What stories do you remember from 2019?
As the year nears its end, the Reporter presents what we believe were the top news stories in Hamilton County during 2019. They involve some of the good news events and some of the bad, but they deserve reviewing as we head toward a new year.
1
The No. 1 story is the election of 2019, which saw a new mayor, Chris Jensen, chosen to head Noblesville government for the next four years. With an aggressive agenda, the youthful Jensen breezed through the May Republican primary and was then unopposed in the November general election. Democrats also made news when they elected three city councilors in Fishers and Carmel, which sent a wake-up call through Republican ranks.
2
The second story involves major downtown redevelopment plans in Noblesville. Like Carmel and Fishers, the city began with a mixed-use development known as the Levinson. It will include apartments, retail and underground parking along Maple Avenue between 8th and 9th streets. The construction is well underway at year’s end as another bigger project was announced. It involves a new complex at 6th and Conner streets, occupying more than a city block. Details have not been revealed, but because the project will displace the major county parking lot, officials are proceeding with plans for a multi-level parking garage on both sides of Clinton Street east of 8th Street.
3
$160 million development along 116th Street in downtown Fishers. Preliminary work is already underway for a large development along 116th Street in downtown Fishers, near the municipal complex. First Internet Bank will be moving its headquarters there, and Browning investments will be building commercial, residential and hotel facilities.
4
Allegations of wrongdoing in the County Treasurer’s office resulted in a long investigation taking most of the year. It finally ended in November with a finding of no evidence of criminal activity. A discharged employee had claimed delinquent tax payments had been allowed without penalties. State Police conducted an investigation and a special prosecutor had been appointed who said there was insufficient evidence to pursue the matter.
5
The long-running debate over the future of the Nickel Plate Railroad in Hamilton County was finally ended in the spring. A new Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad began excursion trains in June, running north from Noblesville while the rail tracks south toward Indianapolis were slated to become a multi-use pedestrian and bike trail. The Heritage Railroad was created and backed by the county tourism bureau.
6
Hamilton County Court Magistrate Will Greenaway was arrested in March for alleged illegal drug possession. The incident came as a shock to most who knew Greenaway.
7
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Allen Bourff has been discussing the possibility of having elementary students start school earlier and secondary students reporting later. This is the result of medical studies showing older students need more sleep. The community meeting held to gather comments found a number of parents opposed to the change, but some voiced support. School administrators plan to have a recommendation for the school board early in 2020.
8
Street and highway construction continued throughout the year. Preliminary work began on the massive conversion of State Road 37 to a parkway-style road without traffic signals. More roundabouts were built in Fishers, Carmel, Westfield and Noblesville in the effort to move increasingly heavy traffic more smoothly.
9
In sports and recreation, Carmel High School won its fourth state basketball championship in March, and followed that up with a record ninth state title in football in November. Public recreational opportunities were expanded with completion of several miles of new walking and bike trails throughout the county.
10
School security continued to be of increasing concern to school officials, law enforcement and the general public. This year. Local schools spent or are planning to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on more resource officers, metal detectors, alarms, cameras and other devices.
11
Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, Governor Eric Holcomb and global healthcare leader Abbott announced plans to develop a new manufacturing site in Indiana, creating more than 450 new jobs, in two phases, by the end of 2024. The Westfield City Council paved the way for the announcement by approving its incentive package.
12
An increase in local income taxes was approved in October to finance the Emergency 911 communications center. Effective Jan. 1, 2020, county residents will see a 25 percent increase in their 1 percent local income tax. The tax hike was brought about in an effort to equalize financing of the 911 center. Until now, most of the $10 million annual cost has been paid by only the county’s largest municipalities.
13
The drug crisis, especially the often-caused deaths from opioids, continued during year, but the toll may be slowing with the increased use of the Narcan. This remedy can reverse the effects of an overdose if administered quickly after a victim becomes unconscious.