I continue to be amazed by the people that regularly read this blog.

I had failed to write anything for several days because I was sick with the coronavirus and felt I needed to explain why I had been away, particularly with an election looming.  So once I felt well enough to write, I explained why I had been absent.

What I did not expect was the outpouring of heart-felt messages from all over.  I had friends, relatives and people I know from covering news in Fishers for 12 years all sending me some sort of indication they were following my recovery.  You have no idea how much that means to me.  I sincerely thank each and every one of you.

I have had a lot of time to think over the last many days battling this awful virus.  You think about all that is truly important to you.  My family, my wife, my daughters and my new grandson.  I cannot say enough about my wife Jane.  Thank goodness she tested negative for COVID and has taken care of me during this scary ordeal.  We have used all the precautions recommended for a couple living together with one person positive, and Jane is healthy with no symptoms.

When the test came back positive for me, I only told a small circle of close relatives and friends.  I didn’t want to burden people in general about my health issues.

Once I disclosed my health condition Wednesday, I was overwhelmed by the number of people saying they are thinking and praying for me.  You have no idea how much that means.

LarryInFishers.com has been a volunteer activity for me, I have never made a cent from this.  I always viewed this as my retirement volunteer activity.

When I announced my plans to withdraw from the news blog last March, I was again shocked at the response, so many people making kind remarks.  My plans to change the direction of the blog went out the window with the pandemic so I continued to cover local news because, again, no one else was doing it.

As long as my health holds out, I’ll continue to cover local news and produce some podcasts.  I may not attend many meetings in person, but I will stay with it as long as I can, because the people reading this blog have expressed how much they care for me…..and it is up to me to return the favor.

One more thing…..the Fishers Health Department issued what I would describe as an ominous statement Thursday that COVID-19 is spreading fast locally and just about everywhere.  We don’t know when or if government will act, but either way, the best we can all do individually is to wear a mask in public, practice social distancing and wash our hands.

Take it from me….prevention is the best medicine.

The Fishers Health Department issued a statement late Thursday about “very concerning” trends in COVID-19 positive cases.

“We are not recommending that schools and businesses close at this time,” the statement says.

Below is the full statement, first posted on Twitter:

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Currently, our community is experiencing a rapid increase in individuals positive with COVID-19.  The trends for Fishers, Central Indiana, and the nation are very concerning. Over the course of the last several months, the Fishers Health Department has been accruing and reviewing a variety of data and research into the changing nature of this virus.

Our team is currently finalizing our analysis of all the data we have been collecting to get a true and comprehensive understanding of the course of this pandemic and the appropriate actions to take to further mitigate its spread in our community.

We are not recommending that schools and businesses close at this time. We do advise a review of additional mitigation measures that can be taken to keep public and shared locations as safe as possible. Suggestions can be found at http://fishers.in.us/COVIDrec.

We will provide a comprehensive update and recs (recommendations) at the upcoming board of health meeting, scheduled for 11/10. In the meantime, we must: • Wear a mask • Distance • Wash hands • No gathering in private residences

Fishers Police are issuing a warning to residents of the Sandstone and Meadow Brook Neighborhoods, in the area near 116th Street and Brooks School Road, after reports of twelve thefts from vehicles and two thefts of vehicles in the early morning hours Thursday.

Detectives are asking residents living in this area to check their home security surveillance footage for suspicious persons or vehicles on or near their property between the hours of 1am and 4am. Anyone with information regarding these thefts is asked to call Detective/Sergeant Ruble at 317-595-3319.

Residents are advised to follow the guidance below, issued by the Fishers Police:

1. Never leave your vehicle unsecured, even if you are only going to be away from it for a short time. Thieves only need a few seconds to open an unlocked door and retrieve valuables that are left in plain sight.

2. Secure valuables in the trunk before leaving your vehicle. Thieves will often take the time to look into windows before choosing a particular vehicle to break-in. Unsecured items such as credit/gift cards, electronic devices (laptops, iPads), purses, cellular phones, audio systems, keys, and other items are often the targets of a thief.

3. Etch your driver’s license number on all items of value and that are removable, e.g., audio equipment, electronic devices.

4. Park in your garage, if you have one. Don’t leave your vehicle in the street, in an alley or in your driveway. If you have to park in the street, avoid dark or isolated areas and removed your garage door opener.

5. Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break-in, move, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving your vehicle unattended.

6. Don’t leave spare keys attached to the outside of your vehicle or hidden inside your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places.

7. Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your destination. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, or other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.

8. Turn off your engine, roll up all your windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway.

9. Follow the 9PM Routine and double check that all valuables are removed, and your vehicle is locked before going to bed.

10. Lock it, Hide it, Keep it! https://www.fishers.in.us/677/Crime-Prevention-Safety-Information

The absentee ballots have all been counted at the Hamilton County Election office and the results show the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board will have three new members in January.  Both incumbents lost in their bids for another term.  Amanda Shera was elected four years ago and Clint Wilson was selected by the board to finish Mike Bottorff’s term when he resigned from the board in 2019.  Both were unsuccessful as candidates in 2020.  Sylvia Shepler chose not to seek another term this year in Wayne Township.

The nail-biter has been in the Delaware Township race.  The final tally shows Sarah Donsbach as the winner by 22 votes over Amanda Shera, out of more than 42,000 votes cast.  That’s a winning margin of .05%.

The other two township races were not close.  Suzanne Thomas easily prevailed in a crowded field of 5 candidates.  Sarah Parks-Reese was the winner in Wayne Township.

The HSE School Board at-large election means all voters in all three townships select one candidate from each of the three townships.

The new board members will have a number of issues to handle when assuming board seats in January, including possible redistricting with a new Wayne Township elementary school in the works.

It started more than a week ago with flu-like symptoms that were not pleasant, but after consulting my physician I took a COVID-19 test.  I tested positive late last week.

To put it bluntly, I am high-risk in more ways than one.  However, my doctor was encouraging as we exchanged e-mails regularly over the past few days.

I am one lucky individual.  My symptoms have been mild and, at least so far, I have managed by trying to take care of myself as best I know.

COVID-19 is on fire in this area and the data is clear on that.  Everyone should be careful.

What confounds me is that I took every precaution expected – wearing a mask when in public, social distancing and washing hands regularly.  I look back and cannot understand how I contracted this virus.

God must be smiling upon me, because I know of so many others not so fortunate that have had serious health problems due to COVID.

So, even with the election going on, if you have missed my posts, it’s all because my health was on the front burner.  It is good to be feeling better once again.

Adam Aasen & Alec Toombs talk about the week in film on the Grade A Movies Podcast.

by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

FISHERS – Just like it did several weeks ago, big plays became a factor in a Fishers-Hamilton Southeastern football game.

Both teams made their share of those big plays when they met Friday at Reynolds Tigers Stadium in the semi-finals of Class 6A Sectional 4. Fishers made two of them in the fourth quarter: A long touchdown pass and an interception in the end zone. That was enough to give the Tigers a 34-29 win over the Royals and advance to next week’s championship game.

“You need a spark. You need a big win for a program,” said Fishers coach Curt Funk, who picked up his first post-season victory as the Tigers coach.

“We talked to the kids all week about moments, and life’s about them and sports are about them,” said Funk. “And they made their moment tonight.”

Fishers trailed 29-20 going into the fourth quarter. The Tigers cut into that lead midway through the period; after Carson Dunn made a big run to get Fishers into scoring position, Lucas Prewitt punched the ball in from the one-yard line. Southeastern blocked the extra-point kick, but the Tigers were now within 29-26.

Minutes later, Fishers would get the ball back. The Tigers made their way down to the 42, where Prewitt threw a pass to Luke Valerio, who weaved his way into an open space and ran into the end zone. That put Fishers in front, and it added to its lead when Prewitt threw a two-point conversion pass to Shaun Kim.

The Tigers were now up by five points with 1:27 to go. The Royals began a furious drive, getting down to the Fishers 7. But with less than 10 seconds to go, the Tigers’ Shawn Dunnuck intercepted a pass in the end zone, sealing the victory.

“I knew somebody had to make a big play,” said Dunnuck. “They were driving it down the field that whole drive. And it was my man and I did my job and did what I could. All thanks to my teammates. They played their hearts out. They motivated the whole team and we kept it going the whole game.”

“For years they’re going to talk about the Seth Dunnuck interception,” said Funk. “What a way to end an outstanding game, and HSE, they played their tails off. They had a great season and Coach (Michael) Kelly’s done a great job there in his first year.”

Fishers set the tone of the game early. Carson Dunn blasted off on a 78-yard run into the end zone early in the first quarter to get the Tigers on the board first. Justin Sharkey’s extra-point kick gave Fishers a 7-7 lead.

Southeastern was in control for the remainder of the first half. John McCall found Dylan Conner for a 38-yard touchdown pass, and Alex Geroulis tied it up with his extra-point kick. The score was now 7-7, and would remain so through the end of the quarter.

McCall stepped up again for the Royals in the second quarter. He ran in two touchdowns, the first from nine yards and the second from one yard, the latter with 13 seconds left in the half. Geroulis kicked both points afterwards, and HSE led 21-7 at halftime.

“I thought our kids played really well,” said Kelly. “They had a phenomenal game plan and played really hard. I thought our guys showed a lot of heart, showed a lot of poise. At the end of the night, Fishers was the better team than what we were.”

The Tigers mounted a comeback in the third quarter, with Dunn once again making big plays. He zoomed into the end zone on a 69-yard touchdown run early in the period, then caught a 76-yard scoring pass from Prewitt midway through the quarter.

“Carson Dunn did an outstanding job,” said Funk. “We challenged him. We told him, ‘You’re going to have to come out here and you’re going to have to bring it all night long,’ and he did. He just did an awesome job. Real proud of him.”

The Royals blocked the extra point attempt after the second touchdown to preserve a 21-20 lead. Then with less than a minute in the period, McCall scrambled into the end zone from 18 yards. He followed that up with a two-point pass to Will Gerig to put Southeastern ahead 29-20. That lead would hold until Fishers began its fourth-quarter comeback.

Dunn finished the game with 193 yards rushing on 20 carries, giving him the vast majority of the Tigers’ rushing yards. Prewitt completed 14 of 19 pass attempts for 220 yards, with Silas Martin making five catches. Dunnuck totaled 13 tackles, with Collin Malone making seven stops.

McCall was 13-of-21 as the HSE quarterback, totaling 185 yards. Conner made five receptions for 103 yards, while Jace Alexander had four catches. Blaine Wertz led the rushing with 100 yards, followed by McCall with 96. Cole Earlewine led the Royals tackles with six stops.

Southeastern finished its season 6-3, and tied for second in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference standings.

“We grew a significant amount,” said Kelly. “I appreciate what our seniors did for the program, just setting the tone, setting the expectation. I thought they did some great things for us.”

Fishers improved to 3-7 after the win and will travel to Westfield next Friday to play for the Sectional 4 title.

There are a few “bucket list” items world travelers normally cite.  One is traveling the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Beijing.  Local residents John & Ann Craig-Cinnamon took that trip recently and brought back the video they shot along the way.

What resulted is a half-hour documentary film airing locally on WFYI (Channel 20).

Here is my conversation with Ann & John about that experience.

There will be no changes next week for the in-person class situation in Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, as had been tentatively planned.  Grades 5 & 6 will remain 50% in-person following action by the school board Wednesday night.

The vote was 5-2, with board members Amanda Shera and Brad Boyer voting no.  Previously, the board had acted to have grades 5 & 6 go to a 100% in-person classroom schedule.  The action Wednesday keeps the situation the same, at least for now.

Experience with COVID-19 in the schools and the community as a whole were cited as reasons for keeping the hybrid system in place for grades 5 & 6.