Delaware Township residents have an opportunity Thursday, April 30, to celebrate the opening of a new trailhead along the Nickel Plate Trail.

A community open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Delaware Township Community Center. Township Trustee Debbie Driskell is encouraging residents and neighbors to attend.

The event marks the completion of several improvements, including the new trailhead park, upgraded public restrooms and renovations to the community center. Township officials say the upgrades are aimed at expanding access to outdoor recreation and strengthening community connections.

The celebration will feature a ceremonial ribbon cutting along with family-friendly activities such as spring-themed games, a scavenger hunt with prizes and local resource tables. Food and refreshments will be available from Chef TLC Food Truck.

Driskell said the project reflects the township’s ongoing focus on creating shared community spaces.

“Together We Grow is the spirit behind the new amenities we are celebrating,” Driskell said. “We hope this event and the new trailhead will bring neighbors closer together.”

She added the trailhead is intended to serve as more than just a point of access to the trail.

“This new trailhead is more than just an access point, it’s an investment in connection, wellness, and the future of our community,” she said. “We’re excited to welcome residents to celebrate and explore everything this space has to offer.”

The Fishers Fire Department is seeing early success from a major shift in how it recruits new firefighters, dramatically expanding its applicant pool beyond traditional local pipelines.

Fire Chief Ky Ragsdale told the Merit Commission Tuesday that a new online application system — managed through an outside contractor — has significantly increased interest in the department.

In its first use, the system generated approximately 1,500 applications from candidates across 10 states. By comparison, previous recruiting efforts relied primarily on in-person processes and produced far smaller applicant pools.

Department leaders have since worked through several rounds of screening. The initial group of 1,500 applicants was reduced to 800 based on application reviews, then to 500. After evaluating video submissions, the field now stands at about 150 candidates.

Those remaining will move on to the next phase of the hiring process, which includes a ladder climb test, physical examination and background check. Successful candidates are expected to enter the training academy in September.

Historically, the department loses two to three recruits during training, but officials believe the more rigorous front-end screening — including video evaluations — could improve retention through the academy and into active service.

The expanded recruiting push comes as the department works to maintain staffing levels following a wave of retirements. Many firefighters hired during Fishers’ period of rapid population growth are now reaching retirement eligibility, prompting the need for a steady pipeline of new hires.

Ragsdale said the broader reach is also producing a more diverse applicant pool, including military veterans, college graduates and individuals with skilled trade experience. Women and minority candidates are also represented among those advancing in the process.

City officials view the new approach as a way to both strengthen the department’s workforce and ensure it remains fully staffed to meet the needs of a growing community.

A Fishers technology company is expanding its reach in the sports world through a new partnership with Butler Athletics and Playfly Sports aimed at transforming how college programs connect with fans and corporate partners.

Spokenote announced it will provide its personalized video platform as part of a broader effort to move beyond traditional sponsorship models—such as signage and in-game promotions—toward year-round, interactive engagement.

The partnership will center around experiences at Hinkle Fieldhouse, along with digital and off-site activations throughout the year. Playfly Sports, which focuses on revenue generation for athletic programs, is developing the strategy to integrate Spokenote’s technology into Butler’s corporate partnership offerings.

The goal: create more meaningful, measurable connections between sponsors, donors, alumni and fans.

Spokenote’s platform allows organizations to deliver personalized video messages tied to physical or digital touchpoints, opening new avenues for storytelling and engagement. Butler Athletics plans to use the technology across ticketing, donor outreach and alumni relations, while also introducing new “tech-infused” gameday elements.

Company founder and CEO John Wechsler said college athletics partners are increasingly looking for ways to deepen engagement beyond the traditional game-day window.

“This partnership allows Butler Athletics to offer corporate partners something truly different with personalized access, premium experiences, and year-round engagement,” Wechsler said.

Butler officials say the collaboration builds on existing relationships while introducing new tools to strengthen them.

Athletics Director Grant Leiendecker called Spokenote “an industry leader” with strong central Indiana roots, adding that the partnership will help personalize connections with supporters at all levels.

Playfly executives say the effort reflects a broader shift in collegiate athletics toward integrated, long-term fan engagement strategies.

“By blending technology and hospitality, this transforms how fans interact with Butler Athletics,” said Christy Hedgpeth.

The agreement also includes an immediate local presence: Spokenote will sponsor Butler Athletics’ corporate partner reception April 29, providing custom VIP badges and video-driven experiences for attendees.

The Butler partnership builds on Spokenote’s growing footprint in sports and entertainment, including a recent activation with the Indiana Pacers during their NBA Finals run.

For Fishers-based Spokenote, the deal represents another step in positioning its platform as a tool for modern fan engagement—one that extends well beyond the arena and into year-round digital connection.

Several rounds of thunderstorms moved through central Indiana Monday, leaving behind enough rain to create standing water and flooding concerns across the area.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis said Tuesday morning that “area flooding continues after widespread heavy rainfall yesterday,” with additional showers and thunderstorms expected Tuesday night, though the severe weather threat is considered low. Hamilton County was included in the central Indiana hazardous weather outlook.

Hamilton County Emergency Management urged drivers not to take chances with water-covered roads.

“We had so much rain yesterday,” the agency said in a Tuesday morning message. “There is going to be standing water around the area. Don’t be tempted to drive through flooded roads. You never know if the road is intact, how deep the water is, or if the water is moving. It’s not worth the risk. Turn around, don’t drown.”

The warning comes after a stormy Monday that brought multiple waves of rain and storms across the state. The National Weather Service reported some areas of Indiana received several inches of rain, with flood advisories and warnings issued in parts of central and southern Indiana. One NWS flood statement noted that multiple rounds of storms Monday produced around 4 inches of rain in some areas, leading to rising river levels.

While Hamilton County was not listed in the most serious flood warnings Tuesday morning, local officials say the danger can still be present on neighborhood streets, rural roads, low-lying areas and places with poor drainage.

The National Weather Service also reminds motorists that most flood deaths occur in vehicles and urges drivers to avoid flooded roads. Even shallow-looking water can hide washed-out pavement or a strong current.

Residents can check Hamilton County’s online road closure and lane restriction map for updated travel information. The county highway department is responsible for maintaining county roads, bridges and small structures outside city and town limits.

For now, the message from emergency officials is simple: slow down, watch for standing water, and never drive through a flooded roadway.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is now in effect for Hamilton County and much of central Indiana through 7 p.m. Monday, as forecasters warn conditions are favorable for the development of dangerous storms this afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service office in Indianapolis says severe thunderstorms are possible through tonight, with the primary threat being damaging straight-line winds. However, officials caution that isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

In addition to wind and tornado risks, heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding, especially in low-lying or flood-prone areas.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means atmospheric conditions are favorable for severe storms to develop. Residents are urged to remain alert and be prepared to take action quickly if warnings are issued.

Hamilton County Emergency Management officials are again emphasizing the importance of having a safety plan in place before storms arrive.

That plan should include:

• Identifying a safe shelter area, such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor away from windows
• Establishing a way to communicate with family members, with texting preferred during emergencies
• Choosing a meeting location in case family members become separated

Emergency officials stress that preparation ahead of time can make a critical difference when severe weather strikes.

Residents are encouraged to monitor weather updates throughout the day and evening through trusted sources, including the National Weather Service and local alert systems.

Storms are expected to develop during the afternoon hours and continue into the evening.