Thursday, June 19, 2025

Jun 19, 2025

Comic Relief: Shelbyville Scores New Collectibles Shop

L.A. Comics and Collectibles LLC, 10 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville, opened Tuesday. Owner and operator Larry Taylor (right), carries a variety of toys and collectibles. | photos by JACK BOYCE

YMCA To Steer Early Learning Center

Shelbyville’s Julia & Nicholas Runnebohm Early Learning Center will soon be run by local hands. Decatur Shelby County YMCA Chief Executive Officer Mackenzie Pickerrell announced that the Y will assume full operational control of the 32,000-square-foot facility in late summer, replacing national operator Bright Horizons and partnering with Major Health Partners (MHP), which owns the building.

“This allows us to expand our operation to serve young children and more families,” Pickerrell said in an interview, calling the move “a huge win-win for both the Y and the community.” She noted that Shelby County is often described as a child-care desert.

Early Learning Shelby County opened the center in December 2024 to address a shortage of licensed seats. After studying long-term sustainability, the organization voted to transfer day-to-day management to the YMCA, citing the nonprofit’s deep bench in early-childhood programming.

Pickerrell noted that the Y already serves 6,952 people at its Shelby County facility and is the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of early childhood education.

What families can expect

Capacity: The center can serve up to 192 children, from six weeks through six years of age, with registration for current openings to be announced in the next few weeks.
Quality: It will remain a Level 3 Paths to QUALITY site.
Hours: Care will continue from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to support working parents.
Seamless transition: Licensing and staffing are underway to ensure children already enrolled experience a smooth transition while additional seats come online.

Easing the cost of care

Acknowledging that reliable child-care is an economic issue, research cited by Pickerrell shows $11.8 million in wages are forfeited each year in Shelby County when parents stay home, and the Y has a new scholarship fund for those in need. The sliding-scale program will cover a percent of tuition for families waiting on or just above CCDF voucher levels.

“No child should be turned away from quality care because of finances,” Pickerrell said, inviting businesses and donors “to come alongside us to make that happen.”

With the transition, Pickerrell believes the Early Learning Center will become “a cornerstone for families across Shelby and surrounding counties,” adding that expanding early-learning seats is not only good for kids but “good for workforce and economic development, too.”

Those looking to enroll children or become involved in the project can contact the Shelby County YMCA, 317.398.5230 or shelbycountyymca.org.

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NOTEBOOK:

Shelbyville Central Schools board president Mike Turner made a statement at Tuesday’s board meeting in regard to the recent resignation of school board member David Finkel. Turner first clarified that the other board members were not aware of allegations regarding Finkel beforehand. “I can assure you that these board members learned of these events at basically the same time the public was learning these events,” Turner said, adding that members of the public were frequently informing board members of new details posted online. Since school board members are elected officials, the corporation does not possess the legal authority to remove them. However, the board requested Finkel’s resignation within 24 hours of learning of the FBI raid on Finkel’s residence. “This request was made without hesitation, as the gravity of the situation demanded immediate and decisive action,” Turner said. Since that raid, Finkel has been charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography, Fox 59 journalist Max Lewis reported. Turner continued, “Now that the charges have been publicly filed, and portions of the evidence have come to light, the board is deeply horrified and heartbroken by the nature of the allegations. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these unspeakable acts. Our reports indicate that the victims were located in other states. This fact does not lessen severity of the crimes or the pain inflicted. A child is a child, no matter where they are from. No child should ever be subjected to harm, especially from someone trusted by a community. As a governing body responsible for the welfare of our students, our teachers and our staff, we are committed to ensuring that all who serve in any capacity within Shelbyville Central Schools are held to the highest standard of conduct and trust. This is a difficult time for our community. We recognize the anger, the sadness and the betrayal that many feel. The board is committed to moving forward with transparency, purpose and compassion as we begin the process of healing. Our focus remains on serving the children, families and educators of Shelbyville with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Demolition is slated to begin next Tuesday on the former Adam’s Glass building in the first block of West Broadway. Work will start on the Adams building and go east, taking down the buildings to Harrison Street. Given the age of the buildings and delicate nature of the connections with adjacent buildings, the timeline is unknown until work is underway, city engineer Tyler Comstock said. “I think we are looking at a couple weeks of major demolition and then some additional time in there for ‘surgical demolition’ along existing buildings to remain,” he said. Barricades, fencing and equipment for the work will begin to arrive late this week. The demolition will affect the sanitary sewer line that serves The Strand Theatre, a tattoo parlor and beauty shop nearby. City officials are working to replace the line, and are coordinating measures for those businesses during the temporary outage.
The Shelbyville Board of Public Works and Safety yesterday approved amending the Build-Operate-Transfer agreement for the incoming amphitheater in Blue River Memorial Park. The original estimate for the project was $8 million, and those funds were secured through the state’s READI program and bonding. However, the finalized project price ending up being an additional $2.8 million, which the board approved.
Work on asphalt overlays and road reconstructions in the city will begin soon. “They’re getting ready to start later this week on East Washington Street,” city engineer Tyler Comstock said. Signage work is underway for project areas, and residents will be contacted where street parking is affected.
The SCS board approved curriculum on the teaching of human sexuality education, as newly required by state legislation. SCS uses programs provided through Girls Inc. for elementary and middle school students and Clarity’s “I Decide for Me” for high school Health class students. “Both programs’ curricula were developed in accordance with research-based and medically accurate, vetted resources and adhere strictly to the Indiana State Standards and Indiana code,” Assistant Superintendent Kathleen Miltz said. The state requires the curriculum to include an abstinence focus, marriage context and consent, as well as a pregnancy development presentation. There are also parental notification requirements, and links to the material will be posted on the SCS website.
Both City of Shelbyville and Shelby County offices, including the Shelby County Recycling District, are closed today for the federal Juneteenth holiday. Since the Federal Reserve considers Juneteenth a bank holiday, most banks will be closed. The post office will also be closed. The Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center is holding a free Community Pool Day, noon to 6 p.m., today. Admission is free; concessions will be available. The City is also partnering with the Grover Center host a free Juneteenth celebration, Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Sunset Park.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet hung a banner on the empty storefront next to Harbor Freight yesterday announcing their coming store in the Belaire Center.
Residents can now pay city sewage bills while using the facilities. A QR code has been added to utility bills, taking customers directly to the payment site.
HOOSIER NEWS: Ollie's Bargain Outlet is doing well after taking over stores from Big Lots, the retailer reported. Early returns have been positive after acquiring 18 stores from Big Lots, which filed for bankruptcy in 2024, Ollie's CEO said. Those locations include a store in Warsaw, Indiana. Between January and May, Ollie's opened 25 new stores – including the former Big Lots locations – throughout the country, a record for the Pennsylvania-based retailer. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: In 2024, the systemwide sales of Chick-fil-A hit $22 billion, one of only three chains in the U.S. to crack $20 billion alongside McDonald’s ($53.5 billion) and Starbucks ($30.4 billion). Chick-fil-A pulled this feat off with 3,109 stores compared to McDonald’s 13,559 locations. The average unit volume at a Chick-fil-A is $7.5 million, by far the highest among their peers. (QSR/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights

Feb. 24, 2011

In honor of Cornell’s 14th annual Backyard Bird Count, Mr. Chris Lux sent his environmental science students on an endeavor to find and identify different species of birds in the outdoor lab. “Though there was more adventure seeking than bird watching, the classes successfully counted a total of two cardinals and one squirrel,” The Courier reported. Mr. Lux commented, “Every little bit helps.”
SHS students were asked what they hoped to accomplish before they died. Cory Bruner wanted to play in the NFL. Shawna Phelps hoped to marry Justin Bieber.
Daniella Hunt wrote an editorial about Gov. Mitch Daniels’ “aggressive education reform.” The article’s title was “Mitch Slapped.”

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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: Grace Bate, 6, won the Shelby Senior Services Strawberry Shortcake Look-a-like contest. Bailey Lyle was first runner-up, and Megan Dennis was second runner-up.

1995: The Indiana Department of Natural Resources gave approval for a footbridge over Little Blue River. The bridge would connect Minster Drive and Franklin Street. It would be 110 feet long with a six-foot-wide span, and replace a bridge destroyed during flooding in Nov. 1993.

1985: Mitsubishi and Chrysler Corp. eliminated Shelbyville from consideration for a new plant. Mayor Dan Theobald and Mike Hauk, executive vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the city’s water and waste water treatment plant problems had been drawbacks.

1975: The foundation was laid for a new addition to the Standard Register plant on W. State Road 44 at the edge of Shelbyville, which would more than double the floor space of the firm’s metal shell building.

1965: A dispute between County Commissioners and the owners of a tract of land about five miles northeast of Shelbyville in Marion Township left about 150 yards of roadway unpaved. New pavement extended on both sides of the farm house of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Wolf, but the Wolfs had previously sued the county regarding right-of-way, and county officials wanted to be cautious, so they left the tract unpaved.

1955: City firemen hacked their way into a parked car, which had been left locked on Public Square by a Shelby Hotel guest, and put out a fire in the front seat.

1945: The U.S. Army’s “Here’s Your Infantry” program was coming to town to “better acquaint the general public with the arms and methods of the often-forgotten foot soldier,” The Republican said. The unit was composed of 89 veterans of overseas service in World War II. A weapons exhibit would be on Public Square. The infantry men would stay at Shelby Hotel.

1935: Girls who won prizes for decorating their bikes in the recent bicycle parade included Betty Sue Perry, Mary Lou Bennett and Harriet Piatt.

1925: Fireworks arrived at the Index store for the Fourth, including “Chinese Crackers, Ideal Salutes, Flitter Fountains, Repeating Cap Pistols, Roman Candles and 36-inch Giant Sparklers,” The Republican said.

1915: Summer activities were in full swing for students. The Republican reported that eight girls had hiked a mile-and-a-half out of the city for a campfire breakfast. The same girls then held a slumber party at Miss Katherine Cotton’s home on West Franklin St.

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OBITUARIES

Worda M. Lovett, 80, of Shelbyville passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at her residence. Born on April 23, 1945, in Tyronza, Ark., she was the daughter of Andy Williams and Ailene (Calvert) Plasco. Survivors include five children, Debbie Dewhurst (Dave) of Shelbyville, Donna Stiers (Chris) of Fairland, Jim Lovett (Ronda) of Fountaintown, Angela Lovett of Shelbyville, and Jelana Lovett of Shelbyville; sister Betty Milstead of Humboldt, Tenn.; several nieces and nephews; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Harold “Bub” Lovett Jr.; grandson, Joshua Hobbs; and five siblings, Mildred, Janie, Cliff “PeeWee”, Rachel and Frances.

Worda had lived in this area most of her lifetime and graduated from Shelbyville High School. She was a member of First Assembly of God and worked at Freudenburg NOK for 30-plus years and Wellman’s for several years. Worda loved sitting on her back porch enjoying nature. She dearly loved her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be held on Friday afternoon, June 20, 2025, at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shelby County Cancer Association or Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter. Online condolences can be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com

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