There will be more overnight closures as state contractors continue work on the 106th Street interchange at I-69 in Fishers.  See the details below in a news release from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT):

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Walsh Construction Company plans to close multiple lanes of Interstate 69 during overnight hours this week as lane markings, signage and temporary concrete barriers are placed for the next phase of construction at the 106th Street interchange project.

Shifting northbound and southbound lanes of I-69 between 82nd Street (Exit 201) and 116th Street (Exit 205) toward the median will allow construction to continue on the end supports of two bridges, which will each carry one direction of traffic on 106th Street over I-69.

Work is dependent on favorable weather and construction schedules are subject to change.

• Three left lanes of southbound I-69 will be closed on Monday (Aug. 1) and Tuesday (Aug. 2) nights from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
• Three left lanes of northbound I-69 will be closed on Wednesday (Aug. 3) and Thursday (Aug. 4) nights from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The speed limit near the construction zone is reduced to 55 mph and may be reduced further to 45 mph when workers are present.  Motorists are advised to pay attention to work zone warning signs, follow posted speed limits and keep a safe following distance from other motorists.  

About the project

INDOT awarded a $21.7 million contract to Walsh Construction Company to build a two-lane, oval-shaped roundabout on 106th Street over I-69 and ramps to and from both directions of the interstate.  Two separate two-lane bridges will each carry one direction of traffic. The bridge to carry westbound traffic on the north side of 106th Street is also designed to accommodate pedestrians.

The project is intended to reduce congestion at existing I-69 interchanges at 96th and 116th streets, increase traffic safety in the area and provide direct interstate access at 106th Street.  Direct access will serve existing residential and commercial destinations and accommodate development and population growth in the area.

Access on 106th Street over I-69 will remain closed through construction of the new interchange.  The new I-69 Exit 204 to 106th Street is scheduled to open before the end of this year.  

Fishers Police were called to Willow View and Masters Road Monday morning, where officers found an injured motorcyclist that had apparently collided with a car.  Police say injuries were in the lower extremities.

Here are the details contained in a Fishers Police Department News Release:

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Just before 9am, this morning, Fishers police were called to the intersection of Willowview Road and Masters Road after a Chevrolet passenger car and a Suzuki motorcycle collided. Upon their arrival officers observed the driver of the motorcycle was being tended to by several bystanders. The Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services arrived and transported the motorcyclist to the hospital. At the time of transport the driver appeared to suffer injuries to his lower extremities.

Crash Investigators and Evidence Technicians responded to interview witnesses and collect evidence. The driver of the Chevrolet remained at the scene and fully cooperated with Investigators. Based on evidence and witness statements it appears the Chevrolet was attempting to turn southbound onto Masters Rd and turned in front of the Suzuki.

The crash remains under investigation, however at this time it does not appear that drugs or alcohol contributed to this crash.

Driver #1 –     Joseph Harris

                        54 years old

                        Indianapolis, Indiana         

Driver #2 –     Steven Martin          

                        67 years old

                        Indianapolis, Indiana         

The Fishers Police Department will be requesting 4 new police officers join the force in 2017, along with 2 additional civilian employees.  Otherwise, the department plans to submit a flat 2017 operating budget to the mayor’s office for consideration.  That’s according to Assistant Chief Mitch Thompson in an update provided to the Police Merit Commission.

Thompson told the commission an area of 96th Street near I-69, from Lantern Road to North by Northeast Boulevard, is “responsible for 22% of our Part One (most serious) crimes in the City of Fishers.”  Fishers Police have made a concerted effort to reduce crime in that area the past four months.  Thompson said his officers have seen some success on that effort, but the true test will be how things are 12 months from now.  He praised the business community for being a part of the effort to reduce crime along the 96th Street corridor.

The department has obtained a drone to be used for accident and crime scene investigations.  Thompson emphasized the device will not be utilized for surveillance.

Fishers Police have also acquired a scanner, which Thompson describes as the latest technology to scan the general area of a crime or accident scene, recording data for the investigation.

August 2nd is the National Night Out, 6:00-8:30pm, at the municipal complex around the amphitheater.  The first floor of police headquarters will be open to anyone.  The popular K-9 demonstrations will be part of this year’s event once again.  For more information, use this link.

The Fishers Police Department arrested an Indianapolis man after authorities say the man rammed a police car and tried to escape.  All the details are contained in a news release from the Fishers Police Department below:

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Around 10:30am, this morning, Fishers police officers were called to the McDonalds parking lot located at 9611 North by Northeast Blvd (96^th Street and Interstate 69) after an employee observed a suspicious man parked in a black Jeep Cherokee. Officers arrived, identified the man, and began to investigate.

As officers were checking the status of his driver license the suspect suddenly placed the Jeep in reverse and rammed into a police SUV nearly striking an officer. The suspect fled a short distance before striking a curb and disabling the Jeep. The suspect exited the Jeep and attempted to carjack two occupied cars. After a brief foot pursuit the suspect was taken into custody. Officers discovered the Jeep was stolen during a carjacking last night in Marion County.

No officers were injured during this incident. The suspect complained of wrist pain. Paramedics from the Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services responded and treated the suspect at the scene. The suspect was then transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident.

Suspect:       Gregory S. Gardner II

                        25 years old

                        Indianapolis, Indiana         

Charge(s):    Robbery Level 6 Felony (2cts)

                        Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle Level 6 Felony

                        Receiving Stolen Property Level 6 Felony

                        Possession of a Controlled Substance Level 6 Felony

                        Possession of a Syringe Level 6 Felony

                        Reckless Possession of Paraphernalia C Misdemeanor

                        Criminal Recklessness B Misdemeanor

Held:              Hamilton County Jail

Andrea Davis spent years as a reporter before becoming a free lance write.  She talked to Larry about those and many other subjects.

A Fishers Police officer stopped a car near 96th Street and I-69 to investigate a possible auto registration violation, when the couple in the car fled, leading to a chase that endeed near Exit 214 along I-69.

Below is the news release from the Fishers Police Department:

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Shortly after 1:00am, this morning, a Fishers police officer observed a Hyundai passenger car traveling in the area of 96^th Street and North by Northeast Blvd. The officer initiated a traffic stop for a registration violation. As the officer approached the car he observed a strong smell of burnt marijuana. During the stop, the driver refused to provide the officer with any form of identification. When the officer instructed the driver to exit the car he refused and speed away.

Officers pursued the Hyundai, for a short time, before losing sight of the suspects. Dispatch relayed information to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and shortly thereafter IMPD officers located the Hyundai and the pursuit continued into Hamilton County on Interstate 69. The vehicle pursuit ended near the 214 mile marker after the Hyundai ran over a tire deflation device and became disabled. The driver attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended by an IMPD K-9. The driver was treated for a minor bite wound and transported to the Hamilton County Jail. The female was also arrested without incident.

Suspect:       Danurell Blair

                        38 years old

                        Kendallville, Indiana          

Charge(s):    Unlawful Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon

                        Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle

                        Resisting Law Enforcement

                        Possession of Marijuana

                        Carrying a Handgun without a License

Held:              Hamilton County Jail

Suspect:       Tionna Crouch        

                        33 years old

                        Indianapolis, Indiana

Charge:         Possession of Marijuana B Misdemeanor.

Held:              Hamilton County Jail

The filing period for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board began July 27th, and as of the close of business July 28th, there is only one candidate filing paperwork. –  that is incumbent Board Member Howard Stevenson.

Even though Stevenson is the incumbent, this is his first election.  He was appointed to fill-out the remaining term of Daren Sink, who resigned from the board after accepting a job outside Indiana.

The last HSE School Board election in 2012 featured candidates from 4 districts within the boundaries of the school corporation.  The election this year will be a contest within the three townships contained in the district – Fall Creek, Delaware and Wayne Townships.

Stevenson resides in Fall Creek Township.  Bradley Jones, a fixture in the audience of school board meetings recently, told LarryInFishers he is putting together his forms to file in Delaware Township.  The current board president, Karen Harmer, is the board representative of Delaware Township and has indicated she will not seek reelection.

The current board member representing Wayne Township, Sylvia Shepler, has not said whether she plans to file for reelection.

So, there are three HSE School Board seats up for election this November, one board member each from the three townships.

Candidates must file by noon, Friday, August 26th, to have their names on the November school board ballot.

One of the biggest events of the year in Fishers is coming up September 9th, and you can buy VIP tickets, while helping to support Hamilton Southeastern Schools at the same time.

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation is once again providing a VIP section for the big Mudsock Game, pitting arch-rivals Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High School.  The game is being played this year at Hamilton Southeastern.

Tickets are $50.  Also, in buying a VIP ticket you enter yourself in the “best seat in the house” contest.  Even if you don’t want to buy a VIP ticket, any donation made to HSE Foundation in the month of August automatically secures an entry into the contest.

For more details, see the news release below from the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation:

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When the Hamilton Southeastern Royals host the Fishers Tigers on September 9 under the Friday night lights nearly 10,000 spectators will be cheering for their favorite team. 

The highly anticipated Mudsock Game is not only one of the premiere football rivalries in the state, but has also become a charitable tradition for local schools. The game recognizes teachers of the year for each of the 21, raises funds for the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation (HSSF), and is the culmination of the annual PastaBowl drive benefiting local food pantries.  

Susan Binford, District Leader of KI who sponsors the event, says “KI continues to be proud of our involvement in Mudsock. What began as a chance to give back and make a difference for local teachers and students has evolved into an incredible community movement. Last year, we raised awareness of food insecurity in our own schools as well as an astonishing amount of pasta to address that hunger.  And funds generated from the VIP event supported our students in areas like STEM, literacy, mental health and more.”

HSSF will be selling a limited number of VIP tickets which include exclusive, adult-only end zone seating.  VIP guests will enjoy complimentary goodies from Coca-Cola, Aurelio’s Pizza, Moe’s and Sundaes in the Citizens State Bank hospitality tent.

To make your charitable $50 donation which includes the ticket price of both the game ticket and the VIP pass, visit www.hsefoundation.org.  Each Mudsock VIP ticket purchase also is a free entry into National Bank of Indianapolis Best Seat in the House contest and the Horizon Bank VIP Parking drawing.    

The subject was failure and an audience of business people heard stories of how one can learn from failure and turn it into future success.

Fishers High School was the site of the third annual FailFest Thursday.  Launch Fishers Founder John Wechsler put together an impressive list of speakers for the event.

Inside Indiana Business TV anchor Gerry Dick opened the Fest with comments about the entrepreneurial atmosphere Fishers has created.  Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness told those on hand how Fishers has worked to create on atmosphere where businesses can start and grow.

Here is a partial list of the FailFest speakers and a summary of what they discussed:

–Attorney Jonathon Polak explained his work with the Goldman family in their efforts to collect on the civil judgment against O.J. Simpson.

–Former NFL player Brandon Gorin, a franchise owner and area representative for Marco’s Pizza, talked about overcoming both business and personal setbacks (listen to the link below for my brief interview with him).

–Jared Ingold, owner of Vardagen in Fishers, argued that failure is a way to learn.

–JJ Thompson, founder and CEO of Rook Security, told the story of how he had to learn the art of dealing with people, after paying the price when he didn’t.

–Teresa Sabatine had a rising career in the entertainment industry, but told the crowd she finally answered the voice in her head telling her to come back home to Indiana.  She is now the Film Commissioner for the City of Indianapolis.

–Chris Baggott, founder and CEO of ClusterTruck, listed his many business ventures and broke down how each has performed in a number of different ways.

During this year’s FailFest, I talked to a number of people attending, and my final talk was with Brandon Gorin.  You can listen to those interviews at the link below:

I have known several people that have graduated from the Fishers Police Department’s Citizens Academy.  If you have not experienced the academy, police officials are accepting applications.   Check all the details in the police department news release below:

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The Fishers Police Department is hosting its 31st “Citizen’s Police Academy”. The Citizen’s Academy is scheduled for 13 weeks and offers “police style” training to our citizens.  Some of the training will include: Crime Prevention/Neighborhood Watch, Bicycle Patrol, Criminal Law, Police Canine, Traffic Stops, Weapons Familiarization, Self Defense, Criminal Investigations, Evidence Collection, and Narcotics. The instructors will be police officers from the Fishers Police Department.   Participants in the Citizen’s Academy are eligible complete a ride along with an on- duty Fishers Police Officer.

    Our Fall 2016 Citizen’s Police Academy will be held at the Fishers Police Department every Wednesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. starting August 24, 2016. The academy will be open to individuals who reside or are employed in the Hamilton Southeastern School District.  You must be sixteen years old or older to participate in the Citizen’s Academy.

It is our goal to build on the relationships we have established in the community. The Citizen’s Academy consists of classroom and hands on training that will allow citizens to interact and become more familiar with the tasks that are assigned to a police officer. The Citizen’s Academy will give community members the opportunity to ask questions about law enforcement and other related activities.

Apply online at www.fishers.in.us/police  or apply in person at the Fishers Police Department.  Applications will be accepted until March 28th.  If you have any questions contact Officer Rob Thompson at thompsonr@fishers.in.us  or (317) 595-3300.