>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," AS COVID-19 CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN AT LEVELS NOT SEEN SINCE LAST WINTER, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED AT THE STATE HOUSE TO PROTEST THE STATE'S RESPONSE.

>> PEOPLE OF INDIANA ARE WELL-EDUCATED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN -- MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.

>> WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHY BASIC PUBLIC HEALTH PRECAUTIONS HAVE BECOME SO DIVISIVE.

>> THE FAMILY OF A WOMAN WHO DIED AT THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL IS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE UNDER THIS SITUATION.

IT'S UNDER THE SAME RECORD AND JUSTICE.

>> THE JAIL AND THE STATE POLICE REMAIN SILENT WHILE THE DEATH IS BEING INVESTIGATED.

AND ANNEXATION IN BLOOMINGTON IS MOVING FORWARD.

BUT THE PROCESS IS FAR FROM OVER.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS LATEST NEWS HEADLINES RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK"!

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE STATE'S HOSPITALS CONTINUE TO BE OVERWHELMED WITH UNVACCINATED COVID-19 PATIENTS.

WHILE THE RATE OF NEW ADMISSIONS HAS SLIGHTLY SLOWED, HEALTH SYSTEMS SAY STAFFING SHORTAGES PAIRED WITH THE INFLUX IN PATIENTS IS STRETCHING THE SYSTEM TOO THIN.

THE NEWS COMES AS THE STATE ROLLS OUT BOOSTER DOSES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS OR AT HIGH RISK OF EXPOSURE.

YET, THE NUMBER OF HOOSIERS WHO WILL RECEIVE A THIRD DOSE REMAINS UNCLEAR, AS JUST OVER HALF OF ELIGIBLE HOOSIERS ARE FULLY VAN VACCINATED.

I'M JOINED BY BROCK TURNER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT HUNDREDS GATHEREDSON LAWN WITH A CLEAR MESSAGE.

THEY WANTED GOVERNOR HOLCOMB TO END THE POLICY AND THEY WERE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S VACCINE POLICIES.

>> WE COULD TAKE A VOTE TO DECLARE THE STATE EMERGENCY TO BE ENDED.

[ CHEERS ] >> IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH COMMITTEE.

IT CAN GO DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR.

SO I HAVE -- I HAVE PREPARED TO INTRODUCE A NEW RESOLUTION TOMORROW LISTING ALL 18 RENEWALS, SAYING THAT THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA ARE WELL-EDUCATED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN, MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH AND SAFETY.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST COVER-UPS IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY.

[ CHEERS ] >> I'M NOT SAYING THAT COVID IS NOT REAL.

SO I DO WANT TO ALWAYS HAVE THAT COMMENT.

I'M NOT SAYING COVID IS NOT REAL, BUT IT DEFINITIVELY IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR AS DANGEROUS AS THEY SAY.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> I THINK THAT THE INDIANA GOP CONTINUES TO BE ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL.

>> WHO HOLDS THE POWER IN THE STATE OF INDIANA?

>> WE THE PEOPLE!

>> WHO IS GOING TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST TYRANNY.

>> WE THE PEOPLE!

>> WHO IS GOING TO RECLAIM THE POWER THAT WE HAVE GIVEN AWAY?

>> WE THE PEOPLE!

>> IN THE STATE OF INDIANA FOR MEDICAL FREEDOM, BECAUSE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M JUST AS VERIFIED AS YOU ARE.

[ CHEERS ] >> REMEMBER THAT THE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DEBATE WHO WILLINGLY GIVE UP THEIR FREEDOM FOR PHANTOM PROTECTION ARE ALSO SCARED AND MAY NOT BE THINKING QUITE AS DEEPLY.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET VIOLENT WITH THEM.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET ANGRY WITH THEM.

FEAR DOES ITS BEST WHEN IT'S CALMLY DEBATED AND DISCUSSED AND TAKE THAT TO THEM.

DON'T BACK DOWN WHEN THEY DISCUSS THIS, WHEN THEY MOCK YOU, WHEN THEY SAY THIS, STAND CALMLY AND STATE YOUR POSITION.

>> WHEN PEOPLE SAY YOU'VE GOT TO STAY SAFE.

I SAY NO, WE GOT TO STAY FREE!

BECAUSE IF WE DON'T HAVE FREEDOM, WE AREN'T GOING TO HAVE SAFETY, RIGHT?

[ APPLAUSE ] >> FREEDOM!

>> SO BROCK, WE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF VOICES THERE.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF ANY OF THOSE DESIRES BEING MET?

>> WELL FRANKLY, THERE'S LITTLE CHANCE THE ATTENDEES WILL GET THEIR WISHES.

THE AMENDMENTS THAT NEISELY AND JACOB WERE QUICKLY DISMISSED, THE ONES THAT THEY PUT FORTH IN FRONT OF THE INDIANA STATE HOUSE THIS PAST WEEK.

THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ISN'T MANDATING MUCH OF ANYTHING.

PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLAN TO VACCINATE THOSE WORKING FOR LARGE COMPANIES AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS WILL CERTAINLY BE BATTLED OUT IN THE COURTS BUT PRATT TICKALLY SPEAKING, -- PRACTICALLY SPEAKING IT WAS HIGHLIGHTING ABOUT ANTI-VACCINE SENTIMENT THAN A RUNWAY FOR POLICY CHANGE.

>> BUT THEY DO MANDATE OTHER VACCINES, THOUGH.

>> THEY DO.

IN 2017, IT WAS THE MOST RECENT ONE WHERE INDIANA MANDATED THAT COLLEGE STUDENTS AT STATE SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES WERE VACCINATED AGAINST MENINGITIS.

IT JOINED A LIST OF OTHER REQUIRED INOCULATIONS WHILE THERE WAS SOME CONTROVERSY IN THE SENATE, IT PASSED THE HOUSE CONVINCINGLY 87-2.

MANY OF THE SAME REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE 2017 BILL SAY THEY DON'T SUPPORT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLAN THAT WOULD MANDATE EMPLOYEES -- EMPLOYERS WITH MORE THAN 100 EMPLOYEES BE VACCINATED OR VACCINATE THEIR WORKERS.

COURTS WILL CERTAINLY DEBATE THIS OVER THE COMING MONTHS BUT MANY OF THE STATE'S PROMINENT REPUBLICANS INCLUDING HOLCOMB AND ROD BRAY AND SENATOR MIKE BRAUN WHO ALL SUPPORTED THE 2017 MANDATE TELL ME IT'S ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT PROCESS BY WHICH THOSE MANDATES WERE PASSED THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU RECENTLY SPOKE WITH THE AUTHOR OF THAT 2017 BILL, WHERE DO THEY STAND ON ALL OF THIS?

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT, RON BAKEN SPENT AROUND A ARE -- RON BACON IS A RESPIRATORY THERAPIST BY TRADE.

WHILE THERE'S SOME CLEAR DIFFERENCES MANDATING THAT STUDENTS BE VACCINATED AND THE BIDEN MANDATE, THERE ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL REASONS ARE REALLY THE SAME, THAT IS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> HE'S DOING IT FOR THE SAME REASON I SAID IS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

AND WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION AND A JOB TO DO TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO PROTECT THOSE LESS FORTUNATE, AND THOSE WHO ARE AT MOST RISK.

I DON'T AGREE WITH IT, TO THAT POINT.

I THINK THAT'S GOING A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR.

>> MY BIGGEST TAKEAWAY IS HOW SIMILAR THE INTENTIONS OF BOTH ACTIONS WERE.

IN 2017, IT WASN'T CONTROVERSIAL TO MANDATE A SUBSET OF THE POPULATION BE VACCINATED TO PROTECT OTHERS, BUT TODAY IT'S REALLY BECOME A FLASHPOINT THAT EVOKES SO MUCH EMOTION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST CONCERNING PART OF ALL OF THIS.

IF SEDIMENT REMAINS AFTER COVID-19, THERE COULD BE RAMIFICATIONS FOR DECADES TO COME.

>> WELL, ALL SEVEN PROPOSED BLOOMINGTON ANNEXATION AREAS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL BUT THE PROCESS IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> SUPPORTING THIS -- >> AFTER IF CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ONLY GOT TO AREA 1A A WEEK AGO, THE OTHER SIX AREAS TO BE ANNEXED EACH PASSED BY A 6-3 VOTE DURING WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S SPECIAL SESSION ZOOM MEETING.

RON SMITH, SUSAN SANDBERG AND DAVE ROLLO VOTED NO TO EACH OF THE AREAS.

>> I DON'T THINK THE EVALUATION OF THE LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS THAT WILL BE ANNEXED HAS BEEN MADE.

>> THE CITY RECOMMENDED NORTHERN MOST AREA 7 BE DROPPED FROM THE PROPOSAL.

IT WAS DISMISSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IN A STATEMENT, BLOOMINGTON MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON CALLED WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S VOTE HISTORIC STEPS TO RIGHT-SIZE THE CITY AFTER 17 YEARS.

NOW, HOW MANY OF THOSE AREAS THE CITY WILL BE ABLE TO ANNEX IN 2024 WON'T BE KNOWN FOR A WHILE.

ALMOST ALL PUBLIC COMMENTERS SPOKE AGAINST ANNEXATION, AND PLAN TO PROTEST OR REMONSTRATE.

>> TO SIT THERE AND OFFHANDEDLY SUGGEST THAT BECAUSE I CHOOSE TO LIVE OUTSIDE THAT I'M SOMEHOW NOT DOING MY SHARE FOR THIS COMMUNITY, THAT IS NOT NECESSARY, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE PART OF THE WAY YOU ARE MAKING A DECISION AROUND THIS.

>> I FIND IT DISHEARTENING THAT I HAVE NEIGHBORS AROUND ME WHO ARE JUST AS POSITIVE AND JUST AS VOCAL WITHIN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT HAVE YET TO GET ON A ZOOM.

>> THE REMONSTRATE PERIOD GOES FOR 90 DAYS.

IF 60% REMONSTRATE, THEN THE ANNEXATION IS INVALIDATED.

THEN THEY CAN FIGHT IT THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM.

>> YOU ARE SETTING THIS UP FOR A LAWSUIT, AND/OR A REALLY BAD FEELING AMONG RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THIS IS A HURTFUL, HURTFUL THING.

>> THE OFFICIAL REMONSTRATES RECORD WILL COME FROM THE MONROE COUNTY AUDITOR CATHERINE SMITH'S OFFICE.

>> AND A REDISTRICTING BILL ON THURSDAY THAT WILL LIKELY MAINTAIN GOP SUPER MAJORITIES IN THE STATE HOUSE AND ELIMINATES ANY COMPETITIVE RACES FOR CONGRESS.

DEMOCRATS DECRIED THE SYSTEM.

>> THESE MAPS ARE AMONG THE MOST GERRYMANDERED, AND THUS BY DEFINITION, THEY WILL DISENFRANCHISE VOTERS.

>> IT WASN'T JUST DEMOCRATS WHO VOICED COMPLAINTS.

REPRESENTATIVE JEFF ELLINGTON, A REPUBLICAN FROM BLOOMINGTON, DECRIED THE LOSS IN HIS DISTRICT OF THE I-69 CORRIDOR FROM BLOOMINGTON TO CRANE.

HE AND OTHER REPUBLICANS JOINED EVERY DEMOCRAT IN VOTING AGAINST THE BILL.

THE MEASURE NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE.

>>> THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF HUNTING ACCIDENTS IN INDIANA IS NOT MISHANDLING FIREARMS.

IT'S FALLING OUT TREES.

FALLING OUT OF A TREE STAND CAN MEAN DEATH OR EVEN PARALYSIS.

AS REBECCA THIELE REPORTS, THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS TRYING TO EDUCATE DEER HUNTERS AS MORE OF THEM HEAD INTO THE WOODS.

>> AS OUTDOOR RECREATION HAS GONE UP DURING THE PANDEMIC, HUNTING ACCIDENTS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM 2019 TO 2020.

CAPTAIN JET QUILLEN IS WITH THE DNR'S LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION.

>> IN NORTHERN INDIANA, WE HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE TREE STAND ACCIDENT AND THAT WAS WHEN SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO PUT UP THEIR STAND PRIOR TO THE SEASON, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE SEASON AND IT WAS NOT SECURED DIRECTLY.

>> KNOW ACCIDENTS INVOLVING TREE STANDS ARE NOTHING NEW, QUILLEN SAYS NOT EVERY HUNTER USES A SAFETY HARNESS LIKE THEY SHOULD.

>> THEY HAVEN'T BECOME MAIN STREAM LIKE THEY HAVE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO JUST EDUCATING THE PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF UTILIZING THEM.

>> QUILLEN SAYS EXPERIENCED HUNTERS COULD BE USED WORN OUT OR OUTDATED HARNESSES IN TREE STANDS AND MIGHT WANT TO INVEST IN NEW ONES.

THEY SHOULD INSPECT THE TREE STANDS AND THE TREE THEY ARE IN BEFORE THEY GO HUNTING TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS SECURE.

THEY ALSO ADVISE HUNTERS TO LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING AND WHEN THEY EXPECT TO BE BACK.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M REBECCA THIELE.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," VOLUNTEERS AROUND THE STATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD ARE COLLECTING SUPPLIES FOR THE AFGHAN EVACUEES AT CAMP ATTERBURY.

AND TERRE HAUTE WILL INSTALL A PLAQUE ON A DARK MOMENT IN HISTORY, THE LYNCHING OF A BLACK MAN.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

DONATIONS ARE POURING IN FOR THE MORE THAN 6600 AFGHAN EVACUEES CURRENTLY HOUSED AT CAMP ATTERBURY IN EDINBURGH.

OUR LIZZIE KABOSKI VOTED A DONATION SITE NEAR THE CAMP.

>> PILES OF FOOD,, DIAPERS AND MORE FROM CAMP ATTERBURY.

IT'S HOUSING 6600 AFGHAN EVACUEES.

TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS ARRIVED BY 8 A.M. DAILY TO UNLOAD TRUCKS AND TRAILERS FULL OF DONATION BOXES THAT ARRIVE FREQUENTLY ON SITE.

ITEMS GET SORTED, BOXED, AND TRANSPORTED TO THE CAMP.

THE EFFORT IS SPEARHEADED BY TEAM RUBE RUBICON, WHO SUPPORT THE STATE, AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

JEN CORSI SAYS THEY ARE LOOKING FOR NEW, CLEAN ITEMS FOR THE EVACUEES.

USED ITEMS CANNOT BE TAKEN TO GUESTS IN THE CAMP.

>> AND NEEDED MOST ARE THE ITEMS THAT MAINTAIN DIGNITY AND HUMANITY TO OUR GUESTS OVER AT CAMP ATTERBURY.

>> A WISH LIST OF ITEMS IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

ITEMS CAN BE ORDERED FOR DELIVERY TO ONE OF THE FACILITIES HOUSING EVACUEES.

ITEMS NEEDED MOST ARE BABY FORMULA, DIAPERS, JACKETS, WARM BLANKETS, BOOTS AND TENNIS SHOES.

LARGER ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES HAVE RALLIED TO PROVIDE ITEMS FOR THE CAMP, CORSI SAYS SHE'S AMAZED AT THE GENEROSITY OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARRIVE WITH DONATIONS.

>> OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN SO INCREDIBLY GENEROUS IN BRINGING THINGS TO US THAT WE NEED AND I'M HOPING THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AS THE RESETTLEMENT EFFORTS CONTINUE.

>> DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE JOHNSON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION AMPHITHEATER IN EDINBURGH FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. DAILY.

ITEMSCAN BE DROPPED AT NUMEROUS NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY LOCATIONS FROM 8 A.M. TO 4 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

LOCATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE CAMP ATTERBURY FACEBOOK PAGE.

CORSI SAYS SHE PROCESSES DONATIONS FOR EIGHT HOURS EVERY DAY.

SHE'S ONLY GONE BACK TO HER HOME ON COLUMBUS ON THE WEEKENDS SINCE SHE BEGAN VOLUNTEERING ON SEPTEMBER 11ED.

>> I WILL KEEP DOING THIS UNTIL THE MISSION IS OVER.

>> NOR "INDIANAFOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M LIZZIE KABOSKI.

>> DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

>> WELL, MORE THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER A LOUISVILLE WOMAN DIED IN A SOUTHERN INDIANA JAIL, HER FAMILY IS STILL SEEKING ANSWERS.

ADAM PINSKER REPORTS.

>> RONEASHA MURRELL REMEMBERS WHEN BREONA TAYLOR WAS SKILLED IN HER LOUISVILLE HOME, AND SHE'S WELL AWARE OF OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE BLACKS WERE MISTREATED BY POLICE.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD BE IN THIS SITUATION.

IT'S UNDER THE SAME RECORD AND JUSTICE, BY PEOPLE IN AUTHORITY.

>> MURRELL'S SISTER, TAYNEASHA CHAPPELL WAS AN INMATE AT THE JACKSON COUNTY JAIL.

HER FAMILY NOW KNOWS WHY.

>> TO MY UNDERSTANDING FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH INDIANA STATE POLICE, IS THAT THE INITIAL AUTOPSY REFLECTS THAT TAYNEASHA DIED DUE TO TOXICITY, WHICH MEANS SHE WAS POISONED.

BUT THAT THE SUBSTANCE IS UNKNOWN.

>> THE FAMILY ATTORNEY SAM AGIAR SAYS IT COULD BE A MATTER OF DAYS BEFORE A SECOND ROUND OF TESTS CONFIRMS WHAT THE SUBSTANCE IS.

CHAPPELL WAS ARRESTED IN MAY ON CHARGES OF SHOPLIFTING FROM THE EDINBURGH OUTLET MALL.

SHE LED POLICE ON A CHASE THAT ENDED IN JACKSON COUNTY.

IN EARLY JULY, A JUDGE DENIED TAYNEASHA'S REQUEST FOR A BOND REDUCTION D. WAS AROUND THAT TIME SHE TOLD FAMILY MEMBERS SHE WAS AFRAID SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO POISON HER.

>> SHE WAS LICK, SIS, SOMEBODY PUT SOME BLEACH IN MY PICKLE JUICE.

>> SHE TOLD HER FAMILY THAT OTHER INMATES WERE CALLING HER RACIAL SLURS AND SOMEONE FASHIONED A NOOSE AND PUT IT IN HER CELL.

ON JULY 15th, TAYNEASHA TOLD JAILERS SHE WAS RUNNING A FEVER AND FELT SICK.

THE GUARDS DID NOTHING THAT NIGHT.

>> THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THEY ALL WALKED AROUND AND LET MY SISTER BANG ON A BUZZER AND POOPING AND VOMITING BLOOD AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE HER ANYTHING ABOUT TYLENOL.

>> BY FRIDAY, JULY 16th, HER CONDITION WAS MUCH WORSE.

CHAPPELL WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN SEYMOUR, WHERE SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD THAT EVENING.

THE FAMILY SAYS THERE WAS BRUISING ON HER BODY AS WELL.

>> HER BODY WAS IN A LOT OF STRESS.

WE HAD TO WAIT BEFORE WE RECEIVED HER BODY FROM JACKSON COUNTY.

>> CHAPPELL'S FAMILY AND THEY ARE ATTORNEYS ARE FRUSTRATED BY THE LENGTH OF TIME IT HAS TAKEN INDIANA STATE POLICE TO COMPLETE THE INVESTIGATION.

THEY WANT JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF RICK MEYER TO TURN OVER ANY SURVEILLANCE VIDEO FROM THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT.

>> IN ORDER FOR US TO DETERMINE THAT AND IN ORDER FOR ISP TO DETERMINE THAT, THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE COMPREHENSIVE VIEWING OF THE VIDEOS.

THERE WILL HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT COME FORWARD AND BASICALLY ESTABLISH, YOU KNOW FROM THEIR OWN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OR FROM THINGS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHERS.

>> THE FAMILY'S LEGAL TEAM SAYS THE MORE TIME THAT PASSES, THE HARDER IT IS TO TRACK DOWN INMATES WHO MAY HAVE VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AS MANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN RELEASED OR TRANSFERRED TO OTHER JAILS.

MAHREL SAYS THE SILENCE COMING -- MURRELL SAYS THE SILENCE COME WILL NOT MAKE HER FAMILY BE DIET.

>> THEY THOUGHT THAT TAKE TAYNEASHA'S FAMILY WOULD NOT FIGHT.

THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD COVER A 23-YEAR-OLD BLACK GIRL'S STORY AND TELL US ANYTHING.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ADAM PINSKER.

>>> WE PLACED PHONE CALLS TO JACKSON COUNTY SHERRY SHERIFF RICK MYER BUT WE HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK.

>> TERRE HAUTE IS REVISITING THEIR HISTORY.

THE COMMUNITY IS PARTICIPATING A PROJECT TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DIFFICULT PART OF ITS PAST.

JUST A WARNING, SOME IMAGES IN THIS STORY ARE GRAPHIC.

>> FAIRBANKS PARK IN TERRE HAUTE IS A PLACE THAT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

LOCATED RIGHT ON THE BANKS OF THE WABASH RIVER, THE 145-ACRE PARK OFFERS WATER ACCESS, AND AMPHITHEATER AND PLENTY OF SPACE FOR KIDS TO PLAY.

>> HI.

>> YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW A MAN WAS LYNCHED HERE IN 1901.

>> GEORGE WARD WAS MANY I GREAT GRANDFATHER.

AT THIS DAY IN AGE, WE WILL CALL HIM AN AFRICAN AMERICAN.

IN TERRE HAUTE.

HE WAS A WORKING MAN.

HE WAS A FATHER.

>> TERRY WARD IS THE GREAT GRANDSON OF VIGO COUNTY'S ONLY KNOWN LYNCHING VICTIM, GEORGE WARD, A BLACK MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING A WHITE WOMAN.

HE GREW UP IN TERRE HAUTE UNAWARE OF HIS FAMILY'S HISTORY.

>> THEY NEVER SPOKE ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS -- TO THE WARD NAME, IT WAS A DISGRACE BASED ON THE FACT THAT WHAT HE WAS ACCUSED OF.

>> IN FEBRUARY 1901, A YOUNG SCHOOL TEACHER WAS MURDERED.

HER ASSAILANT WAS DESCRIBED AS A BLACK MAN AND WARD APPARENTLY CONFESSED TO THE CRIME.

BUT HIS DAY IN COURT NEVER CAME.

>> THE CHIEF OF POLICE HAD HEARD THAT A MOB WAS COMING.

SO THEY TOOK HIM TO THE COUNTY JAIL THERE BY THE RIVER AND IT WASN'T VERY LONG BEFORE THE CROWD SHOWED UP.

>> THE MOB OVERRAN THE JAIL, AND LYNCHED WARD FROM THE NEARBY BRIDGE.

ONCE THEY WERE THROUGH WITH THE LYNCHING, THEY BUILT A PYRE, AND ANYWHERE FROM 1,000 TO 3,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED.

>> THE FACES OF THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST SO SATISFIED WITH THEMSELVES, AND THAT IS TYPICAL OF PHOTOGRAPHS AFTER A LYNCHING.

>> THE INCIDENT BECAME A SOURCE OF SHAME FOR THE FAMILY, WHO IMMEDIATELY WERE LABELED CRIMINALS BY MOB JUSTICE.

TERRY SAYS IT SET OFF A CHAIN OF WARD MEN LIVING THE CITY, WITH THOSE LEFT BEHIND LIVING IN POVERTY.

>> I PROBABLY AM THE FIRST GENERATION OUTSIDE OF ANY GENERATION SINCE GEORGE WARD THAT HAS ACHIEVED PAST THE POVERTY LEVEL.

>> THE LYNCHING ALSO PUT TERRE HAUTE IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT AND MANY WANTED TO FORGET THE INCIDENT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

RUMORS SPREAD THAT SOMEONE FROM OUT OF TOWN STIRRED UP THE MOB.

ONE NEWSPAPER REPORT SAID THAT TERRE HAUTE WAS THE TRUE VICTIM.

>>> WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I THINK IT WAS ALMOST A SHOCK TO THE COMMUNITY, LIKE, A GASP, LIKE WHAT, OH, MY GOSH, THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN HERE.

THIS -- WE JUST -- WE HAVE TO PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED HERE.

LET'S DON'T TALK ABOUT IT.

>> FOR THE NEXT CENTURY, WHAT HAPPENED TO GEORGE WARD WAS BURIED IN THE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS.

THOSE WHO KNEW THIS WAS A LYNCHING WERE SHORT ON DETAILS, THE VIGO COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM DID NOT MENTION GEORGE WARD UNTIL LAST YEAR.

>> THESE THINGS HAVE TO BE TAUGHT IN OUR EDUCATIONAL CENTERS AND OUR MUSEUMS IN ORDER TO GROW FROM THEM, IN ORDER FOR IT NOT TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> TERRY WARD RETURNED TO TERRE HAUTE IN 2020, TO COLLECT SOIL FROM THE LAND THAT HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS LYNCHED ON.

IT WAS PART OF THE EQUAL JUSTICE'S COMMUNITY EQUAL JUSTICE, WHICH AIMS TO PUT HISTORICAL MARKERS.

THERE WAS A MARKER INSTALLED AT FAIRBANKS PARK.

>> IT'S BEEN IN THE DARK.

WE ARE BRINGING IT BACK INTO THE LIGHT AND SO WE CAN HAVE THIS HEALING PROCESS.

WE CAN HAVE RECONCILIATION.

WE CAN HAVE CLOSURE.

>> THERE WILL BE A CEREMONY THIS SUNDAY TO DEDICATE THE MARKER AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE INJUSTICE DONE TO WARD AND HIS FAMILY.

FOUR GENERATIONS OF WARDS WILL BE, THERE INCLUDING TERRY.

IT'S HIS HOPE THE MARKER WILL HELP THE FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY HEAL AND COME TOGETHER IN THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> WHAT I HOPE WILL HAPPEN IS THAT THEY WILL IDENTIFY THEIR OWN HEARTS BY READING THE MEMORIAL, SEEING WHAT IT CONSISTED OF.

SEEING THE ATROCITY THAT WAS DONE, AND BE WILLING, IF NOTHING ELSE TO STEP UP IN LIGHT AGAINST THE SITUATION THAT THEY WOULD STAY WOULD BE WRONG IN SOCIETY.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>> THE GEORGE WARD HISTORICAL MARKER MEMORIAL WILL BE DEDICATED AT 3 P.M.

THIS SUNDAY AT FAIRBANKS PARK IN TERRE HAUTE.

>>> THE INDIANA FOOTBALL TEAM CAME INTO THE SEASON WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS AFTER A SUCCESSFUL 2020 CAMPAIGN, BUT AS PAT BEANE REPORTS, THINGS HAVEN'T GONE THE HOOSIERS WAY THIS YEAR.

>> THREE GAMES INTO THE 2021 FOOTBALL SEASON, INDIANA IS NOT WHERE IT EXPECTED TO BE.

THE HOOSIERS OPENED THE YEAR RANKED 17th IN THE NATION BUT HAVE LOST TWO OF THEIR FIRST THREE GAMES.

>> YEAH, WE ARE 1-2.

SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF?

WE WILL BLOW UP AND WE WILL FIGHT.

I PROMISE YOU THAT?

>> BOTH LOSSES HAVE COME AGAINST RANKED TEAMS.

IOWA WAS 18 AND CINCINNATI NUMBER 8 AT THE TIME INDIANA PLAYED THEM AND TO GET THE PROGRAM TO WHERE ALLEN WANTS TO BE, WINNING AGAINST TOP 25 THINGS IS SOMETHING TO BE EXPECTED NOT HOPED FOR.

>> I BELIEVE IN THIS TEAM.

I KNOW WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO DO SOME SPECIAL THINGS IF WE CONTINUE TO GET BETTER AND ELIMINATE THE MISTOEWS, MISTAKE -- MISS TOEWS AND THAT TO ME IS THE -- MISTAKES, THAT TO ME IS THE BIGGEST THING.

>> MISTAKES WERE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM.

QUARTERBACK'S MICHAEL PENIX'S RETURN TO A SEASON-ENDING KNEE INJURY HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY INDECISION AND INTERCEPTIONS.

HE THREW SIX INTERCEPTIONS ONE MORE THAN THE TEAM DID LAST SEASON.

AND HIS PASSING YARDS PER GAME ARE WELL OFF LAST YEAR'S PACE.

>> MICHAEL PENIX IS OUR STARTING QUARTERBACK.

I BELIEVE IN HIM WITH 100% OF MY HEART AND KNOWS OUR TEAM FEELS THE SAME WAY.

>> THERE WAS PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND.

>> SOME GUYS DROPPED THE FOOTBALL AND DID NOT CATCH THE FOOTBALL WELL AS A GROUP.

I THOUGHT OUR PROTECTION STILL WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH.

>> FORTUNATELY FOR THE HOOSIERS THREE-FOURTHS OF THE SEASON REMAINS TO TURN THINGS AROUND.

>> AS TOUGH AS THIS START IS, HOW COOL WOULD IT BE MORE THE INDIANA HOOSIERS TO TURN THEIR SEASON AND COME BACK EVEN STRONGER BECAUSE OF IT.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M PAT BEANE.

>> SATURDAY'S GAME AT WESTERN KENTUCKY KICKS OFF AT 8 P.M.

IT WILL BE BROADCAST ON THE CBS SPORTS NETWORK.

WELL, THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: