The Indy Fuel kicked off their three-game road series against the Adirondack Thunder in thrilling fashion Wednesday night, overcoming a late deficit to force a shootout and claim a 3-2 victory. The win solidifies their hold on fourth place in the Central Division standings.

The game opened with physicality as Dakota Seaman and Brendan Less dropped the gloves just 5:40 into the first period. Seaman received an additional two-minute instigating penalty, served by Owen Robinson.

At 11:48, the Fuel struck first when Kyle Maksimovich buried a rebound past Adirondack’s Jeremy Brodeur, assisted by Chris Cameron and Bryan Lemos. The first period ended with Indy leading 1-0.  Both teams recorded seven shots on goal.

The second period saw the Fuel ramp up offensive pressure, firing 14 shots on goal. However, Brodeur remained solid in net. After killing off two penalties, the Thunder finally broke through at 18:45 when Ryan Conroy scored the equalizer, sending the game into the third period knotted at 1-1.

The third period remained tight until Adirondack capitalized on a four-minute power play. Lars Rødne, making his professional debut, scored his first career goal to give the Thunder a 2-1 lead.

With time winding down, the Fuel pulled goaltender Ben Gaudreau in favor of an extra attacker, a gamble that paid off when Maksimovich netted his second goal of the night at 18:22, forcing overtime.

After a scoreless seven-minute overtime, the game proceeded to a shootout. It took four rounds before Jarrett Lee secured the win with a decisive goal, lifting Indy to the 3-2 victory.

With this hard-fought win, the Fuel earned two crucial points in the standings, further strengthening their playoff push in the Central Division.

A home in the Cottingham Estates neighborhood was denied a zoning variance allowing short-term rentals Wednesday night, although the petitioner was willing to withdraw the request after hearing a number of complaints by neighbors.

The Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to deny the variance after 9 residents of the Cottingham area voiced their opposition.  The Homeowners Association (HOA) at Cottingham Estates has, in its covenant, language that would not allow a short-term rental in the neighborhood.  When the home owner, Biao Chen, was notified of the violation, he apparently threatened legal action.  As a small HOA with 121 properties and low dues, the HOA says it decided not to pursue the matter due to legal costs.

Eric Swanson spoke for his father-in-law. Mr. Chen, saying Chen is a missionary out of the country most of the year and uses the short-term rental to afford a home in some summer months when he returns to the United States.

After hearing 9 speakers from the neighborhood complain about parties, vehicles on the street and other complaints, Swanson asked the Board to withdraw the request on behalf of Mr. Chen.  The Board’s legal counsel advised that it was too late in the process to withdraw the petition and the Board had to act.  Board members voted unanimously to deny the petition.

After the meeting, Swanson was seen talking with the neighbors about the situation.

Also, the Board voted to install officers for 2025.  Steve Ferucci will serve another term as Chair of the Board and Howard Stevenson was voted Vice President.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools are planning to accept bids for pharmacy benefit managers that are expected to save the school district 35% in cost the first year.  The HSE Benefits Committee has recommended acceptance of a bid from Capital Rx for non-specialty medications and Archimedes for specialty medicines.  Five firms responded to the request for proposals and three were interviewed by the committee.  The contract with the current provider ends June 30 of this year.  Both new companies have each provided a letter of commitment, with a contract expected in 30-60 days.  This will not be ready for a school board vote in April, but possibly will receive a vote at the May meeting.

The school board Finance Committee prepared for a vote next week by the full board on a 5-year extension of the current contract with Community Health.  The pact includes nursing services, the health care clinic and sports medicine.  With the expansion in the number of sports, one trainer has been added to each high school staff.  The Community Health agreement providing behavioral health is a separate matter with a one-year extension and will be a year-to-year decision.

The Finance Committee was presented with a renewal of the Skyward contract that will feature a 3% increase in the licensing fee.  The total cost of this contract is $189,507.  Superintendent Patrick Mapes says an enhancement is coming to the Skyward system in June that feature improvements.

Fishers Youth Initiative (FYI), the recently merged organization formerly known as Youth Mentoring Initiative and Fishers Youth Assistance Program, has begun its search for a new executive director following the resignation of Brittany Rayburn.

Rayburn, who played a pivotal role in guiding the organization through the first phase of the merger, will step down from her role on May 28. She previously served as the executive director of Youth Mentoring Initiative for four years before taking on a leadership role in FYI.

“We’re grateful for Brittany’s steadfast leadership for the last four years as YMI’s executive director, and recently during the transition to become Fishers Youth Initiative,” said Matt Schlueter, Co-President of FYI’s Board of Directors. “As we look ahead, we are excited to bring together critical services and support to youth in Fishers and look forward to bringing in a dynamic leader that can continue to grow FYI’s impact.”

The FYI Board of Directors has established a search committee to identify a new executive director. The position posting is available online, and interested candidates can inquire directly with FYI Co-President Anderson Schoenrock at schoenrock@memoryventures.com.

In the meantime, Fishers Youth Initiative is gearing up for its annual spring fundraiser, Wines Around the World, on Friday, May 16. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at this link..

As FYI continues to expand its services and outreach, the organization remains committed to supporting the youth of Fishers through mentorship, education, and community resources.

The City of Fishers has awarded its first road resurfacing bid of the new year.  The Board of Public Works and Safety accepted a bid from Midwest Paving for just under $3 million, with half the cost coming from a State of Indiana Community Crossing Matching Grant.  For more details on where the resurfacing will be done, use this link.

In other items before the board Tuesday morning:

–The first phase of construction for the White River Park, near 96th Street and Allisonville Road, has run into unusually wet winter, and that has resulted in the need for soil drying and stabilization at the project site. The board voted to provide $73, 460.12 to cover the cost, with the funds coming from the city’s annual budget.

–Two new businesses had their requests for liquor licensing approved as part of the Riverfront District Project Area, allowing such licensing outside the normal quotas allowed.  Voodoo Brewing and Biscuit Boys were approved by the board.  Both are to be located near 106th Street east of I-69.  Those applications will now go before the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.

–The board put its stamp of approval on a new No Parking Zone along the both sides
of Britton Park Road, Trade Center Drive, and Park Court generally located south of 141st St and north of 135th Street.  This area was recently included in the city’s road inventory.  In recent months, city officials say vehicles have been parking on both sides Britton Park Road and Trade Center Drive at certain times, creating safety concerns for pedestrians and other drivers.

Get ready for an electrifying night of funk and rock as the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (NPD AMP) and MOKB Presents welcome Here Come The Mummies live in concert on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday, March 28, at 10 a.m. via npdamp.com and mokbpresents.com.

Here Come The Mummies is an eight-piece funk-rock ensemble wrapped in mystery—literally. With a backstory claiming they are 5,000-year-old Egyptian mummies, this band delivers an unforgettable experience of “Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave.” Their enigmatic presence, witty songwriting, and high-energy performances have captivated audiences nationwide, making their shows a can’t-miss spectacle that promises to “bend your brain and melt your face.”

Tickets for the highly anticipated Here Come The Mummies concert will be available for purchase beginning at 10 a.m. on March 28. Fans can secure their spots at npdamp.com and mokbpresents.com. The NPD AMP remains an all-ages venue, allowing children two and under to attend for free. Concertgoers are also welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience.

For additional details, visit herecomethemummies.com and fisherslive.com.

The Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (NPD AMP) and MOKB Presents announce Michael Franti & Spearhead will bring their highly anticipated Welcome to the Family Tour to Fishers on Friday, July 25, 2025. The show will feature special guest Allen Stone, adding to the excitement of this summer event.

Tickets for the performance go on sale this Friday, March 28, at 10 a.m. and will be available at npdamp.com and mokbpresents.com. The NPD AMP continues to establish itself as a premier outdoor venue, reinforcing Fishers’ reputation as a thriving concert destination.

Michael Franti, the acclaimed musician, activist, and humanitarian, is gearing up for a major year with the release of his 14th studio album, Welcome to the Family, dropping on March 28, 2025, via Boo Boo Wax/Thirty Tigers. The nationwide Welcome to the Family Tour will celebrate this milestone by promoting messages of unity, resilience, and positivity through music.

“This tour isn’t just about the music—it’s about celebrating what really matters: connection, resilience, and finding light even in tough times,” Franti said. Known for his interactive performances, Franti often performs from within the crowd and brings fans on stage, creating an immersive and joyful concert experience.

Franti has built a career on transforming challenges into hope, using his music and activism to foster unity. Whether on stage, at his Bali retreat, or through his philanthropic work, he remains dedicated to bringing people together and uplifting spirits.

The NPD AMP show is expected to be one of the highlights of the summer, with fans encouraged to secure tickets early. The venue is an all-ages facility, with children two and under admitted for free. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enhance their concert experience.

For more information and ticket purchases, visit npdamp.com.

The Fishers Century Club convened for its quarterly meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at The Club Coworking event space, where members heard presentations from three charitable organizations before selecting one to receive the group’s collective donation. This quarter’s recipient was the Indiana School Resource Officers Association (INSROA) Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting school resource officers (SROs) across the state.

The INSROA Foundation, a newly established nonprofit, focuses on ensuring that Indiana’s SROs receive high-quality, ongoing training without bearing the financial burden themselves. SROs who join INSROA receive access to critical resources and state-of-the-art training opportunities. Membership currently costs $50 annually, which includes enrollment in the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), while the Indiana School Safety Conference costs an additional $150. The Foundation’s mission is to cover these costs so that every SRO in Indiana can access membership and training programs aimed at improving school safety and fostering positive relationships with students.

“School Resource Officers serve the mission of keeping our students, staff, and communities safe,” said Officer Greg Zimmerman, a Carmel-based SRO and representative of the INSROA Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to the Fishers Century Club for helping us fund training opportunities that enhance school safety and bring awareness to new technologies and strategies that help protect Indiana’s children every day.”

The INSROA Foundation is also planning to host its inaugural fundraising gala this fall to expand its donor base and increase support for SROs throughout Indiana. Event details will be announced soon.

Fishers Century Club founder Adam Kallick expressed his personal connection to the cause. “Supporting school safety is very close to me,” Kallick said. “In my professional work, one of my clients is the national leader in frictionless gateway weapons detection technology. It is important to provide our schools with the right tools and training to keep students safe. That’s why I’m proud our group is backing the INSROA Foundation and the essential work they’re doing for SROs across Indiana.”

The INSROA Foundation not only aims to relieve the financial strain on SROs but also works to educate communities and school systems about advancements in safety tools, protocols, and equipment. The organization’s goal is to ensure that every SRO has access to continuing education, regardless of district budget constraints.

The Fishers Century Club, a men’s crowd-giving organization, meets quarterly to hear from three charitable organizations and make a collective contribution to one. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

A roundabout is coming to the intersection of 116th Street and Allisonville Road, but the project will be delayed to 2026.  The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety okayed a $3.1 million bid from Rieth-Riley to construct the roundabout.

The city had requested two sets of bids – one for 2025 and another for 2026.  Due to ongoing work at I-69 and I-465, 146th Street and Allisonville Road and 141st and State Road 37 during 2025, the city has decided to postpone the roundabout work at 116th and Allisonville to 2026.  The bids were opened in late January this year.

Mayor Scott Fadness has said he favors closing the intersection of 116th and Allisonville completely during the construction, reducing the amount of time it will take to finish the project.  Completion of surrounding area road construction will allow motorists more options to avoid 116th & Allisonville during that roundabout construction in 2026.

I have lost count of how many school board elections I have covered as a reporter.  I started in the late 1970s and have watched as a journalist school board elections for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board since 2012.

I perused with interest two commentaries in a recent edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Forefront opinion publication.  It centered on Indiana school board elections.

Most states, 42 to be exact, run their school board elections as nonpartisan.  In other words, no political party is attached to any candidate running for a local Indiana school board seat.

Forefront featured two views on the subject.  First, State Senator Gary Bryrne, representing a district in southern Indiana, argues Indiana needs to change the law, allowing local school board elections to become partisan, so candidates identify with a political party, as is the case in most other elected offices in the Hoosier state.

Byrne argues that many voters in his district do not even bother to cast a ballot in the local school board elections.  He believes school board elections are already partisan and conducting school board elections as partisan is just recognizing that reality.

Terry Spradlin, Executive Director of the Indiana School Boards Association, takes a very different view.  His experience tells him most school boards in Indiana do not operate on a political basis.

As a retired federal employee, I know while I was employed as a civil servant, the Hatch Act prevented me from running in a partisan election, but I could have run for school board in Indiana.  Also, Spradlin points out any employee of the Indiana court system would be barred from running for a local school board due to the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct.

State lawmakers are once again mulling over a change in state law making our local school board elections partisan.  I would hope members of the General Assembly would take into consideration a few thoughts.

Indiana puts school board candidates at the very end of the ballot procedure, so many voters skip it for that reason.  It should also be noted that Indiana is one of only six states that continues to allow straight party voting (casting one vote for all candidates of one party).  If Indiana did away with that, as most of the nation has, I predict voting in school board elections would rise dramatically.

As someone that has covered plenty of school board election campaigns, I do not find that voters have any trouble understanding what a candidate stands for when making a decision on casting a ballot.  Even within the major political parties, I have found dramatic differences in individual candidates’ approaches to an issue like education.

I come down on this with a very simple notion.  It’s a saying I heard quite often from relatives in southern Indiana – “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”