Wednesday, June 10, 2026
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Students participating in Shelbyville’s Sister City exchange program pose beneath Tokyo Tower during their trip this week in Japan. Pictured, from left, clockwise, are Boston Sadler, Reagan Spannuth, Miranda AmRhein, Eloise Shepherd, Naomi Garringer and Zoey AmRhein-Burford. The trip, organized by the Shelby County International Relations Council and the City of Shelbyville, includes cultural experiences in Tokyo and a homestay with families in Shelbyville’s sister city of Shizuoka/Kambara, Japan.| photo by BOSTON SADLER
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
McKay Road will close Monday, June 15, for up to two weeks as the city replaces concrete pavement between the roundabout and S. West Street. Street Commissioner Shane Peters said the project will focus on what he described as the roughest section of roadway in the city, dating to 1977. Work will be completed in phases to maintain access for residents, and officials said the closure could end sooner if weather and construction progress allow.
The Shelbyville Board of Public Works and Safety approved installing stop signs for northbound and southbound traffic at the intersection of Fourth and Jefferson streets following a traffic study conducted by police. Shelbyville Police Chief Louie Koch noted the intersection currently has only one stop sign farther south, creating a long uninterrupted stretch of roadway.
The Shelby County Redevelopment Commission last night approved a resolution declaring that all available tax increment financing (TIF) revenue generated within the county’s Northwest Shelby County (Pleasant View) and Sunbeam allocation areas will be used in 2027 to meet bond obligations and other redevelopment purposes. Financial adviser Greg Guerrettaz told commissioners the district is projected to generate approximately $604,000 in TIF revenue next year, enough to cover its annual debt payment of about $581,000. Officials described the projection as a significant milestone because it would represent the anticipated “crossover” point at which the district generates sufficient revenue to fully support its own debt payments. The redevelopment area still carries debt from more than $8 million in infrastructure improvements, including drainage and site development work completed to support industrial growth near Interstate 74, with annual payments scheduled through 2041. Commissioners said assessed values in the district have continued to increase as development occurs, including the planned Prime Beverage Group operation at the former Velocity 74 facility and a planned expansion by Five Below. Officials also noted that substantial land remains available for future development within the corridor, creating opportunities for additional investment and infrastructure projects as the area continues to grow. The Redevelopment Commission also elected officers: Tim Barrick, president; Greg Gerline, vice president; and Jr. Davis, secretary. New members are Mark Drake and Randy Phares.
The Board of Works also approved a renewed agreement with the Indiana Department of Transportation for sweeping state highways within Shelbyville city limits. Under the contract, INDOT will reimburse the city $450 per curb mile, up from $360 previously, with the city required to sweep the roads at least twice each year. City Engineer Tyler Comstock noted the arrangement is a long-standing partnership that allows the city to recover costs associated with maintaining state roadways.
U.S. Congressman Jefferson Shreve reported the House Appropriations Committee approved his request for $650,000 for the Shelbyville Police Department. “Keeping our streets and communities safe is a top priority. I’m committed to investing in our communities and ensuring our law enforcement officers have the tools they need,” Shreve said in a statement. The funding must still pass the full House and Senate before it is signed into law.
HOOSIER NEWS: Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced it will launch “America’s Workforce Academy,” a training program aimed at preparing workers to build the data centers and other infrastructure needed to support artificial intelligence. The company said a shortage of skilled workers exists in the field and will invest more than $115 million in the initiative, which will operate in Indiana and three other locations. (CBS)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: Currently, AI servers consume between 6,000 and 8,000 metric tons of tin per year. That’s currently expected to skyrocket to between 22,000 and 25,000 metric tons of tin per year by 2030, as tin is a crucial ingredient in solder. One concern for the business is that things are complicated on the supply side, with the latest mining policy rolled out by the Indonesian government (which is the second-largest producer after China) possibly threatening supply and constraining quotas down to 55,000 to 60,000 metric tons of production, down from 78,000 metric tons actually produced in 2019. (Nikkei Asia/Numlock)
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
ANNIVERSARY ANNOUNCEMENT
Ryan and Jennie (Francis) Claxton, Shelby County, celebrate 20 years of marriage today. They were married June 10, 2006, in Shelbyville. They have two children, Emma, 18, and Sophie, 14. Jennie is a Client Service Specialist for CoreVision Financial Group and Assistant Cheer Coach at Shelbyville High School, and Ryan is President and CEO of Major Hospital and serves on the Major Hospital Foundation and Addison Times boards of directors. The Claxtons married at Ryan’s childhood home, which was previously owned by Lee and Rose McNeely and currently owned by Matt and Jenni Haehl. A special thanks was given to Michelle Ricketts for introducing the couple.
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.
2016: Crews demolished the buildings at the corner of North Harrison and West Mechanic Streets, next to the former Vaught’s Service Station.
2006: Demolition was underway at the former Wellman Thermal Systems Corp. on Progress Road. The work was expected to take over a year.
1996: Fire destroyed the home of Vickie Bass, 2077 E. Vandalia Road. Bass was not at home when the fire occurred. A passerby called the Waldron Volunteer Fire Department to the scene, where the two-story home was fully engulfed in flames.
1986: The Triton Central High School band had a near brush with tragedy when several students saved a fellow band member from drowning on a Daytona, Florida, beach, The Shelbyville News reported. Recent Triton graduate and valedictorian Nick Johnson credited junior David Skinner, recent graduate Angie Emmert and senior Tom Sennott for saving his life. Johnson was about 30 yards out when an undertow began pulling him out to sea. The three students who were also in the water yelled for help and held him until lifeguards helped them to shore. Johnson spent a night in the hospital for observation because he swallowed a large amount of water.
1976: A home in Berwick constructed by Blue River Vocational Technical Center students was put on the market. The home was constructed entirely by 40 Blue River students except for laying the interior carpet.
1966: Construction began on the 5,000-foot Hale Road storm sewer. The sewer, 60 inches in diameter, would run south from the river to Hale Road then east to the St. Joseph Street-State Road 44 area. It would be the largest diameter storm sewer in the city.
Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent J.M. McKeand announced the supervised city park program would begin June 15.
1956: A well was drilled on the site of the incoming Shelby Electric Inc. plant on the south side of U.S. 421, just east of city limits.
1946: Mrs. Carl Walker was appointed matron of the Gordon Children’s Home following the resignation of Mrs. J.H. Mohr, who had served in that capacity for more than 10 years.
1936: The federal government announced plans for nearly 1,100 World War veterans in Shelby County to receive a share in adjusted service bonds. Each veteran would receive $700.
1926: Newspaper ads announced that Dr. Culver, a nationally known specialist, would be at the Shelby Hotel for one day only to see patients. His areas of expertise included surgical operations, lung issues, old ulcers, eczema, asthma, bed-wetting, and more.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Craig Ellis Borton, 74, of Morristown, passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Major Hospital in Shelbyville. He was born on January 29, 1952, in Rushville, the son of Paul and Betty (Heck) Borton. Craig is survived by his son, Nicholas Borton of Rushville; daughters, Misti Hedden and Heather Borton, both of Bloomington; several grandchildren; several nieces; and one nephew, Gabe Borton. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Todd Borton.
Craig retired as a cook at the Bluebird in 2014. He was a self-employed car detailer.
He formerly attended Morristown United Methodist Church, when he was a child.
Craig enjoyed going fishing and watching car races, particularly NASCAR.
Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St., Morristown. Online condolences may be shared with Craig’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Steven William Bastin, 74, passed away on April 28, 2026 in Perris, California. Born May 11, 1951 in Shelby County, he was the son of William and Marilyn Bastin (Theobald). Survivors include two daughters, Michelle Beck of Shelbyville, Indiana, and Audrey Green of Noblesville, Indiana.
Mr. Bastin graduated from Waldron High School in 1968. He was a long-time resident of California and was self-employed working as a welder. Steve loved animals of all kinds and riding his motorcycle.
Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 15 at 11 a.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery. Pastor Roger McDaniel will be officiating over the service. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Jeffrey Alan Bowman, 70, of Lafayette, passed away on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Rosewalk Village of Lafayette. He was born on April 3, 1956, in Indianapolis, the son of David S. and Mildred Ruth (Bass) Bowman. Jeffrey is survived by his sisters, Lynda Joy Bowman of Fairland, and Susan Cadenhead of Lafayette; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Bruce Bowman; and sisters, Jenny Ann Bowman and Margaret Ruth Bowman.
Jeffrey enjoyed participating in bowling, basketball and soccer at the Special Olympics. He liked music and was fond of the Beatles, Neil Diamond, Elvis and the Golden Oldies.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m., Friday, June 12, 2026, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m., at the funeral home. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Jeffrey’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Tommy “Tom” Eugene Harritt, 79, of Fairland, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Community Hospital South. He was born Oct. 23, 1946, in Indianapolis to Thomas M. Harritt and Elizabeth M. (Patterson) Foreman.
Tommy attended Warren Central High School. During his senior year, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He honorably served his country during the Vietnam War era in reconnaissance … Semper Fi. Upon returning home, he began his career in construction work. His attention to detail and strong work ethic laid the foundation for a successful career. Tommy was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 70 and VFW Post 2695. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time fishing. He also enjoyed camping and traveling, especially to Anna Maria Island, Florida. He had a love for watching old westerns, but his greatest joy came from spending time with his family and loved ones.
He married Reberta Ann (Roth) Harritt on Sept. 20, 1980, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 21, 2020. They shared 40 loving years of marriage together. He is survived by his daughters, Carrie (husband, Chris) Macklin and Stephanie (husband, John) Ford; grandchildren, Ashley (wife, Autumn) Hunt, Kiersten (husband, Joe) Wilhoit, Mackenzie Burchfield (Charles), Carson Macklin, Journey Ford and Lukas Ford; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Kora, Scarlytte, Arlo, Henry and Emersyn; sisters, Sharon Harritt, Jeannette McCaslin and Betty Puckett (Jeff Edwards); several stepbrothers and sisters; nieces, Tammy Smith, Lori Fowler and Barbara Bradshaw; great-niece and nephews, Ashley Nance, Blake Bradshaw and Stewart Bullington; several other nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Ellie. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; stepmother, Faye Harritt; stepfather, James Foreman; sister, Terri; great-grandson, Jaxtyn Hunt; niece, Rena Bullington; and stepsister, Linda Foreman.
A Gathering of Friends will be Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. A Celebration of Life will follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by local veteran organizations. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Tommy’s family. Memorial contributions may be given to American Legion Post 70, 1125 Miller Ave., Shelbyville, IN 46176. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.