As we enter the final days and hours of 2024, it is time for me to take a look at the year of news in Fishers. This is never an easy task and I do take it seriously, taking time to review the entire year of news and attempt to pick the top 10 news stories.
A lot of this is subjective so I understand that. There may be many of you that will take issue with my list, but that’s fine, it can sometimes be a conversation starter.
So, here we go, the LarryInFishers.com top ten news stories of 2024:
10. Solar Eclipse
I cannot count the number of stories I wrote and other local news outlets published warning us about the onslaught of tourists expected for the solar eclipse April 8th. There were visitors, and I know local law enforcement and emergency services were prepared. However, the crowds never did come, at least nowhere near as anticipated. But my wife Jane & I enjoyed watching it all from our patio and it was fun.
9. Indy Ignite Volleyball Team coming to Fishers
The Indy Fuel hockey team and the Fishers Freight Indoor Football League squad will be joined by the Indy Ignite women’s professional volleyball team as tenants in the new Fishers Event Center. In addition, it was announced in 2024 that 2025 would feature the league’s first all-star game, to be nationally televised and played at the Fishers Event Center.
8. Charter/Innovation School Proposal Withdrawn
The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board explored the possibility of partnering with an organization named Opportunity Education to create an Innovation School under the Indiana law governing charter schools. After much public criticism, and a public hearing where every speaker opposed the proposal, Opportunity Education withdrew the proposal before the HSE School Board was scheduled to hold a vote on the issue.
7 Fire Chief Orusa Announces Plans to Retire
After 12 years heading the Fishers Fire and Emergency Services operation, Chief Steve Orusa announced his plans to retire in January of 2025. The Chief ends an illustrious career in fire protection and emergency operations. The Chief will be missed.
6. HSE School Board Election
The local school board held its at-large election with 3 seats up for grabs. Two incumbents, Sarah Parks-Reese and Suzanne Thomas, both won second four-year terms. Sarah Donsbach chose not seek another term and Latrica Schooley was elected to her seat.
5. City Hall, Arts Center & Event Center Open Their Doors
Fishers opened two major public buildings in 2024. The new City Hall/Arts Center had the ribbon cut, and the new Fishers Event Center opened to the public later in the year. Both were major projects of Mayor Scott Fadness and the City Council.
4. Ground Breaking for New Community Center
Another major public building did not open in 2024 but construction began on the new community center, near Hoosier Road and 121st Street. The new public amenity is expected to open later in 2025.
3. Road Construction
I moved to Fishers in 1991 and I cannot remember a year when road construction was not listed as a major local story. The roundabout at 96th Street and Allisonville Road opened in 2024, with happy motorists knowing the construction was largely over, but that did not stop social media complaints about traffic backups during rush hours. The Hamilton County project at 146th Street and Allisonville Road has been ongoing during 2024, with a projected completion date in 2025. Another area, 141st Street and State Road 37, did see a bid awarded and that work should be ongoing into 2025. These are just some major projects, there are many more in and around the Fishers area. There is no end in sight for road construction in a place like Fishers, Indiana.
2. Patrick Mapes named HSE School Superintendent
The HSE School Board saw Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Stokes choose to resign with a separation package in 2023. The board hired Patrick Mapes as the new HSE Superintendent of Schools. There were many other changes at the HSE Central Office, board approved in 2024.
Number 1 – Fishers Awards City-Wide Trash Pickup Contract
I am certain many of you may wonder why this story is my number one for the year. Let’s just say I took an historical view. This has been lurking as a story for more than ten years. In 2013, the Town of Fishers explored such a city-wide trash pickup contract with the aim of saving residents money. The public backlash was, in a word, vicious. Elected officials were accused of being Communists for coming up with such an idea. That resulted in no elected official even bringing up such an idea after the failure in 2013.
City Councilor David Giffell raised the issue in 2023 and Mayor Scott Fadness decided to begin the process of taking bids. Councilor Giffell lost his bid for re-election in 2023 and was not in office to see the city decide to join cities in our area and award a city-wide residential trash collection contract to Republic Services, effective in January if 2025. For most Fishers residents, this will mean a reduction in the cost of trash collection.
Well, there it is, my top ten list of the most important new stories in Fishers for 2024. In 2025, there will be no elections so we get a short respite from politics for one year. Look for Fishers to generate plenty of news in 2025. I will be making every effort to cover what happens in the coming year, God willing.
In the meantime, allow me to wish you and your families the very best of new years!