🌱 Indy Rent Increasing + Falls Church Dr. Shooting Injures Woman

Happy Saturday, Indianapolis! Let's start today off on an informed note. These are the most important things going on today in Indianapolis.

First, today's weather:

A little morning snow; colder. High: 29 Low: 17.

Here are the top three stories today in Indianapolis:

1. A man has died following a New Year's Eve apartment fire on Newberry Road. 50-year-old Frederick Spinks was awakened by firefighters during the blaze on New Year’s Eve, and died of smoke inhalation on Jan. 9. Spinks had been pulled through a third floor window at the Timber Brook Apartments by the Indianapolis Fire Department, and had said he was unaware of the fire until he was woken up and rescued. (WISHTV.com)
2. Rent prices in Indianapolis and across the state are continuing to rise, according to new studies. Local real estate broker Tamika Patterson says the increase may be due to more people looking to rent, as there currently are not enough houses available to buy. In 2021, Indianapolis saw a 13 percent increase in rent. (WTTV CBS4Indy)
3. A woman was injured after shots were fired from outside of a far east side home on Friday. The shooting occurred in the 11000 block of Falls Church Drive around 12:25 a.m., and injured a woman inside the home. The victim is in stable condition at the hospital and police are investigating the incident. (Fox 59)

Today in Indianapolis:

• Saturday Morning Playdate: Block Party, At Indianapolis Public Library (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites will offer free admission on Monday to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Facebook)
• 36-year-old David Griggs was steered toward a career in the fire service by his brothers, one who serves on City of Lawrence FD and Mike, who serves on the Indianapolis Fire Department. He joins IFD Recruit Class 87 as a proud Southport High School grad who attended Ivy Tech Community College. (Facebook)
• The Indianapolis Zoo has a wild schedule of events planned for this year! From the return of summer concerts to the spring festival that's bigger than ever — it all begins next week with free admission on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners, and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.