Wednesday, May 6, 2026
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Local Primary Election Draws 17% Turnout
Top photos: Republicans gather at Echo Effect to await the outcome last night. Also, voters and candidates participate in the process at West Street United Methodist Church and (lower left) at Crossroad Community Church. | photos by JACK BOYCE
Many election results were posted in a special edition last night. In addition, the Morristown Town Council race, of which three Republicans advance to the general election, was as follows: Daniel Sidebottom (111 votes, 28.98%), Scott Gumberts (104, 27.15%), Kristi Langkabel (93, 24.28%); and Ralph Henderson (75, 19.58%). Currently, there are no Democrats slated to run for the Morristown Town Board in November.
Additional election notes:
The primary election drew 5,402 Shelby County voters out of 30,687 registered, a 17.6% turnout, slightly below the 17.96% turnout in the 2022 primary. Yesterday, there were 3,888 Election Day voters compared to 96 who voted paper absentee and 1,418 who voted walk-in absentee.
Tara Laird Griffith, Republican nominee for Circuit Court Clerk who is at this point unopposed in the general election: “That was too close for comfort, and I feel really good,” she told The Addison Times, through tears, after the results were announced. “I’m really thankful for everybody that voted for me.”
Louie Koch, Republican County Council District 1 nominee who is currently running unopposed in the general election: “This is the third time I’ve been in a race, and you just never know what everybody thinks. I’m glad that the standard I set in my last two (terms) as sheriff proved to the people that they have trust in me, and we can get some things accomplished.”
James Ramsey, Republican County Council District 3 nominee who will face Democrat Sean David Scott in the general election: “I appreciate the community coming out behind me and supporting me, and I look forward to working with everybody and seeing what we can do to move the community forward in a positive way.”
While unopposed candidates don’t have to sweat it out, the results provided fodder for the unofficial designation of most popular candidate on the ballot. This year, it was Sarah E. Glackman Kuhn, candidate for County Coroner, who racked up 3,646 votes. She was trailed closely by Prosecutor James Bradley Landwerlen (3,606 votes) and Judge David Riggins (3,605).
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Students, staff and community volunteers gather at Waldron Junior-Senior High School during the Waldron Give Back to Your Community Day. More than 70 participants, including members of the Waldron FFA and agriculture classes, contributed to the event’s success. Organizers thanked all who participated and noted donations for future projects may be made to the Blue River Community Foundation, 54 W. Broadway, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176, with Waldron Hometown on the memo line. | submitted
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Common Council on Monday unanimously approved a $75,000 appropriation to begin transitioning the city’s geographic information system (GIS) to a new platform in coordination with Shelby County. Planning Director Adam Rude said the upgrade will replace an outdated system and improve functions critical to services such as emergency response, with implementation expected to begin this summer and continue through the end of the year.
City Council also approved a new policy requiring all meeting materials to be uploaded to the council’s shared drive by the end of the business day Thursday before each meeting. The measure, introduced by Council member Betsy Means-Davis, aims to improve transparency and ensure council members and the public have adequate time to review materials in advance.
City officials and volunteers are planting flowers downtown beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. Anyone is welcome to attend, Mayor Scott Furgeson said.
The Shelbyville High School Theatre program is presenting Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” this Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students.
Saturday, May 9, is the annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. Put out non-perishable donations in a bag by your mailbox, and carriers will deliver them to a local food bank.
The Shelbyville High School golf team performed well Monday at Royal Hylands Golf Course in Knightstown, finishing second in a three-way meet. The Bears were led by Logan Reinhart with a 39, followed by Ethan Hughes, 41; Logan Tobian, 43; and Carter Dunagan, 45. Below, Tobian takes a shot sans socks and shoes. It landed on the green. Picture by Thomas Brown.
Shelby County Commissioners proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month. The proclamation emphasized the importance of mental health in overall well-being for individuals, families and communities. Commissioner Jason Abel encouraged residents, businesses and organizations to review available resources and continue efforts to reduce stigma and improve access to care.
Media Release: As spring turns to summer, Shelby County residents are finding meaningful ways to celebrate and reflect during occasions like Memorial Day, Mother’s Day and graduation season. Many are choosing memorial and honorary gifts through Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF), a simple yet lasting way to recognize loved ones or mark milestones while supporting local causes. Unlike traditional one-time gestures, gifts to BRCF funds, often structured as endowments, can provide ongoing support for areas such as education, health, the arts and animal welfare. Executive Director Jennifer Jones noted that these gifts allow donors to connect personal moments with long-term community impact. A meaningful example of this impact can be found in a newly established fund honoring Beverley Elliott. This fund honors a lifetime devoted to compassion for animals of all kinds. Beverley’s home and heart were always open to animals in need. She believed every creature deserved care, comfort, and a chance to thrive. Established by Theresa and Joe Harlan through BRCF, the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter Fund in memory of Beverley Elliott continues her legacy of kindness by supporting the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter. Contributions to this fund help provide essential resources such as food, bedding, veterinary supplies, and other necessities that ensure the health and well-being of animals awaiting their forever homes. Contributions of any size can be made in honor or memory of someone special, with acknowledgments sent to families, with the gift amounts kept confidential.
HOOSIER NEWS: JetBlue Airways will begin service at Indianapolis International Airport on Nov. 2 with a daily nonstop flight to Fort Lauderdale, offering Hoosiers expanded access to South Florida and Caribbean destinations. Airport officials said the new route adds competitive options for fares and schedules, while also strengthening connections through JetBlue’s Fort Lauderdale hub. The move helps fill service gaps following the recent shutdown of Spirit Airlines. (IBJ)
The Addison Times publishes two podcasts: “Let’s Get Down to Business” and “Keeping Up with The Times.” Check out the podcast archive here.
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
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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: Southwestern won the county track championship for the second consecutive year. Austin Acobert, Blake McClure, Nick Yeend, Steffen Shackelford and Hayden Veach earned first-place medals to help the Spartans amass the most points.
2006: MainStreet Shelbyville and organizers announced plans for a red carpet gala fundraiser at The Strand Theatre. Entertainment included organ music by Maurice Finkel, a harp duet by Mary Kay Pitts and Sharon Day, singer Kristin Morris, a string quartet led by Tiffany Ross and songs by Vicky and Jes Richmond. The evening would conclude with a brief scene by Shelby County Players featuring Kent Lockman in the lead role. Steve Frazee, president of the Shelby Arts Council, organized volunteers, and Runnebohm Construction provided substantial labor on the project.
1996: For the first time, the Shelbyville Central Schools board would be made up of elected rather than appointed members. The effort for the change had been led by Roland Stine, a local teacher and city councilman.
1986: AutoWorks opened in the Rivergate Shopping Center. Dave Thompson was manager, and Gary Scroggins was assistant manager.
1976: A large crowd gathered at Loper Elementary for the burial of a time capsule produced as a project of Mrs. Joan Gardner’s sixth grade language arts class. Bruce Carpenter read an essay about the project before the paper was sealed in the capsule. Following the ceremony, Kevin Meredith and Ted Mark covered the brightly painted capsule with a plastic bag as it was lowered into the hole.
1966: Emerson Winkler, 206 Conrey St., received the keys to a new Mercury from Kenneth Graham of Shelbyville Motors. Winkler, an employee of Ford Motor Co., had submitted a suggestion to the company to improve the operation of a stamping machine thus reducing the amount of scrap.
1956: Work was finished on kennels inside the new dog pound located at the old city landfill site. The building was of concrete block construction.
Construction on the walls of Coulston Elementary were completed.
1946: Shelby County farmers had delivered more than 30,000 bushels of corn to the nine area elevators under the government bonus payment plan for shipment to overseas areas experiencing famine.
1936: The new Terraplane vehicle went on sale at Nading Motor Sales for $595 ($14,238 in today’s money). The company said the car could be expected to last more than 125,000 miles.
1926: Seven boys were named to the Shelbyville High School track team: Frank McCarty, John Morris, Bill Flaitz, Herman Spurlin, Paul Messick, Harvey Kendall and Melvin Crafton.
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OBITUARIES
Sandra Lynn “Sandy” Shaw, 61, of Flat Rock, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2026, at her home. She was born on December 7, 1964, in Pine Knot, Kentucky, the daughter of Odus and Betty (Burchfield) Watson. On June 27, 1992, she married Tracey Shaw, and he preceded her in death on January 1, 2025. Sandy is survived by her children, Bradley Shaw and wife, Stephanie, of Mooresville, Shawn Skaggs of Flat Rock, Shane Skaggs and wife, Savannah, of Hope, Brandon Shaw and wife, Kylie, of Flat Rock, Lorna Gonzalez and husband, Victor, of Flat Rock, and Megan Shaw of Shelbyville; sisters, Debbie Langley and husband, Larry, of Waldron, Tammy Day and husband, Jamie, of Waldron, Wilma Troxell and husband, Jeff, of Connersville, Donna Ford and husband, Matt, of Florida, Helen Gibson and husband, Mark, of Missouri, and Pam Poe and husband, Johnny, of Morristown; brothers, Mike Watson of Flat Rock, and Leon Watson of Geneva; grandchildren, Emily, Ethan, Jayden, Allie, Avery, Isabella, Logan, Keilynn, Victor, Emmett, Nicholas, Maelynn, Bentlee and Braxton; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to Tracey, Sandy was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Joe Watson, Jimmy Watson, Jr. Watson and David Watson.
Sandy was a member of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship. She had been a CNA for over 35 years and had worked at Major Hospital, Morristown Manor and Waldron Health and Rehabilitation. The greatest joy in Sandy’s life was the time spent with her children and being Nana to her grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 11, 2026, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St., in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the funeral home, with Pastor George Mitchell officiating. Interment will be at Lewis Creek Baptist Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 8604 Allisonville Rd., Suite 140, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250. Online condolences may be shared with Sandy’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Janice D. Skidmore, 76, of Indianapolis, passed away Monday, May 4, 2026, at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. Born Oct. 13, 1949, in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Martin Dale Kendall and Mildred G. (White) Kendall. She married Sherdian Skidmore on Aug. 13, 1967, and he survives. Other survivors include four children, Amy (Bob) Morwick of Indianapolis, Michelle (Matt) Beckom of Greenwood, Jeff (Holly) Skidmore of Indianapolis, Jason (Megan) Skidmore of Indianapolis; eight grandchildren, Sydney, Madison, Madisen, Hudson, Adalynn, Charlotte, Everly and Karoline. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Gregg Kendall.
Janice had lived in Marion County for 58 years after previously moving from Rays Crossing. She graduated from Waldron High School, was a member of Ray’s Crossing Christian Union Church and was a bank teller for AFNB for more than 20 years, retiring in 2010. Janice enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and her loving husband of 58 years.
Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 8, 2026, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, Shelbyville, Indiana. Burial will be in Bennett Cemetery. Family will receive friends Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to Sigma Beta Sorority, 2219 N. 650 E., Shelbyville, IN 46176. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
The Shelby County history piece adds real texture to local stories. Connecting it to broader American patterns shows how small-town history often mirrors the bigger national shifts.