Local News

Christopher Allen "Chris" Whicker

8/24/2019 Christopher Allen "Chris" Whicker, 44, Sheridan, passed away Tuesday evening, Aug. 20, 2019 at Riverview Health in Noblesville surrounded by his loving family. He fought a long and courageous battle against kidney disease for more than 20 years during which he received two transplants.
John “Wendell” House

8/24/2019 John “Wendell” House, 93, formerly of Hamilton County, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, in Matthews, North Carolina.
Danny Ray Weaver

8/24/2019 Danny Ray Weaver, 63, of Noblesville, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019, at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis.
Daniel Glenn Ward

8/24/2019 Daniel Glenn Ward, Sr., 70, of Noblesville, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Community Heart & Vascular Hospital in Indianapolis.
Keith Hampton

8/24/2019 Keith Hampton, 69, formerly of Monterey, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at his home.
Champion griller, top 4-H’er learns life skills

8/24/2019 Evelyn Burton grew up a 4-H’er in Howard County, and her parents were both 4-H’ers before that, her mom in Wabash County, and her dad, in Rush County.
So it was kind of expected that her two sons, Alan and Daniel, would be in 4-H, too.

“It was never something we even talked about. It was just expected that they would be a part of the 4-H program,” said the Noblesville mom, whose late mother, Rebecca Wilson, was Hamilton County’s Microwave project leader for many years.
“Fortunately, both of my boys were outgoing, and they both loved it once they got into it. It was never a question or a battle. They just both enjoyed it.”
Today, Evelyn Burton is thankful for the 4-H program. She said, “I just think it’s one of the best programs for young people.”
Gala, Arts Awards coming soon

8/23/2019 The countdown has begun.
On Sept. 18, Nickel Plate Arts will hold its seventh anniversary gala with the fourth edition of the Nickel Plate Arts Awards to celebrate the area’s burgeoning arts scene and recognize some of the most valuable artists and arts advocates.
The gala will take place at the Mill Top Banquet and Conference Center and feature dinner by Jacquie’s Catering, wine from Mr. G’s liquors, live music, hands-on arts experiences and a live auction during Nickel Plate Arts’ premiere fundraiser of the year.
“This year’s gala is critical to Nickel Plate’s overall financial health,” Aili McGill, executive director for Nickel Plate Arts, said. She added that it “also allows us to share the stories of how the members of our creative community are improving the quality of life within and promoting economic development throughout the Nickel Plate region.”
Positive steps taken in alcohol, drug efforts

8/23/2019 The Hamilton County Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs is a team dedicated to preventing and reducing alcohol and illegal drug use in Hamilton County. Comprised of members spanning a broad cross section of public and private agencies and organizations, the Council meets regularly to provide resources and funding on the topics of alcohol and drugs. The primary goals of the group focus on prevention and education, intervention and treatment, and criminal justice.
During the recent August meeting, several positive announcements were made by members of the coalition receiving funding and support from the Council.
The Community Opioid Prevention Effort announced that with the addition of northern communities, all fire and law enforcement agencies will be on-board with the Quick Response Teams.
All local hospitals are now included in referring overdose patients as well. There are more than 85 community members and organizations working together in partnership to ensure the success of the outreach program.
Chamber, PHHC lead way

8/23/2019 Bob DuBois, Noblesville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, and Janet Gafkjen, Executive Director of Partnership for a Healthy Hamilton County, have successfully completed the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives national professional development program designed to boost innovative community health initiatives.
Professionals selected for ACCE’s year-long Healthy Communities program participated in a design thinking lab in Alexandria, Virginia that helped to develop and implement a plan to tackle a specific community health challenge. DuBois and Gafkjen chose to invest their time to help launch Workforce Employee Assistance Program and establish the Chamber Healthy Noblesville Alliance in partnership with PHHC Community Based Health Coalition initiatives.
Heirbrandt among officials to visit federal agencies

8/23/2019 Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt was among Indiana officials who the Whitehouse Office of Intergovernmental Affairs invited to participate in a Regional State Leadership Forum. The meetings are designed for county leaders. The forums include briefings and discussions with multiple federal agency representatives to share information about local government issues.
Attendees had the opportunity to tour the Whitehouse and visit the offices of the National Association of Counties (NACo), an organization representing counties across the country.