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COMMUNITY

Officials weigh in on HB 1001

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

House Bill 1001, which limits local governments’ ability to regulate housing development standards, is drawing additional comments 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, 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.”

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis testified against the bill Jan. 20 at a House Committee On Local Government. He criticized the lack of local control over housing decisions. Willis also cited provisions in the bill that could limit the scope of park impact fees and road impact fees.

Willis spoke about HB 1001 again during the Jan. 26 Westfield City Council meeting.

“(The bill has) gotten better. We’re not quite there yet,” Willis said. “I will say that regardless how much better they make it, I think it’s a huge overreach for the state to get involved in local zoning, but we’ll see where this goes once it gets into the Senate.”

Republican State Rep. Danny Lopez, who represents District 39, which encompasses the southern portion of Westfield, issued the following statement about the proposed legislation.

“Hoosiers need access to more affordable housing options, and I appreciate

“Centralized, one-size-fitsall mandates ignore the diverse character and challenges of Indiana’s counties, cities and towns.”

— HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Rep. Miller and our leadership genuinely listening to the feedback of our mayors,” Lopez stated. “Places like Carmel and Westfield are already being thoughtful in engaging residents and planning with these options in mind, and I’ll be working through (the) session to preserve the flexibility and local control they need for their unique communities. I’m confident we’ll find that sweet spot.”

District 24 Republican State Rep. Hunter Smith did not provide a comment.

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

NFL flag event coming to Grand Park

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

The National Football League is bringing its flag football championship to Westfield in July.

The NFL announced Jan. 27 that the third annual NFL Flag Championships Presented by Toyota will be played at Westfield’s Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus from July 23-26.

“As the nation’s largest and preeminent youth sports campus in the country, we are thrilled to have been selected by the NFL for this world-class event,” co-CEO of Grand Park Sports & Entertainment CEO Greg Stremlaw stated in a press release. “As the operator of the campus, it has been a key objective of ours to diversify our sport base and we are investing significantly into flag football in multiple ways as part of a

multi-faceted flag football vision. One of those objectives was to see the NFL Flag Football Championships make Grand Park home in a multi-year partnership with the NFL.”

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis issued the following statement:

“We are honored to welcome the NFL Flag Championships to Westfield and to showcase Grand Park on an international stage. This event brings the world to our community and highlights why Westfield has become a premier destination for youth sports, hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.”

The NFL estimates that more than 350 boys and girls teams will travel to Grand Park for the tournament. ESPN will provide live coverage on multiple channels.

Flag football will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. NFL teams voted in December 2025 to develop a

professional flag football league. The NCAA also approved the addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, a required step in establishing flag as a varsity women’s sport across the NCAA.

The Indianapolis Colts have launched the Colts Flag Football Leagues and committed $1 million to support girls high school flag football and advanced numerous initiatives designed to increase access and participation.

“The Colts are excited and completely invested in the growth of flag football in Indiana and around the world, so we look forward to working with stakeholders from Westfield, Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus and across the Indianapolis region to make this the best flag tournament to date anywhere,” stated Kalen Jackson, Colts co-owner and chief brand officer.

About us

Founded Jan. 29, 2008, at Noblesville, IN Vol. XIX, No. 2

525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032 317.489.4444

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Have a news tip, calendar item or photo to share?

Contact Managing Editor Todd Golden at todd@ youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444. You also may submit information at youarecurrent.com. Our print deadline is eight days prior to publication. Submissions for online accepted daily.

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Opinions

The views of the columnists in Current in Westfield are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.

Willis Lopez

Ironstone update given at APC meeting

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

The Westfield Washington Advisory Plan Commission had its second workshop hearing Jan. 20 for the proposed Ironstone planned unit development that would be built on three plots of land near Hortonville.

Jon Dobosiewicz of Nelson and Frankenberger, representing developer Platinum Properties, presented changes to the APC. He showed an updated map with 11 types of lots. Home sizes would range from townhomes to 1,200- to 3,000-square-foot single-family homes.

The number of homes have been reduced from the original plan. The new plan calls for 1,570 single-family homes and 230 townhomes in what’s called the Horton Square Mixed Use Block. The original plan called for 1,750 single-family homes and 250 townhomes.

Dobosiewicz noted that masonry will be required for all home types, something not specified in earlier plans.

A change in the trail system for the Village calls for a single 16-foot-wide trail for pedestrians and golf carts.

Tree preservation also was discussed. Dobosiewicz said the project would save 97 percent of the trees where Ironstone meets the Monon Corner neighborhood. Tree preservation buffers also were announced for all three Ironstone subdivisions the Lakes, the Reserve and the Village. Dobosiewicz also noted that parkland planned for Ironstone would be paid for by HOA fees.

APC member Mark Keen asked about a part of the development that is not included within the three subdivisions. Platinum Properties has allocated land at the northwest corner of 206th Street and Six Points Road to be donated to Westfield Washington Schools. Dobosiewicz said, without specifying, that “a need had been expressed.”

Ironstone was originally introduced at the Oct. 27 Westfield City Council meeting. During a Nov. 3 public hearing, 21 members of the public spoke to the APC about Ironstone, the majority being opposed to the project.

Ironstone will have another APC workshop session in February or March.

Council rejects hospital

Councilors raise questions about future local services before voting down the 19-acre development

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

The Westfield City Council denied a request during its Jan. 26 meeting for a behavioral rehabilitation hospital to be built across from Community Health’s Westfield campus.

The amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance for the LPH/Community PUD District failed by a 4-3 vote. Councilors Noah Herron, Chad Huff, Patrick Tamm and Kurt Wanninger voted no.

The hospital was proposed for a 19acre plot near the corner of 196th Street and East Street in Westfield. Lifepoint Corporate Services General Partnership, an affiliate of Lifepoint Health, a Tennessee-based company that operates 24 behavioral hospitals nationwide, was the applicant. The plan called for 120 beds and a 75,000-square-foot building.

During the meeting, Westfield Mayor Scott Willis criticized the petitioners.

“This process has been extremely disappointing. I’ve asked (the petitioners) for references, I’ve asked (them) for information, data, and I got nothing,” Willis said. “We need behavioral health in this community. We need it desperately. But with these facilities come real problems, too, and the kind of data that I tried to get from you to determine what kinds of problems it was going to create, (the petitioners) kept putting up roadblocks. And every time I asked, ‘Can we delay this to get more information?’ (The petitioners) refused.”

Skepticism about the project was raised when Westfield Advisory Commission President Michael Neal commented on the project during the Jan. 14 Advisory Plan Commission meeting.

“There is a rumor going around that Community (Hospital) North, when (the Westfield behavioral health building) is completed, and when the south side project is completed, that it may close its operations, which to me seems like a key piece of information that may have been left out of the process,” Neal said.

On his Facebook page after the meeting, APC member and city coun-

cilor Victor McCarty addressed Neal’s concern.

“There is the possibility that Community Health North will close their behavioral health facility. This is concerning, as that means Westfield would then be the only location on the north side,” said McCarty, who ultimately voted for the facility at both the APC meeting and the city council meeting.

In a statement to Current, CHN addressed Neal’s comments:

“Community Health Network is not closing behavioral health services in Central Indiana. As we open two new 120-bed behavioral health hospitals, we plan to transition most inpatient acute behavioral health beds currently located at Community Hospital North into those new facilities. Community Hospital North will continue to provide inpatient behavioral health care with a smaller unit of approximately 20 beds to serve patients with medically complex needs. Overall, this transition will expand our inpatient behavioral health capacity across Central Indiana.”

Despite Neal’s concerns, the hospital was given a 7-0 recommendation by the APC at the Jan. 14 meeting.

Rendering of the development planned by Community Health Network on 196th Street and East Street in Westfield. (File photo)

DISPATCHES

 WYAP Masquerade Ball — The Westfield Youth Assistance Program will host the WYAP Masquerade Ball from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Westfield Washington Public Library. Cajun-inspired cuisine, casino games and live music will be featured. All proceeds will benefit WYAP, enabling us to continue to provide our services to Westfield youth. Tickets are available at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ masquerade-ball-7

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 Pizza and Punchlines — CrossRoads Church will host its 10th annual Pizza and Punchlines event starting at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the IMMI Conference Center at 18880 East St. in Westfield. Comedians Shawn Reynolds, Marty Simpson, and Kari Jones will be featured at the free event. The comedians will begin their show at 7 p.m. For more, visit crchurch. org/for-our-neighbor

 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.

 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 Company Co., located 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

 City Hall parking lot closed — The parking lot west of City Hall (130 Penn St.) will be fenced off as construction work begins on the site where the Green Building will be relocated. The area is needed to complete utility connections for the relocated building in addition to construction staging early in the project. Fencing is expected to remain in place until late August.

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 featured 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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Agee announced by WWS

By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com

Sara Agee has been named the assistant principal of Washington Woods Elementary. The Westfield Washington Schools Board of Trustees made the announcement during its Jan. 20 meeting.

Agee was set to start Jan. 26. She was previously an instructional coach at Shamrock Springs Elementary.

Agee also previously was an assistant principal from 2014-2023 at Mohawk Trails Elementary School in Carmel Clay Schools. Earlier in her career, she taught at Nora Elementary School and has taught Spanish.

In other action during the meeting,

the board:

• Approved the revised 2026-2027 school calendar. The first day of the school year back to Aug. 17. The original first day of school was scheduled to be Aug. 18.

The calendar revision was made to accommodate the extra day added to the LIV Golf Indianapolis tournament which takes place Aug. 20-23. The school district will close Aug. 20-21.

• Approved the 2025-26 Teacher Handbook after a second reading.

A revision clarified that teachers with a master’s degree must submit their degree by Sept. 1 to receive a pay adjustment for the school year.

The next board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10.

DISPATCH

 WYAP partnership opportunities — The Westfield Youth Assistance Program is seeking sponsorship. WYAP offers free and voluntary services to youth and families, including attendance supports and behavioral plans, adult mentors for youth, educational tutoring Resources, family/youth coordination of services, camp and recreational opportunities, counseling and mental health resources, medical & dental resources, food, clothing, and financial assistance and youth anger management classes. Those interested can email Kristina Logan at klogan@westfieldyap.org.

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.

EXPERT SPINE CARE NOW IN

“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 State 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)

Roberts Settlement subject of Rotary Club event

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

The Rotary Club of Westfield will host the History of Roberts Settlement special event Feb. 10 at the Bridgewater Club at 3535 E. 161st St. in Westfield. Admission is free and open to the public.

The event is related to one of Hamilton County’s most prominent African American settlements from the 1800s.

Bryan Glover, the vice president of the Board of Trustees for Roberts Settlement, will speak at the event at 7:30 a.m. Glover will share the history of the 1835 free black settlement in northern Hamilton County.

“The Rotary Club of Westfield wanted to highlight Black History Month and bring some important messages about our area to the public,” said Melody Jones, past president of the Rotary Club of Westfield.

Roberts Settlement, near present day Atlanta, was founded in 1835 by free Black people who sought security and opportunity. The settlement grew throughout the 1800s, reaching a population of 300 by the 1870s.

Today, the Roberts Settlement site includes the Legacy Walk, dedicated in 2024, which is a self-guided way for visitors to learn about the settlement.

“Brian Glover does an excellent job of presenting what (Roberts Settlement) is all about and sharing the Legacy Walk and how that came together,” Jones said. “Roberts Settlement is something is kind of lost in our area and so significant. Bringing the awareness of inclusion, diversity, those are things that are part of the seven principles of Rotary International.”

DISPATCH

 Westfield Deans List members — Here are Westfield residents who made the Deans list at colleges for the 2025 fall semester as reported to Current. Wabash College: Evan Bair, Kaleb Francisco, Jackson Gilbert, John Huisden, Ike O’Neill.

GO FRAMELESS

SHOPPER’S DELIGHT

Westfield Winter Market a popular draw for vendors and buyers

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

One place where residents can shake off the cold-weather blues and support local businesses is the Westfield Winter Market.

The Winter Market launched Jan. 17 and is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through March 28 at West Fork Whiskey Co. at 10 E. 191st St., just north of the Grand Park Event Center.

The winter market is an offshoot of the Westfield Farmers Market, which runs during warmer months. Westfield Market Manager Molly O’Connor said the winter market was founded by the Downtown Westfield Association and switched to city management in 2024.

“The winter market was introduced to give a year-round opportunity for small businesses to shine and for the community to come out and shop local,” O’Connor said.

Vendors from across central Indiana offer a wide range of products, including fresh produce, coffee, breakfast foods and locally sourced meat products. Artisans also sell crafts.

Terry Knudson, owner of Morristown-based Viking Lamb, which sells lamb meat, debuted his products at the Jan. 17 market and was impressed by the turnout.

“We’ve done farmers markets for 25 years,” Knudson said. “So, we thought we’d try it out, and we’ve gotten an excellent response. Foot traffic is excellent for a winter market. It would be excellent for a summer market. Winter markets generally are slower because of cold weather, but it’s excellent here. Whatever they’re doing, they need to keep doing it.”

Sheridan-based Eagle Creek Apiary, which sells honey products, also has benefitted from participating in the market and is a staple at markets in Westfield, Carmel and Noblesville.

“What I get out of it is communicating with my fellow Westfield pedestrians,” said Bergin Cripe, who is part of the Cripe family that owns the business. “It’s a good opportunity to run a business, but it’s really an opportunity to communicate and be with fellow

humans.”

West Fork Whiskey Co. hosts the market in its Event Center.

“It’s hard to find space indoors that’s big enough to host a market and have shoppers come through,” O’Connor said. “West Fork Whiskey is really kind of perfect for what the market needed, and they’ve been a great community partner to work with as a host.”

More than 180 vendors applied to be part of the market, but there is only

space for 50 in a single weekend.

“One pro for the Market is that it means that the 50 vendors that we have taken are the very best of the pool of applicants,” O’Connor said. “So, I think the quality is going to be higher than ever.”

ON THE COVER: Patrons of the Westfield Winter Market look over the options at Klondike’s Barkery, a business that offers pet-related products. (Photo by Kelly Sullivan)

WESTFIELD WINTER MARKET VENDORS

Westfield Market Manager Molly O’Connor released the lineup of vendors committed to the 2026 Westfield Winter Market. The participants, listed by attendance level, are:

FULL SEASON (NINE TO 11 MARKETS):

Alcomy, Almost Paradise Farm, American Dream Nut Butter, Bear Fruit Farm, Blue Elephant Coffee Roasters, Bouge Cookie Company, Care Chocolates, Cedar Creek Candles, Country Fun Freeze, Eagle Creek Apiary, Fungi Meadows, H & S Knife Sharpening, Happy Mutt Pet Bakery, Heritage Homestead Farms, Kell Squires Pastures, Klondike’s Barkery, Lucky Maeves, Luxe Delicacies, Old Major Market, Promise Land Farm, Pure Memory Water, Rock-A-Toy, Ruth’s Garden, SommHerr’s Bakery, Sprinkle Joy Bakes, Stitchtique, Tallow, The Exotic, Urban Apples, Viking Lamb, Waldis Artisan Bakery, Without Borders Boutique.

HALF SEASON (FIVE TO EIGHT MARKETS):

Backroads Designs, Bearded Bagel, Biscuit Baby, Chez Pauline French Bakery, Deb’s Bread, Dietzer’s Homestead, Dune Collection, Everbowl, Filigree Bakery, It’s Those Eggrolls, KD Soap Designs, Kerusso Tea & Co., Louis Lien, Make It Classy Beauty, Mama Belle’s Kitchen, Mandala Clay Designs, Pet Lovers Organic Bakery, Rare Brew, Sugar Creek Lavender Farm, The Goodie Basket, The Paw Boba, The Pop Shop, Timbar, Wild Loaf.

PARTIAL SEASON (FOUR OR FEWER MARKETS):

Earl Grey Fields, Fillers Co., HK&T Pretty Soap, King Butter, Kudu Kids, Looking Glass Pottery, Nomadic Jerky, Shop Gina Celeste, Style Story Boutique, Sweet Melissa Honey & Hive, The Mini Loaf Indy, Tulip Tree Creamery, WIDYA Designs.

Patrons visit vendors during opening day of the Westfield Winter Market, held at West Fork Whiskey Co. (Photo by Kelly Sullivan)

BLUEPRINT FOR IMPROVEMENT:

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.

AFTER Indy addition expands living space

Care is personal and so is the way we deliver it. At Riverview Health, we’re proud to care for our community through life’s milestones and challenges. It’s our purpose and our promise.

Zaxby’s has grand opening

By Brittney Dial Testin news@youarecurrent.com

Zaxby’s, a national chicken restaurant chain, had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 20 for its new Westfield store at 1533 Chatham Commons Blvd.

The event was attended by representatives from Zaxby’s, the Westfield Chamber of Commerce and the Westfield City Council, along with community members.

“We are so thrilled to have Zaxby’s here, to be in the community,” said Jenell Fairman, executive chief of economic and community development for the City of Westfield.

Nydia Milton, coordinator of local store marketing for Zaxby’s, echoed the sentiment.

“We look forward to supporting anyone that really comes. If you’re a local organization, a school, a church … we

are welcome to catering or any type of promotion or deal,” Milton said.

At the event, guests spun a wheel for special prizes and promotions.

“We are really excited to be here in Westfield. We are bringing even more stores to Indiana that we are so excited to have,” Milton said.

For more, visit zaxbys.com.

DISPATCHES

 Chamber February luncheon — The Westfield Chamber of Commerce will host its February Luncheon Feb. 19 at The Club at Chatham Hills. Jenell Fairman, Executive Chief of Economic and Community Development for The City of Westfield, will speak at the event. Discounted partner tickets and non-partner tickets are available. Corporate reserved tables are also available. For more, visit westfieldchamberofcommerce.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/ Register/2JFlDggh3CNCz

 Awards nominations open — The Indiana Manufacturers Association is accepting nominations through April 30 for the 2026 Manufacturing Excellence Awards, which honor Indiana companies

and individuals for outstanding work, exceptional contributions and impact on the future of manufacturing in Indiana. The awards are open to all manufacturers in Indiana. Anyone may nominate an individual/company active in Indiana’s manufacturing industry, and self-nomination is encouraged. For more, visit indianamfg.com/2026-manufacturing-excellence-awards.

 Community Health Foundation CEO to retire — After about 14 years as president and CEO of Community Health Network Foundation, Joyce Irwin has announced her plans to retire on July 3. Irwin’s career spans 30 years. A search has begun for Irwin’s successor.

Zaxby’s in Westfield is at 1533 Chatham Commons Blvd. (Photo by Todd Golden)

Indy Auto Man returns to city

By Brittney Dial Testin news@youarecurrent.com

Indy Auto Man at 17230 Foundation Pkwy., in Westfield had a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 23. Owners Eugene Gorin and Victor Figlin welcomed guests from the Westfield Chamber of Commerce and the community.

Gorin and Figlin founded Indy Auto Man in Westfield in 2008. The business later moved to Carmel and then to the south side of Indianapolis. When ground was broken on the Westfield location in March 2025, Gorin and Figlin told Current that they intended to open a location on the north side when they had the opportunity to do so.

“Victor and I are very excited to be back in this community, because this is where it all started for us,” Gorin said. “I don’t know if you guys know, but just down the street, there’s this little barbeque shack that could fit about eight cars on the lot and about a person and a half inside. Being here today and opening this facility feels like such a full circle moment. It’s hard to describe, but it’s very, very cool.”

With its return to Westfield, Indy Auto Man continues an 18-year legacy of buying, selling, financing and servicing vehicles.

“We know that used cars aren’t sexy and used car sellers usually aren’t sexy either, it’s not a tech campus, it’s not a stadium, it’s not the type of business that’s going to bring hundreds or thousands of people into a community,” Gorin said. “We do believe that how a business operates is more important

than the title of what the business is.

For us, our philosophy is simple. We look to hire really good people and treat them really, really well.”

The dealership has a selection of more than 400 cars available on-site and online purchase. For more, visit indyautoman.com.

team.

Indy Auto Man owners Eugene Gorin, left with scissors, and Victor Figlin, cut the ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Indy Auto Man location at 17230 Foundation Pkwy. in Westfield Jan. 23. To Gorin’s left is Westfield Mayor Scott Willis and Indy Auto Man employees also joined the ceremony. (Photo by Brittney Dial Testin)

‘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.

‘THE PAGEANT’

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present “The Pageant” Feb. 7-22 at The Florence at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

‘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)

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

ENTERTAINMENT

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

DON’T MISS THE 2026 SUMMER CAMPS GUIDE!

An informative resource for parents and caregivers, this comprehensive guide will be published on Feb. 24. It offers valuable insights, camp options, summer programs and engaging activities in and around Suburban North Indy. Delivered to 126,990 households in Brownsburg, Carmel, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, North Indy, Westfield and Zionsville via U.S. Mail, you may seize this opportunity to reach a wide audience at an affordable price and explore the best tips and listings to make the most of your family’s summer experiences.

Space reservations due: Ad content due: Advertorial content due: Feb. 13, 2026 Feb. 16, 2026 Feb. 16, 2026

When push comes to shove

Commentary by Terry Anker

The deterrence effect doctrine is often deployed in criminal justice, government regulation, military strategy and even parenting. It seems that we humans respond to negative consequences for our actions. The idea is a simple one. We want you to know, for example, that our nation is in possession of a significant arsenal of nuclear weapons. Moreover, we emphasize that any nation that attempts to invade our sovereign territories will be met with a retaliation of epic proportions. It is unclear if we intend to rain down an end-of-the-world missile attack over a border dispute, but we want you to think that we will.

The incentive-disincentive matrix could be hardwired. To be sure, the cave dwellers who poked prehistoric bears didn’t live long enough to pass on their careless genes. Today, some of us choose to live in communities where laws are strictly enforced and others of us would like to have a little more flexibility. Do we want drivers to adhere to the posted speed limit or consider

it only a suggestion? As to regulation, countless agencies seek from Congress and receive the authority to levy criminal and civil punishments to ensure that businesses, lesser government entities and individuals conform to their regulatory edicts.

But what happens when others don’t comply? Do we need to teach them a lesson and remind them not to mess with us? They started the fight and now we’re going to finish it. One side exclaims, “They made us do it,” while the other side shouts, “They can’t make us do it.” When do we show restraint instead of pushing the nuclear button?

This week’s commentary by Current Publishing humorist Dick Wolfsie may be read at youarecurrent.com.

COMMUNITY VOICES

Slow down Westfield’s housing growth

Editor,

I disagree with the Jan. 6 letter by Curt Whitesell to “embrace” Westfield’s growth and instead halt the 7 percent increase of new home permits. Our water, trash and electricity bills have gone up about 23 percent in the past two years. Battery crime is up 72 percent and car accidents up 52 percent in the last 10

years. Our roads and schools are barely keeping up with the surge of new people. Of course, Mr. Whitesell is for growth since he is a commercial land and building broker. Some good commercial development is OK to reduce our taxes, but residential growth (such as Ironstone or Towne Crossing) should be halted.

Chris

Schmidt, Westfield

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES

For more, contact your Ad Representative by email ads@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444

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.

WOLFISE ON THE WEB

Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.

1. Worked, as a trade

6. “I’ll have what ___ having!”

16. One more time

. ___-bitsy

. Genetic letters

. Scottish boy

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

Perceive

Mount McKinley, to locals

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. “If all ___ fails...”

. Cunning

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. Roughly speaking

. Left 43. Finds a new tenant

. 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

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