The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) wants motorists to be aware of a big traffic shift on the North Split project in Downtown Indianapolis. 

INDOT will begin shifting I-70 WB traffic across the median onto the new flyover bridge starting Saturday, October 1. The transition is anticipated to be complete by Monday, October 3. This shift will also "switch" sides for the exit movements approaching the North Split, and shields will be placed on the pavement to help motorists navigate these changes. 

• Motorists wanting to exit at Michigan St. (C/D ramp) will need to use the RIGHT lane.  
• Motorists wanting to continue on the I-70 WB movement to I-65 NB OR to exit at Meridian/Pennsylvania St will need to use the two LEFT lanes.  

Along with the traffic switch, access points on I-70 WB will also change.  

• Rural/Keystone will NOT have access to I-70 WB. 

Click here to view an informational video illustrating these changes. 

The new traffic pattern provides a safe work area for workers within the interchange, while facilitating safe and orderly traffic flow for motorists.  

INDOT asks the public to be aware of the new traffic shift and watch for slow traffic in the area. The traffic shift will remain in place until interchange construction is complete. 

The North Split reconstruction project will provide safer, more free-flowing travel for the thousands of motorists who use the interchange each day. Once complete, the new system will take up a smaller footprint and increase the walkability of surrounding downtown Indianapolis neighborhoods. The redesigned interchange will improve safety by eliminating weaving and merging, leading to better traffic flow.   

Access to downtown can be maintained via:  

• I-70 westbound collector/distributor (C/D) ramp exit ramp to Michigan Street (13 ton declared vehicle weight restriction effect)   
• I-65 northbound/ I-70 eastbound exit ramp to Washington Street (13-ton declared vehicle weight restriction in effect)  

• I-65 northbound and southbound to Martin Luther King. Jr/West Street 
• I-65 southbound to Meridian Street  
• I-65 northbound to Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets  
• All existing ramps on I-70 west of the South split ? 

Project information can be found at northsplit.com.? 

INDOT encourages drivers?to slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.? 

For up-to-date project information, visit northsplit.com or text “NORTHSPLIT” to 468311. Follow the North Split project’s progress on social media at:?? 

• Facebook: Facebook.com/NorthSplit?? 
• Twitter: @NorthSplit?? 
• Instagram: @IndyNorthSplit?? 

Major Health Partners (MHP) is expanding its presence at Intelliplex Technology Park to include a pharmacy.

At a special Plan Commission meeting at City Hall Wednesday, MHP’s site development plan was approved with the project expected to start as soon as next week.

MHP MedWorks Pharmacy currently operates at 1412 Miller Avenue (photo) on the city’s southwest side. The pharmacy will move and expand nearly three times with its new location at 2100 Intelliplex Drive, located behind the Texas Corral restaurant.

“With the new building, this provides the opportunity to grow and expand,” said Jeff Williams, MHP Vice President of Facilities Operations. “And add a drive thru (window).”

The approximately 6,000-square-foot building is expected to be operational by June of 2023.

“This gives us the opportunity to grow that we don’t have at the current location,” said Williams. “We can’t add a drive thru (window). We are limited in our growth potential.”

MHP has multiple buildings located at the Intelliplex campus and adding the pharmacy helps streamline the services provided, according to Williams.

“Obviously, we are a campus of multiple uses,” said Williams. “This will be much more convenient for many of our patients and staff to get to MedWorks.”

In other plan commission business Wednesday:

• Forwarded a favorable recommendation to the city’s Common Council to annex the property at 2701 S. Miller St. into the city and maintain the R1 (Single-family residential) zoning status.

A Shelbyville woman who abandoned her young, non-verbal autistic son along a suburban Cincinnati road earlier this year has avoided jail time. 

Tom Snape reports.

More than 1.5 million automatic taxpayer refund (ATR) checks have been printed and mailed, confirmed State Auditor Tera Klutz, CPA today.

“We successfully completed printing on September 21 and sent the last batch of automatic taxpayer refund checks to the postal service on September 22,” stated Auditor Klutz. “Most Hoosiers who filed a 2020 tax return in 2021, should have received their automatic taxpayer refund via direct deposit or mailed check by now.”

Klutz continued, “While most eligible recipients have received their refunds, we are aware that many need further assistance to claim it. Due to the checks being issued from the 2020 Indiana tax return some recipients have passed away or moved and we are working to get those checks reissued to the proper name and address.”

Do you need a refund check reissued?

• If an individual received a payment who has since passed away, the living spouse or executor needs to file a Distributee's Affidavit for Disposition of Estates SF# 49377 with the Auditor of State, and include a copy of the Death Certificate.

• If an individual received a check that could not be deposited due to blurriness or printer error, the recipient needs to file an Affidavit for Lost or Not Received Warrant SF#42850 with the Auditor of State.

Completed and notarized forms can be mailed to the Indiana Auditor of State at 200 West Washington Street, Room 240, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Feel free to contact us directly at Comments@auditor.IN.gov with any questions regarding this process.

Do you need a refund check split? Hoosiers who received a joint check of $650 made out to both spouses who filed their 2020 individual income taxes jointly, but who have since divorced and need the check separated and reissued should mail the original check along with a written request to divide the refund to:

Indiana Department of Revenue
Attn: Non-Responsible Spouse
PO Box 7202
Indianapolis, IN 46207

Did you qualify for the automatic taxpayer refund, but you still have not received a direct deposit or mailed check? You are encouraged to contact the Indiana Department of Revenue directly after November 1 to allow time for returned mail to process.

For more information, visit the Automatic Taxpayer Refund page on the AOS website.

Indiana Conservation Officers encourage Indiana hunters to donate harvested deer to help feed hungry Hoosiers.

The Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund administered by the DNR Division of Law Enforcement provides grants to Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsmen Club, and Hunters and Farmers Feeding the Hungry to pay for processing fees when hunters donate legally harvested deer.

 Participating in the program is simple:

1. Enjoy a deer hunting experience.
2. Harvest a deer.
3. Drop off the field-dressed deer at a local participating processor.
4. Processing fees are paid for by the Sportsmen's Benevolence Fund.
5. The processor will create healthy venison burger to distribute to food banks.

The participating organizations notify food banks throughout Indiana when venison is ready to be collected from certified Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund butchers. The food banks distribute venison to soup kitchens and food pantries. 

As a result of the 2021 deer hunting seasons, Hoosier hunters donated 879 harvested deer that resulted in 45,326 pounds of venison being donated. 

For information on donating your harvested deer and participating processors, please visit sbf.IN.gov.

The National FFA Organization has received $3 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help strengthen Indiana FFA chapters.

The National FFA will partner with Indiana FFA to strengthen the organization in six primary areas: teacher professional development, recruitment and retention; curriculum development; capital support; staffing; and marketing. These initiatives will create an array of support programs to assist agriculture teachers in creating meaningful student interaction and expanding engagement with students from underrepresented and marginalized populations—a key focus of the National FFA Organization’s current strategic plan.

“This transformational investment will enable us, in partnership with Indiana FFA, to expand the impact of local FFA chapters and agricultural education programs on youth across Indiana,” said Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA Organization. “We want everyone to feel welcome and a part of FFA and agricultural education. This funding helps us to support our teachers while offering resources to ensure Indiana FFA has the capacity and infrastructure to expand access for students from low-income households, communities of color, immigrant populations, students who lack adult supervision, or any other student who could benefit from FFA experiences.”

“The support of Lilly Endowment means many more students can enjoy what our leadership camp and programs are about in Indiana,” said Tamara Ketchen, director of the Indiana FFA. “We hope students develop the leadership skills and confidence to pursue a career in agriculture and food and stay in Indiana.”

The grant is one of nine grants totaling $91.5 million that Lilly Endowment has made to national youth-serving organizations to help them enhance and expand the impact of their Indiana affiliates and chapters. The grants reflect the Endowment’s longstanding commitment to the healthy development of youth in Indiana and to the youth workers and organizations that serve them.

“At Lilly Endowment we believe that this support will help National FFA and the other organizations funded serve more effectively in Indiana and reach even more youth,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education. “We also are pleased by the interest many of these organizations have in replicating strategies that succeed in Indiana with their affiliates and chapters around the country.”

A truck ordered by the Shelby County Commissioners for the highway department was stolen while being delivered.

Shelby County Commissioner Chris Ross.

Ross says even if the dealer is able to quickly find a new truck chassis to ship it may not be in time to have the other pieces installed.

The truck was ordered nearly a year ago.  A recent call for bids for a tri-axle truck  resulted in no bids and companies explaining that it may be 2024 or '25 before they could get Shelby County a tri-axle.

The county's effort at buying a tractor and mower has been more of the normal variety.

A new look expansion / remodel is underway for a Shelbyville business.

Builders Lumber and Hardware has begun the expansion at its 1309 Miller Avenue location.   

Brian Baker says plans were being made before the Covid pandemic.

Physical work at the store began Monday.

The changes without will also bring about changes within.
 

Baker jokes about the interior changes that mean moving products and displays.  He hopes customers will be patient when that time comes.

The hope is that the project will be complete by spring or early summer of 2023.

Shelbyville High School senior Isabella Bradburn has been selected as a semifinalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Bradburn (photo) is one of over 16,000 Semifinalists in the 68^th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These seniors have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95% of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 340 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

High school juniors entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, included the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT and ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2023. Every Finalist will compete for one of the 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 950 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 180 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 160 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,800 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2023 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join nearly 368,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.

Commended Students

Shelbyville High School also announced that seniors Cooper Lay and William Haessig have been named Commended Students in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Shelbyville principal Amy Dawson presented a Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation to Lay (photo above) and Haessig (photo below).

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2023 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2023 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

“These being names Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

A drive on Shelbyville’s near east side last week evoked memories of Risley’s Kitchen Specialists and owner Joe Risley.

Joe operated his cabinet business at 212 E. Broadway St. (photo) and consistently demonstrated an earnest commitment to his customers over the course of the company’s four decades. He designed kitchens throughout central Indiana and his customers included many celebrated individuals and entities. He endeared himself to the local community with a congenial demeanor and benevolent spirit that made him a popular and valued figure throughout Shelby County.

Risley died on Jan. 22 at the age of 93. A recent memorial service for the former Shelbyville resident revealed a life filled with business success, significant experiences and satisfying relationships.

Joe Risley was born in 1929 in the Broad Ripple area of Indianapolis. His early memories included attending opening night at the Vogue Movie Theatre on College Avenue in 1938. The Vogue currently serves as one of Indiana’s most historic and popular music venues. He also remembered his father teaching him to swim in White River.

The Risley family moved to the Brookfield community in northwestern Shelby County in 1939. His father worked for Capitol Dairies.

Joe played basketball and softball at Moral High School. He was particularly proud of striking out Shelbyville basketball great Emerson Johnson when Moral played the Shelbyville High School baseball team.

Following graduation in 1947, Joe began working for C.C. Hicks Furniture in downtown Indianapolis, functioning in a variety of capacities.

“I was basically a gopher the first year,” Joe wrote. “I moved into being a shipping clerk and later working in the showroom.”

That introduced him to the world of furniture and eventually led to his interest in the cabinet business.

He met Marge Cook at the 1948 Marion County Fair and was immediately smitten. Marge was a 1947 Shelbyville High School graduate. They began dating and married in 1950.

Joe was drafted in 1951 and wound up stationed in France. He started in the signal corps then became a company clerk. He was a competent typist and, consequently, was able to land a position as assistant editor and writer for the weekly newsletter. The publications editor was Ed Asner, who would go on to become a prolific actor and played the iconic Lou Grant on the historic television series “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” 

Asner and Risley (photo) forged a genuine friendship that would last the rest of their lives. The two former soldiers reunited after one of Asner’s performances at Butler University’s Clowes Hall in 2009.

“That was a very satisfying reunion,” said Joe’s son Mark. “Ed left tickets for our family at the box office and we met him afterward. We all truly enjoyed the evening.”

Asner died in August of last year.

Joe returned to C.C. Hicks following his 1953 discharge from the service. He and Marge settled on Shelbyville’s west side, eventually moving into 440 W. Washington St. in 1966. The Risleys maintained that residence until 2001.

The couple welcomed children Mark, born in 1956, and Leigh, born in 1958 to the family. Both would go on to graduate from Shelbyville High School with Mark becoming a well-known WSVL Radio personality and salesman from 1971 through 1984.  

Joe indulged his enthusiasm for sports and played basketball for a number of men’s teams in leagues throughout the area.

“The C.C. Hicks Company sponsored us,” wrote Joe. “I also played for the Moral Township Athletic Association team and several teams in the Shelbyville leagues.”

He was proud to have played at the Dearborn Hotel Gym on E. Michigan St. in Indianapolis.

“Some great players played there,” he continued. “I remember playing against Gordon King from Tech High School, who was a 1947 Indiana All-Star.”

The Dearborn gym was a small cinder-block structure with a 75-foot-long court (nine feet shorter than today’s regulation high school court). The state’s best players competed in the rudimentary facility from the early 1950s until the early 1970s. Oscar Robertson, former Pacer Jerry Harkness and former Indiana All-Star Willie Gardner are all Dearborn alumni.

“I became a much better player after high school,” Joe once said. “I appreciated the opportunities to play as an adult. Those were fun times.”

The Hicks Company began to have Marsh cabinet displays in their showroom. Joe asked if he could sell the cabinetry in Shelbyville for a commission. Risley’s MAJOR Cabinet Sales was born. The MAJOR was an acronym for Marge, Joe and Risley.

Joe’s first sale was in 1954 to a family on Conrey Street.

“Two wall cabinets for over her washer and dryer,” wrote Joe.

In 1961, Joe set up the company at 212 E. Broadway, a location that would become emblematic of quality cabinet installation and kitchen remodeling to a generation of Shelbyville residents.

General Electric built a massive plant in Shelbyville in the mid-50s and the city was expanding residential areas due to the influx of people. That presented a prime opportunity for Joe to develop his business. Risley’s Kitchen Specialists flourished from that point forward.

In the early 1970s, Joe established a cabinet-sales enterprise in Carmel, which was beginning to grow, and that provided Joe the opportunity to tap into a new market. While working as president of Carmel Kitchens, Joe sold to Indiana Pacers coach Bob Leonard and his wife, Nancy. He later designed a kitchen for long-time Pacers’ trainer David Craig.

The Risley’s Kitchen brand became increasingly popular in the greater Indianapolis area.

”He was able to capitalize on the Indianapolis market,” said Mark.  “I remember one year he had four out of the nine kitchens at the Home-A-Rama at Geist.”

Joe sold two kitchens to Dorothy Mengering, David Letterman’s mother (she remarried after Dave’s father died). She and her husband saw the Risley’s product at the Indy Home Show and had cabinets installed at their home in the Glendale area of Indianapolis and later at their Carmel home.

“David Letterman would have his mother (photo) live on TV standing and talking in her kitchen,” wrote Joe. “My Kitchen. She was always so kind and treated me so nicely.”

He participated in a number of Shelbyville community projects. He was a member of a group that initiated the post prom program, which provided entertainment and supervision for high school students after the prom. Post proms are common today but were just beginning to be held in the sixties.

Joe was chairman of a committee for the local Exchange Club that brought the Harlem Globetrotters to Shelbyville three times in six years in the late sixties and early seventies.

“We never got the first team of Globetrotters but the ones who came were excellent,” wrote Joe.

The games were held at Shelbyville High School at what is now William L. Garrett Gymnasium. It is true that well-known team superstars such as Meadowlark Lemon and Marcus Haynes never played at Shelbyville. However, Herbert “Geese” Ausbie and Robert “Showboat” Hall represented the Globetrotters here and gave the large crowd a remarkable show. Ausbie would go on to be one of the most recognizable Globetrotters in franchise history.

Joe was enamored with golf and it became one of his life’s pleasures. He took special joy in competing in golf tournaments and playing regular dates with friends.

“Mark and I won a couple Father/Son Golf Tournaments at the Elks Club,“ wrote Joe.

He also scored two hole-in-ones during his career and was named the Club’s outstanding golfer one year.

He derived tremendous enjoyment from playing golf with friends such as Carroll Theobald, Jerry McCracken, Gene Lusk and Jack Eiler.

Eiler was once quoted as saying that, “there was no one more fun on a golf course than Joe Risley.”

Joe enjoyed regular weekly rounds of golf with cohorts Del Coryea and Jerry Martin. Shelbyville businessman Keith Limpus recalls playing with the group in the 1980s: “They were all 30 or more years older than I was,” said Limpus. “I really enjoyed being around them. They were amazing golfers who routinely shot in the 70s. I learned a lot from them. I played every week with them for a couple of years. They were exceptional people.”

“Dad was very proud that he was able to shoot his age when he was in his seventies,” stated Mark.

Joe sold Risley’s Kitchen in 2001 and he and Marge moved to Fishers. Marge survived two bouts with breast cancer. She was thankful to have been a 40-year cancer survivor.

She died in 2016 at the age of 86.

Mark and Leigh currently live in Fishers. They served as caregivers for their parents during their final years.

A new building stands at the former site of Risley’s Kitchen Specialists. Joe Risley has not lived or done business in Shelbyville for more than 20 years. Still, when many of us long-time Shelbyville residents travel on E. Broadway, we see, if only for a moment in our mind’s eye, the Risley’s sign.

That is understandable.

Joe Risley left his mark on Shelbyville.

A $34 million mixed income development that would have both commercial and residential components and use the former Shelbyville Coca-Cola plant as its site has been awarded federal money.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Board of Directors for the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) announced five developments have received awards from the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, in conjunction with Multifamily Tax Exempt Bonds. This funding is used to incentivize private developers to fund the acquisition, rehabilitation and construction of affordable housing communities throughout Indiana.

“Affordable housing is critical to Indiana’s success, and this investment is a huge piece of our state’s infrastructure growth,” Crouch said. “We strive every day to continue making Indiana a place for people to live, work and play.”

IHCDA receives applications for Housing Tax Credits and Multifamily Bonds under the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP, which is unique to each authoring state, details selection criteria and application requirements for the LIHTC program, Multifamily Bonds, HOME funds, Development Fund and the National Housing Trust Fund in conjunction with tax credits. It also contains all deadlines, application fees, restrictions, standards, and requirements.

Among the properties receiving bonds and tax credits is The Mill in Shelbyville.  It will receive $22M in tax exempt bonds and $1,689,717 in tax credits to create 168 affordable housing units.

The project envisions approximately 15,000 square feet of the Coca-Cola building will be commercial, perhaps a restaurant or brewery along N. Harrison St. leading into downtown, with office space and lounge areas in the back half of the building.

With another 13,000 square feet behind the Coca-Cola building and the Porter Center, The Mill will have between 160-172 units featuring studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments with easy access to the Blue River Trail and within walking distance of the Public Square.

“This investment for affordable housing is a huge piece in fulfilling IHCDA's mission," said Jacob Sipe, Executive Director of IHCDA. "Creating and preserving affordable housing will help to close the housing gap and build Indiana's infrastructure for years to come. Affordable housing is critical to ensuring long-term affordability that allows residents to thrive in neighborhoods and to maintain consistency in their neighbors, schools, jobs and healthcare.”

The Superintendent of the Indiana State Police, Douglas G. Carter, has announced the promotion of Captain Sid Newton to the rank of Major. 

Major Newton will serve as the Laboratory Division Commander, and oversee the Indiana State Police forensic laboratory system, crime scene investigations program and evidence management system.

Newton, a native of Indianapolis, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University. On December 24, 1995, he graduated from the 53rd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and was appointed as a Trooper assigned to the Indiana State Police Post in Lowell.  He later transferred to the Lafayette Post, and in 1998, he was appointed as Detective in the Drug Enforcement Section.

In 2007, Newton was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served as a Polygraph Examiner. In 2011, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and served as the Polygraph Unit Supervisor.

In 2014, Newton was appointed to the rank of Captain, and served as the Deputy Commander of the Laboratory Division until this recent promotion. During his career, Newton served the Indiana State Police on the Tactical Intervention Platoon and the Clandestine Laboratory Team.

Major Newton resides in Shelby County with his wife and two sons.

Absentee voting will begin in the lobby of the Shelby County Courthouse on Wednesday, October 12.

Voting hours will be Monday through Friday starting October 12, to November 4, during the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  The courthouse will also be open for voting on Saturdays, October 29, and November 5, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Monday, November 7, from 8:00 am to noon. 

Voters may also vote at the Shelby County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 29, from 8:00 am to 3:00pm, and at Moral Township Fire Station on Saturday, November 5, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Anyone wishing to vote at the courthouse please use the west entrance off the parking lot. Absentee voting will be conducted on the first floor of the courthouse.

October 27, is the deadline by 11:59 pm for the Circuit Court Clerk to receive an absentee ballot application from an applicant requesting delivery of an absentee ballot by mail. Applications may be submitted to the Circuit Court Clerk in person, by fax, by mail or by e-mail. 

Any questions regarding the General Election to be held November 8, the public can call the Voter Registration Office at 317-392-6324.

Several area agencies were awarded federal grants to assist crime victims.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) awarded $67 million in federal grants to more than 190 public and non-profit entities through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program.

The funding will be used to provide direct services and assistance to crime victims throughout the state.

Among area grantees:

Shelby County Prosecutor's Office, 16th Judicial Court, $101, 914

The Court and Child Advocacy Group in Shelby County, $44, 230

Hancock Co. Child Advocacy Center, Zoey's Place, $210, 782

Hancock Co. Prosecutor's Office, $104, 074

Rush County Victims Assistance, $65, 061

New Directions of Decatur County, $255, 002

VOCA funding is provided by the Office for Victims of Crime under the U.S. Department of Justice and comes from the fines and restitution paid by convicted federal offenders.

The Victims of Crime Act was established by Congress in 1984 to support state and local programs that assist victims of all kinds of crime including assault, robbery, homicide, driving while intoxicated, fraud, elder abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking and many others. Overall, VOCA funds are designed to help survivors stabilize their lives after a victimization, participate in the justice system and restore a measure of security and safety to their daily lives, along with addressing the physical and emotional trauma of crime.

Over the next two years, these grants will fund a variety of initiatives in Indiana including mental health counseling, transitional housing, crisis intervention, legal aid, and child and youth services. The funding will also be used to support victim advocates, sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) and other victim-focused positions.

This cycle, priority was given to projects that focus on serving marginalized and underserved communities, as well as promote equity and racial justice.

“When it comes to addressing the needs of crime victims, one size does not fit all,” said Kim Lambert, ICJI Victim Services Director. “That’s why funding sources like VOCA are important because they allow organizations, embedded in the community, to create and tailor services to the individual.”

The projects for the 2022-2024 grant cycle were approved by the ICJI Board of Trustees and will be made available to organizations starting in October.

It’s long been debated, when, will Shelbyville High School get field turf to replace the natural grass at McKeand Stadium. 

It appears the time is now.

At Wednesday’s meeting of the Shelbyville Central School Board Superintendent Matt Vance noted that it is time for a replacement of the track at the stadium.  It makes now an ideal time to address the football turf, as well.

School board president Curt Johnson.

Johnson says from having available funding on hand to wanting to get ahead of any supply chain issues that might arise, the time is now.

The goal would be to have the turf and track ready for the next school season, by August 1.

Morristown High School senior Simon Klinger has been named a Commended Student in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Morristown principal Jeremy Powers announced the honor Wednesday in a media release.

Klinger received a Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NSMC), which conducts the program.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2023 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2023 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NSMC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of education excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

A Beech Grove man will serve federal prison time for a major fire at the Beech Grove Amtrak facility and an apartment complex in Johnson County.

Casey Sage, 35, of Beech Grove,  was sentenced was sentenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to arson of a federal property and arson of property of an organization receiving federal financial assistance.

According to court documents, on May 1, 2021, Sage entered the Amtrak facility located at 202 Garstang Street in Beech Grove. Amtrak, a federally owned corporation, uses that facility for repair and servicing of locomotives and passenger rail cars. A little after midnight, Sage ignited a railroad flare and threw it into a building used to store acetone, paint, denatured alcohol, varnish, spray paint, degreaser, engine starting fluid, and paint remover. This quickly started a fire, which spread to another building close by that was also used to store flammable material. Both buildings were destroyed because of the fire. In total, Sage caused more than $1.1 million in damages to the Amtrak facility.

Investigators also discovered that, a few weeks before the Amtrak fire, Sage entered his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in Greenwood, at an apartment complex receiving Section 8 funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sage intentionally started a fire in the master bedroom of the apartment. The fire eventually spread to most of the apartment before it was successfully extinguished. This arson caused more than $100,000 in damages to the apartment building and approximately $10,000 in property loss to the apartment tenant.

“The arsons committed by the defendant were an outrageous course of conduct that endangered apartment complex residents and emergency personnel,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “I appreciate the hard work of investigators and prosecutors who came together across agencies to identify and vigorously prosecute the defendant, and the first responders who risk themselves to keep the public safe. The serious sentence imposed today demonstrates that those who commit arsons with utter disregard for the lives and safety of the public will be held accountable.”

“Today’s sentencing brings a successful end to a fast-paced, complex, and highly collaborative investigation that brought several agencies together with a common goal of safeguarding the community by taking a dangerous criminal off the streets,” said Basil Demczak, Special Agent in Charge of the Amtrak Office of Inspector General Central Field Office. “We not only appreciate the dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and all of the agencies involved, but we are grateful for the support of members of the Beech Grove community in helping our team solve this crime.”

“After the Beech Grove Fire Department successfully extinguished the arson fire, our department worked with local, state and federal authorities to develop evidence to lead to this guilty plea,” said Amtrak Police Chief Sam Dotson. “Our Heavy Maintenance Facility employs almost 500 Amtrak employees and is a critical element to our national network, so protecting it and assisting in prosecution of those who would damage it is an important part of the department’s mission.”

The cases were investigated by the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General, Amtrak Police, Beech Grove Police Department, Greenwood Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigation, and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon. As part of the sentence, Judge Hanlon ordered that Sage be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years following his release from federal prison.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is receiving complaints about individual (s) calling and telling citizens that they have an unpaid traffic citation that needs paid. If the citation isn’t paid a warrant will be issued.

Other callers used court terms such as “subpoena”, telling the victim that they had ignored a subpoena that involved an investigation. The victim didn’t stay on the telephone with the scammer or suspect, they terminated the call.

There is no “Law Enforcement” agency or Court in Johnson County that will call and ask for payment of any kind over the telephone.  The Johnson County Sheriff;s office says they tell people if you do not recognize the number do not answer it. Also, never provide your social security number or any financial information, banking or credit card numbers.

These scammers do their research  and will attempt to use names of law enforcement officers who may actually work in Johnson County. Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess said he can ensure that he does not call citizens nor do his deputies call and request payments of any kind.

Notes from the Indiana Attorney General’s Office

• Be on alert for communications with dangerous attachments or fraudulent links.
• Treat any emails or texts with subject lines or information about coronavirus with caution.
• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments.
• Always verify the email addresses of those who send you emails.
• Use trusted, legitimate government websites to obtain up-to-date information.
• Don’t reveal personal or financial information via email or text message.
• Verify the authenticity of a charity before donating money.

You may have experienced the very same thing – a major delay in buying a vehicle.

Shelby County Commissioners are dealing with the issue again.  This time, no bids even submitted for a tri-axle truck the county wants to buy due, in part, to supply chain issues.

Commissioner Kevin Nigh.

Fortunately, Nigh says the difficulty doesn’t extend to the county’s effort to trade-in and purchase a new side-arm mower.  Although, Nigh did say that the bids came in from multiple companies and multiple platforms that allowed for trades, different mowers and other points.  So, those bids were taken under advisement at this time.

A Candidates Forum featuring candidates from state representative district races will be held next week in Shelbyville.

The event will be at the Shelbyville Middle School on Tuesday, September 27.

Sponsored by the Business and Professional Women and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, candidates from the House of Representative races in Districts 73, 54 and 47 will be featured.  Other local and state candidates will be on-hand for a meet-and-greet leading up to the forum.

For anyone who would like to submit a question for consideration, submit your question before Tuesday's event at  - candidatesforum@shelbychamber.net . 

Applicants information has been compromised in a cybersecurity incident reported by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Someone gained access to some of the information held by the DWD.  Information impacted includes login email addresses and security questions. Currently, the agency doesn't believe social security numbers were accessed.

More than 4000 accounts were impacted.  The DWD says most of those were not currently receiving benefits.  Those impacted are being notified by mail.

Anyone impacted by the data breach can request a credit freeze from the three credit agencies.

The final report on the August 3 two-car crash that killed U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski has been released.

And it has determined Walorski's car was at fault.

According to the release from the Elkhar County Sheriff's Office Walorski's car was left of center and traveling at an excessive speed at the time of the crash.  Staff member Zachery Potts was driving the Toyota RAV-4 with staff member Emma Thompson and Walorski as passengers.

Walorski's vehicle accelerated to pass a flat-bed truck while traveling northbound on State Road 19.  It collided with a southbound car drive by Edith Schmucker of Nappanee.  All four people were killed.

Crash reconstructionists investigated the scene.  With their report and information obtained from the airbag control module, it was determined the RAV-4 was traveling 82 miles-per-hour just before the crash.

The report does indicate that there was no cell phone activity reported from the people in the Walorski vehicle leading up to the crash.

All four deaths have been officially ruled accidental.

An investigation by Indiana State Police and the Hancock County Prosecutor into a Greenfield Police officer involved shooting has come to a conclusion.

A Hancock County law enforcement officer was justified in his use of deadly force in a July 31 shooting that left a man dead, said Hancock County Prosecutor, Brent Eaton. Darrin Baker was shot twice and died a short time later, despite measures to save his life.

There will be no criminal charges brought against the officer.

Prosecutor Eaton said the matter was thoroughly investigated by the Indiana State Police. The prosecutor’s office reviewed the report, other relevant records and media concerning the event.

“There is no need to continue this investigation,” said Prosecutor Eaton. “It is unfortunate that a life was lost. The evidence clearly indicates that Mr. Baker was in the process of taking a life when he was stopped by a police officer.”

On the morning of July 31, officers were called to the Keystone Subdivision. They determined shots had been fired and the victim had been forcibly removed from their vehicle and forced inside their residence.

Officers entered the residence, clearly announcing their presence. The victim responded clearly and repeatedly, “He has a gun!”

Officers found Baker straddling his victim, who was lying on the ground. Baker’s arms were positioned so that the firearm was near the face, head and upper torso of the victim.

Despite being told loudly and clearly several times to drop the gun, Baker refused to do so. Officer Davis fired two shots from his department-issued carbine rifle with both shots hitting Baker, who collapsed upon the ground.

Baker was in possession of a gun and was unresponsive. First aid was immediately rendered and an ambulance was called. However, Baker was pronounced dead a short time later.

The investigation revealed that the gun Baker had was fired three times at the residence. The first shot shattered the driver’s side window glass in their vehicle and the other two shots were fired inside the home. One was into the ground near the victim’s head and the other into the wall behind where the struggle occurred.

“All the evidence points to the fact that Baker intended to kill his victim and was in fact attempting to do so when officers intervened.”

The Hancock County Prosecutor says Baker disregarded the officers commands and continued his attack. The shooting by Officer Davis falls under IC 35-41-3-2(c)(1) and is legally justified.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high ozone levels for Saturday, Sept. 17 in the following regions:

• Central Indiana – Marion, Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Delaware, Hamilton, Hendricks, Howard, Madison, Shelby 

Note: The counties referenced in the region(s) above are equipped with ozone air quality monitors. However, all counties within an AQAD region should heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, walk, bike, or work from home when possible
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to 75 degrees or above 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on the specified date. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, hot and dry air, stagnant conditions, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

To learn more about ozone or to sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

About 1:30 am Friday, Shelbyville Police responded to a crash on State Rd 44 at the intersection of Progress Parkway. They found a heavily damaged, inverted Ford Escape. There was a man in the driver's seat still buckled in. Shelbyville Fire Department arrived and extracted Reginald Jones, 43, of Greene, Arkansas, from the vehicle. He was immediately transported to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Police report that there was a female who was sitting on the curb next to the Ford Escape. She stated that she was the passenger in the vehicle. Police report Amanda Walker, 42, of Marmaduke, Arkansas, had several cuts to her elbows and knees. She was also transported to Methodist Hospital.

While on scene, I also observed a silver Acura RDX (V2). The Acura had heavy front end damage, mostly on the driver's side front. The driver, Nathanial Young, 23, of Shelbyville, told officers that he was uninjured. Young also stated that he was turning at the intersection facing east and that he had a
green turn arrow and assumed that Ford Escape was slowing down to stop at the light. Young stated that the Escape continued through the intersection.

Young further informed officers that when the collision occurred, the Ford Escape went up on his hood and flipped upside down.
 

While working the crash, officers report they located several opened alcohol containers in the Ford Escape. Shelbyville Police say Reginald jones was offered a Preliminary Breath Test and provided a sample of .154 BrAC. Ofc. Police say Jones also submitted to a blood draw at Methodist Hospital.

Shelbyville Brewfest returns following two years of Covid and pandemic protocols. 

The Saturday, September 17, event is hosted by Mainstreet Shelbyville and Knauf Fiberglass.

Mainstreet Executive Director Brandy Coomes.

With brew in the title, Coomes details who’s bringing their finest to the downtown.

She notes there is something for every age.  Also, for those looking to enjoy beer, you can go ahead and get registered online.

Brewfest is open 5:30 - 10 pm Saturday.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development has become aware of a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to some unemployment applicants' login email addresses and security questions in the agency's Uplink system. DWD immediately took steps to secure the system. 

Investigators within the agency continue to research the incident, which impacted 4,264 accounts. At this time, no social security numbers were determined to have been accessed. Account holders are being notified by mail.

At least 94% of the affected accounts were dormant, meaning those account holders were not actively receiving benefits. Active account holders who are unable to log into their Uplink account should contact DWD at 1-800-891-6499 if they need to gain access.

DWD is working to further review processes and controls and continues to take all reasonable measures to ensure the security and privacy of Hoosiers' personal information.

Affected individuals who want to take further steps to secure their information have the right to request a credit freeze from each of the three credit agencies, which is a consumer right provided by Indiana law. To place a freeze, either use each credit agency’s online process or send a letter by certified mail to each of the three credit agencies. Further information about a credit freeze can be found at: in.gov/attorneygeneral/2891.htm.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that Shelby County is now designated as an official Broadband Ready Community.

The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana.

The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment. 

“Congratulations to Shelby County for prioritizing broadband development and becoming a certified Indiana Broadband Ready Community,” Crouch said. “As communities across the state enhance their broadband readiness and internet, our administration remains focused on helping them get reliable connectivity to underserved and unserved Hoosiers.”

The certification was approved by the Indiana Broadband Office following the Shelby County Commissioners adoption of a Broadband Ready Community ordinance.

“Our Task Force has been working with Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (SIRPC) on gathering information on the needs of Shelby County and its residents. We are looking forward to working with partners on developing a strategic plan to provide the most economical broadband expansion to our residents of Shelby County,” said Shelby County Commissioner Kevin Nigh. “With the changing times, our residents deserve the same opportunity as others to watch community meetings via the internet and find out what is taking place in the county so they can be more engaged. This will help our schools, students trying to do homework, and those from all corners of the county who have issues with fulfilling typical day-to-day activities due to lack of adequate internet service.”

According to Earnie Holtrey, Project Manager at the Indiana Broadband Office, Shelby County is the 71st Broadband Ready Community in the state to achieve this certification.

“Shelby County has taken the steps needed to enhance the quality of life for their citizens through broadband development. This is an exciting day for their residents and businesses, and we join in their excitement and celebrations,” said Holtrey. 

Greenfield Police report that a man found dead in his truck died of a medical emergency.

Greenfield Police detectives say that the man was found in a white 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup in the Pet Smart parking lot at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday. The truck was in the parking lot near the front of the business. It appeared the deceased, identified as John Lime, 81, of Rush County, had been there for a few days.

A person walking by the truck noticed the man and called 911. A dog was also dead in the truck. No information was given as to the cause of the dog’s death.

Anyone in the Pet Smart parking lot over the weekend or may have information is asked to contact Detective Nathan Garner at 317-477-4410 or email at ngarner@greenfieldin.org.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb joined Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey and executives from Diamond Pet Foods to announce the company’s plans to build a 700,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center in Indiana to support its Midwest client base.

To support the new $259 million state-of-the-art operation, the company plans to create up to 170 new jobs by the end of 2024.
“We couldn’t be prouder to welcome one of the world’s largest privately held pet food manufacturers to Indiana’s thriving economic ecosystem,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The Crossroads of America is where agriculture and innovation perfectly intersect, and precisely where our number one ranked infrastructure program, high quality of place and access to talent all contribute to support Diamond’s impressive goals and growth. I’m confident, together, we’ll find success in Indiana for generations to come.”
Founded in 1970, Diamond Pet Foods is a family-owned business headquartered in Meta, Mo., that produces cat and dog food from U.S.-sourced ingredients. The new facility, located at 2606 North State Road 3 in Rushville, will be the company’s first in Indiana and will house production and distribution operations, increasing the company’s output to Midwest clients.

Construction is underway, and the facility is expected to be operational in 2024.
“We are excited to choose Rushville for its proximity to suppliers as well as the community’s skilled workforce,” said Mike Kampeter, President of Diamond Pet Foods. “This new state-of-the-art facility will allow us to continue offering quality pet food at prices pet parents can feel good about. We look forward to adding Rushville and Indiana to the Diamond family.”
 The company employs more than 1,000 associates in its Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, South Carolina and two California locations. Information about open positions will be made available online.
Diamond Pet Foods is growing its Midwest presence due to increasing demand for pet food as well as an increase in U.S. pet ownership over the last several years.
 “Rushville is truly fortunate to have Diamond Pet Foods growing their company here,” said Pavey. “The leadership of Diamond Pet Foods understands rural communities. They will have a positive impact to Rush County for generations.”

Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed an investment in Schell & Kampeter Inc. (dba Diamond Pet Foods) of up to $1.5 million in the form of incentive-based tax credits and up to $300,000 in the local community from the Industrial Development Grant Fund to support infrastructure improvements.

These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired and investments are made. The city of Rushville offered additional incentives.

About Diamond Pet Foods
Founded in 1970, Diamond Pet Foods is a family-owned and privately held company. As a leading manufacturer of pet food, Diamond Pet Foods provides a complete range of proprietary and private label products manufactured in six state-of-the-art and safety-certified facilities across the United States. Our mission is to make quality pet food affordable because we believe every pet deserves the very best.

Greenfield Police detectives are trying to determine how a man found in a truck at Pet Smart, 2211 Barrett Drive, died and how long he had been there.  The man, not identified as of this report, was found in a white 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup at 12:45 Tuesday afternoon.  The truck was in the parking lot near the front of the business.

A person walking by the truck noticed the man and called 911.  Officers realized the man may have been there for a few days.  A dog was also dead in the truck.

The Hancock County Coroner will investigate the cause of death.  Video footage from nearby businesses will be used to help determine when the man arrived in the parking lot.

Anyone in the Pet Smart parking lot over the weekend or may have information is asked to contact Detective Nathan Garner at 317-477-4410 or email at ngarner@greenfieldin.org.

Greenfield Police say thre does not appear to be any foul play involved and they don’t believe there is any threat to the public.

A repaving of roadway in the Waldron area may offer some inconvenience this week while the work is being done.

Shelby County Commissioner Don Parker says various delays, including acquiring asphalt, has held up the project.

Parker says they know with school in session it comes at a more inconvenient time than they would have wanted.

The Shelby County Post is coming to your email.

Click on the “Daily Email Signup” link at the top of the Shelby County Post’s homepage -- www.shelbycountypost.com -- and register to get an email Monday through Friday with the latest headlines and links to those stories.

The Shelby County Post is the digital news source for GIANT fm Real Radio. The “Post” contains local news and sports coverage as well as local obituaries and podcasts from radio interviews on GIANT FM, heard at 96.5 fm, 106.3 fm, 1520 am or on the GIANT fm app.

Veteran journalist Jeff Brown and GIANT fm owner/radio personality Johnny McCrory produce much of the content published at the Shelby County Post, which has no pay wall and requires no subscription to view the stories. Combined, Brown and McCrory have more than 45 years of service covering news and sports in Shelby County. Both live in Shelbyville.

The email signup requires nothing more than an email address and a name.

The email service is set up to gather the most recent headlines on the Shelby County Post at noon daily throughout the week and deliver them to subscriber emails. Readers can then click on the headline links to view the story or browse the Shelby County Post.

7 Brew is coming to Shelbyville.

The drive-thru coffee business will replace the former Rally’s fast food restaurant at 2424 E. State Road 44 later this year.

7 Brew’s site development plan was approved Monday at a special Plan Commission meeting at City Hall. The Arkansas-based company will demolish the Rally’s building and construct a new 533-foot structure that will have two drive-thru lanes on the west side of the building and a walk-up window for service.

7 Brew is expanding to the Indianapolis metropolitan area and expects to have its Shelbyville location open by the end of the calendar year.

For more on 7 Brew, go to www.7brew.com.

In other Plan Commission business Monday, the site development plan for The Plant, a mixed-use development project at the site of the former Coca-Cola Bottling Plant, 405 N. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, was approved.

For more on the project, go to https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/641007

The main building along N. Harrison St. will be refurbished with the goal of a restaurant or brewery occupying the space. Offices and lounge space will be located in the rear of the existing building. A 168-unit apartment complex will rise behind the main building with ground floor parking and access to nearby trails.

Funding is in place for the project, according to a Sam Rogers of Birge & Held, the project developer.

The timeline to start construction is later this year.

The City of Shelbyville will be purchasing a new street sweeper.

At Tuesday’s Public Utilities Board meeting at City Hall, the board approved the purchase of a new street sweeper from Brown Equipment Company for $259,102.

The city’s current street sweeper is 11 years old.

The new street sweeper (similar to photo) has served as a demo model for approximately two years and saves the city approximately $40,000 off full retail price.

The new sweeper will have an extendable arm at the front of the vehicle which will be able to reach into tight parking spots.

Once the utilities board adjourned, the Board of Works met to discuss a pair of nuisance properties.

The board has spent several meetings in recent years discussing a repeat nuisance property at 305 Sunset Drive.

Mayor Tom DeBaun, who sits on the Board of Works, asked Adult Protective Services to visit the homeowner. A plan is in the works to start cleaning up the property and provide mental health services as needed to the homeowner.

The board agreed to give the homeowner one more week to start the clean up process or the city would handle it and assess the cost to the property taxes.

The board also approved an order to appear for a nuisance property at 719 1^st St.

City attorney Jennifer Meltzer informed the board of a Trunk-or-Treat event being planned for downtown Shelbyville on Oct. 8. The Public Square will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 8 with the event running from 2 to 4 p.m.

Coulston Elementary School’s PTO is currently working on a candy drive at the school. Downtown Shelbyville businesses also have been informed of the event with many expressing an interest to participate, according to Meltzer.

To help with the candy drive, Meltzer stated that Coulston’s PTO has a Facebook page with accessible information.

No action was taken by the board because a formal request to close the Public Square will be presented at a later date.

Brooke Lockett has announced her candidacy for Northwestern Consolidated Schools Board, representing Moral Township in the 2022 November General Election.

As a 2007 Triton Central High School graduate, being a part of the Tiger community is in her blood. She is a Shelby County resident born and raised, and currently resides in the district with her husband, Zach (also a TC graduate), daughter, Mara Ruby, who is in all-day PreK at Triton Central Elementary, and their 20-month-old son, Sage.

Upon graduating from TC, she received her Bachelor’s degree from Franklin College in Spanish & International Relations, and completed her education with her Master’s degree from the University of Louisville in Sport Administration.

She currently owns her own event management business yet finds she still dedicates most of her time to raising their children. Their son, Sage, has complex medical needs, so advocating for him is one of their top priorities.

Over the years her work as an event management professional has taken her all over the country, planning events for sports organizations, corporations, and pharmaceutical companies, but her roots have always led her back home to the community and school district that shaped who she is today.

She has stayed involved with the school district in various capacities since leaving the walls of TC over 15 years ago. She has stepped in as a substitute teacher during her college years. She was also an assistant cheerleading coach at TCHS for four years. She currently organizes the silent auction portion of TC’s annual Pink Out basketball fundraiser, and she is a member of the Triton Central Elementary PTO, helping to equip and empower the elementary staff members and student body alike.

She has also, for the last two years, coached her daughter’s FTA Cheer squad. As a professional and as a mother, she wears many hats – hats which she feels confidently qualify her to be a strong candidate to serve Moral Township as a member of the school board.

The tides of change are upon us in our county and in our community, and she is confident that she can do her part to keep the district grounded and standing firm in what makes their community so special. It’s a culture that you can’t find anywhere else: close-knit, generous, familiar – this is what it means to be a Tiger.

She believes that part of staying grounded in who we are is realizing that growth may happen, but it needs to be done so responsibly and with transparency. Growth is needed to better a community and can be done so in a way that keeps us standing firm in our roots. She firmly believes that we cannot lose sight of who we are when making decisions that impact our children.

Further, Lockett believes the relationships forged at TC throughout the years are beyond compare. She wants to play a role in upholding the integrity of those relationships between the school board and the community. She also wants to be an advocate for the community when it comes to current events and decisions that their school may face. She has learned what it means to truly advocate and stand up for what you believe in when it comes to the well-being of our children. She is confident that she could represent the voice of the TC community well.

Lockett states that the TC community, school, and children deserve the very best – she looks forward to serving the community as a Northwestern Consolidated Schools Board member, representing Moral Township. 

Morristown firefighters and manpower and equipment from other nearby departments responded to Integrity Metals Saturday.

Firemen were called to a fire at Integrity Metals, 835 E. Industrial Drive, Morristown, just before 2 p.m.  Fires at the site are not an uncommon occurrence with "fluff" that catches fire in the piles of recycled metal on-site. 

This time, however, fire reached conveyor belts in the equipment.

There were no injuries and no definitive word on the damage the equipment sustained.

Morristown, Sugar Creek, Fountaintown and Posey Creek all aided in the call.  Crews were on the scene about 90 minutes.

The Indiana Secured School Safety Board recently approved more than $22.9 million in matching state grants to 425 schools, which is the highest single-year investment in school safety for the largest number of schools ever applied.

Grants have been used and can be used to fund the following safety initiatives:

• Purchasing safety equipment and technology
• Employing a school resource officer or law enforcement officer
• Conducting threat assessments of school property
• Providing firearm training or self-defense training
• Purchasing equipment that restricts access to the school or helps expedite the notification of first responders
• Supporting the implementation of a student and parent support services program for at-risk students
• Funding one-time startup costs of an active alert warning system

Shelby County schools receiving grants are:

• Northwestern Consolidated Schools Corporation (Triton Central) -- $25,000
• St. Joseph Elementary School (Shelbyville) -- $20.765
• Shelby Eastern Schools (Morristown, Waldron) -- $100,000
• Shelbyville Central Schools (Shelbyville) -- $100,000
• Southwestern Consolidated Schools (Southwestern) -- $75,000

A Shelbyville mom has entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge for abandoning her son in a Cincinnati suburb back in February. 

Special thanks to Tom Snape with WRBI in Batesville for this report.

A crash late Saturday evening on North State Road 9 has left two dead and multiple injuries.

It happened about 9:30 pm near 750 North and involved a a Kia van, a tractor and an RV.

Preliminary reports from the Indiana State Police indicate the van was northbound on SR 9 when it ran into the back of a tractor pulling a hay baler. From there, the Kia van went into the southbound lanes and struck an oncoming RV head-on.

The driver and a passenger in the Kia van were killed in the accident.  A child in the van was transported to Riley.

A passenger in the RV was transported to IU – Methodist.  Injuries for that person were not believed to be life-threatening.  Other passengers in the RV were also injured and transported to local hospitals for treatment.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department also notes that Indiana State Police reconstructionists are aiding in the investigation.

No names have been released as of this report.

SR 9 was closed until about 2:00 am Sunday.

More details to come when released by local law enforcement.

An Indiana State Police detective and two members of the Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office were recognized by Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter with the department’s Outstanding Criminal Investigation Award for their work on several cold cases dating back to the early to mid-1980’s, which ultimately led to an arrest in August of 2020 and a conviction this past March resulting in a 650-year prison sentence.

Between August 1982 and August 1985 there were a series of eight home invasions that included rape, unlawful deviate conduct, robbery, and battery which all occurred in Shelby County. As a result, a joint investigative task force was formed consisting of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, the Shelbyville Police Department, and the Indiana State Police. Although multiple leads were pursued, the original task force was unable to solve the investigation at that time.

In May 2002, Indiana State Police Detective Paul Baker was asked to review all the evidence in the above-stated incidents that might be eligible to be forensically examined using new technology.  In 2004, a new task force, which included Baker was formed to develop new leads to follow.

In July 2019, in an effort to seek out new, available technology, the task force contacted Parabon NanoLabs who specialize in genealogical DNA identification.  Based on information obtained from Parabon and a continued, relentless investigation, Steven Ray Hessler of Greensburg, was arrested in August of 2020.

In March of this year, Hessler was convicted in a jury trial in the Shelby Circuit Court on two counts of rape, six counts of unlawful deviate conduct, seven counts of burglary resulting in bodily injury, three counts of criminal deviate conduct, and one count of robbery.  He was sentenced to 650 years in prison on April 1.

Recognized for their efforts by Superintendent Carter were Baker, Shelby County Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen and Shelby County Deputy Prosecutor Brandon Robinson. 

Shelby County Sheriff’s Detective David Tilford was to be recognized but could not attend the presentation.

Funeral services have been announced for Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Jay L. Griffith Jr.

Griffith, 37, died Wednesday from injuries in a single vehicle motorcycle accident on I-74 near the State Road 9 exit.  Griffith was off-duty on a recreational ride when the accident occurred.

A memorial service will be held at the F.O.P. Lodge 84, 1237 Knightstown Rd. Shelbyville, IN. 46176 on Monday, September, 12, 2022 at 5 p.m., with Ross Stackhouse officiating.

There will be a gathering of friends and family to follow directly after.

Murphy-Parks Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

Griffith was a nine-year veteran of the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.

The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding nearly $100,000 in grants to local food pantries and community organizations to help put food on the table for Hoosier families in need.

The grants will support the purchase of canned goods, fresh produce and essential supplies to address food insecurity across the company’s Indiana service territory.

“Food is the most basic of needs, and there are organizations throughout the state that provide a lifeline to Hoosiers who may not know where their next meal will come from,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana ,in a media release. “They fill a vital role in the communities we serve, and we’re committed to supporting their work to help increase food access for those in need.”

One such organization is Hoosier Hills Food Bank in Bloomington, Ind. The nonprofit makes food donations available to over 100 area nonprofit organizations, including emergency food pantries, day care centers serving low-income children, youth programs, shelters, residential homes and soup kitchens.

Each year, these agencies collectively serve 25,800 people in south-central Indiana.

“No one deserves to be hungry,” said Julio Alonso, executive director of Hoosier Hills Food Bank. “Food insecurity persists as a significant problem, and our partner organizations often struggle to meet demand. We are grateful for the financial support of companies like Duke Energy that enable us to expand our capacity to serve those in need in our community.”

The following organizations were awarded grants:

• Bread of Life Food Pantry (Decatur County) – $1,500
• Churches in Mission (Morgan County) – $1,000
• Clay County YMCA (Clay County) – $10,000
• Community Harvest Food Bank (Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties) – $6,000
• Dinner Before Bedtime (Shelby County) – $5,000
• Fayette County Food Council (Fayette County) – $3,000
• Fishers Youth Assistance Program (Hamilton County) – $2,000
• Food Finders (North-Central Indiana) – $5,000
• Food Finders (Tippecanoe County) – $11,000
• Franklin County High School (Franklin County) – $2,500
• Good Samaritan Food Pantry (Decatur County) – $1,500
• Hamilton Heights Youth Assistance Program (Hamilton County) – $1,500
• Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition (Hendricks County) – $5,000
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank (Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen, Martin and Monroe counties) – $10,000
• Hope Southern Indiana (Floyd County) – $1,000
• Mother Hubbard's Cupboard (Monroe County) – $1,000
• Open Doors of Westfield (Hamilton County) – $1,000
• Princeton Salvation Army (Gibson County) – $5,000
• Riverview Health’s Indiana Mothers’ Milk Bank (Hamilton County) – $3,000
• Rush County Community Assistance (Rush County) – $2,500
• Salvation Army of Southern Indiana (Floyd County) – $10,000
• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana (Delaware County) – $2,500
• Terre Haute Catholic Charities Food Bank (Vigo County) – $1,000
• United Way of Knox County (Knox County) – $6,000
• Western Wayne School Corporation (Wayne County) – $1,000

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars.

The City of Shelbyville Common Council approved three annexation requests with two now moving to the Plan Commission for a public hearing.

The council convened its first meeting since March with all seven members present. Thurman Adams (R-5^th Ward) attended his first council meeting since being appointed to replace Tyson Conrady approximately four months ago. Adams had a serious health incident following his appointment that has kept him from attending meetings until Wednesday.

Betsy Means-Davis (R-2^nd Ward) was present for her second meeting since replacing Nathan Willis in August.

Read more about Nathan Willis' reason for resigning his council seat at https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/645004

The council approved the annexation of property located along Enterprise Drive in the city’s industrial park. An Indianapolis-based trucking company, A3P Logistics Group, has purchased the land located near Toray Resin Company, 821 W. Mausoleum Road, and plans to relocate to Shelbyville.

Read more about A3P Logistic Group's plans at https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/649057

Upon first reading, the council approved the annexation of property at County Road 300 North. Andrew Fansler, representing the ownership group, asked for annexation to fall in line with surrounding property in the area.

The annexation request will now be heard by the Plan Commission at a public hearing.

The council also approved on first reading, an annexation request from Genesis Property Development for a parcel of property along E. State Road 44.

Genesis already has land in the area that was annexed into the city, including Woodland Village, a mobile home park. Wednesday’s annexation request includes the property north of what has already been annexed (map photo).

Read more about Genesis Property Development's proposed project at https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/643847

Genesis is working with an international company to create an agricultural-based facility on the property. The new annexation request expands the property to the north but maintains approximately 25 acres of buffer zone to property north of the area that will still serve as farm land, according to Ron Kelsay of Genesis.

The annexation request also will go before the Plan Commission at a public hearing.

The council approved the creation of a fund to receive settlement funds from the National Prescription Opioid Litigation case. Mayor Tom DeBaun stated the funds are not yet available. There is no spending plan in place yet for those litigation funds.

Trisha Tackett did not pursue the Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department’s director position when it became available in October for the first time in more than two decades.

Ten months later when the position was vacant once again, she felt ready for a new role.

“I feel like the timing is better in a lot of different areas in my life,” said Tackett on Tuesday.

Eight days earlier, Tackett was introduced as the new director of the parks department after serving as the department’s Recreation Director for more than 20 years.

“I was approached to see if I wanted the position,” explained Tackett. “I had a few things I needed to sift through first, just because I have been here for 27 years. That’s a long time. I love the current job I do. I love being the recreation director. It will be a change but nothing that I can’t tackle.

“It will just be different, but still in the same aspect of helping my community. That’s what I work for – my community.”

Tackett was hired nearly three decades ago to serve as front desk personnel. She later became recreation director which has exposed her to all aspects of the parks department.

While there will be a transition period for Tackett, she has filled in for the parks department’s last two directors, Karen Martin and Rob Van Til, on multiple occasions.

“For many, many years, I fell into place in Karen’s absence,” said Tackett. “I was the one that went to the meetings when she was out … and same thing with Rob, subbing in those times of absence. I feel like I’ve done all of that so it’s not like I need a training period to see how things work here. I’ve got it. I know how things work here.

“There are certain areas where I will need a little more guidance on because I wasn’t involved in it before. Now it’s part of my job. I want to do it well but I need to understand it. In order for me to do it well, I want to understand what I am supposed to be doing. That will take some time and some help from others.”

What Tackett will not do is rush to hire her replacement as recreation director.

“I feel like I have time to transition over into my new spot and I don’t want to rush into something,” she said. “I feel like what’s best for this department is to let me transition through first. If you bring someone in, you need to train that individual. I need to learn a little bit more on my end before I can honestly train someone with the quality they are going to need. One thing I am not going to do is bring someone in just to have someone in there.”

Parks department photo: Trisha Tackett poses for a photo with her youngest daughter, Jaidyn, a lifeguard at Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center in Shelbyville.

Tackett’s ability to develop relationships within the community have helped her be successful in her past role that included staffing the Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center, overseeing summer camp and acting as the “principal” for the parks department’s preschool.

“I’ve put a lot of heart and time into what I do here and the one thing I always tell people, you have to truly believe in what you are selling – and I do,” said Tackett. “I believe that ‘Parks Make Life Better.’ I wear it with pride. I want others to do the same. That is my goal. That is my mission.”

And she will take her time to find a new recreation director.

“I don’t know the person I want to put in there but I know the type of person I want to put in there,” she explained. “I want to put someone in there that wants to be outgoing, and wants to be hands on and wants to be out in the public and building relationships.

“I am big on relationships and that’s why I feel why I have been successful as the recreation director and my programs and activities and events show that because you have to build relationships with people. You have to truly get out there and talk to people and be a hard worker and be organized. I know the type of person I want to put in that position but we are not going to do it right away. We are going to have a transition period first then work on getting someone.”

Tackett guarantees that as director she will still be highly visible in the community. The new title won’t impact her ability to help out when needed with any parks department task.

“I have had the privilege of being able to do that for so long with my job. I love that part of it,” she said. “Even as a director, you need to still be involved. That is the whole concept of it. I don’t care whether you are sitting in the big chair or the small chair, you need to be involved in what your people are doing and what your community is doing.

“That won’t change for me.”

The following notice was released by Shelby County Sheriff Louie Koch on Wednesday morning...

It is with great regret to report the motorcyclist who was involved in the fatal crash on I-74 near the S.R. 9 exit Wednesday morning was Deputy Jay L. Griffith Jr. 

Deputy Griffith was off duty at the time of the crash.  He began his career with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department in June of 2013.

Deputy Griffith’s passing is an immense loss to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and our community in which he lived and served. I want to share my condolences with Jay’s family friends and colleagues, he will be greatly missed.

Please respect the Griffith Family’s privacy during this very difficult time.

Louie Koch

Sheriff

Shelby County Sheriff Department

Release from Indiana State Police investigating the accident

A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday morning in a single motorcycle crash on I-74 near State Road 9.

Just after 3:30 am, deputies from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, along with troopers from the Indiana State Police responded to reports of a single motorcycle crash westbound on I-74 at the 113 mile marker. When deputies arrived they found an adult male pinned under the motorcycle.  He was unconscious and unresponsive. Despite life saving efforts by first responders, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionists determined the motorcyclist was westbound on I-74 and exited onto the ramp to State Road 9. For unknown reasons the motorcyclist applied the brakes and began to skid. The motorcycle fell over and trapped the rider underneath. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.

Deputy Jay L. Griffith Jr., 37,  was off duty at the time of the crash and was participating in a multi-state motorcycle ride with a large group of other motorcyclists. The ride had just started in Shelbyville when the crash occurred. 

The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.

A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday morning in a single motorcycle crash on I-74 near State Road 9.

Just after 3:30 am, deputies from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, along with troopers from the Indiana State Police responded to reports of a single motorcycle crash westbound on I-74 at the 113 mile marker. When deputies arrived they found an adult male pinned under the motorcycle.  He was unconscious and unresponsive. Despite life saving efforts by first responders, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionists determined the motorcyclist was westbound on I-74 and exited onto the ramp to State Road 9. For unknown reasons the motorcyclist applied the brakes and began to skid. The motorcycle fell over and trapped the rider underneath. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.

This crash is still under investigation and there is no further information to release. The identity of the deceased man will be released later today.

Maria Bachman and her campaign for Shelbyville Central Schools Board will be hosting a free ice cream social Sunday at Clearwick Park from 4 to 6 p.m.

She will be there to speak with community members about her campaign and answer any questions they may have.

The event can be found on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/2GZcxCTA1 .

Maria Bachman is a Shelbyville resident who is running At-Large for a seat on the Shelbyville Central Schools Board. She is currently a teacher in Indianapolis who resides in Shelbyville with her fiance, Adam Rude.

Bachman can summarize her goals for the school board in three categories: students, teachers, everyone.

Students

- Ensure that best practices are being implemented for student achievement

- This includes using the most effective and efficient learning platforms that will help students build lifelong learning skills.

- Reevaluate amount of time that students are engaged in 1:1 technology

- While 1:1 technology is important and useful, we need to ensure that we are using it the right way and not promoting an unhealthy reliance.

- Give students a voice in issues that they are facing in Shelbyville Central Schools. This could be through a student representative visiting the board to tackle issues that are important to students.

Teachers

- Indiana is facing a major teacher shortage. We must ensure that we are an attractive district to bring the best new teachers and retain the amazing teachers we have at our schools.

- Work with local organizations to push education degrees so our current students can then come back and work for Shelbyville Central Schools.

- Provide teacher incentives such as prioritized school choice and prioritized access to the Golden Bear Preschool.

- Work to make sure that current teachers feel that their voices are being heard by working with the local union to make sure needs are being met.

- Provide avenues of mentorship and professional development for teachers to feel supported in their content areas and profession.

Everyone

- Approach school population growth in an efficient way

- With hundreds of new homes being built in Shelbyville, we need to approach configuring facilities in a way that will benefit the long term families of SCSC and new families to the district.

- The way we bring that perspective is by having board members who will be directly impacted by the decisions, either by currently having students in the district or in the near future.

- More transparency in the board

- Providing a way for community members to view meetings from their homes with recordings provided. Board minutes are only so helpful in addressing the tone and inflection that issues receive at meetings.

- Provide more interaction between the board and the people they serve

- More events where board members are present and accessible for people to discuss or provide feedback on what is happening in the school system.

Anyone is welcome at our event; students, teachers, everyone! If you are

unable to join but would like more information, please reach out to me at any

of my contacts listed below.

Contact: Maria Bachman

Email: maria@bachmanonboard.com

Facebook & Instagram: @bachmanonboard

The City of Shelbyville Board of Works praised D.L. Sanders for a successful downtown music event Sunday.

Sanders appeared before the Board of Works Tuesday morning at City Hall to thank the city for the support of a 12-hour music festival that featured multiple bands performing in downtown Shelbyville.

“I was down there a couple of different times of the day and all the people I talked to were having a nice time,” said Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun, who is a member of the Board of Works. “The feedback that I got was all very positive.”

Sanders utilized both downtown shelters as stages for bands to perform at alternate times throughout Sunday.

“I was over there several times and from my background I was looking at your transitions for the bands,” said Board of Works member David Finkel. “That really worked out well. I had a great time. I heard some great music.”

Sanders estimated approximately 2,000 people attended the event.

In other board business:

• Mainstreet Shelbyville’s permit to host Shelbyville Brewfest on Sept. 17 in downtown Shelbyville was approved. The event will feature live music, food trucks, and a kids zone from 5:30 to 10 p.m. in downtown Shelbyville.
• Police Chief Mark Weidner asked for a special permit for First Baptist Church, 14 W. Broadway, to load and unload supplies in an alley on Thursday mornings to stock its food pantry. The permit was approved.

A fatal one-car accident in Shelby County over the Labor Day weekend resulted in the death of a Triton Central student.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department says it happened early Saturday.  A single vehicle crashed into a tree in the 5800 block of London Road.  The driver, Nick Winter, a junior at Triton Central High School, was killed in the crash.

A male passenger, Jesse Gilbert, 18, of Shelbyville, was transported to Methodist.  No further word is available on his condition at this time.

The Northwestern Consolidated School District released the following statement:

The Indiana Senate Republican Caucus offers paid spring-semester internships in a number of different fields, including communications, information technology, legal, legislative, page and policy positions.

Internship candidates can be of any major, but must be at least a college sophomore. Recent graduates, as well as graduate and law school students, are also encouraged to apply.

Positions are open to Indiana residents and nonresidents who attend a college or university in Indiana.

Interns earn an $800 biweekly stipend and benefit from scholarship and academic credit opportunities, professional development, community involvement and networking.

These are full-time positions at the Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis that typically begin with a mandatory orientation in late December and conclude at the end of the legislative session in April 2023.

For more information and to access an application, go to www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Intern.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 31.

The Indiana Secured School Safety Board has approved more than $22.9 million in matching state grants, marking the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking school safety investments.

The grants will be allocated to 425 schools, which is the largest number of schools to ever apply.

“We continue to prioritize investments in school safety to help students and staff succeed without the worry of violence in Hoosier schools,” Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said. “This funding allow schools to address their specific safety needs through additional personnel and programs designed to prepare for and prevent school violence.”

The General Assembly allocated $19 million the past two years for the Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG). Legislators will set future allocations during this year’s budget session. With the addition of $3.9 million in funds unspent from previous grant cycles, Indiana was able to fully fund all top priority, eligible requests from all schools that applied.

Additionally, the funding will cover all eligible requests for additional training for School Resource Officers and staff. 

With this funding, Indiana now has invested more than $132.9 million in school safety since 2013, when the SSSG program was initiated.

For FY23, the Board approved $22,911,714.45 in school safety funding. The performance period for the grant begins Sept. 1.

Shelby County schools received $300,000 altogether: Shelby Eastern, $100,000; Shelbyville Central, $100,000; Southwestern Consolidated, $75,000; and Northwestern Consolidated, $25,000.

The allocation of funds for FY23 includes:

“These grants allow Indiana to make a real and tangible impact on students, staff and administrators at schools across the state,” said Rusty Goodpaster, director of the Secured School Safety Board. “We’re proud to be able to help make these schools safer while Hoosier kids receive a world-class education.”

The Secured School Fund is administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Visit the IDHS website for a full breakdown of SSSG awards (schools and total award received).

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 (no matching requirement); 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. Common ineligible requests include vehicles, clothing/uniforms or vape detectors for schools.

The Indiana School Safety Hub also provides schools with a wealth of resources, training opportunities and other information designed to give schools the tools they need to keep students and staff safe.

Indiana state law requires that every registered vehicle must have proof of insurance. 

Unfortunately, there are many drivers who choose to break the law and “fly under the radar” without insurance. Until recently, not having insurance didn’t affect these drivers when they were not at fault for the accident, but now a new law limits recovery for not-at-fault drivers who are uninsured.

Bartholomew County deputies are finding more and more drivers with vehicles that are not properly insured.

“Motorists on Bartholomew County streets and roadways must provide deputies with your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance when asked (per Indiana state law) or they will be issued a citation and the vehicle will be towed," said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers. 

“Don’t drive without a valid insurance policy in place – it’s the law and, not having it, can be even more expensive," added Sheriff Myers.

It was Sept. 3, 2002, and the doors were once again open at the old Padgett Chevrolet dealership building on main street in downtown Morristown.

However, for this occasion, the former showroom had been transformed into a games area with the remainder of the rooms designated for arts and crafts, after-school homework and board games. The Morristown Boys and Girls Club was open for its first day.

Club corporation executive director John Hartnett Jr. and unit director Jenny Price were not sure how many youth to expect on that opening day.

“We were hoping to have at least 10-15 kids,” said Hartnett Jr. “When a steady stream of youngsters began to file in and hang up backpacks and jackets, we had a feeling that the Club in Morristown would be a long-term success.”

On Saturday, exactly 20 years later, the Morristown Club will mark the anniversary with a day-long celebration at Morristown Park. There will be a ceremony from 10 to 11 am followed by a car show, rides and music until 9 p.m.

Christopher McMichael signed in as the first person to attend the Morristown Boys and Girls Club on that day two decades ago. He was followed by 35 fellow members who were introduced to their local Boys and Girls Club.

The Morristown Club has operated at three sites with a consistent level of program and facility development over the course of the past 20 years. Four unit directors have dedicated considerable time and effort to establishing the Club as a community institution: Jenny Price, 2002-2006; Fred Miller, 2006-2013; Scott Spahr, 2013-2020; and Dana Songer, 2020-present.

The concept for a Club in Morristown began on a Sunday afternoon during a pick-up basketball session at the Shelbyville Boys Club. Hartnett and Morristown’s Chris Ross began discussing the possibility of creating a Shelbyville Boys and Girls Club satellite operation in Morristown.

“Chris was very involved in Morristown youth activities and the idea sprang from there,” said Hartnett. “Ken Self (former Shelbyville Boys and Girls Club executive director) and I had actually talked in the early 1980s about Morristown being a prime place to someday start a Club unit. My conversation with Chris rekindled that interest and we proceeded from there.”

Ross, a lifetime Morristown resident and Morristown High School graduate, was an ardent advocate for the Morristown community.

“John and I talked about having the Boys and Girls Club being an organization that would have a presence in Morristown that could serve as a connecting force,” said Ross. “He gave examples where Clubs had established branches in smaller communities and how they had been successful.”

The process began with a feasibility study that included an extensive look at demographics across a wide range of categories. Early steps also entailed creating an advisory committee of Morristown community leaders. That initial group included: Ross, Donna Tracy, Brent Fuchs, Shirley Shepherdson, Bruce Carlton, Shannon McNamara and the late Jay Wortman.

“That group met on a regular basis and solicitated support from local businesses and individuals,” said Ross. “We were able to raise significant funds for start-up costs and settled on the old Padgett building as our first Club site.”

Hartnett directs a good deal of credit for the unit’s creation to Ross: “He was very well-respected in Morristown and that provided credibility. He put his heart and soul into the effort. Chris was relentless in his commitment. It would never have happened without his dedication.” 

Local industry such as Central Soya (now Bunge Corporation), Morristown business people like Don Runyon and Bob Wortman, and individuals such as Dave and Janet Ross provided initial and sustaining contributions to enable the Club to flourish in the early years. In addition, the parent organization assumed the cost of basic administrative functions which eased the financial pressure.

Shelbyville businessman Dennis Baker served as the Boys and Girls Club corporation board of directors president during this period and lent his enthusiastic efforts to the proposal.

“Dennis was an experienced business person and provided excellent advice as we progressed through the plan,” said Hartnett. “He was devoted to the Boys and Girls Club mission and thought this was a most worthy endeavor. He helped oversee the process and lent a significant degree of energy and advice to making the Morristown Club a reality.”

Fred Miller (photo, right) became sports coordinator in 2004 and unit director two years later.

“Fred did a great job of enhancing the sports programs,” stated Spahr. “He developed soccer programs and expanded the Club’s sports offerings.”

Miller served as unit director for seven years and was very important in establishing the Boys and Girls Club as a stable Morristown entity.

“Fred is a Morristown native who has a great sense of pride in his community,” said Hartnett. “He worked to incrementally build the Club and even provided assistance following his retirement.”

The Club moved from the Padgett building to the Morristown Christian Church annex in 2007 and then to Morristown Elementary School in 2014.

Spahr stepped into the role of Morristown unit director in 2013.

“We continued basic Boys and Girls Club programming and developed additional ones similar to the Shelbyville Club such as being open before school and summer and holiday camps,” said Spahr. “We also utilized the Indiana Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs to provide daily meals for our members.”

“We are most grateful to elementary school principal John Corn for his heartfelt support for the past eight years,” continued Spahr. “He has always gone above and beyond to make sure the Club succeeds.”

Spahr is quick to express his appreciation to current Shelby Eastern Schools superintendent Dr. Todd Hitchcock for his support as well.

Bunge, Runyon, Craneworks, First Merchants bank and many other industry and business leaders continue to support the Club’s work on behalf of Morristown youth.

Spahr is very thankful to the town for supporting the Club in myriad ways.

“The town allows us to use the park for a wide variety of purposes,” said Spahr. “They recently constructed four basketball courts there. They allow use for fundraising events and permit us to have fields there for baseball and soccer. They even built a concession stand for us."

Spahr also placed a priority on fundraising so as to consistently enhance the unit’s financial foundation.

“We continued to develop and expand annual events such as the golf benefit and Morristown participation in the Club festival and raffle,” said Spahr. “We started a motorcycle ride and a car show. These have all grown over the past few years.”

Spahr became Shelby County Boys and Girls Club corporation executive director following Hartnett’s retirement in October 2020. Long-time unit staff member Dana Songer assumed the position of Morristown director.

Today, 20 years after opening in a former car dealership, the Morristown Boys and Girls Club records a daily after-school attendance of approximately 100 members and continues to provide a wide spectrum of service to 350 Morristown youth.

There also is the overriding theme of continuity. Christopher McMichael, the Club’s first attendee, today has children who are Club members.

“The Morristown Boys and Girls Club is an excellent example of organizations and individuals working together across boundaries to achieve success for an important cause,” reflects Ross. “After 20 years, it is very satisfying to see where it is today.”   

Duke Energy Indiana’s solar energy facility at Toray Resin Company’s Shelbyville campus is now in service.

The new facility is capable of generating up to 900 kilowatts of electricity to help power the plastics manufacturer’s operations while offsetting carbon emissions.

The solar project is the first to come from a Duke Energy pilot program that aims to make it easier for businesses, schools and nonprofits to incorporate clean, renewable energy sources into their energy mix.

“We’re excited to partner with Toray Resin on this renewable energy venture,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “This unique leasing arrangement will help power the company’s manufacturing operations in a sustainable and cost-effective way, while also demonstrating how our neighbors, businesses and communities can come together to make meaningful progress toward a cleaner energy future.”

Under the program, Duke Energy will own, operate and maintain the Blue River Solar Facility on Toray Resin’s Shelbyville campus for a monthly service fee. The program provides Toray Resin with the advantages of clean energy to help power their operations, while minimizing upfront costs and maintenance obligations.

Dennis Godwin, president of Toray Resin Company. 

Construction on the 8-acre, ground-mounted solar project began in October 2021 and was completed in late August 2022. The facility consists of 2,487 solar panels that are each six feet tall, 3-1/2 feet wide, and 1-1/2 inches thick. The solar array is located on the east side of Toray Resin’s campus, between Mausoleum Road and Boomer Way.

Under Duke Energy’s solar services pilot program, eligible Indiana customers can lease an on-site solar system for a period of up to 20 years. Duke Energy installs, operates, owns and maintains the system, while customers receive all of the kilowatt-hour (kWh) and solar renewable energy credit (SREC) output. Initial program capacity is limited to a total of 10 megawatts (MW) for eligible commercial and industrial customers within the Duke Energy Indiana service territory.

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) launched a new data dashboard showing the prevalence of monkeypox cases in the state, broken down by age group, gender, ethnicity, race and public health district.

Since mid-June, Indiana has reported 153 probable or confirmed cases of monkeypox. The dashboard does not include two previously reported pediatric cases because follow-up investigations have determined those to have been false positives.

“Our goal with any dashboard is to provide accurate, up-to-date information on the status of an outbreak or important public health issue to keep Hoosiers informed,” said IDOH Chief Medical Officer Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “As the monkeypox situation evolves, we continue to review cases and lab results in consultation with our federal partners to ensure our data accurately reflect the current situation. We are grateful to our laboratory, epidemiology and data teams for their continued review of cases so that we can keep Hoosiers informed about this outbreak.”

The dashboard, which is posted at monkeypox.health.in.gov, will be updated Monday through Friday by 5 p.m. to reflect cases identified as of 5 p.m. the day before. Due to small case counts in most areas of the state, cases will be broken down by public health emergency preparedness district at this time to protect patient privacy.

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Symptoms are similar to smallpox, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. The illness typically begins with fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion about five to 21 days after exposure. Within one to three days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the patient develops a rash. The illness typically lasts for two to four weeks. People are considered infectious until all scabs from the rash have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Person-to-person transmission is possible through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores or contaminated items, such as bedding or clothing, or through exposure to respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.

The Shelbyville Public Square will be closed for traffic on Sunday, September 4 for the Shelby County Cornstock.

Street closures will be from 7am - midnight Sunday, September 4.

Streets closed include:

Harrison Street closed from Franklin to Jackson Street

West Washington closed from Harrison Street to Union Street

East Washington closed from Harrison Street to the Art Alley

Shelby County Cornstock is open to the public from 11 am - Midnight on Sunday, September 4 located downtown Shelbyville in the Public Square.