Wednesday, October 29, 2025
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PUMPKIN PARTY
From left, Minako Tsuwano, Ayaka Tanabe, Kazumi Kihara, Kotoha Watanabe, Kana Ikeda, Ayaka Fukagawa and Aori Shinzo show off their pumpkin carvings during a recent gathering at the home of Becky Bishopp. | submitted
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Plan Commission on Monday issued a favorable recommendation to the City Council on a series of Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments, most notably updating the Business Neighborhood (BN) District standards in response to issues raised during last year’s DG Market case. Planning Director Adam Rude said the proposed revisions would apply architectural, lighting, landscaping and parking standards to BN zones consistent with the city’s other commercial districts. Most of the conditions imposed on DG Market have been incorporated as requirements going forward, Rude said, noting that the DG Market process “kicked off this whole amendment process.” The updates include requiring bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure instead of sidewalks, or allowing a fee-in-lieu option, codifying sidewalk relief for older neighborhoods, and adding bike rack requirements to new commercial and industrial developments. The amendments also define “data centers” in the ordinance and adjust parking and sidewalk exemptions for infill residential lots. City Engineer Tyler Comstock questioned whether the $25-per-square-foot fee for deferred sidewalks should be indexed to construction costs; Rude agreed that flexibility should be added before City Council consideration. Commissioners also discussed Airbnb and VRBO regulations as a likely future amendment, outdoor merchandise enforcement, and large-vehicle access in BN districts, with Gary Nolley commending the department for addressing prior shortcomings. The proposal now advances to the City Council for final approval.
In line with most other central Indiana counties, Shelby County saw a decline in homebuilding activity last month, according to new data from the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis. Builders in Shelby County filed nine single-family permits in September, a 25% drop from the same month last year. Across the nine-county central Indiana region, overall filings fell 14% year-over-year to 839, marking the second consecutive monthly decline. (IBJ)
The Shelbyville Central Schools Board on Monday approved ratifying the 2025-26 teacher contract following what teachers’ association president Teresa Meredith described as the narrowest ratification vote since the 1990s, passing with 64.2% approval. Meredith thanked district administrators for their collaborative spirit during negotiations and said the close result reflected teachers’ growing frustration over stagnant pay, rising workloads and limited resources. Board President Mike Turner acknowledged teachers’ hard work and said the board would “do everything we can to work with you.” Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance called the process challenging but productive, noting efforts to balance salary and insurance increases amid declining enrollment and property tax reform pressures. He said the district aimed to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining quality staff while acting as good financial stewards.
The Board of Public Works and Safety yesterday approved a request from the Shelbyville Lions Club to hold a roadblock fundraiser for the Salvation Army on Saturday, Dec. 6. Club members will collect donations from vehicles at Harrison and Mechanic streets from 8 a.m. to noon.
North Tompkins Street near The Mill Apartments will close Monday for sewer line repairs, Street Commissioner Shane Peters said. Residents on River Road will be able to access their homes through an alley during the work, which is expected to finish by Tuesday evening.
A former nuisance property, 137 First Street, Shelbyville, has been cleaned, Code Enforcement Officer Troy Merrick reported to the Board of Works.
City Attorney Jenny Meltzer reported that about $5,000 worth of candy was distributed during Saturday’s downtown Trunk or Treat event. Next year’s event is scheduled for Oct. 17.
Shelbyville High School’s Quiz Bowl team defeated New Palestine last night. Golden Bear TV spoke with a few of the team members and coaches Steve von Werder and Nate Stonebraker in advance of the match.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indianapolis Public Schools planned to use more than $1 million from the sale of stored artwork to strengthen arts education. The district proposed transferring 148 pieces to the IPS Foundation, which would sell them to the Indiana State Museum using funds from a $1.65 million Lilly Endowment grant. Proceeds, about $1.16 million, would create the IPS Arts Enrichment Fund to support instruction, field trips and visiting artists starting in 2026. The museum would preserve the artworks and share them with Indiana institutions, while remaining grant funds would cover restoration and conservation efforts. (Chalkbeat)
NATIONAL NEWS: United Parcel Service shares surged Tuesday after the company far exceeded Wall Street profit forecasts, driven by deep cost-cutting and 34,000 job eliminations in 2025. CEO Carol Tomé’s turnaround plan included closing 93 facilities and trimming lower-margin business, such as Amazon shipments, while adding automation. UPS reported adjusted earnings of $1.74 per share, well above the $1.32 analyst estimate, and projected fourth-quarter revenue around $24 billion. The company said the cuts have saved $2.2 billion so far this year, with total 2025 savings expected to reach $3.5 billion. Shares rose as much as 13%, their biggest one-day gain since 2022. (IBJ)
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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.
2005: Nancy Russell Hargarve officially opened Stevie Wix Cool Beans Candle Co. at 1 Public Square. She had done a soft opening on Oct. 1, coinciding with National Fire Prevention Week, which focused on candle safety. “Thanks a lot,” Hargrave said, only half kidding, to The Shelbyville News’ Judy Sprengelmeyer.
1995: Construction was underway on the new Walkerville footbridge connecting Kennedy Park to East Franklin Street.
1985: The Major Hospital radiology department offered free X-rays for Halloween candy “to assure that foreign objects have not been placed in them,” The Shelbyville News reported. “The inspection will not detect chemicals or substance tampering.”
The farm of Clara Bassett Alford was certified as a Hoosier Homestead. The original purchase date of the Alford farm was 1854. She received the award from Lt. Gov. John Mutz at the Statehouse.
1975: Gov. Otis R. Bowen spoke at the Shelbyville Kiwanis Club’s 50th anniversary celebration, emphasizing Indiana’s need to plan for future energy and transportation challenges. Bowen and his wife were welcomed by club president Richard Sexton and members at the Moose Lodge, where longtime member George Yarling was also recognized for his service.
1965: The Pennsylvania Railroad ended its local freight service through Shelbyville, which had operated between Columbus and Rushville. The train had served area industries such as General Electric, Admiral and KCL Corp., but the route was discontinued due to deteriorating track conditions and recent derailments.
1955: Sixteen-year-old Phyllis Hatton was honored by the Shelby County Exchange Club for rescuing a 15-month-old child from drowning at the Geneva dam on the Flat Rock River. Sheriff Robert Meltzer, whose department responded to the incident, presented Hatton with an engraved pen and pencil set in recognition of her heroism.
1945: More than 200 members and guests attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Waldron Chapter No. 187, Order of the Eastern Star, held at the Waldron Lodge Hall. Worthy Grand Matron Helen Bonebrake conducted the inspection, and four children (Bruce Holbrook, Michael Wagoner, Donald Lumpus and Linda Stickford) were dedicated in a special ceremony. The event included a history of the chapter’s founding, a donation in memory of past members, and the cutting of a four-tier cake by Tillie Thorpe, the oldest past matron.
1935: Shelbyville furniture manufacturers prepared to display their products at major industry shows in Grand Rapids and Chicago. Representatives from companies including Davis-Birely Table Company, Albert Furniture Company, and Spiegel Furniture Company traveled to the events to showcase local craftsmanship to national buyers.
1925: The Shelbyville Republican argued that the city’s mayor, who also served as judge of the City Court, should possess legal knowledge and qualifications appropriate for a judicial role. The editorial endorsed candidate James A. Emmert, describing him as reasonable, fair-minded and capable of understanding legal matters, while noting that the current mayor lacked legal training.
1915: C.J. Limpus of Colescott Street hosted relatives and several Civil War comrades for dinner at his home. The 74-year-old veteran and his guests spent the afternoon reminiscing about their wartime experiences. Born near Laurel, Indiana, Limpus moved to Shelby County as a young man and served in the Sixteenth Indiana regiment during the war.
A group of Shelbyville men, including Herbert Jones, Robert Hackney, Jay Root, A.V. Randall, and David Whitcomb, planned to form a country club featuring golf links and a clubhouse. The proposed club was expected to purchase at least 40 acres of land, possibly more, and serve as a social and recreational center for the community.
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OBITUARIES
Phillip Scott Polston, 86, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, at his residence. He was born Aug. 31, 1939, in Russell County, Kentucky, the son of Omra Hultz and Flora (Hogue) Polston. He married Patricia June (Allen) Polston on Oct. 18, 1958, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 28, 2005.
Survivors include four children, Phillip S. Polston II (Traci) and Mark Polston (Paula Kaster), both of Shelbyville, Stephen L. Polston (Michael Schrettenbrunner) of Indianapolis, and Rebecca Polston of Shelbyville; brother, Ralph Polston (Nancy) of Shelbyville; sister, Barbara Absher-Harbin (Tom) of Enterprise, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Phillip Scott Polston III, Justin Polston (Emily), Brittani Stephens (Nick), Vince Polston, Ben Purvis (Tiera), Abe Purvis (Alison) and Caitlyn Sherrill (Brian); 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers, infant Dallas, Theodore and Frank Polston; and three sisters, Norma Bowers, Olena Carter and infant Patricia Margaret Polston.
Mr. Polston had lived in the Shelbyville area since 1953, after moving from Kentucky. He attended Shelbyville schools and was a self-employed carpenter for several years. Phil enjoyed woodworking and copper working.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at Hope’s Point Baptist Church, 1703 S. Miller Ave., with Pastor Seth Taylor officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.