Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Republicans Claim Local Races
Voters wait their turn at Crossroad Community Church and West Street United Methodist Church polling places yesterday. | photos by ANNA TUNGATE
Straight-party balloting dropped significantly from 2020, but the local results were the same, with Republicans sweeping contested races. Of the 20,070 Shelby County general election voters, 6,135 voted straight-party (5,017 Republicans compared to 1,115 Democrats and three Libertarians). That equaled 30.6 percent of total voters; still a high number, but down from 40.3 percent of local voters in the 2020 presidential election year. Voter turnout was 62.2%, with 9,285 voting on Election Day.
Lines were common at a few polling places yesterday, but the vote went smoothly.
“We had the A team, and they took care of every issue, period,” David Finkel, inspector stationed at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, said upon reporting to the courthouse after polls closed. “We were thrilled to help facilitate the votes of 861 Shelby County residents.”
Trent Meltzer, running unopposed for re-election to Circuit Court Judge, received the most votes - 15,447 - of any candidate in Shelby County. Donald Trump received 14,438 against Harris’ 4,9955 local votes.
Below are contested state and local tallies and percentages for Shelby County.
State Senator District 28
Michael Crider (R): 9,538 (83.2%)
Travis Chittum: 1,921 (16.76%)
State Senator District 73
Jennifer Meltzer (R): 8,100 (75.2%)
Hollie Payton (D): 2,666
County Commissioner Center District
David Lawson (R): 13,927 (75.3%)
Winnie Soviar (D): 4,575 (24.7%)
County Commissioner South District
Nathan Runnebohm (R): 73.8%
Joe Land (D): 26.2%
Shelby County Council At-Large - Elect 3
Troy Merrick (R): 10,321 (32.9%)
Charity Mohr (R): 8,763 (27.9%)
Jeremy Ruble (R): 7,528 (24%)
Chase Yanzer (D): 4,760 (15.2%)
Shelbyville Central Schools Board - District 4
Andrea L. Lee: 4,297 (41.6%)
Edward J. Small Jr.: 1,777 (17.2%)
Michael Turner: 4,247 (41.2%)
Shelbyville Central Schools Board - District 3
Dennis Hearne: 3,785 (53.2%)
Curt Johnson: 3,331 (46.8%)
Southwestern School Board - Hendricks Twp
Daryl Thomas: 950 (50.9%)
Travis Beck: 915 (49%)
Southwestern School Board - Jackson Twp
John Blue: 985 (47.9%)
Jonathan Deater: 1,070 (52.1%)
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Common Council on Monday heard from Veregy, the company which is overseeing local energy savings initiatives, such as solar, window replacements and street lighting. A company representative said the city has saved nearly $450,000 through the project and achieved more energy independence. “Really, what it comes down to is, the utility situation in Indiana is lousy and it’s going to get lousier,” he said of utility rates.
The city recently received a $150,000-plus Urban Canopy Grant, which will fund an inventory of trees on public property, the city’s first in nearly 25 years, provide recommendations and maintenance needs, and fund tree plantings. Much of the area of focus will be on the west side of town, city officials said. The city is also receiving resources from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, including help with long-term tree management plans.
City Council approved on second reading rezoning 2.5 acres behind the Horseshoe Indianapolis track to allow for the construction of a community center for track staff. The council also approved on second reading rezoning 3.9 acres adjacent to St. Joseph Catholic Church to allow for future expansion of the church. The council tabled a rezone request for property near the intersection of CR 400 N (Fairland Road) and Tom Hession Drive. The petition had received a favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission, but two stipulations were included and there were two dissenting votes. Council President Mike Johnson suggested giving the council until the next meeting in two weeks to review.
NATIONAL NEWS: The House is losing a bit more than usual, even if it is still generally and overwhelmingly winning, as gambling revenue for the Vegas Strip dropped for the third consecutive month in September, slipping 1.8 percent. Interestingly, it’s entirely because of baccarat, a high-stakes game that has much better odds for players than other casino games like roulette, craps and blackjack. Ignoring baccarat, gambling revenue was up 7.6 percent on the Strip. That said, Vegas got hosed in September on baccarat: Betting was down 22 percent in general, and the amount of money they actually made from the game was down 40 percent because so many of the guests that did play beat them on the table. (Bloomberg/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
October 6, 1954, Part I
Peggy Graham was chosen Squib editor for 1955. She had two brothers, Jimmy, a freshman at SHS, and Tommy, at Addison Township School. Her hobbies included riding and caring for her seven ponies, reading and swimming. She was taking senior literature, speech, chemistry, economics and band.
The Rec committee was chosen, which consisted of two representatives from each class plus Rec officers. Those selected were Gloria Lowe, Jack Frost, Anita Rowsey, Nancy Sharp, Jim Fuller, Jim McKeand, Pat Rainey, Barbara Spillman, Jack Tindall, Pat Stine, Lee McNeely, Pat Minor and Bill Reimann.
The Courier extended condolences to Elaine Long, Clara Sue Long and Gary Kautsky on the death of their father, Henry Long, to Carolyn Ricke on the death of her brother, Gregory Ricke; and to Bill Greenlee and Mrs. Mabel Montfort, secretary at the School Administration Office, on the death of his father and her brother, Pleas Greenlee.
In addition to new principal Mr. Sharp, there were four new faculty members at SHS: Mrs. Lois (Latshaw) Laskowski, Mrs. Sylvia Ann Merrill, Mrs. Rita Comstock and Mr. Holland.
Class presidents had been elected: Lee McNeely (freshmen class), Jim McMichael (sophomore), Jim McKeand (junior) and Don Schiesz (senior).
Gary Osborne was once again named flag boy. He had been taking care of the flag for three years.
Cafeteria workers, under the supervision of Miss Boden, were Mary Jones, Reba Jones, Barbara McGuire, Ju Wanna Gaines, Romana Lee, Norma Williams, Linda Eiden, Betty Fuller and Glenna Smith.
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.
2014: Editor’s note: Due to a microfilm processing error, the 2014 section for the next couple of weeks will serve to memorialize a local individual who passed away that year.) William “Bill” King Sr., 69, passed away. He was a 1962 Shelbyville High School graduate and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He married Pam (Crim) King in 1968, and she survived. Mr. King was an area manager for Mr. T’s Mini Mart for over 20 years and an auxiliary policeman.
2004: Healing Arts moved from 518 S. Harrison St. to 905 S. Harrison St., Steve Talbert reported for The Shelbyville News. Erica Cox had purchased the eight-year-old business from its original owners, Dennis and Sharron Riggs, who had moved to Florida. Cox and her sole employee, Ashley Clary, were both certififed massage therapists.
1994: Hannabel “Sunny” Moore, superintendent of Shelby Manor, had suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. He had worked at the county-owned retirement home for low-income residents for about 10 years. His wife, Shirley, was the Manor’s matron.
1984: Sen. Tom Hession and Rep. Stephen Moberly cruised to victory in the election.
AFNB installed a bank machine at their main office, facing Public Square. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held and prizes distributed. First prize was a General Electric Color Television; second prize was a Sony Portable Radio-Cassette; and third prize was a Hitachi Clock Radio.
1974: Two farmers who lived just over the Shelby County line in Bartholomew County were giving help to their neighbors near Flat Rock. Corn on ground farmed by John and Home Glick had been planted late in the spring due to wet conditions. In the fall, the moisture content was too high for the corn to be harvested. Instead of waiting for the moisture content to come down, the Glicks used their labor and equipment to help other farmers in the area. They first helped Gary Barnett.
1964: Temperatures were in the 70s. A newspaper photo showed city employees in short sleeves putting up Christmas decorations at the corner of E. Broadway and S. Pike. The employees were William Branson, George Landwerlen, Harold Junken and Robert Wendleboe.
Elmer’s Superette opened a large new parking lot across the street, at Vine and Washington. Clowns were on the lot to help people park on the first day. The store gave away a pound of bacon to the first 1,000 customers who spent $2 or more.
1954: Members of the Shelby County Artists Association presented an oil painting of a Shelby County landscape to W.S. Major Hospital. Presenting members are Howard Ballard, Mrs. John Goldsmith and Freda Callahan. Hospital Superintendent Frances Pruitt accepted the gift.
A reception was held for Claude Cox, head of Cox Implement Company, 109 N. Harrison St., which Charles Scheffler had purchased. Cox, 119 Fairfield Dr., was retiring after 35 years in the business.
1944: The Indiana state legislature voted to extend election closing time from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., giving more Hoosier farmers and war workers a chance to vote.
Cpl. Stephen Scott had been wounded in Germany and was in a hospital in France. Cpl. Fred Murray had been wounded in action in France.
1934: One of First Christian Church’s three 100th anniversary services was held in the old building on West Franklin St., by then occupied by First Evangelical Church. A forum featured those who were descendants of members who built the building.
1924: All postmasters, including Shelbyville Postmaster George Young, were appointed as recruiting officers for the U.S. Marine Corps. Previously, applicants were required to travel to Indianapolis at their own expense for physical examination. Young was provided funds to cover transportation to Indianapolis of those who passed.
It was a good day to be George. Democrat candidates George McKenney, George Oltman and George Inlow all won county seats.
1914: Work was underway on the organization of a new bank in Morristown. “Hanover Township and adjacent territory is one of the richest and most prosperous sections in Indiana, and many people there say they need another bank,” The Republican said.
Judge Nathanial Parrish Conrey, native of Shelbyville, was named Chairman of the Board of Appellate Judges for Southern California, which included an $8,000 salary ($250,000 in today’s money). He had been a judge in Los Angeles for many years and was a trustee of UCLA. (Conrey later served on the California Supreme Court.) Conrey’s mother still lived in Shelbyville. His father, David, had founded a furniture manufacturing facility here.
OBITUARIES
William Roger "Bill" Larson, 71, of Westfield, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Wellbrooke of Westfield. Born June 2, 1953, in Hammond, Indiana, he was the son of Arthur William Larson and Martha Frances (Johnson) Larson. He married Sara Gullo on August 3, 1996, and she preceded him in death on March 17, 2012. He then married Teresa (Landwerlen) Larson on September 13, 2014, and she survives. Other survivors include his mother Martha Larson of Ft. Wayne; sister Linda Landin (Ron) of Fort Wayne; and nephew Zachary Landin. He was preceded in death by his father Arthur and nephew Benjamin Landin.
Mr. Larson had lived in Westfield for four years, after moving from Indianapolis. He had been an accountant for several years, and retired from Meijer in 2020.
Bill graduated from Munster High School, IU and Northern Illinois University, where he received degrees in accounting and journalism. He was a member of Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Indianapolis and volunteered at RiverView Hospital in Westfield and St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church Benevolent Group. Bill was an avid Chicago White Sox fan, enjoyed traveling, and in younger days he enjoyed being a Boy Scout.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Friday, November 8, 2024, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Rev. Paul Landwerlen officiating. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Vincent De Paul Society at St. Thomas Church or Alzheimer's Association, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.