Fishers Show Choir students are preparing for a trip to Disneyland in California, ready to compete with other choirs around the nation.

Members of the Show Choir gathered with their parents at Fishers High School Tuesday evening.  About 120 students and 20 adult chaperones will be in the group headed to Los Angeles.

I spoke briefly with Choir Directors Laney De Luna and Scott Archer about the upcoming trip, at the video below.

The Indianapolis Star announced Wednesday morning that HSE High School’s basketball standout Maya Makalusky has been named Miss Basketball for the State of Indiana.

She will lead the Indiana squad when it faces Kentucky in the traditional all-star series.  Makalusky will play basketball next year for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Read the IndyStar story at this link. (You may need an IndyStar subscription to access this story)

Four Fishers Firefighters were honored at Monday night’s City Council session.  Chief Ky Ragsdale announced a 25-year service award for Dennis (Scott) Zelhart.  Earning 20-year service awards were Justin Mattox, Jeff Hague and Rob Demlow.

There were 7 speakers during the community comment period during the Council meeting.  Comments ranged from environmental questions about the new Andretti facility under construction, to concerns abut the proposed 10% cap on rental homes per neighborhood, safety concerns about the location of the Westside AgriPark so near to an airport runway, the city’s noise ordinance and development along Southeastern Parkway.

There might be no other band that has been able to channel the generational anxiety in those early millennial years and turn it into powerful and inclusive art quite like Band of Horses. The band performs ragged epics with high-flying vocals. Band of Horses songs have become anthems and touchstones for fans.

Tickes sales begins at 10 a.m. Friday, March 21. For ticketed shows, the NPD AMP is an all-ages facility, and children ages 2 and younger are permitted for free. Guests also can bring their own lawn chair and blanket for the GA lawn. Additional information is available on our website here.

Other events coming to the AMPO this summer:

Multi-platinum, 13-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend is bringing his acclaimed debut album back to the stage with the “Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour.” As part of the international tour, Legend will perform at the Fishers Event Center on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

The tour will feature a full-band performance of Get Lifted, the 2004 album that earned Legend three Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album and Best New Artist. Fans can expect to hear beloved tracks such as “Ordinary People,” “Used to Love U,” “Number One,” and “So High,” as well as hits spanning Legend’s two-decade career.

North American presales begin on Wednesday, March 26, with general on-sale opening on Friday, March 28. Ticket information is available at johnlegend.com.

Since its release, Get Lifted has become a defining album in contemporary R&B, blending neo-soul, hip-hop, and pop influences. The album debuted in the Billboard 200 Top 10 and has since been certified Double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

For fans in Fishers and beyond, Legend’s upcoming performance promises to be a celebration of the music that launched his iconic career.

Contemporary Christian music powerhouse Crowder is set to perform at the Fishers Event Center on Thursday, October 16, 2025, as part of the highly anticipated Grace and Glory Tour. The event will also feature Passion Music, Louie Giglio, and Kari Jobe Carnes & Cody Carnes, promising a night of worship and inspiration.

The tour will showcase songs that have shaped modern worship movements, including fan favorites like “Grave Robber,” “Glorious Day,” and “The Blessing.” The evening aims to provide a space for attendees to experience uplifting music, and moments of reflection.

Tickets for the Fishers concert go on sale this Friday, March 21, at 12 p.m. ET and will be available for purchase at FishersEventCenter.com and Ticketmaster.com.

Known for his innovative fusion of folk, rock, and electronic sounds, Crowder has become one of the most influential voices in Contemporary Christian music. His signature style blends bluegrass elements with modern production, setting him apart in the genre. With more than 1.8 billion global streams, Crowder has achieved four No. 1 radio singles, five GRAMMY nominations, and over 20 Dove Award nominations, including four wins. His live performances are renowned for their energy and genre-bending creativity, captivating audiences worldwide.

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