Saturday, February 18, 2023
New Chief Moves Probation Forward Following Bodine’s Retirement
Alison Everhart stepped into the Chief Probation Officer role late last year. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Alison Everhart, Shelby County’s Chief Probation Officer since December 2022, is settling into her new office following the retirement of Terri Bodine, who was with the department nearly three decades.
Everhart, a Shelbyville High School and IUPUI graduate, began employment with the county in 2009 as civil secretary with the Sheriff’s Department. She then worked as the Sex Offender Registry Clerk before becoming an adult officer with Probation in 2014 and later a juvenile officer.
Bodine, too, had come through the ranks, starting in 1993 shortly after graduating from college with a Criminal Justice degree. “I put myself through college while raising my son from my first marriage,” she said.
She was working at Cagney’s when her mother handed off a newspaper with an advertisement seeking a juvenile probation officer. The classified had been circled in purple marker, and Bodine submitted her resume the same day.
“I stunk at (waitressing),” Bodine said, displaying her hallmark sense of humor. “I cost Scott (Furgeson) a few free pizzas, so thank God (Shelby County) Probation called.”
She was much more successful in her new position, being named Chief in 2006 following interviews with county judges the same week as her father’s funeral. Over the next 16-plus years, Bodine brought the MADD Victim Impact Panel to Shelby County and implemented a court-certified alcohol and drug program, of which she served as director before Melissa Gharst was hired to manage all programs. Bodine also secured nearly $200,000 in grants and implemented a pretrial program for assessing probationers for bond purposes before initial hearings.
The success of these initiatives goes back to the staff, she said. “The key is finding great (employees).” She added, “I especially enjoyed the people we worked with, and that I was able to impact their lives positively. So many good people who made a mistake, that’s all.”
Bodine also worked with county officials and architects to design Annex II, the new department home. The project took several years to come to fruition. “I credit Judge (Charles) O’Connor with not letting up about that,” she said. “He knew we needed it. It was wonderful watching it being built and getting us all moved in when completed.”
There’s plenty left to do to move the ever-changing industry forward. Everhart said she pursued the Chief position because she wants to make a difference in her community.
“Through collaboration with other criminal justice departments and community agencies, I believe we can help probationers make positive long-term changes,” she said. “There are lots of exciting meetings occurring to plan and implement new services and programs that we feel will be beneficial to our probationers.”
Everhart doesn’t have to look far to find supporters. “I wish Alison success as Probation evolves,” Bodine said. “I know she’ll do great.”
NOTEBOOK:
Brian Glesing, who has served as Shelbyville High School head football coach the past two seasons, accepted the head football coach job and a teaching position at Salem High School in southern Indiana this week. He will complete his teaching duties here first. Glesing, a graduate of Franklin Central High School and Hanover College, has been credited with turning around struggling programs. Although his overall record in Shelbyville was 2-15, he oversaw the breaking of a 26-game losing streak and the team was competitive in several close games. Glesing also had focused on strengthening the local youth program here.
The following Shelbyville High School students were winners in recent Career Development competitions: London Smith (placed 1st in Financial Literacy and moves on to state finals in March), Isabelle Roberts (3rd place, Outstanding Senior); Amanda Esquivel (2nd place, Public Speaking); Sara Turley and Brook Byers (3rd place, Project Based Learning); Yulitza Martinez-Julian (2nd place, Employability Skills); Andrew Duffy (2nd place, Digital Invite/Cover Design); Julia Cutler (3rd place, Digital Invite/Cover Design); Jakarta Owens (2nd place, Critical Thinking); and Zoey Placek (2nd place in Career Presentation).
HOOSIER NEWS: When downtown Indianapolis software company Salesforce notified its employees of layoffs in January, the state should have been notified, too. The U.S. Department of Labor requires companies that employ more than 100 people to notify the Indiana Department of Workforce Development of any layoffs with a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, known as a WARN. As of Thursday, the company had not issued such a notice to Indiana officials. I-Team 8 asked the U.S. Department of Labor if there are consequences for not doing so. WARN is enforced through the U.S. district courts. Workers, their representatives, and units of local government may bring individual or class-action lawsuits against employers who are believed to be in violation. I-Team 8 asked the Indiana Department of Workforce Development if it has heard from Salesforce, and, as of Thursday, it had not, the Indiana Department of Labor says. Salesforce filed a WARN in California; however, that notification didn’t cover Indiana. (WISH-TV)
NATIONAL NEWS: A Nielsen survey of streaming service customers found that the average user aged 18 to 49 spent an average of 12.7 minutes to make a selection. The average user over the age of 18 saw a 52 percent increase in the time spent choosing what to watch compared to March of 2019, when the available options were considerably smaller. The services worry about this because while customers obviously want a lot of movies and television with their subscription, if they’re actually not finding any of it, that could be a driver of unsubscribes. (VIP+/Numlock)
SHELBY COUNTY PEOPLE & PLACES: CLIFFORD NEWTON
Editor’s note: In the mid- to late 1940s, The Shelbyville Republican published a series of articles by Ave Lewis and Hortense Montgomery covering community people and places. Below is one of those features.
Thomas Clifford Newton is his given name, but the slightly stooped, familiar figure that rules over the justice of the peace office at the courthouse doubts if very many people know it - he's been "Squire" Newton for so long.
The title fits him nicely and even though you've only been acquainted with him for a short time; it’s much more natural to address him as Squire instead of "Mr. Newton." He was appointed justice of peace of Addison township in 1927, and this June 27 celebrated his 20th year in the office. Nine big books stacked in the corner of his office and a like number filed away in the courthouse basement hold records of the innumerable cases over which he's presided. In 1946, he handled 283 criminal cases (this figure was compiled for us by means of a "doodling" system such as is used in keeping a basketball score), and while he says it isn't fair to use that as an average, some years there weren't that many - his total number of cases must run to at least 5,000. The list includes traffic violations, assault and battery, disorderly conduct and such offenses as don't warrant jurisdiction of a higher court.
The Squire always wanted to study law. But, "somehow just never got around to it." You get the impression, however, that quite a bit of law is tucked away behind his bespectacled eyes. His creed, in the law business and otherwise, is: "Be fair and square and try to see both sides." He finds too that oftentimes a quiet talk with some of his victims does far more good than severe punishment, particularly in the cases of young people.
Mr. Newton was born in Switzerland County, and after his parents died when he was quite young he lived with his grandfather until he was 12 years old. From that age he was "on his own" and worked on farms by the month until he was 21. He moved to Shelby County in 1912. In the meantime, in 1906, he married a Switzerland County girl who lived only two months and three days after their marriage. In 1908 he married Miss Ora Phillips, and they have resided in a pretty home at 1107 Elm Street for the past 24 years. They have no children of their own but reared a foster daughter.
He was working in the old Wardrobe furniture factory when the 1929 crash came and, after being laid off with hundreds of others, he decided that if worse came to worst he'd just "open up a peanut stand somewhere." "But," he chuckles, "it never quite came to that.” His first justice of peace office was in the 100 block on South Harrison Street. He was there for five years and then came five years in an office over what is now the G.C. Murphy Store on the southwest corner of the Public Square. He moved into the courthouse office on March 1, 1937, and has been there since. But this week is the first time he's had a telephone installed. "There were so many calls that were out of my line that I was pestered to death," he says, "but now those calls come to other offices here and I can't have those people bothered." His number, by the way, is 1710.
Squire estimates he has married more than 900 couples during his 20 years in office at all hours of the day and night. His funniest experience in that department came one time when he asked the couple to clasp right hands and the two immediately stuck both hands straight up in the air. He always has wondered if they had been ordered to do that before under different circumstances. The cases he dislikes most are possession suits. He realizes the need of many homeowners in trying to regain possession of their property but finds it "pretty hard to set families with children out with no place to go." His "meanest" case, he believes, was a four-day jury trial in which a man was charged with cruel treatment to his child.
Mr. Newton says he isn't too much for traveling and hasn't been too far away from Indiana. Mrs. Newton likes going places, however, and has visited such places as California and Florida. But the man who probably has seen as much of human nature as almost anyone in the county likes his home and would rather hear the Missus tell about her trips than to take them himself
This Week in Shelby County" works by George L. Stubbs Sr. are owned by the Shelby County Historical Society (Grover Center) and used with permission.
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 from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
20 YEARS AGO: 2003
The Morristown Lady Yellow Jackets won the Class A Southwestern sectional championship with a 45-44 win over Southwestern.
30 YEARS AGO: 1993
Knauf Fiber Glass, Shelbyville’s largest employer, announced plans to build three curing ovens and a glass-melting furnace for $5.7 million.
40 YEARS AGO: 1983
Rick Tippin, the former Shelbyville High School baseball player who excelled in college and played minor league baseball in the New York Mets organization, was presented with the Shelby County Babe Ruth Hot Stove award at the league’s Hot Stove program at Breck Auditorium. Tippin, a 1975 SHS grad, was recognized for being the first former Golden Bear to sign a professional baseball contract. Dude McNew became the second when he agreed to terms with the Montreal Expos organization.
50 YEARS AGO: 1973
Shelbyville’ public ice skating rink was being folded up for the season. Parks and Recreation Director Randy Hildebrand said the closure was prompted by vandals who punched a hole in the vinyl plastic liner holding the water, and by the weatherman. The rink had been set up in Morrison Park.
60 YEARS AGO: 1963
A posse caught and killed a fox near Marietta. The fox was later found to have been rabid.
70 YEARS AGO: 1953
Thirty-five local plumbers and members of associated trades met to form the Shelbyville Plumbers, Steam and Gas Fitters Association in a meeting at City Hall. Elected officers were Robert Stadtmiller, Stanley Mann and Earl Skinner. Committee members were Walter Anderson Sr., Charles Hendron, Joseph Darby and Lawrence McCarty.
80 YEARS AGO: 1943
Police said $75 in cash was taken from the Office Tavern, located on the northeast section of the Public Square. The Joe Smith lunch room, on East Jackson Street, was also burglarized, with $17 in silver coins stolen in addition to several pints of whisky.
90 YEARS AGO: 1933
Due to budget legislation signed by the Governor, the county road superintendent was dismissed and his duties were transferred to the office of the county surveyor, Earl Mings. The previous supervisor, S.S. Gardner, had been paid $5 a day and a mileage allowance.
100 YEARS AGO: 1923
The state House of Representatives passed a bill to tax cigarettes. “The bill to prohibit the smoking of cigarettes in restaurants, ice cream parlors and similar places of business patronized by women had a narrow escape from passing,” The Republican reported.
INCIDENTS
Thefts were reported in the 1900 block of Culbertson Road and 5100 block of W. Range Road, Shelbyville.
JAIL BOOK-INS: Richard A. Kehrt, public nudity, criminal mischief; Rusty T. Wilson, battery; Charles C. Clock, possession of firearm by violent felon, resisting law enforcement, reckless driving, possession of paraphernalia, meth, false government ID, probation hold.
OBITUARIES
Randy “Haha” McGaha, 59, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at his residence. He was born July 23, 1963 in Columbia, KY, to Billy Joe McGaha and Margie (Harmon) Lengl.
Randy had a love for automobiles. Whether it was body work or general mechanic work, he just enjoyed working on them. He also had a love for flea markets and enjoyed collecting various items. He was a good friend to many and will be missed by his family and friends.
Randy is survived by his mother; sister, Beverly Gilaspy (husband, Greg); brother, Tim McGaha (wife Bee); brother, Keith McGaha; nephew, Kristopher; step-daughter, Sara Patton; grand-daughters, Jasmine and Dakota; very close and dear friends, the Baird family and Ricky Williams; several aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father and daughter, Jennifer Diefender.
A Gathering of Friends will be Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. A Celebration of Life will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jose Rivera officiating. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Randy’s family and friends. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Billy Gene Carlton, 68, of Gwynneville, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023, at his home. He was born September 23, 1954, in Shelbyville, the son of Raymond and Gretchen (Hatfield) Carlton. Billy is survived by his son, Aaron Carlton and wife, Stacie, of Gwynneville; daughter, Amanda “Mandy” Carlton-Land of Gwynneville; brothers, Gary Carlton and wife, Elaine, of Greenfield, and Tom Carlton and wife, Diane, of Rushville; grandchildren, Mathew, Brooklyn, Greyson and Madilyn; sisters-in-law, Jerald Carlton of St. Paul, Debbie Carlton of Rushville, and Sheila Carlton of Russell Springs, Kentucky; and numerous nieces and nephews. Billy was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Donald Carlton, David Carlton and Fred Carlton.
He attended Gwynneville Christian Church. Billy formerly worked in manufacturing at Randall Textron, with over 15 years of service. He enjoyed riding around with his grandchildren in the golf cart. Billy was known as a regular at the Bluebird Restaurant for his 6 a.m. breakfast. He always sat in the booth by the front window.
A Gathering of Friends will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Frazier Chapel, 124 E. North St. in Morristown.
The Celebration of Billy’s life will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Pastor Ted Hagel officiating. Inurnment will be at Arlington East Hill Cemetery in Rush County at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Santa Protectors, 40 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Billy’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Angela Karen Johnson, 67, of Franklin, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at University Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband by her side. Angela was born in Harriman, Tennessee on July 26, 1955 to Harvey Simpson, Jr. and Betty Lou (Hall) Lovin.
She enjoyed planting flowers, craft workshops, and going out to eat with her husband and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Harvey, and siblings, Ronnie Simpson and Billy Lovin-Borer. Angela is survived by her husband, Terry Johnson of Franklin, IN; children, Tony Johnson of Franklin, IN and Brian (Tai) Johnson of Franklin, IN; mother, Betty Lou Lovin; nephew, Buddy Simpson.
No services will be held at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Association at Pancan.org/donate or by mail to 1500 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Friends may send a condolence to the family at www.jessen funeralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Jessen Funeral Home & Simple Cremation. 729 N. US Highway 31, Whiteland, IN 46184. (317) 535-6880. www.jessenfuneralhome.com