Statewide Severe Weather Alert System Test Scheduled for March 11

03/10/2025 (updated 03/10/2025)

Attention Lapel Residents,

Governor Mike Braun has declared March 9-15, 2025, as Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana. As part of this initiative, the Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with multiple state and national agencies, will conduct a statewide and countywide test of emergency communication systems.

Test Details:

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025

⏰ Time: 10:15 AM EDT / 9:15 AM CDT

📢 Includes: Madison County EMA Outdoor Warning Alert Sirens

This test is designed to evaluate our preparedness and response capabilities in the event of severe weather. Madison County EMA will also conduct an internal drill at their Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to assess their ability to coordinate a severe weather response.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week aims to educate residents on the dangers of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes while ensuring that everyone knows how to respond when severe weather strikes.

Be Ready & Stay Informed

• Know the difference between a Watch and a Warning

• Understand Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, and Flash Flood Warnings

• Use this test as an opportunity to practice your severe weather plan

Although clear weather is expected, if conditions change, sirens will not be activated.

For more information, visit the Madison County Emergency Management & Department of Homeland Security website.

Stay safe and stay prepared, Lapel!

Tigers charge back in fourth, beat Millers for repeat title

03/10/2025 (updated 03/10/2025)

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CARMEL – Fishers head coach Garrett Winegar didn’t overcomplicate the situation when his Tigers huddled before the start of the fourth quarter Saturday night. With his top-ranked Class 4A Tigers tied with rival Noblesville, 38-38, during the Sectional 8 title game inside the Eric Clark Athletic Center, Winegar simply reminded his players who they were.

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Mt. Vernon’s Unlikely Heroics: A Sectional Title Story

03/09/2025

Mt. Vernon wins sectional the hard way: back-to-back wins over top-5 teams, state’s best player

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Mt. Vernon Wins Sectional in Thrilling Fashion: Marauders Outlast Greenfield-Central in Double OT

In a game for the ages, Mt. Vernon edged past top-ranked Greenfield-Central 83-76 in the Class 4A Sectional 9 championship, marking their first sectional title since 2018. The Marauders received a clutch performance from junior guard and Purdue recruit Luke Ertel, who scored 36 points, including the game-tying three-pointer with 8 seconds remaining in regulation.

The game saw a back-and-forth affair, with Mt. Vernon trailing by as many as 14 points in the first half. However, the Marauders rallied and tied the score twice in regulation, including with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter. Greenfield-Central always had an answer, but Ertel’s heroics ultimately proved to be the difference.

Ertel’s 36 points led the Marauders, who received additional contributions from Ryker Baer (13 points), Elijah Parra (11 points), and Tyler Davis (10 points). The team’s rallying cry, “We want to stay steady,” proved true, as they withstood a 38-point performance from Greenfield-Central’s UConn commit Braylon Mullins.

The victory marks Mt. Vernon’s first win over Greenfield-Central and comes on the heels of a 76-60 triumph over No. 5 Anderson in Friday’s semifinal. The Marauders now advance to face Brownsburg in the regional.

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By Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star,

15 hours ago

Central Indiana Boys Basketball Sectional Champs Crowned: Live Updates and Highlights

03/08/2025

IHSAA boys basketball scores: Central Indiana sectional finals live updates, highlights

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IHSAA Boys Basketball Sectional Trophies Lifted Across Indiana Tonight

The action-packed world of high school hoops is upon us! Tonight, the IHSAA boys basketball sectional trophies will be lifted, and we’re here to bring you the excitement live. Stay tuned as we provide real-time scores and highlights from the Central Indiana sectional championship games.

For a comprehensive look at statewide scores and the complete schedule, simply click the link provided. And don’t forget to bookmark our page for a preview of the IHSAA basketball regional pairings and schedule to come.

Personally, I say that sectional week is my favorite portion of the season – if only it could be a bit more efficient. Nevertheless, we’re here to cover it all for you.

Hit refresh for the latest updates:

Here are the sectional finalist scores from around the state:

Class 4A

  • Sectional 8 (at Carmel): Fishers 55, Noblesville 46
  • Sectional 9 (at Muncie Central): Mt. Vernon 83, Greenfield-Central 76 (2OT)
  • Sectional 10 (at Lawrence Central): Lawrence North 74, North Central 59
  • Sectional 11 (at Avon): Brownsburg 52, Ben Davis 49 (2OT)
  • Sectional 12 (at Decatur Central): Mooresville 57, Franklin Central 51
  • Sectional 14 (at Columbus East): Whiteland 63, Columbus East 59

Class 3A

  • Sectional 25 (at Frankfort): Guerin Catholic 63, Tri-West 39
  • Sectional 26 (at Shortridge): Crispus Attucks 71, Shortridge 55
  • Sectional 27 (at Cascade): Northview 70, Speedway 40
  • Sectional 28 (at Shelbyville): New Palestine 65, Roncalli 55

Class 2A

  • Sectional 37 (at North Montgomery): Western Boone 55, Seeger 37
  • Sectional 42 (at Park Tudor): University 58, Cardinal Ritter 43
  • Sectional 43 (at Christel House): Triton Central 37, Scecina 30

Class A

  • Sectional 58 (at Luthern): Lutheran 59, Metropolitan 49
  • Sectional 59 (at Edinburgh): North Decatur 49, Edinburgh 36

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Indianapolis, Indiana

Tragic Crash Claims Two Lives, Leaves Two Critically Injured in Madison County

03/07/2025

2 people killed, 2 seriously injured in rural Madison County crash

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Tragedy Strikes at Rural Intersection: 2 Killed, 2 Seriously Injured in Fiery Crash

A devastating collision at a rural intersection in Madison County, west of Lapel, has left a community reeling after two people were killed and two others seriously injured.

According to authorities, a 2009 Nissan Xterra SUV and a 2015 Jeep Wrangler collided about 9:50 a.m. yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two 49-year-old men: the SUV driver and a passenger sitting in the rear driver’s-side seat. A 55-year-old woman, who was a front-seat passenger, and a 51-year-old passenger, whose gender was not disclosed, were airlifted to Indianapolis hospitals with serious injuries.

The Jeep’s 18-year-old driver, who was the only occupant, was not physically injured. The cause of the crash appears to be the SUV’s failure to yield, as it entered the intersection on County Road 825 West and collided with the Jeep, which was traveling west on County Road 200 South. North-south traffic is halted at the intersection, which is nestled about a half-mile from Lapel High School. The intersection is located in a rural area approximately a 55-minute drive northeast of downtown Indianapolis. The identity of the victims has been withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Madison County Coroner’s Office.

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Madison County, Indiana

Fatal Crash Near Lapel Claims Two Lives

03/06/2025

2 dead after vehicles collide near Lapel

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Tragedy Strikes in Madison County as Two Lives Lost in Vehicle Collision

A devastating crash occurred at the intersection of 200 South and 825 West in Madison County on Thursday morning, resulting in the loss of two lives. According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, a 2015 Jeep Wrangler and a 2009 Nissan Xterra were involved in the collision, which occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the Nissan failed to yield and entered the roadway in front of the Wrangler, resulting in the fatal crash. Four adults were inside the Nissan at the time of the collision, including the 49-year-old driver and a 51-year-old rear passenger. The driver of the Jeep Wrangler, an 18-year-old, was uninjured in the crash.

Unfortunately, the 49-year-old driver of the Nissan and the 51-year-old rear passenger succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased. The two remaining passengers in the Nissan were transported to an Indianapolis hospital with serious injuries. The names of the deceased have not been released pending notification of their families.

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Madison County, Indiana

Road Construction Updates for Lapel, Indiana: What You Need to Know for 2025

03/06/2025 (updated 03/06/2025)

Hey, Lapel residents! As we roll into March 2025, it’s time to talk about what’s happening on the roads around our little corner of Madison County. Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or just enjoying a drive, here’s the latest on planned road construction that might affect you this year. I’ve dug into the details from INDOT and other sources to keep you in the loop—because nobody likes being caught off guard by a road closure or traffic delay!

Nearby Construction on State Road 32: New Stop Signs Coming Soon

Starting March 10, 2025, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is making some changes just west of Lapel along State Road 32. They’re installing new four-way stop signs at the intersections of SR 32 and Durbin Road and SR 32 and Prairie Baptist Road in Hamilton County. This isn’t right in Lapel, but if you head west toward Noblesville or beyond, you’ll notice the difference.

  • What’s Happening? INDOT is adding stop signs, rumble strips, flashing lights, and advance warning signs to make these intersections safer and easier to navigate.
  • How Long? The work should wrap up in about two days, barring any weather surprises (fingers crossed for a dry spell!).
  • Impact on You: Expect a brief disruption—maybe some slowdowns or a detour—while crews get this done. Once finished, these new stops could slow your trip a bit, but they’re designed to cut down on accidents. If SR 32 is your go-to route west, plan for an extra minute or two starting mid-March.

Workplace Safety Violations Issued to Owens Brockway Glass in Lapel

03/06/2025 (updated 03/06/2025)

The Indiana Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) has issued multiple serious safety violations to Owens Brockway Glass Container Inc., located at 2481 S Brookside Rd in Lapel, IN. The violations, cited during an inspection conducted between July 11 and September 16, 2024, resulted in a total proposed penalty of $13,500.

Transparency in Education: Allegations of Concealment Trout School Board Members

03/06/2025

Witnesses accuse school board members of ‘hiding’ political affiliations

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Bill to Make School Boards Partisan Elicits Divided Testimony from Witnesses

About 40 witnesses from across the state, including over a dozen from Hamilton County, weighed in on Senate Bill 287, which would require school board candidates to declare a political party and run in primary elections. The current nonpartisan system has been in place for decades.

The legislation has drawn both praise and criticism from those who testified before the House election panel. Supporters, such as Sen. Gary Byrne, say it would boost transparency for voters, as school board candidates often conceal their political leanings from constituents.

Dina Ferchmin, a recent candidate for the Carmel Clay Schools board, argued that hiding one’s party affiliation allows candidates to "present themselves as neutral figures with no political leanings," but "that ship has sailed" given the existing politicization of the curriculum.

Kristina Wheeler, a new member of the Carmel Clay School board, countered that the narrative is "false" and that voters are already aware of the political affiliations of those they elect. She also highlighted endorsements from both sides of the aisle.

Others, like Washington Township Schools board member Steven Thompson, worry that requiring party declaration would "crush the hopes of people" who want to help but don’t want to be tied to partisan politics. Several witnesses, including those working in the judiciary or for federal employers, said they would be prohibited from taking partisan office under Indiana’s Code of Judicial Conduct and the Hatch Act.

The bill’s author, Sen. Gary Byrne, also aims to provide more information to voters, citing that it would give them "one more piece of information" to consider when casting their ballots. Rep. Kyle Pierce agreed, noting that other specialized elected roles, such as coroner or surveyor, are already partisan.

Concerns were raised about the potential for voters to research candidates less, with Carmel resident Jim May accusing supporters of targeting the votes of "wholly uninformed" Hoosiers. Cecilia Poynter suggested addressing transparency concerns by banning school board candidates from using partisan indicators on their materials and requiring school district websites to include links to candidate information.

Senate Bill 287 would also increase school board pay from the current $2,000 maximum by tying compensation to 10% of starting teacher salaries, with a minimum of $40,000. The legislation will be revisited, with several amendments expected to be offered before a potential House vote.

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Hamilton County, Indiana

Fishers’ Top-Ranked Squad Keeps Title Hopes Alive

03/05/2025

First round? ‘That should be a state championship game.’ No. 1 Fishers holds off No. 3 Westfield

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There were no nets cut down after Tuesday’s first-round sectional game at Carmel, but it felt like there should have been. No. 1 and defending Class 4A state champion Fishers held off a furious fourth-quarter rally by No. 3 Westfield for a 54-47 victory in Sectional 8. The prize? Survival. The only thing that matters this time of year.

“I thought it was a great, great high school basketball game,” Fishers coach Garrett Winegar said. “You just hate to see it on the first night of the sectional.”

The sentiment was shared by Westfield coach Shane Sumpter, who saw his team rally from a 13-point deficit to cut it to 50-47 with 1:01 left. The sellout crowd of more than 3,500 fans was at full throat as the Shamrocks nearly forced a steal, then were forced to foul Cooper Zachary, who knocked down both free throws.

On the next Westfield possession, Nathan Baker dove to the floor at midcourt and was able to corral the ball and get a timeout. JonAnthony Hall added the exclamation point with a dunk to allow Fishers to move into Friday night’s semifinal game against Zionsville (12-12).

“Five guys have to do their job,” Winegar said of Baker’s steal. “(Justin Kirby) had a good denial and we had good on-ball pressure. Then we had a deflection, and Bake gets on the floor. It’s usually not just one guy who makes that play. A lot of guys made that play at the most important time.”

Fishers (25-0) has won 38 consecutive games, a streak that has come with its share of close calls. One came earlier this season against Westfield, when the Tigers had to rally from a 15-point second half deficit for a 67-64 win. Hall, who led Fishers with 18 points, said he could sense the confidence from Westfield even before the game started.

“That swagger only seemed to grow after Drew Haffner drilled a couple of long 3-pointers in the first quarter,” Hall said. “When teams match up against us, you can see their captains and see it’s like almost fake tough. But I looked at all three of them and they all seemed like they felt they could beat us. I think their confidence is what caught me the most.”

Fishers led 26-22 at halftime and seemed to take control with a third quarter run that included an alley-oop from sophomore Jason Gardner Jr. to Hall. Fishers led by 11 points going into the fourth quarter.

The Shamrocks nearly forces a steal, then were forced to foul Cooper Zachary, who knocked down both free throws.

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By Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star,

21 hours ago

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