It is once again time for the Fishers Police Cadet Program to accept new members.

 Registration is now open for all Fishers area teens between the ages of 14 (or currently enrolled in the eighth grade) through 19 (or currently enrolled as a senior in high school).

There is a 20stop, electronic registration system.  The first step calls for filling out the interest form and then officers will conduct a background check.  After the background portion is complete, a link will be sent to complete the second step.  Registration is open now through August 25, 2021.  Register here, www.fishers.in.us/cadetprogram.

The purpose of the Fishers Police Cadet Program is to provide Fishers’ area youth between the ages of 14 and 19 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 14 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, https://www.fishers.in.us/241/Fishers-Police-Department or email Allison Nicholson at nicholsona@fishers.in.us

There is good and bad news on the COVID front locally.

Fishers Health Department Epidemiologist Josh Robinson reported earlier this week that the Fishers Testing Site shows a 4.7% positivity rate, which puts the city in the green, or low category.  However, the Hamilton County Unique Positivity Rate is at 9.8% and Fishers has a case incidence rate, measuring the average daily cases for a 14-day average per 100,000 residents, of 10.25%, the highest that number has been in a while.  Both Hamilton County and the Fishers case incidence rate levels are in the significant level, or orange.

The overall community risk level is at yellow, Level 2, or moderate.  Contact Tracing, testing availability and testing turnaround remains in green, or a low risk area.

Hospital capacity locally and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) availability locally remains good.  But, Robinson cautions there has been a recent increase in daily hospitalizations.

Again, the good news is that the overall COVID community risk level in Fishers is green, or low.  However, Robinson projects the risk rating will rise next week based on the data he sees this week.

The best news Robinson has for Fishers is that 67.74% of the Fishers population 12 years of age and older are fully vaccinated, and 74.84% have one COVID vaccination.  This lowers the chances of more variants and mutations of COVID developing.

But Robinson reminds us that about 19,000 Fishers residents are eligible for the shot and have not yet been vaccinated.  The state of Indiana reports that 87% of new COVID cases are Delta variant.  This variant generally infect 8-9 more people per infection, compared to 1-2 with cases not Delta.

The Fishers Health Department recommends masking, including universal masking for K-12 schools, including visitors.  The Hamilton Southeastern Schools are recommending masking as classes begin, but have not made masking mandatory.

The Fishers Health Department is offering walk-in vaccinations.  Here is the information:

Here is the weekly COVID update from Josh Robinson, released Tuesday:

You may recall that the Spark Fishers concert featuring the Spin Doctors scheduled for June had to be postponed and has been rescheduled for October 1st, 8pm, at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater in downtown Fishers.

Admission continues to be free for this event. Operating restrooms, hand washing, and sanitization stations will be available on site. No outside alcohol will be allowed.  Chairs and blankets are welcome. The Fishers Parks and Recreation Department will continue to monitor federal, state and local COVID guidelines daily, and will adapt accordingly.

The Spin Doctors are Gammy award nominees.  The band is best known for their early ‘90s hits “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong,” which peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 7 and No. 17 respectively.

If you follow social media and know people with students attending Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, you likely were lit-up with lots of photos showing students and teachers reporting for the first day of classes Wednesday.

HSE Schools spokesperson Emily Abbots says the first day of school locally was a good day overall, but there were some glitches with the bus transportation system.

The HSE District flipped their start times for classes.  In the 2021-2022 school year, the elementary grades started classes earliest.  In past years, it was the upper grade levels that had the earlier start.

“Having elementary go first in the morning and afternoon did result in late bus pick-ups and drop-offs for the secondary students,” Abbots tells LarryInFishers.

There were the usual issues of parents taking pictures of their students entering the school bus, and the usual confusion about where to catch the bus taking you home at the end of the school day.  That resulted in some delays.

Meanwhile, with classes back in session, the Fishers Police Department reminds motorists to keep these driving tips in mind:

• Be prepared for a longer commute. School buses and teenage drivers will add to the traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoons.
• Expect the unexpected. Watch for slowing or stopped traffic and the possibility of children darting out into the street.
• Be patient and observe the law when approaching or following a school bus.
• Be very aware of intersections where children are waiting for the bus.
• Be mindful of reduced speed limits in designated school zones.
• Police officers will provide increased patrols in neighborhoods and school zones. Officers in marked and unmarked police cars will be enforcing school bus stop arm violations and speeding in school zones.
• Residents should report suspicious activity and dangerous drivers by calling the Hamilton County Dispatch Center at 911 or 317-773-1282.

Fishers contains a number of nonprofit organizations, many doing outstanding work.  When a local resident is ready to become a volunteer, the question is – where do I volunteer?

The City of Fishers is putting together an online platform for volunteers and nonprofit groups to bring them together, and also provide support for the tax exempt organizations as well.

Amy Crell is the Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Fishers and Ashley Elrod is the city’s Director of Community & Public Relations.  I spoke with them about the volunteer program and more in this podcast.

Fishers City Hall will once again features artwork, with a set of sisters providing the art.  The Fishers Arts Council announces the work of Olivia (Liv) Ash and Ingrid Blount will grace the walls of City Hall in the month of August.

The theme of the display is “Painting Words and Emotions.”

There will be a free, public reception at the gallery from 6-8 pm on Friday, August 13th, with refreshments and live music by Emily Ann Thompson.

In an Arts Council news release, Liv says she prefers large-scale works.  Ingrid, on the other hand, says her works express emotions in her paintings.

The gallery is part of the City Municipal Complex at One Municipal Drive, Fishers. It is open weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and from 10:00 am to noon during Fishers Summer Farmers Market. Also, during our August 13th reception for Liv and Ingrid, a raffle will be held for a Conner Prairie Basic Family Membership, in anticipation of our upcoming Art on the Prairie event on August 22nd. Winners do not need to be present to win.

The National Night Out is a time for local police departments to meet and talk with people in their local communities. In Fishers, the police department offered food, drink and plenty for the youngsters this year.

The event was held in and around the police headquarters building near City Hall.

One year ago, as the school year began for the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District, there was no gathering of the teachers and staff.  The pandemic prevented that.

Tuesday morning, The HSE family gathered at the Fishers High School gym to start the school year, with students reporting for classes Wednesday, August 3rd.

The national anthem was sung by a student.  The opening speech came from a student on the debate team.

School Board President Janet Pritchett, HSE Education Association President Abby Taylor and the head of the HSE Schools Foundation, Justin Hirnisey, all took turns at the lectern addressing the large audience.

But all eyes were on the new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Yvonne Stokes.

“Sometimes we forget the impact that we, you, make as educators,” Dr. Stokes told those assembled.  “A small difference, a slight shift, a minor adjustment in a student’s daily life adds up over time.”

The superintendent reminded all the staff members of their importance to the lives of students and the academic excellence of the entire district.

“I want you to know you are respected,” Dr. Stokes said as she closed her remarks.

The event ended with a spirit contest for the different grade levels, with each building competing for their show of spirit.  There were groans in the audience when the judges ruled that the contest between HSE and Fishers High Schools ended in a tie.

Teachers and other staff members then went to their respective buildings, preparing for the return of students Wednesday morning.

After more than a year of pandemic stress, the hope that permeated the session was one of hope – hope that this school year will be more normal for everyone.

Dr. Yvonne Stokes took the reins as the superintendent of schools for the Hamilton Southeastern School District July 1st.  She is now preparing to experience her first day of classes Wednesday as superintendent.

Dr. Stokes has released a “welcome to the school year” video Monday.  She addresses masks this school year (recommended, not required, but required on school buses), possible changes if the local health situation changes, and talks about her emphasis on academics for the 2021-2022 school year.

You can view Dr. Stokes’ video at the link below.

I have been out of town the past few days with only short stints to post on this blog.  I want everyone to know I have been reading the comments sent to me about the July 28th Hamilton Southeastern School Board meeting.

Let me once again set the stage for you.  The school board was taking comments.  The board has a rule – public comment is allowed, with a time limit for each speaker – but the speaker must address an item on the board’s agenda for that meeting.

The agenda item dealt with an upcoming appointment to the Hamilton East Library Board.  The library board deals with the Noblesville and Fishers libraries.  The HSE School Board has one appointee to the library board.

Brian Myer has served as the HSE School Board appointee for the past 12 years and would be willing to serve another 4 years.  He spoke before the school board July 28th.

Then School Board President Janet Pritchett called the names of those that had signed-up to speak on that item.  One of the speakers began reading from a book, apparently from the Fishers Hamilton East Library branch, and was told by Board President Pritchett that the speaker was not addressing the agenda item.  When the speaker refused to stop, the microphone for the public address in the room and the live stream video broadcast (which is also saved for future viewing) was cutoff.

The crowd was becoming quite angry and Pritchett called for a recess of the meeting.  The board members then left the room.

At that time, the audience began chanting.  I reported in the story posted July 28th about the meeting that the chant I heard was “We ban you.”  Many audience members have messaged me saying the chant was actually “We pay you.”  I have listened to my audio recording, which continued after the school board’s video was not on, and I hear “We ban you.”

However, you could interpret the chant to be “We pay you” just the same.  After all, I’m not as young as I used to be and perhaps my hearing isn’t as sharp as it once was.

So, I have provided my audio recording, which starts as the board is leaving the room and continues until the chant dies down.

You can be the judge of what was chanted by the audience at the board meeting.  Listen at the link below.

Also, the HSE School Board is taking applications for anyone wishing to apply to be the school board appointee to the Hamilton East Library Board.