Tuesday, December 16, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
CHRISTMAS CHEER
Frank Sundvall’s home on W. McKay Road is decorated for the season. | photo by JACK BOYCE
STUDENT ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Shelbyville High School senior Emma Claxton talks with Hannah Baker about a recent art piece she created for class.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Common Council last night unanimously approved on first reading a resolution authorizing the city to pursue the purchase of two downtown properties as part of long-range planning tied to potential apartment development and parking needs around the Public Square. The properties include the former First Merchants Bank building and adjacent buildings, which could be demolished and redeveloped with a second downtown parking garage and market-rate apartments. Mayor Scott Furgeson emphasized the council’s action does not commit the city to construction, describing it as “speculative” at this point, but said the action is meant to position the city to move forward if negotiations allow, noting the city has been working on the matter for over a year. “We’re talking about building 170 units from the corner all the way down to the current parking lot we have on East Washington Street, and doing away with the city parking lot we have there now, so we would need more public parking,” the mayor said. He added, “If this would happen, we would connect the parking garage to the Public Square; there would be access to the Public Square.”
The Shelbyville Common Council also unanimously approved a tax abatement for POET Bioprocessing’s proposed expansion at its Shelbyville ethanol facility, formally advancing but not finalizing a project that could become one of the largest capital investments in Shelby County history. The action follows a favorable recommendation from the council’s Tax Abatement Committee and positions the city to compete as POET evaluates Shelbyville alongside other finalist locations. The proposed expansion would nearly double production within the existing footprint, adding capacity for an additional 95 million gallons of ethanol annually, along with increased output of animal feed and corn oil, and would involve more than $203 million in capital investment across new building construction, machinery and equipment, and on-site rail infrastructure between 2025 and 2027. If built, the project would generate more than 250 temporary construction jobs and add an estimated 20 to 23 new full-time positions, increasing annual payroll by about $1 million and bringing total payroll to nearly $4 million. Under the approved abatement schedule, real estate improvements and equipment would receive an 80% deduction for the first five years and a 50% deduction for years six through 10; however, even with the abatement, projections show the expanded facility would generate approximately $17.4 million in combined real and personal property tax revenue over 10 years, with annual payments increasing steadily after the initial years. City officials noted that the abatement is intended to encourage job creation and assessed value growth, while also increasing demand for more than 32 million bushels of locally sourced corn each year, benefiting area farmers and keeping agricultural dollars in the regional economy. A final decision by POET’s board could come in late 2025 or early 2026, with construction potentially beginning in 2026 and the expanded facility becoming operational in late 2027.
City Council also unanimously approved on first reading the purchase of property on West Old Franklin Road that the city has long leased for street department and public works use. Mayor Scott Furgeson called the land “an important asset for the city to maintain,” noting it is used primarily for storing limbs, trees and other natural materials that the city does not have room to store at the City Garage. He added that the city plans to continue using the property as it always has.
The Shelbyville Redevelopment Commission last night continued negotiations with an industrial developer seeking to purchase land near Tindall Drive off East State Road 44. Commissioners reviewed a proposed purchase agreement for a 44-acre parcel on the north side of the road and asked questions about the length of the due diligence period, the amount of earnest money and language related to fees. The developer is the same LLC that has land on the south side of the road under contract. No action was taken, and further discussion is expected at a possible executive session and at the commission’s January meeting.
County Commissioners approved plans to conduct a certificate sale for properties that failed to sell at the county’s October tax sale, a move designed to help return abandoned parcels to the tax rolls. County Auditor Amy Glackman explained that properties eligible for tax sale are those at least three payments behind, and many of the unsold parcels are small lots where homes have been demolished and owners have walked away. Once a property does not sell, she said, it automatically transfers to the commissioners, who can either retain it or offer it through a certificate sale, which the board has chosen to do this year. The certificate sale is scheduled for Feb. 24, with SRI Services Inc. approved to handle notifications to lenders and potential redeemers. Glackman noted that unlike a traditional tax sale, which requires selling a property for the full amount of back taxes, a certificate sale allows the county to clear uncollectible tax debt, sell the property for a minimum bid, and place it back on the tax rolls to generate future revenue, even if the county must absorb the loss on past taxes.
On a related note, County Auditor Amy Glackman raised questions about several county-owned lots in Candlelight Village, a subdivision near County Road 100 West and 1100 North, after County Commissioner Nathan Runnebohm asked staff to explore options for disposing of the properties. Surveyor Jeff Powell noted there has been prior discussion about potentially replatting the contiguous lots into a single parcel, while Health Department Director Robert Lewis explained the area remains under a building moratorium due to past drainage and septic failures, meaning any buyer would need to be aware that construction is not currently allowed and that septic systems may require easements across multiple lots. Sewage was previously going into the ditches, causing bloodworms and other concerns, Lewis said. Although the developer filed for bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court ensured funds were made available to fix the issues. No official action was taken yesterday, and officials agreed the Health Department and surveyor will need to visit the site together to determine feasible next steps.
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday approved increases to the county health department’s fee schedule, raising birth certificates from $10 to $15 per copy and death certificates from $10 to $20. Annual food permits will increase from $100 to $200, and a temporary food permit is $50, while a new septic permit was set at $300, and a septic installer registration fee at $50. The changes, some of the first in more than two decades, are intended to cover operating costs and bring local fees in line with neighboring counties.
County Commissioners also approved a resolution allowing the Waldron Conservancy District to move forward with a grant application to rehabilitate the town’s water system. The project, previously presented for a public hearing and voted on this week, includes upgrades to wells, water tanks, meters and hydrants, with funding requests totaling more than $2 million, including a $750,000 Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant and a potential Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund grant.
Commissioners approved reappointing Brady Claxton to the Shelby County Public Defender Board.
The following couples applied for marriage licenses in the Shelby County Clerk’s office last week: Cameron Blocher, 26, and Pedro Jimenez Jr., 26; Vanessa L. Bryant, 34, and Jared R. Turner, 38; Jessica D. Graves, 28, and Chandler J. Ramey, 24; John E. Renbarger II, 55, and Tabitha R.L. Malson, 43; and Kristyn G. Corbin, 22, and Alexander C. Hansen, 22.
A deputy responded to a crash on East Range Road and found that a 15-year-old driver had backed into a parked, unattended vehicle. The juvenile driver was unlicensed and uninsured. She was cited, and the vehicle was towed.
There were multiple accidents over the weekend due to inclement weather. Also, a snow plow on South State Road 9 threw snow onto a passing vehicle, breaking its window.
Rees Chiropractic Office announced that Dr. Olivia Oberneder has completed her internship and will graduate this weekend from Logan University in St. Louis. Oberneder will join the local practice on Jan. 2 and begin accepting patients.
Editor’s Note: Thank you so much to each donor who has generously contributed to our $100,000 campaign. The following are among our recent donors: Jane Schuster, James Turner, Connie Browning, Matt & Jenni Haehl, William Kent, Brenda Cox, Greg Parks, Elissa Keppel and Kehrt Etherton. (Many of these are on behalf of families.) Reaching our fundraising goal for 2026 will allow us to expand high-quality coverage countywide. Donors of $100 or more receive a commemorative January print edition and donors of $500 or more will be recognized in that edition. Contributions can be made online through our donation form or by mailing a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, Ste. 13, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Again, thank you so much for your loyal support of this endeavor. - Kristiaan Rawlings
HOOSIER NEWS: Indiana economic development officials said the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has secured commitments for 10,600 new jobs as of Dec. 1, with average hourly wages rising to $40.59 and incentive spending per job dropping sharply, according to agency data. Leaders also outlined governance changes following a forensic review and announced a renewed focus on regional economic development, including McKinsey-led guidelines for strategic plans to be submitted by the state’s 15 regions in early 2026. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: Holiday music is surging earlier and more heavily in streaming data, with Spotify showing 30 Christmas songs in the U.S. top 50 on Dec. 1, up from 14 on the same date in 2019, and 20 of the top 25 tracks holiday-themed by Dec. 10. Spotify also reports a major streaming jump beginning Sept. 1 and a 60% increase in U.S. holiday-playlist creation from October 2024 to October 2025, underscoring a growing early-season shift in listening habits. (Wall Street Journal)
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This Week in Shelby County Archive
by GEORGE L. STUBBS
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
This Day in Shelby County History
Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: The Harry Larrabee-coached Golden Bears remained unbeaten with a 61–53 Hoosier Heritage Conference victory over Mount Vernon. Cory Sitten, James Douglas, Jim Peck, Ivan Toliver, Sean Drake and Dominique Reid contributed on the boards as the Golden Bears were outrebounding opponents most games.
1995: Homes in Long Acre housing addition displayed luminaries. All roads in the addition were illuminated as well, and the public was invited to view the neighborhood’s Christmas decorations.
The Grover Museum hosted the grand opening of the second street in the “Streets of Old Shelby” exhibit.
1985: Free cheese and rice were distributed to eligible Shelby County residents through a federally supported surplus commodities program administered by Human Services Inc. Distribution sites included township trustee offices, fire stations, churches and the Salvation Army.
1975: The Northwestern District School Board approved remedial and enrichment classes for Year-Round School students by a 4–3 vote following a four-hour meeting. Board members Richard Welty, Millard Eck, Henry Johnson and James Hanahan voted in favor, while trustees Jack Judge, Phillip Boring and Sam Ingle opposed the plan, which included remedial math and reading along with enrichment courses in arts, science and literature.
1965: Shelby County health officials warned residents against using imported plastic ice balls after tests showed some contained sewage-contaminated water. County sanitarian Dwight Long said the water-filled balls, imported from Hong Kong and marketed as reusable ice substitutes, were linked to similar warnings in other states and were removed from sale at the request of the health department.
1955: Coca-Cola prices in Shelbyville would increase to 96 cents per case of 24 bottles beginning Jan. 3, marking the first wholesale price hike in 25 years, according to local bottling plant manager Frank Rehme. Rehme said the increase from 80 cents was driven by higher operating and supply costs, with retailers notified of the change while retaining discretion over consumer pricing.
1945: Federal officials urged civilians not to travel during December as wartime troop movements placed heavy demands on rail and air transportation, The Shelbyville Republican reported. The Office of Defense Transportation said December would see the largest troop transfers of the war, with about 1.5 million service members moved nationwide, leaving little capacity for civilian holiday travel.
1935: Moral Township School hosted a Christmas program in the school auditorium, led by Austin Smith, supervisor of music.
1925: The Shelbyville Kiwanis Club received its charter during a well-attended meeting at the Elks Club rooms, drawing 166 men along with visiting Kiwanians from nearby chapters. The evening included a banquet prepared by the women of the First Christian Church, musical selections by local students and performers, greetings from the Shelbyville Rotary Club, and presentation of the charter by T. A. Coleman of Purdue University, with Wilbur Pell presiding as the club’s president.
1915: Shelbyville’s municipal Christmas tree, donated by Dr. C. H. Perry of near Lewis Creek, was brought to the Public Square by Fire Chief James Briggs and assistants and placed in the northeast corner, where it stood about 40 feet tall and was decorated with colored lights and a large illuminated star designed by City Hall custodian Sturley Carruthers. (Note: The small stone marking Carruthers’ resting place in Forest Hill has the inscription: “A faithful servant of the city.”)
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Susan Diana Moody, 78, of Shelbyville, died Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at Community Hospital North. She was born May 23, 1947, in Shelbyville to John W. Mohr and Lois Joan (Bogeman) Mohr.
Moody spent most of her life in Shelbyville and her later years in Indianapolis. She graduated from Shelbyville High School and went on to become a laboratory technician specializing in pathology. She was a former member of Shelbyville Baptist Temple and also attended West Street United Methodist Church. She was an avid reader and enjoyed cooking, baking and crafting. She also enjoyed playing games with her family, including board games, card games and video games.
Survivors include her daughter, Rose Cropper (husband Greg); sisters Mary Marsh (husband Robert Jr.), Janet Michell (husband Bill) and Aileen Sullivan; nieces and nephews Bill, Genie, Erin, John, Jessica, Brett, Samantha, Andrew, Barbara, Jennifer and Robert III; many great-nieces and great-nephews; and several others she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Nancy Messer.
Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. David Humphrey officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are serving the family. Online condolences may be shared at murphyparks.com.