A new commercial development is coming aimed at providing more restaurant choices in Fishers.

The Indianapolis Business Journal posted the story Thursday morning.  The reporter is Lindsey Erdody.  You can read the story at this link.

Comcast plans to close its call center in Fishers, but is devising a plan to allow the workers to handle customer service phone calls from their homes.

Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal reported the story.  You can read her piece at this link.

School districts surrounding Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) saw their ISTEP scores drop, and school corporations around Indiana saw a drop in test scores, just as HSE experienced in this latest round.

“We’re not an outlier,” according to Assistant Superintendent Jan Combs.  “We fared better than many.

The bottom line scores are all As and Bs, but there were concerns about certain subgroups of students, such as African-American and Hispanic students.  Board Member Howard Stevenson expressed concern about the large gap between white students and the small subgroups.

HSE Superintendent Allen Bourff told Stevenson his concerns are well-founded about the gap shown for some minority groups, but emphasized that HSE received high grades from the state because “we don’t have that many people pulling our averages down just because the numbers aren’t there.”

You can view the entire ISTEP report presented to the school board at this link.

The Taco Bell on Allisonville Road, south of 116th Street, was robbed Saturday night, according to Fishers City Police.  No one was hurt.  Police set-up a perimeter in the area but could not find a suspect, described only as a black male in his mide-to-late teens wearing dark clothes.

Below is the full release from Fishers Police:

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The Fishers Police Department is currently investigating a robbery that occurred on Saturday evening at the Taco Bell Restaurant, located at 11425 Allisonville Road.

According to employees, as they were preparing for closing a male approached the counter, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. The employee complied and was not injured. The suspect was last seen running out of the restaurant.

Officers quickly responded to the area and set a perimeter. An extensive search of the area was conducted, however the suspect remains at large. Anyone with information regarding this robbery or the identity of this suspect is encouraged to call the Fishers Police Department at 317-595-3300.

Suspect Description

Black male

Mid to late teens

Wearing dark clothing

You may know Jim White is Transportation Director for Hamilton Southeastern Schools.  But did you know he has traveled the world as a military pilot, and handled the cockpit for Air Force One?  Hear that and more my podcast interview with Jim White.

A musical event in Fishers, the Christmas Extravaganza, is reviewed in this podcast.

The traffic snarls Fishers motorists have endured lately are coming to an end, as the work on 116th Street just east of I-69 has been completed.  This construction is improving the approach to the IKEA store site, now under construction.

For more details, read the news release from the City of Fishers below:

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After years of planning, arranging funding and actual construction, the 106th Street interchange along I-69 in Fishers is finally open to traffic.  The ribbon-cutting ceremony was actually a bit earlier than projected, and that is good news for motorists lookint to navigate that area of the city.

The new added interchange is expected to east traffic congestion along that stretch of I-69.  The project is also stimulating economic development activity in that area of Fishers.

Below is the news release from the city, which includes a few pictures.

The new Interstate 69 interchange at 106th Street is on schedule to open by this evening, project partners announced today. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contracted Walsh Construction to build the interchange for $21.7 million, and the city of Fishers and Hamilton County contributed $12 million toward the project. The new interchange (Exit 204) intends to reduce congestion at existing I-69 interchanges at 96th and 116th streets, increase traffic safety in the area and provide additional interstate access at 106th Street.  Direct access will serve existing residential and commercial destinations and accommodate development in one of the fastest growing areas in the state. Walsh Construction aggressively completed the interchange in just one construction season, starting in April with the closure and demolition of the 106th Street bridge over I-69. The former overpass has been replaced by two separate two-lane bridges over I-69.  Each bridge carries one direction of traffic in a unique oval-shaped roundabout, which controls traffic on 106th Street and interchange ramps to and from both directions of I-69. The southern bridge features a welcoming City of Fishers logo, and the northern bridge features a multi-use path over the interstate that provides additional connectivity for pedestrians and non-motorized traffic. “We all have common paths in seeking safe, efficient and accessible transportation,” INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson said. “Collaborative partnerships lead to dynamic projects like this that have resounding benefits, strengthen communities and take Indiana to the next level.” Fishers has seen tremendous residential and commercial growth over the previous three decades and is currently the 6th most populated community in Indiana. According to census data, Fishers had an approximate population of 2,000 in 1980, 7,200 in 1990, 77,000 in 2010, and 87,000 in 2016. Current and future developments near the 106th Street interchange are expected to create additional traffic in the area. “We are very excited about the opening of the new 106th Street interchange. This improvement project is a crucial part of the overall plan to increase the flow of traffic in the area, improve residents’ and commuters’ quality of life, and open up greater economic development opportunities along the I-69 Corporate Corridor,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said. “I am thankful for the collaborative partnership with INDOT and the continuing efforts to develop innovative projects that  better serve the community.” For more information about the project, go to http://www.in.gov/indot/3399.htm.  About roundabouts INDOT is using roundabouts to replace some traditional four-way traffic signals to reduce crashes, traffic delays, fuel consumption, air pollution and construction costs, while improving safety, increasing capacity and enhancing intersection beauty. Roundabouts are becoming relatively common in Indiana, with more than 256 constructed through 2016 by both INDOT and cities and towns. More than a dozen additional roundabouts are currently being planned by INDOT. Still, many drivers remain unfamiliar with the rules of roundabouts. INDOT urges all motorists to continuously stay educated on new traffic laws, driving safety tips and types of infrastructure. INDOT provides these rules of roundabouts and offers other helpful information at http://www.in.gov/indot/3249.htm. Approach: – Slow down and stay in your lane – Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout – Obey one-way signs at all times – Yield to pedestrians and bicycles if there is a crosswalk Enter: – Wait for traffic in the roundabout; it has the right-of-way – When traffic clears, merge to the right and continue to stay in your lane Proceed: – Continue through the roundabout until you reach your exit point. – Avoid stopping in the roundabout Exit: – Signal and exit to the right – Left turns are completed by circling around the center island and then making a right turn to exit

Three Indianapolis residents face charges after Fishers Police say a woman intentionally struck an officer with her vehicle.

It all started November 23rd when Fishers Police were called to the Frye’s Electronics store on a report of a theft in progress.

Here’s what happened next, from the Fishers Police Department news release:

As the first officer arrived he observed three suspects attempting to flee the area in a Toyota passenger car. The officer activated his emergency lights and the Toyota stopped.

At this time one of the suspects exited the Toyota and ran. The officer began running after the suspect at which time the driver, of the Toyota, backed into a parked car, drove over a curb, onto the lawn, and intentionally struck the officer knocking him to the ground. The driver immediately speed away after striking the officer. The officer was able to get to his feet and continue chasing the suspect eventually capturing him. This suspect, later identified as, Allan Carter, was taken into custody and transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident. Neither the officer nor Mr. Carter were injured during this incident.

On December 2, 2016 Investigators were able to locate the Toyota parked in front of a residence in Indianapolis. Uniformed officers from the Lawrence Police Department assisted Fishers Police Detectives as the female driver, later identified as Jordan Petty, and the other male suspect, identified as Michael McClendon were taken into custody. Mr. McClendon was issued a summons arrest and Ms. Petty was transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident.

I spent most of the past week in the Pocket City, Evansville.  It was 66 degrees when I arrived Tuesday, and 25 degrees when I left on Friday.  As the picture above illustrates, it’s always nice scenery along the Ohio River.

Back in Fishers, I was able to attend a meeting of the Fishers Board of Work and Safety on Monday, where two important things happened.  First, the city entered into a “scoping agreement” with the Hagerman Group, which means Hagerman is the favorite to build the whole project and construct a new Fishers Police Headquarters building, as well as an adjacent parking garage.  Second, IKEA has agreed to pay for a left-turn lane to help customers more easily access the store.

Speaking of IKEA, they have one heckuva publicity department.  Their buildings have that iconic blue color and the first steel beams have been erected sporting that special shade of blue.  The PR staff was quick to send out a pic of the blue steel beams.  Unless there are construction setbacks one cannot now foresee now, IKEA in Fishers should be open in the fall of 2017, in plenty of time for the Christmas shopping season one year from now.

Fishers Police responded Thursday morning to a report of shots fired in an office park near I-69 & 96th Steet.  A news release from authorities says a former employee of a business in that area fired shots into the air.  A suspect in the incident was arrested a short time later by Lawrence Police.

We continue to await an economic development project announcement from the city. Mayor Scott Fadness appeared on Gerry Dick’s Inside Indiana Businessd television program and said a new development was in the works and would be made public within 30 days.  That was well over 30 days ago.  I am told the project is still in the works but just not fully nailed down yet, and should be announced shortly.  LarryInFishers will let you know once that happens.

TopGolf is now under construction near the I-69 interchange on 116th Street.  The facility has golf lovers all around central Indiana excited.  However, those golf enthusiasts will need to wait a bit longer.  TopGolf had hoped to open in the spring of 2017, it now looks more likely for a fall 2017 opening date.

Finally, Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal reports that a new restaurant will be opening in the Switch Building December 13th.  LouVino is the name of the eatery, and is headquartered in Louisville.  The Fishers location will be their third.  If you like both wine and food, I hear this is the place for you.