Hamilton County has unveiled a new Imagery Hub, a centralized online platform offering public access to high-resolution aerial imagery and historic geospatial datasets. The hub is part of a broader effort by the county to increase transparency, support data-driven decision-making, and foster innovation through open access to authoritative mapping data.
The new platform allows users—including city and county agencies, developers, and residents—to easily access and explore aerial imagery, land cover, and elevation data. It integrates seamlessly with Hamilton County’s recently upgraded Map Viewer, which supports both 2D and 3D interactive visualizations.
“Our new Imagery Hub isn’t just a place to view aerial maps—it’s a key part of a broader initiative to provide an essential educational resource that helps users understand the specifications, accuracy, and real-world value of Hamilton County’s certified digital imagery,” said Joan Keene, GIS Director for Hamilton County. “It’s a data engine for growth, equity, and sustainability.”
Future enhancements to the platform are already in the works, including sections dedicated to LiDAR elevation data, artificial intelligence-driven land cover change detection, and advanced 2D and 3D machine learning data products.
With these upgrades, the county hopes to further expand the utility of the Imagery Hub for professional users and the public alike.
The Noblesville Scanner Facebook page reported this morning a large police presence in the area of 141st Street near Weeping Cherry. It appears a person in the vehicle bailed and a police search ensued in the area of 146th & Howe Road, extending to 131st Street and Cumberland.
Fishers Police say the investigation is ongoing so they have few details to share at this time, but confirmed one person is in custody and the law enforcement search is over.
I believe the year was 1992—though forgive me if I’m off by a year or two. At the time, I was a federal civil servant, and our local office had been asked to provide a specialist in tax law for a live appearance on what was then a fairly obscure cable TV channel. The program was to be broadcast live, featuring call-in questions from viewers during the one-hour segment.
Because I had a media background prior to joining government service, local management selected me to fly east and appear at a Washington, D.C. television studio. It would be my first visit to our nation’s capital, and I didn’t know if I’d ever have another opportunity to return.
Since the program aired in the evening, the government allowed me to spend the night in Washington and return home the following morning. My flight was scheduled for mid-morning—but there was one experience I knew I had to have before heading to the airport.
I wanted to see the Vietnam War Memorial.
Though I never served in Vietnam, I came very close. I was eligible for the draft during the first year of the draft lottery system. My number was 175, and that year the military only called up to number 125—so I was not selected for service.
Still, many men close to my age did serve. Several of my college classmates attended school thanks to the GI Bill. Their experiences were real, and their sacrifices significant. I learned a lot from them
It was a damp, drizzly October morning when I rose early and walked several blocks from my hotel to the Memorial. The early hour meant I was alone. The Pentagon was close enough that I saw a military officer jogging nearby; he gave me a friendly wave. He had likely seen many people my age visiting the Memorial at that hour. I was just the latest.
It was a deeply moving moment—quiet, solemn, and powerful.
Every society has its own way of memorializing the fallen. In the United States, what we now call Memorial Day began in 1868 as Decoration Day, a time to honor Civil War dead by decorating their graves. I remember my relatives referring to it as Decoration Day when I was a child.
After World War I, the tradition expanded to include American casualties from all wars. That continued after World War II. In 1967, Congress officially changed the name to Memorial Day, and in 1971, the date was moved from the traditional May 30 to the last Monday in May, creating a federal holiday.
I credit the City of Fishers for making a special effort to honor those who have served in America’s military. The city formed a commission to plan and organize events for days like this. I normally attend the elaborate Memorial Day ceremony in Fishers, but this year I couldn’t be there in person. At age 73, I’m finding it a bit harder to cover everything happening in our active community.
This day is a time to honor those who made the supreme sacrifice defending our nation. Just as importantly, it is a time to honor the families they left behind.
Since that first trip in the early ’90s, I’ve had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., several times. And each time, without fail, I find a way to return to the Vietnam War Memorial. It remains a special place, honoring special people—many from my generation.
The Fishers Arts Council (FAC) is calling on Hispanic visual artists from across the region to submit their work for an upcoming exhibit celebrating Hispanic American heritage and creativity.
The exhibit, scheduled to run from July 1 to October 3, 2025, at the FAC Hub Gallery inside the Hamilton County Community Foundation (11810 Technology Drive, Fishers), will showcase a diverse selection of artwork highlighting the depth and richness of Hispanic culture.
Mixed media artist Frances Ruiz and clarinetist Eric Salazar—also known as “The Clarinet Guy”—are advising the exhibit and helping shape its creative direction.
Artists of Hispanic descent are invited to submit original visual art. While traditional themes are encouraged, all subjects are welcome. Submitted works must be appropriate for general audiences, as determined by FAC.
Requirements for submission include:
2-D artwork must be ready to hang with wire backing, weigh under 50 pounds, and measure no more than 60 inches in any direction.
3-D artwork is also accepted, though space is limited to five pieces. Size guidelines vary, and artists are encouraged to contact FAC to discuss dimensions before submitting.
Selected artists will be invited to participate in a reception and interview during the exhibition.
U.S. News & World Report has seen better days, like many legacy publications. Even during the golden age of national weekly news magazines, U.S. News was generally considered third-best, trailing behind Time and Newsweek.
Still, U.S. News has carved out a lasting identity through its rankings—especially its widely cited lists of top universities.
One of its ongoing projects is ranking the best places to live in America. As I’ve noted before on this blog, I believe Money Magazine has the most solid methodology when it comes to evaluating livability in local communities.
That said, U.S. News just released its latest list of best places to live—and Fishers landed in an impressive fourth place nationwide. For context, our neighbor Carmel came in second.
I’ll admit I’m a bit skeptical of their approach. The methodology leans heavily on raw data that can sometimes be misleading and relies too much on public surveys, which often come with built-in biases.
Still, it’s worth noting that the city I’ve called home for 34 years has been recognized as one of the top places to live in the country. However imperfect the rankings may be, U.S. News & World Report gave our city a boost—and I’ll take that.
“There are no moral victories” at this point in the season, Fishers Freight head coach Dixie Wooten said after his team’s tough 46–40 loss to the Jacksonville Sharks at the Fishers Event Center. With the defeat, the Freight drop to 2–6 and now turn their attention to a critical road matchup against the Green Bay Blizzard.
Things started strong for the home team. The Freight took a 28–14 lead into halftime, thanks to an impressive first-half performance from quarterback Keegan Shoemaker, a reinvigorated defense, and big plays from special teams, especially on kickoff coverage.
But the second half told a different story.
A pivotal moment came early in the fourth quarter when Shoemaker lost the ball on a controversial fumble. It was unclear whether he was down before the ball came loose, prompting Coach Wooten to challenge the play. After video review, the ruling on the field stood, giving Jacksonville possession.
To make matters worse, Shoemaker was injured on the play and did not return. Backup quarterback Jiya Wright took over for the remainder of the game.
Jacksonville capitalized quickly, scoring with just over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth to take a 30–28 lead—their first of the night. They never looked back.
Emotions ran high throughout the contest, with a flurry of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both sides. The intensity reached a boiling point in the third quarter when Jacksonville’s Malik Jones received a second unsportsmanlike flag, resulting in his ejection. It’s safe to say there’s no love lost between these two teams.
Jacksonville improves to 6–2 with the win, while Fishers will regroup and prepare for a crucial game on the road. Despite the disappointing result, an energetic crowd of more than 4,000 fans stayed loud and engaged until the final whistle.
Tonight, Saturday, May 24, the Fishers Freight honor those serving in the Armed Forces with Military night, as America observes Memorial Day weekend.
Also, Starting at 5pm Saturday evening in front of the Fishers Event Center, the Freight will host Tailgate Party, featuring lawn games, inflatables, a beer garden, and food. Arrive early for tonight’s Indoor Football League game as the Freight face the Jacksonville Sharks, starting at 7pm. Tickets are available.
Roundabouts are to be constructed at 131st & Howe Road, along with Hoosier Road & 121st Street. As a result, on or after May 29, both intersections will be closed for an estimated 60 days, allowing for construction. Also, look for road closures on parts of 136th Street in the northeast area of Fishers.
Those are just a few examples of all the road construction updates listed below, provided by the City of Fishers, for the week of May 26:
The Hamilton County Democratic Party has announced the hiring of its first-ever full-time Executive Director, Raleigh Brown. The move marks a major milestone for Democrats in one of Indiana’s fastest-growing and, according to a party news release, increasingly competitive regions.
Brown, a Kokomo native and graduate of Butler University, brings a background in campaign strategy and grassroots mobilization. Most recently, she served as campaign manager for Josh Lowry’s 2024 run for Indiana House District 24, a race that saw Democrats make notable gains in one of the state’s most hotly contested districts. Under Brown’s leadership, the campaign raised nearly $250,000 and moved the district closer to flipping blue.
“Raleigh Brown stepping in means we’re turning intention into action,” said Lowry, who also serves as Chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. “This is the year we get serious—and we’re just getting started.”
Brown also played a key role in Lisa Washington’s 2022 campaign for Howard County Commissioner and led the State College Democrats of Indiana as president from 2022 to 2024. In that role, she was instrumental in energizing young voters and building statewide networks for Democratic outreach.
“I am extremely passionate about improving communities,” Brown said in a statement. “The data shows that the majority of our residents value great schools, public safety, and common-sense, people-first governance. I’m excited to support and elect candidates who share that vision for Hamilton County.”
The hiring signals the Democratic Party’s growing ambitions in suburban strongholds like Carmel, Westfield, Noblesville, Fishers, and northern Hamilton County—areas that the local party says have shown shifting political trends in recent years. With a full-time executive director now at the helm, party leaders say they’re laying the groundwork for sustained growth and electoral competitiveness in 2026 and beyond.
The Indy Fuel are ensuring stability behind the bench, announcing today that Head Coach Duncan Dalmao has signed a two-year contract extension. Dalmao, already the winningest coach in franchise history, has led the team to three consecutive Kelly Cup Playoff appearances, a first in Fuel history.
“We are thrilled to bring Duncan back for two more years,” said Fuel chairman Jim Hallett. “Duncan has been an integral piece of this team for over three years now, and we could not imagine building on our success with anyone else leading the charge behind the bench.”
Dalmao first took over as interim head coach late in the 2021-22 season before officially earning the role ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. Since then, he has reshaped the team’s trajectory, guiding them to a franchise-best 43 wins in 2022-23, setting records in scoring (244 goals) and road victories (23).
That momentum carried into the following seasons. In 2023-24, the Fuel secured their highest playoff seeding ever, earned their first home playoff win under Dalmao, and broke their attendance record. Then, in 2024-25, the team moved to the Fishers Event Center, where Dalmao once again delivered playoff hockey. On November 29, he cemented his legacy as the winningest coach in Fuel history, securing his 100th victory with the franchise before closing out the season with 125 total wins.
His leadership has also brought a sense of community and excitement to Indy hockey fans, as proven by another attendance record in 2024-25, with 15 sellout home games. Dalmao, who has now coached 232 regular-season games with the Fuel, looks forward to continuing the momentum.
“I’m really looking forward to being behind the bench in Indy and being a part of the community we’ve built,” Dalmao said. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent this organization. We will continue to build on our success but also strive for more as we look forward to the upcoming season.”
Before coaching, the Toronto native played 11 professional seasons across North America and Europe. He skated in 391 ECHL games, collecting 49 goals and 152 assists while earning ECHL Defenseman of the Year honors in 2001. Now, he continues to make his mark in the league—this time from behind the bench.
