The Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) has appointed Terry Massey as its first vice president and chief operating officer, the organization announced Tuesday.

In his new role, Massey will oversee the shelter’s programs, human resources, daily operations, IT services and software development projects.

“We are thrilled to welcome Terry as our new VP and Chief Operating Officer,” said Rebecca Stevens, HSHC president and CEO, in a statement. “As our shelter has grown immensely over the years, so has our need for additional senior-level leadership that will guide us through our next chapter. Terry’s proven leadership and deep commitment to animal welfare will strengthen our mission to save lives, educate communities, and complete families.”

Massey brings more than 17 years of experience in project management and operational leadership. He most recently served as senior director of human resources shared services for The Heritage Group, where he oversaw benefit administration, HR information systems, compliance and project management. Before that, he spent 13 years with Franciscan Alliance Information Services, finishing as director of the program management office and health connect.

HSHC cares for more than 4,000 animals each year, including hundreds transferred from other Indiana shelters where they are at risk of euthanasia. The organization operates under a no-kill philosophy and has maintained a live placement rate of 98% or higher since 2014.

In a joint operation early Monday morning, police from Fishers and Indianapolis, along with the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, arrested three juveniles believed to be behind a wave of vehicle break-ins estimated to number in the hundreds.

Authorities say the suspects were driving a stolen vehicle when they were apprehended in a Fishers neighborhood. Officers from multiple agencies — including K9 and SWAT units, as well as drone operators — worked together to move in and safely take the suspects into custody.

Stolen property has been recovered as part of the investigation, including firearms and vehicles taken from victims in both Fishers and Indianapolis. Because the crimes involved stolen guns and spanned jurisdictions, federal investigators joined the case to ensure those arrested face consequences at both the state and federal level.

“Today, we stand united in our aggressive, collaborative efforts to stop criminals from victimizing our residents and wreaking havoc on our community,” said Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart. “Our officers will not relent in our pursuit of peace and safety for every member of our communities.”

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey praised the joint effort, saying, “By working together, we are able to quickly remove offenders from our streets and better protect the safety and security of our communities.”

FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O’Malley added that the arrests highlight the importance of federal-local partnerships in tackling violent crime.

The investigation remains ongoing. Fishers residents with surveillance video or information are asked to email fisherspd@fishersin.gov, while Indianapolis residents can contact IMPD.publicaffairs@indy.gov.

Police are reminding residents to stay alert and take precautions:

• Locking vehicles is no longer enough — bring valuables, especially firearms, inside.

• Watch out for yourself and your neighbors, but do not confront suspicious individuals. Call 911 immediately.

• Report any unusual activity without hesitation.

After a sold-out summer tour that drew rave reviews, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers HEART will extend their Royal Flush Tour into 2026, with a stop scheduled at the Fishers Event Center on Sunday, March 15. Singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams will join as a special guest.

Tickets for the concert go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, through Ticketmaster.com.

The announcement comes on the heels of HEART’s summer finale at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in New York, where thousands of fans turned out for what Variety called “a group whose live appearances ought to compel a mandatory pilgrimage.” The tour’s first leg featured a career-spanning set list of hits performed with the powerful vocals and guitar work that have defined the band’s five-decade career.

HEART, led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide. Their catalog includes classics such as “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You,” and “These Dreams,” songs that have helped cement their place as one of rock’s enduring acts.

The 2026 tour will bring the band back to major arenas and cities across North America before wrapping up in Fishers.

For those closely following the activities of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board—and especially fans of the Board Docs section on the HSE District website—take note: changes are underway.

The district has been testing a new platform from a company called Diligent. This new system was recently demonstrated at a school board committee meeting and has been undergoing internal testing over the past few weeks.

In a Facebook post earlier today, the district announced that Board Docs will be phased out and officially retired by October 15. All information previously available on Board Docs will be accessible through the Diligent platform moving forward.

Additionally, community members can stay up to date on board meetings by signing up for email notifications. Simply enter your email address on the district’s website to receive updates about upcoming meetings.

Access the new Diligent program at this link.

Subscribe to updates by choosing the updates you want and entering your e-mail at this link. 

With many Indiana communities facing what Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness described as “dire shape” while crafting their 2026 budgets under new state legislative constraints, the mayor painted a much brighter picture for Fishers.

Fadness unveiled his proposed 2026 spending plan Monday night, calling for total expenditures of $203.6 million across operating, capital, and debt service funds. The plan projects nearly $67 million in cash reserves. By comparison, the city’s 2025 budget totaled $182.5 million. Fadness noted that year-to-year fluctuations in spending are normal, depending on specific needs such as major road projects.

“You should feel confident and reassured that the City of Fishers is in very sound fiscal shape,” Fadness told Council members. “We’re able to meet our community’s needs. We’re able to push forward and continue to really, truly create a desirable community today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”

I have been covering details of the 2026 budget over the past several days and recorded a podcast with Fadness and Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren last Thursday. You can listen to that conversation at this link.

The mayor also outlined proposed funding for local nonprofits. In recent years, the City Council appointed a committee to determine allocations, but that responsibility now rests with the mayor. Fadness’s 2026 plan directs $275,000 to nonprofits, including $165,000 for Fishers Youth Initiative, $75,000 for Conner Prairie, and $35,000 for Cherish Center.

With the presentation and public hearing now complete, the City Council is scheduled a final vote on the 2026 budget at its October 6 meeting.

Tyler Zerbe stepped into the role of President of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) in July. Now, he finds himself at the forefront of supporting the teachers’ union bargaining team as it begins negotiations with Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools on a new one-year contract for educators.

In this interview, Zerbe discusses a wide range of issues, including the ongoing contract talks, the impact of recent state legislation on negotiations, efforts to resolve two Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaints filed against HSE Schools, the union’s relationship with district leadership, and more.

Listen to the podcast at the link below.

Families in Fishers and across Hamilton County now have closer access to specialized pediatric emergency care with the opening of the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital (PMCH) Emergency Department at Ascension St. Vincent Fishers.

The new department offers dedicated pediatric emergency services within the community, with the added benefit of admitting children directly to Ascension St. Vincent Fishers when needed. Hospital leaders say the expansion will allow families to access comprehensive care without the stress of traveling outside the county.

“This new emergency department allows parents to keep their kids close to home in a convenient location when they’re going through an emergency,” said Aleks Overbey, president of Ascension St. Vincent Fishers. “Families can take comfort knowing that, if their child requires additional care beyond the emergency department visit, they can stay right here at Ascension St. Vincent Fishers and receive observation care from Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital pediatricians.”

In addition to the emergency department, Ascension St. Vincent is expanding pediatric subspecialty coverage in its outpatient suite. That means families in Fishers will now have seamless access to both emergency and outpatient pediatric specialists, offering a full range of services from urgent needs to ongoing specialty care.

Hospital officials say the new emergency department underscores a growing investment in pediatric healthcare in Fishers and reflects Ascension St. Vincent’s commitment to serving the needs of children and families close to home.

For more information, use this link.

Fishers police are investigating a string of thefts from vehicles reported over the weekend in two northside neighborhoods.

According to the Fishers Police Department, dozens of break-ins occurred in the Lantern Farms and Conner Knoll subdivisions, located along Lantern Road between Harrison Parkway and 126th Street.

One victim’s surveillance video captured a suspect running up to vehicles and using what appeared to be a window punch to shatter windows. Two handguns were confirmed stolen in the incidents.

“Our detectives are working aggressively to find the individual or individuals who came into our community and stole from our residents,” police said in a statement. Officers have also stepped up patrols in the affected areas.

Police are asking residents who live in the impacted neighborhoods and have not yet shared video or images with law enforcement to send them to fisherspd@fishersin.gov.

Authorities are urging residents to take precautions, noting that simply locking a vehicle may not be enough to deter thieves. Police recommend bringing valuables — especially firearms — inside, staying alert, and watching out for neighbors.

“If this person or group returns, do not approach,” the department cautioned. “Call 911 immediately. If something seems suspicious, do not write it off — call 911.”

The Professional Championship Bull Riders (PCBR) will bring one of rodeo’s most high-energy events to the Fishers Event Center on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.

The one-night-only show promises a full slate of rodeo action, featuring some of the top bull riders in the world matched against the nation’s toughest bulls. Fans can also look forward to barrel racing, as cowgirls compete for the fastest times in a crowd-favorite event.

Adding to the family-friendly atmosphere, the first 300 children through the doors will receive a free cowboy hat and autographed poster. Attendees will also have the chance to take part in exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with the riders.

Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday at 10 a.m. at FishersEventCenter.com. Fans who don’t want to wait can take advantage of presale tickets available now by using the early access code 8SECS.

Organizers say the event will deliver “nonstop action, excitement, and family fun” to kick off the new year.

The Fishers Municipal Center was filled with creativity and celebration Friday evening, Sept. 12, as the Fishers Arts Council hosted the sixth annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists awards ceremony.

The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 27, features works by 57 local artists selected by juror Carl Schafer of Muncie. For the sixth year, Jiffy Lube of Indiana served as the event’s title sponsor, with District Manager John Rucker on hand to welcome artists and guests. Noblesville Creates returned as sponsor of the People’s Choice award, presented by Artist Liaison J.C. Seig.

The evening’s top honor, Best in Show, went to Fishers resident Aparna Bhave for her mixed media portrait A Dreamer. She received a $1,000 prize and a solo exhibit in 2026. Schafer praised the work as “thoughtful and insightful,” describing the subject as “a person in transition” whose choice of dreams could reshape how she views the world.

Other top awards, each carrying a $600 prize, included:

• Best Landscape: Chasing the Sun by Amy Ruddy of Westfield (sponsored by Wasson Nursery).

• Best Portrait/Figurative: Into the Light by Casey Williams of McCordsville.

• Best Floral/Other: Ode to Sweden by Eileen Allen of McCordsville (sponsored by Renewal by Andersen).

• Best Abstract: Daylight by Liz Hamstra of Fishers.

• Best 3D: Metalnoma by Victoria Winemiller of Fishers, a new category introduced this year and sponsored by Noblesville Creates.

The addition of three-dimensional works was made possible through a partnership with the Fishers Art Center, located inside the Municipal Center and operated jointly by the City of Fishers and Indy Art Center in Broad Ripple. Indy Art Center Vice President of Events and Exhibitions Shannon Bennett, along with Exhibition Manager Alex Moore and his team, worked closely with the Fishers Arts Council to stage the expanded show.

The People’s Choice award, determined by votes cast in person and online, went to Fishers artist Asma Siddiqui for her textured acrylic and mixed media piece The Ocean’s Breath. She received a $250 prize.

Most of the winning works, along with many other pieces in the exhibit, are available for purchase. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays during the Fishers Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to noon. Visitors can also explore the show virtually at Facebook.com/FishersArt.