Tuesday, October 7, 2025
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SUNSET GOAL
This recent sunset picture was taken near West State Road 44, one mile west of Shelbyville. | photo by JACK BOYCE
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Common Council last night approved a fund transfer related to no longer participating in the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) program. Mayor Scott Furgeson cited the cost and limited benefit of the program. The accreditation initiative began several years ago and was expected to help the department achieve national certification standards and access new funding opportunities. Furgeson said the city spent about $60,000 to $70,000 annually on the program but saw “no real gain” from the effort. The city’s CALEA manager resigned earlier this year, and the position was not filled. Furgeson said the police department will continue to follow required state and federal standards without the added administrative burden and expense of CALEA.
City Council also formally approved a rezone for the former Westside Wesleyan Church, 534 S. Miller Ave., for conversion into market-rate apartments.
Shelby County Veterans Service Officer Michael Perkins told commissioners Monday that his office remains open during the federal government shutdown because it is county funded. He said veterans can still access VA hospitals, clinics, crisis lines, and benefits such as compensation, pension, education and housing payments. However, regional benefits offices, GI Bill and National Cemetery application assistance lines, and public affairs updates are temporarily closed. Perkins encouraged veterans with questions to contact his office directly, 317-392-2140, for help navigating any delays or disruptions.
Shelby County’s longtime property assessment vendor, Nexus Group, addressed county commissioners this week as the county prepares to put its next four-year contract out for bid. Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Brian Cusimano said Nexus has provided assessment services in Shelby County for more than 20 years, handling residential, commercial and exempt properties. The company works in about 20 Indiana counties, overseeing data collection, conducting ratio studies comparing assessed values to sale prices, and reviewing new construction and renovations to keep property records up to date. Cusimano noted that Nexus includes legal and technical support in its contracts, with three attorneys on staff who represent counties before the Indiana Board of Tax Review and Tax Court if assessments are appealed. “We don’t ever charge extra for that work,” he said. Lana Boswell, Chief Executive Officer of Nexus, explained that all counties must meet statistical standards set by the Department of Local Government Finance each year before property values can be finalized for taxation. Shelby County has consistently passed those measures, she said, with only a small percentage of appeals filed annually. Cusimano added that fewer home sales and higher interest rates could affect the volume of data used for next year’s ratio studies but said overall market values appear stable. He also cited his firm’s attention to legislative changes as a key advantage, ensuring that assessment practices remain compliant with evolving state law. The assessor’s office plans to advertise the new contract for bid later this month.
County Highway Superintendent Ben Taylor reminded drivers during Monday’s commissioners meeting to use extra caution during harvest season. He noted that large farm equipment such as combines and grain trucks are common on local roads this time of year and urged motorists to slow down and give them room when safe to do so. Taylor said doing so not only helps keep farmers safe but also prevents damage to roadway edges when heavy equipment is forced to veer off suddenly.
The following couples filed for marriage licenses last week at the Shelby County Clerk’s office: Nathanial A.B. Mars, 24, and Mackenna K. Smith, 24; Nicole Moon, 34, and Justin Lee, 38; Isabella Cooper, 25, and Logan Buchanan, 25; Kenneth D. Rice, 43, and Lindsey C. Rasche, 40; Kayle J. West-Roberts, 35, and Brandon A. Stidam, 31; Donald E. Hampton Jr., 43, and Amy L. Turner, 38; Ashley M. Browning, 27, and Trevor J. Helser, 26; David L. Hoff Jr., 57, and Summer C. Nolley, 43; and Korey E. Flick, 39, and Mykel M. Cord, 38.
The Shelbyville Fire Department honored local student Kyson Ash with a Certificate of Heroism for his quick thinking and courageous actions that helped save a neighbor’s life. Earlier this year, Kyson got off his school bus and immediately noticed a neighbor yelling for help. Without hesitation, he called for emergency assistance, allowing first responders to arrive quickly and find the neighbor trapped beneath a vehicle. Thanks to Kyson’s calm and decisive response, firefighters were able to provide lifesaving aid. “Kyson’s awareness and immediate decision to help made a real difference,” said Fire Chief Doug Lutes. “In moments like this, every second counts. His actions exemplify courage, community spirit, and the importance of staying calm in an emergency.” The department presented Kyson with his certificate during a special ceremony at Station #693 on West McKay Road and commended him for his bravery. (Below, Fire Chief Doug Lutes, Deputy Chief Jay Tennell, Lt. Bradley Rund, Kyson Ash, FF/EMT Anthony Muir and FF/Paramedic Raymond Emerick.)
Shelbyville police responded to a crash at East Broadway and South Pike streets. A southbound driver failed to stop at the sign and struck a westbound vehicle. The driver told officers he’d been distracted after food fell inside his car, causing him to look away from the road just before impact.
Police were called to North State Road 9 near Morristown Road after a truck leaving Cracker Barrel took a wrong turn and got stuck in the grassy ditch between the restaurant and the highway. The driver told officers he didn’t have his headlights on and thought he was following the path to reenter SR 9. The truck was pulled out without damage or injuries.
Police responded to a crash at East McKay Road and South Harrison Street after a northbound driver in a pickup backed up to let a semi turn, then pulled forward through the intersection right into an eastbound SUV. The driver said he thought it was his turn to go once the semi cleared.
HOOSIER NEWS: Initial fall 2025 enrollment numbers reported by Indiana’s public colleges and universities show growth in first-year students at several campuses, even as the state continues to grapple with a consistently low college-going rate. The announcements come on the heels of new state data showing that just 51.7% of Indiana high school graduates in 2023 went directly to college, continuing a years-long dip in enrollment among Hoosier students. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: Five years after the Covid-19 pandemic, some kids are still behind in their ability to socialize and read when they get to school. A study from the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics reports that children born during the pandemic are more likely to experience delays in socioemotional development, such as managing emotions and interacting with others. (Indiana Public Media)
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YELLOW PAGE LOOK-BACK
March 1977
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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: The Shelby County Bear Cubs captured the 2005 Baseball Players Association 8-and-under World Series in Owensboro, Kentucky. Team members were Hunter Anderson, Tyler Kirk, Tyler Latimer, Ashe Russell, Zach Campton, Alec Cook, Gage Phares, Tyler Land, Chris Asher, Braden Cole, and Tanner Phares. Coaches were Scott Asher, Scott Latimer, Bryan Cole and Steve Russell. Ashe Russell was named World Series MVP, Latimer and Kirk were Co-Offensive Players of the Series, and Cook earned Defensive Player of the Series honors.
1995: For the second consecutive year, Major Hospital went undefeated with a 12–0 record to claim the Shelby County girls softball league championship. Team members were Courtney Himes, Krista Kelsay, Kayla Jackson, Chizuru Hiranka, Leslie Hart, Samantha Himes, Megan Kermode, Kylie Kelsay, Jennifer Ping, Whitney Junken, Katie Jackson, Amanda Good, Jessica Horner and Maria Riggs. The coaches were Kevin Jackson, Jack Horner, Terry Junken and Warren Himes.
1985: Conrail prepared to launch freight service on the renovated Shelbyville-to-Cincinnati rail line, though officials were uncertain when the line would be officially open. Work was expected to be completed by Oct. 1, and locomotives had already been spotted on the tracks. Bob Carew, a Knauf Fiber Glass executive and president of the shippers group that helped secure funding for the project, said trains would soon begin running. The Conrail schedule called for departures from Avon on Mondays, returns from Cincinnati on Tuesdays, and service in Shelbyville on Wednesdays, with the cycle repeating later in the week.
1975: The Raintree Hobby Center opened at 40 Howard Street, offering classes in macrame, tole painting, bread dough, doll making, bead making, decoupage, papier tole and fabric painting. Floyd Shockley was on hand at the grand opening to answer questions concerning stamps and coins.
Editor’s Note: Yesterday’s 1975 item should have been placed in 1965. It is republished today in its correct location.
1965: The Southwestern High School land judging team captured first place in both county and district competition, earning the Federal Land Bank trophy and a berth in the state contest held Oct. 30 in White County. Team members were Greg Coy (top individual scorer), Don Parker, Terry Williams, Bob Patterson, and Marvin Swift.
Coaches and sponsors were Howard Lea, vocational agriculture instructor, and Leroy Fiesche. Loren Drake presented the trophy.
City officials and police acted to ease chronic traffic congestion on East Hendricks Street near the Frisch’s Big Boy restaurant. Mayor Ralph VanNatta cited “severe” traffic issues caused by drivers, many of them teenagers, circling the lot and re-entering Hendricks without stopping. Barricades were installed to block access routes, and prior speed bumps had failed to slow cars. Despite efforts, officials noted they didn’t wish to harm the restaurant’s business, only to stop the continuous drive-through “looping.”
1955: The Shelbyville-Rushville football game was postponed due to rain and the soaked condition of the Shelby athletic field. The game was rescheduled for Monday.
1945: Shelbyville Police Chief Walter Wintin announced that the department would begin strictly enforcing the statewide 10 p.m. curfew law for anyone under 18. The decision followed reports that too many young people were “driving and walking about the streets of the city at all hours of the night.” Under the law, anyone under 18 found away from home after 10 p.m. must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Exceptions would be made only for emergencies, employment, or those en route home shortly after curfew. Police also reminded residents that parents could be prosecuted for contributing to the delinquency of a minor if they allowed unsupervised youth out late. Authorities urged families to cooperate for “the welfare of all concerned.”
1935: The Shelbyville Recreation Association, assisted by the Shelbyville Merchants Association, held a Saturday bicycle race and vehicle parade that drew participants from across the county. Recreation director Martin Luther announced the winners, with G.A. Wooten of Morristown taking the grand prize for the oldest car in the parade, a 1906 Cadillac. Bill Kincaid won best decorated bicycle, and Junior Wertz took top tricycle honors. Fastest riders included Richard Fleming, Jim Degelow, and Russell Pettit (junior boys); Charles Walton, Deward Theobold, and Dale Theobold (boys open); and Jane Etchinson, Phyllis Stainbrook, and Katherine Lewis, who swept multiple girls divisions. Best trick riders were Bob Brummer, Jim Degelow, and Bob Doughtie.
1925: An affidavit was filed in Shelby Circuit Court charging the Fame Canning Company with stream pollution for allegedly dumping waste from its plant into Little River. The complaint, filed by the state conservation department, accused the company of allowing noxious and fermentable refuse to enter the waterway, killing fish and creating foul conditions along the east side of Shelbyville. Residents had complained throughout August about the river’s odor and appearance, prompting the state investigation and the first local pollution case of its kind.
1915: M.J. Hungate of Fountaintown was elected president of the National Association of Horse Thief Detectives, bringing a reported “notable honor to Shelby County,” The Republican said. The election took place at the group’s 55th annual meeting in Anderson, attended by representatives from across the state. The association reported capturing and convicting 41 thieves during the previous year, including recovering several stolen horses.
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OBITUARIES
None today.