It is once again that time of year when we look back at what has happened since the previous January 1.  It has been quite a year in Fishers with no shortage of news items to cover.

It has been a number of years since I have attempted to try something like this.  Why have I not done this?  Because it is hard.

A project like this normally consumes a newsroom for a number of days as reporters and editors argue endlessly.  Here’s my problem – I have no staff.  I just have me.

So, I am giving this a try.  I do not claim perfection are any license to do this, I am just doing it because I am not sure anyone else will.  Perhaps someone or some news organization will take this on, but who knows in this juncture of the news business?

So, with that in mind, I present to you the top 15 news stories gleaned from items posted on my news blog during 2017.  If you disagree with some or all of the list, fine, at least I’ve sparked some discussion.

15.  Fishers Mental Health Initiative This was Mayor Scott Fadness’ very first project once he assumed the office.  He has been persistent in continuing the initiative.  It received a major boost when the Hamilton Southeastern School District, using funds from an approved operating tax referendum, began providing enhanced mental health services into all the district’s school buildings through a contract with Community Health.

14.  Important Retirements Three key people announced retirements this year, all at the center of development in Fishers.  Indiana State Senator Luke Kenley announced his retirement after years of service and holding a key committee chairmanship.  The Republican Caucus elected Victoria Spartz of Noblesville to fill-out the remainder of his term.  Part of that Senate District includes a section of Fishers.  Jim White retires at this end of 2017 after managing the Transportation Department at HSE Schools.  Jim will be missed.  Finally, Lynda Carlino is retiring after serving as Executive Director for the local youth sports program S.P.O.R.T.S.  Lynda led the nonprofit group during massive growth in participation.

13.  Long-Time Businesses Close Two businesses that had been a part of Fishers for a very, very long time closed their doors during 2017.  Archers Meats decided to retire and call it quits at their downtown Fishers location.  Ben & Ari’s entertainment center had been the site of many birthday parties for youngsters growing up in Fishers, but the owners decided it was time to end the operation and sell the land to a car dealership.

12.  Upgrades Coming To The Amphitheater Mayor Scott Fadness said the Amphitheater has been an example of the city being the victim of its own success.  The massive crowds showing up for the concert events strained the rest room facilities with long lines at many popular events.  The city is finalizing a plan to spend $6 million to expand the stage and improve the area between the Amphitheater and City Hall.  The final plans should be known in early 2018, with a completion date set for May or June of 2018.

11.  Southeastern Elementary Ground-Breaking  If the demographer is correct in his projections, this will be the final school building Hamilton Southeastern Schools will need to build in a long time.  Ground was broken late this year and construction is underway at the site on Cyntheanne Road near Southeastern Parkway.  This will allow elementary students to no longer need mobile classrooms.

10.  New Geist Park  The city is proposing a new park located on Geist reservoir.  Land acquisition is continuing.  It would be the first public space on the water of the lake.

9.  Money Mag Lists Fishers As Best Place To Live In America  If you read my blog regularly, you know I am skeptical of most listing of cities, citing them as good or bad places.  But the Money Magazine list is the one most people recognize.  This was a major feather in the city’s cap.

8.  Road Construction  There has once again been plenty of road construction and much of it was in 116th Street in preparation for IKEA, Portillo’s and Top Golf.  But I-69 has been a hassle with continued construction of the additional lanes going north and south.  Also, drainage work has limited lanes on State Road 37 as crews continue to prepare for the big remake of 37.  Major construction is set to start in 2019, with a lot of questions still unanswered on how State Road 37 work will unfold.  Stay tuned.

7.  $2.1 Million Lilly Grant For HSE Schools  Foundations such as Lilly seldom make big grants to suburban school systems, but HSE must have blown Lilly Foundation officials away with a top-notch application.  This grant will be used to find creative ways to provide counseling services for local students.

6.  2,500 New Jobs  Mayor Scott Fadness was beaming when appearing on Gerry Dick’s Inside Indiana Business television program in early December.  He told anchor Dick that Fishers had created 2,500 jobs during 2017 and 4,500 since he became mayor in 2015.  The mayor also said during that same TV appearance he expects the jobs momentum to continue in Fishers into 2018.

5.  HSE School Board Controversies  The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board had no shortage of controversies to handle the past year.  Three come to mind.  The first was sparked when Board President Matt Burke and Vice President John DeLucia asked the firm hired to help with branding the district about changing the name of the school district.  After a firestorm on social media, that idea went away.  Second, Board Member Amanda Shera emotionally argued that her daughter should not be assigned the book Kite Runner.  Educators disagreed, saying it is useful for certain students in specific settings.  Finally, the board approved a school calendar for the next two years, starting school two days earlier and extending Thanksgiving Break by 2 days, on a 4-3 vote.  After yet another social media firestorm, the board reconsidered and voted 8-1 to keep the calendar largely the way it is now, consistent with the recommendation from school administrators.

4.  IoT Lab  Governor Eric Holcomb joined local officials to announce a new Internet of Things (IoT) Lab near Launch Fishers.  The hope is this lab will put Fishers and Indiana into play as IoT becomes more a part of our lives in coming years.

3.  Nickel Plate Rail Line  Fishers and Noblesville had announced prior to 2017 that the cities, along with support from the Hamilton County Commissioners, will be converting the Nickel Plate Rail Line into a trail.  Those wanting to keep trains running on that line continue to fight that move.  This year, the federal rail banking process, a long and bureaucratic system, continues.  “Save the Train” supporters plan to fight the rail banking process.  This story continued in 2017, but will almost certainly continue into 2018 (at least).

2.  Fishers Freedom Festival  The nonprofit organization that has run the Fishers Freedom Festival since 1989 lost its city funding and announced it would not be putting on the event in 2018.  The festival, held each year over a weekend in late June before the Fourth of July, requested funding from the city but was denied.  The nonprofit group still owns the rights to the name “Fishers Freedom Festival.”  The city says it will hold the festival and run the operation itself, perhaps with a different name.  The city promises a parade, fireworks, entertainment and more at the 2018 festival.

And the Number 1 Fishers news story in 2017 is…. 

Growth At Exit 5  I mentioned traffic earlier, and handling the vehicles with this area as the destination has been a challenge, but traffic has been moving.  We knew it was coming, but 2017 was the year that IKEA, Portillo’s and Top Golf became real in Fishers as all three opened their doors.  Plans are still in the works on what restaurants will occupy The Yard development in that same area, with only two of the eateries announced late in the year.  This area off I-69 is becoming a major commercial center, and 2017 was the year it started in earnest