Eighty-three percent of those who voted in yesterday's elections said "yes" to the proposal to build a new Wishard hospital and healthcare complex downtown. The project will result in a 1.2-million-square-foot facility with approximately 300 inpatient beds, and will carry a price tag of $754 million.

Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital and the Board of Health buildings between West Michigan and West 10th streets will soon be demolished to make way for the new construction.

Wishard's mission places special emphasis on the underserved and vulnerable populations of Marion County, and the hospital has received many awards in recent years for excellent service.

If you're someone who's at high risk for catching the H1N1 virus, you can take comfort in the fact that the Marion County Health Department will be hosting two more free vaccination clinics this week. The H1N1 vaccinations will be given at Lafayette Square Mall this Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 3-7 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The health department plans to administer 3,000 doses each day. Get yours while supplies last!

Chivalry isn't dead. Two local men, Robert Skaggs and Lonnie Hood, were honored by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard in a ceremony prior to today's Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium for their heroic efforts in rescuing the driver of a propane tanker that exploded on the northeast side Oct. 22. The men were working at a nearby apartment complex when they heard the crash, and they selflessly rushed to pull the 70-year-old driver from his burning truck minutes before the explosion occurred.

And speaking of the Colts, they posted their seventh victory of the season, beating San Francisco 18-14, to remain undefeated. The New Orleans Saints are the only other NFL team that can make that claim, with a record of 6-0. Way to go Colts!!

The Irvington Branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library (5625 E. Washington St., phone 275-4450) will be featuring free Halloween-themed movies for kids Tuesday and Wednesday this week, with free hot dogs and drinks to boot.

Tomorrow's show will be Coraline, rated PG, for kids ages 7-17. Wednesday's show will be Monster House, also rated PG, for kids ages 6-17. Showtime both nights is 7 p.m., but arrive at 6:30 to take advantage of the free hot dog and drink offer.

The massive explosion at 10:45 this morning of a semi-tanker carrying up to 1,000 gallons of liquid propane has resulted in closings along roughly one-fourth of I-465 that transportation officials say may last for weeks. The tanker was traveling southbound on the ramp from I-69 to I-465 when its top hit the east-west I-465 overpass and it burst into flames, causing an explosion that was seen, heard, and felt for miles.

Two men working in a nearby apartment complex who witnessed the event risked their own lives to pull the driver of the tanker from the burning vehicle just before it exploded into a huge ball of flames. The driver was taken to Methodist Hospital. The driver of the vehicle behind the tanker suffered severe burns and has been hospitalized as well, while others with injuries were treated at the scene. Amazingly, no fatalities have been reported.

Nearby witnesses spoke of hearing a deafening boom and buildings shaking, while the fireball and plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles. Billboards and a cellphone tower caught fire, in addition to a blaze of fire on the ramp resulting from the spilled fuel.

The fires are now said to be under control; however, cleanup and repairs will be extensive. A pillar on the east side of the overpass collapsed, and two steel girders on the west side sustained damage. As a result, eastbound lanes of I-465 are closed from Meridian/U.S. 31 to I-69, and northbound lanes of I-465 are closed from I-70 on the east side to I-69. Earlier I-69 was closed south of State Road 67-Madison County, but it has since reopened. It's estimated, however, that major stretches of I-465 will be closed for weeks to come.

This no doubt comes as sobering news to those who travel to and from the northeast side of Indy, in addition to residents of Fishers and Noblesville, as this stretch of interstate has long been a major commuter route and one of the most congested areas in the city. Patience and perseverance will be required in the days and weeks to come.

A post today by IndyStar.com reporter Tim Evans relates the story of a southern Indiana woman who's facing a 30-year sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of battery resulting in the June 27, 2008, death of her 2-year-old son, Jalen Blake. Almost a month prior to the incident resulting in the child's death, the Department of Child Services (DCS) had been notified by healthcare workers that the child had been brought to the hospital with suspicious injuries, including a black eye, a bruised ear, and scratches on his face. On June 2, 2008, the mother failed a voice stress test, indicating that she had lied when questioned about the toddler's injuries and meth exposure, and four days later, a drug test for the child ordered by DCS came back positive for methamphetamine.

Still, no action was taken. DCS put the blame on a family case manager who has since resigned, but the Star reports that a DCS supervisor was also aware of the failed drug test at least a week before the child was beaten to death, and a DCS local director was aware of the failed voice stress test weeks beforehand as well. Jalen is said to be "among at least 18 Indiana children who have died since September 2007 while they or their families were involved in cases with DCS, had been involved in recently closed cases or were the subject of recent reports of abuse or neglect."

I think a comment posted on the site in response to the story asks the real question here: "How many years does the state get for failing to protect this child?" asks the reader.

Teachers, healthcare workers and the like are frequently advised to report suspected abuse, but does sufficient followup really take place when they do? Is the Department of Child Services really serving our children? How often do they look the other way in the face of evidence, and pass the buck when their neglect results in tragedy? Should they be held accountable for their actions? What do you think?

Indianapolis Colts fans have been chomping at the bit for another Super Bowl victory since getting the sweet taste of victory in February, 2007. Will this be the season in which that fantasy is again fulfilled? So far, the Colts are on a roll with a perfect record of 0-5. They're ranked #1 in the AFC South division (no surprise there, seeing as how they're the only team in the division with more wins than losses). More impressively, they're one of only three teams in the NFL to remain undefeated to date. Joining them are the Denver Broncos, who the Colts will come face-to-face with on Dec. 13, and the Minnesota Vikings.

We won't get a chance to see our Colts in action this week, due to a bye, but they'll be back on the field Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. when they take on the St. Louis Rams who, unfortunately (for them, not us) are 0-5. Stay tuned for more Colts' updates!

Lucas Oil Stadium offers public tours every week that give participants an up-close and personal look at all the stadium has to offer. Tours last approximately one hour and include visits to the playing field, an NFL locker room, Lucas Oil Plaza, the press box, and numerous other areas (depending on availability) that are generally inaccessible to the public. (Note: The field may also be inaccessible when it's in event-ready condition; however, patrons will be able to view it from another location in the stadium.)

The tours are conducted at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday with the exception of Oct. 20, Oct. 21 and Nov. 11, when no tours will be held. Tours will be conducted the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, and the week before Christmas, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors age 65 and over and children ages 4-12. Kids 3 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Tickets are available only on the day of the tour (they may not be purchased in advance) and they're sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cash and major credit cards are accepted (no checks or money orders). Tickets can be purchased at the exterior ticket windows of the Colts Pro Shop located at the northeast side of the stadium, near the corner of South Street and Capitol Avenue. Private tours may be scheduled for groups of 25 people or more by calling 317-262-8600.

While this is a walking tour, accommodations can be made for those touring in wheelchairs or with strollers. Tour routes include the use of ramps, escalators, elevators, and stairs. Still cameras are allowed, but video cameras are prohibited.

Ever wanted to get a peek inside the Skyline Club, Indianapolis's elite, invitation-only, private business dining club? The Skyline Club will be hosting a Colts pre-game brunch buffet on Sunday, Oct. 4, that's open to the public. The brunch, to be prepared by executive chef Scott Reifenberger and staff, will begin at 11 a.m., prior to the Colts kickoff against Seattle in Lucas Oil Stadium at 1 p.m.

The cost is $27.95 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 317-263-5000. The Skyline Club is located at One American Square, Indianapolis 46282. Colts or game attire is welcome.

Yee haw! Dig out your cowboy boots and get ready to strut your stuff on a mechanical bull. The Cadillac Ranch, a Western-style bar and grill, is slated to open in downtown Indianapolis's Union Station by the end of the year. Construction of the 15,000-square-foot dining establishment is underway. Conveniently situated between the Wholesale District and Lucas Oil Stadium, the restaurant will face South Meridian Street and include both indoor and outdoor seating.