"The Host Committee has entered the ‘red zone' to use a football analogy," said Miles. "With almost four years of planning behind us, we are moving closer to the goal line with a great team on - and off - the field. Through successful execution and implementation of community initiatives, including the Near Eastside Legacy Initiative, we are meeting our goals, and in most cases, exceeding them with strong community support."

Details about activities and events within the three-block area along Georgia Street that will become the "Super Bowl Village" were outlined as well. The Super Bowl Village is a free, family-friendly fan gathering spot that will be open Jan. 27, through Feb. 5. Highlights of the Super Bowl Village previously announced include the ZipLine ($10/ride), Tailgate Town and the Super Cars that will be on display.

The Host Committee announced themes for each day in the Super Bowl Village as well as the bands currently scheduled to appear on the Pepsi and Verizon stages. The themes include:

  • Friday, January 27 - Super Kick Off
  • Saturday, January 28 - Indy's Super Cure
  • Sunday, January 29 - Super Families
  • Monday, January 30 - Super Community
  • Tuesday, January 31 - Super Sports
  • Wednesday, February 1 - Super Biz Bowl
  • Thursday, February 2 - Super Heroes (Military, Public Safety)
  • Friday, February 3 - Super Fans
  • Saturday, February 4 - America's Super Game
  • Sunday, February 5 - Super Bowl Sunday

While additional bands and the daily schedule will be announced in the coming weeks, the current list of musical entertainment scheduled to appear on the Pepsi and Verizon stages includes:

Pepsi Stage (Meridian and Georgia Streets)
Bashiri Asad (Soul/R&B)
Blackberry Jam (Funk/Soul)
Born Again Floozies (Roots Music)
Carson Diersing (Blues)
Cynthia Layne (Soul/R&B)
DJ Limelight (Hip Hop/Soul)
DJ Rusty (Funk/Soul/R&B)
Gentleman Alphonse (Hip Hop)
Greta Speaks (Covers)
Healing Sixes (Rock)
Hero, Jr. (Rock)
Hunter Smith Band (Country)
Indy's Legends of Doo Wop (Doo Wop)
Jennie DeVoe (Singer/Songwriter)
John Spencer (Americana)
Living Proof (Covers)
Lynda Sayyah (Dance/Pop)
Max Allen Band (Jam/Rock/Dance)
Otis Gibbs (Folk/Americana)
Red Wanting Blue (Rock)
Roxie (Covers)
Stereo Deluxe (Rock)
The Last Good Year (Rock)
The Meatball Band (Covers)
Twin Cats (Jam/Rock/Dance)

Verizon Stage (Pennsylvania and Georgia Streets)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters (Rock)
Bret Michaels (Rock)
Corey Cox (Country)
Darius Rucker (Country)
Dierks Bentley (Country)
Edwin McCain (Pop Rock)
En Vogue (R&B/Pop)
Fitz & the Tantrums (Pop Rock)
Fuel (Alternative)
Here Come The Mummies (Funk/R&B/Dance)
IU's Straight No Chaser (A Capella)
LMFAO (Alternative Hip Hop/Dance)
Morris Day and the Time (Funk/R&B/Dance)
O.A.R (Jam Band)
Patti LaBelle (R&B/Pop)
Railroad Earth (Americana/Progressive Bluegrass)
Sixpence None the Richer (Pop Rock)
Umphrey's McGee (Jam Band)
Will Hoge (Rock)

"This line up offers a choice for fans of many music genres and represents national, regional and Indiana-based bands," said Rick Fuson who co-chairs the Super Bowl Village as a volunteer along with Sue Beesley and Mike Dilts. "We know fans, whether from around the corner or around the globe, will experience a downtown pumped and primed for fun in the Super Bowl Village."

Other downtown details

Other downtown details updated in December include:

  • The Ice Gurus, Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield from the Food Network show Ice Brigade, will do live ice sculpting performances.
  • A 360-degree inflated vortex dome will provide approximately 2,500 square feet of warm space with gaming and immersive video.
  • Fans will experience a nightly pyrotechnic and light show.
  • Monument Circle will host the iconic 30- foot Super Bowl Roman numerals. The numerals will be placed on the south spoke of the Circle starting Jan. 24, and will remain there throughout Super Bowl week.

Earlier in December, the Host Committee announced "Know Before You Go," the comprehensive transportation and parking plan for the safe and efficient movement of traffic and pedestrians during the upcoming Super Bowl events. Fans planning to visit the Super Bowl Village will want to visit this site for regular updates and information necessary to best navigate downtown and to find parking, park and ride, or alternatives to driving downtown.

ESPN has also announced plans to call Pan Am Plaza home during Super Bowl XLVI with a studio set that will serve as its production headquarters. ESPN expects to have more than 110 hours of television coverage, as well as ESPN Radio shows and other related content that will originate from Indianapolis Monday, Jan., 30 - Sunday, Feb. 5.

Some of ESPN's most popular shows broadcasting from Pan Am Plaza will include daily editions of Mike & Mike in the Morning, SportsCenter, SportsNation, NFL Live, NFL32, and a special four-hour edition of Sunday NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday. The shows will all be open for public viewing throughout the week.

ESPN's large outdoor set will have a demonstration field and two pod camera locations that offer views of the downtown skyline, Union Station and Lucas Oil Stadium. A "flycam" suspended 30 feet in the air and traversing some 300 feet will also provide aerial views during ESPN programs.

"This is a truly exciting time for our community," concluded Mayor Ballard. "When the spotlight turns to Indianapolis in February, we will shine."

About the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee
The purpose of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee, as defined by the NFL, is to centralize the planning and execution of the 2012 Super Bowl through one entity to ensure coordination of all efforts and community resources. The Host Committee serves as an extension to the National Football League in the local community, as the city's ambassador to incoming Super Bowl fans, guests, and corporations, and as a manager of local resources such as city services, event venues, accommodations, and thousands of volunteers. For more information, visit: http://www.IndianapolisSuperBowl.com.

 

2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee Day XLVI (46) Updates


Communications

  • The Host Committee's website (www.IndianapolisSuperBowl.com), Twitter and Facebook provide the most up-to-date and real-time information on all programs, initiatives and events.
  • The Host Committee has partnered with the NFL to develop a mobile app that will provide residents and visitors key information on weather, parking, directions, restaurants, and stadium information. The app will be available for download in mid-January.
  • Through a Speakers Bureau presentation or promotional booths at community events, the Host Committee has addressed more than 460 groups across the state.

Community Beautification and Décor

  • Individuals and businesses may purchase official décor elements online for display as part of the NFL's Presence program. Orders for Presence program items will be accepted through January 6, 2012.

Community Programs

  • Back to Football Friday: NFL Back to Football Friday is a nationwide celebration that unites fans of all 32 teams to welcome back the NFL football season while also recognizing the importance of getting kids active and healthy as part of NFL PLAY 60. Students, teachers and school administrators were encouraged to wear their favorite NFL team gear and show their NFL team spirit by organizing Back to Football Friday celebrations on September 9, 2011 for the chance to win great prizes from the NFL like being named a PLAY 60 Super School, or up to $10,000 in grant money. Almost 100 schools and classrooms participated locally. The NFL announced the Paramount School of Excellence as one of the national grant recipients receiving $10,000.
  • Cultural and Arts Programs: The Cultural and Arts Program has launched a robust effort that began with the announcement of the city's largest murals program effort to date. Forty of the 46 murals planned have been completed throughout the city featuring the work of national, regional and Indiana-based artists. To capture the energy and excitement of the Near Eastside Legacy Initiative, the Host Committee worked with Theatre of Inclusion to launch the PETAL Project. This effort taught high school students the art of photography while using the evolving near eastside as their canvas. Another program, Super Choices, offers a way for local cultural and arts institution to get connected to the game. This effort promotes local cultural and arts institutions as Super Choices. Look for the green foam finger for a Super Choice. Coming soon, the XLVI Indy Music Project is a digital project that features local artists. This project is an effort to highlight the rich independent music heritage in the local community.
  • Emerging Business Leadership Forum: The Emerging Business Program will host a Leadership Forum the week of Super Bowl XLVI featuring prominent business leaders in the community as well as national experts in minority and women business development. It will be held Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom from 6 - 8 p.m. More than 60 minority- and women-owned businesses have earned business with the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee.
  • Habitat for Humanity Super Build 46: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis (HFHGI) will coordinate two panel builds in conjunction with Super Bowl XLVI. The panel builds are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 3 from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center on the Arsenal Technical High School campus. HFHGI will use the panel builds as the initial kick-off event for its 25th Anniversary in 2012. They expect 150-200 volunteers to participate in building the interior and exterior walls of two homes that will be erected later in Spring 2012. The two families who will become homeowners will be participating. For more information, contact HFHGI at (317)921-2121.
  • IDADA Arts Pavilion: Super Bowl artistry will extend off the field and into an Indianapolis landmark as IDADA, the Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association, kicks off TURF, a presentation of experiential art and design. This brand-new presentation of 20 juried artists is Jan. 14 through Feb. 5, just blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium. The old Indianapolis City Hall building at the corner of Alabama and Ohio streets - a 100-year-old landmark formerly housing the Indiana State Museum and, most recently, the interim Central Library - will become the IDADA Art Pavilion, a public space where selected artists will begin installation of their works in the coming weeks.
  • Legacy Loop 5K HealthBowl presented by Anthem: The Legacy Loop 5K Run/Walk is a fan event of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. Created to showcase many of the development and restoration projects that have taken place on Indianapolis's Near Eastside, the Legacy Loop 5K Run/Walk will be one of the opening events of the Super Bowl XLVI festivities on Saturday, Jan. 28. The event starts and finishes at Arsenal Technical High School and participants will run past homes, a community center and commercial buildings renovated as part of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl's legacy. All proceeds from the event will benefit the ongoing Near Eastside Super Bowl Legacy Project. After the race, participants will attend the Health Fair at Arsenal Technical West and East gyms. It will include NFL players, free health screenings, fitness challenges, and tasty bites from cooking demonstrations. Participants can also learn about the Near Eastside community and resources. The event aligns with the NFL Play 60 initiative. This event will take place from 6 a.m. - 4 p.m. Registration is now available online.
  • NFL Charities Celebrity Bowling Classic: NFL Charities hosts a celebrity bowling event featuring past gridiron greats. This event is ticketed with the proceeds going to NFL Charities. This event will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, at Woodland Bowl.
  • NFL Charities Youth Bowling Clinic: Amateur bowlers will conduct this clinic and provide one-on-one instruction for a special group of young people. The clinic will occur on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Woodland Bowl.
  • NFL Play 60 Challenge Super Bowl Edition: The NFL, American Heart Association, Indianapolis Colts and Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee will join forces during Super Bowl XLVI to raise awareness about the importance of health, and wellness for school-aged children. The NFL Play 60 Challenge encourages youth to be active for at least 60 minutes a day by challenging teachers and students across the Indianapolis region to get 60 minutes of exercise a day for four weeks, giving them a chance to win some great prizes! For Super Bowl XLVI, 42 schools and more than 15,000 students are participating.
  • NFL PREP Leadership Series Sports Career Expo and College Fair: The NFL PREP Leadership Series: Sports Career Expo produced by Why Not Sports is a sanctioned event that enlists professionals from all aspects of the sports industry to inform, educate and enlighten high school student athletes about a myriad of career opportunities available within the professional sports industry. This event will be held Thursday, Feb. 2, from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Pike Performing Arts Center.
  • One World: Connecting Communities, Cultures, and Classrooms: As part of the legacy of the game, fourth- through sixth-grade classes throughout the state will have an opportunity to participate in a five-week pen pal program. The One World program aims to bring new perspectives to students, build understanding of diversity as it relates to Indianapolis's multicultural population, and offer exciting opportunities for students to broaden their vision of the world in which they live. For Super Bowl XLVI, in 21 counties, 82 classrooms are participating impacting more than 4,000 students. Ten selected fifth grade classes will get an opportunity to participate in the One World Super Huddle event on Monday, Jan. 30, at The Children's Museum from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Rebuilding Together "Kick off to Rebuild": Rebuilding Together will mobilize hundreds of volunteers, past and present NFL members and players, Indianapolis community leaders, national celebrities, and local and national sponsors to revitalize ten homes in the Super Bowl Legacy neighborhood of the Near Eastside. This event will occur on Friday, Feb. 3, from 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. In October, Rebuilding Together joined HGTV's Carter Oosterhouse to also build a new playground on the Near Eastside.
  • Super Baskets of Hope: Super Baskets of Hope will deliver gift-filled baskets to 7,000 hospitalized children across America's 32 NFL cities. The outreach project is a collaborative effort of Riley Children's Foundation, the Basket of Hope program, and former Indianapolis Colts coach, Tony Dungy. On Monday, Jan. 30, from 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., at Conseco Fieldhouse, volunteers will fill each basket with items that offer children inspiration, entertainment, and hope. Then, NFL players, coaches, and regional volunteers will deliver the baskets to children in hospitals.
  • Super Bowl Gospel Celebration: In its 13th year, the National Football League Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is the only gospel event for Super Bowl weekend. Since its inception, the event has drawn thousands, selling out venues in key Super Bowl host cities and was named by USA Today as "One of the Best Three Super Bowl Events to Attend." The event brings the NFL players and top gospel/contemporary Christian and mainstream artists together on one stage for uplifting music and inspirational messages. The event will take place at Clowes Hall on Friday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Confirmed artists for the Celebration include Wayne Brady as host and co-host CeCe Winans who will also perform. Other performers include Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and the NFL Choir featuring NFL player Wes Morgan.
  • Super Learning in a Super State: Super Learning is a pre-packaged academic outreach program for grades kindergarten through 12 that promotes literacy, community service, character education and interdisciplinary learning through showcasing the Super Bowl's host community, its region and its people. On Saturday, Feb. 4, we will celebrate teachers and the role they play impacting young people. Classrooms from more than 280 schools are participating in the program statewide impacting more than 32,000 students. In addition to Indianapolis, pep rallies for Super Learning have been held in Anderson, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne and Gary.

Environmental Programs

  • 2,012 Trees by 2012: The original goal to plant 2,012 trees on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis by the 2012 Super Bowl has been met and surpassed. A total of 2,876 trees have been planted as a part of this program. 2,012 Trees by 2012 is a partnership between the Host Committee, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and the John H. Boner Community Center.
  • Additional Tree Plantings: The Super Bowl Host Committee Green Corps members have planted additional trees in several locations around Indiana including Centerville, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Goshen, Richmond and South Bend.
  • Electronics Recycling - "Zooper Bowl" Electronics Recycling Drive: After the holidays, individuals and families may bring their broken and unwanted electronics and recyclable items to the Indianapolis Zoo on Dec. 28 (2011) from 2 - 7 p.m. Those donating items will receive a coupon for $2 off Zoo admission that is valid until April 29, 2012. RecycleForce will be collecting items including computers, televisions, appliances, gaming systems, cell phones, batteries and more. There is a $5 requested donation for TVs and computer monitors. All other items are accepted free of charge. Items may be dropped off without attending the Zoo. A full list of accepted items is available on RecycleForce's web site.
  • 1st & Green/Green Corps Recognition: Winners of the 1st & Green Challenge and Green Corps members will be recognized for their efforts to make Indiana a greener state on stage in the Super Bowl Village on Sunday, Jan. 29. Participants in 1st & Green can help make a difference in offsetting carbon and saving water. In addition to tracking statistics related to carbon and water, 1st & Green provides helpful tips on ways you can make a difference for our environment, including video tips hosted by Green Corps members, as well as information on environmental programs related to the Super Bowl.
  • Green Corps Projects: Green Corps members have organized and participated in a variety of environmental projects around the state, including creating recycling programs in their schools, planting trees, cleaning up highways and neighborhoods, installing rain barrels and organic gardening. Students from 69 high schools have completed 1st & Green projects statewide.
  • Green Tips Videos: Thirteen "Easy Green Tips" videos, hosted by Green Corps members, are available on the Host Committee's web site. These videos show easy and low-cost ways to take environmentally friendly actions.
  • NFL Super Kids-Super Sharing: More than 130 schools are participating in the NFL's Super Kids-Super Sharing program. The program will partner with public, private and charter schools throughout the Greater Indianapolis area to collect gently used and new sporting equipment, books, and school supplies. The items will be sorted and distributed to numerous beneficiaries including the Indianapolis Youth Education Town and the Colts' Books for Youth program which provides books to foster children, and local schools and organizations that serve children in need. The collection and distribution will occur at Martin University on Jan. 19, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Zero Variance Clothing Drive and Shoe Donation Drive: Super Bowl Volunteers are asked to bring an item of gently used clothing in "exchange" for their Super Bowl uniform. Collected items will be donated to Goodwill. This will occur throughout volunteer uniform pick up from Thursday, Jan. 19,  - Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Mayer Chapel building, 448 West Norwood Avenue (hours vary). Additionally, we are requesting interested volunteers to donate new shoes to Samaritan's Feet for distribution to children and adults in need. The shoe sizes most in need are boys and girls sizes 1-5, but all shoe sizes are accepted. Tennis/athletic shoes are preferred.

Fan Central - Super Bowl fan activities for $30 or less

  • NFL Experience presented by GMC: Kick, punt, pass footballs in the NFL Experience! This NFL pro football theme park including free autographs from more than 50 NFL superstars is open from Jan. 27, through Feb. 4, in the Indiana Convention Center. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Discounted tickets for family packs of four, five, and six are available along with reduced pricing for groups of 25 or more. Purchase tickets online at www.Ticketmaster.com* or by calling 866-Tix-4NFL (849-4635).
  • Super Bowl Media Center Fan Gallery: Fans will have free behind-the-scenes access to portions of the Media Center located in the JW Marriott. Fans will see NFL players, celebrities and other athletes interviewed on NFL Network, other television network sets and on Radio Row. Tickets will be free and available during peak hours of operation Wednesday, Feb. 1, through Friday, Feb. 3.
  • Super Bowl Media Day: For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to attend Super Bowl Media Day on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Fans will sit in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium and watch thousands of media from around the world interview members of the participating Super Bowl teams on the field. In addition, fans in attendance will see the participating teams take their team photos in their game uniforms. Fans will receive a Media Day gift bag that will include a radio to tune into the day's coverage on NFL Network and listen to some of the individual player interviews from the podium microphones. Fans will also have access to the stadium club, concessions and merchandise stands. Tickets are available for purchase through www.Ticketmaster.com* and the Lucas Oil Stadium box office. Tickets to attend Super Bowl XLVI Media Day cost $25.00 each with limited tickets remaining.
  • Super Bowl Tours: Before the two teams hit the field or after the World Champions are crowned, fans may embark on a behind-the scenes Lucas Oil Stadium Super Bowl Tour. Fans will have access to the stadium grounds and will witness preparations that go into hosting the Super Bowl. Fans will walk on the field, visit both team locker rooms, check out the media workroom and the exterior compounds created for the Super Bowl. Tickets are available for purchase through www.Ticketmaster.com* and the Lucas Oil Stadium box office. Tour dates (Jan. 23, - Feb. 7, excluding Jan. 31 and Feb. 2-5) and prices ($15-$30 depending on date) vary.
  • Super Bowl Village: The Super Bowl Village will transform the heart of Downtown into a ten-day, three-block free interactive festival of football. Tens of thousands of NFL fans from the surrounding region will celebrate in the multi-sensory excitement and thrill of "all things football" in the Village amid world-class restaurants, eclectic bars, special attractions and diverse retail options. Bands will entertain each day on the Pepsi and Verizon stages along Georgia Street.
  • ZipLine: Ride a 96' tall, 800' long ZipLine through the Super Bowl Village. Open from Jan. 27 through Feb. 5, it's a thrill that fans won't want to miss. Tickets purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com are $10 and provide a priority in line. Tickets purchased onsite at the ZipLine Launch Tower (258 S. Capital Ave.) are $10 and on a first come, first served basis. Will Call is also available at the launch tower. Entry into the Super Bowl Village is FREE.

*Ticketmaster adds service and handling fees

Hospitality/Guest Welcome

  • Guest Welcome: The Host Committee will have welcome desks at 120 sites including the Indianapolis International Airport and other aviation locations, hotel lobbies, malls and Super Celebration Sites throughout Super Bowl week. Volunteers at these locations will have up-to-date information about Super Bowl events for fans. Many of these sites will serve hot chocolate and snickerdoodle cookies for fans as well.
  • Street Teams: During Super Bowl week, 15 Street Teams will greet and welcome guests, providing information and distributing maps. These people will be readily identified by a feather flag. The teams will have mobile tablets with current event information available to assist with guest questions.
  • Super Celebration Sites: Twenty local communities have been named Super Celebration Sites by the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. These sites provide opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in local activities and obtain information about the Super Bowl. The sites include Anderson, Bloomington, Broad Ripple, Carmel,Columbus, Fishers, Fountain Square, Greenfield, Greenwood/Franklin,Indiana Avenue, International Marketplace, Mass Ave, Keystone Crossing, Lafayette-West Lafayette, Muncie, Noblesville, Plainfield,Richmond, Shelbyville, Zionsville.
  • Super Cars: The Super Cars program will showcase 33 Indy Cars, with 32 cars representing each NFL franchise team and one car representing Super Bowl XLVI. The Super Cars program will unveil the cars on Jan. 27, along Meridian Street in front of Monument Circle. The Super Cars will also be at the Media Party at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Jan. 31, and then will be located at locations across Central Indiana for the remainder of Super Bowl week.
  • Super Kids, Super Welcome: In an effort to welcome guests to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl, a goal of collecting 18,000 Super Kids, Super Welcome cards was announced several months ago. The Committee has currently collected 29,177 cards from around the state that will be placed in guest rooms in 158 hotels across the region.
  • Super Service Training: Super Service training, launched in October, focuses on general service principles, Indiana's rich history, and Super Bowl event- and volunteer-specific information. More than 8,400 people have completed the training either online or in a group setting. Training sessions continue in January including sessions for cab drivers.

Indy's Super Cure

Indy's Super Cure, using the platform of the 2012 Super Bowl to make a global difference, reached a critical landmark on Nov. 19, 2011. The committee reached its first goal to raise $1 million for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at IU Simon Cancer Center. The committee, led by Honorary Chair Angela Braly and Committee Chairs Tiffany Olson and Cathy Langham, reached this goal in four short months since the initiative was launched. The Indy's Super Cure team will continue to raise money while the focus now shifts to increasing global awareness and recruiting women from minority populations to donate tissue at a "super" donation on Jan. 28 and 29.

 

"Know Before You Go"

In December, the Super Bowl Host Committee announced a comprehensive transportation and parking plan for the safe and efficient movement of traffic and pedestrians during the upcoming Super Bowl events. "Know Before You Go" will assist local residents and out-of-town visitors with regular updates and information necessary to best navigate downtown. The "Know Before You Go" Transportation Open House was held Dec. 20, at Lucas Oil Stadium. Aimed at transportation professionals, this open house was an opportunity to ensure people know before they go downtown during the Super Bowl period.

 

Near Eastside (supplemental programs listed in Community Programs)

  • Over $154 million has been leveraged by the neighborhood and the Legacy Project towards neighborhood revitalization since 2008.
  • The Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center/Indianapolis Youth Education Town will reach substantial completion on schedule. Equipment and furniture installation will occur during the holiday weeks. A ribbon cutting will be held during Super Bowl week.
  • The Legacy Pre-game VIP Reception and Dinner is Jan. 12.
  • 204 units of housing now positively affected by the initiative - from homeowner repairs, new affordable apartments, the Centennial Project or new homes currently being sold, we fully expect this figure will exceed 250 residences before Super Bowl XLVI.
  • •n addition to the above, through the Better Building project, an additional 85 Near Eastside homes have received energy efficiency upgrades;
  • The CommonWealth Apartments building dedication and opening will be held Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. This project will refurbish a long vacant former Indianapolis Public School building into 32 units of affordable housing.
  • The Connect10n Gateway Project is nearing completion with trees planted; the mural complete; and two sculptures planned for installation before game day.
  • Pogues Run Grocer, Indy's first food coop, celebrated its one year anniversary.

Super Scarves

  • The original goal was to collect 8,000 Super Scarves.
  • We have currently received 12,295 scarves that will be distributed to Super Bowl volunteers and frontline hospitality workers.
  • Scarves have been handcrafted and sent to the Host Committee from 44 states, Washington D.C. and three other countries (Canada, England and South Africa).

Volunteer Program

•The Host Committee has completed the first three phases of the volunteer training program: Volunteer Kick-off (held Sept. 21, 2011), Super Service Training (launched Oct. 3, 2011) and Volunteer Team Training (Dec. 9 -  15, 2011). Volunteers will receive their uniforms in January.

•The volunteer registration system has closed as all available shifts have been filled.

•Volunteer hours to date: 52,975 through November; on pace for almost 150,000 hours.

 

Local News Briefs

Stop signs to be added to two county intersections

The Pulaski County Highway Department will add stop signs Monday (April 28) to two county road intersections – one in southeast Rich Grove Township, and the second in northwest Monroe Township.

The new stop signs were approved April 14 in an ordinance adopted by the county commissioners.

Pulaski County America 250 committee to meet April 28

The Pulaski County America 250 Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Monday (April 28) at the new Pulaski County Historical Society Museum, 110 N. Monticello St., Winamac.

All who are interested in helping to develop county plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary beginning this summer through 2026 is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to attend the meeting.

Pulaski County Economic Development Summit April 29

The annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit is set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at the Knights of Columbus hall, Winamac. The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. The program will also feature the annual “State of the County Economy” address by CDC executive director Nathan Origer.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

PCPL lists programs, activities for April

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for April. They include a celebration of National Library Week, a kids’ caring for the environment program, a Ladybug Welcome Sign craft, and an Earth Day craft.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

 

Indiana News

Southbound I-65 reopens in Jasper County following hazmat fire

ROSELAWN (April 22) - I-65 southbound reopened near mile marker 230 at approximately 6:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, almost 17 hours following a spectacular semi-truck fire and hazmat cleanup which included an overnight repaving of a section of the interstate. No injuries were reported.

After assessing the damage to the roadway, the Indiana Department of Transportation determined that the accident scene needed to be resurfaced. INDOT already has a contract in place for this area for pavement patching with Rieth-Riley Construction, and they were able to mobilize to take over the scene once cleanup was complete. A total of 7,700 square feet of asphalt to a depth of four inches (and six inches on the outside shoulder) had to be replaced overnight.

Braun signs package of executive orders to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15) – Gov. Mike Braun Tuesday signed a landmark package of executive orders with initiatives to improve Indiana’s health and well-being.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance to support Indiana’s initiative. Indiana now joins a number of states that have embraced, through legislation or executive orders, Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

DEA/ISP Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 26

PERU – The Indiana State Police will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Saturday, April 26 for their 27th “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.

The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of unwanted prescription drugs.

 

Pulaski County unemployment rate up slightly at 4.3 percent in February

Pulaski County's unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3 percent in February, up from 4.2 percent in January, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (March 31). The rate was 3.8 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,535 employed persons in a labor force of 6,831 in February. In January those numbers were 6,507 of 6,793. A year ago the numbers were 6,381 of 6.645.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

 

Post News

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker

Alliance Junior Board visits BraunAbility

The Alliance Bank Junior Board of Directors had the opportunity to visit BraunAbility in Winamac in April.

During their visit, the student directors were given a presentation about the company and had the chance to ask questions. They also had a tour of the facility, which allowed them to see the manufacturing process of vehicles equipped to assist individuals with disabilities.

Jury finds Monterey man guilty of attempted murder 

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County Circuit Court jury has found a Monterey man guilty of attempted murder in connection with a July 3, 2023 shooting in downtown Monterey.

Kenneth D. Ketcahm, 41, was also convicted on additional charges of criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm. The verdict was returned Monday (April 14).

Fatal crash on U.S. 421 under Investigation

MEDARYVILLE (April 15) – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash which claimed the life of a Porter County man Tuesday on U.S 421 near the intersection of CR 800N in Cass Township.

The crash involved a dump truck and minivan. Release of the identity of the deceased minivan driver is pending the notification of family.