Friday, May 8, 2026
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
Golden Bears honor standout season; Claxton receives Boys & Girls Club scholarship
Caden Claxton and Mar Nicholson headlined Shelbyville High School’s annual boys basketball awards last week, receiving the Rotary/Paul Cross Award presented annually to an outstanding SHS player based on basketball ability, scholarship and character. The pair was also recognized as 1,000-point SHS career scorers and for being named to the 12-member 2026 Hoosier Heritage Conference all-conference team.
Claxton led the Golden Bears in scoring this season at 16.8 points per game, while Nicholson averaged 15 points per contest as Shelbyville finished 19-6, the program’s best season since the 2006 squad posted a 23-1 record. The combined 37 wins by the 2024-25 and 2025-26 teams are the program’s most over a two-year span since the 1985-86 and 1986-87 teams posted 39 victories.
Gavin Hall and Cole Schene were named the team’s most improved players. Nick Fischer received the Golden Bear Award, and Brody Runnebohm was named the top defensive player. The “Guts” Award was presented to Gavin Reed, while freshman Camden Thoman received the Newcomer Award.
Statistical awards were presented to Claxton for scoring, rebounds and assists; Nicholson for field-goal and free-throw percentage; and Runnebohm and Reed for 3-point field-goal percentage.
Junior varsity and freshman coaches A.J. Hounshell and Luke Asher presented certificates to their players from the 2025-26 season. The JV team finished 9-11, while the freshman team posted a 13-6 record.
Coach John Hartnett Jr., who moved into seventh place on Shelbyville’s all-time career wins list this season, expressed appreciation for a dedicated group of seven seniors who leave an inspiring Golden Bear legacy.
“These seniors will be remembered as a very special group of people,” said Hartnett. “Their success was the result of a common goal and a shared sense of dedication and responsibility. They always did more, and that continual extra effort over the course of four years paid great dividends. They will be remembered as one of Shelbyville’s greatest teams.”
Claxton named Boys & Girls Club scholarship recipient
Shelbyville High School senior Caden Claxton yesterday was named the recipient of the 2026 J. Kenneth Self Boys & Girls Club Scholarship.
Claxton has been a longtime club member who credits the organization with being a primary positive influence, particularly during his younger years.
“I have many happy club memories with my friends,” said Claxton. “I enjoyed playing ping-pong and pool in the game room during my elementary school years. The Boys & Girls Club gave me my introduction to basketball. Many of us would go there to play ball all day during the summers when we were in middle school. I am very honored to receive the scholarship in memory of Mr. Self.”
Claxton, who will attend Hanover College and major in finance, holds a 4.3 grade-point average and was named to the first-team Academic All-State basketball team by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.
He is a two-time recipient of the Rotary/Paul Cross Basketball Award and was twice selected as a member of the Hoosier Heritage Conference All-Conference Team.
The scholarship is presented annually in honor of former Boys & Girls Club Executive Director J. Kenneth Self. Self’s leadership from 1955 through 1982 established the club as a major positive entity in the Shelby County community.
County BZA to Hear Variety of Cases
The Shelby County Board of Zoning Appeals next Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m. will consider the following petitions at the courthouse annex:
A variance request from Kio Hmung to allow the use of an existing driveway less than 10 feet from the property line and a small wall sign at 7781 W 600 S, Edinburgh, to allow the petitioner to operate a small-scale animal slaughtering service at the rear of the property. The facility would provide the service for special cultural occasions, such as birthdays and weddings, documents state. County planning staff is recommending approval with a stipulation.
A request from Mitchell Harvey for variances to legally establish an automotive repair business at 4640 W 700 S, Fairland. Variances would allow the use of an existing driveway within 15 feet of a driveway on the opposite side of the street, a dumpster in a residential zoning district, parking of vehicles on a gravel surface and lack of a paved ADA parking space. County planning staff is recommending denial because commercial use of the property would conflict with the residential character of the area, planning documents state.
A request from Jay Macy for variances to allow a screen print shop and a hair salon with up to two employees in an accessory structure, and to legally establish a pole barn less than 50 feet from the proposed right-of-way at 6624 N 700 E, Morristown. The staff is recommending approval with two stipulations.
A request from Doug Roberts to legally establish a motocross sports venue at 3655 N. Morristown Road, Shelbyville. The petitioner has operated a motocross venue on the property for five years. The petitioner constructed the motocross track in a FEMA-designated floodplain and Indiana Department of Natural Resources-designated floodway without obtaining appropriate permits from the state and county, documents state. The petitioner has applied for a retroactive permit from IDNR and expects a determination within the next couple weeks. IDNR may impose specific requirements to the development or require removal of the portion of the track that sits in the floodway. The county does not have any regulations for non-structural development in the floodplain, and county staff are recommending approval primarily because the ordinance and comprehensive plan support active recreational venues for use by the local community in areas which include floodplains adjacent to agricultural uses and residential development.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
Shelbyville High School senior Aiden Smith set the baseball program homerun record this week, surpassing Logan Young’s record set in 2017.
The county highway department will close E 1100 S between S. State Road 9 and S. Norristown Road beginning 8 a.m., Monday, May 11 through 5 p.m., Sunday, May 24 to replace a culvert that was damaged this winter. The last address accessible from the west is 965 E 1100 S and the last address accessible from the east is 997 E 1100 S. Through traffic will need to detour using S. Norristown Road and S. State Road 9.
The Shelbyville High School golf team finished second Wednesday in a four-way meet at The Brickyard Crossing course in Speedway. The Bears were led by Logan Reinhart with 42.
HOOSIER NEWS: The Zionsville Town Council voted 5-2 this week to reject the proposed Woodland Grove Planned Unit Development, a 51-acre project along U.S. 421 that would have included up to 173 homes and 50,000 square feet of commercial space. The Carmel-based Pittman Partners proposal had received a favorable recommendation from the Zionsville Plan Commission, but council members cited concerns about traffic, density and whether the project aligned with the town’s rural character and comprehensive plan. The proposal included townhomes, single-family homes, trails, open space and a tree preserve, with home prices projected between $500,000 and $800,000 over a 10-year buildout. (IBJ)
The Addison Times publishes two podcasts: “Let’s Get Down to Business” and “Keeping Up with The Times.” Check out the podcast archive here.
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
This Day in Shelby County History
Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2016: The city’s consultant on the downtown presented a proposal for a civic plaza and green area for Public Square. The effort was part of Mayor Tom DeBaun’s larger quality of life plan that included bike trails and a Riverfront District.
2006: The Waldron girls tennis team won its first county title. The Mohawks’ Ilea Shipp and Courtney Sawyer won the No. 1 doubles match to seal the team victory.
1996: SCUFFY reached its fundraising goal for the 42nd consecutive year. Robert Claxton was the drive’s financial chairman, Dr. David Clark was financial drive vice chair and Tom Crouch was board president. Committee heads were Jon Pereira, Kent McNeely, Rita Mohr, Jim McCallister, Jeff Owens, Brent Sandman, Rose McNeely, Dr. James Rees, Arthur DePrez, Tom DeBaun, Julie Fix, Carmen Wertz and Debbie Tobian.
1986: Indiana Bell filed a proposal for Shelby County telephone users to be charged for the amount of time spent on the phone instead of a monthly flat fee. Indiana Bell studies showed people age 55 and older made fewer calls and would probably save money.
1976: A Cape Cod-style housing option was available in Lantana Estates, developers announced. The second story was sold unfinished.
1966: Admiral Corporation local plant manager Carl McNeely announced plans for a 50,000-square-foot addition and new equipment at the factory.
1956: The tastee-freez held its grand opening. Milk shakes, malts, sundaes, cones and Brown Derbies were five cents. The store was open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
1946: Sylvia Neeley, wife of William Neeley, a former private first class with the U.S. Army, arrived in New York from England along with 1,024 other war brides. The Neeleys would live at 845 W. Franklin St.
Elden Johnston, of Boggstown, received word that his Australian wife had given birth to their son in Melbourne. Johnston was home following the war waiting on government transportation of Australian wives and families. The couple had been married in Melbourne in 1944.
1936: Local post office officials announced that locals could send mail on the first eastbound flight of the German zeppelin Hindenburg.
1926: Several local men met at City Hall to form a local chapter of the Izaak Walton League. There were more than 150 chapters statewide.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
None today.