JUNE 24-30, 2013
This week, Anthony Schoettle reports on a classic David-and-Goliath story from Lebanon, where a father-and-son team of engineers developed a ground-breaking innovation in manufacturing and then ran up against an industry conglomerate that apparently stole the technology. Their patent-infringement case has yielded a stunning victory and, potentially, tens of millions of dollars. In Focus, Scott Olson cozies up to the moneyed class and discovers that the market for vacation homes is heating up in Indiana, as buyers encounter fair-market prices on the states many lakes. And in A&E, Lou Harry is successful in his quest for Broadway-quality entertainment with Bob Harbin's production of "Spamalot."
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Business heavyweights raising cash for cops through foundation
A new foundation supporting the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety starts work in July, and its board is stacked with business and political leaders eager to help Director Troy Riggs advance the city’s cash-strapped operation.
Read MoreTiny Lebanon firm prevails in multimillion-dollar patent case
In the past 18 months, Larry Durkos—who invented a machine that attaches metal bed box springs and coils to wood frames—has scored two stunning victories over Leggett & Platt Inc., a Missouri-based box-spring conglomerate.
Read MoreSalin saves cash with video tellers
In what might be the strangest twist in banking technology in years, Indianapolis-based Salin Bank is the first financial institution in the state to install sophisticated, interactive video tellers.
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BidPal, on a roll, doubles space
The world of philanthropy, where shoestring budgets dominate, is nonetheless proving lucrative for BidPal Inc., a 108-employee company led by tech veteran Scott Webber. The company saw revenue rocket from $1.8 million in 2010 to $10.2 million last year, making it the city’s second-fastest-growing private company, according to IBJ’s annual list.
Read MoreFeud with Hilberts stinging Menard on many levels
Throwing the sexual-extortion allegations into the public domain must be a nightmare for Menard, who for decades has doggedly avoided scrutiny of his personal life—even as he built his chain into the nation’s No. 3 home improvement retailer and built his net worth to an estimated $7 billion.
Read MoreGlass magic coming to end for venerable Fox Studios
Fox Studios Inc., the venerable stained glass company whose work is on display at countless churches throughout the state and even the Indiana Statehouse, is closing.
Read MoreStartup pitching app as money-saver for hospitals
The founder and CEO of Diagnotes Inc. thinks his company’s mobile app can help doctors run their office from their iPhones—just as many other professionals have been doing for years.
Read MoreOfficials weigh moving Hamilton County offices
Space is at a premium in the Hamilton County Government & Judicial Center, prompting officials to consider solutions running the gamut from an expansion of the existing building to a mass exodus from downtown Noblesville.
Read MoreLive, call-in radio show focuses on Hoosier history
“Hoosier History Live!” is believed to be the nation’s only live, call-in show about a state’s history. The 5-year-old show has only an estimated 1,000 listeners, but they tend to be those who are passionate about all things Hoosier heritage.
Read MoreLilly’s pipeline failures concern analysts
The failures raise pressure on Lilly’s experimental diabetes and cancer drugs to make it to market to offset looming patent expirations.
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Second-home sales rebounding with broader market
Buyers coming into the market range from retirees to wealthy executives and even modest earners.
Read MoreSymphony conductor Urbanski, wife settle in at CityWay
The Indianapolis abode of Polish-born conductor Krzysztof Urbanski and his wife, Joanna, is nice but a bit on the small side—a 1,376-square-foot apartment inside downtown’s new CityWay development.
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EDITORIAL: Carmel quarrel: Too many incentives?
With its Arts & Design District, City Center and Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel has shed its suburban skin and morphed into a walkable, attractive city in its own right. But in the process, it has acquired some city-sized habits, including a penchant for handing out financial incentives to developers to get them to build exactly the kind of city Carmel leaders envision.
Read MoreMAURER: Public education, another lost source of civic pride
What if we had a public school system the entire city could be proud of?
Read MoreRUSTHOVEN: Court sent signal quiet and clear
Two law stories made Indianapolis headlines last week. One is Tomisue Hilbert’s lawsuit against John Menard, claiming he tried to extort, uh, “favors,” and is now trying to wreak financial revenge for being rebuffed. Hmm. What say we talk about the other story?
Read MoreBIELAWSKI: A surprise swing into entrepreneurship
When I embarked on my 110-day, 48,000-swing, cross-country golf odyssey, I had prepared for the rigors of hitting 500-600 golf balls a day on deserted roads in 100-degree heat.
Read MoreKim: Riskiness of bonds takes center stage for investors
Many investors are unaware of the significant risk that seemingly “safe” bonds pose to their portfolios.
Read MoreHicks: A better immigration policy needed right now
Our immigration policy is broken. We could absorb many of the best-educated workers in the world, but we encumber them in decades of costly red tape or send them to boost the economies of Canada, Britain and Germany.
Read MoreWishard attacking crime
I appreciated Mickey Maurer’s [June 10] commentary drawing attention to the fact that the overwhelming percentage of violent crimes is committed by repeat offenders.
Read MoreNot-for-profits sold short
Restricting not-for-profits from the Fishers Interstate 69 corridor [June 10] ignores an organization’s impact on a community’s quality of life and focusing only on the bottom line.
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Ferrari broker to be honored
John Delamater, now in his 80s, is said to have sold or brokered the sale of hundreds of Ferraris over the years from his home in Carmel.
Read MoreCar service app adds Indy
After quietly rolling out over Memorial Day weekend, the vaunted and sometimes controversial car-service app by Uber Technologies Inc. is ready for prime time in Indianapolis.
Read MoreFusion cooking wins funding
A Fishers financial analyst’s crab mofonguito was tasty enough to win him money he needs to open his own restaurant.
Read MoreApplication deadline looms for leadership academy
Nuts about the squirrel statues planned as part of a public art initiative in Hamilton County? The Hamilton County Leadership Academy—where the idea originated as part of a group project—is accepting applications for its next class through June 30.
Read MoreProxy Corner: Vera Bradley Inc.
Vera Bradley Inc., 2208 Production Road, Fort Wayne, Ind., 46808, sells handbags, accessories, paper-and-gift items and travel items through 65 retail stores, 11 outlet stores, 3,400 specialty stores and through verabradley.com.
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