Fishers celebrated the opening of its first municipally owned dog park at the Fishers Community Center with all 300 memberships sold and a waiting list of about 50.

Mayor Scott Fadness, city Recreation and Wellness Director Jake Reardon-McSoley and City Councilor Todd Zimmerman marked the occasion with remarks tracing the project back to residents’ requests for a place where dogs could play and their owners could gather.

“It’s been one of those things that residents have asked for time and time again, and today we get an opportunity to deliver it,” Fadness said.

The park includes a roughly half-acre section for small dogs and about 1½ acres available to dogs of all sizes, Reardon-McSoley said. He described the opening as the culmination of more than a year of work.

The celebration also comes during the week of the Fishers Community Center’s first anniversary, Reardon-McSoley noted.

Beyond giving dogs room to run, he said, the goal is to create another gathering place for families, friends and neighbors.

Reardon-McSoley credited Hagerman Construction and the city’s Department of Public Works for their roles in preparing the park. He singled out Public Works Chief of Staff Eric Steiner for his work bringing the grounds into shape and thanked the park’s coordinator for helping members complete the registration process.

Zimmerman recalled a conversation with Fadness at Sunrise Cafe in early 2021, when the mayor asked him to help gather residents’ ideas for a recreation center.

As the community worked through the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimmerman said, the discussions focused on ways to bring people together. A dog park ranked high among the amenities residents wanted.

Zimmerman attended the opening with his family’s dogs, Jack and Lucy. He said the two are 4 years old — younger than the community’s initial discussions about the project.

“They’re not just animals,” Zimmerman said of dogs. “They’re part of our families.”

He also recalled conversations with nearby residents who initially questioned replacing an open field with a community center. Those neighbors became involved in the planning process and are pleased with the result, he said.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County also participated in the opening celebration.

For residents hoping to join, the Community Center’s dog park website lists memberships as sold out and provides a waiting-list option. The park limits enrollment to 300 dogs.

Membership costs $72 for six months, with a limit of three dogs per family. Each dog must have required vaccination records and complete a $60 DNA test used to enforce the park’s waste cleanup policy. Dog park memberships are separate from general Community Center memberships.

After weeks of presentations to groups across the district, Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ top two officials made their referendum case again Monday night at Hub & Spoke.

The crowd was small, but the questions were plentiful.

Superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley and Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown covered enrollment, budgets and tax rates. Much of the discussion centered on the wording voters will see on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The format of that language is set by state law. HSE’s question asks voters to replace the operating referendum approved in 2023 with a new one lasting up to eight years. The new referendum would carry a maximum rate of 36 cents per $100 of assessed value. The ballot also states that for a median residence of $400,000, the annual tax bill would rise by $700 per year.

District officials say that figure reflects the maximum rate, which HSE does not plan to charge at the start. Under the rate schedule presented to the school board in May, the referendum rate would begin at 22.1 cents in 2027. It would then rise about 6 percent a year, reaching roughly 33 cents by 2034. The district projects the median homeowner would pay about $3 more per month on the 2027 tax bill.

HSE’s current referendum rate is 19.95 cents. District leaders say they would not be seeking a higher rate if not for Senate Enrolled Act 1, the 2025 state property tax overhaul. They estimate the law will cost HSE roughly $45 million in planned revenue over the remaining years of the current referendum. The district eliminated nearly 60 positions earlier this year.

Enrollment trends were also part of the conversation. Kindergarten numbers are falling, while upper-grade enrollment remains relatively steady. Kegley said HSE is seeing more new students enroll at the middle school level. He believes many young families can’t afford homes in the district when their children are small, but are able to buy in by the time those children reach middle school.

Kegley also pointed to a national decline in birth rates. He said Westfield Washington Schools is the only Hamilton County district with growing overall enrollment.

Fishers resident Judy Knafel said she arrived understanding why the district is seeking the referendum but wanted a clearer picture of the numbers.

“I learned that the ballot language was confusing, and this was very helpful in making me understand what the ‘actual’ is versus the ballot language,” Knafel said.

She plans to vote yes.

HSE is one of five Hamilton County school districts with operating referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot. Early voting continues through Monday, Nov. 2.

Hamilton County officials on Monday dedicated a newly completed five-story fire training tower, the first major piece of the county’s $32 million Public Safety Training Center in Noblesville.

Members of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, County Council and Emergency Management, along with fire departments from across the county, attended the ceremony and toured the facility near 161st Street and River Road.

“This is an investment in the safety of every person who lives, works, or visits Hamilton County,” said Christine Altman, president of the Hamilton County Commissioners. “Our first responders put their lives on the line for us every day. We owe it to them to provide the training, tools, and resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”

The tower is designed to prepare firefighters for emergencies in mid-rise and high-rise buildings, including apartments, hotels and mixed-use developments. That kind of construction has become increasingly common in growing communities such as Fishers.

Crews will be able to practice advancing hose lines through stairwells, performing rope rescues and rappelling, positioning aerial ladders and carrying victims down stairwells. A flashover chamber will let firefighters train under realistic fire conditions in a controlled environment.

Hamilton County Councilor Tim Griffin, a Carmel firefighter, said realistic, hands-on training cannot be replaced.

“This tower gives our crews the opportunity to practice complicated rescues, work together, and build the confidence that comes from repetition,” Griffin said. “Better-trained firefighters mean faster responses, safer operations, and better outcomes for the people we’re called to protect.”

The 60-acre training center will also include more than 20,000 square feet of classroom and tactical training space, an outdoor firing range, and dedicated areas for SWAT and defensive tactics training.

Once fully operational, the center will serve as a regional hub for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel. County officials said it will offer specialized instruction, joint exercises and advanced certifications, while reducing the need for first responders from Fishers and other Hamilton County communities to travel outside the county for training.

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Fishers families can make a full day of it, with the city’s Boo Bash in the morning and trick-or-treating that evening.

Official trick-or-treat hours in Fishers are 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Fishers police officers will patrol neighborhoods throughout the evening to help keep trick-or-treaters safe. The hours are the same as last year.

When police announced the 2025 hours, they offered safety reminders that still apply. Children should stay in groups, use sidewalks when possible and have an adult with them. Trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights or glow sticks and visit only homes with porch lights on. Police also recommend bright, flame-resistant costumes, avoiding masks that block vision, and having an adult check all treats before anyone eats them. Drivers and walkers should take extra care at crossings, and children should never accept rides from strangers. Anyone who sees something suspicious should call 911 right away.

Boo Bash on the holiday itself

Boo Bash, presented by GBC Bank, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. The city holds the event on the last Saturday of October, so this year it falls on Halloween itself. Last year’s Boo Bash was Oct. 25.

Admission is free, and no registration is required. The Fishers Parks Department calls it a daytime, non-spooky celebration and strongly encourages costumes.

DJ Mr. Kinetik and Keegan “Seoul” Loye will host the stage. Dance lessons and performances are set for 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Costume parades cross the stage at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

Other activities include puppet shows by Stevens Puppets, a mad scientist activity with Miss Liz the Science Whiz, and live creatures from Silly Safaris. There will also be Halloween mini golf, a straw maze and a wandering magician. Local businesses and city departments will run themed booths and hand out treats, and visitors can vote for the best-decorated booth.

Inside the City Hall Theater, the Fishers Arts Council will offer Dia de Muertos crafts, with live music from El Mariachi Solo and art and artisan vendors.

Food trucks include Chef TLC, Jack’s Lemonade, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee and Stadium on Wheels.

Bring a can, get a doughnut

Four local pantries are teaming up with Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank for a food drive at Boo Bash. They are the Delaware Township, Fall Creek Township, Come to Me and Sally Burton food pantries. Collection points will be near the entrances. Donors get a voucher for a free Parlor Doughnuts doughnut while supplies last, and cash donations are also accepted. Everything collected stays in the community.

Free parking is available in downtown lots, garages and on the street. Accessible spaces include the Fishers Police Department garage at 4 Municipal Drive and the Hamilton East Public Library lot at 5 Municipal Drive. Sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones can be checked out at the Fishers Parks tent.

Fishers Parks will post any weather updates on its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Hamilton County workers and self-employed residents whose jobs were lost or interrupted by August’s severe storms and flooding have until Tuesday, Oct. 27, to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says Hamilton County is among the eligible counties for assistance related to employment affected on or after Aug. 11, 2026.

Applications submitted after Oct. 27 will be considered late unless the applicant establishes good cause for the delay, according to DWD’s announcement.

The program covers qualifying people whose unemployment resulted directly from the disaster and who are ineligible for regular unemployment insurance. Applicants must establish that the affected work was their primary source of income.

Applicants must first file for regular unemployment benefits. Those found ineligible can then complete the disaster assistance forms and upload them through DWD’s Disaster Unemployment Assistance website. Self-employed applicants must complete an additional form.

Applicants should gather their Social Security number, employer information and records documenting employment and earnings, such as tax returns or pay stubs.

DWD’s application page includes the required forms and submission link. For help, call 1-800-891-6499. The department’s Customer Support Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.

Collective Soul and special guest Edwin McCain will perform at the Fishers Event Center on Friday, Feb. 19, 2027, for the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation’s third annual Legacy Celebration.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. through FishersEventCenter.com and Ticketmaster. According to the concert announcement, all proceeds will benefit Hamilton Southeastern Schools staff and students.

Collective Soul emerged in the 1990s with hits including “Shine,” “December,” “The World I Know,” “Heavy” and “Where the River Flows.” The Georgia band is led by singer, guitarist and songwriter Ed Roland.

McCain is known for “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask for More.” He released his album “Lucky” in 2025 and appeared as Nessy on the 13th season of “The Masked Singer.”

The Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation supports classroom grants, scholarships and other educational programs. The foundation reports that it has invested more than $4 million in programs and initiatives supporting HSE staff and students since 2001.

Ticket prices and a concert start time were not included in the announcement.

The Mudsock rivalry is headed back to the Fishers Event Center.

Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern will renew their annual basketball rivalry Friday, Dec. 18, with the girls game tipping off at 6 p.m. and the boys game at 8 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. at FishersEventCenter.com.

The Tigers and Royals have met on the court every year since the 2006-07 school year, when Fishers High School opened. Hamilton Southeastern holds the edge in both series. The HSE boys lead 10-8, and the HSE girls lead 12-6.

The Fishers boys and the Hamilton Southeastern girls will be the designated home teams this year.

Ticket prices are:

• General admission: $10
• Reserved loge: $25
• Legacy Club: $35
• Reserved courtside: $50

There is an eight-ticket limit per purchase. Children 5 and under are admitted free with an accompanying adult ticket.

The game’s name goes back more than a century. In the late 1890s and early 1900s, the area earned the nickname “Mudsock” because of its swampy soil. Residents could sink into mud up to their ankles, and their horses’ hooves would be caked with mud that looked like brown socks. The name stuck, and it now belongs to one of the most anticipated nights on the Hamilton County high school sports calendar.

The Fishers Event Center sits on a 53-acre site that expands the 18-acre Fishers District development. The arena is home to three professional teams: the Indy Fuel of the ECHL, the Indy Ignite of Major League Volleyball and the Fishers Freight of the Indoor Football League. It also hosts concerts, graduation ceremonies and local athletic events, and it is the largest private event space in Hamilton County.

Ticket information is available at FishersEventCenter.com.

Fishers-area motorists should watch for flashing school-zone lights and students returning to bus stops today, Monday, Oct. 26, as Hamilton Southeastern Schools resumes classes following fall break.

The return to school also begins a busy stretch for HSE, with a final referendum information session tonight, a school board meeting Wednesday and four board seats on the Nov. 3 ballot.

School officials have been holding community meetings to explain the proposed operating referendum and answer residents’ questions. The final scheduled session begins at 6 p.m. tonight at Hub & Spoke, 8100 E. 106th St. The event is listed on the district calendar.

The proposal would replace the operating referendum voters approved in 2023. According to the district, the funding supports teacher compensation, school safety, student behavioral health services and educational programs. HSE says the replacement is intended to help offset revenue reductions resulting from changes to Indiana property tax law. Residents can review the proposal and estimate their property’s tax impact on the district’s referendum webpage.

Four of the seven school board seats are also up for election, representing Districts 1 through 4. Voters choose among candidates in the school board district where they live.

Early voting has been busy, according to local election officials. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters can find election information and sample ballots through the Hamilton County Election Office.

Before voters finish casting their ballots, the school board has several financial matters to address.

The board meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the HSE administration building, 13485 Cumberland Road. A final vote on the district’s 2027 budget is scheduled.

The board will also conduct a public hearing on the tentative collective bargaining agreement with the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association. The hearing notice says public testimony will be permitted on matters related to the agreement.

Administrators are also expected to ask the board to reject the bids received for district-owned land at 136th Street and Prairie Baptist Road and outline the next steps toward selling it.

The district received 45 bids during the online auction, but the final offer did not meet its target price, Assistant Superintendent for Finance Tim Brown said in earlier reporting. Bidding closed Oct. 21.

The district’s public sale notice lists the parcel at approximately 16.14 acres. School officials previously said the remaining property is too small and poorly located for a future school site.

Cadillac’s Formula 1 team, which is building its U.S. headquarters in Fishers, left Sunday’s United States Grand Prix without points after Valtteri Bottas stopped in the closing laps and teammate Sergio Pérez finished 19th.

The Oct. 25 race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, brought another difficult result for the first-year team. Pérez completed 55 laps, finishing one lap behind winner Kimi Antonelli and last among the drivers still running at the finish, according to Formula 1’s official results.

Bottas slowed and pulled his Cadillac off the racing surface late in the event. His stranded car prompted a virtual safety car on lap 52 of the 56-lap race, requiring drivers to reduce speed while workers recovered it. Racing resumed on lap 54, according to Grandprix.com’s race account.

Grandprix.com listed a power-unit problem as the reason for Bottas’ retirement. Formula 1’s race report confirmed the stoppage and recovery but did not identify the failed component.

The result extended Cadillac’s search for its first championship points. The team entered Austin 11th and last in the constructors’ standings with zero points, and neither driver added to that total Sunday. Cadillac’s best Grand Prix finish remains Bottas’ 13th place in China, according to Formula 1’s team statistics.

For Fishers, the connection reaches beyond the race results. Cadillac’s headquarters project near Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport represents a substantial investment in the city’s motorsports industry.

The Indianapolis Business Journal reported that the development was planned as a $200 million, 400,000-square-foot facility employing about 300 people, with engineers and technicians assembling Formula 1 cars. The site is west of Hague Road, between East 96th and East 106th streets.

An August construction update indicated that the facility would come into use in stages. Then-team principal Graeme Lowdon told Autosport that construction was well advanced and, in broad terms, operations would begin there in 2027.

On the track Sunday, Antonelli won for Mercedes, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc second and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen third. Cadillac’s next opportunity to improve its results comes at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Nov. 1.

The Indy Fuel closed out a three-games-in-three-days stretch Sunday with a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Cyclones at Fishers Event Center, holding on through a late Cincinnati push that included an empty net in the final two minutes.

The victory gives the Fuel two straight wins to finish the weekend.

Kyler Kupka was in the middle of both Indy goals. He opened the scoring with 1:08 left in the first period, and Mitchell Hoelscher and Tommy Budnick picked up the assists.

After a scoreless second period, Kyle Aucoin doubled the lead at 4:56 of the third, with Kupka assisting.

Cincinnati answered at 14:35 of the third when Ben Meehan scored, assisted by Sahil Panwar and Mitchell Wolfe. That cut the margin to one.

The Cyclones then turned up the pressure. Cincinnati outshot the Fuel 16-7 in the third period and pulled its goaltender with under two minutes to play for an extra attacker. Indy’s defense and goaltending held firm the rest of the way.

Cincinnati finished with a 29-20 edge in shots on goal. The Fuel goaltender stopped 28 of 29 shots for a .966 save percentage, while Cincinnati turned aside 18 of 20.

Neither team scored on the power play. Indy went 0-for-2 with the man advantage, drawing a bench minor for a faceoff violation late in the first period and a high-sticking call on Ross Mitton in the second. Cincinnati went 0-for-1 after Aucoin was called for tripping in the second period.

Indy outshot Cincinnati 7-6 in the second period, the only period in which the Fuel held the shot advantage. The Cyclones led 7-6 in the first.

The Fuel now have a record of three wins and two losses in this young season.  The Fuel travel to Cincinnati to take on these same Cyclones Wednesday night.