Duke Energy is rewarding the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools for being efficient in the use of electric power.

HSE contracted Ameresco to upgrade over 5,700 lighting fixtures at Sand Creek Elementary, Sand Creek Intermediate, and Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate and Junior High. Ameresco replaced the existing fixtures with new energy efficient LEDs fixtures. The project translates into considerable energy and cost savings for the district.

“We are pleased to see Hamilton Southeastern School District take advantage of these rebates by upgrading its lighting with more energy-efficient bulbs and fixtures,” said Louis P. Maltezos, Executive Vice President of Ameresco. “This project is both a cost saving and an energy saving measure,” remarked Energy Manager Bob Rice.

Lighting accounting for the second largest portion of energy used in commercial buildings— typically around 25-30 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is estimated that in addition to the initial rebate, HSE will reduce its electric bill over $53,884 annually.

“I am extremely proud that our district has taken these important steps to conserve energy throughout the district,” said Dr. Allen Bourff, Superintendent of the Hamilton Southeastern School District. “We are lessening our district’s impact on the environment and, at the same time, saving valuable taxpayers dollars. This rebate check is evidence that our hard work is paying off–literally!”

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School officials have been on the hunt for a location to build a new elementary school building in Wayne Township, replacing and expanding the capacity of the maxed-out Durbin Elementary School.  School officials cannot expand the current Durbin site in Wayne Township due to the lack of water and sewer hookups.

The HSE School Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to purchase about 40 acres of land located at 156th Street and Boden Road, in the City of Noblesville.  The contract approved by the board calls for a payment of $47,500 per acre to the current owner, which puts the total cost in the range of $1.7 million to $1.9 million.

Superintendent Allen Bourff said the elementary school, if constructed, would need about 22 acres of land, allowing the school corporation the option of constructing another school building on that tract of land in the future.

School corporation attorney David Day said there are long-range plans that call for the possibility of a roundabout construction at the 156th Street and Boden Road intersection.  Day also said that per school Financial Officer Mike Reuter, the school district has sufficient funds to pay for the land without the need of a bond issue.

Bourff added that if the board decides to build an elementary school on the newly purchased acreage, he plans to retain the current Durbin Building and use it for other purposes.

Board Member Brad Boyer asked about the need for a new elementary building in light of the demographer’s projection of fewer kindergarten through 4th grade students in the future.  Bourff responded that this will not be an additional building, but will replace the current Durbin building and take pressure off nearby elementary buildings with overcrowding issues.

Now that Fishers has been hit with the full force of winter, the road construction list is much smaller, but the Lantern Road closure continues south of downtown and there is work on 96th Street.  Most importantly, slow down and keep the construction crews safe.

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

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LANTERN ROAD 
Lantern Road is closed to through traffic, beginning south of 116th Street to Fishers Pointe Boulevard, as part of the Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project to improve the sanitary sewer underneath Lantern Road. Access to Lantern Road remains open from the north (via 116th Street) for local residential, business, and Fishers Elementary School traffic. The closure for this portion of the project is expected to last approximately 90 days. Check out the project Fact Sheet to learn more.

Jerry McKibben has been the demographer used by the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District for many years, and his latest forecast shows a slight increase in the overall student population in the next few years and a slight decline after that.  But he also predicts a decline in the kindergarten through 4th grade population as the high school populations grows.

McKibben provided a report to the school board at Wednesday night’s regular meeting.  He said most forecasters were factoring-in a recession by this time, but the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates well below 5%, which was not predicted a year ago.

This has kept the housing market very hot.  In Fishers, there are more existing homes being sold compared to new homes being constructed.  He added that the results of the 2020 census, when released in 2021, will provide valuable data to the local school district.

The concept of the “large school effect” was explained, when some families believe their children cannot compete in a large school to participate in extra-curricular activities.  McKibben says most HSE students in this category end up attending Mount Vernon schools in neighboring Hancock County.

HSE Schools may lose a small amount of the student population over the next ten years, but will not lose nearly the number of students projected for most school districts in the state of Indiana during that same ten-year period, according to McKibben.

You can view the entire McKibben report on HSE Schools at this link.

The Fishers Police Department will hold a memorial service for K-9 Harlej at the Fishers High School main gymnasium Wednesday, November 20th.  Doors open a 5pm, there will be displays and a slidshow available until the main ceremony begins at 6pm.  The final part of the memorial is scheduled to be outside, which is weather-dependent.

K-9 Harlej died of a gunshot wound while chasing a suspect in the Saxony area last Wednesday.

I grew up with auto racing all around me in Indianapolis.  So this film should be one that connects with local audiences – Ford vs. Ferrari.  It’s all about competition on the sports car famed race track in LeMans, France.  Here is my review.\

Hamilton County Reporter

An investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police into allegations of alleged misconduct in the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office is now entering its 11th month.

In December of last year, the Hamilton County Commissioners contacted the Indiana State Police after allegations became public of the Treasurer’s Office not charging late tax payment penalties to family members.

Eaton

Nearly four months into the investigation Hamilton County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham requested a Special Prosecutor be assigned to the case.

The request indicated Buckingham felt the appointment was necessary to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Buckingham’s request was granted by Hamilton County Judge Paul Felix in April of this year.  Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton was assigned to oversee the investigation for a court-ordered six-month period.

Now, six months into his assignment, Eaton requested and was granted an additional 60 days to continue his role in the investigation.

In September, Prosecutor Eaton told the Reporter, “I’m hoping things wrap up soon, but I want to be fair, complete and accurate, however long that takes.”

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Narcan, now available to the general public, is credited for a slight reduction this year in the number of Hamilton County deaths attributed to dangerous opioid drug overdoses.

The county coroner’s office says there have been 20 opioid-related deaths so far in 2019 compared with 22 at approximately the same time last year.

Narcan is a medication used to quickly block the effects of opioids.

It is carried by police and first responders, and is now available at pharmacies.

Overall Hamilton County deaths from drug overdoses are down from 38 last year to 26 so far this year. Heroin, meth and other drugs account for the non-opioid fatalities.

Dangerous and illegal drug use remains a serious problem locally and nationally. A majority of fatalities involve younger males, although some older men and women have been among the victims.

In another attack on the crisis, Deputy Coroner Mark Epperson says the county Drug Task Force is now doing consulting with users, trying to curb fatalities.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

After four games, things have been going rather well for the Fishers girls basketball team.

The Tigers have won all four of their games, including an easy Wednesday victory over Anderson, 79-49 at the Tiger Den. Fishers’ early-season success hasn’t gone unnoticed, as the Tigers came into the ICGSA Class 4A rankings at No. 8 this week.

Everyone has been contributing to the team, both veteran players and young ones. Of course, the seniors set the tone, and Fishers coach Lauren Votaw is pleased with how her 12th-graders are leading the way.

“I’m going to credit our seniors with doing a phenomenal job of setting the tone and setting the culture of this idea of putting the team before yourself,” said Votaw. “They get so excited when their teammates succeed. We’ve talked a lot about that, and a lot about that being an important part of being a great team. And so hopefully that continues.”

Fishers slowly worked its way to a 16-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, with senior Kaitlynn Feagan hitting a pair of 3-pointers along the way. Another bright spot was freshman Olivia Smith, who had six points. Smith and her twin sister Hailey Smith have been solid for the Tigers during their first few high-school games.

“And they work extremely hard and they’re very coachable,” said Votaw. “They’re well-liked by their teammates. It’s been a very smooth transition for them overall.”

The Tigers then blasted off to a 44-24 lead by halftime. Junior Katie Burton took over in that period, scoring 15 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Burton had one basket in each of the other three quarters, giving her a team-leading 21 points for the game.

Six different players scored in the second period, but Fishers did better in the third quarter, with seven players getting in the scorebook. Senior Tamia Perryman led the way in that period with seven points, on her way to 10 for the night.

“It’s good,” said Perryman. “We’ve got a lot of stuff to still work on, but right now we’re good.”

Perryman has committed to play at Marian University next year.

“It felt like home when I went for my visit,” she said.

The Tigers led 65-34 after three quarters, and held the lead around that margin during the fourth period. The bench players got the chance to play, and they had some good minutes: Sophomore Kaiya Walker had four points, with junior Jordan Imes and sophomore Charlotte Gaffin both getting two.

“I don’t know if I would say it’s been a surprise, but it’s been one of the top positives from the first four games of our season is the depth that we have, especially just at that guard position, that ability to bring in guards that can handle the basketball and defend is so valuable,” said Votaw.

Feagan joined Perryman with 10 points, while both Hailey and Olivia Smith scored nine points each. Burton collected six rebounds, with Olivia Smith and Lydia Stullken both getting five rebounds.

Audra Emmerson had eight points for the Tigers, while Stullken and Shae Shaffer rounded out the scoring with two points each – 11 different players scored for Fishers.

Fishers will travel to Northwest Indiana on Saturday to compete in the Lake Central Classic, where the Tigers will take on the host Indians in a morning game and Valparaiso in an afternoon contest.

Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 as a promotion by American Express.  It has taken on a life of its own and is now an annual event the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Shop Fishers is the local iteration of Small Business Saturday, with over 60 local businesses taking part.

Also, the City of Fishers will once again present an impressive Christmas light display between City Hall and the Amphitheater.

I spoke with Stephanie Perry and Kara Hall, both with the City of Fishers, about Shop Fishers and plans for the Christmas season, for the podcast you will find below.