TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo Walleye used a strong third period to pull away from the Indy Fuel, earning a 5-2 victory in Game 2 of the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and taking a 2-0 series lead.

The game started with high energy from both sides, but it was Toledo’s Mitchell Lewandowski who opened the scoring early in the first period. Jalen Smereck added another for the Walleye midway through the frame, giving the home team a 2-0 lead after one.

Indy responded in the second with a redirection goal by Matus Spodniak, but Toledo’s Trenton Bliss quickly answered. The Fuel kept battling, and rookie Ethan Manderville netted his first playoff goal to bring Indy back within one. Toledo led 3-2 heading into the third.

After a relatively quiet start to the final period, a flurry of penalties led to a Walleye power play, and Lewandowski capitalized with his second goal of the night. The Fuel’s hopes for a comeback were dashed when Brandon Hawkins scored with just under three minutes left, capping off a four-point performance.

The series now shifts to the Fishers Event Center, where the Fuel will look to stay alive in front of their home crowd Monday in Game 3.

People still ask me how this whole writing-a-news-blog thing started. It goes back to 2012. I had just retired after 28 years as a civilian in government service.

In the years that followed, I did some work for a tax software firm and spent time teaching at Indiana University—earning a little income along the way. But as a retiree, I felt a deeper responsibility to give back to my local community. Fishers had been a wonderful place to raise my twin daughters, and I wanted to find a meaningful way to contribute.

Before shifting careers in 1983, I’d spent several years as a radio broadcast journalist. I began to wonder: could I put that old experience to use as a volunteer?

With the help of Blogging for Dummies and a good friend with strong tech skills, LarryInFishers was born in January 2012. The focus? Fishers news.

My original goal was modest—to attract maybe a few hundred people interested in staying informed about this growing community.

I clearly underestimated how much people care about local news. Very quickly, a few hundred readers turned into something much bigger. Now, in my 13th year of writing this blog, over 100,000 unique visitors have stopped by in 2024 alone.

I’ll be honest—attending meetings, talking to people around town, and staying current with all the latest developments is hard work. It isn’t easy. I’ve tried to walk away from this blog twice, and you—the readers—simply wouldn’t let me.

Sure, there are days when the meetings stack up, the news feels like too much for one person to handle, and I find myself wondering why I do this.

Then something happens. I’m covering a Fuel hockey game, and three people stop me just to say “thank you.” At community events, strangers walk up to express appreciation for what I do.

Every time I start to feel the weight of running this one-man news operation, someone leaves a kind comment—either in person or online. It’s as if the universe is sending me a message.

Not long ago, I made a big error in one of my stories. Within minutes, a loyal reader reached out to point it out. I quickly corrected it and joked that maybe I’m getting too old for this. He replied, “There are people in Fishers who’ve got your back.” That meant more than he probably knew. It reminded me that people really do value this work.

From time to time, I get attacked on social media. I understand that. If being in the public sphere bothered me, I wouldn’t be doing this. But what always amazes me is how people I’ve never met will jump in and defend me. All I can say to that is—wow.

Just to be clear, I receive a small payment for writing a monthly news summary for Alison Gatz at Fishers Magazine, and I have a modest advertising deal with Tom Britt’s Towne Post Network. But trust me—I’m not in this for the money.

There’s only one reason this blog continues: you. The readers of this blog, and the listeners of my podcast series, are the reason LarryInFishers keeps going. You’ve made it clear that I’m providing something meaningful. That means the world to me.

So, let me close with a familiar refrain…

Thanks for reading.

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Indy Fuel opened the Kelly Cup playoffs Thursday night in Toledo with a high-intensity matchup against the Walleye, ultimately falling 6-3 in Game 1 of the Central Division Semifinals.

Toledo jumped out to an early lead, capitalizing on special teams opportunities. Trenton Bliss struck first with a shorthanded goal just 3:30 into the game, followed by a power play tally from Brandon Hawkins to make it 2-0. Despite some pushback from the Fuel, Walleye goaltender Jan Bednar held firm, and Toledo carried a one-goal edge in shots after the first period.

Indy’s Owen Robinson netted the Fuel’s first goal of this postseason early in the second, but Toledo answered quickly. Goals from Jalen Smereck and Sam Craggs extended the Walleye lead to 4-1. Bryan Lemos responded for Indy to keep the game within reach, but Craggs notched his second of the night to make it 5-2. The Fuel killed off a two-man disadvantage late in the period but couldn’t close the gap before the intermission.

Colin Swoyer added a sixth goal for Toledo early in the third. Jarrett Lee tallied a late goal for Indy on a redirection to bring the score to 6-3, but the Fuel couldn’t mount a comeback. The final minutes turned chippy, with several penalties handed out after a series of scrums and hits.

Toledo finished the night with a 30-27 edge in shots. The teams will square off again Friday night at 7:15 p.m. in Toledo for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series.

When police begin investigating a crime, one of their top priorities is identifying and charging a suspect. That process often takes weeks or even months of interviewing witnesses and analyzing crime scene evidence. But the Fishers Police Department is now demonstrating how technology can dramatically shorten that timeline.

Lt. Jim Hawkins recently gave a live demonstration of the department’s use of Rapid DNA technology—an advanced tool that can provide officers with enough probable cause to charge a suspect in as little as 90 minutes.

Once charges are filed, the evidence is forwarded to the Indiana State Police Lab for further analysis, which prosecutors rely on in court. To strengthen the scientific validity of the results, Fishers PD is partnering with the University of Indianapolis, whose scientists help confirm the DNA findings when necessary.

Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart addressed reporters at the demonstration, emphasizing that the effort highlights how the mayor and city council are actively supporting law enforcement. He added that the department’s use of state-of-the-art technology is a key factor in keeping Fishers among the safest cities in the country.

Demonstrations at the event walked attendees through the process of analyzing DNA and fingerprint evidence using tools rarely available to local agencies. Chief Gebhart also noted that the department’s DNA lab is utilized by other police departments and has contributed to solving cold cases that are decades old.

According to Lt. Hawkins, the department’s Rapid DNA program has helped resolve 44 cases involving unidentified human remains, led to 18 criminal identifications and added 465 suspect profiles to the database.

Demonstration of the M-VAC system, part of the scientific analysis

As a proposal on single-family home rentals moves forward in Fishers, the real estate industry is putting plenty of money into a campaign aimed at derailing any action on a city ordinance.

The print edition of this week’s Current In Fishers contains two full page ads opposing the ordinance that would limit the number of single family home rentals to 10% in any single subdivision, with some exceptions.  A mass text message sent to local cell phones Monday urges residents to e-mail local elected officials, arguing the plan should be ditched, was sent by a group calling itself the Hoosier Homeowners Alliance, which appears to have been funded by a national real estate political committee.

Getting the phone number listing for the text message blast and the Current In Fishers ad cost the industry money.  There are clearly people in the business of real estate that do not want this rental cap to become a local ordinance.  All this attention is related to the fact that this is the first such measure proposed by any locality in Indiana and many believe it could be the first of its kind in the nation.

Mayor Scott Fadness has decided to respond, sending out the social media post shown above.  He details his response on the city’s Web site at this link.  Those opposing the rental caps have their own Web page at this link.

I recorded a podcast last month with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and his Chief of Staff Jordin Alexander outlining the proposed ordinance…you can listen at this link.  This week, I recorded a podcast with two opponents of the rental cap, former City Councilor Jocelyn Vare and local real estate professional Steve Ladig…you can listen to that podcast at this link.

I am only certain of one thing at this point – the April 21 public hearing at the 7pm City Council session should be lively.  If the Council adheres to the current schedule, a final vote on the rental cap will take place in May.

Last month, I recorded a podcast with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and his Chief of Staff Jordin Alexander about the proposed 10% cap in the number of single-family home rentals for each subdivision in the city (listen at this link).

With a City Council public hearing scheduled April 21 about this issue, I invited two opponents of the ordinance under consideration.  Fishers resident and real estate professional Steve Ladig and former City Councilor Jocelyn Vare, to discuss why they are against the proposed rental cap.  Listen at the link below.

(NOTE:  An earlier version of this story listed the roundabout at Hoosier Road and 131st…that was incorrect and the story below has been corrected)

The City of Fishers is entering into a professional services contract with American Structurepoint to begin planning a new roundabout at the intersection of Brooks School Road and 131st Street. City Engineering Director Hatem Mekky informed the Board of Public Works and Safety on Tuesday morning that construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2026. The project is part of the city’s Fishers 2040 comprehensive plan.

Other Items from the Board of Public Works and Safety:

• Road Resurfacing Contract Approved:
  The board approved the second road resurfacing contract for 2025—a $2.7 million project that will primarily focus on the western parts of Fishers and the downtown area.  For more details on where the resurfacing will take place, use this link.

• Technology Contract Renewals:
  The city renewed several technology service contracts, including an expansion of VPN services to additional devices. This move is aimed at enhancing the security of city communications.

• Traffic Signal on 116th Street:
  Director Mekky says his department plans to present a contract proposal at the next Board of Works meeting to recommend where to install a traffic signal along 116th Street, between Cumberland Road and Hoosier Road. A previous board action called for a study to identify a safe location for a signal to improve left-turn access from the Spyglass and Spyglass Falls neighborhoods. A recommendation for the signal’s placement is expected to be made public in July.

We the People is a rigorous academic competition where students from across the country showcase their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, American government, and history. Sponsored by the Bar Association, the program challenges students to think critically about civic issues and present their ideas in front of panels of judges.

Both local high schools have a strong tradition of excellence in the We the People program, frequently advancing to national competitions after impressive performances at the state level.

This year, Fishers High School earned a coveted spot in the national finals held in Washington, D.C., and finished second in the nation — a remarkable achievement that reflects the students’ hard work, intelligence, and dedication.

As someone who has served as a practice judge for We the People teams in the past, I can say firsthand just how difficult and competitive this program is. This accomplishment is truly a milestone for our local community.

Fishers High School’s We the People coach, Liz Paternoster, shared her pride in a heartfelt Facebook post on Sunday:

“This year’s We the People team just earned Second Place in the Nation at the National Finals in Washington, D.C., but that title doesn’t even begin to capture what they’ve done.

They’ve given me hope for the future. In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, these students have shown what’s possible when young people lead with passion, intelligence, and heart. They didn’t just study the Constitution — they lived it, defended it, and inspired others to believe in it.

To say I’m proud would be an understatement. I am completely in awe. They’ve renewed my spirit not just as a coach, but as an educator and a citizen. Their drive, their teamwork, their belief in the power of civic dialogue… it reminded me why I started teaching in the first place.”

Yes, there are high school students who care deeply about civic issues — and they are making a difference. Congratulations to Coach Paternoster, the advisors who supported the team, and the entire Fishers High School community on this incredible accomplishment.