Tuesday, March 18, 2025
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IRISH LUCK
Liam Pettigrew, 9, throws his gold coin into Joseph Fountain yesterday at the Greening of the Fountain event, hosted by Mayor Scott Furgeson. | photo by JACK BOYCE
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NOTEBOOK:
About 10 county highway department employees worked Saturday on storm damage clean-up. Sheriff’s deputies also assisted with removing trees and branches for Duke Energy and RushShelby to restore power. “We've got two houses that look like they're going to be total losses in the county, both in the southwestern part of the county, and probably three or four more that sustained structural damage that those are going to be repaired,” Dennis Ratekin, director of Shelby County Emergency Management, said. “A lot of trees down, a lot of power lines down.” Ratekin said he was in contact with the National Weather Service. He believed NWS would consider local damage to be from straight line winds rather than a tornado, but they may reevaluate.
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday authorized engineering services to begin work on bridges 128 (rehabilitation of historic bridge on CR 75 East, just south of CR 700 S - see photo below) and 146 (full bridge replacement on CR 1100 S between CR 200 E and CR 275 E - photo below). Three-fourths of the project costs are covered by state Community Crossings grant funds. “This will allow you to get close to the $1.5 million max award for the year,” Mike Obergfell, with USI Consultants, said. “We’ll spend about $1.2 or $1.3 (million) on those two bridges for the matching grant. So, we will mill and pave Washington Street in Waldron, along with fixing sidewalk curb ramps and possibly adding some additional sidewalks that are missing along that stretch of road down to the school, east of downtown Waldron.”
A vehicle hit the American Legion pole at the front of the organization’s parking lot on Miller Ave. The driver had been approaching the parking lot and was looking at the building when he turned in and did not see the pole at the entrance of the lot.
An accident occurred at the Pilot Travel Center near Fairland. A driver was turning into Pump 3 when another vehicle “whipped in and tried to back into Pump 3,” the report said.
A free opera cabaret, hosted by Shelby Senior Services and featuring five Indianapolis Opera members, will be held at the new Wortman Family Civic Theatre on Miller Ave., Wednesday, April 9, 1 p.m. The show is funded by the Blue River Community Foundation with funds from the Herbert B. and Lillian N. DePrez Opera Education Fund. The fund was opened in 1997 by Mrs. Edward W. Harris Jr. and her son, Edward W. Harris III, with a $5,000 gift matched by her nephew, John C. DePrez Jr., former publisher of The Shelbyville News. This fund has allowed for similar performances by the Indianapolis Opera Ensemble for Shelby County students each year since. Historically, BRCF has used the fund to bring the Indianapolis Opera to Shelby County to offer their Children’s Opera program to the county's third graders as well as choral workshops for middle school and high school students and other similar programs. In 2025, in addition to the Opera Cabaret, the fund will support the Indianapolis Opera bringing their Children’s Opera to Loper Elementary and St. Joseph Elementary schools. Shelby County schools that are interested in bringing these opportunities to their schools are encouraged to reach out to Jordan England at Blue River Community Foundation.
HOOSIER NEWS: Curbside recycling is coming to all residents of Indianapolis, but collections won’t start until 2028. The city’s Board of Public Works announced the recycling service is part of new contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, which will oversee solid waste collections for the city. The new contract with Lakeshore will provide city residents with universal curbside recycling in 2028, and materials will be processed at a newly-constructed facility. No comprehensive, curbside service is currently available in the city. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: Pepsi is in advanced talks to snap up prebiotic soda-maker Poppi. The potential acquisition comes after Pepsi dropped plans to develop its own healthier soda brand, something rival Coca-Cola opted to do as the “functional soda” category—which includes Poppi and its main competitor Olipop—grows. Prebiotic soda sales have reached $820 million, comprising about 2% of the $42.4 billion US soft drink market, an analyst recently told Fortune. (Morning Brew)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
March 5, 1931, Part I
With a 10-1 conference record, the SHS Mackmen won the Southern Conference title. Bloomington had gone 1-11.
Miss Mull and student helpers would be in charge of providing food to the 12 teams coming to SHS for sectionals. Principal Loper issued a bulletin noting that he had great respect for experienced officials Mr. Goett and Mr. Ashley, who were working all the games. “I trust that the fans will place enough confidence in them to permit them to run the ball game without outside advice or interference.”
Eighty boys came out for tryouts to be on the 35-man football team, coached by Mr. McKeand.
Waldron students Katherine Stickford, Miriam Haymond and Mildred Engle had won the top three placements in the county Latin contest held at the Shelbyville administration offices.
A recent flu outbreak had hurt SHS’s 96.2 percent attendance rate. On a recent day, 110 students, three teachers, and Principal Loper had been out sick.
Miss Swanson told her Bible class she was tempted to give a test over the material. Joe Stine responded, “Yield not to temptation.”
The Bible test was given anyway, and one student had Abraham going to the “land of Canine.” The Courier said, “Education must be going to the dogs.”
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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: City officials announced final plans for an ambitious yearlong River Road sewer project. The pipeline would go across the northern part of the city, stretching from the Conrey lift station along River Road, across Harrison Street and eventually to Walnut Street, via Pike and Pennsylvania streets. The project would replace a century-old 18-inch sewer line with a 36-inch line that would serve new housing developments on the southeast side of town.
1995: Coulston Elementary hosted a fundraising carnival. Principal Jim Conner and custodian Stanley Walton volunteered to man the “shaving-cream-in-your-face” station.
1985: Mahin Furniture, 9 Public Square, started offering waterbeds for $150.
SCUFFY fundraising efforts were underway. Gaye McKenney sold carnations for SCUFFY in front of the J.C. Penney store.
1975: Mayor Jerry Higgins issued a proclamation that the rescheduled St. Patrick’s Day parade would also be known as “Be Kind to Tom Franklin Day.” Franklin, an announcer at WSVL, and the station had organized and sponsored the annual local parade for three years.
1965: Lawrence Schneider received the National Keystone Gold Medallion Award of the Boys Clubs of America. Past local recipients of the medallion were Nate Kaufman, Jack Schweppe and Don Richmond.
1955: Robin Worland, 336 Roosevelt Dr., was named Baby of the Week by Chafee Studio.
1945: The Shelby County War Price and Ration Board called for locals to do “everything possible to conserve tires.” They asked for repairs to be made at once and recapping maintenance to be done immediately when needed.
1935: Henry Woessner, manager of Sindlinger Meat Market, took his cuts to Miss Eulalie Mull’s class at Shelbyville High School and demonstrated how to cut half a beef into quarters. He also told the class how to learn to use the cheaper cuts.
1925: J.G. DePrez, who had been spending several weeks in Florida, returned home and was back in charge at the hardware store. He reported his health had “greatly benefitted from his sojourn.”
1915: Work on the new Christian Scientist Church, at the northeast corner of Tompkins and Jackson streets, began. The basement was being excavated.
Kindergarten children at School Nos. 1 and 5 took a field trip to the Cossairt greenhouse. “They enjoyed the trip a great deal,” The Republican said. “The greenhouse is a beautiful place at present, all of the flowers being in bloom. Mr. Cossairt decorated each of the children with a flower.”
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OBITUARIES
Sharon J. Rudolph, 89, of Shelbyville passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Ashford Place Health Campus. She was born on December 27, 1935, in Beech Grove, Ind., to James Oliver Rudolph and Mary Ellen (Little) Rudolph.
Sharon had a love for music her entire life. That love guided her passion of being a DJ. Known by many as Rockin’ Rudy, she always enjoyed a good party, reception, wedding, or any other celebration. One of her favorite notable achievements was being the DJ for the weddings of three generations in the same family. Sharon also enjoyed being outdoors and even riding motorcycles since she was younger. Rockin’ Rudy make a big impression on everyone she encountered.
She is survived by her daughter, Barbara “Bobbi” Johnson, and her sister, Sue Lantz. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Sharon’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Juanita M. McNeely, 93, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Waldron Nursing Home. Born on December 22, 1931, in Bartholomew County, she was the daughter of James Freese and Margaret (Jones) Freese. She married Wilmer McNeely on May 29, 1952, and he preceded her in death on November 3, 2020.
Survivors include three children, Rick (Debbie) McNeely of Greenwood, Randy (Sheila) McNeely of Kure Beach, N.C., Ryan (Patti) McNeely of Greenfield; sister Nancy Freese of Champagne, Ill.; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Wilmer, her parents and five siblings.
Juanita was a resident of this area for most of her lifetime and was a member of First Baptist Church of Shelbyville. She was a Instructional Assistant for Shelbyville Central Schools for 15 years. Juanita enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, but most of all loved spending time with her family.
Funeral services will be at noon, Friday, March 21, 2025, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Pastor Daniel McDonald officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Friday morning from 10 a.m., until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to Waldron Rehab and Healthcare Center, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Danny Luther Ping, 62, of Prosperity, South Carolina passed away Friday, March 14, 2025, at his residence. He was born June 22, 1962, in Somerset, Ky., to Lawrence Ping and Marie (Prather) Ping.
Danny was a construction worker and specialized in carpentry. He had a passion for collecting coins and loved to sing in his garage, especially Conway Twitty and George Jones songs. He enjoyed being outdoors. Talking with his granddaughters was his greatest joy.
Danny is survived by his son, Bradley Ping; his daughters, Emily Ping, and Dacia Koop (husband, Nick); his granddaughters, Lillian Koop, and Avalynn Koop; his sisters, Theresa Lichau (husband, Rick), Ann Whitlow, and Tammy Piper (husband, Lee); former spouse and lifelong friend, Cathy Ping; and his companion, Judy Crocker. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Rick Ping and Tim Prather; and his sisters, Judy Hackworth and Mary Prather.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Robert Prather officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Danny’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.