Most of us will receive care from a trained, qualified nurse many times throughout our lives. But today, the nation faces a shortage of nurses—felt especially here in Central Indiana.

To talk about the challenges and solutions, I sat down with Jill Payne, Indiana Market Chief Nursing Officer for Ascension St. Vincent, and Tia Bell, Dean of Marian University’s Leighton School of Nursing. In this podcast, they share insights on the state of nursing and what’s being done to close the gap between the growing demand for nurses and the supply of trained professionals in our region.

One opportunity for those considering a career in nursing is the Ninth Annual Come Explore Nursing event, hosted by Marian University’s Leighton School of Nursing and Ascension St. Vincent. It takes place Wednesday, August 27, from 4–7 p.m. at Ascension St. Vincent Women and Infants Hospital, Main Lobby, 2001 W. 86th St., Door 4A, Indianapolis.

Register at this link.

Listen to my podcast discussion with Dr. Payne and Dr. Bell at the link below.

I’ve made no secret of being a fan of libraries. I use the Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL) branch in Fishers regularly, my wife Jane is also a frequent visitor, and my daughters grew up spending many hours there.

Libraries are supported through public tax dollars and governed by boards whose members are appointed by elected officials or public entities. The HEPL system includes the main branch in Noblesville and the Fishers branch, overseen by a seven-member board.

By law, appointments to the board are divided among several entities:

• Noblesville Schools appoints two members.

• Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools appoints one member.

• Hamilton County Council appoints two members.

• Hamilton County Commissioners appoint two members.

This arrangement was created years ago, when Noblesville Schools had a much larger enrollment than HSE. Today, HSE is one of the largest districts in Indiana, yet it still has only one appointment.

Unlike many other government appointments, the HSE Schools representative to the HEPL board is not selected by the full school board but solely by the board president.

In September 2022, then-HSE School Board President Julie Chambers appointed Andre Miksha to the HEPL board, replacing Brian Meyer, who had served from 2009 until that time. Miksha was later elected (and currently serves as) president of the library board, a sign of confidence from his fellow members.

Miksha’s current term as the HSE appointee expires at the end of August. The decision on whether to reappoint him—or select a new representative—now rests with current HSE School Board President Juanita Albright.

Anyone residing within the HSE School District may apply for the appointment through this link. Miksha has indicated he is willing to continue serving if reappointed.

Whether HSE maintains continuity with Miksha or chooses a new voice on the library board will be decided in the coming weeks and Junita Albright will make that choice.

The Fishers City Council is revisiting its recently enacted property maintenance code after a new Indiana Court of Appeals decision prompted changes in how such ordinances must be enforced.

City Attorney Lindsey Bennett told council members Monday that the ruling requires cities to be more explicit about the “punitive” measures included in their codes. That means detailing how violations are issued, how much time property owners have to correct issues, and how follow-up inspections will be conducted.

As part of the update, the Fishers ordinance now specifies that daily fines may be assessed, with penalties accumulating for each day a violation remains unresolved.

Councilor Tiffany Ditlevson questioned Bennett about how the city handles errors in violation findings, pointing to a case brought to her attention. Mayor Scott Fadness said his staff would review the situation.

Other Council Business

• Cornerstone Lutheran Church Preschool: The church, located on 116th Street west of Olio Road, is seeking a “Special Exception” to operate a preschool on its property, which is currently zoned residential. The proposal advanced after Councilor Bill Stuart provided the one vote needed to move the measure past first reading. Councilors Todd Zimmerman and Pete Peterson voiced opposition. A final vote is expected in September.

• Weathertight Roofing Rezone: The council approved a rezone for property at 13600 E. 118th Street, clearing the way for Weathertight Roofing to build an office, showroom, and shop with storage space.

• Voting Centers: Former Town Councilor Mike Colby spoke during public comment in support of establishing countywide voting centers, saying they would simplify election administration and improve voter access. The issue is currently before the Hamilton County Election Board.

• AgriPark Concerns: A resident raised objections to the city’s plan for a second AgriPark near Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, citing concerns about lead contamination and the adequacy of testing at the site.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) will participate in the nationwide Clear the Shelters adoption event on Saturday, Aug. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., offering reduced adoption fees in an effort to address overcrowding at its facility.

Nearly 600 animals are currently in need of homes, according to the shelter. Adoption fees for most pets will be just $10 for the day, though some exclusions apply. Each adoption includes a spay or neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming, a wellness exam at a participating veterinarian, and a starter bag of food.

“Facing an overcapacity crisis and a rise in our animals’ average length of stay, it is an uphill battle to find these pets a forever home,” said Emma Nobbe, community engagement manager for HSHC. “The longer they wait, the harder it becomes for them to imagine a life beyond the kennel walls. We urgently need the community to step in on August 23rd to give these animals the second chance they deserve.”

Those planning to adopt or foster are encouraged to complete an application in advance at hshcadoptions.com. Families bringing home a dog are asked to bring along any current dogs for a meet-and-greet. All household members must meet with the animal before adoption, and renters must bring a copy of their pet policy. A government-issued ID is also required.

The first 50 dog and cat adoptions will include a free goodie bag.

The Aug. 23 event marks the 11th year of the Clear the Shelters campaign, which aims to find permanent homes for shelter pets across the country.

Professional wrestling fans will have the chance to experience All Elite Wrestling (AEW) live when “AEW: Dynamite” comes to the Fishers Event Center on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.

The nationally televised event will be broadcast on TBS and will feature AEW’s roster of wrestlers, known for their high-energy performances, dramatic storylines and larger-than-life personalities.

Among the names scheduled to appear are Hangman Adam Page, “The Rated R Superstar” Cope, Jon Moxley, Christian Cage, MJF, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, MVP, The Young Bucks, Toni Storm, Swerve Strickland, Mercedes Moné, Darby Allin, Kyle Fletcher, Thekla, FTR, Bandido and Mark Briscoe.

Organizers note that lineups are subject to change due to injuries and storyline developments.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. through FishersEventCenter.com. Sales will be limited to eight tickets per household, while groups of 10 or more can receive a $10 discount on select tickets.

Additional event details are available at AllEliteWrestling.com.

Ascension St. Vincent Fishers has become the first hospital in the Ascension St. Vincent system in Indiana to perform surgeries with a single-port robot, marking a new step in advanced surgical care for Hamilton County.

The hospital announced that Dr. Colin Linke, a urologist affiliated with Ascension St. Vincent, successfully completed the first single-port robotic procedure last week. The hospital is now one of only three facilities statewide to use the technology.

Single-port robotic surgeries use a single two-inch incision to insert all necessary instruments. The tools then diverge internally to allow surgeons to work in smaller spaces with greater precision. The approach is designed to improve surgical accuracy, minimize scarring and shorten recovery times.

“In the single-port technique, a single two-inch incision is made to insert all robotic tools,” Dr. Linke said. “We can direct these tools to diverge internally as they perform the surgery. In essence, we are able to get into a smaller space and operate more precisely in the area each patient needs.”

The initial focus for the robot has been on urology prostatectomies, but hospital officials said its use will expand to other specialties, including breast, colorectal and gynecology procedures.

Aleks Overbey, president of Ascension St. Vincent Fishers, said the technology reflects the hospital’s commitment to advancing minimally invasive surgical options.

“At Ascension St. Vincent Fishers, we are more than just a small, suburban hospital,” Overbey said. “We are committed to advancing minimally invasive surgical options and improving patient outcomes to benefit the growing population we serve in this community and across Hamilton County.”

Reading the front-page article in the August 17 print edition of the Indianapolis Star brought back many memories for me. The story, written by Jake Allen and John Tuohy, examines the lack of public transportation in Hamilton County, particularly in Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, and Westfield.

While I’m glad the state’s largest newspaper chose to spotlight this long-standing issue, I found it curious that the article opens with the story of a commuter traveling from Indianapolis to Whitestown—located not in Hamilton, but Boone County.

Transit has been a recurring debate in Hamilton County. I recall that during Fishers’ first mayoral race in 2014, candidates sparred over the idea of a commuter train running downtown along the Nickel Plate rail line. At one point, Fishers even had a subsidized commuter bus into Indianapolis during major highway construction projects. The service was popular, but once the subsidy ended, gas prices stabilized, and fares rose, ridership plummeted and the bus was discontinued.

Any hope for rail service ended when the Nickel Plate tracks were removed to make way for today’s trail. Train enthusiasts fought to preserve the line, even taking their case to court, but the trail ultimately prevailed.

The Star piece raises a few important points. Cities across Indiana, many smaller than Hamilton County’s suburbs, operate local transit systems—but they rely heavily on taxpayer subsidies. Here, the notion of subsidies collides with suburban fears: that mass transit might bring crime or waste money with empty buses.

The article cites a Northwestern University professor who notes that even when buses aren’t full, transit systems can still be valuable. After all, he points out, airplanes often fly with empty seats—yet commercial air travel remains heavily subsidized.

For now, the bottom line is clear: Indiana’s wealthiest county has little appetite to fund mass transit. The ones left behind are the workers in Marion County who would gladly fill jobs in Hamilton County but have no reliable way to get there. In the end, employers lose too, struggling to fill positions that local residents cannot.

You can read the IndyStar story at this link, but you will need a subscription to access it.  Once again, subscribe to your local media – if you do not, it will go away.

As many motorists already know, the roundabout projects at Howe & 131st, along with Hoosier Road & 121st, are now open.  But there are plenty of ongoing construction continuing throughout the area.

Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Here is the latest on Fishers area road construction, for the work week of Monday, August 18 →

State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) joined disability advocates Thursday to voice opposition to proposed cuts in Indiana’s Medicaid waiver program that would sharply limit recreational therapy services for people with disabilities.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has proposed capping recreational therapy under the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) waiver to six hours per month. Advocates say the change would significantly harm individuals who rely on the therapy to build confidence, foster social connections and increase independence.

Garcia Wilburn said the cap would force families to choose between essential therapy and basic needs such as groceries and gas.

“Recreational therapy services are not optional,” Garcia Wilburn said at a press conference in Fishers. “They are a vital part of ensuring Hoosiers of all abilities lead their richest, most vibrant possible lives. We simply cannot ‘do more with less’ when we essentially have been left with nothing.”

She was joined by Ashley Searcy, the mother of Sadie, a Medicaid waiver recipient, and certified recreational therapeutic specialists Tyler Neimeyer and Lori Schweyer. Supporters filled the room to call for the proposal to be scrapped.

Public comment on the proposed changes closed last week after dozens of Hoosiers submitted testimony opposing the cap. Garcia Wilburn noted that a similar attempt to impose limits on therapy services was previously found in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act because it risked segregating people with disabilities from their communities.

The legislator also criticized what she described as misplaced state budget priorities. She argued that despite claims of financial necessity, the state has continued to allocate money for expanded government oversight roles while cutting direct services.

“The money is there – it’s just a question of whether we have the bravery to spend it where Hoosiers really need it or whether we will continue bending to the will of special interests,” Garcia Wilburn said.

She urged Gov. Mike Braun and his administration to reverse course, saying Indiana can be a place where residents with disabilities live their fullest possible lives — but only if the state prioritizes funding for essential services over other expenditures.

The Fishers Art Center is opening registration for its fall lineup of classes and workshops, offering opportunities for all ages and skill levels at its location in the Fishers Municipal Complex.

The schedule includes new three-day workshops, multi-week courses, and “Make It Take It” sessions, with topics ranging from ceramics and painting to digital art and knitting. Upcoming programs include:

• Family Make It Take It: Dream Catchers – Aug. 16

• Fun with Clay! (ages 4-6) – Aug. 17 to Sept. 14

• Make It Take It: Paint Like the Impressionists – Sept. 5

• Knitting – Beginner/Intermediate – Oct. 14 to Nov. 25

• Digital Art (ages 10-14) – Oct. 18

• Fall break art camp for ages 6-14

A full schedule of offerings is available online.

In addition to its regular programming, the Fishers Art Center will have a presence at the Thrift-a-Thon at the Fishers Farmers Market, presented by IU Health, on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. Instructors will offer free tie-dye projects for children and share information about upcoming classes.

The center’s fall programs aim to attract both first-time participants and returning students looking to expand their artistic skills.