🌱 East Market St. Reopens + Indy Teen Delivers Christmas Hope

Happy Monday, people of Indianapolis! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening locally today.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 42 Low: 25.

Here are the top 3 stories in Indianapolis today:

1. East Market St. in front of the City Market is back open in downtown Indianapolis. The conclusion of construction comes just in time for thousands of fans to make their way to Indy for the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 10. Once all the fans have gone home after the big weekend, the second phase of the West Market St. project will begin. (Fox 59)
2. A 13-year-old in Indianapolis is on a mission this holiday season: to give people hope. After seeing first-hand the impact of gun violence in the community, Reese Hamilton wants to "bring back some positivity after all the negativity" by leaving filled stockings on people's doorstep this Christmas Eve. Hamilton hosted a stocking stuffer drive this Sunday through his charitable organization, Reese's Blue Ribbon Project. (WTTV CBS4Indy)
3. IMPD is investigating a single-vehicle crash on the city's near northwest side early Saturday morning that killed a woman. The crash at 21st Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard happened shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday. Two women were in the Pontiac SUV when the crash occurred, and one of them died; investigators did not share the women's names or what may have led to the crash. (WTHR)

Today's Indianapolis Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Indianapolis:

• Zionsville Town Council (Via Zoom) - Zionsville Town Hall (7:30 AM)
• Indy Fuel Day At Winterfest - Zionsville Town Community Events (10:00 AM)
• Winter Painting - Hussey - Mayfield Memorial Public Library (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Indianapolis Animal Care Services shelter reported that they are "full and understaffed," and are now asking people who find lost pets to try to locate the owner instead of bringing them into the shelter. (Facebook)
• Hop on the Snowfall Express train at the Indiana State Museum for an adventure through a whimsical winter wonderland. (Facebook)
• The Air Force Thunderbirds are set to welcome fans “Back Home Again” for the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Franklin Pest Solutions — (Visit website)
• Integrated Deicing Services — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
• Add your event

Loving the Indianapolis Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and as an assistant producer for a live-lit storytelling show in Chicago. She holds a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies from The University of Rhode Island. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.