Saturday, January 7, 2023
Pouder Enters City Council Race
Susie Pouder, pictured here with Denny Ramsey, left, and Shelby County Democrat Party Chair Bob Williams at the county courthouse yesterday, filed to run for the Shelbyville Common Council 1st Ward seat. Fellow Democrat Joanne Bowen, the current 1st Ward representative, is planning to file in the at-large race. A Republican candidate has yet to formally enter the 1st Ward City Council contest. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE
Leadership Shelby County Projects in Progress
The annual Leadership Shelby County program group projects are underway, with plans in the works for a bike rack, Golden Bear street signs and a Blue Communication Emergency Light. Below is additional information on each of the three projects.
Bike Rack for Shelbyville’s Public Square
The Idea: Install a sculptural bike rack spelling out “S-H-E-L-B-Y” in sign language along with a placard introducing American Sign Language (ASL) identifying the letters and recognition of the support of the other eligible organizations and individuals who donate to the bike rack. The sculptural bike rack will not only promote inclusivity and awareness of Deaf Culture as well as art, but will enhance the usage of the downtown Shelbyville area as a stop on the Blue River Trail and advocate for outdoor exercise. There are currently no bike racks in the Public Square area, and as a stop of the Blue River Trail, including such an entity will encourage those who are utilizing the trail to explore and utilize the downtown space and restaurants. Through consultation with the City of Shelbyville, the sculptural bike rack will be intentionally located in the northwest quadrant of the Public Square facing Harrison Street just south of Capone's Speakeasy, Three Sisters Books, The Bookmark Cafe and The Shelbyville Art Guild Association.
Next steps: The project is already in the next steps of fabrication and installation, however, an aspirational goal would be to collect donations to replicate this project in each of the county communities. Organizations interested in more information should contact Jordan England, Grants and Non-Profit Relations Director at the Blue River Community Foundation, jengland@blueriverfoundation.com.
Group Members: Haley Gallagher, Jenna Martin, Micah McQuery, Jeremy Powers, Ethan Smith, Max Southern and Jared West.
Golden Bear Street Signs
The Idea: Install Golden Bear-themed street signs on main streets throughout the community to create school pride and community identity.
Next steps: Fundraising and finalizing the map of signs for the Shelbyville Board of Works and Planning Commission for final approval before ordering and installing the signs. The group is looking to raise approximately $3,000 to replace signs at 37 intersections throughout the city. If additional funds are raised, the project will be expanded. The signs cost $37 each to replace. Those interested in helping can contact a group member.
Group Members: Ashley Livezey, Tony Ricketts, Kali Moore, Amber Hinkle, Carlos Rivera, Ali Brunner and Kent Huber.
Blue Communication Emergency Light
The Idea: Install a Blue Communication Emergency Light to be mounted on the Blue River Trail restrooms in Blue River Memorial Park as a safety precaution.
Next steps: All funds have been collected and the project has been approved by the City and Parks Department. The group is just awaiting installation of the light.
Group Members: Steve Shaw, Easter Beyer, Eric Wietholter, Jennifer Andrews, Luke Piersall, Randy Rollo and LaTisha Idlewine.
NOTEBOOK:
Brad Ridgeway, Republican candidate for mayor, will host a Town Hall meeting January 24, 6 - 8 p.m. at the VFW - Post 2695. “The purpose of the meeting is to give Shelbyville residents an opportunity to get together in a relaxed environment to personally discuss the things that matter to them and to share their thoughts on local issues,” Ridgeway said in a statement. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, contact Mr. Ridgeway at 317-395-4841.
Live Christmas trees can be dropped off at the following locations, the Street Department announced: Sunset Park, 410 River Road, and the Shelby County Transfer Station, 1304 N. Michigan Road. All live trees must be free of all decorations and stands.
The following students were named Winter Athletes of the Week at Shelbyville Middle Schools: Kellen Coffey (6th grade boys basketball), Austin Martzall and James Rodriguez (7th grade boys basketball), Jack Van Wye (8th grade boys basketball), Lillian Jenkins (6th grade cheer), Chloe Claxton (7th grade cheer) and Lily Zelaya (8th grade cheer).
HOOSIER NEWS: Chick-Fil-A inside Circle Centre Mall closed at the end of December. The restaurant had been in the mall for 20 years, according to a statement from JLL vice president and general manager of Circle Centre Luke Aeschliman. A street-level Chick-Fil-A off Meridian and Washington opened in August 2022. (IndyStar)
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
A 72-year-old woman was injured after an unknown assailant entered her residence and beat her with a hammer. After she was treated, Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Cleveland drove her home. The woman, a Mount Pisgah Baptist Church member, talked about religion on the ride, not the attack, Cleveland reported. She said God wanted her to live.
30 YEARS AGO: 1993
Robert B. Driver, director of the Philadelphia Opera, continued to live on the banks of Flat Rock River near Geneva despite no longer serving as director of the Indianapolis Opera, where he had worked 10 years, Shelbyville News executive editor Jim McKinney reported. (Driver, now retired, recently had an interview published in Opera America.)
40 YEARS AGO: 1983
The Shelbyville Parks Department announced plans to organize a contest naming the new Berwick Manor subdivision park.
The Indiana Bell customer service center at 30 W. Broadway was closed, one of nine in the state to be shut down. Customers could make payments at Farmer’s National Bank, Shelby National Bank and the Fairland office of the Central Indiana Bank.
50 YEARS AGO: 1973
The Shelbyville Street Department purchased a new dump truck, a new cab and chassis from Sandman Bros.
Despite snow and brutal cold, construction workers continued work on the new International Packings of Indiana plant on the west edge of Morristown.
60 YEARS AGO: 1963
Thousands of Christmas trees that had been collected from homes throughout the community would be set on fire at a city-owned tract located on Hale Road at the west edge of the city and just south of Washington St. Street Commissioner Roscoe Bullard said more than 50 truckloads of the trees had been picked up and taken to the site. The public was invited to observe.
70 YEARS AGO: 1953
The body of Airman Third Class Billie Jack Ray, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ray of 221 Elizabeth St., who had died in Japan Dec. 20, arrived here by train and was taken to the Sleeth Funeral Home. Airman Ray, who had been sent to Japan in September 1952, died as a result of injuries received when he was struck by a train, according to the War Department.
80 YEARS AGO: 1943
Fire caused by a kerosene lamp which ignited lace curtains on a window destroyed the home and all household furnishings of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Clark, at the west edge of the city. Occurring near the Kennedy Car Liner & Bag Company, the city’s largest industrial plant, the conflagration cast a lurid red glow over the sky and caused widespread alarm throughout the city. Scores of telephone calls were received by city officials and at the newspaper office as citizens called to ask if the factory was ablaze. Mrs. Clark and her daughter were at home when the fire started but escaped without injury.
90 YEARS AGO: 1933
A local man was improving after having been shot in a “love triangle” quarrel that occurred at a Milroy dance hall, The Republican reported. Police were still uncertain if the man had been shot by another man, as he claimed, or if he had shot himself. A young woman had also sustained less serious injuries in the ordeal.
100 YEARS AGO: 1923
Frank Miley, 6, 619 West Washington St., died of diphtheria. He was survived by his parents and siblings, Ethan, 9; Ralph, 7; Harold, 9; and James, 15 months. “Friends wishing to view the remains may do so from three o’clock this afternoon until nine o’clock Tuesday morning at the front window of the residence,” the paper said.
INCIDENTS
Thefts were reported in the 700 block of Pike St., Shelbyville, and the 6100 block of W. Boggstown Road, Boggstown.
JAIL BOOK-INS: Heather M. Kennedy, contempt; Amber M. Ledman, bond recovation; Erich M. Lee, failure to appear; Jason A. Randall, obstruction of traffic; Christian D. Sconce, failure to appear; Tiffany M. Behne, theft.
OBITUARIES
James E. Sanders: He was ready to meet his maker, we’re just not sure “The Maker” is ready to meet him or can handle him. James E. Sanders, 73 years young of Franklin, Indiana, passed away at Community South Hospital on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
Talk about a Big Fire Cracker, he was born on July 4, 1949 to James and Marie (Beard) Sanders. He enjoyed farming for many years while also working and retiring from Arvins and then Ryobi. Jim was known for his witty sense of humor, going to auctions, watching his horses race at the track, and then slipping off to the casino. We anticipate the cigar companies are about to experience a hardship as a result of Jim’s passing.
No spouse to list, he couldn’t find one good enough to give the Sanders name to, but he does leave behind three daughters who spoiled him, Loretta (Terry) Bailey of Commiskey, IN, Tina Sanders of Edinburgh, IN, and Fonda Sanders of Franklin, IN; four grandchildren, Scott Bailey, Travis Bailey, Latosha Burton, and Andrew Newby; seven great-grandchildren and his farm son, Charlie “Beaner” Holmes. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Dale and Richard Sanders.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jessen Funeral Home & Simple Cremation ~ Franklin Chapel followed by a funeral service on Wednesday, January 11 at 11 a.m. with visitation from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour. Jim will be laid to rest at Second Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Franklin, Indiana. Arrangements entrusted to Jessen Funeral Home & Simple Cremation - Franklin Chapel. 197 E. Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN 46131. 317-346-6155. www.jessenfuneralhome.com