The City of Fishers is poised to start a city-wide trash collection contract with Republic Services.  Implementing this contract is described by Mayor Scott Fadness as a “big undertaking.”  Despite best efforts by the mayor and his staff, expect some challenges as this contract starts in 2025.

Here are some key dates to know:

Weeks of December 30th & January 6th Those not already on the Republic service will have their new bins dropped-off.

Week of January 6th Current Waste Management customers will have their trash bins collected (the city says there should be no fee charged by Waste Management for this)

January 10, 2025  Last service date for Waste Management customers in the City of Fishers

January 13th The start date for city-wide Republic trash collection service

Current Republic customers may well have a new trash collection day as the city-wide service is implemented.  That information should be available in the coming weeks.  It iwill be posted on the Web site and each household in the city will eventually be individually notified.

Current Republic customers will keep their current trash carts.  A recycling bin will be delivered.  If a customer wants to change-up or downsize the number of bins, they need to contact Republic directly by Web site or telephone.

Customer service will be split between the city and Republic, depending on the issue.  For example, if a customer needs a new bin or trash pickup was missed that day, contact Republic.  For any billing issues or recurring service problems, contact the city.

There was a long list of questions asked, some were answered, others will be followed-up and answered on the city’s trash collection Web page at this link.

The story only touches a few main issues, there are many more.  I will do my best to keep everyone up-to-date on this big transition, impacting 31,000 families that will be switching to Republic Services for trash collection.

On Monday, October 7, the Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) will receive  support from the 2nd Annual Tom Greiwe Fall Classic Charity Golf Scramble, an event created to honor the memory of Tom Greiwe, a beloved local resident, golfer, and animal lover. The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and is set to make an impact on the lives of homeless pets in Hamilton County.

Last year’s inaugural event, held in October 2023, raised over $2,000 in honor of Tom, who passed away in July 2023 following a courageous battle with cancer. Tom’s passion for animals, especially his dog Bella, was well-known to his family and friends.

“Tom would be so proud of the community’s support for the Humane Society for Hamilton County,” said his partner, Beverly Purtlebaugh. “Tom loved Bella, and they were inseparable. The unconditional love between an animal and its human is something special, and there’s no better way to honor Tom’s memory than by helping animals in need.”

This year’s event has seen overwhelming community support, with registration closing early and officials anticipating a record turnout. The charity scramble has grown significantly, expanding from 10 teams with 40 players in its first year to 24 teams with 96 players this year.

“More than 25 local businesses have stepped up, contributing services, merchandise, gift cards, and cash donations,” said Ed Ferris, a friend of Tom’s and the tournament’s organizer. “Their generosity ensures that 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit the Humane Society and the animals they care for.”

Lily Darling, HSHC’s Community Engagement Manager, expressed her gratitude for the ongoing support. “To know that so many animals will be helped in Tom’s memory is humbling. We couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to continue Tom’s legacy and help these animals find the care they need.”

The funds raised will support HSHC’s mission to provide shelter, medical care, and adoption services to homeless pets in Hamilton County.

I have covered the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board for 13 years, and this is the first time the district has chosen to have a required public hearing outside a regular board meeting.  State law requires a public hearing before formal bargaining begins between a local teachers union and a school corporation.

With that formal bargaining about to begin, the HSE Schools chose to have a public hearing not part of a school board session Tuesday evening.  The hearing was not live streamed on video as in regular board meetings, but administrators said a video recording would be posted by the school district October 2nd.

There were nine speakers at this public hearing, all expressing strong support for the teachers’ union, the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA).  Many argued they moved to the Fishers area to be a part of HSE Schools, a district with a solid reputation.  Most argued that reputation could wane if teachers are not compensated properly.

Teachers said if there is no pay raise this year, a more than 8% increase in health insurance premiums will equate to a pay cut for the teaching staff.

There were comments on the district’s decision to move away from interest-based bargaining to a traditional, or positional, bargaining model (For more on that use this link).  They were critical of going to a more confrontational method of negotiations.

Representatives of the school district and HSEA will now enter into formal talks, with the goal of reaching agreement on a new contract.  State law provides a deadline of November 15 to reach an agreement.  If no agreement if reported to the state by then, the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board  will begin a mediation process.

Fishers High School senior Trenton Qualls has earned the prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal, a recognition that honors young Americans for their dedication to personal growth and community service.

The award, established by Congress in 1979, encourages young people to achieve personal goals in four areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Unlike many accolades based on competition or academic performance, the Congressional Award highlights a commitment to self-improvement and community impact.

Qualls spent the past two years meeting the rigorous requirements for the Gold Medal, including completing at least 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness, and a week-long expedition in a new environment.

“What I enjoy so much is helping others and giving them a smile,” Qualls said, reflecting on his efforts. “Whenever I see someone who needs help, I ask, ‘Hey, can I help you with that?’ Knowing that I’ve helped them always makes me feel better too.”

Qualls credits his father for introducing him to the program after the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially uncertain about taking on the challenge while balancing swimming, Scouts, and schoolwork, Qualls says the support of his family and Boy Scout troop helped him succeed.

As he approaches graduation, Qualls advises fellow students to embrace opportunities without becoming overwhelmed. “Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can, but make sure it’s not a burden,” he said. “Hit the ground running but know when to pace yourself.”

Here is the video version of my podcast conversation with Fishers Freight coach Dixie Wooten.

In late March of 2025, the Fishers Freight will take the field as an expansion franchise in the Indoor Football League (IFL).  Dixie Wooten is the Head Coach and General Manager for the Freight.  He spoke with Larry and talked about himself, the league and what fans can expect during the first season for the Fishers Freight.

The Fishers Event Center has booked a major country music act for March of next year in Blake Shelton.  He performs, Saturday, March 29.  Tickets go on sale October 4 at 10:00am, at this link.

Blake Shelton’s country music resume is a long one, with  20 years in the business. In that time, he has accumulated 28 No. 1 singles, sold nearly 15 million album equivalents, and earned upwards of 12.5 billion global streams. Shelton has received a long list of  awards, including six ACMs, three AMAs, 10 CMAs, 11 CMTs, and six People’s Choice, and more.

As an original coach on the Emmy Award-winning television show The Voice, Shelton brought a steady diet of current and classic country music to the NBC primetime audience. After 23 seasons and nine championships, he stepped away from the show in May of 2023.

Learn more about Blake Shelton at this link.

Two new restaurants have been announced by developer Thompson Thrift for The Union, an area near the now under-construction Fishers Events Center.  The two eateries will be new to the Indy-area market – Kitchen Social and Niku Sushi.Kitchen.Bar. Both restaurants will join Piedra, Flavors of Mexico, from the Arechiga Restaurant Group, when the first tenants open at The Union at Fishers District during the latter half of 2026.

“We are thrilled to welcome both Kitchen Social and Niku to The Union at Fishers District,” said Ryan Menard, vice president of development at Thompson Thrift. “The respective restauranteurs behind these concepts are committed to providing special, unique experiences that align perfectly with our vision for this vibrant mixed-use destination.”

Kitchen Social is described in a Thompson-Thrift news release as a polished casual restaurant serving international cuisine with refined flavors. They are known for offering a variety of from-scratch products including their signature cheddar and scallion handmade biscuits, eggplant meatballs, shrimp tempura, teriyaki ribeye, and a large selection of craft cocktails and wines from family wineries worldwide. The restaurant was named best new eatery when it opened in Columbus and was named the best overall in the city in the following three years. The 4,500-square-foot Union location will be the first in Indiana and the eighth overall for the concept.

Niku Sushi.Kitchen.Bar will offer upscale Japanese cuisine in an approximately 6,000-square-foot space with an outdoor patio area. Niku is the brainchild of Prime Restaurant Group, an experienced Indianapolis operator with 14 open concepts.

Located near Interstate 69 and 116th Street, The Union is one of five developments in the expansive master-planned Fishers District development.  The Union is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2025. Thompson Thrift is actively negotiating leases on several of the 15 remaining retail spaces. Additionally, 70,000 square feet of Class-A office space is available.

There are a total of 6 candidates running in the 2024 Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board election.  All 6 agreed to record a podcast with me, something that has not always happened since I began podcasting in February of 2016.

First, my sincere thanks to the Hamilton East Library in Fishers.  The staff at the Ignite area has been wonderful in helping me schedule these podcast recording sessions in their AV Studio.

I should also mention that public radio station WFYI and Current Publishing will be sponsoring a debate with the HSE School board candidates October 10, 7pm, at City Hall.  Tickets are already sold out for this event but WFYI will livestream the debate.

I have now recorded podcasts with all 6 candidates.  As a reminder, all voters residing within the Hamilton Southeastern School District vote on all 3 township board contests.

Here are the candidates, with links to their respective podcasts:

Fall Creek Township

Terry Tolle

Suzanne Thomas

Delaware Township

Greg Lannan

Latrica Schooley

Wayne Township

Sarah Parks-Reese

John Stewart