Sunday, April 27, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
Tree Trot Tradition Continues
(Left) Liv Lee, Brooklynn Kincade and Sophia Asher, and (right) Paige Leffler and Arica Crose endure cool gusts of wind yesterday morning at Tree Trot at Blue River Memorial Park while waiting to plant trees. Shelbyville High School students planted the following types and numbers of trees in the park: Sycamore, 2; Hophornbeam, 2; Northern Pin Oak, 1; White Oak, 1; Black Locust, 1; and American Beech, 1. Most of the money for the trees - which cost $1,377 - was covered by the student-led Tree Trot run. “Stefanie Howard would be proud,” SHS science teacher Chris Lux said of the student founder of the event. Howard, the 2022 SHS valedictorian, is now a junior at Pomona College in California studying neuroscience. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
Shelby County Commissioners tomorrow will consider revisions to the 2019 Shelby County Comprehensive Plan. Last week, the Plan Commission gave a favorable recommendation to the revisions. The 2019 plan had “a goal of attracting new residents and industries,” Dr. Philip Roth, Senior Planner at American Structurepoint contracted to make the changes, said at a community meeting last year. “And this is where some of the controversy seems to live with the prior plan: how many residents, how much industry to attract.” The revised plan includes 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 Plan Commission members to consider allowing the zoning to reflect Town officials’ desire for the industrial park to meet additional demand. Town and county officials agreed to further discuss the matter, but the plan commission ultimately gave the original proposed map a favorable recommendation. Shelby County Commissioners meet at 8 a.m. Mondays in the annex building.
The Shelbyville Plan Commission will not hold its monthly meeting tomorrow due to lack of business.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that former State Rep. Sean Eberhart, a Republican who represented Shelbyville, was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Manchester, Ky., on March 28, The Columbus Republic reported. Eberhart was initially expected to be released on June 28, but his release date was later adjusted to June 18 and then May 14. Overall, he spent 147 fewer days behind bars than his sentence. The Federal Bureau of Prisons would not say why Eberhart’s release date was moved up. Federal officials previously told The Republic that they do not comment on release planning for privacy, safety and security reasons.
HOOSIER NEWS: State legislators this week passed the final version of SB 1, which ensures two-thirds of homeowners have lower property tax bills in 2026 than in 2025 and gives local governments more tools to increase local income taxes as a way to make up revenue losses. House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said it strikes the right balance. “For our role in this, which is to create a better property tax system, more transparent to Hoosiers, provide more relief to Hoosiers, I think we hit a home run,” Huston said. But Democrats, like House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne), said it’s a scam that puts pressure on local governments. “This bill isn’t a tax relief bill, it’s a tax hike bill,” GiaQuinta said. (Indiana Public Radio)
NATIONAL NEWS: Hasbro reported earnings this week. While many know the company for its board games and more traditional toys, the Wizards of the Coast division — which produces “Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons” — is the real dynamo at the heart of the business. Alongside the digital products division, it was responsible for every cent of profit made by the company. The $887.1 million in revenue and $170.7 million in profit for the company as a whole can be, by and large, traced to the $462 million revenue and $230 million profit of the Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment, which operates on a 49.8 percent profit margin. The rest of the company actually posted a loss. Tabletop games alone were responsible for $343 million of that revenue. (Sherwood News/Hasbro/Numlock)
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!
SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Feb. 2, 1954, Part II
The Moral Hawks had won the 31st Shelby County Tourney and the Victory Bell in Paul Cross Gym over Waldron. Kenny Conover and Bill Laird led the Mohawks with 22 and 15 points, respectively, while Ted Thompson led Moral with 18. Dave Sullivan, Moral, was named most valuable player of the tourney.
The Shelby Cubs (junior varsity) defeated Lebanon, with Dean Russell leading the team in scoring with 17 points. The varsity team also beat Lebanon. The Bears went 9 of 18 at the free throw line and Lebanon hit 6 of 12.
According to a Courier poll, the majority of SHS students ate an “above average” breakfast. While 78 of 405 students polled did not eat breakfast, 222 reported eating a “hearty” breakfast of multiple items.
The 8th grade class commencement featured a vocal solo from Barbara Ewick, an invocation by Marla Cole and remarks from George Stubbs and Deborah Scott (7A). The clarinet trio of Judy Tovey, Nancy Stine and Janet Badgley performed. Beverly Beatty presented the school with a gift from the class, and Mr. Day, JHS principal, presented certificates of promotion.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
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: Debate continued regarding Tillison Farms, a proposed housing development that would straddle the Shelby-Marion county line. Shelby County Development Corporation Executive Director Dan Theobald said the county would get more retail and job opportunities with positive population growth, but 250 people had attended a community meeting at Acton Elementary to protest the development.
1995: With a nationwide manhunt underway in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, local law enforcement received a tip that a U-Haul truck with Oklahoma license plates was at the McDonald’s on Rampart Street. The truck was soon tracked down between Shelby County and Decatur County on I-74, and the FBI swooped in. Helicopters hovered above, and the driver was handcuffed and then released after it was verified the man was not the suspect, Timothy McVeigh.
1985: Loper Elementary student Carisa Taul won the county spelling bee. Laura Rife, Triton Middle School, placed second, and Sandra Woodward, St. Joe, finished third.
Al and Harriett McQueen, who had been one of central Indiana’s leading producers of vegetables, said they intended to leave the farming industry in the wake of the agriculture financial crisis that had bankrupted thousands of farms nationwide. “First, you have to blame yourself. Then you blame Reagan…and then you have to blame God,” Al McQueen said. “But that’s agriculture today - that’s just the way it is.”
1975: More than 550 people participated in a 25-mile bike-a-thon, starting from City Hall, which raised nearly $10,000 for local children with developmental disabilities. James Slater was chairman of the event.
1965: Along with Superintendent J.W.O. Breck, teachers Daniel Kocher, Agnes Clayton and Martin Schulz, all retiring, were honored at a Shelbyville Central Classroom Teachers Association banquet.
Shelbyville’s sewage treatment plant basement was inundated by a back-up of party-treated sewage when an automatic pumping switch failed, submerging a tractor and other equipment in the basement. Superintendent John Thomas noted that a shortage of men to operate the facility did not permit day-round shifts, and that it was lucky an operator caught the issue early, “or this place would have looked like Lake Shafer this morning.”
1955: The Harry Anderson Transfer Company, 127 E. Franklin St., purchased the three-story Webster St. building which previously housed the Spiegel Cabinet Company, which had moved next door.
Chamber of Commerce officials announced plans to develop a lot owned by Kennedy Car Liner & Bag Co. into a children’s playground.
1945: Union Township eighth-graders enjoyed a theatre party in Indianapolis to see “God Is My Co-Pilot.” The group was accompanied by Mrs. Mildred Fuchs, teacher, and Principal Clyde Beckley.
1935: Boggstown High School students, directed by Mrs. Miriam Ramsey, put on an operetta entitled “Dawn Boy” in the school auditorium. The plot revolved around an Indian tribe’s efforts to bring rain to their drought-afflicted territory and the heroism of Dawn Boy in bringing the rain.
1925: Earth tremors were felt throughout Shelby County. “Soon after the quake had passed the telephone lines were busy with persons calling friends to know if they had felt the rocking of the earth,” The Republican reported. Two distinct shocks had been felt.
1915: Shelbyville High School graduation plans were finalized, which included decorating the City Building with a garden theme. A stairway would be built in the rear of the stage, leading from a terrace into a garden, which graduates would walk down for the ceremony. It was a change from past events. “In years gone by, the graduates have been forced to march down the center aisle of the hall to a slow, hum drum piece of music that made several of the seniors and those in the audience believe that the end of the world was near at hand,” The Republican said. They were then seated at the front. “There they sat through the two hours or more of the exercises, listening with but little or no interest to what was going on. They were uncomfortable in their straight-backed chairs….”
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Johnny W. “Jack” Miller, 89, of Shelbyville, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Ashford Place Health Campus in Shelbyville. He was born January 11, 1936, in Shelbyville, the son of John and Doretha (Roberts) Miller. On November 8, 1957, he married Joyce Ann Amos, and she preceded him in death on November 1, 2021. Jack is survived by his sons, Kim Miller and wife, Tracy, of Shelbyville, and Kyle Miller and wife, Amy, of Martinsville; daughter, Kelly Hurley and husband, Brian, of Liberty, South Carolina; brother, Max Miller and wife, Joy, of Bloomfield; grandchildren, Rachel, Jake, Sam, Kyra, Trae, Dustin, Erin and Danielle; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to Joyce, Jack was preceded in death by his parents.
Jack graduated from Waldron High School in 1954. He served in the National Guard. Jack retired from the Indianapolis Star, with over 30 years of service. He was an active member of Lewis Creek Baptist Church, where he taught adult Sunday school, served as a deacon and enjoyed participating in church events. Jack also volunteered on mission trips, helping rebuild areas struck by hurricanes. Jack enjoyed going fishing, coaching youth sports and watching sports, He especially liked the Indianapolis 500, New York Yankees, and the Indianapolis Colts. He was also a member of the Optimist Club. He was a family man and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Jack had a servant’s heart and enjoyed spending time visiting with and ministering to his friends in nursing facilities.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at Noon, with Rev. Bill Horner officiating. Interment will be at Lewis Creek Baptist Cemetery in Shelby County. Memorial contributions may be made to Scuffy, 126 N. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana. Online condolences may be shared with Jack’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Martin Edward Poole, 67, of Fountaintown, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025. He was born December 4, 1957, in Maysville, Kentucky, the son of Fernard “Pete” and Gladys “Marie” (Rankin) Poole. Martin is survived by his daughters, Megan Poole and Melissa Poole, both of Indianapolis; brother, Timothy Poole and wife, Tammy, of New Palestine; and sisters, Robin Bullock and husband, Dean, of Rock Lane, and Mitzi Mikels and husband, Dave, of Franklin. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jay Poole.
In 1975, he graduated from New Palestine High School. He was a self-employed and installed floor covering. Martin enjoyed playing poker, going deer hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed watching all sports.
Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Martin’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Rosemary (Billie) Nolley, 88, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Franciscan St. Francis Hospital. She was born on September 19, 1936, at her family’s home in Johnson County, Ind., to Elza and Lotta (McMurray) Stephens.
Her family relocated to Jay County, Ind., during her younger years, but moved back to Boggstown, where she graduated from high school in 1954. She furthered her studies at Olivet Nazarene University (1958), Indiana University (1960) and Butler University. She was a retired schoolteacher, having taught at Triton Central School and at Shelbyville Central Schools for three years and for MSD Perry Township Schools for 27 years. She was chosen twice to be the Perry Meridian Middle School Teacher of the Year, once by the administration and once by the parents.
Billie was a member of the Shelbyville First Church of the Nazarene and served the church in many ways, including going on mission trips, preparing meals, and encouraging others in their walks with the Lord.
She was married to James (Jim) Nolley, and his children, James (Jim) Jr. and Linda, then became hers as well after their mother had passed away.
Survivors include a grandson who was raised as a son, Jon (Cris) Nolley, and their children, Tyler (Sierra) Nolley and Christian Thompson. They were her primary caretakers in her later years. Also surviving are her son, Jim (Cheryl) Nolley, and grandchildren Sean Nolley, Scott(Katie)Nolley, and Kristen (Rob) Pate. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Martha Sue Stephens, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Many friends of her grandchildren called her “Granny”; and she was honored to be held in such high esteem.
Billie was predeceased by her parents Lotta and Elza Stephens, husband Jim, and daughter Linda. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Hazel (Clem) Deighn, Gay (Walter) Hazelwood, John (Marie) Stephens, Charles J (Joe) Stephens, Helen P. (Roy) Safewright; and great-great-grandson, Daniel Thompson.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at First Church of the Nazarene, 2315 S. Riley Highway, in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow, with Rev. Dr. Steve Bohall and Rev. John Wessic officiating. Interment will be at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Billie’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.