The City of Fishers is set to acquire 98 acres of land along the White River, north of 96th Street.  The parcel is part of the Craig W. Johnson Estate, which City Attorney Chris Greisl says has been “tangled” in legal issues among creditors for years.

The Estate’s personal representative has offered to convey the land if the city pays just over $3,100 in property taxes due.  Without that payment, the land would be subjected to a tax sale.  Griesl also says there is a period where objections can be filed with the deadline at the end of this week.

Development originally planned for that land going back as far as 2007 never happened.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for us to pick up 98 acres of park land for $3,000, based on just due diligence on a several-year-old economic development agreement,” said Mayor Scott Fadness. “It fits into a broader strategy that we have for this area.”

The mayor says this land fits into an overall comprehensive plan to connect to Heritage Park, along the White River at 106th street.  The mayor says there are no immediate plans for development of the 98 acres, but the city planning staff is looking at a regional concept centered on the White River.

The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety approved the conveyance at the Tuesday afternoon meeting.

I have been reading Betsy Reason for a number of years and have always admired her writing style.  Writing a column is a particular niche in the world of journalism.

Some reporters can write about any subject handed to them, but give them a feature or column to write and they get writer’s block.

Betsy now edits and writes for The Times newspaper here in Hamilton County.  She has just been honored by the Hoosier State Press Association in the small newspaper division for her writing skills.

According to a story in The Times, three columns were judged as first place winners.
They are:

–Do your research before voting on election day

–Details shared from campaign finance reports

–Thousands flock to Eagles concert.

It has been years since our paths have crossed.  After all, Betsy covers Noblesville and I cover Fishers.  But the few times we have chatted have been good conversations and I remember them well.

Allow me to congratulate Betsy on another set of awards to hang on the wall.  They are all well deserved!

Fishers Police arrested a former teacher in the Hamilton Southeastern School District on child molestation charges.  Ian Gray, 38, from Carmel, turned himself in and was booked at the Hamilton County Jail.  Gray has since been released on bond.

The Fishers Police Department says the incidents allegedly happened during the 2017-2018 school year.

Police were contacted by the Department of Child Services health professional in late May of this year, and the investigation began.  Once school officials were notified, Gray was removed from dealing with students in the classroom.  The arrest warrant was issued Thursday.

According to court documents, the victim was in the sixth grade at Fall Creek Intermediate when the alleged incidents occurred.

You have have seen some local news reports of a woman in Windermere neighborhood accused of publicly defecating.  Fishers Police issued a statement Thursday saying they have identified the woman but have not released her name.  Officers are encouraging her to seek the professional help needed, but have not ruled out criminal charges going forward.

Police also say at least one person has been publicly falsely accused in this case, and cautions the public not share such unverified information.

Below is the full statement from Fishers Police, posted on Facebook:

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The City is apparently pausing its program for a “Fishers Race Initiative” while “re-evaluating” its contract with the Soul Focused Group.

If you check the section of the city Web site about the Fishers Race Initiative, you see this message:

Thank you for your interest. In light of recent information shared with the City of Fishers about statements made by members of the Soul Focused Group team, the City is re-evaluating its contractual relationship and has suspended additional registrations at this time. 

I have reached out to the city for comment on just what information is referenced in the message, along with the reason for the suspension of the program,  but have yet to receive a response.  I have also reached out to the Soul Focused Group and have not yet received a response.

The city invited any Fishers resident to enroll in a course titled Interrupting Racism in 2020, free of charge, and had a reasonably good response.

Once I receive additional information, I will post it on LarryInFishers.com.

The Fishers Arts & Culture Commission is sending out checks to local groups totaling $43,000.  The commission, provided the funds as part of the 2021 city budget, selected the recipients by requiring they apply to at least two of the following criteria: inclusive, authentic, engaging, collaborative, innovative, and educational.

Here is the list of those selected to receive the grants:

Continue reading Fishers Arts & Culture Commission hands out $43,000 in local grants →

Had a bit of a technical glitch, so I missed the first couple of minutes…the podcast begins with Adam Aasen reviewing Old.

It is good to see Fishers using the Nickel Plate Amphitheater for a Shakespeare play.  In this case, it is Much Ado About Nothing.  The Brown Box Theater troupe brought its traveling production to Fishers on Wednesday, July 21st.  Here is my review.

(NOTE:  If you would like to contribute to Borwn Box, use this link.

A large water main break caused Conner Knoll to be closed south of 141st Street Wednesday afternoon.  Citizens Water crews were on hand along with the Department of Public Works.

No word yet on the cause or amount of damage done to the neighborhood.

For the first time, the Fishers Arts Council is teaming-up with Conner Prairie for the Prairie Art & Music Fair, set for Sunday, August 22nd, 10am-5pm on the grounds of Conner Prairie.

Five musical acts and more than 40 artists will be on hand for this inaugural event.  The musical groups are Mudsock Jazz Combo, One Voice, The Indiana Folk Music Society, Crossing Bridges, and The Klezmets.

“For the first year, we thought we would select American folk music that reflects the museum and standards from the American Song Book,” according to Tom Rich, President of the Fishers Arts Council, in a news release.

Here is a list of the artists and artisans who will be participating this August:

Continue reading Art on the Prairie set for August 22nd at Conner Prairie →