Thursday, August 21, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
AIR TIME
Shelbyville High School volleyball player Jordyn Noe prepares to spike the ball at yesterday’s practice. The Golden Bears take on Columbus North tonight at home, with JV on at 6 p.m. and varsity at 7 p.m. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
County Council Action Includes Taxes, Discussion of Broadband
The Shelby County Council on Tuesday rescinded an earlier ordinance adopting a public safety local income tax (LIT) after learning the measure had been approved too early. By law, the adoption must occur after Sept. 1 for collections to begin in January.
The council then voted 6-0 to advertise a new ordinance that will be considered at a September public hearing. The proposal includes:
0.05% Public Safety LIT for fire protection. This tax does not generate additional revenue for the county, but is earmarked solely for fire protection.
0.05% Jail LIT to generate about $705,000 annually for jail operations and capital costs. Each additional 0.01% would yield about $141,000.
Council members noted the jail tax revenue could help offset rising costs, including a projected $800,000 hit in 2026 from the state’s new $300 homestead credit, and higher ambulance expenses. Council member Jeremy Ruble expressed concerns about raising taxes before further budget reduction attempts, but the consensus was to move forward with advertising so the ordinance can be properly adopted in September.
In other action, the council voted to extend a tax abatement for Five Below after the company acknowledged an error on its compliance form.
Christopher Giannini, senior director of property development and management for Five Below, told the council the company had made a mistake on its CF-1 abatement form regarding employment numbers. He explained that the Shelby County distribution center’s workforce fluctuates with seasonal demand.
Giannini also noted the company’s challenges in recent years. “We’ve faced headwinds from tariffs, supply chain issues, inflation, you name it,” he said. “But we continue to invest here, and Shelby County has been a good partner to us.”
The council approved the extension, keeping the company in compliance with the county’s tax abatement program.
The council also agreed to require most county positions, new and replacement, to come before the council for approval before posting.
However, members carved out an exception for the sheriff’s department and 911 dispatchers, where turnover is frequent. Sheriff Louie Koch, explaining the hiring challenges, told the council, “You’ll see me here every month for the jail, I promise.” The council opted to receive email notifications instead of hiring requests for designated positions.
Finally, the council announced it will not move forward with spending county dollars on broadband expansion.
Council President Brett Haacker said the decision followed last month’s budget meetings, where members weighed the cost against the uncertain number of residents who would directly benefit. “Given what private companies are already doing and the growth that’s happening on its own, we didn’t think it was wise to commit more county money,” Haacker said.
Council members emphasized they are not opposed to broadband expansion, but believe providers should lead the effort. They also noted that companies such as NineStar Connect are actively surveying and planning projects in the county.
The move effectively ends a proposal that would have included $3 million in county investment alongside federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funds. That program was recently restructured, delaying potential outside support.
Shelby County Barn Listed as Endangered; Blue River Community Foundation Offers Support
Indiana Landmarks has once again named the Rudicel-Montgomery Polygonal Barn in southeastern Shelby County to its annual list of the 10 Most Endangered landmarks in the state, highlighting the rare 12-sided structure’s need for urgent investment and community support.
Constructed in 1910 by George Rudicel with the help of local carpenters Roy and Earl Henderson, the barn represents one of fewer than 10 surviving 12-sided barns in Indiana. Once prized for their efficiency, polygonal barns are now a dwindling reminder of the state’s agricultural heritage. The Rudicel barn has sat mostly vacant in recent years and requires significant repairs.
A 2024 condition study funded by Indiana Landmarks, Indiana Barn Foundation and Blue River Community Foundation estimated costs between $80,000 for stabilization and $125,000 for full restoration.
To help meet that need, Blue River Community Foundation announced a matching gift campaign to support the barn’s rehabilitation. Contributions made during November will be doubled, offering donors the chance to ensure their impact goes twice as far. Shelby County Tourism has also pledged financial support and will host an annual open house to make the barn accessible to the public.
“Preserving landmarks like the Rudicel-Montgomery Barn is about more than saving old buildings, it’s about protecting our shared cultural heritage and investing in our communities,” the foundation noted in its 2024 annual report.
Since Indiana Landmarks began publishing its 10 Most Endangered list in 1991, the nonprofit has seen 105 of 172 sites either restored or removed from the list, with only 21 lost to demolition.
“Each endangered place tells a distinct story, and each faces its own set of challenges,” Indiana Landmarks President Brad Ward said. “When an endangered place lands on our list, we commit to seeking solutions that lead to rescue and revitalization.”
The Rudicel barn’s inclusion places it alongside nine other sites across the state, including a historic Black social club in South Bend, a covered bridge in Indianapolis and a one-room schoolhouse in Gibson County.
More information on the Rudicel-Montgomery Barn and the full 10 Most Endangered list is available at indianalandmarks.org.
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NOTEBOOK:
Shelbyville Fire Department crews responded early Tuesday to a roof fire at Blue River Bowl. Firefighters were dispatched at 12:49 a.m. and found flames on the building’s roof. The blaze was quickly extinguished, preventing further damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Shelbyville High School’s Class of 2000 will hold its 25th reunion during Mainstreet’s “Brew Fest” on Sept. 20 downtown Shelbyville. No RSVP is needed; just come downtown to enjoy the music, food and brews while catching up with classmates. The event is family-friendly, and questions can be posted on the “SHS Class of 2000” Facebook group.
West Street United Methodist Church will host its annual Beef Manhattan Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the church. The meal includes salad, green beans, dessert and a drink. A $15 donation is suggested, and carry-outs will be available.
HOOSIER NEWS: Since sports betting began in 2020, Indiana residents have wagered more than $17 billion on sports — more than 90% of it coming from bets placed online. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: The music industry makes most of its money from the direct consumption of music — historically, purchases, these days, streams. However, a reliable slice of the industry’s revenues has come from synchronization, which is the term for money that commercials and movies pay to use certain music. Synch revenues hit $650 million in 2024, up 6.4 percent. . (Billboard Pro/Numlock)
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This Day in Shelby County History
Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Joe Musgrave and Bill Blocher broke ground to develop 19 acres on Knightstown Road into nine lots for luxury homes.
1995: The Shelbyville News published an article on what happened to roadkill. County officials said it was “not unusual to take a truckload of dog and cat carcasses” a week to Caldwell Landfill. The animals had once been taken to Bausback Fertilizer on Old Franklin Road, but a change was made after Bausback closed.
1985: Construction began on a new wing of the southwest corner of Shelbyville High School. The new area would house biology and special education centers. An elevator would also be installed.
1975: The Griffey’s Sporting Goods women’s softball team finished an undefeated season and won the tournament. Team members were Kathy Waltz, Janet Bush, Helen McKenney, Sherry Harding, Anita Landwerlen, Debbie Gallagher, Vicki Tippin, Sandy Daulton, Dedra Montgomery, Judy Bush, Julie Branson, Vicki Williams, Beatrice Davis and Dereva Kuhn. The coaches were Dee Lockman and Randy Case.
1965: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Worland, owners of Worland’s Pharmacy, 118 S. Harrison St., announced they would retire and sell the business to Haag Drug Co. The Worlands had operated the pharmacy since 1927. The store was originally on the southeast corner of Broadway and Harrison streets before moving to S. Harrison in 1934.
1955: Edinburgh town officials planned to torch 19 buildings in a blighted area to make room for a new school gymnasium, The Shelbyville News reported. Thousands of spectators were expected to watch the firemen do the job.
1945: A prisoner-of-war labor camp was established again for the season in Morristown to help food processors and farmers in harvesting and canning vital crops. Between 400 and 500 German prisoners-of-war were scheduled to arrive soon at the same site used previously.
1935: William Brokering’s efforts to eradicate termites at his house, 716 West Washington, led to him accidentally setting the home on fire. The fire department responded before major damage occurred, and insurance covered the costs.
1925: More than 75 Fairland residents met at the Fairland Christian Church to discuss constructing a community building. The Republican said some town residents were opposed.
1915: Sarah Coleman and her sons, Paul and Ralph Coleman, bought the Shelbyville Dry Goods Co. store owned by F.X. Schaffer.
Local veterans held a campfire social outside the City Building. Several gave brief talks.
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OBITUARIES
Helen Snyder, 88, of Shelbyville, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at Waldron Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. She was born April 25, 1937, in Rush County, Indiana, to Clifford and Mabel (Dearinger) Hill.
Mrs. Snyder owned and operated an in-home daycare for more than 10 years. She also worked at Admiral and the Garment Factory before retiring from Major Hospital in 2002. She was known for opening her home to others and caring for many children as her own. She enjoyed crocheting in her spare time.
She married Robert L. Snyder on Nov. 21, 1953, and they shared 51 years of marriage before his death on March 24, 2004. Survivors include two daughters, Jean (Aaron) Lynch of Scipio and Beth Rutherford of Marysville, Ohio; two sons, Robert “Rob” (Sharon) Snyder of Shelbyville and Timothy “Tim” (Shelley) Snyder of Waldron; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Anthony “Chip” Snyder; a son-in-law, John Rutherford; a brother, Bob Hill; and a sister, Kathleen Bert.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at noon at the funeral home, with Pastor Troy Romine officiating. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery in Rush County. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve the Snyder family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.