It was March 29th when I announced the end of regular local Fishers news coverage on this blog.  After more than 8 years going to meetings, news conferences and a myriad other events, it was time to scale back.  But with the novel coronavirus impacting all our lives to dramatically, I have tried to keep an eye on local angles of that story.

I also asked myself, what do I do now?  I plan to continue podcasts on a variety of subjects, including local nonprofits and the arts.  Well, there’s only so much happening on the arts scene, so I have tried to feature nonprofit organizations doing important work in the local community, and that will continue.

Then, I decided to do a daily Monday-Friday podcast, just 5-7 minutes long, about what happened that day and other days.  Nothing special, just a few thoughts that come into my mind.  I usually post the podcast between 10pm & midnight.

If you would like to sample some of my Larry’s Log podcasts, use this link.

Be careful, please be safe, wash your hands and wear a mask in public.

My May 12th Larry’s Log podcast discussed Indiana Republican House member Jim Lucas from Seymour.  He was accused of a recent racist post on Facebook.  Lucas immediately defended himself, saying the post was not racist and he is not racist.  I urged House Speaker Todd Huston (from Fishers) to consider pulling Lucas from his committee appointments in the House.  Friday afternoon, Huston published new committee assignments and Lucas was no longer on two, demoted from vice-chair to regular member on a third panel.  Here is my followup commentary on the speaker’s actions.

There will be plenty of Fishers road construction underway in the coming week.  State Road 37, 96th Street, Allisonville Road and several downtown projects are on the list.

Here is the listing provided by the City of Fishers:

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The HAND Board of Directors has announced Friday the promotion of Andrea Davis to executive director of the nonprofit organization.  HAND’s mission is promoting affordable housing in Hamilton County.

Davis has served as interim executive director for several months before being named to the post permanently.  She joined the staff of HAND in 2016.

“We are excited with the progress that both Andrea and Rebekah have made in continuing HAND’s mission,” Board Chairman Keith Broadnax said of the appointments, approved May 14. “If there was ever a need for affordable housing, it is now. We are committed to continuing to serve the affordable housing needs of our families and communities.”

Interim Deputy Director Rebekah Metzger has been named Development Director.  This signifies a shift made by the HAND organization to emphasize the ongoing focus on neighborhood and community development.

Before being named the executive director, Ms. Davis recorded a podcast interview with me that can be heard at this link.

Fishers has had a program aimed at improving mental health since transitioning from a town to a city.  COVID-19 is bringing even more urgency to mental health treatments.  Here is tonight’s Log

The local Hamilton County nonprofit group HAND, which promotes affordable housing throughout the county, has just been awarded a $150,000 COVID-19 grant from the United Way for those struggling with their rent payments.  All the details have not been worked out, but HAND’s Interim Executive Director Andrea Davis says her organization will be working with the local township trustees to help their clients in rent payment issues.

I talked about that, and other local housing issues, with Andrea Davis in this podcast.

The business shutdowns due to the novel coronavirus pandemic is reeking havoc on state budgets, and Indiana is not immune.  With falling state tax receipts, HSE Schools are bracing for lower state funding.  Also, library buildings may be closed locally, but you cand get curb side service.

Jim Lucas is a Republican member of the Indiana House from Seymour.  He has been the subject of controversy over his social media posts that many consider racist.  It appears he has done it again, and the leaders of the Indiana House now must decide what to do.

This is the day many in Indiana have been awaiting….the day when Phase 2 of the governor’s plan to slowly reopen the state to business is here.

Hair salons, barber shops and restaurants are allowed to open, but under strict health guidelines.  With the danger of a second coronavirus wave, everyone is working to stay within the health guidelines.

Here is my Larry’s Log commentary, about that and more.

The City of Fishers announced that 73 of 93 applicants will receive loans from a special city program to assist small businesses gearing-up for reopening, after weeks of being closed due to the novel coronavirus.  In a podcast posted last Friday, Fishers Director of Economic Development Megan Baumgartner told LarryInFishers that the city planned to announce the operations approved for the loan, but would not disclose the amount each business received in loan proceeds.

The loan fund totaled $500,000, with no single loan exceeding $15,000.  Baumgartner said only a handful of loans were the maximum $15,000, with most in the range of of $7,500.

Here is the listing of businesses receiving a loan:

Air-Tan
Alliance Chiropractic
Ancerra Corporation
As You Wish Cleaning, LLC
b chic hair design & boutique/the gypsy nest boutique
Best Choice Fieldhouse
BIG APPLE BAGELS
Blush Salon Boutique
BRAND PHOTODESIGN
British Swim School Hamilton County
Cafe Korea
Camp Cheeney Creek
Castillo Massage and Skincare Studio
Crofton Consulting Group Inc
CrossFit West Geist
Cynthia’s Hallmark
DRA, Inc
Dragonfly Salon
Elaine’s Salon
Envy Salon and Spa
Fidelis Remodeling Group, Corp.
Fishers Cryotherapy
Fit Chicks!
Focal Point Marketing
Geist Nails
High Frequency Arts
Home4Birth
Imavex, LLC
IMPACT MINIATURES
Indiana Lien Inc.
Jack’s Donuts Fishers
K Nails Spa
Karen Marshall NAET
Kateen’s Floral Designs
Korave LLC
Learnovation, LLC
Little Explorers Preschool
LIVRITE FITNESS
LouVino
Man Cave Collectibles
Midwest Balloon Rides
MindBlowing Hair Salon LLC
Natural State Provisions LLC
New King Chef Inc.
Nix Real Estate Group
Patient Care services team
Pearl Street Pizzeria & Pub
Personal Training Fitness Studio
Platinum Partners, LLC
Power Body Language LLC
Prairie Guest House
Progressive Eyecare
Reliable Contractors, Inc.
ROI Search Group
Runners Forum
Salon Seven
Samano’s
Seal Now
Simply Smile Dentistry
SmartStyle Salons
State of Grace Boutique
Studio 510
The Lash Lounge Fishers
The MAX Challenge of Fishers
Time Walk Wedding Video
Tire Central and Service
Travel Leaders Indianapolis
TUTOR DOCTOR INDY
Valor 3 LLC
Walker Dentistry pc
Wedding Officiant Indianapolis
Wishes Dance Studio
Your DOT Experts, LLC