful Nourishment,'ť created by Louisville-based artist Kacy Jackson from inspiration given by the residents, is the first in a four-part series made possible by a grant through BMe's Next Narrative for Black America campaign. The series is funded through a $10,000 grant secured by Jeffersonville Public Art Commissioner Kofi Darku - the only recipient in the region this year. The Next Narrative for Black America campaign seeks to 'œelevate the Black community's strengths, build skills and increase community impact,'ť through art across the country. By Aprile Rickert. News and Tribune. SENT: 680 words, photos requested.
SUNDAY EXCHANGES:
EXCHANGE-VIRUS OUTBREAK-FARMER'S RETURN
WHITEHALL, Ind. - Back home after two months away battling COVID-19, Jeri Hall wanted to get out to the barn to check on the farm animals left behind when she drove herself to Monroe Hospital on March 22, struggling to breathe. She spent 40 days - many of them near death - hospitalized, then another three weeks at a rehabilitation center. Her children couldn't visit in person, but 28-year-old Ronnie Sue Robinson kept vigil outside her mom's hospital window, willing her to hang on. In the last week of May the 49-year-old Owen County woman tossed her walker aside and got back to life on the farm. She corralled one of her 25 goats to milk, then realized, again, how the virus likely will always affect her. After months of physical therapy, her left hand is still weak and numb. She can't milk the goats. By Laura Lane. The Herald-Times. SENT: 1,150 words, photos requested.
EXCHANGE-CIVIL WAR SOLDIER-PHOTO MYSTERY
NEW ALBANY, Ind. - A California resident is trying to find a new home for a historical photo with southern Indiana connections. Dan Fahey, who lives in Berkeley, California, is the owner of an antique photograph of William P. Davis, a southern Indiana resident who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. After conducting some research, Fahey discovered that the soldier was born in New Albany in 1834, and he served as an officer in the 23rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Fahey has no idea how the photograph ended up in California, but he hopes to connect with descendants of the soldier or a local historical organization so the photo can return to southern Indiana. 'œI just want to get it to the right home - it seems like it belongs back in New Albany,'ť he said. By Brooke McAfee. News and Tribune. 750 words.
MONDAY EXCHANGE:
EXCHANGE-MAN'S DEATH-15 YEARS LATER
HIGHLAND, Ind. - Cindy Neizgoda couldn't sleep ahead of a scheduled meeting with Highland police Aug. 5 to talk about her son's case, which had been ruled a homicide 15 years earlier. In anticipation of a possible break in the case, she had searched arrest records going back a month to check if a possible suspect had been arrested. She hugged her 22-year-old grandson and said, 'œIt would be so good if we walked in there, and they told us this case is finally solved.'ť Instead, the news she and her family received left them reeling. Officials told the family they were changing their ruling on Larry Neizgoda's death July 2, 2005, from homicide to 'œundetermined.'ť Neizgoda, 27, died from smoke inhalation in a blaze investigators no longer think was arson, but instead suspect was 'œlikely accidental.'ť By Sara Reese. The Times. SENT: 1,160 words, photos requested.