The Fishers Plan Commission took no favorable or unfavorable position Wednesday night on a proposed memory care center in the 10900 block of Brooks School Road, following a public hearing at City Hall.

The commission, which serves in an advisory role to the Fishers City Council, failed to reach the votes necessary to advance a recommendation on the proposal by Story Custom Development.

Only six members of the 11-member commission were present, just enough to constitute a quorum. However, six affirmative votes—representing a majority of the full commission—are required to pass either a favorable or unfavorable recommendation to the City Council.

A motion to forward the proposal with no recommendation failed on a 4–2 vote, but because neither a favorable nor unfavorable motion received the required six votes, the outcome was effectively no recommendation. A separate motion by Commission President Howard Stevenson to issue a favorable recommendation died for lack of a second.

The proposal calls for a 7,500-square-foot memory care facility with 12 beds on less than one acre of land.

Public comment drew strong interest, with 13 speakers addressing the commission. Nine spoke in opposition to the project, while four voiced support. Commission members said they also reviewed numerous written comments submitted by residents on both sides of the issue.

Residents from the nearby Breakwater subdivision and other surrounding neighborhoods raised concerns about traffic, safety, and land use compatibility. Supporters argued that memory care services are needed in Fishers and that the proposed facility would fill a growing community need.

Plan Commissioner and Fishers City Council member Pete Peterson cautioned attendees about legislation currently moving through the Indiana General Assembly that could significantly limit local zoning authority. Peterson said such changes could eventually allow denser residential uses—such as duplexes—on the property, with little or no local control.

Several residents threatened legal action if the proposal is approved, but Peterson said the possibility of lawsuits should not influence the commission’s decision. He cited similar legal threats made during the city’s recent debate over its rental property registration ordinance.

The Fishers City Council is scheduled to take final action on the Story Cottage development at its February 23 meeting.

The issue of which meetings Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board members should attend remains unresolved, as the board’s Policy Committee opted to further develop proposed language rather than move it forward.

During a Wednesday morning meeting, committee members Dawn Lang and Juanita Albright raised concerns about suggested additions to the board’s policies that would clarify when board members may attend meetings, including as observers.

Lang cautioned that expanding the scope of meetings board members could attend could create a “slippery slope” over time. She said the presence of a high-level board member at certain meetings could alter the dynamic of those meetings, not always in a positive way, and potentially create what she described as an “intimidating tone.”

Lang emphasized that information brought to the board should continue to flow through the district’s existing committee structure. She said the proposed language could be interpreted broadly, allowing a board member to “sit in on anything.”

“Then where does it end?” Lang asked.

Albright agreed with Lang’s assessment.

Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley told the committee the proposed language was drafted in response to a request from board member Latricia Schooley. Kegley said he will revise the language based on the committee’s feedback and present an updated proposal at the committee’s March meeting.

Kegley added that Schooley had expressed that the intent of the policy was not to allow board members to become involved in the district’s day-to-day operations.

Any changes to board policy would require approval by a majority vote of the full seven-member school board.

I have known Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness for nearly 14 years — as long as I have been writing this local news website. Over that time, we have had countless conversations, dating back to his days as Fishers Town Manager, through his mayoral campaign, and throughout his tenure as mayor, which began in 2015.

In those conversations, Fadness has consistently returned to one core concern: the life cycle of a city.

Time and again, he has said that a city is either moving forward or moving backward — standing still is not an option, and in many ways is the same as decline. He has often pointed to nearby cities that were once shiny, fast-growing municipalities with everything going for them, only to grow complacent and slowly slide into a downward spiral.

That familiar Scott Fadness was on full display Tuesday during his 2026 State of the City address at the Fishers Event Center. Under the heading “What keeps me up at night,” the mayor laid out his concerns for Fishers’ future — and his plan to keep the city from falling into complacency.

Fishers is riding high right now, and Fadness, rightly so, highlighted a long list of accomplishments. Money magazine and numerous other publications have named Fishers one of the best places to live in America for several consecutive years.

But the mayor made it clear this is precisely the moment when a successful city must guard against complacency. He said he plans to work closely with his staff and the Fishers City Council to develop ideas and strategies to avoid the downward cycle he has watched play out elsewhere.

“I think we have a really good shot — a really good shot — of breaking that cycle, that traditional cycle,” Fadness said.

The mayor also shared an insight he has mentioned in past podcasts with me: that he has learned a great deal from conversations with the dads of the boys he coaches now that his own sons are involved in sports. Those parents, he noted, are often less focused on the day-to-day issues a mayor typically handles and more concerned about days-to day concerns and the broader future their children will inherit — a perspective that has influenced his approach to leadership.

The event opened with a shoutout to State Sen. Kyle Walker, whom Fadness thanked for his tireless work helping shepherd legislation through the Indiana General Assembly that has been important to Fishers.

The address ended on a somber and deeply personal note. Fadness shared details of a conversation with the father of Haley Buzbee, the 17-year-old Hamilton Southeastern High School student who went missing and was later confirmed deceased. He spoke about who Haley was as a person and the positive impact she had on her family and friends.

The mayor asked for no applause at the conclusion of his speech, instead requesting a moment of silence to reflect on Haley’s life. The room fell completely still — you could hear a pin drop — until the lights came back on and the OneZone luncheon crowd quietly began to file out of the Event Center.

It was the right touch to end a State of the City address.

Legislation requiring Indiana Department of Child Services caseworkers to see a child in person before closing or discharging a case passed unanimously out of the Indiana House of Representatives on Monday, Feb. 2.

House Bill 1036, authored by State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, D-Fishers, mandates that a DCS caseworker conduct an in-person visit with a child within 30 days prior to a case being closed or discharged.

The bill was drafted in response to high-profile child welfare tragedies, including the death of five-year-old Kinsleigh Welty, who died of starvation. Supporters say the legislation is designed to ensure children are safe before DCS investigations and cases are concluded.

“Every child in our state is precious. Not one death of a child is acceptable,” Garcia Wilburn said in a statement following the bill’s passage. “By requiring an in-person visit by a DCS caseworker before a case closure, my hope is that we prevent more avoidable deaths from abuse and neglect and do not allow more children to fall through the cracks of the system.”

Garcia Wilburn also thanked her co-authors — Reps. Alex Burton, Lori Goss-Reaves and Julie McGuire — as well as the House for its unanimous support of the measure.

HB 1036 now moves to the Indiana Senate for consideration. If approved there, it would advance to the governor’s desk for final action.

Garcia Wilburn noted that while the bill’s passage in the House marks an important milestone, additional work remains as the legislation continues through the General Assembly.

A special community tribute honoring the life of Hailey Buzbee is now on display at Fishers City Hall, offering residents a place to reflect, remember, and show support for her family.

The tribute features a portrait of Hailey painted by Fall Creek Junior High art teacher Shelley Feeney, who taught Hailey during her time at the school. The portrait was created as part of the school’s Fall Creek Junior High exhibit and depicts Hailey as she was known by those around her—vibrant, joyful, and full of life.

Before beginning the work, Feeney spoke with Hailey’s family to ensure the portrait would honor their daughter in a meaningful and respectful way. The finished piece now hangs in City Hall as a focal point of remembrance during the month-long exhibit.

Displayed across from the portrait is a large blank canvas, created specifically to invite community participation. Visitors are encouraged to leave messages, reflections, and words of support for the Buzbee family. City and arts council officials say the canvas is intended to serve as a shared space for collective healing and compassion during an incredibly difficult time.

The canvases were installed this week and will remain on display throughout the month. Members of the public are invited to visit Fishers City Hall during regular hours to view the artwork and, if they choose, add a message to the community canvas.

Organizers hope the exhibit will provide a quiet moment of connection and remembrance, while also demonstrating the depth of care and solidarity within the Fishers community.

“Our thoughts remain with the Buzbee family and all who loved Hailey,” the city said in a statement. “We invite the community to take a moment to honor her life alongside us.”

I have attended a number of news conferences during my years in journalism. The one held Sunday evening, February 1, is not to be forgotten.

Hailey Buzbee, a 17-year-old student at Hamilton Southeastern High School, had been missing for nearly a month. Her disappearance drew nationwide attention and, over those weeks, hope persisted within her family and throughout the Fishers community.

That hope was shattered when Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stepped before the assembled media and delivered the news no one wanted to hear. To his credit, the mayor did not delegate that responsibility. He stood there himself and said police believed Hailey was “deceased.” The word was clinical, but the meaning was devastating.

Mayor Fadness spoke about Hailey, about conversations with her family, and about the kind of person she was. It was a moment marked by compassion and gravity, and it underscored the weight of what this loss means—not only for Hailey’s loved ones, but for an entire community.

Counselors at local high schools have been working with students processing the news. High school is a time when friendships are immediate and intense. To know a fellow student one month, and to learn the next that she is gone forever, is extraordinarily difficult to comprehend.

Based on a number of news reports available Monday, Hailey’s body was recovered in Ohio the same day as the news conference in Fishers. Her family now faces the unimaginable task of planning her funeral.

From what is known so far, law enforcement agencies—including the Fishers Police Department, Ohio authorities, Indiana State Police, and the FBI—appear to have acted diligently and professionally. Investigators believe Hailey died only days after her disappearance.

I will not dwell on the person of interest or the details of what occurred. Instead, I choose to focus on what must come next. We all have a responsibility to learn from this tragedy and to do what we can to prevent something like it from happening again.

I am the father of twin daughters. They are adults now, but that does not dull the pain I feel for Hailey’s family. Losing a child is a burden no parent should have to carry. As a community, we must surround this family with support and remind them—clearly and often—that they are not alone.

I understand Hailey’s family is advocating for a change in Indiana law. I do not claim to know enough to say whether such a change is necessary, but I respect their intentions and wish them strength in that effort.

There is, however, something all of us can do. Within our own families and circles of friends, we can be more vigilant. We can talk with our young people—especially our daughters—about awareness, safety, and the steps they can take to protect themselves.

My heart goes out to Hailey Buzbee, her family, and everyone who loved her. I do not know all the right words for a moment like this. Perhaps it is enough to say this: let us honor Hailey by pledging to do better, to look out for one another, and to move forward together.

The Indy Fuel closed out their weekend in Iowa with another road victory, defeating the Iowa Heartlanders 3–2 on Sunday night as Eric Martin scored his second consecutive game-winning goal.

Iowa struck first after a scoreless opening stretch that included two early Indy power plays. The Fuel were unable to convert with the man advantage, and later paid the price when they went shorthanded midway through the period. With 34 seconds remaining on the power play, Keltie Jeri-Leon scored to give the Heartlanders a 1–0 lead.

The opening period also featured a physical edge, highlighted by a fight between Indy’s Cody Schiavon and Iowa’s Nick Carabin at 18:03. Both players received fighting majors, and Schiavon was also assessed an instigating minor. Despite outshooting Iowa 10–8, the Fuel trailed 1–0 after one period.

Indy evened the score early in the second period. Lee Lapid found the net at 3:38, finishing a setup from Brett Moravec and Christian Berger to make it 1–1. The Fuel penalty kill kept the game tied later in the period when Nick Grima was called for interference.

Another fight broke out at 16:12 between Michael Marchesan and Luke Mobley, with both players receiving majors. Iowa regained the lead at 18:40 on a goal by Matthew Sop, but the advantage lasted only 20 seconds. Terry Broadhurst answered quickly for Indy at 19:00, sending the teams into the second intermission tied 2–2.

The third period remained scoreless until the final minutes. Eric Martin broke the deadlock with the eventual game-winner, a goal that was reviewed for potential goaltender interference but ultimately upheld.

Iowa called a timeout with 41.5 seconds remaining in regulation in an effort to force overtime, but the Fuel held strong defensively to secure the 3–2 regulation win and complete a successful weekend on the road.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness delivered grim news Sunday evening, announcing that police believe 17-year-old Hamilton Southeastern High School student Hailey Buzbee is deceased.

Standing before assembled media, Fadness said it “pains me to make this announcement,” calling it a moment no one in the community wanted to face.

Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart confirmed that a suspect, Tyler Thomas, 39, of Ohio, is in custody. Thomas is being held in a central Ohio jail on felony charges of tampering with evidence and pandering obscenity. As of Sunday evening, no bond had been set, and Thomas is scheduled to appear in court Monday. Gebhart emphasized that Thomas has not been charged with murder at this time and that the investigation remains ongoing.

According to police, Buzbee and Thomas met through online gaming. Buzbee was reported missing on January 6. Investigators believe Thomas picked her up from her Fishers home. Police made contact with Thomas several days after the disappearance, at which time he claimed he dropped Buzbee off along a roadway in western Ohio. Authorities later determined that claim was false, Gebhart said.

Search warrants obtained by an Ohio sheriff’s office led investigators to search a short-term rental property using aerial drones, canine units, and physical search techniques in an effort to locate Buzbee. Police also believe she had been at Thomas’ home in Columbus.

While Thomas remains jailed on felony charges, Gebhart said the search for Buzbee’s body continues.

Mayor Fadness said he spent time Sunday morning with the Buzbee family, reflecting on Hailey’s life and the profound loss they are experiencing.

“They talked about what an incredible human being Hailey was,” Fadness said. “She was a bright light in the family, a wonderful big sister, and someone with tremendous promise. She was excited about moving on to university. Her family is devastated.”

Fadness added that the city is keeping the family at the center of its thoughts and expects the community to come together and support the family

HSE Schools posted the following statement:

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness says police believe Hailey Buzbee is deceased. Updates coming.