There is a long list of road and trail projects on this week’s report.  Note that there will be road work downtown, as well as other parts of Fishers.  I would recommend you check the entire list to see whether you will be impacted.

Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Fishers area road construction update for the work week starting Monday, August 25 →

ReCenter Indiana Inc., a nonpartisan nonprofit aimed at strengthening civic participation, has appointed its first executive director as part of an expanded effort to address Indiana’s consistently low voter turnout.

Jocelyn Vare, a former Fishers City Council member and past chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, was named to the new leadership role. Vare also ran for the Indiana Senate and has been active in local politics for more than a decade.

ReCenter Indiana was founded in 2022 to promote centrist candidates through a political action committee, including a statewide billboard campaign ahead of the 2024 primary election. The organization now plans to sharpen its focus on voter engagement, particularly among young people who are eligible to vote but choose not to cast ballots.

Vare said she hopes to help reconnect Hoosiers with the political process. “When we vote, we remind elected officials to work together and recenter on the priorities of the people,” she said in a statement.

As part of that effort, ReCenter Indiana will launch a new survey this fall targeting Central Indiana residents ages 18 to 34 who registered but did not vote in the 2024 general election. The research will be conducted by two national polling firms—one Democratic, the other Republican—to better understand the perspectives of younger nonvoters.

Funding for the survey will come from a $50,000 grant awarded by the Nicholas H. Noyes Jr. Memorial Foundation. “The generous Noyes Foundation grant will strengthen ReCenter Indiana’s ability to show young adults that they and their priorities matter,” Vare said.

ReCenter Indiana’s founder and board president, Don Knebel, said the nonprofit is refining its mission to push back against political polarization by encouraging citizens to participate and reminding elected officials to focus on the public interest.

“The chasm between our elected officials and the people keeps widening,” Knebel said. “We have a determined executive director, a significant grant award and a sharpened strategy that will help Hoosiers’ voices be heard.”

Many Fishers residents may remember Mike Reuter, the long-time Chief Financial Officer for Hamilton Southeastern Schools who retired at the end of 2019. Since then, he has launched his own consulting business, advising local governments, including the City of Fishers.

Reuter presented an overview of the revenue side of the city’s 2026 budget during a City Council Finance Committee meeting Wednesday morning. He said the budgeting process this time is “significantly different from last year,” citing sweeping changes made earlier this year by the Indiana General Assembly.

Mayor Scott Fadness described the new system as “unbelievably complicated,” noting that some changes will take effect immediately while others will phase in over the next several years.

For years, Indiana has tried to control property tax bills through rate caps and so-called “circuit breakers,” which limit what homeowners pay. Now, a new state law creates a 10% property tax credit—capped at $300—for homeowners. In Fishers, most residents will qualify for the full $300 credit. Although the city’s property tax rate is projected to decrease slightly in 2026, rising home valuations may still push tax bills higher. Reuter explained that the new credit will soften those increases.

Additional changes are coming to the Homestead Deduction. Homeowners in 2025 will receive a 37.5% supplemental deduction, increasing gradually to 66.7% by 2031. The deduction is set at 40% for 2026, which will reduce the taxable base for property taxes.

Fishers has worked to keep its share of the property tax rate stable over the past six years. However, with the taxable base shrinking, Reuter warned that rates will likely begin to rise in 2027. Fadness added that the impact will vary widely among homeowners, while traditional commercial real estate—particularly office buildings—could face the steepest increases.

Reuter also reported that Hamilton County’s income tax base rose 2.7% this year, lower than increases in neighboring counties such as Hancock, Johnson, and Marion.

Historically, Indiana cities have relied heavily on property taxes for revenue. Fadness predicted the new system will balance property and income taxes more evenly, with Fishers drawing on both sources at roughly equal levels. He said discussion about the 2028 rate will begin in mid-2026.

Currently, Hamilton County collects a 1.1% local income tax and distributes it to cities and towns under a formula set by state law—a system that has been largely unchanged for 50 years. But beginning in 2028, local governments will set their own income tax rates, within state limits.

Fishers City Council will establish its 2028 income tax rate during a three-month window between July 1 and October 1, 2027, and will set the rate annually going forward. Fadness urged council members not to shy away from the new responsibility, arguing it will give Fishers greater control over its financial future. “I think this will be a good thing for Fishers residents long term,” he said.

One potential complication, according to Reuter, involves credit rating agencies. Firms such as Standard & Poor’s may be cautious about debt backed by income tax revenue if city councils can later reduce those tax rates, which could prompt further action by state lawmakers.

Fishers’ end-of-summer tradition returns this Labor Day weekend as the 13th Annual Fishers Blues Fest takes over the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. The free, two-night festival is set for Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31, featuring a mix of local talent and nationally acclaimed blues artists.

Organizers describe the event as one of the most accessible blues festivals in the country, with no admission charge and free parking in the areas surrounding the amphitheater. The event is open to all ages.

Saturday, Aug. 30 Lineup

• Ruthie Foster, 8:30–10 p.m.

• TBD, 7:15–8:15 p.m.

• Danny Garwood, 6–7 p.m.

• Tommy Baldwin, 5–5:45 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 31 Lineup

• D.K. Harrell, 8:30–10 p.m.

• Solomon Hicks, 7:15–8:15 p.m.

• Gordon Bonham Blues Band, 6–7 p.m.

• Rebekah Meldrum, 5–5:45 p.m.

Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and coolers, though outside alcohol is prohibited under state law. Food, drinks, and alcohol will be available for purchase from on-site vendors.

The closing act Sunday night, D.K Harrell, is known as an up-and-coming young blues artist who writes many of his own songs.  Released on June 20, 2025, via Alligator Records, his Talkin’ Heavy album marks his debut with the legendary blues label.  The album features 12 original songs showcasing his stinging single-note string bending, emotive, church-rooted vocals, and a balanced fusion of traditional blues with contemporary lyrical flair.

Saturday night’s closing act features Ruthie Foster.  Born in 1964 to a family steeped in gospel music, Foster’s powerful voice and unique blend of blues, gospel, folk, soul, and jazz have drawn frequent comparisons to legends like Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin.

The Fishers Blues Fest has been a Labor Day staple for more than a decade, drawing blues enthusiasts from across central Indiana and beyond.

Most of us will receive care from a trained, qualified nurse many times throughout our lives. But today, the nation faces a shortage of nurses—felt especially here in Central Indiana.

To talk about the challenges and solutions, I sat down with Jill Payne, Indiana Market Chief Nursing Officer for Ascension St. Vincent, and Tia Bell, Dean of Marian University’s Leighton School of Nursing. In this podcast, they share insights on the state of nursing and what’s being done to close the gap between the growing demand for nurses and the supply of trained professionals in our region.

One opportunity for those considering a career in nursing is the Ninth Annual Come Explore Nursing event, hosted by Marian University’s Leighton School of Nursing and Ascension St. Vincent. It takes place Wednesday, August 27, from 4–7 p.m. at Ascension St. Vincent Women and Infants Hospital, Main Lobby, 2001 W. 86th St., Door 4A, Indianapolis.

Register at this link.

Listen to my podcast discussion with Dr. Payne and Dr. Bell at the link below.

I’ve made no secret of being a fan of libraries. I use the Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL) branch in Fishers regularly, my wife Jane is also a frequent visitor, and my daughters grew up spending many hours there.

Libraries are supported through public tax dollars and governed by boards whose members are appointed by elected officials or public entities. The HEPL system includes the main branch in Noblesville and the Fishers branch, overseen by a seven-member board.

By law, appointments to the board are divided among several entities:

• Noblesville Schools appoints two members.

• Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools appoints one member.

• Hamilton County Council appoints two members.

• Hamilton County Commissioners appoint two members.

This arrangement was created years ago, when Noblesville Schools had a much larger enrollment than HSE. Today, HSE is one of the largest districts in Indiana, yet it still has only one appointment.

Unlike many other government appointments, the HSE Schools representative to the HEPL board is not selected by the full school board but solely by the board president.

In September 2022, then-HSE School Board President Julie Chambers appointed Andre Miksha to the HEPL board, replacing Brian Meyer, who had served from 2009 until that time. Miksha was later elected (and currently serves as) president of the library board, a sign of confidence from his fellow members.

Miksha’s current term as the HSE appointee expires at the end of August. The decision on whether to reappoint him—or select a new representative—now rests with current HSE School Board President Juanita Albright.

Anyone residing within the HSE School District may apply for the appointment through this link. Miksha has indicated he is willing to continue serving if reappointed.

Whether HSE maintains continuity with Miksha or chooses a new voice on the library board will be decided in the coming weeks and Junita Albright will make that choice.

The Fishers City Council is revisiting its recently enacted property maintenance code after a new Indiana Court of Appeals decision prompted changes in how such ordinances must be enforced.

City Attorney Lindsey Bennett told council members Monday that the ruling requires cities to be more explicit about the “punitive” measures included in their codes. That means detailing how violations are issued, how much time property owners have to correct issues, and how follow-up inspections will be conducted.

As part of the update, the Fishers ordinance now specifies that daily fines may be assessed, with penalties accumulating for each day a violation remains unresolved.

Councilor Tiffany Ditlevson questioned Bennett about how the city handles errors in violation findings, pointing to a case brought to her attention. Mayor Scott Fadness said his staff would review the situation.

Other Council Business

• Cornerstone Lutheran Church Preschool: The church, located on 116th Street west of Olio Road, is seeking a “Special Exception” to operate a preschool on its property, which is currently zoned residential. The proposal advanced after Councilor Bill Stuart provided the one vote needed to move the measure past first reading. Councilors Todd Zimmerman and Pete Peterson voiced opposition. A final vote is expected in September.

• Weathertight Roofing Rezone: The council approved a rezone for property at 13600 E. 118th Street, clearing the way for Weathertight Roofing to build an office, showroom, and shop with storage space.

• Voting Centers: Former Town Councilor Mike Colby spoke during public comment in support of establishing countywide voting centers, saying they would simplify election administration and improve voter access. The issue is currently before the Hamilton County Election Board.

• AgriPark Concerns: A resident raised objections to the city’s plan for a second AgriPark near Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, citing concerns about lead contamination and the adequacy of testing at the site.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) will participate in the nationwide Clear the Shelters adoption event on Saturday, Aug. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., offering reduced adoption fees in an effort to address overcrowding at its facility.

Nearly 600 animals are currently in need of homes, according to the shelter. Adoption fees for most pets will be just $10 for the day, though some exclusions apply. Each adoption includes a spay or neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming, a wellness exam at a participating veterinarian, and a starter bag of food.

“Facing an overcapacity crisis and a rise in our animals’ average length of stay, it is an uphill battle to find these pets a forever home,” said Emma Nobbe, community engagement manager for HSHC. “The longer they wait, the harder it becomes for them to imagine a life beyond the kennel walls. We urgently need the community to step in on August 23rd to give these animals the second chance they deserve.”

Those planning to adopt or foster are encouraged to complete an application in advance at hshcadoptions.com. Families bringing home a dog are asked to bring along any current dogs for a meet-and-greet. All household members must meet with the animal before adoption, and renters must bring a copy of their pet policy. A government-issued ID is also required.

The first 50 dog and cat adoptions will include a free goodie bag.

The Aug. 23 event marks the 11th year of the Clear the Shelters campaign, which aims to find permanent homes for shelter pets across the country.

Professional wrestling fans will have the chance to experience All Elite Wrestling (AEW) live when “AEW: Dynamite” comes to the Fishers Event Center on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.

The nationally televised event will be broadcast on TBS and will feature AEW’s roster of wrestlers, known for their high-energy performances, dramatic storylines and larger-than-life personalities.

Among the names scheduled to appear are Hangman Adam Page, “The Rated R Superstar” Cope, Jon Moxley, Christian Cage, MJF, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, MVP, The Young Bucks, Toni Storm, Swerve Strickland, Mercedes Moné, Darby Allin, Kyle Fletcher, Thekla, FTR, Bandido and Mark Briscoe.

Organizers note that lineups are subject to change due to injuries and storyline developments.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. through FishersEventCenter.com. Sales will be limited to eight tickets per household, while groups of 10 or more can receive a $10 discount on select tickets.

Additional event details are available at AllEliteWrestling.com.

Ascension St. Vincent Fishers has become the first hospital in the Ascension St. Vincent system in Indiana to perform surgeries with a single-port robot, marking a new step in advanced surgical care for Hamilton County.

The hospital announced that Dr. Colin Linke, a urologist affiliated with Ascension St. Vincent, successfully completed the first single-port robotic procedure last week. The hospital is now one of only three facilities statewide to use the technology.

Single-port robotic surgeries use a single two-inch incision to insert all necessary instruments. The tools then diverge internally to allow surgeons to work in smaller spaces with greater precision. The approach is designed to improve surgical accuracy, minimize scarring and shorten recovery times.

“In the single-port technique, a single two-inch incision is made to insert all robotic tools,” Dr. Linke said. “We can direct these tools to diverge internally as they perform the surgery. In essence, we are able to get into a smaller space and operate more precisely in the area each patient needs.”

The initial focus for the robot has been on urology prostatectomies, but hospital officials said its use will expand to other specialties, including breast, colorectal and gynecology procedures.

Aleks Overbey, president of Ascension St. Vincent Fishers, said the technology reflects the hospital’s commitment to advancing minimally invasive surgical options.

“At Ascension St. Vincent Fishers, we are more than just a small, suburban hospital,” Overbey said. “We are committed to advancing minimally invasive surgical options and improving patient outcomes to benefit the growing population we serve in this community and across Hamilton County.”