ISO tunes up for the holidays

IndyStar.com:

"For the first time, the 22nd annual production will feature the African Children's Choir, composed of children from east Africa whose performances raise money for youth education. Grammy Award-winning vocalist Sandi Patty will return to host the extravaganza, which features more than 20 singers and dozens of dancers. Portraits of angels by Hoosier artist Nancy Noel will adorn the stage during the performance of 'Star of Bethlehem.'

The ISO and Duke Energy will conduct a warm-clothing drive through the 'Yuletide Stocking' program throughout December. The public is encouraged to bring new or slightly used items of warm winter clothing to the Hilbert Circle Theatre."

Is The Competition Faltering?

Scout.com:

"So what's wrong with the Colts?

Nothing that getting some rest and a few injured players back in the starting lineup can't fix.

Indianapolis won't have much time to get that much-needed rest this week as the team will play at Atlanta on Thursday night in a nationally televised game. That means a day off on Monday, a full practice on Tuesday and most likely a short workout Wednesday before heading south to face the Falcons. The good news, however, is that after the Atlanta game, the Colts will have 10 days to recuperate before a Dec. 2 home rematch with AFC South rival Jacksonville."

Indiana SWAT Teams Raids Wrong Home

FOXNews.com :

"Convinced the fugitive they were looking for was inside, a SWAT team raided the wrong apartment and left a single mother of two homeless, WLWT is reporting.

The SWAT team reportedly surrounded the apartment building and spent hours ordering the suspect to surrender, but when he didn't, they forced themselves into the apartment and sprayed tear gas, the station is reporting.

'It looked like my apartment was on fire,' Kayla Irwin told WLWT. 'The smoke was just blowing out of my windows.'"

Property tax debate begins as legislative session opens

WTHR :

"Indiana lawmakers are beginning the hard job of finding a solution to skyrocketing property taxes.

Organizational Day at the Statehouse is normally an opportunity to set the agenda for the session, but this year, it marks the beginning of the property tax debate, one the entire state will be watching.

The debate can be broken down into a tale of two cities. Representative David Orentlicher believes he has a solution that will equalize property taxes in Hamilton and Marion Counties."

Assessors Crunch Reassessment Numbers as Deadline Looms

WISH TV 8:

"Hundreds of thousands of Marion County property owners are anxiously waiting for the reassessment ordered by Governor Daniels. The deadline to get it done is now just over two months away.

Four new staff members and an outside vendor are working at the Marion County Assessors Office, crunching the numbers that will eventually give taxpayers an updated assessment.

The assessor needs to turn over numbers to the state for 330,000 residential and 23,000 commercial and industrial properties by February 1st. Marion County Assessor Greg Bowes says the assessment is ahead of schedule on the residential side, finding problems in only two of nine townships. "

Sheriff says vote should decide who leads IMPD

IndyStar.com:

"The Marion County sheriff wants a public vote on whether he or the mayor of Indianapolis should oversee the consolidated Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

But a referendum is not possible in Indiana unless the General Assembly passes a law to allow one. And before that vote could be set up, the City-County Council may have already acted to give Mayor-elect Greg Ballard the control he wants.
"It would take at least a year to go to a ballot, but the council has the power to (put the mayor in charge right away), and I think that's going to happen," said Bob Cockrum, the new leader of Republicans on the council. He is expected to be elected council president in January."

Small fire closes NCAA headquarters, museum

SI.com :

"The NCAA museum and headquarters closed for the day because of a small fire, and some exhibits at the NCAA Hall of Champions sustained water damage from sprinklers.

The fire was reported Wednesday morning and apparently was caused by an electrical problem, Indianapolis fire Capt. Gregg Harris said.

Damage was confined to part of the museum's second floor. The area included interactive, electronic exhibits and displays on tennis and volleyball."