What was originally expected to take place last week instead occurred Monday, following the tragic death of Hailey Buzbee.

At several Hamilton Southeastern school buildings, including both high schools, students staged protests during the school day over actions by federal ICE agents. The demonstrations were part of a nationwide student movement.

As a one-person operation, I was generally aware that the protests were planned but was unable to travel among school buildings during the day. Reporters were not permitted on school property for these events. However, Leila Kheiry of Current Publishing provided solid coverage of what occurred.

One question that has surfaced repeatedly online is this: what repercussions, if any, will students face for participating in the protests? The demonstrations took place during the school day, and students necessarily missed class time to take part.

I am not an attorney or a legal expert, but those familiar with education law point to two key considerations.

First, the 1969 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Tinker v. Des Moines established that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate. At the same time, most school districts treat participation in protests during the instructional day as an unexcused absence.

Locally, leaving a scheduled class during the school day violates Hamilton Southeastern Schools policy, and the district has the authority to discipline students for doing so.

School administrators have wide discretion in determining consequences. On the low end, discipline could amount to a detention. On the high end, other districts have imposed short suspensions; in a recent example, Southport High School suspended students for one day following a similar action.

School officials do not comment on individual student discipline, and in most districts discipline is progressive. For students with no prior disciplinary history, consequences may be minimal. In other cases, administrators could choose a more severe response.

As of now, Hamilton Southeastern School District has not issued a general statement outlining how student discipline will be handled in this situation. Some anecdotal information may emerge on social media if students or parents choose to share their experiences.

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers representing all or parts of Fishers came together Monday morning to advocate for legislation informally known as “Hailey’s Law,” proposed in response to the death of 17-year-old Fishers resident Hailey Buzbee.

Participating in the media briefing were House Speaker Todd Huston, Representatives Chris Jeter and Victoria Garcia-Wilburn, and Senator Kyle Walker. As Speaker of the Indiana House, Huston holds a key role in determining whether the proposal advances during the current legislative session.

Lawmakers say the legislation is intended to strengthen protections for missing children by addressing what they describe as gaps in Indiana’s current Amber Alert framework. While specific bill language has not yet been released, supporters indicate the proposal would give law enforcement greater flexibility when issuing alerts, particularly in cases that do not meet all existing Amber Alert criteria but still involve credible danger to a child.

The push for the legislation follows the January disappearance of Buzbee, who was reported missing from Fishers and later found deceased in Ohio. An Ohio man is currently being held on charges connected to the case.

According to reporting by WTHR, court documents indicate the suspect had been communicating with Buzbee for approximately a year prior to her disappearance. WTHR reports that investigators say the communication occurred through a gaming platform and later moved to an encrypted messaging application, highlighting ongoing concerns among law enforcement and child safety advocates about online exploitation and grooming.

In a related show of remembrance, Hamilton County announced Monday that it is participating in “Go Pink for Hailey” Month by illuminating the Hamilton County Old Courthouse in pink throughout February.

“Hamilton County stands resolute in its commitment to the safety of all our communities through strong partnerships with community leaders and the public safety professionals who serve and protect our county,” said Hamilton County Commissioner President Christine Altman. “We have zero tolerance for predatory criminals, and we believe they should be held fully accountable under the law.”

A celebration of life for Hailey Buzbee is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at iTown Church, located at 12491 E. 136th Street in Fishers. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to wear pink, Buzbee’s favorite color.

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) announced Monday an amendment aimed at strengthening protections for missing children in Indiana.

According to a report by WTHR, Huston said language will be added to House Bill 1303 that would give state lawmakers more flexibility when issuing Amber Alerts. The bill is currently being considered in the Indiana Senate.

The proposed amendment comes in response to the death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee, who was reported missing from Fishers on Jan. 5. Authorities later determined she had been taken to Ohio, where she was killed.

Huston said the goal of the amendment is to close gaps in the current Amber Alert process and ensure law enforcement has additional tools available when a child is believed to be in danger.

Details of the amendment were announced Monday, Feb. 9, though specific language had not yet been publicly released at the time of the WTHR report.

House Bill 1303 was already advancing through the legislative process before the amendment was proposed. With the new language added, the bill is expected to continue moving through the Indiana Senate for consideration.

The Indiana General Assembly is considering legislation that could significantly limit — or eliminate — the ability of cities such as Fishers to regulate single-family rental properties, prompting concern from local officials and residents.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has issued a public statement opposing language contained in House Bill 1210, specifically Section 3.6, which would restrict local governments from enforcing ordinances related to single-family rental regulations. The proposal is under consideration during the current session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Fadness said Fishers’ rental registry ordinance was not created in a vacuum, noting it followed more than two years of research, analysis, and public engagement. City officials began studying the issue after hearing repeated concerns from residents about the growing number of large, out-of-state investment firms purchasing single-family homes and converting them into long-term rental properties.

According to the mayor, homeowners reported negative impacts on neighborhood stability, including declining property maintenance, disregard for homeowners association rules, and erosion of what is often a family’s largest financial investment — their home.

After extensive public input, the Fishers City Council adopted an ordinance limiting rentals to no more than 10 percent of single-family homes within a subdivision. Existing rental properties were grandfathered until the home is sold, and exemptions were included for circumstances such as military deployment or renting to immediate family members.

City officials say the ordinance received broad community support and was designed to strike a balance between the need for rental housing and preserving neighborhood stability and homeownership opportunities.

Fadness warned that the proposed state legislation could undo that local work, saying it is being driven by special interest groups that prioritize corporate earnings over community concerns.

In his statement, the mayor asked legislators to consider the impact on neighborhoods if 20 to 40 percent of homes were owned by private equity firms and operated as rentals that fail to follow HOA rules or city ordinances — a situation he says already exists in parts of Fishers.

While acknowledging the role rental housing plays in the community, Fadness said balance is necessary to preserve neighborhood stability, residents’ ability to afford homeownership, and the long-term health of communities.

The mayor concluded by urging lawmakers to remove Section 3.6 from House Bill 1210, asking them to respect the voices of Fishers residents and the years of public input that shaped the city’s rental registry policy.

The legislation remains under review at the Statehouse.

I began working in media in 1970 and made my living in that field through July of 1983. During that time, I had the opportunity to meet—and in some cases get to know—many public figures, particularly government officials and politicians. Some were impressive. Others were not.

One of the finest people I had the pleasure of knowing was former Indiana Congressman Lee Hamilton.

When I started as the morning news anchor at radio station WCSI in Columbus  duringthe late 1970s, Hamilton was the local member of Congress. I also hosted a daily talk show, and Congressman Hamilton was a regular guest. He was always thoughtful, prepared, and respectful of both the audience and the questions.

Hamilton, a Democrat, earned the respect of people in both political parties. He was widely regarded as an expert on foreign policy, particularly the Middle East, and presidents from both parties sought his counsel.

First elected to Congress in 1964, Hamilton represented southeast Indiana for 34 years, serving until 1999. When leaders on Capitol Hill needed a steady, trusted hand to lead or participate in difficult and sensitive work, Hamilton was often the choice.

His record reflects that trust. He served as vice chair of the Iran-Contra Committee in 1987 and was a member of the House Task Force on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1979. In 2006, he co-chaired the Iraq Study Group with former Secretary of State James Baker.

Hamilton may be best remembered nationally as vice chair of the 9/11 Commission, which examined the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and issued recommendations that continue to influence national security policy.

In February 2016, a retired Hamilton visited Fishers High School, speaking to students about government and civic responsibility. During that visit, he said Congress had become “too timid” and needed to assert its authority on major decisions facing the nation.

I had a chance to speak with him that day. He said he remembered me. Whether he truly did or not, I clearly remembered my many encounters with him over the years.

Lee Hamilton died at the age of 94. He lived a full life and served the public with distinction—someone who could look back with pride on a lifetime of service.

Having known many public officials from 1970 to the present day, I place Lee Hamilton among the very best. His accomplishments deserve to be remembered—and valued.

The family of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee has announced plans for a public celebration of life service later this week in Fishers following her tragic death.

The service is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at iTown Church, 12491 E. 136th Street in Fishers. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Those attending are encouraged to wear pink, Hailey’s favorite color.

Hailey, a junior at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was known by classmates, teachers and friends as a bright and generous young woman with a passion for journalism. She served on her school’s broadcast team and worked part-time in the community.

Her disappearance on Jan. 5 sparked an extensive search involving Fishers police, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Initially classified as a runaway, the case was later upgraded to an endangered missing juvenile. Authorities have recovered her remains in Ohio. A 39-year-old Ohio man is in custody on related felony charges, though no murder charge has been filed. The investigation remains ongoing.

In the weeks since her disappearance and the confirmation of her death, the Fishers community has rallied around the Buzbee family in a visible outpouring of support.

Mayor Scott Fadness has proclaimed February as “Go Pink for Hailey Month,” encouraging residents to honor Hailey’s life and support her family. Throughout the month, City Hall, the Fishers Community Center and lighting along State Road 37 and the Nickel Plate Trail have been illuminated in pink. Pink ribbons have also appeared along major roadways, at parks and at fire stations.

A large portrait of Hailey created by a local art teacher is on display at Fishers City Hall, where community members may leave written messages and tributes. Additional memorial items and remembrances have been placed at the Fishers Community Center.

The tragedy has also prompted calls for legislative change. Hailey’s family and community advocates are supporting efforts to create what has been referred to as “Hailey’s Law,” which would establish a new alert system for missing individuals when credible risk indicators are present and expand education on online grooming and predator awareness in Indiana schools.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools has offered counseling and support services for students and staff as the community continues to mourn.

As the Buzbee family prepares to celebrate Hailey’s life in a public service, residents across Fishers continue to find ways to honor her memory and support a family navigating unimaginable loss.

The filing deadline has passed for the May primary election, setting the stage for some key races in Hamilton County. The most high-profile contest will be the Republican primary for sheriff, as incumbent Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush is term-limited.

Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination: Dustin Dixon and John Lowes. Dixon has received the endorsement of former Hamilton County Sheriff and former Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. Lowes has been endorsed by Quakenbush. No Democrat filed to run for sheriff.

One additional countywide race will be contested in the Republican primary. Incumbent Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison faces a challenge from Brad Craig, a former deputy coroner in Hamilton County.

Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman is running for re-election and will not face a primary opponent. No Democrat filed for the commissioner’s race by the filing deadline.

There are also no contested primary races for the four Hamilton County Council seats on the ballot this year. However, a Democratic candidate has filed in each of the four council district races for the November general election.

Voters wishing to participate in the May primary must be registered by April 6. Early voting begins April 7, and Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 5.

One wonders if the overtime game and shootout in Wheeling Friday night, followed by a late return trip to Fishers, took some energy out of the Indy Fuel. Whatever the reason, the Iowa Heartlanders were the sharper team Saturday night, skating past Indy with a 3-1 victory.

The opening period ended in a 1-1 tie, with both teams capitalizing on the power play. Iowa struck first when Kelti Jeri-Leon scored nearly halfway through the period. The Fuel answered with their only goal of the night when Brett Moravec found the back of the net with just under six minutes remaining.

Tempers flared late in the first period, leading to a string of penalties. Iowa briefly enjoyed a one-man advantage but was unable to convert before the intermission.

The second period was largely uneventful until Jonny Sorenson slipped a shorthanded goal past Fuel goaltender Owen Flores, a score that proved to be the game-winner.

Iowa added an insurance goal with less than six minutes remaining in the third period when Nick Carabin scored to make it 3-1. The Fuel pulled the goaltender in the final minutes but were unable to generate a late comeback.

Before the game, the Fuel asked the sellout crowd of 6,557 to observe a moment of silence in honor of Hailey Buzbee, the 17-year-old who was found dead in Ohio on Sunday.

The Fuel return home to the Fishers Event Center on Wednesday to face the Wheeling Nailers.

Here is a look at the week ahead in road construction in and around Fishers.  Note that some guardrail work may result in some lane restrictions at the State 37 construction site at 141st Street.  Also, traffic signal work between Cumberland Road and I-69 on 116th Street will be happening during the week.

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

Continue reading Road construction update for the week starting Monday, February 9 →