Thursday, May 23, 2024
Flashing Beacons Installed Downtown
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) were installed on North and South Harrison Street this week as part of the city’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety. A city media release said the installation of RRFBs can decrease pedestrian crashes by 47 percent, and that 98 percent of drivers yield to pedestrians. | submitted
County Council, Fire Chiefs Discuss Funding Challenges
Volunteer fire department officials approached the Shelby County Council on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of a tax increase to cover growing costs.
“Really, we’re just trying to see if we can figure out a way to come into some of the LIT (Local Income Tax) money for public safety to help offset expenses,” Fountaintown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dean Tyner said.
Firefighting turnout suits are now $4,500 each and last for 10 years, officials said. Air packs, $10,000 each. Radios, $4,000 each.
“Thirty years ago, Manilla’s (fire department) budget was $16,000. Now, insurance alone is $16,000 (a year),” Dan Kuhn, Manilla Community Volunteer Fire Department Chief, said.
The discussion was prompted by the state legislature’s recent enactment of a bill allowing LOIT (Local Option Income Tax) funds to be distributed to volunteer fire departments based on the assessed value within their coverage district, excluding farm ground. Rush County recently approved such a tax, estimated to cost each income earner approximately $20-$25 dollars annually and generating about $220,000 to be divided among the township departments.
County Council President Tony Titus said he was open to further discussion of options, and encouraged the fire chiefs to advocate for their needs to taxpayers.
Council member Terry Smith pointed out that there are various options for funding, including township trustees appealing for a special exception on the tax cap.
“This is an option, that is an option. This just happens to be the deepest pocket and the path of least resistance,” Smith said of a new tax. He encouraged the fire chiefs to get their township trustees on board to explore options.
The council and a financial advisor also discussed the process for forming fire districts and fire boards.
All parties said they would continue to work on the issue.
NOTEBOOK:
North Morristown Road between E 600 N and the intersection of E 625 N and N 300 E will be closed starting Monday, June 3, for approximately 90 days while the roadway is being relocated away from Big Blue River. The last address accessible from the south is 6014 N. Morristown Road and the last address accessible from the north is 6169 North Morristown Road.
NATIONAL NEWS: Students at Johns Hopkins invented a quiet leaf blower, which Stanley Black & Decker plans to sell within two years. (Morning Brew)
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This Day in Shelby County History
2014: Shelbyville was one of four Indiana cities chosen by Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program, which prepared land for potential industrial development. A 185-acre site at the intersection of SR 44 and I-74 was targeted for development.
2004: After a horse had wandered onto N. Riley Highway and was hit and killed by a vehicle, county officials flagged the owners for having two other horses on their 1.3-acre lot. The ordinance required having five acres. The family filed a request with the board of zoning appeals regarding the matter.
1994: Two Johnson County men had bought the old Hendricks Township school, located on West State Road 44, and were renovating it for Playhouse 44 Inc., a space for company gatherings, receptions, family reunions and parties. One of the rooms had already been renovated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the previous occupant of the building.
1984: John Thomas, a member of the Morristown Chamber of Commerce, presented a testimonial at the Indiana Department of Commerce’s Cities and Towns Appreciation Day at Speedway Hotel. He was introduced by Lt. Gov. John Mutz.
John and Helen Stephen, Fairland, were honored by the Shelby County Public Welfare Department as Outstanding Foster Parents of the Year. Shelby County had 18 licensed foster families.
1974: Burglars raided Rider’s Body Shop in Fairland. Wayne Rider had just opened the new shop in the former Brownie’s Marine Sales building, 19 N. Main St.
Chinese and Russian-made weapons, captured in Vietnam, were on display on Public Square. A five-ton tractor trailer, dubbed “Iron Deuce,” was on an Indiana tour of Army recruiting areas. Included in the display was an SKS Russian carbine, an AK 47 Chinese automatic rifle, a B 40 rocket launcher and mortar and Stenson sub machine guns.
1964: The Shelbyville High School Class of 1954 announced plans for their first reunion, set for the Durbin Hotel in Rushville. Phil Brown, Dick Bishopp and Tom Boyle headed the planning committee.
1954: A new porcelain-covered concrete block service station was being built at the intersection of U.S. Highway 421 and North State Road 9 by Floyd Comstock, who also operated a smaller station and motorcycle sales firm at the same site. The station would include a concrete island mounting two sets of double gasoline pumps. A fence would be built from the bridge along the riverbank to the motorcycle sales building.
1944: “If and when Invasion Day comes, the First Christian Church will remain open to the public throughout the day for the convenience of all those who wish to pray in the sanctuary,” The Republican reported.
1934: Fifty men employed by the federal government began work improving the softball diamonds at Kennedy Park, cleaning the Little Blue River and removing willows and underbrush from the river channel.
City Council approved plans to restore 20 overhead street lamps and resurface Public Square.
1924: Among relics taken from the old Morrison house at the corner of Harrison and Mechanic St. was a spike nail thought to be about 100 years old. It was placed on display in the window of the J.G. DePrez Co.
Plans were made for the Shelbyville High School class of 1879 to hold its first reunion at the Morris home, 117 West Mechanic St. Members of the class were Douglas Dobbins, Frank Doble, Robert Harrison, Harry Morris, James Caughey and May Elliott-Millikan. All members of the class except Caughey were still alive. The invitation included a picture of the school building on East Franklin St. from which they graduated.
1914: All 22 graduates from Moral Township spoke at a commencement ceremony in London attended by 1,800 people. Harry McNamara was first in the class and Doris Weaver was second.
OBITUARIES
Charlene K. Dooley, 73, of Indianapolis, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at St. Francis Hospital. Born December 9, 1950 in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Robert Lowell Hubbard and Beverly Jean (Hall) Hubbard.
Survivors include four children, Robin Curry (Chuck) of Shelbyville, Kerri Gardner of Bainbridge, Georgia; two sons, Travis C. "TC" Brown of Morristown, Bobby Brown of Bainbridge, Georgia; two sisters, Kathy Martin of Indianapolis, and Jan Hubbard of Shelbyville; three brothers, Billy Hubbard (Lisa) of Shelbyville, Joe Hubbard (Chris) of Shelbyville, David Hubbard of Shelbyville; six grandchildren, Emily, Alyssa, Cody, Madison, Cassidi, Abigail; and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Bobby Hubbard.
Mrs. Dooley had lived in this area her entire lifetime and graduated from Waldron High School in 1968. Charlene worked for Columbus Regional Hospital as an LPN for several years, also worked at PK USA for 13 years, then went to work for Amtrak as a car cleaner, retiring after 10 years of service. She attended First Church of Nazarene. Charlene loved watching old movies, building miniature doll houses and collecting miniature furniture for them.
She dearly loved her family and grandchildren and cherished the time she spent with them. No funeral services will be observed at this time. Online condolences may be shared at glenngeorgeandson.com.
Richard L. Hopper, 81, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at his residence. Born March 8, 1943 in Russell Springs, Kentucky, he was the son of Carlos Hopper and Elsie (Roy) Hopper. He married Gayla (Coffey) Hopper on April 14, 1962, and she survives. Other survivors include three children, Lisa Hauk (Jeff) of Shelbyville, Kevin Hopper (Theresa) of Shelbyville, Christina Bradburn (Vince) of Shelbyville; two brothers, Jack Hopper (Sue) of Jamestown, Kentucky, Donald Hopper of Russell Springs, Kentucky; five grandchildren, Amanda Pritchett (John), Zack Hopper (Taylor), Eryn Muldoon (Eric), Isabella Bradburn, Abigail Bradburn, and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and five sisters.
Mr. Hopper had lived in this area since 1960, after moving from Muncie, Indiana. He had been a heavy equipment operator for Coffey Brothers, Carl Mohr Construction, and Runnebohm Construction, retiring after many years of service. He attended Russell County High School, was a member of the former Baptist Temple and was a member of Shelby County Sportsmen's Club.
Richard enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. He loved his family and grandchildren and the time he spent with them.
Funeral services will be 12 p.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son, 437
Amos Road, with Pastor Brad Davis officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.