As the Indiana Pacers clinched the Eastern Conference title Saturday night, much was said and written about how this marked the team’s biggest moment since reaching the NBA Finals in 2000, when Coach Larry Bird and Reggie Miller led the charge. That recognition was well-deserved.

But as I watched the Pacers triumph on Saturday, my mind drifted further back than 2000. I thought of 1983.

At the time, I was working as a reporter for Network Indiana radio. The Pacers were at a crossroads, and the buzz around town wasn’t good. There was real concern that Indiana might lose its NBA team.

In 2018, I recorded a podcast with longtime sports journalist Mark Montieth about his book Reborn: The Pacers and the Return of Pro Basketball to Indianapolis. In both the book and our conversation, Mark recounted the behind-the-scenes turmoil of 1983. The team had a nominal owner who was actually fronting for someone already tied to another NBA franchise—something the league prohibits. That group had plans to relocate the Pacers, possibly to California.

Indianapolis officials scrambled to find a local buyer. Several wealthy families, including the Hulmans—owners of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—declined. But one family said yes: the Simons. Brothers Herb and Mel Simon stepped forward and bought the Pacers, keeping the team in Indianapolis.

I remember being assigned to join a group of reporters meeting then-Mayor Bill Hudnut as he returned from New York after a critical meeting with NBA Commissioner David Stern. We had no idea what he would announce.

Hudnut approached the assembled press and confirmed there was a buyer lined up, with the NBA’s blessing. He wouldn’t yet reveal who it was. Within days, it leaked: the Simons had stepped in. Their motivation wasn’t personal glory—it was civic duty.

That’s why seeing Herb Simon receive the Bob Cousy Trophy on Saturday night meant so much. He earned that moment. It’s bittersweet, of course, that his late brother Mel couldn’t be there to share it.

Without Herb and Mel Simon, the Pacers likely would have left Indiana in 1983. And one can’t help but wonder: would Bob Irsay have moved the Colts to Indianapolis if the city had just lost its NBA team?

I wish the Pacers the best as they head into the NBA Finals against Oklahoma City. They may be underdogs—but that’s a role this franchise and this city understand well. And this team has what it takes to rise to the challenge.

I have always enjoyed visiting the Fishers Farmers Market on Saturday mornings when the weather begins to warm.  The downtown event draws bigger crowds each year, at least in my estimation.

I decided to shoot some video, concentrating on the people at the market.  You can view the video below.  Note that the musical duo on the Amphitheater stage had some issues with the wind

The Fishers Arts Council is preparing for two of its signature juried arts events this September, celebrating regional creativity and community involvement.

Harvest Fest, a family-friendly art fair and nonprofit fundraiser, returns for its sixth year on Sunday, September 7, at the Fishers Municipal Complex. Sponsored by Hamilton County Tourism, the free event will feature local and regional artists, live music, hands-on art activities, Indiana authors, and nonprofit organizations serving the Fishers community. Organizers are still accepting applications for participating artists, authors, and nonprofits, with a final deadline of July 7. Early applicants who submit by June 13 receive a discounted entry fee.

Also returning for its sixth year is the Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists, sponsored by Jiffy Lube of Indiana. The exhibit will be on display from September 2–27 at both the Art Gallery at City Hall and the Fishers Art Center, located within the Fishers Municipal Complex. An awards reception is scheduled for Friday, September 12.

The exhibit is open to current and former Hamilton County artists working in any two- or three-dimensional media. The submission deadline is July 25. Entry guidelines and details for both events are available at fishersartscouncil.org/blog.

Past “Best in Show” winners include Stephanie Spay of Noblesville (2020), Margot Bogue of Fishers (2021), Jerry Mannell of Carmel (2022 and 2024), and Mark Rouse of Fishers (2023). This year’s top artist will earn a solo exhibit at the Fishers Art Center in January 2026.

The 2025 juried show will be judged by Carl Schafer of Muncie, co-owner of Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company and an experienced art historian and museum professional. Schafer has spent more than 25 years designing exhibitions and preserving art from global cultures. He also plays an active role in promoting the arts in Muncie, where he chairs the city’s Mayor’s Arts Awards Steering Committee.

For more information, contact the Fishers Arts Council at info@fishersartscouncil.org or call 317-537-1670.

Watch for a 10-day closure of 136th Street and Prairie Baptist Road starting on or eafter June 2, allowing for a major reconstruction at that location.

The roundabout construction has begun as school is out for summer, at 121st & Hoosier Road, along with 131st and Howe Road.  Both closures are projected to last 60 days.

There is much more in the listing of Fishers area road construction,  Here is the official list, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Here is the Fishers area road construction report for the week of June 2 →

The Fishers Freight made several roster moves ahead of their road trip to Green Bay, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. The Freight fell to the Blizzard Friday night, 55-39.

Costly mistakes plagued Fishers throughout the game. Critical penalties, mishandled snaps, an interception, and multiple failed fourth-down conversions proved too much to overcome.

Despite the final score, the Freight were competitive early on. They led 9-7 at the end of the first quarter, and the game remained close at halftime, with Green Bay holding a slim 24-23 lead.

Fishers opened the second half with possession but were quickly backed up to their own 10-yard line due to a penalty. A fumbled pitchout on the same drive gave Green Bay a short field, and the Blizzard capitalized with a quick touchdown to go up 31-23.

Shortly after, quarterback Carlos Davis was intercepted, and the Blizzard needed only two plays to find the end zone again, extending their lead to 37-23.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Freight turned the ball over on downs, and Green Bay responded with another touchdown, pushing the score to 45-23. From there, the game slipped further out of reach, despite Fishers’ efforts to rally.

The Freight return home to the Fishers Event Center on Saturday, June 7, where they’ll take on the Massachusetts Pirates at 7 p.m.

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office has asked a judge to bring charges to a suspect from juvenile court to adult court.  This involves the accident that took the life of former HSE High School football player Mason Alexander.

You can read the story on the WTHR Web site at this link.

The Fishers Freight of the Indoor Football League announced several roster moves Friday as the team prepares to travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for a matchup against the Blizzard.

The Freight have signed quarterback Carlos Davis, who played college football at Western Carolina and Towson University.

Also joining the Freight is wide receiver Vincent Gregory. He most recently played for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football One League and previously spent time in the IFL with the San Antonio Gunslingers and Duke City Gladiators (Duke City has paused operations for the 2025 season).

The third addition to the roster is kicker Calum Sutherland, who played last season with the IFL’s Massachusetts Pirates. He also comes to the Freight from the Albany Firebirds.

Freight quarterback Keegan Shoemaker exited last Saturday’s game against Jacksonville with an injury and has been placed on short-term injured reserve. Under IFL rules, a player on short-term IR must sit out for a minimum of three weeks but no more than six.

In positive news, wide receiver Shavarez Smith has been activated from short-term injured reserve and will rejoin the active roster.

Fishers has also released three players: defensive back Devin Hafford, wide receiver Julian Walker, and kicker Victor Leventritt II.

The Health First Indiana plan provided a significant boost to the Fishers Health Department in recent years—delivering $1 million in additional state funding in 2024, with even more support in 2025. However, that upward trend is set to reverse. The Indiana General Assembly recently voted to slash Health First Indiana funding to local health departments by 73%, a decision that has major implications for Fishers’ public health operations in 2026.

On Thursday morning, the Fishers Board of Health approved a required budget report to the state, detailing 2024 expenditures and outlining projections for the next two years. The report includes a response plan to address the steep reduction in state funding.

After a thorough review of departmental revenues and expenses, city officials offered one key reassurance: no current staff will lose their jobs. However, one open nursing position will remain unfilled. Savings are also being achieved through planned reductions in rent—thanks to the department’s upcoming move into the under-construction Community Center—as well as cuts to utilities, maintenance, and staff training. Staff emphasized that while training will be scaled back, essential professional development will continue.

Initially, the projected 2026 budget showed a deficit of $480,000. The cost-cutting measures outlined above have trimmed that gap to $200,000. Mayor Scott Fadness told the board that his administration will work with the City Council to identify funding covering the shortfall in the city’s 2026 budget process.

One area that will take a hit is funding for what Mayor Fadness described as “stakeholders” in the community—organizations or initiatives the Health Department has supported in past years. That external support will be reduced due to the loss of state dollars.

While the Health Department collects some revenue through service fees, the majority of its funding comes from local property taxes and Health First Indiana allocations. Unlike most state funding, which follows a July–June fiscal year, local health department funds from the state are allocated on a calendar-year basis.

Mayor Fadness pointed to one reason behind the legislature’s decision to cut funding: many local health departments across Indiana have not yet spent the funds they were previously granted under Health First Indiana. Statewide, more than $40 million remains unused. Fishers, however, has fully utilized its share.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) will launch its Annual Matching Campaign on June 1, offering donors a chance to double the impact of their contributions to support animals in need.

Running through June 30, the campaign matches every dollar donated to HSHC, with generous donors pledging to match up to $115,000. The organization hopes to raise a total of $230,000 to fund essential services for the more than 4,000 animals it cares for each year, including shelter, food, and medical treatment.

The campaign has become a vital part of HSHC’s operations, particularly for animals that spend extended periods at the shelter awaiting adoption. Currently, the shelter’s longest resident has been waiting nearly 900 days to find a permanent home.

“At HSHC, we are committed to finding a loving home for every animal, no matter how long it takes. But we cannot keep that promise on our own,” said Emma Nobbe, Community Engagement Manager. “By donating during the Annual Matching Campaign, you are offering these animals an even greater chance to find their happily ever after.”

HSHC reports that at least 50 animals in its care have been waiting more than 200 days to be adopted. Funds raised through the campaign will help the shelter continue to provide care and maintain its no-kill commitment, ensuring animals are supported regardless of how long they stay.

Supporters can participate in the campaign by:

• Donating online at HamiltonHumane.com/Matching

• Mailing a check to 10501 Hague Road, Fishers, IN 46038, with “Matching Campaign” in the memo line

• Visiting the shelter in person between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily

For more information about the Annual Matching Campaign or the Humane Society’s work, visit HamiltonHumane.com/Matching.