As Central Indiana communities face increasing housing costs, rapid population growth, and evolving workforce needs, HAND Inc. is convening local leaders and experts to discuss innovative solutions at the 2025 Suburban Housing Conference. Scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, at the IMMI Conference Center in Westfield, the event is presented by the Hamilton County Community Foundation.
The Indiana General Assembly is charged with fashioning budgets and enacting laws for our Hoosier state. We face a number of issues with economics, healthcare, taxes and the list goes on and on.
With so many genuine problems facing our state lawmakers, I question why so many of our elected officials are spending so much time and effort on a bill over school board elections. Indiana is one of more than 40 states that elect our school board members in nonpartisan elections.
The Indiana Senate has passed a bill transforming our nonpartisan school boards into partisan political contests. The Indiana House spent a good amount of time Monday debating a similar bill that ended up passing by a vote of 54-40.
According to reporting from Aleksandra Appleton of Chalkbeat Indiana, the Senate measure calls for school board elections to be run like any other partisan election, with candidates running in primary elections. Here is Ms. Appleton’s summary of the more complex House bill:
“The bill passed by the House on Monday gives school board candidates the option to state a party affiliation, identify as independent, or remain nonpartisan in general elections. It creates mechanisms for county parties to challenge an affiliation, and provides that a straight ticket vote does not apply to school board offices. It also provides raises to school board members.”
With the two proposed laws differing as they do, a conference committee would likely need to come up with a final version, unless the Senate just goes along with the House measure. The pay raise for school board members in the House bill would bring it up from the current $2,000 per year maximum to a sum not to exceed 10% of the lowest starting teacher salary in that district.
As I have written before, having covered tons of school board elections going back to the 1970s, I just do not see any problem with nonpartisan school board elections. Keeping party politics out of school board elections has worked well here and in most of the nation. What exactly are we trying to fix here?
Although it appears some version of partisan school board elections is on the way, it is not a totally done deal. Indiana legislators have been known to kill a proposed law at this stage of the game.
This law would prevent federal employees and private operation employees, with the businesses receiving substantial federal funding, from running in Indiana school board elections under the federal Hatch Act. As long the elections are nonpartisan, those citizens may run for office.
Partisan school board elections create problems rather than solving them. Lawmakers should focus on real issues that affect Hoosiers’ daily lives.
The Hamilton Southeastern school year is quickly coming to a close, with spring break just around the corner. Families can begin their travels on Friday, April 4, as students start their break. Classes resume on Monday, April 14.
After spring break, students will have approximately six weeks of classes before the 2024-2025 school year ends. There will be no school on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. The school year concludes with the final days of classes on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28.
This will mark the first graduation ceremonies held at the new Fishers Event Center. Fishers High School seniors will graduate on Wednesday, June 4, followed by Hamilton Southeastern High School’s ceremony on Thursday, June 5.
Book lovers and aspiring writers will have an exciting opportunity to connect with local authors at the Hamilton East Public Library’s (HEPL) 2025 Local Author Fair. The free, open-house-style event will take place on Saturday, April 12, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the FORUM Events Center (11313 USA Pkwy, Fishers, Indiana).
Nearly 70 authors and literary organizations from Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield, Cicero, Indianapolis, Greenwood, Anderson, Crawfordsville, and beyond will be present. Attendees can meet authors, purchase books, and have them signed. The event will also feature giveaways, including book bundles and other prizes.
Returning for a second year, story times and short readings by participating authors will be held in a room adjacent to the exhibit space throughout the afternoon.
“Hamilton East Public Library is excited for the return of this annual event showcasing the talent of local authors,” said Danielle Acton, HEPL Adult Program Coordinator. “Our service area within Hamilton County, and Indiana at large, has many gifted writers, some of whom have self-published and others who have launched their works through traditional publishing houses. The Local Author Fair provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with nearly 70 authors and literary organizations as you support local storytelling. During the event, you can purchase books for yourself or as gifts, network with other authors, ask them about their writing inspiration or process, and learn more about their journey to publishing.”
In addition to the fair, HEPL is offering four free writing workshops on the morning of April 12 from 9:30-11 AM at the Fishers Library (5 Municipal Dr.). These workshops require registration due to limited space and will cover various aspects of writing and publishing:
Writing Great Dialogue with Michelle McGill-Vargas
Get Published, Not Scammed with Myra Levine
Reasons to Write with Dr. Leah “Riwo” Leach
Creative Writing and Illustrating for Kids with Professor Watermelon and Mister Smart
Aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts are encouraged to take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage with Indiana’s literary community. For more details and to register for the workshops, visit this link.
Thompson Thrift, has announced the sale of Slate at Fishers District, a 242-unit, luxury build-for-rent community in Fishers. The property was acquired by Bonaventure Holding Company for an undisclosed amount.
The sale was brokered by a team from CBRE, including George Tikijian, Hannah Ott, Ted Abramson, Cam Benz, Claire Hassfurther, Ryan Stockamp, and Sean Pingel.
“Slate at Fishers District represents a community we’re truly proud to have developed, not just for its design and quality, but for the meaningful impact it has had on residents and the broader Fishers community,” said Josh Purvis, managing partner for Thompson Thrift Residential. “Slate reflects Thompson Thrift’s commitment to excellence, and we’re excited to continue building on that momentum as we look ahead to future phases of the Fishers District.”
Situated on approximately 25 acres at the southeast quadrant of Interstate 69 and 116th Street, Slate at Fishers District offers a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas, as well as three- and four-bedroom townhomes. The residences feature amenities, including bar-kitchens with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, 10-foot ceilings, designer light fixtures, walk-in closets with custom wood shelving, full-size washers and dryers, and smart home technology. Community amenities include a professionally decorated clubhouse, a 24-hour fitness center, a resort-style swimming pool with cabanas, a bark park, and a doggie spa.
Completed in May 2024, Slate at Fishers District has already achieved an occupancy rate exceeding 90%. The community is one of five distinct developments within the expansive Fishers District master plan, which will eventually cover 123 acres and include multifamily residences, townhomes, a hotel, office spaces, and a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Notably, the development includes the Fishers Event Center, a 7,500-seat arena home to the Indy Fuel, Indy Ignite, and Fishers Freight.
Thompson Thrift has been working on the Fishers District development since 2015 and was recognized with a Monumental Award from the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce in 2020 for the first phase of the project. When fully completed, the $750 million development aims to be a mixed-use destination in the region.
“Slate at Fishers District generated significant interest from a wide range of buyers thanks to its strong lease-up, high-quality construction, and prime location,” said George Tikijian, vice chairman of CBRE. “It’s a standout asset that not only performs well but also adds long-term value to the Fishers community.”
Since its founding nearly 40 years ago, Thompson Thrift has invested more than $6 billion in local communities and has earned a reputation as a trusted partner in developing high-quality multifamily and commercial properties across the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest.
I know the state of disappointment is vast at a time like this. Only one loss last season for the Fishers Tigers and a state championship. This year, an undefeated season going into the state championship game.
It was a heartbreaking one-point overtime loss that prevented the Tigers from a second straight state title. It was a game that could have gone either way and took a last-second shot by Jeff to take the 4A title in 2025.
What this group of players has accomplished remains amazing and this will go down as a group of players in Indiana basketball history as one of the best teams ever over two seasons.
I am confident each member of this team will be headed to very good things ahead. Hold your heads up high. You have earned the respect and admiration of Fishers.
Wrangler QB CJ Fowler loses control of the football, it’s snatched by defensive lineman for the Freight Izaiah Reed, he runs it back for a TD (photo from IFL Network broadcast)
The first game in the history of the newest Indoor Football League franchise, the Fishers Freight, was a win for the team from Central Indiana, 41-29, over the Northern Arizona Wranglers. The Fishers squad came into Prescott Valley Arizona anxious to play their first game ever and came away with a win.
It is not a surprise that Freight Quarterback Jiya Wright gained plenty of yards with quarterback keeper plays. However, no one could have predicted a key touchdown would be scored by a defensive lineman, 315 pound Izaiah Reed. When Wrangler QB CJ Fowler had the ball slip out of his hands with a pass attempt in the third quarter, Reed was alert, picked the ball out of the air, and found clear sailing all the way to the end zone.
The Freight did not get out to the best of starts Saturday night, finding themselves trailing the Northern Arizona squad 14-0 early in the second quarter. But the players from Fishers scored two quick TDs, bringing the score to 14-13, with Arizona still in the lead.
Arizona scored again and the halftime score was Wranglers 21 Freight 13.
Fishers took the opening kickoff in the second half and marched down the field for a TD, bringing the Freight within one point of the Wranglers, 21-20. Reed’s touchdown gave the Freight the lead and Fishers never trailed in the contest again.
When the Wranglers appeared to gain momentum with a touchdown and 2-point conversion with just over a minute left in the game, the Freight scored a safety that put the game away for the team from Indiana.
The game got out to a bit of an awkward start when, after the coin toss, the referee referred to the Freight as “Frisco.” There was also a Fishers TD that was overturned after a long replay review by the officials, finally saying the ball hit the ground before possession, but it was very close.
The Fishers Freight return to their home town with a win under their belt, not bad for a brand new expansion franchise. Freight Coach and General Manager Dixie Wooten has put together a team that is competitive and should make plenty of noise this season in the Indoor Football League.
Freight kicker Michael Balog struggled, missing some extra point attempts and missing a field goal. But, the season is young and there is time to turn such things around.
The Fishers Freight have their home opener April 4th, 7pm, at the Fishers Event Center. Tickets are available at this link.
GLENS FALLS – Despite dominating the shot count and earning all the power plays in the game, the Indy Fuel fell 1-0 to the Adirondack Thunder on Saturday night, marking their second consecutive shutout loss.
The game’s lone goal came in the first period when Adirondack’s Ryan Smith capitalized on a shorthanded opportunity at 14:01, beating Fuel goaltender Ryan Ouellette with an assist from Friedmann. Indy had its chances, including Colin Bilek ringing the crossbar twice, but could not find the back of the net.
The Fuel continued to pressure Adirondack’s netminder, Isaac Welsch, outshooting the Thunder 31-20. However, Welsch stood tall, turning away every attempt, including key saves in the final minutes when Indy pulled Ouellette for an extra attacker.
Tensions flared in the second period with a fight between Nathan Burke and Wheeler, but neither team found the scoreboard in the final 40 minutes.
The Fuel will look to bounce back at home on Tuesday when they host the Toledo Walleye at the Fishers Event Center.
With the weather beginning to warm, look for more road projects to pop up throughout the area. Along with the updates for ongoing projects, some new localized updates are on this week’s list.
Here is the full listing of area road construction for the work week beginning Monday, March 31, as provided by the City of Fishers:
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Despite riding the momentum of a shootout victory earlier in the week, the Indy Fuel couldn’t solve Adirondack goaltender Isaac Brodeur on Friday night, falling 3-0 to the Thunder at Cool Insuring Arena. The game was a physical battle, with a staggering 74 combined penalty minutes, but Indy was unable to capitalize on key power play opportunities.
Adirondack struck first late in the frame when Grant Loven netted his ninth goal of the season at 19:35, assisted by Ryan Conroy and Brendan Less. Despite trailing 1-0, the Fuel held a 12-8 edge in shots on goal.
Indy came out aggressive in the second, searching for an equalizer, but instead, Adirondack doubled its lead when Greg Smith scored his sixth goal of the year from Jake Busby and Shane Fox.
The Fuel continued to press offensively but were stymied by a tripping penalty against Lucas Brenton at 17:07. They successfully killed off the penalty but headed into the final period down 2-0, still leading in shots 22-14.
The final frame saw an explosion of penalties and physicality. The Thunder’s Hussain Ebrahim took a delay of game penalty at 3:19, giving Indy an early power play opportunity, but they couldn’t break through Brodeur’s defense.
More penalties piled up, including a 5-on-3 advantage for the Fuel following a high-sticking call on Adirondack’s Patrick Wheeler and a boarding penalty on Conroy. However, Indy failed to convert, and the missed opportunity proved costly.
Adirondack put the game out of reach at 14:47 when Alex Gervais scored, assisted by Loven and Busby, making it 3-0.
Then, tempers boiled over. At 15:56, Adirondack’s Ryan Tucker and Wheeler, along with Indy’s Jordan Martin and Conroy, engaged in multiple scrums, leading to double minors and a misconduct for continuing an altercation. A minute later, Farmer and Gulka dropped the gloves, followed by Bilek and Gervais getting fighting majors and misconducts before the puck even dropped.
When the dust settled, the Fuel had outshot the Thunder 30-22 but couldn’t solve Brodeur, who secured his fourth professional shutout.
Indy will get another shot at Adirondack on Saturday night before returning home for a showdown with the Toledo Walleye on Tuesday, 7pm, at the Fishers Event Center.
