Thursday, February 1, 2024
GETTING AHEAD OF THE GAME
Shelbyville Middle School eighth grade student Garret Morace participates in an activity yesterday facilitated by guidance counselors Katie Beyer and Derek Heim. The counselors presented on the upcoming transition to high school, explaining diploma types, credit hours, grade point average and other high school-related topics.
County Planning and Building Report Discusses 2023 Trends
Although the value of total construction improvements in Shelby County skyrocketed last year thanks to a single project, overall building activity declined, due to both national economic factors and local decision-making, the 2023 Shelby County Plan Commission and Building Inspector annual report, released this week, said.
Site plans issued for new homes decreased by nearly 25 percent from 2022 to 2023, from 45 to 34, which included 10 mobile homes. “Increasing interest rates for residential mortgages and the impact of inflation likely had the largest impact on the decrease in development proposals and building activity,” the report said. Last year’s total was still above pre-pandemic numbers, though.
source: Shelby County Plan Commission and Building Inspector 2023 Annual Report
While the number of zoning requests for commercial and industrial projects remained steady, the Plan Commission denied several petitions. The report attributed the increase in denied industrial petitions to “poorly suited sites due solely to proximity to previously approved industrial development and the appointment of new Board members with a focus on preservation of the County’s agricultural heritage.”
Highlights of the report include the following:
A Subarea Strategy Plan has been commissioned to provide a guide for new development to “ensure that new development meets the County’s needs to diversity and increase its tax base and contribute to its sense and quality of place.” This was the result of an “unprecedented amount of new commercial and industrial development that had occurred in Moral Township over the past several years…” the report said.
Commercial solar energy development remained a topic of discussion. County Commissioners in July issued a six-month moratorium on acceptance of new applications for solar energy facilities, which was renewed at a recent commissioners’ meeting. The Speedway Solar project approved in 2019 obtained permits last year and began construction.
Among major projects in 2023 included rezoning 230 acres near the southwest corner of State Road 9 and Old State Road 252 for Heritage Aggregates to expand quarry operations. However, the final Commissioners approval included a reduction in setbacks not recommended by the Plan Commission. “The Commissioners rarely amend or overturn any decision made by the Plan Commission,” the report notes. “The Commissioners and Plan Commission may continue to have varying opinions on rezoning decisions if the number of complex and contentious zoning petitions continue to increase.”
A Dollar General was approved for Fountaintown at the US 52 and State Road 9 intersection with a round-a-bout.
The Plan Commission denied four petitions and gave no recommendation on one last year. From 2019 to 2022, the Plan Commission only denied a total of two petitions.
The Board of Zoning Appeals and BZA Hearing Officer considered 48 petitions. “A relatively high percentage of petitions related to signs, which indicates that the County may consider updating its sign code to accommodate typical modern commercial signs,” the report said. The BZA denied five of 30 petitions, which included 70 requests.
The County Inspector conducted 915 inspections, traveling 16,669 miles.
The county issued 537 total permits in 2023, 69 fewer than in 2022. Last year, 181 building permits, 300 electric permits and 56 plumbing permits were issued.
The value of structural improvements in Shelby County increased from $83.3 million in 2022 to $327 million last year, thanks largely to Speedway Solar’s $300 million project.
source: Shelby County Plan Commission and Building Inspector 2023 Annual Report
NOTEBOOK:
HOOSIER NEWS: Just over half of Hoosiers are receiving some kind of education after high school, according to the Lumina Foundation’s annual Stronger Nation report. In people ages 25-64, 54 percent had a high-quality certificate or a college degree by 2022, the most recent data available. The rate for Indiana is just higher than the national attainment rate of 53.7 percent. Lumina has tracked post-secondary education in the U.S. since 2009, setting a goal to see 60 percent of adults with some kind of post-high school education by 2025. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: There are 4,500 AM radio stations in America, 600 of which broadcast in a language other than English, and the car companies want them dead. As it stands, 78 million Americans a month listen to AM radio, down from 107 million in 2016. Nevertheless, the medium is dying as new vehicles have serious difficulties dealing with the sophisticated technology within — electric cars, computers in the console, et cetera — which is interfering with a crispy reception of AM radio signal. The auto industry claims it’s going to cost them $3.8 billion for shielding cables and components over the next seven years. (Wall Street Journal / Numlock)
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This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Gov. Mike Pence sent a letter to Indiana mayors explaining his plan to eliminate the business personal property tax. Pence said the tax was hurting efforts to recruit businesses to the state. “I know he’s trying to drum up support; I don’t think he’s going to get it,” Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun said.
2004: Mayor Scott Furgeson’s administration was moving Progress Parkway/Southeast Corridor work along, with the first phase of securing the rights of way underway. More than 12 acres of right of way were needed for the project, which also included land for detention ponds on both sides of the CSX railroad and north of Twelve Oaks subdivision. The CSX Railroad viaduct on McKay Road would be eliminated with the completion of the project’s first phase. “No one will miss it,” The Shelbyville News said.
State Rep. Luke Messer announced plans to run for reelection. He had been appointed by party leaders from the 57th District in the summer of 2003 to finish the term of W. Roland Stine, who had been killed by a drunk driver in April 2003.
1994: The Indiana National Guard took possession of the former Carl McNeely Civic Center. The city had terminated its lease to the building and the Guard planned to sell it. The Guard had leased the building, 137 E. Washington St., to the city for $1 per year since the 1970s when the armory relocated to North Michigan Road. The building was used for storage by the parks department. The parks department, Girls Inc. and Shelby County Senior Citizens called the building home until they relocated to the former Shelbyville Junior High School on S. Tompkins St. in 1993. By terminating the lease, the city saved insurance money.
1984: Jacquelyn Joseph, one of Major Hospital’s adjoining property owners, had been trying for more than a year to have a hospital storage building removed from near her home at 153 W. Mechanic St. Joseph claimed the building was in violation of city zoning ordinances and filed suit against the board of zoning appeals. Circuit Court Judge O’Connor validated that claim by reversing the zoning board’s decision to let the building remain. He ordered city officials to take action necessary to enforce applicable zoning laws, including removal of the storage building. But more than four months later, the building was still standing on the southeast corner of the intersection of Mechanic and West streets. The hospital board had applied for a variance from the BZA, and a hearing was to be held in mid-February.
1974: The annual “Pass, Dribble and Shoot” contest was held at the Boys’ Club. Former high school and college basketball referee John Thomas clocked Mayor Jerry Higgins, who set the example for kids to follow.
The Blue River Vocational Center board approved remodeling an old office building at the former Chambers complex to provide a new location for nursing courses. The building trades class would do most of the construction work.
1964: History repeated itself at Shelbyville’s board of public works meeting when the board voted 3-0 to remove Joseph Fountain from the center of the Public Square. A similar motion was approved by a 2-1 vote in 1953 during Mayor Philip Banawitz’s administration, but the fountain, a city landmark for 39 years, was never taken down. The motion to remove Joseph Fountain “down to the base” followed reports of cracks in the concrete of the fountain and a discussion of fears the fountain might collapse and injure someone. The fountain was given to the city in 1924 by Julius Joseph, a local furniture manufacturer. The goal was to remove the statue and marble pillar undamaged.
The state turned the responsibility for maintenance and operation of old Michigan Road (East 421) back to Shelby County, the stretch from Shelbyville city limits to the Decatur County line.
1954: Sixty people attended a kick-off meeting at the St. Joseph Club to inaugurate a “Buy a Ham to Save a Heart” drive, a Heart Foundation fund campaign. Clara Orebaugh was chair of the campaign.
1944: A 16-year-old St. Paul boy who was sentenced to a year on the penal farm for stealing $32 from a home, escaped, but was later found at home by Sheriff Fred Courtney and returned to the farm.
1934: Work began on a new Methodist church building in Fountaintown. The church was in need of major repairs, and the congregation determined a new one could be built for the cost of renovations.
A local painter, Tommy “Dobbie” Dobbins, was found in his “house-on-wheels” located on a lot east of the Eagles Lodge, between Franklin and Mechanic streets, in a “helpless condition,” The Republican reported. A woman had heard his call for help. He had been without food, water and heat for days and was suffering from inflammatory rheumatism. He was treated at Major Hospital.
1924: Harry Denver was arrested and jailed on a charge of vagrancy. He was the first “tramp” to be picked up in Shelbyville in many months, The Republican reported. Denver, who said he was a former Indianapolis fireman, was ordered to leave the city immediately.
Two special interurban cars had been commissioned to bring Muncie fans to Paul Cross Gymnasium for the upcoming basketball game. Shelbyville had originally promised up to 500 seats would be available for Muncie fans, and the school booked a special train on the Big Four railroad. But when Shelbyville sent only 150 tickets, plans were changed to the interurban. The Republican noted that tickets were being scalped locally for more than five times face value.
The Ku Klux Klan ran ads in local newspapers. “Klansmen believe in upholding the Constitution of the United States,” the ads read. “This includes the 18th Amendment.” (Note: The 18th Amendment, in short, made it illegal to manufacture or sell alcohol. It was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.)
1914: Leonard Totten, of near Fairland, was injured as the result of a runaway horse outside Brandywine M.E. Church. The horse knocked him down and the wheel of the buggy went over his head. Totten had been helping Miss Mamie Beaumont get into the buggy when the horse started running and knocked him down. Several men chased the horse over a mile before catching it. (Note: Totten and Beaumont married in 1917, and remained married until his death in 1972 at the age of 84. Mamie, who had taught school in Van Buren Township before her marriage, died in 1985. The couple had moved to Lafayette in the late 1930s.)
OBITUARIES
E. Roger Knarr, 84, of Shelbyville passed away Monday, January 29, 2024 at Ascension St. Francis Hospital, Greenwood, Indiana, with his family by his side. He was born February 24, 1939 in Shelbyville, Indiana, to Earl Raymond and Esther Mae (Polston) Knarr. He married Carol Ann (Knose) Knarr on October 10, 1964 and she survives.
Roger is survived by three children: Lisa Valles (John), John Knarr (Lupita Estudillo-Salgado), Laura Knarr (Steve Sherman), nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Roger is also survived by his sisters Peggy (Steve) Edwards, Victoria Knarr, Jayne (Doug) Tharp, and brothers Rod (Linda) Knarr and Bill (Rhonda) Knarr. He was preceded in death by Pamela Knarr and Dean Knarr.
Roger was in the military for over 21 years, retiring from the U.S. National Guard as a CWO2. During his service, he received The Soldier's Medal for Heroism. He was a Teamster Union driver and drove over 2 million consecutive miles without an accident. Roger was also a member of MENSA. A voracious reader, he also volunteered at the Shelbyville-Shelby County Library, focusing mostly in the geneology area. Additionally, he volunteered at the Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville, Indiana for several years working in all areas of the train from host to brakeman to engineer. He loved spending time there. He loved fishing, firearms and Cincinnati Reds baseball. But most of all, he loved his family. His best days were spent with his family around him listening to his stories and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A life well-lived and a family well-loved.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Whitewater Valley Railroad, 455 Market Street, Connersville, IN 47331 765-825-2054. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Funeral services will be Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Services with Father Mike Keucher officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Paul’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Our beloved mother, Janice "Sharon" Kolls, peacefully joined the Lord on January 31, 2024. It is a profound moment as she is now reunited with our dear father, coming to him on his birthday. Their love story has found its ultimate ending.
Sharon, born on May 12, 1932, in Shelbyville, was the daughter of Don and Bernice (Gordon) Richardson. On May 12, 1951, she exchanged vows with Walter C. "Wally" Kolls, who preceded her in passing on December 25, 2017.
Sharon leaves behind a legacy through her four children: Mike Kolls and his wife, Kathy, Jeff Kolls and his wife, Karen, Julie Hirschauer and her husband, Dennis, all from Shelbyville, and Molly Finger and her husband, Mark, from Berlin, Wisconsin. She is also survived by her brother, Gordon "Bernell" Richardson of Surprise, Arizona.
Sharon's life was graced with the presence of numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will forever cherish her memory. She found immense joy in her family and shared beautiful stories of her time with her grandparents, Hord and Mayme Gordon, along with Elmer and Zelma Richardson. She held the family history close to her heart, and every piece of furniture, picture, or lamp held a special place in her heart.
Sharon and our father, Wally, shared an extraordinary love story that began at the Indiana State Police Post. Their shared interests of travel, gardening, dancing, and card playing strengthened their bond. For many years, they spent winters in Venice, Florida, hosting gatherings for the Shelby county community. Sharon had a delightful wit and a contagious laughter that brightened any room.
Her final year was marked by illness, but the caring staff and friends at Timber Creek Assisted Living brought smiles to her face. While we will deeply miss our mother, we find solace in knowing that she is now reunited with the love of her life.
Sharon's faith and love for her family will forever remain in our hearts. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, and her legacy of love and laughter will live on through her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Sharon is survived by her four children, Mike Kolls and wife, Kathy, Jeff Kolls and wife, Karen, and Julie Hirschauer and husband, Dennis, all of Shelbyville, and Molly Finger and husband, Mark, of Berlin, Wisconsin; brother, Gordon “Bernell” Richardson of Surprise, Arizona; grandchildren, Jamie Kolls and wife, Sarah, Kristi Fitz and husband, Joey, Angie Wells and husband, Tony, Susan Lockridge and husband, Luke, Brian Kolls and wife, Abby, Kate Olds and husband, Rex, Sam Hirschauer and wife, Casey, Seth Hirschauer and wife, Elizabeth, Ben Hirschauer, Brandon Hirschauer and wife, Mackenzie, Morgan Denton, Megan Borth and husband, Tyler, McKenzie Denton, Jared Finger and wife, Emily, and Danielle Klose and husband, Shawn; great-grandchildren, Jenna Wilson and husband, Eric, Jett Kolls, Emma Smith, Payten Smith and wife, Kialyr, Austin and Alex Wells, Alexis Fitz, Max and Hank Lockridge, Olivia and Louis Kolls, Mason and Cody Olds, Bryce, Caleb, Brayden Kyle, Reagan, Owen, Eli, and baby girl (in April) Hirschauer, Wade Barrett, Miles and Cora Finger, Jackson Borth; and Andrew, Conner and Holden; great-great-grandchildren, Aniyah Wilson, Amelia Smith, Ophelia Fitz, and baby Wilson; and nephews, Byron Richardson and wife, Amy, and David Richardson.
In addition to Wally, Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Betty Richardson; granddaughter-in-law, Jamie Lee Kolls; and nephew, Duane Richardson.
Sharon graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1950.
Visitation will be from 1 to 3 pm, Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at 3 pm Saturday at the funeral home, with Pastor Dennis Hirschauer officiating. Services will be livestreamed on our facebook page www.facebook.com/freemanffh. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 17th St., Columbus, Indiana 47201. Online condolences may be shared with Sharon’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Eric Roger Dickmann, 74, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024, at his home. He was born December 3, 1949, in Shelbyville, the son of W. Paul “Whitey” and Betty Jean (Beagle) Dickmann. Eric is survived by his brothers, Fred Dickmann of Columbus, Rod Dickmann and wife, Karen, of Shelbyville, and Brad Dickmann of Shelbyville; nieces, Mandy Bunton and Kylie King; and nephews, Cole Dickmann, Case Dickmann, Joe Dickmann, Will Dickmann and Wesley Dickmann. He was preceded in death by his parents; and nephew, Cord Dickmann.
Eric was a 1968 graduate of Shelbyville High School. He formerly attended Hope’s Point Church. Eric retired from J & R Painting, after working at Brown’s Volkswagen-BMW and Porsche in Orlando, Florida. After retirement, he spent a lot of his time helping his neighbors, family and friends, with their projects. He enjoyed gardening, painting and being a Mr. Fix-it. Eric loved candy and had a candy dish in every room. He also enjoyed and leaves behind his brother’s dog, Buddy.
A Gathering of Friends and Family will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.
A Celebration of Eric’s life will follow at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home, with Pastor Randy Worland officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelby County Drug Free/Drug Free Shelby County Coalition, 54 W. Broadway St., Suite 2, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Eric’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Correction…it’s donna.dugan@outlook.com
Would you send the Addison Times to Donna Dugan…she is one of our important person in our coalition NWSCCCC? she is willing to pay for a subscription…here is her email donnadugan@outlook.com