Butler Blue II, the bulldog who has proudly served Butler University as mascot for nearly nine years, is retiring. Blue II and his understudy, Blue III (also known as Trip), will participate in the university’s first “Changing of the Collar” ceremony on Senior Day at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 9 during the men’s basketball game against Xavier University. In addition, the Butler University Student Foundation will host a birthday party and retirement celebration for Blue II on campus March 29.
 

A mastodon skeleton unearthed in northeastern Indiana 15 years ago went on display Thursday at the Indiana State Museum. The assembled skeleton of the elephant-like creature that lived about 13,000 years ago underwent years of meticulous conservation work. Allen County resident Dan Buesching and his family were among the first to see the new exhibition. Buesching dug up the ancient bones in 1998, including the 250-pound skull, and donated them to the museum in 2006.
 

The Indiana State Police estimates it handled at least 75 crashes and slide-offs around the Indianapolis metropolitan area Friday morning when heavy snow hit during the commuter rush. In Indianapolis, city crews reported about 60 accidents. Few of the accidents were serious, but the snow made for slow going on interstates and side roads.
 

The woman charged in the Richmond Hill subdivision explosion that killed two people wants her trial moved outside Marion County. James Voyles, defense attorney for Monserrate Shirley, filed a motion Thursday morning for a change of venue. Shirley, boyfriend Mark Leonard and his brother Bob Leonard were charged in December with murder and arson in connection with the Nov. 10 explosion that destroyed more than 30 homes. Dion and Jennifer Longworth died in the blast.

 

Indianapolis firefighters faced an extra hazard late Wednesday night while battling a Franklin Township house fire when ammunition in the garage began exploding. Homeowner Nina Gregory and her three children escaped the fire without injury and warned emergency workers about the ammo. The home, in the 7800 block of Ithaca Way, suffered more than $200,000 in damage.
 

The governor's office says Indiana first lady Karen Pence is having emergency gall bladder surgery Thursday. Gov. Mike Pence canceled a planned trip to southern Indiana to stay with his wife. A spokeswoman didn't have details about the surgery, but said she would provide updates later Thursday.
 

Indianapolis police officers discovered a dead body about 4:45 a.m. Wednesday after being called to a home in the 4500 block of Golden Meadow Court on the northwest side of the city. Police are withholding the identity of the deceased and cause of death in the early stages of their investigation.
 

A train derailed near Rockville and Girls School roads early Wednesday morning, sending about 18 cars off the tracks. Emergency officials said all of the cars remained upright and no chemicals or dangerous materials leaked from the train. No crossings were blocked and nobody was injured.
 

Five people have died from the flu in Marion County over the past week, health officials said Wednesday, bringing the total death toll in the state this season to 40. The Indiana State Department of Health said 38 of the victims had underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma or renal disease. Thirty-three of the individuals were older than 65 and two were younger than 18.
 

A Lawrence mother has been arrested on neglect charges after a shopper reported seeing a 2-year-old boy alone in an unlocked car outside a Walmart store at 10735 Pendleton Pike. Lawrence police say the boy was sleeping. The car wasn’t running, and the outside temperature was 33 degrees. The mother, 24-year-old Alicia Rodriquez, told officers she was buying medicine for a sick child at home. The boy was turned over to his father.
 

A teenage girl has confessed to making up a story about an attempted abduction, Columbus police say. The girl told a school guidance counselor that a man tried to lure her into a van as she walked to school, but later admitted the fabrication to police. Surveillance videos show no sign of an incident. Police believe the girl, who has not been arrested, was seeking attention.

A Shelbyville man was arrested by Indianapolis police Thursday in connection with a hit-and-run crash Sunday night that killed 63-year-old Kathy Clark. Greg Hudson, 50, faces a charge of failing to stop after an accident causing death, a Class C felony. He was arrested at his Shelbyville home following a tip. Clark was struck while walking south along Meridian Street near Troy Avenue on the south side. Her daughter said she was on her way to see a friend play in a band.


 

This winter’s influenza outbreak has prompted the Marion County Public Health Department to offer a free flu shot clinic Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the health department’s training building, 4012 N. Rural St. The shots are available to anyone who would like one. District health offices also will offer free flu shots Friday during posted hours.
 

A memorial fund has been created to help an Indianapolis family pay for the funeral of a pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run accident. Kathy Clark, 63, was killed Sunday while walking along Meridian Street near Troy Avenue. Surveillance video shows a pickup truck hit Clark before driving away. Her remains weren’t found for nearly 17 hours. Police are looking for a light-colored Ford F-150 with a camper shell. It is missing a headlight and a mirror on one side. Donations to the Kathleen Clark Memorial Fund can be made at Old National Bank locations.