Tuesday, March 12, 2024
WAXING CRESCENT
Our lunar friend keeps an eye on Shelbyville Fire Station Three last night. | photo by JACK BOYCE
Northeast County Drainage Tile Request Tabled
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday tabled a request to make three road cuts to install drainage tiles in northeast Shelby County after neighboring property owners asked clarification questions and the petitioner was not present to answer.
Speedway Solar is requesting to construct drainage tiles 2,150 feet north of County Road 700 E on CR 750 E. The request includes road cuts on CR 750 E, 625 E and 700 N. The perimeter drain would help prevent water issues for land surrounding a planned solar project.
Nearby landowner Rex Kuhn said he wasn’t necessarily opposed, but wanted to know details of the overall plan.
“There’s pipe laying on the ground up there. Obviously, they’re getting ready to go,” Kuhn said. “Are you guys aware of what’s happening?”
Commissioner Jason Abel called the absence of the applicant and selected construction company “disconcerting.”
Kuhn wanted clarification on legal easements and ownership, to which Commissioner Kevin Nigh said it appeared to be a mutual, legal drain.
Ben Kuhn said he spoke with the drainage contractor on the phone, and the plan “sounds like, for us upstream landowners, as decent as we could ask for, assuming that we have long-term access to it.”
Rex Kuhn said nearby landowners were just trying to protect themselves. “We’re not so much bulking at what’s happening.”
The matter was tabled until next week’s Commissioner’s meeting.
In other action, Commissioners approved the creation of a Request for Information Engagement Letter to allow the county to give standardized information to broadband providers, who will in turn give the county preliminary proposals for service. An attorney with the Indianapolis-based Ice Miller firm will assist the county. “It’s a very specialized subset of contract law,” Commissioner Jason Abel said.
NOTEBOOK:
Shelby County Surveyor Taylor Sumerford is retiring after 24 years on the job. Shelby County Commissioners thanked Sumerford for his outstanding service.
NATIONAL NEWS: The TSA’s prototype self-screening lanes in the Las Vegas airport have been a success after a six-month trial among fliers in TSA PreCheck, and if it gets rolled out nationwide, it could be huge for accelerating transit through a convoluted, Kafkaesque and grating security process. The lines flow faster, and it reduces the number of TSA officers responsible for a given security line from about a dozen all the way down to eight TSA officers, also minimizing the number of invasive pat-downs and searches. (Jalopnik/Numlock)
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What’s Happening at Your Library?
Donna Dennison, Head of Genealogy and History
Everyone in Shelbyville is talking about the upcoming Eclipse. We are getting ready here at the library, too. First, eclipse glasses are here! We started passing them out last Monday. We passed over 2,000 out on just that first day. We still have plenty. To get yours, come to the library and just show your library card or proof that you live in Shelby County. There is a limit of six glasses per family. We have also filled our east wing and children’s department with entries from the Community Eclipse Art Project. With over 400 entries, the gallery and front foyer look amazing.
Did you know that your public library has three meeting rooms for rent? They are great for birthdays, graduations and business meetings. They have tables and chairs and access to a kitchenette. The best thing about our meeting rooms is they are only $20 for four hours for nonprofits and $45 for four hours for for-profits. Another great service at your library.
We have a lot of great programs this week, including a history program all about why we are named Shelby County and why so many other states also have a Shelby County, too. Come check out our programs (and a book or two, too!).
Baby and Toddler Story time: Friday 10 a.m.
Children Storytime: Tuesday 10 a.m., Wednesday 10:30 a.m., & Thursday 1 p.m.
Teens and Tweens: Big Think Trivia with prizes, Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.; Pancake Explosion with Star Wars movie, Wednesday 5 p.m.; Nintendo Club, Thursday 6 p.m.
Adults: D&D Journeys Monday 5:30 p.m.
Adults and Families: Shelby County, USA, Tuesday 7 p.m.; Name that Tune with drinks and snacks, Wednesday 2 p.m.
Our Morristown branch also has a lot of fantastic programs going on. Check out our website, myshelbylibrary.org, to see those and more.
The Library will be Closed Friday March 15 for professional development. Have a great week!
This Day in Shelby County History
2014: A man who had taken a woman’s casino voucher at Indiana Grand, breaking her finger in the process, was convicted four years after the incident. The man had gone through five public defenders and represented himself for a time before being convicted. Shelby County Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Kinsley handled the case.
2004: After Shelbyville Central Schools’ administrators proposed doing away with Japanese language courses, several unhappy Japanese foreign language students and their parents expressed their concern to the school board, as did those connected with local industry. School administrators reported there were 43 students in Japanese, compared to 85 in French, 80 in Latin and more than 300 in Spanish. By cutting Japanese, the school planned to hire an additional Spanish teacher.
1994: The Waldron eighth-grade girls basketball team won the Shelby County Tournament. Members of the team were Lori Wisker, Sarah Walton, Heather Kuhn, Lynn Nieman, Jodi Stephens, Shelley Moss, Chasidy Kuwamoto, Andrea Arthur, Chrissy Gilles, Jennifer Grinstead, Courtney Brattain, Alicia Rhoades and Alisha Jackman. Dwain Kuhn was coach and Andrea Kolkmeier and April Kuhn were assistant coaches. Cheerleaders were Krissy Davis, Allison Arthur, Melissa Dotson, Melanie Crouch and Michelle Treon.
The Morristown eighth-grade boys basketball team won the Shelby County Tournament. Players were Josh Bassett, Randy Davis, Jason Willard, Robbie Coulter, Matt Lane, Adam Rouse, John Bassett, Chris Hilton, Joe Griffith, Jake Brown, Brad Huffman, Justin Lee and David White. Tony Matney was coach. Cheerleaders were Emily Gerald, Scarlet McPherson, Amy Wilhelm, Tasha Wood and Erica Marquez.
1984: The Shelbyville Board of Works approved the purchase of a new phone system that would allow the ability to transfer calls between departments. It would also introduce long-distance clearance codes to cut down on unauthorized calls. In other business, board members asked Mayor Dan Theobald why six police officers had been at the Shelbyville-Columbus regional game. Theobald said Columbus had requested help keeping fans from running onto the court after the game.
1974: Allen Elder, manager of Indiana Bell Telephone Company, donated a company maintenance truck to Maurice Tennell of the Flat Rock Volunteer Fire Department. The truck would be converted to use as a rescue truck and outfitted with ladders, auto extrication equipment, a portable power generator and first aid equipment.
1964: Mace Food Store announced they would be the second business to located in the Shelby Plaza Shopping Center on West State Road 44. Company officials said the store would hire 35 employees.
An architect was chosen for a project to remodel and expand the Shelbyville Post Office.
Jack Borst was named Shelbyville High School’s Lord Mayor and Anita Wisker won the Vestavia Award for having the highest grade point averages. Others named to the National Honor Society were Robert Bausback, Jay Butler, Sharon Cochran, Lois Comstock, Elizabeth Coulston, Patricia Gaines, Alica Griffith, Dennie Jane Haehl, Dennis Harris, Rebecca Hendrickson, Douglas Horton, Jane Howard, Ann Howery, Mary K. John, Linda Jones, Anita Junken, Linda LeBrun, Angela Linville, Richard Lorenz, Carol McKenney, Barbara Mann, Carolyn Meiks, Stephen Mullen, Shirley O’Mara, Bonnie Osborn, Dorothy Owens, Sheila Rice, John Shambach, Donna Skinner, Thomas Strawn, Judy Trees, Tom Trueb, John Turner and Chree Wood.
1954: A predicted tornado failed to appear. Instead a storm of snow, sleet and freezing rain came through the area.
1944: County schools were participating in a daily lunch program, which served 1,000 warm lunches countywide. Part of the costs were reimbursed by the federal government. Schools also participated in the government’s milk program. “Milk is served to the smaller children at recess period,” The Republican said. “Teachers report that serving milk at recess gives the children renewed interest in their work, and that the attendance and work of all pupils are better because of the hot lunches.”
1934: The following news brief was in The Republican: “DID YOU KNOW - that Shelbyville is Indiana’s 24th largest city, and that it has a population exceeding that of eight state capitals? That Dick Howard, w.k. and p. local young man, readily and correctly answers ALL of the 20 tough questions in Liberty magazine each week? That Paul Schuler has changed girls again - this time, the fortunate young lady being Marian Moore? That the Shelbyville fire department claims (and with pardonable pride) the city championship in ALL card games? (If you challenge their right, just choose your own game and go down there and try to beat them guys.) That it is estimated that four out of every five Shelbyville homesteads have spires? (But, after all, who cares?)
1924: W.A. VanLue purchased the He-To shop at the corner of Harrison and Franklin streets, which had been owned by Ortis Headlee. The new establishment would be the VanLue Pharmacy. VanLue was a pharmacist and graduate of Purdue University. Ralph Worland was his clerk.
Only one marriage license had been pulled in Shelby County since late February, Gordon Thurston, clerk of Shelby Circuit court, said.
1914: A lunar eclipse occurred from about 8:30 until 11 p.m. “The eclipse was very nearly total and was witnessed with keen delight by many,” The Republican said under the headline “RUBBERNECKS WERE HANDY.”
OBITUARIES
Janet F. Drake, 60, of Shelbyville, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024 at her daughter's residence. Born November 18, 1963 in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of James Dunagan and Martha (Gobel) Dunagan. She was raised by her stepfather Donald Burns from an early age. Survivors include her mother of Shelbyville; three children, Brittany Emery (Steven) of West Palm Beach, Florida; Bethany Shuppert (Logan) of Shelbyville, Braden Adam Drake (Leonard Trinh) of San Diego, California; a brother Jim Dunagan of Shelbyville; five grandchildren, Rhys, Harlow, CallieRae, Cohen, and Drake. She was preceded in death by her father, and her step-father.
Mrs. Drake was a lifelong resident of this area and graduated from Southwestern High School in 1982. She had been employed in medical billing at Major Hospital for a few years and had earlier worked for Southern Indiana Surgery in medical billing, for 20 years. She was a member of Lewis Creek Baptist Church. Janet loved traveling and going to the beach. She enjoyed collecting Barbie Dolls and spending time with her grandchildren and her dog Minnie.
A Celebration of Life will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Lewis Creek Baptist Church, 1400 E. 600 S., Waldron, IN. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shelby County Cancer Assn. or Lewis Creek Baptist Church, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Donna “Joann” Farnsley, 91, a lifelong Shelbyville resident, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at The Willows of Shelbyville. She was born November 26, 1932, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Landy J. and Helen Iva (Strickler) Myer. On August 22, 1954, she married Rev. James Farnsley, and he preceded her in death on December 7, 2009.
Joann is survived by her sons, Jon Farnsley and wife, Barbara, and Mark Farnsley and wife, Carmen; grandchildren, Michael Andrew Farnsley and wife, Sarah, Brian James Farnsley and wife, Molly, Jonathan Arthur Farnsley, KayAnn Lynn Hardwick (Farnsley) and husband, Ethan; and Caroline Grace Farnsley; and beloved great-grandchildren Miles Andrew Farnsley, Silas Grae Farnsley, Adalia Kate Farnsley, Jack Amell Hardwick, Rose Grace Farnsley, and Jesse Andrew Hardwick. In addition to Jim, Joann was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Joyce.
Joann and Rev. Farnsley spent decades serving their community in various local churches. In 1950, Joann graduated from Morristown High School. She attended Indiana Central College now known as the University of Indianapolis, graduating in 1955. In 1965, she obtained her Master’s degree in elementary education from Butler University.
Joann taught third grade at Union, Marion and Arlington schools. She retired in 1993, with 35 years of combined teaching from Coulston Elementary.
Joann was a wonderful cook and would treat family & guests to huge Sunday afternoon and holiday spreads. She loved teaching music lessons, and would still engage in music and ministry to her fellow assisted living residents through the end of her life. Joann would never pass up the opportunity to enjoy White Castle or a Chocolate Malt, and is remembered for her love of redbone coonhounds. Joann was a member of the Retired Teachers Association.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm, Friday, March 15, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 10 am, Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the funeral home, with Pastor Mike Farnsley officiating. Interment will be at Hanover Cemetery in Shelby County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Center Indy, 11850 Brookville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46239, or to Compassion International through sponsoring a child as Joann and Jim did for many decades. Online condolences may be shared with Joann’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com