Early in my working life, I wanted most of all to be a sportscaster.  After all, I followed sports closely and knew a lot about the sports world.  So I got a job at a small radio station and had my first assignment, to do play-by-play for a high school football game.  I could be off by a year or two, but I believe this was 1970.

Let’s just say I learned through that experience how sportscasting is much more difficult than it looks.  Fortunately, I learned from my terrible performance that night and went on to broadcast high school and small college sports for several years before hanging up my microphone.

What I learned most from that is how the best in the sports broadcasting business make it look easy.  That’s what John Saunders did, from his ESPN debut in 1986 until his death was announced August 10th. ESPN did not announce any of the circumstances surrounding Saunders’ death, but it appears to have been a sudden event.

He was a Canadian who played at the junior hockey level up north, giving him credibility in dealing with other athletes.  Saunders was a mentor for former players thrown into the role of TV analyst with little or no training.  He also mentored young journalists, like ESPN’s Jemel Hill.

As a fan of college football and the weekly “Sports Reporters”  round-table discussion, I will miss his talents most there.

But this man was clearly loved by his colleagues at ESPN and highly respected by his competitors at other networks.  His coworkers will miss him the most.

It’s going to be a tough time in Bristol, Connecticut (HQ for ESPN) for a while without John Saunders on the set.

Today was the first day of classes for students in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Corporation, and only one mishap disturbed an otherwise smooth day.

Students showing up for the first day of classes at Fishers High School found about half the building without power Wednesday morning.  The problem was quickly found and fixed, allowing classes to go on for most of the day.  School officials said a blown fuse resulted in transformer problems.

With roughly 21,000  students, HSE is the fourth largest school system in the state of Indiana.

Meanwhile, Fishers Police Chief George Kehl issued a statement earlier in the week, urging local motorists to use extra caution as classes begin for another school year.

The city made the official announcement today about the selection of artists to grace the side of the Edge parking garage with their artistic touch.

On July 18th, Fishers City Council members were told about the selections in a work session.  You can read more about it at this link.

Below is the announcement from the City of Fishers, released August 4th:

===============================================================

Artists Rachel Johnson, Warren Miller and Kyle Ragsdale will create art displays on the east side of The Edge parking garage. The artwork will serve to welcome residents and visitors into the Nickel Plate District. Each artist’s installation aims to celebrate different aspects of the Fishers community through the incorporation of a specific theme in their work.

“The artwork of these three artists will not only inspire and draw attention from viewers, but will also embrace the spirit of the City’s vision as a smart, entrepreneurial, and vibrant community,” Mayor Scott Fadness said. “I look forward to the unveiling of this project.”

With installation set to begin in the fall, the artists will each create seven different pieces of artwork to be displayed on panels on The Edge parking garage. The panels are 23 feet tall and 10 feet wide, and can be visible from the bridge over I-69. The project was made possible through a partnership between the City of Fishers and Fishers Urban Development.

“As the entrance to the Nickel Plate District, we are excited to partner with the City of Fishers on an art installation at The Edge,” said Scott Baldwin, principal at Envoy, Inc. “The artwork, much like the building itself, will represent the downtown well, and welcome visitors to the vibrant district.”

Rachel Johnson’s set of panels will be displayed first. She plans to highlight Fishers as an entrepreneurial city by interviewing seven residents of Fishers who are entrepreneurs in their own rights and come from different age groups. Her final product will be abstract so everyone can relate to her work.

Warren Miller, an artist from Indianapolis, intends to encompass the idea of Fishers as a place for everyone. Through his bold use of color and expression, people of all ages, stages, and abilities of life will be welcomed into the city. His work will be presented early 2017.

Kyle Ragdale’s theme is Fishers: one community. Known in Indianapolis for his embodiment of neighborhood and community gatherings in his work, his concept showcases the community spirit in Fishers and the Nickel Plate District as a gathering place. His set of panels is expected to debut in the summer months of 2017.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has been issuing regular updates on the construction work along I-69, including the reconfiguration of Exit 210.

Here is the latest release from INDOT:

======================================

I-69 Major Moves 2020 construction update:

• Finishing patches north of Exit 210
• Paving begins north of Exit 210
• Starting construction of northbound added lane
• Preparing for southbound traffic shift
• Widening Campus Parkway bridge
• Building up new interchange ramps

Interstate 69 patching & paving

Milestone Contractors is patching existing southbound pavement north of Campus Parkway Exit 210.  The patching operation is expected to be complete this week.

About 15 miles of interstate is being repaired before a new asphalt overlay is paved on existing lanes.  Paving on northbound I-69  north of Exit 210 is scheduled to begin tonight.

Weather permitting, patching and paving operations require alternating lane closures in various locations six nights a week on Monday through Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.  One lane of I-69 will remain open at all times, and two lanes will remain open during peak daytime travel times.

The speed limit through the work zone is reduced to 60 mph and further reduced to 50 mph when workers are present.  Speed detection and LED display signs have been installed in the work zone to alert motorists driving at unsafe speeds.  Indiana State Police are patrolling the work zone to promote public safety and compliance with traffic laws.

Interstate 69 added travel lane

Milestone Contractors has set temporary concrete barrier along the I-69 median between State Road 37 (Exit 205) and Campus Parkway (Exit 210) to begin construction of an additional lane in each direction.

Northbound lanes have been shifted toward the right shoulder, and southbound traffic lanes are scheduled to be moved toward the right shoulder next week.  This will require single-lane closures between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Motorists should be alert for trucks entering and exiting the roadway.  Signs direct large trucks to use the left lane through the shifted section of interstate.  The speed limit is reduced to 60 mph and further reduced to 50 mph when workers are present.

For more information about I-69 traffic during construction, go to http://www.in.gov/indot/3446.htm.

Campus/Southeastern Parkway Exit 210

Construction of the new double-crossover diamond configuration is underway as Milestone builds up the new interchange ramps and widens the Campus Parkway bridge over I-69.

Campus Parkway traffic lanes are narrowed to 11 feet and installation of concrete barrier is scheduled for next week.

Motorists should be alert for workers in the area and trucks entering and exiting the roadway.

Later this summer, traffic will be shifted into a double-crossover diamond configuration, which is intended to improve traffic flow during the remainder of construction of the permanent interchange improvements.

For more information about interchange construction, go to http://www.in.gov/indot/3441.htm.

About the project

INDOT and the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) selected a $92 million proposal from Milestone Contractors and United Consulting to add a travel lane and rehabilitate 15 miles of I-69 in Hamilton and Madison counties as part of Indiana’s Major Moves 2020 program.

More details about the project can be found at http://www.in.gov/indot/3440.htm.  Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2017.  Updates about construction schedules will be announced as work progresses.

The announcement many expected came mid-day on August 3rd….there will be no State Fair Train in 2016.

The Fishers appointee to the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, City Council Vice President David George, said during a recent podcast interview with LarryInFishers that the Indiana Transportation Museum was provided a list of steps that need to be taken before their train may use the tracks under the Port Authority’s jurisdiction.  Apparently, those steps could not be completed by state fair time this year.

Below is a statement issued by the Transportation Museum August 3rd:

===========================================

In recent weeks, Indiana Transportation Museum and Hoosier Heritage Port Authority have communicated with each other multiple times per week. Today, HHPA informed ITM that HHPA is continuing the suspension of ITM’s operations on the HHPA rail line. This means that ITM will not be operating the FairTrain this year. We are of course saddened that we will not be able to provide this unique experience for families this year. We will continue to work with HHPA, its rail consultant, and others associated with HHPA. ITM’s goal continues to be to provide such information and take such other actions as needed to enable HHPA to lift the suspension. Our record of safety is unparalleled in our over 30-year operating history, and we will continue that record as we go forward.

Jeffrey S. Kehler Chairman, ITM, Inc.

Here is the latest update from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) on I-69 lane closures this week:

===================================================

Walsh Construction Company plans to close multiple lanes of Interstate 69 during overnight hours this week as lane markings, signage and temporary concrete barriers are placed to shift traffic lanes into the next phase for construction at the 106th Street interchange project.

Shifting northbound and southbound lanes of I-69 between 82nd Street (Exit 201) and 116th Street (Exit 205) toward the median will allow construction to continue on the end supports of two bridges, which will each carry one direction of traffic on 106th Street over I-69.

Weather permitting, work will start at 10 p.m. on the dates below and end before 6 a.m. the following morning.  Construction schedules are subject to change.

Wednesday, Aug. 3:  Three left lanes of northbound I-69 will be closed.

Thursday, Aug. 4:  Three left lanes of northbound I-69 and one right lane of southbound I-69 will be closed.

Friday, Aug. 5:  One right lane of northbound I-69 will be closed.

The speed limit near the construction zone is reduced to 55 mph and may be reduced further to 45 mph when workers are present.  Motorists are advised to pay attention to work zone warning signs, follow posted speed limits and keep a safe following distance from other motorists.  

The Fishers CrimeWatch App has been in operation for several weeks, and authorities report the technology has resulted in its first arrest.

Assistant Police Chief Ed Gebhart tells LarryInFishers a local resident used the app to send officers a picture of a vehicle’s license plate to report a suspicious, erratic driver.  Police followed up on the information and made an arrest based on the CrimeWatch alert from the Fishers citizen.  The driver was charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).   Gebhart had no other details on when or where the arrest was made, or the name of the driver arrested.

There are now 2,800 registered used of the Fishers CrimeWatch smartphone app, according to Gebhart

National Night Out is a way for local police departments to interact with the public about what they do, and involve local citizens in crime prevention.  The event drew a big crowd in and around the Fishers Police Department headquarters on August 2nd

Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation Executive Director Freedom Kolb talks to Larry about the foundation’s work…

There will be more overnight closures as state contractors continue work on the 106th Street interchange at I-69 in Fishers.  See the details below in a news release from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT):

==========================================

Walsh Construction Company plans to close multiple lanes of Interstate 69 during overnight hours this week as lane markings, signage and temporary concrete barriers are placed for the next phase of construction at the 106th Street interchange project.

Shifting northbound and southbound lanes of I-69 between 82nd Street (Exit 201) and 116th Street (Exit 205) toward the median will allow construction to continue on the end supports of two bridges, which will each carry one direction of traffic on 106th Street over I-69.

Work is dependent on favorable weather and construction schedules are subject to change.

• Three left lanes of southbound I-69 will be closed on Monday (Aug. 1) and Tuesday (Aug. 2) nights from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
• Three left lanes of northbound I-69 will be closed on Wednesday (Aug. 3) and Thursday (Aug. 4) nights from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The speed limit near the construction zone is reduced to 55 mph and may be reduced further to 45 mph when workers are present.  Motorists are advised to pay attention to work zone warning signs, follow posted speed limits and keep a safe following distance from other motorists.  

About the project

INDOT awarded a $21.7 million contract to Walsh Construction Company to build a two-lane, oval-shaped roundabout on 106th Street over I-69 and ramps to and from both directions of the interstate.  Two separate two-lane bridges will each carry one direction of traffic. The bridge to carry westbound traffic on the north side of 106th Street is also designed to accommodate pedestrians.

The project is intended to reduce congestion at existing I-69 interchanges at 96th and 116th streets, increase traffic safety in the area and provide direct interstate access at 106th Street.  Direct access will serve existing residential and commercial destinations and accommodate development and population growth in the area.

Access on 106th Street over I-69 will remain closed through construction of the new interchange.  The new I-69 Exit 204 to 106th Street is scheduled to open before the end of this year.