Saturday, March 22, 2025
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City, County Plan Commissions Hold Meetings Next Week
The Shelby County Plan Commission on Tuesday, March 25, 7 p.m., will finalize a rezone request from last month and move three old business items forward.
The Plan Commission will first read the findings of fact regarding an approved rezone and simple subdivision of two acres at 1273 N 350 E, Shelbyville, for the construction of a new home.
The Commission will then revisit the proposed short-term rental ordinance following significant discussion at last month’s meeting, at which board remembers recommended establishing a six-month deadline from ordinance adoption for short-term rental property owners to register with the county; clarification regarding the Board of Zoning Appeals’ review of a variance option to increase occupancy limit; and replacement of the “grandfather” clause in the draft with a “sunset” clause that requires existing short-term rental properties to come into compliance with all requirements of the ordinance within one year of ordinance adoption. (The last recommendation passed a board vote, with Mike McCain and Andrew Newkirk opposing.) The board also requested further information regarding septic system requirements for short-term rentals, but the State Department of Health has yet to respond to a county inquiry. The Plan Commission will make a recommendation, and the ordinance will go to County Commissioners for adoption.
The Plan Commission will also consider revisions to the 2019 Comprehensive Plan, which include an 89 percent reduction in industrial-zoned acreage in Morristown, 72 percent reduction in Moral Township and 91 percent reduction near Waldron. Officials from the Town of Morristown had encouraged commission members to consider allowing the zoning to reflect the desire for the town industrial park to meet additional demand. Town and county officials agreed to meet to further the discuss the issue.
The City of Shelbyville Plan Commission meets Monday, March 24, 7 p.m., to consider site development plans for Dunkin’ Donuts, 1650 N. Riley Hwy., and a fueling station and convenience store at 425 Progress Road.
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NOTEBOOK:
A vehicle hit a tree in front of 205 Conrey St. The driver of the vehicle, who was turning south onto Conrey from W. Pennsylvania St., said his tires began to spin, and the vehicle then hydroplaned after hitting a puddle on the wet road. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, said he blacked out prior to hitting the tree. The driver and a passenger were transported to the hospital for treatment and were released.
Shelbyville Central Schools superintendent Matt Vance, Ph.D., will host “Visit with Vance” next Wednesday, March 26, 8 a.m., at Porter Coffee on Miller Ave. The event is an opportunity to hear SCS updates and is open to the public.
HOOSIER NEWS: A proposal that could increase the amount of time high school students leave school for religious instruction sparked concern among some lawmakers. Part of SB 255 would remove the current time limit for off-campus religious instruction for high school students. Instead, they could attend religious instruction for the length of one elective course each week, even if that course is an hour every day. Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) is the bill’s author. He said he wants religious instruction to replace an elective course in students’ schedules. “In my view, it’s better to substitute that class rather than miss the class,” he said. But other lawmakers disagree, especially as high school students work toward Indiana's new diploma and achievement seals. “You’re giving up a whole course,” said Rep. Tanya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute). “I understand you don’t want them to leave half the time. I get that. But your law changes this and allows a kid to leave, in my school corporation, every single day for a 50-minute class time.” Rep. Vernon Smith (D-Gary) said students who take religious instruction all four years could lose up to eight credits. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: Because of the unique way that the American West was parceled out, many states have plots of federal land — which can be used by hunters - that are boxed in by private property. The owners of that private land have historically been peeved over a practice known as “corner-crossing”, which is when a hunter will step from one parcel of federal land to another only at the corners of a rectangle. Due to math, this means momentarily stepping over private land. After failing to get a verdict of trespassing against four elk hunters from Missouri who corner-cut near his land, one landowner in Wyoming pressed civil trespassing charges. The highly-watched case would decide the status of the Unlawful Inclosures Act of 1885 and the fate of 8 million acres of corner-locked public lands in the West. In the end, a unanimous verdict from the three-judge panel found in favor of the hunters and unambiguously backed corner-crossing. (Montana Free Press/Numlock)
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Shelby Senior Services Travel Journal: Australia
by CAROL MCDANIEL, M.A., Travel Coordinator
Shelby Senior Services recently sponsored a trip to Australia and New Zealand. What follows is a view of the countries through the eyes and notes taken by traveler Sherry Ponsler.
After a long plane ride, the group landed in Cairns City, Australia. Sherry noted that it was very humid. It is summer there right now.
The group enjoyed free time to get acquainted with the area. They began with a walk-about of the nearby gardens and a lagoon, and they enjoyed seeing the beautiful lights on the trees. Nearby, a Ferris wheel and small group of fishing boats dotted the scenery.
The trip featured many boat rides in various watercraft, including an old steam boat reminiscent of the African Queen boat captained by Humphrey Bogart. Aboard this steam boat the group was treated to a guitar player who enlisted them to be backup singers.
One full day on the water included snorkeling, a glass bottom boat ride, as well as viewing marine life while partially submerged in a small submarine.
A Skyrail Rainforest Cableway took them across the rainforest canopy.
“There was beautiful scenery above the tree tops,” she wrote. Also featured in the nearby Rainforestation Nature Park were Aboriginal dancers, spear throwing and boomerang throwing,” she noted.
Flights between cities took them to Sydney, Melbourne, Queenstown, New Zealand and Christchurch, New Zealand.
In Sydney, the highlight was the Sydney Opera House, of course. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The group toured private areas inside the site. After the tour, guests were treated to a dinner cruise with outstanding entertainment featuring singers and dancers.
In order to fully appreciate the scope of Melbourne’s beauty, an included excursion took them to the Melbourne Skydeck.
“What a view from the 88th floor of the Skydeck!” Ponsler noted.
One highlight for Sherry was visiting the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and Koala Conservation Center.
“We saw tons of kangaroos and wallabees. The penguins were very cute, also,” she said.
At Queenstown, they took a two-hour cruise on Milford Sound where they could see seals, dolphins and more.
Ponsler shared, “There was a massive quantity of sheep, cows (dairy and beef) and deer in fields enroute to Milford Sound.”
She also shared that Indiana farmers would probably be in disbelief when they saw the huge herds of deer that are raised for human consumption of venison. Normally, Indiana farmers aren’t thrilled to see deer in their fields of corn.
Also, she was impressed with how beautiful New Zealand was compared to Australia.
In Queenstown, the coach stopped at Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. One stop allowed free time to take in the “sheepdog statue.”
Christchurch completed the tour with a bus tour of the city.
Overall, Sherry stated that it was a wonderful trip.
A special thanks to Sherry Ponsler for her informative overview of the trip to Australia and New Zealand.
If you would like to experience great destinations and fun times, please join us for our Travel Show, Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the senior center. Please call to reserve your free spot - 317-398-0217.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights
December 21, 1928
It was the first Courier of the year due to fundraising challenges. The editors said to expect up-to-date news. “We do not propose to report basketball games that are a week old. Such games have already been discussed in the public press of our city.”
The Courier noted how the community had stepped up for the high school. Nearly every local business had supported The Courier fund drive. The Business and Professional Women were supporting an award for a “worthy girl” in the Commerce Department. “When Shelbyville decided to place football in our calendar of sports, the local Kiwanis Club immediately offered a beautiful medal to the boy who should show the best mental attitude during any season. This award, although only two years old, is already very much sought after.” The paper encouraged students to be equally community minded and dedicated to their studies given the opportunity. “Does your conduct in study hall contribute to real study?” it asked.
Three Shelbyville football players had been named Honorable Mention on the All-State team picked by the Indianapolis Times: Hughes Patterson, Lionel Walker and Ralph Rottet.
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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: A 14-year-old girl was charged for setting a fire in the middle school bathroom. The girl told police she had smoked a cigarette in the bathroom and stuck the cigarette butt in the sanitary napkin dispenser. However, she later confessed to setting toilet paper on fire and sticking it in the dispenser.
1995: The Board of Works approved plans for extending sanitary sewer service to the Crystal Flash convenience store on N. Riley Highway. The project would extend sanitary sewers from a pump station at Knauf Drive and cross under State Road 9. Crystal Flash had been pumping its wastewater into a holding pit, which had to be drained and the water hauled to the wastewater treatment plant.
1985: Judith Justice, a senior at Shelbyville High School, received an arts scholarship from the Shelby Arts Council, distributed by Tom Strachan, manager of the local Target store.
Dick the Bruiser and other wrestlers put on a show at Shelbyville Junior High School.
1975: Glen Baker was the Boys’ Club Boy of the Year. The award was presented by John Thomas, president of the Optimist Club. Greg Babb was recipient of the Donald L. Richmond Scholarship, presented by Jan Richmond. Marvin McLane received the Golden Boy Award from Robert Clapp for his support of the club.
1965: Harold and Sally Soshnick filed an application to rezone their residential property a short distance north of I-74 and State Road 9 to permit the property to be purchased by Texaco Co. for use as a service station.
Employees of Sears Roebuck and friends of Jerry Carron, manager of the firm, gathered for a surprise party in honor of Carron, who had been with the company 30 years. Mayor Ralph VanNatta handed Carron a lapel pin marking his years of service.
1955: Flat Rock teacher Edith Coons, 55, was in critical condition after a car accident on U.S. 421 near Greensburg in which her sisters, Hazel Wilson and Josephine McQueen, were killed.
Todd Plymate, 32 1/2 West Broadway, was named “Baby of the Week” and received prizes from Goodman-Jester, Miller’s 28 & Vine, Fleming Jewelry Store, Spears Dairy, Ace Hardware and Shelby National Bank.
1945: Shelby County officials received word from the federal government to expect a butter shortage that would be worse than the current meat shortage. The butter supply locally had been good as of late due to high prices, The Republican said. “(President Roosevelt) spoke on the (food shortage) subject for about 10 minutes, much of it off the record which can’t be repeated. But we can say that his feelings in the matter are strong. He feels that Americans would and could cut down on their eating to prevent other peoples from starving if that were necessary, and that the people would back him up in this,” the paper said.
1935: Liquor prices were down, with whiskey selling at 88 cents a pint, down from $1. Wine was not sold locally in Shelbyville because drugstore owners refused to pay the $100 license fee, The Republican reported.
Mr. VanDolsen, manager of a machine shop on Jefferson Ave., had paid Archie Vaughn to build a 30-foot-long, 6-foot-wide sidewalk. While it was setting, a girl had walked all over the wet cement. “Today, the walk looked like a geological map of the Rocky Mountain region,” The Republican said. VanDolsen said he would pay Vaughn to re-do it. “The walk will be reconstructed, of course; but the next guy who treads thereupon ere it’s dry may find some shotgun pellets coming fast in his direction,” the paper said.
1925: Wesleyan Methodist Church held a “fishing season”-themed revival. “Be a man - come and let Him catch you,” an ad said.
1915: The owners of the Waldron restaurant and Waldron bakery were arrested for maintaining gambling establishments. A third complaint had been made about Loy Sparks’ store, but no machines were found in the raid.
The Republican advocated for construction of a YMCA here. The paper noted that “years ago” a Y had been located in a building on the south side of Public Square. Needham Clothing had rented the other building space. Marshall Elliott had then built on North Harrison Street, later owned by Herbert Neal, that housed the Y upstairs. But interest in lectures only had eventually waned, and the Y closed. “If some person in this community with that sentiment (of helping boys) burning in their heart will step to the front with a large donation, Shelbyville can have a YMCA,” the paper said.
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OBITUARIES
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