The Fishers Police Department announced Wednesday that it has received a sixth consecutive accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).  The department also says it has received the Meritorious Award for being an accredited agency for more than 15 continuous years.

Meritorious agencies receive an enhanced Certificate of Meritorious Accreditation, displaying a blue “Meritorious” ribbon and an inscription proclaiming their 15 or more years of accredited status.

Being accredited by CALEA consists of a four-year process measuring adherence to strict international guidelines of policing and organizational practices.  At the end of the fourth year, CALEA assessors visit the agency to review day-to-day operations of policies and procedures. After confirming compliance, observations of agency activities, and interviews, the Commission voted unanimously to award the Fishers its 6th award.

CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of the following law enforcement’s major executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers started its season Tuesday with a convincing win at Ben Davis, by the score of 71-58.

The Tigers led 20-16 after the first quarter, with Jeffrey Simmons pouring in nine points, and Alex Szilagyi adding seven. Both players were just getting started. Simmons added another nine points in the second period, and Fishers stayed ahead 34-20 at halftime.

Szilagyi hit a 3-pointer during the second, and he threw in two more triples in the third period. That helped the Tigers maintain a 51-48 advantage after three quarters. Fishers ran away with that final period, outscoring the Giants 20-10.

Four different players scored at least four points, including five more from Simmons.

The sophomore Simmons finished the game with 29 points, while Szilagyi added 22 points.

The Tigers are back in action next Tuesday at Muncie Central.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern got off to a good start in its season-opening game, and that led the Royals to a 70-46 victory over visiting Muncie Central on Tuesday.

Southeastern led 16-4 after the first quarter and held a 30-20 advantage at halftime. The Royals outscored the Bearcats 18-8 in the fourth period and had three players reach double figures in the game.

Mabor Majak led the way, earning a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds, in addition to two blocked shots.

Kole Hornbuckle added 15 points, and DeAndre Rhodes had a solid game with 10 points and six assists. Sam Jacobs handed out four assists.

Southeastern travels to Mason, Ohio on Saturday to play another Ohio school, Hilliard Bradley, as part of a tournament.

The Fishers City Council took action Tuesday night to approve next steps for three economic development projects.

The council approved Economic Revitalization areas, moving forward with the Hub & Spoke, as well as the Sitel projects.  The council also approved the first amendment to the economic development agreement with Nickel Plate Station.

Hub & Spoke is under construction on 106th Street near I-69 & the planned Nickel Plate Trail.  It will be a center for the construction industry, with training programs for those aspiring to work in the construction trades.

Sitel is a customer service company, planning on bringing 350 jobs to Fishers with a location at 121st Street and Cumberland Road.

Nickel Plate Station is planned to be a mixed-use development north of 116th Street in the downtown area of Fishers.

In other city council items:

–The accounting firm BKD has given the city a “clean opinion” in a recently-concluded audit, according to Councilman and Finance Committee Chair John Weingardt.  The city several years ago chose to use a private accounting firm audit instead of using the State Board of Accounts.

–Hamilton County Council President Brad Beaver and incoming President Rick McKinney stopped by the city council meeting as a courtesy.  Beaver briefly talked about the upcoming construction on State Road 37.  McKinney touched on the work coming at 146th Street and State Road 37.

–The council gave final approval to the Non-Profit Committee recommendations on city grants to local organizations.  The following received the final go-ahead:

Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program – $65,250
Youth Mentoring Initiative – $64,707
Janus Development Services – $15,043
Conner Prairie Museum – $100,000
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation – $10,000

–Fishers Firefighter Brian Reeves was honored for 20 years of service.

A Fishers Police Officer has been placed on paid administrative leave as the Indiana State Police conduct an investigation into allegations of ghost employment.

To access the story from the WRTV Web site, use this link.

The film started a short theatrical run, then moved to Netflix.  Wherever you see it, the new Martin Scorsese film “The Irishman” has plenty of star power, with Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci in the starring roles.

Here is my review.

Fishers firefighters responded to the report of a blaze at the Fishers Wendy’s restaurant on 96th street.  The call came at 2:47am Monday.  No one was in the building at the time, so there were no injuries.

According to officials, the fire appears to have originated in the kitchen area. The interior of the building suffered extensive smoke and fire damage.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.  It is not yet known how much damage was done to the building and investigators have not estimated a dollar amount.

Every time I need to be out of town, there is always a truck load of news going on in Fishers.  I spent most of the previous week in Evansville instructing for Indiana University.

Fishers had a lot going on during that time.  The first story deals with a dog,

Police K-9 Harlej was memorialized with a gathering at Fishers High School.  Police K-9 dogs become a part of the police family, so when one dies in the line of duty, it is very hard on the entire Fishers Police force.

Harlej wasn’t just known throughout police headquarters, he made many visits to local schools.  A number of youngsters felt connected to Harlej, which contributed to the community-wide sadness expressed at the memorial service.

Harlej was Officer Jarred Koopman’s K-9, and he spoke with the media Friday about his time with the dog.  I had to miss that as well while out of town.

There was plenty of other news in and around Fishers this past week.

–Local School Superintendent Allen Bourff conducted a community meeting asking for public comments on a proposal to “flip” start times, so secondary students would start classes later and elementary grades would start earlier.  Thanks to my lovely wife Jane, I received a summary of what was said at that session.

Let’s just say the comments were varied, but a majority of those speaking asked school officials to consider the financial and family hardships connected with this proposed change.  There were speakers supporting the change, allowing high school age students to sleep longer before heading to school.  Medical research indicates this would help older students be more productive at school when reporting later.

My wife Jane was impressed that despite varied opinions being expressed at this meeting, everyone was respectful of differing opinions and all comments were well-thought-out.

–The City of Fishers announced a California firm, PerceptIn, would be coming to Fishers.  This is a company specializing in autonomous vehicle technology (self driving cars).  A pilot program is planned during mid-day, shuttling workers from the Launch Fishers – IOT Lab area on Technology Drive to and from downtown Fishers for lunch breaks.

–It was announced this past week that the City of Fishers will be losing two key city employees.  Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath is going to become Vice President of Public Affairs for Knowledge Services, which is building a new headquarters building near I-69 and the Navient building.  Lindsey Bennett has been the Assistant City Attorney in Fishers, and is leaving that post to become City Attorney for the incoming mayor of Noblesville, Chris Jensen.

–I’m just starting to sort this out, but it appears there has been a petition filed for a Geist Lake Conservancy District.  The lake is deteriorating and experts say the lake could go toxic at some point in the years to come if nothing is done.

On that point, many Geist residents agree, but there is much controversy surrounding the proposal by the Geist Lake Coalition.  The Coalition believes homeowners in the neighborhoods adjoining the lake should be paying for the clean-up. Groups such as “Make Geist Great Again” argue that only property owners on the lake itself should be paying the bills, along with a few other stake holders.

This is just the beginning of a long process, which I will be reporting on in the months, possibly years, to come.  The future of Geist Lake is a major issue for this entire area, including three counties that border the reservoir (Hamilton, Marion & Hanckock).

–Another story that may have local implications is the announcement by Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma that he plans to step down after the coming legislative session.  The next speaker is expected to be selected before the next session begins, and reporter Lindsey Erdody, who covers politics and the General Assembly for the Indianapolis Business Journal, is reporting local House member Todd Huston is the likely front-runner to succeed Bosma.

It’s all speculation so far, but if the Speaker of the Indiana House is from Fishers, this will be a very important development and would be a very good news for Fishers.

Let’s all relax and enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family.  I am certain there will be more news about Fishers before the year is out.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern picked up its third straight win on Saturday, beating Fort Wayne Carroll 57-40 at the Royals’ gym.

Class 4A No. 7 Southeastern slowly built up its lead over the Chargers. The Royals were ahead 15-11 after the first quarter and 31-22 at halftime. Southeastern outscored Carroll in each period.

Sydney Parrish had another dominant performance, scoring 26 points (including three 3-pointers), collecting seven rebounds and handing out five assists.

Jackie Maulucci added 14 points and pulled five rebounds. Bailee Poore had a strong defensive game with six rebounds and four steals, while Makayla Hinshaw dished out four assists.

Southeastern is 4-1 and travels to 4A No. 9 Brownsburg on Tuesday for a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game.

Hamilton County Reporter

The Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) Board has named Andrea Marley to serve as Interim Executive Director and Corby Thompson to serve as Chief Experience Officer for the Class of 2020.

Marley

Marley takes over from John Robbins, who is leaving the Executive Director role after two years. Marley has been HCLA’s Program Coordinator since 2018.

“Andrea knows HCLA inside and out. We are excited for Andrea to take the lead. Her HCLA knowledge, relationships and passion will continue moving our organization forward,” said HCLA Board President Rachael Coverdale.

In her previous role, Marley managed the 10-month program that engages a cohort of nearly 40 distinguished professionals and leaders in Hamilton County. Outside of work, Marley is an active community volunteer: She is the Secretary of the Carmel Education Foundation’s Board of Directors and is a Japanese translator for Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

Thompson, a 1995 HCLA graduate, Distinguished Alumni Award winner and two-time HCLA dean, will be serving side-by-side with current dean Sam Mishelow to ensure that the current cohort has an outstanding leadership experience.

Thompson owns Boomerang LLC, a Fishers real estate development firm. Mishelow, a 2005 HCLA graduate, is Chief Strategy Officer for Fishers-based Meyer Najem Construction.

The Board is currently planning and will soon implement the search for a permanent Executive Director.

The Hamilton County Leadership Academy helps leaders connect to their communities. Everything the organization does is tied to one of their three pillars: Learn, connect and lead. The core program and related curriculum helps participants gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of Hamilton County. Its 29-year history in the community and more than 700 alumni provide meaningful connections throughout the county. A commitment to leading in the community challenges participants and alumni to seek out issues, causes and projects that will help to make Hamilton County a better place to live, work and play.