Students at Fishers Junior High School are getting a firsthand look at the medical field through an immersive, weeklong hospital simulation taking place inside the school.

Seventh grade science teacher Deborah Kletch has transformed the school’s media center into a functioning mock hospital, where students assume the roles of doctors, nurses and lab technicians. Working in teams, students diagnose patients, run lab tests and develop treatment plans in a setting designed to mirror real-world healthcare environments.

The simulation also includes a surgical practice area, where students perform procedures that emphasize precision and teamwork.

“This project gives students the opportunity to think and act like real healthcare providers,” Kletch said. “They’re not just learning content; they’re using critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills in a way that makes the learning feel real and meaningful.”

Known as “Kletch Medical Center,” the program was first introduced in 2017 and has continued to grow each year with new components and activities. The current version blends hands-on learning with collaboration, offering students an experience that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction.

Students spend an entire week participating in the simulation, applying scientific concepts in practical scenarios while gaining exposure to potential careers in healthcare.

The program is supported by an innovation grant from the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation, which helps fund materials and resources needed to create the hospital environment.

School officials say the project reflects a broader effort within Hamilton Southeastern Schools to provide real-world learning opportunities, giving students practical experience while building skills they can carry into future academic and career pursuits.

Fishers residents will soon have the opportunity to meet a debut author whose first novel is drawing national attention.

Tiffany Crum, author of This Story Might Save Your Life, is scheduled to appear at the Hamilton East Public Library’s Fishers branch on April 18. Ahead of that visit, I sat down with Crum for a podcast conversation about the inspiration behind her book, the themes that drive the story, and how readers have responded to her work.

In our discussion, Crum offers insight into her writing process, the development of her characters, and what she hopes audiences will take away from the novel. The interview also provides a preview of what attendees can expect when she appears in Fishers later this spring.

The LarryInFishers Podcast series is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

You can listen to the full podcast interview, video version at this link, just listen using this link, or use the links below.

A globally recognized video game music production is headed to Fishers this fall.

SOHO Live, a Tokyo-based company specializing in live concert experiences centered on video game and anime soundtracks, has announced that “UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony” will come to the Fishers Event Center on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The performance is part of the show’s first international concert tour.

Tickets for the Fishers stop go on sale Thursday, March 19 at 10 a.m. through the Fishers Event Center website.

The concert will feature music from the popular indie game Undertale, performed live by a 25-piece orchestra. The performance will also include gameplay footage displayed above the stage, designed to immerse the audience in the game’s storyline and environments.

Originally released in 2015 and created by developer and composer Toby Fox, Undertale has gained a large global following for its distinctive music, storytelling, and player-driven choices. The symphony production was developed in conjunction with the game’s 10th anniversary, featuring new orchestral arrangements and additional scoring for the international tour.

Fox commented on the live adaptation in a statement, noting the appeal of hearing the game’s music performed by professional musicians for a live audience.

The concert experience is expected to take attendees through key moments and locations from the game, including the Ruins, Snowdin, Waterfall, Hotland and New Home, accompanied by visual elements and character highlights.

Organizers say fans are encouraged to attend in themed cosplay, and exclusive merchandise tied to the tour will be available at the venue.

The production was developed by Lambert Jackson in collaboration with Materia Music, a company focused on video game soundtrack publishing and promotion.

A newly announced $1 billion state investment aimed at expanding Indiana’s life sciences sector will be guided in part by an organization with strong ties to Fishers leadership.

The Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA), co-founded by Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness—who remains active in the organization—has been designated by Gov. Mike Braun as the first regional steward to help coordinate the initiative. The effort is expected to position Indiana as a global leader in life sciences while creating more than 100,000 jobs over the next decade.

The announcement, made by Braun along with Secretary of Commerce David Adams and CIRDA leaders, centers on a record $1 billion in tax credits targeting plant, animal and human health industries. State leaders say the investment is designed to accelerate research, innovation and advanced manufacturing across Central Indiana and beyond.

CIRDA will play a key role in aligning public and private partners to execute the plan. The region already serves as a major hub for life sciences, anchored by companies and institutions such as Indiana University and Purdue University, along with a growing network of research and commercialization assets.

Jennifer Messer, CIRDA’s executive director, said the initiative has the potential to benefit communities across the region.

“Governor Braun’s transformative investment in life sciences will allow CIRDA to continue to build out the region’s life sciences ecosystem and enable all our communities to grow jobs and wages,” Messer said. “Whether in Indianapolis, Anderson, Zionsville or Franklin, every community can benefit from this important investment.”

Data compiled in partnership with the Indiana Business Research Center indicates Central Indiana is well positioned to support all phases of life sciences development, from research through production, across human, animal and plant health.

Industry leaders also voiced support for the initiative. Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco Animal Health, said the investment will strengthen Indiana’s role at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Corporate Partnership, through its BioCrossroads and AgriNovus initiatives, said the funding will accelerate innovation in both food and medical sciences, helping drive additional jobs and investment statewide.

CIRDA is expected to complete its “Catalyze” strategic planning process this spring, outlining a coordinated approach to expand the region’s life sciences ecosystem. State officials say the newly announced funding will serve as a cornerstone of that long-term strategy.

Fishers High School is in the market for a new boys head varsity basketball coach.  Based on reporting by the IndyStar’s Kyle Neddenriep Monday evening, Garrett Winegar informed his team Monday he is leaving to take a position at Iowa United Prep in Des Moines.

You can read Neddenriep’s story at this link. (NOTE:  You may not be able to access this story if you are not an IndyStar subscriber.  As I have written many times before, subscribe to your local media.  If you do not, someday it will go away)

When Chicken N Pickle informed the City of Fishers it would not locate next to the Fishers Event Center as originally planned, city officials knew the property would quickly become valuable real estate for another development.

During the annual State of the City address earlier this year, Mayor Scott Fadness announced that a high-end hotel would be built on the site, although only an artist rendering was available at the time.

At Monday night’s Fishers City Council meeting, Economic and Community Development Director Megan Baumgartner provided additional details about the project.

The development will be a Hilton-branded hotel called Crossing Hotel. The $50 million project will include 125 guest rooms and is planned as a high-end lodging option serving the Fishers District and the nearby event center.

The City Council unanimously approved the project agreement, allowing the development to move forward. The agreement includes no purchase price for the land and a waiver of certain city fees.

In other business Monday night:

–Final approval was given to the city’s updated Thoroughfare Plan, which had previously received support from the Fishers Plan Commission.  Read more about the thoroughfare plan at this link.

–The council also approved on first reading proposed changes to the ordinance governing the use of city parks department athletic fields. The changes would give the city greater authority in determining how those fields are scheduled and used.

–A redevelopment proposal was introduced for the building clearly visible from Interstate 69 just north of 96th Street, formerly occupied by Kittle’s Furniture. The structure would be used as a showroom, office and warehouse for ICC Floors. Councilor Pete Peterson emphasized the importance of maintaining an attractive appearance for the building because it serves as a first impression for travelers entering Fishers from the south. The proposal now goes to the Fishers Plan Commission for a public hearing.

–Council members also approved changes to the city’s parking permit ordinance intended to improve enforcement. The measure received final approval after the council unanimously agreed to suspend the rules.

–In addition, a proposal was introduced for a private school, Central Christian Academy, to locate in the former neighborhood swimming pool facility near 106th Street and Cumberland Road, next to the fire station. Council members raised concerns about potential traffic impacts in an area that already experiences heavy vehicle flow. The proposal received first reading and will next go before the Fishers Plan Commission for a public hearing.

U.S. Senator Jim Banks has endorsed Fishers physician and former school board leader Dr. Juanita Albright in the Republican primary for Indiana State Senate District 31.

Albright announced the endorsement in a campaign statement released this week. Banks, a Republican, said in the statement that he supports Albright’s candidacy for the open Senate seat.

Albright, a Fishers physician, previously served multiple terms as president of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of Trustees. She launched her campaign after incumbent Kyle Walker announced he would not seek reelection in 2026.

The Senate District 31 seat covers portions of northeastern Marion County as well as parts of Fishers in Hamilton County and nearby areas.

Albright said the endorsement adds to support her campaign has already received from several organizations, including Americans for Prosperity, the Indiana State Police Alliance and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

The Republican primary for the seat is shaping up as a multi-candidate race. Other Republicans who have entered the primary include:

• Tiffanie Ditlevson, an at-large member of the Fishers City Council.
• Jan Keefer, an attorney from the Lawrence Township area.

The winners of the May 5, 2026 primary elections will advance to the general election in November.

On the Democratic side, three candidates have filed for the nomination: Kerry Forestal, Lasima Packett and Catherine Torzewski.

The Senate District 31 race opened after Walker announced he would not run for another term. The district has been represented by Walker since 2020.

For Fishers residents who have been using the Urgent Care Clinic at 11680 Commercial Drive, the facility has moved to a new location.

The clinic is now located at 9757 Westpoint Drive, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46256, just off Hague Road. Although the mailing address lists Indianapolis, the facility is located north of 96th Street and technically remains within the Fishers city limits.

Country music rising star Gavin Adcock will bring his 2026 headline tour to Fishers this fall. Adcock’s “The Day I Hang It Up Tour 2026” is scheduled to stop at the Fishers Event Center on Thursday, October 22, with special guests Pecos & The Rooftops and Tyler Nance also on the bill.

Tickets will first be available through a Gavin Adcock fan club presale beginning Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. local time. Additional presales are scheduled throughout the week, with the general public on-sale beginning Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m. through the Fishers Event Center website.

The Fishers concert is part of Adcock’s fourth major headline tour since 2024. The Georgia native has quickly built a reputation for high-energy live performances and a devoted fan base. Industry outlets have described his stage show as a “collision of extremes” and “high-octane,” with crowds matching the intensity of the performer’s on-stage style.

Adcock has also gained significant traction in the country music industry in a relatively short time. The former Georgia Southern University football player, who grew up working on his family’s cattle farm in Watkinsville, Georgia, began focusing on music after a knee injury in 2021 ended his football season. During his recovery, he recorded and released his first original songs.

Since then, Adcock has amassed more than 1.5 billion global streams across his catalog. His single “A Cigarette” earned platinum certification, while songs such as “Run Your Mouth,” “Deep End,” and “Four Leaf Clover” have achieved gold status.

His 2024 album Actin’ Up Again marked the largest major-label country debut from a solo male artist that year. Adcock followed it with Own Worst Enemy in 2025, which debuted as the top new country album on the Billboard 200 Country chart and reached No. 14 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

In addition to his own tour dates, Adcock is scheduled to join country superstar Morgan Wallen on 16 dates of Wallen’s “Still The Problem Tour 2026.”

Opening the Fishers show will be Pecos & The Rooftops, a Texas-based band known for blending country, rock, and Americana, and Tyler Nance, a 22-year-old Missouri singer-songwriter whose song “Keeps Me Sane” has generated nearly 100 million global streams.

The October show continues the steady lineup of concerts and entertainment events being booked at the Fishers Event Center since the venue opened in late 2024.

A Fishers-based technology company working to strengthen the nation’s supply of critical minerals has announced a new tool designed to track those materials from origin to end use.

ReElement Technologies, affiliated with American Resources Corporation, announced it has minted what it calls the world’s first utility token designed to track the supply chain for critical minerals used in advanced technology and defense systems.

The token, developed in partnership with blockchain infrastructure firm SAGINT Inc., creates a digital record documenting the chain of custody for refined rare-earth materials. The system captures data from the sourcing of raw materials through processing and refining, creating what the companies describe as a secure and verifiable record of origin and handling.

Company officials say the technology could help manufacturers meet strict federal supply-chain requirements for defense contractors under the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, commonly known as DFARS.

The token was created within a private blockchain environment and has already been used to document batches of neodymium oxide, a rare-earth material used to produce high-strength magnets found in electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics and military equipment.

ReElement Technologies is headquartered in Fishers and is part of the growing domestic effort to reduce reliance on foreign sources of rare-earth materials. The United States currently mines some rare-earth minerals but has limited capacity to refine them, a process that has historically been dominated by overseas facilities.

The company’s refining technology uses a chromatographic separation process designed to isolate rare-earth elements at very high purity levels, often exceeding 99.9 percent. The approach also allows the company to recover rare-earth materials from recycled electronics, batteries and other industrial sources.

While corporate operations are based in Fishers, ReElement operates refining facilities in central Indiana, including a commercial purification plant in Noblesville and a larger refining campus under development in Marion.

Company leaders say technologies such as supply-chain traceability and domestic refining capacity are increasingly important as the United States works to secure materials critical to advanced manufacturing, renewable energy systems and national defense.

For Fishers, the presence of ReElement places the city within a rapidly developing sector of the U.S. economy focused on rebuilding domestic production and processing of rare-earth and other critical minerals.