The Fishers Police Department will hold a memorial service for K-9 Harlej at the Fishers High School main gymnasium Wednesday, November 20th. Doors open a 5pm, there will be displays and a slidshow available until the main ceremony begins at 6pm. The final part of the memorial is scheduled to be outside, which is weather-dependent.
K-9 Harlej died of a gunshot wound while chasing a suspect in the Saxony area last Wednesday.
I grew up with auto racing all around me in Indianapolis. So this film should be one that connects with local audiences – Ford vs. Ferrari. It’s all about competition on the sports car famed race track in LeMans, France. Here is my review.\
Hamilton County Reporter
An investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police into allegations of alleged misconduct in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office is now entering its 11th month.
In December of last year, the Hamilton County Commissioners contacted the Indiana State Police after allegations became public of the Treasurer’s Office not charging late tax payment penalties to family members.
Eaton
Nearly four months into the investigation Hamilton County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham requested a Special Prosecutor be assigned to the case.
The request indicated Buckingham felt the appointment was necessary to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
Buckingham’s request was granted by Hamilton County Judge Paul Felix in April of this year. Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton was assigned to oversee the investigation for a court-ordered six-month period.
Now, six months into his assignment, Eaton requested and was granted an additional 60 days to continue his role in the investigation.
In September, Prosecutor Eaton told the Reporter, “I’m hoping things wrap up soon, but I want to be fair, complete and accurate, however long that takes.”
by
Fred Swift
Hamilton County Reporter
Narcan, now available to the general public, is credited for a slight reduction this year in the number of Hamilton County deaths attributed to dangerous opioid drug overdoses.
The county coroner’s office says there have been 20 opioid-related deaths so far in 2019 compared with 22 at approximately the same time last year.
Narcan is a medication used to quickly block the effects of opioids.
It is carried by police and first responders, and is now available at pharmacies.
Overall Hamilton County deaths from drug overdoses are down from 38 last year to 26 so far this year. Heroin, meth and other drugs account for the non-opioid fatalities.
Dangerous and illegal drug use remains a serious problem locally and nationally. A majority of fatalities involve younger males, although some older men and women have been among the victims.
In another attack on the crisis, Deputy Coroner Mark Epperson says the county Drug Task Force is now doing consulting with users, trying to curb fatalities.
by
Richie Hall
Sports Editor
Hamilton County Reporter
After four games, things have been going rather well for the Fishers girls basketball team.
The Tigers have won all four of their games, including an easy Wednesday victory over Anderson, 79-49 at the Tiger Den. Fishers’ early-season success hasn’t gone unnoticed, as the Tigers came into the ICGSA Class 4A rankings at No. 8 this week.
Everyone has been contributing to the team, both veteran players and young ones. Of course, the seniors set the tone, and Fishers coach Lauren Votaw is pleased with how her 12th-graders are leading the way.
“I’m going to credit our seniors with doing a phenomenal job of setting the tone and setting the culture of this idea of putting the team before yourself,” said Votaw. “They get so excited when their teammates succeed. We’ve talked a lot about that, and a lot about that being an important part of being a great team. And so hopefully that continues.”
Fishers slowly worked its way to a 16-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, with senior Kaitlynn Feagan hitting a pair of 3-pointers along the way. Another bright spot was freshman Olivia Smith, who had six points. Smith and her twin sister Hailey Smith have been solid for the Tigers during their first few high-school games.
“And they work extremely hard and they’re very coachable,” said Votaw. “They’re well-liked by their teammates. It’s been a very smooth transition for them overall.”
The Tigers then blasted off to a 44-24 lead by halftime. Junior Katie Burton took over in that period, scoring 15 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Burton had one basket in each of the other three quarters, giving her a team-leading 21 points for the game.
Six different players scored in the second period, but Fishers did better in the third quarter, with seven players getting in the scorebook. Senior Tamia Perryman led the way in that period with seven points, on her way to 10 for the night.
“It’s good,” said Perryman. “We’ve got a lot of stuff to still work on, but right now we’re good.”
Perryman has committed to play at Marian University next year.
“It felt like home when I went for my visit,” she said.
The Tigers led 65-34 after three quarters, and held the lead around that margin during the fourth period. The bench players got the chance to play, and they had some good minutes: Sophomore Kaiya Walker had four points, with junior Jordan Imes and sophomore Charlotte Gaffin both getting two.
“I don’t know if I would say it’s been a surprise, but it’s been one of the top positives from the first four games of our season is the depth that we have, especially just at that guard position, that ability to bring in guards that can handle the basketball and defend is so valuable,” said Votaw.
Feagan joined Perryman with 10 points, while both Hailey and Olivia Smith scored nine points each. Burton collected six rebounds, with Olivia Smith and Lydia Stullken both getting five rebounds.
Audra Emmerson had eight points for the Tigers, while Stullken and Shae Shaffer rounded out the scoring with two points each – 11 different players scored for Fishers.
Fishers will travel to Northwest Indiana on Saturday to compete in the Lake Central Classic, where the Tigers will take on the host Indians in a morning game and Valparaiso in an afternoon contest.
Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 as a promotion by American Express. It has taken on a life of its own and is now an annual event the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Shop Fishers is the local iteration of Small Business Saturday, with over 60 local businesses taking part.
Also, the City of Fishers will once again present an impressive Christmas light display between City Hall and the Amphitheater.
I spoke with Stephanie Perry and Kara Hall, both with the City of Fishers, about Shop Fishers and plans for the Christmas season, for the podcast you will find below.
The Hamilton Southeastern Schools will close November 19th, allowing local teachers to participate in the Statehouse event, “Red for Ed.” The Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) is sponsoring the day at the Statehouse, aimed at advocating for higher teacher salaries, an improved performance evaluation system and a more realistic professional development program.
Hamilton Southeastern Education Association President Janet Chandler says 300 HSE Schools teachers had planned on taking a personal day before the Wednesday night’s announcement at the school board meeting.
There is no official decision on when there will be a make-up day, but Superintendent Allen Bourff says he intends to recommend January 6th. The final decision on a make-up day will be up to a school board vote.
I have covered police departments many times in my journalistic career and the culture of looking out for each other is very important within the public safety community. Any police officer will tell you that a K-9 unit is part of that family of public servants. The dogs become a part of the department and the police officer’s family.
That’s why Fishers Police and the entire local community have been saddened by the death of K-9 Harlej at the age of 5 years. Harlej died in the line of duty, trying to stop a suspect and died.
It all happened just after midnight early Wednesday morning. A Fishers officer attempted to stop a Cadillac passenger car traveling northbound on Interstate 69 in the city of Fishers. The driver refused to stop and exited the interstate onto Southeastern Parkway. A pursuit of the vehicle ended near the intersection of 131st Street and Olio Road. The driver ran from the car while the female passenger was taken into custody. Officers established a perimeter and an extensive manhunt began.
During the search for the suspect, a Fishers K-9 Officer saw the suspect. According to police, the suspect refused commands to stop and K-9 Harlej was deployed. Shortly after, the officer heard a gunshot and K9 Harlej went missing. After several hours the suspect was taken into custody. He was transported to an area hospital where he received medical treatment for a minor leg injury. Both suspects were transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident.
According to a news release from Fishers Police, Harlej was later found with a fatal gunshot wound.
The driver of the vehicle involved has been identified as Richard D. Garrett Junior, 19 of Indianapolis. He faces a long list of charges, including several felonies.
Police say his passenger was Rashaana L. Farrow, 19, also of Indianapolis. She is charged with one misdemeanor and also has warrants for her arrest in Marion County.
Both were booked into the Hamilton County Jail.
Several area law enforcement agencies responded to assist Fishers Police.
If anyone wishes to make a donation in Harlej’s honor, you may do so with the Fishers Police Foundation at this link, or visit police headquarters in person
Back in March of this year, Cunningham Restaurant Group announced Rize Restaurant’s second location would be opening at The Yard. Rize is now open at The Yard location. Rize offers breakfast and lunch at the Fishers location.
The first Rize opened at the Ironworks Hotel on the north side of Indianapolis in 2017.
“Cunningham Restaurant Group is proud to introduce one of our newest restaurant concepts to the Fishers market,” Mike Cunningham, CEO and founder of CRG, stated in a Cunningham news release. “We look forward to being a part of Fishers District and joining the other great businesses in Fishers.
Cunningham has 30 locations in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky,
Two new board members have been added to the local nonprofit organization, the Fishers Youth Assistance Program (YAP). Real estate attorney Carolina Rashidfarokhi and community volunteer Denise Retzner were each approved unanimously to three-year terms.
Rashidfarokhi is CEO of CP Investments LLC, a local real estate investment company. She has lived in Fishers for five years with her husband, Peyman, and two children. Retzner, who has volunteered with a number of community, religious, educational and sports organizations, is an 18-year resident of Fishers. She and her husband, Rodney, have four sons who have either graduated or are attending Hamilton Southeastern High School.
“We are so excited to welcome Carolina and Denise to our growing board,” FYAP Board President Leah McGrath said in a YAP news release. “They both bring a wealth of talents and energy to the important work of our early intervention advocates and community donors and volunteers. We believe they can bring new ideas to help our organization connect families to important resources when they are in crisis.”
Fishers YAP works with local school officials and other organizations to help young people in need.