HAMILTON COUNTY Hamilton County’s Hometown Newspaper www.ReadTheReporter.com REPORTER Facebook.com/HamiltonCountyReporter TodAy’S Weather Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Today: Showers and storms at times. Gusty wind in storms. Arcadia | Atlanta | Cicero | Sheridan Tonight: Showers and storms. Carmel | Fishers | Noblesville | Westfield NEWS GATHERING Like & PARTNER Follow us! HIGH: 78 LOW: 61 Neumann appointed to Fishers City Council By LARRY LANNAN LarryInFishers.com It was a bipartisan event at Fishers City Hall Monday evening as Dr. Crystal Neu- mann was sworn into office by City Judge Dan Henke. Neumann had friends, family and other council mem- bers on hand for the ceremony. "This is not your seat on the Fishers City Council," Judge Henke told those assembled for the event. "The seat be- Neumann longs to the citizens Photo provided by Noblesville Schools of Fishers and entrusted into you." (From left) A’Nyah Hizer, NHS sophomore and BSU vice president; Akwete Purifoy, NHS social worker and BSU Fellow Democrat, Councilwoman staff sponsor; Ellis Tarver, NHS junior and BSU president; and Aniya Stanley, NHS sophomore and BSU secretary. Jocelyn Vare, was there, as were Repub- lican Council Members Cecilia Coble, David George, John Weingardt and Brad DeReamer. NHS Black Student Union wins $5K Neumann will represent the North Cen- tral Council District. She is filling the seat left vacant by Samantha DeLong, who re- signed her council seat because her family grant from education foundation is moving to Nevada. Delong was also on The REPORTER the attention of our board,” rican “Kente” cords for seniors NHS and president of the BSU. hand for the swearing-in ceremony. Noblesville Schools an- said NSEF executive director who would like to wear them BSU vice president and Neumann was selected to fill the open- nounced on Tuesday that the Adriann Young. “Their strong during graduation ceremonies. NHS sophomore A’Nyah Hiz- ing by a group of Democratic precinct of- Black Student Union (BSU) at proposal made it clear that the • Organizing roundtable er added, “I’m super excited to ficials in a caucus held Sunday afternoon. Noblesville High School (NHS) BSU is worth investing in with discussions regarding diversity, win this! Hopefully this gives has won a $5,000 grant from our largest award ever. We’re equity and inclusion. people of color at Noblesville the Noblesville Schools Edu- fully committed to supporting • Providing scholarships for a chance to have a family here cation Foundation (NSEF). The their success and excited to see select BSU seniors pursuing and feel like they belong.” HSE Board mulls grant is the largest amount ever how these funds will grow their higher education. The NHS BSU was found- awarded by the Foundation. vision into reality.” The BSU hopes to grow ed in 2019 and is modeled after options on virtual With approximately 100 Plans for the funds include: into other development oppor- national collegiate Black stu- student members representing • Hosting a “family re- tunities in the future, including dent unions and organizations learning for 2021- over 60 percent of the high union” style social picnic for organizing a student visit to at other Hamilton County high school’s Black students, BSU’s students, families and commu- historically Black colleges and schools. 2022 school year aim is to promote unity, increase nity members. universities. To learn more about NSEF By LARRY LANNAN engagement, foster educational • Launching a community “At the end of the day, this and how you can help support LarryInFishers.com success and grow future Black film series to showcase Black money is about bringing every- teachers and students at No- leaders. storytelling. one together to grow and learn,” blesville Schools, visit nobles- The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) “This grant really caught • Purchasing traditional Af- said Ellis Tarver, a junior at villeschools.org/foundation. School Board has an important deci- sion to make on virtual learning op- tions for the coming school year. The first will come tonight. Noblesville encourages Westfield Dr. Matt Kegley, Assistant Super- intendent of Teaching & Learning, outlined options for a virtual learning program for the 2021-2022 school to move forward with State Road 32 year. There are two options before the The REPORTER in Westfield to River Road board, and board members discussed On Monday evening, at a in Noblesville. whether to decide at tonight’s regular regularly scheduled Westfield “Westfield canceling their board meeting or postpone the vote to City Council meeting, three downtown project would result May 12. members from the Noblesville in INDOT reevaluating their in- Kegley's first option, which he Common Council spoke in favor vestment and possibly canceling recommends, would provide virtual of a proposed widening of State future investment along 32 in learning for grades K-6 using HSE Road 32 through downtown Hamilton County,” Peterson said. teachers instructing virtually, and Westfield. “This would have detrimental ef- grades 7-12 to use Indiana Online, an Attending the Westfield fects beyond Westfield borders outside organization, to provide the meeting from Noblesville were into Noblesville and throughout virtual learning option. The class of- council members Darren Pe- Peterson Wiles o’Connor the county and state. Millions of ferings would have some differences terson, Megan Wiles and Greg roadway each day, there is no state on this work is a huge win dollars have been spent by the compared to the secondary classes of- O’Connor. question State Road 32 through for our city." City of Westfield, the State of In- fered in-person locally. Extra-curricu- Peterson told Westfield Hamilton County is in dire need The project has recently been diana, and the City of Noblesville lar activities would be very limited for council members, “As mem- of compacity improvement.” met with resistance. Opponents to design improvements along virtual students. bers of the Noblesville City In 2018 Westfield, and the cite concerns for Westfield’s his- 32. The Noblesville City Council The second option would have Council, we understand the im- Indiana Department of Trans- toric district and project costs. strongly requests the Westfield HSE teaching staff instruct all online portance and duty of making portation (INDOT), announced “Currently Noblesville is council trust their highly profes- classes, grades K-12. fiscal decisions for the growth a major State Road 32 recon- making significant investments sional staff and consultants to No teacher layoffs would happen of our growing cities in Hamil- struction through downtown to fix the same capacity prob- move forward with their down- under either option, Kegley told the ton County. We are often faced Westfield. The $15 million proj- lems in our downtown,” Peter- town project. This project is vi- board. with decisions that must bal- ect is a 50/50 cost split between son said. tal for our downtowns to grow Kegley's proposal calls for a com- ance existing restraints, growth, the city and the state. Peterson also said IN- and thrive.” mitment to be made by parents and historical significance, financial After the initial announce- DOT has funded an addition- The Westfield City Council responsibilities. With 19,000 ment, Westfield Mayor Andy al $35 million project to add did not respond to Peterson’s See HSE Virtual . Page 2 vehicles driving this two-lane Cook said, "Partnering with the travel lanes from East Street comments. Fishers man dies outside police HQ after self-inflicted gunshot By LARRY LANNAN ities say the Hamilton County Commu- Police instructed the man to exit the Mucha at (317) 595-3330. LarryInFishers.com nications Center received a call from the building and he complied. Upon exiting, If you or someone you know is ex- public telephone located inside the vesti- officers saw the man shoot himself. periencing a mental health crisis, Fishers A Fishers man, 69, died Tuesday after bule of Fishers Police Department Head- The man's identity has not been re- public safety officials remind you to please alerting authorities he planned to take his quarters. The caller expressed his intent leased as of mid-morning Tuesday. call the National Suicide Prevention Life- own life in a phone call made just inside to shoot himself. Officers responded and Fishers Police are actively investigat- line at 800-273-8255 or 911. Additional Fishers Police headquarters. found a white male standing in the ves- ing. Anyone with information regarding resources can also be found at stigma- Shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday, author- tibule. this case should contact Detective Dean freefishers.com. 2 News Life Insurance Extravaganza! Affordable and Flexible Life Insurance to fit YOUR budget! Visit our website at BraggInsurance.com 317-758-5828 Home Auto Business Life Your Friends in the Insurance Business Live Music At Pasto Italiano Watch Colts draft picks at Benito DiBartoli Every Wednesday ITAL Carmel’s Midtown Plaza O I T A The REPORTER ly-distanced appearance, Draft Weekend in the Mid- S N 1/2 Price Bottles of Wine Colts mascot “Blue” rain or shine, from the top town area. This will be self- O A of Blue’s van on a built-in run and will include signage and Colts Cheerleaders P On Wednesdays will make special appear- stage installed last year to that encourages fans to Reservations Recommended ances at the Carmel Mid- make physically-distanced maintain social distancing town Plaza from 7:30 to 8 visits to schools and com- and use face coverings. RESTAURANT & BAR p.m. on Thursday, April 29, munity events. Fans will Blue and Colts cheer- where the NFL Draft will be be able to take photos from leaders will return to Car- 317-804-2051 broadcast from permanent ground level. mel’s Midtown Plaza from TV screens on site. In addition, a “Take the 11:30 a.m.