Fatal accident – A single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred the afternoon of Dec. 5 on the U.S. 31 entrance ramp to I-465 is under investigation. According to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, Galindo Clemente, 34, of Indianapolis, who was driving a red Ford F150, was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause and manner of death are pending autopsy and toxicology results.
Restaurateur dies in plane crash – Nathan Finney, president and owner of Finney Hospitality Group, and flight instructor Warren Bruhl died in a plane crash at 4:50 p.m. Nov. 22 in a field near Shelbyville. Bloomington-based Finney Hospitality Group owns several restaurant brands, including Social Cantina. No one else was aboard the plane.
Skate with Santa – The Ice Skating Club of Indianapolis will host Skate with Santa from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Carmel Ice Skadium, 1040 3rd Ave. SW. Attendees can ice skate, visit with Santa, meet his elves and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. ISCI club members will be on hand to assist first-time skaters and demonstrate their skating skills. Cost is $12 per person or $30 for a family of four and includes admission, skate rental, cookies and hot chocolate.
Book signing – Pastor Paul Swartz, a Carmel resident and author of “Twin Populist Reform Warriors 500 Years Apart: Martin Luther & Donald Trump,” will sign copies of his book from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Barnes & Noble, 14790 Greyhound Plaza in Westfield. Learn more about the book at youarecurrent.com/2023/09/10/retired-carmel-pastors-book-draws-similarities-between-luther-trump.
Award-winning app – Jasper Zhu of Carmel High School is the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District. Zhu’s winning app, “I Pooped There,” allows users to find the cleanest public restroom wherever they are located. Zhu and his teammate, Jackie Wei of California, used JavaScript to create their mobile app. “I Pooped There” will be showcased on House.gov and will be part of a rotating display in the Cannon House Office Building leading to the U.S. Capitol.
Ball State board appointments – Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has reappointed Carmel resident Mark Hardwick, CEO of First Merchants Corp., and appointed Carmel resident Craig Dobbs, managing director with Graystone Consulting, to the board of trustees of Ball State University. Both terms end at the end of 2027.
Service academy nominations – U.S. Senator Todd Young has nominated three Carmel High School students for U.S. service academy appointments. Andrew Wolfe has been nominated for the U.S. Air Force Academy, Christian Wiegmann has been nominated for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and Christine Hu has been nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy.
Icehounds reunion set — The 50th anniversary of Carmel Icehounds will be celebrated Dec. 16 at the Carmel Ice Skadium. Members of the first few teams, including the 1976 state championship team, will be honored before the 8:15 p.m. varsity game with Westfield. The junior varsity game will be at 10:15 p.m.
Parks board reappointment – Dr. Judith Campbell was recently sworn in following her reappointment as a Hamilton County Parks and Recreation parks board member, a position she has held for nearly 20 years. Her appointment to another four-year term was made by Judge Thomas Clem. Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Kreag Williams conducted the swearing-in proceedings. Campbell will serve as board treasurer.
Silver Pen Writing Competition – The Stratford is presenting the 11th Annual Senior Living Communities Silver Pen Writing Competition. The senior living community will award cash prizes up to $3,750 to assist three local high school seniors with post-graduate plans. A panel will judge 1,000-word essays exploring the topic of what new subject the author proposes be taught for the rest of the school year. Essays must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2024. For the full rules and to submit an essay, visit Silverpen-SLC.com.
Visual artwork proposals sought – Indiana-based visual artists are invited to submit proposals for a $2,500 commission from the Center for the Performing Arts and a one-year display of the resulting work in the main lobby of the Palladium concert hall. The initiative is an extension of the Center’s New Works performing arts commission project, now in its third year. The winning visual arts work will be unveiled June 1, 2024. Proposals will be accepted through Jan. 5, 2024. Learn more at TheCenterPresents.org/NewWorksVisualArts.
Recycle holiday lights – Carmel residents may recycle holiday lights at White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center, 731 S. Range Line Rd. through Jan. 19, 2024. For the first time this year, the shop will offer 10 percent off a purchase of LED holiday lights when an old set is dropped off to be recycled. The program is a partnership between Carmel Clay School’s Green Teams, Carmel Utilities, the City of Carmel, Technology Recyclers and White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center. Learn more by calling Carmel Utilities at 317-571-2673.
Leaf, landscape waste removal – Carmel residents may leave up to 20 bags or bundles of landscape waste, including leaves, for pickup each week through Dec. 15. The bags should be left out on the regular waste pickup day. The service is provided free of charge.
Operation School Bell – The Assistance League of Indianapolis is seeking donations to support its Operation School Bell program, which provides apparel and shoes for thousands of underserved students in Indianapolis. Each student receives a duffel bag that includes a winter jacket, socks, shirts, pants, toothbrush and more. Learn more and donate at alindy.org/operation-school-bell-mailer.html.
Remove invasives, receive free plants – The Hamilton County Invasives Partnership and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District will provide up to three, 3-gallon native trees or shrubs for free to Hamilton County residents who show proof of removal of an invasive species from their property. Learn more at hcinvasives.org.
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 for all levels of beekeepers located centrally north of Indianapolis. Those interested in becoming beekeepers are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/ncbclub.
Telamon Logistics launches – Carmel-based Telamon Corporation has launched Telamon Logistics, a venture dedicated to providing specialized logistics services tailored for the burgeoning Internet of Things market. Telamon Logistics will offer a comprehensive suite of services that include bundling and kitting of IoT devices, quality control checks, customized assembly and configuration, professional packaging solutions, scalable operations for growing demand, inventory management and end-to-end fulfillment and distribution. Additionally, the venture will provide installation services and interoperability and network compatibility testing. Learn more at telamon.com/logistics.
The Plaid Agency earns award – The Plaid Agency, a Carmel-based full-service marketing, advertising and public relations firm, has received the national Gold Davey Award for integrated cause marketing for the Believe in You campaign. Created in partnership with the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Believe in You is designed to empower at-risk youth by providing them with vital tools, resources and support to build mental wellness, coping strategies and positive thinking skills. Learn more about the agency and campaign at believeinu.today.
PMG hire – Carmel-based Pence Media Group has hired Sarah Cox Dedrick as senior public relations and marketing strategist. She has more than a decade of strategic communications, public relations and marketing experience. She has worked in several specialized industries, including higher education, special needs, hospitality and immersive digital experiences.
IMCU donates to CHS athletics – Indiana Members Credit Union recently presented a check for $1,500 to Carmel High School athletics as part of an ongoing school spirit debit card program. The partnership allows Carmel fans the opportunity to show their school spirit and support the athletic program by signing up for a Carmel Greyhounds-themed debit card. Every time the card is used as a signature-based transaction, Carmel athletics benefits. Since beginning the program in 2013, CHS athletics has earned $17,331 through this program.
The Stratford receives honor – The Stratford in Carmel has been certified as a Great Place to Work for the fourth consecutive year. The certification is based on an anonymous survey completed by team members at The Stratford. In addition to being Great Place to Work, The Stratford was named a Fortune’s Best Companies to Work for in Aging Services. As a result of the Great Place to Work certification, The Stratford was eligible for Fortune’s list, which details companies who prioritize employees.
Gourmet Tastings at Regalique – Regalique, 110 W. Main St., Suite 120, in Carmel, is hosting Gourmet Tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. At the free event, guests can sample gourmet products, including chocolates, honey, cheese and more. Learn more at Regalique.com.
Vaccines available – Kroger Health is offering vaccinations for flu, RSV and COVID-19 at Kroger grocery and Little Clinic locations, including in Carmel at 1217 S. Range Line Rd. and 10679 N. Michigan Rd. While customers can choose to walk-in to receive vaccines, they are also welcome to make an appointment. To learn more or to make an appointment, visit kroger.com/vaccinations.
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].
