Tuesday, October 21, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
Centenarian Farmer to Be Celebrated Sunday
Shelby County native and lifelong farmer George “Bud” Braden will celebrate his 100th birthday with a community open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Lewis Creek Baptist Church, 1400 E 600 S, Waldron. The family welcomes friends to stop by; no gifts, please.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Common Council last night approved the first reading of a series of long-discussed amendments to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance, following more than a year of review by the Plan Commission. Planning Director Adam Rude outlined changes affecting the Business Neighborhood District, including new architectural and lighting standards, expanded sidewalk and bike path provisions, clarified parking flexibility in older areas and updated definitions for data centers and other uses. Council President Mike Johnson noted the amendments have been “a long time coming,” and thanked staff and commission members for their work. The final reading is set for the Wednesday, Nov. 5, council meeting.
Council members also approved an amendment expanding the city’s Aviation Development Fund to manage revenue and expenses tied to the Shelbyville Municipal Airport’s fuel sales. City Clerk-Treasurer Scott Asher explained that since the city began operating the airport earlier this year, ending its contract with a vendor, the fund must now accommodate payroll, taxes and fuel purchases. The change creates a non-reverting fund structure to handle income from growing fuel sales and avoid a lengthy state appropriation process. The measure passed 6-0 on first reading.
As recently reported, work began yesterday on county roads surrounding the Speedway Solar Project under an agreement between Shelby County and DESRI, which owns the solar facility. In all, roughly 15 miles of roadway near the project area will see improvements ranging from full resurfacing and patching to intersection and drainage upgrades. Crews will replace or extend several drainage pipes, reshape a dozen intersections to improve turning space, and add new aggregate shoulders along multiple stretches. Work will occur on roads including County Roads 500 E, 600 N, 625 E, 700 E and 750 E. Most zones will be closed to through traffic, though flaggers will direct vehicles along CR 500 E. Crews plan to work weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with completion expected by Thanksgiving, weather permitting. A text and email list for residents who want daily updates on which roads are closed during construction will be circulated. Those wishing to receive notifications can contact the Highway Department, 317-392-6485, to be added.
During Monday’s commissioners meeting, discussion also turned to the status of Speedway Solar’s pledged payments, $1 million to the county and $600,000 to Shelby Eastern Schools, stemming from the company’s 2019 development agreement. County Auditor Amy Glackman and County Councilor Kyle Barlow noted that the project began generating power June 23, which by one interpretation would have triggered payment within 90 days, they said. Danny Norris, Speedway Solar’s representative, however, said the company believed the funds were tied to its tax abatement filings due in 2026. Glackman and Barlow said the abatement had already been approved earlier this year, prompting commissioners to defer the matter to legal counsel for clarification.
The following couples filed for marriage licenses last week in the Shelby County Clerk’s office: Christopher S. Neunschwander, 20, and Erica D. Weaver, 26; Stevijana M. Olson, 30, and Zachary M. Franklin, 32; Ethan J. Hughes, 24, and Allison F. Cardenas Utia, 21; Mackenzie R. Ryle, 23, and Thomas A. Cummings, 22; Niven Herrington, 21, and Taylor N. Wampler, 22; Nathaniel G. Johnson, 29, and Alexis E. Eaton, 35.
Four Shelbyville High School cross country athletes have earned recognition from the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches (IATCCC) for their achievements in the classroom. Everett Stegemiller, Kenneth Wright, Logan Reinhart and Haylee Barnes were named to the IATCCC Academic All-State list. Selections are based on PSAT or SAT scores and cumulative GPA, recognizing student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically as juniors and seniors.
Emergency crews responded to a personal injury crash Friday on Progress Parkway near the 600 block. Police said a woman was injured after her moped struck a curb while she was attempting a U-turn. Her husband, who was riding a separate moped, was not injured. The woman was transported to Major Hospital for treatment of a shoulder injury.
Police responded Saturday afternoon to a crash at Colescott and Meridian streets involving a car and a non-motorized scooter. Investigators said the car was exiting an alley when it collided with a girl riding west on the sidewalk. The scooter’s brakes reportedly were not working properly. The scooter rider was taken to the hospital with a leg injury. There was little to no damage to either the vehicle or the scooter.
Police responded to a crash Saturday at the Circle K gas station on East State Road 44 after a car struck protective barriers near the fuel pumps. Investigators said the driver reported that her brakes failed as she pulled into the lot, causing the vehicle to hit two concrete posts and a sign barrier head-on. Airbags deployed, and the car sustained heavy front-end damage. No injuries were reported, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.
Thank you to those who have completed the reader survey. I continue to review submissions and will follow up. For those who missed it, we’re planning the future of The Addison Times and want your input! Take our short anonymous survey to tell us what local coverage you’d like to see. - Kristiaan Rawlings
HOOSIER NEWS: Indiana saw nearly 80 more days of beach closures and advisories along Lake Michigan this year compared to 2024, according to the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Most of the increase stemmed from Buffington Harbor Beach and one of the Jeorse Park beaches, which accounted for over two-thirds of the alerts. ELPC senior attorney Nancy Stoner said contamination often comes from sewage, pet waste and runoff linked to nearby marinas and industry. While roughly half of Indiana’s beaches saw improved water quality, including Indiana Dunes State Park’s east beach and Washington Beach in Michigan City, Stoner said identifying pollution sources and keeping the public informed are key to long-term solutions. (IBJ)
NATIONAL NEWS: Pan Am, the legendary airline that symbolized the golden age of air travel, has begun the FAA certification process to relaunch as a scheduled passenger carrier. The Miami-based startup, backed by Pan American Global Holdings and AVi8 Air Capital, aims to begin flights as early as 2026 using Airbus aircraft, marking a major shift from Pan Am’s historic Boeing partnership. The revival effort follows the airline’s successful luxury charter test earlier this year, which sold out quickly and demonstrated enduring brand appeal. If approved, the new Pan Am plans to compete on U.S.–Caribbean and transatlantic routes, though industry experts say launching a new carrier remains a steep challenge in today’s competitive market. (Lessons from the Flight Deck)
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
Want the daily edition read to you? Struggling with your email provider filtering out your local news? The Addison Times Substack app will solve those challenges!
YELLOW BOOK LOOK-BACK
1973
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
This Day in Shelby County History
Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Scott Olinger, a former assistant principal and teacher at Shelbyville High School, was named District 10 Principal of the Year. Olinger was principal of Plainfield High School and had previously served as principal of Batesville High School.
A major expansion project was underway at Freeman Family Funeral Homes in Shelbyville. Owner Mike Freeman was overseeing the addition of a 4,000-square-foot space to the Harrison Street facility, including a larger room for visitations, an additional preparation area, and improved accommodations for florists. The project aimed to modernize operations while preserving the funeral home’s historic character.
1995: Michael Dellinger of Tipton was hired as executive vice president of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
Some local manufacturers were beginning to use CD-ROM mini-courses for training, The Shelbyville News reported. The programs used video, audio and text to present material.
1985: Shelby County residents Barbara and Kenneth Simnick, along with their 1953 Plymouth, were selected as extras for the filming of “Hoosiers,” the movie inspired by the 1954 Milan High School basketball team. The Simnicks’ vintage car, kept in near-original condition with only 25,000 miles, was chosen to help recreate the look and feel of 1950s Indiana. Filming was taking place in New Palestine and other nearby towns.
1975: With inflation driving up the cost of living, the AFL-CIO urged Congress to raise the federal minimum wage to $3 an hour and to mandate double pay for overtime beyond a 40-hour workweek, The Shelbyville News reported. The minimum wage was $2.10 per hour and set to increase to $2.30 in January 1976. The cost of living had risen nearly 8% over the previous year.
Plans were underway to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Shelbyville Kiwanis Club, to be held at Moose Hall with Gov. Otis Bowen as speaker. Tickets were available at the Spudnut. Kiwanis president Richard Stith and Mayor Jerry Higgins signed a proclamation designating it Kiwanis Week.
1965: Rural mail carrier Howard T. Lewis retired after 44 years of service. He had been driving a 60-mile route for the previous 11 years. He had started as a clerk at the Shelbyville Post Office in 1921.
“Miss Indiana” Mary Smith of Indianapolis attended a style show at Triton High School, sponsored by the Sunshine Society.
1955: West’s Men’s Store, 10 E. Broadway, held its grand opening. The company, owned by Robert West, had been in business since early August.
The local Jaycees purchased 16 raincoats and hats for the school safety patrol boys at Major school. The Jaycees had purchased raincoats and hats for Hendricks patrol boys the year before.
1945: Local residents were organizing against a proposal by the Big Four Railroad to dead-end several city streets as a safety measure near rail crossings. The plan, intended to reduce accidents involving cars and trains, quickly drew widespread opposition from affected neighborhoods. City Attorney Emerson J. Brunner noted that any ordinance requiring the railroads to add safety measures would likely depend on approval from the Indiana Public Service Commission.
1935: Union Township residents were petitioning for the construction of a new consolidated school to replace several one-room schoolhouses in use. More than three-quarters of township taxpayers signed the petitions, prompting Trustee Carroll S. Pitts and the advisory board to inspect potential building sites. Plans called for a project costing approximately $46,736, with 45% of the total covered by a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) grant.
1925: A “mammoth” birthday cake being made for the golden jubilee of the S.B. Morris Co. was nearing completion. The Webben and Zeller Bakery was using the following ingredients for the cake, which would be displayed in the north window of the store: 28 pounds of sugar, 28 pounds of flour, 14 pounds of butter, 280 eggs, 49 pounds of currants, 42 pounds of raisins, 14 pounds of cherries, 14 pounds of orange and lemon peel, 17 pounds of almonds and pecans, 3 pounds of spices, a half-pound of baking powder and about a quarter of molasses and honey. In addition, there were almost 200 pounds of sugar in the frosting. The 50 cake candles would be lit “by a little girl in an old-fashioned dress and will be the signal to open the doors of the store for a reception to the public,” The Republican reported. There would be souvenirs and a program of songs.
1915: Ora Mallory, courthouse custodian, painted the face of the huge clock in the courthouse tower. “The work was dangerous, for Mallory stood on a frail ladder about 75 feet above the cement pavement for several hours,” The Republican said.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
William “Bill” Joseph Stagge, 79, of Shelbyville, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at his home. He was born Oct. 7, 1946, in Shelbyville to Ambrose J. and Mary M. (Beyer) Stagge.
Bill graduated from Waldron High School in 1965. He was employed by Runnebohm Construction for more than 34 years before retiring in 2009 and was one of the company’s original employees. He also served as a firefighter for the Waldron Fire Department for more than 48 years. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 766, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2695 and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Bill enjoyed attending tractor pulls and helping at local farms. He was a gun enthusiast who loved the outdoors, especially hunting. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family and grandchildren. He deeply appreciated his close family and the care he received from them.
Survivors include his daughter, Lisa (Dan “Doda”) Edwards; son, Bill (Vicki) Stagge Jr.; daughters, Sandy Huff and Mary Ogden; son, Jeff Sosbe; grandchildren, David (Casey), Amber (Brent), Josh (Mandy), Kristy (Bill), Stephanie, Zack (Amber), Anna, Derick (Morgan), Brandyn (Tiffany), Lindsay (Rodney), Dezirae, Jordan (Justin) and Bryce (Elizabeth); 28 great-grandchildren; brothers, Bob (Jan) Stagge, Don (Marlene) Stagge and Paul (JoAnn) Stagge; sister, Mary Ann Stagge; and extended family members Jan and Tom Sosbe and Diana Merrit. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Stephen Stagge; daughter, Susan D. Stagge; grandsons, Christopher Sosbe and Dustin Welton; and great-grandson, Drew Wainscott.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the funeral home, with Pastor James Thurman officiating. Burial will be in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the local veterans organization. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Bill’s family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Waldron Fire Department, 112 Washington St., Waldron, IN 46182. Online condolences may be shared at murphyparks.com.
Dr. Larry Dale Baker, 87, passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in O’Fallon, Missouri. He was born May 25, 1938, in Shelbyville, Indiana, to the late James H. and Anna Marie (Stader) Baker. Larry graduated from Greenfield High School and married his high school sweetheart, Sara Jane Eaton. They had three children, Janalee (Jan), Dean and Sally.
A year after their youngest was born, Larry became ill and fell into a deep coma. Upon awakening, he was blind, a challenge he met with courage and determination. Refusing to let blindness limit his future, Larry went on to achieve extraordinary academic success. He graduated from Indiana University, earning his bachelor’s degree with distinction. That same year, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented him with a Scholastic Achievement Award. Larry went on to complete his MBA and Doctor of Business Administration at Indiana University. Soon after, he and his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he became the first blind professor at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. After eight years of teaching, Larry entered the business world as a time management consultant, eventually taking ownership of the firm he helped build.
Larry and his wife later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, at the invitation of a longtime friend and colleague, and he returned to the classroom as a professor.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Sara; their children, Janalee (Jan), Dean and Sally (Chuck) Crouse; grandchildren Dacia, Brian (Laura), Cassi (Brittany Jones), Caley and Shelby (Brice) Goodall; great-grandchildren Kiersten, Eleanor, Lionel, Clara Grace, Oliver and Scottie; siblings Earl Baker, Linda Davis, Cathy Baker and Cindy (Gary) Sword; brother-in-law Steve McClain; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Joyce McClain and Caryl Baker; brother-in-law Jim Davis; and sister-in-law Marty Baker.
Larry will be remembered as a man of remarkable perseverance, intellect and character. His passion for education, devotion to family and lifelong love of the Indiana University Hoosiers inspired all who knew him.
To honor his love for IU, the family encourages guests to wear IU attire or colors to the celebration. A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 515 Jefferson Blvd., Greenfield, Indiana. In keeping with his wishes, Larry will be cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Indiana University Foundation (give.myiu.org) or the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.