Thursday, July 17, 2025
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SUMMER HOOPS
ABOVE: Shelbyville High School basketball players Nick Fischer and Mar Nicholson (facing the camera, center and right) listen while Coach John Hartnett organizes a pick-up game yesterday morning. BELOW: Senior Caden Claxton brings the ball up the floor. | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelby County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an increase to the public safety portion of the local income tax (LIT) rate, raising it from 0.35% to 0.40%. The change brings the overall LIT rate from 1.60% to 1.65%. The additional revenue will be distributed to volunteer fire departments within the county. The City of Shelbyville will not receive funds from this adjustment. County officials are awaiting clarification from the state on how the change may affect departments in Morristown and Manila, as fire departments may only be able to receive funding from one taxing entity.
The Shelby County Council also held a public hearing and unanimously approved a resolution allowing the Shelby County Public Library to move forward with issuing $2 million in bonds for building maintenance and safety upgrades. Library director Brandy Graves, along with board president Gayle Wiley and bond counsel Sarah Correll of Ice Miller, explained that while the county does not assume any liability for the debt, state law requires council approval because library boards are appointed rather than elected. The bonds will not increase the library’s tax rate. The funds will be used for projects such as replacing mechanical and electrical components of aging elevators, installing updated fire alarm systems throughout the library buildings, improving HVAC efficiency, repairing masonry and roofing, and updating the 1995 and 1960 building additions to enhance safety and longevity. The council voted 7–0 in favor of the resolution following the hearing, during which no members of the public spoke.
The County Council approved contributing $27,750 toward a feasibility study for the Purdue University Equine Hospital on W. Bassett Road, matching an equal amount approved by the Shelbyville Common Council the previous week. The $55,500 study, to be conducted by Hanover Research, will explore the potential for expanding services beyond the hospital’s current surgical offerings. Dr. Bret Marsh, dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, said the facility, which opened in 2017 near the Horseshoe Indianapolis racetrack, has seen interest in services such as internal medicine, primary care and field work. “This is a beautiful, well-equipped facility,” Marsh told the council. “But we’ve never really done a market analysis or stakeholder engagement. This study will help us understand what’s possible here, both for veterinary medicine and the broader equine industry.” The 12-month study will include interviews with horse owners, referring veterinarians and equine professionals across the region. It also allows for a follow-up period to further explore new ideas that emerge in the initial phase. The county’s portion of funding is expected to come from racino revenue. Council member Jeremy Ruble abstained from the vote due to being a neighboring property owner, citing concerns about drainage if future development occurs. The motion otherwise passed with no opposition.
Danny Norris, project manager for the Speedway Solar project, appeared before the Shelby County Council to provide a construction update and answer questions. Norris reported that the project officially reached commercial operation on June 23, and Duke Energy is now accepting power from the site. He said remaining work includes road repairs, landscaping and resolving drainage concerns in coordination with the county. Council member Kyle Barlow cited the previously promised $600,000 payment to the county for Shelby Eastern Schools and expressed concern that, even though the 2019 signed agreement gave Speedway 120 days following going into operation to make the payment, some people did not realize it would take that long to complete the project. “People thought they were getting money for their school quickly,” Barlow said. Norris said his goal is to improve transparency and responsiveness. “We’re not trying to get out of any obligations,” Norris said. The project remains contracted to produce 199 megawatts of power. Council members did not take formal action related to the project during the meeting.
A semi-truck struck four parked vehicles Monday evening on East Mechanic Street near the intersection of Noble Street. The driver told police he was making a delivery for a local industry but had exited the designated truck route and was unable to locate the drop-off point. While navigating a residential area, the truck ran over a large rock, causing the trailer to shift left by about 7 inches. The driver, unaware of the damage, continued on, striking a series of unoccupied, parked vehicles. No injuries were reported, and no vehicles were towed. A witness who was driving behind the truck recorded part of the incident; the video and photos were included in the police report.
Two vehicles collided Tuesday afternoon near the entrance to Culver’s on North Morristown Road. One vehicle was turning left into the Culver’s parking lot from Morristown Road when it struck another vehicle exiting the lot. Both drivers remained on scene and reported no injuries.
The Boys & Girls Club of Shelbyville is still accepting registrations for its 2025–26 youth football program for students entering kindergarten through sixth grade. While practices began last week, interested families can still sign up online at www.shelbycountybgc.com. The total cost is $90, which includes a $65 membership fee and a $25 football league fee. A copy of an updated physical and birth certificate is required to participate.
HOOSIER NEWS: The Indiana Department of Workforce Development laid off 123 employees this week to accommodate reduced state and federal funding, the latest in a flurry of staffing cuts as Gov. Mike Braun’s administration pursues efficiency. The bulk of the layoffs affected employees working on the state's unemployment insurance program, with 57 employees laid off. The department removed an additional 48 people helping with workforce programs and laid off 18 people working in administration. “The Department of Workforce Development experienced budget reductions at both the state and federal levels. As a result, operational adjustments were necessary to ensure we remain fiscally responsible in how we serve Indiana,” the department said in an emailed statement. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: A new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Catastrophe Risk and Resiliance found that insured losses from hurricanes could rise 50 percent if the global atmospheric warming hits the 2 degrees Celsius threshold. A lot of those losses come from the areas affected by hurricanes expanding well northward along the Eastern Seaboard, with places that had been considered relatively safe from the monster storms suddenly now well in range of the tropical storms. Florida still sees the largest absolute increase — its already high losses are projected to rise another 44 percent if the 2-degree threshold is broken — but areas that had relatively low risks are poised to see a higher percentage increase. New York’s insured hurricane losses are projected to rise 64 percent, and Massachusetts’ poised to rise 70 percent annually. (Insurance Journal/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Oct. 1974, Part I
Judy Werbe was the only girl in shop class. “Some of the advantages of taking this class would be the knowledge you would gain if you were going to stay single all your life,” The Courier said.
Mr. Malcolm Clay, 64, had recently passed away. He had been a teacher, counselor and coach for 39 years. He was a Waldron High School graduate.
The second Powder Puff Football Derby was coming up. The action would be covered by WSVL.
Homecoming floats had been introduced to SHS for the first time in 1970. Each of the four classes had an entry, and the seniors won with their “Curse You, Red Lions” float in the game against Rushville. Their two senior queen candidates were Rita Chancy and Kathy Junken. Todd Plymate was the Student Council President in charge. In 1974, the freshmen won with a “Cream Connersville” theme. Riding on the floats were their candidates, Julie English and Jill McComas, escorted by Rick Hayes and Bruce Willard, respectively.
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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 tethered hot air balloon ride lifted about 50 residents of Morristown Manor approximately 40 feet into the air. Initially, only 35 residents had signed up, but interest grew once the balloon arrived.
1995: A Shelby County Jail inmate required stitches after being struck on the head with a payphone receiver by another inmate.
1985: About 200 people—and several animals—attended an open house at the Shelby County Animal Shelter on Hale Road. It was the first public tour since the shelter opened in November 1984. Since then, the shelter had taken in approximately 560 dogs and 120 cats. Sixty-nine owners had brought their pets to the shelter. “Previously, owners just let their animals loose,” said Jo Ann Tracy, president of the animal commission.
1975: Ken Cortelyou, R.W. Longstreet and Dick Gehr earned top honors in seniors tournament play at the Elks Blue River Country Club. Bob West and Dr. Jim Kent won the two-man best-ball event, with Phil Brown and Kip Schnaiter finishing second.
1965: Postmaster Robert Meltzer said the implementation of ZIP codes two years earlier had significantly improved operations at the post office. Prior to ZIP codes, Shelbyville mail moved from terminal to terminal within the nation’s 34,000 post offices. With ZIP codes, mail was routed through only 553 sectional centers before reaching individual stations.
1955: John and Martha Whitehead of Waldron purchased the Cold-Keep property at 19 W. Hendricks St., Shelbyville, previously operated by Walter Ray. John Whitehead planned to discontinue the locker plant operation and convert the building into air-conditioned office space. He also planned to extend the structure on the Polk Street side.
1945: Maj. Herbert H. Inlow returned home for a 30-day leave, having requested to be present for his daughter Lillian’s 21st birthday. He had been overseas for three years. Arriving with him was Capt. Karl Simon, whose wife and two children had lived at the Inlow home on North Harrison Street since the two men deployed.
1935: Arthur Barnett, 29, of Homer, was hired to succeed the late William G. Thompson on the Shelbyville High School faculty. A 1924 SHS graduate and Ball State University alumnus, Barnett had previously taught in Rush County. Also, Raymond Spiegel was appointed to the school board, succeeding Russell Goodrich.
1925: Local shop owners were ordered by the Indiana attorney general to remove 46 magazines from their shelves for containing “suggestive matter.” A year earlier, the attorney general had banned 23 magazines, but after initial compliance, store owners had resumed selling them, The Republican reported.
1915: George Schoelch, a former Shelbyville City Councilman and baker, purchased the Fred Krebs saloon on East Washington Street. Schoelch planned to close his bakery on South Harrison Street and operate solely as a saloon.
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OBITUARIES
Ruth Ann McClellan, 87, entered into the arms of her heavenly Father and eternal reunion with her family on July 11, 2025, at Timber Creek Village in Shelbyville, Indiana. She was born Sept. 11, 1937, in Saginaw, Michigan, to loving parents, Harold and Thelma Stringer, who preceded her in death. She grew up with a ready-made playmate in her brother, Richard J. Stringer, who survives her. Her big brother, “Dick,” could always make her laugh with his witty banter and dry, extra dry, humor.
At the age of 15 she met a handsome, car-crazy young man, Robert Clayton McClellan, at First Christian Church in Saginaw. Their tender romance was filled with dedicated love, bittersweet challenges and plentiful laughter. Ruth Ann graduated from Arthur Hill High School in June 1955 and announced their engagement in July 1956. On May 11, 1957, Ruth Ann married her high school sweetheart, “Bob” McClellan, in the church where they first met. They enjoyed 57 years of love, friendship and teamwork while parenting three children — Lynn, Bill and Mike — whom they cherished. “Bob” stepped into his eternal home on April 4, 2014. Their daughter adored the fact that they were “constant companions who enjoyed doing everything together.”
Ruth Ann expressed her love for her family by joyfully decorating and maintaining her warm and welcoming home, sewing clothes and home items, as well as providing wonderful, tasty meals. Her grandchildren remember her baking “sweets” filled with love and extra treats. They also remember that “every time we went to visit her, she would say she had nothing in the house and, somehow, out of that nothing, create this wonderful feast for us to share and enjoy together.” Her casseroles were legendary and never quite reproducible, even when the recipe was followed exactly. “Bob” often endearingly called her a domestic engineer. Her son reflects that she “was the most natural engineer” and often did not give herself enough credit concerning her diverse talents.
She was a member of First Christian Church in Saginaw, Michigan, and West Street United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, Indiana, and the West Street Women’s Group. She led her West Street group in making curtains for all the windows at Camp Moneto church camp where her son was the director. She enjoyed decorating her home, cooking, hostessing, sewing and loving on her friends and family, including her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their friends. Her son remembers that his friends could stop by, with or without him being there, for fresh, out-of-the-oven cookies and motherly affection.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynn Horigan and husband, Todd, of Shelbyville, Indiana; her son, Michael McClellan and wife, Mona, of Holland, Michigan; five grandchildren: Shannon Nigh; Samuel McClellan and wife, Meghan; Mary Beth Likkel and husband, Noah; five great-grandchildren: Spencer, Sawyer, Chase, Caroline and Norah. Her brother, Richard Stringer and wife, Jan; sister-in-law, Betty Bank and husband, Andy; three nephews and one niece survive her as well. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and son, William Robert McClellan.
The family is planning a private gathering to pay tribute to Ruth Ann. Burial will be in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens in Saginaw, Michigan. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Ruth Ann’s family.
Ruth was blessed to have lived and loved her last two years at Timber Creek Village. Her sister-in-law, Betty, remembers Ruth proudly telling her that she put on a pretty lavender blouse and was lovingly teased that she “must be going on a date.”
The family asks you to join them, if you are inclined, in making memorial contributions to Timber Creek Village Staff, marked in honor of Ruth Ann McClellan, 990 Progress Parkway, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176, or the Muscular Dystrophy Association online at mda.org with Ruth Ann McClellan listed as the honoree. The family appreciates online condolences shared at www.murphyparks.com.