You may recall a story I have posted on this blog about a small Kansas newspaper and a police raid that resulted in no criminal charges.
A $235,000 payment has settled one federal lawsuit related to that raid that resulted in the removal of the Marion, Kansas chief of police from the suit. But that leaves other civil actions unsettled.
This all stems from an August 11, 2023 police raid on the office of the Marion County Record, the publisher’s home and the home of a city councilor.
Associated Press reporter in Kansas, John Hanna, has the details and background for all this. You can access his story (no paywall) at this link.
Be aware of traffic configuration changes at the roundabout construction along Allisonville Road and 96th Street (details below).
Not included in this update below are plans by INDOT to begin a three week closure July 12th on I-465 northbound lanes between I-65 and I-70 on the southeast side of Indianapolis. Crews will also close the northbound and southbound Shadeland Ave. ramps to I-70 eastbound.
For a road status map encompassing the City of Fishers, use this link.
Below is the Fishers-area road construction update for the work week beginning Monday, July 8, as provided by the City of Fishers:
When the Fishers City Council had first reading on a proposed new Meijer grocery on Southeastern Avenue near Cyntheanne Road May 20th, the Council was told the public hearing would be held at a Plan Commission meeting July 10. That public hearing has been delayed to the August Plan commission meeting, according to city staff.
Meijer is proposing a building with just a grocery and pharmacy, much smaller than nearby Meijer stores on 96th Street just south of Fishers and on State Road 37 in Noblesville. It would be located adjacent to the Schoolhouse 7 Cafe.
During the community comment at the May 20th Council session, several neighbors spoke out against building a Meijer at that location, citing additional traffic and other concerns.
Many residents in that area of northeast Fishers have been pushing for a nearby grocery, but obviously there are those opposed to this proposed Meijer store.
Local Fishers residents worried about the escalating cost of trash collection should know the City of Fishers is moving along with reviewing the three responses received following the Request for Proposals (RFP) on a city-wide contract. Republic, WM (formerly known as Waste Management) and Priority all submitted proposals
City of Fishers spokesperson Ashley Elrod says staff is reviewing all three bids, which all “are in line with our expectations.” The city is currently in a negotiation period with all 3 firms bidding on the contract.
The public hearing on the bids was originally expected to be held in July, but that may slip into August, with no firm date set. Elrod says the timeline, other than the public hearing, is “still on track.”
The earliest any new city-wide trash contract would be in place would be January of 2025.
I write this on July 1, generally accepted as the half-way point in a calendar year. I took a look at what has happened in Fishers during the first 6 months of 2024 and came up with a few major stories. I list them below, in no particular order.
–Patrick Mapes was selected by the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board as the new Superintendent of Schools. He replaces Yvonne Stokes, who resigned last fall. Dr. Stokes was recently names superintendent of Gary Indiana Schools.
–Mayor Scott Fadness reacted to a court ruling impacting the tax distribution formula in Indiana which Fadness argues short-changes Fishers. He cites the fact that Carmel receives $60 million more annually in this distribution system compared to Fishers.
–3 new city councilors assumed their seats on the Fishers City Council.
–Fishers City Hall & Art Center opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
–The roundabout construction begins at 96th Street and Allisonville Road. The roundabout is expected to be essentially completed in October.
–Fishers began the process to take bids on providing city-wide trash collection service. This is in response to local residents complaints about rising trash collection fees.
–Construction began on a new city community center at 121st Street and Hoosier Road.
–Melissa Loiselle has been named Hamilton East Library Director.
What will the second half of 2024 bring us? I am not into speculation, but there are a couple of items we can anticipate.
There will be an election in November with 3 HSE School Board seats on the ballot. Some county offices will also be up for election.
The first half of 2024 has generated plenty of news. I expect the coming 6 months to do the same.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a dramatic series of events unfolded as Fishers Police officers arrested an Indianapolis man, Fredrick Nance, 24, following a robbery and carjacking at a local restaurant.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on June 30, police were alerted to a robbery in progress at the Taco Bell on Allisonville Road. According to preliminary reports from dispatch, multiple armed suspects had entered the drive-through window and demanded money. One suspect, identified as Nance, fled the scene in a blue Dodge Challenger stolen from one of the victims.
Officers quickly responded to the Taco Bell, verifying the safety of the employees who were found unharmed, and commenced an investigation. At the same time, police say they spotted the stolen Dodge Challenger heading south on Allisonville Road and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Nance, the vehicle’s sole occupant, led officers on a pursuit into Marion County before abandoning the car and fleeing on foot.
Several officers, including a K-9 unit, pursued Nance. During the chase, a gunshot was heard. Fortunately, neither the K-9 nor the officers were injured. The K-9 unit successfully apprehended Nance, who was taken into custody and later medically evaluated before being transported to the Hamilton County Jail.
Police recovered multiple pieces of evidence belonging to the victims from Nance. Additionally, a Glock handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device was found near the arrest site. Authorities say the victims positively identified Nance as one of the perpetrators.
Police say that during an interview, Nance confessed to the robbery, auto theft, and discharging his firearm. He now faces 12 preliminary charges. The Fishers Police Department is seeking information regarding the other suspects involved in the robbery. Anyone with information is urged to call 317-595-3300.
The Fishers Police Department expressed gratitude to several agencies for their assistance during the investigation, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indiana State Police helicopter unit, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, Carmel Police Department, and Noblesville Police Department.
I am writing this during the morning of Saturday, June 29th. Something I had planned, and looked forward to doing today, will not happen for me.
I have been a big fan of the Fishers summer festival, held just before the 4th of July. It started in 1989 as the Fishers Freedom Festival, run by a local nonprofit group. In recent years, the celebration has been taken over by the City of Fishers and rebranded as the Spark Fishers Festival.
Spark has expanded to a nearly week-long event, but the best is saved for last, with a big street fair at the Fishers Municipal Complex and a parade in the evening. Most years since starting this local news blog, I have covered the event and parade. But not this year.
Being the clumsy old guy I am, I injured my knee Thursday evening. I had it checked-out the next day and it was nothing more than a very bad bruise, but the pain will linger for about a week. This 72-year-old guy is in no shape to cover a big event and parade with a badly bruised knee.
So, I will not be there with you, but if you are reading this prior or during Spark, please enjoy. It is one of the major Fishers events each year bringing the community together. If you are reading this after attending Spark, I hope you enjoyed it.
The major reconstruction at the intersection of Allisonville Road and 146th Street is continuing, with material deliveries requiring some night & overnight lane restrictions.
Below are the details, as provided by the Hamilton County Highway Department:
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Please be advised, beginningon or afterthe dates listed below, between the hours of7PMand5AM, our contractor will utilizea lane restriction for the delivery of materials in the work area and to set bridge beams.
Upcoming Nighttime Lane Restriction Dates:
Monday, July 1st: Westbound left lane of 146th Street will be closed.
Tuesday, July 2nd: One Westbound and Eastbound lane will be closed. A temporary crossover will be utilized on both sides of the intersection to shift traffic into the appropriate lanes.
Drivers should expect short-duration intermittent stoppages along 146th street and Allisonville Road, so the contractor can move materials and equipment within the work area. Please watch for flaggers within the construction zone and use extreme caution while driving through this construction zone.
The conservative political group Fishers One has endorsed a candidate in each township of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board at-large election in November.
In Delaware Township, Greg Lannan is the group’s endorsed candidate. He faces Latrica Schooley.
In Fall Creek Township, former HSE Board member Terry Tolle is the endorsed candidate. He faces incumbent Suzanne Thomas.
In Wayne Township, John Stewart has the group’s endorsement. He is opposed by incumbent Sarah Parks-Reese.
In this at-large election, each candidate must reside within the township but all voters in the HSE District vote in each township race.
Fishers One endorsed the winning candidates in the 2022 HSE School Board district election.
(NOTE: Greg Lannan & I share the same last name and are distant cousins. We did not know each other until a few years ago)
