🌱 Indy Prisoner's Not-For-Profit Org + New Hotel At Bethel AME

Good morning, Indianapolis! Like many of you, the Patch team is taking some time off to celebrate the New Year, so there will not be a newsletter in your inbox tomorrow. We appreciate your understanding of this slight pause in our schedule, and I will be back on Monday with the next edition of the Indianapolis Daily! Now, here's everything happening around town today.

First, today's weather:

Mild with some sun. High: 57 Low: 52.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Indianapolis:

1. An Indianapolis man started a not-for-profit while behind bars to help local children avoid the same fate. After a series of bad decisions and struggles with mental health, Armand Fuller found himself with a 25-year prison sentence for armed robbery. With the help of his mother, Fuller launched WAYS — short for Why Aren't You Smiling — an organization that teaches kids about the importance of mental health and finding positive ways to deal with their emotions. (CBS 4 Indianapolis)
2. A new hotel has opened in downtown Indianapolis. The more than $50 million, dual-branded Hampton Inn by Hilton and Homewood Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Canal IUPUI has created about 20 jobs with plans for more. The seven-story hotel is built around the historic site of the Bethel AME Church. (WISHTV.com)
3. An Indianapolis man was arrested Wednesday in Greenwood after he fled from police and seriously injured a woman when he crashed into her vehicle. Officers attempted to pull the vehicle over for a minor traffic violation; the suspect instead sped off northbound on U.S. 31, then ran a red light struck a westbound sedan in the intersection of Stop 11 road. After crashing into the sedan and injuring the driver, the suspect hit two unoccupied parked cars in a parking lot and attempted to flee on foot.(Fox 59)

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Today in Indianapolis:

• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! - FTD Flowers (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Indianapolis Zoo will be closed today and New Year's Day, reopening on Jan. 2., 2022. (Facebook)
• This week, Governor Eric Holcomb hosted the state's first COVID-19 update since September. Holcomb announced he's extending the state's public health emergency order during the state's third major COVID surge. (Instagram)
• Trees don't just look good; they help the environment and the whole community. Learn more from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and apply to have trees planted near you at kibi.org/trees. (Instagram)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I hope you have a happy New Year, and I'll be back in your inbox Monday morning with another 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.