When you leave Fishers for a week, you miss a lot.  My wife Jane & I took a trip away from Fishers for a week, but we had two very good reasons to do so.  First, it was a chance for Jane & I to spend some time with our daughters Allison & Mary at Allison’s new home located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  After a few days there, we ventured about five hours west to see the gorgeous Black Hills, and take in some amazing places like Custer State Park and the Crazy Horse Memorial.

But the highlight of our excursion was seeing Mount Rushmore, a true treasure of our national park system.  It is impossible to understand the beauty and grandeur of this place without seeing it yourself.  No picture, film, video or written word can do it justice.

When Jane and I arrived home Thursday evening, I already had messages about the planned closure of the Gray Eagle Golf Course, near 126th Street and Brooks School Road, in Fishers.  I had everything confirmed Friday morning and it was my first order of business upon my return to write a story about that.  The course will remain open until the end of 2019 and the homeowners in that neighborhood and the city will be exploring the future of that land.

Here are a few local news items that I need to catch-up on upon my return:

— Fishers firefighters Martin “Marty” Devine and Recruit Jordan Allen graduated as Certified Paramedics from the IU School of Medicine Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) paramedic science program.

–One of my favorite Fishers events of the year is coming up on Friday, August 31st & Saturday, September 1st – the Blues Fest at the downtown  Nickel Plate Amphitheater.  This year’s Fest will also feature the grand opening of the newly-remodeled Amphitheater complex.  For more on the Blues Fest, use this link.

–The HSE School Board extended the contract for Superintendent Allen Bourff through June 30th, 2021.  The board also approved the process and timeline for grades kindergarten through 8th grade redistricting.  The final plan will receive a board vote in December.

–The Hamilton County Highway Department says Florida Road will be closed September 4th between Luxhaven Road and Martha Street for the rehabilitation of Bridge 192 over Fall Creek. The road is scheduled to be closed to all thru traffic and tentatively opening back up to traffic on or before Nov. 3.

–The Democrats in Hamilton County have been receiving more than their normal share of media attention lately because County Chairman Joe Weingarten has made it a priority to run more candidates for office this election year.  The latest piece comes from the Indianapolis Star…you can read Jonn Tuohy’s story at this link.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

In March of next year, Noblesville’s first major downtown redevelopment project is slated to begin. It involves construction of a $24 million mixed-use complex of commercial, residential and underground parking in the half-block north of Maple Avenue between 8th and 9th streets. News of the project was reported in Saturday’s Reporter.

The site was the location of some of the city’s most historic structures including the Wild Opera House, the first city hall, the second city hall and the Houston Hotel. Still standing, but scheduled to be removed, is the building housing the Holt Legal Group and Ayers Real Estate, which was home to Noblesville’s first telephone exchange.

What is interesting about the project is the fact that prior to the 1970s when a building was demolished, the remains were often simply pushed into the basement and covered with dirt, and in this case, asphalt for parking lots.

What historic remnants may be found when excavating for the new complex next spring? It’s hard to tell, but it will be interesting to see what all might have been buried from the opera house or the original city hall, for example.

The first city hall faced Maple midway between 8th and 9th. It was built in the post-Civil War period. It included space for the police and fire departments on the first floor and city council chambers on the second. The second city hall was built in 1954 facing 8th Street on the northwest corner of the site.

The real gem was the opera house, a three-story structure facing 9^th Street just south of Noblesville Elks Club. It was built in the early 1890s. It was upscale for the time with a 66-foot-wide stage. It was torn down about 1960 for a parking lot.

The Houston Hotel, also built in the late 1800s, was the city’s only hotel for many years. It was heavily damaged by fire in the 1980s and torn down for parking.

So, who knows what relics from Noblesville’s past may turn up in the excavation for the new building? We’ll try to let you know as progress gets underway.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

Wes Shealey, the longtime voice of the Fishers Tigers, received the Sagamore of the Wabash award. Shealey received the honor for his service to the Fishers community and his help in raising awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Shealey was honored by State Representative Todd Huston of Fishers.

The Sagamore of the Wabash award is the highest distinction in Indiana. “Sagamore” was a term used by native American tribes of Indiana (and other tribes of the northeastern United States) to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe whom the chief consulted for wisdom and advice. “The Wabash” refers to Indiana’s official state river.

According to in.gov, “”it [Sagamore of the Wabash] is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. Among those who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, politicians, ambassadors, artists, musicians, and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to our Hoosier heritage.”

Even while living with ALS, Shealey continues to serve the Fishers community. So many people have been inspired by his fight and his smile and positive attitude. Find him on Instagram, where he frequently posts about his hobby in photography.

Adam & I review Crazy Rich Asians….I review Black Klansman.  Our guest is John Armstrong from Pigasus Pictures, during his appearance at the Carmel Film Forum.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern dropped its first game of the season on Friday, falling to
North Central 31-13 at Reynolds Royals Stadium.

The Class 6A No. 10 Royals scored the first touchdown of the game on a pass from
Kody Sparks to Deandre Rhoads in the first quarter. The Panthers answered with a
touchdown, and the period ended with a 7-7 tie.

North Central scored again before halftime to lead 14-7. Southeastern opened
the third quarter with a Matt Harris touchdown, putting the Royals ahead 14-13
with 8:51 left. But the Panthers scored two more TDs in the third and did not permit HSE
another score.

“I think we just wore out in the fourth quarter,” said Royals coach Adam Morris.
“Defensively, I thought we played hard. Just got gassed at the end of the game.
Offensively, we had some series where we were going up-tempo and some good things
happened. But just too many three and outs, too many incompletions.”

Despite the loss, Morris saw several good things from his team.

“When we needed a stop defensively, we got one,” said Morris, who also liked that
his kids kept fighting in the game.

Southeastern is 1-1 and will begin Hoosier Crossroads Conference play next week at Avon.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers grabbed its first win of the season on Friday, taking care of Pike 31-14
in its home opener at Reynolds Tigers Stadium.

“We’re happy to win,” said Fishers coach Rick Wimmer. “We lost last week, didn’t
look very good and this was a huge win for us. It was kind of a game that we really felt
like we needed to get.”

Fishers put this game away early, scoring two touchdowns in the first two
minutes of the game. Mason McCartney caught a 12-yard pass from Jon Vore to get
the Tigers on the board, then HL Lewis ran the ball in from 33 yards seconds later. Jack
Phillips kicked the extra point after the second score, and Fishers led 13-0 – with 10
minutes left in the first quarter.

Lewis found the end zone again towards the end of the period, as his six-yard run
gave the Tigers their third touchdown of the game. Lewis then successfully converted a
two-point run attempt, and Fishers was up 21-0.

“I was pleased with our offensive line, very pleased with our defense, compared to
what we did last week. We didn’t tackle well at all last week. I thought we tackled really
well tonight.”

The Red Devils got on the board with a touchdown towards the middle of the second
quarter, but Lewis stopped any comeback possibilities by making a 69-yard TD run
late in that period. That gave the Tigers a 28-7 lead. Fishers then cruised through the
second half, allowing Pike only a third quarter touchdown.

Phillips kicked the extra point after Lewis’ second-quarter score, then booted a
25-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Lewis carried the ball 20 times, gaining 164 yards. Dylan Scalley helped out with 56
yards in 17 carries.

The Tigers are 1-1 and begin Hoosier Crossroads Conference play next Friday,
hosting Noblesville.

The weekly road construction report is shorter as the summer begins to wind down, but there is still plenty of work going on.

Here is the construction list for the work week beginning Monday, August 27th:

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NORTH STREET
The westbound lane of North Street between Lantern Road and Maple Street will be closed from Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26 for concrete replacement.

FLORIDA ROAD
Beginning on or after September 4, Florida Road between Luxhaven Road and Martha Street will be closed for the rehabilitation of Bridge 192 (Florida Road over Fall Creek) by the Hamilton County Highway Department. The road will be closed to all thru traffic and will tentatively reopen before November 3.

The intersection of 113th Street and Florida Road is closed for the realignment and construction of a new roundabout at the intersection. The closure is expected to last appropriately 90 days. See the Detour Map.

106TH STREET 
106th Street is closed to through traffic from Eller Road to Allisonville Road and from Allisonville Road to Hague Road for the 106th Street Infrastructure Project. 106th Street is also closed to through traffic between Hague Road and the Crosspoint Boulevard/Lantern Road roundabout. An updated project timeline and Detour Map are now available.

ALLISONVILLE ROAD
Closures will be in effect overnight this week, weather permitting, for storm sewer crossings. Beginning Tuesday, August 21 through Thursday, August 23, Allisonville Road will be closed from just north of 126th Street to 141st Street from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily. Traffic should detour down 126th Street and 141st Street to State Road 37. The road will reopen for traffic each morning by 5 a.m.

Road construction is in full swing along Allisonville Road. Traffic has been shifted to the east to allow for widening on the west side. Restrictions may be in place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and flaggers will be on site directing traffic, as necessary. Through September, all southbound left turns from Allisonville Road onto 126th Street will be prohibited. This is an active construction site with reduced speed limits. For more info on this project, view the Fact Sheet.

HOOSIER ROAD
There are periodic lane restrictions on Hoosier Road south of 116th Street while Hamilton County Highway Department completes the resurfacing and striping of Hoosier Road and 111th Street.

STATE ROAD 37
A public meeting was held on Tuesday, May 15 at the Delaware Township Trustee Office. The meeting presentation and updated information is available on the project’s new website. The State Road 37 improvement project is a $124 million joint project between Fishers, Hamilton County, Noblesville, and INDOT. Questions or concerns may be directed to SR37@rqaw.com.

The City of Fishers announced Friday that Tony Elliott will be leaving his job as Parks & Recreation Director, and his second-in-command, Sarah Lindquist, will be assuming the top job.  Elliott is leaving Fishers to take a job as Parks & Recreation Director in Santa Cruz, California.

Lindquist joined the Fishers Parks operation in February of this year.  During her time as Parks Department Assistant Director, she has has managed internal administrative operations locally and led department initiatives.

“Sarah has showcased strong leadership and tremendous strengths with department organization and strategy since joining our team,” said Mayor Fadness in a city news release. “She was integral in organizing and executing our inaugural Spark!Fishers festival this past summer, and has helped to implement a diverse lineup of recreation activities and events for our community over the past six months. This is an exciting time for our Parks & Recreation department, with a new website and the AgriPark and Geist Waterfront Park on the horizon. I look forward to where this new chapter of leadership takes us.”

Before coming to Fishers, Lindquist worked as manager of a  full-service community center at the City of Kirkland, Washington, Parks Department.  She has 15 years experience in the field of Parks and Recreation.

“It is an honor to be selected to continue to serve Fishers in this new role. Our parks, recreation activities, and events are essential to building community and a sense of place,” said Sandquist. “I look forward to collaborating with the community and continuing to grow our opportunities.”

Sarah Lindquist’s official start date for her new job is August 31st.

Two more candidates formally filed paperwork at the Hamilton Southeastern School Board. Matt Molter has filed in District 2…he had announced previously his intention to become a candidate.  In District 3, Jennifer Reardon McSoley will be the only challenger for incumbent board member Michelle Fullhart.

Here’s the full candidate lineup for the November school board election:

District 1
Bradley M. Boyer
Benjamin Elsbury
Joshua D. Richardson

District 2
Matt Molter
Janet Pritchett
Frank Whelan

District 3
Michelle Fullhart
Jennifer Reardon McSoley

District 4
Bradley L Banks
Julie Chambers

There has been much speculation about the future of Gray Eagle Golf Course in Fishers. Those living in the Gray Eagle neighborhood were informed this week that the golf course will cease operations at the end of calendar year 2019.

Mark Thompson, of RN Thompson Golf, tells LarryInFishers his company has been working with the city on the future of the golf facility, located near 126th Street and Brooks School Road.  However, Mr. Thompson says ceasing operations is in the “best interest of all parties at this time.”

The owner of the golf course will continue to work with the Gray Eagle Homeowners Association and Fishers city officials on the future of the golf course, but Mr. Thompson provided no more specifics.

iTown Church originally wanted to build their new building near the golf course, but nearby neighbors voiced concerns about how that might impact the future of the golf course.  iTown chose another location at 136th Street and Brooks School Road.

In a letter to Gray Eagle residents from Homeowners Association President Chris De Monclin, details are provided of a meeting involving golf course ownership, city officials and representatives of Gray Eagle HOA.  Suggestions of having the HOA take over the golf course were rejected because of the large dues increase, $300 per year at the outset for each homeowner, with city officials saying that would only be a temporary solution anyway.

Mr. De Monclin’s letter says the ownership would ask for $5 million in any sale of the golf facility, but cites a Ball State estimate putting the value of the golf course at about $1 million.

The HOA president praised efforts by Mayor Scott Fadness and City Councilors Brad DeReamer and Rich Block for their efforts to find a solution to the future of the Gray Eagle Golf Course property.  Based on the letter to residents, the city has no interest in buying or developing the property.  The likely outcomes, based on De Monclin’s letter, are closing the golf course at the end of 2019 with no buyer, or finding another use for the golf course property

“Councilmen DeReamer and Block, City staff, and I have been (and will continue to be) supportive of Gray Eagle HOA and its residents as they chart a path forward after being notified of the closure of Gray Eagle Golf Course,” Mayor Scott Fadness said in an e-mailed statement to LarryInFishers. “Fortunately, we have time on our side to make the right decision to allow for coordination between the City and the HOA on any potential future use to ensure residents are well represented in the process.”