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Founded Jan. 25, 2011, at Fishers, IN Vol. XVI, No. 3

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Spartz discusses reelection campaign

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Republican U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz has filed to run for reelection for Indiana’s 5th District congressional seat. A Noblesville resident, she is in her third term, having won reelection in 2024 with nearly 57 percent of the vote.

As of Jan. 27, Republican Scott A. King and Democrats State Sen. J.D. Ford, Todd Shelton, Dylan McKenna, Jackson Franklin and Steve Avitable Avit have also filed to run for the 5th District seat, which includes Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Grant, Tipton and a portion of Howard counties. The primary election is May 5, and the general election is Nov. 3.

aggressive and they don’t want to listen. Which is fine, I’m OK to do that, but I also cannot put my staff at risk because (a) town hall is set up by a lot of Democrats to get organized and be disruptive. That’s not a constructive dialog. So, I’m not sure how productive they’re going to be in the election year, but I’ll continue doing it in the right environment … not putting people at risk.

CURRENT: You’ve previously had complaints filed against you from former staff members. Do you have any comment regarding those claims or fallout in terms of staffing?

In a Q&A with Current, Spartz answered questions about her campaign and time in Congress. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

CURRENT: Since you announced your campaign for reelection, some constituents have brought up your previous self-imposed three-term limit. What led you to the decision to run again?

Spartz: I think no politician should be there forever, and if you decide to do something, then you have to deliver. I didn’t self-impose any limits. I said I’m not planning to be in office as a lifelong politician, as most people are, but I think I still have unfinished business, and we need to finish the business, because the country is in trouble. I don’t see any good people running that actually would do the real work. If somebody great would be running, maybe I would consider (enjoying) time with the family, but most people that are running are terrible.

CURRENT: What are the top three things your campaign will focus on?

Spartz: I’ve always been focused on fiscal issues and fixing health care. That’s probably the biggest issue that our country is facing.

CURRENT: Your last few town hall meetings and appearances have been met with a mix of applause and scrutiny. Do you intend on having any more of these leading up to the next election?

Spartz: Listen, I am the only elected official in the state of Indiana that is actually doing open town halls right now, and I will continue doing so as long as we don’t have a total sabotage by the other side. The last couple town halls (did not) get a good representation of the people. People came because they want to be

Spartz: I don’t, and I (don’t think you should believe) hit pieces from Democrats with them having an agenda — just (writing) lies from anonymous sources. That’s just what people do to write propaganda and lies. This is part of (the) political process. But we’ll go beyond that, because we have issues as a country — not just writing propaganda and lies — what a lot of them like to do.

CURRENT: Some constituents claim you do not follow through on your word. What is your response to that and why do you believe constituents should believe what you say?

Spartz: Because I always follow through on my word. I’m very direct, and some people might not like it, but I’m very transparent with people. I don’t just try to backstab anyone like most politicians do and say lies. I actually have a very transparent dialog, which is very uncommon for political office, because I represent 100 percent of the people, and town hall (engagement) is a testament to that. I will challenge any elected official to come into town halls with me. I would say I feel more responsive than most elected officials are. I think it’s not true what people say. I try to be responsive, even for people that probably have very radical ideas. If I represent them, I always ask my staff to be very responsive, nice and listen regardless of how some of them feel, because we still represent the people, even if they don’t vote for us.

CURRENT: What are you most proud of during your service in Congress and what you have done for Hoosiers?

Spartz: I think I put a lot of fiscal issues under control that would have been in a bad situation, including recently taking a trillion dollars from saving Medicare and Medicaid from looming bankruptcy. We didn’t save it completely but at least moved the needle from (the)

over-billing of these programs and the money laundering and fraud. I passed a lot of bills related to the district, and I don’t do messaging bills. I was engaged in a lot of issues, foreign domestics, and tried to deliver results. And I think for someone who is just one of over 500 people (in the House of Representatives), I was able to push my party to deliver. But I think my party can deliver more and needs to deliver more. The other party (has a) very radical, aggressive, socialist, communist agenda — very destructive for the country. My party needs to grow their backbone and fight the right battle for the people, and we need to fix the economy. The economy is becoming a big problem, and inflation that was caused by the previous administration — lawlessness, open borders, sending money to the oligarchs in Washington, D.C. — they’re now destructive for our future generations. That really was caused a lot by the other side, and my side probably didn’t fight as much. We have to save this republic, and (the nation’s) 250-year anniversary is going to be a big test for us. And I hope people will show up and people stay with us, because we have to deal with a lot of issues and challenges. There is a lot of frustration on the ground, but I think if we fix this issue, our country will have great times ahead of us with innovations and things happening. And if we don’t fix these issues, we can go in the very wrong direction that we’ve been going for a while now.

CURRENT: Is there anything else you would like voters to know?

Spartz: I just want to ask people to be engaged in the political process. This is going to be (the nation’s) 250-year anniversary, and no republics are invincible. We have to understand that we might agree, we might disagree, but we have to keep government honest and be engaged. We should pay attention at the local level and state level. People just pay attention to the federal level only, but the state level people are much closer to people’s pockets, and we have to start thinking about what we’re doing, who we elect, why these people run and looking (at) their job before they came into politics. So, I encourage people to be involved in productive ways. There (is) a lot of drama going to be happening this year. It’s a very tough election year, but I want us to be citizens and pay attention, not wait until government becomes so distracted (that) it’s too late. Because freedom is never free.

Spartz

King challenges Spartz in primary election

By Jessica Todd jessica@youarecurrent.com

Republican Scott A. King, a Noblesville resident, has announced his candidacy for Indiana’s 5th District congressional seat.

He is challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz in the May 5 primary election. As of Jan. 22, no other Republican candidates had filed.

King, a U.S. Army veteran, has an electrical engineering background and said he is looking to “repair a broken country.”

“I am going to actually do my best to reconcile us all toward a more fair-minded consciousness,” King said. “Being very pragmatic sometimes leads us to separate. We need more collective measures — behaviorally as well as fiscally. I intend to bring that fire along with me as I endeavor to grow (the) 5th District’s confidence in a new leader.”

King, 55, said his campaign wants to address cybersecurity, “medical tyranny” — a term used to describe situations where public health initiatives, medical mandates or government-imposed health policies are viewed as authoritarian — and immigration.

He also said he wants to “garner clarity” regarding tariffs.

“Tariffs, although a great revenue generator, were never meant to augment a taxation of the people,” King said. “They were meant in lieu of taxation of the citizens. I would like to address this in Washington once elected.”

King said he was interested in politics and leadership during his childhood, engaging in DECA, a global nonprofit student organization.

“I want to go to bat for (constituents) and try to set some new standards,” King said. “I believe it can be done, or I wouldn’t be going after this. I’m going to address the things that have not been addressed, and I will not stop until I get answers for everybody for change.”

King can be found on Instagram at scottanthony_317, X at ScottyK317 and TRUTH Social at S_A_King.

YOUR CITY WANTS TO HEAR FROM

TAKE THE FISHERS COMMUNITY SURVE

King

Fishers seeks input through 2026 survey

The City of Fishers has opened the 2026 Fishers Community Survey for city residents ages 18 and older to provide feedback on quality of life and residents’ experiences with city services.

The survey asks residents to share input on a range of topics, including overall quality of life, neighborhood experiences, safety, transportation, growth and development, parks and recreation, and community amenities, according to an announcement from the city.

The survey also asks residents to provide feedback on specific city services, such as streets and sidewalks, utilities, public safety, snow removal, recycling, parks and facilities, public information and customer service.

“Resident feedback is essential to how we plan, invest and deliver services,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness stated. “This survey allows residents to tell us what’s working well, where improvements are needed and what matters most to them in their daily lives.”

Survey results will be used to help guide city planning, prioritize service improvements and inform future investments across departments, according to the announcement. The survey is conducted by Polco, a third-party research and benchmarking firm. All responses are confidential and no identifying information will be shared.

Fishers residents may receive a text message from Polco inviting them to take the 15-minute survey, which is open through Feb. 24. The survey also is available online at FishersIN.gov/Survey.

DISPATCH

 Calls for art — The Fishers Arts Council is seeking submissions for its April exhibit, “Spring Blooms with Poetry – Tiny Art.” The exhibit will focus on 2D and 3D works that are no larger than 8 inches square, along with poetry. Fishers Arts Council will print and frame accepted poems. Visual art and poetry submissions are encouraged to focus on the joy of art, nature, poetry and beauty. The deadline to apply is March 16. For more, visit FishersArtsCouncil.org/blog.

Neighbors concerned about planned memory care home

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A planned memory care facility is moving forward after the Fishers City Council approved a first reading Jan. 20 of a rezone that would allow developers to build the Story Cottage group home on Brooks School Road, but neighboring residents are worried about the impact on traffic, neighborhood character and property values.

The rezone request now heads to the Fishers Plan Commission for review and a public hearing, set for Feb. 4. The matter is expected to come back for the council’s regular meeting in late February.

The rezone would change the site from R2 residential to a planned unit development, with limitations on what can be developed on the .86-acre lot. The limitations state that the lot can be used only as a memory care facility, and that the building can’t exceed 7,500 square feet with a maximum of 12 beds.

Fredric Lawrence of Nelson & Frankenberger, representing Story Custom Development LLC, told the council that the company completed a traffic study in response to earlier concerns from neighbors, and the study shows the proposed use would add fewer than five vehicle trips during the morning and evening peak traffic times. He added that the developers — who have similar group homes in the area — want the facility to look residential, with no signage out front.

“This home is designed to appear and look like a custom home, similar to others in the area,” he said, adding that the company’s clients are all private-pay. “This is a luxury product. Clients are relatively healthy. The home is designed for social purposes, not medical. There are no medical staff, including nurses, on these properties. The living arrangements for those who can afford it provides opportunity for family members to relinquish the daily care of loved ones who are challenged with memory loss but are otherwise physically healthy.”

He said other Story Cottage group homes have relatively few emergency vehicle runs. In response to a question from the council, he said clients pay $11,000 a month to stay at the Story Cot-

tage group homes.

Although there wasn’t a public hearing during the Jan. 20 council meeting, several residents of the nearby Breakwater neighborhood spoke during public comment, expressing concern about the planned development. They said the area is residential and should remain residential. One resident said he was worried that building a group home in the neighborhood would open the door to more commercial development, adding that he believed home values would be affected.

Breakwater resident Mary Caito said she was disappointed by city officials for supporting the project over objections from neighbors, and said she didn’t believe the developers’ claims that there would be minimal emergency runs and no medical care.

“My father was in a very top-notch memory care center and on any given day, there were at least 15 people per shift taking care of the residents,” she said. “If they don’t have any medical (personnel) taking care of the residents, who is taking care of the residents? Who are they employing to take care of the residents? Their family members? Pay $11,000 a month for what? I’m just speaking my mind here, and I guarantee you everybody in Breakwater is against the memory care being built there.”

Caito later told Current that residents of the nearby Sandstone and Hawthorns neighborhoods also oppose the planned group home. She said the location, which includes a dip in the road, will make it challenging for vehicles to safely pull out, especially larger emergency vehicles; and neighbors are concerned about light pollution and the potential of clients wandering away and getting struck by a vehicle or falling into a retention pond.

Story Cottage is a proposed memory care group home on Brooks School Road in Fishers. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)

Rental registration program shows 95% compliance

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

The Fishers City Council heard an update Jan. 20 on the city’s new rental registration program, which required landlords with residential rental property in the city to be registered by the end of 2025.

Fishers Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner told the council that the city identified more than 3,000 residential rental properties in Fishers by mid-2025 and as of Jan. 1, more than 95 percent of those had been registered.

“So as of Jan. 1, we really only had about 137 suspected rentals that had not registered,” she said. “Enforcement started with a friendly notice on Jan. 1 to those suspected rentals.”

The ordinance establishing the registration program also set a 10 percent cap on rental properties within a neighborhood. Properties that were leased before the end of the year are not sub-

ject to the cap.

Baumgartner said the city is working with county officials to track homestead property tax exemptions and any use changes that could indicate that a home is rented.

“The team has done an incredible job of being able to process new inbound inquiries for new rental registrations,” she added. “The map is updated and also dynamic, so (homeowner associations) are able to look on the map.”

The city’s website includes a link to a map of the city showing which neighborhoods are at or above the 10 percent rental threshold. The map and other details about the program are available through the rental registration link, fishersin. gov/government/administrative/ rental-registration-permitting.

Baumgartner told the council there is a process to grandfather in properties that have not yet registered, if landlords can prove the homes were leased before the end of 2025.

OBITUARY

Robert Todd Boyd, 70, of Noblesville, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2026. Bob was born in Columbus, Indiana, to parents Joseph Voris Boyd and Roberta Ruth Boyd (Todd). He leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength, steady kindness, and deep devotion to his family.

A memorial service was held at 10:00 a.m., with a gathering that followed the service until 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, January

24, 2026, at Flanner Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters), 4180 Westfield Rd., Westfield, Indiana 46062. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bob’s name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (or mail to: National MS Society - P.O. Box 54879, Los Angeles, CA 90054) For his full obituary and online guestbook, visit www.flannerbuchanan.com

A map on the City of Fishers’ website indicates which neighborhoods, shown in red, have 10 percent or more residential properties that are rentals. (Image courtesy of the City of Fishers)

Trio earn ISSA Hall of Fame honors

Editor’s note: Current entertainment editor Mark Ambrogi was inducted into the ISSA Hall of Fame in 2023.

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Indiana Sportswriters & Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame class of 2026 will feature two honorees with longtime Carmel ties and a Current Publishing editor.

Rick Morwick, Current newsroom director, will be joined by former sportswriter Jim Russell and sportscaster Vince Welch. Russell has lived in Carmel since 1983, and Welch lived in Carmel for more than 30 years before moving to Cicero last year. The group will be honored April 12 at Valle Vista Golf and Banquet Center in Greenwood.

Morwick, 63, left the Daily Journal in 2016 and joined Current newspapers.

After graduating from Purdue University, Russell, who has lived in Carmel since 1983, worked for the Greenfield Reporter, including three years as sports editor. He worked for Indiana Sports Weekly, a statewide weekly, before joining the Indianapolis News.

Morwick, a Perry Meridian High School and IUPUI graduate, joined the Daily Journal in Johnson County in 1991, became assistant sports editor in 1997 and sports editor in 2004.

As part of his responsibilities, Morwick covered the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers for 25 years. He covered the Colts in the Super Bowl in 2007 and the Pacers in the NBA Finals in 2000. He covered several Indianapolis 500s, including the 100th running, and multiple IHSAA state finals. He conducted the final interviews with Johnson County legends George Crowe (Indiana’s first Mr. Basketball) and his brother Ray Crowe (Crispus Attucks HIgh School fame) before their deaths.

Morwick, an Indianapolis resident, was named the ISSA Corky Lamm Sportswriter of the Year in 2014.

Morwick said the Hall of Fame selection was a complete surprise.

“This honor would not have been possible had I started my career anywhere but the Johnson County Daily Journal, a ‘small paper’ that did big things,” he said. “I was extremely fortunate to have worked with and learned from some of the best editors and reporters in the state. I’m indebted to those early mentors who took a chance on hiring me and did so much to advance my career.”

During his 13 years at the News, he covered the Colts, high school sports, golf, tennis and the men’s basketball competition at the 1987 Pan American Games. Russell, 72, was the No. 2 Colts beat writer from 1986-90.

“More than anything, I loved covering high school basketball,” said Russell, a two-time winner of the ISSA’s Sportswriter of the Year Award.

Following his tenure at the News, Russell served as sports information director for the IHSAA from 1994 to 2001. Russell, who has been the football press box public address announcer since 1975, then was executive vice president for Delta Tau Delta Fraternity until retiring in 2018.

Welch, 61, spent 5 1/2 years on the WISH-TV sports team before moving to WNDY-TV, which was featuring IHSAA state championships and Indianapolis Indians games. He also broadcast his alma mater Ball State University’s basketball games for several years and covered the IndyCar Series on television or radio from 1996 through the 2014 season. Welch did 23 years of network TV, including 15 at ESPN and eight at Fox, primarily broadcasting motorsports.

“I did some college basketball work at Fox, which I really enjoyed,” said Welch, who retired after the 2023 NASCAR season.

Welch said he appreciates the Hall of Fame selection.

“I’m honored certainly to be in the company of so many terrific announcers, writers and broadcasters that are in the Hall of Fame,” he said.

Terry Hutchens, a Lawrence Township resident, will be inducted posthumously. Hutchens, who covered Indiana University sports for the Indianapolis Star and CNHI, died in 2018 at age 60.

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Flock cameras solve crimes, raise concernts

By Ann Marie Shambaugh and Leila Kheiry AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com leila@youarecurrent.com

A growing number of cities are using cameras that automatically capture the license plate of every vehicle driving past them. The technology has assisted in investigations and helped locate missing people, according to police.

But some residents are pushing back, citing concerns about privacy and a lack of legislation in Indiana regulating use of the cameras, known as automatic license plate readers or ALPRs.

Fishers Police Department has 27 Flock LPR cameras installed throughout the community, and started using them in early 2021.

The camera system, which cost the city about $90k total, reads a different number of plates daily. In an email response to an information request from Current, FPD gave an example of the plates read on Jan. 17.

“There were about 214,000 images taken by Fishers PD cameras, of which 133,000 were tagged by Flock as likely containing a license plate,” the email stated. “‘Flagged’ plates from National Crime Information Center records (stolen license plate, stolen vehicle, wanted subject, missing person, etc.) vary by the number of cameras each user monitors and which notifications the user wants to be alerted to.”

FPD stated that all Fishers’ sworn and criminal analysts have access to Flock information and each officer is trained in its use and in the department’s policy governing its use.

Flock data is stored for 30 days on secure servers. FPD stated that after that time, all data is automatically and permanently deleted, and is unrecoverable.

FPD does share its Flock data with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

“This information sharing allows agencies to help determine where suspects, missing persons, stolen vehicles, wanted subjects, etc., may be located so that we can coordinate with other law enforcement agencies,” FPD stated in the email, noting that the cameras have proven useful in apprehending suspects. “Earlier this month, Fishers Police were called to a road rage inci-

Continued on Page 9

While police tout the investigative speed of license plate readers—crediting the tech with solving a recent road rage incident in minutes—critics worry the lack of legislation in Indiana leaves the system open to abuse.. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh

Continued from Page 8

dent involving a suspect threatening a motorist with a firearm.”

FPD stated that the victim provided the vehicle type and color, and the area where the crime occurred, but not a license plate. Using Flock data, officers were able to identify the victim’s vehicle, and the suspect vehicle was immediately behind it.

“As a result, the suspect was located and detained within five minutes of this incident,” FPD stated.

Opponents, however, believe the cameras — which capture personal data without a warrant — violate the Constitutional protection of unreasonable search and seizure.

“Effectively, when you have them on every street corner, it’s like putting a tracker on your car,” said Walker Lasbury, executive director of Eyes Off Indiana, a grassroots organization advocating for oversight of ALPRs. “It genuinely can piece together, over a matter of time, where you go to church, who you’re seeing, your patterns of life. That is an absolute infringement of the Fourth Amendment.”

Courts in several states have ruled that ALPRs do not violate the Fourth Amendment. However, a case in Norfolk, Virginia, is pending, and other incidents have raised concerns.

In Kansas, for example, a police chief used the technology more than 200 times in 2023 in an attempt to track his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. In an earlier incident in the same state, a police lieutenant used ALPRs to stalk his estranged wife.

Lasbury, a DePauw University student and 2024 Carmel High School graduate, said he is grateful that the cameras can assist in dismantling theft rings and finding missing people. However, he is concerned the technology could be abused, especially in a state like Indiana with no regulations.

So, he founded Eyes Off Indiana, which informs Hoosiers about the issue and pushes for policy changes. Eyes Off Indiana has three policy goals:

• Strict retention limits — Regulations regarding how long non-relevant data from cameras may be stored

• Ban commercial sharing — Collected data may not be sold or shared with private vendors or brokers

• Transparency — ALPR searches should be logged and public portals should show how the data is used, shared and deleted

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Fishers High School guard extends winning ways

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For Fishers High School boys basketball coach Garrett Winegar, it’s easy to measure the strengths of junior Cooper Zachary.

“As a starting point guard for the Tigers, Cooper is 75-2,” Winegar said. “His consistency, work ethic and leadership have been key for us during that time. Winning a state title as a freshman starting point guard is remarkable and I don’t believe it has ever been done (before) at the (Class) 4A level.”

Winegar said the hard-working Zachary has improved in almost every facet.

“Cooper is a very well-rounded player, with very few weaknesses on the floor,” Winegar said. “His ball-handling, passing and shooting are obvious, but where I think he is most underrated is as a defender. Cooper is a relentless on-ball defender who sets the tone for us with his pressure. As a shooter, he has improved his ability to shoot off screens and come off screens more efficiently. Also, he has stretched his range.”

Winegar said Zachary has developed

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

COOPER ZACHARY

Favorite athlete: Steph Curry

Favorite subject: Math

Favorite musicians: Drake and Rod Wave.

Favorite TV show: “Outer Banks.”

Favorite movies: “Coach Carter” and “Cars 2”

into a coach on the floor. Zachary said he learned from teammates his first two seasons.

“I was blessed the past two years to have such great leaders in front of me,” he said. “My freshman and sophomore year I had Keenan Garner and JonAnthony Hall to look up to and get experience from them on what being a leader

looks like. Now, being a junior, I feel that I am the leader of my team and that I am the person the younger players look up to. I can’t thank those guys before me enough for preparing me.”

The Tigers beat Ben Davis to win the IHSAA Class 4A state championship in 2024 and lost in the 4A state final to Jeffersonville 67-66 in overtime last year. As of Jan. 28, Fishers was 16-0.

“The key to getting back to the state championship is doing the little things right, such as rest, eating, recovery, lifting, extra work outside of practice,” Zachary said.

Naturally, Zachary’s goal is to complete an unbeaten state championship season.

Zachary has school career records for 3-pointers with 170, assists with 347 and steals with 175. He has averages of 14.2 points, 5.3 assists and 2.7 steals per game in the first 16 games. His 3-point shooting percentage is 41 percent for the season and 46 percent for his career. He also has the team’s single-game assists record with 17.

“I give all the credit to my former and current teammates,” he said. “They make my job as a point guard easy.”

Zachary has several Division I scholarship offers, including from Ball State University, the University of Nevada, Kent Sate University, Toledo University, Bradley University and Purdue University-Fort Wayne.

“They all are special to me because I know that offers are hard to earn,” he said.

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Fishers High School junior point guard Cooper Zachary has school records in 3-pointers, assists and steals. (Photo courtesy of FHS Athletics)

Officials voice concern about HB1001

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

House Bill 1001, which limits local governments’ ability to regulate housing development standards, is drawing additional criticism from Hamilton County officials.

The legislation, meant to address the need for affordable housing, prompted the Hamilton County Commissioners to release a statement.

“We are gravely concerned about the significant impact House Bill 1001 will have on Indiana’s communities,” the statement reads. “By preempting local planning and zoning authority, this legislation undermines the ability of local governments to shape the growth and development of their neighborhoods according to the unique needs of their residents.”

The commissioners stated that local officials are best positioned to evaluate land use, manage infrastructure and protect community housing interests.

“House Bill 1001 strips away these critical decision-making powers, creating uncertainty for businesses and homeowners alike,” the commissioners stated. “Centralized, one-size-fits-all

mandates ignore the diverse character and challenges of Indiana’s counties, proposed cities and towns. This bill threatens to erode public input and local accountability, reducing the opportunity for residents to have a voice in the future of their communities.”

Fishers City Council members and Mayor Scott Fadness also addressed the issue during a recent council meeting. Fadness said he had reached out to the bill’s author, Rep Doug Miller (R-District 48), in hopes of amending the language.

“If you’re a strong believer (of) having the ability to chart a course for our community when it comes to what type of community we want to have and what the vision of our community is, then you’re probably not going to like a lot of what’s in the bill,” Fadness said. “I think it’s being done in the spirit of trying to create more opportunities for housing development across the state of Indiana and I think there’s ways that we can help accomplish that without giving up all the control by our city council.”

The bill was approved by the Indiana House Jan. 27 and has advanced to the Senate for consideration.

DISPATCHES

 Summer camp registration opens — Registration is open for Fishers residents to sign up for summer camp, which will be hosted at the recently opened Fishers Community Center. Programs now include offerings for children as young as 3. Half and full-day camps are available, with expanded before and after-care options for full-day camps from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more, visit fisherscommunitycenter.com/Camps.

 Scholarships available for future law enforcement officers — The Fishers Police Corps has announced that it is offering a $1,500 scholarship for a Fishers student interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. For more and to apply, visit fisherspolicecorps.org/scholarship. htm. Applications are due by March 31.

 F.C. Tucker announces new roles — F.C. Tucker Co. recently announced the

creation of new regional vice president roles, and the selection of Fishers resident Angel Dean to fill one of those positions. Dean, who started her new job in January, previously was co-manager of the F.C. Tucker Carmel office. For more, visit talktotucker.com.

 Farmers Bank promotions announced — The Farmers Bank announced two promotions in its Fishers Financial Center. Sean Horning has been promoted to Fishers Financial Center Director and Evan Walker has been promoted to Assistant Financial Center Director. Both began their new roles in fall 2025.

 Awards nominations open — The Indiana Manufacturers Association is accepting nominations through April 30 for the 2026 Manufacturing Excellence Awards. For more, visit indianamfg.com/2026-manufacturing-excellence-awards.

Fadness

Janillia J., patient

IU Health Fishers welcomes 100th baby

news@currentinfishers.com

IU Health Fishers recently delivered the 100th baby born in the hospital’s new medical tower, which opened in fall 2025.

Nolan Gegner, the son of Justine and Mike Gegner, was born Jan. 14. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

“We purposefully came to IU Health because we knew it was high-quality care,” Mike Gegner stated in an IU Health news release. “Even though it’s a new unit, all the nurses were fantastic. They are a well-oiled machine.”

The opening of the medical tower in late October marked the completion of the IU Health Fishers Community Impact Project, which nearly doubled the size of the IU Health Fishers campus and workforce.

Along with a new labor and delivery unit, the tower houses mammography, breast surgery, endocrine surgical services, an outpatient OBGYN suite, a special care nursery, a medical-surgical inpatient unit and

more.

“Watching our team come together over the last three months to begin caring for our community has been one of the greatest opportunities in my life,” stated Hannah Devenney, manager of clinical operations for obstetrics. “We are establishing a presence of trust and safe, high-quality care in our community for women and their families. I can confidently say this is why every one of us are here and why we show up every day.”

The $300 million IU Health Fishers expansion also added 50 inpatient beds, bringing the total to 88; Riley Children’s Health Emergency medicine services, including a dedicated pediatric emergency unit next to the existing emergency department; new and expanded services in obstetrics and gynecology, ear, nose and throat, nephrology, neurology and pulmonology; and expanded support services space for staff and patients.

For more, visit iuhealth.org/ find-locations/iu-health-fishers.

Mike and Justine Gregner are the parents of the 100th baby born in the new IU Health Fishers medical tower. (Photo courtesy of IU Health)

COMMUNITY

GIVING BACK

Fishers family teams up to build, maintain Little Free Library at Brooks School Park

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com

A bright-blue Little Free Library at Brooks School Park in Fishers holds a diverse selection of books for park visitors to peruse and borrow, or to leave some of their own. It’s one of nine Little Free Libraries in city parks and was recently built and installed by the Waltz family, who also will oversee maintaining it.

The new LFL is the third version to be installed at Brooks School Park. The original was damaged by vandals, Jordan Waltz said, and the family built a replacement about a year ago. That one also was damaged by vandals, but the family wasn’t deterred. Jordan, Amy and their two children — Emma, 11, and Wyatt, 8 — worked together to design and build the newest little library, now installed next to the park’s playground.

“Our kids love little libraries,” Amy Waltz said.

“We both love to read, our kids love to read. This is one of the ones that we went to regularly. And … when it was damaged, we were obviously disappointed and sad about that. So, Jordan is very handy and we thought it would be a fun project for all four of us to do together.”

Jordan Waltz said they wanted to teach their kids to feel empowered to do something good for the com munity. And for this project, everybody in the family con tributed to building, assem bling and painting the Little Free Library.

“The kids helped paint and screw things together,” he said. “They both got to use the drill, which they thought was super fun. I hadn’t done any shingles or anything like that for several years, so that was a little bit of an exercise, but it was a fun thing. The kids got to pick the sparkly handle and help make the door. It was a great

The Waltz kids, Wyatt, 8, and Emma, 11, helped build the Little Free Library at Brooks School Park. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fishers)

family project, and they love to see it when we drive by on the main road — you can barely see it, but you can see the blue and white.”

Amy Waltz also helped with design and construction, along with painting, caulking and keeping the project on track. They came up with their own design, which is bright and happy, but also utilitarian and sturdy.

“We wanted it to be big enough to hold several books, and realistically, it should last a long time. It’s built to, like, house code,”

Jordan Waltz said.

The family also will act as “stewards” for the Little Free Library, keeping it stocked and generally making sure it’s maintained. Amy Waltz said the new Little Free Library already seems to be well used by community members.

“A lot of the books that we left last week are already gone and most of these books other people have put in here,” she said, examining the LFL’s contents one cold afternoon. “When we remade it … we came back probably a week later, and it was completely full. So, people are absolutely using it, which is great.”

Amy and Jordan Waltz encouraged others in the community to think of ways they could contribute, too.

“That’s the lesson — that you give back in the small ways that you can,” Amy Waltz said. “It doesn’t have to be building something — that just happens to be something that we enjoy and can do — but everybody has small talents that they don’t think other people care about. I think it’s important to know that those small talents can contribute to the greater good.”

ON THE COVER: Amy and Jordan Waltz with the Little Free Library they built with their kids for Brooks School Park. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY STEWARDS

The City of Fishers offers a Little Free Library volunteer stewardship program for residents that is so popular that all nine of Fishers Parks’ LFLs have active stewards who keep an eye on the libraries.

Kara Hall, marketing and PR Manager with the City of Fishers, said LFLs are an important asset to the city.

“They offer … a book exchange that is free for residents in the community, and really kind of fosters that neighborhood-building and community-building that we strive for here at the City of Fishers,” she said. “We are very lucky to have such amazing community partnerships with our neighbors. Those stewards help to maintain the Little Free Libraries. They stock them on a regular basis and really take care of them and make sure that they’re available and in good condition for the community.”

Hall said the city’s Little Free Libraries are

“There’s constantly people exchanging books,” she said. “I don’t have numbers, obviously — that would be kind of hard to track — but our stewards are constantly swapping out books and maintaining the books. And I’ve seen on social media, so many people using the libraries. It’s such a great resource for our community, because you can be exposed to (different) topics and subjects and genres.”

Hall said that even though the stewardship program is full, anyone interested in learning how to contribute to the community is welcome to contact the city.

“We always encourage people who are interested to reach out to us,” she said. “We’re more than happy to find opportunities that fit within their interests and schedules.”

Although the city’s parks have nine LFLs, there are many more within city neighborhoods, built and maintained by homeowners. The Little Free Library online map, littlefreelibrary.org/map, shows all registered Little Free Libraries around the world, with a search function to narrow it down by city.

Jordan Waltz

Amy Waltz

Commentary by Larry Greene

This southeast Indianapolis home addition was designed to expand living space and improve everyday flow, adding a new dining area, opening the kitchen for countertop seating and incorporating a bathroom and covered porch to better support modern living.

THE BLUEPRINT

• The expanded layout creates a dedicated dining area while improving overall flow between the kitchen and living spaces.

• Opening the kitchen wall added countertop seating, increasing functionality for casual meals and entertaining.

• The new bathroom adds everyday convenience and improves the home’s overall layout efficiency.

• A covered porch extends the living space outdoors and provides year-round usability.

• The final design feels cohesive and intentional, blending seamlessly with the existing home.

Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy.com or visit worthingtonindy. com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.

Indy addition expands living space

‘Mr. Las Vegas’ set to share memories in Allied Solutions Center debut

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

For legendary singer Wayne Newton, performing has always come naturally.

“The truth of the matter is, I’m probably the most comfortable on stage than I am anywhere in the world,” Newton said. “So, performing is something I’ve been doing since I was 3 years old, so there is no reason to change it unless there’s some physical reason and there isn’t. So, I just keep on keeping on.”

Newton will perform on his “Memories & Melodies” tour at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. It will be Newton’s debut at the Palladium.

Newton, 83, has a three-day-a-week residency at Bugsy’s Cabaret at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel in Las Vegas.

“It’s good for me and also my group that we don’t get married to just doing Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays,” Newton said.

The Flamingo was the first casino where Newton headlined.

“Being back at the Flamingo is like coming home,” he said. “I’ve played Caesars Palace. I played almost every hotel in Las Vegas over the years and being back at the Flamingo is really special for me.”

Newton, nicknamed “Mr. Last Vegas,” has built a global fanbase from his decades of performing.

“We’ve been in Vegas so long that we have built a pocket of people who follow us, no matter where they are living in the United States,” Newton said.

Newton’s signature song is “Danke Schoen.” Other hits that are concert staples are “Red Roses for a Blue Lady,” “Daddy, Don’t You Walk So Fast” and “Summer Wind.”

“We work all of my earlier hits into the show,” he said. “Depending on the audience, (the setlist) changes every

night, but it’s primarily those songs I get asked for constantly.”

Newton started performing in Las Vegas at age 15.

“We did six shows six nights a week, and that went on for five years,” he said. “Then I graduated to (larger rooms), and that’s two shows a night, seven nights a week when it started. It’s only in the last two to three years, Vegas has gone to one show a night. I’ve probably done in excess of 40,000 or 50,000 shows there.”

Newton said he talks about the people who have been instrumental in his career.

“I mean, major stars who stepped up when I needed some help,” he said. “The show is really about the memories and the melodies.”

Besides music, Newton’s other passion is Arabian horses. He owns between 30 and 35 on a 35-acre ranch. He said he has bred and sold more than 500 Arabian horses through the years.

Newton was born in Virginia but moved to Arizona when he was 8 years old because of bronchial asthma.

“The doctors insisted my parents move, so we did,” he said. “I lived there until I was 15, and that’s when I came to Las Vegas. The asthma really hasn’t been a problem since I moved to Arizona. If I’m in a place with inclement weather, I make sure I don’t spend more time than I should. That is about a two-week window.”

For tickets, visit thecenterpresents. org. For more, visit waynenewton. com.

‘THE MOUSETRAP’

“The Mousetrap” runs through Feb. 15 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“Because of You … A Tribute to Tony Bennett” is set for Feb. 5, followed by “Forever Simon & Garfunkel: Feb. 6-7 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

‘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” Feb. 6-21 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.

‘WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6-7 at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. For more, visit thecat.biz.

‘AN EVENING OF LOVE & HOPE”

Anthony Nunziata’s “An Evening of Love & Hope” benefit concert, featuring members of Actors Theatre of Indiana and Ashley Nicole Soprano, is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 6 (rescheduled from Dec. 13) at Broadway United Methodist Church, Indianapolis. For more, visit atistage.org.

‘ALMOST, MAINE’

Main Street Productions presents “Almost, Maine” Feb 5-15 at the Basile Westfield Playhouse. For more, visit westfieldplayhouse.org.

Wayne Newton will make his debut Feb. 14 at the Allied Solutions Center in Carmel. (Photo courtesy of Allied Solutions Center)

ENTERTAINMENT

Ensemble cast prepares for ‘Almost, Maine’

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hannah Partridge formed an immediate attraction to “Almost, Maine.”

“I’ve been very familiar with this script for several years,” she said. “I saw a production of this in 2019, and I just thought the script was so charming and sweet and just like a really fun premise. So, I had my eyes peeled for when another theater would do it. When I saw they were doing it here, I was super excited to do it.”

The Carmel resident will perform in one of the nine vignettes of Main Street Productions’ presentation of “Almost, Maine,” which runs Feb. 5-15 at Basile Westfield Playhouse.

“It is just again a very sweet story, very wholesome, but also has a nice bit of depth to it,” Partridge said. “It’s kind of a roller coaster of some lighter scenes and some more emotional scenes.”

Each vignette features a relationship of two people on a night in February in the fictional town of Almost, Maine. The scene involves characters seeing the Northern Lights at the same time.

“Each story is a different phase of the relationship. Some are meeting for the first time, some have been years long or months long,” Partridge said. “Some are exes running into (each other).”

Partridge’s scene involves meeting a person in her building for the first time. Her scene partner is Indianapolis resident Austin Uebelhor, who plays Steve.

“Steve is interesting because he physically cannot feel pain,” Uebelhor said. “I get hit by an ironing board and I have to do the best I can to just take it on the head and pretend nothing happened.”

Noblesville resident Kathy Watson is the director.

“It was written to be performed with only four actors,” she said. “I decided to use a cast of 17. I like having all the different faces, and it gives people a more

pivotal role, even though it’s only 10 to 15 minutes long.”

Bill Miller is the producer, assistant director and technical director. He said having a larger cast helps in many ways.

“It allows the cast members to only have a short amount of lines that they have to memorize, and we had an abbreviated rehearsal schedule because of the holidays,” he said.

Indianapolis resident Grant Bowen, who performs in the show, likes the collaboration aspect of the vignette.

“I love that because it’s just me and my stage partner (getting) to work together and just bounce ideas off each other and try to make the scene feel like a real conversation,” he said.

Bowen said his scene involves an 11-year relationship with his scene partner, played by Amber Roth.

“We’ve got to make sure these 10 minutes on stage look like we’ve been together for 11 years, so that’s where most of the brainstorming comes in,” he said.

Bowen was the assistant director for Carmel Community Players’ 2025 production of “Four Weddings and an Elvis,” which also was a series of vignettes.

“That was my first taste of doing vignette shows and that was a lot of fun,” he said. “I did have a cameo at the end where I dressed up as Elvis.”

Karen Cones, an Indianapolis resident who runs the box office at the venue and is the costume manager, performs in the show.

“Now, I finally get to go back on the stage again,” Cones said. “It’s been like five years since I acted, but when we were in the old Westfield Playhouse (location), I was on the stage a lot. What’s fun is I’ve been cast with my partner (Scott Hall) in this particular scene, and I get to be on stage with him.”

For more, visit westfieldplayhouse. org.

Partridge

Cones

Watson Uebelhor

Miller Bowen

ICC plans for Carnegie Hall

editorial@youarecurrent.com

The Indianapolis Children’s Choir, which is celebrating 40 years in central Indiana, is preparing for a trip to Carnegie Hall in June.

More than 180 ICC singers from kindergarten to ICC alumni will travel to New York City to present “Jubilate Deo,” a master work that was commissioned for the ICC by renowned composer Dan Forrest. The choir will present pieces of “Jubilate Deo” March 8 at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis.

“This is not only a celebration of 40 years of song, but it’s a display of the amazing musicianship that has been cultivated over this time that we continue to instill in our current singers,” stated Carmel resident Joshua Pedde, executive artistic director of the ICC. “This type of opportunity to sing on one of the most famous stages in our city, and then again on an even bigger stage, is something that the ICC takes great pride in providing.”

The performance at Carnegie Hall will be the culmination of the choir’s

40th anniversary season, sponsored by Everwise Credit Union. Tickets, which aren’t on sale yet for the June performance, can be purchased for the Indianapolis presentation of “Jubilate Deo,” which was commissioned to celebrate the ICC’s 30th anniversary.

“Bringing this massive piece back to life will be incredibly special for our singers,” Pedde stated. “It has seven movements, most in different languages, and all accompanied by an orchestra. It’s a challenge to learn, and a true joy to listen to — something that I think any audience will be wowed by.”

ICC is hosting a Day of Song for children from preschool through eighth grade Feb 21 at the ICC Performing Arts Center. This event introduces kids to new musical skills appropriate to their ages, and older children will also work with guest clinician and accomplished choral conductor, Roger David.

Programs will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free song demonstrations will be at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. for families. Free public tours will be ongoing from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more, visit icc.org.

Making the arts accessible to all

Commentary by Jeffrey C. McDermott

When we think about a live arts or entertainment experience, we often imagine the excitement of the performance, the beauty of the venue and the joy of community. But for many of our neighbors, that experience comes with challenges most of us never consider.

At Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, we’re working to change that reality with accessibility upgrades that reflect a simple but powerful belief: the arts should be welcoming to everyone in our community, regardless of ability.

People with autism, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD and other conditions often find everyday sounds, lights and crowds to be overwhelming or even painful. But now at our flagship venue, the Payne & Mencias Palladium, visitors can obtain sensory bags containing noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses and fidget tools to ease anxiety. Signs mark “Headphone Zones” where loud sounds might be encountered and a designated quiet room where anyone feeling overwhelmed can take a break. Our

staff receives annual training to better serve guests with sensory needs.

And we didn’t stop there. While our venues have always been ADA compliant, we wanted to go beyond those minimum requirements. We hired a consultant with disabilities to experience our events firsthand and provide feedback, resulting in meaningful changes: We’ve doubled our accessible parking spaces. We’ve repositioned automatic door buttons to be more reachable, installed touchless door openers in restrooms and updated our elevator signage with braille and high-contrast type.

Upcoming improvements will include assistive listening technology and safety handrails. Our website has gotten an accessibility makeover too, with the addition of an on-screen UserWay widget that gives visitors more control over their browsing experience.

Jeffrey C. McDermott is the president and CEO of Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts

Grey to feature new album

By Alan Sculley editorial@youarecurrent.com

Perhaps you remember the old Paul Masson wine advertisements built around the line, “We will sell no wine before its time.” JJ Grey, quite unintentionally, followed a variation on that philosophy in making his latest album “Olustee.”

Over a career that was launched with the 2001 album “Backwater,” Grey had delivered his six most recent studio albums over an eight-year span, with “Ol’ Glory” culminating that prolific run with its release in 2015. It took Grey that same amount of time to finish “Olustee.” Grey & Mofro will feature songs from that album at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

Ironically, the project got off to a fast start, and for a time, it looked like Grey might have a quick follow-up album to “Ol’ Glory.”

“After ‘Old Glory’ came out, it probably wasn’t even 18 months, a year and a half or whatever, that I was back in the studio and had recorded the basic tracks for a song called ‘Free High.’ That was recorded then. ‘Starry Night,’ that was recorded then,” Grey said. “And there was one other one, ‘Top of the World.’ Those three songs were recorded, the music, immediately after ‘Old Glory’ coming out. And I had placeholder kind of singing, sometimes with words, sometimes it just sounded like words. I was struggling, let me back up, I wasn’t struggling because if there’s a struggle, you have to actually try. This one, I was just not writing the lyrics and not singing it.”

Grey kept waiting for inspiration –all the way until spring of 2023. That’s when a friend who worked in real estate showed Grey a building along the St. Marys River in north Florida. Grey immediately realized the unique structure would work as a studio-rehearsal space.

“It was incredible. It used to be a boys home and it was a crazy three-story octagon building,” Grey said. “In March, I made an offer and in April, they handed me the keys,”

Grey put his new acquisition to immediate use and tackled the lyrics and vocal melodies he needed to finish the “Olustee” album.

“I moved a temporary control room in overlooking the downstairs and I set

my gear up,” he said. “I sat down and went in there and within a week I had everything written, recorded and done. It didn’t even take a week to do it. And when I say a week, I don’t mean a week’s worth of recording. I wasn’t in there a couple of hours each day. It took me four or five days, a couple of hours each day.”

Although that burst of writing at the octagon building brought the “Olustee” album together, the bulk of recording was done well before then at the studio where Grey has always recorded – Retrophonics in Saint Augustine, Fla.

There, Grey, who was producing the album himself, brought in his demos and turned his studio musicians loose to bring a more human and organic feel to the basic tracks of the songs.

Having already done an extensive tour with an 11-piece band, Grey is back with another run of shows, playing a wide-ranging song set.

“We’ll be playing tracks, obviously, off of every record,” Grey said. “You’ll want the staples, so to speak, for the people. ‘Lochloosa’ (Grey’s 2004 album) will definitely get its run throughs in the set, and (core songs like) ‘Brighter Days’ and ‘The Sun Is Shining Down,’ and definitely it’s going to be new-album heavy. I don’t mean we’re going to play the whole entire new album. That’s not going to happen. But usually (we play) 16 to 18 songs. I’m thinking (we’ll play) maybe six songs off of the new album each night, at least six, I would say.”

For more, visit thecenterpresents.org

JJ Grey & Mofro will perform at the Payne & Mencias Palladium in Carmel Feb. 22. (Photo courtesy of Everett Zuraw)

COMMUNITY VOICES

HSE faces fiscal challenges

Editor,

Public education exists to prepare students for the real world, no matter the path chosen. That mission doesn’t fade in tough times. Instead, it becomes even more important when resources are limited and difficult choices must be made.

Over the past few years, we have worked to make every dollar go further for students and taxpayers. Even with that effort, districts across our state are facing extraordinary financial pressure and Hamilton Southeastern is no exception. Changes enacted through Senate Enrolled Act 1 during the 2025 legislative session reduced school funding with little advance notice. As a result, our operating referendum is estimated to lose approximately $40,000,000 in the next five years, compared to pre-SEA 1 projections. During those same years, the new homestead credit will have an impact of approximately $30,000,000 to our operations and debt service funds.

Some may be surprised that a Hamilton County district is under strain. But school finances aren’t determined

by reputation or past growth. They are driven by current enrollment, available revenue and long-term sustainability. When spending commitments no longer align with those realities, districts must make difficult but necessary decisions.

That is why HSE has taken steps to right-size the district. During this year’s collective bargaining process, we negotiated while largely preserving cash reserves. We are now reevaluating our referendum rate, moving forward with redistricting and making staffing adjustments where needed. These decisions will be made thoughtfully and transparently to stabilize our finances while protecting academic opportunities for students.

No matter the challenge, my commitment to every taxpayer is that we will ensure the district lives within its means so we can continue serving students today and for years to come. Together, we will keep students at the center of every decision and protect the opportunities they deserve.

Patrick Mapes, Hamilton Southeastern Schools superintendent

A cautionary tale

Editor,

If Renee Good had stayed home with her children, she would be alive today. If she had gone to work, she would be alive today. If she hadn’t decided to interfere with law enforcement, she would be alive today. If she had obeyed the orders from law enforcement, she would be alive today. If she hadn’t weaponized her vehicle, hitting and trying

to run down a law enforcement officer, she would be alive today. She initiated the events which led to her death.

And, of course, liberals are out there honoring a criminal, just like they did with Rodney King and George Floyd. Why are criminals the face of the Democratic Party?

David

M. Trueblood, Fishers

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Note to self: Take note of the notes

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

Do my wife Mary Ellen and I have some marital issues? There are certainly signs.

I have several bad habits, but Mary Ellen has been unsuccessful in convincing me of the importance of changing some of my usual routines. She decided to place notes around the house to remind me to correct some of my inappropriate behaviors. For example:

• LOCK THE DOOR

• TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES

• TURN OUT THE LIGHTS IN THE BASEMENT

• CLOSE THE FRIDGE DOOR

• DON’T SIT ON THE COUCH IN YOUR SWEATY PICKLEBALL CLOTHES

Mary Ellen made me promise to tell you that when there is enough room on the Post-it note she always includes the word PLEASE. And she underlines it.

The notes did cause some confusion. I came home one day, saw the message and removed my shoes. I went into the house, and our housekeeper, Nettie, was vacuuming in her bare feet.

After a while, I must have just stopped noticing Mary Ellen’s dictums. Then she started putting signs around the house that said:

LOOK AT THE SIGN BELOW (PLEASE)

I, too, could benefit from this memory aid. Since I am very forgetful, I now leave small, typed reminder notes on my dresser drawer, on the door to the garage and on the steering wheel of my car. These are things I always need to take with me when I leave the house.

• Hearing aids

• Wallet

• Watch

• Phone

I hoped to avoid writing and posting these reminders all over the house because I didn’t want to overshadow my wife’s fine display of her note-making ability. My only way to sidestep this was to find a mnemonic device to help me remember certain essential items before I headed out for the day. I tried to find a word I could create from the items above, but WWPH was

“I have several bad habits, but Mary Ellen has been unsuccessful in convincing me of the importance of changing some of my usual routines. She decided to place notes around the house to remind me to correct some of my inappropriate behaviors.”

– DICK WOLFSIE

not a word you could pronounce and PWHW wasn’t going to work either. I needed a vowel, but I was afraid that if I added an A or U, it would drive me crazy trying to remember what it stood for. Did I forget my ascot or my ukulele? I finally ended up with PHEWW, which works in so many ways.

But once again, I was soon back to my old forgetful habits. I forgot my wallet one day, but I couldn’t call Mary Ellen to see where I’d left it because I forgot my phone, and even if I had remembered it, I wouldn’t have been able to hear her because … well, you get the point.

Wait, Mary Ellen just came downstairs and stuck a message on my desktop computer screen. Not one Post-it note, but three. They read: TELL YOUR READERS /I’M A GOOD SPORT FOR LETTING YOU WRITE STORIES ABOUT ME/ THAT ARE VERY EXAGGERATED. The note didn’t end with PLEASE.

It ended with OR ELSE.

Dick Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.

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6. “I’ll have what ___ having!”

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16. One more time

. ___-bitsy

. Genetic letters 19. Scottish

21. Soundly defeat the Pacers

22. Apiece

25. “___ we forget” 26. Three-card scam

. Clergyman 29. Swears

30. Vegan staple 31. Obscure

34. Women’s pro volleyball team that plays at the Fishers Event Center...and a hint to the answers to the starred clues

37. Tiny amount

38. End-of-the-week cry 41. Word in the names of the newspapers in Anderson, Angola and Bloomington

44. Start of a rumor

46. Kind of daisy

47. Tolstoy’s Karenina 49. Narc’s org. 50. Is under the weather

51. On the train 53. GPS display 54. UIndy grad 55. Hare Chevrolet inventory

59. *Complete collection 60. *Skip a turn

61. *Rail nail

62 Current staffers, briefly 63. Force on Earth, for short 64. Perceive

. Loses traction

. Bandleader’s cue

. “If all ___ fails...”

. Extras

. Part of RPM

. Some marbles

. Rotted

. Flower-shaped decoration

. Colts passing stat

. “Evil Woman” band, briefly

. New mortgage deal, informally

. City bond, for short

. IND paths

. Movie FX

. “Yikes!”

. Fury

. Lilly govt. watchdog

. Roughly speaking

. Left

43. Finds a new tenant 45. Annoy

47. Maltreat

48. Chinese menu phrase

51. Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer who attended Brebeuf HS and IU: ___ Henderson

52. Swindle

54. GI’s address 56. Can material 57. Approves

58. Observe ANSWERS ON PAGE 23

. Tijuana tavern 32. Ben’s BBQ Shack offering

FENCE MAKES

must incl. implementing & optimizing industrial control systems. Email CV to TraneRecruitment@tranetechnologies. com & reference Job ID# DS.

PUZZLE ANSWERS

HIXON

5 Piece Set: sofa, 2 swivel chairs, coffee table, nesting side table

BAINBRIDGE

3 Piece Set: sofa, 2 swivel gliders

Book a complimentary in-showroom meeting with our design team.

THE DEL MAR

5 Piece Set: 3 armless sofas, 2 storage arm rests, ottoman

Meet your designer and review the outdoor space, budget, and style vision. DISCUSS YOUR DESIGN

Give your ﬁnal approval and our team will schedule your install day!