(NOTE:  The City of Fishers announced Tuesday morning that this event will be held virtually, with an online video feed)

The City of Fishers has traditionally held its annual Veterans Day ceremony indoors, due to the normal weather we find in an Indiana November.  However, we are in the middle of a major pandemic, so the city will have this year’s Veterans Day event outside at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater.

It will be held on Veterans Day, November 11, at 10am.  Plans include a warbird flyover, pin presentation, remarks from Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, local veterans, and keynote speaker Colonel Charles F. “Chuck” Bragg, IGR and more.

Here are more details, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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I do not often comment on national elections, but a new president is a big deal for everyone.  There are so many aspects of this election I do not know where to start.

The first comment deals with polling.  We had this problem 4 years ago and it isn’t going away.

This issue centers on state polls.  Many were on target in places like Texas, Georgia and Iowa.  But when you look at polls conducted in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, the data did not match up to the final result.

As I have written many times before, polling is a geeky exercise in statistical analysis, evaluating data and vast arrays of numbers.  Polls that meet the standards of the polling industry ended up with data that were way out of the margin of error looking at some of the final results.  Those with the responsibility of polling need to look at the practices of their industry and do a better job.

It should be noted that this is not related to any media bias.  Media companies hire polling firms they believe follow the best practices in the industry…..the media companies themselves do not do the polling.  The media hires a polling firm to provide solid data.  That didn’t happen in every state in this election cycle.

It should also be noted that political campaigns poll all the time just to know where they stand with the voters.  If the campaigns are getting bad polling information, they cannot know where they stand with voters at any particular point in time.

Bottom line, those involved in polling need to take a deep look into where things went wrong in the 2020 presidential race.

All the major media organizations have declared Joe Biden the new president-elect.  It is true every vote has not been counted, but that will take weeks in many states.  The bean counters hired by the media have determined that the numbers now are such that President Trump has no chance of winning enough electoral votes to win re-election.

The president has been Tweeting that he alleges fraud in the vote count.  He is entitled to file lawsuits and ask for recounts if he so desires.  But he and his attorneys will have the burden to provide proof of fraud and so far no evidence has been presented providing that proof.

With that in mind, it looks like Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States.  Let’s watch what happens now.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton county Reporter

WESTFIELD – Since the present format of the IHSAA football post-season began in 1985, Westfield has played in every single class, from 1A to 6A.

The Shamrocks won a sectional championship in the smallest (1A) class back in 1986, its first-ever sectional. Now in 2020, Westfield can claim a title in the biggest class, as the ‘Rocks beat Fishers 31-0 Friday night at Riverview Health Stadium to win the Class 6A Sectional 4 championship. It’s the first time Westfield has ever won a sectional in Class 6A.

“We did make a big deal of that,” said ‘Rocks coach Jake Gilbert. “When you’re a part of a great program, the longer the program has success, the less likely you can make history. You’re just building off something that someone else has already done before you. This was an opportunity for us to do something no one’s ever done here.”

In claiming their 10th overall sectional championship, the Shamrocks continued three streaks. First, Westfield won its 10th game in a row. Second, the ‘Rocks scored over 30 points for the sixth straight contest.

“We’ve been hot on offense and special teams, too,” said Gilbert. “We just got to keep rolling. It takes that level of execution, though, to beat teams when you get this far in the tournament.”

Westfield got its first touchdown early, when Maximus Webster threw a 28-yard pass to Mason Piening, who took it into the end zone. The Shamrocks had to wait until almost the end of the first half to get their second touchdown, but Micah Hauser got the ball in with nine seconds left in the half, rushing 14 yards into the end zone.

The second half began just like the first half did: A touchdown pass from Webster to Piening. This one was from 51 yards, and the ‘Rocks were up 21-0 with 10:25 left in the third quarter.

“We’ve worked hard and finally had the chance to prove what we’re made of and made it happen,” said Piening. He credited “very strong” chemistry as being the key to Westfield’s success on offense.

“Every day at practice we’re always clicking,” said Piening. “It shows on the field.”
Webster added one more touchdown near the end of the third period, running in from four yards. Sean Sullivan kicked the extra point after each touchdown, then provided the final points of the game late in the fourth with a 38-yard field goal.

Webster had another outstanding game, going 10-of-14 through the air for 158 yards. Reid Scheppers had the most catches with three, while Piening’s two touchdown receptions totaled 79 yards. Micah Hauser led the rushing with 92 yards.

Kyle Pape totaled 16 tackles (four solo and 12 assists) for Westfield’s defense. McGuire Graybill and David Frey both made 10 tackles, while Popeye Williams had a sack. Pape and Bryson Hoover both made 1.5 tackles for a loss.

The Shamrocks have not given up any points since Week 8 of the regular season, which also happened to be their first game with Fishers. The Tigers scored a touchdown in the first quarter of that game, but since then, Westfield has gone 15 consecutive quarters without allowing a point.

“It feels amazing,” said Carson Voorhis, who made one catch for 12 yards and four tackles on defense.

“Just playing with my brothers and just going out there every week, it just feels great. We just want to prolong our playing time with my family, because I love them. We all love each other.”

Fishers quarterback Lucas Prewitt also had a solid game, completing 14 of 22 attempts for 102 yards. Carson Dunn, the sophomore running back, continued his run of strong play with 76 yards rushing and six receptions. Luke Valerio had four catches. On defense, Seth Dunnuck made 12 tackles (nine solo and three assists), while Joel Coston had a sack.
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“We had to make sure that we controlled the clock and ran the football, and I thought we did a good job of that,” said Tigers coach Curt Funk. “We just struggled finishing some drives against them.”

Fishers finished the regular season 3-7.

“We knew we were going to have to play a perfect game,” said Funk. “Our kids fought and battled the whole time and I think we showed improvement from where we were at four weeks ago to now.”

Westfield is now 10-1 and will host Homestead next Friday for the Regional 2 championship. The Spartans were 30-22 winners over Warsaw in the Sectional 3 title game.

Preparations continue to fully open the interchange at 126th Street and State Road 37.  That means there will be ramp closure Sunday.  For details on that, and other road construction projects around Fishers, here is the weekly report, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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I continue to be amazed by the people that regularly read this blog.

I had failed to write anything for several days because I was sick with the coronavirus and felt I needed to explain why I had been away, particularly with an election looming.  So once I felt well enough to write, I explained why I had been absent.

What I did not expect was the outpouring of heart-felt messages from all over.  I had friends, relatives and people I know from covering news in Fishers for 12 years all sending me some sort of indication they were following my recovery.  You have no idea how much that means to me.  I sincerely thank each and every one of you.

I have had a lot of time to think over the last many days battling this awful virus.  You think about all that is truly important to you.  My family, my wife, my daughters and my new grandson.  I cannot say enough about my wife Jane.  Thank goodness she tested negative for COVID and has taken care of me during this scary ordeal.  We have used all the precautions recommended for a couple living together with one person positive, and Jane is healthy with no symptoms.

When the test came back positive for me, I only told a small circle of close relatives and friends.  I didn’t want to burden people in general about my health issues.

Once I disclosed my health condition Wednesday, I was overwhelmed by the number of people saying they are thinking and praying for me.  You have no idea how much that means.

LarryInFishers.com has been a volunteer activity for me, I have never made a cent from this.  I always viewed this as my retirement volunteer activity.

When I announced my plans to withdraw from the news blog last March, I was again shocked at the response, so many people making kind remarks.  My plans to change the direction of the blog went out the window with the pandemic so I continued to cover local news because, again, no one else was doing it.

As long as my health holds out, I’ll continue to cover local news and produce some podcasts.  I may not attend many meetings in person, but I will stay with it as long as I can, because the people reading this blog have expressed how much they care for me…..and it is up to me to return the favor.

One more thing…..the Fishers Health Department issued what I would describe as an ominous statement Thursday that COVID-19 is spreading fast locally and just about everywhere.  We don’t know when or if government will act, but either way, the best we can all do individually is to wear a mask in public, practice social distancing and wash our hands.

Take it from me….prevention is the best medicine.

The Fishers Health Department issued a statement late Thursday about “very concerning” trends in COVID-19 positive cases.

“We are not recommending that schools and businesses close at this time,” the statement says.

Below is the full statement, first posted on Twitter:

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Currently, our community is experiencing a rapid increase in individuals positive with COVID-19.  The trends for Fishers, Central Indiana, and the nation are very concerning. Over the course of the last several months, the Fishers Health Department has been accruing and reviewing a variety of data and research into the changing nature of this virus.

Our team is currently finalizing our analysis of all the data we have been collecting to get a true and comprehensive understanding of the course of this pandemic and the appropriate actions to take to further mitigate its spread in our community.

We are not recommending that schools and businesses close at this time. We do advise a review of additional mitigation measures that can be taken to keep public and shared locations as safe as possible. Suggestions can be found at http://fishers.in.us/COVIDrec.

We will provide a comprehensive update and recs (recommendations) at the upcoming board of health meeting, scheduled for 11/10. In the meantime, we must: • Wear a mask • Distance • Wash hands • No gathering in private residences

Fishers Police are issuing a warning to residents of the Sandstone and Meadow Brook Neighborhoods, in the area near 116th Street and Brooks School Road, after reports of twelve thefts from vehicles and two thefts of vehicles in the early morning hours Thursday.

Detectives are asking residents living in this area to check their home security surveillance footage for suspicious persons or vehicles on or near their property between the hours of 1am and 4am. Anyone with information regarding these thefts is asked to call Detective/Sergeant Ruble at 317-595-3319.

Residents are advised to follow the guidance below, issued by the Fishers Police:

1. Never leave your vehicle unsecured, even if you are only going to be away from it for a short time. Thieves only need a few seconds to open an unlocked door and retrieve valuables that are left in plain sight.

2. Secure valuables in the trunk before leaving your vehicle. Thieves will often take the time to look into windows before choosing a particular vehicle to break-in. Unsecured items such as credit/gift cards, electronic devices (laptops, iPads), purses, cellular phones, audio systems, keys, and other items are often the targets of a thief.

3. Etch your driver’s license number on all items of value and that are removable, e.g., audio equipment, electronic devices.

4. Park in your garage, if you have one. Don’t leave your vehicle in the street, in an alley or in your driveway. If you have to park in the street, avoid dark or isolated areas and removed your garage door opener.

5. Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break-in, move, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving your vehicle unattended.

6. Don’t leave spare keys attached to the outside of your vehicle or hidden inside your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places.

7. Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your destination. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, or other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.

8. Turn off your engine, roll up all your windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway.

9. Follow the 9PM Routine and double check that all valuables are removed, and your vehicle is locked before going to bed.

10. Lock it, Hide it, Keep it! https://www.fishers.in.us/677/Crime-Prevention-Safety-Information

The absentee ballots have all been counted at the Hamilton County Election office and the results show the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board will have three new members in January.  Both incumbents lost in their bids for another term.  Amanda Shera was elected four years ago and Clint Wilson was selected by the board to finish Mike Bottorff’s term when he resigned from the board in 2019.  Both were unsuccessful as candidates in 2020.  Sylvia Shepler chose not to seek another term this year in Wayne Township.

The nail-biter has been in the Delaware Township race.  The final tally shows Sarah Donsbach as the winner by 22 votes over Amanda Shera, out of more than 42,000 votes cast.  That’s a winning margin of .05%.

The other two township races were not close.  Suzanne Thomas easily prevailed in a crowded field of 5 candidates.  Sarah Parks-Reese was the winner in Wayne Township.

The HSE School Board at-large election means all voters in all three townships select one candidate from each of the three townships.

The new board members will have a number of issues to handle when assuming board seats in January, including possible redistricting with a new Wayne Township elementary school in the works.

It started more than a week ago with flu-like symptoms that were not pleasant, but after consulting my physician I took a COVID-19 test.  I tested positive late last week.

To put it bluntly, I am high-risk in more ways than one.  However, my doctor was encouraging as we exchanged e-mails regularly over the past few days.

I am one lucky individual.  My symptoms have been mild and, at least so far, I have managed by trying to take care of myself as best I know.

COVID-19 is on fire in this area and the data is clear on that.  Everyone should be careful.

What confounds me is that I took every precaution expected – wearing a mask when in public, social distancing and washing hands regularly.  I look back and cannot understand how I contracted this virus.

God must be smiling upon me, because I know of so many others not so fortunate that have had serious health problems due to COVID.

So, even with the election going on, if you have missed my posts, it’s all because my health was on the front burner.  It is good to be feeling better once again.