The filing deadline has passed for the May primary election, setting the stage for some key races in Hamilton County. The most high-profile contest will be the Republican primary for sheriff, as incumbent Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush is term-limited.
Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination: Dustin Dixon and John Lowes. Dixon has received the endorsement of former Hamilton County Sheriff and former Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. Lowes has been endorsed by Quakenbush. No Democrat filed to run for sheriff.
One additional countywide race will be contested in the Republican primary. Incumbent Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison faces a challenge from Brad Craig, a former deputy coroner in Hamilton County.
Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman is running for re-election and will not face a primary opponent. No Democrat filed for the commissioner’s race by the filing deadline.
There are also no contested primary races for the four Hamilton County Council seats on the ballot this year. However, a Democratic candidate has filed in each of the four council district races for the November general election.
Voters wishing to participate in the May primary must be registered by April 6. Early voting begins April 7, and Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 5.
Indy Fuel observe a moment of silence in honor of Hailey Buzbee
One wonders if the overtime game and shootout in Wheeling Friday night, followed by a late return trip to Fishers, took some energy out of the Indy Fuel. Whatever the reason, the Iowa Heartlanders were the sharper team Saturday night, skating past Indy with a 3-1 victory.
The opening period ended in a 1-1 tie, with both teams capitalizing on the power play. Iowa struck first when Kelti Jeri-Leon scored nearly halfway through the period. The Fuel answered with their only goal of the night when Brett Moravec found the back of the net with just under six minutes remaining.
Tempers flared late in the first period, leading to a string of penalties. Iowa briefly enjoyed a one-man advantage but was unable to convert before the intermission.
The second period was largely uneventful until Jonny Sorenson slipped a shorthanded goal past Fuel goaltender Owen Flores, a score that proved to be the game-winner.
Iowa added an insurance goal with less than six minutes remaining in the third period when Nick Carabin scored to make it 3-1. The Fuel pulled the goaltender in the final minutes but were unable to generate a late comeback.
Before the game, the Fuel asked the sellout crowd of 6,557 to observe a moment of silence in honor of Hailey Buzbee, the 17-year-old who was found dead in Ohio on Sunday.
The Fuel return home to the Fishers Event Center on Wednesday to face the Wheeling Nailers.
Here is a look at the week ahead in road construction in and around Fishers. Note that some guardrail work may result in some lane restrictions at the State 37 construction site at 141st Street. Also, traffic signal work between Cumberland Road and I-69 on 116th Street will be happening during the week.
Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:
The Indy Ignite continued their strong start to the season Friday night, defeating the Grand Rapids Rise 3–1 at the Fishers Event Center in Major League Volleyball action.
Playing before an energetic home crowd, the Ignite controlled much of the match and closed out their homestand with set scores of 25–18, 18–25, 25–17 and 25–22. The victory capped a successful stretch at home and improved Indy’s record to 6–1 on the season.
Indy set the tone early, using a balanced offensive attack and steady defense to take the opening set. After Grand Rapids responded in the second, the Ignite regrouped and took control in the third, building momentum that carried into a tightly contested fourth set.
Opposite hitter Azhani Tealer led the Ignite with 18 points, while Indy received contributions across the lineup as every starter reached double figures. The Ignite were efficient at the net and capitalized on transition opportunities, limiting Grand Rapids’ chances to mount a late rally.
Defensively, Indy applied consistent pressure, disrupting the Rise’s offense and forcing key errors at critical moments. That effort proved especially important in the final set, when the Ignite held off multiple Grand Rapids runs to secure the win.
The match marked the final game of a four-game homestand at the Fishers Event Center, where the Ignite have quickly established themselves as one of the league’s strongest home teams.
With the victory, Indy remains near the top of the Major League Volleyball standings and carries momentum into an upcoming road stretch. The Ignite are scheduled to return to Fishers later in the season as they continue their push toward the league’s postseason.
The Indy Fuel opened a two-game weekend series in Wheeling with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Nailers on Friday night, earning a hard-fought road win after a tightly contested game.
The teams played to a scoreless tie through much of the first period as both goaltenders turned aside quality scoring chances. Indy broke through late in the period when Jadon Joseph scored at 14:55, finishing a play set up by Nick Grima and Tyler Paquette. The Fuel carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission and held a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal.
Wheeling answered early in the second period, tying the game just one minute in on a goal by Matty De St. Phalle, assisted by Craig Armstrong. The remainder of the period featured physical play and limited special teams opportunities. Jesse Tucker took the game’s first penalty at 8:46 for tripping, but neither team capitalized during a brief four-on-four sequence after Logan Pietila was also whistled for tripping. The Nailers edged the Fuel 17-16 in shots during the period, and the game remained tied 1-1.
Indy regained the lead early in the third period when Tucker scored at 3:36, finishing a setup from Grima. The advantage was short-lived, however, as Grima was called for charging at 3:51. Wheeling converted quickly on the ensuing power play, with Pietila scoring just five seconds later to tie the game at 2-2.
The teams traded chances throughout the remainder of regulation, which ended with Wheeling holding a 32-28 edge in shots on goal.
In overtime, Armstrong was assessed a hooking-from-behind penalty at 5:27, awarding Joseph a penalty shot, but he was unable to convert.
The game was decided in the shootout. After both teams scored in the opening round, Joseph sealed the win for Indy in the second round with the game-winning goal.
The Fuel take on Iowa Saturday at the Fishers Event Center.
The Fishers Community Center will begin offering insurance-based memberships on February 9, expanding access to the facility for residents whose health plans include wellness benefits.
City officials said many health insurance plans, Medicare supplemental plans, and employer-sponsored programs now cover the cost of fitness memberships. Eligible participants may receive full access to the Fishers Community Center at no cost, with membership fees processed directly through their insurance provider.
Beginning February 9, the Fishers Community Center will accept the following insurance-based programs: SilverSneakers, Renew Active, Silver&Fit, Active&Fit Enterprise, and Prime. Residents are encouraged to contact their insurance provider or employer in advance to confirm eligibility.
Enrollment and membership transfers must be completed in person during regular business hours. To register, individuals should bring a photo ID, an insurance card if applicable, and a program code, which is preferred.
To assist with the rollout, the Community Center will offer special sign-up hours from Monday, February 9, through Friday, February 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration assistance will be available in the Community Room and Program Room 1. Prospective members should enter through Door 2 on the east end of the building.
Current members and Community Pass holders may transfer to an insurance-based membership. Charter Members are also eligible to switch while retaining their exclusive benefits, with the exception of free childcare at the Action Zone.
The Fishers Community Center offers a wide range of amenities and programming, including more than 90 fitness classes, an aquatics center, a full fitness center, and courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. Programs also focus on mental health, nutrition, and overall wellness, with priority registration available for members for special events and activities.
This week’s episode of Fridays With Larry tackles a mix of deeply personal local tragedy, city leadership priorities, and national issues making headlines. The Feb. 6 edition begins with continued discussion of the Hailey Buzbee case and its lasting impact on the Fishers community, followed by key takeaways from the City of Fishers’ State of the City address and what it signals for the year ahead.
The conversation also turns to the release of the Epstein files and the broader questions they raise.
Joining the show this week is Casey Harrison, owner of Polished Strategic Communications, who offers insight into messaging, reputation management, and the challenges of communicating clearly in today’s fast-moving media environment.
You can watch the podcast on YouTube at this link. If you prefer to listen only use this link, or utilize the links below.
Fridays With Larry is brought to you by Citizens State Bank.
Jacfar Abdi of Noblesville has been arrested overseas and extradited to Indiana in connection with a 2023 shooting in Fishers that left a man wounded, according to a release from the Fishers Police Department.
Abdi was taken into custody in Cairo, Egypt, and extradited to the United States by special agents with FBI Indianapolis on January 27, 2026. He was then transferred to the custody of the Fishers Police Department.
The charges stem from an incident on November 19, 2023. Fishers Police officers were notified that a gunshot victim was being treated at a local hospital and began an investigation. Officers later identified the shooting location as Rhineland Pass at The District at Saxony Apartments.
Investigators determined that around 4 p.m. that day, two vehicles and multiple individuals were involved in an incident at the apartment complex. Through interviews and video evidence, police say Abdi drove to the location, entered the victim’s vehicle, and shot the victim during an armed robbery. Abdi then returned to his own vehicle, which was occupied by four other individuals, and fled the area.
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital by individuals who were in his vehicle. The victim survived the shooting.
After Abdi was identified as the primary suspect, investigators determined he had fled the United States to avoid prosecution. A Fishers Police Department detective assigned as a task force officer with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force initiated a fugitive investigation and worked with federal and international law enforcement partners. That investigation ultimately located Abdi in Cairo.
With assistance from the FBI Legal Attaché in Cairo and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, Abdi was arrested overseas and held pending extradition. He was extradited to Indiana by the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force.
“This arrest and extradition demonstrate the FBI’s relentless commitment to pursuing violent offenders, no matter where they flee,” said Timothy J. O’Malley, special agent in charge of FBI Indianapolis. “Through close coordination with our partners at the Fishers Police Department, FBI Legal Attaché Cairo, and our international law enforcement counterparts, we were able to locate Abdi overseas and bring him back to the United States to face justice.”
Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart praised the multi-agency effort that led to Abdi’s return.
“The Fishers Police Department is relentless in the pursuit of those who choose to commit violent acts within our city,” Gebhart said. “The FPD detective assigned to the FBI VCTF worked tirelessly and utilized every tool available to locate this violent felon and get justice for the victim.”
Abdi is currently being held in the Hamilton County Jail. He faces seven felony charges, including attempted murder, armed robbery, aggravated battery, robbery, organized retail theft, criminal recklessness, and pointing a firearm at another person.
The case was investigated by the Fishers Police Department, FBI Indianapolis Violent Crimes Task Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Chicago Field Office Border Security Division, the FBI Legal Attaché in Cairo, and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs.
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has proclaimed February as “Go Pink for Hailey Month” in honor of Hailey Buzbee, a Fishers teenager whose death has deeply affected her family, friends, and the broader community.
In a statement released by the City of Fishers, Fadness said he made the proclamation in coordination with the Buzbee family and as Hailey’s father, a member of the Fishers Police Department, prepared to bring his daughter home.
“Over the course of these difficult days, I have had the honor of getting to know the Buzbee family and learning about their wonderful daughter, Hailey,” Fadness said. “In coordination with the family, and in anticipation of Hailey’s dad and the Fishers Police Department bringing her home, I am proclaiming February ‘Go Pink for Hailey Month,’ in her honor.”
The proclamation describes Hailey as a loving daughter, sister, and friend, remembered by those close to her as a bright and hardworking young woman who loved music, books, and spending time with her family. It also notes the family’s request that Hailey be remembered for her passions and her loving spirit.
As part of the month-long tribute, the City of Fishers will change exterior lighting on several city landmarks to pink, including City Hall, the Fishers Community Center, State Road 37 features, and portions of the Nickel Plate Trail. Pink ribbons will also be placed along 116th Street and at city-owned properties throughout Fishers.
Residents are invited to participate in several public remembrance opportunities. The city’s art gallery at Fishers City Hall will display a portrait of Hailey created by local artist and Fall Creek Junior High art teacher Shelley Feeney. Community members may also share written condolences and messages of remembrance on a “We Love Hailey” canvas at City Hall.
Additional space for messages, memorial items, and tributes has been set aside at the Fishers Community Center, where another “We Love Hailey” canvas will be available.
The proclamation states that the city “mourns alongside the Buzbee Family” and calls on residents to honor Hailey’s life by participating in the Go Pink for Hailey observances throughout February.
City officials said the events and displays are intended to provide a place for collective remembrance and to show support for the Buzbee family during a profoundly difficult time.
You may recall the public outpouring of grief following the death of former Hamilton Southeastern High School student Mason Alexander.
Alexander was killed in a traffic crash last year, and court records now indicate a guilty plea has been entered in the case.
Trey Williams, 18, who was charged in connection with the crash, is scheduled to enter a guilty plea. A plea hearing is set for March 11, according to court documents. No additional details about the plea agreement were immediately available.
Williams had previously pleaded not guilty in June 2025 to charges of felony reckless homicide, reckless driving, and carrying false identification.
The crash occurred on March 1, 2025, on Florida Road.
