From Fishers Police and Fire crews:

Indiana voters will be asked this fall to change a guarantee that has been in the state constitution since 1851: the right to bail for anyone charged with a crime other than murder or treason.

Public Question 1 will appear at the top of the Nov. 3 ballot. It asks: “Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to provide that a person charged with an offense other than murder or treason is not entitled to bail if: (1) the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and (2) the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community.”

The measure began as Senate Joint Resolution 1, authored by Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford. Because Indiana requires constitutional amendments to pass two separately elected legislatures, the resolution cleared the General Assembly once in 2023 and again this year — 43-2 in the Senate in January and 75-11 in the House in February. A companion bill set the ballot wording.

The case for

Koch has framed the amendment as “a great step toward ensuring our communities are protected.” Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers, argued during House debate that “liberty is the norm, but detention is permitted when the risk is extraordinary and demonstrative.”

Supporters emphasize that the burden stays on the state, and at a higher level than the probable-cause standard used for most pretrial decisions. Prosecutors would have to show by clear and convincing evidence that no combination of release conditions would keep the public safe.

The case against

Writing in the Indiana Lawyer, Nicole Salet, a J.D. candidate at the IU Maurer School of Law, argues the amendment amounts to preventive detention and “strips us of a fundamental constitutional right.”

Salet’s commentary offers a hypothetical: a 19-year-old arrested on a Friday for shoplifting a $100 item. Under Indiana Criminal Rule 26, he could post a nominal bond and be home that night. Under SJR 1, prosecutors could move to deny bail, starting a 48-hour clock that excludes weekends — and with a three-day state continuance, she calculates he could spend 10 nights in jail before any judge ever finds him dangerous.

She also faults the ballot language, citing readability indexes that score the question at a college-junior reading level, and objecting that the word “provide” makes a measure that removes a right sound like one that grants something.

Democratic lawmakers raised similar concerns. Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, said the bill would let judges jail people based not on what they have done but on who they are. Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, questioned the leeway judges would have in weighing dangerousness. Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, D-Fishers, pressed on whether voters could understand the question they will be asked.

Portions of this story are drawn from a Viewpoint commentary by Nicole Salet published in the Indiana Lawyer.

Fishers motorists should prepare for several construction-related closures, detours and lane restrictions during the coming week.

The most significant local impact remains on 136th Street, which is closed to through traffic between Southeastern Parkway and Prairie Baptist Road as the widening project enters Phase 2. Drivers should follow the posted detour using Southeastern Parkway and Prairie Baptist Road.

Traffic also remains restricted at 116th Street and Allisonville Road. The west leg of Fishers Crossing Boulevard is closed at Allisonville Road, and sidewalks within the project area are unavailable. Businesses remain open and can be reached through alternate entrances.

Lane restrictions will continue on USA Parkway north of 106th Street through October. Drivers may also encounter restrictions near the Southeastern Parkway and Olio Road roundabout and at 131st Street and Brooks School Road, where utility relocation is underway.

Cumberland Road restrictions include utility work between 106th and 116th streets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., along with bridge preservation work south of 116th Street. Meanwhile, the intersection of 96th Street and Cyntheanne Road has reopened in all directions, although crews may return for final work.

Regional travelers should expect major weekend delays on I-465 and I-69. Westbound I-465 is scheduled to be reduced to one lane between I-69 and the White River from Friday night through Sunday evening, with several connecting ramps also closing temporarily.

All schedules are weather-dependent. Drivers should follow posted signs, watch for workers and allow extra travel time.

Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Road construction weekly report, starting Sunday, August 17 →

Flooding closed three Fishers roads and several city parks as record-breaking water levels on the White River disrupted travel and canceled events across Hamilton County.

In a joint update issued at 7:35 p.m. Friday, Fishers public safety officials reported closures on Florida Road between Geist Ridge Drive and Bowline Road, Trails End Drive and Wahpihani Drive. Officials said 113th Street had reopened between Atlantic Road and Southeastern Parkway.

The multiuse trail along Florida Road south of the Fall Creek bridge was also closed earlier. No reopening announcement for the trail had been posted as of early Saturday.

Fishers Parks closed Fishers White River Park, Fishers AgriPark, Geist Waterfront Park, Cumberland Park and Hamilton Proper Park on Friday. Friday night’s Park After Dark event at Geist Waterfront Park was canceled. The department had not announced whether those parks would reopen Saturday.

At Mud Creek in Fishers, the National Weather Service recorded a level of 7.42 feet at 5:45 a.m. Saturday. Minor flood stage is 7 feet. At 7.5 feet, water begins affecting Cumberland Park’s road and parking area.

Despite the flooding, the Fishers Farmers Market remained listed for 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. No cancellation had been posted by Fishers Parks as of approximately 7:15 a.m. Visitors should check for a last-minute update before leaving.

Conditions were substantially worse in Noblesville, where the White River reached a record 24.45 feet at 5:45 a.m. Saturday. That was 0.65 feet above the previous record of 23.80 feet set in March 1913 and more than two feet above the 22-foot threshold for major flooding.

The latest federal forecast called for the river to reach approximately 24.60 feet. Residents can follow the National Weather Service gauge for updated observations.

Floodwater covered portions of downtown Noblesville, State Road 19 and nearby businesses. Voluntary evacuations began Friday in the Riverwood area north of the city. Noblesville Police urged residents to remain home unless travel was necessary after officers encountered motorists attempting to enter flooded areas.

Saturday’s Noblesville Main Street Farmers Market and the Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press concert at Federal Hill Commons were canceled.

Hamilton County’s flood-road log contained dozens of closures throughout Noblesville, Carmel, Strawtown, Cicero, Arcadia and Atlanta. Major affected routes included sections of State Roads 13, 19, 37 and 213, along with River Road, Allisonville Road, 116th Street, 122nd Street and numerous roads between 206th and 296th streets.

Some roads, including 113th Street in Fishers, had reopened. Motorists should consult the county’s live closure list and map immediately before traveling because conditions are changing.

Hamilton County Parks also closed Geist Park, Potter’s Bridge Park and its canoe launch, several other canoe access points, portions of Cool Creek Park and parking areas at Strawtown Koteewi Park. White River Campground will remain closed through Monday, with officials planning to reassess conditions Tuesday.

Fishers public safety officials said Hamilton County remained under a Flood Warning through 2 p.m. Sunday. A separate National Weather Service warning was in effect Saturday morning.

Officials cautioned residents never to drive, walk or bicycle through floodwater or around barricades. Water depth can be difficult to judge, and flooded pavement may be damaged or missing.

Court records show the firm’s Indiana branch raised more than $30 million. None of the roughly 2,400 victims has been repaid.

A federal judge in Atlanta sentenced the founder of Drive Planning LLC to 20 years in prison Friday — the maximum allowed by law — for running what prosecutors call likely the largest Ponzi scheme in Georgia history, one that reached Hoosier families through a Fishers coworking office.

Todd Burkhalter, 55, of St. Petersburg, Florida, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson ordered him to pay $233,777,763.82 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. More than 2,000 investors lost roughly $380 million.

“Todd Burkhalter lured investors to send millions of dollars to Drive Planning for investments that he knew didn’t actually exist,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said. “He ruthlessly encouraged them to deplete their kids’ college funds, take early distributions from retirement accounts, and borrow significant sums at high interest rates.”

Rather than fund real estate deals, prosecutors said, Burkhalter paid earlier investors and himself: $2.1 million for a Cabo San Lucas condo, $2 million for a yacht, $800,000 for vehicles and millions on private jets.

Two deputies were sentenced days earlier. Chief Operating Officer David Bradford, 53, of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, got four years and three months and owes $4.3 million. Chief Administrative Officer Julie Edwards, 59, of Cumming, Georgia, got two years and owes $630,000.

The Indiana branch

Drive Planning operated from a coworking space at 8100 E. 106th St. in Fishers and had planned a building at 116th Street and Olio Road, WISH-TV reported.

The Securities and Exchange Commission identifies Indianapolis resident Gerardo “Gerry” Linarducci as the managing partner who ran that branch. Its December complaint alleges he personally raised more than $13 million and his sales team more than $30 million selling “Real Estate Acceleration Loans,” telling investors a 10% return was guaranteed and backed by collateral. Neither claim was true, the SEC says. Linarducci has not been criminally charged.

The court-appointed receiver reported in April that Linarducci bought an Indianapolis property worth about $1.9 million with investor money and is fighting to keep $7.8 million in commission debts from being erased by his Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Noblesville investors Patrick and Laura McLoughlin told WISH-TV they likely lost $250,000. “I thought I was going to get a 10% return every 90 days,” Patrick McLoughlin said. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Getting money back

The receiver held $69.1 million as of March 31 against roughly $220 million in documented losses. A claims process is in its appeals phase, and no distribution can occur until a judge approves a payout plan. Asset sales include Burkhalter’s yacht, the Live More, for $1.9 million.

The FBI asks anyone affected to file a report at forms.fbi.gov/driveplanning.

Posted Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, 5:27pm. This story supersedes earlier river forecasts — conditions have escalated sharply.

Hamilton County emergency officials are warning that flooding along the White River could break a record that has stood since 1913, and they are asking residents to store drinking water now in case clean water systems are compromised.

The White River stood at 22.85 feet Friday and is expected to crest near 24 feet around 8 p.m. Friday, the county said in a release. That is a sharp escalation from Friday morning, when officials expected a crest near 20 feet in the early hours of Saturday.

The county has not seen flooding of this magnitude since 1913, and officials said current projections could surpass that historic record.

Store water now

Hamilton County Emergency Operations is urging residents to put away potable water as a precaution. If floodwaters keep rising, the county warned, existing clean water systems could be compromised.

Officials recommend filling clean pots, jugs and other food-safe containers with tap water, filling a clean bathtub, and keeping bottled water on hand.

“This is a precaution, but it’s an important one,” said Chad Knecht, executive director of Hamilton County Emergency Operations. “This recommendation is being made in the event conditions worsen over the next 24 hours. It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

More evacuations possible

Several neighborhoods have already been evacuated, and the county said additional evacuations may be necessary over the next 24 hours.

Residents in flood-prone areas should prepare now and be ready to leave quickly if emergency personnel direct them to go. That includes having medications, documents, phone chargers and pet supplies gathered ahead of time rather than scrambling in the dark.

Roads and sandbags

More than 60 roads are now closed across Hamilton County because of flooding — up from roughly 50 Friday morning and about 30 on Thursday. The county said that number could keep climbing as water rises and more rain moves in.

County employees and volunteers have been filling sandbags around the clock at the Hamilton County Highway Department. Free sandbags are available first-come, first-served at the Household Hazardous Waste facility, 1717 Pleasant St. in Noblesville.

The county maintains a live list of flood-related closures at hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

Officials repeated their standing warning: avoid flooded areas, and never drive around barricades or through water covering a roadway.

Where Fishers stands

The Fishers area has fared better than the northern half of the county on the roads, but it is not untouched.

Five Luxhaven residents were evacuated Thursday night as Fall Creek rose into the neighborhood, and Fall Creek Township is housing them through the weekend, Trustee Doug Allman said. Allman called it the worst flooding he has seen in 40 years in the township.  Fishers closed roads include:

Fishers Parks closed five properties Friday — Fishers White River Park, Fishers AgriPark, Geist Waterfront Park, Cumberland Park and Hamilton Proper Park — and canceled Friday night’s Park After Dark event.

Hamilton County commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday morning, and an orange Travel Watch issued at 5:15 a.m. remains in effect, asking residents to limit driving to essential trips only.

With a crest now expected Friday evening rather than overnight, the next several hours are the critical window. Fill your containers before dark.

Five Luxhaven residents were evacuated Thursday night as Fall Creek pushed into the low-lying Fishers neighborhood, and Fall Creek Township is housing them through the weekend, Township Trustee Doug Allman said in a social media post Friday.

Allman said he went to Luxhaven Thursday night to see the flooding himself after hearing from residents there.

“This is the worst I have seen in my 40 years of living in Fall Creek,” Allman wrote. He said the flooding appears worse than the 2013 event, when an ice jam sent water into the neighborhood and caused significant damage.

No one has been hurt.

“I feel their heartache of potential property loss, but so far no loss of life or injury,” Allman wrote.

Who responded

Allman said the evacuations came together through calls with Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt, Hamilton County Emergency Management, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Fishers Fire and Emergency Services.

Fadness and the fire chief went to Luxhaven themselves and spoke with residents, according to Allman’s account.

The township is covering lodging for the evacuated residents through the weekend. Allman said his office will keep monitoring conditions and continue working with the City of Fishers and Hamilton County.

A neighborhood that knows high water

Luxhaven sits along Fall Creek in southeastern Fishers, one of the older and lower-lying pockets of the township. Allman, who has been trustee since January 2017, said the neighborhood is no stranger to rising water.

“Many of these residents have lived here for years and adjust to high water every so often,” he wrote. “But this is the worst I have seen.”

He added that he knows many of the families personally.

How to help — later

Allman asked residents wanting to pitch in to wait.

“I believe the opportunity for the public to help will come after the water goes down and the clean up and fix up start,” he wrote, closing the post with “Stay tuned.”

The wider picture

The Luxhaven evacuations came hours before Hamilton County commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday morning and the county issued an orange Travel Watch at 5:15 a.m., asking residents to limit driving to essential trips. More than 50 roads were closed countywide Friday morning.

Fishers Parks closed five properties Friday — Fishers White River Park, Fishers AgriPark, Geist Waterfront Park, Cumberland Park and Hamilton Proper Park — and canceled Friday night’s Park After Dark event at Geist Waterfront Park.

Most of the county’s worst flooding has been to the north, where the White River at Noblesville is forecast to crest near 20 feet early Saturday. But Luxhaven is a reminder that Fall Creek, not just the White River, runs through this community.

Township assistance

Fall Creek Township offers assistance with shelter and basic needs including utilities, medicine and food, and maintains 24-hour emergency assistance for residents who lose shelter. The trustee’s office is at 11595 Brooks School Road and can be reached at (317) 841-3180. An on-site food pantry operates Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents in flood-prone areas along Fall Creek should be prepared to leave on short notice, and should never drive through water covering a roadway.

Fishers Parks closed five properties Friday and canceled tonight’s Park After Dark event as Hamilton County commissioners declared a state of emergency and the White River pushed toward its highest level in years.

The city’s streets have held up better than most of central Indiana this week, but there are closures. Its parks — many of them sitting on the water — have not.

Fishers parks closed Friday

Fishers Parks announced the closures Friday morning, citing the travel advisory, flooding and road closures across the city and county. Closed for the day:

• Fishers White River Park, 5650 White River Park Drive
• Fishers AgriPark, 11171 Florida Road
• Geist Waterfront Park, 10811 Olio Road
• Cumberland Park, 10580 Cumberland Road
• Hamilton Proper Park, 10525 Hoosier Road

Tonight’s Park After Dark, the 21-and-over evening event at Geist Waterfront Park, has been canceled.

Separately, Hamilton County Parks has closed Potter’s Bridge Park, Cool Creek Park and Geist Park — a separate county property, also on Olio Road.

Other Fishers events remain on the calendar as of Friday morning, including this evening’s Second Friday Gallery Hop at City Hall and Saturday’s Fishers Farmers Market at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Check before you go — this is moving fast.

The county emergency

Hamilton County issued an orange Travel Watch at 5:15 a.m. Friday, the middle tier of Indiana’s three-level travel advisory system. It asks residents to limit driving to essential trips only: work, medical needs and emergencies. More than 50 roads were closed countywide Friday morning, up from roughly 30 a day earlier.

“Please stay away from high water and never drive around barricades or through a flooded roadway,” said Ryan Tennessen, deputy director of Hamilton County Emergency Management.

The county’s Emergency Operations Center is activated, and the sheriff’s office has already performed several water rescues.

On the roads in Fishers

City road flooding has stayed limited. During Wednesday’s storms, the only Fishers closure was a stretch of 106th Street that floods because of a nearby creek.  However, that changed later.

The National Weather Service measured 1.58 to 2.05 inches in the Fishers area during the Aug. 11-13 event, against 4.12 inches near Noblesville and about 3.50 inches around Carmel. County figures put Fishers closer to 3.21 inches from early Tuesday through Thursday.

The river

The White River gauge at Logan Street in Noblesville read 18.85 feet at 6:30 a.m. Friday. The National Weather Service expects a crest near 20 feet around 2 a.m. Saturday. The river normally runs about 4 feet there. It hit 10 feet Wednesday and 13.5 feet Thursday afternoon.

A Flood Warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16.

North of us

Noblesville and northern Hamilton County have absorbed the brunt. Low-lying neighborhoods including Riverwood, Clare, Strawtown, Riverbend and Trails End have been told to be ready to evacuate on short notice. Noblesville Schools closed Friday.

State Road 37 north of State Road 32 is closed, as is State Road 19 between Logan Street and Field Drive. Sections of state roads 13 and 213 are shut, along with U.S. 31 near Tipton.

Farther north the strain is worse. The Jackson Township Fire Department building has flooded and a wastewater facility along S.R. 19 in Atlanta is offline. Arcadia, Atlanta, Jackson Township and White River Township all report significant impacts.

Hamilton County Parks evacuated White River Campground in Cicero on Wednesday, clearing about 100 campsites and closing the gates by 5 p.m. It stays closed through Monday, Aug. 17, with refund information going to affected guests.

“The levels will peak Friday even though it might be sunny out,” said Chris Stice, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation director. “Conditions for White River is unsafe.”

Resources

Free sandbags are available first-come at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1717 Pleasant St. in Noblesville. Residents handle their own loading, hauling and disposal.

Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency Thursday, effective 30 days, mobilizing state agencies after severe storms and flooding swept Indiana.

The county keeps a live list of flood-related road closures at hamiltoncounty.in.gov.

If you find water over a roadway, turn around. It takes very little depth to float a vehicle, and the pavement underneath may already be gone.

Hamilton County officials are urging residents to avoid flooded areas and limit travel as more rain threatens to worsen conditions.

The Hamilton County Commissioners have declared a state of emergency as worsening flooding closes more than 30 roads and strains public safety resources across the northern part of the county.

Major closures include State Road 37 north of State Road 32 in Noblesville and State Road 19 between Logan Street and Field Drive. U.S. 31 is also closed near Tipton.

“Declaring a State of Emergency gives us the ability to respond quickly, coordinate resources, and get help where it’s needed most,” Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger said. “Our priority right now is keeping people safe and supporting the communities being hit hardest.”

Officials said flooding is creating significant challenges in Atlanta, Arcadia, Jackson Township and White River Township. The Jackson Township Fire Department has flooded, and a wastewater substation along State Road 19 in Atlanta is out of service.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has responded to multiple water rescues. Residents are being asked to follow instructions from law enforcement officers and public safety personnel throughout the emergency.

Hamilton County has also upgraded its travel status to a Travel Watch, meaning conditions threaten public safety. Only essential travel, such as traveling to and from work or during an emergency, is recommended.

“Please stay away from areas of high water and never drive around barricades or through a closed or flooded roadway,” Hamilton County Emergency Management Deputy Director Ryan Tennessen said. “More rain is coming, and conditions can change quickly. We need people in areas prone to flooding to be prepared to leave and not wait until the water is at their door.”

Communities north of Hamilton County received as much as 3 additional inches of rain overnight, sending more water downstream into already elevated rivers.

The White River is expected to reach approximately 18.8 feet Friday morning and crest near 20 feet around 2 a.m. Saturday. Emergency officials cautioned that the river could rise even higher if additional rain falls.

The Hamilton County Emergency Operations Center remains activated and will provide updates as conditions change.

Residents can find the latest flooding-related closures on the county’s active road closures page.

Hamilton County looks prosperous by almost every measure. But behind the county’s rising incomes, new neighborhoods and economic growth are thousands of working households struggling to afford housing, food, child care, transportation and health care.

On this week’s Fridays With Larry, Larry Lannan looks beyond the familiar urban image of poverty and examines the financial hardship found in the middle of suburban communities. In Hamilton County, over 34,000 households fall below the United Way’s ALICE threshold, meaning their incomes do not cover the basic cost of living where they reside.

Larry’s guest is MaryEdith Malin, executive director of Hamilton County Kids Coats. The nonprofit provides free coats and winter wear to more than 3,000 children each year while connecting families with additional resources in their own communities.

Also in this week’s podcast, Larry shares commentaries about Peggy Wallace’s book and an unusual story involving Mozart.

Fridays with Larry is sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

Watch the video version or listen to the audio podcast