There have been rumors for over a year that Shake Shack would become a part of the Fishers District development along 116th Street east of I-69.  Kurt Christian of the Indianapolis Business Journal got it confirmed today, the restaurant plans a location opening in Fishers during late 2020.

For the full IBJ story, use this link  

(NOTE:  your access to the story may be limited if not an IBJ subscriber…..as always, I encourage people to subscribe to your local media outlets)

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

Whenever Curt Funk and his family drove down Interstate 69 to Indianapolis, he would see the facilities at Fishers High School in plain view of the highway – including, of course, the Tigers’ football field.

Funk had been the coach at Mississinewa High School for 10 years and had developed a solid championship program there. But when the Fishers position became open after the retirement of Rick Wimmer, Funk knew he had to take a chance.

“You hear all these good things about the school system and high school,” said Funk. “I felt like when it was open, I had to apply and give it my best shot to get the job.”

On Wednesday, Funk’s best shot paid off, as he was hired as the Tigers’ new head football coach. The announcement was made at the Hamilton Southeastern Schools board meeting, where Fishers principal Jason Urban gave Funk a warm welcome, and athletic directors Rob Seymour and Jim Brown were there by his side, along with Funk’s wife Janette.

Urban noted that the interview process was a rigorous one, which drew some smiles and chuckles from those in attendance. But Funk welcomed the process, saying that he would’ve expected nothing less.”

“That way they found the best fit for them, because I think that’s the important thing with any school when they’re hiring a teacher and a coach is that they find the best fit for their school,” said Funk.

“And with them doing their homework, they have confidence in me that I’m the best fit for their school, and so that’s why I’m excited to work here, with the administration.”

Funk has a solid track record as a coach. During his 10 seasons at Mississinewa, the Indians have compiled a record of 77-36, and had winning campaigns for nine consecutive years. Mississinewa has had at least 10 wins over the last four seasons, sectional titles in 2017 and 2019, going 11-2 in the latter season.

Funk served as the defensive coordinator for the 2017 North All-Star team and has been the head wrestling coach for the Indians for the past four years. Prior to his years at Mississinewa, Funk was also an assistant coach at Mooresville (2006-10), Muncie Southside (2005-06) and Bluffton (2003-05).

“With a winning record over the past nine seasons, Coach Funk has proven himself as a successful football coach,” said Seymour. “However, what really excites us about Coach Funk is his dynamic personality and his passion for the success of his student athletes.”

Fishers has been a remarkable story in football since the school re-opened in 2006. With Wimmer leading the way from day one, the Tigers had winning records in 11 of their 14 seasons, three sectional championships and a state title in 2010. Funk said Wimmer has laid an “awesome foundation” at Fishers, calling him a top-notch coach.

“The challenge is to build on that success, for sure,” said Funk, who will teach in the physical education department at Fishers High School. He graduated from Purdue in 2003 with a BS in Industrial Technology Education and holds a K-12 certification in physical education.

Funk said he will be meeting with the players today (Thursday) during their lunch periods.
His official start date is Feb. 24, but he is ready to meet his new team.

“I’ve been watching them on film,” said Funk. “I know them by their numbers and their names on the roster, but I’m excited to see their faces tomorrow.”

Funk graduated from Bluffton High School in 1999, where he was on the football team. He was also a standout wrestler, qualifying for the state meet during his junior and senior years. Funk finished third in the state at 152 pounds in his junior year, and won sectional and regional titles both seasons, moving up to 160 his senior year. He was also a regional qualifier at 152 his freshman and sophomore seasons.

In fact, Curt and Janette Funk’s oldest son Kyler, a senior at Mississinewa, has followed in his father’s wrestling footsteps. Kyler is a four-time semi-state qualifier, and made it to the state meet during his sophomore year at 182, winning a sectional title as well.

This season, Kyler has already won sectional and regional championships at 195, and will compete in the New Haven semi-state on Saturday. Curt and Janette have another son, sixth-grader Camden.

The snowy weather may have dampened the crowd a bit for Thursday morning’s annual Fishers YMCA fund-raising event, but the Y was still able to meet the event’s goal.  More than $25,000 was contributed by those attending the breakfast.

Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Bill Brooks, one of just a handful of names on the Colts “ring of honor” at Lucas Oil Stadium, was keynote speaker and told the story of how the YMCA impacted his young life.

He grew up in the tough Boston neighborhood of Roxbury and his parents placed young Bill Brooks in the local YMCA.  He admitted that, at first, he resisted going to the Y because he would rather hang out with his friends.  His parents made sure he did attend the Y, and over time discovered what the local YMCA could do for him.

He credits the YMCA experience for providing the basis for excelling in sports, going to college and ending up as a player in the NFL.

“The Y taught me a lot,’ said Brooks.  “Taught me a lot about how to interact with people , how to be involved with people, get involved with programs, how to work with other people.”

Another event the Fishers YMCA is sponsoring this month allows local “helpers” a chance to work out as part of the February 29th Cycle-a-thon.  Firefighters, police officers, nurses, doctors, teachers , EMTs and active military are all examples of community helpers.  Community Helpers, by signing up and choosing “Community Heroes Ride (12:15pm),” you are reserving one bike for this special ride. You do not need to be a YMCA member to participate. This ride is for all community helpers.    For more on the Cycle-a-thon, use this link.

For more on the Community Helpers, use this link.

In order to make a donation to the YMCA, use this link.

Fishers High School went north in Indiana to find a successor to long-time football coach Rick Wimmer.  Curt Funk was approved as the new varsity football coach and physical education teacher at Fishers.  Funk comes from Mississinewa High School.

“(Funk) endured a very rigorous interview process,” Fishers Principal Jason Urban told the board. “We have been very impressed with the kind of program he’s been able to build in his ten years as head coach  at Mississinewa High School.”

“I appreciate the opportunity and am very grateful to be here as part of the Fishers community,” Funk told board members.  “We’re excited to get started.”

The Fishers job opened-up when Wimmer announced that he would retire from coaching, but remain a physical education teacher at Fishers High School.

The Hamilton Southeastern School Board had a difficult time getting there, but finally has a decision, sort of, on school start times.  The option approved on a 4-3 vote Wednesday night sets out schedules for the 2020-2021 school year.  High School students will start their school day at 7:30am, ending at 2:30pm.  Grades 5-8 will start at 8:00am and leave school at 3:00pm.  Elementary students will begin their classes at 9:00am and end the school day at 3:30pm.  Below is the listing as provided by the school corporation, including the schedules for teachers and comparisons of the minutes in the school day:

The 4-3 vote approving this plan included support from Sylvia Shepler, Julie Chambers, Janet Pritchett and Michelle Fullhart.  Voting no were Brad Boyer, Amanda Shera and Clint Wilson.

In the original Option 2 plan, Superintendent Allen Bourff suggested the “flipped” start time schedule, allowing high school students more sleep but starting elementary classes earlier,  be implemented in school year 2021-2022.  The motion made by Board President Michelle Fullhart would create a study committee that would report back to the board in October of 2020 with recommendations on how to handle the student scheduled start times for 2021-2022.

Fullhart told LarryInFishers she does not know how many people will serve on the study committee or when the group will begin meeting.  She does envision a wide cross-section of people with ties to the school community serving on this panel, such as parents and teachers.

There were three tries to find a proposal with the support of the 4 board members needed to enact any measure .  A motion to enact Option #1, which would have implemented the “flipped” start times in the 2020-2021 school year along with the redesigned “3-tier” bus scheduling system, went down in a 5-2 vote, with Amanda Shera and Brad Boyer the only two votes supporting that idea.

A vote on Option 2 as originally proposed failed in a 4-3 vote.  A complex motion made by Clint Wilson died for lack of a second.

Four citizens signed up to speak before the board on the start time and bus schedule issue and had widely varying views, with roughly 2 speakers behind option 1, and 2 supporting option 2, but with lots of caveats and explanations.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers won its second consecutive game on Tuesday, overwhelming Anderson 94-58 in an away contest.

The Tigers trailed 12-10 after the first quarter, but dominated after that. Fishers poured in 29 points in the second period to take a 39-25 lead; that included 10 points from Charlie Smith. The Tigers kept their offense rolling in the third quarter, going up 62-42 by the end of that period. Fishers finished the game with 32 points in the fourth quarter; Alex Szilagyi made three 3-pointers.

Smith finished as the leading scorer, adding 20 points. He was the first of five Tigers in double figures: Jeffrey Simmons scored 17, Szilagyi and Isaac Farah both contributed 13 and Bryce Williams scored 11.

Fishers is 15-5 and continues its road trip Friday with a game at Pendleton Heights.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern kept its win streak going on Tuesday, taking care of New Castle 67-43 at the Trojans’ gym.

The Royals trailed 15-11 after the first quarter, then fell behind 18-11 early in the second. But Southeastern took control after that, going on a 23-6 run. The Royals were up 34-26 at halftime, then outscored New Castle 18-6 in the fourth quarter to get their 10th consecutive victory.

Four Southeastern players reached double figures. DeAndre Rhodes and Vinny Buccilla both scored 17 points, with Buccilla dishing out eight assists and Rhodes collecting five rebounds.

Kole Hornbuckle had a solid all-around game with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. Mabor Majak added 11 points and seven rebounds, while John McCall pulled six rebounds.

The Royals are 14-5 and host Carmel on Friday.

Anyone navigating the intersection of Allisonville Road and 116th Street in Fishers has seen how vehicles stack-up in the left-turn lanes and can create dangerous traffic hazards during busy times of the day.  The City of Fishers took a step toward working on a solution Monday, although which solution is not yet known.

The Fishers Board of Works and Public Safety approved a design contract with A&F Engineering for $374,855 at its Monday meeting.  That is the start of the process to determine how the intersection will be reconfigured.

The city will be using funds from the Highway Safety Improvement Project to pay for the construction.  The actual construction is expected to begin in 2024.

“We’re confident that we have a solution,” Engineering Director Jason Taylor told the board.  The city is reviewing possible options.  One would change the configuration of the turn lanes, rather than adding an additional turn lane, in conjunction with timing the traffic signals.  Another option would be what Taylor described as a “Turbo Roundabout,” where motorists would choose their lane of direction before entering the roundabout.

Nine candidates file for three At-Large county council seats

Hamilton County Reporter

Filings for the upcoming May Primary Election ended on Friday with a surprise last minute filing by Noblesville resident Charlie McMillan for the Hamilton County Commissioner District 2 seat.

District 2 has been represented by the state’s longest serving county commissioner, Steve
Dillinger. Dillinger was first elected to the position in 1989.

The county’s four judges up for re-election will not see an opponent on the Republican ballot. Circuit Court Judge Paul Felix and Superior Court judges William Hughes, Richard
Campbell and David Najjar will be running for new six-year terms.

The three other Superior Court judges, Michael Casati, Jon Brown and Gail Bardach, are not up for election this year.

The Treasurer position will see a contested race with Kim Good and Susan Byer running.
Byer, a former Treasurer’s office employee, has filed suit against the county for allegedly
being unjustly fired after making allegations of late property tax payment penalties not being charged to family members of Treasurer’s Office employees. Good, the county’s current Chief Deputy Treasurer, has filed a defamation lawsuit
against Byer.

Nine people have so far filed for the county council At-Large position, including one Democrat. Those individuals are: Ralph F. (Rick) McKinney (R), Brandon (Brad) Beaver (R), Sue Maki (R), Jeff Hern (R), Steven R Nation (R), Lyneen Burrow (R), John Ditslear (R), Gardiner P. Bink III (D) and Tony Scott (R).

Mayor Scott Fadness and top officials of his administration spent over 3 hours at Conner Prairie Monday evening with members of the Fishers City Council, reviewing the many projects underway throughout the city.  Road work, downtown development, the Nickel Plate Trail, Geist Waterfront Park and engaging the local community were all topics covered in the lengthy confab.

On streets & roads, The State Road 37 construction at 126th Street is scheduled to begin in earnest March 1st, with construction beginning by closing off the west side of 126th until about July.  Then, the east side of the road will be under construction until roughly October.  The north and south lanes on SR 37 are to be open to traffic, 2 lanes in each direction, during the construction.   An overpass with a roundabout at 126th Street will be built during this 2020 construction period.  Mayor Fadness says his staff will be monitoring the traffic flow in the area and make adjustments where needed.  146th Street will be the next State Road 37 construction project next year and expected top stretch into 2022.

City Director of Engineering Jason Taylor said a big project is coming this summer that will close 96th Street from just east of Lantern Road to Cumberland Road.  The closure will begin in the spring and likely last through October.

The Lantern Road closures continue south of downtown.  Taylor said that roadway should be open by May.

The railroad stop signs along 126th Street west of State Road 37 will be removed soon, according to Taylor, but the railroad stop signs on 131st Street will remain, due to the steep grading at that location.

A tunnel will be constructed under 116th Street for the Nickel Plate Trail, resulting in a road closure at the old railroad tracks on 116th for 45 days this summer, beginning on May 26th.  This will impact the Spark Fishers Festival, 5K running events and other summer events such as the Amphitheater concerts.

Council members received details on plans for the first phase of the Nickel Plate Trail.  Mayor Fadness says the city will communicate to the public that the trail is a construction zone and people using it to walk, run, bike or walk a dog are trespassing until the trail opens, when the first phase is complete.

Tom Dickey, former Fishers Director of Community Development, now a contractor for the city, provided a detailed presentation on plans for the downtown Fishers development, including a new headquarters building for First Internet Bank, a new boutique hotel, parking garages and residential units.

Mayor Fadness, in answer to a council question, says the city is completing a review of downtown parking rules and may establish a number of 2-hour restrictions on many parking spaces.

Parks and Recreation Director Sarah Sandquist provided a detailed look at the plans for Geist Waterfront Park.  Mayor Fadness told councilors that he expects a year of permitting and work with design during the park’s first phase.  He also said there would be no need for a tax rate increase to pay for the park. It is expected there will be a park admission fee, with Fishers residents receiving either discounted fees or free admission.

The city is planning an extensive community survey soon.  It will be measuring how city residents are doing in terms of their emotional, mental and financial well-being.  Results of the survey are expected by May.

This is not a short story by my blog standards, but I only touched on a few points discussed during this city retreat.  Look for more news on all these subjects in the weeks and months ahead.