Get In the Know With Kim’s New Year’s Eve News & Headlines
There will be a big police presence at the New Year’s Eve festivities in Times Square tonight. Thousands of police officers will be stationed there, both in uniform and in civilian clothes. The NYPD says there will also be bomb-sniffing dogs, armed counter-terrorism teams, rooftop surveillance teams and helicopters watching from above while we’re here in Indianapolis watching the party and ball drop on television. All of this is due to the prospect of anti-police protesters in the crowd.
It may be more than a prospect. Protesters with the “Stop Mass Incarceration Network” say they’ll march to Times Square today ignoring Mayor Bill de Blasio’s request to hold off until after Sunday’s funeral for the second fallen NYPD officer Wenjian Liu. They say they have the right to be heard and what better place to get their message out than the “Crossroads of the World.” Click the media player to hear their message to NYPD:
Not that far away…Authorities near Philadelphia say police there shot and killed a man who tried to run over a group of officers. Investigators say the man was wanted for posting a video on YouTube in which he allegedly threatened to kill police and FBI agents. So far, the man is only being identified as a 52-year-old white male.
Also, a police investigation has revealed that the black teen who was shot and killed by a white cop in Berkeley, Missouri did point a gun at the officer before any shots were fired. According to Police Chief Frank McCall, witnesses who saw Antonio Martin have confirmed that. Click the media players below to hear McCall:
They’ve also spoken with the man who was with Martin who told them the following:
McCall says it didn’t take long for things to get out of hand at the Mobil gas station, back on December 20 when the incident occurred. He says the shots were fired within one minute of the officer arriving on the scene at the gas station. Berkeley officials are not releasing the officers’ name because they say he’s still trying to come to terms with what happened. He’s currently on paid administrative leave.
The first bodies recovered from an airliner that crashed into the Java Sea are now at an Indonesian military base. Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency says they’ve recovered seven bodies so far, four men and three women, and that one of the victims was wearing a life jacket. One of the bodies recovered was identified as a flight attendant on that AirAsia flight.
Investors will be paying attention to the release of a couple of financial reports on this last day of 2014. The weekly look at first time unemployment claims comes out a day early because of the New Year’s holiday. Economists are expecting claims to rise to around 286,000.
Closer to home… Disturbing news out of Madison County regarding one candy store owner. He is William Galliland, 67, who owns and runs the Old Fashion Candy Shoppe on Main Street in Pendleton. After a four-month-long investigation, including a search of the store and his home, Galliland, according to the Madison County prosecutor, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child molestation, child exploitation and possession of child pornography. The victims in these cases so far are all girls.
State Police troopers are investigating a body in a Sullivan County cornfield. A farmer made the discovery while harvesting on Tuesday near County Road 300 North. An autopsy will be performed today at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
Here in Indy…
Indiana State officials say the seasonal scourge of the flu has claimed the lives of five Hoosiers. The Indiana State Department of Health says those killed were all more than 65 years old. A flu shot is still recommended for anyone who hasn’t had one yet, particularly the very young or very old.
An Indianapolis area bank robber is starring in a scene recorded by a surveillance camera. FBI agents responded to the PNC Bank on North Meridian Street Tuesday. The bandit fled with an unknown amount of cash after passing a note to a teller. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the FBI Task Force. Reach them at 317-595-4000.
Public Safety Director Troy Riggs is reacting to the year-end homicide totals. With just a few hours left before the new year is ushered in, the city has had (as of press time) 135 murders. That’s up from last year by about ten. Riggs is hoping 2015 will be a safer year for Indy saying if you’re not a drug dealer and don’t have a criminal past, the chance that you’ll become a victim of a violent crime is still very low.
Metro police warn that firing a weapon to celebrate the new year will not be tolerated. The bullets go up and must come back down which is dangerous and can be deadly. Doing so can result in arrest on a charge of reckless endangerment. Read more about not going out this year with a bang HERE.
If you’re planning to head out on the town tonight for some New Year’s Eve revelry using one of the trendy ride share services, expect to pay a bit more. Riders of these high volume services, Uber and Lyft, may be paying four-times the normal rate. Both of the companies plan to spread the good cheer by donating a part of their profits to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
106.7 WTLC’s Jerry Wade and several of our mixers will hold the New Year’s Eve party down tonight at Caribbean Cove on North Michigan Road and live on air for your celebration. Find some other listings of New Year’s Eve activities HERE.
In Sports…
Get ready to cheer on your Pacers. They are preparing to take on the Miami Heat this New Year’s Eve afternoon at Bankers Life Fieldhouse downtown and attempting to close the year with a win. Tip is at 3 p.m. Eastern.
Tickets are still available for the Colts’ AFC wildcard playoff game against the Bengals. If the game isn’t sold out at least 72-hours prior to kickoff, NFL regulations prohibit it from being shown on television within 75 miles of the game. That means those tickets have to move by 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Indianapolis Weather…
Sunshine. Plenty of it with cool temps that you shouldn’t ignore if you’re heading out for watch service or a soiree. Today’s High…24 degrees. Tonight’s Low… 19 degrees.
Close out your year strong and make it a great day and safe night. It’s been a pleasure to hang with you, serve you and keep you in the loop with the headlines that impact your world and add spice to your water cooler conversation. See ya’ next year!
I’m KIM WELLS.
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Follow me on Twitter @kwellscomm.
