Our neighbor to the north, the city of Noblesville, is in the middle of a major controversy.

In one corner is the Mayor of Noblesville Chris Jensen.  He is proposing what has been labeled the “B-1” plan to relieve the stress of traffic in the downtown area.  Jensen says the original plan could not receive state and federal funds due to an historic neighborhood being impacted.  So, the B-1 plan was unveiled.

In the other corner is Industrial Dielectrics, Inc. (IDI), a long-time Noblesville business that is not happy the B-1 plan cuts through their property.  The firm is leaving open the possibility of exiting Noblesville if the B-1 plan is enacted.

There are accusations and assertions flying on this issue.

I have been watching all this through my newsgathering partner, The Hamilton County Reporter.

If you would like to learn more about what both sides are saying about the downtown Noblesville bypass, I have links below to three stories in the Wednesday edition of the Reporter where both sides presented their case.

First, here is what Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen says.

Second, here is the view from the Noblesville Bypass Coalition, led by IDI.

Finally, here is a letter to Mayor Jensen from IDI President & CEO Tom Jensen, published in  the Reporter and undersigned by a number of local officials.

The day was Monday, November 2nd.  I sat in a chair and thought about what would come next for me.

I thought back to the previous Monday when I noticed flu-like symptoms.  When those symptoms persisted for several days, my primary care physician recommended a COVID test the following Thursday.  I received the results the same day.  I was positive for the novel coronavirus.

As the flu-like symptoms began to ebb, something else happened.  All the energy in my body was drained.  I felt like doing nothing.  I just ate, slept and drank plenty of fluids (including a heavy intake of water).

I had read a great deal about COVID.  I knew I was (and am) in a high-risk group, due to my age and the chronic health conditions that go with aging.  Although I was better than most, I knew my condition could head south at any time.

My physician was wonderful throughout the ordeal.  She reminded me that most COVID patients have mild symptoms and recover, including people in my condition and age group.

So I journeyed on with the best attitude one could muster under the circumstances.  Slowly, but surely, my condition improved to the point where I now feel fully recovered.  A lot is unknown about the long-term implications of a bout with COVID, but as of now I am good.

Being thankful entails a long list for me.  I am so thankful my wife never tested positive and has had no symptoms, even after being with me in our home throughout all this.  We followed CDC guidelines, using separate bedrooms and bathrooms and that worked for us.

I had been around my daughter and son-in-law just days before the symptoms, but both tested negative and have had no symptoms.

When you are not sure how your coronavirus infection will end, a lot goes through one’s mind.  I did a lot of thinking while on that chair with no energy to do anything.

That experience and contemplation brings a new awareness.  There is a better understanding of what is important and not important in life.  It allows you to value the most important parts of everyday living.

That experience let me know just how important my family, friends and even acquaintances are in life.  I did not disclose my illness until I was well enough, and had the energy, to write.

The response was heartening.  The messages I received from so many people in and around the Fishers community meant so much to me.

That’s why every day for me is Thanksgiving Day.  I wake up and know God has given me another day on this earth to do my best and be a positive influence on my world and the community in which I live.

Of all the messages I received after disclosing my positive test, this one from a lady that regularly reads my blog and listens to my podcasts stood out for me.  She wanted to let me know that even though we have never met, she feels that she knows me from my writing and podcasts.  That is a high compliment for anyone doing communications.  I really do not always know how many people are absorbing all my content.

So, on this Thanksgiving Day, I celebrate in a special way pursuant to American traditions dating back to the days of the pilgrims.  I am the oldest of 6 children.  Normally, my sister and brother-in-law host a large family gathering Thanksgiving Day.

That is not happening this year.  I will be enjoying Thanksgiving Day with a much smaller group.

I hope you all find a wonderful and safe way to make Thanksgiving Day special in this not-so-special year of 2020.  I am thankful for everyone in my circle of relatives and friends, including those reading this blog.

Although 2020 has not been a special year for most of us, there has been much joy for my family.  My first grandchild was born in August.  I look forward to seeing him, his parents and seeing that special smile only he has.

That’s why every day is Thanksgiving Day for me.  So, please, be kind and be safe.

If you want to know just where Fishers stands with the COVID-19 outbreak, check out the latest video from Monica Heltz of the city’s Health Department.  During 5 days in the past week-and-a-half, the city has registered 100 positive COVID tests on each of those 5 days.

The Fishers Health Department is forecasting positive COVID cases tripling locally before Christmas.  “That would mean possibly 2,500 to 6,500 new cases over the next month, which is pretty serious,” Heltz said.

Local hospitals are seeing a decrease in the number of Intensive Care Unit beds available, and more of those beds are taken by patients testing positive for COVID.

Bottom line, local Fishers COVID transmission continues to see a rapid increase, according to Heltz.

The demand for testing at the Fishers testing site has been on the rise.  As of Monday, November 23rd, it takes 2-4 days to get an appointment and 1-5 days to receive the results.

The state and county health departments have issued rules, but in Fishers, the public health order is generally more restrictive compared to the state and county.

All this leads the Fishers Health Department to encourage local residents to be careful during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern got its season off to a solid start on Tuesday, beating Muncie Central 78-49 at the Bearcats’ fieldhouse.

The Royals, ranked No. 11 in the IBCA one-class poll, were in control from the beginning, leading 20-5 after the first quarter and 38-17 at halftime.

Muncie Central played even with Southeastern in the third quarter, but the Royals
pulled even further away with a 21-point fourth quarter.

“We did a nice job of taking care of the basketball,” said Southeastern coach Brian Satterfield. “We only had nine turnovers for the game.” Satterfield also credited his team with taking care of the boards; the Royals had 34 rebounds for the game.

Vinny Buccilla led the HSE scoring with 16 points and also handed out four assists. Dalton Retzner earned a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, with Buccilla and John McCall both collecting five rebounds. Sam Jacobs added 14 points, while McCall scored 11.
Jason Stutz dished out five assists and Loudon Sundling had five steals.

Southeastern travels to Pike on Saturday to take on the No. 13-ranked Red
Devils.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

FISHERS – The Fishers boys basketball team already has its identity set for the 2020-21 season, and it can be boiled down to three things: Depth, balance and unselfishness.

The Tigers put all of those on display in its season-opening game Tuesday at the Tiger Den, when they overwhelmed Ben Davis 75-49. It was an impressive opener for Fishers, which is ranked No. 20 in the IBCA’s one-class pre-season poll.

The Tigers were playing their first game under new head coach Garrett Winegar, who was the head coach at Warren Central last season and had spent a few years there as an assistant. When discussing the game afterwards, Winegar brought up something then-head coach Criss Beyers said during the Warriors’ undefeated state championship season in 2017-18.

“When I was at Warren with Coach Byers the year we won state, we had six players averaging between 8 and 12 points a game,” said Winegar. “He always just preached to them, like, ‘We don’t care who gets the shot, we just want the best shot.’ And I think this group, I think we see that they’re playing unselfish, they’re willing to pass up a good shot to get a great shot, and that’s exciting.

That attitude was in effect for the Tigers on Tuesday. Fishers had four players reach double figures in scoring, chipping in between 11 and 17 points. Of the nine Tigers who took to the floor, eight of them scored at least one point.

“I think that’s our strength,” said Winegar. “We don’t have one guy who’s probably going to go get 30, but we have six guys who can probably go get 15. Our depth and our balance and our unselfishness has to be something that is our strength. We’re probably never going to be the most athletic or most talented team on the floor when we play, so we have to be the most unselfish and we have to be well-rounded.”

Fishers never trailed in the game, and the score was only tied twice, early in the game at 2-2, then 4-4. Junior Charlie Smith broke that second tie with a 3-pointer, then the Tigers finished the first quarter on a 6-0 run to lead 15-7. Junior Bryce Williams got the first five points (including a 3), then junior Matt Brewer made a free throw.

The run continued at the start of the second period, with sophomore Myles Stringer hitting a couple free throws to push Fishers ahead 17-7. The Giants cut that lead to 17-12 as KJ Windham, a talented freshman, made a 3-pointer and a layin.

But the Tigers darted ahead again with a 6-0 run; senior Lucas Prewitt, Smith and senior Drew Turner each made baskets. That made the score 23-12, and Fishers maintained that lead through halftime, where it led 31-23.

The Tigers took total control in the third quarter, outscoring Ben Davis 27-8. Fishers scored the first 15 points of the period, with Williams pouring in eight points (including another 3). Turner scored seven in the middle of the quarter (also including a 3), then junior Sean Millsaps hit two 3s on his way to eight third-period points. Fishers had eight total 3-pointers in the game.

“I think the third quarter, we showed how good we possibly could be on defense,” said Winegar.

The fourth period was a little more even, but Ben Davis was never able to make a dent into the Tigers’ lead. Prewitt and Millsaps each made a 3-pointer in the quarter.

Williams finished with 17 points, followed by Turner with 16, Millsaps with 13 and Smith with 11. Fishers was playing without Jeffrey Simmons, still recovering from an injury.

“We got a long way to go to be where we want to be, offensively and defensively, but if they play with the kind of effort and energy and togetherness that they’ve been playing with, this group has a chance to surprise some people,” said Winegar.

Fishers plays another home game next Tuesday, taking on Muncie Central.

Boombozz Pizza appears to have closed its Fishers location on 116th Street.  A post on the local Boombozz Facebook page says, “Hey Fishers- We Miss you already!” – then offers a discount at nearby Boobozz restaurants.

The City of Fishers says the zoning status of the property means a liquor store is allowed to occupy that building.  The Indianapolis Business Journal has reported a 21st Amendment Liquor Store will be taking over that space.

Ron Howard is the director.  Venessa Taylor, writer for The Shape of Water, wrote the screenplay.  Glenn Close and Amy Adams are cast members.  Does the film Hillbilly Elegy meet the high standards all these filmmakers have shown in the past?

Here is my review of the film Hillbilly Elegy.

It has been traditional for many years that the Tuesday following Thanksgiving is designated as Giving Tuesday.  It is a day when nonprofit organizations make a special appeal to spread holiday cheer their way.

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation is getting a head start with continuing their annual fund-raising campaign for Giving Tuesday.

Teachers in our local schools are toiling under some very tough working conditions during this pandemic and a gift to the foundation is a way of saying thanks.  The HSE Schools Foundation has been supporting teachers, students and the work they all do in classrooms (and, in this environment, also from home virtually).

This year’s campaign includes encouraging an “Sunselfie Sign” once you donate.

See below for the information from the foundation on how to participate Tuesday, December 1st:

STEP 1:  Make a donation online at www.hsefoundation.org

The Fishers Police Department expressed thanks to local residents willing to report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods quickly, because that led to three arrests connected to two burglary investigations.

The first occurred at The Hamilton Apartments (Hamilton Pass and Hoosier Road). A resident notified police after observing a suspicious car driving thru the apartment complex. While officers were searching the area, they observed a suspect inside a screened-in porch. The suspect refused commands from the officers and ran. Police chased the suspect and took him into custody. The suspect was later identified as Dwayne Chaney, 54, from Indianapolis.

The second incident occurred in the 9700 Block of April Rose Drive (96th Street and Cyntheanne Road). Like the prior incident, a resident immediately called 911 to report a suspicious person at their front door. As officers arrived, they observed the two suspects fleeing the area in a Honda passenger car. Officers pursued the suspects for a short distance before the Honda became disabled. The suspects were later identified as Gregory Gardner, 30, from North Vernon and Emily Parrish, 23, also from North Vernon.

The three suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Hamilton County Jail.  All three face several charges.

The Shop Fishers promotion for 2020 will start with Small Business Saturday on November 28, but will not end there.  About 65 local businesses will continue this promotion through the end of the year.  Stephanie Perry & Megan Baumgartner with the City of Fishers jointed me in this podcast.  Megan also talks about how local businesses are faring in general as part of her Economic Development job.

For more details on the 2020 Shop Fishers, use this link.   Listen to the podcast at the link below.