Darian Benson

Indianapolis

Eastside Reporter at Mirror Indy (US)

Eastside @mirrorindy•Formerly: @SideEffectsNews @WFYINews @IPBS_News•@IUIJournalismPR•Indy Native•DM tips or [email protected]•Views=mine•she/her

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Articles

Hunt for Easter eggs in a pool at Indy Parks event

1 week ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Indy Parks will offer three Easter egg hunts in the indoor pool April 19 at Indy Island Aquatic Center, 8575 E. Raymond St. The event is free, but online registration is required. The three in-water egg hunts are separated by age groups: Parent & Me Egg Hunt: 6 months to 3 years, 9-10 a.m. April 19 Preschool Egg Hunt: 4 to 6 years, 10-11 a.m. April 19Youth Egg Hunt: 7 to 13 years, 10-11 a.m. April 19 The event will also feature games, face painting and special eggs with prizes.
Volunteer at the Far Eastside Community Clean Up event

2 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Far eastsiders can help clean up their neighborhood this weekend. The Far Eastside Community Clean Up Day is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12 at CAFE, 8902 E. 38th St. Volunteers will pick up trash or work in the community orchard on CAFE’s property. Trash bags, gloves and tools will be provided. A free lunch will also be served. Volunteers younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Interested volunteers can register online. Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis.
Community partners create walking path in ‘beautiful nature setting’

3 weeks ago | wishtv.com | Darian Benson |Michaela Springer

(MIRROR INDY) — Dennell Howard remembers watching an elderly woman routinely walk around the parking lot of the former Indianapolis Public School 11 on the northeast side. “She felt safe walking the parking lot and she would just be making her rounds,” Howard said. “I told her one day, I said, we’re going to have a walking trail all the way around this building so that you can walk safe.”Howard, the pastor of Hovey Street Church of Christ, did just that.
Indianapolis walking trail opens on northeast side

3 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Dennell Howard remembers watching an elderly woman routinely walk around the parking lot of the former Indianapolis Public School 11 on the northeast side. “She felt safe walking the parking lot and she would just be making her rounds,” Howard said. “I told her one day, I said, we’re going to have a walking trail all the way around this building so that you can walk safe.”Howard, the pastor of Hovey Street Church of Christ, did just that.
Looking to buy a home? Get tips from industry experts at this fair at CAFE.

3 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Thinking about buying a home? Interested homebuyers are invited to a free homeownership fair 1-4 p.m. April 5 at CAFE, 8902 E. 38th St. Meet with industry experts in real estate, mortgage lending and housing assistance. First-time homebuyers can learn about down payment assistance programs and tips on how to navigate the homebuying process. The event will feature raffles. Free child care is available. Online registration is encouraged. Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis.
Eastsiders under boil alert following flooding from water main break

3 weeks ago | wfyi.org | Darian Benson

March 28, 2025 After flooding from a water main break shut down a chunk of the east side, the water company issued a boil alert through noon March 29. Citizens Energy Group issued the advisory following the water main break March 27 near 22nd Street and Andrew J. Brown Avenue. The break caused area streets to significantly flood and some customers to lose service. Several roads are closed and it’s unclear when they will reopen.
Some eastsiders under boil water advisory

4 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

After flooding from a water main break shut down a chunk of the east side, the water company issued a boil alert through noon March 29. Citizens Energy Group issued the advisory following the water main break March 27 near 22nd Street and Andrew J. Brown Avenue. The break caused area streets to significantly flood and some customers to lose service. Several roads are closed and it’s unclear when they will reopen. Eastside customers should check this map to see if they’re under the alert.
The Rethink Coalition in Indianapolis to host I-65/I-70 workshop

1 month ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

You can give ideas for how to rebuild the south split of the I-65/I-70 inner loop at Switchboard 801. The March 26 workshop is organized by the nonpartisan Rethink Coalition. One much-discussed idea would essentially put portions of the inner loop underground to reconnect neighborhoods and make urban areas more walkable. Workshop attendees can participate in a hands-on planning exercise by working with maps of the interstate and nearby neighbors to see possibilities for the project.
Advocacy group worries Indy’s largest urban forest is unprotected

1 month ago | wishtv.com | Darian Benson |Parker Carlson

INDIANAPOLIS (Mirror Indy) — Near Post Road and Rawles Avenue on the east side sit 76 acres of urban forestry. Lifelong eastsider Brian Miller knows the forest well. His dad would bring him to the woods as a kid, and he would explore with friends after school. As an adult, he enjoys watching the wildlife and taking his nieces and nephews for walks through the area. “It’s always been there. I just can’t imagine it not being there,” Miller said.
Raisin' These Kids: I’ve turned my toddler into a party animal

1 month ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

My oldest, River, is 3 years old. If you ask him, that means he’s a big boy. He’s learning the alphabet and how to use scissors. He can do simple chores such as putting dirty clothes in the hamper. He has (almost) mastered using the potty. But if you ask me, River turning 3 came with a big personality and a lot of stubbornness. I’m glad he’s finding independence, but I just want to get through the evening without a power struggle.