Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Apr 29, 2025

FAIR WEATHER ON THE FAIRWAY

(L, then clockwise) Shelbyville High School golfers Brock Wischmeyer, Jake Garrison, Logan Reinhart and Ethan Hughes enjoy near perfect late afternoon temperatures in the 70s in a match yesterday at Blue Bear Golf Course. The Golden Bears defeated Rushville, with Logan Tobian the match medalist with a 38. | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE

NOTEBOOK:

Shelby County Commissioners yesterday unanimously approved an amendment to the Short-Term Rental ordinance, applicable to unincorporated areas of the county. The maximum occupancy in the ordinance for short-term rentals is two people plus two people per bedroom. Owners of short-term rentals can request a variance from the county, but the occupancy limit poses a problem for rental owners. “The only way Airbnb really works and is profitable (versus hotels) in Shelby County - we're not Gatlinburg, we're a small community… - is with our occupancy rates,” Adam Barlow, with Full Canopy Real Estate, said. “Airbnbs work based on the higher occupancies.” The approved maximum occupancy rule will go into effect for already established properties in one year, a provision that caused Plan Commission member Andrew Newkirk to previously dissent, voicing support for a grandfather clause rather than the approved sunset clause. Occupancy rules aside, the State Department of Health requires commercial rental properties in the county to have a commercial septic system, meaning septic systems must be 100 feet from wells rather than 50 feet. “If people did the right thing, there would be no Airbnbs left in (unincorporated parts) of Shelby County,” Barlow said. Unless the state requirements change, he expects The Mill Estate on the (Flat Rock) River property to be listed for sale in the summer after current bookings are satisfied. The Clubhouse - Shelbyville has two septic systems and two wells, with one of the wells meeting the 100-foot requirement, owner Karen Barlow said. “If we have to drill another well, we will. We will get in state compliance,” she said. “As far as septic is concerned, what I'm asking from this board is - the state says you cannot prohibit Airbnbs, but you can regulate them - and what I’m asking is that you don't regulate us out of business.” There are approximately 17 Airbnbs throughout the county, with eight outside the City of Shelbyville.
Commissioners also approved allocating $3,500 in addition to the usual $9,000 spent for 4-H needs, including judges, ribbons and premiums, at the Shelby County Fair. Expenses are close to $20,000, and Fair officials are attempting to close the gap. Commissioners noted this was a tough year due to state budgetary issues, but they wanted to help as much as possible. “It’s an important thing for a community that has an agricultural background and wants to grow ag from an economic standpoint,” Commissioner Jason Abel said. Commissioner David Lawson agreed. “It’s a really bad year to ask for more money, just because we're really handcuffed at this point, although we’ll try to do at least a little more,” he said. The Shelby County Fair is set for June 9-14.
Easter Hall, Shelby Senior Services Director of Transportation, noted that Shelby Go transportation handled approximately 900 runs last month, with 612 of them for seniors, and 100 runs involving wheelchairs.
Commissioners also approved the revised Comprehensive Plan, approved by the Plan Commission. “The public groups seem pretty happy with the plan, overall,” County Planning Director Desiree Calderella said. “The economic development people, maybe not so much.” Commissioners noted that the plan is a guide and can be amended in the future.
The annual City of Shelbyville Government Day free lunch, which includes a hot dog, chips and a drink, will be held Friday, June 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until supplies run out, downtown on East Washington Street.
Yesterday’s edition featured pictures from the first-ever Shelby Shines Prom, which included dinner, regular and line-dancing, sing-a-longs, games and a large number of door prizes donated by many people and public organizations. Over 90 people attended the event, The Arc of Shelby County and the Shelbyville VC Aktion Club said yesterday in a media release. The organizations thanked First Christian Church of Shelbyville and Rev. Ralph Botte for their support.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indy Juneteenth organizers announced they are cancelling this year’s parade after failing to secure a location for the event with the City of Indianapolis. However, James Webb, co-founder and executive director of Indy Juneteenth, emphasized the organization will still be celebrating Juneteenth this year with a festival at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on June 21. The organization also announced it has plans to host next year’s Juneteenth parade at the fairgrounds, thanks in large part to the newfound relationship between the two organizations. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: A new survey found that American attitudes toward tattoos have shifted substantially in the past 10 years. When the same survey was run in 2015, 26 percent of respondents had a very or somewhat favorable view of tattoos, while 40 percent had an unfavorable one, making a net favorability rating of -14 points. This time around, the ink’s in the black: 37 percent of respondents had a favorable view of tattoos while just 26 percent had an unfavorable one. That is +11 net favorability and a fairly drastic 25-point swing in just a decade, which is a rare achievement for any kind of social issue. (YouGov/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights

Sept. 28, 1955, Part II

SHS held a pitch-in dinner at Morrison Park to welcome teachers new to the school. The honored guests were Miss Sherman, Mr. Carmony and Mr. Winchester. Those from the administration office in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. J.W.O. Breck, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Chambers and Mrs. Monfort. Mr. Shull, JHS science teacher, said the prayer.
The class of 1955 gave a gift to the school: an independent intercom system, providing direct two-way communication between the third floor guidance office and the dean’s administration offices. Engraved bronze plaques were placed on each inlet recognizing the gift. The system was installed by Mr. Clay, Mr. McKeand, Mr. Davies and Rev. Roscoe Wolvington.
The SHS doubles tennis team of Bob King and Charles Thompson advanced to the SCC finals. Singles entries Jack Tindall and Paul Means advanced to the quarterfinals.
A new floor had been installed in the cafeteria and a new sink in the kitchen of the cafeteria. The ceiling in the gym was also painted to brighten the space. A new concessions stand had been built at the football field.
“There seem to be some complications in Miss Sherman’s third hour English class, where two Don Williams are enrolled.”

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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: Amy Butcher was named executive director of the Shelby County Plan Commission. For the previous six years, she had been deputy director of the Shelbyville Plan Commission. Butcher was a Southwestern High School and Ball State graduate and was engaged to Heath Dillon.

1995: A dedication was held for the expanded and renovated Shelbyville-Shelby County Public Library, which more than doubled the library’s square footage. Kathleen Coulston, library board president, oversaw the event.

1985: Painters completed work on the city’s new water tower/fire station. The painters, from Kentucky, made $17.25 per hour working 150 feet above ground.

1975: A plan to use a computer to prepare city sewage utility bills was presented to the Board of Works. Utility bills were historically a year and a month late. With the use of computers, the bills could be only one month late.

1965: Stanley Works opened at 1604 S. Meridian St. The company constructed and assembled window frames.

Local auctioneer “Colonel” Meridith Hill opened an auction center at the former Page Milk Co. building.

1955: Speck, a coon dog owned by W.T. Lanahan in Hendricks Township, had adopted five fox pup. Leonard Lanahan, 15, and his brother Kim, 10, were keeping an eye out for the foxes, who seemed to be doing fine with Speck.

Mayor Banawitz and local merchants kicked off a city clean-up campaign. The mayor’s proclamation called for making Shelbyville “the cleanest city in the United States.”

1945: The Shelby County chapter of War Mothers put out a request for mothers with more than four sons and daughters in the armed services to contact the organization. The organization was attempting to honor the mother with the largest service family, to be recognized at a special Mother’s Day program at the War Memorial in Indianapolis.

1935: The liquor license fee for Shelby County was set at $775, less than Marion County’s $1,000 but more than Rush County’s $725 fee.

1925: Shelby County War Mothers sponsored a movie called “The Tenth Woman” at The Strand.

The Goodman store announced they would once again give away a size 64 pair of overalls to the largest man to visit the store. John Beard, who had won the overalls at the first contest the year before, would not be eligible.

1915: Philip Pumphrey, employed at the Dalton Brice cigar stand on S. Harrison St., crashed while learning to drive a Ford vehicle along Michigan Road. The car was heavily damaged after it hit a tree.