August 26, 2025 — Current in Carmel

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About us

Founded October 24, 2006, at Carmel, IN Vol. XIX, No. 40

Copyright 2023

Current Publishing, LLC

All Rights Reserved.

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

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Opinions

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Mayor claims immunity, requests suit dismissal

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

Attorneys for Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam and the City of Carmel have asked a judge to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by the former board chair of Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc.

COURTS

The lawsuit, filed April 29 by former CCI board chair Sue McDermott, states that Finkam defamed her when she stated in public meetings, to reporters and on her personal social media page that McDermott and the CCI board failed to provide requested financial information. McDermott claims she provided every piece of information requested by the city.

In the 22-page motion to dismiss, filed July 10 in Hamilton County Superior Court 2, the defendants’ attorneys claim that the Indiana Tort Claims Act gives Finkam and the city “absolute immunity” because Finkam’s allegedly defamatory comments were made while she was speaking in her capacity as mayor.

“This lawsuit is exactly what the ITCA is intended to thwart — litigation against a public official for discretionary reports that she gave, in her official capacity, to constituents in public meetings on her administration’s work with a taxpayer-subsidized affiliate, in service of her public duties,” the motion states. “One can only imagine the flood of litigation that this lawsuit, if permitted to continue, will inspire for every person now and in the future aggrieved by a public official committed to fiscal discipline and local governance reform.”

McDermott’s attorney, F. Anthony Paganelli, filed a response Aug. 13 to the motion to dismiss. It states that McDermott is suing Finkam for statements made in her official and personal capacity, as she made the statements in a public meeting and shared them on a social media account not associated with the City of Carmel.

The brief also argues that the Indiana

Tort Claims Act does not provide immunity for government officials who “engage in defamatory conduct outside his or her official capacity.”

“It is simply inappropriate at the pleading stage for the Court to determine that just because a person has the title ‘Mayor,’ every single communication they make is in their ‘capacity as Mayor, on behalf of the City, about City business in a public meeting,’” the response states. “In fact, such a rule would make it impossible to ever impose personal liability on a public official for actions committed by them personally.”

The response also alleges that the motion to dismiss is an attempt to avoid discovery.

“McDermott has served Defendants with discovery which Defendants have sought to avoid by obtaining a stay of discovery pending a ruling on their Motion to Dismiss,” the response states. “They have done so for good reason. The discovery process will support McDermott’s claims. Defendants seek to avoid that by prematurely seeking to have those claims dismissed before that evidence comes to light.”

In its motion, the city, which is represented by attorneys from Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, claims that Finkam’s comments aren’t defamatory because they are opinions and have not been shown to be made with actual malice.

McDermott’s response argues that many of the issues raised in the city’s motion are matters that should be adjudicated as the case progresses and are not reasons to dismiss it during the pleading stage. It also claims that Finkam’s comments harmed McDermott by falsely implying McDermott did not comply with her occupational and fiduciary obligations.

Samantha Karn, corporation counsel for the City of Carmel, declined to comment on pending litigation.

McDermott told Current she is looking forward to “the full facts coming out

WHAT IS A TORT CLAIM?

State law provides broad immunity from lawsuits for government entities and employees. There are exceptions, however, which can result in a tort claim.

In Indiana, exceptions include conduct that is criminal or clearly outside the scope of employment, according to the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit law firm that specializes in ending abuses in government.

through this process.”

“The mayor ran for office on a platform of ‘transparency’ yet has been anything but transparent in her actions towards the Carmel Christkindlmarkt,” she said. “The defamatory statements were made through public reporting and personal reporting through social media not associated with the City of Carmel. No public official has a license to defame private citizens.”

Patrick Jaicomo, a senior attorney at the nonprofit law firm Institute for Justice, has litigated cases involving government immunity and accountability in various courts across the U.S. He said defamation cases are incredibly difficult to win, but even more so when they are filed against a government employee.

“If it were just private people, you’d still have to contend with the elements of defamation, meaning you have to say that someone says something false and harmful against you and that it had to have been intended to harm you,” Jaicomo said. “You also have to contend with the First Amendment aspects of it, which are complicated and difficult to articulate. So, because this is a government official, on top of that already difficult blueprint, you put another (layer) for the Indiana Tort Claims Act, which is going to make this very hard, if not impossible, for this plaintiff to prevail.”

A hearing on the motion to dismiss is set for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 6 before Judge Jonathan Brown.

Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center is now open in Carmel. Community MD Anderson is a partnership between Community Health Network and MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world’s largest and most respected cancer centers, bringing some of the nation’s most advanced cancer treatments close to home. No matter the cancer type, we can help with diagnosis, treatment and survivor support. Receive innovative care right in Hamilton County. With Community MD Anderson, you’ll receive the right treatment, in the right manner, right in your own neighborhood.

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200 senior apartments, park proposed along Old Meridian Street

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

A proposed $88 million development on Old Meridian Street in Carmel would provide 200 apartments for seniors and a new park dedicated to veterans.

CITY NEWS

Carmel Redevelopment Commission

Director Henry Mestetsky unveiled details at the Aug. 18 Carmel City Council meeting about the Signature55 Carmel project, a public-private partnership between the city, developer Rebar Development and Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation.

The council is considering an $11 million developer-backed tax increment financing bond to help fund the 4-acre project.

“(The development) does what it needs to do from our economic development standpoint, — more housing for our active adult population. But it also provides all these benefits and integrates with trails and parks,” Mestetsky said. “This is kind of as good as these projects get in my opinion.”

The development is planned on vacant land north of the Carmel VFW Post 10003 at 12863 Old Meridian St. Rebar Development intends to purchase the site from Cross Development, which scrapped plans approved in 2022 to build apartments there.

Signature55 Carmel is set to include one- and two-bedroom apartments for older adults adjacent to Old Meridian

Street.

The park, which would be accessible from Old Meridian Street and the VFW Post via paved walkways, is planned behind the housing units near the VFW Post. The proposed park is set to include a central water feature designed by CCPR with consultation from local veterans.

A trail is planned from the park to the proposed Veterans Greenway.

A parking garage with 356 spaces is planned, with 75 percent of the spaces reserved for public use. Public restrooms would be maintained by the developer.

Rebar Development plans to maintain ownership of the project.

The city estimates that the project will generate $483,000 in taxes annually. The vacant land currently only generates $200 annually in property tax revenue.

The council sent the proposal to its land use committee for further discussion.

Rebar helped develop The Signature at Carmel, an apartment complex at 13111 Old Meridian St. Rebar Development is also rebranding one of its Fishers properties into Signature55 Fishers.

Carmel man sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

A Carmel man was among 11 people sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an armed drug trafficking ring.

COURTS

Jayden Bertram, 22, of Carmel, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances. He was sentenced to 20 years, 10 months imprisonment with five years of supervised release. Bertram was part of a drug trafficking organization led by Jaraughn Bertram of Indianapolis, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ said Jaraughn Bertram trafficked significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Arizona to Indianapolis, Anderson and Muncie.

While the case was being investigated, Jaraughn Bertram fled to Mexico, where he was killed on Sept. 29, 2024. Jaraughn

Bertram’s obituary names Jayden Bertram as his brother.

The investigation uncovered 128 firearms, 61 machine gun conversion devices, $722,626 in currency, 22 vehicles, 118 pounds of methamphetamine, 78 kilograms of fentanyl, 501 pounds of marijuana, 315 grams of cocaine and 216 grams of heroin.

“This was not just a drug bust — it was a takedown of a massive, highly organized criminal enterprise flooding Central Indiana with poison on an industrial scale,” stated Tom Wheeler, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

Others convicted are Tampico Johnson, 22, Fishers; Christopher Miller, 29, Indianapolis; Jamie Sullivan, 22, Indianapolis; Courtlin Moncrief, 29, Avon; Camonte Miller, 21, Indianapolis; Jordan Sumner, 22, residency not listed; Afrika Railynne Williams, 29, Indianapolis; Monica Sumner, 20, Indianapolis; Dewell Simpson, 18, Indianapolis; and Regina Weatherford, 60, Indianapolis.

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Carmel proposes new structure to ‘fix’ employee salaries, titles

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

The City of Carmel is considering a new structure for evaluating employee salaries and pay raises, but not all Carmel city councilors are on board with the proposal.

Carmel Chief Financial Officer Zac Jackson presented an overview of the changes that would “fix” salaries during the Aug. 18 council meeting.

The ordinacne would end step increases Jan. 1, 2026, which are used to determine raises. Each pay grade has six steps within it, and on Jan. 1 of each year employees move up a step. They reach the maximum salary within their pay grade in five years.

Jackson said a city study of the issue found that existing titles are often a poor reflection of actual duties, making it difficult to compare employee titles to market data. He said that titles were “wildly inconsistent and without an overall hierarchy.”

The study found that 160 of 327 employees have an appropriate title and are in the appropriate pay grade, Jackson said. A total of 160 employees do not have appropriate titles. Five employees should be moved to a higher pay grade and two moved to a lower one.

Jackson recommended the city switch to compensation planning to determine salaries and raises.

“That is being more strategic about how we manage salaries, bonuses, benefits and other rewards,” Jackson said. “This includes base pay, incentives and benefits, as well as equity, and ensuring that pay structures are fair and aligned with the market.”

He recommended existing pay ranges be widened to align with industry standards, which would allow managers to hire more appropriately within the range based on education and experience.

Progression through the pay range

would occur via general salary adjustments, cost of living adjustments or taking on additional duties.

Some councilors seemed surprised by the scope of the study. Councilor Ryan Locke said he had “little information other than we were told you guys were going to do this.”

“I just can’t wrap my head around the concept that everybody on that list — all 327 of them — have already gotten an email telling them about their job and the changes that are coming and this is the first time we’re talking about it here,” he said. “And we don’t have enough information to talk about it.”

Councilor Matt Snyder said that he received feedback from city employees on the tone of the job analysis questionnaire messages they received to help complete the study.

“Your emails are absolutely terrifying,” Snyder said to Jackson. “I’d be concerned that (employees) are going to unionize. That’s what I’d be concerned about.”

Finkam defended the city’s process.

“I’m not sure how much better we can do this in the time that we have,” she said. “We’ve been working on this for months, so it’s not like it’s been rushed. We’re trying to communicate it quickly because also if you don’t communicate all at once, the rumor mill takes off.”

Finkam said that “they’re doing the best they can to attack the (2026) budget” and that the salary proposals are budget neutral.

“I’m a little frustrated because we’ve done months and months of work and all we’re asking you to do is to take it to committee and discuss it so you can learn more,” she said. “When you say ‘I don’t know anything about this, I don’t have enough information’ we’re asking you to take it to committee and read it.”

The ordinance will be discussed by the council’s finance committee. A meeting date has not yet been announced.

Meridian Audiology LLC, a private Audiology practice, was founded by Dr. Alison Wyss, Au.D. and Kira VonBlon, M.S., after working together in an ENT setting for more than 12 years. The seasoned Audiologists strive to consistently provide premier care to patients with hearing loss, tinnitus and auditory processing disorders as well as those who want to protect their hearing from damage.

In stark contrast to the medical audiology world where patients are in and out in quick succession, private practice allows Ali and Kira to spend whatever time their patients need from them for their individual hearing healthcare situation.

While hearing loss and hearing aids are a majority of the work Ali and Kira perform, they also can talk with patients about tinnitus (ringing, buzzing in the ears). Approximately 50 million Americans have tinnitus, a perceived sound in the ear/ head when there is no external sound. It can be extremely disturbing to people, and they are searching for a solution. Tinnitus can be secondary to many things, including hearing loss, medications, cardiovascular disorders, stress. While there is no cure for tinnitus, there are some treatment options as well as counseling that can help some tinnitus sufferers. Whenever a patient comes in for a complaint

Carmel’s water boil advisory communication scrutinized

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

ELECTION

of tinnitus, we will perform an audiological evaluation to see if hearing loss is present, if it is we will discuss hearing aids and how they can benefit the hearing loss and potentially tinnitus. We can also provide other recommendations for tinnitus help, all with the primary goal of improving your quality of life! We are also available to speak to your local community clubs about hearing and hearing loss. Dr. Wyss states “We’ve done many presentations to community clubs in the area and the participants always appreciate our time in giving them information about hearing loss, cognitive decline and tinnitus as well as answering their questions.”

Meridian Audiology accepts most major insurances, offers convenient scheduling via phone, email, or online and are independent of other medical practices or hospitals. Hours are 9am-4pm Monday-Friday by appointment only. They are located at 911 E. 86th Street, Suite 035. Phone 317-731-5386. Email info@meridianaudiology. com Website: www. meridianaudiology.com

Carmel Utilities’ communication – with customers and internally – was cited as an area for improvement by the Carmel City Council after an Aug. 11 failure of a hydrant led to a two-day boil advisory on the west side of town.

Carmel Utilities Director Lane

However, Carmel Utilities has already invested in software to make these types of notifications, Young said. A customer portal was set to roll out in July, but it was delayed as bugs are worked out of the system.

Young acknowledged those shortcomings during a report presented at the Aug. 18 council meeting, but councilors still had questions and concerns about the messaging and how the department and city reach customers.

As Young explained to the council the circumstances that caused the hydrant to fail, Council President Adam Aasen said that wasn’t his main concern.

“The thing that has made some of us furious and the whole thing that has angered me is the communication being unacceptable,” Aasen said.

As an example, Aasen said the definition of a boil advisory wasn’t clear to the public. An advisory suggests users consider boiling the water before using it, while a boil order requires it.

“We should have explained this way in the first place,” Aasen said. “The content of the messaging was so vague that I think we unnecessarily created a panic in our community.”

Councilors also expressed concerns about the timing and scope of informing the community about the advisory, as customers did not receive direct communication from Carmel Utilities about the situation.

Young said Carmel Utilities’ customer communication system lacks the ability to send mass messaging to affected customers.

Customers directly receive billing notifications, but Young said these are done through a third-party company that doesn’t provide emergency communications.

Councilors questioned why Carmel Utilities and the city didn’t use email lists maintained by the city’s marketing department.

“The city did not send out an email from the city email list to let people know. The city reshared some stuff on social media from Carmel Utilities, but we have so many tools at our disposal to get out messaging,” Aasen said.

The city lifted the boil advisory Aug. 13, but some councilors noted problems with communicating that message, too.

Councilor Matt Snyder said he was aware of a gas station in the affected area that still had its water off on Aug. 14. He said the owner of the gas station debated whether a Facebook post constituted a formal notification that it was safe to use water again.

“If we had a formal communication (system), and we don’t, obviously that wouldn’t have been much of an issue,” Snyder said.

Councilors praised Carmel Utilities for its operational response to the loss of water pressure.

Young also cited Carmel Utilities’ heavy reliance on one large water main as an area of concern. Mayor Sue Finkam said a new water tank under construction near 131st Street and Shelbourne Road should alleviate some of the water supply issues on the west side of Carmel. Young said it is projected for completion in August 2026.

DISPATCHES

Correction — In the Aug. 12 edition of Current in Carmel, a story about sister cities missated how long former Mayor Jim Brainard served in office. He served seven terms, with his final four-year term ending in 2023.

Ram wins Cincy Open doubles title — Ra-

jeev Ram, a 2022 Carmel High School graduate, and Croatia’s Nikola Mektic captured the Cincinnati Open, a Masters 1000 event, Aug. 17 by rallying to defeat the Italian duo of Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego 4-6, 6-3, 10-5. It was Ram and Mektic’s first tour-level event together and only third time they played together.

Court docs: Teens robbed man before shooting him Aug. 9

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

An Aug. 9 shooting that seriously injured a man at Carmel’s Gramercy apartments occurred after four teens attempted to rob him, according to a probable cause affidavit.

POLICE

The shooting occurred at 5:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Golfview Drive and led to multiple felony charges against four 17-yearolds: Malachi Hoffman, Dalen Peden, Jalen Peden and Beau Chanley.

According to the affidavit, the victim and his cousin traveled from Greenfield to Carmel to sell Muha Meds THC weed pens to Shanley.

Shanley told investigators that he and his accomplices intended to rob the victim during the meetup and that Dalen Peden provided most of the firearms. Hoffman brought his own gun, a Glock 17 BB gun.

The victim arrived in a 2009 Nissan Altima and met Shanley, who was standing next to a blue Infiniti SUV. Shanley pulled out a handgun, and three of his accomplices then exited the vehicles with their firearms.

Hoffman entered the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle and ordered him to give over everything he had. The victim told police he refused and was shot by Hoffman with the BB gun and thought he was also shot by another suspect.

Shanley told police that Dalen Peden also fired his weapon and struck the victim. He said Dalen Peden did not intend to shoot but fired when he heard the BB gun discharge.

Hoffman told police his BB gun discharged when the victim tried to reverse his vehicle and struck the SUV, with Hoff-

news@currentinwestfield.com

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for its Fall Citizen’s Academy. The 12 week course helps the community understand the inner workings of law enforcement.

Beginning Sept. 4, participants will meet

man’s hand also striking the SUV. Hoffman said he heard a gunshot soon after this happened.

The suspects then fled in their SUV. First responders transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with a gunshot wound to the ribcage. His cousin was not injured.

The victim told police during an interview at the hospital that the suspects stole $1,200 and a box of Muha Meds weed pens.

Carmel police identified the SUV, which is owned by Shanley’s father. Investigators executed a search warrant at 5:30 a.m. Aug. 10 at Shanley’s home in Carmel and recovered mobile devices, an empty Muha Meds box and $318.

Shanley’s mother confirmed he had used the SUV and identified Hoffman from police footage. Life360 GPS information provided by Shanley’s mother showed that Shanely was at the scene of the shooting and previously had been at the home of Dalen and Jalen Peden.

During a search of the Peden residence, CPD found four boxes of Mua Med vapes and “large quantities” of cash in Dalen Peden’s wallet, the affidavit states.

Current has contacted the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office for information about whether two additional juveniles tied to the incident have been charged but has not received a response. One 14-yearold juvenile was arrested on Aug. 10. Another juvenile, whose age has not been disclosed, was arrested Aug. 11.

A pretrial conference for Hoffman, Dalen Peden, Jalen Peden and Shanley will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 24. A final pre-trial hearing will take place at 9 a.m. Nov. 19 and a jury trial is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 1.

for 11 weeks of immersive training from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings. A graduation ceremony will take place at the end of the training session.

HSCO Sgt. Bryan Melton said this is the 31st class of the Fall Citizen’s Academy. Spots are limited. Register at hamiltoncounty.in.gov/1257/ Citizens-Academy-Online-Application.

senior’s consistency key to volleyball success

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

Hamilton Southeastern High School senior Madi Miles comes from a volleyball family.

Madi and twin sister

Raegan are seniors on the volleyball team, and their younger sister, Morgan, is on the Royals freshman team. They were introduced to the game by their mother, Olivia, who played in high school.

“I started playing recreation league at the end of third grade and started club in fourth grade,” said Madi, who has committed to play at the University of Illinois. “I played some other sports, but it was always volleyball. I just thought it was really fun. Playing club and all the tournaments is a fun experience.”

Madi, who is 6-foot-1, is in her fourth year on varsity.

“She is incredibly hard working,” Royals coach Jason Young said. “Madi is a tremendous teammate and role model to

MEET MADI MILES

Favorite athlete: Indy Ignite’s Anna Debeer

Favorite TV show: “Gossip Girl”

Favorite musical performer: Taylor Swift

Favorite vacation spot: On the beach in Florida

many of our younger players. Illinois is getting a fantastic volleyball player and an even better person. “

Madi said she has become a more consistent hitter through the years.

“I think my biggest improvement is consistency in keeping the ball in play, hitting different shots and not just hitting it to one spot and being predictable,” she said.

“That comes with experience.”

Naturally, Madi’s goal for the season is to win another state championship. The Royals captured the IHSAA Class 4A

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state title in 2022 and 2023 and lost in the semistate championship in 2024.

“We need more leadership this year since we graduated some really good players,” Madi said. “I’m a quieter player, but I’m really encouraging my teammates and try to keep a positive attitude.”

She plays club volleyball for Boiler Juniors.

“We have a really successful team,” Madi said. “We’ve won nationals two times.”

Madi has mostly played on the same team with her twin sister, who is a middle hitter for the Royals. Raegan has committed to play for Taylor University next season.

Madi committed to Illinois in the summer of 2024.

“I went to a camp there and I loved being coached by them,” she said. “They were great. The (Big Ten) conference is obviously competitive. Being in the Big Ten, my parents can go to games, which is something I really wanted.”

To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.

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Carmel High School science teacher a finalist for top state honor IREAD scores jump in Carmel Clay Schools

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

Carmel Clay Schools saw an increase in nearly every category in IREAD test results released Aug. 13. In six of the demographic categories tracked, CCS students hit five-year highs in passing rates.

EDUCATION

IREAD is a statewide assessment given to third graders in the spring. Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, second grade students also took the test.

Overall, 95.7 percent of CCS third grade students passed IREAD. That’s up from 91.5 percent in 2024.

The biggest single-year improvement came among multilingual learners, as their performance jumped 24.9 percentage points from 2024 to 2025.

Special education students achieved a 14.9 percentage point increase from 2024 to 2025 and a 25.1 percentage point increase since 2021.

Free and reduced lunch students and Hispanic students also achieved their highest percentage score in five years. The passing rate for Black students dipped slightly to 92.7 percent in 2025 from 92.9 percent in 2024, but the percentage was still second-highest in the last five years.

CCS also reported that 85.9 percent of second graders have passed or are on track to pass IREAD. This exceeds the standard of 80.5 percent set by the Indiana Department of Education.

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

Craig Harper, a biomedical science teacher at Carmel High School, has been named one of seven finalists for the 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year award.

EDUCATION

Harper, who was previously named the 2025 Teacher of the Year for Carmel Clay Schools, teaches the introductory Principles of Biomedical Science course and the capstone Biomedical Innovations course as part of Project Lead the Way at CHS.

ers, connecting more than 100 students to shadowing opportunities in specialties ranging from open-heart surgery and biomedical engineering to nursing and health policy.

“Mr. Harper stands out as an extraordinary educator whose passion, expertise and innovation leave a lasting mark on every student he teaches,” stated Dr. Thomas Oestreich, CCS superintendent, in a CCS press release. “His work not only transforms the lives of our students but also has a ripple effect nationally, as his alumni go on to make significant contributions to the medical and global health fields.”

Harper has created a network of more than 40 healthcare professionals and alumni guest speak-

open house

His students have had top-three finishes in the Innovate WithIN pitch competition, a state finalist team in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest and projects resulting in at least four provisional patents.

Previous Indiana Teacher of the Year winners from Carmel include Mark Weaver (2004, Clay Middle School) and Bernard Barcio (1986, CHS).

Other finalists include Derek Chastain, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation; Kasey Brubaker, Union County College Corner Joint School District; L.A. High, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation; Martin Briggs, La Porte Community School Corporation; Matthew Farrell, Lebanon Community School Corporation and Megan Johnson, Plainfield Community School District.

The Indiana Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall. For more, visit in.gov/doe/ educators/teacher-of-the-year

5 arrested child sexual exploitation sting

Five men were arrested and charged with allegedly attempting to sexually abuse minors following a threeday investigation led by the Boone County Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation Task Force and the Indiana State Police, in collaboration with the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The arrests were announced Aug. 18. According to a news release, investigators focused on identifying and apprehending individuals who used digital platforms to target minors for criminal activity. Undercover officers engaged with suspects online by adopting various identities. Interactions led to the arrest of individuals who traveled to Boone County intending to engage in sexual activity with minors. Arrested were:

• Ethan Craun, 27, Westfield — Charged with level 5 felony conspiracy to commit sexual misconduct with a minor.

• Zachary Bullock, 31, Indianapolis — Charged with level 4 felony attempted child molestation and level 5 felony child solicitation.

• Nicholas Bozzone, 27, Plainfield — Charged with level 4 felony conspiracy to commit child molestation, level 5 felony attempted sexual misconduct with a minor, level 5 felony child solicitation and level 5 felony attempted dissemination of matter harmful to minors.

• Evan Geeslin, 60, Richmond — Charged with level 5 felony conspiracy to commit sexual misconduct with a minor.

• Daniel Trusty, 36, Russiaville — Charged with level 5 felony conspiracy to commit sexual misconduct with a minor. ment.

The Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation Task Force was established in 2023. The multi-agency task force enhances both investigative and prosecutorial efforts, focusing on the prevention, investigation and prosecution of child exploitation offenses.

Vote center proposal draws mixed reaction

By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com

A proposal to use vote centers rather than precinct-based polling locations on Election Day drew mixed reaction at the Hamilton County Election Board’s Aug. 13 meeting.

ELECTION

Of Indiana’s 92 counties, 67 use Election Day voting centers, which allow voters to cast a ballot at any polling location within the county. In Hamilton County, they must vote at their assigned precinct.

Moving to voting centers would eliminate one of the most common problems to arise on Election Day: Voters showing up at the wrong precinct and being turned away. Board member Greg Purvis described this as “a persistent and real problem.”

“This happens at every polling place in every election. Some of those people end up finding where they need to go and voting, but we have people coming five to 10 minutes (before the polls close),” Purvis said. “So, those people, unless their correct polling place is very close — have no chance to vote.”

County officials are proposing 52 vote centers, less than half the number of polling locations open during the most recent election. Based on the number of voters in Hamilton County, state law would only require 26 vote centers.

“We felt (52 centers) gives us an extra cushion for any concerns of not being enough machines out in the county,” said board member Kathy Kreag Williams, a Republican who also serves as Hamilton County Clerk.

The plan calls for each center to have at least 10 voting machines, more than typically available at precinct voting sites. The total number of voting machines available is not expected to drop.

A switch to vote centers would allow the county to hire fewer poll workers. Currently, 500 to 700 workers are needed, but with the proposed model only 400 to 500 workers would be required.

A switch to vote centers would allow malfunctioning voting machines to be replaced more quickly, as backup machines would be programmed with all ballots rather than a ballot for a specific precinct. Purvis, the lone Democrat on the

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three-member board, said he is concerned the change could lead to longer lines and overwhelm workers.

During public comment, Keith Johnson, who moved to the county five years ago from Washington state, shared some of those concerns. He said under the existing system, many residents live within walking distance of their polling location, and he’s concerned the move to a reduced number of sites could lead to more difficulty getting there and longer lines for those that do.

“There’s a good chance that the (center) that’s the most convenient to the most people is going to be overwhelmed at some point, and you’re going to have the same situation that we had with early voting, with an hour’s wait to get in to vote,” he said.

However, most people who provided public comment spoke in support of the switch to vote centers.

Noblesville resident Lisa Dick, president of the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County, said she believes vote centers will lead to “greater engagement.” She said the system has been proven to work well in much of the state.

For the county to switch to vote centers, the election board must vote unanimously for the change. The Hamilton County Council and Commission must also vote in favor, although a unanimous vote is not required.

If the plan is approved, Hamilton County expects to begin using vote centers for the May 5, 2026, primary election.

Hamilton County residents may submit written feedback on the proposal through Sept. 13 by emailing Williams at Kathy.Williams@hamiltoncounty.in.gov. The plan is posted on the county’s website.

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Inaugural Opening Act 5K pairs with Carmel Porchfest

The inaugural Opening Act 5K run/walk, presented by the Carmel Road Racing Group, will take place at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 21, the same day as Carmel’s Porchfest.

RUNNING

The 5K starts and ends in Midtown Plaza. The route travels north on Monon Boulevard to the Monon Greenway, west through Meadowlark Park, south via Meadow Lane, York Drive and Guilford Road to City Center Drive before a northern turn for the finish.

The timed event will feature age group awards and medals for all finishers. Field Brewing Company will provide a complimentary beer that can be consumed in Carmel’s DORA district.

A unique feature of the race is a jazz band that will perform near the end of the 5K. Organizers timed the jazz band to greet runners in Midtown as they near the finish line. That feature is what gives the race its name as the “Opening Act” 5K and it also helps tie the event into Porchfest.

The cost to sign up before Sept. 19 is $40 for adults and

AT GRAND PARK VILLAGE

$20 for children 12-and-younger. Prices increase to $50 for adults and $30 for kids 12-and-younger after that date. The event also includes a virtual run option for $35.

Proceeds benefit the Carmel PorchFest Grant Program, which provides financial support to students interested in the musical arts. It covers items such as new instruments, lessons, schooling, musical opportunities and more in exchange for volunteer hours.

Those interested in participating can sign up at bit. ly/4lDICy0.

Current Publishing is producing a newsprint special section with event content. It will be inserted into its newspapers on September 9. This comprehensive guide will be delivered by U.S. Mail to 113,843 households in Carmel, Fishers/Geist, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville and North Indy. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to a ordably showcase your o erings to a well-heeled audience and help homeowners bring their projects to fruition.

This advertising opportunity is open to all BAGI members.

Indy Badminton Club finds home in southwest Carmel

By David Jacobs david@youarecurrent.com

After graduating from Indiana University in 2018, Fishers resident Mike Zhou — a former high school badminton captain in Canada — quickly rediscovered his passion for the sport. But access to a court wasn’t always easy to find.

SPORTS

“We essentially had to beg different public parks and YMCA gyms for court time,” Zhou said. “Everyone was just driving around constantly all the time. We were at a breaking point for something real. Indiana was the only state in the (region) that did not have a dedicated facility.”

Eventually, several members from the group pooled money to lease and create a “state-of-the-art facility” at 9801 Mayflower Park Dr, Suite 200, where Indy Badminton Club now operates with eight designated courts for badminton training and a small turf and free-weight area.

“None of this would have been possible without the rest of the community leaders,” Zhou said. “This was not a one-man show. The landlord was able to look up our Facebook group (of more than 1,000 members) and see we’ve been grinding away for the past couple of years and saw our population base.”

After signing a lease in February, Zhou and other club members began renovating the facility. They plan to host an Open Tournament in October and other events in the future.

“This is monumental for the entire (badminton) community,” Zhou said. “Everyone

is excited about our upcoming tournaments, and it has reignited their passion. I’m hoping that having a real facility will nudge schools to try out badminton as a varsity sport and introduce more youth (to the sport).”

Zhou wants the club to host large-scale tournaments and is in the process of getting qualified to host USA Badminton-sanctioned tournaments. Additionally, the Indiana Badminton Club is attempting to host next year’s Senior Badminton Tournament of the Indiana State Games.

The tournaments are important, but the primary use of the club is still for the casual amateur.

“All I wanted was for a place to exist like this,” Zhou said. “We want the entire community to treat this like home,” Zhou said.

IBC opens at 9 a.m. and closes between 10 and 11:30 p.m. depending on the day.

To reserve a court or learn more, visit indybadminton.com.

‘BACK DOOR CORRIDOR’

Present, future development along Michigan Road in Carmel has come into question by some

By Todd Golden todd@youarecurrent.com

In July, a rezoning request along Michigan Road sparked a larger debate amongst Carmel city councilors about the corridor and the emphasis placed on it by the city.

Councilors described the 1.8-mile stretch of road on the west side of Carmel as “underutilized,” “poorly served with no focus given to it” and “kind of forgotten about.” Some questioned the city’s vision for the corridor, which is home to a significant number of businesses and much of Carmel’s industrial area.

Anita Joshi, who represents the city’s West District, said much of the public perception of the corridor — which stretches from 96th Street to just southeast of 116th Street in Carmel — stems from a simple misconception.

“It is true that many of my own constituents do not recognize that the area on Michigan Road are Carmel businesses,” Joshi said.

Carmel annexed the area that includes Michigan Road in 2010, although the city’s involvement in the area stretches back even further.

According to Mike Hollibaugh, Carmel’s director of community services, Carmel zoning and building standards have been applied along Michigan Road since 1961, when the city signed a joinder agreement with Clay Township. Today, Carmel’s Unified Development Ordinance devotes six pages to building standards within the U.S. 421-Michigan Road Overlay District. It’s led to most buildings being constructed with brick and not being more than two stories tall.

The entire stretch of Michigan Road inside Carmel is also within the 96th Street & U.S. 421 Hamilton County tax increment financing district. The county established the TIF district in 2000, precluding any other municipality from using TIF there until it expires in 2031.

Joshi said she and others see the expiration of the county’s TIF as a window of opportunity for Carmel to begin its own redevelopment efforts there.

She said her constituents would like to see more niche restaurants and “higher end commercial product” along Michigan Road, which Joshi believes would help Michigan Road “become part of the Carmel landscape.”

“There are opportunities, I think, if we really want to take the time and effort to care about that area and to care about elevating it and bringing it kind of into the fold of Carmel,” Joshi said.

Michigan Road is unique in Carmel because it does not have roundabouts, which are prevalent throughout the rest of the city. Because Michigan Road, also known as U.S. 421, is a federal highway, it is managed by INDOT instead of the City of Carmel.

Still, Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam described Michigan Road as one of Carmel’s main gateways.

“The State of Indiana is responsible for its design and maintenance,” she stated. “I will continue working with

state partners to advocate for enhancements that benefit Carmel residents.”

The city’s 2022 comprehensive plan calls for “large lot mixed-use and commercial areas” along Michigan Road, and the city’s Mobility and Pedestrian Plan Map calls for a multi-use path running alongside it.

Joshi said Michigan Road isn’t currently developed to its full potential.

“We treat it as the back door corridor, instead of the Gateway corridor,” she said.

Not everyone agrees. John Pearson III, who was president of Pearson Ford from 1981 to 2019, believes the corridor has developed as intended.

“There’s just hardly any land, if any, available right up and down this road, which shows how attractive it is to the business community,” he said.

In July, several councilors expressed a desire to create a unified plan for Michigan Road that includes input from neighboring municipalities Zionsville and Indianapolis.

That coordination hasn’t happened yet and may take time to develop.

“We love Carmel. We think highly of Carmel, but we haven’t reached out to Carmel to coordinate with the design for the corridor,” said Mike Dale, Town Of Zionsville director of planning & building.

Joshi said it’s an effort worth exploring.

“It would be great to get local leadership together to talk about it,” Joshi said. “Mayors, councils from all three of those places (could) sit down and say, ‘ We’ve got an opportunity here.’”

PEARSON HAPPY WITH CARMEL’S INFLUENCE ON MICHIGAN ROAD

Pearson Ford opened in 1960 at 10650 N. Michigan Rd. before zoning, development and redevelopment efforts were considered in the Michigan Road corridor.

At the time, it was in a rural part of Hamilton County on U.S. 421, and it remained so into the 1980s.

“In five years, my father (John Pearson Jr.) said (retail development) was going to happen. And each five-year increment kept happening and yet development never occurred,” said John Pearson III, who was president of Pearson Ford from 1981 to 2019.

Pearson Jr. died in 1981, but he did prove prophetic. In the 1980s, more retail businesses developed on Michigan Road, and by the late 1990s, many of the ones that line Michigan Road today were constructed.

While some have criticized Carmel’s approach to Michigan Road, as a business owner, Pearson has appreciated the city’s influence.

“It has done nothing but enhance the value of the businesses and the overall ambience of the road,” Pearson said. “I think it’s one of the more handsome or excellent-looking roads in (the Indianapolis area), and I’m very grateful for it.”

Pearson believes that Michigan Road development has maximized its potential.

“I don’t know how it could perform any differently and be any better than it is now,” he said. “It’s a commercial road, I guess it’s the only way to say it, but it could be a lot worse without Carmel having (building) restrictions they put on. I’m very happy they did what they did.”

BEE Organized helps declutter

By Sara Palmer news@youarecurrent.com

When life gets overwhelming, whether it’s a major move, a growing family or simply too much stuff, BEE Organized Carmel offers support, structure and simplicity.

HOME

Launched in April 2024 by longtime Carmel resident Lori McKeever, 49, it is the only franchise in Indiana. Based in Kansas City, BEE Organized operates in more than 40 markets nationwide.

“I always knew I was going to get to a point in my life where I was going to have this business,” McKeever said. “I thought I’d start something from scratch, but when I found BEE Organized, it was such a perfect fit, and I became the 28th franchise.”

McKeever, who has lived in Carmel for 17 years, said her experience with cross-country moves, raising three daughters and managing the transitions of family life shaped her decision to open the business.

“I know what it’s like to move from state to state, to get kids to and from college, and to try to keep a home peaceful during all the different stages in life,” she said. “So, always trying to make our home a sanctuary and having systems in place just helps everything run smoothly.”

BEE Organized Carmel’s services include home organizing, move management and concierge support. From kitchens and closets to garages and attics, McKeever and her team of eight “BEEs” help clients declutter, pack, sort, donate and create systems they can maintain.

“I think there’s a real need for people to have resets, to create systems and processes when things get chaotic,” McKeever said. “We’ve all been there. We all have too much stuff, and we’ve all held on to things that maybe we shouldn’t have or that don’t mean as much to us as they used to. It’s about figuring out how to hit that reset button and get you where you need to be.”

A portion of the business involves helping clients through downsizing, aging in place or relocating to senior living communities.

“We help people figure out what they use, what they love and what they want to carry into the next stage of life,” McKeever said. “Then we take care of the rest, whether it’s donations, trash or coordinating vendors. The goal is to make it easier.”

McKeever said BEE Organized prioritizes compassion, confidentiality and a judgment-free experience.

“We’re not there just to do a straight pack. We want to help them focus on the things they truly want to carry into the next stage of life,” McKeever said.

The team works with clients of all ages, tailoring systems to personality and lifestyle.

“We use what works for the family. It’s all about sustainable solutions they can keep up once we’re gone,” McKeever said.

BEE Organized Carmel also offers maintenance visits, supports home remodels and partners with real estate agents, senior communities and remodeling companies.

For more information, visit BEEorganized.com/carmel.

DISPATCHES

Cate named Best-in-State Wealth Advisor — Carmel resident John Cate, a financial advisor with the Cate Brunton Luc Group, was named to the 2025 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list for over two decades of trusted leadership and client-focused service. He has also been recognized on the 2025 Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisors” and “Institutional Consulting Teams” lists. As part of the Merrill Institutional Consulting Group, Cate directs client initiatives across multiple areas: investment management; fiduciary best practices; retirement planning services; and wealth preservation for private clients. He is a graduate of Ball State University.

OneZone plans Cocktails & Constituents — OneZone Chamber will present its first Cocktails & Constituents event for business and community leaders and local elected officials, set for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Carter Green, Carmel. The event will feature Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam, Westfield Mayor Scott Willis and Zionsville Mayor John Stehr. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit onezonechamber.com.

Annual Event

CHARTING AMERICA’S FUTURE

An Evening of Big Trends, Bold Thinking, and Purposeful Leadership

Former Governor, State of IN

BRUCE MEHLMAN Partner, Mehlman Consulting

Thursday, September 11, 2025

5:30 - 8:00 PM (ET)

Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN

Healthy school strategies

Commentary by Dr. Bianca Maya

With the 2025-26 academic year underway, families are adjusting to new routines, responsibilities and expectations. Establishing healthy habits early in the school year plays a critical role in supporting children’s academic performance, emotional well-being and overall development.

WELLNESS

PRIORITIZING SLEEP AND ROUTINES

Adequate sleep is essential for learning, memory, mood regulation and physical health.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children ages 6-12 receive 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, while adolescents ages 13-18 require 8 to 10 hours. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, helps stabilize circadian rhythms and improves classroom performance.

Some habits to incorporate include keeping the room quiet, limiting caffeine and sugar in the evening and ensuring adequate physical activity no later than three hours before sleep.

MANAGING SCREEN TIME

For children ages 2-5, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting recreational screen use to about one hour per day, focusing on high-quality, interactional educational programming.

For children 6 and older, the emphasis should be on balance rather than strict limits. Families are encouraged to create routines for screentime.

MAINTAINING SCHOOL-HOME PARTNERSHIPS

Active communication between parents and educators is vital to student achievement.

Monitoring grades, reviewing homework assignments and addressing challenges early in the school year can help prevent problems from going unaddressed.

Although changes are inevitable, consistent efforts can build lasting habits that benefit children.

Dr. Bianca Maya is a pediatrician at Riley Children’s Health Pediatric Primary Care in Fishers.

Contacts can be for everyone

VISION Commentary by Dr. Frannie Fiechter

Contacts really can be for everyone. Whether you are an avid biker, weekend pickleball player or just want contacts for a glasses-free night out with friends, there are contacts for you.

There are so many new and innovative options for our patients right now. With huge options in daily disposable contacts, finding the most state-of-the-art, medically, and technologically superior lenses for you is now easier than ever.

The top reason individuals stop wearing contacts is poor comfort due to dry eyes, but with modern advances in moisturizing agents and smoother surfaces, these can be remedied in most cases.

There are many new contact lens materials and choices that have emerged in the past few years to suit many needs.

This is a great time to try contacts if you have never done so in the past, or if you haven’t had the best previous experience. Some of the newest technologies for astigmatism, multifocal and dry eye lenses have

come to market in just the past few years. You can now have the confidence to tackle your world and hobbies with your new vision options well taken care of. Many individuals are hesitant to try contacts because the unknown can be difficult. It is sometimes easier to do what you have always done. We are in an age of so many technological advances constantly emerging. The same is true for contact lenses. If you haven’t been successful in the past due to dry eye or some other reason, we will work with you to get you into some of the best materials for your comfort and success.

Whatever your reason, consider giving contacts another shot, you may be surprised by how easy it is and how happy you will be when we find the perfect fit for you.

Dr. Frannie Fiechter is an optometrist at Little Eyes Pediatric Eye Care. You may reach her at DrFiechter@LittleEYES.com.

currentnightandday.com

Concert to feature film composer Zimmer’s famous scores

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

German composer Hans Zimmer has a huge haul of honors through this career. Zimmer has been honored with two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, five Grammys, an American Music Award and a Tony Award. That legendary repertoire will be represented in “The World of Hans Zimmer: A New Dimension” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Fishers Event Center. This is the first North American tour for the production.

Zimmer, 67, does not perform on stage but is the show’s curator, producer and musical director. Matt Dunkley, who has worked with Zimmer for more than 20 years, conducts the performances.

“The idea is that this is a journey through his film music from over 40 years of film scoring from the early days of ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and ’The Rock’ right up to the present day like the Bond movie ‘No Time to Die’ and the second ‘Dune’ movie,” Dunkley said. “It’s just taking the audience through the amazing body of work. It’s just a wonderful evening of music nearly three hours long and a fantastic group of soloists and orchestra. It’s an amazing sound.”

Dunkley said Zimmer has a show where he performs with a band and a small orchestra.

“But it’s more of a rock and roll kind of show almost, so the idea was to recreate the scores live with a large ensemble with visuals and effects and make it a real sort of arena experience,” Dunkley said. “We’ve played in Europe for a few years and it’s been hugely successful, so this is the first time we’re bringing it to the states, so it’s very exciting.”

Dunkley said the program includes a wonderful solo cellist in Timothee Berte Renou. Zimmer’s crew learned about Renou through his YouTube posts.

After Renou missed earlier attempts to contact him through Facebook, the

native of France was contacted by email by Zimmer’s team about the possibility of auditioning.

“My first message back to them is ‘I’m pretty sure this is a scam and I’m not interested,” Renou said. “It just seemed so huge and exciting that I couldn’t believe it was even true.”

He was given 48 hours to send a recording from Zimmer’s “Hannibal” movie with all the musical instrument digital interface files.

“That’s when I knew it was the real deal,” he said. “I went in the studio and worked really hard to get that recording down. At the time, I was living in the states for 12 years and working graveyard shifts at the railroad. I stayed up for 30 hours trying to get the recording done. I guess I got really lucky. I still feel extremely lucky to be part of this production. Being able to play for so many people, such beautiful music, it’s just a blessing.”

Renou, who went to Indiana University for a master’s degree when he first moved to the U.S., joined approximately a year ago and has been through two tours in Europe.

Dunkley has conducted several of

Zimmer’s famous scores in the recording studio, including music from two of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, “No Time to Die” and “The Dark Knight.”

“But to be able to conduct this music in front of a large audience brings a whole different direction to it,” he said. “You look around the audience and you see people crying. They are really moved by the experience.”

Dunkley said it’s a real privilege that Zimmer asked him to conduct those shows. The performance includes film clips, but they are not shown all the time.

“It’s a good mix of innovative visuals that represent the music but quite abstract,” he said. “Then we have live cameras that pick out our soloists, so they really connect with the audience. Then we mix the visuals from the movies as well. It’s a really creative mixture.”

In addition to the soloists and the orchestra, there are four singers and a small chamber choir.

“You get your money’s worth with this show with a stage full of musicians,” Dunkley said.

For more, visit fisherseventcenter.com and worldofhanszimmer.com

‘WAITRESS’

“Waitress” runs through Aug. 31 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET

“Now That’s Funny — Comedy Night” is set for Aug. 28 and “The Magic of David Ranalli” Aug. 29 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

FISHERS BLUES FEST

The Fishers Blues Fest is set from 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 30 and 31 at Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in Fishers. For more, visit npdamp.com.

DISPATCH

Glick Art donation supports CSO’s Music Matters concerts — The Carmel Symphony Orchestra announced Glick Art has awarded funding to support the orchestra’s Music Matters concerts, which bring live symphonic music to more than 1,000 schoolchildren across central Indiana. Two Music Matters concerts will be performed Oct. 27 in the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The concerts are designed for fifth- and sixth-grade students and introduce young audiences to the sights, sounds and stories of the orchestra. “By funding the Music Matters concerts, Glick Art continues to champion access to cultural experiences that enrich lives and strengthen communities,” said Marianne Glick, founder and CEO. Nancy Sutton, the CSO board chair, said “Thanks to Glick Art’s generosity, we can continue providing transformative live music experiences to children who might otherwise never have the chance to hear an orchestra in person. This support allows us to inspire the next generation of musicians, patrons and arts advocates.” The Music Matters program aligns with the CSO’s mission to engage the community through outstanding musical performances, education and outreach.

Artists

Raitis Junkers - Latvia | Ms. Sayuri Kyotani – Japan | Ms. Akiyo Tanaka – Japan

Global Representatives

Cortona, Italy | Jelgava, Latvia | Kawachinagano, Japan | Rueil-Malmaison, France

Seiffen, Germany | Visakhapatnam, India | Greek Community | Ukrainian Community Indiana Association of Chinese Americans

Performers

Parea – Greek | Natyalaya School of Arts - Indian | Chinese Community Indiana Bellydance Collective | Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre ...and more!

ICC’s ‘Voyages’ set to launch

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

The Indianapolis Children’s Choir is opening its 40th season, and executive artistic director Joshua Pedde has been a fixture with the organization for much of that time.

MUSIC

Pedde, a Carmel resident, is in his 10th year as artistic director and 25th year as an ICC employee. His first position was a student conductor for ICC founder Henry Leck.

that the ICC has toured to every continent, except Antarctica.

He said there are several choirs participating in “Voyages,” including Beginning Level Choirs that have locations in Carmel, Fishers, Hendricks County, Boone County, Johnson County, and in Indianapolis at Butler University and the ICC Performing Arts Center. The concert also will include the ICC’s more advanced singers in Lyric Choirs, Indy Voice and Master Chorale.

The season-opening concert, “Voyages,” is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center in Zionsville.

“All of the music is repertoire from past ICC tours around the world, so they will be a great reflection of this special aspect of being a member of the ICC,” Pedde said. “One of my personal favorites is ‘The Castle of Dromore’ from the very first tour that I participated in as an ICC director, which was to Ireland.”

Pedde said he loves to share the fact

“We plan on having some very special guests that are going to elevate the performance to give a taste of the cultural experience that our singers get when they travel abroad on tour,” Pedde said. “We are still finalizing our guests, and they won’t be past directors or necessarily ICC members, but current arts partners from the community.”

Season tickets and single concert tickets are available for the 2025-26 season. The ICC gala, “A Touch of Red,” is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at Ritz Charles in Carmel. For more, visit icchoir.org

UPCOMING ARTISTS

The Center Celebration 2025 presented by Ice Miller with headline performance by Richard Marx is SOLD OUT! We’re so grateful to the many generous people and companies who will join us to support Allied Solutions Center’s wide range of arts and educational programming, from big-name concerts to classes and lectures to free events for schools to our Prism Project arts camp for youth with disabilities – and the list goes on.

FHS alum realizes lifelong dream

By David Jacobs david@youarecurrent.com

MUSIC

Blake Liller was first introduced to the drums when he was 4 years old, messing around on an old drum set in his basement. Slowly getting more involved with music as he grew up, Liller has signed on to tour with cinematic rock band City of Sound.

“I pretty much grew up on the game Rock Band,” he said. “I started getting into church bands at Mercy Road (in Carmel) in fifth or sixth grade, and that was great practice because you have to play live on stage. Throughout high school, I did marching band and got to learn a lot through that.”

Upon graduation from Fishers High School in 2023, Liller and several friends from his Mercy Road church band formed their band — separate from the church — and performed throughout Indiana, mostly at youth group camps and retreats.

You can still join us in continuing to bring these programs to the community. Visit TheCenterPresents.org/Donate to make a tax-deductible donation to Allied Solutions Center and its mission.

Liller’s church connections continued to pay dividends as one of his producers at Mercy Road connected him with City of Sound lead singer and Carmel resident Jordan Wright once he learned Liller had been a fan of the band’s music.

“It’s just a surreal opportunity,” Liller said. “Jordan and I are huge gamers, so I watched him play Rocket League (on YouTube). So, to be watching somebody like that, and then one random day, you wake up and they’re like, ‘Hey, come play some events for us.’ It’s just crazy to even think about.”

As Liller prepares for his debut slated for Aug. 28 at Dragon Con — a pop-culture, sci-fi, fantasy and gaming convention — in Atlanta, Ga., he never thought he would be playing on such a big stage.

“To play an event as big as Dragon Con as my first event with them, that’s a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity,” Liller said.

For more, visit cityofsoundmusic.com.

NIGHT & DAY

Fishers musician plans debut

By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

As a Fishers resident, Tommy Baldwin is naturally eager for his first opportunity to perform in the Fishers Blues Fest.

BLUES FEST

“First off, I love that Fishers supports the blues, because honestly, in my opinion, it is one of the most important genres of our time because it created rock, it created pop, and all these genres that are massive now,” Baldwin said. “There are a bunch of blues festivals that tons of people show up to, which I love.”

Baldwin is tentatively scheduled to open the two-day 13th annual Fishers Blues Fest at 5 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. The Aug. 30 headliner is Ruthie Foster and the Aug. 31 headliner is D.K. Harrell. Admission is free.

“When I learned about it years ago, I was like, ‘How do I get on that?,’” Baldwin said. “It’s finally time to jump on it and hopefully do it justice.”

A North Central graduate, Baldwin is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. Baldwin, 29, said the band will play most-

Tommy Baldwin, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, is set to make his debut in the Fishers Blues Fest. (Photo courtesy of Rich Voorhees)

ly original songs with a couple of covers. His recently released second album is called “Nappy Headed White Boy.”

The tentative schedule is Aug. 30: 5-5:45 p.m.: Tommy Baldwin; 6-7 p.m.: Danny Garwood; 7:15-8:15 p.m.: TBA and 8:30-10 p.m.: Ruthie Foster. Aug. 31: 5-5:45 p.m.: Rebekah Meldrum: 6-7 p.m.: Gordon Bonham Blues Band: 7:15-8:15 p.m.: Solomon Hicks and 8:3010 p.m. D.K. Harrell.

“This year’s lineup showcases a rich mix of talent, combining seasoned artists with emerging musicians,” said Marissa Deckert, who helps run the event as Fishers Parks and Recreation director.

For more, npdamp.com and tommybaldwinmusic.com.

NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

CARMEL, INDIANA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM THE CITY LAW ENFORCEMENT AID FUND (FUND #910)

Ordinance D-2783-25

Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana, that the proper legal officers of the City of Carmel, at their regular meeting place at Carmel City Hall, One Civic Square, Council Chambers at 6 p.m. on the 15th Day of September 2025, will consider the following appropriation in excess of the budget for 2025:

$94,374 from the CITY LAW ENFORCEMENT AID FUND #910 To City Law Enforcement Aid Budget Line Item 4467099 – Other Equipment – $94,374

The source of revenue for the above is the City Law Enforcement Aid Fund (#910) for forfeiture proceeds. Taxpayers appearing at the meeting shall have a right to be heard. The additional appropriation as finally made will be referred to the Department of Local Government Finance. The Department will make a written determination as to the sufficiency of funds within fifteen (15) days of receipt of a certified copy of the action taken.

Jacob Quinn,

Clerk

NOTICE OF PROJECT ADVANCEMENT – (Level Up 31 DES#2002530)

August 2025

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will advance the Level Up 31 improvement project to the next phase of development with construction anticipated to begin in Summer 2025.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) held a public hearing in May 2025 for an improvement project, Level Up 31, located at the US 31 and I-465 interchange. The project extends from north of Meridian Street and 96th Street to two miles north along Meridian Street/US 31 to the US 31 over 116th Street bridges. The project also includes the eastbound and westbound I-465 ramps to Meridian Street/US 31 in Hamilton County. The hearing was held as part of the environmental analysis phase as required per the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Public involvement is an important element of a comprehensive decision-making process. The need for the proposed project is due to current and future traffic operations, congestion, and safety concerns at the US 31 and I-465 interchange.

The project includes widening of the eastbound and westbound I-465 ramps to US 31 from the current single lane in each direction to two lanes in each direction. Southbound US 31 from 116th Street to 106th Street will also be widened to provide better access for the southbound US 31 ramps to I-465. This project removes I-465 traffic traveling to 106th Street from the system ramps and routes that traffic onto northbound Meridian Street through signalized intersections at the existing ramp terminals and then onto 106th Street.

Environmental analysis documentation will remain available for public inspection during normal office hours at INDOT’s Central Office, Major Projects (100 N. Senate Ave. Rm N758, Indianapolis, IN 46204) and on the project website at LevelUp31.com.

NOTICE FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

City of Carmel, Indiana

Purchasing Agency: City of Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety One Civic Square City of Carmel, Indiana 46032

Department: Carmel Police Department

Project: City of Carmel Request for Proposals for Health Services, Annual Medical Examinations and New Hire Testing

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Public Works and Safety for the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana, will receive proposals, not later than 9:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, September 3, 2025, via the City of Carmel’s e-Procurement Portal at https:/procurement.opengov.com/portal/carmelin for the following project: City of Carmel Request for Proposals for Health Services, Annual Medical Examinations and New Hire Testing

No late bids will be accepted. The specifications are attached and set forth in detailed documents on file via the City of Carmel’s e-Procurement Portal at hups: procurement.opengor.com portal/carmelin.

Questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted to the portal prior to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. All responses to questions will be publicly posted to the portal. Please call Donna Wilham (317) 571-2721 to confirm whether any such written questions and/or responses exist.

No offeror may withdraw any bid or proposal within a period of thirty (30) days following the date set for receiving bids or proposals. The City of Carmel reserves the right to hold any or all bids or proposals for a period of not more than thirty (30) days and said bids or proposal shall remain in full force and effect during said period. The City of Carmel reserves the right to reject and/or cancel any and all bids, solicitations and/or offers in whole or in part as specified in the solicitations when it is not in the best interests of the governmental body as determined by the purchasing agency in accordance with IC 5-2218-2.

As provided in the request for proposals and/or under the rules or policies of the City of Carmel, discussions may be conducted with, and best and final offers obtained from, responsible offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award. Any contract will be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the City of Carmel, taking into consideration price and the other evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals.

Jacob

Quinn, City Clerk

A fabufantastic museum

Commentary by Dick Wolfsie

“Indianapolis doesn’t have a bad reputation; it has no reputation,” says retired award-winning journalist Will Higgins. He’s only half kidding, which means he is half right.

HUMOR

According to Will, the quirky, eccentric stories about his home city have never been really celebrated. Higgins learned of some of these untold tales by listening to old-time reporters back in the ’90s as they recounted their experiences tracking down stories. “We’ve got a freaky cultural history, and I want to tell it,” Higgins proclaims. The result is the Museum of Fabulosity on the southeast side of Indy in the Garfield Park area. The exhibit is part of a contemporary art museum called the Tube Factory at 1125 Cruft St. The neighborhood is dotted with charming businesses like a tattoo parlor, a vintage clothing store, a retro kind of hardware store and coffee shops.

Inside Will’s space are some 16 displays that reflect the cheeky history of the Circle City. As you enter the museum, a myriad of “props” draws your attention to stories that Will has written in his inimitable style. For example, the pole in the corner of the room is not the actual pole that Mauri Rose Kirby sat atop in 1958 for almost a year as part of a restaurant promotion, but the story is true, all 71 feet of it. While the

artifacts are not authentic, they direct you to the stories that chronicle a rich history of unconventional and unusual Hoosiers. It’s also not the actual purple velour shirt worn by the flamboyant and convicted pimp, the late Jerry Hostetler, whose equally ostentatious house on East Kessler Boulevard was not a sight for sore eyes, but an eyesore for many years. And still is.

Then there was the so-called hanging farmer from Illinois who came to Indy to assist in the execution of George Barrett, convicted of killing an FBI agent. The Illinois man was summoned because he, well, let’s say, knew the ropes.

Then there’s the fascinating story of Elfrieda Mais, a racecar driver wannabee who often ran a few laps prior to regional races around the nation to demonstrate her prowess. Maybe she was the country’s first female racecar driver. She also walked on the wings of planes, possibly the air-apparent of future stunt women. And then there’s John Dillinger, whose proficiency at baseball led to his learning how to rob a bank.

The exhibit is only open till Sept. 20.

Wolfsie is an author, columnist and speaker. Contact him at wolfsie@aol.com.

READER’S VIEW

A

price worth paying

Editor,

I agree with the exasperation regarding “civility” by Mr. Senuta (Current letter to the editor, Aug. 5). (Former Gov.) Mitch Daniels might have been a more civil president, pursuing some of the same issues as President

Trump — except Daniels didn’t run for the office. If the price of secure borders, Iran defanged and billions globally pouring into our country is a lack of civility — I say it beats what we had.

David Crutchfield,

Carmel

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.

LIFESTYLE

16. Butler dorm alternative 17. Flower part

18. ___ Severin Hotel

19. Fishers Arts Council monthly event

36. White River angler’s gear

37. Move like a bunny

40. KGB counterpart

42. Toy bricks

43. “Sweet!”

46. Put on WTHR

47. Beast of burden

48. Fancy footwear

49. Daily journal

51. “Well, ___-di-dah!”

53. Short time, for short

54. Surf with a remote

58. Bigfoot’s Himalayan kin

60. Smoothie berry

61. Cherry centers

64. Tied

65. Engine knock

66. IU conference foe

67. “The Way We ___”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL PLAN COMMISSION

Docket No. PZ-2025-00162 PP/DP

Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Plan Commission meeting on 9/16/2025 at 6:00P.M. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Square, Carmel, IN, 46032 will hold a Public Hearing upon an Application for Site Plan and Design for a Major Subdivision to be known as Jackson’s Grant Village Section 3. The site is located at the NW corner of 116th Street and Springmill Road. The application is identified as Docket No. PZ2025-00162 PP/DP.

The applicant seeks site plan and design approval for 21 townhomes on 3.321 acres. The real estate affected by said application is described as follows:

Tax ID Parcel No(s): 17-09-34-00-00-020.000 & 17-09-34-00-20-052.000

All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.

Petitioner Name: John McKenzie with Homes by McKenzie, Inc.

68. Org.

69. Religious offshoot Down

1. DOJ branch

2. Neither’s partner

3. Hamlet or King Lear, e.g.

4. Minimal amount

5. Model X maker

6. Door sign

7. Declare

8. “Good heavens!”

9. Wild animal track

10. Cinnamon blend for a Thanksgiving recipe

11. Raggedy doll

12. Hit the slopes

20. Part of 66-Across

21. Unexpected problem

22. Indiana Statehouse VIP

23. Sellout inits.

26. U-turn from WSW

27. Banned pesticide

29. Tuna type

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA

Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Common Council, on September 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Carmel City Hall Council Chambers, One Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana 46032, will hold a Public Hearing to consider proposed Petition which would vacate certain public way abutting the Petitioner’s Property at 570 1st Ave SE. The public way to be vacated is located entirely within the City of Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana.

A copy of the proposed Petition is on file and open to inspection in the Office of the Clerk, City of Carmel, One Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana 46032.

All interested persons desiring to present their views on the proposed ordinance will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place. The hearing may be continued from time to time as may be found necessary.

Jacob Quinn, Clerk

30. Indianapolis Opera voice

31. Picks up the tab

34. Indy Zoo beasts

35. Fruit trees

38. ___ del Rey, Calif.

39. Indiana State Road that runs from Angola to Lawrenceburg

40. Rogue

41. Midafternoon, on a sundial

44. Browns, on a Lucas Oil

Stadium scoreboard

45. PC key

48. LBJ’s veep

50. German river

51. Tilts

52. Set straight

55. California wine valley

56. WTTV military drama

57. Musical composition

58. It sounds like you

Night before 62. Pampering, briefly

Took a seat Answers on Page 27

STATE OF INDIANA ) IN THE HAMILTON CIRCUIT COURT ) SS: COUNTY OF HAMILTON ) CASE NO. 29C01-2505-MI-005462

IN RE THE NAME CHANGE OF ) BRITTANY STRADLING ) Petitioner, ) )

NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Brittany Cierra Stradling, whose mailing address is: 10237 Central Avenue, Carmel, Indiana, 46280, in the Hamilton County, Indiana, hereby gives notice that Brittany Stradling has filed a petition in the Hamilton Circuit Court requesting that her name be changed to Brittany Cierra Baker.

Notice is further given that the hearing will be held on said Petition on October 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, /s/ Brittany C. Stradling Petitioner

Date: May 20, 2025

/s/ Kathy Kreag Williams, Clerk

PUZZLE ANSWERS

TV’s!

This is a 2nd floor unit with wide exterior stairs.

We have Fall and Winter Snowbird discounts for longer stays that you can’t pass up. To rent, you must be 25.

Please email for pricing and we will send you a link to the photos of the condo and its location. mcnallygroupllc@gmail.com

Moms at Sea is proud to be based in one of the nation’s best family centric communities - Carmel, IN. We believe that there is no better time than the present to celebrate time with our loved ones. And we believe there is no better place to bring the entire family together - all the generations - than on a Royal Caribbean ship, and that is where we have focused our expertise.

Our team was JUST onboard Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas. Our founder, Jamie Margolis Ross,

was one of FIVE travel advisors worldwide invited to take a first look at Star of the Seas. She boarded the ship in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and was onboard as it sailed into its new home port of Port Canaveral, FL, for the first time.

When Moms at Sea advisors preview a ship, we are looking for all the details our guests care about most. Things other’s overlook! Below, you can even see a picture of our advisors checking out the length of a pull-out sofa in a family cabin!

Some of the team’s favorite things on Star of the Seas:

Crown’s Edge - a skywalk and ropes-course that ends with a surprise drop, sending you gliding 154 feet above the ocean.

And even when we’re traveling- because Moms always find a way to do it all- we’re plugged in and connecting with our guests!

Of course - trying out the cocktails.