September 1, 2026 — Current in Brownsburg by Current Publishing

APC rejects Kroger zoning plan

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 youarecurrent.com

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National Night Out heads to Lucas Oil IRP Page 3

Council approves 272unit apartment project Page 4

NHRA drivers headed to Brownsburg Page 5

A PLACE TO HEAL

Bulldogs duo chase another title

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Current in Brownsburg

(ISSN: 3143-0686 | USPS: 25933) Founded: Oct. 14, 2025 • Vol. I, No. 47 Copyright © 2026 by Current Publishing, LLC. Published weekly by Current Publishing, LLC, 525 North End Dr. Ste. 175, Carmel, IN 46032. Business, Editorial, Accounting and Circulation Offices: 525 North End Dr. Ste. 175, Carmel, IN 46032. Call (317) 489-4444 to subscribe. Periodicals postage paid at Carmel, IN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Current in Brownsburg, 525 North End Dr. Ste. 175, Carmel, IN 46032.

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Opinions

Columnist views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of this newspaper.

APC votes against Kroger zoning plan By Alicia Stivers alicia@youarecurrent.com The Brownsburg Advisory Plan Commission voted 4-2 against recommending two zoning requests tied to a proposed Kroger grocery store and fuel center at the southwest corner of Green Street and Northfield Drive. The commission voted separately Aug. 24 on a zoning text amendment and a zoning map amendment. Both received unfavorable recommendations. The proposed Kroger would be approximately 99,982 square feet and include a seven-dispenser fuel center, an attendant kiosk, grocery pickup area, pharmacy drive-through and about 380 parking spaces. Kroger representatives said the company expects to invest approximately $30 million in the project. The property is part of the Heritage Hill PUD, or planned unit development. The zoning text amendment would revise the PUD ordinance to allow a grocery or market as a permitted use and establish commercial development standards. The project generated significant public opposition. Town staff reported receiving 58 written comments opposing the proposal, as well as two petitions containing 56 and 354 signatures. Five letters were submitted in support. Opponents cited concerns about traffic, noise, lighting, pollution, crime, infrastructure, drainage, wildlife, property values and the compatibility of a large grocery store with surrounding residential neighborhoods. During the public hearing, residents also raised concerns about the location of the loading docks and trash compactor near residential properties. Kroger representatives said the loading area was positioned at the rear of the building because of the site’s configuration. Trucks would enter from Northfield Drive, and signage would instruct truck drivers not to continue into neighborhood streets. The applicant also said Kroger had completed a traffic study and would facilitate roadway improvements identified in the study. Buffering between the store and nearby residences was another major topic. The proposal includes a 25-foot landscape buffer and 6-foot privacy fence along residential property lines. Kroger representatives said additional existing

Residents fill the Brownsburg Town Hall Council room Aug. 24 during a public hearing on proposed zoning changes for a Kroger at Green Street and Northfield Drive. (Photo by Alicia Stivers)

wooded areas and landscaping would provide further screening. Commissioners questioned whether the 6-foot fence would adequately address headlights and noise from trucks. A Kroger representative said the company believed the proposed fence and landscaping would be sufficient but did not commit to a taller or masonry wall. The applicant said the project had been modified following meetings with town staff and residents. Changes included extending fencing, preserving more of an existing rail fence, adding signage directing trucks away from neighborhood streets and reducing proposed light-pole heights from about 40 feet to 25 feet. Drainage also drew questions from commissioners and residents. Kroger’s civil engineer said the project would include an underground detention system designed to limit stormwater discharge and that the development would comply with Brownsburg and Hendricks County requirements. Detailed stormwater engineering would be addressed during the development plan process. Commissioners also questioned whether the size and nature of the proposal were consistent with Brownsburg’s comprehensive plan. Town staff said the property’s future land-use designation is commercial and that the existing Heritage Hill PUD includes a grocery store among its permitted uses. However, the PUD contains

few standards specifically governing commercial development. One resident argued that the comprehensive plan’s local-commercial designation was intended for smaller-scale retail and questioned whether a nearly 100,000-square-foot supermarket and fuel center fit that description. The hearing also included a procedural challenge concerning whether the zoning petition had obtained the required property-owner authorization and signatures. The town attorney said the required consent from the property owner had been received. He also said staff determined the applicable 50 percent signature requirement had been met because the property was considered a separate subdistrict. Kroger representative Brie Ramsey said the company was not seeking tax abatements or other financial incentives from Brownsburg. “We are not asking for any tax abatements,” Ramsey said, emphasizing Kroger’s intention to invest in the community and pay applicable taxes. Kroger representatives also described the store as a neighborhood grocery and said the company’s market research supported the location. The commission’s unfavorable recommendations do not constitute a final denial of the project. The zoning text and map amendments will proceed to the town council, where a final decision will be made.

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National Night Out returns news@youarecurrent.com The Brownsburg Police Department will present its annual National Night Out event Oct. 6 at Lucas Oil Raceway Park, giving residents an opportunity to connect with local law enforcement, first responders and community organizations. The event, scheduled from 5 to 7:30 p.m., is being held in partnership with Brownsburg Fire Territory. Organizers say the new location will provide additional space for vendors, convenient parking and room for activities. National Night Out is designed to raise awareness of crime and drug prevention, encourage participation in local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and build partnerships between police and the community. Residents can expect safety demonstrations, games, free food and opportunities to meet Brownsburg police officers and other first responders. Organizations, school groups and businesses are encouraged to participate by promoting community service, social or anti-crime initiatives or pro-

Brownsburg firefighters demonstrate a vehicle extraction during last year’s National Night Out. (Photo by Alicia Stivers)

viding activities for attendees. Registered participants include the Town of Brownsburg, Brownsburg Public Library, Hendricks Regional Health, Meijer, Indiana Donor Network, Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana, Sheltering Wings, Brownsburg Youth Sports and other local businesses and organizations. Registration for vendors is free through Brownsburg Parks. The event will be held at Lucas Oil Raceway Park, providing a larger venue for this year’s gathering.

Shelter resumes operations By Alicia Stivers alicia@youarecurrent.com The Hendricks County Animal Shelter resumed normal operations Aug. 26, after temporarily closing because of canine parvovirus among dogs rescued from a Danville hoarding case. The Danville case began Aug. 12, when police and animal control responded to a N. Cross Street residence after multiple dogs reportedly escaped through a hole in the side of the home. James Wesley, 52, was arrested and faces a preliminary Level 6 felony charge of animal neglect involving more than 10 dogs. The shelter temporarily closed to the public, halted intakes and paused adoptions Aug. 13 after some of the rescued dogs tested positive for parvo, a highly contagious virus that primarily affects dogs. The shelter reopened for limited operations Aug. 19, allowing cat and kitten owner surrenders and strays and permitting visitors to adopt available

animals. Dog intakes remained paused. Shelter Director Christy Roberts previously said 11 dogs had been confirmed as belonging to the Danville homeowner, with some testing positive for parvo. Because the dogs had not been vaccinated, the shelter was advised to treat all of them as potentially infected. Dogs already housed at the shelter were vaccinated and showed no signs of the virus, Roberts said. The shelter also implemented quarantine procedures and intensive cleaning to reduce the risk of transmission. In its latest update, the shelter said its adoption dogs remain “happy, healthy and ready for new homes.” Several dogs from the Danville hoarding situation also are expected to become available for adoption in the coming weeks. The shelter said it will release a full statement about the case after all charges have been filed and the investigation is complete. The shelter also thanked the community for donations and support during the temporary restrictions.

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The site north of the Meijer near 56th Street and C.R. 900 East is approved for a 272-unit apartment community proposed by CRG. The Brownsburg Town Council approved the project Aug. 20 after CRG increased its contribution toward future traffic improvements to $272,000. (File photo)

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The Brownsburg Town Council approved a proposed 272-unit apartment community Aug. 20 after the developer agreed to increase its contribution toward future traffic improvements to $272,000. The council voted 3-2 to approve the project, with members Ben Lacey, Matt Simpson and Cindy Hohman voting in favor and members Travis Tschaenn and Glenn Adams voting against. The votes approved the rezoning, fiscal plan and annexation associated with the approximately 30-acre development. CRG Residential had previously proposed contributing $36,387, or $133 per apartment, toward traffic improvements along 56th Street. Council members questioned whether the amount was sufficient given the additional traffic expected from the development. Ahead of the special meeting, CRG increased the proposed contribution to $136,000, or $500 per unit. After several minutes of discussion during the meeting, council members pressed the developer for a larger commitment. Following a recess to allow CRG representatives to consult with the company’s ownership, the developer agreed to increase its contribution to $1,000 per unit, or $272,000. The development, known as The Enclave on Parkway, is planned for the property north of the Meijer near 56th Street and C.R. 900 East. The proposal includes 272 apartments and about 5,400 square feet of commercial space. Traffic has been a central concern for council members throughout consideration of the project. Adams, whose ward includes the site, previously ques-

tioned the impact of adding hundreds of residents to an area with limited access. Town Assistant Manager Shawn Pabst said the town plans to propose grant funding for improvements to the nearby intersection at a future council meeting. The timing of the grant application is expected to align with a funding cycle opening in September, according to discussion during the meeting. The town is expected to contribute approximately $524,000 toward the traffic improvement beyond grant funding and CRG’s $272,000 contribution. Town officials discussed a potential roundabout at the intersection, although the specific design of the improvement has not been finalized. Pabst said the intersection currently receives an F rating during peak hours. If the apartment project is approved, he said the additional traffic would strengthen the town’s case for grant funding. The project could help accelerate improvements that otherwise would not be pursued, according to town officials. A CRG representative said the developer believed the $1,000 per-unit contribution represented a significant commitment and would come out of the project’s profits rather than being passed along to residents. The representative said increasing the contribution further could make the project financially unworkable. He cited construction costs, financing risks and the time required to lease new apartments. The council also approved the project’s voluntary annexation by a 3-2 vote and approved a related fiscal plan by a 4-1 vote, with Adams opposed.

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NHRA speeds to town and The Wandering Bee also will be on site. Food and treats will be available for purchase. DJ Rob will provide music Race fans will have a chance to meet during the event. several NHRA drivers during a comThe event is intended to give residents munity event and race fans in downtown an opportuniBrownsburg ty to enjoy a ahead of the family-friendly NHRA Nationals gathering in at Lucas Oil Indowntown dianapolis RaceBrownsburg way Park. while celebrating Baldwin Brown Dicero Hendricks NHRA Nationals County Bank and Trust race week. will host “Meet the FastHendricks County est Drivers” from 4:30 to Bank and Trust, found6:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the ed in 1908, has been lobank, 1 E. Main St. The cally operated for more event will feature drivthan 117 years. The bank er appearances, food has five branches in Hodge Sampey trucks and music. Hendricks County and Drivers Antron Brown, Angelle focuses on serving the communities Sampey, Krista Baldwin, Kolette Dicero where its employees and customers live and Chase Hodge are scheduled to atand work. tend. A driver signing opportunity will The bank’s mission is to promote ecobe available from 5 to 6:15 p.m. nomic prosperity and improve the qualLocal food trucks Matchbox Meats, ity of life in the communities it serves. Grilled T’s, Ben’s Pretzels, Frosti Pop By Alicia Stivers alicia@youarecurrent.com

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Bulldogs doubles duo prepare for another shot at title By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Ethan Cougill and Skyler Rose made Brownsburg High School tennis history by winning the first IHSAA state title for the program. The No. 1 doubles team finished 25-2 en route to the state doubles championship. Now, the teammates are poised to run it back. “We would love to win state again, but the main goal this season is to win sectionals as a team,” Cougill said. The partners, who also are varsity baseball players, were 24-6 in 2024, reaching the state semifinals before losing. “Me and Skyler are very close friends on and off the court, so our chemistry and playing styles are complementary,” Cougill said. “The thing that makes us special is the way we move and rotate on the court without having to communicate as much as other teams would. We know exactly where each other are at any given moment.” Rose agreed they have a special connection. “We participate in a Bible study together and have grown as people and as friends throughout that experience,” Rose said. “I’m happy to call him one of my close friends. The goal for this season is to defend our title and bring

ATHLETE

OF THE WEEK MEET ETHAN COUGILL Favorite movie: “The Shawshank Redemption” Favorite TV show: “Reacher” Favorite subject: Business Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo

MEET SKYLER ROSE Favorite movie: “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” Favorite vacation spot: St. Thomas. Favorite athlete: Steph Curry Favorite genre of music: Country

Brownsburg tennis another championship. I would say our game has improved in the communication aspect.” Bulldogs coach Spencer Fields said they complement each other well. “Their commitment level to each other is very high,” he said. “They love doubles and a lot of kids are singles oriented. With their baseball training, they love being at the net. They love being aggressive. They are just two really good athletes.” Fields said Rose tracks the ball well and never gives up on a point. “Ethan is more of the killer,” he said. “He has big overheads. He’s the enforcer around the net. He’s fearless. He goes after it every point.” Cougill, a third baseman for the Bulldogs’ baseball team, has made a verbal commitment to play baseball at Valparaiso University. Rose, a utility player for the Bulldogs baseball team, said he plans to play college tennis. He is considering Grace College and Taylor University. Rose started playing competitive tennis when he was 13. Cougill played tennis with his family when he was younger but didn’t start playing competitive tennis until sixth grade. To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@youarecurrent.com.

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Survey: Affordability concerns grow By Alicia Stivers alicia@youarecurrent.com Central Indiana residents remain broadly satisfied with their quality of life, but growing concerns about housing affordability and taxes, along with increasing interest in walkable neighborhoods, are shaping expectations for the region’s future. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization and MIBOR REALTOR Association released the results of the 2026 Central Indiana Community Preference Survey, based on responses from 1,500 adults collected March 23-29. About 77 percent of residents said they were satisfied with their overall quality of life, down from 86 percent in 2022. Satisfaction with hospitals and doctors’ offices, high-speed internet, parks and trails, community safety and cultural resources remained relatively strong. Affordability, however, has become a growing concern. Nearly half of respondents said they were dissatisfied with housing affordability, a 15-percentage-point increase

from 2022. Dissatisfaction with property and local taxes increased 19 percentage points. The share of respondents who expressed intense dissatisfaction with taxes doubled from 13 percent to 27 percent, while intense dissatisfaction with housing costs increased from 15 percent to 26 percent. Financial pressures also are affecting prospective homeowners. Respondents identified down payment costs, property taxes and insurance, personal debt and child care responsibilities as major obstacles to purchasing a home. “Housing affordability and tax satisfaction both fell 13 points since 2022, converging at 48 percent dissatisfied,” stated Chris Pryor, MIBOR’s chief advocacy officer. “The survey’s homeownership-obstacle question echoes this.” Despite those concerns, many community preferences have remained consistent during the survey’s 14-year history. Public safety remains the most important factor in choosing where to live, cited by 95 percent of respondents. Residents also continue to value parks,

County farm honored for century of ownership By Alicia Stivers alicia@youarecurrent.com A Hendricks County farm has been honored for remaining in the same family for more than a century. The Chatham-Layne-McNulty farm received a Centennial Hoosier Homestead Award during a ceremony at the Indiana State Fair. The farm was recognized by State Sen. Brett Clark, R-Avon, and State Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton. The Hoosier Homestead Award program recognizes Indiana farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years. The program, established in 1976, has recognized more than 6,000 family farms for their contributions to Indiana’s agricultural, economic, cultural and social history. “Indiana has a strong agricultural legacy,” Clark said. “Family owned or operated farms, like the ChathamLayne-McNulty farm, are the backbone

of this legacy and the state’s economic success.” Thompson said family farms help maintain Indiana’s position as a leader in agriculture. “There are so many Hoosiers continuing the tradition in this state of running a family farm,” Thompson said. “Through their efforts, Indiana remains a leader in the agricultural industry, generating billions of dollars in economic activity and providing food and other essentials for countless Americans.” To qualify for a Hoosier Homestead Award, a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and either consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products annually. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture administers the program. More information about the Hoosier Homestead Award program is available at in.gov/isda.

trails, cultural amenities and quality schools. Single-family detached homes remain the preferred housing type, although the survey found small shifts toward more varied housing options. Walkability is one of the clearest long-term trends in the survey. Nearly half of residents prefer neighborhoods that combine homes with nearby shops and restaurants. The most preferred living environment was a suburban neighborhood with a mix of houses, shops and businesses, selected by 32 percent of respondents. That preference has grown since 2018. “Residents are asking for more walkable communities than we’re currently building, a wider range of housing options, and solutions for keeping those choices affordable as our region grows,” stated Sean Northup, IMPO deputy director. The survey shows central Indiana residents continue to value familiar community features while placing greater emphasis on affordability, housing variety and communities that make it easier to access everyday amenities.

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Local school leaders weigh voucher costs By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com For Brownsburg Community School Corp., where 765 students received choice scholarships last school year, Indiana’s expanding school voucher program comes as the distrcit faces its own growing financial pressures. With numerous school districts proposing referendums and cutting costs in the wake of the 2025 state property tax law, school funding has become a topic of interest — including Indiana’s school voucher program, which cost about $500 million in the 2024-25 school year. Some area public school officials said that although they support school choice, they’re concerned education funding has not kept up with inflation, let alone the expanded voucher program, which adds to the overall cost of statewide education. However, a school choice advocate said Indiana’s voucher funding protocols are a model for other states. Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Matt Kegley said each district in Indiana is affected differently by school choice scholarships, commonly called vouchers, and he respects the state’s decision to provide that funding. At the same time, he said, vouchers can affect what’s available to the public school system overall. HSE Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown likened state education funding to one big pie. “Every time you cut a slice into that pie, that is less overall funding for a traditional public school like our school district,” Brown said. “What has happened over the years is the income thresholds by which families can qualify for these choice scholarships has been expanded by a pretty significant amount, where maybe going back to the 2021 school year, that amount was in the $48,000 to $50,000 range for a family of four, to where it sits today at over $244,000.” Brown said as the income threshold for qualifying families increased, so did the number of students within HSE boundaries using scholarships. But that doesn’t mean those students left HSE or would have ever attended the public school. He said the students may well have gone to private school no matter what and voucher funding was “the icing on the cake.”

Brownsburg Community School Corp. reported that 765 students used vouchers during the 2024-25 school year. (File photo)

Westfield Washington Schools Superintendent John Atha agreed many voucher students likely would not be public school students anyway. He said when the program first was introduced in 2011, he was principal at the private Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis. “My experience is, we did not have a lot of families who were (choosing public schools) start using vouchers,” he said. “We just had families who were already in with us, who maybe got some relief.” That means more students in the funding pool for education dollars. Atha cited a 2023 Indiana University study that showed about 70 percent of Indiana voucher students already attended private school. “And those dollars have to come from

somewhere,” he said. “What’s happened is, they have not expanded total spending on education — which is the state’s responsibility — to match the spending on the vouchers, especially for the added students who were already in private education.” Atha clarified state education funding has increased, but has not kept pace with inflation, especially considering the estimated 75,000 voucher students that cost the state an estimated $500 million in the 2024-25 school year. “If my costs are growing and enrollment is growing at 5 percent, and my budget’s only growing at three and a half percent, then obviously I’m going to have to do more with less,” Atha said. “And so, for me specifically, when I think about funding — if you want to keep the voucher program, it can’t

BY THE NUMBERS The Indiana Department of Education website has details about the school choice scholarship program, including how many students within each public school district use school vouchers to attend a private school or another public school. Brownsburg Community School Corp. had 765 students use vouchers; Carmel Clay Schools had 541 students; MSD of Lawrence Township had 1,655; Noblesville Schools had 582; and Zionsville

Community Schools had 166. Westfield Washington Schools reported that for the 2025-26 school year, 776 students used a voucher to attend a non-WWS school — an increase from the 2024-25 level of 302. According to the state DOE’s annual report on school vouchers, at HSE Schools, 1,400 students within district boundaries used school choice scholarships to attend a different school in the 2024-25 school year.

be at the expense of traditional public schools. It has to be in addition to.” Atha stressed that he supports school choice and believes that option makes education stronger overall. He said the conversation is about designing a funding system that doesn’t weaken public schools, which educate the majority of Hoosier kids. Institute for Quality Education President and CEO Betsy Wiley countered that Indiana’s funding system for school choice scholarships is great just the way it is, and actually is a model for other states. “The job is to fund and educate all of Indiana’s kids, and so (lawmakers) have been strong supporters in all of their policies in terms of dollars following the child to the school that they go to,” she said. “That philosophy held true in the establishment of the voucher program and how that funding took place.” Wiley noted that the money follows the child no matter what school they choose, including another public school that isn’t their home district. She said the general belief that tax money should go to public institutions is an idea teacher unions have promoted. However, Wiley said, the funding belongs to the students and their education. She supports universal vouchers, with no income threshold. “I believe that every student in the state of Indiana should be given access to their education funding that the state has allocated,” she said, noting that if students from wealthy families attend public school, they’re funded and nobody complains. In response to concerns about reduced funding for public schools, Wiley — who was former Gov. Mitch Daniels’ deputy chief of staff and worked many years in the Statehouse — said she has never heard anyone in public education suggest that education is adequately funded. “Every time, it’s ‘We need more money,’” she said. “I think that it’s an interesting question because there’s not really data out there that suggests more money equals greater academic outcomes.” She said the appropriate level of education funding is something for state lawmakers to determine, but the state should stick with its model of funding the education of all students, regardless of where they go to school.

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Teen questions Flock use By Spencer Durham spencer@youarecurrent.com Indiana does not have laws regulating data retention, access and usage of automatic license plate-reader data. That’s what Oliver Gollapudi, a 17-year-old teenager, discovered this summer while researching Flock cameras, one of the most common types of ALPR cameras. “I was looking into Flock and was like, ‘Wow, there are no regulations,’” he said. ALPR cameras take pictures of license plates when vehicles pass by. The personal data captured without a warrant is typically kept by a department for 30 days before it is deleted. Police departments tout the technology as a way to help locate missing people and solve crimes. However, there is growing criticism of the practice and concerns about privacy invasion and sharing ALPR camera data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gollapudi, a senior at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, was interested in what agencies local police departments share data with and how many searches departments conduct. Zionsville Police Department has a page about its license plate cameras, but it wasn’t enough for Gollapudi. “This is not as (complete) as I’d want it to be,” he said. “I don’t want ZPD enabling ICE.” Gollapudi reached out to ZPD and met with Capt. Josh Samuelson. ZPD published its Flock Transparency Portal online afterwards. Samuelson said the department was already considering publishing more data based on inquiries and public record requests. “The meeting really, for me, really solidified we needed to provide some access to answers to some of the questions that can be easily answered by the portal,” he said. ZPD’s portal includes the agencies it shares data with, the number of cameras in town — 11 — number of searches over the last 30 days and prohibited uses, such as not sharing with ICE. Samuelson said it’s ZPD’s responsibility to explain how it uses the technology in a way the public understands. Gollapudi then reached out to the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department. WPD Capt. John Jurkash stated it

Oliver Gollapudi, a 17-year-old Zionsville resident, reached out to the Zionsville and Whitestown police departments about publishing more information about their Flock cameras and data usage. (Photo by Spencer Durham)

was good timing as the department was already working on developing its transparency portal. “As we reviewed transparency initiatives and observed other agencies across Indiana implementing similar measures, creating a Flock safety transparency portal fit naturally within our mission and vision,” he stated. Gollapudi said the department went above and beyond, including not only the same information ZPD shared but also every search conducted in the last 30 days, including reasons and suspected offenses. News reports about police officers abusing the data for personal use, such as to stalk former intimate partners, contribute to the criticism. An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer was suspended and placed under investigation after the department said the officer used Flock data hundreds of times for personal reasons. Gollapudi said he was an opponent of the technology, but researching the issue led to a change of heart. “They are really useful for Amber Alerts and drug trafficking,” he said. “The technology needs to be implemented in a way that is responsible,” he said. Gollapudi intends to press other police departments to share their data. He said persistence is key and encouraged others to do the same. “You are entitled to all that stuff,” he said. “Make the government work for you.” For more on ZPD’s portal, visit transparency.flocksafety.com/ zionsville-in-pd.

Greg Durm, MD IU Cancer Researcher

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A PLACE TO HEAL 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

14 years leater, The Willow Center remains rooted in hope

Alicia Stivers alicia@youarecurrent.com When Ashley English founded The Willow Center in 2012, the addiction treatment center occupied a single suite in a building on North Green Street. Fourteen years later, the organization has grown well beyond those original rooms, expanding its services and reach while maintaining the philosophy English said has guided the center from the beginning: Create a place where people want to work and, more importantly, a place where people want to go for healing. “The Willow Center was created with the vision to create a place that people wanted to work and a place that people wanted to go to for healing,” English said. “And that mission, for me, is still true.” English, the center’s founder and CEO, also is a person in long-term recovery. That experience shapes how she views the people who walk through the center’s doors. She knows the courage it can take to ask for help. “To walk up that sidewalk and open the door and come to that front desk and say, ‘Hey, I’m here for my appointment,’ takes an incredible amount of courage,” English said. That perspective has become central to The Willow Center’s identity. English said clients are choosing to be vulnerable with the organization at a difficult point in their lives, and the staff views that trust as a responsibility. “It is an honor that they have invited us to be a part of their stories,” she said. “It’s a privilege to work for them, not the other way around.” The Willow Center now provides outpatient treatment for substance use and mental health, including individual counseling, group-based treatment, intensive outpatient services, medication management and continuing care. Its Brownsburg location is the organization’s flagship, while its broader operations include a Pittsboro location and partnerships designed to address specific needs in the community. English said growth has never been about simply getting bigger. Instead, she looks for gaps. “We don’t ever want to take away from other providers because we think we’re all valuable,” English said. “We want to fill in the gaps.” That philosophy led to practical changes, too. At one point, English noticed that some clients attending treatment did not have driver’s licenses or reliable transportation. “I was like, ‘Why is the parking lot full and none of you have a license?’” she said. The answer became another example of the center

The Willow Center’s Brownsburg facility has expanded considerably since Ashley English opened the organization in a single suite in 2012. English said the center was designed around the needs of the people it serves. (Photo by Alicia Stivers)

addressing a barrier rather than expecting clients to overcome it alone. Through a combination of donations and a grant partnership, The Willow Center acquired vehicles to provide transportation. For English, that is what recovery work is about: identifying what stands between a person and success, then figuring out how to remove it. Her approach also is rooted in seeing the person beyond the addiction. “The use is just the symptom of something much deeper,” she said. That philosophy is reflected in the way English talks about recovery. She does not describe it as simply stopping substance use. Instead, she wants clients to build a life worth staying sober for. “Our philosophy is meeting people where they’re at, but not keeping them there,” she said. That means accountability is as important as compassion. English said people in recovery can become defined by their past behavior, particularly when shame and guilt take over. One of her goals is helping them separate their identity from what they have done. “You’re going to be remembered for your name,” she said. “That’s not your identity.” The center’s name reflects that same philosophy. English chose the willow tree because of its resilience and flexibility. The tree can bend without breaking and thrive in the right environment, qualities she believes also describe people in recovery. “I want to empower them and ignite hope,” she said.

Hope is a word English returns to frequently. When asked what she does for a living, she has a ready answer. “I’m in the business of igniting hope, witnessing transformation and hopefully reuniting families,” she said. That mission has driven the center’s evolution, including an emphasis on connection. English said isolation can be especially damaging for people struggling with addiction, while recovery requires a community. The Willow Center’s gathering room was designed as a place where people can remain connected instead of immediately returning to environments that may not support recovery. Fourteen years after opening its first suite, English said the organization continues to evolve. The goal remains less about building an institution and more about building a community where people can return, even when recovery becomes difficult. “We don’t always get things right,” English said. “But what I think we do as leaders is we can admit where there’s been an issue and commit to doing it better.” For English, that willingness to keep learning is part of the mission. “It’s never who’s right,” she said. “It’s what’s right.” And after 14 years, she still sees the same possibility in the people who walk through the Willow Center’s doors that she saw when she opened that first suite. “They need to know that,” she said. “We don’t have to stay here. You can wake up tomorrow, and you can do it differently.” ON THE COVER Ashley English, founder and CEO of The Willow Center in Brownsburg, founded the addiction treatment and mental health center in 2012 with the goal of creating a place where people would want to work and seek healing. (Photo courtesy of The Willow Center)

THE WILLOW CENTER AT A GLANCE Founded: Aug. 6, 2012 Founder and CEO: Ashley English Brownsburg location: 515 N. Green St., Suite 402 Services: Individual counseling, group-based treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, medication management, preventative care and continuing care. Focus: Substance use treatment and mental health counseling. Locations: Brownsburg and Pittsboro Phone: 317-852-3690 Website: thewillowcenter.com

HEALTH

CURRENT IN BROWNSBURG

09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

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CURRENT IN BROWNSBURG 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

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Your source for local arts & entertainment and upcoming events • youarecurrent.com

CURRENT IN BROWNSBURG

09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

ATI takes on 1970s version of ‘Beehive’ By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurret.com For Rachel Dudt, it’s fitting that she returns to perform in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s season opener. Dudt appeared in “Beehive: The ’60s Musical,” which opened the 2025-26 season. She will return in the sequel, “Never Can Say Goodbye: The ’70s Beehive Musical,” Sept. 4 to 20 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. ATI is the third organization to present the show. “We had such a good response from ‘Beehive,’ the ’60s version,” Dudt said. “This is kind of an extension of that moving into the ’70s. I think this will be even more engaging with everybody because there’s such a variety. You have folk rock, hard rock and you’ve got disco. There’s a little something for everybody in there.” Dudt will perform songs by Blondie, Ann Wilson of Heart and Helen Reddy. In the ’60s version, she sang songs by Janis Joplin and Carole King. “We’re not necessarily doing impersonations like we did last year,” Dudt said. “It’s just a little more of a flavor of the artists instead of being completely costumed as them as a tribute.” Dudt said she has always loved Heart and gets to sing “Barracuda.” “Heart has one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time, especially in the ‘70s when women weren’t really headlining groups,” Dudt said. “So, it’s cool we end Act 1 with a whole Heart medley.” Performing Reddy’s “I Am Woman” is another special moment for Dudt. “The arrangement is really cool and gets everybody involved, and it’s kind of like the female anthem of the ’70s,” she said. Dudt said the ’60s version was more of a chronological depiction of that decade, and this version is more about the diversity of the musical genres. “You get the folk rock with Linda Ronstadt and the glam rock with Blondie and some hard rock with Heart,” she said. “Then you get a whole country section and then it gets into disco.” Kira Rangel performed in ATI’s “Beehive” last year, too. Rangel performed Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin songs in last year’s production. “This time we’re all in basically every song, and there’s a lot of mashups, too,” said Rangel, who is based in the Quad Cities area in Iowa. “There’s sections by genre, so there’s rock, bohemian, country and, my favorite, funk. It just takes you down memory lane, and with the costumes, it’s like you’re about to be transplanted to another time again.” Rangel said she sings “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack, “Up the Ladder to the Roof” by the Supremes and “Le Freak” by Chic.

JIMMIE VAUGHAN Blues artists Jimmie Vaughan will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Hendricks Live! in Plainfield. For more, visit hendrickslive.org. ‘RING OF FIRE’ “Ring of Fire” runs through Oct. 4 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com. ‘THE ‘70S BEEHIVE MUSICAL’ Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Never Can Say Goodbye: The ‘70s Beehive Musical” from Sept. 4 to 20 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org. FEINSTEIN’S CABARET Marilyn Maye will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3-4 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

DISPATCHES Rachel Dudt returns to perform in the 1970s version of “Beehive” at ATI. (Photo courtesy of Joey Mervis)

“I’m excited because we’ve never done it before. We get to try new things and make it our own,” she said. “This is the music I would hear Sunday morning when my mom was cleaning the house. That’s how I knew it was time because she would be blasting all these artists.” Debbie Hill wasn’t in ATI’s “Beehive” last year, but this is her third ATI show. The Fortville resident was in “Sunset Boulevard” earlier this year and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” in 2019. Hill said her parents listened to the show’s style of music. “I’m enjoying a deep dive in and getting to sing a lot of female harmonies,” Hill said. “I’ve always been a big fan of Linda Ronstadt, so I’m excited there are two of her songs in there.” Hill sings Ronstadt’s “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” and takes the lead on one of the Supremes’ song. A Lafayette native, Hill teaches musical theater at Ball State. For more, visit atistage.org.

 ‘American Pickers’ looking for Indiana collections — The History Channel series “American Pickers,” which takes viewers through private collections of historical items, is returning to Indiana in October. Anyone with a private collection who would like to be considered for the show can send full name, city and state, contact information and a brief description of your collection to AmericanPickers@cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184.  Concerts set in Fishers — The White River Chamber Orchestra and Wind Symphony in Fishers will each perform two concerts between October and June 2027. Tickets are available at FishersMusicWorks.org.

ENTERTAINMENT

CURRENT IN BROWNSBURG 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

Beef & Boards announces 2027 season By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.co Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s 2027 season features some old favorites along with three shows making their debut at the Indianapolis venue. “This is one of the most exciting seasons we have had since the (COVID-19) pandemic with all-time crowd favorites like ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Grease’ mixed with the Disney powerhouse ‘Frozen,’” Beef & Boards owner Doug Stark said of the Sept. 1 season announcement. “This season is going to keep our production staff working overtime.” Shows making their Beef & Boards debuts are “The Bunco Squad,” “FroSTATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION *(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)* 1. Publication Title: Current 2. Publication Number: PE25-933 3. Filing Date: 11-18-25 4. Issue Frequency: Weekly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 52 6. Annual Subscription Price: $0 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 (Contact Person: Benjamin Weir, 317-748-2662) 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office:** 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Benjamin Weir, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Editor: Leila Kheiry, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Managing Editor: Richard Morwick, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 10. Owner: Benjamin J. Weir, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Steve Greenberg, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Terry Anker, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Scott Wharton, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation | Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months a. Total Number of Copies: 119,198 b. Total Paid Distribution: 0 c. Total Paid Distribution: 0 d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (1) Free Outside-County Copies Stated on PS Form 3541: 22,756 (2) Free In-County Copies Stated on PS Form 3541: 96,182 (4) Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers) | 250 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 119,188 f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): 119,188 g. Copies not Distributed: 0 h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) 119,198 i. Percent Paid: 0% (Requester) 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership: Printed in the Sept. 1, 2026 issue of this publication. 18. Signature and Title: Benjamin Weir, Publisher (Date: 8-18-26).

“Les Misérables” makes its return Oct. 7 to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards)

zen” and “On Your Feet.” The season begins Jan. 7 with a comedy based in Indiana. “The Bunco Squad” follows a group of friends who roll dice together in Seymour for a night of Bunco, but it’s not always sure they will get the

opportunity to actually play the game. “‘The Bunco Squad’ is very funny, and don’t we all need a good laugh to start the year?” Stark said. “Grease,” which was last performed at Beef & Boards in 2019, starts Feb. 11.

ENJOY ARTISTS, PERFORMERS, FOOD AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD!

The show, set in 1959, relives days of hot rods, diners and drive-ins. Memorable songs include “Greased Lightnin’,” “You’re The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights.” Next starting April 8 is the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic “South Pacific,” set during World War II. “South Pacific” won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. The score features “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Nothing Like a Dame” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.” “Frozen” follows with a May 21 start. The musical is based on Disney’s Academy Award-winning animated film “Frozen,” which tells of the perpetual winter brought on by Princess Elsa in her mountain kingdom Arendelle, and the efforts of her sister Anna and her friends to break the icy spell. The story of “Always…Patsy Cline” and the country singer’s friendship with a fan named Louise Seger begins July 22. There are more than two dozen songs, including hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Walking After Midnight.” “On Your Feet,” the musical celebrating the true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, opens Aug. 26. Stark said “On Your Feet” is the show he looks forward to the most. “The Latin rhythms grab each of us and make you join the conga line, whatever your age,” he said. “Les Misérables” makes its return Oct. 7, 2027 to the Beef & Boards stage. The classic musical was last performed there in 2013. Beef & Boards’ 54th year wraps up during the holidays with “A Beef & Boards Christmas.” The original production starts Nov. 26, 2027 and concludes New Year’s Eve. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

CARMEL INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

BEEF & BOARDS 2027 SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER 26-27 CARMEL ARTS & DESIGN DISTRICT

Visit carmelartsfestival.org for more information.

• • • • •

“The Bunco Squad,” Jan.7-Feb. 7 “Grease,” Feb. 11-April 4 “South Pacific,” April 8-May 16 “Disney’s Frozen,” May 21-July 18 “Always… Patsy Cline,” July 22Aug. 22 • “On Your Feet,” Aug. 26-Oct. 3 • “Les Misérables,” Oct. 7-Nov. 21 • “A Beef & Boards Christmas,” Nov. 26-Dec. 31

ENTERTAINMENT

CURRENT IN BROWNSBURG

09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

Atlanta band looks forward to Indy show By Alex McCarthy alex@youarecurrent.com With a quartet of multi-instrumentalist songwriters, Atlanta rock band Improvement Movement writes songs in a variety of ways. Sometimes members split into groups and write in pairs. Sometimes they simply Improvement Movement perjam for forms Sept. 18 at Turntable in a while Broad Ripple. (Photo by Trent and see Tomlinson) what comes of it. Their newest album, “Your Perfect Real Life,” involved another key writing partner — the audience. The band’s recent experiences on the road heavily inspired the album, which was released Aug. 21 on ATO Records. Bassist Marshall Ruffin said many people come up to them after shows to tell them how their music impacted their lives. “That’s a gift that people are giving us,” Ruffin said, “just the explanation as to how our art affected their lives. And then there’s no way for it not to inform the next batch of music that we make, whether indirectly or very directly in some ways.” They’re returning to one of the venues that inspired them, set for a Sept. 18 show at Turntable in Broad Ripple. They have fond memories of their time in Indianapolis over the years. “It’s very cool, and the canal is beautiful,” drummer Tony Aparo said. “(Indianapolis) feels like a good place for creative folks to be hanging out.” They’re looking forward to feeding off the energy at their Indianapolis show, and the members of the band encourage attendees to get there early enough to hear the opening act The Point. Tickets are available at turntableindy.com.

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Elegant dinner, live performance, after-parties and more! Proceeds benefit Allied Solutions Center’s arts and educational programming Join us! Tables and sponsorship opportunities still available. Learn more at TheCenterpresents.org/Gala SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS, INCLUDING:

ENTERTAINMENT

CURRENT IN BROWNSBURG 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

Blues Fest features young talent By Alex McCarthy alex@youarecurrent.com

Get your card in front of 10,405 households! Call Gina Lewis @ 317.418.1279 for details

When Georgia bluesman Jontavious Willis plays festivals that charge high ticket prices, he looks out at the audience and feels a disconnect. “You’ve got a football field worth of chairs and coolers, which is cool, but it ain’t the same if people aren’t out there shaking their booty, man,” Willis said. At free concerts, he tends to see more passionate blues fans who are there to move with the music and engage with the performance. “Those folks were so hungry for that music, man, and it makes you play harder,” Willis said. When Willis headlines the free Fishers Blues Fest, he hopes to get the kind of crowd that gives him that energy. The festival, presented Sept. 5 and 6 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in Fishers, prides itself on being one of the most accessible blues festivals in the nation, offering free admission, free parking and accommodations for people of all abilities. The 14th annual Blues Fest has a lineup bursting with young talent. Willis, 30, has long been hailed as one of the nation’s great young blues performers, but he laughed as he talked about feeling old compared to some of the other names in the lineup. Two of the biggest up-and-coming names in the genre, Mathias Lattin and Dylan Triplett, will perform, as will singer Judith Hill. Lattin, 24, and Triplett, 26, have drawn attention because of their youth, but their versatility and range might unite them more. Lattin describes his sound as “blues with a twist,” which he honed playing jazz, rock, blues, Latin and even classical music in his hometown of Houston. His multi-faceted guitar playing earned him worldwide fame in 2023 when he became one of the only musicians to ever win both the Best Guitarist and Best Band awards at the International Blues Challenge. Both Lattin and Triplett are signed to blues artist

Jontavious Willis will headline The Fishers Blues Fest. (Photo courtesy of the Jontavious Willis Team)

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram’s Red Zero label, and Lattin works with the label as a writer and producer as well. He has worked with artists ranging from country to hip-hop, and has seen how blues music has influenced those genres. Experiencing the blues through their eyes has been invigorating, he said. While some purists prefer straightforward blues, Lattin said many young blues artists understand the importance of incorporating other genres and influences. “The blues is going to be in good hands, not only with myself, but with Dylan Triplett, with Kingfish, with Jontavious,” Lattin said. “It’s not gone, it’s just newer, it’s fresh. The only way we keep it alive is if we allow it to change and evolve.” Triplett said he plays “a little bit of blues, a little bit of soul, and a little bit of everything else in between.” The East St. Louis native has turned heads with his vocal range, which spans four and a half octaves. He’s also proven that he can use that range effectively, sliding between gritty blues performances and smooth soul numbers. Triplett plays at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 5 before Hill’s set at 8:30 p.m. Hill, 42, has recorded backing vocals for Michael Jackson, Prince and others, and has released five solo albums. Lattin plays at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 6 before Willis’ headlining set at 8:30 p.m. Attendees can find more information at npdamp.com.

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09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

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PATIOS | POOL DECKS | BASEMENTS | COMMERCIAL

CURRENT IN BROWNSBURG

09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

TOUR STOP #5

Traditional European Farmhouse � 6,984 SQ. FT. | � 6 BEDROOMS |

6 FULL, 1 HALF BATHROOMS

Fait Maison — it means handmade, house-made. Made right here. That’s the whole idea behind this home. The oak, the limestone, the plaster, the leather — none of it came off a shelf. It was chosen, placed, and finished by hand. And it was designed by two teams who have spent years building this kind of home together, specifically for communities like Zionsville. What you’re walking into is the result of that.

TOUR STOP #6

Modern Traditional � 5,941 SQ. FT. | � 5 BEDROOMS |

4 BATHROOMS

This thoughtfully designed Wedgewood Building Co. home blends timeless architecture with modern luxury. A classic exterior complements a warm, contemporary interior featuring walnut accents, an open-tread staircase, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

TOUR STOP #7

Woodland Shingle Style � 6,410 SQ. FT. | � 5 BEDROOMS |

4 FULL, 1 HALF BATHROOMS

Keeneland, the Woodland Shingle Style Retreat, draws its inspiration from the timeless shingle style architecture of the New England coast, thoughtfully reimagined for the wooded landscape of central Indiana. A subtle nod to the equestrian heritage of the land—once a working horse farm—grounds the home in its history while celebrating craftsmanship, authenticity, and a lasting connection to place.

TOUR STOP #8

Modern � 6,713 SQ. FT. | � 5 BEDROOMS |

6 BATHROOMS

Our vision for this home was to create a timeless retreat that seamlessly blends luxury, comfort, and functionality. Every space has been thoughtfully designed to support the way this family lives today while remaining beautiful and relevant for generations to come.

THE 2026 McCOMB PELLA WINDOW & DOOR HOME-A-RAMA

CURRENT IN BROWNSBURG 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

EIGHT STUNNING HOMES.

THREE FUN WEEKENDS.

ONE GREAT SHOW. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2026 McCOMB PELLA WINDOW & DOOR HOME-A-RAMA AND ALL OUR SPECIAL EVENTS EXPLORE EVERY HOME Access builder information, home features, and details instantly.

SAVE YOUR FAVORITES Keep track of the homes you love and revisit them anytime.

COMPARE + PLAN Easily reference homes as you tour and decide what stands out most.

DOWNLOAD THE BAGI HOMESHOWS APP. EXPLORE WITH CONFIDENCE.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW THREE WEEKENDS THURSDAY - SUNDAY September 10-13, 17-20, 24-27 *Use Code: HAREARLY

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