'Burb Bites: Northview Church senior pastor fired

'Burb Bites: Northview Church senior pastor fired

This week's news from around the region includes the firing of a megachurch pastor, a big data center decision and years of planned park improvements.

⛪ Popular Carmel-based Northview Church has fired senior pastor C.J. Johnson after what church elders described as various concerns during his tenure and an investigation into a significant allegation within the last year.

  • In a letter to the congregation, the elders said there were issues with Johnson's leadership style, interpersonal conduct and "the impact those behaviors were having."
  • Mark Crull has been named interim senior executive pastor.
  • Axios has reached out to Johnson for comment.

    • ☕ Also in Carmel, plans approved three years ago for a new 4,500-square-foot tavern to be built in the Proscenium I near Range Line Road and Carmel Drive have been scrapped.

  • Instead, the plan now calls for a Novo Development Group office building with a coffee shop inside.
  • No timetable for the new construction has been announced.

    • 🤖 Boone County Commissioners are slated to make a final decision on a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development during their Monday morning meeting.

  • The moratorium would block projects in the county's unincorporated areas while giving local leaders time to consider additional data center guidelines.
  • It would not affect the $10 billion Meta data center campus being constructed in Lebanon.

    • 🛝 Johnson County Parks and Recreation has released a new five-year master plan with the goal of making upgrades to attract more visitors.

  • Some of the upgrades detailed in the capital improvement plan include spending an estimated $2.5 million to upgrade cabins between now and 2028, $2.5 million on a banquet hall in 2027, $1.5 million on arena renovations in 2028, and $200,000 on a skate park in 2030.
  • According to the plan, the parks department operates on an annual budget of just over $1.5 million.

    • 🍨 Westfield foodies craving something sweet or savory have reason to celebrate with a pair of new restaurant openings.

  • Graeter's Ice Cream opened its newest location (with a drive-thru) Wednesday at 391 E. Tournament Trail.
  • On Thursday, Ben's BBQ Shack moved into its new home near Grand Park Sports Campus after closing the smaller shack the business had operated out of for the past five and a half years.