State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) hosted a Sandy Hook Remembrance Day event at the Indiana Statehouse on Friday to honor victims of school shootings and to call for stronger gun safety laws aimed at protecting children.

The event was held ahead of the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which took place Dec. 14, 2012, and claimed the lives of 20 children and six educators. Lawmakers, gun violence prevention advocates, faith leaders and community members attended the gathering, which focused on remembrance and prevention.

Garcia Wilburn said the event served both as a memorial and a call to action, noting that gun violence involving children has continued in the years since Sandy Hook. She criticized recent changes in Indiana law that eliminated permit requirements to carry handguns, arguing that the policy has increased the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands.

The program included remarks from elected officials and advocates, musical performances, and multi-faith prayers. Attendees were also able to connect with gun violence prevention organizations. In addition, the event featured a children’s shoe drive benefiting Grace Care Center, held in memory of children who have died as a result of gun violence.

Statistics from the gun safety organization Everytown for Gun Safety were cited during the event, indicating that more than 4.6 million children nationwide live in homes with at least one loaded and unlocked firearm. The organization also reports that nearly 360 children unintentionally shoot themselves or another person each year.

Advocates at the event pointed to research showing that safe storage laws, which require firearms to be secured and kept inaccessible to children, can significantly reduce unintentional shootings, youth suicides and school shootings.

Garcia Wilburn said she believes Indiana can uphold Second Amendment rights while also adopting policies that improve public safety, and urged lawmakers to pursue what she described as common-sense gun legislation to help prevent future tragedies.

The Fishers area is bracing for another round of winter weather this weekend, with additional snowfall followed by dangerously cold wind chills.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Indianapolis has issued a Winter Weather Advisory calling for 2 to 5 inches of snow to fall Saturday, followed by a Cold Weather Advisory beginning late Saturday night.

According to forecasters, snow is expected to develop late Saturday morning and continue through the evening. The Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, with accumulations of 2 to 6 inches possible across central Indiana, including the Fishers area. Drivers should be prepared for slippery road conditions as the snow moves through the region.

Once the snowfall ends around midnight, bitterly cold air will move in. The NWS has issued a Cold Weather Advisory from midnight Saturday night through 1 p.m. Sunday. Wind chill values could drop as low as 19 degrees below zero.

Forecasters warn that exposure to these conditions could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, and hypothermia is also a serious risk. Residents are urged to limit time outdoors and dress appropriately, including wearing a heavy coat, hat, and gloves if they must be outside.

The latest advisories come after a surprise freezing drizzle Thursday morning created hazardous road conditions across the area. The icy precipitation was not forecast, resulting in delays as road crews worked to treat slick surfaces.

The National Weather Service advises motorists to slow down, use caution while traveling, and check current road conditions by dialing 511.

The Fishers Century Club gathered Tuesday evening at The Club Coworking for its quarterly meeting, drawing a strong turnout as members continued their mission of supporting local nonprofit organizations.

The session opened with an update from Rock Steady Boxing, the September award recipient. The organization reported that its earlier contribution from the club went toward scholarship assistance for participants who depend on its non-contact, boxing-based fitness programs but face financial barriers.

Three charities then presented to members for consideration. Marcus Zimmerman introduced The Progress House, describing its work as one of Indiana’s longest-operating residential recovery programs. Returning member Klynt Brummett spoke on behalf of Josiah White’s, outlining its services for youth and families.

The evening’s winning presentation came from new club member and Marine veteran Justin McDonald, who highlighted the Warriors in Nature Project. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit focuses on helping veterans reconnect with the outdoors and reduce the stress of post-service life. Members voted overwhelmingly to direct their collective support to the organization.

According to McDonald, the project offers veterans opportunities for connection, reflection, and healing in outdoor settings. Club Founder Adam Kallick said members were moved by the group’s mission and by McDonald’s personal commitment to it.

With contributions still being submitted by members who were unable to attend in person, support for the Warriors in Nature Project has surpassed $3,000, with additional donations expected.

The latest award brings the Fishers Century Club’s total giving to nearly $70,000 over 19 meetings. The organization meets quarterly, featuring presentations from up to three nonprofits before members vote to select one to receive direct funding that same evening.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. New members are invited to attend.

For more information on the Century Club, go to www.fisherscenturyclub.com

The Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF) has secured a $6 million Community Support Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of the ninth phase of the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative.

HCCF is among 92 community foundations statewide receiving grants intended to strengthen local philanthropic efforts and improve quality of life in the communities they serve. The Community Support Grant provides flexible funding that foundations may use over a three-year period to address urgent or emerging needs identified within their counties.

HCCF President Danielle Stiles-Polk said the funding will allow the organization to respond more quickly to concerns raised by residents and nonprofit leaders. She said the grant will help support the work of nonprofits as they manage changing budgets and increasing community needs.

The foundation plans to spend the first quarter of 2026 creating a regranting strategy to guide how the dollars will be distributed. That strategy will be based on HCCF’s recent community needs assessment and strategic plan, with input from local stakeholders throughout the process.

Lilly Endowment launched the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help Indiana communities build philanthropic capacity and collaborate on local challenges. Through GIFT IX, the Endowment has made up to $271.5 million available to community foundations across the state.

The mental health and counseling programs are large at a school district with more than 20,000 students and Molly Kirwan coordinates both programs for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools.

Molly sat down with Larry to talk about those programs in the podcast linked below.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools appear poised to participate in the revised Teacher Appreciation Grant (TAG) program following significant changes enacted by the State of Indiana. Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley outlined proposed updates to the district’s written policy Wednesday night to allow HSE to take part in the revamped program.

Previously, teachers rated “effective” or “highly effective” on their annual performance evaluations were eligible for TAG payments, meaning a large share of HSE educators typically qualified. Under new state rules, the size of each grant increases substantially—ranging from $3,500 to $7,500—but no more than 20% of a district’s teaching staff may receive an award. For HSE, Kegley said that caps eligibility at about 236 teachers.

HSE has filed the required application with the State Board of Education to join the program. Teachers wishing to be considered must complete an internal application developed by the district administration by January 7. Administrators will review submissions, and once the state informs HSE how much money has been allocated locally, the district expects to announce recipients and award amounts in early 2026.

Kegley said applications from teachers in special education, English as a new language, and those recognized as Teachers of the Year will receive priority consideration, though all eligible teacher applications will be reviewed.

The Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) opposed the state’s TAG changes, and the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) said its members were “nearly unanimous” in advising against HSE participating in the new program.

Participation in TAG is optional for school districts. Edinburgh Schools, for example, has chosen not to participate this year.

Kegley noted that changes of this nature would typically be reviewed by the board’s Policy Committee. However, with the board set to reorganize officers and committee assignments in early 2026, no Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for January. Board members with questions or concerns were asked to contact Kegley prior to a final vote on the TAG policy change at the January board meeting.

Mother Nature is poised to drop another round of snow on the Fishers area Thursday and Friday, with 2–5 inches forecast. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 5 p.m. Thursday through 10 a.m. Friday.

After the snow moves through, bitterly cold temperatures will settle in for the weekend. Overnight lows Saturday are expected to fall to around -2 degrees, not including wind chill. Sunday’s high is forecast to reach only 9 degrees, with temperatures dropping to about -1 Sunday night. A gradual warming trend is expected to begin Monday.

Drivers should be prepared for slippery roads Thursday evening into Friday morning. Anyone spending time outdoors this weekend is urged to dress appropriately for dangerous cold.

When a school district is required to redraw boundary lines, the process is often difficult for at least some of the neighborhoods affected. Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools concluded its months-long redistricting effort for elementary, intermediate, and junior high schools Wednesday night, but not without making changes to the previously proposed maps.

District administrators and Woolpert, the consultant hired to guide the process, had published what they described as a final set of recommended maps. However, concerns persisted among several neighborhoods. In response, Woolpert and school officials made targeted adjustments, presenting an alternative option for the board’s consideration.

Once that alternative recommendation was introduced, Board Member Suzanne Thomas offered an amendment allowing students in the Woods at Geist Overlook neighborhood to remain assigned to Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate and Junior High School (HIJH).  The amendment was approved.

High school boundaries remain unchanged, and the district’s “choice” system—allowing students to select which high school they attend—will continue for now. Several board members, however, cautioned that the choice system may not be sustainable in future years, and that high school redistricting may eventually be necessary.

Board members also noted that the newly approved maps, which Woolpert initially projected could remain in place for up to seven years, may require reconsideration in as few as five years due to enrollment shifts.

The updated boundaries will take effect for the 2026–2027 school year. District administrators will now begin planning transition efforts to help students adjust as they move to new school assignments.

For a detailed look at the process of putting the new maps together, use this link.