Kiwi News Network

  Plainfield, IN — Fire crews responded to a reported fire at the My Place Hotel on Gateway Drive Thursday evening around 9:30 p.m., prompting an evacuation of the building. Plainfield and Decatur Township firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the third floor as occupants evacuated the hotel. Crews quickly located the source of the fire and worked to contain it. The cause of the fire was determined to be a cooktop stove that caught fire inside a third-floor room. The fire was contained to that single room and did not spread to other areas of the building. One person was transported to a local hospital. Their condition has not been released.

PLAINFIELD, Ind. —  A new community park in the Hobbs Station development is bringing recreation, history, and public art together in one place. Swarn Park recently welcomed visitors with the installation of several sculptures created by Indianapolis artist and former Major League Baseball player Micah Johnson . The sculptures feature Johnson’s well-known character Aku, which represents imagination, perseverance, and dreaming big. The centerpiece of the installation is a large Aku sculpture that rises roughly 25 feet into the air. Several additional Aku statues, each between about 6 and 9 feet tall, are placed throughout the park so visitors can encounter them as they explore the space. Located within the Hobbs Station development, the park is part of the area’s continued growth as new residential, commercial, and industrial projects take shape. Town leaders say the addition of the park helps create a welcoming gathering space while also adding a creative element to the district...

  Avon, IN — Police are investigating a shooting Tuesday afternoon at the Mosaic Apartments. Avon Police say officers responded to the apartment complex around 3 p.m. after reports of a person being shot. When officers arrived, they located one individual who had been injured. The person was transported to a hospital, but their condition has not been released. Police say the incident appears to involve only one person and there is no immediate threat to the community. The investigation remains active and additional information has not yet been released. Authorities say more details may be provided as the investigation continues.

  AVON, Ind. — A new location of Ale Emporium officially opened its doors in Avon, bringing the popular restaurant and bar to Hendricks County. The new restaurant welcomed its first visitors during its grand opening Monday. Guests stopping in during the afternoon were able to take a look inside the new space, which features a clean, spacious layout and a welcoming atmosphere. Staff members greeted visitors as they stopped in to check out the new location. Several community members could be seen walking through the restaurant and getting their first look at the newest addition to Avon’s dining scene. Ale Emporium is well known around central Indiana for its casual sports bar environment and menu items including wings and pizza. The Avon location adds another option for residents in Hendricks County looking for a place to grab food, watch sports, or spend time with friends and family.

  Plainfield, Indiana — A three-vehicle crash at the intersection of US-40 and William Trace injured at least five people and shut down the highway in both directions Sunday afternoon. The crash happened just after 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the busy Plainfield intersection. Multiple emergency crews from Plainfield and Avon Fire Departments responded to the scene and evaluated several victims for injuries. Multiple people were transported to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Additional ambulances had to be dispatched from Avon.  US-40 was shut down in both directions while crews worked to assist the injured and clear the damaged vehicles from the roadway.

  PITTSBORO, Ind. — The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of shots fired Saturday evening near Jeff Gordon Boulevard just north of East County Road 900 North. The incident was reported around 5:30 p.m. Deputies responded to the area and began an investigation. According to Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jim Yetter , deputies are currently on the scene looking into the report. “We are on the scene of a shots fired investigation. No one was shot or injured,” Yetter said. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the reported gunfire. The investigation remains ongoing. 📸 Photo submitted by a viewer

  PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Police in Plainfield are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing runaway juvenile. According to the Plainfield Police Department, 17-year-old Penelope McGowan was last seen leaving school with her older sister. Investigators say the sister later told officers she dropped Penelope off in the neighborhood where she lives with her father. Authorities said the last known GPS location from Penelope’s phone showed her traveling southbound on Moon Road just south of U.S. 40 before the phone was believed to have been turned off. Penelope was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue pants, and a black jacket with fur on the hood. She was also carrying a backpack. She is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with red hair and hazel eyes. Police say Penelope has not made contact with friends or family since being dropped off in the neighborhood. It is currently unknown who she may be traveling with or if she may be in danger. Anyone w...

  Danville, Indiana — Firefighters responded Friday morning to a fire at a senior living complex in Danville, prompting a response focused on suppressing the fire and evacuating residents. The fire was reported at approximately 10:45 a.m. at a senior living complex located at 1570 E Main St in Danville . According to fire operations radio traffic, crews responded to the scene and began coordinating efforts to control the fire while assisting residents out of the building. Firefighters worked to suppress the flames and ensure those inside the facility were safely evacuated. Radio communications from the scene capture the early stages of the response, including the arrival of firefighters and coordination between crews as operations continued. Additional details, including the cause of the fire, possible injuries, and the extent of damage, have not yet been released.

PLAINFIELD, Ind. — A van caught fire Tuesday evening at 1204 Keller Dr., with the flames spreading to a nearby home and causing damage to the residence. The fire was first reported just after 6 p.m. Avon and Plainfield Fire Departments responded to the scene and worked to extinguish the flames. The cause of the van fire has not yet been released. No injuries have been reported, and the incident remains under investigation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

  BROWNSBURG, IN — Bethesda Christian School will host an active shooter training exercise on March 3 and March 4 from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. each evening. The training will involve law enforcement personnel conducting live scenario exercises on the school campus. Community members may notice an increased presence of law enforcement vehicles, emergency lights, and activity around the campus during the training hours. Officials emphasize that this is a planned training exercise and there is no cause for alarm. The training is designed to help law enforcement agencies prepare for emergency situations and strengthen coordination between first responders. Exercises like these allow officers to practice response strategies in realistic environments, helping improve preparedness and response times if a real emergency were to occur. For safety and security reasons, the public will not be permitted on campus during the training hours. Residents and community members are asked to a...

BROWNSBURG, IN — A warehouse at 10255 Archer Dr caught fire again Sunday night around 11:00 PM, marking the second fire at this same facility since December 17th. Flames and smoke were visible from the street as emergency crews worked to get the situation under control. While emergency crews were tied up dealing with THEIR fire — using OUR tax‑funded resources — a representative from Fiber Global came out and tried to stop me from documenting what was happening for the public. I was using my camera from a publicly accessible area when he ordered me to leave, threatened to report my license plate to police, and insisted I couldn’t even point my camera toward the warehouse. After I moved completely off their property and onto the street, he came back again — this time attempting to stand directly in front of my camera to block any attempt at gathering news footage. Instead of focusing on the fact that their warehouse was burning for the second time in two months, the priority seemed ...

Brownsburg, IN — Police responded yesterday around 4:30 PM to a report at the Walmart located at 400 Northfield Drive in Brownsburg . A caller reported a male sitting in a vehicle parked in the fire lane while observing Girl Scouts with binoculars. Officers were dispatched to check the area. Individuals associated with the Girl Scout troops selling cookies at the location shared publicly that they had been notified by Girl Scout leadership about the situation. They are encouraging members of the community to remain aware of their surroundings and to report any concerning behavior to law enforcement or Girl Scout officials. No additional details about the male or his intentions have been released at this time. We reached out to the Brownsburg Police Department for comment but have not yet received a response. This incident serves as a reminder for the community to stay vigilant during public events and activities, including local fundraising efforts such as Girl Scout cookie sales...

  AVON, Ind. — Fire crews responded Thursday afternoon after a vehicle caught fire in the drive-thru of a CVS pharmacy at the intersection of Dan Jones Road and U.S. 36. The incident was reported around 2:30 p.m., with firefighters arriving to find a vehicle burning near the building. The flames caused damage to part of the structure, and smoke reportedly spread inside the store, prompting an evacuation while crews worked to contain the fire. Firefighters were able to bring the situation under control quickly and prevent the flames from spreading further into the building.

PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Emergency crews responded to a serious multi-vehicle crash Thursday morning along I-70 eastbound near Plainfield that led to a medical helicopter landing directly on the interstate and firefighters working to free a trapped victim. Units were first dispatched to the scene around 8:40 a.m. after reports of a collision involving a semi truck and several other vehicles. During the response, a medical helicopter was requested to the scene so medics could provide advanced care on the interstate. Fire crews also had to extricate one person who was trapped inside a vehicle following the crash. Officials have not yet released information on the extent of injuries or the conditions of those involved. Emergency responders remained on scene for several hours as they worked to manage the incident and investigate what led up to the collision. Authorities have not yet released additional details, and the crash remains under investigation.

 A former Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer will spend decades in prison after being convicted of multiple sex crimes involving a minor in Hendricks County. Kamal Bola, a former six-year veteran of IMPD, was found guilty by a Hendricks County jury on January 29, 2026, of several felony offenses, including Level 1 felony child molesting, two Level 4 felony sex offenses, and three Level 6 felony offenses that included obstruction of justice. He was found not guilty on one additional Level 4 felony count. The case stemmed from an investigation that began on September 3, 2024, after a concealed recording device was discovered inside the bedroom of a 14-year-old minor in Plainfield. According to investigators, the camera had been intentionally placed in the child’s room. After the discovery was reported to authorities, detectives with the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office launched a detailed investigation. Through the execution of search warrants, forensic interview...

 A coordinated investigation involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrest of a 64-year-old man accused in a serious child exploitation case connected to Hendricks County. Authorities say the investigation began on February 13, 2026, after investigators received information that child sexual abuse material had allegedly been produced. Officials also learned the child depicted in the material was believed to be living with the suspect in Vigo County, prompting an urgent response. Detectives from the Terre Haute Police Department, working alongside the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the FBI, moved quickly to obtain a search warrant. That warrant was executed later the same day at the suspect’s residence with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies from across the region. Following the search, Steven E. Ray, 64, was taken into custody. Prosecutors in Hendricks County have filed multiple felony charges agai...

  AVON, Ind. — Concerns have been raised by a Hendricks County parent after she says a teacher at Avon Middle School North followed and exchanged direct messages with her daughter on Instagram. According to the parent, she received an email addressing the situation and was told the teacher had interacted with her child on social media. The parent also said she was informed other students may have had contact with the teacher as well, though those reports have not been independently confirmed. The student involved is now in high school but previously attended Avon Middle School North, where the teacher worked during the prior school year. In an email provided to the parent, an Avon High School administrator confirmed the situation had been reviewed by school officials. The message stated that a small number of messages were exchanged between the teacher and student and that the matter was examined internally. School officials indicated they found nothing of a criminal nature in the...

 STILESVILLE, Ind. — Court records are revealing disturbing allegations following the death of an 11-year-old girl in Stilesville earlier this month , a case that has now led to serious felony charges against her parents. Kenneth Vasquez, 39, and Elba Vazquez, 35, are each charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony under Indiana law. Both remain held in the Hendricks County Jail on $1 million bonds as the case proceeds through the courts. Emergency crews were dispatched to the family’s home in the 6000 block of West U.S. 40 shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 14 after the child was reported unresponsive. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but the girl was pronounced deceased at the scene. According to information contained in court filings, investigators quickly began to suspect the death may have been the result of ongoing neglect and abuse. Interviews conducted with other children in the home, along with physical evidence collected inside...

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. —  Wayne Township Fire Department responded to a residential fire on Southernwood Lane in the Cameron Meadows neighborhood near the Hendricks County line Thursday evening, with assistance from Plainfield and Avon fire crews. Firefighters were dispatched to reports of a working house fire in the neighborhood. Early indications suggest the fire may have been sparked by a lightning strike as storms moved through the area. Crews worked to contain the fire while operating on scene. Officials have not yet released information regarding injuries or the extent of damage to the home. The incident remains under review, and additional details may be released as investigators determine the exact cause of the fire.

  AVON, Indiana — New details have been released in connection with the fatal crash that occurred Wednesday along U.S. 36 in Hendricks County, including the identity of the semi driver accused of causing the collision. Authorities have identified the driver as 24-year-old Sukhdeep Singh. His mugshot was released after he was taken into custody at the scene by Indiana State Police. Law enforcement sources confirm Singh is currently being held on an immigration hold by federal authorities while the crash investigation continues. Formal charges related to the fatal collision have not yet been announced. Investigators say the crash happened after the semi Singh was driving ran a red light at the intersection, leading to the collision that killed a Hendricks County man. Officials spent several hours at the scene documenting evidence and reconstructing the crash. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional updates are expected as authorities continue reviewing the circumstance...

  AVON, Indiana — One person is dead following a three-vehicle crash that shut down part of U.S. 36 near Avon on Wednesday afternoon. The crash happened around midday at the intersection of U.S. 36 and County Road 525 East. According to investigators, a semitrailer traveling eastbound on U.S. 36 failed to stop for a red light and collided with a northbound pickup truck entering the intersection. The impact forced the pickup across the grassy median, where it then struck another vehicle that had been waiting in the left-turn lane on the westbound side of the highway. The driver of the pickup, who was the only occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say no other people involved in the crash suffered life-threatening injuries. Eastbound U.S. 36 remained shut down at the scene for several hours while investigators documented the crash and crews worked to clear the roadway. The closure lasted from the time of the crash until about 5 p.m.

 BEECH GROVE, Indiana — The Beech Grove community is mourning the loss of one of its own after Officer Brian Elliott died from injuries sustained in the line of duty Tuesday evening. According to Beech Grove Police, officers were dispatched around 6:08 p.m. to the 100 block of Diplomat Court for a reported disturbance. When officers arrived, gunfire erupted, striking Officer Elliott and another responding officer. Both were transported to Eskenazi Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite lifesaving efforts by medical personnel, Officer Elliott succumbed to his injuries. The second injured officer remains in stable condition and is expected to survive. Officer Elliott’s death has sent shockwaves through the Beech Grove Police Department and surrounding law enforcement agencies. Officials expressed gratitude to hospital staff, partner agencies, and community members who responded to the incident and offered support in its aftermath. Family members, fellow officers, and the Bee...

  BEECH GROVE, Indiana — Law enforcement agencies across the Indianapolis area are actively searching for an armed suspect after two Beech Grove police officers were shot during a disturbance near Beech Grove High School. The shooting occurred in the 100 block of Diplomat Court, prompting a large emergency response and assistance from multiple agencies, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Authorities confirmed both officers were injured in the incident. Their conditions have not been fully detailed publicly as the investigation continues. Officials have identified the suspect as 47-year-old Kenneth Terrell Johnson , who is considered armed and dangerous. He is described as approximately 6 feet tall, around 165 pounds, with a slender build. Police say he was last seen wearing a royal blue hooded sweatshirt. Authorities are urging residents in and around the Indianapolis metro area to remain alert and report any suspicious activity. Because the suspect rema...

  PLAINFIELD, Ind. — Firefighters from multiple departments responded to a residential fire in Plainfield on Sunday afternoon, bringing the situation under control within minutes of arriving. According to dispatch information, crews from the Plainfield, Mooresville, and Decatur Township Fire Departments were sent to the area of Edgewood Court and Timberwood Court at approximately 2:38 p.m. for a reported house fire. First-arriving units encountered fire conditions at the scene, but firefighters were able to act quickly, knocking down the flames within about seven minutes of their arrival. The rapid response helped prevent the fire from spreading further and limited the duration of the incident. At this time, officials have not released information regarding injuries, the extent of damage to the home, or what may have caused the fire. An investigation into the incident is expected.