Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Spirit of Community Award Recipients Named
The Blue River Community Foundation recently named recipients of the Spirit of the Community Awards, given for demonstrating “community spirit through their service and giving to Shelby County.” The individual award was given to Jason Yantiss, center of left photo. Pictured with him are Deb Dalley and Jordan England. The Boys & Girls Club of Shelby County won for the non-profit category. Executive Director Scott Spahr (center) and board president Joe Harlan are joined in the right photo by England, Jenni Wheeler and Jennifer Jones. | photos provided
NOTEBOOK:
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday approved, on a 2-1 vote, an insurance rate increase to cover increased building values due to inflation, the new county complex building, six additional vehicles compared to last year and an increase in flood and earthquake coverage limits. “We are still in, really, the most difficult insurance market that has been on record, with inflationary costs of construction increases, the storms that have been occurring nationally, and then increased plaintiff litigation claims,” Brady Claxton, insurance agent for the county, said. The insurance is through Liberty Mutual, and Claxton obtained another quote for comparison, but it came in $62,000 higher. “The fact is, there are very few insurance companies right now even wanting to insure county governments, especially county governments with jail exposure,” Claxton said. Several county governments with jails are struggling to find a company, and are taking on high deductibles to do so, he said. The new policy also includes $10 million in flood and earthquake coverage compared to the previous $1 million limit. Commissioner Don Parker was the dissenting vote. The health insurance process is separate, and is up for renewal in September.
A county home was struck by lightning and another damaged by straight-line winds over the weekend. There were no reported injuries. “National Weather Service contacted me and said it looked like there was rotation on the radar, but I’m not seeing any indication on the ground of any rotation at that time,” Denis Ratekin, Shelby County Emergency Management Director, said.
County Commissioners approved, 2-1, extending the solar moratorium another six months. The moratorium was originally approved last year to give the county more time to consider potential changes to the ordinance, and was extended in January this year. “The committee that’s been working on it has made some progress,” Commissioner Don Parker said, but added that more time is needed. Commissioner Jason Abel said the county continues to learn from a current project under construction. Parker and Abel voted in favor of the second extension yesterday; Commissioner Kevin Nigh voted against.
Commissioners also approved low bids for two bridge construction projects, including HIS Constructors’ bid of $334,000 to re-do Bridge 30 on E. Union Road over Little Blue River and Duncan Robertson’s bid of $647,578 for Bridge 58 on Blue Ridge Road over Conn’s Creek. Seventy-five percent of these projects are funded through the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossing Matching Grant funds.
The Shelbyville Common Council last night approved a rezone allowing Souls Harbor Church to move its congregation and daycare from 105 N. Vine Street to 2021 S. Riley Highway, the former Family Services & Prevention Programs building at the intersection with McKay Road. Souls Harbor plans to be in the new facility by October, Pastor J.P. Stephenson said. The Vine Street church will be sold on contract to another church, which is currently renting a facility. Mayor Scott Furgeson and Councilwoman Linda Sanders thanked Rev. Stephenson for the church’s work in repurposing a vacant building and finding a buyer for his current location.
There will be no trash collection in Shelbyville on Thursday, July 4. Thursday’s trash route will be collected Friday, but recycling will be delayed until the following week. Friday’s trash and recycling will remain on schedule.
HOOSIER NEWS: The National Low Income Housing Coalition and Prosperity Indiana’s report shows that it takes $22.07 per hour to afford a typical two-bedroom apartment statewide. That’s $3.07 higher than last year. And Prosperity Indiana Senior Director of Policy and Strategy Andrew Bradley said wage growth hasn’t kept up. “The average renter wage of $17.92 is only up 6 cents since last year,” Bradley said. Fourteen of the state’s top 20 occupations now pay a median wage that’s less than what’s needed for a two-bedroom apartment — meaning 76 percent of the 1.1 million Hoosiers working in those occupations can’t afford such housing. (Indiana Public Media)
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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 from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
2014: The Shelbyville Art Gallery Association (SAGA) re-opened at 5 Public Square after being closed to undergo various renovations. Renovations included the addition of an accessible bathroom, a new paint job and removal of some interior walls.
2004: Republican governor candidate Mitch Daniels visited the Intelliplex in Shelbyville, touring the new cancer center Major Hospital was building there. He then headed to Compton’s Cow Palace for lunch.
1994: An accountant estimated it would cost homeowners in Country Club Heights more than $100 per month in user fees for 10 years to extend sanitary sewer service to the addition. The city was extending sanitary sewer lines under I-74 to County Road 250N, which bordered the south side of Country Club Heights, and about 100 residents of the neighborhood had requested information on a further extension.
1984: Jerry Kent was appointed new superintendent of Shelby Eastern Schools, the board decided at a meeting held at the Bluebird Restaurant in Morristown. Kent was replacing Gerald Carmony, who was retiring after nearly 45 years in education. The board also elected officers, David Pearce, Ronald Lanter, Tom Everhart, Christine Laird, Omer Cord and Joe Kuhn. Jerry Lux was school attorney.
Radio Shack held a Fourth of July sale. A 16-number memory dialer for phones was $29.95 and an AM/FM stereo that clipped to a belt and included headphones was $22.88. Bishopp’s Hardware also ran a sale. “Too Hot to Picnic?” their ad asked. “Stay Home with a New VCR!!” VCRs started at $399.
1974: Eight young men from Shelbyville and Morristown were riding with “The Spokesmen” on a cycle trip through the Rocky Mountains. The trip started in Denver and would end in Colorado Springs. Those on the trip included Chris Sandefur, Mark Hilton, Fred Haseman, Tom Shull, Mark Thurston, Mike Barrett, Ed Kellum and Tom McCalley.
1964: Plans were finalized for Kiddies’ Day, July 4, in Waldron. The reigning queen, Linda Sawyer, would head the parade on a gala float. Queen candidates for 1964 were Shirley Rick, Victora Wickliff, Deena Tucker, Diana Compton, Alice Fischer and Beverly Habig.
1954: A local man was arrested and charged with several robberies in Shelbyville and Rushville. The man admitted he had committed the robberies with a 59-cent cap pistol purchased at the F.W. Woolworth Co. 10-cent store on Public Square. After one robbery, the man wrapped his “gun” in a paper and threw it away. Police found the paper, but the “gun” was missing. They surmised a local youth was “probably firing Fourth of July caps” from the hold-up weapon, The Shelbyville News said.
Ira McKay, 266 W. South St., retired after 46 years at the post-office. He had started in 1908, when the post office was in a two-room building on E. Broadway.
1944: Mrs. Briley, 1017 S. West St., traveled to Texas to pin the wings of an aerial combat navigator on her son’s uniform. Gilbert Briley was graduating as a commissioned officer at the Hondo Army Air Field.
1934: Charles P. Sindlinger, 71, died. He had started a meat packing firm and was a prominent real estate owner. He had also been president of the Forest Hill Cemetery Association.
1924: Fourteen train cars, loaded with hay, soap and coal, derailed on the Pennsylvania train at Rays Crossing. None of the crew were injured. Twenty rods of track were torn up in the accident.
A group of locals visiting Washington D.C. met President Coolidge thanks to a local connection. Those on the trip were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bass, Milton Bass, Mrs. William Yarling and Mary Ellen Yarling.
1914: In lieu of evening services, local Protestant churches held a twilight Sunday service on the courthouse lawn. (West Street M.E. Church was the only church that still held an evening service.) Two hundred chairs were put out for the event.
OBITUARIES
Gene A. Slevin, 83, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024 at the Willows of Shelbyville. Born February 15, 1941 in Edinburgh, he was the son of Walter E. Slevin and Clarrilla M. (Snapp) Slevin. He married Mary E. (Sheffer) Slevin on May 3, 1980, and she preceded him on April 20, 2022.
Survivors include 10 children: William "Allen" Slevin (Tammy) of Shelbyville, Stephen Slevin (Laura) of New Braunfels, Texas; Amanda Carleton (Harlan) of Driftwood, Texas; Gene Slevin (Farrah) of Liberty Hill, Texas; Iris Bachman (Solomon) of Austin, Texas; Valeria Slevin (David Boling) of Pace, Florida; Dustin Slevin (Cassi) of Pace, Florida; Ryan Slevin (Erin) of Franklin; Mike Deater (Lori) of Edinburgh; Wendy Hartwell (Jeff) of Shelbyville; and a sister, Donna L. Warner of Shelbyville; 25 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his spouse; stepfather, James Sanford; brother, Robert Dale Slevin; sister, Dora L. Ballenger; and step-brother Tim Sanford.
Mr. Slevin had lived in this area for most of his lifetime and was a member of Lewis Creek Wesleyan Church. He had been a truck driver for several different trucking companies, retiring after over 45 years of service. Gene enjoyed hunting and fishing, dearly loved his dog “Mac,” and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Rev. David Gates officiating. Burial will be in Patterson Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Lewis Creek Wesleyan Church or OUR Hospice of South Central Indiana, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Rena Lavon White, 70, of Fairland, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2024, at IU North Hospital. Born October 27, 1953 in Batesville, she was the daughter of Christian Clarence Carel and Mary Yvonne (Sothard) Carel. She married Paul D. White on December 7, 1991 and he survives. Other survivors include three sons, Nick Chene of Fairland, Aaron Chene of Fairland, Duke Chene of southern Indiana; a brother, of Madison, Indiana; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Mrs. White had lived in this area since 2003, after moving from Batesville. She had been a factory worker at PK USA for several years. Rena enjoyed gardening and growing plants.
No funeral services will be observed at this time. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Hal Brandon Farmer, 38, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday June 30, 2024 at MHP Medical Center. He was born July 24, 1985, in Tallahassee, FL, to Greggory Farmer and Linda (Coleman) Farmer and they survive.
Hal graduated from Shelbyville High School with the class of 2004. He was an honorable veteran of the United States Army and a member of the American Legion Post 70. Hal had a love for riding motorcycles. He also enjoyed going to the gym, working out and playing pool. Hal enjoyed the outdoors, especially kayaking. His greatest joy was his son. He loved to spend time with him and watch him play ball.
Hal is also survived by his son, Cayde Farmer; his brothers, Eric (wife, Donna) Farmer and David (wife, Crystal) Kent; his nieces, Ellie Farmer and Summer Farmer (Bryce Kirstein); his nephew, Tyler Adamich; several other loving family members and friends.
Visitation will be Sunday July 7, 2024, from noon to 3 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home with military rites conducted by our local veterans organization. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Hal’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.