Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart has announced that official Trick-or-Treat hours in the City of Fishers will be Friday, October 31, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
In preparation for Halloween, Chief Gebhart also shared several safety reminders for families and children. Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to stay in groups, walk on sidewalks when possible, and have all treats inspected by an adult before eating them.
Parents or adults should accompany children while trick-or-treating, and participants are urged to carry flashlights or glowsticks and visit only homes with porch lights on. Bright-colored, flame-resistant costumes are recommended, and officials advise avoiding masks that obstruct vision.
Drivers and pedestrians alike are reminded to use extra caution when crossing streets, and children should never accept rides from strangers.
Fishers police officers will patrol neighborhoods throughout the evening to help ensure a safe Halloween for all. Residents who notice anything suspicious are asked to call 911 immediately.
The city will also host its annual Boo Bash celebration on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater, featuring family-friendly activities ahead of Halloween night.
The Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) will host its 19th annual Tinsel & Tails Holiday Petacular on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6–9 p.m. at the 502 East Event Centre in Carmel. The event serves as the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, supporting the shelter’s annual operating expenses.
The evening will feature a seated dinner, silent auction, and the popular “Golden Ticket Raffle,” offering guests a chance to win $2,500 in prizes. The highlight of the night comes during a video presentation and runway show where several adopted pets and their owners share touching stories of rescue and redemption.
“This event is always a night to remember,” said Emma Nobbe, Community Engagement Manager for HSHC. “It’s a unique chance for our community to experience firsthand the true healing power of pets through the year’s most remarkable adoption stories.”
Those unable to attend can still participate by donating or bidding in the silent auction online. Bidding opens November 13 at TinselandTails.com. Among this year’s auction items are two experience packages: a stay at a Sanibel Island condo in Florida and a trip to Punta Mita, Mexico.
The Humane Society for Hamilton County is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as both the county’s animal control facility and humane society. About 20 percent of its funding comes from Hamilton County, while the remainder relies on individual donations. HSHC operates as one of the few open-admission, no-kill shelters in the nation, taking in animals regardless of age, breed, injury, or special needs.
For more information about Tinsel & Tails or to learn about HSHC’s programs such as the Survivor Program and Pets Healing Vets, visit HamiltonHumane.com
Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) joined Vice President J.D. Vance, Governor Mike Braun, and other state legislative leaders today for a meeting at the Statehouse focused on key policy issues under consideration by Indiana lawmakers, with media reports indicating redistricting was on the agenda.
Following the meeting, Huston’s office released a statement thanking the vice president for engaging directly with members of the Indiana House Republican caucus.
“I thank Vice President Vance for again talking with our caucus members and facilitating an open dialogue on this important topic,” Huston said. “It means a lot to us that he is willing to spend time in our state, personally communicating with and answering questions from Hoosier lawmakers. We had another productive conversation today and we’ll keep discussing this within our caucus and with the Hoosiers we represent as we come to a decision soon.”
Huston’s office did not provide additional details about the specific issues discussed during the meeting.
A new pedestrian and bicycle bridge connecting Fishers and Carmel will officially open later this month, marking a major milestone in regional trail connectivity and cross-community collaboration.
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR), in partnership with Clay Township, Hamilton County, Delaware Township, and the City of Fishers, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bur Oak Bridge on Monday, October 20 at 3 p.m. at Hazel Landing Park, 10601 Hazel Dell Parkway in Carmel. The event is open to the public and will also celebrate the reopening of Hazel Landing Park, which had been closed during construction.
Spanning 500 feet across the White River, the new 14-foot-wide bridge connects Hazel Landing Park in Carmel with Heritage Park in Fishers. The bridge provides a scenic, safe route for walkers, runners, and cyclists while linking major trail systems — the Monon Trail, Big-4 Rail Trail, Nickel Plate Trail, and White River Greenway — creating one of the most extensive and interconnected trail networks in the Midwest.
“This bridge will stand as a symbol of collaboration, linking trails, communities, and people,” said Paul Hensel, Clay Township Trustee. “We are excited to see the countless ways it will enhance recreation, mobility, and connection along the White River corridor.”
The $11 million project was funded through a regional partnership that included:
Clay Township – $5 million through its Impact Program
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation – $3 million
Hamilton County – $1.6 million
Delaware Township – $1.3 million
City of Fishers – $400,000
Delaware Township Trustee Debbie Driskell said her township’s investment reflects a long-term commitment to community well-being. “This project not only provides our residents with new opportunities to connect with nature and each other, but it also strengthens the bond between our communities,” Driskell said. “By investing in this bridge, we are investing in regional connectivity, health, and quality of life for generations to come.”
The bridge’s name, Bur Oak Bridge, honors the ecological and cultural importance of the native Bur Oak tree. The name was selected with input from representatives of the Miami, Delaware/Lenape, Shawnee, and Peoria tribes. Interpretive signage at both ends of the bridge will share stories about the White River’s natural and Indigenous heritage.
“This bridge represents our commitment to caring for this land and honoring its stories,” said Michael Klitzing, Director and CEO of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation. “It’s more than a structure – it’s a reminder of our role as thoughtful stewards of the White River Corridor.”
The Bur Oak Bridge is expected to become both a functional link and a regional landmark — a new connection between two communities and a new way to experience Central Indiana’s growing trail system.
The City of Fishers is looking for seasonal, on-call snowplow drivers and backhoe operators to join its Snow Fight Team and help keep the community’s roads clear during the upcoming winter months.
The Fishers Department of Public Works says the temporary, paid positions are ideal for individuals with flexible schedules who want to make a meaningful contribution to the community. Team members play a vital role in ensuring that residents, schools, and emergency services can travel safely when winter weather hits.
City officials say the work is a great opportunity for those who enjoy serving their community and don’t mind braving a little snow.
Interested applicants can apply now through the City of Fishers at this link.
Watch for yet another ramp closure on 146th at Allisonville Road in the construction area. Below is the statement issued October 8 by Hamilton County:
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Please be advised, beginning on or after Thursday, October 09, 2025, between the hours of 9:00AM and 3:00PM, drivers should expect the southwest ramp at 146th and Allisonville to be closed.
Drivers will not be able to access Allisonville Road from eastbound 146th Street.
Additionally, there will be intermittent closures of the south end of the roundabout for concrete deliveries.
Please use extreme caution and follow the posted work zone speed limit while driving through this construction zone.
School district budgets across Indiana are being squeezed following the General Assembly’s passage of Senate Bill 1 earlier this year. The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District is now grappling with those financial realities as the school board moves closer to approving a total 2026 budget of just under $305 million.
The funding shortfall is also fueling tension between the HSE Education Association (HSEA) and district administrators as the two sides negotiate a new one-year contract.
HSE Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown outlined the district’s fiscal challenges during Wednesday night’s public budget hearing. State support for public schools is based on student enrollment, and this year’s official count shows 409 fewer students enrolled in HSE Schools. Brown said the enrollment drop translates to a loss of about $1 million in the district’s Education Fund, which primarily supports teacher salaries and benefits.
Incoming transfer students—79 in total—offset some of the loss, but rising expenses are adding new pressures. Health insurance premiums are increasing by 10.5% or 16.8% depending on the employee’s chosen plan, significantly impacting both the district and staff.
Five people spoke during the budget hearing’s public comment period.
The first speaker expressed concern about misinformation surrounding the ongoing teacher negotiations.
The second praised teachers and argued district officials are not doing enough to support them.
The third said there is a lack of trust in administrators and board members, urging district leaders to find “creative and equitable” solutions in bargaining.
The final two speakers represented HSEA. Craig Frawley, the union’s lead negotiator, said HSE is the only school district in the Indianapolis metropolitan area proposing what he described as essentially a pay cut for teachers and asked the board to explain why. HSEA President Tyler Zerbe criticized current district leadership for “playing the blame game” by pointing fingers at previous administrations.
Board member Dawn Lang said she has been hearing from residents who are asking what the district is doing to control spending as families face rising living costs.
The HSE School Board is scheduled to take final action on the 2026 budget at its October 22 meeting.
You can see CFO Tim Brown’s presentation to the school board at this link.
Before retiring in 2011, I spent 28 years as a federal civil servant — and during that time, I experienced six government shutdowns. They ranged in length from just one afternoon to the longest shutdown before the Trump administration, which stretched from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996.
Once a shutdown begins, an odd and inefficient system kicks into gear. A large number of federal employees are sent home, while others are deemed “essential” and must continue to work without pay. Over the years, the definition of “essential” has changed, but the reality has remained the same: no one gets paid until the shutdown ends.
This situation affects about 1.6 million federal workers nationwide. Without paychecks, many will reduce or halt spending, which can ripple through the economy — especially if the shutdown drags on. In past shutdowns, Congress has always passed legislation to pay federal employees retroactively once the government reopens.
However, former President Trump has suggested he could block back pay (at least for some federal workers) once a shutdown is over. Federal law guarantees that employees eventually receive their pay, but if the president’s stance is pursued, it would almost certainly trigger a swift legal challenge. Members of both political parties in Congress appear to agree that workers should not be punished for circumstances beyond their control, so any final deal is likely to include retroactive pay provisions.
Shutdowns tend to become more painful the longer they last. The record-setting shutdown during Trump’s first term lasted over a month, and it only ended after significant disruptions — including breakdowns in the air traffic control system and widespread flight delays. Early signs of similar disruptions are already appearing, with some airports reporting staff shortages among air traffic controllers.
From my own experience, being furloughed was never something I took lightly. I had work to do, and I wanted to do it. It was deeply frustrating to wait for political leaders to set aside their differences and make a decision.
I feel for today’s federal employees who want nothing more than to return to their jobs serving the public. They work hard — sometimes in the spotlight, often behind the scenes — and their absence is felt when the government grinds to a halt.
I urge everyone to contact their members of Congress and encourage them to reach a bipartisan solution. The American people, and the federal employees who serve them, deserve no less.
The Delaware Township Trustee’s Office is launching a new community food drive called “Trick or Eat,” designed to help restock shelves at local food pantries ahead of the holiday season.
The initiative, developed by Beth Myers, Deputy Delaware Township Trustee and Director of Client Services, will take place in conjunction with the City of Fishers’ annual Boo Bash event later this month. The effort will benefit five local food pantries, including the township’s own pantry, which distributes more than 6,000 pounds of food each month to families in need within the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) school district.
Donations of nonperishable food items will be accepted at designated collection points during Boo Bash. All items collected will be distributed among the participating pantries serving residents of the HSE area.
The Trustee’s Office encourages residents attending Boo Bash to bring a canned good or pantry item to contribute.
For more information about the Trick or Eat drive or to learn how to donate, contact the Delaware Township Trustee’s Office or visit the event’s information booth during Boo Bash.
The Fishers Arts Council is inviting Veterans, Reserves, and Active Service Members to submit original artwork for its upcoming November exhibit, Duty, Honor, Creativity. The show will celebrate the creativity of those who have served in the U.S. military.
The exhibit will feature family-friendly, two-dimensional artwork in any medium. Pieces do not need to be military-themed but must be original and ready to hang with a wire. Works may not exceed 60 inches in any direction or weigh more than 30 pounds.
Submissions are due by October 17, and selected artists will be notified by October 24. Accepted pieces can be dropped off at the Art Gallery at City Hall on November 1 from 2–4 p.m. Artists needing alternate drop-off times may contact the Arts Council in advance.
Duty, Honor, Creativity will be on display November 3–26 in the Art Gallery at Fishers City Hall, open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
The Fishers Arts Council is a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes visual and performing arts in the community. In addition to its gallery space at City Hall, the council also manages the FAC Hub Gallery at the Collaboration Hub at the Hamilton County Community Foundation.
