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Mary Farucci

Hi there! I'm Mary Farucci. I'm a communicator, writer, digital content producer, social media marketer, and PR strategist; but at my core, I am a passionate storyteller. Here's a little bit about me and what I've been up to. ⤵️

I grew up in White Plains, New York and moved to Boston, Massachusetts to complete my undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism at Emerson College.

I landed my first reporter/anchor gig almost immediately after in Jefferson City, Missouri at the Missourinet, a statewide radio news network that broadcasts at more than 60 stations across the state. I covered state education and transportation beats, as well as Senate and House of Representatives hearings at the Missouri State Capitol.

I moved on to work for iHeartMedia in Denver, Colorado as a Rocky Mountain Correspondent. I anchored the morning news on three different radio stations simultaneously, and hosted Colorado Today, a weekly public affairs show featuring local nonprofits and charities.

Since 2016, I have called Indianapolis home, working for Emmis Communications as a Multimedia Content Producer, and winning my first Spectrum Award by the Indiana Broadcasters Association before I made the transition into television working on the digital side for WTHR and WRTV. I went back to school to earn my Master's in Strategic Communication/Public Relations from Purdue University, graduating in 2021, and was eager to pivot into the world of PR and all things marketing.

These days, my career has taken me into supply chain management -- and who would have ever thought? When I'm not recruiting and completing daily administrative duties for a major Fortune 500 company, I'm writing, sharing stories and giving a voice to the voiceless.

Current Publishing •

Hair-shaving event remembers late Carmel boy, raises funds to fight cancer •

To honor the memory of their 6-year-old son, Brooks, the Blackmore family of Carmel hosted the seventh annual St. Baldricks Foundation head-shaving event — Be Brooks Brave and Shave — May 17 at their home to raise funds for childhood cancer research.

With a goal of raising $30,000, more than 20 participants – both children and adults – shaved their heads in support of the foundation’s mission and to remember Brooks, who had a zest for life and loved racing Hot Wheels cars.

“We’re doing this so
Current Publishing •

Brooke’s Place seeking volunteers to help youth process through grief • Current Publishing

Statistically, 1 in 7 children will experience the death of a parent, sibling or a close loved one by the time they are 20. Indianapolis-based nonprofit Brooke’s Place is working to create a community where every young person living with grief feels safe, supported and understood during their journey.

One way Brooke’s Place does this is by providing weekly support groups, therapy services and community education to empower children, teens, young adults and their families to thrive in the midst
Current Publishing •

Jiffy Lube aims to narrow employee gender gap • Current Publishing

According to a 2020 study conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission, women represent only 24 percent of the automotive manufacturing workforce. Jiffy Lube of Indiana is working to bridge the gender gap in a typically male-dominated industry through its “Growing People Through Work” program.

One employee participating in the program is Monica “Mo” Jewell, who joined Jiffy Lube in 2016 as a courtesy technician and is now general manager of the location along U.S. 31 Street near the Wes
Current Publishing •

Home tour benefits Eskenazi Health • Current Publishing

Established in 1961, the Decorators’ Show House & Gardens nonprofit is celebrating its 63rd anniversary with its signature fundraising event with a tour of the historic Sylvan House at Northern Estates on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

Built in 1927, the Tudor-style home will be open for tours April 27 through May 12

Presented by the nonprofit St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild, a volunteer organization that raises funds and services for Eskenazi Health, the annual Decorators’ Show House & Gar
WRTV Indianapolis •

Hiring Hoosiers: FedEx Ground is hiring more than 1,600 in Indianapolis as the holiday shipping season nears

INDIANAPOLIS — FedEx Ground is hiring. As the holiday season approaches, and in response to continued demand for e-commerce services, and seven-day residential delivery, the company is looking to more than 1,600 team members in the Indianapolis area.

Open positions are available for a mix of part-time and full-time package handlers with opportunities for growth.
• Wide range of benefits after a minimum threshold of service, including holiday pay, medical, dental and vision coverage.
• Employee
WRTV Indianapolis •

Carson Wentz, wife Madison announce the birth of second daughter

INDIANAPOLIS — Carson Wentz is a girl dad twice over!

The Colts quarterback took to Instagram Tuesday evening to announce the birth of his second daughter, Hudson Rose.

"Welcome to the World, my sweet Hudson Rose! What an incredible blessing you already are to our family. Your Mama was an absolute champ. Can’t wait for you and your big sis to run the World— or at least my World," Wentz wrote.

Hudson Rose was born on Tuesday, measuring just under 20 inches and weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

We
WRTV Indianapolis •

Kokomo police ask for public's help after armored vehicle robbed

KOKOMO — The Kokomo Police Department is asking for the public's help to identify the getaway car a person used following an armed robbery of an armored vehicle outside of a bank on Tuesday.

Officers responded to a reported armed robbery in the 200 block of West Jefferson Street after an armored vehicle arrived at the building to service the ATM.

While one employee was inside the bank servicing the machine, police said a Black male wearing a camouflaged hood, black facemask, and dark clothing
WRTV Indianapolis •

Former Tippecanoe County school aide sentenced to 42 years in prison

INDIANAPOLIS — A former Tippecanoe County School Corporation former school aide who was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student was sentenced to 47 years, with 42 ordered to be served in the Indiana Department Corrections followed by five years of probation.

Jennifer Ruth Holmgren, 42, of Lafayette was convicted of Child Molesting and Inappropriate Communication with a Child.

According to the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office, a 14-year-old boy told investigators he
WRTV •

Students at Muncie Central High School protest after conflict over a class assignment

MUNCIE — Students at Muncie Central High School staged a protest on Monday after a class assignment created a "disruptive discussion" between a student and school resource officers.

The incident occurred late last week when the assigned project prompted a display of student-created posters regarding social issues in a hallway at the high school, according to a release by Muncie Community Schools.

The display then created that disruptive discussion between a student and the school resource offi
WRTV •

Indy Zoo welcomes birth of critically endangered Addra gazelle

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Zoo has added a new member to their Zoo family with the birth of a critically endangered Addra gazelle born on Nov. 6.

The male calf, who has not been named yet, was born to the Zoo's seven-year-old female gazelle, Swann, and weighed just 11 lbs. at birth.

The Zoo says both baby and mother are doing great, and because Addra gazelles are so critically endangered, this birth is even more special for the Zoo.

According to the Indianapolis Zoo's website, during the
WRTV •

Indianapolis community leader loses everything after home destroyed by fire

INDIANAPOLIS — Community leader, Derris "Dee" Ross and his wife, Claudia, are picking up the pieces after a tragic fire destroyed their home on November 5, and killed their beloved dog, Prince.

According to a GoFundMe that has been organized up for the couple, the newlyweds are both familiar faces to the City of Indianapolis because of all the work they do in the communities around Indianapolis and South Bend.

Dee also founded The Ross Foundation, a nonprofit that addresses the problems the In
WRTV •

1-year-old's body recovered from a pond in northwest Indiana

HAMMOND — The body of a one-year-old was found in a retention pond in northwest Indiana Thursday afternoon.

According to a press release from Indiana State Police, they were sent to the area of Interstate 80 and the Kennedy Avenue ramp in Hammond on a report of a person in the pond.

When troopers arrived at the scene, they spoke with a construction worker who directed them to what appeared to be a body. The Hammond Fire Department assisted, and immediately entered the water and removed the bod
WRTV Indianapolis •

Former Randolph County elementary school principal charged with sexual misconduct with a minor

RANDOLPH COUNTY — The former principal of an elementary school in Randolph County is facing five counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, according to court records.

According to the Randolph County Sheriff's Department, on Nov. 9, 2021, Ashley Breedlove, 34, of Farmland, was taken into custody for an arrest warrant issued out of Randolph Circuit Court.

The Union School Corporation released a statement saying Breedlove, who worked as principal at Union Elementary School, resigned Oct. 18.

If
WRTV Indianapolis •

Kokomo woman sentenced for animal crushing

INDIANAPOLIS — A Kokomo woman has been sentenced to 30 months behind bars for animal crushing.

Around May 2020 through at least July 2020, Krystal Cherika Scott, 20, began posting images and videos over various social media platforms that showed her torturing and graphically killing cats and dogs by hanging, skinning, and other means.

In June of 2020, the Boise, Idaho Police Department received information from a concerned citizen who reported the cruelty. They immediately opened an investigat
WRTV Indianapolis •

At least 10 people displaced in Castleton apartment building fire

INDIANAPOLIS — At least 10 people are without a home tonight after a fire broke out at an apartment building in Castleton on Monday.

Fire officials at the scene said the fire started on the first floor of the apartment building, located in the 8900 block of River Bend Court.

Rita Reith, PIO with Indianapolis Fire Department said between six to 10 units were impacted by fire, water, or smoke damage, but thankfully, there were no injuries. The extent of the damages also remains undetermined at t
WRTV Indianapolis •

Woman shot, killed at an apartment complex on the northwest side

INDIANAPOLIS — Officers with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are investigating after a woman was shot and killed at an apartment complex on the city's northwest side.

The incident occurred just after 3:15 Tuesday afternoon in the 4800 block of Covered Bridge Road when officers with IMPD were called to the address on reports of shots being fired.

When IMPD officers arrived, they located an adult female inside the common area of the apartment building with injuries consistent with gu
WRTV Indianapolis •

Man sentenced to 100 years for child molestation

INDIANAPOLIS — A man will be serving a century in prison after he pleaded guilty to molesting two children, according to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced that Rafael Pouriet-Gannett will be sentenced to 100 years at the Indiana Department of Correction for molesting the two victims. In September, Pouriet-Gannett pleaded guilty to three counts of child molesting and vicarious sexual conduct; both felonies.

He was accused of molesting the child
WRTV Indianapolis •

Memorial scholarship established in honor of FedEx shooting victim Samaria Blackwell

INDIANAPOLIS — A memorial scholarship, sponsored by the Central Indiana Police Foundation, has been established in memory of Samaria Blackwell.

Blackwell's life was cut short in April 2021 when a former employee at a west-side FedEx facility where she worked, took her life along with seven others.

It was her dream to become a police officer and in her honor, two $500 scholarships will be given to Indiana residents who are studying criminal justice at an Indiana-approved college. Qualified cand
WRTV •

Let the 'gourd' times roll: Elephant at Indy Zoo helps clean up after ZooBoo with giant pumpkin smash

INDIANAPOLIS — As the fun of ZooBoo and all things Halloween officially came to a close at the Indianapolis Zoo, so did a giant pumpkin under the foot of one very large elephant Wednesday morning.

The 16-year-old male African elephant, known as Kedar, tested his strength and appetite in the cleanup effort against the Zoo's featured giant pumpkin by smashing it to smithereens.

Not only is pumpkin a delicious treat for elephants and many other animals, but the 8,000 lb. Kedar wasted no time stom
WRTV Indianapolis •

Mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic opens to children 5 to 11 in Fishers to packed crowds, long lines

FISHERS — Parents lined up at the Fishers Mass Vaccination Clinic in Fishers on Wednesday, ready to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19. It was the first day since the COVID-19 vaccine was approved for children ages five to 11.

The line was long, the space inside was packed and crowded, and while many children were able to receive their first doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine, some did not.

Kelly Panzer, of Fishers, showed up at the clinic to wait in line to get her daughter, Ca
WRTV •

Mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic opens to children 5 to 11 in Fishers to packed crowds, long lines

FISHERS — Parents lined up at the Fishers Mass Vaccination Clinic in Fishers on Wednesday, ready to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19. It was the first day since the COVID-19 vaccine was approved for children ages five to 11.

The line was long, the space inside was packed and crowded, and while many children were able to receive their first doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine, some did not.

Kelly Panzer, of Fishers, showed up at the clinic to wait in line to get her daughter, Ca
WRTV Indianapolis •

Woman found guilty of killing pizza delivery driver in Lafayette

UPDATE: Billups was sentenced to 50 years in prison and five years of probation on December 3.

TIPPECANOE COUNTY — A Lafayette woman was found guilty Friday afternoon for killing pizza delivery driver, Joshua Ungersma, 37, last summer, following a four-day trial that began on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Jaelynn Niree Billups, 18, was convicted on all charges, including murder, armed robbery, theft, carrying a handgun without a license, and others.

The incident took place on Aug. 31, 2020, at around 11:
WRTV Indianapolis •

Woman found guilty of exploiting minors in case connected to Jared Fogle

INDIANAPOLIS — A federal jury found Angela Baldwin, who is connected to Jared Fogle, guilty of exploiting minors.

According to court documents, Baldwin was found guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor, conspiracy to produce visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and possessing child pornography.

Court documents also show the alleged crimes committed by Baldwin were between 2012 and 2015. At the time, she was married to a man named Russell Taylor, who worked as the
WRTV Indianapolis •

Agreement reached to raise Noblesville teacher salaries

NOBLESVILLE — Noblesville Schools announced that they have reached an agreement with the Noblesville Teachers' Forum on a new two-year contract.

This new contract will bring an average 8.7% salary increase in its first year and an additional 3.7% average increase for the second year.

The new deal comes after an historic increase in a previous contract, which gave Noblesville teachers the largest pay raise in 40 years.

Due to a critical national teacher shortage, as well as salaries that have
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