Communicating in the year 2025 is not simple.  We have so many ways to communicate that it has all become more complicated with email, social media, newsletters, and websites all around us.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools want to find out how people in the local community prefer to receive communications from the local school district.  As a result, from now through March 31, local citizens may let the local schools know how you prefer to receive messages and information.

“This survey is an opportunity for families and community members to tell us what’s working and where we can improve,” said Emily Pace Abbotts, Director of School and Community Relations.

This survey gives you a chance to share whether you are receiving the right amount, and type, of information on key topics such as student success, district initiatives, funding updates, and school accountability.

The online survey is available at this link.

Originally, the Andretti Global facility at the Airport, just north of 96th Street, was to be a shop for Indy cars, sports cars, a museum, restaurant and headquarters for the Andretti auto racing operation.  Now that Andretti’s Cadillac Formula One team has been approved to join the F1 grid in the 2026 season, that has all changed.  The 400,000 square-foot facility will bring plenty of high-tech employees and visitors, including international media, from around the world.  The Formula One series is by far the biggest and most popular racing series in the world.

Fishers Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner presented a economic development project agreement to the City Council that includes no new incentives, but reflects the changed focus of the TWG/Andretti Fishers operation.

Chief Operating Officer for TWG Motorsports, and President of Andretti Global, Jill Gregory. explained how the new facility will be devoted to Formula One only, because of the need for advanced technical staff and equipment to prepare cars to compete in F1.

When asked about the firm’s commitment to the environment in light of its close proximity to Ritchey Woods, Gregory responded that the FIA (F1’s sanctioning body) has very strict protocols all teams must follow environmentally. (FIA stands for the French Phrase Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, which translated into English means International Automobile Federation).

The Fishers City Council approved the project agreement changes unanimously.

About one month ago, the Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI) and the Fishers Youth Assistance Program (YAP) announced a merger, becoming the Fishers Youth Initiative (FYI).  The two organizations, aimed at helping young people in need, decided to become one.

FYI Executive Director Brittany Rayburn says the merger discussions began months ago and the newly formed organization has decided 2025 will be a transition year, with all programs run by each organization continuing as before.

City Hall was the site of a reception to celebrate the combining of these two organizations  early Monday morning.

The new group will now have adult mentors in all Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, according to Rayburn.  The new organization will continue to provide tutoring services, praised by Mayor Scott Fadness as a key program for students that “fell through the cracks” during COVID.

Board member Kim Goss went into detail about the need for food.  Many may not realize  there are young people in this community dealing with hunger.  The Snack Attack program provides 650 bags of food per week to HSE and some private schools in Fishers during the school year.  Starting in June, for 7 weeks, 5,000 meals are provided weekly during summer break.  Food is also distributed when there are breaks within the school year.  That is the extent of need in the Fishers area.

HSE Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes said 23% of HSE students are on the free or reduced lunch program, a total of 5,000.

Mayor Fadness told those attending the Monday reception that Fishers continues to attract families because the city is viewed as a good place to raise kids.  The mayor was instrumental in bringing the two nonprofit groups together into one.

Fadness has focused on several issues centered on youth during his tenure as mayor, such as mental health, food insecurity and basic tutoring services.  “The city believes in this new model,” the mayor told reception attendees.  “We think it’s entrepreneurial, we think it’s the right approach, not just for today but well into the future.”

Superintendent Mapes revealed information not yet made public about I-read state test scores to those at the reception.  Mapes says 68% of HSE second graders passed the most recent test, meaning they are reading at third grade levels, and third grade students are trending at 94% proficiency in reading and literacy.  He credits the work of classroom teachers and support from FYI programs for the high test scores.

For more information about the Youth Assistance program, use this link.

If you would like to explore becoming a mentor, contact the Youth Mentoring Initiative at this link.  

It was the third game in 3 days for both teams.  The Indy Fuel played at home Friday, in Cincinnati last night and at home today (Sunday).  The Fort Wayne Komets played two contests in Wheeling, the last game Saturday night, took the bus to Fishers and played the Fuel at 4pm.  The Fuel also had a number of players injured.  Bottom line, both teams had issues going into the Sunday matchup.

Fort Wayne clearly earned a win at Fishers Event Center Sunday, 4-2.  Fuel goals by Ty Farmer and Lucas Brenton were not enough as Fort Wayne scored 3 goals in the second period, including two by Kiriil Tyutyayev.

The Komets sealed the victory with a third period score from Kyle Crnkovic.  The Fuel pulled goaltender Ryan Ouelette with 2 minutes remaining but failed to find the back of the net.

There were a good number of penalties in this matchup, but the Fuel failed to capitalize.  On the other had, Fort Wayne took advantage of their power play opportunities.

This puts the Fuel a step behind their Central Division rivals in a close competition for the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL Central Division.  5,497 fans left the Events Center disappointed, except the Fort Wayne fans that made the I-69 trek south.

The Fuel have another Friday, Saturday & Sunday set of games, all 3 at home, coming up.  With less than a month left in the season, the Fuel need wins to vie for a playoff spot this season

Language contained in a City Council Action Form amending the project agreement between the City of Fishers and Andretti Global says it all.  “…the scope of the Project has changed, and Andretti will not construct its corporate headquarters or museum on the project site. Rather, a F1 Team will locate to the project site, and the development will focus on the type of commercial development necessary to locate the F1 Team on the Site.”

The ‘project site” is the under-construction facility at the local airport, just north of 96th Street.  That complex had original plans to be the Andretti headquarters for the many racing series where Andretti competes, along with a restaurant and museum.  I appears that will not happen.  This will make way for a very different development, but one that has many possibilities for growing the high-tech industries in Fishers.

Reporter Daniel Bradley wrote an extensive piece in the most recent edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal, pointing out the opportunities now available to Fishers as a result of Andretti’s decision to locate the new Formula One team at the Fishers facility.

Mayor Scott Fadness is quoted in Mr. Bradley’s story emphasizing the potential for growth in local high-tech firms because F1 uses advanced technology more than any other auto racing series.

You can read Daniel Bradley’s story at this link.     (You will likely need an IBJ subscription to access this story)

The changes in the economic development agreement with Fishers to reflect these changes will be before the Fishers City Council Monday night.

The Fishers Freight have started training camp as the only expansion franchise in the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the 2025 season.  The camp is being held at the Farmers Bank Fieldhouse in Lebanon.  Camp ends March 22nd.  38 players have been invited, 28 will be selected on the roster.  The team will then prepare for their first game of the season, on the road at Northern Arizona.  The following week, the Freight will host their inaugural home game at the Fishers Event Center,  Friday, April 4.  Tickets are on sale for the home opener at this link.

I spoke with Head Coach Dixie Wooten about the upcoming season in a February podcast, available at this link.

The Indy Fuel secured a hard-fought 2-1 road victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones Saturday night, with Kevin Lombardi netting the game-winning goal in the final minutes of regulation.

Cincinnati’s Kyle Bollers broke the deadlock at 16:52, giving the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. Tensions flared immediately after the goal, but the officials kept their whistles quiet. Indy outshot Cincinnati 7-6 but trailed by one heading into the first intermission.

Indy found an answer at 6:45 when Darby Llewellyn capitalized on an opportunity, with assists from Bryan Lemos and Lucas Brenton, to even the score at 1-1.

Both teams had chances early in the third but remained disciplined. At 11:11, Lucas Brenton was called for cross-checking, giving Cincinnati a power play, but Indy successfully killed it off.

With time winding down, the Fuel finally broke through. At 17:51, after a battle in front of the net, Kevin Lombardi managed to jam the puck past Cyclones goaltender Pavel Peksa for the go-ahead goal. Assists went to Kyle Maksimovich and Nick Grima. Officials reviewed the play but confirmed the goal stood, putting Indy ahead 2-1.

Cincinnati pulled Peksa for the extra attacker in the final minute, using a timeout to strategize for one last push. However, the Fuel’s defense held firm, sealing the win after outshooting the Cyclones 22-21.

This win strengthens the Fuel’s standing to compete for the fourth and final playoff spot in the ECHL Central Division.  The Fuel are back at the Fishers Event Center Sunday at 4pm to take on Indiana rival, the Fort Wayne Komets.  It will be Agriculture Day.

As we get further into March, road construction ramps up once again in our area.

First, one update that did not make this listing is the 146th Street and Allisonville Road Hamilton County project.  Watch for more lane closures in coming weeks as material deliveries ramp up at that construction site.

Also, there is a road closure to the west of State Road 37 on 141st Street.

There are a number of other projects and lane closures in this week’s update.

Here is the list for the work week starting Monday, March 17, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Fishers area road construction report for the week of March 17 →

Friday night was the first time the Indy Fuel ever had a female referee, Sydney Harris. That was the most memorable thing Fuel fans can take away from this game against the Kalamazoo Wings.  The final score was 6-2, Wings.

The Fuel were never in this game, as Kalamazoo tallied 3 goals in period 1, including a short handed score.

Nathan Burke did pick up his 18th goal of the season in Period 2, but the Wings found the back of the net twice.  It was Wings 5 Fuel 2, at the end of 2.

In Period 3 Lucas Brenton lit the lamp for the Fuel, bringing the score to 5-2.  4 minutes later, the Wings scored again, bringing the score to 6-2, which ended up being the final tally.

This loss will not make it easier for the Fuel as they battle the Wings, Bloomington and Cincinnati for the final playoff spot in the ECHL Central Division.

Indy travels to Cincinnati to take on the Cyclones tomorrow (Saturday) night.  The Fuel return to the Fishers Event Center for their third game in 3 days Sunday at 4pm, facing the Fort Wayne Komets.

Before last Wednesday’s Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) provided teachers with an update on a pending Unfair Labor Practice filing  (see this link).

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools have issued a response, saying they are willing to work on the issues raised by HSEA.

Below is the full text of the statement issued Friday by HSE Schools:

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The School Corporation was very surprised to see the recent statements made by the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association regarding the unfair labor practice, and in particular how it mischaracterized the School Corporation’s willingness and effort to settle and resolve this matter. The School Corporation has worked in good faith to not only address the allegations raised in the complaint but has also spent considerable time and attention addressing several ancillary issues raised by HSEA which have no nexus with the unfair labor practice. In fact, we spent much of our last mediation session addressing these ancillary issues, including some of those raised by HSEA in their recent statements. While we were equally frustrated that the merits of the Complaint were not the focus of our last mediation session, we were happy and willing to collaborate on these additional issues, all in an attempt to resolve these matters in good faith.

 Moreover, the School Corporation was surprised to see HSEA’s statement regarding teacher re-assignment. While Indiana law allows the School Corporation to direct and assign its employees, these re-assignment efforts prevented serious RIF conversations and allowed the district to preserve over 20 teaching positions.  

 The School Corporation has been at the table ready and willing to resolve this matter which involves allegations against a former school employee. We are not here to fight. We are not here to threaten additional lawsuits committing needless time and resources away from our mission of providing a world-class education to the 21,000 students and families that we have the privilege of serving. Resolution takes two willing parties. We can set a positive example for our entire school district by ending senseless fighting. As always, the School Corporation is ready and willing to meet to resolve this matter.