Theft suspect sought – The Carmel Police Dept. is investigating multiple thefts from Walgreens at 1424 S. Range Line Rd. that occurred between April and October. The individual pictured is suspected of stealing various items from the store on multiple occasions during that timeframe. The total value of the stolen merchandise is approximately $5,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD at 317-571-2500 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. Reference CPD case number 2022-60075.
Super Smash Bros. success – Clay Stults of Carmel High School took fifth place in the Spartan Smash 2022 at Manchester University. Stults was among nearly 200 high school players competing at the North Manchester campus. At the one-day invitational, players compete in a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament for scholarships and bragging rights. Each of the top eight players are eligible for a $3,000 Esports Scholarship award to attend Manchester. This would be in addition to any other financial aid for which they would otherwise qualify.
Commissioner named president – Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt was elected to serve as 2023 president of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners during its annual conference. As president, Heirbrandt will represent the elected county commissioners in Indiana’s 92 counties. He will be president of the IACC’s board of directors, which determines policies and legislative goals for the association.
Free COVID-19 tests – Genepace Solutions in Carmel is giving away excess COVID-19 testing kits that expire on Dec. 31. The business at 316 S. Range Line Rd. has been providing COVID-19 testing throughout the pandemic but does not expect to be able to use the tests it has on hand before they expire. The tests are the Carestart brand manufactured by AccessBio. Each box contains two tests. The free tests may be picked up at Genepace Solutions. Learn more by calling 463-999-9877 or at genepacesolutions.com.
Bicentennial kickoff – The Hamilton County Bicentennial will open the county’s 200th year with a free, family-friendly event at 3 p.m. Jan. 22, 2023, at the Palladium in Carmel. Michael Feinstein, artistic director for the Center and founder of the Carmel-based Great American Songbook Foundation, will perform and emcee the program, which will include remarks from local dignitaries and engaging performances by area artistic talent. Attendees will receive a goodie bag as well as potentially a special, limited quantity commemorative item. Tickets for this seminal event are free but must be reserved in advance at thecenterpresents.org/tickets-events or by phone at 317-843-3800.
Best Buy theft – The Carmel Police Dept. is investigating a theft that occurred at 4:36 p.m. Nov. 28 at Best Buy at 10025 N. Michigan Road. As part of that investigation, CPD is attempting to identify the individuals pictured. Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD at 317-571-2500 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. Reference CPD case number 22-76107.
Silver Pen writing competition – The Stratford is accepting essay submissions through Feb. 10, 2023, for the 10th annual Senior Living Communities Silver Pen writing competition. The Stratford will award three local high school seniors with cash prizes up to $2,500 to assist with their post-graduate plans. Award recipients will be announced in the spring. For the full rules and to submit an essay, visit Silverpen-SLC.com.
Phi Kappa Phi initiation – Bandith Carr of Carmel was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Carr was initiated at Ball State University. Carr is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.
Miler Series registration open – The 2023 500 Festival Miler Series running/walking events will start at a new location: Fowling Warehouse Indianapolis. The series features courses at 3-mile course on Feb. 11, a 6-mile course on March 4, and a 10-mile course on April 1 to help participants prepare for the organization’s Mini-Marathon, which is 13.1 miles, in May. Registration for the series is open at IndyMini.com/Milers.
Holiday Lights Recycling Drive – Carmel Clay Schools’ Green Teams, City of Carmel Utilities, City of Carmel, Tech Recyclers and White’s Ace Hardware are working together to offer a Holiday Lights Recycling Drive. Residents can recycle used and unwanted holiday lights through Jan. 20, 2023, at White’s Ace Hardware, 731 S. Range Line Rd. Since the start of the collaborative program, more than eight tons of holiday lights have been recycled. Recycling inoperable or inefficient holiday lights keeps those items out of landfills, which reduces the long-term carbon impact on the environment.
CPD seeking information – Carmel police are seeking information regarding four people (pictured) who are believed to have taken numerous bottles of liquor from Payless Liquors, 14580 River Rd., just before 1 p.m. Nov. 3. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Mike Morley at 317-571-2500 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. Reference CPD case number 20-70453.
Synergize benefits kNot Today – At its last 4:30 Meetup, Synergize gathered at 3Up in Carmel to help local children by benefitting nonprofit kNot Today, which generates awareness, initiates prevention strategies and supports restorative services to end sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking of children. Founded in 2019 by Linda Reich and her husband, former Colts head coach Frank Reich, kNot Today works with schools, families and churches to provide tools that prevent crimes against children. The event raised $2,300 for kNot Today. Each monthly Synergize 4:30 Meetup benefits a nonprofit making an impact in Indiana.
Bicentennial ambassadors needed – High school sophomores and juniors interested in history and community can apply to serve as Hamilton County Bicentennial Ambassadors through a program sponsored by the 2023 Hamilton County Bicentennial Committee. Student ambassadors will serve as a bridge from the past to the future through conversation and public engagement from January through December 2023. Apply online through Nov. 30 at docs.google.com/forms/d/1o-3mZxYeP_WY2ncO0MzytCNensGRmdWTx5RLJy26-hQ/viewform?edit_requested=true.
Ice skating tickets available – Tickets for the Ice at Carter Green are on sale. The rink will be open Nov. 19 through Feb. 26, 2023. Skate sessions last 90 minutes, unless noted on the skate session calendar. The cost per session on all days is $10 for adults and youth 11 and older, $8 for children 10 and younger. Skates may be rented for $4 per person. Buy tickets and learn more at theiceatcartergreen.com/tickets.
Princess Program applications – The 500 Festival is accepting applications for the 2023 500 Festival Princess Program. Applications are available at 500Festival.com/Princess. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Jan. 8, 2023. The program provides 33 women from Indiana colleges and universities with the opportunity to make an impact during their college years as ambassadors of the 500 Festival and its mission to enrich lives and positively impact the community. Each 500 Festival Princess will also receive a $1,000 scholarship.
State’s cutest dogs – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the Indiana Destination Development Corp. and Indiana’s First Dog, Henry, are searching for adorable dogs in great locations across the state through the Visit Indiana Cutest Dog Photo Contest. A different winner will be selected every week for one year. Each winning dog will get a note from Indiana’s first dog, an exclusive ‘More To Discover IN Indiana’ dog bandana, a feature as one of the Cutest Dogs IN Indiana on the Visit Indiana social channels. To enter, upload a photo or video of your dog to Instagram, tag @VisitIndiana and use the hashtag #DogsINIndiana. Entries must include the location where the photo was taken.
Hamilton County Democratic Women meetings— The Hamilton County Democratic Women meet every third Saturday of the month at the Delaware Township Trustee Building 9090 E. 131st, Fishers. Conversations begin at 9:30 a.m., the meeting is from 10 a.m. to 11. All Hamilton County women are welcome.
Monthly beekeepers meeting – The North Central Beekeepers Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st St. in Westfield. Meetings are free to attend by all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.
HerMD to open in Carmel City Center – HerMD, a female-founded, physician-led organization that focuses on gynecology, menopause, sexual health and medical aesthetics, will open its first location in Indiana when it debuts Jan. 19 at 885 Monon Green Blvd. in Carmel City Center. HerMD currently operates three locations in Cincinnati, Crescent Springs, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn. Learn more at hermd.com/locations/indianapolis-in.
November home sale stats – Carmel experienced a quieter residential real estate market in November. According to F.C. Tucker Company, homes in Carmel spent 11 days, or 91.7 percent, longer on the market than in November 2021. The average home sale price in Carmel was $514,027, an increase of .5% compared to this time last year. The average price per square foot for a home in Carmel also increased, up 12.4 percent to $211.31.
Holiday card design winner – CNO Financial Group announced the winner of its fourth annual corporate holiday and New Year’s card competition is a watercolor snow globe scene from Reed Barton, 12, son of Emily Barton, a paralegal for CNO in the Carmel office location. The winning artwork will be used as the image on CNO’s official 2022 corporate holiday card. As the contest winner, Reed received an art kit, a $500 gift card and $500 from CNO to donate to a charity of his choice: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Governor’s Fellowship – Applications will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2023, for the 2023–24 Governor’s Fellowship, which provides a unique experience in Indiana state government by placing fellows in various state agencies on a rotating basis throughout the year. The program is open to college graduates who receive a bachelor’s degree in the summer or fall of 2022 or spring of 2023. Fellows are paid, full-time employees who participate in the day-to-day activities of state government. Apply at in.gov/gov/governors-office/governors-fellowship-program.
Student Leaders internship program – The 2023 application for Bank of America’s Student Leaders paid internship program is now open through Jan. 13, 2023. Selected students will participate in an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization to learn first-hand about the needs of the community and the critical role nonprofits play. They will also attend a leadership summit to learn how government, business and the nonprofit sector work together to address critical community needs. Learn more and apply at cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/quiz.display_question?x_gm_id=1499&x_quiz_id=5082.
Mask mandate reinstated – Community Health Network has reinstated its mask policy for caregivers, patients and visitors because of a steep rise in COVID-19, flu and RSV patients at its hospitals. The mask requirement, which took effect Dec. 12, is being implemented at all sites of care throughout central Indiana, according to the hospital system. The mask mandate comes a week after Community Health Network said that temporary visitor restrictions would take effect at all its hospitals because of an increase in flu cases across Indiana. For more, visit ecommunity.com/visitor-guidelines-covid-19-flu.
Diabetes specialist opens office – Dr. Hisham Allababidi has opened a Carmel office of Franciscan Physician Network Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists. He is part of a team of physicians and advanced practice providers who treat adults who have diabetes, thyroid conditions or endocrine disorders. The Carmel office is at Franciscan Health Carmel, 12188-B North Meridian St., Suite 250. Board-certified in endocrinology, Allababidi was on staff with Deaconess Health System in Evansville before joining Franciscan Health.
RRCA selects Carmel Half Marathon – The Road Runners Club of America has designated the 2023 Carmel Half Marathon as its Central Region Championship event for its 13th annual race on April 8. The RRCA Championship Event Series is the largest grassroots-organized running series in the U.S. with more than 200 races participating that attract nearly 300,000 participants. RRCA Championship Events are designated annually at the state, regional and national level through a competitive bidding process. As part of the Championship event, RRCA will provide awards for the top Carmel Half Marathon finishers residing in RRCA’s designated Central Region. Registration is available for the Carmel Marathon Weekend at CarmelMarathon.com.
Diabetes Prevention Program – Franciscan Health is offering a Diabetes Prevention Program, an initiative that provides a supportive environment where participants work together in small groups to learn about healthier eating and boosting their physical activity to reduce their contracting diabetes. The program is led by a trained lifestyle coach in a classroom setting and delivered over a 12-month period. Participants must be at least 18 years old, overweight (body mass index over 25), diagnosed with prediabetic conditions or diagnosed with gestational diabetes at any time. Qualified participants can reach out to [email protected] or call 317-528-4962 to inquire about the program and to register.
Blood donation guidance updated – The American Red Cross invites those who spent time in the U.K., Ireland or France and have never tried to give blood because of concerns over variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) – related to mad cow disease – to give blood and help save lives. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its blood donor eligibility guidance on vCJD, eliminating the deferral for those who spent time in the U.K., Ireland and France between 1980 and 2001. In alignment with FDA changes, the Red Cross began accepting donations Oct. 3 from individuals who have not tried giving blood before due to the prior donation criteria. Learn more and schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.
500 Festival launches Living Well Program – The 500 Festival has launched the Living Well Program, a no-cost, resident-based health initiative for apartment complexes to promote resident wellness and build community. It includes discounted registration for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K, training resources and built-in support to reach health goals. It also features head-to-head competition against other apartment complexes for an award for resident participation. Learn more at indymini.com/p/mini-marathon/register/living-well-program.
Hospice volunteers needed – Brighton Hospice in Carmel is looking for volunteers to help office staff perform a variety of office duties such as organizing admission paperwork, filing, preparing and sending mail, answering phones, stocking supplies and helping with special projects and events. Hours and days for this volunteer opportunity are flexible and training will be provided. To learn more, contact Katresha Taylor, volunteer coordinator, by calling 317-798-2160 or by email at [email protected].
