We are now assured that there will be contested races for three of the four districts in the November election for seats on the Hamilton Southeastern.  Two candidates filed for the District 1 school board election Tuesday – Joshua D. Richardson & Bradley M. Boyer.   I will provide more information on their candidacies once I receive information from the candidates themselves.

As of Tuesday, incumbent  Michelle Fullhart is the only unopposed board candidate.

Here is the rundown of candidates for HSE School Board, as of the close of business Tuesday:

District 1

Benjamin Elsbury

Joshua D. Richardson

Bradley M. Boyer

District 2

Janet Pritchett

Frank Whelan

District 3

Michelle Fullhart

District 4

Bradley L Banks

Julie Chambers

The filing deadline for school board is noon, Friday, August 24th.

Samm Quinn has a story on the IBJ Web site about the old Archers location in downtown at this link

Elliott Hultgren has taken on the responsibilities of being a Deputy Mayor for the City of Fishers.  I talked with Elliott about that, as well as his experiences serving in the United States Navy.

Last Thursday, newspapers around the nation editorialized about the importance of a free news media in a democratic republic like the United States America.  The first amendment to our constitution enshrines the freedom of the press.

I didn’t participate in Thursday’s concerted effort by newspapers because, let’s face it, I’m not a newspaper.  LarryInFishers.com is just a very small news blog trying to concentrate mostly on news events in Fishers and news stories impacting Fishers.  As a mostly retired guy, I do this as a volunteer activity because there is a lack of regular daily news coverage of what’s happening in Fishers.  We do have some outlets that pay attention to Fishers – Current in Fishers is a weekly, The Indianapolis Star covers some Fishers news, The Indianapolis Business Journal does cover Fishers when it can and I have a news gathering partnership with The Hamilton County Reporter, a weekly print newspaper that publishes five days a week with an online PDF newspaper delivered by e-mail.

I go over all this in order to ask an important question – Am I an enemy of the people?  I ask this question because there are high-level elected officials, as well as many in the political realm, arguing that journalists such as myself are, in fact, an enemy of the people.

I practice my journalism very much like the news generated by main stream news organizations.  I write about what I learn, what I see and what I hear.  I cover events that busy people living within a growing suburban community such as Fishers cannot always attend themselves.  I produce podcasts with local people so that you can hear long-form discussions about what local people are doing throughout the community.

So, what have I done that labels me an enemy of the people?  Ask yourself that question when you hear or read another argument that the news media are the enemy of the people.

Journalists are members of the local community.  They participate in their neighborhoods, they send their children to local schools, you see them coaching local sports and generally participating in community life as many other citizens.  To put it bluntly, journalists are people just like you.

Does that make us enemies of the people?

Journalists also risk their lives to report on important stories.  Journalists die covering war zones.  We are threatened by those unhappy with our reporting.  When working as a journalist for a living in the 1970s and early 1980s, I had my life threatened several times.  The threats required me to take reasonable precautions, but threats never changed the way I did my job or reported on any story,

Let us not forget the vicious attack on the newsroom of a relatively small newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, killing five excellent reporters and editors just at work doing their jobs.  Were they all enemies of the people?

As I meet some of you while covering stories about Fishers, please feel free to explain why you think I am an enemy of the people, because if you take the position that the news media are the enemy of the people, then I am an enemy of the people.  Look me in the eye and tell me why I, along with all the other journalists working to get news to you, are the enemies of the people.

I am no longer paid to be a journalist, but, trust me, the news media doesn’t make journalists rich.  There may be a few celebrity journalists with high-paying jobs at the national level, but most working in the news business are not paid well.  If you make a good living as a reporter, that’s the best you can expect.  The Indianapolis Star reporters are fighting their management just to keep the health care coverage they have now, and Gannett, the owner of the Star, has withheld scheduled pay raises while this dispute over health coverage continues.

Here’s my bottom line. All journalists are accountable about what appears on our platforms, whether it be a news blog like mine, a newspaper, radio station or TV news operation.  We all work hard to report accurately, but when there is an error, we correct them as soon as we verify the error has been made.  We all work hard to get the story to you as quickly and accurately as humanly possible.  We don’t expect a lot of thanks or accolades – just don’t call us the enemy of the people.  We are not enemies of the people.

Adam & I discuss a powerful new film that will be screened at the Circle City Film Festival September 27-29.  The film is a 17-minute short documentary, “Grateful.”  Adam & I talked with the filmmakers at the Carmel Film Forum, and you can hear the recording of that exchange in this podcast.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers had a tough opening to its 2018 season, as the Tigers fell to North Central
31-7 in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference Metropolitan Conference showdown
Friday at the Panthers’ field.

The Panthers scored at least one touchdown in each of the four quarters,
while it took Class 6A No. 8 Fishers until the fourth quarter to get in the end zone.

Mason McCartney caught a six-yard pass from Jon Vore, then Jack Phillips made the ensuing extra point kick. That was the last score of the game for either team.

HL Lewis led the Tigers offense, rushing 22 times for 104 yards. Vore complete 13 of 36 passes, totaling 103 yards.

Thomas Adams led the Fishers receiving contingent with four catches,
followed by McCartney and Nick Leath with three receptions each.

The Tigers will play their first home game next Friday, taking on another MIC
team in Pike. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Reynolds Tigers Stadium.

Hamilton Southeastern’s Matt Harris (center) takes this direct snap from shotgun, fakes the handoff and powers his way in to the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the Royals’ game with Lawrence Central Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Reporter Photo by Kirk Green)

Hamilton County Reporter

Adam Morris will likely never forget his first-ever win as the Hamilton Southeastern
football coach.

Neither will any of the players, especially Matt Harris. The senior running back
scored a two-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter, and that
finally brought the Royals even with Lawrence Central Friday in the second game of
the Colts Horseshoe Classic.

Harris’ touchdown made the score 20-20, and kicker Mitch Hebenstreit hit the extra
point to make it 21-20. Southeastern’s defense made one final stand, with John
McCall’s interception sealing the 21-20 victory for HSE.

“It was great,” said Morris. “We did a good job offensively.”

There was some strategy involved in Southeastern’s final drive, as Morris said his
team was trying to leave the Bears as little time as possible to get a chance to score right back. Morris credited the Royals’ defense with stepping up.

“We were so comfortable in that situation at the end of the game,” said Morris.
“Our kids were comfortable, they felt prepared and they just executed.”

Lawrence Central led 14-0 at halftime. Southeastern got on the board in the third
quarter with a four-yard run from Harris.

The Bears answered that with a one-yard touchdown run, but the extra point didn’t go.

HSE’s Manny Daniels got the Royals back within one score by making a 13-yard
interception return, also in the third period. Hebenstreit kicked both extra points in that quarter, keeping the Royals within 20-14 going into the fourth period.

Kody Sparks had a solid night passing, with 14 completions out of 29 attempts and
151 yards. Ben Boysen made six catches and Landon Morris got four receptions.

The Royals will play their home opener next Friday, taking on North Central.

Here is the Fishers road construction listing for the work week beginning Monday, August 20th, as provided by the City of Fishers:

============

NORTH STREET
The westbound lane of North Street between Lantern Road and Maple Street will be closed from Friday, August 17 through Monday, August 20 for concrete replacement.

106TH STREET 
106th Street is closed to through traffic from Eller Road to Allisonville Road and from Allisonville Road to Hague Road for the 106th Street Infrastructure Project. 106th Street is also closed to through traffic between Hague Road and the Crosspoint Boulevard/Lantern Road roundabout. An updated project timeline and Detour Map are now available.

ALLISONVILLE ROAD
Closures will be in effect overnight this week, weather permitting, for storm sewer crossings. Beginning Tuesday, August 21 through Thursday, August 23, Allisonville Road will be closed from just north of 126th Street to 141st Street from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily. Traffic should detour down 126th Street and 141st Street to State Road 37. The road will reopen for traffic each morning by 5 a.m.

Road construction is in full swing along Allisonville Road. Traffic has been shifted to the east to allow for widening on the west side. Restrictions may be in place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and flaggers will be on site directing traffic, as necessary. Through September, all southbound left turns from Allisonville Road onto 126th Street will be prohibited. This is an active construction site with reduced speed limits. For more info on this project, view the Fact Sheet.

HOOSIER ROAD
There are periodic lane restrictions on Hoosier Road south of 116th Street while Hamilton County Highway Department completes the resurfacing and striping of Hoosier Road and 111th Street.

113TH STREET & FLORIDA ROAD 
The intersection of 113th Street and Florida Road is closed for the realignment and construction of a new roundabout at the intersection. The closure is expected to last appropriately 90 days. See the Detour Map.

SOUTHEASTERN PARKWAY 
Southeastern Parkway is closed from 136th Street to Isle of Man Way (Avalon subdivision) for approximately 30 days to complete a roundabout. Traffic to detour up Prairie Baptist Road to 136th Street. See the Detour Map.

106TH STREET   
106th Street is closed to through traffic from Eller Road to Allisonville Road and from Allisonville Road to Hague Road for the 106th Street Infrastructure Project. Closures for through traffic will also take place from Hague Road to the Crosspoint Boulevard/Lantern Road roundabout. For more info on this project, view the Fact Sheet.

STATE ROAD 37
A public meeting was held on Tuesday, May 15 at the Delaware Township Trustee Office. The meeting presentation and updated information is available on the project’s new website. The State Road 37 improvement project is a $124 million joint project between Fishers, Hamilton County, Noblesville, and INDOT. Questions or concerns may be directed to SR37@rqaw.com.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

With a new coach and a solid group of players running on to the biggest football field in Indiana, there will be excitement for Hamilton Southeastern tonight as Friday night football begins.

The Royals will play their first game at approximately 8:30 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium as part of the Colts Horseshoe Classic. Southeastern takes on Lawrence Central, a team the Royals last played back in 2007.

Adam Morris is the new head coach for HSE, and he will lead a team that features several juniors who will figure prominently in the offense. That includes two quarterbacks: Kody Sparks and Andrew Hobson.

Sparks played in 10 games last year, and completed 83 of 182 passes for 722 yards and two touchdowns.

“We have two good ones,” said Morris. “Obviously there’s Kody coming back, who has the most time, starts and games last year. I really thought he made progress as the year went on, got more comfortable. You’re talking about a kid who moved in June and had just joined the kids. And I really thought he got better as the season progressed.

“And now the kids aren’t as new, but now the offense is new, so it’s still more new stuff for him. But I think he’s taking it on very well. He’s very talented, big, strong kid. Can make all the throws. I think it’s just coming along with the offense.”

Hobson only has five varsity pass attempts to his credit (and two completions), but Morris sees the potential in him, calling Hobson a “young talented kid.”

“Another kid who spins it very well,” said Morris. “And it’s been a battle. We’ve had a battle all summer. And we’ve been really happy with both of them.”

The top returning rusher for the Royals is senior Lance Stephens, who gained 144 yards and scored a touchdown last year. He will trade off with another senior Matt Harris, who was injured last year. Morris said Harris played in junior varsity games during the first half of last season, but then broke his hand and was out of commission.

But since then, Harris has made a strong comeback. Morris said Harris did a “great job” in the winter and spring in the weight room and “has really built himself” physically.

“So we look for him to have a good year,” said Morris. “We do have Lance Stephens back as a running back, also, who was a kid who played some varsity as a sophomore, played some varsity as a junior. Now he’s back for a third year. So we feel like we have two solid guys back there.”

“The running back position’s kind of an anomaly just in the fact that there are two seniors,” said Morris. “At a lot of other places, we have younger kids.”
With two solid running backs, it will be expected that HSE runs the football.

“You have to run the football,” said Morris. “We have two big, strong running backs. Offensive line is probably a place that is the most fluid. It normally is this time of year, just trying to find the five best ones. We’re going to do what we can, spread it out and get the ball to our weapons.”

On defense, two good seniors return. Anthony Eggers made 48 tackles last year, with Isaac Abeo getting 14 stops.

“Eggers is a kid probably who’s played as much football, if not more football, than any kid on the program, especially defensively,” said Morris. “He was the only underclassmen starter Weeks 1 and 2 last year defensively. So he’s played some football. He’ll play some safety, play some linebacker, can kind of do it all for us.
“Abeo is a kid who’s more dynamic. He can put his hand on the ground, he can play on both feet, play in space, but definitely a kid who can make some plays in the backfield.”

One part of the game that’s overlooked is special teams, but not by Morris. He said the Royals have two good Class 6A kickers in Mitch Hebenstreit and Tyler Melser, both seniors. Another senior, Andrew Klink, is back as the long snapper.

“Tyler has probably kicked a little bit better so far,” said Morris. “Mitch has probably punted a little bit better so far. But they both do both pretty well.”

Following its Lucas Oil game, the Royals will host North Central in Week 2 for their first home game of the year, before beginning its Hoosier Crossroads Conference schedule.

When Fishers Police Chief Mitch Thompson stepped down from the top job on the force July 30th, following an arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), his second in command Ed Gebhart was named acting chief.  You can now remove the term “acting” from Gebhart’s title.  Mayor Scott Fadness has announced Ed Gebhart as the new police chief for the City of Fishers.

“I’m honored to serve Fishers residents and the men and women of the Fishers Police Department as Chief of Police,” said Chief Gebhart. “Our department will fundamentally hold the safety and security of our city, the future of our children, and the honor of our officers to the highest standards.”

Chief Gebhart’s swearing-in ceremony has been set for Friday, September 7th.

“During his nearly two decades with the City, Assistant Chief Gebhart has demonstrated thoughtful, proactive leadership and adaptability,” said Mayor Fadness. “Through his career experience as a member of the SWAT team, a field training officer and patrol commander, and most recently as Assistant Chief where he led the development of the Fishers Crimewatch App, Gebhart has demonstrated the resident-centered approach and entrepreneurial thinking that we pride ourselves on as a City. I am confident that Chief Gebhart will lead our police department with this same dedication, putting our residents’ needs first and ensuring that Fishers continues to lead the nation as a safe city.”

During his law enforcement career, Officer Gebhart has served in many roles, including helping to create the technology-based Crime Watch program, where citizens may report suspected crimes through a cell phone app.  Gebhart has been a patrol officer, investigator, detective, sergeant, and patrol lieutenant all prior to his current rank, captain in the investigations unit, a role he has held since 2014. Gannon holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and anticipates earning his Masters Degree in Criminal Justice in Spring 2019.

Gebhart holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. In 2012, he graduated from the FBI National Academy (Class 251) and has since completed FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS) and Police Chief Executive Program.