In a collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies, including Fishers Police, detectives from the Bowling Green Police Department (BGPD) have successfully apprehended a murder suspect in Fishers, Indiana. The suspect, identified as David Profitt of Bowling Green, Kentucky, was the subject of an investigation following the discovery of a deceased victim in the Bowling Green jurisdiction on August 12, 2023.

Upon uncovering evidence and leads, BGPD detectives identified Profitt as a suspect and subsequently issued an arrest warrant for his apprehension. Realizing the possibility that Profitt had fled to the Indianapolis area, BGPD Detectives reached out to the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, operating out of the Indianapolis Field Office, to aid in their pursuit.

The Fishers Police Department had a dedicated detective already assigned to this specialized task force, further enhancing the agencies’ approach. Task Force Officers from the FBI VCTF initiated their search for Profitt, leading them to a breakthrough at Top Golf in Fishers.

Fishers’ specialized SWAT unit was called in to assist in the operation, resulting in a safe apprehension. Profitt was taken into custody without incident, successfully concluding the cross-jurisdictional effort to locate and apprehend the murder suspect.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to gather additional evidence and details surrounding the murder.

There are perils in writing a news blog all by yourself.  Not complaining, just saying when family comes first, I can be out of pocket for many hours at a time and try to update when there is an opportunity.

Let me be clear, my grandson’s third birthday is my first priority and wouldn’t miss that for anything.

But that does put me behind on a local news story that has had rapid developments the past few days – the Hamilton East Library, with buildings in Fishers & Noblesville.

The library board ordered a review of books in the teen section, using orders from the board on what books are not to be shelved in the teen section.

Famous author, and Indianapolis area resident John Green discovered one of his books, “The Fault In Our Stars,” had been removed from the teen collection as part of that board-ordered review.

Now, the board president says it was all a mistake.

Hamilton East Library Board President Laura Alerding issued the following statement:

“Upon reviewing the page(s) of ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ book that were the basis of the Director’s and review staff’s reason to move the book out of the Teen section,  I believe there was an error in implementing the Collection Development Policy and that this book should be moved back to the Teen section immediately.  The Board of Trustees will discuss further what went wrong with the review process at the next public board meeting.”

The next regularly scheduled public meeting of the Hamilton East Library Board is Thursday, August 24, 6:15pm, at the Noblesville Library.

With the start of school locally last Wednesday, it caused me to think about something we rarely consider – the many things we take for granted.

For example, we take for granted that staff will be at the buildings as classes start.  We take for granted the food services workers that handle lunch and other important duties.

In the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, we have a big bus transportation system.  As the fourth-largest school district in Indiana (by student count), the  transportation operation takes students to and from home and school safely and efficiently.  Geographically, HSE is also large, taking-in all of Wayne, Fall Creek and Delaware Townships.  Not that its perfect, but the system generally runs smoothly under the direction of Zach McKinney.

The Jefferson County Schools in Louisville, Kentucky do not take their student bus transportation for granted.  That school district had a major meltdown in its transportation system on the first day of classes.

According to a story posted to the PBS Newshour Web site, a new bus routing system created a “logistical meltdown” and led to the cancellation of classes for two days.

Here is part of the PBS story:

It took just one disastrous day for Jefferson County Public Schools leaders to completely reexamine the transportation plan for Kentucky’s largest district, which serves 96,000 students. Some kids arrived home hours late on Wednesday, and classes were canceled Thursday and Friday.

“We are reviewing what happened Wednesday to determine where the issues were created, why they happened and how to prevent them from happening again,” district spokesperson Mark Hebert said Friday.

So, we take so much for granted we often do not appreciate the long list of teachers, support staff, bus drivers and other civil servants that allow school to run smoothly most of the time.  Think about that.  We do take a lot for granted.

To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com. 

STATE ROAD 37 AND 141ST STREET
A pre-construction phase at SR 37 & 141st Street is currently in place. During this phase, 141st Street will be a Right-In-Right-Out (RIRO) traffic configuration. 
This is not the permanent configuration. This will allow for traffic to flow more freely along SR 37 until the next phases of construction can be activated. This will eliminate backups along SR 37 that have caused dangerous stops to the free flow traffic and backups on the 146th Street interchange. Again, this is not the permanent configuration for 141st Street. The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Spring 2024. View detour routes here. 

View how to merge safely onto Northbound SR 37 from 141st Street here and onto Southbound SR 37 from 141st Street here. To navigate the merge, remember:

• Use the accel lane to gain speed, not stop
• Use your mirrors and pay attention
• Look for a gap in SR 37 traffic and safely merge

To learn more about the Clear Path Improvement Project and sign up to receive text and email updates, visit clearpath465.com 

I-465 & I-69
Drivers will see an increase in construction along the I-69 corridor in the coming months. This work will focus on reconfiguring the interchange at I-465 and I-69. New ramps will provide direct movements from eastbound I-465 and northbound I-465 to northbound I-69. Binford Blvd. will also be reconstructed to separate local traffic from traffic entering and exiting I-69 and I-465. Access to I-69 from Binford Blvd. will remain open. 

The ramp from I-69 North to 82nd Street and the ramp from 82nd Street to I-69 North is currently closed through late 2023. For detour routes and additional project information, visit clearpath465.com 

To learn more about the Nickel Plate Trail, view the Capital Project Dashboard here.

NICKEL PLATE TRAIL
The City of Fishers is working on the completion of the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail between Hague Road and 106th Street. The installation of pedestrian rail is currently taking place and pedestrian flashers are not operative at this time.

There are daily lane closures currently on Cumberland Road, just south of 126th Street for sanitary and water line work. The northbound right turn lane and the southbound passing blister will be closed.

Phase 2A traffic restrictions are currently in effect. These restrictions eliminate left turn movements from 146th Street onto Allisonville Road and reopen to two through lanes on eastbound and westbound 146th Street. 

Utility relocation work is ongoing.  Periodic lane closures may be necessary to complete this work.  Please watch for flaggers and workers in and around the construction zone.  

Construction crews are continuing to work on storm sewer installation and roadway grading.  Crews have begun working on the widening of the westbound bridge over the White River.  The contractor has installed cofferdams and delineating buoys in the White River for pier construction.  Please use caution if canoeing or tubing through the work zone.

For additional project information, visit the 146th St. & Allisonville Rd. Project Page here.

There is a sanitary sewer project currently taking place at Metro Airport at 106th Street & Allisonville Road. There are times where lane restrictions may be in place on Allisonville Road. Please use caution in this area.

As you likely know by now, The Fishers High Schools Tiger Band is heading to New York City later this year, marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Sending a marching band to New York is an expensive proposition, so there have been many opportunities for local people to support the band members in their upcoming travel.

One such chance is coming up Sunday, August 20th, 1-4pm at Mashcraft Brewing.  The outdoor concert will provide entertainment, food & drink, as well as a chance to support the band.

Check out the the flyer above for more details.  Do not delay…only 300 tickets will be sold.

I think it’s time to share some good news today.  Our local schools, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) District, had the first day of classes Wednesday and as far as I can determine, everything went smoothly.

As a reminder, that hasn’t happened every school year.  I recall a few years ago when Fishers High School suffered a localized power outage that didn’t make the opening day a pleasant one for Principal Jason Urban and his staff, but they got through that difficult day and had a good school year.

When there is a smooth first day of school, that doesn’t happen automatically.  It is the result of hard work and the cooperation of central office personnel, building administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and, of course, the students.

It was a special day for well over 100 new teachers to the district.  Let’s hope their HSE careers get out to a good start.

I have had some bad news to report lately that has not enhanced our local community’s reputation state-wide and even nationally.  Let’s back our HSE staff as the school year gets underway and is off to a good start!

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools announced late Friday morning the special board meeting scheduled for 7am, Wednesday, August 30, has been cancelled.  The only item on the agenda was the proposed removal of the HSE Schools appointee to the Hamilton East Library, Andre Miksha.

There is no word on whether this simply postpones the proposed action by the board president or if the matter is being shelved for now.

In an e-mail, Mr. Miksha says as of 2pm Friday, he has received no communication from HSE Board President Dawn Lang since August 2nd, so he was not informed the August 30 meeting had been cancelled until he found out elsewhere.

In a statement posted on her Facebook account, HSE Board President Dawn Lang does not directly address the cancellation of the August 30th board meeting, but reiterates the need to pass the November election school funding referendum so the district does not lose roughly $26 million annually. Lang says the referendum should be the priority “right now.”

Here is the text of Dawn Lang’s full statement, posted on her school board Facebook page:

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When Indianapolis-based author John Green sent a social media message saying “You won’t catch me alive or dead in Fishers” until the Hamilton East Library Board reverses its policy that removed his book from the teen section, and it was reported in the state’s largest newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, that was not a positive development for the image of our city.

When People Magazine posted a story about this dispute on its national Web site, that was even worse news for our city.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, there is now a T-Shirt being sold with the quote in large letters, according to a story posted on the WISH-TV News Web site.

Even though Fishers is singled out in this story, it is important to remind everyone the City of Fishers does not appoint any of the Hamilton East Library Board members.  There are two appointees each by the Noblesville School Board, Hamilton County Commissioners and the Hamilton County Council.  The Hamilton Southeastern School Board appoints one member.

As a resident of Fishers since 1991, it is sad to see such a public relations nightmare for my city, which consists of so many good people.  I try to be an optimist when I can, but it is difficult to see a positive way out of this situation.

It is a bit disheartening to see the Hamilton County Highway Department feels there is a need to say this, but it appears local people walking and riding bicycles are using the construction zone at 146th Street & Allisonville Road.  Officials warn local residents of the dangers involved in entering this area.

Below is the full text of the statement issued Wednesday:

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 Our field personnel have reported a large number of bicycle and pedestrian traffic within closed construction limits at 146^th Street and Allisonville Road. This is an active construction zone where bicycle and  pedestrian traffic is prohibited. Signage indicating “No Pedestrians or Bicycles” has been installed at all ends of the project.

Our goal is to keep our workers, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe during construction. Reminding people to be cognizant of their surroundings and obeying the closure limits is of utmost importance. Even with proper PPE that our construction crews are wearing, it could be hazardous. Please keep yourself safe and out of harm’s way by finding an alternate route.

I have been busy with family matters in recent days and haven’t had time to write about what is happening with the Hamilton East Library lately, so the Indianapolis Star has published two stories, one on moving a John Green book from the youth to the general collection of the library, and another about the efforts to remove a library board member.

First, Rachel Fradette wrote a story posted Wednesday on the IndyStar Web site about John Green’s reaction to having his book, “The Fault in Our Stars,” moved from the teen section to the general collection of the Hamilton East Libraries.  This is part of implementing the policy handed down by the library board to review every book in the teen section, and evaluate each book’s content based on the board’s policy of suitability for teens.

Green’s response came on Twitter (now known as X).  He pulled no punches:

“This is ludicrous.  It is about teenagers and I wrote it for teenagers. Teenagers are not harmed by reading TFIOS.”

The second part of Mr. Green’s Tweet will be unsettling to officials in Fishers:

“I only have a small voice in these decisions, of course, but you won’t catch me alive or dead in Fishers, Indiana until these ridiculous policies are revoked,  which I guess means no Top Golf or IKEA for a while.”

Read Ms. Fradette’s story at this link.

The second story was co-written by Rachel Fradette & John Tuohy, posted on the IndyStar Web site Wednesday afternoon.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board has scheduled a 7am meeting Wednesday August 30, for a public hearing, citing a state statute addressing the removal of library board members in Indiana.

Andre Miksha was appointed to the Hamilton East Library Board by the previous HSE Board President Julie Chambers.  According to the Star reporting, Miksha has been told by current Board President Dawn Lang that she intends to remove him as the school district’s representative on the Hamilton East Board  because of his voting record.

I have reached out to Mr. Miksha for any comment ahead of the August 30 meeting, but he declined at this time, saying he will make his case before the school board August 30.

For the in-depth and well reported story, use this link.

(NOTE:  You may have difficulty accessing the IndyStar stories linked above if your are not a subscriber.  Online subscriptions to the IndyStar are very inexpensive.  I encourage you to support your local media.)