Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers beat Hamilton Heights 41-33 in a hard-fought, all-county game Wednesday at the Tiger Den.

The Class 4A No. 5 Tigers led 10-6 after the first quarter, with Audra Emmerson scoring five of Fishers’ points.

Freshman Olivia Smith stepped up in the second period, adding another five points and helping the Tigers to a 23-12 halftime lead. Meanwhile, the Huskies’ Bayleigh Runner hit a 3-pointer in each of the first two quarters.

The third period was a low-scoring one, but Fishers was still in front, 31-19, at the end of that quarter. Emmerson added two more 3s, while Runner scored five points. The Huskies made a run in the fourth period, at one point getting the lead below five. But the Tigers finished the game solidly from the free-throw line, making 10 of 14 attempts.

“The free-throw line was our friend,” said Fishers coach Lauren Votaw. She was happy with the win, and “especially a win in that fashion,“ she said.

“Hamilton Heights did a great job,” said Votaw. “They had an excellent game
plan coming in and Runner was who she is. The kid’s phenomenal. She was bigtime when they needed her to be big-time and other kids hit shots.”

Emmerson led the Tigers with 17 points, including three 3-pointers.

“She worked really hard in the off-season, especially on that 3-point shot,” said
Votaw. “I thought she was very steady tonight, consistency. She kept her cool
under pressure and also was shooting it really well.”

Katie Burton had seven rebounds to go with her six points.

Runner drained five 3-pointers, finishing with 19 points. She also collected six
rebounds. Jillian Osswald added seven points, and she and MyKayla Moran both
pulled three rebounds.

“I’m super proud of our locker room, super proud of our girls,” said Heights coach Keegan Cherry.  “We had a game plan coming in and I thought we executed that really well.
We’re in position to win the ball game late.”

The coach was also pleased that his team limited its turnovers, with only eight
for the game.

“Our guard play was fantastic in controlling turnovers,” said Cherry.

Fishers is still perfect at 10-0 for the season and will play Saturday afternoon
at Bishop Chatard. The Huskies are 4-4 and host Norwell, also on Saturday afternoon.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers improved to 2-0 on Tuesday after a road win at Muncie Central, 63-53.
The Tigers led 15-14 after the first quarter, with sophomore Jeffrey Simmons pouring in 12 points. Fishers took control in the second period, scoring 21 points to lead 36-24 at halftime. The Tigers drained four 3-pointers in that period, including two from Alex Szilagyi.

The Bearcats were held to 10 points in the second quarter, but turned the tables in the third quarter, holding Fishers to 10 points and getting within 46-43 by the end of the period. Simmons scored eight points in the third.

The Tigers clamped down on defense in the fourth and were able to pull away in that quarter. Szilagyi threw in another 3 while scoring nine points, and Simmons added another six.

Simmons scored 32 points for Fishers, with Szilagyi draining three 3s on his way to 18 points. Bryce Williams, Justin Long and Charlie Smith also hit 3-pointers.

The Tigers are 2-0 and host Noblesville on Friday. It will be Fishers’ first home game of the season and its opener for Hoosier Crossroads Conference play.

Hamilton County Reporter

Rick Wimmer is retiring as the head football coach at Fishers High School.

Wimmer told his players about his retirement Monday afternoon, and news spread outside of the high school soon after. Wimmer had coached the Tigers since the school re-opened in 2006.

“I just felt like it was the right time,” said Wimmer, who was already a highly-accomplished coach by the time he came to Fishers. But just by getting the opportunity to start the program, that gave Wimmer the chance to fulfill a dream.

“That was one of the things that was most attractive about the job. I was one of
those guys that always dreamed of starting a football program,” said Wimmer.

Fishers quickly became a force in Indiana high school football. The Tigers played their first varsity season in 2006 without any seniors, and finished the regular season 0-9. “We were in a couple games and had chances,” said Wimmer.

But Fishers got its first-ever win in that year’s sectional, beating Kokomo 33-7.

The very next season (2007), the Tigers picked up their first Hoosier Crossroads
Conference win, and Fishers won the first of its four HCC championships in 2009.

“Our first conference championship in 2009 was certainly a high point,” said Wimmer. The Tigers also won HCC titles in 2010, 2013 and 2017.

The biggest title of all came in 2010, when Fishers won the Class 5A state championship. The Tigers beat Lawrence Central 38-19 in that game. It made Wimmer only the fourth coach in Indiana high school football history to win state championships at two different schools.

Overall, Wimmer compiled a record of 99-61 at Fishers. In addition to their 2010 state title run, the Tigers also won sectional championships in 2013 and 2017.

Wimmer’s first state title came in 1987, during his fifth year as the coach at Zionsville. Wimmer got his head coaching start with the Eagles in 1983, after five seasons of being an assistant coach at Rushville. At Zionsville, Wimmer went 44-12 and coached teams that won three Rangeline Conference and two sectional titles, plus had three undefeated regular seasons.

Wimmer also had nine-season stops at Merrillville (1988-96) and Greenwood (1997-2005).

At both schools, Wimmer’s teams won two conference championships and at least one sectional title, and he also won a regional title at Merrillville in 1992. Wimmer’s overall coaching record is 263-144.

Prior to coming to Fishers, Wimmer noted that he had never been at any school longer than nine years.

“Obviously this was a good place for me,” said Wimmer. He plans to stay on as a physical education teacher at Fishers High School.

“Coach Wimmer ends his 37th year of guiding student-athletes through the lessons of leadership, perseverance, and teamwork,” said Fishers athletic director Rob Seymour.

“Fishers HS would like to thank Coach Wimmer for his commitment to the Tigers and his passion for the game of football.”

In addition to the victories and championships, Wimmer is also happy to see his former players go on to have success in college, and then after college in other fields. He also enjoys hearing from players who come back and let him what’s going on in their lives.

“That’s probably the most rewarding part of it,” said Wimmer.

I have never met or spoken with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.  He has appeared in Fishers on a few occasions and I have covered those events, but that’s the closest I have been to our state’s chief executive.

A Morning Consult poll released in July shows Holcomb with a 50% approval rating among registered voters and a 22% disapproval rate.  The most interesting result from that poll shows about 28% of Hoosiers either don’t know much about the governor or have no opinion about him at all.

I believe more people in Indiana will be getting to know Holcomb for a reason the governor will not like.  He has done something I cannot recall any Indiana governor doing in my lifetime – seek a cease and desist order against a news organization.

If you haven’t been following the story, a news organization named Reveal, which is part of the Center for Investigative Reporting, published a story about the state’s handling of worker safety issues at an Amazon location in Indiana.  The Indianapolis Star published that story by Reveal.

If the governor has issues with the story, he has ways of getting that point across.  To say the journalists must cease and desist reporting this story is wrong in just about every way.

Reveal and the Center for Investigative Reporting are solidly standing behind the story as reported.  The Center for Investigative Reporting has a stellar reputation for checking out stories and ensuring accuracy before anything is published.

The Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists sent a letter to Governor Holcomb dated December 3rd.  The letter makes the case better than I ever could.  So, please read this open letter to the governor, which I believe states the issues involved clearly and succinctly:

=============

Honorable Eric J. Holcomb
Governor of Indiana
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Dear Gov. Holcomb:

The Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists takes exception to your call for the Indianapolis Star and Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting to cease and desist reporting stories about your administration’s handling of worker safety investigations at Amazon facilities in Indiana.

Our organization, which represents professional journalists throughout Indiana, feels this move is a threat to press freedom.

According to Article I, section 9 of the Indiana Constitution: “No law shall be passed restraining the free interchange of thought and opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write, or print, freely, on any subject whatever: but for the abuse of that right, every person shall be responsible.”

In our view, your cease-and-desist letters, issued on Nov. 29, are designed to intimidate reporters and journalists looking into your administration. The letters also add to the overall climate in the nation that looks to undermine the credibility of journalists and media outlets.

Although you might not agree with the contents or conclusions of the report in Reveal and the Indianapolis Star, an unusual call by your office for a cease-and-desist order against the media could chill efforts to report an ongoing story.

Indiana Pro SPJ stands behind the efforts of local and national journalism outlets to report issues of public importance and hold leaders accountable. If there are disputes over accuracy, there are ways to address those concerns without issuing a cease-and-desist order.

Indiana should set an example for the rest of the nation to follow when it comes to press freedom. Our officers would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss this issue further.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors
Indiana Professional Chapter
Society of Professional Journalists

For more information, please contact:

John Russell, chapter president

Michael Puente, chapter vice president

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District is looking into the future of two elementary buildings – Durbin and Fishers Elementary.  Superintendent Allen Bourff told the school board Tuesday morning that the first priority is to determine the size of the new building planned to replace Durbin, then turn attention to Fishers Elementary on Lantern Road, just south of downtown Fishers.

Bourff laid out numbers that show overcrowding at some elementary buildings, and pointed out that redistricting, if the board even considered that as an option, would not be the answer.  The new elementary building replacing Durbin is expected to be constructed on 40 acres of land recently purchased by HSE Schools at 156th Street and Boden Road.  Bourff says the new building is proposed to have 300 more seats for students than the normal elementary student count.

Durbin Elementary cannot be expanded at the current site due to a lack of water and sewer service at that location.  The school corporation says it will keep the Durbin building for other purposes.

Portable classrooms will be required at six elementary buildings in the 2020-2021 school year due to overcrowding.  Superintendent Bourff says the elementary schools expected to utilize portables include Southeastern, Thorpe Creek, Sand Creek, Brooke School Road, Hoosier Road and New Britton.

After expressing the need to have a Durbin replacement building of additional size, Bourff turned his attention to Fishers Elementary, which is a building showing its age, located in a small portion of land.  Although not as urgent as the Durbin situation, Dr. Bourff says the board will be grappling with the future of that building, at the current site or another location.

Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter says the school system will adhere to a commitment made in 2013, when voters passed a referendum authorizing construction of the College & Career Academies at both high schools, to keep the tax rate steady.  No tax rate increase is expected to finance the new elementary to replace Durbin or any action needed for Fishers Elementary.

The board held a public hearing Tuesday and no one chose to speak.  Another public hearing will be held at the next regular board meeting December 11th and the board will vote on creating the option of dealing with the Durbin and Fishers Elementary situations.

In other news from the Tuesday morning work session:

–Executive Director of Secondary Education Teaching and Learning for HSE Schools, Matt Kegley, presented the board with new high school course offerings for the 2020-2021 school year.  Kegley talked about a few of the new classes, including Agribusiness Management, Analytical Algebra for students not planning a 4-year college career, and a Medical Assisting class conducted with J. Everett Light Career Center.  The Medical Assisting class will be taught at a local high school, so no student will be required to drive to North Central High School.  For a full list of the new classes, use this link.  The board unanimously approved the new courses

–The board approved salary structures for administrative and non-certified staff, now that the contract with the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (representing the teaching staff) has been ratified.

–Finally, the board passed a plan distributing roughly $802,000 from the state in teacher appreciation grant money.  Teachers evaluated as effective or highly effective receive a share of the funds.

LarryInFishers has learned that Fishers High School Football Coach Rick Wimmer plans on retiring from coaching.

HSE Schools Spokesperson Emily Abbotts has confirmed that Wimmer will retire from coaching only.

Coach Wimmer has been the head coach at Fishers since the school opened in 2006 and his accomplishments include a record of 99-61 (overall 263-144), a 2010 Class 5A State Championship, three Sectional Championships (’10, 12, ’17), and four Hoosier Crossroads Conference Championships (’09, ’10, ’13, ’17).

Todd Huston was first elected to the Indiana House in 2012.  Soon, you will be addressing him as Speaker Huston.

The Indiana House Republican caucus voted Huston as speaker-elect Monday.  Current Speaker Brian Bosma will continue in the Speaker’s Chair for the 2020 session.  Huston is expected to take the gavel after the session is over, according to Indianapolis Business Journal Statehouse reporter Lindsey Erdody.

Bosma has served longer than any other Indiana Speaker.

Huston served as co-chair of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee in the last legislative session.  That panel was instrumental in fashioning the state’s two-year budget, and was heavily involved in gambling issues, such as Terre Haute’s proposed new casino and the introduction of sports wagering in Indiana.

His district covers the City of Fishers.

You can read Lindsey Erdody’s IBJ story at this link.   (Note:  You may be limited on the IBJ stories you can access if you are not a subscriber)

Fishers Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath is about to leave her job at City Hall, but seeks another job, this one in the Indiana Statehouse.

Ms. McGrath announced Monday she will be a candidate to succeed current House Speaker Brian Bosma in the upcoming 2020 election.  Bosma has announced he will not seek re-election.

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 and has a very simple and direct purpose – remember nonprofit groups doing outstanding work in your local community.

This is a friendly reminder to all my readers that we have a wealth of outstanding charitable organizations in the Fishers area.  I would ask that you remember them on Giving Tuesday and make a contribution.

I would list all the local nonprofit groups deserving you support this Giving Tuesday, but I would run the danger of leaving-out one or more.  So, I am leaving it up to you.

Think about a local tax exempt organization locally that you know about or have had any dealings with.  Remember that organization Tuesday.

Or, just peruse social media.  There will be plenty of reminders for the many groups running promotions on Giving Tuesday.

I think Giving Tuesday is a great idea.  Now, consider a local group and contribute this year!

Leah McGrath has been a deputy mayor in Fishers since 2015, and will be leaving public service later this month as she assumes a position in the private sector.  She will be heading to Knowledge Services, a firm that will be building its headquarters in Fishers.

McGrath was mentioned as a possible candidate for the 5th District congressional Republican primary next year, but decided not to pursue that office.

As Ms. McGrath departs, speculation is rampant as to who may replace her.  That guessing game may all be for naught.  Mayor Scott Fadness tells LarryInFishers he does not plan to replace Leah McGrath.

There is one more deputy mayor on Fadness’ staff now, Elliott Hultgren.  The mayor is signaling that he may go back to having just one deputy mayor.

There is precedent for reorganizing his staff rather than replace a key top employee.  When Tom Dickey left his post as Community Development Director, Fadness chose not to replace Dickey.  Instead, he reorganized the staff he had on board at the time.

So, look for some shuffling of the mayor’s top staff, but no replacement for the departing Leah McGrath.