What happened on Monday of this week will have major ramifications for the entire Indianapolis metro area.  That was the consummation of the  purchase of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by Roger Penske’s company.

That race track on the west side of Indianapolis hosts the largest single-day sporting event in the world each May.  It pumps millions of dollars into the area economy.  Without the Speedway, the economy of the Indy area would be much different, as in much smaller.

Many may think that this was a natural progression.  It was not.  The race track has seen a handful of owners since Carl Fisher found a group of investors to start the process roughly in 1909.  The Hulman family has owned the Speedway for 75 years.

When it was clear the family wanted to sell, the only family member with a tie to the track and its racing history was Tony George.  He was the one that pitched the idea of selling the track to Roger Penske, and the deal was reached fairly quickly.

Let me say now that if the Speedway had been purchased by, for example, a hedge fund just wanting to squeeze profits from the famed facility, keeping the tradition of the 500 alive would have been difficult.  But Roger Penske is a racing guy and has become a famous car owner by winning the world-famous 500 more than any owner.

Penske has pledged millions of dollars in improvements to the facility just between now and the 2020 Indy 500.  He wants to use the grounds to host more concerts and other events.  He wants to bring Formula One back to Indy.  He wants to explore a 24-hour endurance sports car race.

All ambitious ideas no hedge fund would even countenance.  This is why not only race fans, but all of central Indiana, should be thankful Tony George made the move and Roger Penske decided to buy.  It will maintain and improve the biggest event our area has to offer.

I was with a group of people from all over the world many years ago and there were individuals from Paris, London and even the old Soviet Union in the group.  When I told the crowd I was from Indianapolis, all they wanted to talk about with me was the 500.  It is still our one single biggest claim to fame.

As Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has said many times, whether we like it or not, we all sink or swim as a region, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area.  Without the Indy 500 a strong and vibrant event, our region would not be the same.

So, let’s look forward to the Penske era as it dawns on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  The crown jewel of our area is in good hands, and that is good for our entire region – including Fishers.

A showing of officials, including Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) assistant chief Chris Bailey and Fishers Chief of Police Ed Gebhart, gathered to appear before the media Monday afternoon, revealing how two arrests in Fishers, related to the shooting death of Fishers police dog Harlej, led to arrests in an Indianapolis crime spree.

Police say the three arrests were related to 2 deaths and impacted the lives of 18 people in the Indianapolis area.  A firearm recovered after the arrests related to the shooting of K9 officer Harlej was used to link that weapon with other crimes.

Here are the accused and charges they face:

• Richard Garrett: 23 counts, including two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, six counts of criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm, seven counts of battery, aggravated battery, armed robbery, and four counts of carrying a handgun without a license.
• Delance Hatcher: 15 counts, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, five counts of criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm, three counts of battery, armed robbery and three counts of carrying a handgun without a license.
• Rashaana Farrow: 15 counts, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of criminal recklessness, five counts of battery and four counts of carrying a handgun without a license.

According to Chief Gebhart, just since March of 2019, 84 firearms somehow related to criminal activity have been taken off the streets of Fishers by his officers, and 56 of those weapons have been checked out and found to have been used in another crime.  Gebhart tells LarryInFishers a majority of those firearms were seized in activity near 96th street, although the enhanced commercial activity along 116th Street has shown an increase in weapons seizures there lately.

The main theme of the Monday news conference was collaboration among the many communities that make-up the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area.

“Crime does not respect political boundaries ,” Mayor Fadness said.  “It doesn’t care whether you are a Republican or Democrat.  All it cares about is causing chaos among the streets of our city as well as the streets of Indianapolis.”

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern won its fourth consecutive game on Saturday, beating Northridge on the road 60-54.

The host Raiders led the Class 4A No. 6 Royals 18-17 after the first quarter, but Southeastern moved ahead by halftime, where it led 32-27. The Royals held a
43-35 advantage after three periods, then maintained their lead in the fourth.

Sydney Parrish scored 32 points, including three 3-pointers, and also pulled five rebounds and made four steals. Jackie Maulucci added eight points, while Bailee Poore collected four rebounds.

Southeastern is 14-2 and plays a Thursday home game with Warren Central.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers returned to action on Saturday after a two-week break and continued its undefeated season with a 54-45 victory at Fort Wayne South Side.

The Class 4A No. 4 Tigers led 13-11 after the first quarter and 26-23 at halftime. Fishers
then pulled away from the Archers in the third period, allowing them only four points. The
Tigers led 41-27 at the end of that quarter, then held their lead in the fourth.

Katie Burton scored 20 points, including a 10-of-12 performance from the free throw line. Tamia Perryman added 18 points, while Lydia Stullken scored 10. All three players nearly reached double-double status, as Perryman and Stullken collected nine rebounds and
Burton had eight. Fishers dominated the boards, pulling 40 rebounds. Audra Emmerson made seven steals.

The Tigers are 15-0 and host New Palestine on Wednesday.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County and the City of Noblesville will mark the completion of the Logan Street Bridge project with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6.

Reconstruction of the bridge started in July 2018. The $4.3 million project widened the bridge over the White River to accommodate sidewalks on both sides and construct a new bridge deck. An 18-by-150 river overlook area was also constructed along the south side of the bridge.

Dillinger

“The overlook will provide a nice gathering spot for special events,” said Steve Dillinger, president of the Hamilton County Commissioners. “And the new sidewalks will give pedestrians much safer access across the river, especially those walking between downtown, Riverwalk and Federal Hill Commons.”

Completion of the bridge was delayed by a rainy spring which caused the White River to flood, hindering early construction progress. Some minor work, like permanent pavement markings, may need to be delayed until warm weather in the spring.

“We apologize for the delay in construction,” Dillinger said, “But we’re confident this project will have been worth the wait. We appreciate the public’s patience.”

Construction also includes new lighting and other aesthetics. The City of Noblesville is contributing $1.5 million toward the total cost of the project.

Hamilton County Reporter

Richard Garrett and Rashaan Farrow, both involved in the killing of Fishers Police Department K9 Harlej, are two of a three-person crime spree that law enforcement officials say took place during a one-week span in October.

The Fishers Police Department and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department will hold a joint press conference at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6 at the Fishers Police Department. Officials from both agencies will provide details regarding the partnership that led to the arrest of three individuals for their participation the crime spree that spanned both Hamilton and Marion Counties.

According to the Reporter’s newsgathering partner WISH-TV, officials have charged Richard Garrett, Delance Hatcher and Rashaana Farrow for their alleged roles in 13 incidents, including non-fatal shootings, armed robbery and the murder of Devon Gillespie, Indianapolis.

Additionally, Garrett has been charged with fatally striking Anthony Mack with his vehicle in the 3500 block of Tacoma Avenue on Oct. 17.

The three have been charged with the following crimes:

• Richard Garrett: 23 counts, including two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, six counts of criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm, seven counts of battery, aggravated battery, armed robbery, and four counts of carrying a handgun without a license.
• Delance Hatcher: 15 counts, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, five counts of criminal recklessness, pointing a firearm, three counts of battery, armed robbery and three counts of carrying a handgun without a license.
• Rashaana Farrow: 15 counts, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of criminal recklessness, five counts of battery and four counts of carrying a handgun without a license.

Hamilton County Reporter

Fishers easily kept its undefeated record intact on Friday, with a 63-36 victory at Columbus East.

The Class 4A No. 4 Tigers outscored the Olympians in each quarter. Fishers led 8-6 after the first period, then went ahead 18-10 by halftime, with seven different Tigers players scoring.

Fishers then took control in the third period, outscoring Columbus East 23-9. Once again, seven different players scored for the Tigers, including Bryce Williams (six points on a pair of 3-pointers), Isaac Farah (five points) and Dominic Castellani (four points).

In the fourth quarter, Fishers poured in another 22 points. Jeffrey Simmons took over the game, scoring 12; he finished with 16 points. Farah also reached double figures with 10 points, including two 3s.

The Tigers are 12-0 and begin a four-game homestand on Tuesday by hosting Lafayette Jefferson.

Hamilton County Reporter 

Hamilton Southeastern traveled to New Castle on Friday afternoon for a make-up game, and came home with a 69-43 victory.

The Class 4A No. 6 Royals outscored the Trojans in each quarter, leading 19-13 after the first period and 38-20 at halftime. Three players reached double figures for Southeastern:

Sydney Parrish scored 23 points, Lauren Morris drained four 3-pointers on her way to 16 points and Jackie Maulucci contributed 11 points.

The Royals outrebounded New Castle 26-19. Parrish collected seven rebounds, while Bailee Poore pulled five. Southeastern had 20 total assists; Maulucci dished out seven and Poore handed out five. Parrish made four steals.

The Royals are 13-2 and play at Northridge this afternoon.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton county Reporter

A new year and a new decade are upon us in Hamilton County – one of the best places to live in America, according to the experts. And, local leaders are planning to keep it this way and expand upon that image.

During the new year, major additions to infrastructure and amenities are planned while private sector development, especially new housing, will continue its explosive growth in central and southern portions of the county.

The biggest public project, converting State Road 37 to a freeway without signals from Noblesville to Interstate 69, will get underway in earnest this spring with the first of new interchanges with intersecting roads.

Other highway projects involve completion of the 276th Street upgrade linking State Road 19 and U.S. 31, the next phase of dual-lane 146th Street west to Boone County, and the construction of several more roundabouts in areas of increasingly heavy traffic.

Hamilton Southeastern and Carmel Clay Schools will begin construction on new elementary buildings to replace Durbin, Orchard Park and Carmel elementary schools.

Downtown redevelopment is a term heard in recent years usually involving the encouraging of developers to take advantage of tax abatement or other inducements to build new commercial and residential structures.

Noblesville’s first such project, known as The Levinson, will be completed this year, and another complex is planned at Conner Street and White River. These, along with the city’s first parking garage spanning Clinton Street east of 8th Street, will begin markedly changing the downtown landscape.

Meanwhile, Westfield’s new Grand Junction is expected to revitalize the center of town. Fishers has announced plans for new condominium projects near the center of town, and Carmel will open a new luxury hotel, the Carmichael, near the Monon trail.

Other development will continue along the Monon while Clay Township gets started on a $60 million package of park and fire department upgrades, including a fieldhouse and fire administration and museum building.

Walking trails throughout the county will not be overlooked. Major work is expected on the Nickel Plate trail from Noblesville to the Marion County line, and another phase is set for the Midland Trace, which is planned to connect Noblesville with Westfield.

Planning and zoning departments are expecting hundreds of permit requests for new homes throughout southern and central Hamilton County.

All in all, it will be another truly big year for the ever-changing face of our county.

Allison Lewis was an American exchange student in the United Kingdom when she met a Brit named Imran Lohdi.  A romance blossomed from that relationship, leading to a wedding and Imran coming to the United States.

Imran, a native of London, was accustomed to living in a large city.  The couple traveled the nation looking for another large city like London.  In the end, after a lengthy search, Imran and Allison decided Fishers was the best place to settle down.

Both pursued corporate careers.  After helping a number of companies get off the ground, the couple decided to do their own startup business.

That enterprise is the Lash Lounge, which opened its doors to customers in October.  The opening was an interesting experience for all involved.

Allison Lohdi was in the hospital giving birth to the couple’s third child as she was online changing the Web site to show the lounge was open for business.

Both Allison & Imran have full-time jobs, his in finance, hers in what she describes as “customer experience.”  So, they hired a full-time manager to run the lounge, but she is now on maternity leave.

Nonetheless, Ms. Lohdi says the business is off to a good start and the clientele list is growing.

One reason the Lohdis selected the eyelash and eyebrow business is the certification needed for their employees doing this work, requiring 6-8 weeks of intense training.

“We wanted to make sure that these were not just jobs for people, we wanted them to be true careers,” said Ms. Lhodi.  “Lashing is a career path, a little like being a hair stylist.  It’s a profession.”

Allison says her business is aimed at professional women “that don’t have time for beauty but want something that’s easy, but also want to feel good about how they look and the confidence it brings them.”

The Lash Lounge is located at 8395 East 116th Street, a few doors down from Taylor’s Bakery.