There is rarely a shortage of news in Fishers. and the last week or two has been no exception.  Here is a potpourri of recent news items:

–The Internet of Things (IoT) Lab had its grand opening Wednesday night and based on the crowd I saw, everyone that signed-up was there, and that was about 800 people.  This is the first-of-its-kind IoT lab for Indiana, with government teaming up with the private sector and Indiana University.  Let’s see how this all works out over time.

–I had never met Indianapolis Business Journal Publisher Greg Morris, but I had the chance to chat with him for a minute at Mayor Fadness’ State of the City event.  Mr. Morris wrote a very complimentary piece about Fishers in the latest edition of the weekly business newspaper, which you can read at this link.

–WTHR Reporter Kara Kenney has a story posted saying the Office for Civil Rights, a federal agency, has opened an investigation as to whether the Hamilton Southeastern Schools properly handled allegations of sexual violence.  You can read her story at this link.  When a citizen criticized the board handling of the situation at the March 14th school board meeting, board President Matt Burke said the following – “There are legal rights and there is a legal process that has to be followed.  We do not have a choice in that matter and we will follow a legal process and that legal process is being followed.  It will not necessarily follow the timeline that some people want, and I regret that, but I think the situation, personally, sucks, because this is not a situation that the school, in any way, created.  It was a situation that happened in the community, and we’ll have to let the process run its due course.”

–Mayor Scott Fadness presented his financial study conducted by an outside firm, Policy Analytics, on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Fishers and how it does, and does not, impact local school funding.  Fadness is asking the school board to pass a resolution, not commenting on whether TIFs are good or bad policy, he’s asking the board to verify the numbers presented are correct.

— At the same work session where the mayor appeared, board members discussed a threat received, placed in a mailbox at an elementary school.  School officials appeared to believe the threat was not serious.  Fishers Police apparently disagreed, issuing a news release detailing extra officers placed at all schools as a precaution.

–The deadline to register and be eligible to vote in the May 8th primary election is April 9th.  For more information on registering to vote, or to update your address if you have recently moved, use this link.

–Three businesses hatched out of Launch Fishes as startups have announced they are adding employees.  They are Vendor Jump (26 jobs), Ultimate Automation (31) and Sales Tuners (25).

–I had the pleasure of visiting Hamilton Southeaster Intermediate/Junior High Tuesday for their celebration of the Day of Happiness, a United Nations sanctioned event.  The program simply asks people around the world to show some kindness, and the students there were into the event.

–At last Monday’s Fishers City Council meeting, Thompson Thrift, the developer of The Yard, a planned culinary center, received approval to add residential units to the complex.  However, Council President David George was critical of the changed plans, saying he no longer believes the development will be “cohesive” as a restaurant destination.  George and Councilwoman Selina Stoller voted no on the measure, with Councilman Rich Block Abstaining.  The vote to approve was 6-2.   Council members Pete Peterson and John Weingardt both praised the addition of residential units to The Yard.

–At that same meeting, the council gave the OK for Fall Creek Township to move forward with a nature park, allowing a gravel parking lot.  The park will be located in the area near 113th Street and Southeastern Parkway.

–Disability Awareness Month continues in March.  I have featured a special series of mini-podcasts, allowing local people to tell their stories about disabilities.  For more on events to come this month use this link.

Those were just a few items.  I have a feeling there will be more news coming out of Fishers in the week ahead.