I have covered the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board for about 12 years.  I do not recall a past situation where the board called a special meeting on 2-days notice for 7am with no specific agenda items revealed.  Yet, this is what happened Monday morning (September 11).

Even though the board has scheduled its next regular session September 19, it appears there remains one or more items requiring action before September 19.

On the 7am Wednesday meeting agenda, both action and information items are listed as “to be determined.”

The meeting will be live-streamed on video at this link.

Saturday, September 9, was a busy day along Municipal Drive in downtown Fishers.  You had the normal morning crowd for the Farmers Market, but the Fishers Fire Department hosted it annual Safety Day on part of Municipal Drive at the same time.

The turnout was good for both events, with the only problem moving vehicles and pedestrians in and out of the festivities.

Here are a few photos from Safety Day 2023.

The old saying that history has a way of repeating itself held true Friday night at the 2023 Mudsock Football Game, pitting city rivals HSE and Fishers High Schools against each other once again.  Last year, the game went overtime, Fishers scored a touchdown in the OT period but failed the extra point attempt,  HSE scored on their chance and converted the extra point to win.

This year, the game once again went into overtime, Fishers had the ball first, scored a touchdown, failed in a 2-point conversion attempt, HSE scored a TD, converted the extra point and won by one point, 35-34.

It was the competitive contest most experts predicted, with two teams ranked highly sate-wide in IHSAA 6A going back and forth.  HSE got out to an early lead, but as most rivalry games go, Fishers picked up momentum in the second half and the game was on.

As usual, the atmosphere was electric with a full house in the stands and many standing around the Fishers Tigers football facility.

Another highlight was the recognition of the 2023 HSE Schools Teachers Of The Year (see video above).

As I walked away from this year’s Mudsock contest, I appreciated the perfect weather and wondered, could these two teams face each other in the Sectional post-season tournament?  It is possible.

The Fishers Fire Department Safety Day has become a regular early-September event and 2023 is no different.  Check out the activities set for Saturday, September 9, 8am-noon, at municipal complex, where the Fire Department headquarters are located.

Lots of road construction ongoing in and around Fishers.  Also, we aware of more neighborhood street resurfacing and road closures coming for the September 16 Geist Marathon & 5K

Below is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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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 has completed the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail between Hague Road and 106th Street. Coordination and planning are underway with Indianapolis for the final phase between Hague Road and the crossing of 96th Street.

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 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.

126TH STREET & PROMISE ROAD
On Monday, Sept. 11th and Tuesday, Sept. 12th, westbound 126th Street at Promise Road will have lane restrictions in place between 9 am and 3 pm to allow contractors to repair the railing near the bridge.

TANGLEWOOD ROAD RESURFACING
Weather permitting, DPW crews will be resurfacing Federal Place in Tanglewood subdivision Wednesday, Sept. 13th through Friday, Sept 15th.  Parking restrictions along Federal Place will be in place during this time.  You can find affected roadways 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.

106^TH STREET TRAIL RESTRICTIONS

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The reporters and editors of the Indianapolis Star have been providing lots of space to the Hamilton East Library Board lately.  The many controversies surrounding some board decisions has created plenty of news.

The latest story to appear on the IndyStar Web site Thursday explores the possibility that there could be changes in how members of the Hamilton East Library Board are appointed.  Currently, members are appointed by the Hamilton County Council and County Commissioners, the Noblesville School Board and Hamilton Southeastern Schools.  This was setup back in the days when Fishers and Noblesville were much smaller cities.  Hamilton Southeastern Schools only has one appointee because the headquarters of the library system is in Noblesville.

County Commissioner Christime Altman indicated to Star reporter John Tuohy that she would have no problem changing state law to update the way library board members are appointed in the Hamilton East system.

There is much more in reporter Tuohy’s story, which you can read at this link.   (NOTE:  Many Star stories online are only available to subscribers.  Online subscriptions are not that expensive.  Let me repeat once again – subscribe to your local media!)

When you call your annual fundraising event the Mayor’s Breakfast, that means the mayor will be there, along with many movers and shakers within the local community.  The Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI) held the event Thursday morning under a tent next to the historic Ambassador House.  A large crowd was there to honor those mentoring young people in the Hamilton Southeaster (HSE)n Schools.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness led a panel discussion all about the value of being a mentor, with panelists:

—Chris Huppenthal: Teacher and retired Hamilton Southeastern High School basketball and state championship coach
—Bailee Poore: Former HSE student and player for Coach Huppenthal
–-Justin Masterson: Former professional baseball starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox,
Cleveland Indians, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Ex-big-leaguer Masterson is also a substitute teacher at HSE Schools.

Matt Kegley is the President of the YMI Board and expressed the importance of financial support, because it costs the nonprofit $1,200 each to match a volunteer with a student.  Kegley also cited the many volunteer mentors, including three with more than 10 years of service.

YMI Executive Director Brittany Rayburn served as the MC for the breakfast event.

If you would be interested in volunteering as a mentor, check out this link.

It is easy to donate online using this link.

The Gray Eagle Golf Clubhouse will have a restaurant, and netting, if the Fishers City Council goes along with the recommendation of the Fishers Plan Commission.  Commission members voted unanimously for a favorable recommendation.  The netting in the area will be 160 feet at its highest point, and as low as 50 feet in the area near residential property.

The Commission voted to allow yet another continuance for the Flat Fork Planned Unit Development.  This is the third continuance of this proposal, which is very unusual.  Planning and Zoning Director Megan Vukusich told the Commission the developer is trying to remove the commercial aspect to this development and there are talks ongoing  to work out the purchase agreement with the property owner.  The vote allowing the continuance was 7-1 in favor, with City Councilman Todd Zimmerman voting no.  The proposed development includes multiple parcels on the north side of 96th Street, between Georgia and Cyntheanne Road. The Flat Fork Planned Unit Development would include a maximum of 220 single-family homes on the north side of 96th Street, between Georgia and Cyntheanne Road,

The Commission voted unanimously in favor of a resolution saying a planned development on South Street in downtown Fishers’ Nickel Plate District is consistent with the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan.

As many of you know, I was away from this blog for a few days dealing with a death in the family.  During that time, Fishers announced Miebach, a firm headquartered in Germany, plans to move its North American headquarters from downtown Indianapolis to Fishers

The Fishers Redevelopment Commission approved an Economic Development Agreement with Miebach Tuesday afternoon.  Fishers Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner said Miebach will occupy space in the Link building, once known as Navient.  The 23 employees working now in Indianapolis will come to the Fishers location, and Miebach plans to add 22 workers to the Fishers office.

The employees will be earning $44-$53 per hour.  The firm plans to spend $2.5 million in capital investments at the Fishers office.

Miebach will have access to training funds as part of the agreement, but when asked by a commission member, Baumgartner admitted that over the past 2 years, businesses moving to Fishers with access to training funds have not used any of that funding.

Miebach is a supply chain consulting firm.

Regarding the Link building, Baumgartner told commission members with Navient only using a small portion of that structure, the building is two-thirds vacant now, even with several operations that have recently moved into Link space.

In other items on the agenda approved unanimously by the  Redevelopment Commission:

–A confirmatory resolution creating the Professional Sports and Convention Development Area for the new Events Center currently under construction.  City Councilor David Giffel was the only comment during the public hearing and he praised the advantages for the city in creating this district.

–Declaratory Resolution for the District South Allocation Area, relating to development coming to the south side of South Street in downtown Fishers’ Nickel Plate District.

–The annual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) report was shared with the commission members.  It shows that in 2022, about 1,300 jobs were created in TIF Districts. The report also lists the average salary of the new jobs at $94,800 a year, with a total investment amount of over $1.2 million.  You can read the entire report at this link.

The Fishers Arts Council (FAC), in collaboration with Jiffy Lube of Indiana, is proud to announce the Fourth Annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists. This highly anticipated event brings together 41 talented artists from the communities of Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield, and Cicero, showcasing a diverse range of painted mediums. The exhibit will be held at the “FAC Hub Gallery” located in the Collaboration Hub at Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Drive in Fishers.

The exhibit, which runs from September 5 through September 29, promises to be a captivating display of local artistic talent. Visitors can expect to see an array of paintings spanning various genres, including landscapes, portraits, abstract pieces, and floral compositions, each offering a unique perspective on Hamilton County’s vibrant art scene.

One of the highlights of the exhibit is the awards ceremony, which will recognize outstanding contributions in different categories. Awards will be presented for Best Landscape, Portrait or Figurative, Abstract, and Floral or Other. The coveted “Best in Show” prize, which includes a $1,000 cash award and a solo exhibit in the gallery in January 2024, will also be bestowed upon the top artist.

The distinguished jury responsible for selecting the winners includes Rena Brouwer, a renowned Indiana and national artist. Rena, who hails from Delphi, is an international award-winning watercolorist, instructor, and entrepreneur. Her impressive career spans over four decades, during which she has shared her artistic expertise at national art conventions, colleges, museums, and community venues across the country. Rena’s work, known for its contemporary style and focus on nature, has garnered recognition on a global scale.

The MashCraft People’s Choice Award adds an interactive element to the exhibit, allowing the public to cast their votes for their favorite artwork. Art enthusiasts can view the complete 2023 Juried Exhibit photo album on Facebook at Facebook.com/FishersArt and “like” their preferred pieces. In-person voting will also be possible during the Second Friday reception and awards ceremony scheduled for September 8, from 6 pm to 7 pm, with the award announcements following at 7:15 pm.

Second Friday receptions, which are free and open to all ages, have become a staple in the local arts community. September’s Second Friday will feature live music by Jasmine White of Indianapolis, sponsored by the Fishers Arts + Culture Commission. It’s an opportunity for art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the local arts scene, connect with artists, and enjoy an evening of culture and creativity.

Gallery viewings during the exhibit’s run can be scheduled by contacting the Fishers Arts Council at info@FisherArtsCouncil.org or by calling 317-537-1670. The exhibit will be open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Fridays by appointment.

The Fourth Annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists is a celebration of the thriving local arts community, offering an enriching experience for residents and visitors alike. Don’t miss the chance to explore the talent that Hamilton County has to offer and cast your vote for the MashCraft People’s Choice Award.