INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A fire Friday afternoon at the Meridian Towers Apartments displaced multiple residents this afternoon.

The fire broke out around 3 p.m. Friday in the building at 3710 N. Meridian St. and was primarily contained to a single apartment, though two other units sustained damage.

Fire crews from the Indianapolis Fire Department brough the blaze under control within approximately 30 minutes.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

The cause of the fire remained unknown, and the total number of displaced residents has not been specified.

This story is from a script aired on WISH-TV. 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.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The city government of Indianapolis is shutting down a homeless encampment in Fountain Square, effective Aug. 11, due to growing concerns from nearby homeowners.

The Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety has posted a letter near the encampment, announcing the permanent closure of the area to camping. The letter states that any items found in the area after the closure date will be removed and discarded.

Earlier this week, homeowners near the site expressed their concerns about the growing encampment, as WISH-TV reported on Tuesday.

The letter did not detail specific reasons for the closure. The number of people affected also was not been mentioned, nor have future plans for the site after the closure been discussed.

This story is from a script aired on WISH-TV. 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.

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• Man found dead at homeless encampment on Tibbs Avenue; IMPD investigating
• Mayor Hogsett announces Streets to Home Indy initiative, 350 people to be housed
• Compass on Washington making a difference for Indianapolis homeless community
• Homeless woman highlights challenges of living on the streets

LAWRENCE, Ind. (WISH) — The city government of Lawrence on Friday honored its past mayors with a memorial service at the Lawrence Government Center, marking 65 years since Morris Settles was elected as the city’s first mayor.

Democratic Mayor Deb Whitfield highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions and vision of past leaders as the city continues to grow.

Former mayors Dean Jessup and Steve Collier, as well as family members of nearly every past mayor, attended the event.

Whitfield said, “I think that’s very important to acknowledge the work, their legacy, and their vision as the city of Lawrence is continuing to grow. In order for us to succeed we need to know our past so that we can be really cognitive of what we are going to do in the future.”

The city on the northeast side of Marion County has an estimated population of 49,800, according to Stats Indiana. That’s up from 49,300 in 2020.

Since 1960, seven people have served as mayor of Lawrence, each contributing to the city’s development and progress.

This story was created from a script aired on WISH-TV. 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.

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Westfield Police Department has released more details as it continues to investigate a man who committed suicide during its investigation of the sale of counterfeit autographed sports memorabilia.

A search warrant was executed on July 15. The next day, the investigation led police to a home on Hoover Street. That’s where Brett Lemieux, 45, the founder of Mister Mancave, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office.

Lemieux, of Westfield, was the primary suspect in the case.

The investigation began in February after a woman in North Carolina reported receiving fraudulent merchandise from the company, the Westfield city government said in a news release issued Thursday. As the case progressed, more victims came forward, claiming they had purchased counterfeit memorabilia from Mister Mancave.

Police say a significant quantity of evidence was collected during the searches, including documentation and items related to the alleged counterfeit operation.

Investigators also say they are reviewing a social media post made by Lemieux before his death, which named other people potentially involved.

The case has received news coverage around the world because of the affect the fake sports memorabilia had on the market.

The Westfield Police Department say it’s working with authenticators to verify the seized items and is receiving assistance from the FBI. The department says it has strengthened its ability to pursue complex financial crimes through its partnership with the FBI White Collar Crimes Task Force.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Don Bennett.

Previous coverage on WISHTV.com

• Westfield man found dead after police raid sports memorabilia store

Resources

Mental health resources

• Be Well Indiana
• Indiana Suicide Prevention
• Indiana Department of Child Services’ Children’s Mental Health Initiative
• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 or 800-273-8255
• More resources

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer recently rescued a child from a hot vehicle, highlighting the dangers of leaving children and pets in cars during the summer heat.

The incident happened on a typical summer day in Indianapolis when Master Patrol Officer Micki Sturrock responded to a call about a child locked in a car. The child’s mother had accidentally locked the child inside, and a nearby employee called 911 due to a language barrier.

Sturrock said, “It’s not just the folks who do something negligently. It’s often someone who is very caring and has a very appropriate family and parents who do this accidentally.”

Upon arrival, Sturrock quickly assessed the situation and, without hesitation, smashed the car window to rescue the child. The quick action was necessary as temperatures inside a parked car can become deadly in just a few minutes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 1,000 children have died of heatstroke because they were left or became trapped in hot cars over the past 25 years.

Sturrock said, “It only takes about 10 to 12 minutes on a summer day, especially when you are parked in direct sunlight, for the temperatures inside that car to get dangerous.”

The IMPD urged parents and caregivers always to check the back seat every time they leave their vehicle and advised bystanders to call 911 if they see a child or pet locked inside a hot vehicle.

Sturrock said, “Being trapped in a hot car in the summer heat is a life or death situation.”

IMPD also warned that parking in the shade and cracking windows do not significantly reduce the risk in hot weather. They advised always bringing children with you when leaving the car.

Related coverage from WISHTV.com

• Hot car deaths are on the rise in U.S. and preventable
• Hot car dangers: Consumer Reports warns parents of hot car deaths

TIGARD, Ore. (WISH) — A Caitlin Clark rookie trading card on Thursday became the highest-selling women’s sports card of all time, fetching $660,000 at the Fanatics Collect Premier Auction.

The card was a signed 1-of-1.

Fanatics Collect reported the record-breaking sale nearly doubled the previous highest price paid for a women’s sports card, which was $366,000, also for a card from the All-Star standout of the Indiana Fever.

The auction highlighted the growing interest and value in women’s sports memorabilia, the auction house said.

Clark has seen her trading cards gain significant attention, reflecting her impact on the sport.

This story was created from a script aired on WISH-TV. 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.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, finished 1-1/2 days of interviews with Justice Department officials on Friday, answering questions “about 100 different people,” her attorney said.

“She answered those questions honestly, truthfully, to the best of her ability,” David Oscar Markus told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, where Maxwell met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“She never invoked a privilege. She never refused to answer a question, so we’re very proud of her,” Markus said.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence and is housed at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee. She was sentenced three years ago after being convicted of helping Epstein, a wealthy, well-connected financier, sexually abuse underage girls.

Officials have said Epstein killed himself in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwell’s links to famous people, such as royals, presidents and billionaires, including Donald Trump.

In a social media post this week, Blanche said Maxwell would be interviewed because of President Trump’s directive to gather and release any credible evidence about others who may have committed crimes.

Trump has denied prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and claimed he cut off their relationship long ago. But he faces ongoing questions about the Epstein case, overshadowing his administration’s achievements. On Friday, reporters pressed the Republican president about pardoning Maxwell, but he deflected, emphasizing his administration’s successes.

Markus said Maxwell “was asked maybe about 100 different people.”

“The deputy attorney general is seeking the truth,” Markus said. “He asked every possible question, and he was doing an amazing job.”

Markus said he didn’t ask for anything for Maxwell in return, though he acknowledged that Trump could pardon her.

“Listen, the president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in the right and just way,” Markus said.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department said it would not release more files related to the Epstein investigation, despite promises that claimed otherwise from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The department also said an Epstein client list does not exist.

Maxwell is appealing her conviction, based on the government’s pledge years ago that any potential Epstein co-conspirators would not be charged, Markus said. Epstein struck a deal with federal prosecutors in 2008 that shifted his case to Florida state court, where he pleaded guilty to soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution.

Epstein in 2019 and Maxwell in 2020 were charged in federal court in New York.

White reported from Detroit.

TONIGHT

Scattered storms may linger through the early overnight, especially north of I-70. While severe weather isn’t expected, any storm could bring heavy rain and brief gusty winds. Otherwise, skies will trend mostly cloudy with lows in the mid-70s. Winds calm to around 5 mph overnight.

TOMORROW

Hot and humid with another round of scattered to numerous thunderstorms expected during the afternoon and evening. Some downpours could be heavy, with localized flooding possible. Highs reach the low 90s with heat index values near 100. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

TOMORROW NIGHT

Showers and storms continue into the evening before gradually tapering off overnight. Skies remain mostly cloudy with lows in the mid-70s. Patchy fog may develop in spots that receive heavier rain. Winds stay light from the southwest around 5 mph.

SUNDAY

Another hot and humid day. A few storms are likely by mid to late afternoon, especially south of Indy. Otherwise, partly sunny with highs near 90 and heat indices again in the upper 90s. Winds from the west-southwest at 5 mph.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Storms remain possible early, mainly before 8 p.m., then partly cloudy overnight. Lows stay in the mid-70s. West-southwest winds around 5 mph becoming calm.

MONDAY

Mostly sunny, hot, and steamy with only a slight chance of a pop-up storm in the afternoon. Highs climb into the mid-90s with heat indices over 100. Winds light and variable, generally becoming west at 5 mph.

7 DAY FORECAST

Hot and humid conditions remain locked in through Tuesday, with highs in the 90s and heat indices frequently pushing 100 to 110. Storm chances decrease Monday and Tuesday, though isolated pop-ups can’t be ruled out. By Wednesday, a cold front may try to break the heat, bringing increased rain chances and a modest dip in temps. If it clears the area, Thursday and Friday could offer a small break, with highs backing into the 80s and lower humidity. If not, the oppressive heat and sticky air will persist to end the month.

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (WISH) — Back home again in Indiana! At least that’s how it feels for NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson.

Two months after racing in his second-straight Indianapolis 500, Larson returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to defend his Brickyard 400 crown after an impressive win last July.

“It’s just always good to come back to this beautiful facility with so much history, especially coming back after winning the Brickyard 400 last year. Hopefully, we can do the same this year,” Larson said. “I’ve always felt like I’ve had a huge fanbase when I come to Indy because it does feel like a second home in a lot of ways. I definitely feel the support, and I enjoy it.”

Thanks to the Indy 500, Larson has had more time driving around the oval than most of his competitors. They know how hard it will be to stop him Sunday.

“The knowledge he gained from the IndyCar really set him up for a good race last year in the Cup Series,” Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon said. “I bet that our cars slow down a little when you’re racing an IndyCar out here. He was doing a couple things that definitely helped give him leverage throughout the event.”

“It’s really hard to beat Kyle Larson at anything and that’s in anything he drives including the Cup Series,” Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain laughed. “We’re Chevy teammates with him so we see what they did and the changes and the driving of what he was able to adapt to. He’s just really good at adapting. If we compete with the 5, then we’ll have a shot.”

Larson might not have been able to kiss the bricks in the month of May, but a win Sunday would make him just the seventh driver in Cup Series history to win multiple Brickyard 400s.

It would also mean back-to-back victories. The last time that happened was in 2020 with Kevin Harvick.

Larson knows just how special making that history would be.

“That’d be awesome,” Larson said. “We’re going to give it our best effort for sure this weekend. It’s a tough track for passing so you do have to lean on your team a bit, and your strategy and your pit crew and everybody involved, so I think that’s what makes winning here at the Brickyard special is that it takes not just yourself. It takes your whole team. I know it will be a tough race. We just have to try to keep it up front.”

And maybe kiss those bricks one more time.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The man who shot and killed his wife Thursday was a convicted felon with a history of domestic violence, I-Team learned on Friday.

Walter McNary, 76, led Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers on a chase when they tried to pull him over for shooting his wife.

A mugshot from 2011 showed McNary in the Indiana Department of Corrections. He was in prison for violating probation linked drug charges. He was released right before Christmas.

According to court documents, in early May 2012, he came home at 4 a.m. and woke up his wife, Nola, by hitting her. That morning, he hit her several times, choked her, and threatened to kill her.

He ultimately took a plea deal, was given probation, and ordered to complete 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling.

Fast forward 13 years to the scene Thursday on North Ritter Avenue. It’s where McNary shot his wife, Nola, just after 7 in the morning.

The family told I-Team 8 that Nola had been staying at her sister’s house to get away from Walter.

Nola’s friend told us what happened was a surprise. Monica Gather said, “We never expected it, but behind every smile could be some sadness. You never know what somebody’s going through. If you see signs in a domestic dispute just run. Just run, because one sign can be the sign of many bad signs.”

Help is available for victims of domestic violence. Below is a list of suggested resources on the Domestic Violence Network website:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• National Domestic Violence Hotline en español: 800-799-7233 o texto “START” al 88788
• Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24-hour hotline available at 800-332-7385
• Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
• La Plaza Indy
• The Julian Center
• Indiana Child Abuse Hotline: 800-800-5556
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673