Tuesday, May 6, 2025
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DOUBLES DUTY
Cousins Abby Gwinnup and Jocelyn McFarland, Shelbyville Middle School, play in doubles action last night. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
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NOTEBOOK:
Although not an agenda item, Mayor Scott Furgeson noted in last night’s Shelbyville Common Council meeting that the Boys and Girls Club had approached the City about the possibility of taking over part of Morrison Park for use as their own facility. Early discussions have occurred with members of the Parks Board, the entity which would make a decision on the matter. “We’ve not entered into any agreement,” Furgeson said. “We are going to start talking about an agreement.” The mayor said the proposed partnership plan would not completely shut the park off to the public. He suggested a potential three- to five-year trial period for any plan. “Currently, the Boys and Girls Club and Girls Inc. both sit on Shelbyville Parks property,” Furgeson said. “There's only one plat of land down there, so it wouldn't be re-platted or anything.” Discussions have included the Club fencing areas and potentially putting in an ice skating area. Councilwoman Betsy Means-Davis, who represents the ward that includes the park, expressed concerns about limiting parks access for area kids. Sarah Newkirk, who owns a home near the park and did extensive research on the former city park, founded by Laura Morrison, walked through a historical timeline. “It’s 116 years old. Not only is it a memorial to our war dead, it’s historically significant because of what Laura Morrison did,” she said. “Also, it tells the story of how our community was impacted by the Great Depression. With our Bicentennial project we did a few years ago, there are informational plaques out there that tell these stories.” Councilwoman Linda Sanders said the park has the potential to be as good of a resource as Blue River Memorial Park. “It still belongs to the city, it belongs to the community, it belongs to the residents.” Sanders called for more time and discussion on any potential changes. Furgeson said if discussions progress, the Parks Board would hold public meetings to gather more input.
The Shelbyville Common Council Ordinance Committee met last night to discuss expanding the DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) to the east, past Just Peachy Cafe to Pike Street. The ordinance was approved during the subsequent Common Council meeting. A DORA allows individuals who are at least 21 years old to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved vendors and retail establishments and carry them outside to be consumed within the DORA boundaries. A map of the current DORA boundary in Shelbyville is here. In response to a question about the difference between DORA and a Riverfront District Liquor License, city attorney Jenny Meltzer noted that the Riverfront District license does not allow carry-out, while DORA allows people to have two single-servings of alcohol within the parameters. For example, although the Blue Agave restaurant on Big Blue River is eligible for a Riverfront Permit, it is not included in the DORA.
The Ordinance Committee also discussed, and the Council later approved, a proposed revision to the parking ordinance, allowing the city to enforce two-hour limits and update language following downtown redevelopment. The parking schedule will apply from Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city is investing in a parking software program that electronically marks cars since physical marking of tires is no longer permitted. Enforcement will mostly be complaint-driven, Mayor Scott Furgeson said. “We’ve had lots of complaints, and we have no way to enforce it right now,” he said. Downtown business will still be able to request short-term variances from the Board of Works. “I think our downtown is growing and become more viable, and we hope there’s going to be more people wanting to visit the businesses, and we don't need people who are taking up spaces for the people who are trying to be in business and make our city better,” Furgeson said.
Officials with Shelby Senior Services and ShelbyGo Transportation asked the Shelbyville Common Council for $25,000 to be allocated for ShelbyGo in 2025 and $50,000 in 2026, which includes driver fees that the City currently pays. The City previously gave to ShelbyGo annually, but hasn’t been billed for a couple of years.
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday approved two rezone requests previously approved by the Plan Commission. One was for a rezone of 1.2 acres near 4372 S. Smithland Road, Shelbyville, from residential estate to village residential. At the Plan Commission meeting, neighbors near the property had expressed concerns about drainage, which Plan Director Desiree Calderella said would need to be considered by the Drainage Board and Technical Review Committee. The petitioner plans to install detention ponds and provide easements to the county. Commissioner Nathan Runnebohm said he wanted to be sure potential future issues are considered in the current process. Calderella agreed. “I think everyone’s on the same page that we're not going to be issuing permits for this property until they get (drainage-related issues) taken care of,” she said. Commissioners also approved rezoning 1.49 acres at 7764 N 625 E, Shelbyville, from residential estate to single-family residential to allow for a two-lot simple subdivision. No development exists near the property; the Speedway Solar Farm is located about one-fourth of a mile south.
Commissioners also approved transferring $325,000 to cover the 25 percent match of the Community Crossing Matching Grant needed for rehabilitating the historic bridge on CR 75 East, just south of CR 700 S, and replacing the bridge on CR 1100 S between CR 200 E and CR 275 E.
County highway crews will close Smithland Road between S 400 W and S 425 W, between Smithland and Marietta, today, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., to resurface a culvert. They hope to be finished earlier, if possible.
A driver at the intersection of 3rd St. and Miller St. dropped her phone. When she ducked down to pick it up, her vehicle struck an unattended, parked vehicle. The driver’s vehicle was towed due to the damage.
Two vehicles collided in the casino parking garage. The drivers got out to assess the damage, and one driver then got back in, drove off and went into the casino. She was uncooperative with police and claimed she was not involved in an accident, despite a witness stating otherwise. Video footage was obtained from the casino that clearly showed the collision and the driver’s involvement.
County Highway Superintendent Kem Anderson, 36-year veteran of the department, participated in his final County Commissioners meeting yesterday. Anderson is retiring this week. (Photo by Anna Tungate.)
HOOSIER NEWS: A new state law offers Indianapolis an additional $50 million in state funding each year to improve the city’s battered roads. But the money, which could prove difficult to obtain, comes with strings attached that outlaw its use for increasingly popular traffic-calming changes like narrower streets, bike trails and sidewalks. Under House Bill 1461, Indianapolis can access up to $50 million a year from the statewide Community Crossings grant program, starting in 2027. To receive the money, Indianapolis must match any money the state provides, meaning the city could see up to $100 million more a year for roads by 2027. But an amendment by State Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, requires the city to use “new revenue” to match the state. In addition, the law stipulates the city cannot divert money from public safety, one of the city’s largest expenses, to roads. (IndyStar)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: The West African nation of Ghana is now several years into a $400 million cathedral fiasco. A pet project launched by the former president sunk $58 million in public money into a national cathedral that is currently just a deeply expensive hole in the ground. Designed by a star-chitect and yet actively dragging down the national economy, a valuable plot of land in the middle of Accra has become a point of local mockery and scorn as the current administration wants little to do with the boondoggle. (New York Times/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
May 3, 1961, Part II
Six SHS students had participated in the International Affairs Seminar for young people held in New York City and Washington D.C. The students were all members of First Christian Church and were accompanied by Rev. and Mrs. James Horner. The students were Pat Branson, Kathy Clark, Steve Mohr, Dick Schoelch, Loretta Sutton and Don Thompson.
SHS runners had placed first in three track events at a recent meet. Alan Koehler placed first in the 440-yard run, with Wilfred Coers a close second. Randy Long won the 880, and the mile relay team - Koehler, Long, Dave Jones and Coers - won first place.
Steve Moberly, class of ‘59, had won the junior class presidency at Indiana University.
A powerful gust of wind in March had lifted most of the roof from Rooms 311 and 312, and draped the roofing over the student center below Miss Durrenberger’s window. The Courier joked that the roof issue may have happened while Durrenberger was “scolding” her Spanish class.
“One of the most interesting procedures in chemistry class is watching Bill King put on his apron. The ties are knotted, and Bill slips on the apron as he would a pair of trousers.”
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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: Molly Anne Nash was crowned May Queen at Shelbyville High School. She was escorted by Michael Blackburn.
Runnebohm Construction won another Metro Indianapolis Coalition for Construction Safety Award. The company had documented at least 854 days and counting without a lost-time injury.
1995: Jessica Marie Ivie was crowned May Queen at SHS. Leslie Durbin and Derek Atwood were the train and crown bearers, respectively.
1985: James Garrett Jr. and George Lambert were appointed to the Shelbyville Central Schools board by the Shelbyville Common Council. They replaced Nick Miller and Irene Brunner, whose terms had expired. Lambert was a 23-year employee of WSVL radio. Garrett, 26, had graduated from Shelbyville High School and Indiana State University.
1975: Jeff Moheban won the spelling bee for boys 13-15 years old at the state Boys’ Club competition, and David Martin won the ping-pong championship.
The Shelbyville Junior High School chess team placed third in a national tourney. Team members were Chris Graebe, Scott Richardson, Chris Wheeler, John Bray and Mike Wiseman. Coach Paul Fisher and Principal Sexton accompanied the team to the tournament.
1965: Greg Mings, a junior at Shelbyville High School, was the Rec Teen of the Month. Greg had been president of the Spanish Club and was a member of the Science Club and Hi-Y.
Broadway actor Will Geer visited Mrs. Cederholm’s English class at Shelbyville High School. Geer had been in town visiting his friend Ralph Adams.
1955: Walter S. Fort, 825 Blanchard St., was recognized at the Shelbyville Classroom Teachers Association for his 47 years of work in education. Fort, who had been a member of the Shelbyville faculty since 1927, was retiring. Willard Day organized the presentation. Also recognized at the banquet were retirees Ola Billman, Fannie Orebaugh, J.O. Trible, Kathryn McNamara and Gladys Humphries.
1945: First Lt. Lawrence Gallagher, 27, was reported safe after previously being listed as missing in action. Lt. Gallagher had participated in more than 120 missions over a year and a half as a fighter pilot.
1935: Dedication services were held at the Church of God at the corner of Colescott and Miller streets. The church had been holding services in the building for a year but had recently purchased it.
City Council discussed funding a pension plan for the police department. A pension fund for firefighters had been in effect since 1921.
1925: The Blue River Horsethief Detective Association announced they had dismissed 35 members who apparently did not align with the group, but a search for new members was underway, officers said.
1915: City Council discussed adding “sanitary attachments” to the drinking fountains on Public Square. “It is agreed that the public drinking cup is not the most sanitary article in the world,” The Republican said.
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OBITUARIES
Mary Jane Perry, 91, of Nineveh, passed away Friday May 2, 2025 at Our Hospice of South Central Ind. She was born December 5, 1933, in Indianapolis, Ind., to Issac Prater and Vicia (Boyer) Prater.
Mary Jane married James S. Perry on September 18, 1983, and he preceded her in death on August 14, 2019. They shared 32 loving years of marriage. She had worked for the Election board for many years and helped shut-ins register to vote. Mary was a member of the Moose Lodge 2118, VFW Post 2695 and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 70. She was very creative and enjoyed doing crafts. Some of her favorite crafts were rubber stamps, card-making and wreath-making. She and her late husband Jim enjoyed spending their winters in Florida. Her favorite times were spent surrounded by her family and friends.
She is survived by her son, Jerry Perrin (fiancé, Tracy); her step-sons, Jimmy Perry (fiancé, Marlene Muldoon) and Steve Perry; her step-daughters, Suzy Ayers and Sandy (husband, David) Wells; her grandchildren, Josh Perrin, Faith (husband, Kyle) Slaven, Stacy (husband, Rocky) Cummings, Monica Cummings, Morgan (husband, Tim) Brown and Joshua Perrin and her sister, Joan Cooper. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sons, David Perry and Daniel R. Perrin; her two grandchildren, Chris and Annie Ayers.
Visitation will be Friday, May 9, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jose Rivera officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Mary’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Mark Anthony Anderson, 60, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday May 1, 2025 at Community Hospital North. He was born June 5, 1964, in Shelbyville, Ind., to Luther D. Anderson and Nettie H. (Corbin) Anderson.
Mark attended Shelbyville High School. He was a skilled cabinet builder and took great pride in his craft. He enjoyed wood working, playing softball, going fishing and throwing darts. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan but his favorite sporting events to watch were the ones where his grandchildren were playing.
He is survived by his son, Justin (wife, Jennifer) Anderson; his daughter, Courtney (husband, Josh) Leffler; his son, Heath (wife, Courtney) Anderson; his grandchildren, Pierce Merrill, Rylan Anderson, Caidence Anderson, Lilah Anderson, Grayson Leffler, Carson Leffler and Beckett Anderson; his sisters, Nancy Bailey and Michaelynn Anderson; his brothers, Mike Anderson, Robert (wife, Kathy) Anderson and Alan Anderson; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Friday, May 9, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jose Rivera officiating. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Mark’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.