Wednesday, December 18, 2024
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
THAT SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
Dana and Robin Mathies’s home on Executive Court is elegantly decorated for the holidays. | photo by JACK BOYCE
Bears Lead Conference After Win Over Greenfield
Coach Becca Hoefler gives direction to Addy Marshall (#10), Maddy Jones, Savannah Collins and Jayla Ash while Hannah Baker shoots free throws in the waning seconds of last night’s game. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Down 9-2 to senior-laden Greenfield-Central, the Golden Bears got a wake-up alarm last night. Literally. The Garrett Gymnasium fire alarm sounded, and while school officials confirmed it was just the result of burnt popcorn in the concession stand, Shelbyville High School Coach Becca Hoefler’s 30-second time-out was extended to minutes.
“That fire alarm was our friend,” Hannah Baker said.
Hoefler refocused the young squad, and the Bears (6-4, 3-0 HHC) responded to beat Greenfield (8-3, 2-1), to be the sole undefeated team in conference play.
“We had to get out of our heads and come together as a team to execute,” Savannah Collins said.
The crowd cheered when the alarm finally stopped, and kept cheering after Collins hit a three, followed by another trey from Maddy Jones. At the end of the first quarter, Greenfield led 16-9.
Jones continued her barrage with three more long shots in the second quarter. Hustle plays by Reese Fortune and Addy Marshall helped the Bears catch up, with Marshall at one point stealing the ball and splitting two defenders for a lay-up. Jones’ final three before halftime put the Bears up, 27-24.
The working strategy was opposite Hoefler’s pregame instructions to force the ball to the middle.
“We didn't want to settle for threes, but if our best shooter (Jones) is going to get the green light, we’re going to take it,” Baker said.
“It worked out for this game,” Coach Hoefler conceded later with a laugh. “Hey, I’ll take a conference win any way we can get it.”
Although the Cougars’ poor shooting continued in the second half, they dominated the offensive boards, getting multiple attempts for every Shelbyville shot.
But a Maddy Jones three and a three-point play by Baker, thanks to a running drive, gave the Bears a 33-31 lead. Shelbyville retook the lead near the end of the third when Baker inbounded the ball to Collins, who was fouled and hit one of two free throws. A subsequent Collins three gave the home team a 39-37 lead at the break.
Despite Greenfield’s continuous opportunities, the Bears hit when it counted. A three by Marshall made it 42-39. Fortune later tipped a rebound to Collins for two.
With two minutes left and Shelbyville up one, Greenfield knocked the ball out of bounds. The Cougars’ coach disagreed with the call and made a comment that earned him a technical foul. Jones hit both free throws. Greenfield then fouled Baker, who missed the free throws but got her own rebound despite four Cougars and no Shelbyville players on the lane lines.
Baker joked later it was all part of a plan to take more time off the clock.
“Hannah is a perfectionist, so I know missing those free throws really bothered her,” Hoefler said. “But she’s just a hard worker, and (getting the rebound) showed that hard work goes over talent any day of the week.”
Baker was back at the line with 5.4 seconds left, where she hit the one of two to seal the 48-43 win and give the girls a chance to celebrate.
“Everyone’s counting on us to be the underdogs, and we came out with a chip on our shoulder tonight,” Collins said.
Hoefler said she had been counting on this roster to be competitive, but the 3-0 conference start after losing every starter from last year’s team has been a pleasant surprise.
“Our girls are here to fight,” she said. “It just goes to show that only did the previous girls who played with us prepare us well, but also that these girls are really pushing themselves to be the best versions of themselves so that we can win together as a team.”
The result has been a fun-to-watch three straight victories.
“And this is our ‘rebuilding’ year,” Jones, who led all scorers with 20, said with a smile.
Baker and Collins both scored 9, and Marshall and Jayla Ash scored 5. The Golden Bears return to Garrett Gymnasium Saturday for a match against Franklin Community. The varsity boys lost a close one last night in Greenwood, 63-61.
NOTEBOOK:
Enforcement of nuisance property issues is increasing. Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson said he has instructed Code Enforcement Officer Troy Merrick to actively seek out compliance issues, and Merrick has sent 102 related letters over the past two weeks. “We’ll be aggressively looking for properties that need to be cleaned up,” Furgeson said.
The Shelbyville Board of Public Works and Safety continues to follow a slow-moving unsafe building order case regarding the former Adams Glass building on West Broadway. The case was moved to Hancock County courts, and city officials hope to take the step next on the matter in early 2025, with plans to eventually order demolition of the structure. In related news, the Street Department plans to clean up 321 Howard St. today and assess charges to the property owner. The new owner of 305 Sunset Dr., a frequent nuisance property, asked the city to clean the lot and assess charges, which the Shelbyville Board of Works approved. The board also issued an order to appear for the resident of 1216 Elm Street. The home is in the resident’s mother’s name, but she has passed away. The board issued an order to appear regarding 238 W. Mechanic St., where some box springs and mattresses have been set outside. Also, the board issued an order to appear to the Texas-based owner of 569 W. Taylor St. regarding junk and debris.
The Shelbyville City Council approved on second reading the annual tax abatement request from PK USA, which plans to invest over $15 million in equipment, attorney Peter DePrez said. During the public input portion, Brad Ridgeway expressed concern about the company laying off employees during the year while also receiving an abatement. Council President Mike Johnson said an equipment abatement for an existing industry was appropriate.
City Attorney Jenny Meltzer will be joining the McNeely Law firm at the beginning of 2025 and leaving her role as a city employee. City Council passed a related resolution on Monday giving the city leeway to continue to work with her as well as other attorneys at the McNeely firm, which will be helpful given that Meltzer is a state representative who will be working the long legislative session next year. The city will try this approach for a year, Furgeson said, and spend the same amount it did previously.
The Shelby County Youth Coalition gathered at Ville Church last month for Drum Therapy, led by Vicky Harris from ER Counseling (see below). “The session offered a powerful way for young people to express themselves, process emotions, and learn about tobacco and vaping cessation and prevention,” a media release said. Youth Coalition members are Hailey Blackledge, Isaac Zermano, Sophia Asher, Diana Gasca, Layne Pogue, Sophia Asher, Blake Hughes, Liv Lee, Hannah Baker and Arica Crose. The Shelby County Drug Free Youth Council is made up of S.A.D.D. members from their local schools and school sponsors. The Youth Coalition is led by Amanda Bishop, Director of Special Initiatives, and Lori Springer, Executive Director, Shelby County Drug-Free.
Citing rising delivery costs, The Shelbyville News announced they will reduce from five print editions a week to two, Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning Dec. 30.
Tyler Comstock has been named City Engineer, replacing John Kuntz, Mayor Furgeson announced at Monday’s council meeting.
Shelbyville Police Officers Jacob Lee and Officer Conner Hasecuster graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy over the weekend. Out of 156 graduates, both were in the Top 5 of their class. They now begin 12 weeks of field training.
A semi-truck on North Riley Highway near Boggstown Road fishtailed on the wet surface going over the railroad tracks, causing the trailer to strike the driver’s side of an adjacent vehicle.
Thank you to every donor for your continued support as The Addison Times forges ahead to fund 2025 and beyond. We will once again provide a quarterly publication with extra news and photos in 2025 as a gift for your support of $100 or more. This past year, we’ve covered city and county meetings, our students, local business, primary and general elections, commercial and residential development, and, of course, daily local history. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to The Addison Times, either online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history. I appreciate each of you. - Kristiaan Rawlings, Editor
NATIONAL NEWS: Stores that lock up their wares are causing issues and tedium for customers who simply want to buy deodorant. New data from RDSolutions found that on average, shoppers have to wait 7.7 minutes for locked up items to be unlocked, based on on-the-ground research conducted this fall at 626 drug, grocery, and mass-market retailers in North America. Drugstores took 6.9 minutes to open up the cases, grocery stores took 7.5 minutes and mass retailers took 8.6 minutes on average. All of the 203 drugstores stuffed some items behind locked glass, 88 percent of the mass-market researchers did, and 72 percent of the grocery stores did. (Retail Brew/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
Dec. 18, 1930, Part II
The music department’s recent sacred concert had filled a local church sanctuary and adjacent Sunday School rooms, and the walls were lined. Many were forced to leave due to lack of standing room. “Again, the need of an auditorium was shown,” The Courier said.
A student editorial said there was too much dribbling in basketball. “If the dribbler’s path is blocked, he is expected to pass or shoot; that is, he ought not to try to dribble by an opponent unless there is a reasonable chance of getting by without contact.”
Coach McCullough had ordered 100 copies of Baseball Magazine, which were available free for boys.
Intramural basketball was underway. Team names were Hatchets, Buzzards, Reapers, Skunks, Austins, Fleas, Vultures, Terrors, Crows and Cubs.
A nationally touring pro basketball team was set to play SHS on Dec. 31. Fifty-cent tickets were on sale at Floyd & Griffey. Proceeds would be used to provide hot lunches to local children in need.
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.
2014: Following several recent break-ins, local police reminded residents they were willing to check on residential properties while homeowners were away, especially during the holidays.
2004: Plans were finalized for a new three-plus-mile Flat Rock Road, to begin on the east end of Flat Rock and end at State Road 9. County Commissioner Bob Wade said there had been talk of extending the road when he moved to Flat Rock 50 years prior.
1994: The 123-year-old brick rural Waldron home of the Del Sipes family burned, leaving the family homeless. Del worked in Greensburg. His wife, Becky, worked at Blue River Special Education Cooperative.
1984: Some trees planted a few years prior on the outside corners of Public Square, as part of the city’s downtown beautification project, would be torn out and replaced with dwarf trees because some merchants said the existing trees blocked their signs and storefronts. Trees growing on the southeast corner of the square, near First Federal Savings and Loan and the Dairy Mart, would not be disturbed because those businesses did not object to them. Altogether, 14 trees would be removed from the Square.
1974: Trophies were awarded to Shelbyville Auxiliary Police serving the most number of hours over the previous year during the annual Christmas party at the FOP lodge. Deputy Henry Smith was master of ceremonies, and Police Chief Robert Williams spoke. David Marks had logged the most hours, followed by Robert Harms and Norman Rice. Garnet Wilson was Auxiliary Major.
1964: Rodefeld Company announced plans to open a store in Shelbyville at 202 E. Broadway. The company had leased a large building at the northeast corner of Broadway and Noble streets owned by Tom McAnany and P.P. Carter. Bob Welage would be manager of the new store. Marvin Richards would be the salesman. Rodefeld’s had started in Richmond as a blacksmith shop in 1900.
1954: Indiana Bell moved to its new office building at the southwest corner of Broadway and Tompkins streets. The new building would bring dial telephone service to Shelbyville.
The new Boys Club, 16 W. Broadway, included a basketball court, a wood shop and craft equipment.
Earl Hites opened Hites Cities Service at 262 E. Broadway. Hites had owned Hites Oil Company for 16 years before expanding to provide complete auto service.
1944: Douglas Fir Christmas trees were offered at Kroger for 65 cents.
1934: Cigarettes and other tobacco products and a nearly new bicycle were stolen from John Cunningham’s restaurant in Waldron. The bike belonged to Cunningham’s son, and had been purchased just a few weeks prior.
Lucy Evelyn Martin, 22, mother of four children, died after accidentally taking strychnine to relieve a headache. She and her family lived at 733 Main Street, Walkerville. Martin’s husband, Embert, had asked his mother, Elizabeth Martin, who lived nearby, to prepare breakfast for the children. Elizabeth brought with her some capsules believed to contain quinine, but upon inspection was actually poison.
1924: Downtown stores announced plans to remain open late until Christmas. George C. Stubbs had been elected president of the merchants club for 1925.
Peter Lux shipped a large order of seed corn to France.
1914: The Greek Candy Kitchen, 114 S. Harrison St., reported doing a brisk business with out-of-town visitors during the Christmas season.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Sandra Lee Cecil, 80, of Sebring, Florida passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at her residence. Born April 4, 1944, in Louisville, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Joseph Moniack and Louise (Nevitt) Moniack. She married John E. Cecil on April 21, 1990, and he survives. Other survivors include three children, Penny Pratt (Tim) of Monticello, Leo Wimstatt Jr. (Heather) of Murray, Fla., and Beverly McTarsney of Indianapolis; one brother and one sister; two grandchildren, Stephanie Michelle Ayon (Jose) of Delphi, and Shawna Prosser (Joe) of Indianapolis; and five great-grandchildren, Stefan Ayon, Lexie Adams, Dalton Hayworth, LJ Prosser Jr, and Jace Prosser. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Sandra had lived in Florida since 2001 after previously living in Beech Grove. She was a seamstress, working for Custom Drapery Service, and retiring after 22 years. Sandra was a member of St. John Methodist Church in Sebring, Florida, and a life member of Military Sea Services Museum in Sebring. Sandra enjoyed collecting teddy bears, making Raggedy Ann's, big rabbits and attending Tampa Bay Rays baseball games. She was a professional seamstress and loved working with crafts.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Pastor Robb Barlow officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 3 - 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to St. John Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of William Robert Hart at the age of 88, who died peacefully on December 16, 2024, at Ashford Place in Shelbyville, Ind. Bill was a beloved father, grandfather, and friend who lived a life rich in love, wisdom, and kindness.
Born on July 7, 1936, Bill was a life-long resident of Shelbyville. He graduated in 1954 from Shelbyville High School and was Senior Class President. He attended Indiana University and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He was a Chief Warrant Officer in the US Army Reserves from 1956 to 1968. After high school, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Mary Kay Lux, and worked at the family business, Bausback Corporation, for over 30 years. Bill was Vice-President of Sales and Operations at Bausback’s, retiring in 1986 when the business was sold after 103 years of family ownership. His career at Bausback’s was marked by hard work, compassion, and comradery with all the employees.
In addition to his professional life, he had a deep commitment to community service. He served on the Shelbyville School Board and was a long-standing board director for Farmers Bank and Forest Hill Cemetery. He was past president of the Shelbyville Lions Club and the Shelby County Shrine Club. He was member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Columbia Club, and Murat Shrine. Later in life, his membership in “The Bills Club” would be one of his fondest endeavors.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Kay; son Jeff (Rhonda) and daughter Ann (Ed) Evans. His joy and pride were his grandchildren: Eddie, Will, and Katie Evans; and Lauren (Kyle) Strash, Allison Hart, and Alex (Mary) Hart. He was blessed with four great-grandchildren: Rivers and Brin Strash and Leland and Bennett Scally. His legacy will live on in the lessons he taught his family.
Calling hours will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2024, at Freeman Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 South Harrison St. in Shelbyville, with the rosary recited at 4 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on 10 am, Saturday, December 21, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway St., Shelbyville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. The family would like to express their gratitude to the care givers at Ashford Place and Anew Hospice during his final days. His memory will forever be cherished by all who knew him. Online condolences may be shared with Bill’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Ronnie Edward Gibson, 70, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday December 12, 2024 at his residence. He was born April 23, 1954 in Kanawha, WV, to Lenard E. Gibson and Beaulah (Hunt) Gibson.
He worked at Jupiter Aluminum over 10 years of services completed before retiring. Ronnie was an avid hunter for all wildlife. While spending his time in the wilderness, he was blessed with peace and tranquility, which only nature and God could provide. His spiritual life was very important to him, along with staying close to God of his understanding. He was always willing to help anyone who needed any type of construction done. But his greatest joy always came from his great-granddaughter, Kaelynn, who brought him so much happiness.
He married Vanessa (Stafford) Gibson on February 12, 1983, and she survives. He is also survived by his daughters, Khrystne (husband, Bill) Turner and Brandi Burton; his sons, Toby (wife, Dee) Gibson and Skye (wife, Victoria) Gibson; his grandchildren, Nikkilas (wife, Mandee) Purdue, Trevor (wife, Aspen) Turner, Kelsey Turner, Tristain Turner, Angel Gibson, Abby Gibson, Ella Gibson, Dakota (fiancé, Nicole) Morris, Nicholas Burton, Hailey Gibson, Zakk Gibson and Natasha Gibson; nine great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons; and his companion dogs, Mollie Bear and River Rose. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Flora (husband Mike) Comstock and Virginia Robbins; and his brothers, Dorsel Gibson and Wayne Gibson.
A Gathering of Friends will be Friday, December 20, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. A Celebration of Life will follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Ronnie’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.