April 17, 2018
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From left, Hamilton County Council President Steve Schwartz, Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger, Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt, Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman, Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowen, Hamilton County Council member Paul Ayers and Hamilton County Council member Jeff Hern break ground on the new jail expansion project. (Photo by Anna Skinner)
Hamilton County breaks ground on jail expansion project By Anna Skinner • anna@youarecurrent.com
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Keith Bratton works on creating a whimsical piece of art. (Photo by Sadie Hunter) Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. VIII, No. 3 Copyright 2018. Current Publishing, LLC All Rights Reserved. 30 South Range Line Road Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444 info@youarecurrent.com
The views of the columnists in Current in Fishers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
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Hamilton County officials detailed the new Hamilton County Jail expansion project during a ground-breaking ceremony April 10 at the site on the north side Event of the jail, 18102 Cumberland Rd., Noblesville. Phase I construction of the expansion project is scheduled to begin this month, and the $13.5 million project is expected to be complete in April 2019. The first phase will add 120 beds. Phase II, which costs just less than $4 million, will add an additional 136 beds. Hamilton County commissioners are waiting for additional funds to begin Phase II. The Hamilton County Jail originally was built in 1993 to hold 296 inmates. Jail population is now nearing 400 inmates. “I think it’s important to note that Hamilton County is not only one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, but also one of the largest counties as well with a population of over 360,000, which is expected to double in size by 2050,” Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt said. “I think the success we’ve had is really attributed to the collaborative
efforts we have with the mayors and all our towns here, and we work well together to make Hamilton County one of the safest counties not only in the state of Indiana, but in the United States.” In addition to the extra beds, the expansion will have an interior recreation area, a classroom and a medical support area. Dining space will be accommodated in existing space in the old jail. The new addition to the jail will have 11 cell pods with 84 cells consisting of two- and four-man cells. Hamilton County Sheriff Mark Bowen outlined how House Bill 1006, passed in January 2016, affected the jail’s population and the need for expansion. The legislation requires Level 6 felons to serve their terms in county jails rather than state prisons. Bowen said the county tried to mitigate the growth during the past 25 years, such as moving female inmates to the juvenile center. “We have done all we can do, and as the county continues to grow and expand and issues continue to rise, we have no choice but to break ground on a new building,” Bowen said. “We need to be prepared for the future.” For more, visit hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
Applications for Spark!Fishers entertainers and vendors due April 13 Spark!Fishers is the community’s new summer festival, to be held on June 2930. Local entertainers and vendors are invited to apply to participate in the Street Fair June 30 in the downtown Nickel Plate District. Entertainers will perform on-stage or street-side during the event and will be compensated. Vendors will include food, businesses, artists, nonprofits and educational organizations. The cost for a vendor booth is $100 to $350. The application deadline for Spark!Fishers entertainers and vendors is April 13. Fishers-based entertainers and vendors are especially encouraged to apply. For more or an application form, visit SparkFishers.com/contact.
Dispatches Cadet law enforcement academy – The Indiana Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Academy is accepting applications for the 2018 class. The Academy is limited to the first 50 applicants. Registration is open to students in grades 9-12. Cost is $300 and is due by June 1. For more, visit trooper. org/camps. Quilters guild meeting – Mudsock Quilters Guild meets on the second Monday of every month at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Fishers United Methodist Church, 9691 E. 116th St. For more, visit MudsockQuiltersGuild.org. Newcomers Club – The Fishers Newcomers Club meets the second Thursday of most months at 6:45 p.m. at the Delaware Township Building, 9090 E. 131st St. Meet friends, join one of our activity groups and participate in various charitable activities. For more, contact us at fishersnewcomers@gmail.com