IBJ Staff

Last week, as an unimportant step in trying to win tickets to see “Treasure Island” at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, I asked you to name your favorite pirate. Here are some of the responses-excluding the expected Blackbeard, Captain Hook, and “Pirates of the Caribbean” characters. “Pittsburgh” (David Bolin) “It must really be saying something […]

Most Purdue University employees won’t receive pay raises in the coming year because of the recession. Purdue announced yesterday that its budget for the coming fiscal year beginning in July won’t include any salary increases. However, a school statement said that faculty members who are promoted will receive those scheduled salary increases. University President France […]

A blood drive sponsored today by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department ends at 2 p.m. People wanting to donate can stop by the Marion County Jail on Alabama Street.

The man accused of the cold case murder of a Broad Ripple woman made his first court appearance this morning. Investigators say Nathan Anderson stabbed Jane Pepper to death inside her basement apartment. According to court documents, Anderson admits entering Pepper’s apartment to commit a burglary in October 2007. He told police he panicked, stabbed […]

Indianapolis-area industrial real estate vacancy rates dipped to 7 percent in the first quarter on limited market activity, according to a report issued today by Colliers Turley Martin Tucker. The vacancy rate fell from 7.4 percent at the end of 2008 and from 7.8 percent a year ago. Only 410,00 square feet of space was […]

Computer experts around the world are concerned about an Internet worm that’s set to relaunch today. The “Conficker Worm” may have already infected up to 10 million personal computers. The worm could slow down computer systems, increase spam and copy files. Microsoft is offering a $250,000 reward to catch the creator of the virus.

Purdue’s quest to reach the Final Four has ended. Courtney Paris scored 19 points last night to lead Oklahoma over the Boilermakers 74-68 in a regional final. Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton led Purdue with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Lakisha Freeman added 12 points for the Boilermakers.

Economic development leaders at 2 p.m. are scheduled to formally launch an economic development initiative for the so-called clean technology sector. IBJ reported Feb. 16 that the initiative under way for the last year has been known as the Indiana Energy Systems Network. The Energy Systems Network will be the latest economic development initiative under […]

No other metro area in the nation staged as large of an increase in its unemployment rate in February as Elkhart-Goshen, the U.S. Department of Labor said today. The northern Indiana region saw its jobless rate climb 12.5 percentage points to a non-seasonally adjusted 18 percent from February 2008. The region, which is highly concentrated […]

Georgia-based Graphic Packaging International Inc. alerted state officials yesterday that it will close its plant in Muncie, putting 151 employees out of work. Jobs will be eliminated from May 29 until Sept. 15, when the plant is expected to close.

Indianapolis-based TeleServices Direct Inc. will keep its Lafayette call center open after notifying state officials in February that the center would close and put 279 employees out of work. The telemarketer said the branch would shut down by April 4. But a week before the closing, the company had a change of heart, according to […]

Pittsboro Elementary School west of Indianapolis will be one of four Indiana schools whose air quality will be monitored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In all, the agency will monitor 62 schools across the country. In December, USA Today claimed Pittsboro Elementary had potentially dangerous pollutants. EPA officials also will monitor Lincoln Elementary in […]

The Purdue women are just one win away from the Final Four. The sixth-seeded Boilermakers will take on the top-seeded Oklahoma Sooners at 9 p.m. in Oklahoma City. While the Boilers may be the underdogs, the program also has a history of winning high-pressure tournament games. Purdue has three Final Four appearances under its belt […]

The federal tax on tobacco increases tomorrow, sending the price of cigarettes to an all-time high. The federal tax on cigarettes will go up nearly 62 cents per pack – meaning Hoosiers will pay approximately $5 per pack. While many smokers are opposed, health advocates approve of the hike because the money will go toward […]

A new state program will take advantage of federal stimulus funds to help get teenagers into jobs. A recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics claims the teenage unemployment rate has risen above 21 percent, even with the summer job season approaching. Gov. Mitch Daniels announced the program this morning. Fox 59 News […]

Major stock markets indexes dropped dramatically today after President Obama refused further long-term federal bailouts for General Motors and Chrysler, saying more concessions would be needed from unions, creditors and others before more funding could be approved. Uncertainty about the industry’s fate sent the Dow Jones industrial average falling more than 4 percent before a […]

Police are looking for two suspects in connection with a shooting yesterday afternoon on the near-north side of Indianapolis. Two unidentified men were shot numerous times near 17th Street and College Avenue. They are in stable condition. Investigators say the incident may have started as an argument over a drug deal.

After a week on the run, shooting suspect Marco Robinson surrendered to police early this morning. Investigators say Robinson shot his ex-girlfriend, Quanita Wray, and fatally shot her sister, Tiffany Wray, on March 21. Quanita Wray is recovering in the hospital. Funeral services for Tiffany Wray are scheduled today.

Police say a burning body was discovered early this morning in the parking lot of Deer Run Elementary School on the northwest side of Indianapolis. Pike Township firefighters found the body of a man believed to be in his 40s in the driver’s seat of a red 1998 Acura that was on fire. Fire officials […]