Mary Kay HuseThe Indy Ignite, a professional women’s volleyball team calling the Fishers Event Center home, sold-out for the home opening match. After a slow start, the ignite rallied to win the home opener.
The President and General Manager of Indy Ignite, Mary Kay Huse, talked with Larry about the newest addition to the Indy are professional sports scene. You can listen to the podcast at this link.
Skyler Braun has been publishing his Fishers Digest e-mail newsletter for more than a year and a half. I invited Skyler to join me in a podcast discussion about his newsletter and what is happening around Fishers. You can sign-up for his newsletter at this link.
Skyler also talks about his new Money Snacks feature in his newsletter. Listen to the podcast at the link below.
The roundabout at 96th Street and Allisonville Road has been open to traffic for several months now, and has been the subject of much online chatter and news stories in the Indianapolis news media. City Engineering Director Hatem Mekky told the Fishers City Council Monday night that the ongoing construction of the I-69 and I-465 Interstate Highway interchange is drawing more traffic than normal to that roundabout, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. Preliminary numbers show a 20% increase in traffic volume tied to this intersection due to the Clear Path construction at I-465 & I-69.
Mekky told city councilors there is more work to be done following a review of video and other data on what is happening at the roundabout. Light poles are being installed to help the visibility at night, pavement markings have been moved for better clarity on which lanes to use and new overhead signage is coming so drivers know which lane to use before entering the roundabout.
When accidents happen at the 96th & Allisonville roundabout, Mekky says most are due to one of two reasons – failure to yield and illegal lane change in the roundabout. When the intersection was converted to a Michigan Left some years ago, drivers made a point of avoiding the intersection altogether, Mekky says, and those drivers are now back at the location traversing the roundabout.
Two roundabouts are due for construction this summer – 116th Street and Allsonville Road, as well as Howe Road and 131st Street.
The City of Fishers conducted a housing study in 2022. As part of the recommendations from that study, a rental registration program was proposed along with a cap on the number of single family home rentals per subdivision.
Since that study was released, Fishers has been working on the technology to setup a rental registration system. The city is now poised to begin such a system and impose a 10% cap on the number of single family rental homes in a given neighborhood. Current rental homes would be grandfathered-in as “legacy” and subdivision Homeowners Associations (HOAs) would be free to impose a lower percentage of rental homes in that subdivision. The 10% proposed city ordinance would apply of the HOA has a higher percentage number.
Jordin Alexander, Chief of Staff to Mayor Scott Fadness, reviewed data with the Council, saying there are 2,522 single-family rental homes in Fishers now, which encompasses 8% of all single-family homes in Fishers and 30% of all rental units in the city.
Under the proposed ordinance, there would be registration and permitting requirements for property owners to convert a single-family home to a rental.
Alexander and Mayor Fadness outlined the proposal as a first step in a Council work session, asking for suggestions from Council members. A proposed ordinance is expected to be presented to the Council for first reading in February or March. It will take 1-3 months for ordinance approval. Enforcement and registration would begin after a 10-12 month “introduction period” for the new law.
The Monday work session is the first step, now the mayor’s office and Councilors will begin work on drafting language for the new ordinance.
After 35 years of public service, Ralph Watson, Executive Director of Hamilton County Community Corrections, is set to retire on January 17, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and innovation in the field of community-based corrections.
Watson has served as the only executive director of the agency since its founding in 1990. During his tenure, he has guided the organization to become a model for excellence, focusing on rehabilitative programs for offenders while maintaining public safety.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, Watson said, “It’s a good time for me to step back. The county has a lot of new possibilities ahead of it, and I’m confident that the agency will continue to thrive.”
Watson’s career in public service began in 1984 as a juvenile probation officer with the Hamilton County probation department. Over the years, he has witnessed and contributed to the county’s forward-thinking approach to community corrections. “Hamilton County has always been proactive in looking toward the future and wanting to try new things. It’s been a great place to grow and make a difference,” he remarked.
Taking over the reins will be Kevin Mulroony, the agency’s current Director of Administration. Mulroony has been with Hamilton County Community Corrections since 2014 and has worked closely alongside Watson, gaining invaluable experience and insight. A Ball State University graduate with a degree in criminal justice, Mulroony previously served in leadership roles within the Indiana Department of Corrections, including as Deputy Warden at the Miami County Correctional Facility.
“The Hamilton County Community Corrections Department is at the forefront of changing lives and improving public safety, and I look forward to building on Ralph’s legacy,” Mulroony said. “This agency wouldn’t be where it is today without Ralph’s leadership, and my goal is to continue expanding our services to meet the growing needs of the county.”
The Indy Fuel concluded a grueling week with a Sunday afternoon road matchup against the Iowa Heartlanders, falling 2-1 after a tightly contested game marked by a dramatic third period and a valiant late effort.
First Period:
The opening frame started sluggishly, with both teams managing just three shots apiece through the early minutes. The deadlock broke at 10:51 when Iowa’s Ryan Miotto capitalized off a faceoff, giving the Heartlanders a 1-0 lead.
The Fuel had a chance to respond shortly after when Iowa’s Dakota Raabe was called for cross-checking, but Iowa’s penalty kill stifled the opportunity. Late-period penalties were a recurring theme, as Indy’s Colin Bilek served consecutive minors, but the Fuel’s penalty kill unit held firm. A too-many-men penalty against Indy at 19:33 carried over into the second period, with shots tied at 9-9.
Second Period:
The intensity ramped up in the middle frame, highlighted by a spirited fight between Chris Cameron of the Fuel and Nico Blachman of the Heartlanders.
Midway through the period, Iowa struck again—this time shorthanded. Yuki Miura capitalized on a Fuel turnover during a penalty kill, doubling the Heartlanders’ lead to 2-0. Indy found life at 14:42 when Kevin Lombardi broke the shutout with a snapshot set up by Cam Hausinger and Kyle Maksimovich.
Despite outshooting Iowa 18-15 through two periods, the Fuel faced a tough challenge heading into the final frame.
Third Period:
The final 20 minutes showcased the Heartlanders’ resilience and the Fuel’s determination. Early in the period, Indy found themselves on the penalty kill again after a Ty Farmer slashing call. Goaltender Ben Gaudreau delivered a strong performance to keep his team within reach, turning aside numerous quality chances from Iowa.
The tension peaked at 15:51 when Blachman received a game misconduct for inciting, leaving the Fuel shorthanded once more. Iowa’s Will Calverley then took a late roughing penalty, granting Indy a power play and a final chance to tie the game.
With Gaudreau pulled for an extra attacker, the Fuel applied heavy pressure in the closing minutes. Despite their efforts, the Heartlanders held on for a narrow 2-1 victory, fueled by strong defense and timely goaltending.
Key Takeaways:
There is a long history with top elected officials providing the state of government at just about all levels.
The most famous is the presidential State of the Union address, but it was not always a speech. George Washington addressed the Congress for the first State of the Union address. But our next president, Thomas Jefferson, thought the Washington oral presentation too “kingly” for a republic, according to historians. Therefore, Jefferson sent a written State of the Union message.
There was no oral State of the Union address for 112 years, until Woodrow Wilson revived the spoken word in the 1913 State of the Union. The invention of radio, and later television, brought the annual presidential address into the homes of any American choosing to listen or watch, beginning with Calvin Coolidge, live on the radio, in 1923.
It is now commonplace for top elected officials to provide an oral address on the state of government. Indiana governors have made the State of the State address an annual event. The Hamilton County Commissioners hold an annual State of the County speech.
In Fishers, it started as a State of the Town address provided by the President of the Fishers Town Council at a local Chamber of Commerce luncheon. That tradition continued when Fishers transitioned from a town to a city in 2015. Scott Fadness, as the only mayor Fishers has ever had, provided the State of the City address.
It has just been announced that Mayor Fadness will provide his latest State of the City address at the One Zone Chamber of Commerce luncheon February 5. In the past, the Forum Credit Union Event Center has often been the site for this occasion, but the luncheon has sold out quickly and not everyone wanting to attend could do so due to space limitations. There was a time Fadness’ speech was held in Noblesville with more room available, but the ribbing from our neighbors to the north was a bit annoying.
Now, the new Fishers Event Center is the site for the 2015 Fishers State of the City address. It is still a Chamber luncheon, but one would anticipate there will be enough room for all wishing to pay the luncheon fee and attend.
The only question now is, what does Mayor Fadness plan to talk about?
The Indy Fuel fell to the Iowa Heartlanders 4-1 on Saturday night in Coralville, Iowa, after struggling to overcome Iowa’s offensive pressure and early momentum. The loss marks the Fuel’s sixth game this season where they’ve been outshot by an opponent, with Iowa finishing ahead 26-22 in shots on goal.
The Heartlanders set the tone just 56 seconds into the game when captain Yuki Miura netted his eighth goal of the season, assisted by teammates Raabe and Miotto. A moment of controversy followed when officials reviewed a delayed high-stick penalty involving Indy’s Ryan Gagnier but determined that Lombardi’s stick hit his own teammate, clearing Iowa of wrongdoing.
Indy caught a break later in the period as Iowa’s Matthew Sop’s shot hit the crossbar, avoiding a deeper deficit. The frame ended with tensions rising but no penalties assessed, and the teams tied with seven shots each.
Iowa wasted no time extending their lead in the second period, with Miotto scoring just 25 seconds in, assisted once again by Raabe. The choppy period saw numerous stoppages for icing and offsides, stalling the Fuel’s offensive rhythm.
Indy defenseman Chris Cameron had several solid scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert. Tempers flared late in the period when Ty Farmer and Iowa’s Will Calverley attempted to drop the gloves but were separated by officials, earning both roughing penalties. The teams remained even in shots at 16 apiece heading into the final frame.
The Fuel showed resilience in the third period, taking advantage of a delay of game penalty against Iowa to score their lone goal. Nathan Burke ended his scoring drought with a power-play goal at 15:33, assisted by Bryan Lemos and Kyle Maksimovich. It was Burke’s fifth goal of the season and first since November 27.
Indy’s hopes for a comeback were dampened by a double-minor high-sticking penalty to Cam Hausinger, though the Fuel successfully killed the penalty to keep the score within reach. Despite their efforts to equalize, the Heartlanders sealed the game late in the period with two goals—Zach Dubinsky’s at 18:32 and Sop’s empty-netter with Miura tallying his third point of the night.
The loss drops Indy to a challenging position as they prepare for another clash with the Heartlanders on Sunday afternoon.
Even with snow on the ground, that isn’t stopping some road projects from continuing in our local area, although some have been slowed or delayed. The change in the lane configuration for the 146th Street project at Allisonville Road has been delayed by the weather.
Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:
Continue reading Road construction update for the week starting Monday, January 13
The Indy Fuel couldn’t overcome an early deficit Friday night, falling 4-1 to the Wheeling Nailers at the Fishers Event Center. The loss marks the conclusion of a two-game set between the teams this week.
The Fuel came out firing but found themselves trailing early despite outshooting the Nailers 9-6 in the opening frame. Wheeling’s Kyle Jackson opened the scoring at 5:26 with a precise finish. Matthew Quercia doubled the lead less than four minutes later, giving the visitors a 2-0 cushion.
A late penalty against Ty Farmer for holding tested the Fuel’s penalty kill, but they held firm to keep the game within reach heading into the intermission.
The middle frame brought physicality and frustration for the Fuel. At 4:55, Indy’s Cam Hausinger dropped the gloves with Wheeling’s Dakota Seaman but earned a slashing penalty, putting the Nailers on the power play. Quercia capitalized, netting his second goal of the night at 6:54 to extend Wheeling’s lead to 3-0.
Indy finally broke through at 15:39, as Colin Bilek buried his tenth goal of the season with assists from Bryan Lemos and Kyle Maksimovich. The tally provided a spark, but the Fuel couldn’t close the gap further despite outshooting Wheeling 9-7 in the period.
Early in the third, Indy earned a power play after a high-sticking penalty by Wheeling’s De St. Phalle just 41 seconds in. However, the Nailers’ penalty kill stood strong, neutralizing the opportunity.
With time running out, the Fuel pulled goaltender Ben Gaudreau for an extra attacker, but Wheeling’s Gabe Klassen sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 19:22. Both teams finished the night with 26 shots on goal.
The Fuel (now 15-12-2) will look to rebound as they hit the road for back-to-back games against the Iowa Heartlanders this weekend. They return to the Fishers Event Center Wednesday, January 15, for the next home contest against the Maine Mariners.