Friday, November 7, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
Festival of Trees Opens for Season
Joan Knight, Tammy Jones and Gaye McKenney (left to right) decorated the soda shop as part of the Grover Museum’s Festival of Trees, which officially opened last night. Other St. Joseph-St. Vincent DePaul St. Nicholas Tree Committee members include Della Pavey, Sherry Staehler, Alice Brown and Margaret Smith. This year’s theme, “Fictional Superheroes,” features displays throughout the Streets of Old Shelby and remains open during business hours through Dec. 27. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
Closed home sales in Shelby County last month were down compared to the prior month but steady compared to last year. There were 44 local home sales in October, compared to 53 in September 2025 and 46 in October 2024.
Shelbyville High School’s cross country teams celebrated their end-of-season accomplishments during an awards program on Wednesday. Top Newcomers were Eden Ortega and Belle Orem, while Kendryk Pike and senior Avery Keller earned Most Improved honors. The Bear Pride Award went to Kenneth Wright and Paige O’Connor, and the Kiwanis Most Excellent Runner Awards were presented to Shia Veach and America Leon-Torres. Team Captains were Aerin Garcia-Santiago and Logan Reinhart, with senior recognition also going to Diana Gasca.
The Shelby County Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday approved two Fountaintown zoning requests. Bradley Mohr, of 8547 N. 100 W., received a special exception to continue operating a small hauling business from his residence and a variance allowing overnight parking of two dump trucks beside his barn instead of behind it. Mohr is the business’s only employee. County planning staff supported the request, noting that trees and the home largely screen the vehicles and that on-site activity is limited to parking and minor parts storage. In a separate case, James Lovett, of 8214 N. Michigan Rd., was granted a variance to build a 30-by-40-foot barn in his front yard about 100 feet from the road, a request staff endorsed due to minimal visual impact and septic-system constraints.
Shelby County Players earned five Encore Association awards and eight additional nominations for their spring production of “Don’t Drink the Water” and summer production of “Murder on the Orient Express.” The awards were presented Monday at the Toby Theatre at Newfields in Indianapolis. Winners included Amanda Green, Greg Cox, Tony Brazelton, S.P. Erney and Erich Davies.
First Christian Church, 118 W. Washington St. in Shelbyville, will host a community Free-Will Thanksgiving Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25. All are welcome to attend.
HOOSIER NEWS: Hoosier voters approved five of six school funding referendums Tuesday. Nearly 65% of Avon voters backed renewing a lower 33-cent levy to raise $14.3 million annually for smaller class sizes and teacher pay. Similar measures passed in Lake Central, Hanover, Duneland, and Cannelton districts, while Northwest Allen County voters rejected their first proposed operating levy. The votes come as Indiana’s new property-tax relief law takes effect next year, reducing school revenue statewide and making local referendums increasingly important for staffing and programs. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: The latest data on U.S. households from Parks Associates places traditional pay television in just 41% of households, while 91% subscribe to at least one streaming video service. Most households subscribe to more than that, averaging six streaming video subscriptions and spending $109 per month. The average price of expanded basic cable service in the United States as of 2022 stood at $101.54. (Media Play News/Numlock)
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SQUIB LOOK-BACK: 1978
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.
2005: Local optometrists donated their time to provide eye screenings for all kindergarten students, testing about 570 children. Shelbyville optometrists Drs. Don Robbins, Ron McDaniel, Linda Borchert and Anna Stegemiller volunteered through the school system.
1995: Shelby County’s 911 service began offering AT&T’s new Language Line to assist non-English-speaking residents, particularly Spanish and Japanese speakers. Maj. Tom Debaun of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department said the service would allow dispatchers to connect with interpreters more quickly during emergencies.
1985: Shelbyville High School French students, led by teacher Thoma Bastin, earned first place in a French version of the Brain Game during Language Day at Indiana State University. Seniors Tammy Blevins, Andy Simpson, Susanne Stine and Diana Thomas competed against seven other schools, answering questions on French history, culture and grammar. The team received an engraved plaque recognizing Shelbyville as the Outstanding High School in French culture and civilization.
1975: The Blue River Vocational-Technical Center Board voted unanimously to purchase a new computer from National Cash Register for $39,000 and authorized Director Marvin Copes to arrange financing. The system, slightly more expensive than the current leased model, would cost $1,291 a month including maintenance.
1965: A tree limb falling across a Public Service Indiana power line caused outages for 2,081 Shelby County homes and businesses. More than 2,000 rural REMC customers lost electricity for periods ranging from 32 minutes to nearly two hours, affecting lines in the county’s west, south and north sections. REMC officials said they were unable to resolve the issue directly since the cooperative bought its power from PSI.
1955: Shelbyville’s upcoming city election ballot included Eleanor T. Vatchett (R) and Floyd Lancaster (D) for clerk-treasurer; William N. Reimann (R) and Gus A. Banschbach (D) for First Ward councilman; Frank A. Coffin (R) and Ralph Briggs (D) for Second Ward; Walter Curtis Carl (R) and Russell Benfield (D) for Third Ward; George E. Mellgard (R) and Earl Eads (D) for Fourth Ward; and Everett Rhodes (R) and Jon A. Richardson (D) for Fifth Ward. Candidates for councilman-at-large were Warren R. Spangle and Paul Ross (Republicans) and Jack G. Abel and Elmer P. McNay (Democrats).
1945: Glen Wright of 144 West Pennsylvania St. was fined $18 and lost both his gun and the pheasant he shot after pleading guilty to hunting out of season. County conservation officer Ivan Gasper said Wright was arrested for shooting a cock pheasant before the legal hunting period, which was set to open November 10. The confiscated pheasant was taken to the Gordon Children’s Home.
1935: A public concert featuring musicians, dancers and readers from Shelbyville and Shelby County was being organized under the supervision of County Recreation Head Martin Luther and recreation leader Rebecca Alley. The event, to be held in the Hendricks School auditorium, invited local performers to register for auditions at the Administration Building on West Broadway.
1925: An eastbound freight train derailed in Shelbyville around 6:30 p.m. after a broken rail on the Gustiniger switch caused the engine to leave the track while moving a car of corn. The derailment delayed the train about five hours, but no injuries or significant damage were reported. A wrecking crew from Indianapolis was called to place the car and engine back on the rails.
1915: Shelby County Jailer Frank Long discovered that inmate William Richardson, held on assault and battery charges, had attempted to escape by sawing through a lock and window bar in his cell. Another prisoner alerted authorities to the plan, but Richardson denied involvement. When confronted with the evidence, Richardson admitted to the act. A long, thin saw was later found concealed over the cell door, and officials believe he brought it in when first jailed.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Sue C. Clements, 86, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at her home, surrounded by family. She was born July 8, 1939, in Rushville, the daughter of Cary and Virginia (Owens) French. On Feb. 16, 1958, she married Theodore “Buddy” Clements, and he preceded her in death on May 19, 1986. Survivors include her sons, Gerald (Cathy) Clements and Don Clements, both of Shelbyville; daughters, Jan Alford of Madison and Trina Clements of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Janelle (Deron) Smith of Madison and Greg (Leann) Clements of Franklin; and great-grandchildren, Danica and Daniel Smith and Theo and Ollie Clements. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and best friend, Teola Carmony; sister, Ann (Jim) Graf; brother-in-law, Mike Hammersly; and several nieces, nephews and close friends. Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sisters Betty Stocklin and Rosemary Powell; son-in-law, Murray Alford; special aunt and uncle, Mary Lou and George Garver; in-laws, T. and Janet Clements; sister-in-law, Katrina Hammersly; and brother-in-law, Wayne Carmony.
Sue graduated from Manilla High School in 1957, where she was a cheerleader. After moving to Shelbyville in 1972 and getting her children in school, she worked for Roberta’s Unique Gardens, retiring in 2019 after more than 40 years. She and her husband opened Bud Clements Chevrolet Oldsmobile in 1980, and she ran the office until it was sold in 1987 following his death. She loved traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow. Interment will be at Manilla Cemetery in Rush County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelbyville Central Schools Education Foundation Fund, in care of the Blue River Community Foundation, 54 W. Broadway St., Suite 1, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared at freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Phyllis L. Smith, 69, of Edinburgh, died Nov. 2, 2025, at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis. She was born June 14, 1956, in Franklin, the daughter of Norman Floyde and Barbara (Burton) Pendleton. She married Jackie Smith on April 16, 1977. He preceded her in death on July 20, 2025. Survivors include her brother, Floyde (Sandy) Pendleton of Edinburgh; sister, Anita Eldridge of Edinburgh; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Smith graduated from Southwestern High School and the House of James Beauty School in Shelbyville, both in 1974. She attended Jollity United Methodist Church and was a lifetime member of the Double Y Saddle Club. She and her husband owned and operated Magic Mirror in Edinburgh, where she worked as a beautician for 48 years. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending festivals, and scrapbooking.
A funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Jason Hyer and the Rev. Mike Whited at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Edinburgh Separate Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service Friday. Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery in Edinburgh. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Edinburgh Separate Baptist Church or Jollity United Methodist Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Eskew-Eaton Funeral Home in Edinburgh.