As we come out of a Thanksgiving holiday period, even with snow and cold weather, there are a number of ongoing road construction projects in and around Fishers.
Here is the regular weekly update, as provided by the city of Fishers:
Continue reading Road construction update for the work week starting Monday, December 1
The Indy Fuel built multiple leads Friday night at the Fishers Event Center, but the Fort Wayne Komets forced overtime and escaped with a 5-4 win on a breakaway goal just 33 seconds into the extra frame.
The night opened on a strong note for Indy. Tyler Kobryn scored his first goal with the Fuel at 3:00 of the first period, finishing a brief breakaway with assists from Jadon Joseph and Connor Joyce. Indy then struck shorthanded when Jesse Tucker made it 2-0 at 11:35, but Fort Wayne responded quickly. Still on the power play, Blake Murray cut the deficit to 2-1 just 18 seconds later. The Fuel carried that lead into the first intermission while outshooting the Komets 6-5.
Fort Wayne tied the game early in the second period on a wraparound goal by Alex Aleardi at 4:03. A series of penalties followed, setting the tone for a chippy middle frame. Indy regained the lead when Sahil Panwar converted a power play opportunity at 9:01, assisted by Matt Petgrave and Lee Lapid.
Tempers flared at 11:01 when Tucker was called for unsportsmanlike conduct following a skirmish, and the Komets capitalized on the power play with a goal from James Stefan to make it 3-3. More roughing penalties followed, including a double minor to Fort Wayne’s Nick Deakin-Poot after an exchange with Joseph. Despite the physical play, neither team scored again before the second intermission. Indy held a 20-11 shot advantage after two periods.
The Fuel regained the lead early in the third. Former Fuel forward Zach Jordan was sent off for slashing just 32 seconds in, and Panwar notched his second power play goal of the night to put Indy ahead 4-3, with assists from Jordan Martin and Lapid.
Fort Wayne applied pressure throughout the period, and after Indy successfully killed a high-sticking penalty at 8:46, the Komets pulled even once again. Stefan scored his second goal of the game at 15:21 to make it 4-4. Both teams generated chances late, but neither could break the tie in regulation.
The overtime period ended quickly. On the Komets’ first shot of the extra session, Deakin-Poot slipped behind the defense and scored on a short breakaway, giving Fort Wayne the 5-4 win.
Indy outshot Fort Wayne 33-23 but fell to the Komets for the second time this season.
The Fuel are the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs and are currently in their 12th season, playing their second season at the Fishers Event Center.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says forecasters have reviewed records going back to 2008 and found no instance of a Winter Storm Warning issued in November in recent memory. As of Friday afternoon, that has changed — and the new warning includes Fishers.
Snow is expected to begin as early as 7 a.m. Saturday and continue through 10 a.m. Sunday, with 4 to 7 inches possible in the local area. “Travel could be very difficult,” the NWS cautions.
Having lived in Central Indiana most of my life, I know the first major snowfall of the season can be especially hazardous. Some drivers take to snowy and icy roads as if it were the Fourth of July. Please be careful and stay alert to the behavior of other motorists.
In a recent podcast, the Fishers Department of Public Works — which oversees snow removal — urged residents to move their vehicles off neighborhood streets. This helps crews clear snow more efficiently and ensures plows can reach every street.
The storm’s timing is especially challenging for those traveling during the Thanksgiving weekend. If you must be on the road, take precautions and be prepared for changing conditions.
I have traditionally written a Thanksgiving piece nearly every year since launching this local news site in 2012. I have much to be thankful for — a wonderful group of family and friends, and at my age, relatively good health is something I particularly appreciate.
This year, though, I want to focus on the community I’ve called home for 34 years: Fishers, Indiana.
When I married Jane and moved to Fishers, the population was around 8,000. It was largely a small town serving the surrounding farming community, though it was already on the path to becoming a suburb of Indianapolis.
As Fishers grew, so did its amenities. In 2012, voters overwhelmingly approved transitioning to a traditional city structure with a strong mayor. Our former town manager, Scott Fadness, was elected the city’s first mayor and took office in 2015.
When I retired from federal civil service in September 2011 after 28 years, I began looking for my next challenge. Before my government career, I had worked as a radio broadcast journalist, and I soon found myself exploring the idea of launching a local website focused on Fishers news.
LarryInFishers.com debuted in January 2012. Despite two moments when I considered ending the project, it has now continued for nearly 15 years.
I have always viewed this work as a way to give back to a community that gave my family so much. My twin daughters, Allison and Mary, received an excellent education in Hamilton Southeastern Schools and both went on to graduate from college.
There are expenses involved in producing this website and the podcast series I started in 2016. I’ve always covered those costs myself — part of my way of saying thanks to Fishers.
So on this Thanksgiving Day 2025, I want to remind everyone that this website is, in many ways, an ongoing “thank you” to all who live in Fishers. You’ve given my family and me so much, and this is my way of giving something back.
But gratitude flows both ways. Whether I’m at an Indy Fuel hockey game, a Fishers Freight football contest, a high school sports event, or any kind of community gathering, it’s common for people to recognize me, stop to shake my hand, and thank me for the work I do here. I cannot put into words how much that means. It makes every hour of volunteer effort worthwhile.
You may have noticed more advertising on the site, and I’m exploring the possibility of adding sponsorships to my podcast series as well. While some funds are coming in, they are largely used to offset the costs of blogging and podcasting. Very little remains beyond that.
If I’m able to generate more support, I hope to begin paying writers to help with coverage — something that becomes more necessary as I get older and it becomes harder to be everywhere at once.
So on this Thanksgiving Day 2025, let me offer the most important message of all:
Thank you for reading.
The Indy Fuel dropped their first meeting of the season with the Wheeling Nailers on Wednesday night, falling 5–2 on the road, despite a pair of power-play goals from forward Harrison Israels.
Wheeling struck quickly, scoring just 53 seconds into the game when Brent Johnson converted on the first shot of the night. The Nailers doubled their lead seven minutes later on a goal by Jack Works.
Indy cut the deficit midway through the period after Wheeling’s Tommy Budnick was called for cross-checking. The Fuel capitalized on the power play as Israels scored at 10:26, with assists from Sahil Panwar and Matt Petgrave. Wheeling took a too-many-men penalty late in the period, but the Fuel were unable to convert before intermission.
The Nailers killed off the remaining seconds of that penalty to open the second period, and the teams traded infractions over a stretch that included roughing minors for Indy’s Nick Grima and Wheeling’s Logan Pietila. Indy kept Wheeling off the board through multiple power-play chances, including kills following penalties to Petgrave and Will Ennis.
With less than two minutes left in the period, Indy went back on the power play when Mike Posma was called for holding. Israels struck again, tying the game 2–2 at 18:38 with his second power-play marker of the night. Panwar and Petgrave again recorded the assists. Through two periods, the teams were nearly even in shots, with Wheeling holding a 22–21 edge.
Wheeling regained control early in the third. Randy Hernández scored at 2:09 to put the Nailers back in front. After another Indy penalty, Wheeling extended the lead when Max Graham tallied at 10:26 to make it 4–2.
Tempers flared moments later as Indy’s Michael Marchesan and Wheeling’s Posma dropped the gloves, each receiving five-minute fighting majors.
Wheeling sealed the win at 16:54 on a goal from David Breazeale. The Fuel pulled goaltender Mitchell Weeks during a late power play, but could not close the gap. A potential empty-net goal by the Nailers after time expired was waived off.
The Fuel outshot the Nailers 31–30 but came up short, falling to Wheeling 5–2.
The Fuel return home Friday night facing Fort Wayne and Saturday against Toledo.
Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development (HAND) has launched a year-end campaign aimed at raising awareness about the growing need for stable and attainable housing across Hamilton, Boone, and Tipton counties.
The initiative, called One Door Away, draws on the image of a single door as a reminder that many residents in Central Indiana are just one step away from housing stability. HAND leaders say rising housing costs continue to outpace wages, creating increasing pressure on workers, seniors, and families who want to remain in their communities.
“Behind every door is a story,” said Andrea Davis, HAND’s executive director. “A retired teacher who wants to stay close to the community she served. A healthcare worker raising a child. A senior hoping to age safely in place. When neighbors support HAND’s mission, they open the next door for someone working hard to build stability.”
Board President Jordyn Gladis said the campaign also aims to reinforce the role of housing in community well-being.
“Every strong community begins with stability,” Gladis said. “One Door Away is an invitation for residents, partners, and leaders to recognize how essential housing is to community vitality. When we open doors for our neighbors, the entire region benefits.”
HAND currently owns and manages 157 rental homes across 11 communities, serving seniors on fixed incomes, workers essential to local businesses and services, and families seeking reliable housing close to schools, jobs, and support networks. Additional developments are underway, but the organization says demand continues to grow as limited rental options in the northern suburbs force many residents to make difficult choices.
“In times when so many are facing instability or rising housing costs, even one open door can change the course of a life,” Davis said. “We hope this campaign helps our community see the human stories behind the need — and the collective impact we can make.”
More information about the One Door Away campaign is available on HAND’s website.
Ever since launching this local news website in 2012 — and later the podcast series in 2016 — I’ve been continually amazed by the messages I receive from people I’ve never met.
Back in 2014, the Indianapolis Business Journal asked me to write an op-ed on Fishers’ first mayoral election. I was later invited to contribute to the publication’s online opinion site, which has since been discontinued.
Over the years, media outlets outside Fishers have contacted me for commentary on what’s happening in our community. I’m still surprised by how many people beyond Fishers find this site and reach out.
That happened again a few months ago. I was contacted by someone representing Cyndee Woolley, owner of a communications firm in Orlando, Florida. She had come across this site and invited me to appear on her podcast, Cutting Through the Clutter.
When I mentioned the invitation to my wife, her first reaction was: “If she wants you to cut through the clutter, has she ever seen your office?” I’ll admit it — my office isn’t always the most organized.
Eventually, we set a date and time to record the episode. After speaking with Ms. Woolley, it was clear why she has built a successful communications business. She’s an excellent communicator. Our discussion felt less like an interview and more like a genuine conversation, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
We recorded the episode in September, and it has now been posted online.
I think you’ll enjoy our conversation.
You can listen to me as a guest on the Cutting Through The Clutter Podcast at this link.
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The City of Fishers is taking new steps to manage traffic around the Fishers Event Center, approving both a comprehensive corridor analysis and a professional services agreement tied to future road improvements in the area.
With a full year of traffic data available since the Fishers Event Center opened, the Board of Works and Public Safety has authorized a detailed analysis of how current and future development will affect nearby roads.
According to the city’s filing, the study will measure existing traffic volumes, estimate future traffic from proposed land uses, and calculate total long-term volumes for the area. The goal is to produce a report documenting data collection, findings, and recommendations to ensure safe and efficient travel as the district continues to grow.
The study area includes:
116th Street & USA Parkway
116th Street & Ikea Way
106th Street & Lantern Road
USA Parkway & Ikea Way
USA Parkway & the roundabout near the Event Center
Lantern Road & USA Drive
Fishers officials say the Event Center’s inaugural year—which included concerts, Indy Fuel hockey games, and community events—has generated valuable information about traffic patterns, but continued development makes forward-looking planning essential.
In a related action, the Board of Works also approved a professional services agreement for design work on a street-widening project in the same general district. The widening is expected to be constructed in the spring of 2026.
The agreement authorizes engineering services needed to prepare the project for bidding and construction, including surveys, design documents, and coordination with utilities. According to the city’s submission, the widening is intended to accommodate anticipated growth tied to the Event Center, nearby commercial development, and increased traffic volumes projected in the corridor study.
City staff noted that beginning design work now ensures the project remains on schedule for 2026, aligning with expected development timelines and providing additional roadway capacity before congestion increases.
Both the corridor traffic study and the widening project are part of Fishers’ broader strategy to manage infrastructure needs in the fast-growing Event Center district, where new traffic patterns continue to emerge as the area builds out.
The Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) is turning Black Friday into an opportunity for families to grow, announcing a special adoption event as the shelter continues to struggle with severe capacity issues. More than 500 animals currently housed at the facility will spend the holidays without a permanent home unless adopters step forward.
The event will take place Friday, November 28, from noon to 5 p.m. at HSHC’s location off Hague Road in Fishers. Adoption fees for all eligible pets will be reduced to $10.
“Our most urgent animals have waited several months, and in some cases over a year, for an adopter to come,” said Emma Nobbe, HSHC’s community engagement manager. “This holiday season, we ask the community to open their hearts and homes to the hundreds of animals waiting for their second chance.”
Animals adopted from HSHC are spayed or neutered, microchipped, have at least one round of age-appropriate vaccinations, and leave with a starter bag of food and a complimentary wellness exam from participating veterinarians.
The shelter hopes the event, themed “fill their hearts, not their carts,” will encourage residents to prioritize adoption during one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
HSHC reminds potential adopters of several guidelines for Friday’s event:
All members of the household—both human and canine—must meet any dog being considered for adoption.
Those interested in adopting are encouraged to complete an application in advance at hshcadoptions.com.
Only human family members are required to meet potential cats.
Adopters must present a government-issued ID.
Renters should bring a copy of their pet policy, as landlords may be difficult to reach over the holiday weekend.
HSHC hopes strong community participation will help many of the animals in its care find a home in time for the holidays.
As the Fishers Community Center prepared for its official opening, one question repeatedly surfaced among prospective users: Will Silver Sneakers memberships be accepted?
Silver Sneakers, a popular insurance-based program that provides free access to participating fitness facilities for eligible seniors, is one of several similar benefits offered through Medicare plans and large employer insurance programs.
Fishers officials now have a clear answer. Following action Tuesday morning by the Board of Public Works and Safety, the Community Center has been granted the authority to accept Silver Sneakers and comparable programs, allowing qualifying residents to receive free memberships.
“This is an opportunity particularly for seniors…to get a free membership to the Community Center and access all the health and wellness opportunities and social opportunities we have there,” said Jake Reardon-McSoley, the city’s director of Recreation and Wellness.
Reardon-McSoley told the board the city has negotiated reimbursement agreements with three companies that collectively “cover every potential large insurance-based membership on the market.”
Mayor Scott Fadness said demand for such programs has been strong from the start. “I think the number one question we receive at the Community Center, at least our membership people, has been ‘Are we going to have any of these programs available?’”
The city expects it will take time to complete the needed technology upgrades and staff training before the programs are fully implemented. Reardon-McSoley said he is confident the center will be ready to roll out the insurance-based memberships by January 1, 2026.