If you drive in and around Fishers, it is that time of year when traffic restrictions and lane closures will be happening all around town.
Below is the full listing of road construction in the area, as provided by the City of Fishers:
Continue reading Road Construction Update – Week of April 26
The Indy Fuel opened the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs on the road Friday night, but a strong defensive effort by the Fort Wayne Komets resulted in a 3-0 shutout loss for Indy in Game 1 of the opening-round series.
The matchup marked the first playoff meeting between pro hockey teams from the two cities since 1991.
Despite the loss, Indy controlled much of the early pace. The Fuel outshot Fort Wayne 12-8 in the first period, but a late shorthanded goal proved costly. After the Komets’ Matt Copponi went to the box for roughing late in the period, Fort Wayne’s Brady Stonehouse broke through with a shorthanded tally at 19:39 to give the home team a 1-0 lead.
The opening period ended with tensions rising, as players from both sides exchanged shoves after the final whistle before officials restored order.
Indy continued to generate chances in the second period and maintained a narrow edge in shots, but penalties disrupted any sustained momentum. The Fuel successfully killed off multiple Fort Wayne power plays, including an early bench minor assessed to backup goaltender Owen Flores for interference. Additional penalties to captain Chris Cameron and Austin Magera were also erased by the penalty-kill unit.
Through two periods, the Fuel held a 21-19 advantage in shots but still trailed 1-0.
Fort Wayne added insurance early in the third period when Matthew Brown scored at the 4:28 mark to extend the Komets’ lead to 2-0. Indy pushed for a response but could not solve the Fort Wayne defense or goaltending.
A late unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to Indy’s Matt Petgrave gave the Komets another power-play opportunity, and while the Fuel penalty kill held, Fort Wayne later sealed the outcome with a third goal to complete the shutout.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is set for Saturday night in Fort Wayne before the series shifts to the Fishers Event Center for Games 3 and 4 next week.
The Fuel will look to convert their shot advantage into scoring as they attempt to even the series before returning home.
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team heads into the Miami Grand Prix weekend May 1-3, still looking for its first championship points, but the new American team has already made progress through the opening three races of its debut season.
That makes Miami more than another stop on the F1 calendar. For Fishers, it is another reminder that Cadillac’s Formula 1 operation is becoming a local story, with the team’s headquarters under construction here and expected to serve as a major hub for the program.
Cadillac enters Miami 10th in the constructors’ standings with zero points, ahead of Aston Martin on tiebreakers but behind Williams and Audi, each with two points. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez have yet to crack the top 10, the only positions that score points in Formula 1.
The team’s best finish so far came in China, where Bottas placed 13th and Perez finished 15th. Perez later accepted blame for an early incident between the two Cadillac cars, calling his attempted move “fully on me.”
In Japan, the most recent race, Perez finished 17th and Bottas 19th, leaving Cadillac with work to do before it can challenge regularly for points.
The Miami weekend also carries symbolic weight. Cadillac is promoting the race as its first home Grand Prix weekend and will operate a public “Cadillac Formula 1 Team Miami Headquarters” fan experience May 2-3 at Jungle Plaza in Miami’s Design District.
The race weekend begins Friday, May 1, with an extended 90-minute practice session, followed by sprint qualifying. The sprint race is Saturday, May 2, followed by qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix. The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, May 3.
For Cadillac, Miami is less about immediate podium dreams and more about measuring progress. The team has veteran drivers, a Ferrari power unit, General Motors backing and a growing American footprint that includes Fishers. But in Formula 1, the first points are often the hardest to earn.
For Fishers racing fans, the question is simple: how long before the team building its future here begins moving up the Formula 1 grid?
Hamilton Southeastern Schools has been recognized for its efforts to connect students with career-focused learning, earning a top regional honor at a workforce development event in Hamilton County.
The district’s Precision Machining program received the Innovative Pathway of the Year Award during the Invest Hamilton County 2026 State of the Workforce event and inaugural Champions of Opportunity Awards Ceremony, held April 24 in Carmel.
The award recognizes education programs that create strong partnerships among schools, employers and families while providing students with hands-on, real-world experience tied to in-demand careers.
HSE’s program was developed in partnership with SMC Corporation of America to address a growing need for skilled workers in precision machining. As part of that partnership, SMC donated three Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines valued at more than $155,000, allowing students to train using industry-standard equipment.
Students enrolled in the pathway can earn high school credit, dual credit through Ivy Tech Community College, and industry-recognized certifications.
District officials say interest in the program has grown rapidly. The first cohort included 11 students, while more than 80 students have already signed up for the 2026–27 school year.
Earlier this spring, the district marked a milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new machining lab designed to support the expanding program.
“This award reflects the intentional work happening across our district to connect students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences,” said Matt Kegley, interim superintendent of Hamilton Southeastern Schools. “Programs like Precision Machining show what’s possible when educators and industry partners come together to create opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers.”
The award was accepted on behalf of the district by Brandon Cloud, director of career and technical education, and Brian Clawson, the program’s instructor, recognizing their roles in launching and expanding the initiative.
School officials say the recognition underscores a broader district focus on expanding career-connected learning opportunities to better prepare students for employment or further education after graduation.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has announced a new initiative aimed at encouraging young residents to get involved in their community through volunteer service.
The Mayor’s Youth Service Awards program is designed for junior high and high school students who live in Fishers and are enrolled in public, private or home school programs. The program recognizes students for completing volunteer hours with approved nonprofits, schools, and community organizations.
Under the program, students can begin accumulating service hours at age 13 and continue through high school graduation. Those hours translate into award levels, with increasing recognition as students reach higher milestones.
Students earning 50 to 99 hours will receive a Certificate of Civic Leadership. Additional recognition is offered at higher levels, including lapel pins, graduation cords, and a letter of commendation from the mayor. At the highest level—300 or more hours—students will also be recognized on city social media and invited to a breakfast with the mayor.
“Serving others is one of the most impactful ways our young residents can shape their community,” Fadness said in a statement announcing the program. “This program not only recognizes that commitment but also helps instill a lifelong passion for civic engagement.”
The initiative is tied to the city’s broader volunteer efforts through Volunteer Fishers, which connects residents with service opportunities and provides training and support.
Students can register for the program through the city’s website and track their hours using the Volunteer Fishers platform. Those already participating in Volunteer Fishers can apply previously completed service hours toward award recognition.
The city is also highlighting several upcoming volunteer opportunities for students looking to get started.
At the Fishers AgriPark, volunteers assist with planting, tending livestock, and helping visitors. The annual Touch-a-Truck event at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in May will need help with setup and operations. Spark!Fishers, the city’s summer festival in late June, offers a wide range of roles, from vendor assistance to shuttle coordination. Later in the year, the Geist Half Race Series will rely on volunteers for course support, parking, and finish-line activities.
City officials say the program is intended not only to recognize student contributions, but also to build long-term habits of civic involvement among Fishers youth.
Mayor Fadness and the city’s Volunteer Coordinator Amy Crell talked about volunteerism in this recent podcast.
A full list of opportunities is available at VolunteerFishers.com.
The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees is scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote Wednesday, April 29, on a contract for the district’s next superintendent.
District officials have not publicly identified the candidate, but key terms of the proposed contract have been released through a required public notice.
The agreement calls for a base salary of $205,000 annually, with a term running through June 30, 2028. The contract also allows for potential annual increases of up to $20,000 based on performance and board approval.
The salary is slightly lower than that of former Superintendent Patrick Mapes, whose annual pay was $215,000.
Under the proposed contract, the superintendent would receive a retirement contribution equal to 10 percent of salary into a 403(b) plan, a tax-deferred retirement account commonly used by public education employees and similar to a private-sector 401(k).
Additional compensation includes a $500 monthly automobile allowance and a $100 monthly technology allowance.
The public hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. April 29 at the HSE Central Office, with the board expected to vote on the contract following the hearing.
Read the public notice at this link.
Issues involving press freedom, the changing job market and the growing use of technology in everyday life are all part of this week’s Fridays with Larry podcast.
In the April 24 episode, I open with commentary on reports that a New York Times journalist was investigated by the FBI for alleged “stalking” while working on a story involving the FBI director’s girlfriend. The situation raises broader questions about the role of journalists and the potential chilling effect such investigations could have on reporting, particularly when covering sensitive subjects.
My guest this week is my brother, Tony Lannan, who is widely recognized for his expertise in hiring and job seeking. He shares practical advice on how job seekers can navigate a labor market that continues to evolve, including what applicants should be doing now to improve their chances in a competitive environment.
The podcast also includes a story out of Anderson, Indiana, where a woman was flagged for fraud by facial recognition software after being misidentified as someone else in the Bureau of Motor Vehicles database. The case highlights concerns about the accuracy and real-world consequences of biometric identification systems.
Fridays With Larry is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.
You can listen to the April 24 edition of Fridays with Larry at the links below.
The League of Women Voters of Hamilton County is urging local residents to use Vote411.org as they prepare for Indiana’s May 5 primary election, promoting the website as a nonpartisan tool for checking candidate information, polling places and other voting details. The local league says the site is designed to help voters build a plan before heading to the polls. Vote411 is operated by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and includes ballot, registration, polling place and early-voting information.
In a local news release, League of Women Voters of Hamilton County President Lisa Dick said the group considers Vote411 “the best online election resource” for getting ready to vote. The league said it launched its local push in time for early voting, added a Vote411 banner on the courthouse lawn in Noblesville and placed yard signs with QR codes at early-voting sites so voters can review ballots and candidate information on their phones while waiting in line.
The local league said Hamilton County voters who go to Vote411.org can enter their home address and receive a ballot guide tailored to their area. According to the release, voters can then see offices on their ballot along with candidate biographies and responses submitted directly by campaigns. The league said it contacted all candidates running in this year’s primary and does not edit the responses before they are posted.
The timing is important for Hamilton County voters. The county’s 2026 primary election is Tuesday, May 5, and Hamilton County officials say polls on Election Day will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The county also notes that ballots vary by precinct, so voters should confirm their exact polling place or review a sample ballot before Election Day.
For Fishers-area voters who want to cast ballots before May 5, Hamilton County offers early voting at Roy G. Holland Memorial Park Building and the Billericay Park Building in Fishers. Those sites are open April 22-23 and April 29-30 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and April 24-25 and May 1-2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hamilton County voters may also vote early at county sites in Noblesville, Carmel and Westfield. County officials say no application is required for in-person early voting, but voters must bring an acceptable photo ID.
Hamilton County’s Elections Office says the May primary ballot includes a long list of federal, state and county contests, including U.S. House District 5, several Indiana House and Senate districts, sheriff, prosecutor, clerk, assessor, coroner, county commissioner and county council races, along with township offices in some parts of the county. School board races, including Hamilton Southeastern board seats, are listed for the November general election rather than the May primary.
The voter registration deadline for the primary was April 6, according to Hamilton County, so unregistered residents can no longer sign up in time for the May 5 election. Voters who qualify to cast an absentee ballot by mail had until April 23 to submit an application online by midnight, or by 4:30 p.m. if submitting it in person or by mail to the Elections Office.
Indiana’s primary is effectively a party-ballot election, meaning voters choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot for the primary. In the general election in November, voters are not limited to one party’s nominees on the ballot. Vote411 and the county election website both offer tools that can help voters review what will appear on their ballot before they cast it.
A Hamilton Southeastern Schools bus driver is facing misdemeanor charges after allegedly consuming alcohol while operating a school bus with students on board.
According to reporting by Current Publishing journalist Leila Kheiry, Terri Shore, 61, of Noblesville, was charged April 22 in Hamilton County Court with criminal recklessness and driving a bus after or while consuming alcohol. She has not been charged with operating while intoxicated.
A probable cause affidavit filed by School Resource Officer Matthew Madden states the incident began April 1, when a student on Shore’s bus reportedly saw a vodka bottle inside a grocery bag hanging from the driver’s armrest. The student photographed the bottle and sent the image to a Hamilton Southeastern High School dean, who forwarded it to district transportation officials.
Transportation Director Zach McKinney and another employee contacted Shore and instructed her to stop the bus. She pulled over at Brooks School Elementary, where students were transferred to another bus.
During questioning, Shore allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the day, according to the affidavit.
Madden wrote that he later reviewed bus camera footage, which reportedly showed Shore drinking from a vodka bottle shortly before 2 p.m. and pouring liquid into an orange juice container. The affidavit alleges she continued drinking from that container while driving and transporting students.
The report also states Shore appeared to brush her teeth around that time, which investigators believe may have been an attempt to mask the odor of alcohol.
Authorities said testing confirmed the bottle contained vodka.
In a statement, Hamilton Southeastern Schools said Shore was removed from duty April 2 and is no longer employed by the district.
“We do not tolerate any behavior that compromises the safety of our students,” the district said. “Student safety remains the district’s highest priority.”
Online court records do not yet list an attorney for Shore. She has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Read Leila Kheiry’s story at this link.
The Indy Fuel slipped into the Kelly Cup Playoffs on the final day of the ECHL regular season. Their reward is a first-round series against the team that won the Western Conference Central Division.
Indy, the No. 4 seed at 34-27-11, opens a best-of-seven division semifinal against the Fort Wayne Komets, who finished 45-17-10 and claimed their first regular-season division title in 10 years. The Komets also reached the 100-point mark for the first time since 2015.
Games 1 and 2 are set for Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at Fort Wayne, both with 7:35 p.m. puck drops. The series then shifts to Fishers Event Center for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29, both at 7:05 p.m. If necessary, Game 5 would be May 3 in Fort Wayne, Game 6 on May 5 in Fishers and Game 7 on May 6 in Fort Wayne.
On paper, Fort Wayne carries the edge. The Komets dominated the 12-game regular-season series, going 9-2-1 against Indy. Kirill Tyutyayev hurt the Fuel repeatedly, posting 13 points in those meetings, while goaltender Nathaniel Day went 5-0-0 against Indy in the season series.
Fort Wayne also brings more proven firepower into the postseason. Austin Magera scored 32 goals, tied for third-most in the league, and Tyutyayev led the club with 68 points. William Dufour heads into the playoffs after earning ECHL Player of the Week honors earlier this month, when he piled up six goals and two assists in a three-game stretch. In net, Samuel Jonsson posted a 21-8-2 record and led the ECHL with five shutouts, while Day gave the Komets another reliable option with 22 wins.
The Fuel counter with a group that has been battle-tested just to get here. Indy has reached the postseason for the fourth straight year and the fifth time in six seasons. Defenseman Matt Petgrave led the Fuel in scoring with 48 points, and goaltender Mitchell Weeks carried a heavy workload, finishing 20-15-7 with a 2.46 goals-against average and the third-most minutes played in the league. Jesse Tucker was Indy’s top scorer in the regular-season matchup with Fort Wayne, collecting eight points.
One number that favors Indy: the Fuel were second in the ECHL in shots allowed per game at 26.17, evidence that when they are structured and disciplined, they can make life difficult even for high-powered opponents. But discipline may be the key word in this series. Fort Wayne’s power play finished fourth in the league at 23.1 percent, and the Komets showed again in the final regular-season meeting with Indy that they can punish mistakes with the man advantage.
There is also a strong local angle once the series reaches Fishers. The Fuel’s playoff roster includes forwards Jesse Tucker, Tyler Paquette, Cody Laskosky and Lee Lapid – defensemen Matt Petgrave and Chris Cameron – goaltenders Weeks and Owen Flores. Games 3 and 4 will give Fishers Event Center its first home playoff dates for this year’s Fuel club, with Tuesday’s game also promoted by the team as a “317 Night.”
This is the first playoff meeting between the Komets and Fuel, and Fort Wayne says it is the franchise’s first postseason matchup with an Indianapolis team since 1991. That adds another chapter to one of Indiana minor-league hockey’s most familiar rivalries.
For Indy, the path to an upset is fairly clear: steal one of the first two games in Fort Wayne, keep the Komets’ power play off the ice, and let Weeks give the Fuel a chance to bring a tied or favorable series back to Fishers. If that happens, what looked like a tough draw could suddenly become a very live series.
I expect some Fuel fans to make the trip up I-69 and attend one or both of the first two matchups in Fort Wayne. Tickets for games 3 and 4 at the Fishers Event Center are available at this link.