IBJ Staff

The office vacancy rate for the Indianapolis area rose to 18.5 percent in the first quarter of 2009, up from 16.9 percent a year ago, according to figures released today by Colliers Turley Martin Tucker. The rate in the downtown market rose from 14.4 percent to 15.5 percent, and the suburban market rate jumped from […]

A new federal program will try to address the high number of foreclosed homes by giving prospective homebuyers millions of dollars in incentives. Under the new 18-month program, Indiana will use federal money to fund no-interest loans for people considering buying foreclosed properties. Qualified home buyers could get up to $15,000 from a market-stabilization fund, […]

Police say a grandmother died after a sword attack at a home on the northwest side of Indianapolis. Dispatchers say she was trying to stop a sword fight between an elderly relative and a younger relative when she was stabbed. The elderly man and the young man needed medical attention. Fox 59 will have more […]

A Special Weapons and Tactics team came up empty following an overnight home invasion on the northeast side of Indianapolis. Investigators say a woman in the 4200 block of Norwaldo Avenue told dispatchers that four armed, masked men forced their way into her home demanding money. The SWAT team did not find any suspects after […]

Eli Lilly and Co. has sold the rights to sell the diabetes drug Actos in seven countries to Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Asia’s biggest drugmaker, Bloomberg News reported this morning. Takeda will sell Actos in Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Turkey, a company spokesman told Bloomberg yesterday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Takeda […]

Last week, I offered a family four-pack of tickets to see the national tour of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” parking here April 28-May 3. For more information on the production, click here. The winner, chosen at random, was Vicki Williamson. I also asked you to name your favorite extraordinary car, besides CCBB. I’ll break your […]

The American Heart Association is encouraging Americans to incorporate 30 minutes of walking into their day in honor of National Start Walking Day. Local organizers are holding a rally today until 1 p.m. on Monument Circle. Fox 59 News will have more at 10 p.m.

Eli Lilly and Co. has launched its new blood thinner prasugrel in its first market, the United Kingdom, Reuters reported today. The drug, sold under the brand name Efient, is priced 31-percent higher than its rival Plavix, the world’s leading blood thinner. Plavix, sold by New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and French company Sanofi Aventis […]

A $21 million construction project kicks off today in Fishers as crews prepare to widen 126th Street from State Road 37 to Olio Road. Actual construction will begin in July. The project is expected to take three years to complete. The project will require crews to replace three bridges, including the bridge over Interstate 69.

Firefighters were battling a large fire this morning that destroyed much of a central Indiana furniture manufacturer. No injuries were immediately reported from the fire at Hickory Furniture Design in the town of Lapel about 20 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Firefighters used large cranes to pour water on flames that destroyed a large section of […]

An Indianapolis City-County Council member says he’s going to introduce a dog ordinance this month that would place restrictions on certain breeds. Councilor Mike Speedy’s “At-Risk Dog Proposal” would require pit bull owners to sterilize their dogs. It would also force owners to get proof of liability insurance, as well as a permit, registration and […]

Gasoline prices are creeping up across central Indiana, with some stations charging as much as $2.09 a gallon. According to the American Automobile Association, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $1.95 in Indiana. Last month, Hoosiers paid $1.99. The 2008 average was more than $3.30 a gallon.

Eli Lilly and Co. has launched its new blood thinner prasugrel in its first market, the United Kingdom, Reuters reported today. The drug, sold under the brand name Efient, is priced 31-percent higher than its rival Plavix, the world’s leading blood thinner. Plavix, sold by New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and French company Sanofi Aventis […]

Anderson-based startup Bright Automotive Inc. today will reveal plans for a concept version of its “Idea” plug-in hybrid vehicle at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, surrounded by state economic development leaders. Bright said it plans to begin production of the vehicle by the end of 2012 and claims it could create more than 5,000 jobs by […]

Duke Realty Corp. announced today that it raised $218 million in the first quarter through asset sales and financing maneuvers in an effort to pay down debt. The Indianapolis-based real estate company gained $156 million through the 10-year secured-debt financing of some of its suburban office and industrial properties. It also sold two office buildings […]

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman this morning joined Indiana Department of Transportation employees and families who have lost loved ones in work zone-area accidents. Skillman made brief remarks honoring those individuals at the Indiana Government Center as part of Work Zone Awareness Week. Nationally, hundreds of people are killed in work zone accidents every year. Fox […]