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. 

The Indianapolis Star has sponsored an all-star high school series each year for a long time, pitting players from Indiana against an all-star squad from Kentucky.  The coaches and players for Indiana’s girls team were announced Friday morning by the Star, and Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) High School has an assistant coach and player on the team.

Royal Maya Makalusky averaged 22.1 points in her senior season with HSE.  She is one of 13 ladies named to the Indiana squad.

HSE girls coach Brian Satterfield will be an assistant coach to head coach Stacy Mitchell from Warren Central.  Kristi Sigler from Jennings County was also named an assistant coach.

The all-star series features double-headers with girls and boys teams from the Hoosier state taking on all-stars from Kentucky.

You can read the IndyStar story at this link, but may need an IndyStar subscription to access.

The Fishers Homeowners Association (HOA) Alliance was formed three years ago to deal with plans by Verizon Wireless to erect 5G Internet towers in the city’s  neighborhoods.  Verizon has stopped plans for new towers in Fishers for about two years, but the Alliance has continued.

The group held a meeting Wednesday night with Jordin Alexander, Chief of Staff for Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, to ask questions about the proposed city ordinance capping the number of rental properties allowed in a given subdivision at 10%.  So-called “legacy” homes, those rental properties in place as of December 31, 2025, may remain rental properties even if the subdivision is over the 10% cap, and would no longer be allowed to be a rental once the home is sold (assuming the subdivision is over the 10% threshold at the time of sale).  The proposed ordinance language also provides a list of other exceptions to the 10% cap.

HOA Alliance President Geoff Tease, in opening remarks, revealed results of a survey taken of HOA Alliance members.  According to Tease, 59% of the membership supports the home rental cap and 24% oppose the ordinance.  Also, 60% of Alliance members have rental caps in their bylaws, 41% do not.

The nearly 90-minute session had Ms. Alexander fielding a number of questions, many detailed and technical, but one that raised more than once was enforcement.  How will this ordinance, if enacted, be enforced?

If the HOA has the 10% cap (the ordinance would not allow a higher number) the city would be enforcing any violations and assessing penalties.  However, under the proposed ordinance language, a subdivision HOA that chooses a lower percentage or allows no rental properties (which the ordinance would allow) would likely require the HOA to enforce that violation.

There were a number of other questions raised at the meeting that Chief of Staff Alexander needs to follow-up on and Tease indicated one more session with the city and HOA Alliance will be scheduled to clear up any questions left unanswered before an expected second reading vote by the City Council in April. If Councilors pass the ordinance on second reading, the third and final reading vote would come in May.

The City of Fishers has established a page on their Web site devoted to this proposal, and can be accessed at this link.

The language of the proposed ordinance presented to the City Council in February can be found at this link.

The name Manning is well known in Indiana after Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts.  His brother Eli won some Super Bowl rings as well.  But before either Manning brother took to an NFL field, their dad, Archie, was a star quarterback.

More than 100 residents of The Reserve at Hamilton Trace gathered last week for an inspiring discussion on healthy aging, led by a panel of Ascension St. Vincent medical experts and legendary NFL quarterback Archie Manning.

Manning, now 75, shared personal insights on how he stays fit and mobile despite the wear and tear of his football career. “I’m not as active as I used to be, but the key is that I try, every day, to work out and eat healthy,” Manning told the audience. “Remember, it’s all up here,” he added, pointing to his head. “We need to stay motivated and stay moving as much as we can.”

Dr. Peter Bustamante, Chief Medical Officer for Ascension St. Vincent’s North Region, praised Manning’s commitment to wellness. “Archie Manning is an exceptional example of proactive, preventative health care. As a pro athlete and a ‘pro-dad,’ he’s a powerful advocate for living a healthy, thriving life,” said Bustamante. “Aging requires maintenance and education, and Ascension St. Vincent is grateful he’s helping us share those important messages today.”

With Indiana’s senior citizen population projected to grow significantly—by 2030, nearly 23 percent of the state’s residents will be 60 or older—the panel emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare, healthy eating, regular exercise, and proactive medical screenings.

Manning and the medical experts underscored the importance of staying engaged in personal health and encouraged attendees to take small but consistent steps toward wellness. The event provided attendees with actionable strategies to support longevity and quality of life.

The discussion was part of Ascension St. Vincent’s ongoing commitment to community health education, particularly for aging populations. As the state’s senior demographic expands, events like this continue to play a crucial role in promoting preventative care and healthy living habits.

Ascension has more helpful information at this link.