A fire broke out at the Wawa gas station currently under construction in Brownsburg just after 11:30 a.m
Crews were able to get the blaze under control quickly and no injuries were reported by the Brownsburg Fire Territory
As responding firefighters were on their way to the scene, they spotted a column of smoke rising from the lot near the intersection of North State Road 267 and East County Road 700 North.
Smoke and fire were coming from the rooftop by the time Brownsburg Fire Territory crews arrived
As first responders cleared the interior of the building
they learned that there was a person still stuck on the fiery roof
That person was soon rescued using ground ladders and was unharmed
A fire engine was able to bring the blaze under control after about eight to 10 minutes
Two additional firetrucks helped with water supply and fire suppression
Pittsboro and Wayne Township helped respond to the call
More: Wawa opening multiple stores in central Indiana in 2025. See where they are.
Photographs taken at the scene show thick smoke pouring from the partially-built convenience store
with pieces of singed insulation visible near the building's entrance
The Brownsburg store is one of at least seven stores Wawa plans to open in Indiana in 2025
A representative from the chain said it's not yet known how much the store's opening will be delayed
The fire remains under investigation with the Brownsburg Fire Territory Fire Marshals Office
This story was updated to add new information
Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com
INDIANA — Investigators have ruled the fire at a Wawa construction site in Brownsburg an accident
The Fire Marshals Office said the fire was caused by a hot piece of equipment that was being used on top of the roof at the time of the fire
Brownsburg dispatchers confirmed the Brownsburg Fire Department is responded to a fire at the new Wawa location on Friday
The site of the new Pennsylvania-based convenience store and gas station chain is being built at 700 and State Road 267
Crews at the scene found a person who was working on the roof at the time of the fire
The fire was under control within 10 to 12 minutes
Officials say the construction sight allowed the fire to spread
it is unclear how long this will delay the opening
The Brownsburg Fire Territory posted a series of photos on its Facebook page following the fire
This location is one of 60 stores across the region Wawa plans to build in the Hoosier state over the next eight to 10 years
The first store locations are projected to open by mid-2025
with plans to open up to 10 locations total in 2025
RELATED | Wawa officially launches expansion into Indiana
The nationally-ranked Brownsburg Bulldogs obliterated the record books during the 87th annual IHSAA boys wrestling state finals held inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday with a repeat run for the ages
The Bulldogs crushed the state finals record for team points accumulated with 243
which toppled Crown Point’s previous championship mark of 178 in 2022
and tied Bloomington with seven individual state champions
to capture the program’s third state title all-time
Brownsburg won the team state title last year inside Evansville’s Ford Center
who are ranked 17th in the nation by FloWrestling
tied a state record with eight championship-match qualifiers to outpace runner-up Center Grove (115.0)
The last teams to reach that qualifier feat were Terre Haute Wiley in 1923 and Bloomington in 1949
Among Brownsburg’s seven weight-class champions
including the state’s 11th four-timer Jake Hockaday (23-0)
who added a second straight 132-pound crown to his 106-pound title in 2022 and 120-pound run in 2023
The Bulldogs’ 11 state qualifiers each advanced into the semifinals
as the program rolled to 22-0 to start through the first two rounds with no competitor placing lower than fourth
Sophomore Braylon Reynolds (37-5) was runner-up at 138
while senior Caden Brewer (36-4) was third at 215
senior Maximus Forrester (37-4) was third at 285 and senior Mason Day (31-10) was fourth at 157
“It’s representative of how hard we work in the room
focusing on getting better and the outcome shows,” Brownsburg top-ranked junior Revin Dickman said
We’re out there to have fun and show what we have.”
The Bulldogs won their first four championship matches and their final three with fourth-ranked freshman
Traevon Ducking (37-5) kicking off the run at 106
Top-ranked freshman Case Bell (38-3) won the 113 title
marking the third straight state championship (106 in 2023
113 in 2024) for the fifth-ranked wrestler in the nation
Junior Tommy Gibbs (34-4) pinned to win at 144
and fifth-ranked junior Parker Reynolds (32-7) won at 150
eight by major decision and six by fall through the state finals with three decisions
a tech fall and a pin in the championship finals
The Bulldogs increased their all-time individual state championship total from 14 to 21 in one day
I don’t even know if I can comprehend what they did today
To get 11 in the semis and eight in the finals and seven champs,” Brownsburg head coach Darrick Snyder said
his run at four was record-setting and a testament to perseverance
The nation’s fourth-ranked wrestler broke the state finals team scoring mark in the semifinals with his first of two wins by major decision following a pair of tech falls to start
Hockaday became the state’s first four-timer since Crown Point’s Jesse Mendez (2019-2022) on one leg after suffering a severe knee injury on the first day of season practice
With a fully torn anterior cruciate ligament
a torn meniscus and damage to his medial collateral ligament
Hockaday didn’t compete until December but found a way to finish the year unbeaten
a mean wrestler to score with this,” said Hockaday
who intends to redshirt his initial year at Nebraska
The first night it happened I didn’t believe it
and I was just hobbling around and fighting him on the mat
By solidifying his Greco-Roman style and hand combat techniques
Hockaday won his 136th career match with his knee supported by a brace and wrapped in a sleeve
“Once we got the results back on his knee it was worst-case scenario
so I pulled him off to the side and I just said
‘I have to think there’s a reason for this
I think this is so I can learn how to deal with adversity better
and so I can get better at my hand fighting for college,’” Snyder said
and the entire time he has just turned it into a positive
What a story this is going to be at the end of the year.”
who was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome as a freshman
had surgery to address his condition two years ago and placed sixth at 144 as a sophomore
“They told him he was never wrestling again
and he was patient and relentless in his rehab to get back on the mat,” Snyder said
“It was incredibly stressful and made a tough ending to his freshman year
we’re going to come back next year at 100 percent
the two-time placer was at a similar percentage
He couldn’t tilt the whole tournament because he didn’t have any grip on it
so it’s pretty cool that he was able to have this performance not being able to run his bread and butter,” said Synder
who also missed more than a month this season due to knee surgery and an ensuing infection
we might have been coming off the rails towards the end of the season just wanting to get it done
but everybody here is locked in and loves wrestling,” Hockaday said
Wildcats’ Schaefer Halts Bulldogs’ historyEvansville Mater Dei senior Isaiah Schaefer (43-3) wasn’t thinking about Brownsburg’s pursuit at state finals history
but a late third-period flurry during his 138-pound championship final provided the stopper
With Brownsburg winning its first four of eight finals appearances prior
Schaefer capped the Bulldogs at seven weight-class titles behind a four-point swing in his match’s final 10 seconds
Up 3-0 and later 3-1 to end the first period
Schaefer’s advantage flipped to a 5-3 deficit after Braylon Reynolds turned the tide with an escape and a takedown in the first 19 seconds of the second period
Immediately following a stalling penalty point awarded to Schaefer
the four-time state-place winner went on the offensive with a takedown before the final horn to secure a 7-5 win by decision
It’s still really a blur for me,” Schaefer said
and good things happen when you just wrestle
the Wildcats’ 35th state champion all-time
beat Reynolds by decision 10-3 during the IHSWCA team state last month but lost to the two-time state place-winner in overtime
during the Evansville Semi-State finals last weekend
His clutch instincts secured his first state championship after placing seventh at 106 in 2022
seventh at 120 in 2023 and second at 126 in 2024
and I think losing that state finals match was probably the best thing to ever happen to me,” the Purdue commit said following his 154th career win
“I’m just so grateful because it’s so much more about the community and how much work has been put in
No More Runner-UpFour of five wrestlers that placed runner-up last year went home with state titles this time around
including Avon junior Nathan Rioux (44-1) at 126 and Merrillville senior Adrian Pellot (45-0) at 165
won his 140th career match by upholding his top-state ranking with a 9-6 decision in the finals against third-ranked Carmel senior Michael Major (40-4)
Pellot trailed Major 4-0 before slicing the margin to 4-3
The Pirates’ 14th state champion all-time prevailed with two unanswered takedowns
Pellot was seventh at 152 and second at 157 in 2024
a state runner-up at 106 and 113 the past two years
lost to top-ranked Crown Point senior Gavin Jendreas (36-3) by decision 7-1 on Dec
In the rematch under the championship spotlight
second-ranked Rioux fought off a late takedown attempt by the Indiana University recruit in the final seconds to win by decision 4-1
My brother (Luke Rioux) won it last year at the same weight so going back-to-back with him is so nice,” Rioux said
“Falling short the past two years motivated me so much more to finally go get this one.”
Luke Rioux was a two-time state-place winner in his prep career (sixth at 106 in 2022)
sixth at 106 (2017) and third at 120 (2018)
Rising Stars ShineA pair of freshmen collected their first state medals Saturday
New Prairie’s Matthew Staples (45-0) won the 157 title and Lowell’s Kameron Hazelett (40-1) won at 285
as each defeated seniors in the finals to win
Staples defended his top-state ranking with a 4-1 decision in the finals against three-time state placer Christian Arberry (41-4) of Warren Central
Fifth-ranked Hazelett stymied top-ranked Lucas Szymborski of Crown Point (27-5) in the finals by decision 4-0
marking his fourth win in five matches against the Ball State football recruit
Szymborski was a two-time state champion (170 and 190) at Cleveland High School in Tennessee with 157 career wins and a third-place finish at 160 in 2022
WeaverWarren Central junior Waylon Cressell (47-2) and Rossville senior Noah Weaver (49-1) each won their second straight state titles on Saturday
won by tech fall in the 175-pound finals after winning the 165 title in 2024
The top-ranked Warrior was a North Dakota state champion at 170 in 2023 (West Fargo HS)
who claimed his school’s first individual state title at 190 in 2024
scored a tech fall win in the 215 finals for his second overall
The top-ranked Purdue commit finished with 176 wins in his career
FactsThe fastest pin at the state finals went to Brownsburg’s Case Bell in 24 seconds during his 113-pound opening round match … Bloomington South’s Evan Roudebush
had the most pins (3) in the fastest total time (2:35) … Leo’s Isaiah Coolman and Roncalli’s Blake Getz had three pins apiece to tie for most … Brownsburg’s Tommy Gibbs had the fastest tech fall in 1:15
Brown Mental Attitude AwardSenior Noah Weaver of Rossville High School was recognized by the IHSAA Executive Committee as this year’s recipient of the Mental Attitude Award
Each year the Executive Committee selects a senior who was nominated by his principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude
leadership and athletic ability during his four years of high school
Weaver capped off his career tonight in the 215-pound state championship match a year after winning the 190 crown
He will finish his high school career an impressive 173-9 (or 172-10 with a loss)
Weaver is president of his class and the projected valedictorian with a GPA of 4.286
He volunteers with Local Heroes as a student mentor
and is a part of Oakland Christian Church’s Media Team where he supervises the audio/visual team and manages live-streaming services
He is the son of Matt and Nicole Weaver of Frankfort
Indiana and plans to attend Purdue University and major in Computer Science
presented $1,000 to Rossville High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Noah Weaver
the IHSAA's fourth commissioner who served from 1969-76
87th Annual IHSAA Boys Wrestling State FinalsGainbridge Fieldhouse
State Championship Results106: Traevon Ducking (9) Brownsburg (37-5) def
(9) Center Grove (35-8) 8-1113: Case Bell (9) Brownsburg (38-3) def
Peyton Schoettle (11) Roncalli (42-1) 8-3120: Revin Dickman (11) Brownsburg (28-1) def
Mason Goelz (11) Avon (35-9) TF 17-0 >Third state championship 126: Nathan Rioux (11) Avon (44-1) def
Gavin Jendreas (12) Crown Point (36-3) 4-1132: Jake Hockaday (12) Brownsburg (23-0) def
Eddie Goss (12) Center Grove (32-8) MD 16-4 >Fourth state championship 138: Isaiah Schaefer (12) Evansville Mater Dei (43-3) def
Braylon Reynolds (10) Brownsburg (37-5) 7-5144: Tommy Gibbs (11) Brownsburg (34-4) def
Peyton Hornsby (10) Center Grove (34-7) Fall 0:38150: Parker Reynolds (11) Brownsburg (32-7) def
Michael Ortega (12) Portage (41-5) 9-6 157: Matthew Staples (9) New Prairie (45-0) def
Christian Arberry (12) Warren Central (41-4) 4-1165: Adrian Pellot (12) Merrillville (45-0) def
Michael Major (12) Carmel (40-4) 9-6 175: Waylon Cressell (11) Warren Central (47-2) def
Julian Weems (12) Center Grove (41-3) TF 16-1 190: Gunner Henry (12) Brownsburg (36-3) def
Michael White (11) Lawrence North (44-2) MD 16-5215: Noah Weaver (12) Rossville (49-1) def
Jayden Bartoszek (12) Hanover Central (46-3) TF 17-2285: Kameron Hazelett (9) Lowell (40-1) def
Lucas Szymborski (12) Crown Point (27-5) 4-0
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A former Brownsburg superintendent is suing the Brownsburg Community School Corporation
Snapp agreed to retire from the district in Jan
2024 after the board of trustees said it did not plan to renew his contract
The lawsuit claims the board of trustees notified Snapp during negotiations of the retirement agreement that it had asked the Indiana State Board of Accounts to investigate Snapp for misappropriation of funds
The lawsuit says the board of accounts later found no wrongdoing by Snapp
The lawsuit also claims the board of trustees made statements to the media about Snapp beyond what was agreed upon
John Hart of Brownsburg High School has been named the AFC winner of the NFL's 2024 Don Shula High School Coach of the Year award
from among the 32 club nominees based on character
commitment to player health and safety and on-field success
Hart will be invited to the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando and Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to enjoy VIP access to events
practices and other celebrations of football
as well as engage with various members of the NFL community
Hart will receive a $10,000 prize and a $15,000 grant for the Brownsburg football program
The Colts recognized Hart locally last month as the 2024 Colts Coach of the Year
presented by Indianapolis-based Corteva Agriscience and sponsored in part by Certor Sports
Hart was nominated and selected after completing his 40th season of coaching high school football
After winning the 6A state title last year
Hart became the first head coach in Indiana football history to win a state championship at three different high schools
Since taking over the Brownsburg football program in 2015
Hart has led the program to a record of 82-19
including the school's first state championship in nearly 40 years
"Coach Hart represents the qualities and values exemplified by Coach Shula
and we're very proud a Hoosier football coach was selected among all AFC nominees to represent the Colts
his school and his community in front of the entire NFL world," said Colts legend and current Football Development Commissioner Mike Prior
humbled and honored to have been nominated by the Colts for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year," Hart said
"I will be forever grateful to Brownsburg High School and the Brownsburg community for trusting
believing and supporting my staff as well as the past and present football players
"I would like to thank the Indianapolis Colts for their continued support of promoting high school football in the state of Indiana," he added
Peyton Manning and the entire Colts organization created an environment that has helped make high school football in Indiana more than just a game."
'Road to 100' reaches 65 committed high schools
and NFL FLAG Will Distribute FREE NFL FLAG-In-School Flag Football Kits for the Upcoming School Year
Inspiring Youth to Be Active Through Sport
'Road to 100' reaches 51 girls high school teams
Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Zaire Franklin will serve as one of the NFL's Global Flag Football Ambassadors
On National Girls & Women in Sports Day
we celebrate the incredible strides women have made in sports—and the bright future ahead
At the heart of this progress is the growing interest in High School Girls Flag Football across Indiana
Warren Central High School is leading the way
with an inspiring group of young women who are eager to take their passion for football to the next level
Wide receiver Quay Guilford of Fort Wayne Northrop High School has been named the Colts/Nike "Next One," the Indianapolis Colts announced today
Elena Newsom of Indianapolis Herron High School has been nominated for the Maxwell Football Club's (MFC) first-ever Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award
The Indianapolis Colts are continuing their "Road to 100" campaign to develop girls high school flag football as a fully sanctioned Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) sport
presented by Peyton Manning Children's Hospital
are accepting registrations for new and returning athletes for Spring 2025
The 2024 Indiana Football Digest Insider - Week 14
Kyle Enright of Decatur Central High School has been named the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week
Be the first to see the 2025 schedule and get priority presale access to single game tickets
INDIANAPOLIS - The Brownsburg Bulldogs scored a momentum-shifting
tiebreaking 12 points in just 54 seconds to kick off the fourth quarter and defeat their Hoosier Crossroads Conference foe
in Friday night’s IHSAA 6A state title game at Lucas Oil Stadium
It is the Bulldogs’ first football championship since winning consecutive finals in 1984 and ‘85
“I’m just really grateful,” Brownsburg head coach John Hart said
I think a lot of people called us about a 5-5 football team starting out the year
and I don’t know that I was arguing with them
That’s how far they’ve grown and fought together and made believers of everybody.”
With the game knotted at 10-10 and Brownsburg driving into Westfield territory to end the third quarter
a scoring stalemate was squashed by a successful fourth-down conversion attempt to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game after trailing early
On 4th-and-3 from the Westfield 20-yard line
senior second-string quarterback and Phil N
Eskew Mental Attitude Award recipient for Class 6A
launched his lone completion of two passing attempts 20 yards to find sophomore Branden Sharpe for a staggering in-bounds
go-ahead snag in the back corner of the end zone
“[Stephens is] the most deserving [recipient of the Mental Attitude Award] in the history of my coaching,” Hart said
There’s a lot of other deserving kids on both teams
the Bulldogs’ defense joined in on the scoring action
After holding the Shamrocks to a 3-and-out
senior Jamere Pendelton scooped his own blocked punt and ran it in for his team’s second score in six plays
“How about that Jamere has five turnovers in three games
I thought we had the chance to really flip the game because defensively
Westfield countered with a quick touchdown of their own – storming down the field with 75 yards in 1:36 – to come within one score with just over seven minutes remaining
A failed fourth-down conversion attempt by Brownsburg at the Westfield 24-yard line turned the ball over with a five-point lead and 1:45 remaining in the game
Shamrock senior quarterback Carsen Melvin launched the final play of the game
that was intercepted by junior Drew Bostic.
“I’ll give [the defensive coaches] a ton of credit… they kept mixing up the coverages and the pressures and we got to them,” Hart said
that kid hadn’t been sacked the entire year
and I think we had like [3.0] sacks on him
Down 10-0 midway through the second quarter after being dominated by Westfield in offensive yards
Brownsburg junior running back Kovon Sumpter-Bey tacked on 70 yards on quarterback Oscar Frye’s one-yard pass to jumpstart the Bulldog offense
Westfield collected 80 yards of offense on 21 plays
a stark contrast to Brownsburg’s 31 yards on seven plays
Both teams punted out the first half before Brownsburg opened up the third quarter with a game-tying field goal
aided in a 65-yard pass from Frye to sophomore wide receiver Avin Robinson to drive his team into Shamrock territory
we thought we had some things in the run game
“We felt like they weren’t going to give us so much pressure
it’s another thing for a team and our coaching staff to put them in and execute them
I thought that was a huge difference during the game.”
Hart became the first coach in championship history to guide three different schools to a title after winning with 4A Evansville Reitz in 2007 and 5A Warren Central in 2009
He is just the third to take three different schools to the title game
they said ‘When will we win a state championship?’” Hart said
We just may not win it.’ I really feel like all nine of our teams [in my tenure] have played that way.”
Most Punt Return Yards: 42 by Brownsburg vs
Most Interceptions (Tied): 1 by Drew Bostic
Brownsburg QB Iosua Stephens named Mental Attitude Award recipient
Iosua Stephens of Brownsburg High School was announced by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the recipient of the Phil N
Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 6A Football
The award is annually presented to a senior who is nominated by his principal and coach
and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude
and athletic ability during his four years of high school
Iosua ranks in the top 15 percent of his class
has made Academic Honor Roll every semester
and is a member of Brownsburg’s chapter of the National Honor Society
and an academic mentor for elementary school students
He also plays basketball and runs track and field for Brownsburg
The son of Joshua and Lorena Stephens of Brownsburg
he is currently undecided on where he will attend college but is interested in studying Finance
The award is named in honor of Commissioner Phil N
who served as the IHSAA’s third commissioner from 1962-76
the IHSAA football state tournament was initiated in 1973
the presenting sponsor of the state tournament
presented a $1,000 scholarship to Brownsburg High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Iosua Stephens
A week after the tornado flattened warehouses and ripped up homes, the Brownsburg Town Council voted Thursday night to waive certain permit
fire and building review fees for redevelopment projects related to the storm for a year
property owners must prove the losses stemmed from the storm
"We think it's only fair to waive some of those fees for repairs for the tornado damage
specifically damage done by the tornado," said Town Manager Deb Cook
Tornado alley? Is Indiana seeing more tornadoes than in the past? The answer is complicated and nuanced
All five town councilors agreed the resolution would expedite redevelopment and support affected property owners
Brownsburg city officials said between 30 and 40 homes and 15 to 20 businesses sustained damage from the tornado
Brownsburg saw some of the worst damage in the strong storm that gripped Central Indiana for hours with warnings and alerts
The tornado is suspected to have formed in western Hendricks County before continuing east through the northwest side of Indianapolis
The National Weather Service classified the Brownsburg storm as an EF2 tornado with wind speeds ranging from 111 to 135 miles per hour
A separate EF1 tornado formed in Carmel, traveling northeast through the city. Carmel waived fees associated with rebuilding at an emergency meeting Monday night
city officials said 54 residences in the city were impacted by the storm
Several Brownsburg homeowners told IndyStar they awoke to catastrophic damage the day after the storm
including cars crushed by trees and blown-off roofs
Brownsburg officials reported no major damage to town property
After the storm: Trees toppled, warehouses wrecked as Brownsburg assesses tornado damage
the tornado tore off the walls and ceiling of a Sur La Table warehouse and tossed around semi-truck trailers outside an O’Reilly Auto Parts distribution center
A woman was hospitalized after she was trapped underneath debris at the Sur La Table warehouse where she worked
Farther west in Danville, one man died when his truck hit a downed power line during the storm
IndyStar reporter Jordan Smith contributed to this report
Alysa Guffey covers business and development for IndyStar. Contact her at amguffey@gannett.com
BROWNSBURG —The Brownsburg Advisory Plan Commission considered a request to conditionally zone 5.6 acres of land to the R-3 Residential District upon annexation at Monday's meeting
is requesting the conditional annexation and rezone of land for an entrance on to County Road 800
“A lot of times when we look at a particular subdivision
we look at the total number of lots created
If there’s an accident right at an entrance there’s another way out," Development Services Director Jenna Wertman said
The original development called "Hawk's Landing" anticipated a bridge being built across the creek
the numbers just don’t quite work," she said
The plan commission gave applicant David Weekley Homes recommendations to consider before presenting again at the next meeting on May 28
•Meet with any willing residents in the area
Dozens of concerned neighbors spoke out against the rezoning at Monday's meeting
One of them was Olivia Head who says her property is next to where the potential entrance will be
“The construction disruptance that will bring
Head is the founder of Oinking Acres Farm Rescue & Sanctuary
a refuge for unwanted & abandoned pot belly pigs & other farm animals
is where she takes care of the most in-need animals
They have advanced health concerns," she said
"It will be absolutely devastating to the animals that have lived here for the last two years," she said
Former Brownsburg Community School’s superintendent Jim Snapp is suing the district and its school board for allegedly breaching agreements made in his retirement agreement and for defamation related to an investigation
Snapp and the school board allegedly agreed that they would not make any public comments about Snapp’s “employment status
or exit from BCSC beyond what is included in the joint statement,” the lawsuit says
More background: State Board of Accounts investigating former Brownsburg Schools superintendent
At the time of his retirement announcement
neither Snapp nor the district gave any further details on why Snapp was leaving so suddenly after serving as superintendent for 14 years
the school board informed Snapp that his contract would not be automatically extended for an additional year
the board and Snapp agreed upon terms for early retirement
That same morning the lawsuit alleges that Brownsburg school board president Jessica Hefferman notified Snapp that the board had initiated an investigation with the Indiana State Board of Accounts over “misappropriation of funds.”
The lawsuit also says the state board of accounts and Indiana State Police found no wrongdoing from Snapp and terminated the investigation
The general counsel for the Indiana State Board of Accounts told IndyStar in October 2024 that their investigation in Brownsburg Schools had concluded and that it “will not result in any official report being filled.”
The state board of accounts did not respond to multiple requests for more information and if any wrongdoing had been found
By breaching agreements made in his retirement agreement
the lawsuit alleges that Snapp sustained damages in the form of loss of current business contracts
future business contracts and other damages
The lawsuit also alleges that the board gave “false allegations and a false report to the Indian State Board of Accounts to dramatically reduce the severance to which Dr
Snapp was contractually entitled and induce him into an early settlement during the January 15
The lawsuit also claims the report was made to diminish Snapp’s standing in the community
Lawyers for Snapp claim the district defamed Snapp by telling IndyStar he was involved in the state board of accounts investigation “while knowing the investigation would result in a conclusion of no wrongdoing,” the lawsuit says
Snapp's lawsuit also asserts that his due process was violated by not providing him at least a 30-day written notice of the board’s intent to cancel his contract and by not having a public hearing on the matter
Brownsburg communications director Vicki Murphy told IndyStar the district does not comment on pending litigation
Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.
BROWNSBURG — The National Weather Service has confirmed there is tornado damage in Brownsburg
A storm survey team began assessing damage around 8:30 Thursday morning
The team evaluated the scope of the damage and has confirmed EF2 damage just east of Brownsburg in northeast Hendricks County
Our survey team continues in NE Hendricks County. They have confirmed EF2 damage just east of Brownsburg. We will have more detailed information later this afternoon once their survey is complete. #INwx #indy
EF2 tornadoes are considered strong tornadoes and have wind speeds in the 111-135 mph category
The damage occurred Wednesday night between 9 and 10 p.m
Read about more damage from Wednesday night across Central Indiana here.
BROWNSBURG — Big changes to Lincolnwood Park could be on the horizon
A master plan was presented to the Brownsburg Town Council at Thursday’s meeting
The main features of the master plan include a pool
Parks Director Amber Lane says these are amenities residents have been asking for
“As the Town of Brownsburg continues to grow
they want to continue to come inside the town to recreate," Lane said
Rob Kendall calls the proposed project a monstrosity
“There’s strong opposition to this because of the cost to the community," Kendall said
The Town of Brownsburg purchased this 46-acre property in June 2018
Town Council President Travis Tschaenn says this project has been a long time coming
“We’ve been talking about this project for six or seven years
It’s been taking a long time to get to this point
Hopefully this is the last one," Tschaenn said
The project is projected to cost between $85 to $92 million
Tschaenn says what comes next is figuring out how to fund it
“That’ll be a decision the council has to make
At that point in time we’ll make a decision to do a phase project
a buy-operate-transfer or do a referendum," he said
They’ll be accepting public feedback for the next 30 days
That link is live on the town’s website.
BROWNSBURG — Sandra Sparza was sitting with her 10-year-old daughter in the basement of their Brownsburg home Wednesday night when roaring winds toppled the tree in her front yard onto her car
while her husband worked in the nearby industrial park at a HomeGoods distribution center
It’s the same industrial park along Interstate 74 where an EF2 tornado knocked down the walls and ceiling of a Sur La Table warehouse and tossed around semi-truck trailers outside an O’Reilly Auto Parts distribution center
Sparza’s red Volkswagen sedan was trapped beneath a Callery pear tree taller than her house
“Last night I had seen the flowers up to the second-floor window,” Sparza said
which means windspeeds neared 111-135 miles per hour
Brownsburg police closed down portions of Main Street and Grant Street to clear up debris while firefighters began to assess the damage mid-morning Thursday
High water levels in White Lick Creek prompted officials to temporarily shut down the lower level of Arbuckle Acres Park
The city has already made plans beginning Monday for curbside pickup of downed trees and detached tree limbs cut to 10 feet or shorter
a cookware and kitchenware supplier where she worked
She reportedly spent hours trapped beneath the rubble before emergency workers found her
She was alert enough to talk with doctors as she was taken to a local hospital
The city urged residents to avoid driving or walking through flooded areas and to call 911 if they encounter downed power lines
downed trees and a near missAfter hitting the industrial park
the Brownsburg tornado likely crossed I-74 and moved northeast across farm fields along County Road 600 North
all that was left of a small warehouse behind resident Donna Heshelman’s home on that county road was a heap of splintered wood
crumpled sheet metal and shredded insulation padding
as Heshelman endured the tornado sirens with her granddaughter
the howling wind gusts reported across the region at close to 70 mph seemed to stop suddenly
Through an open window her backyard sounded eerily quiet
Then she heard a roar like a freight train rumbling down tracks
the former schoolteacher knew the home she’s lived in for 40 years was hundreds of yards away from the first tornado she’d ever heard
Winds felled two large pine trees in her neighbors’ yards
Another building’s metal roof was halfway peeled off
But Heshelman’s home and backyard looked almost untouched
“took out the noise of all the devastation.”
Sparza and her husband live with five young children on Pennwood Lane
While her husband called the insurance company about the trapped car and prepared to head into work later to assess the damage there
two young men approached Sparza standing in her driveway
and it went down and touched down over there,” Cory Hill
a 20-year-old born and raised in Brownsburg
decided to end their chase and return home Wednesday night after whipping winds pushed their car all over the road
The two men offered to help Sparza remove the crashed tree before realizing they couldn't possibly lift it
They moved on to keep driving around Brownsburg in their brown cowboy boots
searching for any smaller signs of wreckage they might be able to help repair
How to help in BrownsburgTo report downed trees or debris blocking the roadway
call the Brownsburg Street Department at 317-852-1113
Report fallen trees or branches at parks to the Brownsburg Parks Department at 317-858-4172
If you encounter power lines on the ground
do not approach them — call 911 immediately
avoid walking or driving through high water
reach out to local businesses and homeowners
Brownsburg will start curbside pickup of trees and limbs cut to lengths of 10 feet or shorter
Email IndyStar Reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @jordantsmith09
(WISH) — An 18-year-old was stabbed multiple times by his roommate in Brownsburg Monday
according to the Brownsburg Police Department in a Wednesday news release
Brownsburg officers responded to Hendricks Regional Hospital in the 5400 block of Ronald Reagan Parkway on a report of a person stabbed
Officers arrived and determined that the person was stabbed by a roommate at his home in the 300 block of South School Street
identified as 18-year-old Carlos Cortez-Vasquez
identified as 20-year-old Jose Guadalupe Mendoza-Zezorita
got into an altercation that resulted in Cortez-Vasquez being stabbed multiple times and taken to Methodist Hospital for surgery
Mendoza-Zezorita was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Hendricks County Jail
where he is being preliminarily charged with aggravated battery and battery with a deadly weapon
Cortez-Vasquez remains in critical but stable condition
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BROWNSBURG — Hendricks County residents got an up close look at how the Brownsburg Fire Territory operates on Tuesday
It’s part of Leadership Brownsburg Academy
a free eight-session seminar designed for residents ready to take the next step in being community leaders and improving quality of life
The sessions take place once a month through October
A couple dozen participants attended the Fire Territory session on Tuesday
“We cover and are representative of Brown Township
We actually report to all three of those government entities," Fire Marshal Paul Hudson said
“We get to spend some time actually looking at the equipment
Get some hands on experience with what we do," Hudson said
Nayan Jani lives in Brownsburg with his parents
He’s eager to learn more about the town he’s called home for 25 years
“Just to learn a little more about our community
To learn about the different departments and see what they all do," Jani said
Hudson says he wants people to have a better understanding of where their tax dollars are going
“So they know when they see us out on the street
they have a better idea of what we’re doing
They understand what’s involved in our job and it makes our job a little easier if members of the community really do understand at a slightly deeper level what it is we’re out there doing for them," he said
The next Leadership Brownsburg Academy session is Tuesday
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis released its official tornado tracking report on most of the tornadoes that touched down in Indiana on Wednesday night
The report confirmed that at least seven tornadoes touched down across the state; however
notable information regarding the tornado that tore through Carmel was not readily available in the report
NWS Indianapolis explained that the information would be released either later Friday or Saturday morning
NWS tornado surveyors were not able to finish assessing damage in Carmel and needed to return to the city Friday to complete their report
The National Weather Service released an interactive map of the tornado that formed in Indiana Wednesday night at www.weather.gov/ind/april_02_2025_severe
Here's what we know about six of the seven tornadoes that hit Indiana Wednesday night
NWS surveyors determined that an EF2 tornado formed and touched down in a rural area southwest of Brownsburg at 9:09 p.m
before traveling into the southern portion of the downtown area
causing sporadic tree and roof damage across southern portions of the town
The tornado continued traveling northeast until it hit Eagle Creek Park
Surveyors determined the most significant damage occurred along Northfield Drive as the tornado tore through several warehouses
leading to a person being injured after a wall caved in at a warehouse
More than 20 homes in the Branches neighborhood sustained roof and minor structural damage
The tornado's peak wind speed was 120 mph and traveled 9.6 miles
NWS surveyors determined that an EF0 tornado formed and touched down near the Illinois and Indiana state line at 8:14 p.m
before moving northeast toward West New Goshen
The tornado then made a westward turn and traveled along West New Goshen Avenue
before producing a high-end EF1 tornado and hitting New Goshen
ultimately damaging a few structures and homes
with a max width of 100 yards and traveled 4.4 miles
NWS surveyors determined that an EF0 tornado formed and touched down on the right bank of the Wabash River at 8:22 p.m
before impacting a river cabin along the Wabash
The tornado continued moving northeast into Numa
before turning right at West County Road 900 South
where it produced an EF1 tornado and damaged a home and two other buildings
The tornado continued traveling northeast through Coxville and then passed just south of Catlin
NWS surveyors determined that the only observable damage was to trees in the rural area
Surveyors believed that a funnel likely formed and skipped the last few miles before the tornado ended at 8:31 p.m
with a max width of 120 yards and traveled 10.8 miles
NWS surveyors determined that two tornadoes formed simultaneously near Monroe and traveled east across Adams County
The first tornado appeared near Blue Creek
traveling east along East 300 South County Road near Monroe
The tornado reportedly damaged several Amish properties and destroyed "well-built pole barns" while it moved through the area
ultimately dissipating before it reached the Mercer County line
with a max width of 75 yards and traveled 2.3 miles
NWS surveyors determined the second tornado formed along East 400 South County Road near Monroe
The tornado damaged several pole barns and poultry farms as it traveled slightly northeast
tossing a grain silo about half-a-mile away
before ultimately dissipating before it reached the Mercer County line
with a max width of 100 yards and traveled 1.5 miles
NWS surveyors determined an EF1 tornado formed and touched down southeast of Rutland at 7:52 p.m
and quickly traveled northeast along State Road 10
The tornado traveled through several empty fields before it entered Bourbon on the northeast side of town and reached peak intensity
It damaged several houses along Crocus Court and Rose Lane
damaging several trees and power poles until reaching the north end of Etna Green in Kosciusko County
with a max width of 175 yards and traveled 17.9 miles
Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social
In an effort to bridge the gap between job seekers and local employers in Hendricks County
the Town of Brownsburg is gearing up for its second annual Hiring Fair
It's set to take place on April 9th at Connection Pointe Christian Church from 1 to 3:30 p.m
as local businesses like Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park are looking to fill dozens of open positions for their busy season that begins this month
recently relocated from Maryland to take on the role of Social Media and Marketing Manager at IRP
“I’m incredibly passionate about motor sports and auto racing and the history that is at this track,” he said
Orsini noted the importance of hiring for around 25 open positions across multiple departments
“Having a full staff is essential to providing a great race day atmosphere for our fans and drivers,” Orsini said
The upcoming hiring fair is part of Brownsburg’s efforts to address a need for workers
“We noticed a lack of applications on our end and heard similar concerns from local businesses,” said Bailey Remender
Human Resource Senior Manager for the Town of Brownsburg
which hosts around 90 weddings each season
is on the lookout for wedding coordinators at the hiring fair
“This is a great way for people to get involved in the event space,” Avon Gardens Co-Owner Taylor Doehrman said
Brownsburg leaders emphasized that a skilled workforce is a key factor in attracting new businesses and helping them thrive
with local businesses bringing in approximately 1,900 full-time positions,” added Remender
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event
officials are hopeful for an even greater turnout this time around
Job seekers are encouraged to bring their resumes and explore opportunities across a wide range of industries.
(WISH) — Three people were rescued from the Sur La Table warehouse after part of the building was destroyed Wednesday night when a tornado went through Brownsburg
One woman was caught in the damage building for more than two hours before rescuers could reach her
“We were able to pull the individual out that was trapped under the heavy debris after getting a couple of rotators out here to help lift that debris as well as the Indianapolis Fire Department Special Rescue Team to get in there,” Brownsburg Fire Department Public Information Officer Kam Holding said
The department says the call first came in when the severe weather destroyed multiple parts of the Sur La Table warehouse
The kitchen supplies warehouse is at 901 E
At least one wall fell from the side of the warehouse
Pipes carrying water on the ceiling of the building had burst and were pouring water onto the floor of the warehouse
Responders first believed two people were missing and one was entrapped
The two were found safe soon after and one was taken to the hospital
There’s no word on that person’s condition
Business managers tell me the entrapped woman is a newly hired guard at the warehouse
“She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and fortunately we were able to get to her,” Holding said
The managers say there were about seven people in the building at the time
Like it was so loud my ears literally popped
It’s like if you hear a train noise and boom.”
The department says they plan to provide updates in the coming days
This story has been updated to correct the name of the warehouse
common in more expensive markets like the Northeast and the South
are coming to Central Indiana as home prices have soared in recent years
New projects like a 165-unit build-to-rent development in Brownsburg offer renters detached single-family homes and neighborhood amenities without the commitments of long-term mortgages and home maintenance
Such communities fill a gap in the market for affluent residents who want more space but prefer the flexibility of renting
especially target the two largest generational cohorts: millennial families who aren't ready to buy but want to live in a single-family home neighborhood and baby boomers looking to downsize
At Mural Brownsburg
a community of three- and four-bedroom rental homes to be built by Indianapolis-based Onyx+East and managed by Buckingham Companies
The master-planned development differs from the traditional market for single-family rentals that are scattered throughout neighborhoods full of homeowners
developers are building more multi-family and single-family rental properties
Builders across the nation started construction on 90,000 new single-family build-to-rent units in 2024
an all-time high up from 60,000 units in 2021
The movement is catching on in the Midwest
which jumped from 5% to 8% of the build-to-rent market share in 2024
More: Why the Indianapolis area ranks as one of nation's hottest housing markets in 2025
Onyx+East has shifted from exclusively selling homes toward the build-to-rent model in recent years, partnering with nationwide real estate investment firm Pretium in 2022
The companies plan to build more than 2,000 single-family rentals in several states including Indiana
which includes 230 single-family attached and detached rental homes
“We are looking to maintain some level of affordability with our products," Onyx+East's Vice President of Acquisitions and Development Jake Dietrich said
"and a way to do that is by pivoting from an exclusively for-sale model
Developers don't expect build-to-rent homes to be a fad that burns out quickly
Builders nationwide are struggling to keep home prices down amid high construction costs and to build enough houses to meet buyers' demand
"When you look at all the options to achieve a similar lifestyle but a less expensive commitment," said Justin Brown
senior vice president of investments at Buckingham
When Mural Brownsburg homes will be finishedAlthough final numbers are unclear
average rents for homes at Mural Brownsburg could near $3,000 a month
The homes range from about 1,500 to 2,100 square feet
Median monthly mortgage costs in Brownsburg run about $1,600, according to census data
but Brown said rents at Mural Brownsburg would be cheaper than mortgage payments on comparable new homes
are signing a one-year lease instead of committing to a 30-year mortgage and avoiding costly home maintenance
but only have plans for softball & baseball fields
How much is all this eventually going to cost me
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Two men are dead after a shooting in Brownsburg in the early morning hours of March 5
and the police department was initially investigating it as a double homicide
Brownsburg Police heard gunshots around 2:30 a.m. southwest of the department's headquarters, and when officers came to the 300 block of Acre Avenue
shot dead inside and partially outside of a Dodge Durango
and Johnson was in the rear seat on the driver's side
Another man was the driver of the Durango who remained on scene and cooperated with officers before later being taken into custody as a person of interest
A third person was found by officers in front of a home in the area
As the investigation continued into what happened
it was found that a fourth man fled the scene after the shooting
Brownsburg Police announced the arrest of four people in connection with the case
but none were charged with killing Lucas Brearley or Zachary Johnson
After a lengthy investigation and review of the case with the Hendricks County Prosecutor’s Office
the evidence demonstrates that the person of interest initially taken into custody was defending himself
and the driver of the vehicle had all come to Brownsburg to visit friends when Brearley and Johnson both started trying to steal things from other people's cars and homes while armed with guns
got into a heated argument that led to a physical altercation
which ultimately resulted in Brearley pulling his firearm and firing multiple shots at Johnson at close range and killing him
The driver returned fire on Brearley and fired multiple shots
A front seat passenger exited the vehicle and ran
'Just shoot me': Man jailed in Texas Roadhouse shooting facing murder charge
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star
You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X
BROWNSBURG — Amid soaring home prices and a competitive market
build-to-rent housing developments are popping up across central Indiana
The new concept is coming to Brownsburg and aims to make getting into a home attainable for more Hoosiers
The development is a project between Buckingham
Phase I of the project is underway right now at the intersection of U.S
136 and Northfield Drive and will feature 165 maintenance-free single-family homes available for rent at Mural Brownsburg
The 3- and 4-bedroom homes will range from 1,572 to 2,086 square feet and include 2-3.5 bathrooms and private outdoor spaces
“It provides a single-family home for somebody rather than an apartment that they can rent that’s professionally managed,” explained Jake Dietrich
the Vice President of Acquisitions and Development with Onxy+East
It’s a development that single moms Alecia Wilkins and Cassey Watkins believe is needed in the community
especially a house for three kids,” Wilkins said
we’ve been trying to the last few years and it is very hard to get approved,” added Watkins
The build-to-rent concept is growing in popularity across the U.S
experts estimate builders across the nation started on roughly 90,000 build-to-rent units
“Build-to-rent is more predominantly found in more Sunbelt and Southern Communities
and we've been one of the pioneers of it here in the Midwest,” Dietrich told WRTV
There are several build-to-rent communities locally
Greenfield and a development by Onyx+East in Noblesville called the Marea
It features a 144-unit single-family rental community
“It's been really well received by the market
It's a pioneer out there in terms of the type of homes that are offered,” Dietrich said
WATCH | Kokomo Infill Program turns vacant lots into new single-family homes
The push behind the concept is to make it easier for Hoosiers to get into homes
rising interest rates and construction costs have pushed home ownership out of reach for some folks,” Dietrich said
“This is really appealing because it provides a really quality home at a monthly cost lower than buying."
The entire project is expected to be completed by early 2027 and will also feature walking paths a neighborhood clubhouse and a pool
The developers told WRTV they are still working out rental prices for the Brownsburg community
Emergency responders rescued three people Wednesday night after strong winds caused the partial collapse of a Brownsburg
The Sur La Table warehouse at 901 E. Northfield Drive sustained significant damage from Wednesday's storm. WISH-TV reported Wednesday that two people were immediately rescued from the building
while a third was caught in the wreckage for more than two hours before firefighters from the Avon and Indianapolis fire departments were able to safely remove her
IndyStar's drone video team was able to survey the scene Thursday morning
and the video above shows the extensive damage to part of the warehouse
Find additional developing reporting from Thursday's storm cleanup in our live blog, and revisit IndyStar.com throughout the week for the latest
BROWNSBURG — The Brownsburg Parks Department is slated to present a plan to the Town Council for a new aquatics center
recreation center and amphitheater at Lincolnwood Park on Thursday
Town Council President Travis Tschaenn said they've heard the outcry from the community
Residents want more things to do in Brownsburg
"We looked at the economics of it and the area could use another one
even though most of the towns around us have one
Brownsburg is a community of 32,000 people
Tschaenn says after the council hears the proposal they will discuss options on how to proceed with the project
"My guess is we might go to a referendum vote on this
and so the community would have the opportunity to vote for it if they want to have this in Brownsburg or not," Tschaenn said
The Town of Brownsburg purchased the 51-acre property of Lincolnwood Park from the Tague family in June 2018
Wilbur Tague was very well known in Brownsburg and Hendricks County as a professional photographer and he always wanted the property to become a park
He used to have his photography studio and a toy store on the property
he looked similar to Abraham Lincoln and so he would visit the schools dressed as Abe and give history lessons
The park is named Lincolnwood Park after his wishes and his love for Abraham Lincoln
The proposal comes at a time when Brownsburg has seen growth
marked by over $906 million in business investments since 2020
"When they put the tax caps in statewide that affected a lot of communities like Brownsburg
where most of your tax revenue came from from residents who were capped at 1%," Tschaenn said
"So we made a conscious effort to bring in more commercial business."
The key development areas include the Ronald Reagan Logistics center
One example of business investments is Main Street Dental
which used to be the site of an old gas station
The town says $15-million was invested to redevelop the site
I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity - this corridor if we developed," Dr
The racing team moved into its new 80,000 square foot headquarters in March of 2024
The building is a former Marsh Supermarket
We're 10 minutes from the Speedway," HMD Team President Mike Maurini said
"Everything that we do in motorsports is all within maybe a 15 to 20 mile radius of where we are now
The town says the purpose of all the investment is to re-invest into the community
We have a ton of infrastructure projects that have been put in the back burner for a long time
and they're things that affect people's lives," Tschaenn said
The splash pad at Williams Park is also being renovated and basketball courts at local parks are also getting re-surfaced
Town leaders say there will also be more community events and programs this year
Tschaenn said The Arbuckle recently opened its second building
"There are mostly young adults living in those
It’s exciting to see some vibrant life something to Downtown Brownsburg," Tschaenn said
Brownsburg is getting two Wawa convenience stores and a Meijer store
"We do know that Meijer is planning on bringing some restaurants along with it
but we know that they'll likely have a couple restaurants are from their facility as well," Tschaenn said
A Town of Brownsburg spokeswoman tells WRTV
the presentation for the aquatics center project and a comment form for residents will go live on the town's website on Friday
The tornado that touched down east of Brownsburg in Hendricks County on Wednesday night was an EF2
An EF2 tornado can have windspeeds between 111-135 mph, which can cause an entire house to shift off its foundation and large sections of a roof structure to be removed. These same winds caused a Sur Le Table warehouse to be destroyed when the tornado ripped through it
"That is where the strongest winds have been found," NWS Indianapolis meteorologist Andrew White told IndyStar
Latest forecast, damage reports Live Indiana weather updates after unconfirmed tornadoes.
Brownsburg Fire Territory PIO Kamrick Holding said in an initial report that two people were missing and located by other employees in the warehouse
“The two missing individuals were located by other employees
where one of them was transported to a nearby hospital
The entrapped individual was awake and alert throughout the entire rescue efforts," Holding said
"She was successfully extricated and taken to a trauma hospital in downtown Indianapolis."
VIDEO: Drone video shows extent of storm damage Brownsburg, Indiana, Sur La Table warehouse
Two tornadoes in Indiana, one person injuredAs of 11 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service said two tornadoes causing significant damage has been confirmed across Indiana
traveled a little over 3 miles from near Oak Grove in Starke County to just north of Donaldson in Marshall County
This caused damage to Ancilla College before overturning a mobile home
in addition to numerous trees snapped or uprooted
The second EF1 tornado occurred in Noble County
doing damage to numerous large trees and a barn in the area
The tornado had peak winds of 90 mph and was on the ground for 2 minutes
NWS Indianapolis has not yet confirmed a tornado in Carmel and is surveying to make the determination
Tornadoes are classified on the Enhanced Fujita scale
It takes into account estimated wind speeds
observed damage and damage verified in weather service surveys after tornadoes
Wind speeds determine the rating of each tornado:
EF0.....63 to 97 mph: Can cause a loss of roof covering materials
vinyl and or metal sidingEF1.....79 to 116 mph: Causes broken glass from windows
uplifts a roof deck with significant loss of roof coverings
collapse of chimneys and garage doorsEF2.....103 to 145 mph: An entire house shifts off its foundation
Large sections of roof structure is removed with most walls standingEF3.....127 to 178 mph: Most walls collapse except small interior roomsEF4.....142 to 198 mph: All walls collapsedEF5.....165 to 220 mph: Destruction of engineered and/or well-constructed residence
The slab is swept clean.Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star
Brownsburg— Residents of Brownsburg are working together to clean up after a tornado caused significant damage in the area Wednesday evening
affected homes and businesses in the Branches neighborhood and beyond
The National Weather Service has confirmed that it was a tornado that caused the damage
RELATED | National Weather Service confirms EF tornado damage in Brownsburg
He recalled hearing a sound like a "freight train" and quickly moving to the basement when the storm hit
"It was a quick situation and within minutes
we were in the basement as water started coming in," Reed said
"It was when I heard the windows compress that I knew the roof had been torn off."
Reed has spent the day helping neighbors with the cleanup
"We’re just out here helping each other," Reed said."
describing their neighborhood as more like family
“We’re helping out because that's what neighbors do for each other," they said
contacting contractors and supporting each other through the recovery process
The National Weather Service continues to assess the full extent of the damage
including impacts to local businesses such as Kohl's and Sur La Table
MORE | BLOG: Severe storms cause extensive damage, 1 death in Central Indiana Wednesday
Contact: Abbey Webb, Press SecretaryAbbey.Webb@iga.in.gov317-234-3560
Jovi Taylor, Press Secretary InternJovi.Taylor@iga.in.gov
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 13, 2025) — State Sen. Brett Clark (R-Avon) welcomed Brownsburg High School's football team to the Statehouse this week to congratulate them on their 2024 state championship win
Clark presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 20
which recognizes the accomplishments of the Brownsburg Bulldogs and their victory in the 2024 IHSAA'S football state championship
Last year, BHS worked their way up to the state football championship game, which was held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. There, they fought a hard battle against Westfield High School and won 22-17
This win marked BHS's third football state championship win in almost 40 years
"Winning a state championship is such a huge accomplishment
and I'm so proud of these students for turning their dreams into reality," Clark said
"I am grateful to have met these students and congratulate them for representing Brownsburg's football program successfully."
In addition to a state championship title, one of the Bulldogs, Iosua Stephens, who serves as the senior quarterback, was awarded the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award for Class 6A
Under the leadership of the Bulldogs Head Coach John Hart
the team finished their 2024 season with a final record of 13-1
"I am so proud of the Bulldog team for this success," Clark said
"It is moments like these that make me proud to serve Senate District 24."
Coach Hart also won the NFL Don Shula award
This award granted $15,000 to Brownsburg's football program
Hart was also able to attend the 2025 Superbowl with this award
"I am proud to hear that the funding for a local school's program means more than football," Clark said
"Participating in a program like this helps shape students and instill lessons that will last a lifetime."
SCR 20 will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration
Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) congratulates McCutcheon High School's Maverick Robotics team on winning the annual FIRST Robotics World Championship last month in Houston
After nearly four months of working with constituents
the Indiana General Assembly adjourned Sine Die on April 25
meaning the 2025 session has now formally ended
What's that large indoor park opening in Brownsburg
It's the state's first indoor slide action park
When Westfield resident Marissa Lassaux visited Denver on spring break two years ago
she took her husband and four kids to a Slick City
a colorful warehouse full of steep slides that send you flying
Not only was it perfect for all ages but Lassaux could participate despite a recent hip surgery
"We knew we had to bring it here," Lassaux said
"We really wanted something that we could share with our kids."
The couple found an empty warehouse in Brownsburg for their indoor playground and Slick City opens Tuesday
What to know about Slick City Action ParkWhere: 4430 N County Road 1000 East Suite 100, Brownsburg, IN
What: Slick City is all of the action of a waterpark — without the hassle of the water
Lassaux says she views it as a way to experience thrill with no skill
With 42,000 square feet, the Brownsburg location offers 13 slides as high as 23 feet in addition to a junior jungle gym area for kids under four years old
though children must be at least four to go down the slides
How it started: The creators of Slick City combined a passion for adventure parks and patented technology to create the company in Denver in 2021
a waterless technology that creates slick sides using mats
The Brownsburg park will be the company's 12th location and second franchise
wanted a new business endeavor after moving to Indiana nine years ago
They plan to open two more franchise locations
one in Westfield and one in an unidentified area
Hours: Monday to Thursdays from 1 to 9 p.m.
to 9 p.m.) until Thursday as some schools have spring break this week
Kids under four years old can play for $14.99
Online reservations are encouraged
Alysa Guffey covers business and development for IndyStar. Know a development underway? Contact her at amguffey@gannett.com
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WISH) – For 22 years, Wrenches Automotive has been a place to get vehicles repaired in Brownsburg
it’s a place that’s in need of repair itself
A tornado with winds from 111-135 mph on Wednesday night ripped the roof off the business
pieces of wood beams from the roof were on the floor
Customers said it’s a community staple
“It’s historic to the town to me
You can’t fool Mother Nature,” said Michael Groover
a Brownsburg resident who’s been a customer at Wrenches for decades
Bill Gay owns the body shop and is its solo mechanic
His brother-in-law tells News 8 that Bill is too heartbroken to speak on camera and that he’s still in disbelief
The only thing left untouched from the garage is the corner office
Bill’s family photograph sat intact there on Friday
I lost a good mechanic and he will be dearly missed,” Groover said
It’s unclear whether he will open another shop somewhere or retire
“He’s really going to be missed in this town
I don’t know what’s next for him
BROWNSBURG — Multiple charges have been filed against four people in connection to a shooting in Brownsburg that killed two people in March
According to the Brownsburg Police Department
officers heard gunshots in the 300 block of Acre Avenue shortly after 2:30 a.m
police found two males inside a Dodge Durango deceased with gunshot wounds
The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Lucas Brearley and 25-year-old Zachary Johnson
later identified as 21-year-old Logan Huffine of Indianapolis
in the front yard of a home in the 300 block of Acre Ave
Police said Huffine remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators
identified as 20-year-old Gavin Ramirez of Indianapolis
Brownsburg police say they have learned many details about this case throughout the the lengthy investigation
and Johnson came to Brownsburg to visit friends
22-year-old Nicholas Hensley and 20-year-old Heaven Charnes-McCarrell
Logan and Johnson "engaged in several attempted thefts and thefts from vehicles and/or properties while armed with firearms."
When the two came back to the residence to get their car
which resulted in the four being asked to leave the house in Brownsburg
Huffine and Johnson wanted to get the stolen items they had left behind in the area of Washington Avenue and Acre Avenue
got into a heated argument leading to a physical altercation
This led to Brearley firing multiple shots at Johnson at close range and killing him
Officers and the Hendricks County Prosecutor’s Office determined "the evidence demonstrates that Huffine was defending himself and Johnson."
While Huffine has not been charged with murder in Brearley's death
Ramirez was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and false informing
Hensley and Charnes-McCarrell were charged with false informing
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A person of interest on Wednesday was being held for questioning after a double homicide in Brownsburg
The two men were publicly identified Wednesday night as Lucas Brearley
Brownsburg Police Department officers heard gunshots just after 2:30 a.m
That’s a residential area just south of the intersection of East Main and South Green streets
“A preliminary investigation has revealed that this is an isolated incident involving parties that were all known to each other.”
The release said investigators continued to work on the case
and additional information would be shared publicly later
A neighbor who lives on Acre Avenue heard three gunshots
The neighbor came outside to see someone screaming that a cousin was dead
Homicide detectives spent several hours at the scene Wednesday morning
People who live in the area told I-Team 8 the shooting is not normal
You don’t need that going on.”
Police did not say how the detained person was connected to the shooting
Anyone with information was asked to call Brownsburg police investigators at 317-852-1109
This story has been updated to reflect additional information from the Brownsburg Police Department
(WISH) — Brownsburg firefighters on Friday battled a fire at a Wawa convenience store that was under construction
At 11:35 a.m. Friday, Brownsburg Fire Territory units were dispatched to the intersection of 267 and 700 North for a building fire with entrapment
a unit observed a column of smoke coming from the area and marked the incident as a working building fire
It was later relayed to crews that this was at a Wawa convenience store that was under construction
crews began to go to work after seeing visible smoke and fire from the rooftop
Firefighters cleared the first floor for any victims
but information had been received that there was still a person on a rooftop
other crews began throwing ground ladders to the roof to prepare for a rescue
They was immediately assisted down with the help of firefighters
and were able to bring the fire under control in 8-10 minutes
There were no reported injuries from either fire personnel or civilians
This incident is under investigation with the Brownsburg Fire Territory Fire Marshals Office at this time
and will then be turned over to the building’s representatives
Brownsburg firefighters were assisted by the Washington Township Avon Fire Department
Purple seemed to be the dominant color at Saturday's IHSAA boys wrestling sectional at Avon High School
Brownsburg fans took over nearly half the bleachers
while a handful of others leaned along the upper deck railing to watch
Wrestlers were on the mat like clockwork through the finals
which 13 of Brownsburg's 14 wrestlers advanced to and 11 won
That dominance has become typical for Brownsburg this season
But their run toward a second consecutive state title
powered by several college commits and top-ranked wrestlers in Indiana
can't be mistaken for anything run-of-the-mill
The road there features daunting individual opponents
starting with what Brownsburg coach Darrick Snyder called "the toughest sectional in the state" on Saturday
"I don't know that there was a single performance where I thought someone wrestled out of their mind," Snyder said
wrestled really well and this is the time of the season where you've got to make it to the next weekend and it's a new tournament
So we've got 14 alive -- that was our goal coming in."
Indiana wrestling: Brownsburg wrestling won state last year. This team is better — maybe Dogs' best ever.
followed by runner-up Avon with 247 and Plainfield in third with 112.5
Wrestlers like Nebraska commit Jake Hockaday
Virginia Tech commit Revin Dickman and Wyoming commit Gunner Henry headlined the Bulldogs' efforts
All 14 of the Bulldogs' wrestlers moved on to the regional
But the Bulldogs' secret weapon on Saturday -- and the rest of the season -- may have been their coaching staff featuring 10 assistants
advising and keeping an eye on their wrestlers
watching matches and chatting with wrestlers
as Brownsburg wrestlers traded off on Mat 1
assistants traded seats and took turns coaching
"We just find out who the wrestler has a close relationship with
what coach has a similar style and we divide them," he said
"We'll work with any of our guys and help them all
but it's almost like they have their own position coaches
This strategy has been important for wrestlers like junior Landen Haines
He said building connections with individual coaches is helpful because it makes wrestlers more engaged
Coaches swiftly trading seats at the sectional was similar to how coordinators or position coaches take turns in other sports
Snyder and Ayersman sat in the coaches' chairs and kept an eye on Bell
another assistant stood behind them and chatted with Dickman before his bout
patting him on the back ahead of the 120 championship
When coaches aren't on the bench during bouts
"How's his face?" If they read anxiety or a deer-in-headlights look on a wrestlers' face
and sometimes they want you to shut up," Snyder said
"Our 75-pounder doesn't like it when you talk to him
said there's "a lot of effort" that goes into the Bulldogs' coaching strategy
"You can work a lot more with guys one-on-one and break down film and break down strategy and technique all that
Brownsburg will return to film this week -- or Saturday night for Snyder -- as they ready for a competitive Mooresville regional featuring No
watch it all and pass it along to his assistants
They'll focus on fixing flaws from Saturday
along with looking at what they can take advantage of in opponents next week
And the road to a second straight title will continue.