Kids can explore Fishers’ fleet of big rigs, including tractors, snowplows, police cars, and fire trucks at the free Touch-A-Truck event on Tuesday, May 16 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (6 Municipal Drive). Enjoy live demonstrations from Fishers Department of Public Works, Fishers Fire Department, and the Fishers Police Department, including extractions, K-9 exercises, and road paving, as well as kids’ activities from Fishers Parks and food vendors.
Fishers Police completed an extensive investigation that led to charges of theft and fraud related to what investigators say was a rental scam.
Megan Stoner, 25, from Elwood, faces felony charges of theft, fraud and corrupt business influence.
Here is how Fishers Police described the situation:
“In the Fall of 2021, the Fishers Police Department launched an investigation into a possible rental home scheme. The scheme involved a female misrepresenting herself as the owner of a home in Fishers. The suspect allegedly scammed three victims into signing a lease agreement and giving her money as their deposit and first month’s rent. The suspect never provided keys or access to the residence.”
Officers issued an arrest warrant in late April and the suspect turned herself into authorities the next day.
Jennifer Kehl has been the Fishers City Clerk since Fishers switched from being a town to a city. Ms. Kehl will be on the Republican general election ballot in November, defeating political newcomer Rachel Segars.
With all precincts reporting, Kehl received 1,766 votes (68%) and Segars had 820 votes (32%).
Both women have spouses well known in Fishers. Jennifer Kehl’s husband is George Kehl, the long-time Fishers Chief of Police before retiring from that post. Rachel Segars is married to current Fishers City Councilor Pete Peterson.
Kehl will face Democrat Janet Pritchett in November.
In nearby communities, Sue Finkam won the GOP mayoral primary election in Carmel. She faces Democrat Miles Nelson in November. Scott Willis won the Republican mayoral primary in Westfield. No Democrat has filed a candidacy for Westfield mayor in the fall election.
My experience covering emergency services in my journalism career has shown me that people working as firefighters and emergency services are some of the most physically-fit people I have observed as a group. However, those working in fire & EMS fields are exposed to hazards that can be harmful to one’s health.
As a result, the City of Fishers has announced a special cancer screening process for Fire & EMS employees.
Below is the announcement, as issued by the City of Fishers:
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Fishers Fire and Emergency Services, Community Health Network and GRAIL have united to address the increased risk of cancer in firefighters. The partnership will provide Fishers’ fire men and women access to the Galleri test, an early detection cancer screen. The groundbreaking blood test can detect a signal for over 50 types of cancer before symptoms have appeared, including many that have no recommended screening. 141 department members, out of 155, are participating in the screening. Firefighters are at a higher risk of developing cancer due to carcinogen exposure in their line of work. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firefighters are twice as likely to develop certain types of cancer compared to the general population. This increased risk is due to exposure to smoke, soot, and other chemicals during fires and other emergency incidents.Early detection of cancer is crucial for effective treatment and increased chances of survival and the Galleri test added to recommended screenings, provides a proactive approach. Department Chief Steven Orusa said, “Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our community. It is important we take care of them by providing access to the latest cancer screening technology. The Galleri test is an important tool in our efforts to protect the health and well-being of our firefighters, so they can continue to take care of our community.”The tests are being provided to Fishers firefighters through a partnership with Community Health Network. Visit galleri.com to learn more and review Important Safety Information.“This screening event is significant because firefighters have such a high risk when it comes to exposures, predisposing them to developing cancer throughout their lifetime.,” said Dr. Patrick McGill, Chief Transformation officer for Community Health Network. “It also shows the power that partnerships can have in promoting healthier outcomes.”
When Scott Fadness assumed the office of Fishers’ mayor in 2015, one of his first initiatives was to improve mental health. In 2023, this continues to be a major emphasis for his administrations.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the city has announced a partnership with the firm CredibleMind in a revamped Stigma Free Fishers campaign.
“StigmaFree Fishers has raised awareness on mental health supported residents in crisis. The Fishers Health Department is committed to ensuring residents know how to care for their mental health and where to access more resources,” said Monica Heltz, Director of the Fishers Health Department, in a city news release. “The CredibleMind platform will give residents free, research-based access to tools dedicated specifically to mental health that will ultimately provide a preventative approach to health and wellness in Fishers.”
The new partnership with CredibleMind is part of a month-long series of events in Fishers for Mental Health Awareness in May. Below is a full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:
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New CredibleMind Wellness ResourceThe revamped StigmaFreeFishers.com, powered by CredibleMind, is a free online service for residents offering access to mental health education, resources, and assessments. Fully confidential and available 24/7, the online platform allows access to thousands of evidence-based resources, all reviewed by both experts and users for a highly personalized experience. Combined with scientifically validated assessments, expert-written articles, and thousands of resources including videos, apps, podcasts and books, users can find information to help them make positive improvements no matter what their learning style. Residents who create an account and complete the Mental Health Check-In Assessment by May 15 will be entered to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Get started at StigmaFreeFishers.com. The Forgiving Sea Project Exhibit open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.| Hamilton County Community Foundation Collaboration Hub (11810 Technology Drive) | Free The Forgiving Sea Project, a nonprofit multi-media collaboration from Indianapolis artist Carolyn Springer and composer Joseph Lamm, funded by the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission, will provide an interactive art installation at Hamilton County Community Foundation Collaboration Hub and four public events throughout the month. Learn more at ThisisFishers.com/MentalHealthMonth.
Fishers Parks’ Free Yoga Classes Wednesdays, May 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 | 9 – 10 a.m. | Billericay Park (May 31 class is at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater) Saturdays, May 6, 13, 20 & 27 at the Fishers Farmers Market | 8 – 9 a.m. | Nickel Plate District Amphitheater (6 Municipal Drive) Thursday, May 18 | 5 – 6 p.m. | Fishers AgriPark (11171 Florida Road) Fishers Parks is expanding its free yoga program with opportunities throughout the week at Billericay Park, the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater during the Fishers Farmers Market and at Yoga on the Farm at the Fishers AgriPark. No registration is required for any session. Learn more at playfishers.com. Hope for Happiness Saturday, May 13 | 8 a.m. – noon | Nickel Plate District Amphitheater Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern High Schools’ Bring Change to Mind clubs will host the annual Hope for Happiness event at the Fishers Farmers Market in partnership with The City of Fishers and Fishers Health Department. Stop by the free, family-friendly event to help raise awareness about mental health and the City’s Stigma Free Fishers initiative, participate in mental health activities, find resources from local mental healthcare providers, and more. Learn more at ThisisFishers.com/MentalHealthMonth. Fishers Parks’ Wednesday Walk Wednesday, May 17 | 9 – 10 a.m. | Holland Park (1 Park Drive) Enjoy ecotherapy in nature with a walk with the Fishers Parks’ team to learn more about the parks department. Wednesday Walks will be offered monthly at rotating parks around Fishers. Learn more at playfishers.com. Fishers Parks Storywalk Throughout the month | Billericay Park (12690 Promise Road) During Mental Health Awareness Month, the self-guided Storywalk hike features the children’s book The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld. Visit playfishers.com/Storywalk to learn more. Take the Pledge Residents are encouraged to take the pledge to learn more about mental health and share their pledges on social media using the hashtag #StigmaFreeFishers. Residents can take the pledge virtually at ThisisFishers.com/MentalHealthMonth.
A lot of time has passed, but I believe the year was 1970. I had my first full-time radio announcing job at WIFN, 95.9 FM, in Franklin, Indiana (a station that no longer exists).
WIFN tried to be a local station. One of my first assignments outside the studio was working a remote broadcast from a local nonprofit organization fish fry. My job was to talk with people there and encourage locals to support the fish fry.
Let’s just say I had my baptism of fire. This was my first such assignment. I stumbled around and essentially made a fool of myself trying to handle this remote broadcast. I sounded like a rookie.
The person at the controls back at the station was an experienced radio hand that intervened and struck up a two-way conversation with me, sensing I was in trouble. Jim Walsh worked part-time but had worked in radio a while and knew what he was doing.
By striking up a conversation with me in the remote trailer and himself in the studio, he essentially saved my broadcast career. Before his intervention, I was ready to move on to another profession.
I hooked up with Jim many years later when he was working to organize a public radio station, or “community radio,” as Jim liked to describe the concept. I joked with him that he was responsible for me working in the broadcast business for 14 years, for better or worse. Had he not bailed me out in 1970, there is no telling where my radio career would have ended up.
I helped Jim as a volunteer to get that community radio station started. It became what is now known as WITT, 91.9 FM. It happened because Jim put people together and made it happen. It took many years, but he got it done.
I discovered on a Facebook page devoted to local radio that Jim Walsh died days ago. John Rabold wrote a tribute to Jim on that Facebook page. Here is part of what John wrote:
“Jim rarely had a frown. Always smiling. We always loved it when he would arrive at Skyline Chili when the radio group met every Friday. He LOVED local radio. What the corporation stations were doing, Jim did the opposite. So opposite it was Unpredictable.”
“Jim was a devoted husband, father, family man, friend and radio geek. His voice would light up when I would call him.”
I had the same experience when calling Jim. His voice would light up and the conversation was special.
Jim Walsh left his mark on our local community by heading-up the effort to create a community radio station. It was because of Jim Walsh that WITT radio is still on the air.
I will remember Jim for his friendly attitude, the help he gave me as a struggling new broadcaster and I will never forget that big, wide smile.
If there is radio in heaven, Jim is part of it. May his soul rest in peace.
It’s another long list of road work in and around Fishers for the work week starting Monday, May 1st.
Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:
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To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com. STATE ROAD 37 AND 141ST STREETA pre-construction phase at SR 37 & 141st Street is currently in place. During this phase, 141st Street will be a Right-In-Right-Out (RIRO) traffic configuration. This is not the permanent configuration. This will allow for traffic to flow more freely along SR 37 until the next phases of construction can be activated. This will eliminate backups along SR 37 that have caused dangerous stops to the free flow traffic and backups on the 146th Street interchange. Again, this is not the permanent configuration for 141st Street. The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Summer of 2023. View detour routes here.
To learn more about the Clear Path Improvement Project and sign up to receive text and email updates, visit clearpath465.com I-465 & I-69Drivers will see an increase in construction along the I-69 corridor in the coming months. This work will focus on reconfiguring the interchange at I-465 and I-69. New ramps will provide direct movements from eastbound I-465 and northbound I-465 to northbound I-69. Binford Blvd. will also be reconstructed to separate local traffic from traffic entering and exiting I-69 and I-465. Access to I-69 from Binford Blvd. will remain open. Drivers can expect to see significant activity on I-69 at the 82nd Street interchange.The ramp from I-69 North to 82nd Street and the ramp from 82nd Street to I-69 North is currently closed through late 2023. For detour routes and additional project information, visit clearpath465.com
To learn more about the Nickel Plate Trail, view the Capital Project Dashboard here.NICKEL PLATE TRAILThe City of Fishers is working on the completion of the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail. The remaining paving work from 96th Street to 106th Street is underway, and construction crews are currently working to clear and prep the area for paving. In the coming weeks, construction crews will begin the paving process.
There are daily lane closures currently on Cumberland Road, just south of 126th Street for sanitary and water line work. The northbound right turn lane and the southbound passing blister will be closed.
Beginning on Monday, May 1, Willow View Road will be closed just north of 96th Street for the installation of a water line and is anticipated to reopen by end of day on Tuesday, May 2. View map here. 2023 RESURFACING PROJECT
There are a couple of important news items about the Hamilton East Public Library, which runs both the Noblesville and Fishers public library buildings.
First, construction on the Fishers structure is entering a new phase. The library and Ignite studio will both close Thursday, May 4 & Friday, May 5.
A very big change will happen Saturday, May 6. The main entrance to the building will move from the long-time main doors at the south entrance and move to the newly constructed north entrance. The parking lot will move to the north entrance as well.
The previous main entrance and parking lot on the south end of the building will close as of May 6. Due dates will be extended as a result of these changes.
Secondly, IndyStar reporter Rachel Fradette has a story posted online Friday about major changes to the teen and young adult selections at the Hamilton East Libraries. You can read her story at this link. WISH-TV has a story about protests at the Thursday library board meeting at this link.
The Fishers Fifty Club is all about supporting local police officers and firefighters, particularly in the event of duty-related disability or death. But the club took time Thursday evening to honor police & fire employees often working behind the scenes.
An awards ceremony held at Knowledge Services recognized one worker each from the police and fire departments.
Fishers Sergeant Angela Ellison was the Unsung Hero award winner on the police side. Sgt. Ellison began her law enforcement career as a patrol officer in 1996. She has since served as a training officer, winning a number of awards. She has debriefed agencies around Indiana in the aftermath of difficult situations. She is very involved in the subject of mental health.
From the Fishers Fire Department, the Unsung Hero Award winner is Captain Neil Sullivan. He has been with the department 15 years, serving in both fire and emergency services. His “behind the scenes” work includes time with the Safety and Training Division. Cpt. Sullivan is known to take new recruits under his wing, providing important one-on-one instruction.
Congratulations to Angela Ellison and Neil Sullivan, winners of the Fifty Club of Fishers Unsung Hero Award.
A new office building on Municipal Drive in Fishers received approval for one waiver from the Nickel Plate Review Committee Wednesday, but a second waiver was assigned to the city staff to work with the Keystone Group and its architect, Rottman Collier, to iron out the other waiver request.
The proposed AMP West office building, to be constructed next to the existing Flexware office complex, received approval for a waiver of the Nickel Plate Code for its façade masonry, but Fishers Planning and Zoning staff was asked to work with the developer on its request for metal ribbed paneling to be used as a material, proposed at 23.1% of the structure’s exterior.
Several members of the committee commented on the contrasting colors for the outside of the building and the architects appeared willing to work on that with the city.
The purpose of the Nickel Plate Review Committee is to aid in the review and approval of projects within the city-created Nickel Plate District and the City Center Residential Zoning District, per the Nickel Plate Code.
In another matter before the committee, the city staff explained a proposal to expand the Nickel Plate District into the Northeast Commerce Park. The tech park includes such operations at Launch Fishers, DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics, the Indiana IOT Lab and the Hamilton County Community Foundation.
The proposed expansion received first reading from the Fishers City Council. The city staff will conduct a virtual town hall with the businesses in the Northeast Commerce Park. The Fishers Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on the plan, then the City Council will vote on the measure.
