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Hamilton County has introduced a cutting-edge locution system for its 911 services, a move designed to dramatically enhance communication and response times for first responders. The countywide rollout aims to streamline dispatching, allowing emergency teams to receive critical information with greater speed and accuracy.

The new system automates emergency alerts, delivering key details like the location and nature of an incident the moment a call is received. This automation reduces response times and ensures that first responders can act without unnecessary delays. One of the key features of the system is its ability to facilitate “zoned” dispatching, meaning only the necessary personnel for a specific emergency will be alerted, reducing interruptions to others.

“We are excited to introduce this system to our county’s emergency response teams,” said Mike Hubbs, Director of the 911 Communications Department. “This system not only enhances our operational efficiency but also improves the service we provide to our community. By reducing the time it takes to dispatch responders, we are ultimately saving lives.”

The locution system’s innovative technology also allows dispatchers to maintain direct communication with callers while simultaneously sending out emergency alerts. This ensures that vital information can be relayed in real time, without compromising response speed.

“Our goal with this rollout is to ensure that our responders have the tools they need to perform their duties effectively,” Hubbs added. “With this system in place, we are taking a significant step forward in modernizing our dispatch operations and improving overall safety for our residents.”

The implementation of the locution system marks a significant leap in Hamilton County’s commitment to emergency services, reflecting the county’s focus on utilizing technology to protect and serve its community more efficiently.

The proposed Innovation Charter School has been a point of discussion throughout the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School community.  Steve Loser is the Director of K-12 Initiatives for HSE.  He sat down with me for a podcast to discuss what is under consideration by the HSE School Board and administration with the nonprofit organization Opportunity Education.

Latrica Schooley is becoming a candidate for office for the first time, running for the at-large school board seat from Delaware Township.  Below is the link to my podcast discussion with Latrica Schooley.

Tim Brown reported to his new job as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools July 1 of this year, and at Wednesday night’s school board work session, he unveiled his 2025 budget proposal totaling $326,339,619.  He proposes to keep the property tax rate the same as 2024, $1.1433.

New salary and benefit costs were over $11 million in 2023-24, according to Brown’s board presentation.  Without significant changes made, Brown says the Education and Operation Funds will continue to have “structural deficits.” ​ In the short term, the temporary solution is to spend cash balances.

Brown made clear dipping into cash reserves cannot be a long-term solution.

Brown recommends a “budget study committee” be formed to look into spending cuts.  He expects it will take “multiple years” to correct the budget issues.

CFO Brown went into much more detail.  His PowerPoint presentation is available at this link.

Before the board work session, the President of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA), Abby Taylor, told a group of teachers the union asked for the budget materials in advance, but received the CFO’s presentation at the same time as the public, a few hours before the board session Wednesday.  She says her bargaining team will study the numbers and look at the pool of money available for teacher compensation as contract talks begin.

“We did not spend $11 million when we bargained last year,” Taylor told the assembled teachers.  “It’s coming out of the Education Fund, which is principals, new admin that was added, and the positions that we added for Special Ed & ENL (English as a new language).  We’re not overspending based on what we bargained.”

Craig Frawley, a leader in the HSEA bargaining team, said the attorneys representing the school district told his team, “It’s going to be a lean year.”

But Frawley added, “We are very hopeful it will be a smooth process.”

HSEA said 180 teachers and HSEA supporters filled the board room attending the work session Wednesday.  I did not count them all, but the red-shirts filled the board room.

Suzanne Thomas is finishing-up her first 4-year term on the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board and seeks another term on the board.  She sat down with Larry to talk about her campaign.

The Fishers Freight Indoor Football League team is putting together its coaching team for the initial season, scheduled to start in March of 2025.  Below is a release from the team on the 3 assistants hired for head coach Dixie Wooten’s staff.

Also, there is a link to sign-up for tryouts set for November 2.

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Dixie Wooten III: Offensive Coordinator & Offensive Line Coach

A former Division I Offensive Lineman for the University of Houston, Dixie Wooten III is the son of Freight Head Coach Dixie Wooten. The three-star recruit by ESPN chose Houston over Illinois, Iowa State, and Miami among others to stay close to home. Wooten III was the Offensive Line Coach with the Bay Area Panthers for the past two season, helping lead them to be one of the highest scoring offenses in the Indoor Football League. This will be his first stint with the title of Offensive Coordinator.

Chuck Miller: Defensive Coordinator & Assistant Head Coach

Chuck Miller has seen plenty of IFL football, coaching on both sides of the ball. In 2017 & 2018, Miller was the Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator with the Green Bay Blizzard. The Blizzard finished top 5 in rushing both seasons and they allowed the fewest sacks two years in a row. In 2019, Miller was the Defensive Coordinator for the Iowa Barnstormers, helping lead them to 14 sacks and a league-high 22 interceptions. This will be his second stint with the title Defensive Coordinator & Assistant Head Coach.

Matt Elam: Special Teams Coordinator & Defensive Backs Coach

A former first-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, Matt Elam is trading in his cleats for a clipboard. Last season in the IFL, Elam helped lead the Massachusetts Pirates to be the Eastern Conference Champions. Elam has played in the IFL since 2021, including one year under Head Coach Dixie Wooten in Tucson. The former Florida Gators’ Safety was a First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC his Junior year in 2012 under Will Muschamp. This will be Elam’s first stint as a coach at a professional level.

To sign up for the Open Tryouts on November 2 at Hamilton Southeastern High School, please CLICK HERE and fill out this form. Once the form is filled out, you will be registered for the open tryouts.

Hamilton County has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Government Experience Awards, hosted by the Center for Digital Government, for its innovative Parks Finder program. The county’s Information Systems Services (ISS) Department tied for fifth place in the Overall County Government Experience category.

The Parks Finder program, developed collaboratively by Hamilton County’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and ISS departments, provides residents with easy access to a comprehensive directory of parks. The platform includes detailed information about city and county parks, highlighting amenities such as playgrounds, shelters, tennis courts, and more. The project was supported by Cultivate Geospatial Solutions and involved input from multiple local parks departments.

Chris Mertens, Director of Information Technology for Hamilton County, expressed pride in the recognition, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the program. “This award is quite an honor, but it belongs to more than just the IT department. This project was an amazing collaboration between the county, the cities, the towns, and their parks’ departments. And having a single source for park information is ultimately a big win for the entire community,” Mertens said.

The Government Experience Awards recognize achievements in utilizing technology to improve government service delivery and resident engagement.

A pedestrian bridge over 96th Street, connecting the Nickel Plate Trail between Fishers and Indianapolis, is one step closer to reality following action Tuesday morning by the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety.  The city approved an agreement with the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority to pay the Authority $100,000 over a 10-year period and the Authority will “eject” the billboard.  The billboard was constructed based on a 1997 lease agreement between the Port Authority and the billboard firm.  This clears one more hurdle, allowing the pedestrian bridge connecting the Nickel Plate Trail from Fishers to Indianapolis to be constructed.  There was no comment as to when the bridge construction will begin.

In one more board action, the city approved the expenditure of $625,000, paying for equipment needed by two professional sports teams that will call the Fishers Events Center home, the Fishers Freight Indoor Football League team and the Indy Ignite women’s volleyball squad.  $500,00 will go to the Freight for football equipment and $125,00 to Ignite for volleyball equipment.  The funds will come from bond proceeds.

The Fishers Parks & Recreation Department has announced a Fall Break Camp in 2024 available each day, for a full day, October 14-18.

Held at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve this year, campers will explore the outdoors, play games, complete arts and crafts projects, hear from guest speakers, make new friends, and so much more, all centered around a fall theme!

Dates: October 14-18
Times: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day
Location: Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve (10410 Hague Road, Fishers)
Ages: 5-10

Also new in 2024, Parks officials are giving families the option to register for the whole week of Fall Break Camp or register for specific days of the camp week (drop-in days). Registration is now open!