Rep. Tony Cook Receives Richard G. Lugar Award
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HAMILTON COUNTY Hamilton County’s Hometown Newspaper www.ReadTheReporter.com REPORTER Facebook.com/HamiltonCountyReporter TodAy’S Weather Thursday, April 8, 2021 Today: Showers likely, and some thunderstorms possible. Arcadia | Atlanta | Cicero | Sheridan Wind gusting to 30 mph. Tonight: Scattered showers Carmel | Fishers | Noblesville | Westfield NEWS GATHERING Like & in the evening. PARTNER Follow us! HIGH: 69 LOW: 51 Fishers COVID Community Risk Rating remains at 3 on a scale of 4 By LARRY LANNAN LarryInFishers.com “COVID-19 is still spreading within the community, at a much lower rate than what it was previously back in the large winter surge we saw in November, December, in the beginning of January.” That’s the word from Fishers Health Department Epidemiologist Josh Robinson in his weekly COVID-19 video update. The Fishers Community Risk Level remains at a 3 on a scale of 4 and has remained steady in recent weeks. According to Robinson, the latest num- bers verify that COVID-19 continues to spread within the Fishers area. The Hamilton County percent positivity rate is at 8.4 percent as of Tuesday morn- Photo provided ing. The Fishers percent positivity rate is State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) (second from right) receives the Richard G. Lugar Award for Distinguished 7.7 percent. The case incidents rate stands Service to Interscholastic Athletics from the Indiana High School Athletic Association alongside his wife, Kathy at 27.98. Robinson says these numbers Cook (third from right), Gov. Eric Holcomb (third from left), Indiana Pacers President Rick Fuson (far left), Indiana have increased over the past few weeks. Pacers Board Chairman Bob Morris (second from left) and IHSAA Commissioner Paul Neidig (far right). Robinson asks local residents to con- tinue taking precautions to slow the spread of the virus. That includes wearing a mask outside your own household, social dis- tancing and washing your hands regularly. Rep. Tony Cook receives “There have been a lot of projections coming out lately, showing a slight in- crease in cases across various localities in the U.S.,” Robinson said. “There (are) also other projections that these increases may Richard G. Lugar Award continue for a few weeks and then eventu- ally start to decline again in April.” The REPORTER and moral character, and car- severance, work ethic and time 410 member schools, we are State Rep. Tony Cook ries the endorsement of their management, which are habits honored to present Tony Cook The Fishers Health Department plans to (R-Cicero) recently received IHSAA member high school. that can stick with them through with the 2021 Richard G. Lu- keep a close eye on local COVID numbers. the Richard G. Lugar Award Throughout his 40-year career, their academic journey and into gar Award for Distinguished Fishers health officials say the avail- for Distinguished Service to Cook served 36 years in vari- adulthood." Service," said IHSAA Com- ability of testing remains good, with test- Interscholastic Athletics by the ous leadership roles at Hamilton Cook gained national atten- missioner Paul Neidig. "His ing appointments available within two days Indiana High School Athletic Heights, Clinton Prairie and No- tion during the 1980s when he lifetime of work with education and results ready in two days or less. Con- Association during the Boys blesville school corporations. served as principal of Hamilton at the core has benefited gener- tact tracing is also staying current. Basketball 2A State Finals on "As a former football, base- Heights High School and wel- ations of high school students Hospital availability in the counties April 3 at Bankers Life Field- ball, and basketball coach and comed Ryan White, who was and student athletes. The IH- surrounding Marion, including Hamilton, house in Indianapolis. educator, I understand the pro- positive for HIV. During this SAA is proud to honor his con- remains good. According to the organi- found impact athletics can have time, Cook helped educate his tributions through this award.” If you need to schedule a vaccination or zation, this award is given to a on a student's overall develop- community about the myths Other recipients of this a COVID test, call (317) 595-3211. Hoosier who exemplifies the ment," Cook said. "These activ- and realities of AIDS. award include the late U.S. Sena- Click here to access Josh Robinson's highest standard of profes- ities teach young Hoosiers the “On behalf of the IHSAA tor Richard Lugar, Bob Gardner, entire video update posted Tuesday night. sional ethics, sportsmanship importance of teamwork, per- Executive Committee and the Lee Lonzo and Barbara Wynne. Many say they’ll New name, same great local people no longer wear Best-One of Indy acquires R&T Tire & Auto Service masks, but respect Submitted businesses’ rules In the summer of 1965, Ray By DEMIE JOHNSON and Tom Alexander, father and WISH-TV | wishtv.com son, opened their first R&T Tire & Auto Service in Sheri- If you walked down Main Street dan. In 1968, Tom’s wife Anita in Carmel, you would find businesses became part of the team. Ray with signs asking customers to contin- retired in 1982, and a few years ue wearing masks. later, Tom and Anita’s son Bri- But you would also find shops that an joined the business. Soon have removed those signs. after, Jim Kitchel, their son-in- Most of the people in the Carmel law, and daughter Tina joined Arts & Design District told Hamilton the company. County Reporter's newsgathering part- Between 1987 and 2008, ner, WISH-TV News 8, it's because R&T Tire expanded to a total of masks are no longer a requirement; five locations. Sadly, Brian Al- they’re not planning to wear them at exander passed away in 2017. Photo provided all anymore. However, they said, if At that time, the company made The name may be changing at R&T Tire & Auto Service, but the company and its a business asks them to put one on, the difficult decision to reduce people say the quality will remain the same. they’ll respect those wishes. to two locations. The Nobles- family-owned Indiana business. change. This is an opportunity great local people and same Cathy Rowan said she had a pretty ville and Tipton shops contin- “After 56 years, it was for our current employees to great service that R&T Tire’s serious case of COVID-19 in Novem- ued, and the Kitchels took over time,” said Tom Alexander, continue working for a compa- raving fans have come to trust ber, which is why although she will no running the day-to-day opera- owner of R&T Tire & Auto ny that cares about them, as we over the years. longer wear a mask most of the time, tions. Service. “When I met with the always have.” Chuck Godby and Daniel if someone asks her to put one on, she Fast forward almost 56 team of Best-One of Indy, I was While the name on the Heald remain leading the sales said she would be glad to do so. years later, and R&T is transi- so impressed that they seemed building locations will be team in Noblesville, while “Oh, I would definitely put it on, tioning to its next chapter under just like me; their honesty, their changing to Best-One of Indy Patrick Henderson and Pete and I would also honor people’s opin- new ownership. As of April 1, close-knit operations, and good in Noblesville, and Best-One of Thomas continue to lead the ion if they would like me to wear it in R&T Tire & Auto Service has customer service. We (my fam- Tipton, it is important for cus- Tipton team. their home,” Rowan said. been acquired by Best-One of ily and I) unanimously decided tomers to understand that it is Ben Graves said he feels the same Indy, another long standing and it was a good time to make a business as usual with the same See R&T . Page 2 and will not wear masks anymore un- less someone asks him to. “I’m done, but I’d respect the busi- ness and wear a mask, no problem,” Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ debt is too high Graves said. Carmel has some GUEST COLUMNIST $5,000 more with the The Future Problem period, HSE's enrollment grew So far, no problems at Silver in the of the lowest property difference in the taxes The problem is the City of from 8,779 to 22,184 students. City, 111 W. Main St. Suite 150, Car- taxes of any incorpo- paid. In 10 years, that Noblesville's growth into Wayne HSE Schools will likely have mel. Manager Claire Shipley said most rated area in Hamil- difference is thou- Township. Wayne Township is huge enrollment increases of the customers came in already wear- ton County. When I sands of dollars to a sooner than we think. Nobles- in HSE's district and projects ing masks. Shipley said because Silver compare Fishers to Fishers homeowner. ville Mayor Chris Jensen says, high growth into the future. in the City also has a Marion County Carmel, one answer "... made it clear his city plans The Reason Fishers’ property owners will location, the business made the deci- is the difference in to expand eastward into Wayne sion to keep the stores the same. “Just continue to carry a high debt school property taxes. The reason Car- Township with both residen- for the safety of our staff and custom- burden with the need for new Hamilton Southeast- DAVID GIFFEL mel's school tax rate tial and commercial develop- ers, at least until everyone is able to ern Schools’ property is lower is because of schools as the population grows ment..." Then let Noblesville get fully vaccinated, and we’ll reassess tax rate is significantly high- less school debt and fewer build- east of Noblesville into HSE's pay for it.