An increase in hospital admissions has resulted in the Fishers Health Department COVID-19 Community Level remaining in the medium level.  That’s according to an update provided to the Fishers City Council in advance of the Monday council session.

Local wastewater surveillance shows fluctuating but decreasing COVID-19 rates.  Health department officials say this wastewater data appear to track cases at a 14-day average.

Vaccine and testing demand remains steady. FHD still administers roughly 390 COVID vaccines and 260 tests weekly.

As to the Monkeypox outbreak, the department says there are no confirmed cases in Fishers so far, “but is likely to occur soon. Emergency response plans are drafted and being adjusted as guidance changes.  FHD has limited testing supplies but many labs including LabCorp and Quest also have capability. FHD has received Jynneos vaccine.”:

For more local health information, go to the Fishers Health Department  Web site at this link. 

If you listened to my podcast with Jake Reardon McSoley and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness last week, or read my story based on that podcast posted August 8, the mayor talked about some big economic development projects to be put before the City Council.

The REV mixed-use development, including some condos expected to sell for $1 million, just west of the Nickel Plate Trail along 116th Street, has been announced, projected to be a $35 million investment, and that economic development agreement will be before the City Council Monday night.

However, the mayor also said more projects were to be announced and placed before the council Monday, with a total of a quarter-of-a-billion-dollars in investment within our city.  (Note, I got the dollar amount wrong on my original story and corrected it later…dangers of journalists doing math).  Fadness described one upcoming project as “downright cool.”

City officials tell me the announcement of those, so far unannounced,  projects has been delayed.  There is no indication at this point that the projects are not going to happen, the announcement and council action on these projects have apparently been been put off.

So, it appears we will need to wait a little longer to learn of what the mayor describes as a “downright cool” plan and additional development announcements.

STATE ROAD 37 AND 146TH STREET
All left-turn lanes are currently restricted on SR 37 and on 146th Street with traffic moved to the interior lanes. Thru traffic and right turns on SR 37 and 146th Street will remain open. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes for all left turn access. View an alternate route map here.  

On Saturday, August 13 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., there will be single lane restrictions in place for westbound and eastbound 146th Street to form the curb and gutter along the pavement edge.

On Monday, August 15 and Tuesday, August 16 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., there will be single lane restrictions in place for westbound and eastbound 146th Street to pour the curb and gutter. 

On Monday, August 15 thru Friday, August 19, there will be single lane restrictions for northbound and southbound SR 37 and eastbound and westbound 146th Street for milling and resurfacing of the ramps and 146th Street. 

STATE ROAD 37 AND 131ST/135TH STREET
135th Street, west of SR 37, is currently closed as work progresses on the project. SR 37 will remain open both northbound and southbound and allow right in/right out access at 131st Street. View the detour map here.  

Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.

The inside lane of the Technology Drive is currently closed to traffic to allow for construction of new pavement in the inside lane.  One-way traffic will be in place in the outside lane as shown here.  Access to all businesses will be maintained during the construction.

On Monday, August 15 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., there will be single lane restrictions on northbound and southbound Commercial Drive from 116th Street to Technology Way while repairs are made to business aprons. 

On Tuesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 17 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., Fishers Corner Blvd. will be closed for asphalt patching from Commercial Drive to the McDonalds entrance/exit.

On Sunday, August 14 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., eastbound Fall Creek Road will be closed from Brooks School Road to Bridgewater Road for strip patching. Barricades will be in place to prevent eastbound traffic.

On Tuesday, August 16 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., there will be single lane restrictions in place for westbound 116th Street at Hague Road for installation of a wood guardrail. 

On Thursday, August 18 and Friday, August 19, the right turn lane in front of the First Internet Bank will be restricted between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the replacement of concrete sidewalk panels. 

Comcast will have daily lane restrictions in place on westbound 116th Street between Cameron Drive and Allisonville Road and northbound Allisonville Road between 116th Street to the Kroger signal for overhead work. Restrictions will be in place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

ADA ramp and curb reconstruction has started taking place in Brookston Place and Valleys at Geist as part of the 2022 Resurfacing Project. Homeowners will be notified via door hangers prior to any curb reconstruction near their home. After ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed, those areas will be restored with topsoil and seed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the seed for the seed to germinate. Prior to road resurfacing, residents will be notified via street signage for street parking restrictions.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools released results of the 2021/2022 iRead3 testing and say third grade students at HSE were among the highest in the state for reading, evaluation and determination.

The IREAD-3 assessment was given to 1,545 third grade students across the district’s 13 elementary schools.  According to the results released on Wednesday by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), 94% of HSE students have mastered foundational reading skills by the end of third grade.

“As we continue to make strides in core academic subjects, it is important to remember our students are more than a test score,” said Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Stokes in an HSE Schools news release. “Our teachers and staff work diligently every day to ensure our students are well-rounded, innovative thinkers capable of meeting the demands of an ever-changing world community.”

Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ IREAD-3 scores ranked second in the state among districts in the top 10% in enrollment and was the highest scoring in Hamilton County.

The school district says students in seven of the district’s 13 elementary schools scored 95% or higher in the iRead-3 testing.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Superintendent Yvonne Stokes provided a defense of the district’s curriculum at the end of Wednesday night’s school board meeting, saying HSE Schools “have not, shall not, will not, and we do not support the teaching of Critical Race Theory, or, what some call CRT.  Public schools have been the target of such claims for several months now.  With classes back in session, unfortunately, it appears that this narrative is once again being shared. ”

Dr. Stokes described one particular course, “Ethnic Studies.”  This is a class mandated to be offered as an elective by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), according to the superintendent, and is not required for graduation.

“Part of the curriculum, mandated by the state of Indiana, for this specific course, is that students explore ways that race, and racism, have impacted people’s lives,” Dr. Stokes said.  “We do this by exposing students to different voices and authors who share their various experiences with race and students are taught the true history of world in which we live.  We encourage students to celebrate their identity and honor others’ identity as part of this upper-level elective course.  Keep in mind that not all classes are designed for every student.”

Parents are encouraged to reach out to individual teachers and school administrators with any questions about the instruction provided to their students.

“So, once again, and I just want to reiterate, that there is language out there and claims we are teaching CRT and we are not condoning any teaching of CRT,” Dr. Stokes said.

Stephanie Loane has been the central office administrator for elementary education for many years at Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, but Dr. Loane is preparing to retire.

The HSE School Board voted to appoint Danielle Fetters Thompson to replace Dr. Loane at Wednesday night’s board meeting.

Fetters Thompson has been the principal at Lantern Road Elementary since 2004, an “A” rated school by the Indiana Department of Education. She has also served as a representative for various district-level committees and projects, such as student handbook, redistricting, enrollment and staff bargaining.

“Danielle Fetters Thompson has more than two decades of administrative experience, and she knows this district and the students we serve, said Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Stokes in an HSE Schools news release. “I am confident she will excel in her new role and will help advance student learning and achievement.”

Fetters Thompson will assume her new role with HSE Schools once a replacement is named at Lantern Road.

I believe this is true – I’ve written this blog for over ten years and every year I have encouraged local residents to pay attention during the budget process.  I realize the numbing numbers attached can put many of us to sleep.  But city budgets provide a set of priorities established by our elected officials.  The mayor proposes and the City Council provides final approval to each year’s spending plan.

It is good to see that Fishers is making an effort to let citizens know about the major meetings involved in the 2023 budget,  The first meeting was the City Council Finance Committee session August 10th.  It is already too late for that, but the public will have plenty of opportunities ahead.

Below is a listing of budget-related meetings coming-up.  This is your city, your tax money and your local budget.  It is also your chance to get involved.

Below is the city’s list of upcoming budget meetings.  Remember City Hall is now vacated, preparing for the reconstruction.  So, check for the locations if you plan to attend any of these meetings:

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Special Finance Committee Meeting
August 24 at 1p.m.
Pavilion Conference Room (10 Municipal Dr., Fishers)
Presentation of the proposed 2023 City Budget

Special Finance Committee Meeting
September 8 at 8:30 a.m.
Pavilion Conference Room (10 Municipal Dr., Fishers)
Presentation of 2023 departmental budgets by department directors

Finance Committee Meeting
September 14 at 5 p.m.
Pavilion Conference Room (10 Municipal Dr., Fishers)
Committee and city staff discuss 2023 capital items and debt

City Council Meeting
September 19 at 7 p.m.
Launch Fishers (12175 Visionary Way, Fishers; Huston Theater)
Presentation of 2023 budget, 1^st reading, Public Hearing

City Council Meeting
October 10 at 7 p.m.
Launch Fishers (12175 Visionary Way, Fishers; Huston Theater)
City Councilmembers conduct the final vote and adoption of the 2023 budget

The name Kincaid is synonymous with Fishers.  Many are familiar with Kincaid’s Meat Market locally and the historic Kincaid House.   As part of the Sesquicentennial Series in conjunction with the City of Fishers, Fishers PR Director Ashley Elrod joins me in a discussion with Gail and Randy Kincaid.  We talk about the Kincaid House and the importance of agriculture to Fishers before it was a large suburb of Indy.  Listen to the podcast at the link below.

Holland Park will soon have 6 new pickleball courts, following action Tuesday morning by the Fishers Board of Public Works & Safety.  Parks and Recreation Department Director Sarah Sandquist says the courts should be ready by the end of October.  Charles C. Brandt Construction will build the project for $395,000, with the funds coming from the 2022 budget.  The courts will be located south of the soccer fields.

In other matters before the board:

–Tabatha Miller of the city Fleet Management department received approval to spend up to $811,000 on up to 20 Police Interceptor SUV vehicles.  Miller told the board her department missed vehicles available in January because they sold quickly and does not want that to happen again.

–A professional service agreement totaling $349,930.00 was given board approval to construct a roundabout at 96th Street and Cyntheanne Road.  Construction on that project is scheduled for summer of 2025.

–Fishers Police Sergeant Eric Patton is retiring, and the board voted to allow him to keep his firearm, as has been the tradition.

–The board approved an agreement with the Fishers YMCA establishing a trail connection with the Nickel Plate Trail.

–The board declared as surplus office furniture as City Hall prepared to be demolished.  These items will be donated to Office Works.  Some examples include cubicles, bookshelves, conference tables and even the podium used in City Council chambers.

–This was the first Board of Works meeting held outside City Hall in many years.  The meetings are being conducted in the City Courtroom at the City Services Building.

It appears Metazoa Brewing will not be building a new facility at 116th Street and Allisonville Road as previously announced, citing rising costs of construction.

John Tuohy of the Indianapolis Star, in a piece posted on the IndyStar Web site early August 9th, reports that both Metazoa and the City of Fishers are starting from scratch on where they go from here.

You can read the story at this link. (Note: Your access to IndyStar stories may be limited if you are not a subscriber.  Let me repeat once again, local reporting needs financial support….subscribe to your local media)