Friday, June 13, 2025
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ABOVE: John Hartnett and his son, JJ Hartnett, enjoy the Touch a Truck event at the Shelby County Fair on Wednesday. BELOW: The 4-H Exhibit Halls and Family Arts Building are open 5 - 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. | photos by JACK BOYCE
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday approved Burger King, East State Road 44, to update their existing pole sign with a new sign face that reflects the company’s updated branding. One BZA member said the petition definitely fit the requirements. “I am convinced that the petitioner can have it their way,” Vince Bradburn said before the unanimous approval.
The BZA also approved Trusted Realty Partners a variance to replace and update a ground sign at 711 E. State Road 44. Trusted Realty Partners has the property, formerly a satellite sales business adjacent to the old Fire Station No. 2 garage, under contract. The new sign will not be an electronic message center.
The BZA also approved three variances regarding driveway separation and width for Lumbermens Warehouse, 861 Elston Dr., related to the company’s plans to construct a 50,225 square foot warehouse in between their existing facilities.
The Shelbyville Central Schools board yesterday accepted the resignation of school board member David Finkel. The board approved appointing board member Amanda Bunton as the new vice president of the board, and appointed Andrea Lee as liaison to the Blue River Career Programs board. SCS will now accept applications for a new board member to be appointed to complete the term.
Shelbyville High School softball players Addie Stieneker and Julie Garrison were named to the HHC All-Conference softball team.
A Shelbyville woman was killed in a Hancock County traffic accident last week. Lihua Wei, 48, was involved in a two-vehicle accident on June 2 at the intersection of County Road 600 East and U.S. 40. This week, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office released the name of the deceased.
Festival of Hope for Anne is tomorrow, June 14, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the American Legion Post #70, 1125 Miller Ave. The festival is a fundraiser for Anne Thurston, Shelby County Assessor, who has been diagnosed with breast, bone and lung cancer. Funds raised will help with medical needs. Among the numerous activities are a benefit motorcycle/Jeep ride, live music and a benefit dinner from Mel’s Catering at 5 p.m.
HOOSIER NEWS: The new Fishers Community Center won’t open until fall but officials said memberships are selling already — and at a faster clip than expected, with about 2,000 already sold. The center will offer classes in aerobics, weight training and other activities. The center has two swimming pools, one equipped with an overhead “Ninja” obstacle course and a rock climbing wall. The gym will have three full-size basketball courts that convert into six courts cross-wise, or three volleyball courts and up to nine pickleball courts. The center will be open to everyone, with a surcharge for patrons from outside of Fishers. But some parts will be free: a large indoor playground, an indoor walking track, community meeting spaces, and Sahm’s Community Café. The dues start at $60 a month for a Fishers adult and $30 for residents 18 and younger. An outdoor dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs will require a different membership, at a cost of $72 for six months. The park, with a cap of 300, has already sold 100 passes. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: Just after 2016, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority planned to spend $250 million on a project that would turn several New York bridges into an intricate light show. All told, the city spent $108 million on the project, which never came to fruition. Years later, the power authority is selling the lights off, with a minimum bid of $25. Overall, the power authority alone has spent $106 million, including $300,000 annually over seven years to simply store them. (Politico/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Feb. 11, 1965
Several students cited Mr. Malcolm Clay, guidance counselor, as especially helpful as they considered their college options.
Mr. Jerry Higgins had moved over to SHS for second semester. Mr. Higgins was a class of 1953 graduate and then went to Franklin College. He taught at Triton Central for four years before moving to Shelbyville Junior High School.
Mike Chafee was one of four nominees for appointment to Annapolis Naval Academy. He had been nominated by Rep. Ralph Harvey.
Despite predictions for only a light snow, a major snow storm on Friday led to the cancellation of the evening’s game against Rushville and school on Monday and Tuesday. “Nancy Coers was snowbound for two whole days, not seeing one of her contemporaries until Pam Adams trudged some 200 yards through the sludge to see her friend and fellow cheerleader,” Chris Rehme wrote for The Courier. A group of senior boys - Rick Miller, Steve Nentrup, Andy Runnebohm, Rich Huber, Mike Thornburg, Greg Hall and Rehme - got bogged down in the snow on their way out to Runnebohm’s to play basketball. They were forced to walk to Andy’s house, “wrapped in towels, fiberglass, sweaters and anything else they could get their hands on. Once at Andy’s, they made short work of the food supply.” Tony Krebs burnt his clutch out trying to get out of a snow drift.
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This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: The library’s bookmobile began parking at the city pool on Thursday mornings while Parks Department swimming lessons were in session. The mobile library carried more than 2,000 books, movies, audio books and magazines.
1995: A West Mechanic St. woman was told to start parking on the street after she had been parking her car in an alley for eight years, blocking the alley. The woman said the city hadn’t ever improved the alley between W. Mechanic and W. Franklin streets, so she presumed she could take it over. The Board of Works said the alley had to be open so the public could use it.
1985: A larger-than-life nativity scene painted in 1953 by J.M. Trotter was rediscovered in the basement of Waldron Baptist Church. Trotter, 85, said the paints used on the creation had been owned by Gene Stratton Porter, famous author from Jay County. The painting was slated to be hung in the church.
Officials celebrating Farmers National Bank’s 10th anniversary and remodeling of its Mickey’s T-Mart branch said the branch was the first grocery store bank in the state when it opened in 1975. Recent remodeling had added a third teller’s station.
1975: Tom’s Tastee-Freez, 22 S. Vine St., held a 69-cent banana split sale.
1965: Kim Comstock and Reba Pickett were named co-winners of the best girl sportsman award at the ninth annual Shelby County Fishing Rodeo. Sandy Haskins was the girl who caught the largest fish. Marsha Bailey, 4, received a trophy for being the youngest girl to catch a fish. James Hurst was named best boy sportsman. Bryan Hurley was the youngest boy to catch a fish. Kent Skinner caught the first fish. Over 2,000 children participated.
1955: Shelby County real estate sales set a monthly record at $602,000, and eclipsed $2 million for the year. One hundred and nine homes had sold the previous month.
The Elks Club on W. Broadway flew several flags in honor of Flag Day, including the flag of Henry VII, the English national flag, the Cromwell flag of 1707, the early colonial flag, Southern States Rattlesnake flag of 1776-77, Gen. George Washington’s flag of 1776 and the flag of 1812 with 15 stars.
1945: Roseltha Ann Conger, 100, died at her home, 331 E. Washington St. She had been in Shelby County since 1861. She had been married to Wilson Conger, who had died in 1924. She had been a long-time member of the Geneva Methodist Church.
1935: Theodore Myers, vice president and general manager of Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1914, known as “Pop,” addressed the Shelbyville Rotary Club.
1925: A protracted church meeting held under a tent on the old school grounds in Morristown was attracting large crowds. The meetings were being conducted by the United Brethren Church. The meetings were held nightly at 7:45 p.m.
A new “drug shop” and pharmacy, owned by pharmacist J.B. Robinson, was opened in the Red Men’s building on East Washington St.
1915: The new 1916 Buick Model D-45 was in at the Comstock & Thompson agency, 120 E. Washington St. The vehicle had six cylinders, a 115-inch wheel base and a one-man top. The price was $985 (about $31,000 in today’s money).
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OBITUARIES
JoAnn (McKee) Hanna, 98, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away Monday, June 9, 2025, at Lakewood Retirement Community in Richmond, Va. Born January 3, 1927, in St. Paul, she was the daughter of Harry G. McKee and Gertrude (Goodwin) McKee. She married John B. Hanna in December of 1952, and he preceded her in August of 2012, after 59 years of marriage. Survivors include three daughters, Diane Taylor (Terry), Linda Cipolla (Joe), and Nancy Leong (Ron); grandsons Stephen B. Taylor and Jonathan W. Leong; step-grandson Glenn I. Taylor (Meg) and their children, Colin and Caitlin; step-grandson Chris Cipolla; and step-granddaughter Raechel Cipolla.
JoAnn graduated from St. Paul High School and Purdue University in 1949 with a Bachelor's degree. She taught Home Economics and Physical Education in school, and later spent her years as a full-time homemaker raising her three daughters while volunteering in her community and serving as a 4-H leader. She taught piano lessons from her home and served as an accompanist for several choirs. She was a gifted seamstress, needle worker and quilter. Over the past 15 years, she enjoyed living and participating in the Lakewood Lifecare Community in Richmond.
A private graveside service will be held at Union Chapel Cemetery in St. Paul. Memorial contributions can be made to Shriner's Children's at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Denise Murray, 65, of Indianapolis passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Compassus Hospice. She was born December 2, 1959, in Indianapolis to Ralph Murray and Geneva (Enlow) Ruth.
Denise was recently employed as office manager for Curt and Jerry Sewer. Denise enjoyed long drives in the country and going out for ice cream. She cherished the times spent on the back of her late husband’s Harley during their rides.
She was married to Richard Marsh for 36 years, and he preceded her in death on January 6, 2023. Denise is survived by her daughter, Kristin Garcia (Ricky Cushingberry); her sister, Rita Robson; and her grandchildren, Ricky Cushingberry, Braiden Cushingberry, Jordan Cushingberry, Austin Garcia, Brian Garcia, J.J. Garcia, Madison Murray, Alexus Anderson, Dorian Cushingberry, Rikia Cushingberry, Leah Oakley, Lanaziah Oakley, and Dajanae Smith. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her son, Justin Murray, and her brothers, Dale Murray, and Bob Murray.
A private family graveside service will be held in Miller Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Denise’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
David Michael Bowers Jr., 7, of Arlington passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025. He was born December 10, 2017, in Shelbyville to David Michael Bowers, Sr. and Kirstin D. (Capps) Bowers.
David loved to play with cars, especially Lightning McQueen. He loved being outside and playing outdoors. David was known for his big smile and infectious laugh. His personality would light up a room and he was always on the move.
David is survived by his parents; his sisters, Angela Bowers, and Arinna Bowers; his brother, Elijah Bowers; his paternal grandparents, David and Brandy Crane; his maternal grandmother, Cathy Anderson; his paternal grandmother, Shirley Byer; and his great-uncles, Doug Crane and Bobby Byer. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Angie Bowers; and aunts, Tammy Crane and Jennifer Byer.
A Gathering of Friends will be held from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Murphy-Parks Funeral Services, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Ind. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve David’s family. Memorial contributions may be given to the David Michael Bowers, Jr. Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.