Saturday, February 15, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
School Resource Officers Fill Variety of Roles
Sgt. Chuck Curry and Lt. Bart Smith pause for a photo before students’ arrival on Thursday morning. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Sgt. Chuck Curry and Lt. Bart Smith have moved beyond the lingo of their youth: “All that” and “aight” are out; “Sigma” and “drippy” are in. The running commentary of “cringey” Gen-Alpha terms from the School Resources Officers is welcome comedic relief in the Shelbyville High School hallways, students say.
“Their Aura card has infinite points,” Dean of Student Mark Mendoza said.
Although SROs are a fan favorite every passing period, today’s National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day is a reminder of the value SROs bring to local schools.
“Our School Resource Officers are more than just a protector for our school,” Coulston Elementary principal Nicole Terrell said. “They are a mentor, a role model, and a trusted part of our Coulston school community.”
Shelbyville Middle School SRO Dan McCarty receives a steady stream of visitors throughout lunch periods, with some students bringing their trays for more extended chats.
“Everyone always enjoys a piece of candy from Officer Mac,” SMS principal Wes Hall said.
Shelbyville Central Schools SROs also include Shawn Keller, Golden Bear Preschool; Dave Scott, Coulston; Floyd Hastings, Hendricks; Mike Polston, Loper; and Deidre Norris, Billy Leffler, Travis Kempton and Devin Moore. Curry, Hastings, Scott, McCarty and Polston are all full-time with the district.
Loper principal Adam Harpring noted that Polston and Scott were “the first people our students and their families see in the morning, as they help welcome them while directing morning traffic.”
The SROs also conduct safety audits and build relationships with students.
“When Deputy Curry is asked to assist in a disciplinary situation, he always goes above and beyond to ensure that the student can learn from their mistake,” Mendoza said. “His ability to combine compassion and tough love is unmatched.”
Curry also jumps in during staffing shortages, helping in the nurse’s office and with car-rider-line supervision. “He even sat at the front desk taking incoming phone calls. Staff members and visitors had to do a double take when they saw an SRO manning the desk in the main office,” Mendoza said.
The same goes for Lt. Smith, who Mendoza called “the perfect combination of stately guardian and court jester.” Smith often works the night shift, ensuring the school is secure after hours. The next morning, he’s back in the hallways.
“The smiles that he generates are priceless,” Mendoza said.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelby County Extension Homemakers are awarding a $500 scholarship to anyone who resides in Shelby County and is hoping to advance their education. In addition, they are awarding a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who resides in Shelby County from each high school in Shelby County. Selection of the recipient of these scholarships will be made on the basis of the application, personal essay, and need for assistance. Consideration cannot be given to applications which are incomplete or late. All forms and requested materials are due to the County President by April 4, 2025. For more information contact Debbie Stafford: dstafford58@yahoo.com or 317-443-0332. Link to Student Scholarship: extension homemakers scholarship - student.doc.pdf. Link to Adult Scholarship: extension homemakers scholarship - adult.pdf.
“Straight On: Heart Tribute” is on stage at The Strand tonight, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online, at Shelbyville Paint & Wallpaper and at the door.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indiana school districts remain affected by state lawmakers’ drive to cut property taxes for Hoosier homeowners, though the impact is significantly smaller than Gov. Mike Braun’s plan that would have stripped about $1.9 billion from districts. Senate Republicans opted instead to offer relief by introducing a first-time homebuyer tax credit, a cap on levy growth, and specific deductions for veterans and seniors. Shelbyville Central Schools would lose an estimated $167,220 (compared to $872,200 in Gov. Braun’s original plan) next year, an estimated $353,700 in 2027 and $470,650 in 2028. (Indiana Public Radio)
NATIONAL NEWS: The International Shark Attack File, a research project maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History, is out with its latest data on shark attacks in 2024. Last year saw 28 unprovoked shark bites in the U.S., down from 36 unprovoked bites in 2023. Half of them were in Florida, which has a massive shoreline and warm waters. Florida is also home to breeding grounds of the blacktip shark, which as juveniles are not particularly good at differentiating between fish and humans. Worldwide, there were just 47 unprovoked attacks, well under the ten-year average of 70 bites, and surfers accounted for 33 percent of all attacks. (Numlock/Boston Herald)
Thank you to every donor for your continued support of The Addison Times. Donors of $100 or more receive a quarterly print publication in the mail. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to The Addison Times, either online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history. I appreciate each of you. - Kristiaan Rawlings, Editor
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
February 12, 1931
David Wolf entertained the Hi-Y club and faculty men at his home on West Washington Street. A bean contest was held. Kenneth “Bucket” Gunning won the contest, winning a can of beans and a knife.
Miss Delores McDonald administered a survey to her girls’ health class. Nineteen of the 28 girls walked to school. Five girls regularly wore high heels to school and 10 more did sometimes. Two girls smoked. All 28 said they were in a good mood most of the time. Twenty took a bath at least twice a week. Nine ate candy daily.
Latin Club made Valentines decorated with Roman gods and hearing Latin inscriptions.
The Bullpups were undefeated in the junior high basketball league, 7-0. Their most recent victory was a 10-8 win over the Lions.
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: Shelbyville Postmaster David Conwell Jr. requested permission from the Board of Public Works to move two of the three mailboxes from their location at the end of a drive running on the east side of the post office to a nearby site behind the building on East Jackson Street. A white mailbox, designed for metered mail, would be removed. The location of the boxes had caused safety concerns due to traffic backing up, presenting a hazard to pedestrians and employees.
1995: Shelby County Commissioners hired Donald and Phyllis Smith as superintendent and matron and James and Kathleen Creech as assistant superintendent and assistant matron of Shelby Manor. Shirley Moore, who had been acting superintendent since her husband, “Sonny” Moore, died in October 1994, would stay on as a cook.
The Shelbyville IGA would close at the end of February. Owner Dick Herbert said the store had not been profitable since opening in 1986.
1985: Arthur Cherry and Helen Dickmann were crowned Valentine’s Day king and queen at the Heritage House Convalescent Center. Killer, the house dog, posed with them in photos.
1975: James Bond’s 007 “The Man with the Golden Gun” was on at the Cinema. Matinee shows were half-price.
1965: Three local teens were arrested for possession of intoxicants. The trio was stopped in a car at 2 a.m. and were in possession of beer. They said they had been driving around and found a six-pack of beer outside a trailer at the Clark Trailer Court.
Mary Alice Phares, a Triton Central High School senior, was runner-up in the Indiana Corn Queen Contest at the annual State Junior Corn Jamboree at Purdue University.
1955: General Electric researchers announced they had created man-made diamonds. The new diamond did not pose a threat to its natural complement on the jewelry market, though, because the costs to produce artificial diamonds were twice as high as obtaining them from nature.
1945: Sen. Clyde Black was the keynote speaker at the Republican Lincoln Day Dinner. Sen. Black expressed frustration that the country’s leaders, he said, were wasting its natural resources and driving the U.S. into debt. “If America falls, the speaker said, it will not be a victim to an invader from the outside, but will fall to internal strife and dissention that has stemmed from the current desire of pressure groups to obtain all for themselves without regard to the rights of others,” The Republican said.
Five servicemen who had been wounded overseas and were stationed at Camp Atterbury spoke to members of the local Forty and Eight group at the organization’s chateau on Flat Rock River.
1935: Willard Kehrt ranked 9th and Kenneth Gunning was 15th among Big Ten individual scorers. Both were SHS graduates playing at Indiana University.
1925: Henry Haughey, who operated a pool room in the rear of the H.F. Gray soft drink establishment, was arrested for allowing minors to congregate at his business.
1915: Shoes that laced up the sides were in-style. “The slit skirt, the slit trouser leg and now we have the slit shoe,” The Republican said. The shoe style had originated with famous actors, the paper said.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Bruce Wayne Romie II, 42, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at his residence. He was born April 2, 1982, in Shelbyville, Ind., to Bruce W. Romie, Sr. and Darlynn M. (Androne) Tucker.
Bruce attended Shelbyville High School. He had a love for cooking and ultimately became a chef for the high-end restaurant Jack Binion’s Steakhouse. He especially enjoyed cooking for his family in the recent years. He also enjoyed playing video games and was an avid gamer. He was a talented musician and loved playing the guitar. Naturally, Bruce Wayne had a passion for all things relating to the famous superhero, Batman.
He is survived by his mother, Darlynn Tucker; his father, Bruce (wife, Dawn) Romie, Sr.; his sister, Serah (wife, Jessy) Romie; his brothers, Alec Romie and Patrick Romie; his step-brothers, Donivan Chaney, Jake Chaney and Matthew Welch; his aunts, Sandy Wright, Merrilee Kittlestad and Dawn Hall; his uncles, Daniel and Joseph Androne; his cousins, Carisa (husband, Brian) Sexton, Rachel Taul, Stacy (husband, Jeff) Brown, Brad Wright, Keysha (husband, Adam) Nordhoff and Simion Androne; his niece, Alaina Romie; his nephew, Malcome Romie; his second cousins, Madison, Hannah, Sydney, Cloe, Bradley Jr., Avery, Vinnie, Raylan and Ezekiel and his beloved puppy, Chewbacca. He was preceded in death by his step-father, Douglas Tucker; his grandfather, Donald Androne; his grandmothers, Jean Romie and Elsie Gombossy; his aunt, Yvonne Jarvis and uncle, Dave Wright.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Bruce’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Lonnie E. Matthews, 59, of St. Paul passed away Thursday, February 13, 2025, at his residence. Born on September 1, 1965, in Columbus, he was the son of Claude Matthews and Shirley “Jean” (Line) Matthews. He married Janet Matthews on April 7, 1990, and she survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Danielle Matthews of Columbus, Jaelyn Matthews of Shelbyville, and Kristen Matthews of St. Paul; seven siblings, Chip (LouAnn) Gordon of Muncie, Tony (Cathy) Matthews of Tennessee, Ronnie (Connie) Matthews of Indianapolis, Tammy (Mark) Dodson of St. Paul, Donnie (Shay) Matthews of Indianapolis, Jesse (Karen) Matthews of Tennessee, Claudine (Travis) Hayes of Tennessee; and two grandchildren, Emerson and Easton England; he is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Lonnie had lived in this area since 1990 after previously moving from Indianapolis. He worked at Knauf Fiberglass, retiring in 2004. He was a member of the Union Chapel United Methodist Church in St. Paul and was an active member of the St. Paul Fire Department for 34 years. Lonnie loved being a grandpa to his grandchildren. He loved to hunt and fish and loved being a member of the St. Paul Fire Department. He was wonderful father to his three girls.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Glenn E. George Funeral Home, 106 E. Franklin St, with Pastor Mark Dodd officiating. Burial will be in Haw Creek Baptist Cemetery in Bartholomew County. Family will receive friends Wednesday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. The Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Association will conduct a memorial service in honor of Lonnie's dedication to the community. Memorial donations can be made the St. Paul Fire Department, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Raymond Dallas Anderson, 66, of Edinburgh, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at his residence. He was born September 1, 1958, in Scottsburg, IN to Willie B. Anderson and Joretta (Pasley) Anderson.
Raymond enjoyed the outdoors and spent a great amount of time fishing. He was an avid Colts fan. His greatest passion was for music. He played in a lot of bars with his brothers throughout the years. It was definitely not uncommon for him to be seen with a cold beer and a guitar in his hands.
He married Tami (Sandlin) Anderson and she preceded him in death on December 27, 2007. He is survived by his sisters, Diana Ward and Connie Wentworth; his brother, Johnny (wife, Ann) Anderson; his sister, Sheila (husband, William) Dunn; his brother, Monty (wife, Edie) Anderson; his sister, Annette Anderson; his brother, Dewayne (wife, Devie) Anderson; his daughter, Gina (husband, Antonio) Pruitt and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brother, Billy Anderson, Jr.; and his sisters, Susan Mary Anderson and Patricia Anderson.
Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Raymond’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.