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Indianapolis man arrested after fleeing police on I-69 in northern Indiana

Indianapolis man arrested after fleeing police on I-69 in northern Indiana

FREMONT, Ind. (WISH) — A 19-year-old from Indianapolis was arrested after a high-speed chase on Sunday in northern Indiana, the state police said in a Tuesday morning news release.

Adolfo Mejia-Fuentes shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday fled from Fremont Police Department officers and continued south on I-69, the release from Indiana State Police said. Freemont and state police units pursued the man, who briefly evaded officers before being caught.

During the pursuit, officers deployed tire deflation devices at two different locations along I-69 to slow Mejia-Fuentes’ vehicle. The device successfully deflated tires, prompting him to come to a stop. He then fled on foot, but a state trooper was quickly apprehended the man after a brief foot chase.

Mejia-Fuentes has been charged with a preliminary, low-level felony count of resisting law enforcement using a vehicle. He’s expected to be formally charged in Steuben County. Following his arrest, he was taken to the Steuben County jail. The Steuben County sheriff’s app did not list Mejia-Fuentes as an inmate on Tuesday night, and no online court case had been filed.

Fremont, a town of 2,000 residents, is about a 55-minute drive north of downtown Fort Wayne.

By Admin / January 14, 2026
Health

Indiana flu deaths rise to 28, majority from 65 and older

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana added seven flu deaths in the week ending Jan. 3, the Indiana Department of Health said in an online report issued Monday.

Indiana’s death toll from the current flu season sits at 28. All of the deaths have involved people from ages 25 and older, with the majority, 21, being 65 and older. Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, has recorded the most deaths of any Indiana county, seven. Lake County has recorded six deaths.

In addition, the report said, flu spread for the week ending Jan. 3 was “high” in Indiana, improved from “very high” in the previous report.

A separate online report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed Indiana’s neighboring states with “high” to “very high” flu conditions in the week ending Jan. 3.

By Admin / January 14, 2026
Community

Shipshewana town marshal arrested on intimidation charges

Shipshewana, Indiana, town marshal arrested

SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. (WISH) — Shipshewana’s town marshal, 49-year-old Juan Carlos Jasso, turned himself in Monday after a warrant was issued for alleged intimidation.

According to a Tuesday press release, the Indiana State Police was contacted in May about an alleged domestic battery incident involving Jasso.

State police turned the case over to a LaGrange County special prosecutor due to Jasso being employed as a law enforcement officer in LaGrange County. After months-long investigation, the warrant for Jasso was issued.

A pretrial conference was scheduled for Feb. 23.

By Admin / January 14, 2026
Education

Butler University to launch degree in deaf education in fall

Butler University launches Master of Arts in Deaf Education program

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Butler University announced in a release Tuesday that they will launch a new Master of Arts in Deaf Education in the fall.

The program will initially open with a cohort of 10 to 12 students.

The MA in Deaf Education will prepare educators to work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families, using listening and spoken language approaches.

The program director for the degree, Jenna Voss, said in a Tuesday release, “We will prepare educators who value families as full partners in the learning journey. Our graduates will listen, collaborate, and honor the goals families hold for their child’s future.”

Graduates of the MA in Deaf Education program will be eligible for the Indiana Department of Education’s Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students licensure

To learn more details about the program, visit Butler’s MA in Deaf Education program website.

By Admin / January 14, 2026
Health

Indiana health official urges flu shots amid high levels of illness

Flu sending children to emergency room

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – More than 1 in 10 children arriving at an Indiana emergency room are there because of the flu.

With an estimated 15 million cases, the U.S. is in the midst of its second-worst flu season in the past 15 years.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of the country is seeing “high” or “very high” levels of respiratory illness. That includes the Hoosier State.

The age group seeing the largest percentage of ER visits for flu-like symptoms is children 4 and younger: In Marion County, it’s 12.86% of the population; and it’s 13.4% across Indiana.

Staff at the Busy Bee Play Café, an indoor playground in Indianapolis, are wiping surfaces more often and swapping out played-with toys for disinfected items to mitigate the risk to families. 

One mother at Busy Bee, Kelly Delp, feels safer bringing her children to share toys and play surfaces with others in part because her children are up to date on vaccinations. “I think there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” Delp said. ”I think that a lot of people are having to decide for themselves what’s right for their family.”

According to the latest CDC data, less than 40% of the U.S. has received a flu shot this season. 

The CDC recently adopted changes to the childhood vaccine schedule recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It no longer recommends flu vaccines for all children 6 months and older, unless there’s been “shared clinical decision making” with a health care provider. 

Melissa McMasters, the administrator of infectious disease and immunization programs in Marion County, considers the change “alarming.” 

“Because it’s not really based on science,” McMasters said. 

McMasters said the Marion County Health Department is using the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, not the federal government, for its guidance. The academy recommends flu shots for all children 6 months and older. 

Since Indiana likely hasn’t hit peak flu season, McMasters wants Hoosiers to know it’s not too late to get a flu shot. “Getting the flu vaccine can actually prevent hospitalizations and deaths. You might still get sick with the flu, but you end up with a lesser version of the influenza.”

There’s been at least 17 pediatric deaths across the country this season. None of Indiana’s 28 flu-related deaths have been children, according to the Indiana Department of Health.

By Admin / January 14, 2026
Community

Lawmakers advance legislation to dissolve hundreds of Indiana townships

Indiana legislative panel approves bill to dissolve some townships

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hundreds of townships could be eliminated under a bill an Indiana House panel approved Tuesday morning.

The bill marks the latest chapter in a long-running debate at the Statehouse, dating back to at least the Mitch Daniels administration, over the future of township government.

The bill would dissolve all townships that have a population of less than 6,700 or if at least 80% of their land area is located within the boundaries of a municipality. It specifically exempts townships that operate a fire department as well as the nine townships of Marion County.

According to analysis by the Legislative Services Agency, the bill could affect as many as 700 of Indiana’s roughly 1,000 townships.

Townships in Indiana most commonly provide some forms of public assistance through the township trustee’s office. The bill directs townships to transfer any services they provide to a city or to their county. Christina Neeley, the former trustee of Harrison Township in Fayette County, said even in her own county, townships varied wildly in terms of services provided.

“There are townships, not just in my county, that haven’t helped a family in years. Some trustees don’t even answer their phones. Some don’t fully understand their job responsibilities,” she said. “Others don’t just have have the budget for basic technology and they still rely on paper checks and vouchers. I’m not saying the system is broken beyond repair but it allows too much inconsistency.”

Supporters of township government said they provide critical services tailored to a specific community’s needs, even in a built-up area. Carmel almost entirely overlaps Clay Township but Carmel City Council President Matthew Snyder said Clay Township has remained a critical partner for the city, including building a fieldhouse and seven roundabouts. He said the presence of township government has never held the city back.

“Township government is one of the most Hoosier ideas imaginable. It is government closest to the people. It’s accountable to neighbors, not bureaucrats. Grounded in community knowledge, not distant mandates,” he said. “Eliminating it does not shrink government, it centralizes power.”

The bill was approved on a 9-3 vote and now goes to the full House.

By Admin / January 14, 2026
Sports

Referee explains controversial pass interference call in Colts loss

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — There was a crucial, controversial pass interference penalty on Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II in the fourth quarter that gave the Texans a first down and extended the drive.

Later that drive, Nico Collins scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Texans and the Colts lost, 20-16.

Referee Clay Martin explained the pass interference call.

“The calling official had an arm grab at the top of the route,” Martin said. “When you look back, the ball was in the air, and when you see the ball in the air, that makes it pass interference.”

Moore II was asked about the play after the game as well.

“Just two guys being competitive,” Moore II said.

“They said I touched him, so I did,” Moore II added.

The play clock had reached zero before the ball was snapped on that play as well. Martin explained why delay of game was not called.

“The back judge is the calling official and there is a process on that,” Martin said. “When the clock hits zero, he looks down to the ball and if the ball is snapped as he looks down from the clock to the ball, we leave that alone. That’s what he ruled on the play.”

On the extra point after Collins scored the touchdown, Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn’s attempt went over the upright, and the extra point was ruled good.

“The calling official had the ball above the upright and completely inside the outside edge of the upright and so he ruled a successful try,” Martins said. “Since the ball was above the upright it’s not reviewable.”

The Colts are back in action on Sunday, December 7 on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

By Admin / December 1, 2025
Community Crime Indy News Latest

Marion County corrections officer arrested, accused of selling drugs in jail

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Intercepted communications at the Marion County jail led to the arrest of a corrections officer who the sheriff believes sold drugs in the Adult Detention Center.

Bryce Byrdsong, 27, was in the Marion County jail as an inmate on Tuesday afternoon. He was arrested Tuesday morning on preliminary charges of trafficking with an inmate; possession of marijuana; possession of a controlled substance; and official misconduct. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will determine whether to file criminal charges.

A news release issued late Tuesday afternoon from a Marion County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said Byrdsong was fired from the job he’s had about a year without any disciplinary issues. He reported for work Tuesday morning and was found to be carrying narcotics. Additional narcotics were found in his vehicle.

Sheriff Kerry Forestal said in a statement in the release, “The public places immense trust in their public safety officials, and that trust is non-negotiable.”

Bryce Byrdsong (Provided Photo/Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
By Admin / September 16, 2025
Community Crime Indy News Latest

Serial Dollar General robber sentenced to 29 years in prison

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis man will spend almost 30 years behind bars after committing a string of armed robberies at different Dollar Generals across the city.

Robert Williams, 57, received the hefty sentence after pleaded guilty to six cunts of interference with commerce by robbery, three counts of brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Prosecutors say between July 8 and Aug. 14, 2023, Williams robbed six Dollar Generals in Indianapolis, stealing a total of $1,799. Williams reportedly flashed a revolver or a handgun hiding in his waistband to intimidate employees during each crime.

The robbery dates and locations are listed below.

  • July 8, 2023: 5450 Emerson Way
  • July 30, 2023: 2131 Central Ave.
  • Aug. 7, 2023: 2002 N. Arlington Ave.
  • Aug. 11, 2023: 2131 Central Ave.
  • Aug. 11, 2023: 5450 Emerson Way
  • Aug. 14, 2023: 3938 N. Illinois St.

Williams is a “career criminal,” prosecutors saying his history “dating back nearly four decades.” His previous convictions include theft, narcotics possession, battery against a public safety official, and domestic battery.

Following his 29-year sentence, Williams will spend three years on supervised release.

Crime Resources

By Admin / September 16, 2025
Community Crime Indy News Latest

3 juveniles arrested in connection with hundreds of car break-ins

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — Three juveniles were arrested early Tuesday morning in connection with hundreds of car break-ins across Indianapolis and Fishers, the Fishers Police Department said.

Police did not provide additional details about the arrested juveniles in a news release issued Tuesday afternoon.

Fishers police along with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force made the arrests. A news conference on the arrests has been set for late Wednesday morning at the Indianapolis police chief’s office in the City-County Building in downtown Indianapolis.

The suspects were found driving a stolen vehicle in a Fishers neighborhood.

Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart said in a statement in the news release, “Today, we stand united in our aggressive, collaborative efforts to stop criminals from victimizing our residents and wreaking havoc on our community.”

IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said in a statement in the release, “By working together, we are able to quickly remove offenders from our streets and better protect the safety and security of our communities.”

The investigation led to the recovery of stolen property, including firearms and vehicles, which had been taken from people in Fishers and Indianapolis.

Due to the involvement of stolen firearms and vehicles crossing jurisdictions, the FBI joined the investigation to ensure accountability at both state and federal levels, the release said.

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.

By Admin / September 16, 2025