Trash, recycling rates to rise – The City of Carmel is continuing its collaboration with Republic Services with a seven-year residential trash and recycling contract under a new ordinance approved by the City Council last month. The new contract with Republic Services covers all residents and began on Jan. 1. Rates will increase from $13.31 to $14.70 per residential customer. The rate will gradually rise to $19.07 over the next six years under the terms of the contract. The city sought bids on this service from qualified providers and Republic Services was the low bidder by more than 13 percent.
School board officers – The Carmel Clay Schools board of trustees elected officers for 2024 at its Jan. 8 meeting. They are Kristin Kouka, president; Jennifer Nelson-Williams, vice president; and Louise Jackson, secretary.
Commissioners elect president – Mark Heirbrandt has been elected president of the Hamilton County commissioners. He replaces Christine Altman in the role. Steve Dillinger will serve as vice president. Election of officers is an annual practice at the first meeting of each year.
Earth Day Art Contest – Carmel Green Initiative is inviting youth in kindergarten through 12th grade to enter the 2024 Earth Day Art Contest. Entries will be displayed at several community exhibits to inspire the community to live more sustainably. Entries are due Feb. 16. Learn more about the contest at CarmelGreen.org.
500 Festival seeking volunteers — The 500 Festival hosted an event Jan. 10 to kick off 2024 registration for its volunteer program. The event at OneAmerica Tower in Indianapolis provided an opportunity for OneAmerica associates to register to be a volunteer for the mini-marathon. To volunteer for the 500 Festival, visit 500festival.com/volunteer.
Apply for Governor’s Fellowship – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb is accepting applications through Jan. 31 for the 2024–2025 Governor’s Fellowship. The fellowship is highly selective and 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 their bachelor’s degrees beginning in either summer or fall of 2023 or spring of 2024. Fellows are paid, full-time employees who participate in the day-to-day activities of state government. Learn more at in.gov/gov/fellowship.htm.
New Ivy Tech chancellor – Ivy Tech Community College has appointed Rachel L. Kartz as the new chancellor of the Hamilton County campus. Kartz recently served as interim chancellor and vice president for academic affairs for the campus. Kartz joined Ivy Tech in 2014 as the assistant department chair and assistant professor of English for the Indianapolis campus. Raised in Milwaukee, Wis., Kartz was the first in her family to attend college. She has a bachelor’s in business administration and human resources from Marquette University, a master’s in creative writing from Eastern Washington University, and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Indiana State University.
Apply for city boards – Carmel Mayor-elect Sue Finkam launched a new website for Elevate Carmel, Inc. featuring a portal for residents to apply for seats on boards and commissions active in city hall. Carmel residents seeking involvement are encouraged to apply at elevatecarmel.com.
Recycle holiday lights – Carmel residents may recycle holiday lights at White’s Ace Hardware & Garden Center, 731 S. Range Line Rd. through Jan. 19. 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.
Waterfowl workshop/training registration open — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has scheduled a workshop for those who want to become qualified as Waterfowl Control Operators and conduct Canada goose management activities for hire during the 2024 season. The training is set for noon Jan. 24 in building 701 at Fort Harrison State Park. Those who have attended the workshop in the past may opt to test out. Employees of WCO contractors are welcome to attend, but only those individuals physically conducting waterfowl trapping, transporting, relocating and/or euthanizing for hire are required to attend. The workshop is free, but registration is required. Contact Jessica Merkling at 260-244-6805 or [email protected] by Jan. 19 to register.
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. For the full rules and to submit an essay, visit Silverpen-SLC.com.
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 hires – Carmel-based Telamon Corporation has hired Alex Herpin has joined as vice president of operations in the Industrial Solutions Division, and Dan Strunk has joined Telamon as general counsel. Herpin is a native of France and graduated with his MBA from Bordeaux Business School. He started his career in purchasing and increased his responsibility going global to both Mexico and the U.S., working in commodities, operations and management. Strunk grew up in Indianapolis and attended the University of Indianapolis, teaching at Pike High School before returning to the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University. Most recently, he served as assistant general counsel for a publicly traded, multinational, specialty chemical products manufacturer.
Employer-sponsored child-care grants available — The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has expressed its support for the governor and Family and Social Services Administration’s recently announced grants for employer-sponsored childcare. Awardees can use the funds to support employees’ childcare needs in a variety of ways, including sponsoring dependent-care assistance plans, providing on-site or near-site child care or offering child care tuition benefits. For more, visit in.gov/fssa/carefinder/employer-sponsored-child-care-fund.
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.
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].
