Thursday, May 16, 2024
Shelby County BZA Approves Morristown-Area Digester Petition
ABOVE: A diagram shared with the Shelby County Board of Zoning Appeals displays the anaerobic digestion process.
The Shelby County Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday approved a request to allow a Virginia-based company to operate an anaerobic digester facility, including biofuel production, in Morristown, on a 3-2 vote with stipulations. The petition was supported by city and state officials.
Briane House, attorney for the petition, called it “more than a win-win.”
“If you can process waste, generate energy, help agriculture, and help the economy of this county on 11 acres, maybe it’s not the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it’s pretty close,” House said.
The project, which would employ 100 during construction and 6 full-time jobs once complete, would take food waste from stores and convert it through an anaerobic process that will generate enough natural gas to heat approximately 6,000 homes, House said. Remaining materials would remain on site for future use as a fertilizer. On-site storage of remaining materials would include liquid effluent within covered lagoons and organic solids stored in the same manner as solids related to the composting facility.
The facility’s primary customer will be the adjacent Caldwell’s Inc. The site is west of the landfill operation and will receive approximately seven trucks per day
“The idea is that we're going to intercept all feedstock as it comes into the current facility. We will process digestion and then hand it back over to compost for further processing,” company co-founder and engineer Mike Carter said.
Several area residents raised concerns about possible noise, odor, water runoff and available emergency services.
Scott Furgeson, first speaking as president of the Shelby County Recycling District, said he was in favor of the project.
“Recently, the Shelby County Solid Waste District filed with IDEM for a permit to start collecting food waste from city of Shelbyville residents. This food waste would be used in this project, also, which will help mitigate our costs in the city,” Furgeson said.
Furgeson, mayor of Shelbyville, noted the city had operated digesters at the Wastewater Recovery Facility since 1950.
“In 2006, we put a lid on one of our digesters to capture the methane, which now produces enough gas that we don't have to pay a gas bill to heat our facilities in the winter,” Furgeson said.
BZA members Terry Knudson, Jim Douglas and Dave Klene voted in favor of the project. Megan Hart and Kevin Carson opposed.
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Central Schools board last night approved the retirement of Debby McLeod, Secretary to the Director of Student Services. The board also approved the resignations of Dr. Jere Schoettmer, Hendricks teacher, and Paula Chappelow, Hendricks teacher who is transferring to substitute teacher. The board also approved the following transfers: Keri Weiler from Coulston to Hendricks; John Werbe from an SMS/SHS Special Education split position to SHS Special Education; and Drew Parsley from SHS Special Education to SMS teacher, replacing Pat Parks. The board approved the new hires of Brandy Rady, Hendricks; Kyle Green, SHS Assistant Principal; Zach Ferrenburg, SHS teacher, replacing Royce Carlton; and Nolen Wethington, SMS teacher, replacing Scott Harper.
NATIONAL NEWS: Last year the energy drinks segment was up 10 percent at chain retailers, with sales hitting $21 billion. One of the roots of the trend was the simple increase in the amount of caffeine in beverages over time, as well as the reality that “energy drinks” are not an actual category of beverage in the eyes of the FDA, hence a lack of strict requirements reining in what goes into them. As of 2006, the top five energy drinks had an average caffeine concentration of 9.9 milligrams per ounce, a figure that as of 2023 was up to 13 mg per ounce. For perspective, soda has been held at 5.91 mg per ounce since 1980 by the FDA. (Sherwood News/Numlock)
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This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Despite talk around town indicating the Shelby County Fairgrounds’ new grandstand wouldn’t be done on time for the fair, fair board president Mike Freeman said the work was on track. The project had become a necessity after an arsonist, who had not been caught, set the 133-year-old structure on fire on May 19, 2012. The fair went 2012 and 2013 without permanent seating.
2004: Shelbyville Middle School seventh-grader Bobby Hicks earned Best in Categories at the Indiana district Media Fair and ultimately placed second after advancing to the final competition. It was the first year that a student from Shelby County had participated in the annual convention. SMS media specialist Nicki Kirchoff had encouraged local students to participate.
1994: Dick Bishopp announced he had rented space at 42 Public Square (formerly a Sears store) to set up an office and appliance display. Bishopp said he did not know if he would rebuild the hardware store following the fire.
Gene Keady, who had just guided Purdue to the Big Ten championship, would be the guest speaker at the annual Shelby County Purdue Athletic Boosters banquet at the Indiana National Guard Armory. Keady would eat lunch at the nearby home of Dr. William Haehl and play golf at the Elks Blue River Country Club.
1984: Several people affiliated with the Shelbyville Girls Club were recognized at the club’s annual dinner. Special awards were given to Dee Ashcraft for the club’s “Outstanding Girl,” Debbie Thornberry for “Outstanding Volunteer” and Tami Crafton for the “Golden Girl” award.
1974: “Cowboy Bob” and his dog, Tumbleweed, attended Todd Green’s fifth birthday party, held at the Chicken & Steak Inn, given by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Davis of Riley Village, and his mother, Pam Green. All the guests present received autographed pictures of the TV star and prizes were awarded to Cory Hignite, Annalise Boswell, Ronnie Hardin and Oliver Abeleda.
The sixth grade language arts class of Tom Carmichael at Thomas A. Hendricks School gave two performances of “Mr. Poppy’s Penguins” for members of the student body. Some of the cast members were Bob Clapp, Todd Leonard, Lorie Owen and Wade Wiley.
1964: The Goodyear Blimp cruised over Shelbyville in the late evening on its way to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The blimp was self-illuminated.
In observance of his 20th anniversary as a Gamble franchise dealer, Scott Pope, owner of Pope’s Gamble Stores & Skelgas Service, Waldron, received a pin from the zone superintendent.
1954: Two people were injured and the huge neon sign at the Star Dust Drive-in restaurant was wrecked in an auto crash early in the morning when the sign was hit by a 17-year-old driver.
Charles Major won the city sixth grade track meet. Team members were Donald Alford, Ronnie Burton, Philip Lackey, Steven Mohler, Philip Phares, Vernon Sharp, Donald Lamb, Russell Montgomery, Richard Simmonds, Carl Miles, Gene Edwards, Bill Davis, Duane Garlitch, Richard and David Barnes.
1944: Ten more local men were inducted into the U.S. Army: Glen Kuhn (acting corporal), Charles Green, Joseph Cooper, Jack Hasecuster, Uzal Johnson, Rolland Knight, Thomas Harrison, James Drake, John Sproul and Charles Fewell.
1934: City Council designated it Clean Up Week. “Removal of trash from yards and vacant lots, destruction of other useless and unsightly matter now forced upon the public gaze, such as old circus posters and old theatre bills, and the painting of homes and sheds wherever the owners are financially able to do so, are proposed in the Clean Up Week campaign,” The Republican said.
Morris “Bill” Neu was named head lifeguard and manager of the William E. Porter swimming pool. Neu was a physical education teacher in Indianapolis.
1924: The razing of the Morrison House on North Harrison was attracting considerable attention due to the number of historical items found. Judge H.C. Morrison watched the work as it progressed. The front hall stairway in the Morrison House was constructed of white walnut, cherry and yellow poplar. Morrison was preserving the staircase and having it rebuilt in his summer home near the Flat Rock River Cave picnic grounds. He also had saved numerous doors, brass knobs and locks. The home had likely been constructed in 1834. Mrs. Edward Small (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morrison), of West Mechanic St., was the only person living who was born in the house. The lower joists were made of black walnut and cut out by hand. The window nails were made by a blacksmith.
1914: Dr. Joseph Bishop, a veterinarian living just east of Shelbyville, broke his right leg when a horse fell on him.
OBITUARIES
Vicki J. Keller, 74, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, May 13, 2024 at OUR Hospice Inpatient Facility in Columbus. Born November 8, 1949 in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Richard Leighton and Donetta (Powell) Leighton. She married Frank Keller on April 3, 1965 and he survives. Other survivors include three daughters, Nikki Miller (Torrey) of Edinburgh, Kathy Keller of Shelbyville, Tamara Keller of Florida; two sisters, Chris Lovitt (Jerry) of Shelbyville, Becky Clapp (Mike) of Middletown, brother Ray Beyer (Whitney) of North Dakota; eight grandchildren, Torrie, Payton, Taylor, Paige, Victoria, Destiny, Franklin, Helen, Xavier; and 10 great grandchildren- Holly, Emery, Addie, Norah, Easton, Rhett, Landon, Alanah, Ezekiel, and Waylon. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Dicky Leighton, and stepfather Raymond "Danny" Beyer who helped raise her.
Mrs. Keller lived in this area most of her lifetime and attended Shelbyville High School. Vicki was a homemaker and was a self-employed bookkeeper for Keller Transport for 25 years. Vicki enjoyed traveling, crafting, drawing, and was very family oriented, her family was her life. She loved walking the beach looking for shells and shark teeth.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Hope, 455 Jackson St, Hope, In 47246, with Pastor Dennis Chasteen officiating. Burial will be at Haw Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service, at the church. Memorial donations can be made to OUR Hospice of South-Central Indiana, IN, care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Patricia Ruth Dockery, 81, of Shelbyville, formerly of Andrews, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at her home. She was born May 4, 1943, in New Martinsville, West Virginia, the daughter of John Agar and Mary (Maine) Leasure. In June of 1964, she married J.D. Dockery, and he preceded her in December of 1999. Patricia is survived by her son, Mark Dockery of Andrews, North Carolina; brother, James Agar and wife, Helen, of New Martinsville; sister, Christina Boisky of Richmond Hill, Georgia; grandchildren, Patrick Brannon, Jeremy Brannon and wife, Kaitlin, and Chloe Edwards and Chloe’s mother, Autumn Edwards; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Bobbie Stackhouse and husband, J.C., of Shelbyville.
In addition to J.D., Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Melissa Lynne “Lisa” Brannon; siblings, Robert L. “Bobby Agar, Edgar “Eddie” Agar, John Agar, Cathie Rhodes, Martha McNally, Jack Agar and Erma Agar, and grandson, Michael Brannon.
In 1961, Patricia graduated from Magnolia High School. She was a member of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church. Patricia was a very good seamstress. She was known as the family historian. Patricia enjoyed sewing, playing trivia, euchre, rummy and scrabble. Patricia was very instrumental in building and growing the Andrews Youth Athletics program for over 30 years.
A Celebration of Patricia’s life will be held at a later date. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Patricia’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Carolyn Rose Balistrire, 79, former residence of Rushville, IN, passed away Wednesday May 15, 2024 at Waldron Health Care and Rehab in Waldron, IN. She was born February 26, 1945 in Peru, IN. She lived in Milwaukee, WI, Peru, IN and moved to Rushville, IN 44 years ago.
Carolyn was a CNA for several years at RMH, the Rush County Home, and Miller’s Merry Manor of Rushville. She also did private duty home health care for several years. Carolyn love to take trips with her family and friends to Nashville, TN.
She is survived by her son, JR Hicks; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and her daughter-in-law, Tasha Balistrire. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Charles Balistrire; her brother, Lee and her beloved fur babies, Quancy and Oreo.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Carolyn’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Jason Edward Huber, 52, of Boggstown, passed away Monday, May 13, 2024, in Shelby County. He was born, February 25, 1972, in Shelbyville, the son of James Robert “Jim” Huber and Phyllis Jean “Jeannie”(Alexander) Huber. Jason is survived by his fiance’, Christina “Chris” Burdine of Boggstown; father, Jim Huber and wife, Nancy, of Greenwood; beloved son, Dodge Alan Huber of Boggstown; step-sons, Tyler Vandiver of Shelbyville, Philip “Bub” Martin and wife, Emily, of Fairland, Russell Wenger II of Florida and Trenton Gaines of Shelbyville; brother, Norman Huber and wife, Cindy, of Shelbyville; step-granddaughter, Valerie; brother-in-law, Brent Hill of Shelbyville; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and former exchange students.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Jeannie Huber; and sister, Denise Hill.
Jason attended Triton Central High School. He was a professional painter and had worked for Huber Painting and also Huber Brothers. The light of his life and the time Jason cherished most was spent with his son, Dodge. He was a music lover and promoter. Jason was a member of Mecca Bass Club and he enjoyed holding live performances at Walnut Grove Campground. He also enjoyed being outdoors and collecting “Hot Wheel Cars”. Jason proudly owned “The Wicked One” his bass car.
Jason was also preceded in death by his dog, Saber Dog, and leaves behind his dog, Odie.
Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Liberty Cemetery in Shelby County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Association of Shelby County, PO Box 844, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Jason’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.