http://www.indianaforefront.com/8644-2/

The Fishers Police Department is looking for a few good men – and is also making it clear it is open to a few good women and minorities as well.

Online applications are now being accepted through April 1st.

Below is the full text of the news release from Fishers Police:

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The Fishers Police Department is actively seeking qualified candidates to participate in a competitive hiring process. Applications are being accepted through April 1^st, 2016. Applicants are encouraged to visit our website, www.fishers.in.us/joinfpd , and complete an on-line application. Applicants can access the application by clicking on the “Current Job Openings” link.

The Fishers Police Department is Internationally Accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). We offer outstanding career opportunities that include: growth, opportunity, advancement, diversification, benefits, and competitive salaries. Police officers receive the highest levels of training and equipment and are given every opportunity to succeed.

Testing is expected to begin in April. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. If candidates have additional questions they can contact Officer Shawn Wynn at wynns@fishers.in.us or 317-595-3351.

With temperatures in the 60s and winds peaking out at 45 miles-per-hour, I decided to visit a couple of Fishers parks.  As expected, they were busy.  Below are a few of my pictures from exploring on Sunday afternoon.

All the available tickets were sold and it was a full house at the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation GameDay fundraising event held at Conner Prairie.  There was plenty of food, drink and a silent auction….not to mention plenty of people supporting the foundation.

Below are just a few pictures from the Friday night celebration.

Both sides have laid out their arguments, and it will soon be time for the Hamilton County Council to decide on the State Road 37 upgrade.  The council has the county’s share of the funding for this project on its agenda for the March 2nd regularly scheduled meeting.

On December 10th, 2015, Governor Mike Pence announced an agreement involving the state, Hamilton County and the cities of Fishers & Noblesville to fund a massive upgrade to State Road 37.  It would transform that stretch of highway into something like Keystone Avenue in Carmel, with exit and entrance ramps and roundabouts to move traffic east and west.

So far, the State of Indiana, Hamilton County Commissioners and the city of Fishers have signed onto their share of the funding for the first phase of the  work in Fishers, which is expected to cost $124 million.

There is one important government body yet to vote on this proposal – that’s the Hamilton County Council, which handles the money decisions for the county.  If the county doesn’t approve their part of the funding, nothing moves forward on the project.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has been consistent in his support for the upgrade.  Here’s what he told Reporter Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal in a story posted February 20th:

“There are some people that are obviously very emotional, very concerned about the project that just don’t want to see it happen,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said. “But the vast majority in the middle agree that something needs to be done.”

You can read the entire IBJ story at this link.

The Fishers City Council has approved its share of the funding for the State Road 37 construction.

The latest support comes from Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear.  He wrote a piece published in the Times of Noblesville, urging the Hamilton County Council members to approve the county’s funding share.  He wrote, in part:

It would be a colossal mistake to miss the opportunity of joining in the improvements primarily funded by the State of Indiana. How could we tell the state officials, “Thanks, but no thanks to $100 million” especially when we all know how essential this project is to motorists?  

You can read Ditslear’s entire article in the Times at this link.

Meanwhile, the founder of the State Road 37 Alliance (a group of businesses along 37 concerned about the proposed project), Bill Smythe, wrote a response to Ditslear’s article. Here’s part of Smythe’s release:

I was taken aback by Mayor Ditslear’s comments in the February 25th The Times where he implored the County Councilors to vote for the State Road 37 project to “avoid momentous consequences”. While I don’t have any issues with the Mayor’s favorable justifications I don’t share his opinion that this vote on March 2nd is mandatory to the long term success of this project.

In fact my opinion is quite the opposite.

I never had the honor of meeting Jim Belden, but I do know this…every time his name was mentioned in my presence, respect filled the room.

In what can (at times) be rough-and -tumble politics in the Hamilton County Republican Party, Jim Belden’s name was synonymous with the kindest words used for a politician.

I first became familiar with his work as a very successful high school football coach at several area schools, where he had a Hall of Fame career.

There will be a celebration of Jim Belden’s life Saturday, February 27th, 3:00pm, at the Ivy Tech Noblesville Gymnasium (300 N. 17th St.)

State Representative Kathy Richardson and U.S. Congresswoman Susan Brooks will be there for an awards presentation.

How would you like to be a volunteer and help people in your own neighborhood? The City of Fishers is giving you that opportunity on Saturday, April 16th.

It’s easy to sign-up.  Just check-in with Dan Domsic at the Parks Department.  His e-mail address is domsicd@fishers.in.us  or just all him on the phone at 317-595-3151.

For more details, here is part of the news release issued by the City of Fishers:

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Volunteers are encouraged to consider their interests before signing up for one of the following project opportunities:

• The Neighborhood Blitz pairs volunteers with homeowners to complete low-intensity, high-impact improvement projects,
• Spring Service Day returns to Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve as volunteers work to remove invasive plants, and
• Various beautification projects will be taking place at parks facilities, community-wide.

Unlike previous years, this year’s KFB offers opportunities for residents to complete individual service projects at their home and in their neighborhoods. In an effort to unite residents community-wide in this KFB service day, anyone completing an independent service project is encouraged to visit the event page to log their hours, photos captured and work completed!

Fishers Police have been saying for months that residents should be on the lookout for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and report them to authorities.

Local officer made 2 arrests February 19th, charging the suspects with vehicle break-ins in the area of 106th Street and Lantern Road.

Below is the full text of the police department news release:

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During the early morning hours of Friday, February 19^th, Fishers police officers arrested two men for breaking into cars in the area of 8224 Belle Vista Boulevard(106^th Street and Lantern Road).

Shortly after 6am an alert resident, of the Bella Vista Apartment Complex, called 911 after seeing two suspicious men walking thru the parking lot. The caller was able to provide a description of the suspects and their location. Officers quickly responded to the area and established a perimeter. Officers observed one of the suspects attempting to leave the parking lot in a Toyota passenger car. Officers conducted a traffic stop and the driver complied. The second suspect was located as he walked between parked cars. Officers gave loud verbal commands for the suspect to stop and he also complied.

Both suspects were detained and transported to the Fishers Police Department without incident. During the investigation it was determined that these men were linked to several thefts from vehicles. Multiple stolen items were recovered from the suspects and their car. Officers worked diligently to return the stolen items to the rightful owner. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident.

The Fishers Police Department would like to thank the resident that called 911. The See Something, Say Something mentality benefits us all!

Arrested #1:             Christopher M. Thomas

                                    18 years old

                                    Fishers, Indiana

Charge(s):                Theft Level 6 Felony (6 counts)

                                    Unauthorized Entry into a Vehicle “B” Misdemeanor (6counts)

                                    Possession of a Controlled Substance “A” Misdemeanor

                                    Possession of Marijuana “B” Misdemeanor

Held:                          Hamilton County Jail

Arrested #2:             Jackson V. Brooker

                                    18 years old

                                    Fishers, Indiana

Charge(s):                Theft Level 6 Felony (6 counts)

                                    Unauthorized Entry into a Vehicle “B” Misdemeanor (6counts)

                                    Possession of a Controlled Substance “A” Misdemeanor

                                    Possession of Marijuana “B” Misdemeanor

Held:                          Hamilton County Jail

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation has a dilemma…over $100,000 in requests for help from local schools and not enough money to go around and help them all.

One way you can help is to participate in the silent auction the foundation is doing. Participating in the auction is easy.  Just go to this link.

This is a way to help local teachers and schools, plus get something you might enjoy as well.