Wednesday, July 10, 2024
CALLING THE SHOTS
Shelbyville High School girls soccer players Brigid McKenney (above) and Lucille Haacker (below) provide instruction during last night’s youth soccer summer camp, a partnership with the Blue River Soccer Association that serves as a fundraiser for the school team. | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
SHS students were active across the community yesterday, with photos posted on the new SHS Courier Instagram page.
IRON SHARPENS (GRID)IRON
John Werbe, assistant coach, gives pointers during summer football workouts yesterday at Shelbyville High School. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
NOTEBOOK:
A public hearing will be held Aug. 6 regarding three dilapidated buildings in the first block of West Broadway. “They are given 60 days to demolish the building, which puts you out to approximately Oct. 6, and we’ll go from there,” City Attorney Jennifer Meltzer told the Shelbyville Board of Public Works yesterday.
A woman accidentally stepped on the accelerator, causing her car to hit an apartment building on Whichman Lane in Twin Lakes.
The Shelby County Board of Zoning Appeals approved two petitions last night. Richard Marlow II received approval for a variance to allow for a 988-square foot detached garage at 6465 N. London Road, Fairland. Also, Michael Wasson received approval for a variance to allow for a 960-square-foot pole barn at 7187 W 700 N, Fairland.
The cost of home insurance nationally has jumped drastically, but companies are charging some people, especially in the middle of the country and parts of the southeast, far more than other homeowners with similar levels of risk, an examination by The New York Times has shown. Industry experts offer several reasons for the disparities, including the fact rural states have fewer homeowners to share risk, and states have varying rates of insurance fraud, which can drive up premiums. But new research points to a striking pattern: Higher premiums are being charged in states where regulators apply less scrutiny to requests for rate increases, compared with states where officials question the justifications offered by companies and try to keep rates low, the data show. Shelby County, Indiana, however, has not been so affected. Locally, homeowners paid an average of $1,620 last year for insurance, 5 percent less than other counties with the same level of relatively high risk, the report says. Home values are lower than the national average, which may mean lower insurance prices. Insurance costs in Shelby County are 0.7 percent of typical home values, lower than average. The typical U.S. household paid $2,530 in home insurance premiums last year, which was 33 percent more than in 2020.
The Shelbyville High School Class of 1964 will hold its 60th reunion on Friday, Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17, both nights at the Knights of Columbus Banquet Room, 413 E. South St. On Friday, Aug. 16, a cash bar and cash meal will be available from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday night’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour followed by dinner and DJ music; a cash bar will also be available. The cost for Saturday's event is $30 per person and must accompany the reservation form. Reservations are required, and checks for payment should be returned by July 20, 2024. For further information and reservation forms, contact: SHS Class of 1964, C/O Ann Havens, 920 Congressional Way, Shelbyville, IN, 46176.
NATIONAL NEWS: The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore also means that hazmat trucks lost their best way through the city. The trucks contain dangerous chemicals and are banned from going through the I-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, given that an incident in an enclosed tunnel at the bottom of Baltimore Harbor would be disastrous. With the bridge down and the tunnel a no-go, the only major option is a 35-mile detour on the congested I-695 beltway. However, journalists who monitored the entrance to the tunnel for several hours observed 40 tanker trucks going through despite the illegality, more than a dozen of which had prohibited placards. One reason is that I-895 doesn’t have a weigh station where trucks are inspected, and must rely on mobile spot inspections, which they don’t really seem to be doing: From March 27 to April 26, there were just 11 hazmat inspections on the I-895 corridor. (The Baltimore Banner/Numlock)
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Youth Assistance Program Seeks Tutors and Mentors
by JENNIFER DENNIS
On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, children begin to arrive at the Shelbyville Public Library. They are tired from a long day at school. When they enter the room, they are greeted by their dedicated volunteer tutors who are eager to spend time with them and get caught up on how their week has been. After a snack and some chatting, all are ready to get started with working on the day’s homework. Some students have a tablet to log into and others have worksheets. Smiles begin to form as they reconnect with their tutors, and they dig into their homework.
One tutor works with a first grader on reading, while another works on 5th grade math. A student quickly finishes her assignment and is ready to browse through the supplemental educational materials. She finds a workbook with fun and engaging activities that will encourage her to improve her reading skills. As everyone wraps up their lessons for the day, a game of bird bingo begins. It is a favorite game for the children and tutors and is a fun way for the kids to practice reading and sounding out words, as the cards include some challenging bird names. Prizes are awarded monthly to those who have been continually attending their sessions and putting forth their best work. As everyone collects their belongings, promises are made to see each other the next week and that the students will practice what they have learned.
What the students don’t fully realize is the impact that today’s session of tutoring will have on their lives. Having a tutor makes a student more likely to pass their exams and standardized tests. They are more confident and have improved attitudes toward learning and school. They are also more likely to graduate from college than their non-tutored peers. These outcomes are based on research and multiple studies. But the children are aware of the immediate effects of the session; they had a good time completing homework while connecting with their peers and positive adults in the community. Parents and guardians often express gratitude for the assistance provided during tutoring sessions, as well as improvement in school attendance and grades for their children.
The tutors also receive benefits from the one hour they spend tutoring each week during the school year. They have personal fulfillment through their contribution to the community, and satisfaction in helping youth mature and achieve academic goals, as well as the additional outcomes noted above. Most importantly, they get to meet with some incredible kids along the way.
Tutoring is one of the services provided by the Shelby County Youth Assistance Program. The Youth Assistance Program serves as early intervention to advocate for youth ages 3-17 facing challenging life circumstances. A holistic approach is used to coordinate our community’s vast array of talents, services, and resources to help youth and empower parents and caregivers.
Individual mentoring is another service offered through the Youth Assistance Program which provides an opportunity to connect with youth in Shelby County. Individual mentors are carefully matched with a mentee based on their shared interests and other criteria. Mentors and their mentees meet at least once a week for one hour at an agreed upon time and location.
The Shelby County Youth Assistance Program is seeking tutors and individual mentors for children in Shelby County. Adults interested in becoming a tutor or mentor can visit our website https://www.shelbycountyyap.org/ to learn more and submit an application. Individuals must have a clean criminal history, provide personal references, participate in a face to face interview, and complete training prior to volunteering with the Youth Assistance Program.
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 from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
2014: Shelby County Babe Ruth Baseball closed out serving as host of three Central-Indiana Babe Ruth Baseball state tournaments. Matt Haehl was president of the local organization.
2004: Three vehicles were stolen from a Pleasant View home driveway. All three vehicles had the keys left inside them. A Bronco was also in the driveway, but it didn’t start, and the thieves didn’t take it.
The Mud in Your Eye team took first place in the competitive Volley Bog league games at the Shelby County Fair. Team members were Andy Ballard, Derek Beagle, Ryan Murphy, Kevin Martin, Adam Applegate, David Shelton, Tom Smith, B.J. Hunt and Brad Kiefer.
1994: Indiana Cash Drawer reported a record 77 percent increase in sales. The company, 1315 S. Miller St., had manufactured manual and electronic cash drawers for 73 years.
1984: Crews began excavation work for the new water tower-fire station to be constructed on W. McKay Road.
1974: Remodeling began at Fire Station No. 1 on West Broadway. A large single overhead door would be installed, a support beam built in and new metal lettering attached to the front of the building. The alteration had been proposed by Fire Chief Robert Myers because the modern fire trucks were just a few inches narrower than the old openings on either side of the central support.
1964: City Attorney George Glass filed 15 suits against 15 parking violators who totaled 506 combined violations. The violations were in regards to parking without paying the meter. (The 15 names were all listed in local news.)
1954: Ash Petroleum Company of Shelbyville purchased Madison Marine Ways Corp., a landmark at the west edge of Madison, and planned to expand that facility, Lowell Ash, company president, said. Gasoline and fuel oil received by the Ash firm by barge from the Gulf Coast was sold to wholesalers for distribution throughout Indiana and Kentucky.
1944: The WAC (Women’s Army Corps) held a recruitment event at Goodman’s Major T. Jester store at 9 p.m. “Your life will be enriched, your parents will be proud - your country will be grateful,” a newspaper ad for the meeting said. “Release a man for combat! Do interesting and exciting work and receive valuable training that will be helpful after the war.”
1934: “Bicycles and cyclists have become more numerous in Shelbyville within the last few months as a result of the revival of the bicycle ‘fad’ nationally, and in Shelbyville the growing number of these vehicles is creating a traffic problem that is causing worry for motorists and, subsequently, for police,” The Republican said. Police implored bicyclists to follow the same rules of the road as drivers.
1924: After locals thought they were left out of the circus circuit, Golden Brothers announced their 15-car circus would be visiting Shelbyville over the summer. The circus, which was described as “clean and moral” by the newspaper, would exhibit on the lot west of the D.L. Conrey furniture factory.
1914: The Furnas Ice Cream Parlor opened at 14 East Locust St.
OBITUARIES
Richard G. “Dick” Myers, 69, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, July 8, 2024, at MHP Medical Center. Born June 6, 1955 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was the son of Dale Myers and Kathryn (Clark) Myers. He married Kathy (Blair) Myers on July 19, 1975, and she survives. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jeffrey Myers; and a sister, Tina Dearing.
Mr. Myers had lived in this area since 2005, after moving from Indianapolis, and graduated from New Haven High School in New Haven, Indiana. He had been employed as production manager for Kasco Manufacturing for 10 years, retiring in 2020. He had previously worked as a commercial union flooring installer for 20 years. He was a US Marine Corp. veteran, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
Dick enjoyed woodworking, playing computer games, and loved his pet dogs.
No funeral services will be observed at this time. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
With deepest sorrow, we share the passing of JoAnn Abel, age 95, on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Shelbyville, Indiana. She was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.
JoAnn was born on April 7, 1929, on Easter Sunday, at home in Pleasant View, Indiana, to Alex and Elsie Mae (Curry) Murnan.
JoAnn graduated from Moral Township High School in 1947. She was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church, a fifty-plus year member of the Order of Eastern Star, Fairland chapter, and, at one time, belonged to Tri Psi Sorority, mothers of Tri Delta Sorority members.
JoAnn’s life centered around being a farmwife, homemaker, and mother. Prior to retirement, she was a sales associate for J.C. Penney at Washington Square Mall for 12 years. She was very proud of her family and loved them very much.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Dianna Cummings (Steve), her grandchildren, Christa Cummings, Ryan Cummings (Monica), Courtney Eddy (Brian), Jason Abel (Erin), and Stephanie Morris (Michael). Also, her great-grandchildren, Matthew and Zoey Cummings, Claire Eddy, Sydney and Camden Abel, and Aidan, Audrey, and Adler Morris; her sister, Mary Alice Smith (Frank), her former daughter-in-law, Diane Abel, as well as several nieces and nephews; and her long-time companion, Phil Barrett.
JoAnn was predeceased by her parents, brothers Carl and George Murnan and their wives, her former husband and father of her children, Herbert Abel, her son, Robert Abel, and great-grandchildren, Addison Cummings and Gabriel Abel.
She was dearly loved and she will be greatly missed. She will forever and always be in our hearts.
Mother: the sweetest word, and she was. May “flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” - William Shakespeare
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home. Interment will be at London Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a remembrance in her name may be sent to Pleasant View Baptist Church, 12442 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis, In 46259.
Dennis E. Bretzlaff, 66, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Waldron Heath Care. Born December 20, 1957 in Indianapolis, he was the son of John Bretzlaff and Catherine (Higgens) Bretzlaff. Survivors include two daughters, April Steenbarger (Jason) and Tonia Miller, both of Shelbyville; three sons, David Bretzlaff (Heather), Dennis Bretzlaff (Yvonne), and Chad Bretzlaff (Jinny), all of Indianapolis; a brother, Donnie Bretzlaff; sisters, Helan Kossman, Susan Thomas (Allen), Lynn Ramsey (Michael), all of Indianapolis; and a cousin, Nannette Fitzgerald of Lebanon, Indiana; 14 grandchildren, Jay, Paige, Ryan, Kieley, Nevaeh, Jayden, Kinnidy, Rianna, Kai, Jamison, Adrienne, Austin, Chad, Paul; and two great-grandchildren, Emmett and Enzley. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Brenda Bretzlaff.
Mr. Bretzlaff had lived in this area for 17 years. He had been a self-employed auto mechanic for many years. Dennis enjoyed classic cars. He had a big heart and was always willing to help others.
No funeral services will be observed. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.