Newspapers have been cutting back staff and closing in record numbers, but The Hamilton County Reporter continues to publish with a small staff and a determined publisher.  I spoke to that publisher, Jeff Jellison, about his newspaper and a few other subjects in this podcast.  (Note:  For full disclosure, I have a news-gathering partnership with the Reporter)

After a long time away, due to teaching contracts and associated travel, as well as covering the local election, I am back with the Arts&Fishers podcast, my reviews of film, live theater, music and TV.

Here is my review of the Film “Hesburgh,” a documentary about the impact of long-time University of Notre Dame President Theodore Hesburgh

Monday, May 27th, is the annual national celebration of Memorial Day, and the City of Fishers once again holding a ceremony at Liberty Plaza, located just south of City Hall.

This is aimed at honoring those making the supreme sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces.

The event begins at 10am.

The City of Fishers is attempting to compile a listing of local residents that are military veterans.  If you are a veteran, Fishers asks that you fill out an online form at this link.

Hamilton County Reporter 

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning single-vehicle crash resulting in the deaths of two people.

Hamilton County Public Safety Communications first received reports of a serious crash shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Callers reported a vehicle had struck a tree in the 10700 block of East 121st Street in Fishers between Cumberland Road and Hoosier Road in, and two people were trapped inside the car.

Deputies reported a gray 2017 Mercedes Benz A45 was traveling eastbound on 121st Street when it went off the left side of the pavement striking several trees.

The driver of the vehicle, Davneet S. Chahal, 22, Fishers, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and died at the scene. It is believed he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

A front seat passenger, Varundeep S. Bring, 19, Fishers, was also killed during the crash.

A backseat passenger, Gurjot S. Sandhu, 20, Fishers, was found outside the vehicle by emergency callers. He was later transported by ground ambulance to St. Vincent Hospital on 86th Street.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the crash. As per policy and law, toxicology tests were performed to determine if alcohol or drugs may have been involved but results are pending.

Anyone with information concerning the crash or who may have had contact with the driver or occupants prior to the crash are asked to contact the Hamilton County Crash Investigation Team at 317-773-1282.

The Fishers Police Department is once again asking local residents to take a few moments and answer a few questions on a survey, so the local law enforcement agency can maintain a national certification.  The Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies calls this a feedback survey of citizens served by the department.

 “It is the goal of the Fishers Police Department to achieve and maintain the highest level of quality service for our residents and visitors,” according to a Fishers Police Department news release.  “Input from the citizens of Fishers is essential in the Fishers Police Department’s continued effort to promote effective police services and protection to all members of the community.”

The online survey will open until June 5th, and can be accessed at this link.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness was proud of a statistic – 57% of students in Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools receiving mental health services saw academic improvement.

But there was another fact that stands in the way of progress – adults have the right to refuse mental health services and often do, even when it is clear the adults are in need of help.

The mayor began an initiative to promote better mental health as long as he has been in the mayor’s office, nearly 5 years.

The city’s “Report To The Community” on the Fishers Mental Health Initiative was full of accomplishments, but also has a number of challenges before it.

The mayor points to the city’s partnership with the local HSE School District and the district’s funding of its own mental health program though passing a voter referendum, as major accomplishments.  But he also pointed to a Fire Department program featuring  EMS Duty Officers (EDOs) that specialize in responding to mainly adult residents with mental health issues.

The work continues and the mayor knows there is a long way to go.

To view the entire 2019 Report To The Community, use this link.

You can view a video on the initiatives’ accomplishments at this link.

Fishers Police have a 15-year-old suspect under arrest in connection the recent threat to Fishers Junior High School.  According to a police department news release “additional information” led to the criminal charges being filed.

Tuesday morning, Fishers officers executed a search warrant at a residence near 126th Street and Brooks School Road.  Electronic items were seized at the home, and police arrested a 15-year-old male. The juvenile was taken into custody and transported to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center.

The juvenile has been charged with a felony count of Intimidation, and misdemeanor charges of Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Law Enforcement and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.

Fishers Police say this investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Detective Tracy Jones at 317-595-3417

Students from the two youngest grades in Harrison Parkway Elementary, kindergarten and first-grade, made a short walk east down 141st Street to Ed Martin Toyota in support of the Million Meal Movement.  They filled the dealership’s showroom Tuesday.

Ed Martin Toyota made a $10,000 donation to the classes, so they could accomplish their goal of working with Million Meal to pack healthy, ready-to-cook meals for Hoosiers in need.  The food will go to the Delaware Township Trustee’s Food Pantry and other groups around Hamilton County.

HSE Schools encouraged each grade level at HPE to identify other ways to make a difference in the community and will be working on various service projects before and after their assigned meal packing time.

The Fishers Board of Works and Public Safety approved a nonexclusive agreement with AT&T Monday, allowing the communications giant to install small cell towers, paving the way for 5G technology to be available in the city.

City Attorney Chris Greisl told board members the city will establish an engineering standard and AT&T will attach the 5G small cells to city infrastructure, such as traffic signals, street lights, municipal buildings and park structures.  AT&T is looking to begin 5G installations in 3 areas of downtown Fishers.  The city will be talking with other 5G providers about similar agreements.

The board plans on scheduling a work session later this month to discuss the issue of handling city approvals of 5G small cell installations in residential neighborhoods.  Mayor Scott Fadness says he is looking for a healthy discussion at the board’s work session.

“From our conversations with the utility companies and telecom industry, they do desire to deploy a significant number of these (5G small cells) throughout our community” says the mayor.  “Some, more than others, have a strong desire to get into neighborhoods.  That decision still resides squarely with the Board of Works.”

The board will be setting-up the approval process for requests to place this 5G equipment within Fishers neighborhoods.  There are a number of small cell pieces of equipment required to furnish 5G service, because the range is small, only 500 to 700 feet.

In other board actions at the Monday session:

–$1.649 million in road and street improvement bids received the okay from the board.  The road projects include Allisonville Road 131st Street to 146th
Street, Brooks School Road Club Point to Fall Creek, Hague Road Railroad Tracks to
116th Street, New Britton Woods Subdivision, and Kincaid from 96th Street to
106th Street.

–The board approved a professional services agreement with NBBJ, a national architect and design firm, for the Nickel Plate Trail.  The board also adopted the Master Plan for the trail.  You can review the Master Plan at this link.

–The City Hall office furnishings are being updated and the board voted to buy $131,601.79 worth of the furniture.  For a breakdown of all the furniture, use this link.

Fishers Police launched an investigation after a Snapchat threat to Fishers Junior High School was reported.  Officers found the juvenile allegedly responsible for the threat, questioned the suspect and his parents, and found the threat not to be valid.

Here is the full text of the Fishers Police Facebook message posted Sunday night:

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Earlier today the Fishers Police Department was made aware of a threat, via Snapchat, directed at Fishers Junior High School. An investigation was immediately initiated utilizing Patrol Officers, Detectives, and School Resource Officers.

The juvenile responsible for the posting the threat was quickly identified, located, and interviewed. The juvenile and his parents cooperated with the investigation. According to information, gathered by Officers there does not appear to be any validity to the threat.