From walkable settings to nature-forward environments, each Old Town community highlights the importance of choosing the right place.
• Six distinct neighborhoods thoughtfully planned
• 12,000 sqft clubhouse with two pools
• 30 acres of preserved green space
• Dedicated 4-acre dog park
• Staged model homes open to tour
• Private, wooded homesites with water views
• Easy access to Westfield dining
• Convenient commuter access to SR-31
• New community coming in 2026
• Integrated with Wood Wind Golf Course
• Fairway and water-view homesites
• Community clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts, and trails
FEBRUARY & MARCH DINE IN DEALS!
About us
Founded Jan. 29, 2008, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XIX, No. 3
West Clay at 131st & Towne Rd
Franklin, Potter co-host town hall
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Jackson Franklin, a Democratic candidate for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District seat, and Blythe Potter, a Democratic candidate for Indiana Secretary of State, conducted a town hall meeting Jan. 31 at the Westfield Washington Public Library.
Franklin, a Muncie native, will face Democrats State Sen. J.D. Ford, Steven Avitabile Avit and Todd Shelton in the May 5 primary election. Republican Victoria Spartz is the incumbent and is seeking reelection. Potter does not have a primary challenger and will face Republican incumbent Todd Rokita in the Nov. 3 general election.
Franklin and Potter took questions for more than an hour. Between 50 and 75 people attended. Several questions were about the influence of money in political campaigns.
“The chief issue for most of our problems, in my view, is money in politics,” Franklin said. “Whatever issue we can talk about, it loops.”
Franklin, who served six years in the Indiana Army National Guard as a combat medic, was asked how he differentiated from Ford, who announced his candidacy last month.
“I’m in the footsteps of many progressives that came before us,” Franklin
said. “Like AOC (N.Y. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez), (U.S. Sen.) Bernie Sanders, we are a working class, grassroots movement. That’s what kind of sets this campaign apart from all of our primary opponents.”
Franklin, 25, said to beat Spartz, he needs to “bring new people to the table” and be a voice for Gen Z. He was asked about artificial intelligence and its possible detrimental effect on the job market for young adults.
“How are we supposed to fight back against the data centers and this large AI movement?” Franklin said. “There’s so many policies I can lay out, but we need to make sure that we have univer-
DISPATCHES
Petals in the Plaza — Petals In The Plaza will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Grand Junction Plaza at the Cafe Pavilion building. Participants in the workshop, which is being instructed by Carmella Thatcher of the Westfield Flower Box, will learn to create a petite flower arrangement. It’s an entry level class with no previous experience required. The program is for participants aged 18 or over. Cost is $65. For tickets, visit shorturl. at/sRwQW
Michaelis to appear at Carmel art event — Mixed media artist Dawn Michaelis, a Westfield native, will take part in the SaturDate series at the Indiana Artisan Gifts & Gallery at 22 N. Rangeline Road in Carmel. The free event takes place 1-5 p.m. Feb. 14. Michaelis will help create a small acrylic pour painting at Pour Your (Acrylic) Heart Out. Reservations are not needed. The process takes 15-20 minutes.
Democratic candidate for Indiana Secretary of State Blythe Potter, left, and Democratic candidate for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District seat Jackson Franklin host a town hall meeting at the Westfield Washington Public Library Jan. 31. (Photo by Todd Golden)
sal basic income, a monthly allowance for this country. Some people call it Social Security for all.”
Franklin also stated his opposition to ICE.
“We need to abolish ICE,” Franklin said. “They’re wandering our streets, they’re terrorizing our communities, and they are killing our people.”
Potter, a combat veteran who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq, focused on election reform.
“If it were up to me, we would have longer hours for voting,” Potter said. “(I would) just make lower barriers to entry (to voting). Have more weekends available, things like that.”
Melt the Trail 5K run — The 12th annual “Melt the Trail” run will take place at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at Grand Junction Brewing Co., at 1189 E. 181st St. The race route takes place partly on the Monon Trail. Registration includes a long-sleeve race shirt, finisher’s medal, post-race snacks and drinks, one free drink ticket for those 21 and older, a timed route, and a chance to win an award. After the race, food will be available for purchase from Grand Junction Brewing Co. Register at runsignup.com/Race/IN/Westfield/ MeltTheTrail
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The views of the columnists in Current in Westfield are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
Makerspace PUD proposed
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
A proposed planned unit development for a commercial makerspace on Gray Road was presented to the Westfield City Council during its Jan. 26 meeting.
If approved, the BUILT Westfield PUD would allow for a commercial building to be constructed on an 11-acre site at the 17500 block on the west side of Gray Road, just south of Ind. 32 and north of the Midland Trace Trail. The developer is Noblesville-based Mainstreet under the name BUILT LLC.
The PUD calls for the northwest portion of the available acreage to be developed with plans for the southeast portion to be presented at a future date. The cost of the project was not included in the proposal, and the City of Westfield did not have figures available when requested by Current.
The PUD is defined as a “commercial makerspace facility,” defined in the proposal as “a campus of flex commercial buildings providing workspace and storage for small businesses, entrepre-
Swastika report investigated
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
City of Westfield officials recently received a report of a swastika being stamped into a frozen pond in the city Jan. 28.
A city spokesperson said Mayor Scott Willis was made aware of the incident and that it was referred to the Westfield Police Department for further investigation to see if a crime was committed.
A Jan. 30 follow-up Facebook post by Indy Jewish Community stated:
neurs, and service providers to operate, create, assemble, store inventory and collaborate. Makerspace uses include light manufacturing, product assembly, e-commerce fulfillment, light distribution and storage (not to exceed 3,500 square feet per tenant), professional services, equipment storage and office services.”
Lisa Claghorn, an attorney at Church Church Hittle & Antrim, representing the developer, presented the development to the city council.
“(It’s) designed to support entrepreneurship, workforce training, smallscale prep and small-scale fabrication,” Claghorn said.
WPD told Current that the swastika was found on a pond in the Chatham Hills neighborhood.
The Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council stated the following in a Jan. 29 Facebook post:
“We are aware of an incident that took place in Westfield yesterday where a Swastika was stamped into a frozen neighborhood pond. We were immediately in touch with the Westfield mayor’s office to make them aware and to let them know we are standing by to support them in any way we can. We will update the community with further information should it become available.”
“The JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council) has been made aware of multiple swastikas stamped into the snow across several northern suburban communities this week, including Westfield, Lebanon, and Carmel. In each instance, the JCRC immediately contacted the appropriate mayoral offices to ensure they were aware of the incidents, and each has been responsive and engaged.
“That these incidents are occurring during the same week as International Holocaust Remembrance Day is particularly disturbing. Acts of antisemitism — whether intended as vandalism, intimidation, or hate — will not be tolerated in our communities, and we remain committed to working with civic and law enforcement partners to address them swiftly and seriously.
“We are grateful to the community members who took the time to report these incidents to us. Your vigilance and willingness to speak up are critical in helping us respond quickly and protect our community.”
Rendering of proposed BUILT PUD on Gray Road. (Screenshot from City Council agenda packet)
City seeks to amend sign ordinance
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
The City of Westfield has proposed amending provisions in its Unified Development Ordinance that would update sign standards.
The proposal was first presented at the Jan. 12 Westfield City Council meeting and has been discussed at multiple Westfield Advisory Plan Commission meetings, including its Feb. 2 meeting, where the APC voted unanimously to advance the ordinance to the city council for adoption at a future meeting.
The portion of the Unified Development Ordinance that governs Westfield’s sign standards has not been updated since 2007. The new standards would allow the city to comply with court guidelines and consider types of signs that weren’t applicable in 2007.
Westfield Senior Planner Lauren Teague-Gillingham said the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld its opinion that content-based sign regulations could be a violation of the free speech clause of the First Amendment. He said the Supreme Court has laid out that sign regulations must relate to time, place and manner.
“Content neutrality” was defined by Teague-Gillingham as related to whether a sign is permanent or temporary. Place is whether a sign is on-premises or off-premises or a location on a building. Manner is the placement, material and illumination of a sign.
“This overhaul is really rooted in our need to bring our code into legal compliance in terms of content neutrality,” Teague-Gillingham said during a Jan. 14 APC meeting.
The change to the UDO takes temporary signs into consideration. It defines temporary signs as off-premises yard signs (such as a sign advertising a community event in someone’s yard), an on-premises yard sign (such as a sign advertising a child playing for a sports team), temporary free-standing signs for residential properties (such as a for-sale sign), temporary free-standing signs for nonresidential properties, banners and sandwich board signs.
New permanent sign guidelines introduced into the UDO include blade, projecting, canopy, post, monument and pillar signs. The ordinance also will seek to define restaurant drive-thru signs.
DISPATCH
WeCan meeting — The first Westfield Community Association Network meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Bridgewater Club at 3535 E. 161st St. in Westfield. Light refreshments are provided at each meeting courtesy of Colt Moving. RSVP by Feb. 16 at westfieldin.gov/FormCenter/General-Forms-4/ Q1-2026-WeCan-RSVP-143
Examples of blade, projecting and canopy signs that will be included in the amended provisions to sign standards in the Westfield Unified Development Ordinance. (Screenshot from City Council agenda packet)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
LIV Golf Indianapolis tickets now available
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 LIV Golf Indianapolis event at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield. LIV Golf Indianapolis will take place from Aug. 20-23.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
Hospitality tickets and grounds passes available to the public at LIVGolf. com.
Hospitality experiences include The Infield — a feature exclusive to LIV Golf Indianapolis — it puts fans in the heart of the party hole on the 12th tee. The Indy Sports Bar, the Birdie Shack, Club 54 and LIV Premium All-Access are also part of the hospitality experience. The Grounds Pass allows free entry to the Fan Village. Grounds Plus adds exclusive access to reserved viewing areas around the course and a dedicated lounge. Grounds Plus also unlocks The Oasis — a shaded, open-air lounge and one complimentary drink at The Oasis bar.
For 2026, LIV has extended its weekend events from a three-day to a fourday format.
All tickets and details for LIV Golf Indianapolis are available at LIVGolf. com.
Menards hosting food drive — Local Menards home improvement stores are hosting drop boxes for food pantries through March. Donations of nonperishable food items, from boxes of cereal to cans of soup, can be placed in large collection boxes near store exit doors, with donations going to nearby food pantries.
WFD makes fewer runs to residential care facilities
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Westfield Fire Department Chief
Rob Gaylor told the Westfield Board of Public Works during its Jan. 28 meeting that the city’s efforts to reduce fire calls to residential care facilities is having an impact.
“We ended with a 25 percent decrease in our calls for service to residential care facilities, so that’s a big win in utilization of our resources. I know that was really a goal and objective of Mayor (Scott Willis), so we’re doing a whole lot better than we were,” Gaylor said.
In July 2025, the Westfield City Council passed an ordinance to fine residential care facilities for nonemergent calls to 911 for purposes such as lift assists with no injuries, facility transport and taking patients to scheduled medical appointments.
The ordinance was in response to a wave of nonemergent 911 calls that tied up personnel and apparatus. Fines went into effect October 2025.
Gaylor credited Westfield’s EMS division for its outreach efforts in educating
facilities on the ordinance and how they can craft their policies to adhere to it.
“Our EMS division has put out a strong educational piece visiting facili ties, month after month, meeting with upper management and staff, floor level staff personnel to educate them on the new ordinance and what constitutes an emergency or the reason for a 911, and what’s something that their facility should be able to handle,” Gaylor said.
The outreach is ongoing.
“Typically, when we have a care fa cility come in, the expectation, even across the nation, is for however many beds are in the facility, that’s approx imately how many calls for service you’re going to get,” Gaylor said. “And we have some facilities that are way exceeding that national average. And so, we identify that and work with their staff to make it better for the patient.”
Gaylor addressed other WFD-related topics during the BPW meeting. Gaylor said WFD saw a 12 percent increase in overall call volume. Gaylor also said WFD made 678 more runs in 2025 than it did in 2024.
WPD investigating fight at Grand Park
By Current Publishing news@youarecurrent.com
The Westfield Police Department is investigating a fight during a 7-on-7 football tournament Feb. 7 at the Grand Park Events Center.
WPD Assistant Police Chief Billy Adams said officers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 3:20 p.m. In an email to Current, he stated:
“WPD was dispatched to a fight in progress at Grand Park. It was reported that several people were involved in what became multiple separate fights. As police arrived people dispersed. Medics were called for one adult male who signed a release. No arrests have been made at this time, however it is an open investigation as we are reviewing video and attempting to identify individuals involved.”
Grand Park Sports & Entertainment
sent the following statement to Current:
“There was an altercation after one of the football games involving a third-party event that was hosted at Grand Park this past weekend. There were staff, security and law enforcement on-site for the event, and we are working through an investigation of this isolated incident.”
“The behavior is unacceptable conduct and does not conform with the standards or expectations of any group that is renting our venue,” the statement continued. “The conduct will not be tolerated and there will be material discipline to both teams involved including expulsion from campus and future events. We will continue to work with the appropriate authorities such that all venues on campus continue to be safe and provide an exceptional experience for athletes, teams, and families in all sports and for all events.”
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DISPATCHES
AARP grants application open — AARP Indiana is accepting applications through March 6 from local nonprofits and governments for its 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program. Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $25,000 and fund projects that make communities more livable. Projects will be considered if they serve the needs of people 50 and older, improve public places, transportation, walkability and pedestrian safety, among other criteria. For more information, visit aarp.org/livable-communities/ community-challenge/.
Hassle-free Home Ownership for Active Adults (62+)
Now is your time to make a change for the better. That’s because hassle-free home ownership is coming for active adults (62+)! Why worry about maintenance and costly repairs when you can be doing things you enjoy instead? Whether you are retired or still working, the Village Cooperative of Westfield i is Coming Soon to the area and offers everything you want including a better lifestyle in a community of peers with the freedom to do as you please.
•Reserve now and choose your home and interior finishes
•Homes are selling quickly Don’t wait!
•Home ownership with no maintenance
•Annual appreciation on your investment
•Get your best price now before construction starts! I
College fair — Local high school students have an opportunity to attend the Greater Indianapolis Northside College Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. March 11 at the Carmel High School Greyhound Activity Center, 2400 E. Smoky Row Road. The free event will provide access to college information and feature more than 100 colleges/universities. Students are encouraged to register for the fair in advance at StriveFair.com. Registered students will receive a barcode they can bring with them to the college fair in order to share their information with admission reps electronically.
Shamrock Drop — The Westfield Shamrock Drop will take place noon to 3 p.m. March 14 at Grand Junction Plaza. Shamrock Drop is a free event featuring live Irish music, paid carnival games, a scavenger hunt, festive crafts, airbrush tattoos and food and beer vendors. Attendees are invited to stop by the Westfield Welcome tent during the event to pick up the shamrocks and drop the shamrocks into the big cauldron for a chance to win one of five “pots o’ golds,” each filled with prizes from local businesses.
Farm to Glass series — The Westfield Parks and Recreation Department will host the return of the Farm To Glass programming series which takes place at 6:30 p.m. on various Thursdays. The series takes place at Grand Plaza Junction in the Cafe Pavilion building. The series highlights the creative processes behind some of our favorite beverages! The science, craftsmanship, and natural processes of creating spirits, beer, honey, elixirs, and coffee will be demonstrated by local experts and crafters. For more information, visit https://shorturl.at/YAn14
COMMUNITY
Fishers resident has picked up litter for 55 years
By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com
Stan Schenher has been picking up trash for 55 years and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.
“I was 20 years old in college, and a buddy of mine — we got tired of looking at trash,” he said, explaining how his unusual hobby began. “In front of a grocery store, that’s where all the teenagers hung out. They threw their cans and bottles and trash, and him and I picked it up one time. And it’s funny, the local newspaper office, almost across the street, came over. They took a picture and did a story and, you know, kind of from then, I just started picking up trash.”
Schenher, who lives in the Geist area of Fishers, said he used to pick up trash while out running until he hit 65 and had to have a couple of hip replacements. Now 75, he gets out and walks every day or drives his golf cart while clearing trash from various stretches of roadway.
When he first started using his golf cart for the task, he was told it was
against local ordinances. But the Fishers City Council, recognizing the good work he was doing for the community, approved an ordinance establishing a special permit for people like Schenher to use golf carts while cleaning trash from their adopted strips of roadway.
“I’ve got eight strips in Fishers that I officially pick up. Some of them I walk, most of them I drive,” he said. “I first adopted 106th (Street) — I used to run home from my daughter’s house. She lived over there — and I just kept adding, because with the golf cart, I can
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cover a lot of territory with that thing.”
Some other areas Schenher adopted include parts of Hoosier Road, Geist Road, Fall Creek Road, Olio Road and Brooks School Road. Whether walking or driving, he can be seen wearing a bright yellow vest or jacket for visibility and smoking a cigar.
“I consider that my cross training,” he said. “I love picking up trash. I always say business is always picking up, and I just love talking trash.”
Schenher finds all kinds of interesting items discarded along the road, including cash. He has a money jar to collect all the coins and bills he picks up and counts it at the end of the year. He’s collected up to $100 some years and said he once found a $50 bill.
“So, it pays to pick up,” he said. “One
time, I found two $20 bills by the bank down at Cumberland and 116th, and I put (it) on Facebook. I said, ‘I’d like to get these back to the owner. If you can give me the serial number, I’ll get them back to you.’”
In addition to cash, Schenher has found phones, laptops, shoes and other items that people tend to put on top of their cars while getting in, and then forgetting about as they drive away. He tries to get items back to their owners — especially the electronics. Other stuff, he cleans up and donates if it’s in good shape.
Schenher meets all kinds of people on his routes and said everyone seems to appreciate his volunteer efforts. The retired sales manager for UPS said his hobby helps him stay active, physically and mentally.
“I get out every day — I’d go crazy if I couldn’t,” he said. “I try to get 20 miles a weekend walking. I try to walk in the morning and then go out in my cart in the afternoon. I get more steps in that way, if I walk first.”
He said “business is always picking up.”
Stan Schenher picks up trash while out on a walk in the Geist area of Fishers. (Photo courtesy of Stan Schenher)
Carmel High School guard’s energy provides spark
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Carmel High School sophomore guard Bella Ramsey never seems to tire.
“Bella’s biggest strength is her motor,” Greyhounds girls basketball coach Jessica Darmelio said. “She can ‘go’ both offensively and defensively. This has allowed her to get out in transition and pressure the basketball to put strain on opponents for 32 minutes.”
Prior to the Feb. 6 sectional semifinals, the 5-foot-8 Ramsey averaged a team-high 13.3 points per game on 44 percent shooting and 1.5 steals per game for the Greyhounds (9-13). She averaged 5.0 ppg as a freshman.
“Bella has made the most improvement with her confidence offensively,” said Darmelio, who is in her first season as Carmel’s coach after serving the previous three seasons as the Franklin College head coach. “She has turned the dial to be most consistent scoring at all three levels as we have progressed through the season.”
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
MEET BELLA RAMSEY
Favorite athlete: Caitlin Clark
Favorite movie: “Home Alone”
Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy”
Favorite musician: Morgan Wallen
Ramsey said her leadership skills have gone up a notch, too.
“I feel like going from my freshman year to my sophomore year,” she said.
“I have stepped up as one of the leaders on the team since we have a pretty young team.”
Ramsey is adept at playing either guard spot.
“I would say that I play more of a shooting guard at times, but I handle the ball and am the point guard if it is
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needed,” she said.
Ramsey plans to play for IndyOne on the Nike circuit.
“The main thing that I am going to focus on in the offseason is getting stronger and finishing through contact,” she said.
She expects the Greyhounds will improve as well.
“I am very optimistic for our next season because since we are a young team this year, we will be able to continue to build our chemistry as a team,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey began playing basketball when at age 5. She played soccer and ran track but soon concentrated on basketball.
“I just love the competitiveness, and I love the bonds and friendships I have been able to make,” she said.
Ramsey has already received an offer to play for Taylor University, an NAIA program.
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com
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Carmel High School sophomore guard Bella Ramsey is the Greyhounds’ top scorer. (Photo courtesy of Hounds HQ)
Hocker launches podcast
By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com
Radio host and biblical counselor, Steve Hocker, has launched a podcast.
The podcast, “The Art of Perseverance,” explores modern cultural issues and mental health challenges from a biblical perspective. Hocker said it will feature stories of encouragement and hope.
Hocker, a Westfield native, is the former co-host of the Christian radio show “Mornings with Kelli and Steve” on WGNR. He wants to launch a radio show version of the podcast and is in discussions with a national broadcaster.
walked through depression and seen how they have been successful in moving through that and either overcoming that or managing it.”
He was inspired to create “The Art of Perseverance” when Moody Radio-affiliated WGNR discontinued “Mornings with Kelly and Steve.”
“The podcast is about telling the stories of people who have faced trials in their life and really come through them,” he said.
Employee Pricing
“The live radio show would be to address the topics of depression and anxiety and how do we overcome obstacles and challenges that we face in our life, but the stories would be told in the podcast,” Hocker said. “We may talk about depression and what that means for someone in their life, and the different ways that we can deal with that, but then on the podcast, you could showcase someone who has suffered and
Hocker said he was drawn to ministry in 2010 and trained as a biblical counselor. In 2017, he started Carmel-based CompassPoint Biblical Counseling, which provides “Bible-based counseling to families, no matter their ability to pay.”
“The fact that over the last eight years I hosted a radio show really spoke, and married together, my ministry background and experience with my long-standing career in entertainment products,” he said.
“The Art of Perseverance” podcast is available on familiar podcast forums such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Home prep company opens in north Indy
By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com
A new home preparation company has opened a franchise in north Indianapolis.
Homestretch, which specializes in cosmetic fixes for homes about to go on the market, opened the franchise last month.
The franchise’s service area ranges from Zionsville to Pendleton and most cities in between, including Carmel, Westfield and Noblesville.
Homestretch quickly provides services meant to prepare a home to go up for sale. Services include clean-outs, painting and carpet and flooring. The business is not a general contractor.
“We are not going to build a wall, we are not going to tear down a wall,” said Todd Wright, owner of the north Indy franchise. “We’re not going to go in and re-do plumbing.”
Instead, Homestretch offers cosmetic
upgrades to make a home standout either on Zillow or during a home tour.
Services include repainting an oddly colored room to something more neutral or replacing old carpet.
“We do the right cosmetic improvements that will allow a home to sell more quickly,” Wright said.
Landscaping, junk removal and cleaning to prepare for listing photos are also among the services offered.
Wright said Homestretch is one of the fastest-growing franchises in the nation.
Homestretch’s customer base are realtors who would hire the company on behalf of the homeowner.
While realtors might already know a painter or flooring contractor, Homestretch offers all these services under one umbrella, which is the business’ selling point, Wright said.
Homestretch can be reached at 317-854-0230 or contact.NIND@homestretch.com.
Hocker
A life saver
Area high school students stage walk-out protests
becca Coffman told teachers to remain neutral about the protest. The same memo was sent to high school families with Coffman asking them to talk about
“Please remember, our students do not ‘shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate,’” the memo stated. The reference was to the Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines where the court ruled students cannot be punished for exercising their First Amendment rights so long as doing so does not
Students organized on social media, sharing posts about the protest. A public group chat on GroupMe, a group
“Who knew there were 500 Zionsville students who agreed with us,” Ruth
The protest traveled to Town Hall, where speeches were given. Students wore safety vests, blew whistles and carried signs. Zionsville Police Department provided an escort to ensure
Two Hamilton Southeastern School District student demonstrations also were planned for Feb. 2 but were postponed after the Feb. 1 announcement that missing HSE student Hailey Buzbee
protest.
“I’d like to see a calmer and more humane ICE,” Rubeck said.
In a memo sent to Zionsville Community Schools staff, Superintendent Re-
A Westfield High School student walk out is planned Feb. 10. Carmel High School students staged a similar demonstration Jan. 20.
Zionsville Community High School students carry signs as they walk down Bloor Lane on (Photo by Spencer
Info center aids police
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Since launching in November 2024, Hamilton County’s Real Time Information Center has helped police track and arrest suspects, find missing people and dispatch officers more efficiently, according to local law enforcement officials.
Representatives from several entities involved in the task force-style partnership shared success stories during a Jan. 27 press conference at the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, which houses the center.
“There have been other communities that have either attempted or are attempting to build a center just like ours, but make no mistake, Hamilton County is the cutting edge,” said Lt. Brian Niec, director of the county’s RTIC. “We were the very first to do it.”
RTICs use real-time data from 911 dispatches, license-plate reading cameras, drones and other technology collected and analyzed in a centralized hub to assist law enforcement officers during a response. Hamilton County didn’t
invent the concept, but it’s the first to launch one through a partnership of multiple agencies.
Participating agencies are the HCSO, Carmel Police Department, Noblesville Police Department and the Hamilton County Public Safety Communications Center. The RTIC, however, offers its resources throughout the county, whether or not the local police department is an official partner.
Blood drive center now open
By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com
The American Red Cross has opened a blood drive center at 14765 Hazel Dell Crossing in Noblesville.
According to American Red Cross officials, the center presents an opportunity for the community to donate blood and platelets for patients in need, such as those battling cancer, accident victims, transplant recipients and individuals living with sickle cell disease.
American Red Cross Regional Communications Director Isis Chaverri said the Noblesville facility is the first in the Greater Indianapolis area.
“We wanted to do something in the northern part of the city, and the location is very central because it’s close to Westfield and also Carmel,” Chaverri said. “It will allow people from those communities to come and donate closer to home.”
Chaverri said the biggest factor for creating more blood drive centers is the need for blood platelets, which are cell fragments in the blood that are crucial for forming clots to stop bleeding and
heal injuries.
“Platelets only have a shelf life of five days, so there is a constant need to keep up with hospital demand,” Chaverri said. “Nearly half of the platelets that are donated go to cancer patients. Of course, they can also help with surgeries and organ transplants, but nearly half go to people who are going through cancer treatment to help replenish those patients going through chemotherapy.”
Chaverri said during platelet donation, blood is collected by a device that separates platelets, along with some plasma from the blood, and the remaining blood components are returned to the donor. Platelets can be donated every seven days.
“The donation process can take up to two and half hours,” Chaverri said. “We make it as comfortable and relaxing as possible for our donors so they can help us save patients’ lives and make sure blood products are available for those who need it.”
The facility is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
The Hamilton County Real Time Information Center gathers and analyzes data to assist law enforcement officers during active calls. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)
STATE OF THE CITY
Mayor touches on new topics in second of two speeches
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
Westfield Mayor Scott Willis delivered the second of his two State of the City addresses Jan. 28 at the Westfield High School auditorium.
The occasion followed his Nov.13, 2025, State of the City at the IMMI Conference Center, which was a ticketed event. Admission was free for the follow-up address, during which Willis touched on several new topics that have arisen since last November.
STATEHOUSE LEGISLATION
House Bill 1001 was introduced Jan. 8 to address the shortage of affordable housing in Indiana. According to a summary of the bill, a priority is to allow single-family housing and townhouses to be built without hearing in areas zoned residential. Willis strongly opposes he bill, which recently advanced to the Indiana Senate.
“This bill might be the worst bill I have ever seen come out of the Statehouse,” Willis said. “It basically strips zoning authority away from local communities, and the state basically giving our home builders complete authority to build what they want, where they want, when they want.”
Willis said one of his concerns is that Westfield won’t be able to maintain services for city residents if the average assessed value of the homes in the city go down. He has said that 90 percent of city revenue comes from residential homes.
“(With) the type of housing that could come (from HB 1001), it could put the City of Westfield in a huge financial pinch,” Willis said. “To pay for the services I provide to you as a resident, your home has to hit at least $400,000 in assessed value. If you’re below that (average), you’re now a drain on the system.”
Willis said two-fifths of the available land for housing in Westfield and Washington Township hasn’t been built on yet, affecting the kind of homes built in those undeveloped areas as far as city revenue is concerned.
“If you allow two-fifths to go to the affordable (housing) side, services are going to go down,” Willis said. “We can’t pay for the quality of life that we’re providing to residents right now with (those) kinds of housing units.”
Despite opt-out clauses for communities to mitigate some of HB 1001’s mandates, Willis said the opt-out options might not last long.
“I’m not naive to think that if we opt out, every (municipality) is going to opt out, for the most part, because nobody wants to give up control,” Willis said. “Then three or four years from now, they’re just going to wipe out all the opt outs, and we’ll be back to square one.”
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
During a Jan. 7 joint session of the Westfield City Council and Westfield Washington Schools Board of Trustees,
Willis said Westfield’s new comprehensive plan would be released by the end of the month, but that plan has changed.
Willis said HB 1001, which was introduced the day after Willis spoke Jan. 7, has delayed the plan’s release.
“The comprehensive plan will come before (city) council the first week in March, albeit two months later than we wanted to,” Willis said. “Until we had more clarity on what they were trying to do around HB 1001, we felt was in our best interest to just pause.”
Willis expressed frustration about this during his speech.
“Quite frankly, the comprehensive plan that we spend a lot of money on, we’ve had over 6,500 residents in our community weigh in on what they want the future Westfield to look like. You might as well take it, shred it up and go
in the trash, because it doesn’t really matter, because basically (developers) can do whatever they want to do,” Willis said.
Willis said that the fate of HB 1001 should be known by the time the comprehensive plan is introduced.
“Even if we introduce (the comprehensive plan) in March, which we will, by then we’ll know how HB 1001 is going to play out, and if we need to, we’ll pull it back,” Willis said. “But it’s not good government to not give clarity about how you want to grow your city.”
NFL FLAG CHAMPIONSHIPS
The city will host the July 23-27 NFL Flag Championships at Droplight Grand Park Campus. The announcement was made Jan. 28.
Willis said the NFL exposure, coupled with the August LIV golf event in Westfield, will be a major branding boost for the city.
“We (benefit from) any kind of media that happens in the community that has Westfield attached to it,” Willis said. “(The morning after the announcement) I came in and pulled up a report and there were 68 articles about this and they all said Westfield, Indiana, so this is going to give us some huge marketing and exposure.”
Willis told Current after the speech that the process of attracting the NFL Flag Championships to Grand Park required a lot of work. Canton, Ohio, was the previous host city.
“GPSE (Grand Park Sports & Entertainment) did a lot of the heavy lifting on that,” said Willis, noting that the NFL – for logistical reasons – might move the event from Canton. “We reached out to the NFL and started planting seeds, and then they actually did decide they were going to leave Canton. They did a nationwide search and narrowed it down. I think three or four sites made the final cut, but we got it.”
ON THE COVER: An aerial view of a Westfield housing development. Local officials are concerned House Bill 1001 will limit local control over developments. (File photo)
Westfield Mayor Scott Willis addresses the crowd during his Jan. 28 State of the City speech at the Westfield High School Auditorium. (Photo courtesy of the City of Westfield)
Eye myths busted, Part 2
Commentary by Dr. Amy Iddins
In my last article, we debunked some common eye myths—but it turns out there’s still plenty of “eye advice” floating around that deserves a closer look. From carrots giving you perfect vision to crossing your eyes causing permanent misalignment, our eyes seem to attract more old wives’ tales than any other part of the body! Let’s separate fact from fiction -- science first, superstition second.
MYTH 1: CARROTS GIVE YOU PERFECT EYESIGHT
This classic started in WWII, when the British Royal Air Force claimed their pilots had amazing night vision thanks to carrots—to hide the real reason: new radar technology. While carrots are high in vitamin A, which supports overall eye health, eating more won’t improve your vision beyond normal levels or improve your refractive error.
MYTH 2: CROSSING YOUR EYES WILL MAKE THEM STICK
Most of us heard this as kids. The truth? Temporarily crossing your eyes is harmless -- they won’t get stuck. Persistent or involuntary crossing, however, could be a sign of strabismus, which deserves a professional eye exam.
MYTH 3: TAP WATER OR SALIVA CAN RE-WET CONTACTS
This is a dangerous one and a big no! Saliva and tap water aren’t sterile and can introduce bacteria, risking serious sight threatening eye infections. Only use sterile contact lens solutions, and if none are available, it’s safer to leave the lens out until you have proper solution.
With these myths busted, you can rest easy — and maybe even share a few more eye-opening facts with your friends and family!
Dr. Amy Iddins of RevolutionEYES completed her Doctor of Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Care That Supports Your Family — From Infancy Through Adulthood
Dr. Lindsay Moore
Healthcare often feels disconnected. Children see one doctor. Adults see another. Families juggle appointments, records, and advice that doesn’t always line up. Over time, care can feel fragmented—especially during a child’s earliest years.
At our practice, we believe families deserve something better.
Dr. Moore is trained in Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Lactation, allowing her to care for children, adults, and families with a unique sense of continuity. For parents, that means having a pediatrician who takes the time to understand not only a child’s growth and development, but also the family environment surrounding them.
One of the most valuable things a physician can offer isn’t a test or a prescription. It’s time. Time to listen. Time to answer questions fully. Time to support families through the everyday concerns and
decisions that come with raising healthy children. That’s how trust is built— and why it’s central to Dr. Moore’s approach to care. By intentionally limiting the size of her patient panel, Dr. Moore is able to provide thoughtful, personalized care without rushing visits or overlooking details. Parents are heard. Children are seen as individuals. Care is grounded in context—not checklists.
Children don’t grow in isolation. Their health is shaped by nutrition, routines, sleep, development, and family dynamics. Dr. Moore’s pediatric care is designed to meet children where they are, offering guidance that evolves as they grow. From newborn feeding support and lactation guidance to well-child visits and ongoing pediatric care, families receive education and support tailored to their needs.
Family-centered medicine means continuity. Having one physician who understands your family’s health history, values, and priorities allows care to be proactive rather than reactive. It creates consistency for children and confidence for parents.
Dr. Moore also cares for adults, allowing families to stay connected within the same practice as needs change over time. That
shared understanding strengthens relationships and improves care for everyone involved. That level of personalized, relationship-based care only works when it’s protected.
Now is the perfect time. Dr. Moore’s patient panel is nearly full, and we want to make sure your family and friends have the opportunity to enroll before spots are gone. By keeping her panel limited, Dr. Moore preserves what matters most: time, trust, and individualized attention for every patient she serves.
If you know families looking for a pediatrician who values connection, continuity, and thoughtful care, we would love the opportunity to welcome them.
Because great pediatric care starts with knowing the whole family. Contact Information: FreedomDoc Westfield 15229 Westfield Blvd Carmel, IN 46032
H Steakhouse is a family affair for owner
By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com
H Steakhouse is set to open soon Feb. 7 at 207 Mill St. in downtown Westfield.
Owned by veteran restaurateur Henri Najem, the restaurant is in many ways a family affair.
Henri’s wife, Shelley, oversees interior design for the large building on two parcels on the corner of Mill and Jersey streets at Grand Junction Plaza. Henri’s son, Nick, is part of the management team.
Logan Schmidt, who is not a family member, but is a trusted part of the management team as head chef.
“We’re the type of family where you’ll see us on the floor every single day,” Nick said. “Inside this restaurant, in particular, you’ll see everyone doing something all the way from bussing tables, to running food to back in the kitchen, to cooking. There’s nothing we shy away from and that’s how we lead our team. We lead by example.”
Henri said the restaurant will specialize in fresh seafood and prime beef with
Mediterranean flair, with infusions of Italian and Middle Eastern flavors. All entrees are cooked on wood fires.
“This is how they cooked back in the old days, and you just get so much flavor from the wood,” Henri said. “We do a mix of oak and apple over the open flame.”
Shelley said meat is locally sourced from Meats by Linz in Crown Point.
“Starting with the best quality ingredients has always been my philosophy,” she said. “I start with the best. You shouldn’t have to mask any flavors,” Henri said.
The steakhouse is one of the anchors in the continuing development in downtown Westfield. It is near Union Square at Grand Junction Plaza, which is across Mill Street from H Steakhouse.
Being an anchor in this growing business district is something Henri embraces.
“We want to be the best,” Henri said. “We want to execute. We want to provide the best experience for you when you come in. We like challenges.”
From left, the H Steakhouse team, Nick Najem, Shelley Najem, Henri Najem and Logan Schmidt. (Photo by Todd Golden)
Trumpeter to perform Palladium concert
By Alan Sculley editorial@youarecurrent.com
In the time leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Chris Botti wasn’t sure if he’d add any new albums to the 10 studio releases that had made up his catalog through 2012.
Album sales had tanked as streaming and downloading took hold, and with Botti’s touring business being robust, he began to think there was no need for more of his music. He even was entertaining the thought of leaving Columbia Records, the label that signed him before his fourth album, 2001’s “Night Sessions,” and had helped elevate him to a place where his albums consistently hit the top of the jazz chart.
“(Columbia Records) did such a great job for me,” said Botti, who will perform at 8 p.m. March 6 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. “But as (of) 2015, 16, 17, 18, right in there, I could kind of tell that Columbia Records was basically kind of in the Adele business, which I don’t fault them for. I think it’s a fine business. And so, I kind of spent those years just touring and letting our touring do the talking.”
But coming out of the pandemic, two things surfaced that changed Botti’s thinking. Now, he’s on tour with an album, “Vol. 1,” that arrived in October 2023, and he’s planning more trips to the studio to make at least two more albums.
“This opportunity came up to go to Blue Note, and that was thrilling because it’s such an iconic label,” Botti said. “And (label president) Don Was has been lovely to me, letting me kind of do whatever I want. Then obviously, having David Foster produce was the kind of kick in the butt. I felt if I could get him to come out of retirement and produce me, it would be super special and we should do this. So over dinner, I asked him and he said ‘Sure.’” Foster, of course, has had a storied
career as a producer, songwriter, recording artist, keyboardist and record executive, working with Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Josh Groban, Celine Dion and Michael Bublé, among many others. Along the way, Foster has won more than a dozen Grammy Awards.
In approaching “Vol. 1,” project, Botti and Foster decided it would be a small group project featuring acoustic instrumentation and a selection romantic standards such as “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “My Funny Valentine” and “Someday My Prince Will Come,” along with a couple of more contemporary tunes, including a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” – all centered around Botti’s trumpet.
Although Botti has frequently used full orchestras on his previous albums, he knew the album called for a leaner treatment for the material.
“Part of the problem when you do one of those big orchestra records, you Google for an arranger and you turn over like everything to arranger. Then you fly all the way to London, and you stand before the orchestra and if it doesn’t work, it’s toast,” Botti said. “But when you’re doing something that is more stripped back like this, you can change songs, change (arrangements).
This was so much more immediate, and we wanted to do a lifestyle record that was definitely stripped back, that was central to the sound of my horn and do kind of a more jazz record, but still make it lifestyle and approachable for people to listen to.”
Botti and Foster got the album they wanted, as “Vol. 1” is an elegant, highly melodic ballad-focused work.
Elegance and sophistication have been constants for Botti throughout a career that began in the mid-1980s. He first began gaining notice when he joined Paul Simon’s touring band in 1990, a touring relationship that would continue through the 1990s.
Botti began his solo career in 1995 with the CD, “First Wish,” but it was in 2000 that his career got a pivotal boost when Sting hired the trumpeter to join his band for his “Brand New Day” tour. In the midst of that tour with Sting, Botti was signed by Columbia Records and released the “Night Sessions” CD. His profile and reputation as a player have only continued to grow since then as albums like 2004’s “When I Fall In Love,” 2007’s “Italia” and his biggest release, the 2009 concert album “Chris Botti In Boston,” have topped the jazz charts, and especially in the case of that latter album, crossed over to pop.
“In order to get an audience to feel music in their seats, so to speak, in their core, you can’t just play necessarily all of the beautiful stuff,” he said.
“You’ve got to hit them with some visceral, kind of flashy and musical chop-oriented stuff that makes them go ‘Oh, my god!’ You know, like, ‘Boom!’”
Botti considers the “Vol. 1” title very much signaling a new phase in his career, and looking ahead, he sees himself picking up the pace on making albums while he maintains his heavy touring regimen.
“I’ll hopefully be on board with Blue Note for at least ‘Vol. 1,’ ‘2’ and ‘3.’ And we can knock them out pretty (quickly), like every year or year and a half,” Botti said. “That’s kind of what my thought process is, maybe do three things for Blue Note.”
‘THE MOUSETRAP’
“The Mousetrap” runs through Feb. 15 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.
FEINSTEIN’S CABARET
Feinstein’s cabaret presents “Summer Nights, The Music of Grease” Feb. 12, followed by “Esque, Burlesque at Feinstein’s” Feb. 13 and “Paul Hughes, Songs for the Lovers” Feb. 14 at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc. com.
‘THE PAGEANT’
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present “The Pageant” through Feb. 22 at The Florence at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
‘LUCKY STIFF’
Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Lucky Stiff” through Feb. 15 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit atistage.org.
‘THE GREAT GATSBY’
Civic Theatre presents “The Great Gatsby” through Feb. 21 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
‘ALMOST, MAINE’
Main Street Productions presents “Almost, Maine” through Feb.15 at the Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.
‘MASQUERADE BALL’
Indiana Wind Symphony’s “Masquerade Ball” is set for 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center. For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
Chris Botti will perform at 8 p.m. March 6 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Randall Slavin)
Opens February 19
Guest clarinetist joins IWS
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Indiana Wind Symphony Orchestra Music Director Jay Gephart knows there is a buzz around a special guest musician.
Jazz clarinetist Doreen Ketchens will perform in the “Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball” concert at 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“This is going to be huge for us,” Gephart said. “I told the band she was coming, and the immediate response was overwhelming. They couldn’t believe it.”
Ketchens will perform a piece that was written for her for the National American Bandmasters Association Convention. The piece is “Troubles of the World” by William May.
“It has a little bit of a jazz bent to it, but he also writes in a really wonderful classical style,” Gephart said. “So, there is a combination of the two styles that showcase Doreen as more of a jazz player. She is going to play two lighter piec-
es in the second half of the concert.”
Ketchens will perform Paul Hemmer’s arrangements of “Caravan” and “Amazing Grace.”
The concert will open with “Fanfare from La Péri” by Paull Dukas, followed by “Occident et Orient” by Camille Saint-Saens.
The concert closes with Brant Karrick’s “Bayou Breakdown” and “Satchmo,” a tribute to Louis Armstrong by Ted Ricketts. It features IWS principal trumpeter Brian Hoover.
For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
Play to examine Riley’s life
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
James Whitcomb Riley is known as a famous writer and poet from Indiana.
“But many don’t know how he got started,” Carmel resident Keith Miller said. “I was shocked to learn he started out on the traveling medicine show and even posed as a blind man cured by a magic elixir. He was really quite the character. He was not the stodgy poet that we know from later in his life photographs. He was a showman.”
in a fictional conversation with an assistant stage manager, Caleb Jonson. Nolan Daugherty plays Caleb Johnson and Paul Hansen plays Riley.
“It really put me at ease when the audience laughed for the first time and then they applauded when I hoped it would applaud,” Miller said. “So, I know we have a really good play that everyone can enjoy.”
Miller’s play “An Evening with James Whitcomb Riley” is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The performance will benefit Riley Children’s Foundation. The play had a reading Oct. 11, 2025, at Carmel Clay Public Library as part of the Actors Theatre of Indiana Lab series.
The two-person play centers on Riley’s appearance with Mark Twain in 1894 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, where he talks about his life
Following the reading, Miller said many audience members stuck around for nearly an hour to offer feedback, “They wanted to know more about Riley, and they wanted to hear more poetry, which was encouraging,” he said. “So, we added a new scene and we added additional poetry.”
The play spotlights some scandals in Riley’s life.
Now retired, Miller, 68, is pursuing his passion for writing. He is working on his fifth novel in a five-book series. The books haven’t been published yet. For tickets, visit thecenterpresents. org.
Doreen Ketchens, a jazz clarinetist, will be a guest performer Feb. 15 at the Indiana Wind Symphony concert in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of IWS)
Miller
ENTERTAINMENT
Concerts for a Cause set
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Concerts for a Cause founder Bruce Kidd saw Jon McLaughlin as the perfect fit for the series’ million-dollar event.
The series, which consists of four concerts each year benefiting a different nonprofit, opens Feb. 21 with Indianapolis-based singer Kristen Bales as the opening act, and Jeffrey Gaines as the headliner for a concert supporting Indiana Wish.
er-songwriter, to be joined by Noblesville resident Sarah Scharbrough, who is married to McLauglin’s brother, Jeffrey, a music teacher at Westfield High School.
“Sarah opened for us one other time in 2022. She got the only standing ovation and encore shouts from our audience for an opening artist,” Kidd said.
The series, in its 10th year, has raised $952,000 for 39 charities. The series will surpass $1 million raised for nonprofits at the May 16 concert with McLaughlin.
“We selected Jon for our special May concert because he is a Hoosier and our concerts are about helping fellow Hoosiers and he loves combining our mission and combining live music with doing good for others,” Kidd said. “He was the perfect choice.”
A Carmel resident, Kidd said it also made sense for McLaughlin, a sing
McLaughlin, an Anderson native who resided several years in Carmel and Indianapolis, lives in Nashville, Tenn. He previously performed in the series in 2019.
The Feb. 21, Aug. 29 and Nov. 14 are at the Indy Art Center, which has 210 seats with 50 reserved for the series sponsors. The May 16 concert will benefit Teachers Treasures.
“I am working on a larger venue for May 16 as we expect 300 to 400 guests that night,” Kidd said.
Food, drinks and the concert are included in the $100 ticket. For more, visit indyconcertsforacause.org.
McLaughlin
INDIANA WIND SYMPHONY
VIEWS
Editor,
COMMUNITY VOICES
Stability, not agendas
I am writing as a Westfield resident, a mother, and a disabled veteran. I served this country to protect the stability and dignity of our institutions, yet today I find myself deeply concerned by the direction of our federal leadership.
As we enter tax filing season, the threat of another government shutdown — following the one we endured just months ago — is a crisis for families like mine who are already struggling. We need a functional government that prioritizes the economic well-being of its citizens over political theater.
Furthermore, as the child of an immigrant, I find the current focus on aggressive ICE funding and the targeting of vulnerable communities — including
immigrants and transgender people — to be a distraction from the real issues facing Hamilton County.
Our neighbors are not the problem; the problem is a leadership that governs through division and divertissement, such as the bizarre focus on purchasing Greenland, while our own people struggle.
I served in the Army to protect the rights of all Americans.
I urge our representatives, including (U.S. Rep.) Victoria Spartz, to prioritize a clean budget and return to the serious work of governing.
Our children deserve to grow up in a country that values stability and inclusivity over partisan agendas.
Janet Franklin-Topping, Westfield
Affordable care needed
Editor,
More and more these days, I see lawmakers at all levels of government debating health care. I think it is important that in the midst of these conversations, leaders don’t lose sight of what matters most to patients. As someone living with an incurable skeletal disease, I know firsthand what patients need — affordable and impactful care.
My quality of life depends on accessing the treatments and medicines I need. Living with my condition means navigating appointments, medications, and treatment decisions. Trying to balance these demands along with my dayto-day life is a full-time job. For patients like me, stability and consistency in care make all the difference. Well-bal-
anced systems, like prior authorization, ensure that I am receiving the proper care that addresses my needs, while keeping costs manageable. In my experience, these measures add an important layer of review that is cost-effective, backed by medical evidence, and give me peace of mind that I am receiving the right treatments.
When it comes time to compare costs, Hoosiers pay some of the highest hospital bills in the country. Prior authorization seeks to rein in these hospitals and their opaque billing practices, protecting patients from both unnecessary care and costs that could harm their household budgets.
Rachel Leigh, Westfield
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES
Current Publishing will consider verifiable letters of up to 300 words sent in a Microsoft Word document or in the body of an email. Letters may not be of a campaigning or advertising nature. Letters should be exclusive to Current Publishing. Unsigned letters and letters deemed to be of a libelous nature will not be published. Letter writers will be given once-monthly consideration for publication of submissions. Current Publishing reserves the right to end published audience debate on any topic. Current Publishing reserves the right to edit and shorten for space, grammar, style and spelling, and Current may refuse letters. Send submissions to letters@youarecurrent. com; letters sent to any other email address will not be reviewed. Letters must include the writer’s full name, hometown and daytime telephone number for verification purposes only.
16. Battery terminal
17. “Kapow!”
18. ___ Wayne, Ind.
19. Like some patches
20. Building supplies salesladies in
MILLERSBURG?
23. IU Health triage sites
24. Mount Everest guide
25. Ship of fuels?
27. Smoke House vape pens, briefly
30. Artist’s lifetime work
33. IMPD rap sheet letters
36. Kind of band or show
38. Stir up
39. Anxious feeling
41. ___ room
42. Does tough work
43. Move, to a Realtor
44. In a tidy way
46. Ruby or Sandra
47. Magazine with an annual “Sexiest Man Alive” issue
49. Cambodian currency
51. Frisbee maker
53. Japanese hostess
57. Teacher’s favorite student
59. Chart topper about being miserable over an unrequited relationship in HORTONVILLE?
62. Single-celled organism
64. Lambs’ moms
65. Subside
66. Aroma
67. Philosopher Descartes
68. ___ mater
69. St. Nicholas, to some 70. Hoosier Park gait
71. Consider DOWN
1. Prominent bulldog features
2. “You bet!”
3. Guilty feeling
4. Sound quality
5. Part of a Mellencamp song
6. Frenzied
7. Actress Spelling
8. The Jetsons’ dog
9. Annoyance
10. Opposite of WSW
11. Missing a crew member in RIVERWOOD?
12. Aroma
13. Bears’ lairs
21. Disney theme park
22. Colt foe
26. French coin
28. “Pretty Woman” star
29. Bad-mouth
31. Anger
32. “If all ___ fails...”
33. 50+ org.
34. Patella’s place
35. Beaming adolescent in EAGLETOWN?
37. Start of a Belfry The-
atre play
40. Second-year student at WHS
42. Colts 2026 Pro Bowl tight end Warren
44. Nautilus captain
45. Kit with toy bricks
48. “Deck the Halls” syllables
50. “Arabian Nights” sailor
52. For all to see
54. Fissile rock
55. Blackjack request
56. First-stringers
57. Pacers point guard option
58. Austen novel
60. Decorative pitcher
61. Fallon’s predecessor
63. Muldoon’s on Main sandwich, for short ANSWERS ON PAGE 23
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