Around Indiana

4,000 expected at former president’s speech

Organizers of a speech later this week by former President George W. Bush said they expect about 4,000 people to attend the Indianapolis event.

Bush’s speech Thursday night at Conseco Fieldhouse will be hosted by Life Centers, a nonprofit Christian ministry that helps women in unplanned pregnancies. Life Centers’ president and CEO Brian Boone said Bush’s speech “will demonstrate his belief that every life counts.”

Tickets to Bush’s speech range from about $30 to $70.


14 horses die in central Ind. stable fire

Retired racing thoroughbreds and quarter horses and their weanlings were among 14 horses that died after a wind-swept fire destroyed a stable.

Indiana Stallion Station farrier Lee Whiteman said some of the horses froze in fear at the sight of the Monday fire and rescuers worked to pull the animals out until firefighters ordered them to evacuate the stable about 35 miles northeast of Indianapolis, Chesterfield-Union Township Fire Chief Todd Huffer said three stable workers were treated for smoke inhalation at an Anderson Hospital.

Huffer said the fire appeared to start in either a supply area or a shop connected to the stable.


Ind. preservation group getting new name, home

The Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana is shortening its name and moving its headquarters to a former church.

Its new home will be the former Central Avenue United Methodist Church on Indianapolis’ near north side.

The foundation acquired the vacant building after a local group could no longer maintain it. Indiana Landmarks said it will invest $9 million to $10 million to restoring and renovating the building, in part with a $7 million grant from Bloomington philanthropists Bill and Gayle Cook. The building will include a 500-seat theater in the church’s former sanctuary.