As teachers and other staff member from the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School System gathered at the Fishers High School Gymnasium to kickoff the new school year, Superintendent Allen Bourff said the the school corporation may top 22,000 students this year, the highest count yet.

The new Southeastern Elementary was projected to be 80% occupied, now it is at capacity with a larger than expected kindergarten class.

Two students were recognized at the staff gathering.  Ana Gaston of Fishers High School was named American Legion Auxiliary Girls President, a national honor.  HSE High School student Salma Mohammad gained national recognition, winning the National Poet Award, Student Ambassador.

Here are more photos from the Tuesday morning event:

Continue reading HSE Schools student count may top 22,000 this school year →

During the summer months, drivers tend to forget the school bus rules of the road once  buses begin to fill our local streets and roads.  Well, Wednesday marks the start of school for the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Corporation.  That means there will be buses filled with youngsters all around our roads every school day.

New laws enacted in the last Indiana legislative session toughen penalties for motorists violating laws related to school buses.  You can review the new law provisions from a WISH-TV story available at this link.

The Fishers Police Department is providing some tips for local motorists as school is set to start once again:

• Be prepared for a longer commute. School buses and teenage drivers will add to the traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoons.

• Expect the unexpected. Watch for slowing or stopped traffic and the possibility of children darting out into the street.

• Be patient and observe the law when approaching or following a school bus.

• Be very aware of intersections where children are waiting for the bus.

• Be mindful of reduced speed limits in designated school zones.

• Police officers will provide increased patrols in neighborhoods and school zones. Officers in marked and unmarked police cars will be enforcing school bus stop arm violations and speeding in school zones.

• Residents should report suspicious activity and dangerous drivers by calling the Hamilton County Dispatch Center at 911 or 317-773-1282.

When the Fishers Town Council had the first iteration of the Amphitheater under construction, I recall a lengthy discussion among the council members.  The town planned to create a part-time position within the Parks and Recreation Department to handle booking the acts appearing on the new stage.

I wondered how Fishers would be able to land a person with the contacts and background to book the acts for that new facility on a part-time basis.  Previously, the town had provided Tuesday night concerts at the entrance to Town Hall (now City Hall).  The crowds had grown so much, Fishers had to make a decision – either stop the concerts or construct a facility to handle the increased crowds.

The Town Council decided to build an amphitheater.  The stage and overall facility would only be able to handle musical groups of a certain size with the limited amount of stage space available.

Fishers hired Bob McCutcheon for that part-time job.  Bob told me many times how hard it was in the early years to sell acts on performing at a facility no one knew at the time.  But over a period of years, Bob started getting return phone calls from booking agents and the Fishers Nickel Plate Amphitheater gained a reputation as a place that would draw a decent crowd.

When those crowds began to grow, the City of Fishers had another decision to make – should the Amphitheater and surrounding facility be upgraded?  The mayor and city council said yes, and the Amphitheater was dramatically upgraded, with the renovated facility opening about a year ago.

Bob McCutcheon should be proud of his success in growing the size of the crowds and the quality of the entertainment at the Fishers Nickel Plate Amphitheater.

However, something happened just a few days ago.  Bob McCutcheon resigned his position.  Bob did not want to talk about the details when I spoke with him recently.  I can surmise something went sour in his relationship with the city, because someone in Bob’s position, in the middle of a summer music series he largely arranged, normally does not resign at this point in the season.

Bob is landing on his feet.  He and local building contractor Dennis Collins are teaming up and creating Encore Promotions.  Bob says he plans to promote concerts throughout the state of Indiana in indoor and outdoor venues through the Encore venture.

The circumstances under which Bob parted company with the Fishers Parks & Recreation Department may be unclear, but one thing is clear – Bob contributed greatly to the City of Fishers and helped build a culture of music lovers with his live summer concerts.  I would hope someone, or some local organization, will honor Bob for the work he did for the city over a number of years.

It will be a challenge for the city to find a replacement for Bob.  In the meantime, let’s give Bob the credit he is due.

When Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) reporter Samm Quinn contacted me about being interviewed for a Q&A session, I had to read the message twice to ensure I had it right.  I knew IBJ featured an interview with a person in the Indy area in each week’s print edition but never imagined I would be asked for an interview.

So, Samm and I got together and talked for quite a while.  Then, photographer Eric Learned came to City Hall to take some pictures.  It was only then that I understood this was really happening.

I was a bit puzzled as to why IBJ would want to feature a man, writing a little news blog and producing podcasts aimed at Fishers, would want to write about me.  Puzzled, yes, but also humbled and honored to be asked.

I suppose the backdrop to all this is the lack of local news throughout America.  It says something about the state of journalism that the only avenue to get almost-daily local news about Fishers is from a former journalist, retired from his government job, writing as a volunteer.

My thanks to Samm Quinn and the editors at IBJ for choosing me as a subject for their Q&A section on Page 2 of the August 2nd IBJ edition.

You can read the entire interview at this link.

The Fishers Fire Department says a man has died after falling off a Geist Reservoir dock Friday night.  According to a Facebook post from fire officials, emergency crews were called to Geist Cove Way when the first reports came in.

Rescue teams located the victim within minutes, but the man died later at a local hospital.  The joint team consisting of Fishers Police & Fire personnel, specially trained in dive rescue, were part of the response.

Fishers first response teams  were assisted by the Indianapolis Fire Department and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The name of the victim and other details about the incident were not provided in the Facebook post

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

After 85 years in the grave, the body of notorious bank robber John Dillinger is to be exhumed next month. But, at least one Dillinger relative doesn’t think that is necessary.

Steve Dillinger, Hamilton County Commissioner and third cousin of the famous gangster, says his grandfather, Robert Dillinger, attended the 1934 funeral and “recognized first hand that it was Dillinger” in the coffin.

“We have a tape [recording] in which he [Steve’s grandfather] tells about Dillinger and the funeral,” Steve revealed.

The story of John Dillinger’s famous crime spree in the 1930s has begun to fade in recent years with many in the younger generation not recognizing the name. But, for a half-century after Dillinger’s death, the name was well known to most Americans, especially Hoosiers because the infamous bandit was born in Indianapolis and grew up in Mooresville.

John Dillinger

Now, a TV documentary is planned on the life and times of Dillinger, and thereby comes the reason for digging up the body. Producers of the planned TV show want to prove one way or the other that it was Dillinger who was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. (There have been stories during the years that the body buried in 1934 was not that of the famous bad guy.)

The Hamilton County branch of the Dillinger family came to Sheridan in the 1920s when Steve’s grandfather was named manager of the Public Service Indiana operation there. He had grown up with John Dillinger and knew him well.

Later Steve’s parents moved to Noblesville where Steve and most of the family have lived since. The Rev. Jim Dillinger and Rex Dillinger along with sisters Patty and Candy are Steve’s siblings.

The bandit Dillinger and his gang are reported to have robbed 24 banks in the Midwest during the years 1933 and 1934. During that escapade Steve’s grandmother worried that the gang might come to her Sheridan home seeking to hide out. The gang had been known to kill several people.

They never did show up in Sheridan.

Dillinger was eventually tracked down by a fledging FBI in Chicago. As in the movies, it was the famous “lady in red” who betrayed the outlaw outside the Biograph Theatre. Law enforcement agents shot and killed Dillinger when he attempted to escape arrest.

Steve says he’s heard the stories that portray his infamous relative as a type of Robin Hood, aiding the poor with his ill-gotten gain.

But, “he was not a good guy.” One good thing came of the Dillinger criminal activities, Steve believes. That was the federal government’s decision to give the FBI broader authority and resources, a decision that came largely because Dillinger had made law enforcement agencies look incompetent of quickly catching such brazen and organized criminals.

Hamilton County Reporter

A public dedication ceremony for an Indiana state historical marker commemorating Ryan White and his efforts to raise national AIDS awareness while battling the disease as a teenager, is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 30. The marker dedication will begin at 9 a.m. on the grounds of Hamilton Heights Middle School at 420 W. North St., Arcadia. White attended Hamilton Heights High School at this location from Aug. 31, 1987 until his death on April 8, 1990. Parking is available in the school parking lot and along the side streets.

The text follows for the state marker entitled “Ryan White (1971-1990)”:

“Kokomo native Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 after contracting the virus from a contaminated hemophilia treatment. He faced intense discrimination from his community in a time of fear and misunderstanding about AIDS and was prevented from attending school in his hometown. Hamilton Heights High School welcomed White in 1987 after the family moved to Cicero. Anticipating White’s arrival, Hamilton Heights developed an acclaimed AIDS education campaign. White raised national AIDS awareness while battling the disease and spoke before the Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic. He was named Sagamore of the Wabash for his advocacy. The Ryan White CARE Act, providing funds for HIV/AIDS treatment, passed soon after his death.”

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony for this state historical marker that examines Ryan White’s battle with AIDS and his commitment to educating others about the disease in the late 1980s. Hamilton Heights High School openly welcomed White in 1987 at a time when discrimination against those with the disease was common. School leadership and the student body fostered a climate of acceptance and trust within the community thanks to their widely praised educational campaign.

The program is free to attend, but does require a ticket. Click here to get your ticket. Following the program at the middle school and the unveiling of the new historical marker, there will be a short ceremony at Cicero Cemetery where White is buried for those interested in attending.

This is the seventh state historical marker in Hamilton County. For more information on other markers in the county, click here.

State historical markers commemorate significant individuals, organizations, places and events in Indiana history. These markers help communities throughout the state promote, preserve and present their history for the education and enjoyment of residents and tourists of all ages. For over 100 years, the Indiana Historical Bureau has been marking Indiana history. Since 1946, the marker format has been the large roadside marker, which has the familiar dark blue background with gold lettering and the outline of the state of Indiana at the top. Over 650 of these markers have been installed over the years.

For more information about the Indiana Historical Marker Program and other resources about Indiana, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau’s website at in.gov/history or call (317) 232-2535.

For more information about the marker dedication ceremony commemorating Ryan White, please contact Dan Smith at dsmith@hhschuskies.org or Peggy Georgi at pgeorgi@hhschuskies.org.

The Fishers Police Department has announced two community programs that local residents should note.

The first is the National Night Out, set for Tuesday, August 6th, Billericay Park, 5:30-7:30pm.  This is a national event, but done by local police departments throughout America.  It’s a chance for the local community to connect with Fishers Police officers.

There will be face painters, balloon artists, caricature artists, hot dogs, chips, cookies, drinks, with special appearances by Chase from Paw Patrol. There will be public safety educational associations there too. Fishers Police Officers will be available for questions and general conversation.

Second, The Police Department is planning another Citizens Academy.  This is the 37th year the local department has sponsored this program.

It is scheduled for 13 weeks and offers “police style” training to Fishers citizens.  Some of the training will include: Crime Prevention/Neighborhood Watch, Bicycle Patrol, Criminal Law, Police Canine, Traffic Stops, Weapons Familiarization, Criminal Investigations, Evidence Collection, and history of the department.

The instructors will be police officers from the Fishers Police Department.   Participants in the Citizen’s Academy are eligible to complete a ride along with an on- duty Fishers Police Officer.

 Our Fall 2019 Citizen’s Police Academy will be held at the Fishers Police Department every Wednesdaynight from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. starting August 21, 2019. The academy will be open to individuals who reside in Fishers or are employed in the Hamilton Southeastern School District.  You must be sixteen years old or older to participate in the Citizen’s Academy.

It is the Police Department’s goal to build on the relationships officers have established in the community. The Citizen’s Academy consists of classroom and hands on training that will allow citizens to interact and become more familiar with the tasks that are assigned to a police officer. The Citizen’s Academy will give community members the opportunity to ask questions about law enforcement and other related activities.

Apply online at www.fishers.in.us/police  or apply in person at the Fishers Police Department.  Applications will be accepted until August 14th.  If you have any questions, contact Officer Chris Owens at owensc@fishers.in.us  or (317) 595-3300.

The weekly update on road construction contains a reminder from Fishers City officials….please slow down and protect the safety of construction workers.

The north-end connector between Lantern Road and Municipal Drive should be completed in the coming days, if all goes as scheduled.  It will be open this weekend for concerts at the Amphitheater and the Saturday morning Farmers Market.

Also, watch for construction zones around the Fishers section of I-69.

Here is the complete listing, as provided by the City of Fishers, for the work week beginning Monday, August 5th:

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The City of Fishers wasted no time in approving the bid removing the railroad tracks along the Nickel Plate.  Once the other local government approvals are done, it is expected that 30 days later, crews will begin removing the tracks.

The City of Fishers expects to begin the first phase of construction on the Nickel Plate trail this fall.  The project is funded through a bond issued as part of the 2019 city budget.

The Fishers Board of Works and Public Safety officially approved acceptance of the bid at a meeting Wednesday afternoon.