After two consecutive e-learning days due to the recent winter storm, Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools will return to in-person classes Wednesday, but with a 2-hour delay.

Democrat Devon Wellington of Noblesville has announced her candidacy for Indiana House District 29, a seat that includes portions of Fishers and is currently represented by Republican Alaina Shonkwiler.

In a statement announcing her campaign, Wellington said she is running to provide what she described as more responsive representation for residents of the district.

“I am running because I believe every single Hoosier in District 29 deserves a representative who listens to their concerns and fights for their priorities,” Wellington said.

Wellington said she has spent time speaking with families across the district and believes their concerns are clear.

“I have listened, and the families of District 29 have made their priorities clear: they want a more affordable life, strong public schools, and real economic opportunities for themselves, their children, and future generations,” she said.

Wellington has lived in Noblesville since 2023. She works as an educational policy advocate consultant and is a small business owner. According to her campaign, she volunteers at her children’s school, serves on Noblesville school district boards, and is involved with the civic engagement organization MadVoters.

Indiana lawmakers have approved a major overhaul of the state’s local income tax system, shifting decision-making power away from counties and toward cities and towns — a change that will require Fishers officials to decide in the coming years whether to enact a city income tax for the first time.

For decades, Indiana’s local option income tax (LIT) was primarily a county-level decision. Counties chose whether to impose an income tax and at what rate, and the revenue was collected countywide. The state then distributed those dollars to cities, towns, townships and other local units using a statutory formula.

In Hamilton County, that countywide income tax rate has been 1.1 percent. Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield and other local governments each received a share of the revenue based on population and other factors set by state law. Cities did not control the tax rate directly and could not opt in or out independently.

That system is now changing under a sweeping tax reform package approved by the Indiana General Assembly in 2025 as part of broader property tax relief legislation.

Under the new law, existing countywide local income tax rates will expire after 2027. Beginning in 2028, counties and municipalities will each have the authority to adopt their own local income taxes within state-established limits.

For the first time, cities and towns — including Fishers — will be allowed to impose a municipal income tax directly on their residents. Cities with populations above 3,500 may adopt a local income tax rate of up to 1.2 percent. Counties will also be permitted to impose income taxes for county services, but under a restructured system.

State law caps the combined local income tax rate — county plus municipal — at 2.9 percent. That means any income tax adopted by Fishers would count toward that combined maximum along with any Hamilton County tax.

The change effectively ends the long-standing practice of pooling county income tax revenue and redistributing it to cities. Instead, local governments will be responsible for raising their own income tax revenue if they choose to do so.

For Fishers, the shift has significant budget implications. The city currently receives millions of dollars annually from Hamilton County’s local income tax distribution. Under the new system, that revenue source will disappear unless Fishers adopts its own municipal income tax.  Mayor Scott Fadness has indicated he favors a city income tax, but there is no rate that has been suggested up to this point.

City officials are expected to begin discussing the issue during the 2026 and 2027 budget cycles, ahead of the 2028 implementation date. Any decision to enact a local income tax would require action by the Fishers City Council and would include public hearings.

Supporters of the new law say it gives cities more direct control over their finances and increases transparency by tying tax decisions more closely to the governments that provide services. Critics argue the change could pressure cities to raise income taxes to replace lost revenue tied to property tax relief.

For residents, the impact will depend on decisions made locally. While the overall local tax cap remains in place, Fishers’ future tax structure — and how city services are funded — will soon be determined closer to home.

A travel warning remains in effect across Hamilton County as Fishers and surrounding communities continue to dig out from a major winter storm paired with dangerously cold temperatures.

Road crews in Fishers have been working around the clock, plowing and treating streets through the night and into Monday. Officials say the intense cold has complicated snow removal efforts, as lower temperatures reduce the effectiveness of salt and slow progress on already snow-packed roads.

Snowfall totals varied across the city, with most Fishers neighborhoods receiving between 8 and 9 inches. While main roads continue to see improvement, drivers are urged to use caution, particularly on neighborhood streets, cul-de-sacs, and less-traveled routes.

City trash and recycling pickup will not happen Monday this week.  All Fishers trash collection will be delayed by one day.

Hamilton Southeastern Schools announced an e-learning day for Monday, citing hazardous travel conditions and extreme cold. Families are encouraged to monitor district communications for any additional updates.

The National Weather Service has issued a series of cold weather alerts for central Indiana, including Fishers. An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until 11 a.m. Monday, followed by a Cold Weather Advisory from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Another Extreme Cold Warning is then set to begin at 7 p.m. Monday and last until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

According to the National Weather Service, wind chills as low as 20 to 27 degrees below zero are expected during the warning periods, with wind chills between 10 and 20 below zero during the advisory. Officials warn that frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 20 minutes, and prolonged exposure could lead to hypothermia.

Residents are urged to limit time outdoors whenever possible and to dress in layers, including hats, gloves, and face coverings, if they must go outside. The National Weather Service also advises checking frequently on elderly family members, friends, and neighbors, ensuring space heaters are used safely, and never using generators or grills indoors.

Pet owners are encouraged to keep animals indoors as much as possible during the extreme cold. Travelers who must be out on the roads should allow extra time, drive cautiously, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

Local officials continue to ask residents to avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve and crews can safely clear remaining snow and ice from city streets.

In an update posted Sunday evening, the city of Fishers announced there will be no trash collection Monday, delaying the week’s schedule by one day.

Here is the full statement from the city:

Fishers DPW crews are operating at full capacity and will continue working overnight and into tomorrow. A travel warning is in effect (travel only for emergency personnel).

Please move parked vehicles off the street. Cars left on roadways will be buried and prevent plows from operating safely—there is no way to avoid this during a storm of this magnitude.

Monday’s trash/recycling service is DELAYED – all collections will be delayed by one day with service occurring Tuesday through Saturday this week. Please place carts out on your newly scheduled collection day.

Blowing snow and drifting are expected, requiring crews to repeatedly focus on keeping primary and secondary thoroughfares clear. As a result, progress in neighborhoods will take additional time. Residents should plan alternative arrangements for tomorrow’s travel.