by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

Don’t be fooled by the final score in Hamilton Southeastern’s Friday afternoon win over Carmel.

The Royals had to fight to get the victory against the Greyhounds, which was played in front of a nice-sized crowd at the Southeastern gym. It was a back-and-forth game for three quarters, but the Class 4A No. 7 Royals pulled away in the fourth period to win 52-36.

“We knew it was going to be a scrappy game,” said Southeastern coach Chris Huppenthal. “You’re not going to run away and hide from Carmel. It’s going to be hard to. Coach (Erin) Trimpe does a really good job. They’re a young basketball team. They got a lot of youth over there and we’re starting four seniors.”

The Greyhounds scored first in the game, with Bridget Dunn making a layin. The Royals answered by scoring the next 10 points, which included 3-pointers from Lauren Morris, Bailee Poore and Sydney Parrish.

That got HSE ahead 10-2 and established a pattern that held for most of the game. The Royals would make a run to build a comfortable lead, but Carmel would come right back and get within shouting distance.

“They got some really good players,” said Huppenthal. “Dunn was a real big presence inside in the first half.

The first quarter ended with Southeastern up 12-7. Parrish opened the second with a jumper, and baskets from Makayla Hinshaw and Parrish put the Royals ahead 18-9. Kate Clarke scored on a layup in between.

“The girl can score, she’s a great scorer,” said Huppenthal. “Their other kids, they’re good players.”

Emily Roper’s basket and a 3-pointer from Clarke cut HSE’s lead to 18-14, but Jackie Maulucci’s basket stopped that run. Dunn scored consecutive layins to get Carmel within 20-18.

“We’ve really been pushing her to do that,” said Trimpe. “Her inside presence is great. We’ve been getting on her about being physical inside and finishing through contact. So she’s getting good rebounds, putting herself in a good position. She’s a leader on the floor for us, and we’re just going to keep pushing her to be better.”

Parrish hit a jumper to end the half with the Royals ahead 22-18. As the third quarter began, Riley Pennington had some good minutes for the ‘Hounds, scoring the first basket of the period, then a layin that got Carmel within one point, at 25-24.

But Southeastern answered with a 9-0 run. Parrish scored six of those points, with Ryan Viele also making a 3-pointer. Morris had hit a 3 earlier in the period.

While his seniors have been stepping up like they always do, Huppenthal was pleased with how his younger players are coming along.

“Mikayla Hinshaw just keeps getting better and better,” said Huppenthal. “Lauren Morris is getting better with each game, gaining confidence shooting the ball. Ryan Viele comes off, hits a 3 for us in the second half. We got kids that continue to just grow into their roles and they’re getting better.”

Carmel made one last push late in the third quarter, getting the lead down to 36-32 after Dunn hit a layin. A putback from Parrish pushed Southeastern’s advantage back up to 38-32 at the end of the period.

The Royals’ defense then took over in the fourth, allowing the Greyhounds only four points. After Roper hit two free throws early in the period, the Royals finished the game on a 14-2 run. Morris and Parrish both made 3s; Morris totaled three 3-pointers for the game.

“I thought defensively, we played great,” said Huppenthal.

Parrish scored 31 points, with Morris totaling nine points. Maulucci and Parrish each collected four rebounds and Maulucci dished out four assists.

Dunn was Carmel’s top scorer with 15 points, and also led the rebounds with nine. Clarke collected seven rebounds and handed out four assists, with Hannah Lach also providing four assists.

“They just took us out of rhythm,” said Trimpe. “They were physical. They’re never out of position, they play hard, so that’s a tough team to play against and we have some adjustments to make from it.”

Southeastern is 7-1 and hosts Noblesville Wednesday in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game. Carmel is 3-3 and travels to Lawrence North on Tuesday for a Metropolitan Conference game.

Even though the holiday season is upon us, road construction in and around Fishers continues.

Look for a closure along part of Technology Drive in the coming days for the installation of a water line.  Also, watch for a closure along a part of 131st Street on December 3.

Good news for those impacted by State Road 37 lane restrictions…they should be lifted December 6th.

The work on Lantern Road and 96th Street continues.

Here is the full road construction list, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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STATE ROAD 37 
Lane restrictions continue on southbound SR37 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. Lane restrictions are expected to be lifted by December 6. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.

Adam Aasen and I have been keeping ourselves busy in recent months, but we both decided to take some time from our busy lives to record another film podcast.  We review The Irishman and a number of other films.

I will begin my tenth year of writing this blog in January and I have written a Thanksgiving Day commentary each year.  I have so much to be thankful for on a personal level I will not list them all.  Suffice it to say that in so many ways, I am a fortunate and blessed individual.

But the subject of this piece is all about you.  Yes, I am writing directly about you.

When I began this blog in 2012, I had no idea whether anyone would have any interest in reading the blog.  After all, there is so much material available on the Web, why would anyone bother to read a local news blog centered on Fishers, Indiana?

The only reason I started this volunteer project upon my retirement from the civil service was to find my volunteer niche with more time on my hands.  So I began attending town council and school board meetings locally.

Within a few weeks, people began approaching me because they had been reading the blog.  There were at least a few people reading, which told me something important – people want to know what is happening in and around their local community.

I just reviewed my analytics for this year, and the numbers are incredible.  This year, this site has over 103,00 views (number of times any person accessed my site) and more than 51,000 unique visitors (individual people accessing my site at least once during the year).  And the year is not over yet.

For a small volunteer operation that does a minimal amount of marketing, those numbers are special for me.  And that’s why I am writing this Thanksgiving message for 2019.

I want to thank you.  Whomever you are, you have done something special for me.  You think enough of my material that you have given me the honor of writing for you, and you have been kind enough to read what I am writing.

My thanks this Thanksgiving Day goes out to you for taking the time our of your busy existence to read my blog posts.  You are the only reason I have made this endeavor my retirement volunteer activity.

I love all the messages I receive from my readers, even when you complain about something I wrote or you are correcting me.  You are reading, and I am honored by the fact that you choose to read my blog.

While I’m at it, let’s talk about my podcasts.  They began in February of 2016 and continue to this day.  They consist of local interviews and discussions, along with the Arts&Fishers series of film and other arts event reviews.  I still produce an occasional film podcast with Adam Aasen in Carmel, Hamilton County Goes To The Movies.

I looked at my data on the podcasts, and over the past year, there have been more than 15,600 times when someone listened to most of all of one of my podcasts.  I had to look twice and verify that number but it is correct.  A very special thanks to my many podcast listeners.  If you don’t mind, take a moment some time and comment on my podcast on iTunes or whichever platform you use to access my podcasts.

So, this one’s for you.  My readers and listeners are special to me, even if you want to disagree with me.  After all, this is America and we are allowed to respectfully look at things differently.

I celebrated my 68th birthday a few months ago,  and honestly do not know how much longer I can write this blog and produce my podcasts. At least for now, my health and stamina are such that I plan to continue the blog and podcasts into 2020.

The only reason I continue to do all this volunteer work is because you read and listen.  And I thank each and every one of you.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Fourteen non-profit social service organizations will share nearly $4.4 million in county funds approved Monday by Hamilton County Commissioners. The annual allocations, payable after Jan. 1, are granted to agencies that perform services for the public.

The money supplements budgets of private groups whose work might otherwise have to be undertaken by local government. The County Council appropriated the funds to agencies that request assistance. Good Samaritan, which provides food and clothing to the needy, will receive $50,000. The Hope Family Care Center will get $15,000. Chauice’s Place, $30,000; Meals on Wheels, $10,000; Prevail, $180,000; Prime Life Enrichment, $240,000; The Shepherd Center, $40,000; Trinity Free Clinic, $74,000; and The Youth Mentoring Initiative, $10,000.

Organizations with county contractual agreements include Cherish Center getting $30,000 and Hamilton County Humane Society, granted $122,000.

Matching grants were approved for Janus Development’s Hamilton County Express public bus system operations fund for $386,095 and the Hamilton County Express capital fund for $33,720.

Aspire mental health service was allocated $2,284,432, which is mandated by state law, and Janus $775,000, also a statutory amount for handicapped development.

The Hamilton County Leadership Academy, Conner Prairie and Invest Hamilton County economic development project submitted applications but were not granted funds.

In other action Monday, Commissioners revealed they have received six responses to a Request for Proposals for a new parking garage in Noblesville planned along Clinton Street between 8th and 9th streets. The proposals will be reviewed with possible awarding at their next meeting.

The multi-level garage is part of a major city-county downtown redevelopment project announced earlier. It includes selling the county’s current parking lot south of Conner Street for a major mixed-use development. The deal includes the city paying the county $4.5 million for the Conner Street lot and giving the so-called Armory Lot on the north side of Logan Street to the county.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton released his findings Wednesday regarding the Indiana State Police’s investigation into the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office.

Eaton

“After a thorough investigation, we found insufficient evidence to prove that Hamilton County Chief Deputy Treasurer Kim Good’s parents were improperly permitted to make late property tax payments without paying late fees as required by law for those transactions,” said Eaton. “We did find that if any waiver of any late fee was granted over the years to anyone that it would not be a crime under Indiana Law.”

The report goes on to state that recordkeeping in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office is insufficient to determine if late fees were waived for property tax payments that were received after the due date. Eaton did conclude that as a result of the incomplete recordkeeping, it is possible that a payment could be received after the deadline and still be processed as an on-time payment.

“Simply put, even if there were a violation of the law, there is no provision in Indiana criminal law that makes this specific conduct a crime. Therefore, no criminal action can be taken to rectify the matter or hold anyone criminally accountable under the law,” said Eaton. “I reviewed every resource I could to determine if this action was criminal, and given the evidence, the answer is no.”

Eaton was appointed as Special Prosecutor in April by Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge Paul Felix at the request of Hamilton County Prosecutor D. Lee Buckingham II. Eaton was tasked with reviewing the Indiana State Police’s investigation into the Treasurer’s Office to determine if there was criminal activity taking place in the management of the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office.

Indiana Code 6-1.1-37-10 states that if property taxes are not completely paid on or before the due date, a penalty shall be added to the unpaid portion in the year of the initial delinquency. Under the law, Indiana Code 6-1.1-37-15 allows the Treasurer to waive, negotiate or settle penalties if a formal policy is presented to and approved by the Hamilton County Council. According to Eaton, there is no evidence that such policy for waiver exists, which means any waiver for Good’s parents or anyone else were unlawful.

According to the report, the scope of this investigation was limited to the processing of payments by the Treasurer’s Office, the records of those payments, any direct criminal act committed by any employee of the Treasurer’s office against any other employee of the Treasurer’s office during or because of employment with the Treasurer’s office, and truthfulness and honesty with investigators. It did not consider any other avenue of investigation of the office or personnel beyond those listed as it would have exceeded what was believed to be the jurisdictional scope allowed by the Judge’s order assigning a Special Prosecutor.

The report also concluded that there is no evidence that any employee of the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office was intimidated, harassed, or otherwise the victim of a criminal act. There is insufficient evidence to make a finding of criminal acts committed by employees of the Treasurer’s Office during or because of their employment with the Treasurer’s Office. The failure to maintain the records of when payments were actually received is not a crime that can be prosecuted under the law as it exists in Indiana.

Stoesz: Lack of crime doesn’t mean lack of wrongdoing

The criminal investigation that focused on the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office began after former county employee Susan Byer filed a lawsuit stating she was unjustly fired after making allegations of late property tax payment penalties not being charged to family members of Treasurer’s Office employees.

Stoesz

Byer is represented by Westfield-based attorney Tim Stoesz.

Stoesz issued the following statement on Wednesday after Special Prosecutor Brent Eaton released the findings in his investigation:

“Special Prosecutor Brent Eaton did a very good job. The report vindicates Susan’s allegation that the property tax payments of Kim Good’s parents were processed late, and not designated as late, allowing the late penalty to be waived. Just because a crime wasn’t committed doesn’t mean wrongdoing did not happen. We look forward to reading the Indiana State Police Investigation Report.”

The Fishers Police Department announced Wednesday that it has received a sixth consecutive accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  The department also says it has received the Meritorious Award for being an accredited agency for more than 15 continuous years.

Meritorious agencies receive an enhanced Certificate of Meritorious Accreditation, displaying a blue “Meritorious” ribbon and an inscription proclaiming their 15 or more years of accredited status.

Being accredited by CALEA consists of a four-year process measuring adherence to strict international guidelines of policing and organizational practices.  At the end of the fourth year, CALEA assessors visit the agency to review day-to-day operations of policies and procedures. After confirming compliance, observations of agency activities, and interviews, the Commission voted unanimously to award the Fishers its 6th award.

CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of the following law enforcement’s major executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers started its season Tuesday with a convincing win at Ben Davis, by the score of 71-58.

The Tigers led 20-16 after the first quarter, with Jeffrey Simmons pouring in nine points, and Alex Szilagyi adding seven. Both players were just getting started. Simmons added another nine points in the second period, and Fishers stayed ahead 34-20 at halftime.

Szilagyi hit a 3-pointer during the second, and he threw in two more triples in the third period. That helped the Tigers maintain a 51-48 advantage after three quarters. Fishers ran away with that final period, outscoring the Giants 20-10.

Four different players scored at least four points, including five more from Simmons.

The sophomore Simmons finished the game with 29 points, while Szilagyi added 22 points.

The Tigers are back in action next Tuesday at Muncie Central.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern got off to a good start in its season-opening game, and that led the Royals to a 70-46 victory over visiting Muncie Central on Tuesday.

Southeastern led 16-4 after the first quarter and held a 30-20 advantage at halftime. The Royals outscored the Bearcats 18-8 in the fourth period and had three players reach double figures in the game.

Mabor Majak led the way, earning a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds, in addition to two blocked shots.

Kole Hornbuckle added 15 points, and DeAndre Rhodes had a solid game with 10 points and six assists. Sam Jacobs handed out four assists.

Southeastern travels to Mason, Ohio on Saturday to play another Ohio school, Hilliard Bradley, as part of a tournament.

The Fishers City Council took action Tuesday night to approve next steps for three economic development projects.

The council approved Economic Revitalization areas, moving forward with the Hub & Spoke, as well as the Sitel projects.  The council also approved the first amendment to the economic development agreement with Nickel Plate Station.

Hub & Spoke is under construction on 106th Street near I-69 & the planned Nickel Plate Trail.  It will be a center for the construction industry, with training programs for those aspiring to work in the construction trades.

Sitel is a customer service company, planning on bringing 350 jobs to Fishers with a location at 121st Street and Cumberland Road.

Nickel Plate Station is planned to be a mixed-use development north of 116th Street in the downtown area of Fishers.

In other city council items:

–The accounting firm BKD has given the city a “clean opinion” in a recently-concluded audit, according to Councilman and Finance Committee Chair John Weingardt.  The city several years ago chose to use a private accounting firm audit instead of using the State Board of Accounts.

–Hamilton County Council President Brad Beaver and incoming President Rick McKinney stopped by the city council meeting as a courtesy.  Beaver briefly talked about the upcoming construction on State Road 37.  McKinney touched on the work coming at 146th Street and State Road 37.

–The council gave final approval to the Non-Profit Committee recommendations on city grants to local organizations.  The following received the final go-ahead:

Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program – $65,250
Youth Mentoring Initiative – $64,707
Janus Development Services – $15,043
Conner Prairie Museum – $100,000
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation – $10,000

–Fishers Firefighter Brian Reeves was honored for 20 years of service.