There’s an old saying in the world of sales and marketing: “You don’t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle.”
A recently launched billboard in Indianapolis is attempting to take the sizzle out of one kind of steak: tube steak.
The hot dog has become the culinary villain du jour as the billboard warns that “hot dogs can wreck your health” and shows hot dogs nestled in a cigarette pack.
Is that any way to treat a food so American it was included with “apple pie and baseball” in an old Chevrolet jingle?
Controversy and drama naturally intrigue the media. I’ve often thought that any story can be front page news if it contains three of the following four elements: a Congressman, food safety scare, massage parlor or handgun.
See the full article from “The Herald Bulletin”
The Thai Spa is at 11079 Village Square Lane in Fishers – near a daycare center. But Wednesday, the “OPEN” sign at The Thai Spa, also known as Thai Style Massage, was turned off – and it could be that way for a while. Police busted the business Tuesday for unlawful activity inside.
“We’ve been getting complaints from other business owners in the area of suspicious activity,” Fishers Officer Tom Weger said.
One of those complaining was Lori Oliver, owner of nearby God’s Miles Nursery and Pre-School.
“I just wanted to make sure the children were safe,” she told 24-Hour News 8.
Investigators said area businesses had complained that several men had mistaken their businesses for the massage parlor. After a three-week investigation, including setting up surveillance, police moved in.
See the full article from “WISH”
Police officers, firefighters and code enforcement agents swept into a dozen massage parlors looking for illegal activity. This was the 10th multi-agency raid on these types of businesses in Indianapolis.
More than 70 violations of local and state laws were uncovered. Many involved unlicensed parlors and massage therapists.
“The purpose we’re out here and the reason why we do these kinds of sweeps is to make sure we’re protecting the quality of life for neighborhoods and citizens of Indianapolis,” said Adam Collins with the Department of Code Enforcement.
Officials say the businesses that were raided were chosen because of prostitution complaints. However, no one was arrested for prostitution in this particular sweep.
See the full article from “Fox 59″
Massage parlor sweep nets 77 violations
Updated: Thursday, 11 Nov 2010, 11:46 AM ESTPublished : Thursday, 11 Nov 2010, 11:37 AM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The city conducted its 10th multi-agency sweep Wednesday on 11 massage parlors in Marion County.
During the sweep, 77 violations were given out. Eleven citations were issued for unlicensed massage parlors, and 14 citations were issued for unlicensed massage therapists. Other violations discovered include such things as: illegal signage, dwelling unit in a commercial district, unenclosed dumpsters, insufficient parking lot paving/striping, evidence of smoking in a place of employment, exposed wiring, electrical hazards and missing or unmounted fire extinguishers.
“This coordinated effort among multiple agencies serves as an example of how government should operate to enforce state and local laws and to prevent illegal activity from taking root in our community. Sweeps like these are an important part of our efforts to improve the quality of life for every Indianapolis resident,” said Mayor Greg Ballard.
Massage parlors are one of the 24 business types that require a license from The Department of Code Enforcement.
See the full article from “WISH”
Indianapolis – Inspectors found 77 code violations and issued 25 citations in a sweep of 11 massage parlors in Marion County.
It was the Department of Code Enforcement’s tenth multi-agency sweep of massage parlors in the county.
Eleven citations were issued for unlicensed massage parlors, and 14 citations were issued for unlicensed massage therapists. Other violations discovered include such things as: illegal signage, dwelling unit in a commercial district, unenclosed dumpsters, insufficient parking lot paving/striping, evidence of smoking in a place of employment, exposed wiring, electrical hazards and missing or unmounted fire extinguishers.
The multi-agency sweep was done in cooperation with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), Marion County Health Department (MCHD), Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD), Pike Township Fire Department, Wayne Township Fire Department, Indiana Department of Homeland Security-Division of Fire and Building Safety, Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) and Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO).
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Massage parlors are one of the 24 business types that require a license from DCE.
See the full article from “WTHR”
77 Violations Found In ‘Massage’ Parlor Sweep
Several Agencies Involved In Handing Out Citations
POSTED: 10:51 am EST November 11, 2010
UPDATED: 1:07 pm EST November 11, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS — Seventy-seven violations were found in a Wednesday sweep of 11 “massage” parlors operating in Marion County, officials said Thursday.
The multi-agency sweep involved the Department of Code Enforcement, several fire departments, the Department of Homeland Security, the Indianapolis Metro Police Department and other agencies.
Eleven citations were issued for unlicensed businesses, and 14 citations were handed out for unlicensed massage therapists, said Kate Johnson, public information officer for the Department of Code Enforcement.
Unlicensed massage parlors are often havens for prostitution and other illegal activity, but there were no sex-related arrests in Wednesday’s sweep.
“Sweeps like these are an important part of our efforts to improve the quality of life for every Indianapolis resident,” said Mayor Greg Ballard, in a news release.
See the full article from “WRTV Indianapolis”
Proposed fee irks Indy small businesses
Updated: Tuesday, 25 May 2010, 10:54 PM EDTPublished : Tuesday, 25 May 2010, 10:51 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The City County Council will take up a measure at its next meeting to increase business licensing fees.
During a meeting of the Rules and Public Policy Committee Tuesday night, Rick Powers, the Director of the Department of Code Enforcement (DCE), shared a Power Point presentation that outlined the reasons his department is asking for a fee increase.
Under the proposal, a total of 27 businesses will be affected. The businesses include everything from massage parlors, to taxi cab companies, to kennels.
Powers says the current business license fee schedule is antiquated. In some cases, fees have not been increased for decades and the current income generated from the fees does not cover the department’s operating costs.
See the full article from “WISH”
Person Found Dead In Indiana University Dorm (Bloomington) – Police in Bloomington are investigating the death of a person found in a dorm room. Indiana University spokesman Larry MacIntyre says residence hall advisors were overcome with chemical fumes after forcing their way into a room yesterday afternoon. The person was found dead inside of the room. Authorities are investigating the possibility that the chemicals were related to a suicide.
One Arrested For Alleged Murder Of Jewelry Store Owner (Indianapolis) – Police in Indianapolis have made an arrest in connection to the murder of a Fountain Square businessman. IMPD Detective Brian Lemond says Michael Inman is under arrest for the killing of Pedigo Jewelers owner David Pedigo on Friday. Lemond says Inman also faces charges for a violent burglary at an adult novelty store. He says Inman has a lengthy criminal past.
Indianapolis Police Cracking Down On Massage Parlors
(Indianapolis) – The city of Indianapolis is continuing to crack down on massage parlors.
See the full article from “WTVW”
Indianapolis Police Cracking Down On Massage Parlors
The city of Indianapolis is continuing to crack down on massage parlors. Indianapolis police joined code enforcement officers and local health officials in raids on more than a dozen parlors on Monday.
Indianapolis Code Enforcement spokeswoman Katie Bannon says no arrests were made, but dozens of violations were issued. Bannon says officials found evidence that women were living in five of the raided parlors.
IMPD Lieutenant Jeff Duhamell says women are often trafficked around the country to work in illegitimate massage parlors.
Last Updated: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 6:25:24 AM
See the full article from “NewsTalk 1010 WCSI”
Aldermen endorse restriction on massage parlors
Worried about prostitution, council members back ban on massage businesses in areas that are mostly residential
Chicago aldermen worried about prostitution rings masquerading as massage parlors endorsed a measure Monday to ban massage businesses in areas that are mostly residential.
The ordinance approved by the City Council Zoning Committee would ban massage parlors in confined business districts that essentially serve just the surrounding neighborhood. They would be allowed in areas with more commercial development.
The action amends a previously proposed ordinance that would have enacted a broader ban and was opposed by therapeutic massage therapists who said it would damage their ability to do business. The newer measure, unlike the previous one, was endorsed by Mayor Richard Daley’s administration. It is scheduled to go before the full council Wednesday.
See the full article from “Chicago Tribune”