Bloomington Bison and the Indy Fuel entered Saturday night’s contest at Fishers Event Center just points apart in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL Central Division.  The Fuel pleased a sellout crowd of 6,507 (the 13th sellout of the season) with a 5-2 win.

The Fuel had a fast start with three goals in Period 1, from Kevin Lombardi, Kevin Lynch and Bryan Lemos.  Bloomington picked up their first goal less than one minute into Period 2, with Josh Boyer connecting with the netting.

12 minutes later in Period 2, Jonny Evans scored for the Bison and we had a quite a game on our hands, as the Fuel maintained a 1 goal lead, 3-2, at the end of 2.

Chris Cameron picked up a 4 minute penalty at the end of Period 2, that extended for a few seconds into the third period.  The Fuel killed that penalty.

Indy picked up a power play goal 12 minutes into Period 3, the second score of the night of Bryan Lemos.  That put the tally at 4-2 with the Fuel leading, with just over 8 minutes left in the third period.

The Bison pulled their goaltender with more than 3 minutes left on the clock, but Matus Spodniak was able to register an open net goal with just seconds remaining, putting the final score to 5-2.

This win brings the Fuel within a point of the Bison and Kalamazoo in the fight to earn the final playoff spot in the Central Division.  The Fuel face the Wheeling Nailers Sunday in a 4pm start at the Fishers Event Center.

Road construction should begin to ramp up soon as the weather warms, but there are plenty of ongoing projects to provide a listing of what’s happening in and around Fishers.

Here is the update, as provided by the City of Fishers, for the work week starting Monday, March 24:

Continue reading Road construction update →

The Indy Fuel remain in the hunt for a playoff spot after winning a hard-fought contest with the Cincinnati Cyclones 3-1 Friday night at the Fishers Event Center.  It was clear from the start both teams wanted this win, but at least in this instance, the Fuel wanted it more.

The Cyclones scored first in Period 1, with a goal by Curtis Hall.  That was the only Cincinnati goal Friday night.

In Period 2, Kevin Lombardi picked up his 15th goal of the season, tying the score.

The Fuel earned an insurance goal in the Period 3 as Darby Llewellyn  found the back of the net.

There were plenty of penalties and tempers flared at times.  Two of Indy’s goals were on the power play.

The Fuel won before a home crowd of 5,019.

The Fuel face the Bloomington Bison Saturday at 7pm and Wheeling Sunday at 4pm, both at the Fishers Event Center.

The City of Fishers has made a point to fund a neighborhood vibrancy grant program for many years.  The mayor has proposed, and the City Council has approved, this program where individual neighborhoods apply for grants to improve or maintain their individual subdivisions.  The city budgeted over $422,000 for this project in 2025.

• Archer Estates ($17,329.04) to improve landscaping at neighborhood entrance.
• Ashwood ($14,750) to replace 21 dead trees that were removed last year.
• Bridger Pines + Bridger Pines West ($15,108.86) to install pollinator gardens and replace dead plants and trees.
• Britton Falls ($24,000) to replace two landscaping beds at neighborhood entrance and install monument sign.
• Britton Ridge Pond Adjacent ($25,000) to install an erosion control barrier along the pond.
• Burberry Place ($25,000) to install new courts for tennis and pickleball.
• Delaware Pointe ($25,000) to improve sidewalk along Delaware Parkway and upgrade to an ADA accessible playground.
• Gray Eagle ($3,791.52) to replace basketball hoops and backboards.
• Hickory Woods ($20,119) to install a new retention pond and landscaping at neighborhood entrances.
• New Britton Woods ($12,676.26) to beautify neighborhood entrance and exit.
• Pine Bluff Overlook ($23,880) for pond improvements.
• Prescott POA ($11,465.60) to remove 6 trees at neighborhood entrance and improve landscaping with new metal mulch barrier.
• Quaker Ridge ($23,000) to replace fence surrounding neighborhood entrance.
• River Glenn ($11,011.71) to replace current plantings with vibrant ones.
• Royalwood ($22,506.84) to upgrade signage, lighting, and install native plants.
• Sand Creek Woods ($25,000) to improve and install pond fountains.
• Saxony ($19,724) to replace landscaping at neighborhood entrance and along medians.
• Silverton ($23,000) to install plants at both neighborhood entrances.
• Stevenson Mill ($13,286.69) to enhance landscape and remove dying plants.
• Sumerlin Trails ($7,849) to plant native seeds around ponds.
• Sweet Briar ($25,000) to create ADA accessible outdoor spaces, resurface basketball courts, and improve landscaping.
• Timberstone Villas ($15,271.15) to increase safety of median at entrance to neighborhood.
• Windjammer Bay ($18,830.74) to install new lighting and replace landscaping at neighborhood entrances.

Here is the video version of my podcast conversation with Indoor Football League Commissioner Todd Tryon.

The Fishers Freight football team will play their first game as a new franchise in the Indoor Football League (IFL) March 29 on the road, and the home opener is set for April 4 at the Fishers Event Center.

i spoke with IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon about how the Freight ended up in the league, some history of the IFL and much more in the podcast linked below.

The Fishers Arts Council (FAC) has announced the addition of two new board members, Erica Foreman and Molly Hammer, for 2025. Their appointments strengthen the organization’s commitment to supporting and promoting visual and performing arts throughout the community.

Foreman brings extensive experience in event planning and community engagement, holding a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in English Education from Purdue University. She looks forward to leveraging her expertise to enhance FAC’s outreach and impact. Hammer, a 14-year Fishers resident, has a background in music, theater, and ballet, and has visited art museums worldwide. She is eager to contribute to the growth of the arts in Fishers.

FAC also elected its executive officers at the January annual meeting. Chris Hayes was named President, with Ross Hilleary serving as Vice President, Douglas Dusseau continuing as Treasurer, and Susan Dickey as Secretary. Returning board members include Greg Dierfeldt, Pat Grabill, Tyna Green Seall, Olivia Harris, Tom Rich, Latrica Schooley, Laura Villanyi, and Amanda Wilhite. Les Reinhardt will remain the Executive Director in 2025.

Hayes, a woodworker who joined the board in 2023, expressed excitement for his new role, emphasizing the importance of showcasing local artistic talent. “Fishers has so much more going on than sports and shopping,” he said. “We’re really hoping to expand our reach by working with the many artists in our community who haven’t had the opportunity to be featured.”

FAC has a full slate of events planned for the year, including the Veterans Exhibit in November, the Hispanic Heritage Celebration in the organization’s second gallery space, high school scholarship awards in April, and an exhibit highlighting artists with disabilities.

Community members interested in supporting the arts in Fishers are encouraged to attend FAC’s Second Friday receptions from 6-8 p.m. at the Art Gallery at City Hall, inside the Fishers Municipal Center.

For more information on the Fishers Arts Council and ways to get involved, visit their website or attend an upcoming event.

Fishers Show Choir students are preparing for a trip to Disneyland in California, ready to compete with other choirs around the nation.

Members of the Show Choir gathered with their parents at Fishers High School Tuesday evening.  About 120 students and 20 adult chaperones will be in the group headed to Los Angeles.

I spoke briefly with Choir Directors Laney De Luna and Scott Archer about the upcoming trip, at the video below.

The Indianapolis Star announced Wednesday morning that HSE High School’s basketball standout Maya Makalusky has been named Miss Basketball for the State of Indiana.

She will lead the Indiana squad when it faces Kentucky in the traditional all-star series.  Makalusky will play basketball next year for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Read the IndyStar story at this link. (You may need an IndyStar subscription to access this story)

Four Fishers Firefighters were honored at Monday night’s City Council session.  Chief Ky Ragsdale announced a 25-year service award for Dennis (Scott) Zelhart.  Earning 20-year service awards were Justin Mattox, Jeff Hague and Rob Demlow.

There were 7 speakers during the community comment period during the Council meeting.  Comments ranged from environmental questions about the new Andretti facility under construction, to concerns abut the proposed 10% cap on rental homes per neighborhood, safety concerns about the location of the Westside AgriPark so near to an airport runway, the city’s noise ordinance and development along Southeastern Parkway.