A restaurant chain plans to begin building in October on Shelbyville's north side.

Mayor Tom DeBaun.

Zaxby's has Indiana locations in Indianapolis, Greenwood, Fishers, New Albany, Jeffersonville, Evansville and Newburgh.

The FBI is searching for a man with southern Indiana ties who escaped from a jail in Kentucky.

The FBI says Anthony Martinez escaped from Louisville Metro Corrections on Tuesday. He had been arrested on Feb. 13 for robbery.  He also had federal warrants for multiple bank robberies in Indiana.

Authorities say he should be considered dangerous and should not be approached.

If you know where he is, you should call your local police department or the FBI at 502-263-6000.

Wildfires continue to cause havoc and destruction on the west coast.  And a Shelbyville graduate is there fighting them.

Sean Drake is in northern California.  He spoke with GIANT fm about his job that puts him in harms way.

The FBI has arrested former Indiana state senator and congressional candidate Brent Waltz.

Federal agents arrested Waltz after conducting a search of his home in Greenwood on a warrant. That's all federal investigators would confirm, but court records in a Virginia federal court case show a political consultant in Maryland plead guilty to funneling thousands of dollars from a casino operator in Indiana to the campaign of congressional candidate from Indiana in 2015.

Waltz ran for Congress in 2015 and lost out to Trey Hollingsworth.

The FBI has not said if the court case in Virginia is connected to Waltz's arrest.

Detectives from the Indiana State Police are investigating four separate interstate shootings over the weekend in Indianapolis. The shootings left one person shot and damage to at least four vehicles. Detectives are asking for the public's help to identify suspects in each of these incidents.

• The first shooting occurred Friday September 25, 2020 around 3:30 p.m. on I-465 near Harding Street. A purple Nissan Altima with a chrome grill, occupied by four black males, allegedly fired several rounds at a red Dodge Ram pulling a trailer loaded with lumber. Fortunately nobody in the truck was injured. 
• The second shooting occurred just hours later, September 25, around 10:15 p.m., when a dark sedan fired shots at gold Lexus, which was occupied by two 17 year old juveniles. One of the juveniles was injured by broken glass however neither suffered gunshot wounds. 
• Sunday afternoon, September 27, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a brown semi-tractor trailer was struck by gunfire on I-74 westbound at the 70 mile marker, which is just west of I-465. The driver of the semi was not injured. Detectives are looking for an older model tan Chevrolet Tahoe that was driven by a black male. The driver of that Tahoe allegedly fired shots from a handgun at the semi.
• Early Monday, September 28, around 2:30 a.m., an 18 year old male was shot while driving a grey Chevrolet Impala on I-465 northbound at the 20 mile marker, near I-65 on the city's west side. The male was driven to the hospital by a bystander and the Chevrolet Impala was left on I-465. The suspect vehicle in this incident was described as a black Dodge Charger with tinted windows.

Indiana State Police Detectives are continuing to follow leads in each of these investigations. Anyone with information about these shootings is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS. Investigators do not believe these shootings are related to one another however it is probable three of these four shootings began as road rage incidents. Motorists are discouraged from engaging in any type of road rage, instead immediately report road rage to police by calling 911.

The City of Shelbyville has now opened the grant application portal for your online applications to the program! All grant information, applications, and documents can be found on the City's COVID-19 website: www.cityofshelbyvillein.com/covid-19/

All applications must be submitted online or delivered to the Shelby County Development Corporation office (16 Public Square Suite A) no later than 3 PM on October 9th, 2020.

Some items to keep in mind as you prepare your applications:

• For-Profit businesses that are based within Shelbyville, employing less than 100 people are eligible to apply.
• The program offers grants for up to $10,000 to assist businesses that have been negatively affected by COVID-19.
• In accordance with federal requirements, these funds will be prioritized at retaining low-to-moderate-income jobs.
  • HUD defines this as jobs that earn $45,950 annually or less
• Grant funding can be used to fund continued business operations to help account for lost revenue caused by COVID-19.
• Funds may also be used to help alter businesses to promote social distancing or transition your employees to a remote work environment.

Applications will be scored by a selection committee using the following criteria:

• Highest Need: Priority will be given to businesses that illustrate an immediate need for funds, due to a negative impact caused by COVID-19.
• Essential vs Non-Essential: Priority will be given to businesses that were subject to government-mandated closures or restrictions in hours, operations, or capacity.
• Physical Presence: Priority will be given to businesses that have a physical storefront or office within the City of Shelbyville.
• Small Business: Priority will be given to smaller businesses.
• Retention of Business/Employees: Priority will be given to businesses where these funds will ensure the retention of the business and/or the employees.
• Short Term Financing: Priority will be given to businesses who were unable to secure other short-term financing options to support their business.

The City of Shelbyville is able to offer this program due to the partnerships between our program partners:

• Shelby County Development Corporation
• Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
• Mainstreet Shelbyville
• Blue River Community Foundation
• The City of Shelbyville

Feel free to contact any of these program partners with questions you may have during the application process.

People all across the globe are joining together on Saturday, September 26, for International Observe the Moon Night, a NASA-sponsored event aiming to celebrate lunar exploration.

The event happens annually in either September or October, depending on when the moon is in its first quarter. According to Andrea Jones, Public Engagement Director for NASA, the first quarter moon is a great phase for moon observation, because the moon is half-illuminated. The shadows enhance the moon’s cratered landscape.

In addition, this weekend is a little more special. Because of the moon’s slight wobble when orbiting the earth, observers will get to see features of the moon that are usually hidden from plain sight.

“We’ll be able to see the locations of every Apollo landing site, lots of lunar mare, or cooled seas of lava, the dark patches we see on the near side of the moon, and some spectacular lunar craters and landscapes,” Jones said.

In a time of social distancing and separation, Jones adds that International Observe the Moon Night is about more than looking up at the moon. It’s about knowing that your fellow humans are looking at the same moon with you.

You can learn more about lunar science and participate in International Observe the Moon Night from anywhere. NASA encourages you to share your adventures using the #ObserveTheMoon hashtag. More information and resources can be found here.

Ryan Gordon Tracy, 35, from the Fairland area, was convicted Wednesday evening of four counts of Child Molesting after a 3-day jury trial.  Three of the counts were Level 1 felonies and one was a Level 4. 

The case was investigated by Shelby County Sheriff’s Detective Jim Thurman, and revealed that Tracy had been molesting a victim, under the age of 10, repeatedly over a period of time between November 2017, and January 2020.  The acts of molestation involved various sex acts, and even sex toys. 

The investigation also revealed evidence of Vicarious Sexual Gratification (Level 3 felony) and Dissemination of Matter Harmful To Minors (Level 6 felony), though the jury found insufficient evidence to convict on these lower offenses.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecutor Brandon Robinson.  He was assisted by Chief Deputy Prosecutor Scott Spears and Deputy Prosecutor Adam James.  Tracy was represented by attorneys Chris Taylor and Mike Boring.  Robinson called 11 witnesses in all.  The jury deliberated for over four hours before reaching their verdicts.

Tracy will face up to 150 years in prison when he is sentenced next month.

Shelby County Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen said, "This case is one of the more disturbing child molest cases he has seen – in large part due to the variety, nature, and frequency of the acts of molestation.  We will definitely be seeking an enhanced sentence."

Governor Holcomb is lifting most of Indiana's remaining coronavirus restrictions, but a few limits remain in place.

Starting Saturday, there will no longer be capacity limits on bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, though they'll still need to enforce social distancing. There's no limit on mass gatherings either, but anything over 500 people will require approval from the local health department.

And Indiana's mask requirement, which is part of a different order, remains in effect.

State health commissioner Kristina Box notes Indiana's positivity rate has dropped by one-third since Holcomb issued the mask requirement June 23, while Elkhart County, which imposed its own mask order before the state did, has seen an even steeper drop. She says while there's still much that's unknown about the virus, it's now clear that even people without symptoms can spread it, and that masks are a key component in reducing that spread.

Holcomb says he understands Hoosiers' discontent about masks, and says it's not his preference.

Indiana's rolling average of positive tests has dropped below four-percent for the first time in three months. Every county is below 10-percent, with 58 of the 92 counties now listed at "minimal risk" for the virus basaed on a combination of positivity rates and the number of cases.

Holcomb says there's a particularly heightened risk as the weather turns cold.

While some conservatives have broken with Holcomb over the mask order to support the Libertarian candidate for governor, Westfield software engineer Donald Rainwater, Holcomb's Democratic opponent is attacking the governor's announcement from the other side. Former state health commissioner Woody Myers calls the lifting of restrictions "simply wrong," and says the pandemic requires "more vigilance, not less."

On Wednesday, a Louisville, Kentucky man was arrested on numerous charges after leading troopers on a 17 mile vehicle pursuit on I-65 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties.

The incident began, at approximately 4:30 pm, when Sergeant Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police-Versailles observed a 2019 Volkswagon Jetta traveling northbound on I-65 near the 54 mile marker, just north of Seymour.  The vehicle was traveling in excess of the speed limit and without registration plates displayed.

Sgt. Wheeles attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle near the 55 mile marker at the Jonesville exit.  The vehicle, driven by Derek Smith, 29, fled northbound on I-65 from Sgt. Wheeles.  Officers from multiple agencies assisted the Indiana State Police in pursuing Smith.

The vehicle entered Bartholomew County where it collided with two Indiana State Police vehicles near the 71 mile marker before coming to a stop.  Smith was then taken into custody without further incident.  Smith was found to be in possession of two handguns.  One of the handguns had reportedly been stolen out of Louisville, Kentucky.  Smith was additionally wanted on a warrant out of Lafayette, Indiana. 

Smith was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, Indiana for evaluation before later being transported to the Jackson County Jail.  Smith was then incarcerated on preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Property, Reckless Driving, and Possession of a Handgun without a Permit.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Excise Police, Columbus Regional EMS, Columbus Township Fire and Rescue, and 31 Auto Group.

Street closures to watch for starting this weekend in the Shelbyville downtown construction area include:

Westbound Franklin Street off Harrison Street – Closes Saturday 9/26 – 10/5 for asphalt 

Westbound Jackson Street off Harrison Street – Closes Saturday 9/26 – 10/5 for asphalt and concrete work

West Washington Street will be opened up from the Public Square to Tompkins Street to help with these closures.

United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a civil settlement with Dave O’Mara Contractor, Inc. (“DOCI”), an asphalt contractor based in Southern Indiana.  The settlement will result in a total payment of $4.25 million to the United States of America.

“The safety and security of the citizens of Indiana are paramount to this office.” Minkler stated. To risk the safety of the motoring public for the sake of saving money cannot be tolerated. This recovery sends the message that contractors must comply with various applicable state and federal regulations when billing the United States Government, or they will face the consequences of their choices.”

The settlement resolves allegations that DOCI misrepresented the materials that it used to pave a number of roads and highways throughout Central and Southern Indiana, which were funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration. Specifically, the government alleges that DOCI represented that it was including steel slag in its asphalt mixture when it was not.  According to the government, this created the false impression that the roads that DOCI provided contained enough binder, or “glue,” to ensure that they would not prematurely deteriorate.

According to Rachana Fischer, the Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the matter, the settlement followed a multi-year investigation by the United States Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General in coordination with the United States Attorney’s Office and the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.. The Indiana Department of Transportation provided substantial assistance to the United States in its investigation.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

Jimmy Earl Hendricks, 26, of Franklin, was convicted by a jury Tuesday of the offenses of Level 3 Felony Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony Unlawful Possession Of a Syringe, Class A Misdemeanor Carrying a Handgun Without a License, and Class A Misdemeanor Resisting Law Enforcement.

The case originated around 3:00 a.m. on June 11, 2020, when Shelbyville Police Department officer Jared Scudder noticed Hendricks and another man walking very animated, appearing that they were about to fight. He pulled up to check on them, and Hendricks was immediately abrasive with Officer Scudder. While Scudder spoke with the other man, Hendricks turned his back to Scudder and was reaching to his waist area. Fearing that Hendricks was pulling a gun, Officer Scudder pulled his gun on Hendricks and ordered him to show his hands. Hendricks pulled a pistol from his waist and ran behind a nearby house, where, to his dismay, he found that two sides of the yard were covered by a high privacy fence, and the third side had a chain-link fence containing three aggressive dogs. He ran back out of the front of the house after tossing a fully-loaded 9 mm Smith and Wesson pistol (and a fully-loaded extra magazine). As he emerged from behind the house, SPD Officer Buckley pulled his taser and ordered Hendricks to stop. Hendricks then tripped to the ground over his pants, which had fallen down.

Hendricks was also found to have extra 9 mm ammunition, digital scales, 10 small bindles of methamphetamine, and one larger bindle of methamphetamine - totaling just under two grams. He also had what appeared to be spice, as well as some crushed pills, which were packaged to appear like heroin.

Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen prosecuted the case and called seven witnesses during the two-day trial.  The jury deliberated about 30 minutes before finding Hendricks guilty as charged on all counts. Hendricks then admitted to being an habitual felony offender, and will face up to 26 years in prison when he is sentenced on November 4.

Landwerlen added, "As an interesting side-note, after the verdict, two members of the jury specifically noted to officer Scudder that police officers don't get the recognition that they deserve and thanked Officer Scudder (and the other officers involved) for his service, and the entire jury followed this mention of appreciation with a unanimous round of applause. Many don't appreciate how dangerous police work is - even in a small town like Shelbyville. Bigtime thanks to SPD officers Scudder, Buckley, Conway, Shriver, Lt. Walton, and Detective Holmes for their work in securing justice in this case."

A group of citizens of Shelby County concerned about the possibility of a large industrial solar farm locating in southwestern Shelby County has been asking officials for a moratorium to allow time to scrutinize the county’s ordinances on solar farms. 

There’s no moratorium yet but the county’s plan commission did vote Tuesday to look into the ordinances for changes or tweaks that might be needed.

President Doug Warnecke offered a motion that was approved to allow the commission to begin its study.

Board member Kevin Carson expressed his desire to look into the current ordinances and that Shelby County Commissioners agree to a moratorium so a solar farm doesn’t come forward before a new ordinance, or adjusted ordinance, is completed.

Commissioners approved last year a six month moratorium to allow for the creation of an ordinance dealing specifically with solar farms.  To this point, requests to the commissioners have not received a vote on the issue.

Board member Charity Mohr says the decision regarding Ranger Power’s solar farm in the Morristown area and the possibility of another to come don’t fit into the wording in place for the county’s current comprehensive plan.

The commission will meet in executive session on October 6.

The Board of Aviation Commissioners of the City of Shelbyville, Indiana, pursuant to IC 8-22-2, is accepting sealed proposals for the lease of the of approximately 203.5 tillable acres of farm ground for the raising of crops located at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport in the City of Shelbyville, Shelby County, Indiana.

A bid sheet may be obtained at the City of Shelbyville Municipal Airport. Proposals should describe experience farming and raising crops, any experience farming airport land along with a proposed rental price per acre, which will be the primary considerations in awarding the lease. Proposals should include evidence of financial responsibility and insurance.

Proposals should be submitted in writing on or before 10:00a.m. October 2, 2020.

Proposals should be submitted to the Airport Manager at3529 N 100 W, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Applicants may contact the Airport Manager with any questions or clarification at (317) 392-1284.

Steps are being taken to allow visitors again at nursing homes across the country. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new guidance for visitation.

Outdoor visits are encouraged. Indoor visitation is allowed if there are no new cases in the previous two weeks and if certain core principals — like screening, resident and staff testing, hygiene, social distancing, and cleansing — are put into effect.

A memo sent out to state survey directors makes clear that visitations can be made for more than pure end-of-life reasons, and can even include physical touching in some instances. Communal dining and activities may take place as long as six-foot distancing and other precautions are observed.

According to the memo, examples of other types of compassionate care situations include, but are not limited to:

• A resident, who was living with their family before recently being admitted to a nursing home, is struggling with the change in environment and lack of physical family support.

• A resident who is grieving after a friend or family member recently passed away.

• A resident who needs cueing and encouragement with eating or drinking, previously provided by family and/or caregiver(s), is experiencing weight loss or dehydration.

• A resident, who used to talk and interact with others, is experiencing emotional distress, seldom speaking, or crying more frequently (when the resident had rarely cried in the past).

Home facilities will continue to use that COVID-19 county positivity rate to determine the degree to which indoor visitation can take place.

Virtually in every nursing home in America, there is a Point of Care test.  Point-of-care testing allows physicians and medical staff to accurately achieve real-time, lab-quality diagnostic results within minutes rather than hours. Medical experts say this type of testing enables staff to make timely and important treatment decisions when diagnosing a patient’s condition.

The memo says some of the “Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention” are:

-Screening of all who enter the facility for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g., temperature checks, questions or observations about signs or symptoms), and denial of entry of those with signs or symptoms

-Hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand rub is preferred)

-Face covering or mask (covering mouth and nose)

-Social distancing at least six feet between persons

Facilities that have not had any positive COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days and are in a county with a low or medium positivity rate may not restrict visitations “without a reasonable clinical or safety cause” consistent with regulations, CMS noted. Doing so could subject a provider to the threat of citation and penalties.

Shelbyville Police are investigating an incident involving a child at an apartment complex.

On September 15, SPD dispatch received a call from a resident who lives in the Martin Estates apartment complex.  The complex is located on the north side of Shelbyville.

The complainant said her child (under 10 years old) told her about an incident which occurred the night before.  The mother said her child was removed from her bed and taken out of their apartment by a male.  The mother further stated her child said she was taken to another apartment in the same apartment complex.  While in the apartment, the child told her mother she was touched inappropriately and then the child left the apartment, and walked back to her apartment.  Officers arrived and took the initial report.

Later the same evening a second 911 call was received by dispatch.  The call was from the same caller.  This time, the mother stated the male had returned and was trying to gain entry into their apartment.  The mother of the child saw the male running from her apartment.  The mother described the person running as being similar to the description the child gave. 

The suspect was described as being a black male, approximately 5’5”, 120 lbs. with short dark hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Shelbyville Police Department, specifically the Criminal Investigative Division at 317-392-5118.  Callers may also contact the Shelbyville Police Department Dispatcher Center at 317-392-2511. 

Several entities headed by the City of Shelbyville are working diligently to revitalize downtown Shelbyville. One of the projects included in the overall plan is the renovation of an alley, located off East Washington Street. The project kicked off earlier this year but with funding coming to a close, finishing the project was not going to be obtained this year. Indiana Grand stepped in with a $25,000 donation so Blue River Community Foundation could complete the initial design and provide a new community space in the downtown area.

“Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) is thrilled to have the support of Indiana Grand through this generous gift to allow us to expand on the alley activation project on East Washington Street,” said Jennifer Jones, executive director of BRCF. “We appreciate their recognition of the importance of public art, invigorating our downtown, and keeping Shelby County history alive.” 

The Alley Renovation showcases several historical figures from the area, including portraits of Sandy Allen, Bill Garrett and Bucky Barnes of Marvel Comics. Indiana Grand’s contribution will allow BRCF to continue its plans for the space, including greenery, seating, lighting and other aesthetics while preserving the historical content of Shelby County.

“Investing in our local neighborhoods is at the forefront of our community outreach goals,” said Mike Rich, senior vice president and general manager of racing. “The City of Shelbyville is working hard to revitalize the downtown area, and we saw an opportunity to get involved with their vision. The possibilities are endless with this initiative, and we are excited to see the transformation this entire project will have on the community.”

Seventeen trucks were burned this morning at a truck stop on the south side of Indianapolis and fire investigators believe it was on purpose. M&K Truck Centers is now offering a $30,000 reward for info that leads to the arsonist's arrest, in addition to the $1,000 offered by Crimestoppers.

Indianapolis Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Rita Reith said the first call came in around 4:30. By the time firefighters got there, several trucks were already on fire.

"They ad a little bit of difficulty getting back to it because the area was so secure. They had to cut through a couple fences and then do some pretty extensive hose lays for water supply," she said.

It took about 45 minutes to get the fire under control. The fire involved hundreds of gallons of diesel, which spilled during the explosions that resulted from the fire.

"Investigators are saying it was intentionally set and they're looking for one or more persons that they think are involved in setting the fire," said Reith.

She said those investigators do not believe the truck fire is connected to the intentional burning of several vacant houses on the north side, but did say the night of arson fires taxed the resources of firefighters.

"Last night was a little unusual because they were relatively close and in quick succession."

M&K said the company is glad no one was hurt in the fire.

“We are grateful...for the rapid response of the fire department. M&K Truck Centers and our customers have suffered significant loss of property including 12 commercial vehicles that are a total loss and 7 others that sustained significant damage. We are working with the authorities to find the people responsible for this crime. In addition to the Crime Stoppers reward M&K Truck Centers is offering a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the arson.”

Thursday evening, sometime between 5:30 and 6:00 pm, there will be an escort coming through Greenfield for a WWII soldier whose remains have been identified and are being returned home to Richmond.

The times are estimated and based on traffic from the Indianapolis International Airport. The escort will come from Mount Comfort Road along US 40 through Greenfield.

In November 1943, PFC Louis (Junior) Wiesehan USMC was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on a small island of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated.

Wiesehan was killed on the second day of the battle, Nov. 21, 1943. His remains were reportedly buried on the island, but have not been located / identified until now with PFC Wiesehan returning home after 77 years.

A new use for a former eye doctor’s office will not proceed after failing to get go-ahead from Shelby County Commissioners this week.

Commissioner Don Parker describes the plan for the building on Boggstown Road by the Shelbyville Community Church.

Ultimately, the commissioners felt it wouldn’t be a good situation to place an institution zoning in a commercial district. Even though this is still in the county it would not follow the city's future land use map which they have identified Heavy / Medium Industrial.

Parker also noted they received a presentation by the group against a possible industrial solar farm in southwestern Shelby County.  The presentation dealt with fire safety concerns.

There was no vote called for on a moratorium proposed by the group for further analysis of such solar farms.

The American Red Cross needs volunteers, and is asking for more help from Indiana.

The approach of Hurricane Sally, as well as the effects of Hurricane Laura and the West Coast wildfires, have overwhelmed the organization. Red Cross Indiana Regional CEO Chad Priest told WISH-TV that the pandemic has only made things worse.

Red Cross volunteers that are deployed help provide food, shelter and support to those in need. In addition, they work with local officials to help first responders.

If you decide to sign up as a volunteer, Priest says, you will receive free, fast training to ensure quick deployment. There are virtual training options for those who feel uncomfortable gathering during the pandemic.

Volunteers must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license to volunteer. More information can be found at redcross.org.

A retired New Castle dentist was sentenced to 16 years in prison Monday for sexually abusing children for more than a decade.

Larry Herron, 84, pleaded guilty to four counts of child molesting. If Herron manages to complete his 16 year sentence, he will be on probation for four years and will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Herron’s victims are now young adults. They say he began abusing them when they were about five years old, and that the abuse continued for many years. Most of the abuse happened between 2000 and 2005.

According to investigators, Herron told the victims he would make their lives “hell” if they said anything about his crimes.

Court documents say there were a total of four accusers.

Over two dozen horses, donkeys, mules and a bull were seized by authorities from the Rushville Horse Sale Barn.

Animals living in filth, starving, all with no water, some already dead, were found at the property after a complaint was called in about the livestock sale business.

William Haley, 22, faces charges including failure to properly dispose of a dead animal, torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal, and cruelty to an animal.

Kasey Hanna is the director of the Rushville Animal Shelter.

The Rushville animal shelter doesn't have the room or staff to handle such a large number of large animals. They've been placed with an animal rescue operation.  The shelter set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds needed to nurse the animals back to health.

It took three staff members to get an ailing donkey to his feet--the donkey died later.

The Rush County Sheriff's Office is investigating--and getting no cooperation from the barn's owner.

The Shelby County Health Department will offer a free COVID-19 testing site on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  They will also offer every other Saturday appointments BY APPOINTMENT ONLY beginning September 12. 

To schedule, call 317/392-6470 or go online athttps://scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov to schedule for an In-Car COVID-19 Test.

The Jane Pauley Health Care Center will offer a free COVID-19 testing site on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please call 317-226-6120 to schedule an appointment.

Testing will be available to all members of the public regardless of symptoms. Children as young as 2 years of age can be tested with parental consent.

This testing is made possible through a grant from the Indiana Department of Health to ensure that community testing is available anywhere there is a need. Through this grant, all the testing supplies and equipment, including test kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizer and the platform for registration and data management, are provided. The grant continues through June 30, 2021, and is renewable.

The state-run Optum sites will continue to offer testing as well. A complete map of test sites across the state is available at https://scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov.

The Shelbyville Common Council gave unanimous approval to a second reading of an ordinance allowing for a rezone for future housing development that has been years in the making.

The development will be within Trotters Chase, off State Road 9 on Shelbyville’s north side. 

Harold Gibson with H. Gibson Surveying,  joined by Mike Leslie with Northbridge Homes, addressed the council Wednesday night.

Gibson says it’s been some time for this.  But Leslie and other developers are now ready.

The Preserve at Sugar Creek, described as maintenance free living, going in New Palestine very successfully.  Leslie noted there has been a great deal of initial interest in the planned condos.

Leslie said it’s about two years for completion of the projects in Trotters Chase.

The Indiana Secured School Board has approved more than $19 million in matching state grant funds, marking a second consecutive year of record-breaking school safety investments.

The $19.4 million in awards allows the Board to fully fund all eligible, top-priority projects identified over 400 schools in their applications to the Secured School Safety Grant program (SSSG). In addition, the Board fully funded all school threat assessment projects, as well as eligible projects geared toward implementing health and wellness support services for parents and students.

The SSSG fund is administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Including the funds committed this year, the SSSG program will have distributed more than $91 million in state matching grants to schools since the program became law in 2013.

The SSSG issues matching grants for eligible items and then schools match those funds at a certain level, either  25 percent, 50 percent or 100 percent. The match requirement is based on average daily membership of the school district, the total amount of the project or what the request covers.

Eligible items in the grant include funding for school resource officers (SROs) and law enforcement officers in schools; equipment and technology; active event warning systems; firearms training for teachers and staff that choose to allow guns on school property; threat assessments and to implement a student and parent support services program.

Among area school corporations receiving funds:

Eastern Hancock                                                        $22,000.00

Greenfield-Central                                                      $87,980.00

Mt Vernon                                                                   $92,500.00

Southern Hancock County Comm School Corp       $100,000.00

Shelby Eastern Schools                                             $50,035.00

Shelbyville Central Schools                                        $100,000.00

Southwestern Con Sch                                               $50,000.00

Governor Eric Holcomb is directing flags statewide to be flown at half-staff in honor of Patriot Day.

Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today until sunset.

Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents across the state to lower their flags to half-staff in remembrance of the victims of the terror attacks on 9/11.

Police in Columbus are investigating a pharmacy robbery that happened Thursday morning.

According to CPD, a man entered the Walgreens on Beam Road just after 5:10 a.m. and said he had a gun. After getting money from the cash register, he ran off.

The suspect is a white male. He was wearing a blue face covering, flannel shirt, gray sweatpants, and dark shoes.

Anyone with information on the robbery should call CPD at 812-376-2600.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced that he has selected Shoshanna Everhart as the ombudsman for Department of Child Services (DCS).

Everhart has 40 years of child welfare experience, including in child protection, child welfare services, adoption and foster care. She previously served at DCS as the director of the Rush County office, a Shelby County child welfare supervisor, and a Shelby County case manager.

After her time with the department, Everhart practiced clinical social work in a variety of settings including a hospital, schools, and in homes. She has also taught graduate courses at the Indiana University School of Social Work. She currently works as a psychotherapist at Major Health Partners in Shelbyville.

Everhart earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Indianapolis and a masters of social work from Indiana University.

The DCS Ombudsman Bureau was created in 2009 by the Indiana State General Assembly. The bureau has the authority to receive, investigate and resolve complaints concerning the actions of DCS and to make recommendations to improve the child welfare system. The bureau operates independently of DCS and is housed in the Indiana Department of Administration.

The former ombudsman, Alfreda Singleton-Smith, departed in July. Everhart will begin her new position on Sept. 14.

You may have heard about the Tide pod challenge and the cinnamon challenge. Now some kids and teenagers are trying the Benadryl challenge.

A Hoosier doctor says drinking too much Benadryl is dangerous and wants parents and their children to know about the effects.  Dr. Blake Froberg, a physician at Riley Children's Health, and director of the Indiana Poison Center at IU Health.

Froberg said that taking just above a normal dose can, at least, make someone sleepy.

Froberg said at least one person has died.

He said he doesn't know of anyone in Indiana who has been put in the hospital because of the challenge.

Froberg said thye Indiana Poison Center is a good resource if anyone does take the challenge.

He said anytime a parent or someone is worried that somebody has gotten into too much Bendaryl or really any substance, you can call the Indiana Poison Center right away.

Amazon is looking for more than 800 people to work at its soon-to-open operations facility in Greenfield.

Employees will do everything from receiving inventory, picking and shipping customer orders, and supporting network logistics.

In addition to a $15 minimum wage, Amazon offers the following benefits:

- Health, vision, and dental insurance

- 401(k) with 50% company match

- Paid parental leave

- Amazon’s Career Choice program, which pays 95% of tuition in high-demand fields

Job applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Interested candidates can apply at www.amazon.com/indianajobs .

The Indiana Department of Transportation has issued a permit for a short-term closure on I-65 between Franklin and Columbus.

The evening of Saturday, Sept. 12, both directions of I-65 will close for up to twenty minutes between MM 89 and MM 68 for fiber optic connection work near C.R. 1200 S. in Shelby County. The closure is scheduled to begin at approximately 9 p.m. Entrance ramps at S.R. 252 (Exit 80) and U.S. 31 (Exit 76) will also be closed during this time. Indiana State Police and pilot vehicles will be on site to assist with the closure.

The work was originally planned for late August, but has been rescheduled due to weather and equipment availability.

Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route or allow extra travel time to avoid delays.

Milwaukee Tool, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty power tools, hand tools, storage and accessories for the professional construction trades worldwide, announced plans today to establish a new tool service hub in Greenwood, Indiana, creating more than 450 new jobs by the end of 2025.

"Milwaukee Tool continues to grow, and a new, centrally-located service hub here in Indiana will support the company's increased demand and strengthen the customer experience," said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. "Indiana’s advanced manufacturing workforce will be a key asset for this growing company, helping Milwaukee Tool provide high-quality service to its customers and contributing to its mission of continuous innovation and commitment to the trades."

Milwaukee Tool, headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, will invest $6.75 million to establish its new service hub to accommodate the rapid growth the company has experienced in the last several years. The company is leasing a 150,000-square-foot facility on Southtech Drive in Greenwood, Indiana, that will house tool repair and warehousing space. It is expected to be operational by March 2021. 

This new centralized repair facility will complement the company’s other service hub in Greenwood, Mississippi; both will act as the main axis points for the company’s service operations for users around the nation.

“As we continue to grow, it’s important that we create true partnerships that will allow us to attract, retain and recruit the best talent in the world. We are proud to partner with the city of Greenwood and the state of Indiana to grow a world-class work environment in this community,” said Steve Richman, Group President for Milwaukee Tool. “The Greenwood, Indiana, service hub will play a critical role to help improve our service response time for users.”

In addition to its new Greenwood facility, the company has manufacturing, distribution, and operations facilities in Mississippi and Wisconsin, and has grown from 1,000 employees in the U.S. 10 years ago to nearly 5,000 people today. The company is currently hiring key management and operations roles for this service hub. Interested applicants may apply online. 

“We are pleased to welcome Milwaukee Tool as the most recent global brand to establish a major presence in Greenwood," said Greenwood Mayor Mark W. Myers. "Milwaukee Tool joins FedEx, Pitney Bowes, Amazon, Nestle Water, ULTA Beauty and several other prominent companies who have chosen Greenwood during the past decade. Greenwood’s economy is strong and growing steadily. Our quality of life improvements, low tax rates and financial stability continue to attract prestigious companies to our city. The Milwaukee Tool facility is projected to produce hundreds of skilled jobs with strong wages and benefits. Greenwood is proud to have a skilled workforce and thriving businesses in advanced manufacturing, consulting, logistics and service industries.”

Pending approval by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) board of directors, the IEDC will offer Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation up to $4.5 million in conditional tax credits and up to $500,000 in training grants based on the company’s plans to create up to 481 new Hoosier jobs. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired. The city of Greenwood approved additional incentives.

About Milwaukee Tool 
Milwaukee Tool, founded in 1924, is a global leader in delivering innovative solutions to the professional construction trades that offer increased productivity and unmatched durability. Whether it is through their world-leading M12™, M18™, and MX FUEL™ cordless systems, the ground-breaking performance of their M12 and M18 FUEL™ products, jobsite lighting, time-saving accessories, or innovative hand tool and storage products, Milwaukee® is dedicated to delivering a steady stream of advanced, trade-specific solutions. Milwaukee Tool is a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI) (HKEx stock code: 669, ADR symbol: TTNDY). For more information on the full line of Milwaukee® products, please call 1-800-SAWDUST or visit www.milwaukeetool.com.

Just after 5:00 pm Sunday, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the intersection of SR 9 and E 450 N in ref to a two vehicle personal injury crash.

A 2005 Chevrolet Astro and a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado were both heavily damaged.  The driver of the Astro, William Jett, 69, of Seymour, had been ejected from his vehicle and was flown by Lifeline to an Indianapolis hospital.  

The driver of the Silverado, David Nickerson, 45, of Columbus, was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment.

According to numerous witnesses, Jett’s vehicle was traveling southbound on SR 9 approaching E 450 N when he braked heavily for an uninvolved vehicle turning westbound onto E 450 N from SR 9.  Jett appeared to lose control of his vehicle causing it to spin into the northbound lane where it was struck by the vehicle driven by Nickerson.

Conditions are unknown at the time of this report.

Elimination of parking along a changed Shelbyville section of roadway is hoped to further increase traffic flow.

East Broadway, as it approaches the intersection with Harrison Street, becomes a one-lane for westbound traffic that now allows for a left turn lane going into the intersection.  Shelbyville Street Commissioner Doug Hunt says they expect Monday to remove the two-hour parking in front of the Chaperral Café, 14 East Broadway, to further aid the flow of traffic.

Hunt said it was a move the state was supposed to have handled.  City crews will go ahead and make the change anticipated for today.

A new milestone coronavirus number.

In an attempt to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities during this upcoming holiday weekend, the Indiana State Police will be participating in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. Now through Labor Day, Indiana State Police will be conducting overtime patrols seeking out dangerous and impaired drivers.

These patrols are supported with funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and distributed by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

“Last year, one person died every 50 minutes in a drunk-driving crash in the U.S.,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “Every one of those fatalities could’ve been prevented. Help us save lives by putting an end to this reckless behavior.”

For over 20 years, law enforcement agencies across Indiana have been participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. This year, more than 200 state and local law enforcement agencies will be taking part, joining thousands more across the country.

If you plan to consume alcohol, please ensure you have a safe plan to get you home safely.

Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving. Motorists that encounter an impaired driver on the roadway are encouraged to call 911. 

Traffic will be rerouted to the east side of the Public Square in Shelbyville next week with both north  and southbound lanes to make the water line crossing from South Harrison to the Public Square.

The reroute is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 9.  Traffic should be back to its normal pattern at the end of the day. 

The parking area on the west half of the Square should be reopened after September 18, once the water line is completed. 

Indiana has had more than 3, 000 coronavirus deaths, and the country has had more than 180, 000. The state health commissioner says claims that it's a lot less are "absolutely incorrect."

There's been online speculation for weeks that the death toll has been inflated with people who died of something else. That speculation got a burst of wider attention this week when President Trump retweeted a blog post claiming the true national death toll is closer to 9, 000. That prompted both the Centers for Disease Control and Indiana health commissioner Kristina Box to explain that's wrong.

Box says the claim stems from a misunderstanding of CDC data, which show 94% of coronavirus death certificates show other contributing causes of death. But that's just a reaffirmation of what Box and other health officials have warned for months: people with underlying health conditions are at greater risk from coronavirus. Box says a death certificate will list those contributing causes, but says conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes don't mean it's not a death due to coronavirus.

In one high-profile illustration this week, the announcement of Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver's passing listed not only COVID-19 as his cause of death, but complications from Lyme disease, which he'd had for nearly 30 years, and dementia, from which he'd suffered for seven.

Box says Indiana has been even more rigorous than other states in reviewing death certificates and lab reports before adding to its tally of coronavirus deaths. She notes the state has separately reported more than 220 deaths which local doctors are confident are COVID-19 deaths based on symptoms and scans, but where there's no lab test to confirm it.

Governor Holcomb and governors in states and territories all across the U.S. have been notified by the Centers for Disease Control to prepare for coronavirus vaccinations by Nov. 1.

It’s being reported the director of the CDC, Dr. Robert Redfield, has requested governors speed up their permit applications for distribution sites.

The letter describes two unnamed vaccine candidates, each of which would require two doses spaced a few weeks apart. Several vaccines are currently in Phase 3 trials, testing on volunteers.

If any are successful, the U.S. has contracts in place to buy hundreds of millions of doses.

“Right now I will say we’re preparing earnestly for what I anticipate will be reality … that there’ll be one or more vaccines available for us in November, December — and we have to figure out how to make sure they’re distributed in a fair and equitable way across the country,” Redfield said during an interview with Yahoo Finance.

Three vaccines are currently in Phase 3 trials in the United States: those developed by Moderna and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Pfizer and BioNTech; and AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.

With more and more students within Indiana University's Greek community testing positive for coronavirus, the school has told thirty of it's fraternity and sorority houses to quarantine.

Last week, only eight houses had confirmed students that had tested positive for the virus. By Wednesday that list grew to fourteen houses.

For good measure, IU spokesman Chuck Carney says thirty of IU's 42 Greek houses have been told to isolate. Nearly 2,600 students live in Greek houses, but Carney is unsure of the exact number of students that have been told to quarantine.

Those houses include:

Acacia

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Alpha Epsilon Phi

Alpha Epsilon Pi

Alpha Gamma Delta

Alpha Omicron Pi

Alpha Phi

Alpha Sigma Phi

Alpha Xi Delta

Beta Sigma Psi

Beta Theta Pi

Chi Omega

Delta Gamma

Delta Zeta

Gamma Phi Beta

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Delta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Phi Delta Theta

Phi Gamma Delta

Phi Kappa Psi

Pi Beta Phi

Pi Kappa Phi

Phi Sigma Kappa

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Sigma Chi

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Theta Chi

Zeta Tau Alpha

Bob Rohrman, a Lafayette-based auto dealer whose commercials aired all across the state for years, has died.

Rohrman died Tuesday at the age of 87, reports The Lafayette Journal & Courier.

Rohrman began selling cars in 1955 and eventually expanded his dealership network to include locations in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. He was well known for his commercials that included the line, “There’s only one Bob Rohrman!”

His family did not disclose his cause of death.

A single vehicle crash in Rush County Tuesday morning claimed the life of a Rushville teen and injured another.

Rush County deputies were called to CR 350E, just north of CR 300N.,  around 10:40 a.m. for a report of a vehicle off the left side of the road into a tree. Two teenage victims were transported from the scene by Rushville EMS to Rush Memorial Hospital.  Deputies then summoned Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Investigators to investigate the crash.

The preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Tom Schwendenman indicates that the 2006 Chevy Malibu, driven by a 16 year old male from Rushville, was northbound on CR 350 E. at a high rate of speed when the vehicle disregarded the stop sign at CR 300 N. and went air born over the intersection.

The driver lost control of the car.  It went off the left side of CR 350 E. and hit a tree broadside.  The passenger, Kameron Cox, 16, of Rushville, was ejected from the vehicle.  Cox later succumbed to his injuries at Rush Memorial Hospital.

The male driver was transported with non-life-threatening injuries. The name of the driver is currently being withheld as the crash remains under investigation.

Master Trooper Schwendenman was assisted by Crash Reconstruction Investigators Master Trooper Coley McCutcheon, and Trooper Mark Hanna, the Rush County Sheriff’s Department, Rushville EMS and the Glenwood Fire Department.

Damaging winds, heavy rain, and hail are all possible for much of Indiana today, according to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis.

‘We’re looking at mid to late afternoon and this evening,” says Sam Lashley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. “It’s not a sure thing. It’s between about a 40-70% chance across the area.”

Lashley says the main thing to watch out for is damaging winds.

“There could be enough instability in the atmosphere that a storm could produce a downburst or a strong wind gust of 50 to 60 mph, but it would be very isolated. There is a very small chance for an isolated tornado, but more than likely, most people won’t see any severe storms,” says Lashley.

Much of the state is under a marginal risk for severe weather. A marginal risk indicates storms of only limited organization, longevity, coverage, and/or intensity, typically isolated severe or near-severe storms with limited wind damage, large hail, and perhaps a tornado.

“Primarily that marginal risk is in effect for central, southern, and southeast Indiana, but not for places in the northeast part of the state,” says Lashley.

Lashley says there is a chance for storms through Thursday.

“The severe threat would end by Tuesday evening. For Wednesday, chances for showers and a few storms remain possible across the area. That will continue into about late Thursday. Then we dry out for the first part of the weekend, but there are chances for showers and storms in the (Labor Day) holiday weekend,” says Lashley.

A cold front will move through, which means cooler temperatures.

“Many places will get back into the low 70s for Friday and maybe into the low 80s by Saturday and Sunday. Looking farther out, we could see a real significant cooldown as we get into the middle part of next week,” says Lashley.

The Shelbyville intersection of W. Jackson St. and S. Harrison St. will be closed Tuesday for directional boring under South Harrison for the water main. There will be boring from the W. Jackson St side. 

Traffic access to E. Jackson St. should remain open throughout the project.  It is anticipated only needing to have this intersection closed on Tuesday but notice will be given if the closure should last longer.

In addition, the pictured traffic pattern will be utilized starting September 1 and will be in place for approximately three days.

The western half of the parking lot in the circle will not be accessible during this portion of the work. 

Due to the fact that the southern portion will follow this northern portion, it is estimated the west side of the parking lot will not be accessible for approximately 4-5 weeks.