I decided to wait until Officer Noah Shahnavaz was laid to rest before writing this.  He was given full honors provided to any law enforcement officer that died in the line of duty.  The local media covered his funeral and burial professionally and thoroughly, which they should.

Officer Shahnavaz has many Fishers connections.  He is a graduate of Fishers High School.  His parents live in Fishers.  His funeral was held in Fishers.

I did not know Officer Shahnavaz, nor do I know any member of his family.  But I have followed the excellent news coverage by the local media and feel I know him just a bit.  He volunteered to serve in the Armed Forces, and once the tour with the military was over, he graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.  He was about a month short of his first year with the Elwood Police Department when a man opened fire on the officer before there was any chance for Officer Shahnavaz to defend himself.

His story says one thing to me – he cared about his country and community.  He served both well.

This is a terrible tragedy for Elwood, Fishers and Officer Shahnavaz’s family.

Much has been said and written about the man charged in Officer Shahnavaz’s death.  I know we have serious problems in our criminal justice system and do not pretend to have the answers.  I would hope those expert in criminal justice continue to study the issues and offer solutions.

There is another aspect of this I want to express, as a Fishers resident for over 30 years.  We saw the professionalism and courage of our local police officers.

As the suspect in Officer Shahnavaz’s shooting was being pursued, his vehicle was stopped in Fishers.  I won’t get into the details I have heard, let’s just say this was not an easy maneuver.

Then think about what was going through the minds of the Fishers officers as they moved-in to apprehend the suspect.  This man allegedly killed one police officer with a powerful firearm.  I have no doubt Fishers police personnel were as well-protected as possible, but that must have been the thought they all had approaching this suspect.

Yet, Fishers Police apprehended the suspect, alive, without injury.  That took some professional police work.

Officer Shanavaz’s grandmother, in speaking at his funeral, asked something important of us all.  She does not want his memory to fade.

I do know there are people in high places around Fishers working on a way to properly remember Officer Shahnavaz.  I do believe it will be done, I am just not certain how.  I suspect those in Elwood and others in Indiana are thinking the same thing.

When a man such as Noah Shahnavaz is lost in the line of duty, the pain and hurt are real.  Keeping his memory with us in a respectful way just might be the best thing to do.

The Indiana General Assembly gave final approval Friday to abortion legislation that Indianapolis Star reporter Arika Herron described as a “near-total ban on abortion.”  Governor Holcomb signed the measure into law hours after final passage.  The new law is effective September 15th.

There has been much speculation among the political chattering class in Indiana about what impact this abortion law will have on legislative elections in 2022.  In Indiana Senate District 31, the candidates do not have much disagreement.

The current District 31 Senator, Kyle Walker, issued a statement following the Senate action explaining his “no” vote on the abortion bill that became law.  Walker says this legislation “does not strike the right balance for women to make their own health decisions while also protecting the life of the unborn. Further, the time allowed for the exceptions for rape or incest victims and for fatal fetal anomalies is far less than I believe is appropriate.”

Walker went against the Republican caucus, which mostly voted in favor of the abortion bill that became law Friday night.

Democrat Jocelyn Vare is running for that same District 31 Senate seat Walker now holds.  In a Facebook video message posted Saturday morning, Vare addresses “Hoosier women” in response to the enactment of the abortion measure.

“We wake up to a state that has changed dramatically from the day before,” says Vare.  She goes on to say “this is an important, meaningful, change to women’s autonomy, health and even dignity.”

Vare cites the Republican super-majority and the governor as the people responsible for enacting this new abortion law.

There will be many legislative contests in the 2022 general election where abortion will be an issue.  Ms. Vare was very emotional in her appeal to voters in supporting herself and other Democrats following .  But Senator Walker did vote ‘no” on the abortion bill.

Jocelyn Vare is in her first term on the Fishers City Council as an a-large member.  Kyle Walker was elected by a Republican caucus of precinct officials to complete this Senate term.

Indiana Senate District 31 encompasses part of Lawrence and most of Fishers.

Election day is Tuesday, November 8.

Parts of Olio Road and 116th Street will see some lane restrictions.

See more details on that and other projects in the weekly Fishers City road construction update:

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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.  

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.

Olio Road between Geist Reservoir and Haven Cove Lane, the first road south of the Geist Reservoir Bridge, may have daily lane restrictions for the reconfiguration and installation of access to Geist Waterfront Park and the Marina. These lane restrictions will occur between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

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 Eller Commons and Overlook at Beaver Ridge 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.

Base repair, milling and road resurfacing has started taking place on 116th Street between Olio Road and Ringer Road, 136th Street between Cyntheanne Road and Atlantic Road and Florida Road between 104th Street and Martha Street. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic.

The Fishers Fire Department announced two promotions Friday.

First, Lieutenant/paramedic Adam Lee has been promoted to the rank of Captain.   Lee is a paramedic, Public Safety Diver, member of the Fishers Technical Rescue Team, Rescue Specialist with Indiana Task Force, sworn Tactical EMS officer in a partnership with Fishers Police Department, and co-manages the City of Fishers High Threat Response Program.  His initial assignment will be at the station on 104th Street, on the city’s east end.

Second, firefighter/paramedic Leann Foster has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant as the EMS Duty Officer.  Foster is a paramedic, apparatus engineer, acting officer, hazmat tech, rope rescue tech, peer fitness trainer, and yoga instructor.  She leads shift personnel and recruits in physical conditioning. In addition, Leann is CIT trained and part of the departments peer support team.  Her assignment is at the fire station located at 116th Street and Brooks School Road.  In addition to all major fire and rescue incidents, she will respond to mental emotional, cardiac arrests, and other serious medical runs.  This position also acts as shift coordinator for EMS training and responsibilities in managing on duty injuries, and command functions.

Chief Orusa with new Lt. Leann Foster

Jake Reardon McSoley is best known as the man running the Fishers YMCA the past 17 years.  Mr. McSoley has joined the City of Fishers staff as Director of Recreation & Wellness.  Mayor Scott Fadness joined the podcast along with Mr. McSoley.

The mayor also commented on the move out of City Hall for the construction of the Arts & Municipal Complex for his workers, the latest economic development news, the budget process for 2023 and much more.

You can listen to the podcast at the link below.

Alboher Development Company, Inc. and Birkla Investment Group, LLC announced Friday their proposal to build a five-story, mixed-use building at 8603 E. 116^th Street, located at the intersection of Municipal Drive and 116^th Street near the newly opened downtown hub of the Fishers Nickel Plate Trail. The REV development will feature 36 for-sale condominiums, a parking garage, and 23,000 square feet of commercial and office space. The condos, ranging from $600,000 to $1,000,000, will be the first of their kind as Fishers’ first for-sale condominiums. 

“The REV development provides us with a unique opportunity to diversify the housing market in Fishers,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “These condos will offer residents all the benefits of downtown living, but also an opportunity to build equity during a time when real estate options are limited. Combined with its emphasis on sustainability and the additional retail opportunities it will provide our community, the REV building is the perfect addition to our downtown cultural district.” 

The $35 million investment is the first new development announcement along the Nickel Plate Trail since the downtown portion opened in May, and the first condominium project along the trail. 

“We are excited to expand the REV brand into Fishers,” said Tony Birkla, owner of Birkla Investment Group. “REV at Proscenium sold out quickly, as buyers immediately saw value in the home quality, amenities and lifestyle. REV Fishers will continue our precedent for all-inclusive luxury community living with quality construction that exceeds expectations.”

This downtown district was designated as a Statewide Cultural District in 2018 by the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC).  

“Having owned this property since 1986, I have seen dramatic changes to Fishers,” said Mike Alboher, President of Alboher Development.  “Having sorted through countless proposals on this property, I was not swayed until Steve Hardin introduced me and my daughter, Paige Pettenaro, to Tony Birkla and his team. We were so impressed with his team’s vision for our site, things progressed quickly. Mayor Fadness and Megan Baumgartner shared our enthusiasm and worked tirelessly to make this happen. We believe this development perfectly fits the advancing evolution of our downtown area, filling both housing and retail needs.”

Fishers City Council will vote on the project agreement approving incentives at the August 15 council meeting at Launch Fishers.

The current Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board President Julie Chambers officially filed her paperwork with the Hamilton County Election office Thursday, seeking a second term on the board.  Ms. Chambers had previously announced her intention to seek another term.

So far, the only other candidate to file in District 4 is Ben Orr.  Those wishing to run for HSE School Board have until noon, Friday, August 26 to file their candidacy papers.

In this year’s school board election, voters only cast a ballot for those running within their district boundaries.  District 4 is located in Fall Creek Township, the southeast corner of the HSE District.

The Fishers Police Department has opened registration for the Police Cadet Program.  All Fishers area teenagers ages 14 through 19 are eligible.

Registration is done electronically and is a two-step process.  The first step collects basic information for the background check.  After the background portion is complete, a link will be sent to complete the second step.  Registration is open now through September 2, 2022.

Register at this link 

The Fishers Police describe the purpose of the Police Cadet Program as providing youth with information about a law enforcement career through hands-on experiences, tours, guest speakers, and discussions.  The Fishers Police Cadets meet two Tuesdays each month during the school year with additional volunteer and ride along opportunities throughout the year.

 The first meeting for FPD Cadets will be held on Tuesday, September 13 from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. at the Fishers Police Department located at 4 Municipal Drive, Fishers, IN 46038.

For questions regarding the Cadet Program or registration, visit the Fishers Police website at this link

If you have questions, you can also  email Allison Nicholson at nicholsona@fishers.in.us

Social media can get one one’s nerves these days, but I always enjoy seeing posts of photos showing students heading out for the first day of classes.

Wednesday was the first day for students to report in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District.  District spokesperson Emily Abbotts says it was a smooth first day of school locally.

There were a few school bus delays, which one would expect in a district as large as HSE.

Getting through the first day of class is always special and it is good to know all went well for HSE students as the 2022-2023 school year begins.  And it was special to see all those students with smiling faces in the social media pics.  I would suspect some parents were off-camera, smiling as well.

The local organization Fishers One has issued a challenge to the local school board, citing iLearn test score data, but HSE School officials paint a different picture of the iLearn results.

Fishers One says it wants the local school board to “reprioritize its agenda and take
practical steps toward improving academic performance across all HSE Schools.”

The group cites the following iLearn data:

• More than 50% of HSE 8th graders are below an 8th grade proficiency in Math
• Nearly 40% of HSE 8th graders are below an 8th grade proficiency in English/
Language Arts.

“We are calling on the HSE School Board to take meaningful steps toward
academic improvement in this new school year and to prioritize learning
recovery for all students above everything else,” says Fishers One.

The local school district has a different view.

“As one of the largest school districts in the state, Hamilton Southeastern Schools ranks as one of the highest-performing public schools, according to the most recent ILEARN proficiency assessment results,” HSE Schools say in a statement to LarryInFishers.

The district says Math and English Language Art increased 5% from the previous year.  School officials also point to “notable growth in all student subgroups, and we are trending in the right direction.”

Superintendent Yvonne Stokes mentioned some of this data while speaking to teachers Tuesday morning in the annual day-before-school-starts event.

“Our teachers and staff work diligently every day to prepare our more than 21,000 students to meet and exceed the standards associated with high academic achievement and becoming a productive member of society,” the HSE statement says.  “While there is always room for improvement, any association of letter grades with proficiency percentages is an inaccurate representation of the assessment.”