The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department issued the following statement on the death of retired Deputy James Fetters:

by

Jeff Jellison

Publisher

Hamilton County Reporter

On Wednesday, the Hamilton County Council received an update from Garmong Construction Services on the construction schedule and overall cost of a new county-owned parking garage schedule to be built at 8th and Clinton streets in Noblesville.

Current construction plans call for a four-story structure; however, after Wednesday’s meeting, council members will now consider altering those plans and building a five-story garage.

During the meeting, Hamilton County Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Steve Wood described the need for the five-story structure was due to the increasingly high volume of court cases at the Judicial Center.

The four-story structure was approved last year by council members at a cost of $9.5 million. The cost for the fifth story would add an additional $2 million dollars to the project.

The council will use $4.5 million received from the recent sale of the county parking lot located just south of the Judicial Center to offset the cost of the project.

The location of the new garage currently serves as a parking lot for county employees. Those spaces would be lost during construction of the garage. County officials say they are looking at nearby alternate sites for employee parking.

“We are considering a couple locations for employee parking,” Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt told the Reporter. “Both would require shuttle service to transport employees to the Judicial Center and the Historic Courthouse.”

Wood said he is working with Noblesville Schools and the Noblesville Boys & Girls Club to provide the employee shuttle service.

Construction on the new garage is expected to begin early this summer.

The council is expected to vote on the new proposal at its March meeting.

The City of Fishers has explored private sector proposals in recent years to construct an indoor recreational facility for those living here.  So far, no idea has come to fruition.

Mayor Scott Fadness announced Friday morning a new task force, headed by City Councilman Todd Zimmerman, to study options for such a Fishers facility.  A report is due in 120 days.

“For years, the private sector has attempted to bring a facility to our community without success,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in a city news release. “I know this is an amenity our residents desire, and our hope through the work of this task force is that we can identify a successful path forward.”

The city cites a 2020 survey of Fishers residents showing three amenities local citizens want – a health and wellness center, an aquatic center and a community center.

“Athletics and recreation are a critical part of the fabric of our community,” said City Councilor Todd Zimmerman in the same news release. “There continues to be a demand for more space to host recreational events and I hope to lead this task force to help us answer the question of, ‘what does the community want?’ More so, we have an opportunity to proactively identify an operational and financial plan for a facility that can bring so many community interests together under one roof.”

The mayor is asking the task force to look at the following questions:

• What is the current demand for athletic facilities not currently being met by existing supply?
• What is the current demand for art and cultural needs not currently being met by existing supply?
• What are current community needs not being met by existing facilities?
• If such a community facility existed, what specifications and operational and financial support would be required to meet the necessary needs?
• What level of priority should a community facility be given in relation to existing projects and priorities?

Mayor Fadness has assured the task force members they will receive all the support needed to finish their work.

When El Ahlwardt & Brad DeReamer spoke to me about building a memorial to Gold Star families in Fishers, they were hopeful that they could raise part of the $60,000 needed to construct the monument.  Gold Star families are those losing loved ones due to military service.

The City of Fishers provided an update Thursday and 55% of the money for the Gold Star families tribute has been raised.

If you would like to contribute, use this link.

Listen to my January 24th podcast conversation with El Ahlwardt & Brad DeReamer about the monument at the link below.

2020 was not a good year for most as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted a large swath of our lives, but the City of Fishers is showcasing some impressive economic numbers in a year that was not known to be good for business.

The city has added-up numbers for the previous year and found the following data for Fishers:

–1,101 new jobs

–Average salary for those new jobs at $83,022

–Total capital investment of $121 million

–Class-A Office vacancy rate of 11.7%,  a drop of nearly 5%  over the course of 2020.

“Today’s announcement speaks to the vibrancy and dynamic nature of Fishers’ economy,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in a city news release. “In a year when so many companies were experiencing slower growth, we are fortunate to have a business community that keeps innovating and driving toward growth even in the face of adversity.”

The mayor also points to his COVID-19 Recovery Program, established in April 2020. As part of that plan, the City of Fishers loaned $505,000 to 73 Fishers-based businesses, helping to cover operational costs as firms responded to business changes due to the pandemic.

Here are more 2020 economic details, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Fishers touts 2020 economic performance →

The annual Officers of the Year award have been handed out by Hamilton County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham, and Fishers Detective Kirby Campbell is one of the recipients. He and Officer Lydia Fairchok received the award at a February 3rd ceremony in Noblesville.

The local prosecutor recognizes one road officer and one detective in handing out the annual honor.  Detective Campbell is this year’s honoree for investigators, Officer Fairchok, from the Sheridan Police Department, is the winner in the road officer category.

Buckingham cited the variety of cases worked by Detective Campbell, relying upon his law enforcement training and his undergraduate degree from Ball State University,  along with his master’s degree in criminal justice from Bethel University.  Since joining the Fishers Police Department in 2012, Det. Campbell worked in the patrol division before joining the investigations division in January 2017.  Buckingham highlighted Det. Campbell’s skill at synthesizing the facts in a clear and concise way, without sacrificing the elements of the crime or the accurate account of the events.

“Fortunately, we continue to be blessed here in Hamilton County, we continue to have a large contingency of very fine law enforcement officers,” Buckingham said in a news release.  “Each year I talk about how it is never easy to select the recipients of this award, not because of dearth of candidates, but rather because of the difficulty in selecting just one recipient in each category from the many viable candidates within the county.”

A rental housing proposal by the Hamilton County nonprofit organization, HAND, has been given an unfavorable recommendation Wednesday night by the Fishers Plan Commission.  Commission member Howard Stevenson was the only vote against the unfavorable recommendation.

The plans for 11 single family units at 141st Street and Cumberland Road now head to the City Council for further consideration.  All three city councilors on the Plan Commission – Pete Peterson, Todd Zimmerman and Selina Stoller – went along with the unfavorable recommendation.

HAND Executive Director Andrea Davis laid out the plans for the cottage-style, 2-story units with car ports.  The rents for each unit would range from $650-$1,150 per month, per federal guidelines, based on income and other factors.  To qualify, each tenant renting a unit must have income.

Todd Zimmerman said his heart is with the HAND proposal, but his concerns about the location and safety issues resulted in his unfavorable recommendation vote.  Selina Stoller cited two other affordable housing plans in the works and expressed her desire for affordable housing ownership rather than rentals.  Pete Peterson cited the 50-plus comments he has received against this proposal.

Howard Stevenson asked the city staff how the engineering department views the traffic issues from this development and was told the engineers had some concerns but did not oppose the plans.

This housing project will be considered by the full Fishers City Council at the Monday, February 15th session.

The following Plan Commission agenda items were given unanimous favorable recommendations and will go the the Fishers City Council:

–The Gray Eagle housing project aimed at 55 and older, but not exclusive to that age group, is part of a plan to keep the Gray Eagle Golf Course in business.  There had been an announcement that the course would close, but the Gray Eagle Homeowners Association and city officials worked out a deal for the housing development to keep the golf course going.

–A front yard setback text amendment change for the Vermillion development at Connecticut Avenue and Southeastern Parkway.

–A text amendment for the Parkside senior apartment development on the east side of Parkside Drive, between 126th and 131st Streets.  This will amend rules for parking and landscaping.

–The Playschool Saxony at 131st Street and Pennington Road plans to add parking and build a gymnasium on the grounds.  This will require an amendment to the Planned Unit Development (PUD).

A retired Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy died in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday night on Southeastern Parkway, near Isle of Man Boulevard.  Fishers Police say James Fetters, 76, from Fishers, died after being transported to an area hospital by Fishers Emergency Service personnel.

According to authorities, shortly before 5pm Tuesday, police responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash involving a silver Ram 1500 pickup truck and a Polaris Sportsman ATV. Officers found both vehicles just off the roadway. The driver of the Ram, Terry Wright, 47, from Greenfield, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Fetters was driving the ATV.

Based on evidence and witness statements, police investigators say the crash occurred when the ATV attempted to cross Southeastern Parkway. This crash remains under investigation. Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs played a role in this crash.

According to my news gathering partner, the Hamilton County Reporter, Mr. Fetters was a life long resident of Hamilton County and served as a County Sheriff’s Deputy.

I have many friends and relatives who love winter, snow, sledding, on and on.  Myself, a trip south always sounds good this time of year, but short of that, I enjoy anything indoors.

The pandemic means social distancing is needed, so what works best this time of year?

Fishers has a view ideas.  Below is the listing, as provided by the City of Fishers.

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With temperatures forecast to plunge in coming days, it may lift your spirits a bit to know this – summer camp signups in Fishers begin February 8.

The Fishers Parks Department is offering camps for children ages 4-10 to explore their interests, make friends, and shake their summer break boredom. Whether your kid is a backyard adventurer, an all-star athlete, or a scientist-in-training, check out our camp lineup to keep your kids active and learning. Eight camp themes will be spread across eight weeks of camp (June 7 – July 30) at four different locations with full-day and half-day options.

Don’t forget to check out our partner camp with Indy Eleven! Running June 7-11, this camp will introduce kids ages 8-14 to professional soccer and fundamentals of the game.

Learn more about the summer camp offerings at this link.