Fishers has just formed the 50 Club, aimed at supporting public safety workers and their families when the employee dies or suffers disabilities.  At Large City Councilman Rich Block and local attorney Steve Lutz are two of the organizers of the new organizations, and talked with Larry about it in this podcast.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Janus Developmental Services has begun initial planning for a new facility on the grounds of their present location in Noblesville.  Christina Sorensen, president and CEO, said
Monday that American Structurepoint is providing the planning service for a
building that will handle needs of the organization for 25 years. No timetable
has yet been established for financing and construction.

Last year Janus purchased 19 acres immediately west of their facilities
at 1555 Westfield Road for eventual expansion. The acreage is occupied by Noblesville
Golf and Batting Center, a recreational complex  which includes a driving
range, batting cages, miniature golf and sandlot volleyball. The center includes
a concession stand updated for use by Janus clients with disabilities to
be trained for employment.

Janus serves 200 disabled residents age 18 and over, enabling them to pursue
education, employment and skills for independent living. Some clients are also
placed at the Government and Judicial Center café for employment practice.

A number of programs at Janus are available for the disabled.  Sorensen says
this year, for example, it was discovered that art produced by clients would
successfully sell to the public.  Some is now exhibited for sale to allow the clients
to earn their own money.

A major and growing service of Janus is their public transportation system.
A total of 22 buses now transport not only those enrolled at Janus, but members
of the general public.  Hamilton County Express will, upon a call, go to anyone’s
home and provide a ride for a fee. During the past year there were 58,639
rides provided for folks in need of transportation to a doctor’s office, grocery, etc.

Recently, Janus partnered with Riverview Health to provide transportation
for hospital patients.  Four new vehicles were purchased for this expanded
service.

And, during the past summer Janus provided summer activities for youngsters ages 14 and
over with special needs.

The expanding role of the organization is maintained by an 88-member
paid staff. Janus is operating on a $4.5 million budget this year. Funding
comes from federal, state and local government sources, plus private fundraising
efforts.

The non-profit organization is governed by a board of 20 county citizen
members. Board president is John Schuler.

I will come clean with you – I love the blues.  It is a musical genre that has captivated me for a number of years.  My wife Jane and myself enjoy listening to live blues performances.

For the fifth consecutive year, Fishers will provide a blues experience not easily found in the state of Indiana, and it is all free.  The downtown  Fishers Nickel Plate Amphitheater will be the setting for two nights of blues – Friday, September 1st and Saturday, September 2nd – 7:30pm-11:00pm each night.

Special recognition is planned for legendary blues artist, the Reverend Charlie Edmonds.

Here is the full line-up for each night:

Friday, Sept. 1

Zach Day

Lightnin’ Rod & The Thunderbolts

Dicky James

Governor Davis

Saturday, Sept. 2

The Blues Ambassadors

Bridget Kelly Band

Rev. Charlie Edmonds

Samantha Fish

Here is more good news – blues fans are welcome to bring outside food, drinks, coolers and pets, as well as lawn chairs and blankets. Food trucks will also be onsite for those interested.

If you like the blues, or are just not sure but want to try it on for size, join Jane and myself and come to the 2017 Fishers Blues Fest.

Fishers City Councilman Eric Moeller is hosting a Town Hall at Fishers City Hall Monday, September 25th, 6pm-7:30pm.  Councilman Moeller is inviting his North Central Council District residents, and people living in the surrounding area, to this event.

Invited speakers include Amy Massillimany (Hamilton County Council), Jeff Hill (Fishers Director of Engineering, and Eric Pethtel (Fishers Director of Public Works).

The Town Hall will include construction updates on the State Road 37 project, how roads receive grades for resurfacing, projects scheduled in the District for 2018 and how Fishers Department of Public works attacks winter weather.

The three at-large city council members – Rick Block, Cecilia Coble and Todd Zimmerman – are listed as co-hosts for the event.

The Fishers Police Department issued a stern warning Saturday evening that anyone swimming at the IMI quarry near Geist Reservoir (near 116th St. & Olio Rd) will be violating the law.  Authorities say they have received information that a group of juveniles were organizing a swim party in that area between noon and 4pm Sunday, August 27th.

Fishers Police, IMI representatives and officers from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will be monitoring the area in and around the quarry.  Anyone found on the property will be considered guilty of trespassing.  Police also said in the statement, “Parents who allow their children to attend may also be subject to criminal consequences.”

Below is the full statement from the Fishers Police Department:

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

It has come to the attention of The Fishers Police Department and the Department of Natural Resources of an organized (by juveniles) swim party to happen tomorrow, Sunday 8/27, at IMI’s quarry located on the west side of Olio, south of 116th. Based on the latest information it appears the juveniles plan to congregate between 12pm-4pm.

FPD, the DNR and IMI representatives will be in the area monitoring for illegal activity. This is private property and those on the property will be committing trespassing. This is very dangerous along with being illegal. There is to be ABSOLUTELY no trespassing on this private property and those found are subject to criminal consequences. Parents who allow their children to attend may also be subject to criminal consequences.

Adam & Larry review Logan Lucky, then welcome guest Matt Glenesk, a sports editor at the IndyStar & a film buff

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE:  Commentaries by Fred Swift are posted on LarryInFishers.com through a partnership with the Hamilton County Reporter.  Views expressed are those of Mr. Swift)

The Riverwalk is completed. It’s been a long time in the making, but it’s finally done. The official opening Friday morning marked the successful completion of a project envisioned by County Commissioner Steve Dillinger more than 15 years ago.

For those not familiar with the Riverwalk, it is a pedestrian walkway along the east bank of White River running six blocks from approximately Clinton Street on the north to Division Street on the south skirting Noblesville’s downtown area.

At the north end the walk connects to the pedestrian bridge over the river and State Road 19 where walkers enter Forest Park. There hikers can access trails north to Potters Bridge or west to Morse Dam. At the south end, near Division Street, Riverwalk will connect to the planned Midland Trail, an east-west linear parkway that will eventually allow joggers, bikers and walkers a route as far as Westfield.

Dillinger had the idea after seeing what other communities have done with their riverfronts. The most attractive in the state is probably the Ohio Riverfront walkway at Madison. While White River doesn’t compare with the Ohio, you have to work with what you’ve got. A Riverwalk Committee was formed to spearhead the project, investigate funding possibilities and generally plan the campaign.

Not so many years ago Noblesville’s riverfront was far from a scenic attraction. Longtime residents will remember that the backside of a lumber yard, National Guard Armory vehicles, a tire store and a gas station were among the sights you saw along the east bank. The river was not regarded as an asset.

Today, there is still work to be done, but progress can be seen. A city “pocket park” is found near the former lumberyard. The west lawn of the county Government and Judicial Center takes up the block from Logan to Conner Streets, and Riverwalk now goes along the park-like Riverside Cemetery.

The project has been a joint venture by the city and county. It’s worked well, and now more is planned. The county will expand the Judicial Center with a pleasing new west front and a firefighters’ memorial. Riverview Hospital plans a new building on the west side of the river, and of course there is the city’s Federal Hill Commons just across Road 19.

So, now we can expect to see local residents enjoying a walk on the riverfront where a few years ago no one would have dreamed of visiting.

That was a very good idea, Steve.

 RICHIE HALL

Pike 43, Fishers 0

Score by Quarters:
Fishers                        0  0    0   0 – 0
Pike                           14  7  10 12 – 43

Team Stats
FHS                    PHS
First Downs                          16                        21
Rushes-Yards                   41-43                   32-208
Yards Passing                    169                       280
Comp/Att/Int/TD           15-27-2-0            12-20-1-2
Fumbles-Lost                     2-2                        1-0
Penalties/Yards                 3-12                    9-70
Punts/Average                  4-28.3                 1-35.0
Fishers Stats
Rushing: Geoffrey Brown 11-26,

Dylan Scally 15-22,

Alec Green 7-7,

Michael Noble 2-3.

Passing: Vore 15-27-169

Receiving: Collin Statz 7-88,

Donavan McFarland 6-59,

Gregory King 1-15,

Isaiah Dunnuck 1-7.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern got overrun by a much-improved North Central squad on Friday, falling 37-14 at the Panthers’ stadium.

The road construction schedule for the work week beginning Monday, August 28h, is a long one, as we have seen all summer long.

Below is the full listing, provided by the City of Fishers:

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

126TH STREET

Periodic lane restrictions will occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on 126th Street between Allisonville Road and Lantern Road as crews complete a passing blister. Flaggers will be present during the restrictions.

116TH STREET 

Periodic lane restrictions will occur on 116th Street west of Allisonville Road as the contractor repairs concrete curbs and ramps and begins resurfacing work on the roadway. Restrictions will be in place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please drive with caution.

There will also be lane restrictions on 116th Street between I-69 and Cumberland Road throughout the summer in order for the contractor to make improvements to 116th Street.

CUMBERLAND ROAD

There will be lane restrictions on Cumberland Road at 116th Street while the new turn lanes are being poured. Flaggers will be in placed when necessary.  Please drive with caution as this project is being completed.

96TH STREET

Starting on or after August 15, Lantern Road at 96th Street will be closed for approximately 30 days while it is reconstructed for the new roundabout. All Lantern Road traffic will be detoured to Cumberland Road, north to 106th Street and then west to Lantern Road. 96th Street through-traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed portion of the roundabout. Access into businesses will remain. Please follow the signed detour route and drive with caution through the construction zone.

BROOKS SCHOOL ROAD 

The Brooks School Road bridge over Interstate 69 is closed as Milestone Contractors rebuild the bridge deck. Traffic will be detoured to Promise Road via 126th and 136th streets. The bridge will remain closed through August.

136TH AND PRAIRIE BAPTIST ROAD

The Hamilton County Highway Department has closed the intersection of 136th Street and Prairie Baptist Road to allow the contractor to reconstruct the intersection. The closure is scheduled to last approximately 60 days. Please follow signs for detour routes. Questions regarding this project may be directed to the Hamilton County Highway Department at 317-773-7770.

I-69 AND CAMPUS PARKWAY

Widening of Campus Parkway at I-69 and building the double-crossover diamond interchange was part of the $92 million I-69 Major Moves 2020 project adding a travel lane to each direction of I-69 between State Road 37 (Exit 205) and State Road 38 (Exit 219). In addition, other improvements are being made to rehabilitate existing bridges, pavement and drainage structures on the 15-mile stretch of interstate.

Two lanes of traffic in each direction of I-69 are currently shifted to accommodate construction of the additional travel lanes. Signs direct large trucks to use the left lane while traffic is shifted toward the right shoulder through the work zone. The speed limit is reduced to 60 mph and further reduced to 50 mph when workers are present.

I-69 is expected to open to three lanes in each direction between State Road 37 and State Road 38 before the end of this year.

Questions about this project should be directed to INDOT at eastcentralin@indot.in.gov or 1-855-463-6848.

STATE ROAD 37

Geotechnical drilling began along the State Road 37 corridor in May as part of the final design phase of State Road 37 Improvement Project. Lane and shoulder restrictions will be active through September 30.

The geotechnical drilling will cause lane restrictions on SR 37 at the 126th Street intersection after August 7 and are anticipated to last until September 30. There will be no lane closures during Labor Day weekend, September 1st through September 4. Southbound restrictions begin after 9 a.m. daily and northbound restrictions will be completed daily before 4 p.m. to allow for maximum traffic flow during peak rush hours. Crews will maintain a minimum of one through-lane at all times.

The SR37 improvement project is a $124 million joint project between Fishers, Hamilton County, Noblesville and INDOT. Questions or concerns may be directed to drivefishers@fishers.in.us.

OUTSIDE OF FISHERS

On or after Monday, August 21, Hamilton County Highway Department will close Cyntheanne Road between 146th Street and 156th Street until December 1, 2017 to replace the bridge over Keiser Drain. Please contact Hamilton County Highway Department at 317-773-7770 with any questions.