The Indy Fuel opened a three-games-in-three-days weekend Friday night in Fort Wayne with a high-scoring battle that ended in overtime, as the Fort Wayne Komets skated away with a 5-4 victory.

Fort Wayne struck first in the opening period. Matt Copponi found the back of the net at 9:54, assisted by Komets captain Alex Aleardi. Aleardi followed with an unassisted goal at 11:15 to give the home team a 2-0 lead.

The Fuel answered quickly. Jeremie Bucheler netted his first goal of the season at 11:44, trimming the deficit to 2-1. Brandon Shultz, a recent addition to the Indy roster, picked up the assist.

Indy carried that momentum into the second period. Just 23 seconds in, Brett Moravec tied the game, converting a feed from Lee Lapid and Jesse Tucker. The contest grew more physical midway through the period, with multiple roughing penalties assessed to both teams.

The Fuel took their first lead of the night at 7:57 when Tucker finished a play set up by Moravec. But the advantage was short-lived. After Will Ennis was called for high-sticking, William Dufour capitalized on the power play at 8:51 to even the score at 3-3.

Fort Wayne regained the lead in the third period when Austin Magera scored at 6:26. Indy responded again at 9:03, as Jadon Joseph tied the game with assists from Tyler Paquette and Christian Berger.

Both teams had late opportunities. The Komets failed to convert on an interference penalty against Chris Cameron, and the Fuel could not cash in on their first power play chance of the night after Tyler Inamoto was sent off for tripping.

In overtime, Fuel goaltender Owen Flores made several key saves to keep Indy alive. However, Jalen Smereck finally broke through, scoring the game-winner to secure the extra point and a 5-4 victory for Fort Wayne.

The loss drops Indy to 0-1 on the demanding weekend slate as the Fuel look to regroup in their Saturday at home, again facing the Komets.

A Fishers Police K9 team, assisted by a department drone pilot, apprehended a man wanted in several Indiana counties following a late-night crash and foot pursuit on the city’s east side.

According to a social media post from the Fishers Police Department, officers responded around 11 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, to a crash near 104th Street and Olio Road. The caller reported that four men had run from the vehicle following the crash. By the time officers arrived, three of the men had returned to the scene. The driver, however, remained at large.

Police said a brief foot pursuit followed as officers searched for the suspect. A Fishers Police drone pilot deployed a drone equipped with thermal imaging technology and located a person hiding in a tree line. The drone operator provided what police described as “overwatch” to officers on the ground, including a K9 unit.

The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Police identified the driver as Daniel Morales Senovio, of Indianapolis. Once in custody, officers learned he had multiple outstanding warrants in Hamilton, Clark and Jasper counties.

Senovio faces the following charges in connection with the Fishers incident:

• Resisting law enforcement, Class A misdemeanor
• False identity statement, Class A misdemeanor
• Leaving the scene of an accident, Class B misdemeanor
• Operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license, Class C misdemeanor

Police also arrested Anthony Gonzalez, of Indianapolis, on a Marion County warrant. Gonzalez is wanted on a Level 6 felony charge of residential entry.

Healthy aging is something most of us think about — but not always soon enough.

As someone now in my mid-70s, I’ve come to understand that staying healthy requires intention. It means asking questions, planning ahead, and focusing not just on longevity, but quality of life.

Ascension St. Vincent recently hosted a program at the Fishers YMCA centered on what medical professionals call the “4Ms” of age-friendly health care: What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility. The framework is designed to help people stay independent, protect cognitive health, and make informed decisions about their care as the years move on.

Prior to that event, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Peter Bustamante of Ascension St. Vincent, a physician specializing in healthy aging, along with former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, who has become an advocate for healthy, active living.

Our conversation covers practical steps people can take now to protect their health — and why thinking ahead can make all the difference.

My podcast series is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

You can listen to the full podcast at this link and the link below.

The latest episode of Fridays With Larry is now available.

This week, I reflect on the memory of the 17-year-old Fishers high school student whose recent death has deeply affected our community, and I talk about the remarkable way her family and the Fishers community have come together to honor her life.

I also discuss current issues before the Hamilton Southeastern School Board and legislative proposals at the Statehouse that local governments, including Fishers, are opposing.

My guest this week is Anthony Busack, onsite owner of the Goddard School in Fishers. We talk about early childhood education and why those early years matter so much in a child’s development.

Fridays With Larry is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

You can view the podcast on YouTube at this link, listen at this link or use the links below.

When I was informed that media would not be allowed inside the celebration of life for Hailey Buzbee, I understood. That was the family’s wish, and it deserved to be respected. So I did not attend, knowing that many in Fishers view me as a member of the media.

Instead, as many others did Thursday evening, I watched the service live online.

It was a moving event and, as intended, a true celebration of the life of this special 17-year-old Hamilton Southeastern High School junior.

Her uncle, Mark Miranda, spoke first, sharing personal stories that highlighted Hailey’s love of family and friends and the way her personality radiated outward to others. He talked about her interest in journalism and her work in HSE’s television program. She hoped to attend Indiana University in Bloomington — an institution that has educated generations of journalists.

Family members also shared stories of travel. Hailey was often invited to join relatives on trips, and she embraced those opportunities. It was clear she was more than a tag-along — she was a cherished companion.

One of the ministers at iTown Church then read a letter from Hailey’s father to his daughter. It was deeply touching. As a father myself, I give him great credit for being able to express those words under such painful circumstances. I am not certain I could have done the same.

Mayor Scott Fadness followed. He acknowledged that during his more than a decade as mayor, there have been moments of fear and apprehension in the community. He said he knew this tragedy could have produced more of the same. But after meeting with the family on the day it was confirmed Hailey had died, he came away with a clear understanding: their focus would be on who Hailey was, not solely on how she died.

The mayor also noted messages of support from other mayors across the region, many lighting their communities in pink in Hailey’s honor. Hamilton County illuminated the historic courthouse in pink. Pink ribbons have appeared throughout Fishers as visible signs of remembrance.

The celebration at iTown Church reflected exactly what the family and this community would want — remembering Hailey for the life she lived and the joy she brought to so many.

I am proud of the way the Fishers community has closed ranks in support of the Buzbee family. It reminds me why I am proud to call Fishers home.

Policies governing when and how school board members may attend meetings outside of regular board and committee sessions will return to the board’s Policy Committee for revised language.

Board members appeared divided on how the policy should be written. In the end, the board voted 6-1 to direct administrators to work with the Policy Committee on updated language. The committee consists of board members Dawn Lang and Juanita Albright.

In other action Wednesday night:

–Teachers have completed their health insurance plan selections, and under the union contract, Hamilton Southeastern Schools will make a one-time contribution to teachers’ Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as follows:

Employee only: $340
Employee + spouse: $465
Employee + child(ren): $465
Family: $595

–The district also approved replacing iPad devices for students in kindergarten, fifth grade and ninth grade as part of its regular technology refresh cycle. One speaker during public comment urged the board not to approve the new devices.

In addition, the board approved replacing network hardware at the following schools:

Fall Creek Intermediate
Riverside Intermediate
Sand Creek Intermediate
HSE Intermediate / Junior High

–Board members approved a measure authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds.

–Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate Junior High School sixth grader Hannah Ginther was recognized for her resilience and service to others. Hannah has been named a 2026 Riley Champion, a statewide honor presented to patients who demonstrate courage in the face of serious medical challenges while giving back to their communities.

Hannah underwent a life-saving heart transplant as a young child and has remained closely connected to Riley Hospital for Children. Inspired by activities that brought her comfort during extended hospital stays, Hannah and her family donate Play-Doh to the Riley Cheer Guild to support other young patients. She has also shared her story publicly to encourage families facing similar medical journeys.

Now 11, Hannah plays volleyball and basketball and cheers on her sisters at their games. School officials say she continues to embrace life with the same joy and resilience that led to her selection as a Riley Champion.

The Hamilton Southeastern School board has approved the district’s 2028-2029 school calendar, continuing its practice of setting calendars several years in advance to help families plan vacations and other activities.

The board voted 6-1 in favor of the proposed calendar. An earlier motion to postpone the final vote failed on a 4-3 tally.

Under the approved calendar, students would begin classes on Wednesday, August 9, 2028. Fall break is scheduled for October 16-20. Winter break would run from December 21, 2028, through January 3, 2029, with students returning to classrooms on January 4.

Spring break would begin Friday, March 30, and continue through April 6. The final day of classes is set for Thursday, May 24.

Graduation ceremonies are also on the calendar. Fishers High School’s commencement is scheduled for June 6, with Hamilton Southeastern High School’s graduation set for June 7.

Board member Suzanne Thomas argued for extending winter break, saying additional time off would benefit students and families. However, district officials indicated that adding days to winter break could require starting the school year earlier in August or extending the calendar beyond Memorial Day for students and/or teachers.

Although the motion to delay the decision fell short by one vote, the calendar as presented ultimately received board approval by a 6-1 margin.

If you want to see the calendars for this school year and the following two, here are the links.

2025-2026     

2026-2027

2027-2028