Every now and then, one must think back to past comments and admit, “Hey, I was wrong!”  That was the thought that crossed my mind as I watched the sentencing of Larry Nassar in recent days.

It was the comment of the prosecuting attorney that struck me.

“We, as a society, need investigative journalists more than ever,” Michigan Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis said Wednesday at Nassar’s sentencing. “What finally started this reckoning and ended this decades-long cycle of abuse was investigative reporting. Without that first Indianapolis Star story in August 2016; without the story where Rachael (Denhollander) came forward publicly shortly thereafter — he would still be practicing medicine, treating athletes and abusing kids.”

Yes, the prosecuting attorney in the Nassar sexual abuse case credited the Indianapolis Star with its work exposing the facts in the case.  A trio of Star reporters, Marisa Kwiatkowski, Tim Evans and Mark Alesia, worked as a team on the U.S.A. Gymnastics series.

For a number of years, after Gannett bought the Star from the Pulliam family, many waves of editorial layoffs were happening.  The reporting staff began to dwindle.

When the state’s largest newspaper began shedding large numbers of reporters, editors and photographers, a news junkie like myself started to worry.  What will this mean?

I started blogging in January of 2012.  When the Star layoffs were in progress, I was critical of Gannett for reducing the journalists at the Star.  I will admit, many times I was very, very tough on the Star.

However, with revenue down, all news organizations, particularly newspapers, had to find a way to remain viable.  That’s what the Star management was doing at the time.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that I knew some of the reporters put out of a job in those layoffs and some were very good at their craft.  It hurts to see talented people shown the door.

But then the Star came up with a series of reports about U.S.A. Gymnastics, headquartered in Indianapolis.  That sort of reporting is time-consuming and labor-intensive.  It takes the support of management to pull off a series like the one that helped lead to the conviction of Larry Nassar.

There may be fewer reporters and editors at the Indy Star, but the management has chosen to use those resources well.  I applaud the Indianapolis Star for all the plaudits it has been receiving about their work.  They are all very deserving.

If you care about good journalism, there is something you can do.  Subscribe to your local newspaper.  It can be a print subscription, an online one, or a combination of both.  I subscribe to two local publications, the Star and the Indianapolis Business Journal.  I subscribe to the e-mail updates of the Hamilton County Reporter (ReadTheReporter.com)

Wherever you may be reading this commentary, subscribe to your local publications, if you do not do so already.  That is the best way to promote good local news coverage in your  area.

I will admit it.  I was wrong about the Star.  I will be reading.  They just announced a new series of stories about commercial sexual exploitation of children.  I will be reading.  You should too.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers fell to Lawrence North in a Saturday game, 77-68 in overtime on the
road.

The Tigers trailed 13-9 after the first quarter and 31-22 at halftime. Fishers
began to battle back in the third period, outscoring the Wildcats 24-17, and
finally catching up to them by the end of regulation at 61-all. But Lawrence North outscored the Tigers 16-7 in the extra period.

Four Fishers players reached double figures. Terry Hicks led the way with 20
points, while Jeremy Szilagyi threw in four 3-pointers on his way to 16 points. Josiah
Matthews added 15 and Willie Jackson scored 10.

The Tigers are 7-8 for the season and host Westfield on Thursday in a Hoosier
Crossroads Conference game.

Hamilton County Reporter

Indiana has had 107 flu deaths this season, exceeding the 2016-17 tally, state health authorities announced Friday.

The State Department of Health recorded 103 flu deaths in the 2016-2017 season, which ended in May. The department’s 2017-2018 tally grew in a week by 28 deaths, a slight drop compared to the number of deaths in the past two weeks.

The department’s report listed counties with more than five flu deaths this season. Marion County has recorded nine flu deaths, more than any other county. Hamilton County followed with eight deaths. Allen County (Fort Wayne) and Shelby County each recorded six deaths while St. Joseph County (South Bend) had five.

The state tally includes 83 people who were 65 or older. That number grew from 58 a week earlier.

Fifteen of this season’s deaths were people ages 50 to 64. The other deaths involved seven people ages 25 to 49. The state’s first flu death of the season was a victim in the age 5 to 24 grouping, but another victim age 5 to 24 died in the latest tally.

Hospitals in Indianapolis and other parts of central Indiana have implemented restrictions on visitors since the start of the year due to the spread of the flu virus.

The federal government doesn’t track every flu case but comes up with estimates. It estimated, across the United States last week, 1 in 15 doctor visits were for symptoms of the flu. That’s the highest level since the swine flu pandemic in 2009. Also, hospitalization rates for people 50 to 64 – Baby Boomers, mostly – have been unusually high, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

Prevention tips

“It’s important to go to primary care office or even urgent care facility over the emergency department if you do suspect you have the flu. The reason for that in emergency medicine there is a lot of overcrowding,” IU Health Primary Care Doctor Arnold Henry said earlier this month.

According to Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Public Health Department, anyone is at risk; healthy and sick. She offered these tips to avoid the flu:

• Prevent the spread of germs. Washing hands frequently and coughing in your sleeve are examples.
• Take antiviral medications. If your doctor approves, medications like Tamiflu can shorten the duration of your illness.
• Get a flu vaccine. There is still plenty of time. Flu season doesn’t end until March, and sometimes as late as May.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE: This is a commentary written by Fred Swift of the Hamilton County Reporter. The views expressed are those of Fred Swift and do not necessarily reflect the views of LarryInFishers.com.  This opinion piece is posted here as part of a partnership between the Reporter and LarryInFishers.com) 

Officials in Hamilton County local governments: City, town, township and county, are currently considering how to fairly assess the cost of operating the very important Hamilton County 911 communications system. At the present time county government along with the larger municipalities are paying all the cost. County officials have asked the smaller units of government to start paying their share beginning next year. That’s understandable.

The 911 system of calling for help in case of a fire, crime or a health emergency is of utmost importance to all of our citizens. This is one area where we should spare no expense in having a state-of-the-art system for all areas of the county.

So, here’s a simple idea for a fair method of financing that system. Since all property owners pay for their county government operations why not include in the county budget a line item for 911 communications?

Tell the cities of Noblesville, Carmel, Westfield and Fishers that they no longer have to contribute, but advise them and the rest of the county that we’re all going to pay equally just as we do for county health, courts, parks and everything else of a countywide nature.

Some may argue that a small unit like White River Township should not pay nearly as much as Noblesville, Carmel or Fishers. But, since residents of a small township pay a much smaller share of the total property tax, there would be nothing unfair if everyone paid an equal amount for 911 just as they do for other countywide services.

The one possible problem, a political problem, is that county budget-makers would have to include the full amount for 911 communications in the county budget thus giving the appearance of taxing more. But, the fact is that for the individual taxpayer’s bottom line tax bill there would be no difference whether they pay a countywide rate or whether cities, towns and townships tax for the service and then pay into the county 911 account.

It would seem this simple method would avoid a lot of negotiations and possibly an annual reconsideration of interlocal agreements with each of the dozen county units of local government which provide emergency services.

Is that fair and simple or does it make too much sense?

This week, Adam & Larry review the film Phantom Thread and review the Oscar nominations.  Local filmmakers Mike James & Wilson Mack are this week’s guests.

Hamilton County Reporter

The Fishers girls team finished its regular season with a 70-54 win Friday at Franklin Central.

The Tigers led 34-33 at halftime over their future Hoosier Crossroads Conference rival, but played strong in the third quarter, outscoring the Flashes 20-8. Fishers then cruised through the fourth period firmly in control.

“It was a great team defensive and rebounding effort,” said Tigers coach Lauren Vail.
Toni Grace led Fishers with 24 points and also grabbed five rebounds. Tamia Perryman earned another double-double, scoring 12 points and collecting 10 rebounds. Kenedi London had nine points and seven rebounds and also played well defensively.

The Tigers are 12-11, and will play the first game at Class 4A Sectional 8, which they are hosting this year. Fishers takes on Westfield at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

By

Craig Adkins

Hamilton County Reporter

It wouldn’t be easy, but Hamilton Southeastern was looking to stay perfect in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play on the road Friday night at Noblesville.

The Millers had their chances throughout, but the Class 4A No. 7 Royals’ size, speed and length turned out to be more than the hosts could handle as Hamilton Southeastern moved to 4-0 in HCC play with a 62-45 victory on Friday.

A chess match for the first couple minutes, the Hamilton County and conference rivals went back and forth for the majority of the first before the Royals found wiggle room.
Noblesville struck first with a Jaron Youree three, but Hamilton Southeastern tied it with a three of their own from Nick Bowman. Teeter-tottering the rest of the quarter, there would be three lead changes before Aaron Ethering swished a fadeaway long two-point jumper in the final seconds to a 13-9 lead for HSE after one.

The Millers got the closest they would get the rest of the night at 15-12 on a Xavier Hines three-point bomb of 7’1 sophomore Mabor Majok. The Royals went on a 13-0 run, thanks to eight points on four field goals from sophomore Chris Grubbs. Noblesville got another three from Hines to make it 28-15 at halftime, only managing two made field goals in the second quarter.

“I thought in the first half we were more locked in defensively and got to things. We moved the basketball better and were able to hit and get it to spots that we talked about,” said Hamilton Southeastern head coach Brian Satterfield on his Royals jumping out to a 13-point lead at halftime.

Hines was back at it right away to start the second half, sinking another three from the left corner to cut the Royals’ lead back to ten at 28-18.

The Millers did everything they could to chip away. Things got a little bit chippy between the two squads at the midway point of the third.

Chaz Birchfield and Eagan Keever-Hill both went for a loose ball and the tie up resulted in what almost turned into a small scuffle. Keever-Hill was whistled for his third personal foul and Birchfield received a technical foul. Birchfield made his two free throws and Hines netted both of his to bring it back under 10 at 32-23.

Jordan Schmidt made two more from the charity stripe with 3:47 left in the third to make it 32-25, but Etherington pushed it back to nine again.

The perimeter attack of Noblesville would get them back to within striking distance again. Hines and Youree helped get the Millers back to within six through three quarters, 37-31.

“I’m really proud of our effort in the third quarter and throughout the game. We battled the boards and hung tough there. We made shots. We took four charges, just kept ourselves in the game,” said Noblesville head coach Brian McCauley on his team’s third quarter play.

“That third quarter, they just out-hustled us and I know there was one time where they had four shots at a basket in one trip. They were getting 50-50 balls and we just didn’t come up with it, then they cut it to six,” Satterfield complimenting Noblesville’s third quarter efforts.
Noblesville gave it one last attempt at keeping the deficit under ten points and chip away, but with the speed and length of Hamilton Southeastern, it was a tougher task.

A bucket by Hines and a free throw from Ryan Barnes and the Millers cut it to 39-34, the closest they had been since 15-12.

From that point on, the Royals kept pouring it on. Southeastern went on an 8-0 run that extended their lead back to double-digits at 47-34, highlighted in the middle of it with a breakaway dunk from junior guard Noah Smith.

Satterfield knows that he can count on players like Smith and Etherington, but Grubbs was one player that stepped up when needed and was an X-factor at times.

“Well, I think that’s something special about this team. We’ve got different guys to step up on different nights and depending on the match up or what’s happening, we know if one guy’s not getting it done, we’ve got other guys who are ready to take on that challenge,” said Satterfield on his team’s willingness to step up, no matter who it is.

Hamilton Southeastern ended the game on a 15-8 scoring spree that would put the icing on the cake of this HCC win at Noblesville on Friday night, 62-45.

“Ultimately, we battled and had the ball with five minutes to go, down five with 5:48 to go, and unfortunately, we turned it over on that possession,” said McCauley on the Millers’ chances to comeback in the fourth.

The Millers (8-8, 2-1 HCC) lost their first conference game of the season and get stay in conference on Saturday night, as they head to Zionsville as the second game of the girls-boys doubleheader.

Noblesville was led in scoring by Xavier Hines and his game-high 20 points. Jaron Youree had 10 points on four field goals and Jordan Schmidt added nine.

Hamilton Southeastern (15-2, 4-0 HCC) won its fourth straight game and is now in sole possession of first place in the HCC with Zionsville defeating Brownsburg 68-51 on Friday.
The Royals were led by Aaron Etherington’s team-high 15 points. Nick Bowman was right behind him with 14, with Chaz Birchfield and Chris Grubbs each adding 10 for four from HSE in double figures.

When a Fishers couple noticed bruises on their child, the parents reported it to police and their in-home child care provider has been arrested.  Once the parents became suspicious, they reported their suspicions to authorities.  The couple provided police with video footage from their home surveillance system,  and police say the videos show the suspect engaged in abusive behavior.

After presenting evidence to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office, an arrest warrant was issued.

Shannon E. Gillen, 27, from Indianapolis, faces several felony charges, including Strangulation, Battery and Neglect.

Hamilton County Reporter

amilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger presented his 29th State of the County address Wednesday. He began by saying, “There is a lot of tension in Washington right now because people don’t know how to work together. I will show you the things today – almost all of them are the result of our cities and our county working together for the betterment of our citizens.”

His talk was divided into several segments.

Financial Stability

When addressing fiscal responsibility, Dillinger noted that Hamilton County reported an $18 million budget surplus in 2017. For 2018, the general fund has a current balance of $33.5 million and the rainy day fund has a balance of $13.7 million.

Infrastructure

According to Dillinger, during his term as county commissioner, which began in 1989, Hamilton County has grown from a population of 80,000 to 130,000. (Editor’s note: According to the U.S. Census data, in 1990 the population of Hamilton County was 108,936 and the estimated 2016 population was 316,373.)

Dillinger noted this creates some infrastructure challenges. Using the State of Indiana’s U.S. 31 and Carmel’s Keystone Parkway thoroughfare projects as examples, he explained that the State Road 37 project will pass under existing roads to create a new thoroughfare. This is similar to Keystone Parkway and stands in contrast to the overpasses of U.S. 31.

The State Road 37 project is being funded by contributions from the State of Indiana ($100 million), Noblesville ($24 million), Fishers ($24 million) and Hamilton County ($24 million). The projected budget for the project is $124 million, which Dillinger noted is not a final number, but rather a “moving target.”

Phase One of this project goes from 126th Street to 146th Street. Dillinger noted the hope is that Phase One comes in at or under budget so there will be funds remaining for Phase Two.

Dillinger said he considers State Road 37 to be the most important road project since completing 146th Street. It will, however, create necessary changes to drainage systems in the area.

The first portion of the State Road 37 project will be at the intersection at 126th Street, which is anticipated to take place between April and November of 2019. Dillinger said the county does not yet know which order the other major intersections at 131st, 135th, 141st and 146th streets will be addressed.

This will create additional challenges for 146th Street and Allisonville Road, which is currently not a funded project.

Dillinger also spoke briefly about the three-phase project for the Pleasant Street bridge and extension, noting that while it is a collaboration between the Hamilton County and the City of Noblesville, the bulk of the project falls under Noblesville supervision. Engineers and consultants have been selected and hope to begin work as soon as 2022. The projection is for a 29 percent reduction in traffic between 8th Street and River Road as soon as Phase One, the bridge construction, is completed.

Beginning in spring of this year, the first phase of the 146th Street from Lowes Way to the southbound Keystone Flyover project involves a roundabout as well as bridges over Cool Creek and Keystone Parkway. Beginning in 2020, Phase Two will involve and extension and improvements to Range Line.

Growth and Capital Improvements

The Government and Judicial Center, completed in 1992, is about to undergo a 132,000-square-foot expansion at a cost of $25 million. That project will begin in May of 2018 and should be completed in October of 2019. One reason for the expansion is to consolidate offices currently housed in the courthouse. The auditor, assessor, treasurer and recorder will be moved to the first floor after the expansion. The second and third floors of the expansion will be left unfinished for future expansion needs.

Dillinger explained the jail expansion is necessary due House Bill 1006, effective January 2016, requiring the county to keep level 6 felons (those sentenced to less than one year) in the jail rather than sending them to the Indiana Department of Correction. While jail capacity is 294 inmates, the county is often running closer to 400 inmates.

The new jail addition is set to begin construction in February and complete in February 2019. This project will add 120 beds to the jail’s capacity. It is a $13.5 million project. According to Dillinger, the solar panel portion of this project is projected to save $900,000 in utility costs in the first 18 months and $25.6 million over 25 years.

The new Riverview Hospital in Westfield is set for completion by June.

Dillinger spoke highly about Koteewi Park’s archery range, zip line, equestrian facility and the new snow tubing hill. He also mentioned the refurbished iron bridges added to Koteewi Park and the RV park.

Tourism

According to Dillinger, visitors to Hamilton County spend $738.2 million per year and generate $105.4 million in state and local taxes. He said 90 cents of every $1 visitors spend stay in Hamilton County. Tourism saves county residents $850 per year in taxes and is the seventh-largest industry in the county if measured by employment numbers, supporting over 14,000 jobs.

Late January is normally described as the dead of winter, but in and around Fishers, road construction is a year-round operation.

Below is the construction schedule for the work week starting Tuesday, January 30th, as provided by the City of Fishers…

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

Periodic lane restrictions will occur at the intersection of 131st Street and Cumberland Road as utility relocation work is completed.

116TH STREET   

The outer lane of westbound 116th Street and Hague Road will be restricted, as well as the right turn lane on Hague Road, on Monday and Tuesday as AT&T completes work.

MORGAN DRIVE   

Morgan Drive will be closed between Lantern Road and Emmanual Court for work on stormwater structures.

106TH STREET

Crews will be landscaping the center of the roundabout at 106th Street and Geist Road throughout the week, weather permitting. Temporary lane restrictions may be in place as work is completed.

Expect lane restrictions at the intersection of 106th Street and Allisonville Road (affecting the northbound and southbound lanes of Allisonville Road) as utility work is completed.

I-69   

As part of a $92 million design-build contract, Milestone has added a third lane in each direction to the median, repaired and resurfaced existing pavement, and rehabilitated bridges and drainage structures on 15 miles of I-69 in Hamilton and Madison counties. Construction of an additional auxiliary lane between the 116th Street entrance ramp to I-69 South and the I-69 South Exit 204 ramp to 106th Street will continue through next spring.

I-69 South will be temporarily reduced to two lanes to allow space for the State Road 37 and 116th Street entrance ramps to safely merge while construction continues on the southbound auxiliary lane between the 116th Street and 106th Street ramps.

Questions about this project should be directed to INDOT via email or at 1-855-463-6848.

STATE ROAD 37  

The Meeting Presentation from the December State Road 37 Project Public Meeting, along with additional project information is available.

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 via email to Drive Fishers.