Saturday, December 20, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
Hendricks Wins City Girls Basketball Championships
The Hendricks Elementary A (above) and B (below) basketball teams defeated Coulston Elementary in the girls city league championship games Thursday night, hosted at Garrett Gymnasium. Above, from left, Peyton Jones, Isabelle Green, Karsyn Richardson, Arliss Hieston, Jazlyn Johnson, Natalie Jones, Harper Muska and Itzel Reveles Rojas, with coach Bret Green in the back. The Hendricks B team, below, from left, Emma Warfield, Magalena Gonzalez, Lillian Smothers, Piper Foster, Luna Sofia Sanchez, Ayva Richardson, Imari Hudnall, Meyah Leeper, and coach Katie Weber. Coulston B team players were Khianna Faulkner, Vivian Martin, Madeline Gaddie, Raelynn Ganey, Sophia Knarr, LeighLyn Moore, Emerie Isley, Ingrid Escobar Ricardo, Addy Crawford and Ivy Hill, with Tresa Eads as coach. Coulston A team members were Charlotte Bunton, Isabella Labrie, Adalynn Scifres, Dylan Bennett, Avery Stevens, Marjorie Stevens, Anna Catania and Kendra Michel, with Mike Bunton as coach. Additional photos from the games are posted here.
Grant Funds New Radios for School Resource Officers
Jeremy Bohn, representing RushShelby Energy’s Operation RoundUp presents a check to Deputy Chuck Curry last Friday at the Shelbyville Central Schools administration building. From left, SCS Director of Student Services Andy Hensley, Bohn, Curry and SCS Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance. | submitted
Thanks to a grant application written by School Resource Officer Chuck Curry, Shelbyville Central Schools last week received a $7,700 Operation RoundUp grant from RushShelby Energy to purchase new tri-band radios for its school resource officers, which will improve communication during emergencies. The grant will allow officers to replace the two separate radios they currently carry, one for school use and one for law enforcement, with a single device capable of operating on both systems, while also enabling direct communication between school administrators and police dispatch. Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance told the school board this week the radios will enhance safety and coordination, particularly in high-risk situations, and praised Curry for pursuing the grant, which officials hope to reapply for next year to expand coverage across additional schools.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville High School boys’ basketball team (5-1) lost to Mt. Vernon (6-1) last night, 60-57, on the road.
Shelbyville High School Athletic Director Jenny DeMuth Hensley has been named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame 2026 Women’s Silver Anniversary Team, which recognizes standout players from the graduating class of 2001. A former Indiana All-Star and Miss Basketball runner-up, DeMuth Hensley starred at Highland High School before going on to a decorated career at Indiana University, where she ranks among the program’s all-time leaders in several statistical categories. She is now in her 10th year as athletic director at Shelbyville High School.
Editor’s Note: Thank you so much to each donor who has generously contributed to our $100,000 campaign. The following are among our recent donors: Joe & Theresa Harlan, The Ricketts family, Steve & Winnie Soviar, Judy Whittle, Karla Crouch, Chris Lux, Amy Dillon and John Haehl. (Many of these are on behalf of families.) Reaching our fundraising goal for 2026 will allow us to expand high-quality coverage countywide. Donors of $100 or more receive a commemorative January print edition and donors of $500 or more will be recognized in that edition. Contributions can be made online through our donation form or by mailing a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, Ste. 13, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Again, thank you so much for your loyal support of this endeavor. - Kristiaan Rawlings
HOOSIER NEWS: Indiana’s state budget surplus could approach $5 billion by mid-2027 under new revenue forecasts showing stronger-than-expected tax collections, according to a report presented to the State Budget Committee. Republican leaders cautioned against increased spending despite the improved outlook, while Democrats argued the additional revenue should be used to restore cuts to education, health care and social services. The updated projections also show Medicaid costs growing more slowly than expected. (IBJ)
NATIONAL NEWS: NFL kickers have posted improved performance this season, with several achieving long-distance field goals and overall accuracy continuing to rise. League data show that kickers now convert 84% of attempts from 40 to 49 yards, compared with about 70% a quarter century ago, and overall field goal percentages are up roughly 6% over that period. Kickers have also shown improved success in late-game field goals to tie or take the lead in the final two minutes or overtime. (Neil’s Substack)
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
Want the daily edition read to you? Struggling with your email provider filtering out your local news? The Addison Times Substack app will solve those challenges!
This Week in Shelby County Archive
by GEORGE L. STUBBS
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: The Shelbyville Common Council gave initial approval to rezone the former Wellman property from light industrial to business highway, clearing the way for a redevelopment proposal. Plans called for demolishing most of the Wellman building and developing retail and office space along State Road 44 and Michigan Road.
1995: City officials announced that CGS Inc. of Morristown would operate the city’s new mandatory curbside recycling program, scheduled to begin in January. To answer questions, the company set up an informational booth at City Hall, where residents could learn about pickup schedules, materials accepted and cost savings tied to reduced landfill use.
1985: Martha Whitehead was named president of the W.S. Major Hospital Foundation, replacing the late Harold Meloy, during a special meeting of the foundation’s directors. Jim Williams was appointed vice president, and the board approved a $51,000 donation to the hospital, including funding for new nursery and obstetrics equipment, oncology services, and community relations programs.
1975: Officer Robert Nolley, Shelbyville’s school liaison officer, met with an employee of the National Child Safety Council to review safety education materials provided to local schools. The materials were designed for students from kindergarten through high school and addressed topics ranging from general safety to drug awareness, with some content tied to the Bicentennial theme.
1965: Letter to Santa: “Dear Santa — My name is Greg. I’m six years old and in the 1st grade at Mt. Auburn. I would like a Johnny Express Projector and any other surprises. My sister Jill is 4½ years old and she wants a Baby Boo, Baby First Step, tennis shoes and Hands Down game. Love, Greg and Jill Gerline.”
1955: Approximately 150 employees from the manufacturing department at the General Electric plant gathered for a Christmas party held at the Elks Club. Plans for the event were overseen by David Guest and Paul Lockridge, with dinner followed by a gift exchange around a Christmas tree and dancing to music provided by Zeke Cuzzort and his orchestra.
1945: After being closed since Dec. 10, the REC youth recreation center announced plans to reopen with a gala dance following the Franklin-Shelbyville basketball game, with attendance limited to members.
1935: A train struck a car at the Big Four railroad crossing in Acton, injuring Mrs. Chester Lancaster and her 15-month-old daughter, Carolyn Sue Lancaster, while three others escaped injury. The crash occurred as Ralph Lancaster was driving with his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Chester Lancaster as passengers; frost on the windshield obscured the driver’s view, and the locomotive carried the car about 30 yards before stopping. Mrs. Lancaster and the infant were treated for injuries at Major Hospital.
1925: Farmers in Shelby and Bartholomew counties discussed the possibility of growing peppermint after reports that growers in northern Indiana had made large profits from the crop. The agricultural agent in Bartholomew County contacted Purdue University at the request of local farmers but was advised that peppermint had not proven successful in this part of Indiana.
1915: Not less than 2,500 people attended the dedication services for the tabernacle on West Broadway, a crowd estimated at nearly one-tenth of Shelby County’s population and about one-fourth of Shelbyville’s population at the time. The service featured an address by Dr. Stansfield of Meridian Street Church in Indianapolis, who compared the temporary structure to Solomon’s Temple and emphasized purpose over construction. Organizers anticipated even larger crowds for the opening revival services with Mr. Hamilton, whose reputation had drawn widespread local interest.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
(Revised) Laura Margaret Hinrichs, 94, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Ashford Place. Born June 14, 1931, in Lee County, Illinois, she was the daughter of Bowden Jessee and Nelta (Landaue) Jessee. She married Bert Hinrichs on April 30, 1964; he preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 2001. Survivors include two children, Barry Hinrichs of Shelbyville and Lisa Smith (Terry) of Edinburgh; and four grandchildren, Braxton Hinrichs, Sydney Biette (Leo), Abigail Leonard (Blake) and Megan Smith (James Wagner). She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and three sisters and three brothers.
Hinrichs lived in the area since 1964 after moving from Amboy, Illinois. She worked at Walmart for 21 years as a layaway manager, retiring in 2007, and also kept the books for the family business, H & S Equipment & Supply. She attended First United Methodist Church and was a 1949 graduate of Amboy High School. She enjoyed playing bingo, traveling, taking trips with friends at Ashford Place, and playing cards and euchre, but most of all cherished time spent with her family.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Amboy, Illinois. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Hey, great read as always. It's cool to see schools getting updated tech for safety. What if these radios could eventually integrate with AI for predictive safety alets?