Wednesday, June 11, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
ALL EARS
Katie Spegal and Meghan Haws, students at Purdue University, promote the Indiana Beef Council at the Shelby County Fair on Monday. | photo by JACK BOYCE
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
Street Commissioner Shane Peters spoke with the Shelbyville Board of Works yesterday regarding next steps for when homeowners do not replace sidewalks. He cited an example on McKinley Street, where the homeowner tore through the sidewalk over a year ago to repair his sanitary sewer, but never replaced the sidewalk. That partial sidewalk is end-capped with two ADA ramps. City attorney Jenny Meltzer advised that the city’s response depends on the situation: if no permit was pulled for the project, then the homeowner can be cited for a violation. If a permit was pulled, then a bond could cover the issue. If a sidewalk is just in disrepair, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to repair, although Meltzer noted the expense of such a project, and said the city could determine how to proceed. Meltzer said she would check on the McKinley St. issue, since it was believed no permit was pulled for the work.
The Board of Public Works approved an option for an easement to POET Bioprocessing for a potential carbon sequestration project, which involves pumping carbon a mile below ground. The project, which will not involve any surface land or the road, is pending with federal and state agencies. “This is simply an option that if the federal government approves, and they get all of their permits, then they would come to us to purchase that area of land that’s a mile below ground,” city attorney Jenny Meltzer said.
The Board of Works also approved Public Square road closures for Sip on the Square, Friday, June 20. The Public Square block (East and West Washington streets to the bank ATMs) and then Harrison Street from Franklin to Jackson streets will be closed at noon that Friday. The Harrison Street closure extends to Broadway Street at 2 p.m.
The Shelbyville Central Schools board released a statement noting that it had requested the resignation of school board member David Finkel, and once that is complete and certified, the board will hold a meeting to accept the resignation. “In light of the ongoing legal matters involving Mr. Finkel, the School Board and administration believe that this request serves in the best interests of our students, staff, and the broader community,” the statement said. “As an elected official, Mr. Finkel’s position could not be directly intervened upon by the Board; however, we acknowledge that the best course of action is for him to step down.” The statement noted, “We would like to add that this is a personal issue and not conduct involving the school district.” The SCS board is holding an executive session and special meeting tomorrow, Thursday, morning. Agenda items include acceptance of resignation for a school board member, appointing a board officer and appointing a member to the Blue River Career Programs board.
The Shelby County Public Library will present a historical walking tour of Forest Hill Cemetery, Tuesday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. “Visit the mausoleums of some of the many interesting people entombed here: the famous and infamous, the recently deceased and long-gone goners,” a media release said. Donna Dennison, Head of the Genealogy & History Department, will lead the tour. The Forest Hill association was formed in 1884 to develop a new cemetery when the Old City Cemetery became inadequate for the needs of the growing community. By April, 30 stockholders had subscribed at $500 each. Thirty-five acres were purchased from David Walker, and Forest Hill Cemetery was platted in May 1885. For further information about the Cemetery Walk, visit the Genealogy & History Department in Carnegie East Wing, 33 W. Broadway St., or call Donna at 317-398-8144, ext. 302.
HOOSIER NEWS: Can private property owners be held liable in court if their bushes or hedges block a stop sign, causing an accident? That’s a question the Indiana Supreme Court is weighing. Yerano Martinez got into an accident in a rural intersection. He said that’s because he couldn’t see a stop sign because it was obscured by a bush on Jeffrey Smith’s property. State law does require property owners to trim hedges at intersections. But at issue before the Supreme Court is whether Martinez can sue Smith over it. Both the trial court and Indiana Court of Appeals said no. There’s no timeline for the Supreme Court’s decision. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: Weird Al Yankovic is embarking on a major tour this summer, the Bigger and Weirder Tour. The parody artist has not released a ton of music since the release of “Mandatory Fun” about a decade ago, but fans appear to remain ravenous. This is his fastest-selling and biggest-grossing tour yet, involving venues like Madison Square Garden and the Kia Forum. His tours have historically been intense shows with lots of costume changes. This one will involve 20 costume changes, plus nine for the band, all of which will happen in at most 45 seconds. (Billboard/Numlock)
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Community Foundation Awards Scholarship, Launches Fund and Supports Local Programs
Media Release
Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) has reaffirmed its commitment to community safety and educational advancement through three significant initiatives: the establishment of the Robert Edward Elliott, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, the launch of the Shelby County Public AED Fund, and the support of local K-9 programs and volunteer fire departments.
Honoring a Lifelong Hero: The Robert Edward Elliott, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
In 2024, Theresa and Joe Harlan established the Robert Edward Elliott, Jr. Memorial Scholarship to honor Theresa’s brother, Robbie Elliott (pictured above, right). A lifelong Shelbyville resident, Robbie served the Shelbyville Fire Department from 1989 until his retirement in 2009. Known for his unwavering dedication and deep pride in his role, Robbie was beloved by his fellow firefighters and the broader community. His spirit of service lives on through this scholarship, designed to support students whose parents are affiliated with fire departments in Shelby County, including volunteer organizations. This year, BRCF is proud to announce Maggie Lutes (pictured, left) as the first recipient of the Robert Edward Elliott, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Maggie, a Shelby County native, is entering her junior year at Trine University, where she is studying chemical engineering. The scholarship will cover a significant portion of her tuition for the upcoming academic year. If she maintains the required GPA, she will be eligible to receive the scholarship again for her senior year. Maggie recently visited the BRCF office to receive the exciting news in person from Julie Alvis, BRCF’s Communications and Scholarships Director. “We are thrilled to support Maggie on her journey,” said Alvis. “Her academic achievements and her family’s service to the community embody everything this scholarship stands for.”
Protecting Hearts: BRCF’s AED Fund Initiative
In addition to the scholarship, BRCF has also established a dedicated AED Fund to support the installation of automated external defibrillators in public spaces throughout Shelby County. AEDs are life-saving devices that can restore normal heart rhythms during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), significantly improving survival rates—especially when used within the first few minutes of an emergency. BRCF’s investment in expanding AED access represents a proactive step toward enhancing community safety and ensuring more lives can be saved in critical moments. Over the past year, BRCF has granted nearly $7,000 for the updates and installation of new AED’s in Shelby County through grants to the Shelbyville Fire Department, St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department, and the Shelby County Players (SCP). For SCP, funding was provided for the installation of a device in the new Wortman Family Civic Theatre.
Enhancing Public Safety and Safety Department Employees
With the support of Ross and Ena Sobel of the Smidt Family Foundation, BRCF was also able to provide grants to both the Shelbyville Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department to support each of their K-9 programs. Funding from the Smidt Family Foundation will also help the Sherriff’s Department’s swift water rescue team. The Smidt Family highly values the services that the police and fire departments provide to our communities. In addition to the K-9 and water rescue grants, the Smidt Family Foundation gift allowed BRCF to provide a $1,100 grant to each Shelby County volunteer fire department to support the life-saving efforts they make in the communities that they serve.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights
May 13, 1977
New cheerleaders for the 1977-78 year would be Debbie Cole, Dee Dee Inlow, Lori Phares, Sara Crick, Ann Price, Kim Reinbold, Mary Lou Brokering, Lois Amidon, Carol Cole, Karen Hunt, Cheri Coryea, Carla Miller, Cindy Willard and Diane Oeffinger.
The Courier noted there were 14 male coaches and two female coaches on staff.
An editorial complained about the various costs at school. Book fees ranged from $2-$30. “Now comes the wait for those ECONOMICAL senior pictures!! Gently tell Dad to please fill out that $120 check as soon as possible, so you can start swapping pictures with people who are your so-called ‘friends’ (but you really can’t stand) and with those who you will either forget their names, never see again, or both.” The Squib was $7. Prom dresses were about $40. Graduation announcements cost 28 cents each. The trip to Kings Island was $14, plus $2.50 for an optional “nutritious breakfast.”
Seniors discussed what they would miss about school. “All of us will certainly miss Block’s quickness, and Maury Hart’s G.Q. look. How can we live without the cafeteria’s color-coded menus, their Chicken Tetra-Shelby and lemon pudding?”
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
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.
2005: Courtney Grau, a student at Triton Central High School, was named Shelby County Fair Queen and Miss Congeniality. Jo Almond, Fair board member, was master of ceremonies for the event, as well as Fair board president Karl Montgomery. Rebekah Risley was first runner-up, and Kahley Neafus was second runner-up.
1995: Firefighters spent the morning in training, combating a “leaking chemical tank,” whose vapors actually formed by evaporating dry ice. The field practice on E. State Road 44 was part of 16 hours of hazardous material training.
1985: The Shelbyville Central Schools board hired Beverly Gardner of Milan as guidance counselor at the high school. Her husband, Robert, was a new assistant commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association. The board also hired Jon Orem to teach fifth grade at Loper. Orem had taught six years at Greensburg and Waldron.
1975: Shelbyville businessman Donald Polakoff, of Prescott Road, met with President Gerald Ford at a White House briefing with members of the National Industrial Council.
1965: The city of Shelbyville formally purchased the land on which the airport was located. The 36 acres cost $41,800. The land was purchased from the heirs of the late Melvin Bassett, which included Carl and Martha Bassett; Mildred and Henry Clark; Edythe, Wilbur and Martha Jane Bassett; and Virginia and Raymond Cox.
1955: Supervised activities at Morrison and Kennedy parks began, with supervisors on duty from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Betty Ramey was the supervisor at Morrison Park, while Nancy Sharp was the supervisor at Kennedy Park. J.M. McKeand was superintendent of the parks. Activities would include the annual ping pong, tennis and horseshoe tourneys and field events.
1945: Sheriff Fred Courtney said drivers between Shelbyville and Camp Atterbury were failing to observe speed limits and signs directing them to stop for preferential highways. This warning came after a local man was arrested for failing to stop for State Road 44 while traveling north toward Shelbyville on the Smithland Pike. The man paid a $5 fine with the Justice of Peace. Mount Auburn residents had also complained about drivers “exceeding speed limits by wide margins,” The Republican reported.
1935: National Guardsmen were on duty at the municipal airport to direct traffic and manage the crowd of some 15,000 assembled to see planes in the seventh annual Indiana Air Tour. The “air circus” tour of 60 planes arrived at 9:30 a.m.
1925: The federal government approved the southeast corner of Broadway and Noble streets, running through to Hendricks St., as a site for a National Guard Armory. Plans for the building would include a first-story space for officers, including rooms and showers, and a basement. The second floor would not be built out immediately.
1915: Water meters were installed in the city. Previously, the city had been a “flat rate” town. “The meter will enforce economy. If you waste the water, it will be at your expense,” The Republican said.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Gary L. Bennett, Sr., 62, of Shelbyville passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at his residence. He was born September 12, 1962, in Johnson County, Ind., to Louis Bennett and Betty (Huzzie) Higdon.
Gary attended Shelbyville High School. He was an avid football fan. He especially enjoyed fantasy football and was the champion in his league in 2009, 2014, and 2024. He also enjoyed fitness and staying active riding his bike. Gary had a love for being outside in the sun enjoying the weather and sitting by the fire at night. He would also enjoy being by the water and being out in nature. He was always known to stay busy, whether it was taking care of his yard or just out tinkering with things. Gary also enjoyed music, mainly rock and roll. His greatest joy came from spoiling his grandchildren and spending time with his family making memories.
He married Becky (Evans) Bennett on December 7, 1985, and she survives. Gary is also survived by his sons, Gary Bennett, Jr., Matthew Bennett (wife, Kellie), and Kyle Bennett; his grandchildren, Alexsis, Zavier, Cameron, Brynlee, Brody, Mackenzie, Dylan, Hudson, and another one on the way; his sister, Beverly Reinhardt (husband, Russell); his brother, Johnny Higdon; his step-brother, Bob Higdon (wife, Cindy); his half-brothers, Greg Bennett and Jeff Bennett; several nieces and nephews, and his lifelong friend, Walter LaFave. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Scott Logston, and his step-brother, Ron Higdon.
Visitation will be Friday, June 13, 2025 from 10 a.m. to noon at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at noon at the funeral home. Burial will be in Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens and Crematory. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Gary’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.