It has been a very long time since I was in the second grade, but I do not recall anything like the energy project a group of Sand Creek Elementary (SCE) School students explained to the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board Wednesday night.

All ten second-graders memorized their presentations to board members, discussing the results of their energy project.  The group had a goal of reducing their own carbon footprint.

The class partnered with Bob Rice, HSE Schools Energy Manager and utility company Duke Energy.  Duke brought in the National Theater for Children to help present a school-wide convocation, engaging SCE about doing more to conserve energy. Along with Duke and Bob Rice, the students encouraged the community to sign-up to receive free energy kits for their homes. So far, 191 families have received a kit, resulting in a savings of more than 35,000 kilowatts within the local community.

Their own elementary school building also had an energy audit and following the results, the students planned a ‘Turn It Off’ Tuesday, and made a presentation during SCE’s STEAM Night.

For more details on all this, use this link.

Early voting is now underway in Hamilton County. Poll workers Charles Turean (right) and Steve Zell (center) check in Joanne White. White was the first early voter of this year’s Primary Election. (Photo provided)

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County officials on Tuesday broke ground on a $13.5 million jail expansion. Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony were (from left) Councilman Steve Schwartz, Commissioner Steve Dillinger, Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt, Commissioner Christine Altman, Sheriff Mark Bowen, Council Paul Ayers and Councilman Jeff Hern. (Reporter photo by Jeff Jellison)

Hamilton County Reporter

Police say a CRV hit a stopped tanker truck on I-69 near State Road 38 Monday afternoon, and a local man is dead as a result of that crash.  Indiana State Police identify the victim as Roscoe Murray, 49, from Fishers.   The empty tanker was stopped in traffic for an INDOT construction zone.

The driver of the semi, Dereon Bond, 44, from Decatur, Illinois,. was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Anderson with minor, non-life threatening injuries.  The preliminary investigation by Troopers Justin Beamon and Coley McCutcheon determined that Murray was accelerating down the ramp from MLK Blvd. to get onto I-69 south bound, when he failed to see the stopped traffic ahead.

The crash had I-69 south-bound closed for nearly 3 hours at the 222 mile marker as troopers investigated the crash and crews worked to clear the roadway.

When the newly remodeled Fishers downtown Amphitheater is ready for events sometime in June, it will be outfitted with new sound and lighting systems.  The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety Monday approved $195,000 for the new sound equipment and $114, 750 for lighting in the stage area.

The sound system was acquired for a discount of about 30% because Fishers agreed to be a beta test site.  Parks and Recreation Department Director Tony Elliot told the board this sound system has only been used on the east and west coasts up to now, so he expects visitors from throughout the Midwest to visit our concerts and evaluate this new sound setup.

Mayor Scott Fadness expressed concern about lighting away from the stage area, for the crowds attending the events.  But both items received unanimous approvals from board members.

In other Board of Works items:

–The board approved the purchase of a CCTV truck for over $215,000.  The truck will be fully equipped.  It will be used by the sewer and storm water operations.

–Changes were made to the speed limits along parts of 126th Street.  For more details, use this link.

–Approved dedicating right-of-way along State Road 37 from O’Reilly Automotive for the upcoming improvements on that stretch of road.

–Voted to replace network switches and wireless equipment that has exceeded their expected useful life.

The Fishers Redevelopment Commission had a last-minute addition to the Monday meeting agenda – the sale of the parking garage and residential units in The Switch Building downtown, from Loftus Robinson to J.C. Hart.  That sale required several changes to the project documents governing the property.

The updated documents spell out the rights and responsibilities J.C. Hart will have with the parking garage and The Flats, the residential section of the complex.  Loftus Robinson retains control of The Switch’s commercial space.

J.C. Hart is a property management firm with headquarters in Carmel.  The company develops and manages residential properties throughout the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

In other Redevelopment Commission items from the Monday meeting:

–The first of two public hearings was held, with no one choosing to speak, on the changes in the financing for The Yard project.  This was originally designed as a culinary project, and 100,000 square feet of space have been set aside for commercial development.  The change is the addition of residential units and a parking garage.  The second and final public hearing will be held on April 16th at the next scheduled Redevelopment Commission meeting.

–The commission approved provisions of a lease for the Braden Building, now completed downtown.  The lease is to run 10 years, From March 1, 2018, through March 1, 2028.

–The commission released its annual report for calendar year 2017.  You can find the report at this link.

The week of spring break is normally a quiet news period in Fishers.  However, there have been a few news items the past week worth mentioning, so here they are.

–This is one of those strange weather years where we have flooding and snow at roughly the same time.  It has been a brutal spring weather-wise but we have seen these very wintry spring times in the past.  Never fear, the warm weather has to come some time.

–There are plans to construct 31 town house units along 116th Street, near Holland Drive.  According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, a Florida based developer is going through the city approval process to get the proposal finalized.  This will give the residents in the new homes access to both Holland Park and downtown Fishers.  By the way, welcome to the new North of 96th reporter for the IBJ, Samm Quinn.  Read her story at this link 

–Last, but not least, spring break is over on April 9th.  If you have been ignoring the school area lower speed limits, be aware of lowering your speed based on the signs, and watch out for school buses and the youngsters getting off & on the those buses.

Steven Spielberg explores escaping to a virtual world in the year 2045 in his new film Ready Player One.  Adam & I review that film.  Also, we interview Whitney Roberts and Cynthia Foulke, winners of a Pigasus Pictures screenwriting contest.

A new 15-year contract paves the way for the creation of the Nickel Plate Express rail line.  According to my news-gathering partner, the Hamilton County Reporter, the new operating agreement between the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority and Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, Inc. will utilize 12 miles of rail line between Atlanta and Noblesville, beginning operations in late summer.

“This is huge step forward,” said Toni Dickover, president of the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, Inc. Board of Directors, in a news release. “Now, we can begin restoration of the track and finalize our late summer, fall and holiday schedule.”

The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, formed in 1994, manages the 37 miles of rail track from Tipton to 10th Street and the remaining track in Indianapolis. The track is owned by Fishers, Noblesville and Hamilton County, and the appointed representatives to the authority oversee all aspects of the rail line.

Improvements to the Arcadia Depot, downtown Atlanta and on the express’s passenger cars are under way. Delivery of the equipment is expected later this summer once track restoration is complete.