Defining Moments For Indiana In 2018: Biggest Stories

ACROSS INDIANA — It's hard to believe 2018 is already coming to an end due to how much happened this year, especially in the Indianapolis-area and throughout the state. Certain moments during 2018 showed Hoosiers at their worst, while several other moments showed Hoosiers at their very best. Whether it was a tragedy that tested our strength, a person or event that helped restore our faith in humanity, or something strange that left us not knowing whether to laugh, or sigh (or both), it's hard to believe how much happened around us this year.

Noblesville Teacher Swatted Gun From Shooter's Hand

What happened on Friday, May 25 in Noblesville, Indiana was an event many thought would never happen in the central Indiana city. A 13-year-old male student opened fire inside a Noblesville West Middle School classroom that morning, shooting and injuring seventh grade teacher Jason Seaman and student Ella Whistler, also 13. Patch editors immediately went to the area and followed this ongoing story from the minute it broke.

It was recently said the male teen has shown no remorse for shooting his teacher and a classmate at the Indianapolis-area school, and he should be held at a state juvenile detention center until he is 18 or deemed rehabilitated, an Indiana judge ruled in November.

Ella was shot seven times that morning, and Seaman was shot three times as he threw himself into the line of fire, disarming the teen as he swatted the gun from the shooter's hand.

Along with her parents, Whistler filed a civil lawsuit on Nov. 19 in Hamilton County against the shooter's parents.

Toddler Siblings Hit By Train, One Dead: Portage Police

A 3-year-old boy was killed and his 2-year-old sister was injured after they were hit by a CSX freight train in Portage during an August morning. The tragedy brought the children's neighbors at the Woodland Village Mobile Home Park together, calling for CSX to install a fence between the mobile home park and the tracks, which sit just south of the park at U.S. Highway 20.

The news report said community members created a petition on change.org in order to do just that, after officials said an investigation by Portage Police Detectives indicated it appeared the toddlers, Caleb Wilson and his sister Ellie Wilson, went out a screen door of their nearby home and made their way to the CSX tracks.

The Times reported neighbors called on both the park's owner and CSX Railroad more than a decade ago to do something to protect the children living there.

Roncalli HS Stands By Asking Counselor To Resign

In August, people across the Indianapolis area and the U.S. took to social media when a Roncalli High School guidance counselor was placed on administrative leave after the school administration learned of her marriage to another woman. In a Facebook post, Shelly Fitzgerald wrote she has had to "hide her 22-year relationship" with someone she loves and parents with, adding that "someone sought out" her marriage certificate from Hancock County and turned it into the Catholic school's chief administrator Joe Hollowell.

In the post, Fitzgerald says she met with Hollowell and Weisenbach and was given the options to resign, "dissolve" her marriage, or, "wait it out and stay quiet and maybe I can make it the rest of the year, but they will not renew my contract next year 4," though she has no intention of quitting, divorcing her wife or not telling anyone why she has to leave.

The woman's story and the support she has received, especially from a Facebook page to support Fitzgerald, under the name Time to be a Rebel, landed her a spot on "The Ellen Show" in September.

Trump-Shaped Ecstasy Pills Seized During Indiana Drug Sweep

It was a strange find for officers from several law enforcement agencies across north central Indiana during a stretch of unannounced patrols in June. During the patrols called "Operation Blue Anvil" on June 19 through June 21, and June 26 through June 28, Indiana State Police reported officers located several drugs and drug paraphernalia, including ecstasy pills in the shape of President Donald Trump's head, with "Great Again" stamped on the back.

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ISP said U.S. 31 was chosen due to a high volume of motorists using the route to travel through northern Indiana, as the goal of the operation was to enforce traffic laws and catch individuals who use Indiana roadways to transport and distribute illegal narcotics.

Richmond School Temporarily Closed After 'Isolated Incident'

The Indiana State Police said the Wayne County Coroner's Office identified the teenage suspect killed during a Dec. 13 incident at Dennis Intermediate School in Richmond, just minutes after the suspect's mother called 911 alerting officials to the imminent danger. The Indiana State Police said preliminary autopsy results indicate 14-year-old Brandon Clegg, of Richmond, died Dec. 13 from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Wayne County Coroner, Ron Stevens.

The Indiana State Police said Clegg's mother, 42-year-old Mary York, also of Richmond, alerted authorities and school officials to the approaching violence at the intermediate school.
Police are emphasizing the result of the advance notification from York. ISP said the school was able to initiate their lock down procedure which in turn prevented injury to students and faculty, even though the suspect was able to get inside.

Video Shows DiGiorno Pizzas Behind Indiana Little Caesars Counter

Pizza-lovers were confused after a customer at an Indiana Little Caesars location posted a video to Twitter in October showing a woman behind the counter with a shopping cart filled with DiGiorno pizzas. "This can't be happening right in front of me," a Twitter wrote when sharing the video Since the post, the video has been viewed more than 4.71 million times, including a retweet by model and author Chrissy Teigen (see below), who captioned her post, "The only little Caesars I want to go to."

DiGiorno and Little Caesars made light of the situation on Twitter, going back and forth tweeting at one another.

Franklin Township Family Believes Tamiflu Led To Teen's Suicide

A Franklin Township family said they believe 16-year-old Charlie Harp's suicide may have been influenced by severe side effects of Tamiflu, which he started taking right after he was diagnosed with the illness in January. Less than 24 hours later, and just two doses in, WXIN says Harp's aunt and guardian, Jackie Ray, texted the teen, but didn't get a response. The medication was the only thing the family can think of when trying to figure out why Harp took his own life, as the teen's loved ones say he was thriving in his classes and excited about his involvement on the school's wrestling team.

The Tamilfu warning label clearly states pediatric patients may be at an increased risk of confusion or abnormal behavior, which the Rays told WXIN they weren't properly warned about what that could mean.

South Bend Mayor Marries Partner In Same-Sex Ceremony

South Bend Democratic Mayor Pete Buttigieg married his partner in June, announcing the news of his marriage on Twitter, thanking everyone who helped the pair celebrate. Buttigieg, 36, and Chasten Glezman exchanged vows during a 45-minute ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint James Episcopal Church in South Bend.

'Any Tips' Sought By Shelby County Animal Shelter On Burned Dog

The Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter wants the public's help as staff members try to figure out what happened to an injured dog found walking on the road by a good Samaritan Friday, Nov. 2 who told them the male dog was wandering the road "in the vicinity of 900 North and 400 West in Shelby County Indiana." According to the shelter, the Pit Bull/ Terrier mix was picked up by Animal Control after the phone call.

Patch reached out to Chris Browder with the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter Monday regarding Justice's recovery. Browder told Patch that Justice had a "devoted veterinarian" at IndyVet, where Justice was resting quietly while in the best hands.

The shelter continues posting updates about Justice's recovery on Facebook, as the dog recovers from what shelter workers called "horrific" wounds and had a long way to go with his recovery. The shelter is asking for any tips regarding what was done to the poor dog. Anonymous tips can be made by emailing cbrowder@cityofshelbyvillein.com or by calling the shelter at 317-392-5127.

More of this year's biggest moments from Patch:

• Indianapolis Woman Who Lost Family Files $300M Duck Boat Lawsuit
• Edwin Jackson, Indianapolis Colts Linebacker, Killed On I-70
• Children Identified In Indiana Bus Stop Crash, Woman Arrested
• Dogs Adopted After Indiana Owner's Euthanasia Request Denied
• Boy, 8, Dies After Mistaking Dad's Meth For Cereal

Thank you, always, for being a Patch reader. Let me know which pieces stood out to you the most, and what you'd like to read more of in 2019. If you haven't yet, sign up for Patch's free daily newsletter and Like/follow the Indianapolis Patch Facebook page. It's your way to choose your news. I'd be happy to hear from you: rebecca.bream@patch.com

Image via Patch file photo