A community bank founded in New Castle 150 years ago has come out on top of a statewide list usually led by names many times its size.

Citizens State Bank is being recognized as the No. 1 504/Third-Party Lender in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Indiana District for the 2025 federal fiscal year. The honor comes jointly from the SBA’s Indiana District Office and Indiana Statewide CDC, the nonprofit that ran the most SBA 504 deals in the state last year. A brief ceremony was held at the Ball State University center in downtown Fishers, in the Nickel Plate District.

According to the SBA’s year-end report, Citizens State Bank backed 10 of these loans worth $12,676,053 between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025 — more deals than any other bank in Indiana. First Merchants Bank was close behind with nine loans, and 1st Source Bank ranked third with eight.

The recognition is a bit of inside baseball, so here’s what it means. The SBA’s 504 program helps small businesses buy buildings or big equipment they couldn’t finance on ordinary terms. The money usually comes from three places: a bank covers about half the project, a CDC — a community lender backed by the SBA — covers roughly 40 percent, and the business owner puts in the rest. The bank in that arrangement is the “third-party lender.” Across Indiana last year, banks supplied about $184.6 million in this first-mortgage financing on 504 projects, and Citizens State Bank wrote more of those loans than anyone else.

That it did so against far larger institutions is what makes the award notable for a bank its size. Citizens State Bank, a fourth-generation, family-owned bank that has served central Indiana since 1873, finished ahead of regional and national lenders that operate dozens or hundreds of branches.

The bank’s SBA work isn’t limited to the 504 program. In the SBA’s larger 7(a) loan category — the agency’s main program for general small-business borrowing — Citizens State Bank ranked 14th in Indiana last year with 21 loans totaling about $11.3 million.

The numbers sit inside a busy year for SBA lending in Indiana. The district approved 1,366 loans in fiscal 2025, putting roughly $695 million of SBA-backed money to work and supporting nearly $880 million in total project financing once bank and borrower dollars are counted.

Citizens Bank sponsors the LarryInFishers Podcast series.

One more candidate joined the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board field on Wednesday, adding a third name to the District 1 contest.

Anthony Jason Wren filed to run in District 1 as a member of the Libertarian Party. His entry makes District 1 the most crowded of the four races on the November 3 ballot, with three candidates now spanning three different ballot designations: No Party, Republican and Libertarian.

The new filing also highlights one of the most visible effects of Indiana’s shift to partisan school board races. Under Senate Enrolled Act 287, signed into law this spring, candidates may run with a party label — Republican, Democrat or, as in Wren’s case, a third party such as the Libertarians — or with no label at all. In every previous HSE election, board races were strictly nonpartisan, with no party affiliation printed beside any candidate’s name. Indiana is the 10th state to allow partisan school board elections, and the November vote will be among the first statewide tests of how those labels play out at the local level.

The filing window closes at noon Thursday. Candidates have until then to enter, and District 4 remains the only seat with just a single candidate so far.

The candidates so far

The following is the listing of candidate filings as of the close of business Wednesday, according to the Hamilton County Election Office:

District 1 (1 seat)

• Faiza Maqsood — No Party
• Greg Wright — Republican
• Anthony Jason Wren — Libertarian

District 2 (1 seat)

• Josh Perry — No Party
• Cyrus Keck — No Party

District 3 (1 seat)

• David Turk — Republican
• Michelle Fullhart — No Party

District 4 (1 seat)

• Stephanie Braden — No Party

Here is the update from the Fishers Community Center Wednesday evening, following the water leak:

The Fishers Community Center is closed for the remainder of the day Wednesday after a water leak was discovered on the first floor of the facility, city officials announced.

In a notice posted online, the center said it “is currently closed and will remain closed for the rest of the day due to a water leak on the first floor.” Officials said they expect to share an update by 7 p.m. Wednesday regarding the facility’s hours for Thursday.

The disruption will not affect the center’s summer camp program. According to the notice, “Camp will take place as scheduled tomorrow (6/18).” Camp families can expect additional details by email Wednesday evening.

The Fishers Community Center opened to the public Nov. 1, 2025, as the city’s first municipal community center. The 105,000-square-foot facility at 11400 Johnson Farm Way — near Hoosier Road and 121st Street — features an aquatics center with Central Indiana’s first NinjaCross system, an 11,000-square-foot fitness center, a two-story indoor playground, and an indoor walking track. The building also houses the new headquarters and clinic for the Fishers Health Department.

IU Health Fishers serves as the official health and wellness partner for the City of Fishers, and the center is part of the city’s broader effort to support residents’ health and wellness.

No information was immediately available about the cause or extent of the leak, or whether any programming beyond Wednesday will be affected. Members and visitors are encouraged to watch the center’s website and social media channels for the promised 7 p.m. update.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 HSEngaged cohort, a community engagement program designed to give residents a closer look at how one of Indiana’s largest school districts operates.

The program is open to parents, residents, business owners and community leaders who want to learn more about public education and the work that supports more than 20,000 students in HSE Schools.

Launched in 2021, HSEngaged offers participants direct access to district leaders and staff through monthly sessions covering topics such as academics, school finance, student services, school safety, transportation, facilities and communications. The sessions are designed to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the many functions involved in running a large school district.

Those selected for the 2026-27 cohort will attend monthly meetings from August through April. Sessions will be held at schools throughout the district.

“HSEngaged gives community members a chance to see beyond the headlines and gain a deeper understanding of the work happening across our schools,” said Emily Pace Abbotts, Director of School and Community Relations. “Participants hear directly from district leaders, visit our schools and engage in conversations that help build informed and meaningful connections to HSE Schools.”

The district says participation is limited. Applications are due by noon Tuesday, July 7. Applicants will be notified of their status by July 31.

Past participants have praised the program, describing it as informative and worthwhile. One participant said HSEngaged provided useful information that helped in conversations throughout the community about school-related issues. Another said it was encouraging to see the work HSE Schools is doing for children.

I have personally been through the program, and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in how our local school district works.

More information, including the meeting schedule and application, is available at hseschools.org/hsengaged.

Fishers residents are being urged to remain weather-aware today as forecasters warn of the potential for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes and heavy rain across central Indiana.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis says one round of thunderstorms is expected this afternoon, mainly across the northern two-thirds of the state. Some of those storms could become severe. A second round of storms is expected to move in late this afternoon and continue into the evening, with severe weather considered likely during that period.

Fishers and Hamilton County are included in the area of concern.

The forecast for Fishers calls for showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service says some storms tonight could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. New rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible overnight, with higher totals possible in thunderstorms.

Wind will also be a concern even away from thunderstorms. NWS Indianapolis has issued a special weather statement warning that windy conditions will develop this afternoon and may continue into early evening. Gusts around 40 mph are expected, with a few gusts up to 45 mph possible.

Forecasters warn those winds could blow around unsecured objects and make driving more difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Residents may want to secure patio furniture, trash bins and other outdoor items before the strongest winds arrive.

The Storm Prediction Center is also highlighting Illinois and Indiana for the potential of a dangerous severe weather setup today and tonight. The primary threats include damaging straight-line winds, large hail and tornadoes. Heavy rain may also create localized flooding concerns, especially in areas that see repeated storms.

Hamilton County Emergency Management is reminding residents to know where they will go if a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning is issued.

The safest place in a home or business is a small interior room on the lowest level, away from windows. That may be a basement, bathroom, hallway or closet, preferably in a structurally supported part of the building.

If your home does not have a safe place, emergency management officials recommend identifying other buildings in the community that meet those safety criteria and would be accessible if warnings are issued. Residents may also want to make plans to stay with friends or family if they do not have a safe shelter location.

Emergency officials say planning ahead is especially important when severe weather occurs late in the day or overnight. Families should make sure children know where to go and what to do so everyone can move quickly if a warning is issued.

Hamilton County officials recommend keeping a safe-room kit ready. Suggested items include flashlights and extra batteries, a portable phone charger, bottled water, sturdy shoes, medications, basic first aid supplies, helmets for children and adults, a whistle or other noise-making device, blankets or padding, copies of important documents in a waterproof bag, and pet supplies if pets will shelter with the family.

Hamilton County also reminds residents that outdoor warning sirens are intended to alert people who are outdoors. They are not designed to be the primary warning system for people inside homes or businesses. Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, including cell phone alerts, weather apps, local media and NOAA Weather Radio.

Residents are encouraged to monitor forecasts closely through the day, keep phones charged, avoid unnecessary travel during severe storms, and move to shelter immediately if a warning is issued.

With the candidate filing deadline set for noon Thursday, June 18, the field for the November 3 Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board election is nearly set — and this year’s ballot will look different than any before it.

Three of the four seats on the ballot have drawn two candidates each. The fourth, District 4, has just one candidate filed so far.

The most notable development this week was Michelle Fullhart’s filing to run in District 3. Fullhart is no newcomer to the board — she has previously served two terms, and her entry sets up a contested race against fellow District 3 candidate David Turk.

A first for HSE: party labels on the ballot

This election marks a turning point in how HSE — and school districts across Indiana — choose their board members. For the first time, candidates may run with a party label, or with none at all. In every previous HSE school board election, races were strictly nonpartisan, with no party affiliation attached to any name on the ballot.

The change stems from Senate Enrolled Act 287, signed into law this spring, which made Indiana the 10th state to allow partisan school board races. Candidates may now appear on the ballot as a Republican, a Democrat, or with no party label. Those who choose a party will have that affiliation printed beside their name; those who don’t will appear without one. Notably, the law does not create primaries for school board seats, and the filing window was set earlier than in past cycles to give candidates more time to campaign in front of voters.

The November vote will be among the first real tests statewide of how — or whether — party labels reshape these traditionally low-profile, community-driven races. Roughly 800 school board seats across Indiana are up for election this year under the new rules.

How the districts work

In this round, each candidate runs only within their own district, and voters cast a ballot for a single candidate — the one running in the district where they live. You can view the map of the four HSE districts at this link.

The candidates so far

Here is the candidate list as of Wednesday morning. With the filing deadline still open, additional candidates could yet enter — most notably in District 4, where only one name has been filed.

District 1 (1 seat)

• Faiza Maqsood — No Party
• Greg Wright — Republican

District 2 (1 seat)

• Josh Perry — No Party
• Cyrus Keck — No Party

District 3 (1 seat)

• David Turk — Republican
• Michelle Fullhart — No Party

District 4 (1 seat)

• Stephanie Braden — No Party

This story will be updated as additional filings are confirmed.

The Fishers Freight brought football talk to King Jugg Brewing Tuesday night, launching a series of fan gatherings at the popular Lantern Road spot with head coach Dixie Wooten and two key players.

Anyone who has visited King Jugg on a busy evening knows it is not exactly a quiet room. But through the steady restaurant noise, host Andrew Smith led a conversation with Wooten, quarterback Felix Harper and wide receiver Jordan Davis about one of the biggest wins of the Freight season — Sunday night’s 37-36 road victory over the Arizona Rattlers in Glendale, Arizona.

The win was significant for several reasons. Arizona had not lost at home this season, and the Rattlers entered the game as a strong favorite. The Freight, who had been on the wrong side of several close games in recent weeks, found a way to finish this one and move their record to 6-6.

With four games remaining — two at home and two on the road — Fishers remains very much in the Indoor Football League playoff race. Wooten made it clear Tuesday night that he believes his team can be dangerous if it reaches the postseason.

The coach said what he likes most about this group at this point in the season is the way the players have stayed together through adversity.

“I just like how they stick together, they motivate each other,” Wooten said.

He pointed to a recent practice when players were already working before the coaching staff had even reached the field. To Wooten, that was a sign that the locker room remains invested and focused despite the ups and downs of the season.

He also said he believes Fishers has one of the best teams in the league.

“We’ve just got to figure it out,” Wooten said.

The next test comes Saturday night, when the Iowa Barnstormers visit the Fishers Event Center. The Freight have already defeated Iowa twice this season, but Wooten said there is no room to take any opponent lightly.

“It’s professional football — we’ve got to go in and take everybody seriously,” he said.

Harper is still dealing with a hip injury, but said he is ready to play through it and help lead the Freight into a playoff push. Davis, in his first season of professional football, has already attracted attention around the league for a highlight-reel, one-handed touchdown catch that has made the rounds on video replays.

The Tuesday night appearance at King Jugg was the first in a series of Freight events at the brewery. The team is scheduled to return July 14 and July 21.

The Freight host Iowa Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Fishers Event Center. Tickets remain available.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District is navigating one of the more challenging financial stretches in its recent history — a squeeze rooted in declining enrollment, sweeping changes to Indiana property tax law, and rising costs that are straining budgets across the state.

To make sense of it all, I sat down with HSE Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown for a wide-ranging podcast conversation about where the district stands and what families can expect in the year ahead.

We covered the district’s overall financial picture, including how a drop of more than 400 students last year — and further declines projected for 2026-27 — flows directly through to the bottom line, since Indiana funds schools largely on a per-student basis. That enrollment slide is a big reason the district has moved to trim staffing, with adjustments expected to touch roughly 60 positions, about 4% of the teaching staff.

A central thread of our discussion is Senate Enrolled Act 1, the property tax overhaul state lawmakers passed in 2025. The law lowers bills for homeowners and businesses, but it does so by changing the net assessed value used to calculate property taxes — which means less money flowing to schools and local governments. The Legislative Service Agency projects Indiana’s public schools will lose roughly $744 million over three years beginning in 2026. CFO Brown walks through what that means in concrete terms for HSE.

We also talked about the district’s budget-cutting committee, which helped identify approximately $7.8 million in reductions, and the new fees coming for the 2026-2027 school year — including a proposed “consumables fee” of up to $100 per student to cover one-time-use items like workbooks, culinary-class food, and science lab materials.

Finally, we get to what may be the biggest decision facing local voters this fall: the operating referendum the HSE Board of Trustees voted to place on the November 3 general election ballot. The measure carries a maximum rate of 36 cents per $100 of net assessed value over an eight-year term, though the district plans to start lower — around 22 cents — and step it up over time. District administrators estimate the average property owner would pay roughly $37 more in 2027 than under the current referendum. The funding is aimed at teacher retention, school safety staffing, and student behavioral health services, and HSE leaders say passage would avoid teacher layoffs.

It’s a lot to unpack, and Tim Brown does it candidly. Whether you’re a parent, a taxpayer, or simply trying to understand why your property tax bill and your kids’ school budget are moving in different directions, this conversation is worth your time.

This podcast series is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

Listen to my full conversation with HSE CFO Tim Brown at this link, or the link below.

The Hamilton East Public Library is calling on local businesses to join the third year of its “Show Your Library Card & Save” campaign, an annual effort that pairs National Library Card Sign-Up Month with deals for cardholders at businesses across Hamilton County.

The campaign runs throughout September. During the month, residents are encouraged to sign up for a library card — or dust off one they already have — and present it at participating businesses to claim offers available only to HEPL cardholders.

Businesses that take part create a special offer for cardholders, which can range from discounts and free items with purchase to other promotions of their choosing. In exchange, the library promotes participating businesses through its website, social media, email newsletters and other campaign materials.

“Library Card Sign-Up Month is an opportunity to celebrate one of the most valuable cards in your wallet while also supporting the businesses that help our community thrive,” said Kelsey Sweet, HEPL’s director of marketing and communications. “We’re excited to partner with local businesses to encourage library use, strengthen community connections, and drive residents to explore what Hamilton County has to offer.”

Now in its third year, the program has become a recurring partnership between the library and area merchants.

Businesses interested in joining can learn more and submit an offer at this link.  To appear in the printed Discover Guide, offers must be submitted by June 22. Offers received by August 10 will still be included in the campaign’s digital promotions.

The Hamilton East Public Library serves Fishers and Noblesville, offering story-times, programs and special events alongside community-driven partnerships intended to connect residents of all ages with resources and opportunities.