Wednesday, May 21, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
‘Sister City’ Connection Maintained
The Addison Times’ Anna Tungate drops off a hospitality gift from Mayor Scott Furgeson to Shelbyville, Ky. Mayor H. Troy Ethington last week while passing through the area. A decade ago, The Addison Times formed a “kayfabe” Sister City relationship with our southern namesake through the efforts of columnist Kris Meltzer, editor Kristiaan Rawlings and Sassafras, a cat belonging to local attorney and Addison Times board member Tyler Earl Brant. The effort wasn’t as successful as our actual Sister City relationship in Shizuoka City, Japan, but thanks to Tungate’s efforts, the domestic connection is maintained. | submitted
County Council Approves Tax Increase Notification, Tables Paying Invoice
The Shelby County Council last night approved notifying the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance of a proposed public safety tax increase of .05 percent, which would be equally split 10 ways, including all county volunteer fire departments and the City of Shelbyville Fire Department. There will be additional changes to fire department funding in 2028 due to changing state rules regarding fire territories, council members said.
Shelbyville Fire Chief Doug Lutes shared some of the ways the City contributes to the county for fire, EMS and rescue operations, and discussed funding challenges county-wide with council members.
“When it comes to emergency services,” council member Jeremy Ruble said, “It’s an area that I, myself, am not willing to leave these guys to pay for everything with a fish fry.”
The council unanimously approved the measure, which would provide approximately $75,000 per year to each of the 10 entities, council members said.
The Council tabled making its annual payment to the Shelby County YMCA until after council members can review the existing interlocal agreement.
The Addison Times reported in January 2019 that the council had agreed to contribute $1.575 million from EDIT (Economic Development Income Tax) funds to ensure the community could have an indoor warm-water pool. The agreement divided the contributions over 12 years, with $100,000 paid annually from 2020 - 2028, and $225,000 paid the final three years. The Shelbyville Common Council contributed the same amount, and the Blue River Community Foundation donated $900,000 over three years for pool operating costs. MHP contributed at least $15 million to the YMCA project. The $3 million in funds from the councils ensured a pool could be part of the project for both recreational and physical therapy purposes. (MHP, which has a rehabilitation pool at Renovo Orthopaedic Center, does not profit from the YMCA pool. MHP leases the building space to the Y for $1 per year.)
Last night’s agenda item was for $200,000 to also cover last year’s amount, which is sitting in reserve, County Auditor Amy Glackman said.
Council member Jeremy Ruble said he disagreed with the 2019 decision. “I don't think this is a smart use of our taxpayer money, and I completely disagree with the fact that we got locked into (multiple) years on this.”
Council member Kyle Barlow agreed. “We're looking at shortfalls for next year, and this is a lot of money.”
The council agreed to review the existing agreement and consider the matter again next month.
In other business, the County Council approved an additional appropriation of $3,500 in addition to the annual $9,000 given to the Shelby County Fair board for 4-H needs, including judges, ribbons and premiums. The Shelby County Fair is set for June 9-14.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
Golden Bear Preschool Principal Lora Nigh has been named the 2025 Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children. Nigh was recognized for her transformative leadership, including expanding inclusive practices, securing grant funding for an accessible playground, and spearheading district-wide initiatives like Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Her dedication, innovation, and compassion have made a lasting impact on students, staff, and the broader community, organizational officials said.
A white Ford Transit that was too tall for the Key Bank ATM damaged the drive-through structure. The driver got out, inspected the damage and drove off. Photos from the ATM were used to identify the vehicle and driver. A misdemeanor charge was requested regarding Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
The Jacob James 5th Anniversary 5K Cross Country Race and 1-Mile Walk will take place Saturday, June 14, at 8:30 a.m., at the Blue River Cross Country Course. Onsite registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and participants may also register online by searching “Jacob James” at RunSignUp.com. The event serves as the primary fundraiser for scholarships awarded to Waldron High School Cross Country and Track & Field seniors pursuing higher education. Scholarship funds are administered through the Blue River Community Foundation. After-race refreshments will be provided by local businesses. Additional information is available on Facebook at Jacob James Honor Program, or by calling 317-964-3207.
Two deer were spotted by LuAnn Mason in City Cemetery (photo below) on Monday morning. The deer walked south to north across W. Pennsylvania St. just west of Tompkins St., snacked at City Cemetery, jumped over the fence and headed toward the river. Mason, who has lived in the area over 40 years, said she had never seen deer at the cemetery before.
HOOSIER NEWS: Two Hamilton County cities are once again at the top of a best places to live list. This time, Carmel is ranked as the second-best place to live in the U.S. and Fishers is ranked fourth for 2025-26 by the U.S. News & World Report. U.S. News expanded its data to evaluate more than 850 cities, up from 150 cities in previous years, and published the top 250 cities on Tuesday. The publication weighed quality of education and health care, air quality, state economy and infrastructure, housing affordability, cost of living, crime rates, weather, unemployment rates and net migration when compiling this year’s list. Noblesville came in at 50th on the list. Other Indiana cities included Greenwood at 91st and Columbus at 92. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: As Home Depot and Lowe’s get set to report earnings this week, April sales data from independent firms have investors gauging the likelihood of recession. Home improvement spending tends to be a bellwether for broader economic health, experts say, because it reflects consumers’ ability to take on big projects and can be a leading indicator of activity in the housing market. April credit and debit card sales were not promising. Spending at building and garden supply stores fell 2% year-over-year in April, even as every other retail category saw growth, according to May data from NRF. At Lowe’s, April sales tumbled nearly 3% year-over-year after having risen 6.6% in March, debit and credit card purchase data from Affinity Solutions revealed. Home Depot saw just a 0.7% jump after a 4.2% rise in March, according to the data. (Reuters)
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
Want the daily edition read to you? Struggling with your email provider filtering out your local news? The Addison Times Substack app will solve those challenges!
SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Jan. 17, 1956, Part II
Junior Sunshine members went to the County Home in December to entertain and provide treats to residents. Julia Walts presented a potted plant from the group. Jim McKeand sang “Winter Wonderland”, and the group sang Christmas carols. Pat Mardis and Carolyn John told the Christmas story.
Twelve seniors and recent graduates had recently announced their engagements, including Nancy Taylor to Phil Brown, both class of 1954.
Ray Lackey, class of 1935 who had won the Kiwanis and Paul Cross medals, had recently refereed the annual Sugar Bowl basketball tourney in New Orleans, La. Lackey had previously taught math at the junior high school and was head football coach and PE teacher at SHS.
Members of the girls volleyball league, which lasted for a month, were Janet Thomas (captain), Bonnie Miller, Becky Wolf, Donna Smith, Julia Gaines, Sharon Hopkins, Carole Graham and Nelda Thurston. Captains of other teams were Louise Cramer, Beverly Beatty, Beverly Stohry, Maureen Mahaffey, Ruby Kelley, Donna McCarty and Evelyn Reece.
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: Shelbyville High School principal Tom Zobel noted that SHS’s listed graduation rate of 98% was not accurate. The real number, when factoring for students who said they were leaving to home school, etc., was probably closer to 80%. Zobel proposed a credit lab to help students who struggled in a traditional setting.
The Waldron High School prom court included Tiana Kohler, Abby Stevens (queen), Vanessa Armstrong, Joni Wettrick, Hope Fenton, Tony Miano, Alex Keedle, Derek Gahimer (king), Adam Cranfill and James Dixon.
1995: Carroll Theobald filed paperwork asking the Shelbyville Plan Commission to annex 18 acres to allow him to add 29 lots to Clearview addition.
1985: The new Shares Inc. Hegel Industries facility on S. Miller St. opened.
TRW Connector Division officials announced the firm’s two Shelbyville plans would consolidate, closing the main plant on E. Hendricks St. The plant on 630 S. Noble St. would remain open, although about half of the company’s 54 local employees would be cut.
A seldom-used city ordinance in Shelbyville was cited regarding Mahin Furniture’s going-out-of-business sale. The ordinance had been approved to keep such sales from lasting forever. However, some local furniture store owners alleged new shipments had been arriving at Mahin’s since the announcement of the sale. Jim Mahin said the furniture that arrived had been on back order, and he obtained another 30-day sale permit.
1975: The Boys Club set a new membership record, at 1,250. Tony Forward, 6, was the new member who put the club at the milestone. Tony received a free t-shirt from Club Director Ken Self to mark the occasion.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held at the St. Joseph Street site for a new First Assembly of God Church. M.L. Royer was pastor of the church.
1965: The SHS cheer team was named: Pam Beck, Terri Koch, Rita Mitchell, Sandra Pyle, Barbara Scott, Sara Jane Bailey, Jane and Jean Brennan and Teresa Davis.
Janet Grigsby received her Valedictorian Award from Principal J.M. McKeand.
1955: The Shelbyville High School graduating class would include 76 boys and 76 girls, the largest class to date. Commencement would be at 8:15 p.m. in Paul Cross Gym.
Annette Dellekamp was named queen of the SHS junior prom. Her date, Jim McKeand, happened to be president of the junior class and responsible for the crowning. “It was not collusion, just coincidence,” The Shelbyville News quipped. The “Spring in Paris” theme had been accented with a 12-foot Eiffel tower in the middle of the dance floor.
1945: The Boy Scouts of Waldron led a parade in connection with “Here’s Your Infantry,” staged at Victory Field in Indianapolis, a Seventh War Loan drive event. The group was selected from more than 5,000 Boy Scouts present by virtue of their being the best uniformed troop present. Scouts participating were Jimmy Bright, Dick Turner, Gus Turner, Harold Durbin, Thomas Mitchell, Don Mitchell, Francis Lane, Frederick Lane, George Collee, Karl Wagoner, David McAhren, Jackie Pope, Richard Harrison, Roland Talkington, Richard Norris, Joe Bill Wasson, Richard Kessler and Jackie Hewitt.
1935: Parade planning was underway for Memorial Day. The parade would go through the business district to city cemetery, with a program, led by the American Legion, beginning at 10 a.m. The parade route went north on Harrison St. to Mechanic; west on Mechanic to West St.; and north on West St. to the cemetery.
1925: The Bock-Miller Auto Company opened at 20-24 West Franklin St. It had previously been located on East Broadway. A grand opening featured flowers for women and a dance floor for everyone. Bock-Miller were agents for Dodge Brothers motor cars.
Roy Bridenstine and Glen Gable, local residents who were employed in Florida, drove 1,300 miles in 65 hours to arrive here. The men worked in relays at the steering wheel and “wasted no time,” The Republican said.
1915: With the SHS senior picnic, scheduled to be held at Flatrock Cave, rained out, students met at the high school. A luncheon was held with the faculty.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Glenda K. Chancy, 80, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday May 12, 2025, at MHP Medical Center. Born on November 23, 1944, in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Elmo “Bill” Cole and Dorothy M. (Utsler) Cole. She married Bert S. Chancy on March 16, 1974, and he survives. Other survivors include one son, Anthony S. Shaw of Shelbyville; two sisters, Cathy A. Anderson (Paul) of Shelbyville and Vickie Holder (Fred) of Shelbyville; and one grandchild, Tristen Shaw of Shelbyville. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Connie Lynn Shaw, grandson Landon Jeffries and sister Pamela Jean Bohman.
Glenda had lived in this area her entire lifetime and was a factory worker for several local factories. She enjoyed nature, gardening, hummingbirds, crafting and loved her family and extended family. The family would like to extend special thanks to nurse Kelley Bringle at MHP for her special personal care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.