Jason Taylor is the Director of Engineering for the City of Fishers and Hatem Mekky is the Assistant Director.  They both took time out and provided an update on road construction in and around Fishers for this podcast.

In February of 2016, I tried an experiment.  Podcasting was gaining interest, so I thought, why not get into the game myself?

So, I produced my first podcast, an interview with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, in February of 2016.  I have been producing podcasts on a fairly consistent basis ever since.

If you haven’t listened to my podcasts for a while, here’s a reminder of what I have to offer.

First, I try to post regular conversations with local people with something important to say.  Recently, there have been LarryInFishers podcasts about the upcoming Spark Fishers Festival, efforts to help businesses and residents when the big State Road 37 construction begins later this summer, and an interview with Sophie Foley, Fishers High School grad who won a second place prize from C-Span for her short documentary film on the Constitution and freedom of speech.  I even recorded a conversation with my wife Jane about our recent trip to New York City.  I have posted podcasts with political candidates and election officials, as well as others key to what is happening in and around Fishers.

Then there is the long-running podcast series I call the Arts&Fishers podcasts.  It consists mostly of film reviews, although I do occasionally review local arts events as well.  Lately, I have posted reviews on films such as Late Night and Rocketman,

Finally, there is the film review series with my podcasting partner Adam Aasen, which we call “Hamilton County Goes To The Movies.”  We started that podcast series in the summer of 2017, but needed to push the pause button in 2018.  I was preparing to travel the state teaching for Indiana University and Adam was about to become a father for the first time.  Adam was also a Carmel City Council candidate.  Adam’s beautiful daughter was born last December and he is enjoying his first Father’s Day as a dad himself.  He won the Republican nomination for the City Council seat in the May primary election.

Adam and I may have paused the podcast last fall but we decided to come back.  We may not post every week, but we will as film releases warrant.

So, check out my podcasts.  They are available a a variety of platforms where you can find podcasts.  I have had tens of thousands of “listens” (times were a person has listened to most or all of a podcast) since February of 2016.  I would appreciate you sampling what I have to offer.

Also, if you listen on iTunes, take a moment to rate the podcast and write a brief comment or two.  I would appreciate it.

Here are links to a few of the places where you can find my podcast.

Spotify 

Apple Podcasts

iTunes

Stitcher

Listen Notes

Soundcloud

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

When the Hamilton Southeastern baseball team began practices this week, coach Jeremy Sassanella noticed that there were “an awful lot of smiles” that day.

There’s a reason for all the Royal smiles: Southeastern is getting ready to play for a state championship. The Royals will play Columbus East for the Class 4A state title on Monday at Victory Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

“They’re focused and approaching the week with great anticipation, excitement, and pride,” said Sassanella, who guided the Royals to state in his first year as HSE’s head coach. Sassanella said he believes his players understand the task at hand, as well as what it means to be the first Southeastern team to go to the baseball state finals.

“These kids are living up the moment and enjoying the ride,” said Sassanella.

While Southeastern is making its first-ever appearance in the state finals, Columbus East will be playing at state for the fourth time. The Olympians also reached state in 1979, 1987 and 1989, back when four teams played at that level. Columbus East lost in the semi-finals each time, so the Olympians are making their first appearance in the championship game as well.

Columbus East is 25-4 for the season. The Olympians won their first seven games before falling to Brownsburg, then won six of their next seven contests before dropping consecutive games to Columbus North and Floyd Central.

Since then, Columbus East has won 12 straight games – six in the regular season, six in the tournament. The Olympians won a tough sectional at East Central by beating Shelbyville 1-0, Bloomington South 2-1 and Columbus North 5-3.

Columbus East picked up two more close victories at the Evansville Reitz regional, first squeezing past Jeffersonville 8-7 in 10 innings, then beating Castle 5-1 in the championship. The Olympians then won their first semi-state in 30 years, traveling to Mooresville and beating Avon 10-3.

Two batters in the Columbus East lineup are batting over .400. Senior Julian Greenwell averages .421, while junior Dalton Back hits at a .404 clip. Both have the most hits on the team with 40, while Back leads in runs batted in (35), runs scored (33), triples (five) and is tied for first with six home runs. Greenwell and junior Cole Gilley both have nine doubles, while senior Nash Murphy also has cracked six home runs.

Gilley is one of three solid pitchers for the Olympians, with a 7-1 record; he also leads the team in strikeouts with 86. Sophomore Cole Taylor is 8-0 with a 1.09 earned-run average, while sophomore Kaden Wise is 7-1 with an ERA of 1.63.

While the Royals haven’t been able to see Columbus East play in person, Sassanella said they were able to speak with several teams that took on the Olympians.

“They’ve got some very quality arms and have been stout offensively,” said Sassanella. “Have some quality wins on the year and we know they’re a very competitive bunch who plays with a ton of confidence.”

The same could be said of Southeastern, which comes into state with a 22-8 record. The Royals are on a 10-game win streak that includes a regular-season finale sweep of Franklin Central, which helped Southeastern clinch the Hoosier Crossroads Conference championship.

Playing at the Noblesville sectional, HSE beat North Central 7-0, Westfield 1-0 and Carmel 7-1 to win its first sectional title since 2015. The Royals then cruised to a win at the Lafayette Jefferson regional, overwhelming Fort Wayne South Side 14-0 and Fort Wayne Carroll 6-1.

Southeastern then won its first-ever semi-state championship by beating Mishawaka 4-2. In doing so, the Royals are now the fourth HCC team to play in the state finals over the past six years, joining Noblesville (2014), Zionsville (2016) and Fishers (2018).

“I’d confidently put our conference up against any conference in Indiana as the toughest out there,” said Sassanella. “The teams are full of high quality players and coaches year in and year out. The teams are well prepared, well rounded, and well coached. Having so much quality talent in Central Indiana and in the HCC helps in a big way come post season play.”

Senior Greyson Droste is the Royals’ leading hitter with a .410 average; he also leads the team in hits (34) and doubles (11). Droste shares the top spot when it comes to RBI with Matthew Buckingham, as both have 25. Jake Stout and Jake Huston lead in runs scored with 21 each.

On the mound, the Royals have two great pitchers. Michael Dillon is 9-1 for the season with a 2.12 ERA and 74 strikeouts, while Tyler Schweitzer is 8-2, with an ERA of 1.43 and a team-leading 87 strikeouts.

“We’ve obviously been very pleased with the efforts of our staff this year and their development over the season,” said Sassanella. “I’m most impressed with their composure and execution in a ton of big games. So much focus on kids these days with big arms and not enough on kids becoming pitchers.  I feel the most proud of how our pitching staff has executed their pitches and stayed composed against a gauntlet of our regular season schedule and post season journey. They’ve learned to compete at a high level which requires more than just being able to throw hard. They’ve also supported each other as a staff and done so with little regard for who gets the credit. They care for each other and just want to do their part to help the team win.”

After a long hiatus, Adam Aasen & I are back with the podcast series Hamilton County Goes To The Movies.  The podcast will be a periodic look at films available locally.

Several ongoing road construction projects continue this summer throughout the City of Fishers.  In addition, several road resurfacing projects will be underway in a number of local neighborhoods.

Here is the weekly listing of road construction projects, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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If you ever wanted to see a real astronaut live and in person, the Hamilton East Library in downtown Fishers will give you that opportunity on Monday, June 17th, at 7:00pm.

Dr. David Wolf will be on hand to speak of his many experiences exploring outer space.

There are no tickets required and you need not register.  Just come to the library Monday, June 17th at 7:00pm.

Emma Thompson has acting talent, as does MIndy Kaling.  Add in Kaling’s screenplay and you get a mixture that results in plenty of laughs.  My review of the film Late Night

The 2019 Spark Fishers Festival is coming soon.  This is the second year for the city-sponsored celebration.  I spoke with Sarah Sandquist and Stephanie Perry for a preview

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board has had its struggles in recent months, with a major controversy about the school nondiscrimination policy the latest and most dramatic.  Acting Board President Sylvia Shepler read a statement at the conclusion of Wednesday night’s board meeting, directly dealing with those struggles, by issuing an apology, saying “we can and will do better.”

The board said it has not upheld the school corporation’s normally strong reputation within the local community and around the state.  Shepler’s statement acknowledges.  “…it appears our actions have further divided and brought unnecessary criticisms from the media, our community, our staff and our students.  On behalf of the board, I want to apologize.”

“We do not want any student or staff to face harassment or discrimination,” the statement goes on to say. “In fact, our primary goal is to provide the best environment for every student to meet their highest potential. We desire to have the best working environment for our staff and are committed to supporting them as best we can.”

The statement also addressed divisions among the board members at times, saying not every decision will be unanimous, but need not be contentious.

“Our comments and discussions as we deliberate in the public are not the opinion or position of the board, but rather the process we use to reach the best end goal,” the statement says. “When we vote, the board speaks with its singular voice. The discussion should be behind us and our administrators and staff are provided guidance.”

The board also voiced support for the school district’s staff, citing the “tremendous work” they do each day.  The board thanked the HSE Schools employees “for your patience as we’ve struggled and stumbled in the past and again reiterate – we will do better.”

The full text of the statement is provided below:

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As the acting board president and on behalf of the HSE Schools board of trustees, I have a statement I’d like to make. During recent months we have been painfully reminded that our school board has not been acting nor upholding the strong reputation our schools hold within our community and around the state. Rather it appears our actions have further divided and brought unnecessary criticisms from the media, our community, our staff and our students. On behalf of the board, I want to apologize. If we cannot be unified and find ways to collaborate, then how can we expect something different from our staff and students? We can and will do better.

As a board and as individuals, we each love and care for every one of the 21,000 students and 2,500 employees of HSE Schools. We do not want any student or staff to face harassment or discrimination. In fact, our primary goal is to provide the best environment for every student to meet their highest potential. We desire to have the best working environment for our staff and are committed to supporting them as best we can. We have always and continue to believe that Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation is the best public-school system in the state of Indiana, and we will strive to keep it on top.

As a board of community members coming from diverse backgrounds, experiences and beliefs; we are aware that not every decision will be unanimous. However, they need not be contentious. We will do better in our efforts to listen and respect one another in order to best support our students and staff. We also want to reiterate the board speaks with a singular voice. Clearly there are 6 and soon to be again 7 voices that comprise the board. Each represents the community and has a valuable contribution to make. As we deliberate, we must respect and honor all ideas, positions, opinions. Our comments and discussions as we deliberate in the public are not the opinion or position of the board, but rather the process we use to reach the best end goal. When we vote, the board speaks with its singular voice. The discussion should be behind us and our administrators and staff are provided guidance.

Due to recent events, we also missed an important time to communicate with our teachers, administrators and support staff. We apologize for missing that opportunity and want to personally thank you for the tremendous work you do each day in serving our students. You are the heart and soul of HSE Schools and know that we are forever grateful for your servant heartedness. We thank you for your patience as we’ve struggled and stumbled in the past and again reiterate – we will do better.

To our community. I again remind you that each board member loves and cares deeply for each of your children. We want each to succeed and reach their full potential. We are honored and grateful for the trust and confidence that you have placed in our schools. We know you have choices and we thank you for choosing HSE Schools as the place to educate your children.

Thank you.

Sylvia Shepler

HSE School Board

Several new staff members were announced for the Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation’s administrative staff at Wednesday’s meeting.

Cecilie Nunn will replace retiring Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter.  Mrs. Nunn has worked for HSE Schools since October 1997, serving in two roles: Clerk of Accounts  Payable/Accounts Receivable and Director of Business. She has worked closely with the Chief Financial Officer to accomplish many important projects throughout the years.  Mike Reuter plans to retire at the end of the calendar year.

Chad Cripe was approved as the new HSE High School principal in May, but appeared before the board for the first time Wednesday.  He begins his new job July 1st.  Mr. Cripe has been serving as the principal at Tippecanoe Valley High School in Akron, Indiana. Tippecanoe Valley has nearly 600 students, grades 9-12.

Kim Lippe has been named Executive Director of Staff and Student Service at HSE Schools.  She has worked in several roles within the corporation, including four years as an Assistant Principal at Hamilton Southeastern High School, three years as an Associate Principal of the Hamilton Southeastern Freshman Center and the past four years as Principal of Fall Creek Junior High.

Marc Williams was approved last month as Assistant Principal of Fall Creek Intermediate.  He has been an educator for over a decade and came to HSE Schools in August 2015 as a resource teacher for the Department of Exceptional Learners at Fishers High School.  In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Williams has served as a member on school and district-wide Equity Teams.