Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Jul 15, 2025

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Shelbyville High School Band squad leader Henry Wainscott, a senior, demonstrates proper marching stance to incoming freshman Owen Shively and other squad members at practice yesterday evening. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS

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NOTEBOOK:

Danny Norris, project manager for the Speedway solar development, informed County Commissioners yesterday that the site officially reached commercial operation status on June 23, meaning the county will soon receive $1.6 million ($8,040 per megawatt), of which $600,000 is allocated to Shelby Eastern Schools, from the solar company. This is in addition to assessed taxes throughout the life of the project. Per the agreement approved by the County Council in 2019, Speedway has 120 days after the site begins providing electricity to the electric grid to make the payment. County Councilman Kyle Barlow, appearing via Zoom, asked for clarification on when payment would be paid. “That school corporation was promised that money a long time ago…and they’ve been waiting on that money,” Barlow said. The project manager cited the economic development agreement previously approved by the county council. “As I said, we hit commercial operation on June 23, so from the project’s perspective, we’re not late on that payment, but I understand that that is important to the county,” Norris said.
Norris also noted that with solar production underway, construction activity has slowed significantly, and all remaining punch list items are expected to be completed by the end of July. After that, only minimal traffic from light-duty vehicles is expected. Final drainage photos and documentation will be submitted to the county soon. The drainage subcontractor remains on-site to complete final adjustments, and gravel deliveries should be finished within 10 days. A post-construction road survey will be conducted in coordination with the county highway department to identify and repair any damage. Commissioner David Lawson noted that concerns about drainage, landscaping and roads have been addressed, and thanked the company for stepping up with a mitigation plan.
The Shelbyville Building Commission last week discussed ongoing permit and registration issues involving ARS Rescue Rooter, an out-of-town contractor previously fined twice and recently fined $900 for performing HVAC work without proper permits or registration. The City was only aware of the issue because a customer called to complain. While the board did not take formal action, members expressed concern about repeat offenses. Suggestions included implementing a three-strike policy or issuing stop-work orders in the future. Local contractors were thanked for including permit fees in their bids and arranging timely inspections. No changes were made at the meeting, but a revision of procedures or enforcement may be considered. In other business, the commission elected new officers: Gary Keppel as president and Jim Hicks as vice president.
Former Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun has been named by Duke Energy as its new government and community relations manager in Southeastern Indiana. In this role, DeBaun will manage local government, business and community relationships and issues in Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Rush and Union counties. In addition, he will oversee and coordinate local philanthropy in support of Duke Energy and the communities’ objectives. (WRBI)
Shelby County Commissioners on Monday approved a request allowing the owner of a trucking business on North Michigan Road, just east of Brandywine, to install a drainage pipe discharging into the roadside ditch. The property owner had previously received site plan and drainage approval through USI Consultants. The plan includes directing surface water via a swale to the property's low point and installing a 12-inch pipe through an earthen mound to connect with an existing 24-inch culvert under Michigan Road. Commissioners were told the proposed discharge location follows the natural drainage pattern and does not enter the road right-of-way. The new pipe will be metered down to an 8-inch outlet to reduce flow during low-volume situations. An overflow swale above the pipe will be installed to handle excess water and remain below road elevation. The area is flood-prone, and officials said the proposed design would reduce erosion risk and help control release rates. Riprap will be placed around the pipe and overflow area for erosion protection. No permit was deemed necessary since the project does not involve utilities, only site improvements to mitigate runoff.
A two-vehicle incident occurred Saturday afternoon on North State Road 9 near the entrance to Knauf Drive. One driver was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the hospital by medics. Authorities later confirmed the individual is under investigation for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The second driver reported that a white van passed him on the right, struck a construction barrier wall, and entered oncoming traffic before leaving the roadway. Minor damage was reported to the second vehicle.
Two vehicles parked roadside were struck by a third vehicle Sunday in a hit-and-run incident that began on Montgomery Street and ended with the suspect vehicle fleeing onto Webster Street. According to witnesses and those involved, one driver had to jump into his vehicle to avoid being hit. The second vehicle was pushed down the street by the impact before coming to a stop near South Street. Multiple witnesses reported hearing the crash and seeing a pickup truck flee the scene, jumping a curb as it turned onto Webster. The vehicle was later located by officers, and the suspected driver was identified by an acquaintance who approached law enforcement on scene.
A single-vehicle crash occurred Friday evening at the intersection of Miller and Parker avenues. The driver told police he was looking at his phone while turning onto Miller Avenue when he drove over a curb and struck utility guide wires. The vehicle sustained moderate front-end damage, including two flat tires and debris hanging from the undercarriage. No injuries were reported.
As the Eagles might say, you can check out of County Council any time you like, but you can never leave. Although former County Councilwoman Linda Sanders now serves on the Shelbyville Common Council, County Commissioners yesterday re-appointed Sanders to another four-year term to the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority board, continuing Sanders’ service from her county council days.
HOOSIER NEWS: Devin Taylor became the eighth former Indiana University baseball player to be selected in the first round of the MLB draft. Taylor was selected 48th by the Athletics as Sunday kicked off the 2025 MLB Draft. He's the first former Hoosiers player to be selected in the first round since Kyle Schwarber was picked fourth by the Chicago Cubs in the 2014 draft. Though Taylor could return to school for his final season of eligibility, he was drafted at a slot value of $2.03 million, a starting point for negotiations. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: Solar panels function optimally at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and an increase in the temperature reduces the efficacy of the photovoltaic cells. One solution to this is pairing solar farms with actual farms. With the right crop combination, water vapor coming off the plants would cool the solar panels while the crops and workers get a little more shade. A study found that planting cilantro, tomatoes and peppers under solar arrays reduced the panel’s surface temperature by roughly 18 degrees. In places like Tucson (which saw 112 days of triple-digit temperatures last year), this can take the edge off. (Inside Climate News/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights

Nov. 7, 1969

Four Student Council delegates and Mrs. Comstock attended a convention at Frankfort High School. Marijane Sawyer, Mac Thurston, Scott Williams and Phil Haehl were all part of the delegation.
Dan Hayes finished 8th in the state cross country meet, the highest place an SHS had ever received.
The “Happiness Is…” column included: having Mrs. Garrett for fifth period study hall; dropping your books down the stairs at 3:25 p.m.; being dismissed at 3:26 p.m.; and having a car that is indestructible.
There were 1,350 students at SHS taking 115 subjects taught by 60 teachers in 40 classrooms.

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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: Approximately 80 golfers raised $20,000 in a benefit for Indiana Wesleyan University played at Bear Chase Golf Club. Hall of Fame basketball player Jerry Lucas - who was a former teammate of Bobby Knight - spoke at the reception.

1995: Norman L. Thurston, a member of the board of directors of Shelbyville Newspapers Inc. and retired editor and general manager of The Shelbyville News, died in Tucson, Ariz. Thurston, 83, had retired as general manager of The Shelbyville News in 1971, a position he had held since 1949. He then moved to Tucson. He had started at The News as a copy boy and became a reporter with The Democrat in 1931 after graduating from Shelbyville High School and Indiana University. At one time, he had been the youngest Kiwanis Club member in Indiana. He was also a World War II veteran.

1985: Staff Sgt. Robert D. Reed of Shelbyville, a member of the Indiana Army National Guard and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, was honored at a retirement ceremony held at the Columbus National Guard armory. Reed retired after over 32 years of service. He had received many awards in his career, including the Bronze Star Medal. He was an employee of KCL Corp. His wife was Burnetta and his sons were Charles “Chuck” and Morris Reed.

1975: Triton Elementary held its first day of school as part of a new year-round school initiative. The previous school year had ended just three weeks prior. It was the first year-round public school program in Indiana since 1904. John Tresslar was principal.

1965: Shelby County Fair Queen candidates were set to lead the parade from the courthouse to Belaire Shopping Center. The candidates were Beverly Barker, Marlena Beyer, Lana Carmony, Martha Carroll, Ann Cline, Linda Colpitts, Lois Comstock, Emilou Eck, Jenice Elmore, Jere Giles, Judy Henson, Vicki Larrison, Sue Main, Connie Mohney, Diana Mollenkopf, Beverly Oldham, Manarda Payne, Glenna Perry, Janet Pursley, Pamela Pike, Connie Rosenfeld, Jan Shoopman, Linda Sills, Linda Smith, Penny Smith, Gladys Swearingen, Sharon Thayer, Linda Walton, Linda Wilxocon, Cheryl Wilson, Patricia Witt and Nancy Yarling.

1955: Elks Country Club golf pro Jack Taulman gave the 90 Blue River Golf Tourney players a tour of the course a day before the banquet and subsequent tournament.

Larry Cox won the tractor driving contest, hosted on the south side of Morristown High School for 4-H and FFA youth. Others earning top placements were Jim Copeland, Joe Brunning, Robert Nigh, Dale Watson, Robert Douglas and Stephen Douglas. Lloyd McMichael, representative for the Standard Oil Co. in Morristown, presented Cox with a set of wrenches.

1945: The former Porter’s Camp had become Willow Park. Dancing, accompanied by a 12-piece band, was on every Friday and Saturday night, 8 p.m. to midnight.

1935: Shelbyville was selected as the site for the sectional softball tournament. Martin Luther, city recreation director, was named director of the tournament.

1925: Mendel Wolf began remodeling his store on the corner of Franklin and Harrison Streets, to convert the building into a department store. The front would be constructed of brick and marble with prism glass. There would be two large show windows. Glass would be installed on the side of the window next to the stairway, south of the store room, so that people going up the stairs could see the window display. Grand Rapids show cases were used in the new store room. Karl Mings was in charge of the remodeling.

1915: Notices were served to every saloon keeper and drugstore owner in Shelbyville to refrain from selling liquor to 37 men deemed to be habitual drunkards. “When arrested for intoxication, a majority of them lay out their sentences, glad of the chance to do so,” The Republican said. The same tactic had been tried with success in Columbus, where officials noticed that several women were on their list.