The Indy Ignite women’s volleyball team continued its strong start to the season Thursday night with an impressive road victory, defeating the defending league champion Orlando Valkyries 3–1 on the road at Addition Financial Arena.

Indy took control early, winning the opening set 25–18 before Orlando responded with a narrow 25–23 win in the second. The Ignite regained momentum in a tightly contested third set, edging the Valkyries 27–25, and then closed out the match with a 25–18 victory in the fourth.

The win marked a statement performance for the Ignite against one of the league’s top teams and pushed Indy to a perfect 3–0 record to begin the season.

Head coach Lauren Bertolacci praised her team’s composure and depth following the match. Indy used a varied lineup and balanced offensive attack, with six players finishing with double-digit kills. The Ignite also set franchise records for most kills (66) and most points (86) in a four-set match.

Kayla Lund led the way in her first start of the season, recording 14 kills while adding 13 digs, a block and two service aces. Emoni Bush followed with 13 kills and two aces, while Azhani Tealer provided a spark off the bench with 10 kills.

Setters Ainise Havili and Mia Tuaniga shared playmaking duties, combining for 59 assists as the Ignite offense kept Orlando off balance throughout the night.

The victory in Orlando was a notable milestone for the franchise and served as another sign of the team’s early chemistry and confidence.

The Ignite now return home for their home opener at Fishers Event Center, where they will face the Omaha Supernovas. With momentum on their side and growing fan support in Central Indiana, Indy will look to continue its unbeaten run in front of a hometown crowd.

Welcome to my second episode of the Fridays With Larry podcast.  This week, I review some news of the past week and have a conversation with one of the owners for the new Fishers restaurant, Vicious Biscuit.

My podcasts are sponsored by Citizens State Bank.

Links to the video and audio versions of the podcast are here and below.

Indiana House lawmakers are partnering with the Indiana Diaper Bank to collect diapers and diapering supplies for Hoosier families as part of the House’s 2026 philanthropy initiative.

House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers), who represents part of Fishers, joined House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) in announcing the collection drive, which will run through the end of the 2026 legislative session in February.

The Indiana Diaper Bank works to ensure families across the state have access to essential diapering supplies. The nonprofit partners with 70 distribution organizations statewide and, since 2017, has distributed nearly 19.8 million diapers to more than 294,000 babies.

“We’re proud to partner with the Indiana Diaper Bank this session to support the vital work they do for Hoosier families,” Huston said. “The cost of raising a child adds up quickly, and no baby should ever go without clean diapers.”

The House will accept donations of new or opened packages of diapers in all sizes, pull-ups, wipes, diaper cream and clean cloth diapers. Donation bins are located near the House Chamber entrance and in the fourth-floor South Atrium at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

GiaQuinta said the organization provides crucial support for families facing financial strain. “It’s expensive and stressful to be a new parent, and the Indiana Diaper Bank helps Hoosier parents keep their heads above water,” he said.

In addition to physical donations, the House is also accepting monetary contributions to benefit the Indiana Diaper Bank.

Ashley Burns, president and CEO of the Indiana Diaper Bank, said diaper need affects one in two Indiana families. “When babies have access to clean diapers, they are healthier, parents are better able to work and families are more stable,” Burns said.

More information about the Indiana Diaper Bank using this link.

Creative Valentine’s Day experiences are on tap this February at the Indy Art Center in Broad Ripple and the Fishers Art Center, offering hands-on activities for couples, friends, families — or anyone looking to try something new.

Both locations will host Valentine-themed “Date Night Make It Take It” classes on Feb. 6, 7, 13 and 14. These two-hour sessions are designed for couples and friends to create a finished art project in a relaxed, guided setting. Classes span a variety of studios, including jewelry, welding, clay and glass.

Valentine-inspired projects include heart-shaped fused glass pendants, hand-printed Valentines, a Robert Indiana “LOVE” screen print, felted heart potholders, glass hearts, welded candle holders and even mobile phone portrait photography.

Families with younger children can also take advantage of special Valentine programming. At the Broad Ripple location only, the Indy Art Center will offer Valentine Art Parties for kids while adults attend Date Night classes. Parties are available for children ages 4–5 and 6–10 and include art activities led by professional artist educators, games, a snack and a handmade keepsake to take home.

Beyond Valentine’s Day, Make It Take It classes are offered year-round at both art centers. These sessions allow participants to sample a new art medium without committing to a long-term class. The programs are open to individuals, groups, friends and families, and gift cards are available.

Date Night Make It Take It classes and Valentine Art Parties take place Feb. 6, 7, 13 and 14. Regular Make It Take It classes are offered throughout the year.

In Fishers, classes are held at the Fishers Art Center, located inside the Fishers Arts & Municipal Complex at 1 Municipal Drive. Registration is available at fishersartcenter.org/miti/.

Classes are also available at the Indy Art Center, 820 E. 67th St. in Indianapolis, with registration at indyartcenter.org/miti/.

Class costs vary depending on the project and materials.

When the City of Fishers implemented an ordinance limiting rental homes to 10 percent of residences within a neighborhood—while allowing for certain exemptions and grandfathering provisions—it also required rental properties to be registered with the city.

Community Development and Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner told the Fishers City Council Tuesday night that compliance with the registration requirement has been high. Only 137 homes citywide are suspected of being unregistered, meaning approximately 95 percent of rental homes have registered as required.

With the registration period largely complete, the city will now begin enforcing the ordinance.

The Council also approved a change in the administrative oversight of the program, shifting responsibility from the Planning and Zoning Department to Community and Economic Development.

Other items before the Council Tuesday night included:

• Fishers approved an interlocal agreement with Hamilton County allowing work to begin on a planned roundabout at 131st Street and Brooks School Road. A portion of the necessary right-of-way for the project is county-owned, requiring the formal agreement.

• Rising personnel costs prompted changes to the city’s fee schedule for police video requests. Under the new rates, Fishers Police Department review will cost 64 cents per minute, while attorney review will be billed at 94 cents per minute per video.

• Councilors approved amendments to the residential parking permit ordinance aimed at improving the city’s ability to enforce the regulation in the future.

• A $1 million transfer from the utility fund to the stormwater fund was approved to support an economic development agreement with INCOG. The city is offering incentives for the company to expand its workforce from about 400 employees to roughly 1,000 by 2030. The funding will allow INCOG to expand its parking lot to accommodate additional staff.

• A revised proposal for the Story Cottage Memory Care facility was introduced on first reading. The project, proposed for 10990 Brooks School Road, was withdrawn and reworked before returning to the Council. Only one Council vote is required to advance the proposal to the Fishers Plan Commission, which is expected to consider the project and hold a public hearing on February 4. The City Council is scheduled to take final action on February 23. During public comment, nearby residents said they continue to oppose the memory care facility, even with the proposed changes, citing concerns about its proximity to their homes.

The Fishers City Council on Tuesday night discussed legislation moving through the Indiana Statehouse that could significantly affect how cities make decisions in the future.

Councilor Brad DeReamer highlighted two bills currently under consideration by state lawmakers that he said raise concerns for local governments.

The first, House Bill 1152, would require homeowners associations to have a quorum of residents present at any meeting where an annual budget increase is approved. DeReamer said many HOAs already struggle to get enough residents to attend meetings, and the requirement could result in underfunded neighborhoods and neglected basic maintenance.

DeReamer also focused on House Bill 1001, which legislative leaders have described as an effort to improve housing affordability. He expressed concern that the bill could limit the ability of local governments to make zoning and land-use decisions.

Mayor Scott Fadness told council members he was at the Statehouse earlier Tuesday meeting with the bill’s author, Rep. Doug Miller of Elkhart, and described the conversation as productive.

“I’m cautiously optimistic that we can get to a place that doesn’t strip you guys of your authority to make decisions on behalf of our residents and what kind of community they want to live in and grow,” Fadness told council members.

Fadness said several provisions in House Bill 1001, as currently written, could impede a city’s ability to charge impact fees, establish design standards, and regulate development density. While the bill includes an opt-out provision allowing some cities to avoid certain requirements, Fadness said he is concerned lawmakers could remove that option in a future legislative session.

With the General Assembly’s short session expected to conclude before the City Council meets again, Fadness said he will draft a letter on behalf of the council outlining its concerns. Individual council members may choose to sign the letter if they wish.

The Fishers Police Department is providing new details in the ongoing search for 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee, whose case was recently upgraded to an endangered missing juvenile investigation.

In an update released Tuesday, police said they have received and investigated numerous tips from the public with the assistance of state and federal law enforcement partners. Authorities thanked the community for continuing to share Hailey’s information and for reporting credible leads, noting that public involvement has been critical to the investigation.

Because the case remains active, police said many details cannot be released in order to protect Hailey. However, investigators confirmed that Hailey left her home willingly sometime during the night of January 5 or the early morning hours of January 6 and initially was classified as a runaway.

Police now believe Hailey did not act alone and left with a plan. Based on investigative findings that have not been made public, her case has since been elevated to endangered missing juvenile status, indicating heightened concern for her safety.

Anyone who sees Hailey or has information that could help locate her is urged to call 911 immediately or contact the Fishers Police Department non-emergency line at 317-773-1282.

Police emphasized that continued sharing of Hailey’s information and reporting of relevant tips could help bring her home safely.