Week of April 17, 2017 Sheridan, Noblesville, Cicero, Arcadia, Atlanta, Westfield, Carmel, Fishers Hamilton County’s Hamilton County Hometown Newspaper www.ReadTheReporter.com Reporter Facebook.com/HamiltonCountyReporter Police officers rescue two in White River The REPORTER and Officer Josh Harrell of the Westfield by pulling her to a safer position on the On Sunday, April 9, at approximately Police Department were the first officers tree but were unable to remove her from 5:20 p.m., police officers from the No- on scene. Officers quickly learned that a the water. Several Noblesville Fire De- blesville Police Department responded total of four passengers were aboard the partment personnel arrived on the scene to a complaint of an overturned canoe in canoe and two had already pulled them- and assisted in the rescue of the final the White River. The incident occurred selves to safety. Officers located the two victim. NFD Firefighter Todd Watson just north of the Field Drive bridge in remaining individuals still in the water entered the water with the officers and Noblesville. and clinging to a tree branch. was instrumental in the rescue of the last Officers from the Noblesville and Sgt. Purvis and Officer Harrell en- remaining victim. Westfield Police Department arrived on tered the water and were able to rescue All four individuals were transported the scene a short time later. Sgt. Brad Pur- one of the victims. Sgt. Purvis and Of- to Riverview Health of Noblesville and vis of the Noblesville Police Department ficer Harrell then assisted the last victim were released a short time later. Purvis Harrell The County Line Arrest made in Westfield County will be making Kroger parking lot robbery The REPORTER parking lot and failed in his An arrest has been made attempt to steal her purse. snow at Koteewi Park in the case of an attempted The suspect fled the Kro- By FRED SWIFT equipment that includes a lift to the top robbery and shooting in the ger parking lot in a white, Next winter, kids of a newly created sledding hill. parking lot of the Kroger four-door vehicle with the will be able to go Sledding will be the latest attraction grocery store located near victim giving chase with a sledding the whole added at the park which already offers a State Road 32 and Carey young child in her vehicle. season at the Straw- wide variety of recreational attractions. Road on Wednesday eve- Police say during the town Koteewi Coun- I firmly believe Koteewi is Hamilton ning. chase the suspect fired sev- ty Park. That’s be- County’s best kept secret. At nearly 800 29-year-old Adrian eral shots out the window cause there will be acres, the park is an ever-expanding fa- Rockett was arrested on of his vehicle at the victim, snow whether Moth- cility that must be considered the best several felony charges in- who eventually crashed her er Nature provides it county park in the state. cluding attempted robbery car into a nearby retention or not. A snow-mak- The park has a zip line (called an and attempted murder. Rockett pond. Both the woman and ing machine is in the process of being bid aerial adventure trail), a natural history According to the orig- her young child were able by the parks department following Coun- inal Westfield police report, a man to safely get out of the vehicle before ty Council approval of $250,000 for the See Koteewi . Page A6 approached a woman in the Kroger it submerged. th Fishers Finance Committee Westfield recognized as Tree City for 10 year recommends action on city The REPORTER The city of Westfield has been named a Tree City for the infrastructure projects 10th year by the Arbor Day Foundation. By LARRY LANNAN “It’s very exciting for us to reach this milestone,” Parks www.LarryInFishers.com Director Melody Jones said. “Westfield’s commitment to our urban forest helps make When the state of Indiana authorized our community greener and healthier, and enhances the qual- the distribution of Local Option Income ity of life for our residents.” Tax (LOIT) money owed to local gov- The city also received its sixth Growth Award from the ernments throughout the state last year, Arbor Day Foundation. According to the foundation’s web- Fishers received $9.5 million from state site, this award “highlights innovative programs and projects coffers. The Fishers City Council Finance as well as increased commitment of resources for urban for- Committee approved a resolution Wednes- estry.” day recommending the full council appro- Tree Cities are designated by the Arbor Day Foundation priate $7.1 million of that money aimed at based on four criteria: maintaining a tree board or department, infrastructure projects throughout the city. having a tree care ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita Initially, Mayor Scott Fadness had tak- on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. en a go-slow approach to how the funds Westfield’s Arbor Day celebration will take place at Asa should be utilized. This action will allow Bales Park on Saturday, April 22. the city to dip into that cash for various At the event, Westfield’s parks department will give away projects throughout the city. five varieties of seedlings on a first-come, first-served basis A public hearing on the appropriation beginning at 9 a.m. Selections will include Norway spruce, will be held at the next city council meet- river birch, shagbark hickory, black tupelo and silver maple. State Rep. Donna Schaibley has donated 100 tree seed- See Projects . Page A6 lings to Westfield’s Arbor Day event. These varieties include 25 each of pin oak, sycamore, silver maple and bald cypress. “It’s great to give back to our community and help the environment,” Schaibley said. Photo provided Asa Bales Park is located at 205 W. Hoover Street. Trees State Rep. Donna Schaibley, Mayor Andy Cook and Westfield will be distributed in Shelter 1. Parks and Recreation Director Melody Jones pose with a Visit www.arborday.org/programs/treecityUSA for proclamation from Mayor Cook acknowledging Westfield’s more information on Tree Cities. Tree City status and Arbor Day. A2 News Week of April 17, 2017 Noblesville Common Council approves economic revitalization areas for two business projects The REPORTER Finances: Total estimated capital The Noblesville Common Council investment is $23 million for land and approved the preliminary resolution des- building construction, staff, fees and re- ignating economic revitalization areas serves. The real property new construc- for two Noblesville business projects in tion cost is approximately $14 million. the city Tuesday evening. Job impact: 56 new full time em- “Noblesville Assisted Living Group ployees will be hired with an overall LLC will bring new and significant as- payroll of $2.15 million. sisted living square footage with attrac- Estimated Tax Savings: $1,012,320 tive amenities to Noblesville,” said Judi over four years for real property. Be- Johnson, Noblesville economic devel- ginning in the fifth year and thereafter, opment director. “Universal Blower Pac the city estimates the tax payment to be Inc., a long time existing Noblesville $389,354. business, is experiencing fast paced Timetable: The project is expected to Artistic rendering provided growth and the immediate need to ex- begin this summer and be completed by Rendering of Noblesville Assisted Living facility. the summer of 2018. pand. We want them to stay and grow in ty to be added will consist of manufac- $5,472 over two years for personal prop- Noblesville.” Universal Blower Pac, Inc. turing equipment – machines, welding erty. Beginning in the sixth year and The new economic revitalization area Location: 440 Park 32 West Drive equipment, testing stand and associated thereafter, the city estimates the tax pay- projects include: Business Background: Universal equipment, overhead crane and hoist. ment to be $23,667. Noblesville Assisted Blower Pac, Inc. was founded by Ray Logistical distribution equipment will Timetable: The project is expected to Living Group Fiechter in 1979 and opened its current consist of forklifts, racks and shelves. begin in May. Noblesville Corporate Headquarters Finances: Total new capital invest- As part of the resolution, the land is Location: 9600 East 146th Street location in 1984. All of the company’s ment in real estate and personal property eligible for a declining tax phase-in for Project: Noblesville Assisted Liv- growth has occurred in Noblesville. is $1,140,325 to expand its headquarters, real and personal property investment. ing Group, LLC proposes to build a new They provide innovation for manufac- manufacturing, fabrication and assembly April 11 was the preliminary resolution, four-story, 105,145-square-foot senior tured blower systems and engineered facility. which is the introduction to an econom- housing development on 3.67 acres in solutions nationally and globally. Job impact: The company antici- ic development project and lays out the Noblesville Business Park. The facility Project: Universal Blower Pac, Inc. pates hiring 16 new employees and will initial request for approval with council. will consist of 124 units (100 assisted liv- has purchased two acres to the west of retain its 31 employees with an average Because the “first look” resolution was ing and 24 memory care/dementia) with its current footprint and plan to build an salary of $75,000. passed, a public hearing and confirma- a commercial kitchen, activity space, 8,925 square foot of warehousing and Estimated Tax Savings: $71,001 tory resolution will be held at the next large dining room and other resources. distribution space. The personal proper- over five years for real property and council meeting on April 25. $92 million attributable to Westfield’s Grand Park The REPORTER velopment, Noble Roman’s selected West- A recent analysis of economic devel- field as the first location for its new Craft opment in Westfield determined that Grand Pizza & Pub concept.