by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

–Mosquitoes infected by the West Nile virus have been found in the Noblesville area.
The County Health Department has begun spraying the area where the infected
insects were found.  There have thus far been no reports of persons becoming ill
with the virus. Health officials urge residents going outside, especially between dusk and dawn, to use repellent and try to avoid areas known for large mosquito populations.

–Wayne Sturtevant, judge of Hamilton Superior Court 5 for the past 20 years,
retires on Friday. At his request there will be no retirement reception. No successor has
been named. Gov. Eric Holcomb will appoint a new judge to fill out Sturtevant’s
term which runs through December 2020.  Court Magistrate David Najjar and Carmel
City Judge Brian Poindexter are believed top contenders for the appointment.

–The road construction season is in full swing. The county highway department has
warned of the following road closures:

-276 Street from U.S. 31 to Anthony Road for
reconstruction,

-Towne Road between 146th and 151st Streets for reconstruction,

-the intersection of 136th Street and Prairie Baptist Road for rebuilding the crossing, and

-151st Street between Greyhound Pass and U.S. 31 for a new roundabout.

–The annual national conference of the Metropolitan Information Exchange will be
co-hosted by Hamilton County on September 11-14. The meeting of about 50 Chief Operating Officers of Information Technology services will be held in Indiana
for the first time partially because of the outstanding Hamilton County IT
Department. Local speakers will include County IT Director Chris Martens, Fishers
Mayor Scott Fadness and County Commissioner Christine Altman. The attendees will visit Kotweii County Park as part of the effort to showcase Indiana.

–Hamilton County has also won a Digital County Award from the National
Association of Counties. The award goes annually to counties that demonstrate how
technology improves public services and promotes efficiency.

–A date of September 6 has been chosen for a caucus of the Senate District 20
Republican precinct committee. The caucus, to be held at the IVY Tech auditorium in
Noblesville, will select a new state senator to replace Sen. Luke Kenley who retires
effective September 30. At least five candidates have announced intentions to run
in the caucus.