The Shelby County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health test mosquitoes from different parts of the county periodically every summer.

A mosquito sample recently taken in the northwest part of the city of Shelbyville has tested positive for West Nile virus. 

The Shelby County Health notes the calendar is approaching a critical period for potential transmission to humans throughout this next month. The substantial rainfall experienced recently will result in adding significantly to the population of mosquitoes which are already out there.         

Recommendations for the appropriate use of repellents and elimination of breeding sites such as containers that hold water near homes do work to reduce human cases.

Thus far, no confirmed cases of human or horse cases have been reported.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A man was killed in a motorcycle-truck accident in Hancock County Sunday.

About 4:30 p.m., members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, McCordsville Police Department, and Fortville Police Department were called to the area of U.S. 36 (State Road 67) and County Road 400 West between McCordsville and Fortville.

Deputies arrived on the scene and called for the Hancock County Fatal Accident Crash Team to respond due to the severity of the crash.

The crash involved a 2006 Kawasaki motorcycle and a 2014 Chevy Silverado pickup. The Kawasaki was driven by one male who died at the scene. The name of the motorcycle rider has not yet been released.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Department says the Kawasaki was traveling east on U.S. 36 toward Fortville. Witnesses stated the driver of the Kawasaki was traveling at a very high rate of speed and passed several vehicles in a no-passing area. The driver was identified as Robert Siuzdak, 30, of Avon. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He did have a helmet.

The Silverado was crossing both lanes of U.S. 36 to continue north on CR 400 West. From the evidence on scene, it appears the Silverado had crossed the eastbound lane and was crossing the westbound lane of U.S. 36. At that time the Kawasaki was traveling at a high rate of speed and crossed over into the westbound lane to pass other vehicles. The Kawasaki struck the side of the Silverado.

The driver of the Silverado was wearing his seatbelt during the crash. He was identified as Bradley Adkins, 39, of Greenfield. Adkins has cooperated with the investigation and has provided his statement.

At this time drugs and alcohol are not suspected.       

U.S. 36 was closed for approximately two hours.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A bicycle fallen from a vehicle on Interstate 65 led to multiple injuries including a man hit by a motorcycle.

A Tennessee man was seriously injured Sunday afternoon after being struck by a motorcycle while trying to provide aid to a second motorcyclist who had been involved in a previous crash on I-65 in southern Bartholomew County.

The initial investigation by Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, indicated that a bicycle had possibly fallen from a vehicle traveling southbound on I-65 near the 59-mile marker. The bicycle was lying in the far left lane of I-65 southbound when it was struck by at least two passenger vehicles. 

Both vehicles, one of which was driven by Jonathan Brown, 27, of Lebanon, Tennessee, pulled to the shoulder of the interstate due to damage from striking the bicycle.

A group of motorcyclists, who were traveling together, then approached the bicycle that was still in the roadway. One of the motorcyclists, Leslie D. Spillman, 62, of Lexington, Kentucky, struck the bicycle and crashed his 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Brown then left his stopped vehicle on foot to assist Spillman.

A 2004 Honda motorcycle, being operated by Darrell Brooks, 39, of Lexington, Kentucky, had passed the bicycle prior to Spillman’s crash. After seeing that Spillman had crashed, Brooks then turned around and began riding northbound on the southbound shoulder to respond to Spillman.

Brooks’ motorcycle struck Brown as he walked toward Spillman. Brown was seriously injured and flown by medical helicopter to a Louisville hospital for treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The investigation remains ongoing at this time. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the collision.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) will serve as co-chair of the Drainage Task Force in preparation for the 2024 legislative session.

The task force was created by Senate Enrolled Act 85, authored by Leising, during the 2022 legislative session to study the regulatory matters of agriculture land drainage.

The task force will:

• Review the responsibilities of landowners and state and local authorities under current laws relating to the drainage of land
• Make determinations and recommendations concerning drainage and regulatory matters
• Determine whether the balance between state and local authority over agricultural land drainage favors state authority more in Indiana than in neighboring states.

"Last interim, the Drainage Task Force gathered great insight on how Indiana code restricted a property owner's right to develop or sell their land because floodplain administrators were required to use state floodplain mapping data instead of the best data available," Leising said. "This provision created unneeded frustration for constituents because their land would be labeled as a floodplain in state floodplain mapping data, but not in federal floodplain mapping data."

Senate Enrolled Act 242, which Leising authored during the 2023 legislative session, repealed a provision requiring a local floodplain administrator to use state floodplain mapping data unless at a landowner's request. Landowners can now choose whether they want a floodplain administrator to use state floodplain mapping data or an engineering study when making permit determinations.

"Despite repealing this provision through Senate Enrolled Act 242 this session, there is still more to consider and potentially address during the 2024 legislative session," Leising said. "I look forward to studying our state's drainage laws and provisions more this summer so we can continue to improve our drainage laws without harming the environment."

The task force will consist of 19 members including six members of the Indiana Senate, six members of the Indiana House of Representatives and seven governor-appointed individuals.

Governor-appointed individuals will include an employee of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, an employee of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, a member of a county drainage board, a member of the governing body of a soil and water conservation district, a representative of the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, a representative of a statewide farm organization and a county surveyor. 

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

There were collisions with two other trucks involved in a Friday crash that killed a Shelbyville man.

The deceased in the crash was Troy M. Tillison, 54. 

According to witnesses, Tillison’s 2008 GMC Sierra was traveling northbound on State Road 9. The vehicle went left of center and made contact with a dump truck driven by Nicholas Johnson. Tillison’s vehicle then made contact with a box truck driven by Ryan Dean.

Neither Johnson nor Dean were injured.

Tillison’s vehicle then came to rest off of the roadway on the east side of State Road 9. The Shelby County Sheriff's Department says Tillison was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Shelbyville Fire Department, Shelby County Emergency Management, State Highway and Indiana State Police assisted at the scene.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Charges have been filed in a Decatur County shooting that resulted in the victim receiving medical treatment in Shelbyville.

About 3 a.m. on July 21, the Decatur County Dispatch received a call from Shelby County Dispatch advising a victim of a gunshot wound was being treated at Major Heath Partner Medical Center in Shelbyville. Shelby County Dispatch advised the shooting happened in Decatur County, in St. Paul.

Further investigation by the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department determined that Damion Wayne Logsdon, 18, of St. Paul, was handling a firearm when it discharged. The shot struck Chester William Smith, of Shelbyville, in the shoulder.

Smith was subsequently transferred to IU Methodist Hospital Indiana for treatment.
Logsdon has been charged with Criminal Recklessness as a Level 6 Felony and Illegal Possession of Alcoholic Beverages (Consuming) as a Class C Misdemeanor. He was incarcerated at the Decatur County Detention Center.
The Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigations Unit assisted in this investigation.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWH) (“Camping World”), has announced that it is set to acquire Mount Comfort RV in Greenfield, predominantly selling Forest River, Coachmen, Tiffin, Newmar, and Winnebago products.

The transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2023 and will increase the company’s Indiana location count to three.

Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Camping World commented, “Mount Comfort is one of the premier RV dealers in America. They bring expertise and talent which help strengthen our already number one position in Indiana.”

Mount Comfort opened in Greenfield in 2006 and has grown to be the largest RV dealer by sales volume in the state. Owner Ken Eckstein and his son, Rusty, have been active in RVDA and are the association’s state delegate in Indiana.

Individuals interested in applying for a position may  visit http://www.campingworldjobs.com/.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Derby Days racing will be “hot” in 2023.

With temperatures climbing into the 90s today and Saturday, staying hydrated will be key to enjoying the festivities.

The adult version of Derby Days races on North Street starts at 6 p.m. tonight as the 75^th Annual Derby Days festival kicks into full gear.

Strange Brew Band will perform at the conclusion of the Adult Derby Days race until 11 p.m.

The Beer Garden will be open from 5 to 11 p.m. Cartoon Ups caricature artist will be open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Saturday schedule begins with breakfast (7 to 10 a.m.) at the American Legion Auxiliary.

The annual Paul Otis Goble (P.O.G.) Run begins at 8:15 a.m.

Vendors and food trucks in front of Morristown Elementary School open at 9 a.m.

Parade participants start lining up at 10 a.m. with the parade along U.S. 52 in downtown Morristown starting at 11 a.m.

Derby Days racing follows the parade.

Other festivities Saturday afternoon include bounce houses, face painting, balloon art, the Boys and Girls Club Car Show (noon), alumni volleyball game in Morristown High School gymnasium (1 p.m.), 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the community park (2 p.m.), and a whiffleball tournament at Morristown High School’s fields (4 p.m.).

Saturday’s nightcap includes a concert by Indianapolis-native Andrew Young and a fireworks show.

“We are very fortunate this year. We have raised enough money to bring fireworks back (to Derby Days),” said Thomas Wright, one of the Derby Days organizers in a radio interview with GIANT fm. “We will have a nice fireworks show to cap it all off.”

Young is a Platinum downloaded singer/songwriter who has opened for such artists as Babyface, The Isley Brothers, LL Cool J, Dru Hill and Vanessa Williams. He has performed at numerous venues around Indianapolis and will take the stage Saturday in front of Morristown High School at 6 p.m.

There is a full field of Cub Scout and Girl Scout racers for the highly-anticipated Derby Days races down U.S. 52 into downtown Morristown.

“We have more kids coming in, a lot of racers this year,” said Wright. “We may even have more than last year. All those things people are used to at Derby Days are coming back. There is lots of stuff to do. Big events. Big concerts. It’s going to be a good time.”

Here are the competitors for the Derby Days races:

• Kori Palmer (daughter of Jack and Sarah Palmer)
• Molly Ramsey (Joey and Megan Ramsey)
• Kynzleigh McKinney (Michael and Jordan McKinney)
• Loran Austin (Mark Austin)
• Madison Richardson (Brian and Amber Richardson)
• Adilyn Boring (Douglas Boring and Brittany Green)
• Zoe Graves (John and Brandy Graves)
• Madilyn Carlton (Aaron and Stacie Carlton)
• Sabriel Emminger (Samantha White)
• Bristol Goin (Gary and Alexis Goin)
• Arianna Roller (Gary and Alexis Goin)
• Chloe Coons (Terry Coons and Desara Brush)
• Aubrey Longwell (Andy and Ashley Longwell) (2022 Derby Days girls champion)
• Natalie Wright (Thomas and Jennifer Wright)
• Addi Palmer (Nick and Kylie Palmer)
• Lillian Chapella (Joel and Courtney Chapella)
• Presley Rodenhuis (Eric and Liz Rodenhuis)
• Lilee Barr (Alan and Carissa Barr)
• Bailey Rinzel (Andy and Amy Rinzel)
• Cameron Roller (son of Alexis and Gary Goin)
• Grant Hill (Daniel Hill and Courtney Lawrie)
• Carter Bell (Will and Julia Bell) (2021 Derby Days boys champion)
• Alex Anderson (Aaron Anderson and Kyra Peoples)
• Laikin Stout (Kreigh and Brooke Stout)
• Asa Odum (Shane and Renee Odum)
• Kambdan McKinney (Michael and Jordan McKinney)
• Kellen Larson (Erik and Katy Larson)
• Jaxen Tweedy (Garrick Straber and Sara McCubbins)
• Mayson Sidebottom (Daniel and Amy Sidebottom)
• Brady Walton (Justin and Amber Walton)
• Jasen Tweedy (Garrick Straber and Sara McCubbins)
• Deacon DeWitt (Sam and Kelly DeWitt)
• Beau DeWitt (Sam and Kelley DeWitt)

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

In need of a new home, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce looked to its board of directors for guidance.

With a realtor, a representative of Major Health Partners, a general contractor and an interior designer all closely associated with the chamber, that new home at 157 W. Washington St. came to fruition.

“It all just came together and worked out really well,” said Shelby County Chamber of Commerce board president Stephanie Amos after Thursday’s Open House and ribbon cutting ceremony. “I think the facility is amazing.”

Formerly the blood draw center for Major Hospital, the building which sat across from the former hospital site was unoccupied after Major Health Partners moved the hospital to Intelliplex Park. The chamber was able to purchase the building and renovate it to its current state.

“Being a medical facility, it was patient rooms with sinks in them and a bed,” said Amos. “We had to gut that and make it into offices. We did put some windows up front because it needed more natural light. There is still some landscaping we want to do but I think it’s going to be a great facility for us long term.”

The chamber was formerly located at the Porter Visitors’ Center just north of downtown. Now, it sits west of downtown not far from City Hall.

“I think it’s a great location. It’s close to downtown,” said Amos. “We were able to get an interior grant from Mainstreet Shelbyville to help us with the cost  of the interior. This has been a good partnership with multiple partners in the community.”

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has extended the Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) forecast  through today for all of Indiana.

Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level.

IDEM is forecasting high ozone levels due to a significant increase in temperatures across the state and a continued air mass from Canadian wildfires in the following regions:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Note: IDEM forecasts are based, solely or in part, on data from air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the affected region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24 hours) on the specified date.

IDEM encourages everyone to help improve air quality by making changes to daily habits on Air Quality Action Days. You can:

• Carpool or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
• Avoid using gas-powered equipment.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting;
• Use propane gas instead of charcoal when grilling outdoors;
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Indiana State Fair has enhanced its existing protocols involving safety.

The changes include not allowing anyone under the age of 18 after 6 p.m. without a parent, legal guardian, or chaperone that is age 21 or older.

The following safety information which includes a list of items you cannot take onto the fairgrounds is listed on the Indiana State Fair's website.

Unaccompanied Minor Policy

Fairgoers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or chaperone (age 21+) to enter the Indiana State Fair starting at 6 p.m. daily.

Each adult may chaperone up to six individuals and must remain at the fairgrounds while the minors they are chaperoning are still present.

Any minors under the age of 18 not accompanied by an adult will not be admitted.

Any person entering may be asked to show a valid driver’s license, state identification card, or other government issued ID.

Does not apply to organized and ticketed group outings or those participating in competitions where existing chaperone procedures are in place.

Bag Policy

While visiting the State Fair, all bags must be 9” x 10” x 12” or smaller. All bags are subject to search prior to entering the fair.

All bags larger than 9” x 10” x 12” will need to be returned to a vehicle or home before entering the fairgrounds.

Lockers are not available for those who arrive with oversized bags.

Any prohibited items will be confiscated by Public Safety and will not be returned.

PERMITTED:

All bags (clear, backpack, tote, camera) 9” x 10” x 12” or smaller will be permitted.

Fairgoers are NOT limited to the number of bags smaller than 9” x 10” x 12” that they bring in, and all bags will be searched.

Empty reusable bottles, cups, and souvenir cups will be permitted.

Any carry-in items for family care, such as diaper bags, water or snacks for children, or medical reasons will be permitted – no medical proof or note needed.

Fairgoers are encouraged to leave unnecessary items at home. 

Prohibited Items:

All guests entering through gates are subject to search. To ensure guests have a safe and enjoyable to the Indiana State Fair, the following items are not permitted at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center:

• Aerosol cans
• Alcoholic beverages
• Banners, signs, or flags on poles
• Bicycles, tricycles, or unicycles
• Foot powered or electric scooters (such as Bird, Lime, or Lyft scooter)
• Skateboards, hoverboards, roller skates, or inline skates
• UAV – drones
• Animals such as pets and emotional support animals (service animals are allowed)
• Balloons
• Beach balls
• Commercial A/V equipment
• Fireworks, sparklers, or explosives
• Glass bottles
• Hard-sided coolers
• Illegal substances (drugs, paraphernalia, etc.)
• Bags larger than 9” x 10” x 12”
• Lasers
• Noisemakers
• Sticks, bats, poles
• Weapons, firearms, knives

The following items are ALLOWED at the State Fair:

• Diaper bags of any size
• Cameras for personal use (No photography for commercial or media use without proper media credentials)
• Empty cups, water bottles, and camelback-style water packs
• Lawn chairs/folding chairs (please remove chair from bag at security screening)
• Sealed water bottles
• Bags and soft sided coolers 9”x10”x12” or smaller
• Strollers/wagons
• Umbrellas

Code of Conduct

All fairgoers are expected to follow ALL safety policies and guest code of conduct, including:

Weapons are prohibited at the Indiana State Fair.

Visitors entering the fairgrounds will be screened through metal detectors at entry gates.

If severe weather or an emergency affects the Indiana State Fair, please listen for public address announcements, and follow instructions from State Fair personnel and public safety officials.

There is a "No running" policy while visiting the Indiana State Fair.

Guests will enjoy every event free from disruptive behavior, including foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.

Guests will consume alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner. Intervention with an impaired, intoxicated or underage guest will be handled in a prompt and safe manner by public safety personnel.

Guests who engage in running, fighting, throwing objects or any other violent or offensive action will be immediately ejected from the state fairgrounds.

Smoking, including alternative smoking devices such as electronic and/or vapor, is only permitted in designated smoking areas around the fairgrounds.

Service Animal Policy

The Indiana State Fair follows ADA guidelines regarding service animals. A service animal is one that is trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities.

Service animals must remain on a leash or in a harness and under the control of the owner at all times.

Due to the nature of some attractions at the state fair, service animals are not permitted on rides or attractions, and may be restricted in certain areas due to safety concerns.

ADA regulations state that the specific work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to a person’s disability. Dogs and other animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals according to the ADA. Therefore, emotional support animals are not permitted in the State Fair.

To report emergencies, a safety concern or request medical assistance while visiting the state fairgrounds, please call 317-927-7520.

If you do not have access to a phone, stop any police officer or state fair staff member, or visit one of the Indiana State Police Information Booths. Indiana State Police Information Booths are open all 18 days of the Fair, and are located across from the Administration Building, in the Communications Building, and just west of the Purdue Extension Building.

Indiana State Fair staff and Public Safety Officials have been trained to intervene when deemed necessary and to use their best discretion to help ensure that guests who ignore the Code of Conduct do not interfere with other guests’ ability to enjoy an event. Guests who violate the Code of Conduct, or prevent others from enjoying the Fair may be subject to ejection without refund and, to the extent their conduct constitutes a violation of law, may be subject to arrest.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

An Indiana State Police officer has been charged for giving false information in a Shelby County Courtroom.

Indiana State Police stated in a press release that an 18-year Indiana State Police veteran, Master Trooper Jeremy Basso, faces one count of perjury and one count of official misconduct. The charges are a result of an investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police on allegations that Basso conveyed false information during a sentencing hearing in Shelby County Court.

The sentencing hearing was held March 16 for a suspect who was previously found guilty of driving while intoxicated and crashing into Basso's parked police car in a construction zone on I-74 near Shelbyville on June 18, 2021. 

Story of I-74 collision from Shelby County Post:  https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/577229

During the onset of the investigation, a special prosecutor was requested by the Shelby County Prosecutor's Office to oversee the case. Ripley County Prosecutor Richard Hertel was selected and has been engaged with Indiana State Police Investigators throughout the process.

On Wednesday, Hertel requested an arrest warrant through the Shelby County Court for one count of perjury, a Level 6 felony and one count official misconduct, a Level 6 felony. Those arrest warrants were subsequently granted by a judge and have been served.

Basso was arrested Wednesday evening and booked into the Shelby County Jail. 

Basso has been placed on administrative leave without pay. 

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Due to the Heat Advisory issued through Friday by the National Weather Service for Shelby County, the Shelby County EMA will have cooling centers open for anyone who needs relief from the heat. 

That advisory is in place through Friday night as heat index values are expected to reach 109.

Shelby County Emergency Management Director Denis Ratekin released the list of locations and times for Thursday and Friday:

Shelby County Public Library, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Thursday / 9a.m. - 7 p.m. on Friday

Morristown Library branch, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Thursday / 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Friday

Shelbyville Salvation Army, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Shelbyville Knights of Columbus, 3 p.m. -10 p.m.

Shelbyville V.F.W., 2 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Shelbyville American Legion, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for Thursday for all of Indiana.

Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level.

IDEM is forecasting high ozone levels due to a significant increase in temperatures across the state and a continued air mass from Canadian wildfires in the following regions:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond, Shelbyville and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24 hours) on the specified date.

IDEM encourages everyone to help improve air quality by making changes to daily habits on Air Quality Action Days. You can:

• Carpool or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
• Avoid using gas-powered equipment.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting;
• Use propane gas instead of charcoal when grilling outdoors;
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.

About Ozone:
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. 

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.
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, or lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.
To learn more about PM_2.5 and ozone, or to sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page

A Dollar General in Fountaintown took another step toward reality with a vote from the Shelby County Commissioners.

Commissioner Don Parker says approval was given by a 2-to-1 vote this week for the proposed project to proceed.

Parker also notes that it's time for the county to upgrade election equipment after nearly two decades.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

An event to honor the life of Trooper Aaron Smith is happening Sunday in Bargersville.

The celebration of life will include several opportunities to join others for a workout, followed by ceremony to honor Smith. The funds raised will directly support Smith's wife and family. 

Smith was passionate about serving his community in several capacities, and he was passionate about working out at the gym with his wife. This event will take place at the gym where Smith spent time physically preparing for his roles both as an Indiana State Trooper and a member of the Indiana National Guard. 

The community is invited to attend. Participation in a workout is not required. The celebration of life is expected to begin at approximately 1:45 p.m. 

CGX Crossfit, 571 Industrial Drive, Bargersville, is hosting the event. Questions about the event should be directed to Jen Binkley at 317-435-7125.

Information about contributing a monetary donation can be found at www.IndianaFallen.org .

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The site development plan for the Julia and Nicholas Runnebohm Early Learning Center was approved Monday by the City of Shelbyville’s Plan Commission.

The 25,000 square foot facility that will be located at 2400 Intelliplex Drive near Major Health Partners Medical Center will provide daycare and early education opportunities for up to 200 children once it opens.

Mark McNeely, president of the Shelbyville Redevelopment Commission, which is financially backing the project, attended the meeting Monday night at City Hall to speak in favor of moving the project forward.

“I highly recommend this,” said McNeely, who lives very near where the learning center will be built in Intelliplex Park on 3.6 acres.

Local attorney Dennis Harrold, another resident that will live near the facility, also addressed the Plan Commission Monday.

“The overall plan and the features of this appear to be something we really need,” said Harrold. “My wife worked at the hospital until she retired in 2018. It is something that I think will help the hospital and their employees to have a place to bring their children.

“We also have children with smaller children and we know what a difficult time it is to find a daycare for their kids. Shelbyville schools has a beautiful facility that is pretty new but it can’t accommodate everybody. So I think this is a great asset to the north side of Shelbyville and would serve the community very well.”

The early learning center will be for children from infants to pre-kindergarten ages. Each age group will have up to four classrooms and a dedicated playground/outdoor learning environment.

The facility’s scheduled groundbreaking ceremony is Aug. 9 at 10 a.m.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Department is investigating a fight at a girls basketball game at the Triton Central Fieldhouse on Sunday.

A team from Owensboro, Kentucky, was leading in a game over a team from Cincinnati by a large margin when the game was called by officials. Moments later, video has shown members of the Cincinnati travel team in an altercation with an official.

The sheriff's department says one person reported an injury. That person was checked out by the medics at the gym.

As of this report, there has been no arrest. The investigation is ongoing.  

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

In synchrony with the Great Eclipse in 2024, Shelby County Tourism and Visitors Bureau is affording social organizations, event leaders and fraternal groups the opportunity to submit event grant requests that directly harmonize with the eclipse.

Events that are interactive and include endeavors such as music, art, performances, and educational outreach will be considered.

“The opportunity to highlight Shelby County in all of our uniqueness to the potential massive amounts of visitors, calls for SCTVB to extend funding opportunities to groups or individuals with unique ideas and events that directly align with the eclipse,” said Rachael Ackley, Executive Director of Shelby County Tourism and Visitors Bureau.

“Submitting for an eclipse grant is easy, and the form can be found online at www.visitshelbycounty.com/grants. Those wishing to submit will fill out the online form and send back to the linked email address,” said Tony Titus, President of the SCTVB Commission/Board.

The first round of grant applications will be considered on Aug. 14.

The total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024. Shelbyville is in the direct path of totality viewing of the eclipse.

For additional information on Shelby County Tourism and Visitor’s Bureau Eclipse granting opportunities, go to www.visitshelbycounty.com/grants to learn about qualification requirements.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Indiana’s unemployment rate in June stands at 3.2%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate for June stands at 3.6%.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate held at 63.6% for June, remaining above the national rate of 62.6%. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,428,806 – an increase of 2,906 from the previous month.

Private sector employment in Indiana decreased by 3,100 jobs over the last month, but still resulted in a gain of 58,900 jobs from this time last year. Indiana’s June private employment stands at 2,832,100.

Industries that experienced job increases in June included construction, which increased by 3,800 jobs over the month, and private educational and health services, which increased by 900 jobs during the month.

As of July 17, there were 115,930 open job posting throughout the state. In June, 15,287 unemployment insurance claims were filed in Indiana.

Individuals looking for work, training or career information are encouraged to visit in.gov/dwd/job-seekers.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

As the 2023-2024 school year fast approaches, Indiana families will have one less expense to enrolling their students.

The new Indiana state budget included funding to eliminate curriculum fees for children enrolled in public schools. Indiana is now one of more than 40 states across the country to cover the costs of textbook and technology fees, according to Indiana Senator Jean Leising, who represents Senate District 42 which includes Shelbyville.

“Making these investments in Indiana’s students is important for our state’s long-term success. Senate Republicans were happy to support these initiatives so parents feel confident about the quality of education their students receive,” said Leising in a media release.

The elimination of curriculum fees is part of the state’s historic $2.9 billion investment in K-12 education funding over the next two years, according to Leising.

Families of Shelbyville Central Schools students will only be responsible for purchasing insurance for iPads issued to students. That is not a required fee.

“I know there are some uncertainties about other fees but as for our fees, (families) will not have them,” said Shelbyville Central Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance. “Now this will not include extracurricular fees. This is just for classes.”

Enrollment is now open at Shelbyville Central Schools. The first day of the upcoming school year is Aug. 9.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center has unveiled the new world-class Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion and plans for its future use.

The century old swine barn and public safety center at the Indiana State Fairgrounds underwent a $50 million dollar renovation through the last 18 months and will host its first event at the 2023 Indiana State Fair.

Built first and foremost as a Best-in-Class Livestock facility, the new building will also be a modern, flexible multi-purpose and multi-use facility with the ability to host a wide variety of events throughout the year.

Specifically, the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion was designed to host indoor track and field events. A portable 200-meter, banked track will be installed annually to host local, regional, national and international events. The new building is already slated to host the 2025 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships.

State fairgrounds leadership announced Friday a new partnership with the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center and the USA Track & Field organization to host track & field events throughout the year.

“The opening of this world-class facility in Indianapolis is a significant milestone which underlines the immense commitment by the state of Indiana to the sport of track and field,” said Max Siegel, CEO, USA Track & Field. “The pavilion will not only serve as a field for numerous national and prestigious events but, during the winter months, will transform into a national-standard indoor track. Moreover, it will serve as a hub for camps of all levels, coaching education clinics, and a center for athletes training at all levels to nurture talent and promote excellence in track and field. This multi-use facility will be an active part of our community here in Indianapolis, where we are proud to be based.”  

The Swine Barn at the Indiana State Fair has showcased the best Indiana has to offer for 100 years. Originally opening in 1923, this iconic building has hosted generations of Hoosiers making memories and building traditions. Champions have been selected, purple banners have been won, and countless 4-H members have learned the value of hard work.

The new pavilion is a 196,000 square foot facility with 118,000 square feet of show floor, a 14,000 square foot north lobby, 80,000 square feet of clear-span space in the center of the building, with 25-foot ceiling height and complete restoration of the historic 1923 north façade.

“Agriculture is the only economy in the world that touches every person on this planet because it centers on food. Having a facility at the Indiana State Fairgrounds where we celebrate agriculture, not just a couple weeks in the summer, but year round creates tremendous opportunity for ushering in the next generation of innovation while paying deep respect to the traditions and legacies that made this facility and this place possible,” said Mitch Frazier, Indiana State Fair Commission Chairman.

Also announced Friday for future use of the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, the new facility has won the bid to host the nation’s largest swine show, The Exposition, produced by the National Swine Registry in 2024 and 2025.

“We are thrilled to bring our event to this new facility in Indianapolis. The Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion will be a great host for our exhibitors and guests, and will be truly one of the best livestock pavilions in the country,” said Matt Claeys, National Swine Registry CEO.

The Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion will play an important role in the State Fairgrounds economic impact and job creation. The state fairgrounds currently has an annual direct economic impact of nearly $200 million dollars and employs over 1,100 Hoosiers.

“The new facility pays homage to our important agriculture past while at the same time launching the Indiana state fair and Indiana into the future,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers.

The facility will be unveiled to the public during the 2023 Indiana State Fair, which returns for 18 days beginning Friday through August 20.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Comedian Ron Sexton, better known to many as Donnie Baker and several other characters, has passed away.

The news this morning confirmed by family in a Facebook post:

It is with immense sadness that we let everyone know that Ron Sexton passed away yesterday. He was Donnie Baker to most of you, but Ron and Dad to us. Please respect our privacy at this time and pray for our family.

Tracey, Eric, Abigail, Alex, and Aliah

Jim and Ila

The arena that highlighted Sexton's characters saluted his talent and friendship:

The Bob & Tom Show 

"We are sad to confirm that Ron Sexton, longtime member of the ensemble cast of "The Bob & Tom Show", died Friday in Ohio while on tour with his stand-up comedy show. Ron was known by millions of listeners of "The Bob & Tom Show" for the indelible comedic characters he played on-air - including Donnie Baker, Kenny Tarmac, and Floyd the Trucker, as well as his spot-on celebrity impersonations. Ron was a much-loved colleague and friend, and we will miss him greatly. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. He made many, many people happy during his more than 20 years with "The Bob & Tom Show," and we will remember him with love and gratitude." - Tom Griswold.

Locally, Sexton, as Donnie Baker, was an annual visitor to The Strand Theatre in Shelbyville:

The Strand Theatre

The Strand is saddened to have lost our good friend Ron Sexton. He was one of our biggest supporters. We are thinking of his friends and family during this difficult time. May his memory be a blessing.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

In 1960, singer Johnny Horton’s No. 1 hit North to Alaska served as the theme song to John Wayne’s movie of the same name.

This weekend, 63 years later, a Shelbyville High School graduate is heeding those words as he leaves on the road trip of a lifetime.

Lincoln Byrer, 18, appeared on The Morning Show to talk about the influences and preparation for his planned adventure to Alaska.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A reported child abduction in Florida ended with the children recovered by law enforcement and charges against a Franklin man who works as a Shelbyville chiropractor.

On July 14, just after 2 p.m., Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence in the Z-section of Palm Coast in response to a reported child abduction. According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office the reporting party stated the biological father of two juvenile children, who does not have custody or legal authority over the children, had entered into the residence, pushed a family member, and forcefully took the children from within the home before driving away in a Toyota Sienna minivan.

Deputies immediately began to canvass the area for the suspect’s vehicle as FCSO’s Real Time Crime Center and Communications Division alerted nearby agencies of the vehicle’s description and situation. FCSO’s Major Case Unit immediately began working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to display an Amber Alert for the juvenile children, a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy.

Through investigative means, with assistance from the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office says the suspect’s vehicle was quickly located on 1-10 West. FHP and JSO conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle just after 3:30 p.m. The children were rescued and the biological father, Derek Jordan, 39, was arrested.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office detectives reunited the children with their custodial parent. Detectives also interviewed  Jordan, who admitted to planning and then traveling to Flagler County to commit the abduction.

Jordan was arrested for two counts of Kidnapping a Minor under 13, Aggravated Battery on a Person over 65, and Burglary of a Dwelling with Assault or Battery. He was initially being held in the Duval County Jail without bond pending his return to Flagler County's Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.

Jordan is listed as a licensed chiropractor with Shelby Pain and Spine in Shelbyville.

“This was outstanding teamwork between all agencies involved and our network of Real Time Crime Centers,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our RTCC and our Major Case detectives were a buzz of activity and resulted in the quick apprehension of the suspect and the safe return of the children. With our technology we were able to actually watch the traffic stop and arrest of the suspect two counties away on I-10. This is a great example of why we started a RTCC and invested in our technology. I’m very proud of our team and all the partners that assisted in bringing this case to a quick and safe reunion to the appropriate parent/guardian.”

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

With just under three weeks until the first day of school for Shelbyville Central Schools students, the school corporation still has four teaching openings to fill at Shelbyville High School.

On Wednesday at the school corporation’s board meeting, SCS Superintendent Dr. Matt Vance was granted permission to hire teachers as needed before the school board’s next scheduled meeting in August.

“It’s daily process. If you hear of any districts right now not looking for teachers, I want to know who they are,” said Vance after the meeting. “We are all dealing with it. As of this moment, and I am hesitant to say, our (elementary schools) are in good shape in terms of certified staff. Our middle school is in good shape in terms of certified staff. At the high school, We have an English position, a Science position, a Math position … this happens every year. In July, there are always changes taking place in districts. There is always this last push, so to speak, new hires and teachers leaving districts. It is not uncommon late in the summer to have some movement.

“We knew some of that could be coming and we do the best we can. We will look at options if we can’t fill those positions right away, what do we need to do and what will those classes look like. The bottom line is we work very hard to make sure our students have the best opportunities they can and that is what we are dedicated to doing.”

Vance also updated the board on the ongoing installment of artificial turf at the football stadium at Shelbyville High School. Installing the turf is the next step in the process but that turf has not yet arrived at McKeand Stadium.

“It’s pretty much ready. It’s just a matter of with weather and crews, we are waiting for them to tell us when they can have a crew here with the turf,” said Vance. “We are going to have a meeting later this week to get an updated timeline. The bottom line is we said Aug. 1 all along was our target. We knew that would give us a little buffer.”

The goal is to have the turf project complete before the high school football season starts so the Golden Bears will have time to practice on the new surface.

Shelbyville football opens the 2023 season on Aug. 18 at Greensburg. The home opener on the new turf is scheduled for Aug. 25 against Rushville.

The new track will not be completed until later in the fall, according to Vance.

From the Personnel Report:

• Resignations were accepted for a SHS math teacher, language arts teacher and a business teacher as well a Shelbyville Middle School language arts teacher and a guidance counselor

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Indiana State Police Capitol Police Section is accepting applications. Individuals interested in beginning a career as a Capitol Police Officer may apply online at https://www.Capitol Police Career Opportunities.

This website provides a detailed synopsis of the application process and information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police Department.

Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm on Aug. 9.

Basic Eligibility Requirements and consideration factors for a Capitol Police Officer:

1. Must be a United States citizen.

2. Must be at least 21 years of age when appointed as a police employee.(Graduation date is Dec. 15, 2023)

3. Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.

4. Must possess a valid driver's license to operate an automobile.

5. Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).

The academy begins on Oct. 23.

The starting salary for a Capitol Police Probationary Officer is $62,327 a year. After the first year of employment, the salary will increase to $64,472.00. The Indiana State Police Capitol Police Section also offers an excellent health care plan, including medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy coverage for current and retired employees and their families. The State maintains short-term and long-term disability plans for full time employees after six months of continuous employment. As an Indiana State Police Capitol Police Officer, you are automatically enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement Fund (PERF), and the State will contribute to your retirement account.

Interested applicants can obtain additional information about a career as a Capitol Police Officer by visiting https://www.Capitol Police Career Opportunities. Applicants can also contact a recruiter at isprecruiting@isp.in.gov .

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

All PK U.S.A. hourly Associates to receive raise on July 31.
PK U.S.A. has announced an $.80 raise, per hour, for all PK hourly associates effective July 31.
“Our associates have been working exceptionally hard during the first half of 2023, and PK U.S.A. is committed to ensuring our team members are compensated appropriately,” announced Bill Kent, Vice-President of Corporate Relations. “Our
commitment to our associate base is exemplified in the fact we have not had a change in insurance premiums for over 10 years.”
“All of our hourly associates will see the pay increase implemented on the first pay scheduled after July 31. We are very pleased to ensure our associates are compensated for a job well-done in the first six months of 2023,” states Lynn Redd-Kipper, Human Resources Director.
PK U.S.A. is currently ramping up production on several lines within the company, as business continues to improve post Covid shutdowns and delays.

“We continue to be a good community partner and ensure our associates know we appreciate them and their hard work,” remarked Bill Kent.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

There have been 74 Derby Days races in Morristown.

That makes the 2023 celebration a nice important round number - the 75th anniversary celebration.

Organizer Thomas Wright spoke with GIANT fm recently to discuss the event.

The Derby Days events in the last weekend of July take months of preparation. At the forefront is applying for use of U.S. 52 for Saturday’s race. Wright says it can be a little nerve-racking waiting on the go-ahead even though it’s always been approved.

On Friday, the adult race will be on North Street. Both scouts and adults get practice sessions before the Derby Days race.

The races, of course, are the feature attraction of the weekend. Wright says there’s plenty more to attract big crowds for the 75^th anniversary.

You can visit http://derbydays2023.com/parade-info.html to register to be in the Derby Days parade. Lineup will begin at 10 a.m. on July 29, by the tennis courts behind Morristown High School. The parade will kickoff at 11 a.m.

The Indiana State Fair returns in just nine days and there are many ways to save on your State Fair experience.

The State Fair offers deals and discounts throughout the 18-day Fair, including 100-plus free things to do at the State Fair, opening July 28 and ending August 20.

Fairgoers are encouraged to buy tickets early to save up to 34%. Tickets are currently available to purchase online at www.IndianaStateFair.com. All advance discounts end July 27 at 11:59 p.m.

Additional Advance Admission Discounts

The following discounts are available now at IndianaStateFair.com: 

• Advance Discount Fair Admission Tickets. $11 advance discount State Fair tickets are available through July 27 at 11:59 p.m. Save 29% off gate admission
• Advance Discount Fair Parking Pass. $8 discount State Fair parking is available through July 27 at 11:59 p.m. (20% savings)
• Advance Discount Midway Wristbands. $25 midway wristbands available through July 30 at 11:59 p.m. (35% savings)
• Advance Discount Family 4-Pack. Includes one parking pass and four admission tickets to the 2023 Indiana State Fair. Available now through July 27 at 11:59 p.m. (34% savings)

Daily Gate Discounts

Discounts listed available on select days: 

• BMV Discount Day on Aug. 2. $7 gate admission with printed or digital voucher from IN.GOV/BMV (50% savings on admission)
• $3 Thursdays presented by the Indiana Secretary of State on Aug. 3, Aug. 10 and Aug. 17. $3 admission, $3 Midway Rides, and $3 food options at each food stand
• Free IndyStar Ticket Day on Aug. 9. Grab a copy of the IndyStar on Aug. 3 for a FREE admission ticket to the Fair - valid ONLY at the State Fair on Aug. 9 for free admission
• AAA Day on Aug. 16. AAA Cardholders receive FREE State Fair admission with a valid AAA membership card presented at the gate. One valid card per person.
• Military & First Responders’ Day presented by Peterman Brothers on Aug, 18. First responders, current and former Military, and their families receive FREE admission with valid ID presented at the gate.

Additional Daily Deals and Value:

• 100 Free Things to do at the State Fair:
  https://www.indianastatefair.com/p/state-fair/general-information/100-free-things-to-do
• Free Tractor Shuttle Rides. Travel around the fairgrounds for free this year on the tractor shuttles
• Free Entertainment and activities at every turn. Visit IndianaStateFair.com to view the Top 100 Free Things to Do daily at the 2023 Indiana State Fair
• Free entertainment every day at The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage. Visit IndianaStateFair.com to see the full Hoosier Lottery Free Stage line up. All Concerts are free with paid fair admission
• Pedal and Park. Save $1 off Fair admission when you ride your bicycle to the fair and use one of the free secured bike racks on the Monon Trail north of 38th St.

The Indiana State Fair will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A Shelbyville property owner is fed up with a nuisance property on Blanchard St.

Jack Ball, owner of 729 Blanchard St., appeared at Tuesday morning’s Board of Works and Public Safety meeting at City Hall with a request to remediate the property at 735 Blanchard St. and assess the cost to the owner of the property’s taxes.

The Board of Works has been working with Richard Hitchcock, the renter at 735 Blanchard St., to get the property back up to code. Hitchcock appeared at Tuesday’s meeting to provide an update on the progress to remove debris.

The Board of Works previously granted Hitchcock a 30-day extension to work on the property that he has lived at for 15 years.

“I am trying to do the best I can do,” he said.

The property is owned by Cousins Properties LLC of Shelbyville, according to the Shelby County GIS website.

Hitchcock requested another 30-day extension to continue cleaning up the property before Ball brought new information to the board.

Ball’s grandson now lives at 729 Blanchard St. with his three-year-old son. It is Ball’s contention that his grandson cannot go outside in his backyard due to mosquitoes inhabiting Hitchcock’s backyard.

In addition, the debris removal has now forced cockroaches, mice and other bugs to scatter from the backyard at 735 Blanchard St.

Ball expressed his frustration with the ongoing situation and asked for no more extensions.

“Get it taken care of. This has been months and years,” said Ball.

Board of Works member David Finkel commented he would call the Shelby County Health Department to discuss spraying the area for mosquitoes.

Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun, also a Board of Works member, informed Ball he would call the property owner today and have a discussion about helping with the clean up process.

Hitchcock was granted a second 30-day extension but the board, which also includes Bob Williams, stated it would not be inclined to granting a third extension.

“We will grant another 30 days and if it is not remediated by then, the city will do it,” said DeBaun.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer congratulated J. Alex Zimmerman on his victory in the caucus to fill the vacancy in the office of State Representative for District 67.

The caucus was held Monday at the Ripley County Courthouse Annex.

"Hoosiers in the district will be well represented by Alex, and we look forward to him joining the rest of the Republican caucus in the statehouse to deliver results for his constituents and the state of Indiana," said Hupfer. 

The vacancy in the office of Indiana State Representative for District 67 was left by State Rep. Randy Frye, whose resignation was effective on July 8.  Frye cited health reasons for his stepping down. He was first elected to the Indiana General Assembly in 2010 and served as chair of the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee.

Zimmerman was chosen over Decatur County Councilperson Deanna Burkart, Jefferson County Councilperson Pamela Crozier and former House District 66 Representative Lisa Seng Shadday of Jefferson County.

Zimmerman is a former legislator and North Vernon attorney. He served for nearly six years in the Statehouse before entering private practice. He worked for the Republican majority in the Senate in a variety of roles including majority legal associate and deputy majority attorney.

House District 67 covers Jennings, Jefferson and Ripley counties and extends into southern Decatur County to the towns of Millhousen and Westport.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

An upcoming bridge project also means new sidewalks for Greensburg schools.

In partnership with Decatur County and the City of Greensburg, the Indiana Department of Transportation announces the closure of Central Avenue in Greensburg starting on or after Monday for a bridge replacement project over Gas Creek. 

The bridge is expected to remain closed for up to 120 days, through late November. Traffic will be routed along the official detour, which follows Stewart Street, State Road 46/Main Street and Lincoln Street.

The contract was awarded to Susesis Construction Company in March for $1.4 million and also includes replacing sidewalks between Greensburg Junior High School and Greensburg High School.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Cincinnati Reds basketball team, which was comprised of Reds players and other major league baseball players living in the tri-state Cincinnati area, came to Shelbyville in December of 1973 to take on a group of Shelby County All-Stars. The local squad outscored the visiting Reds contingent 55-38 in the second half to claim a 97-88 victory before a large crowd at what is now William L. Garrett Gymnasium.

The evening served as a fundraiser for the Shelbyville High School student council. SHS senior and student council president Mark Risley organized the event.

“I was working for the radio station while in high school and had an opportunity to interview several Reds players the previous spring,” said Risley. “I heard that the Reds had a basketball team in the offseason that played in surrounding communities for local charities. It sounded like a great idea. The school was very supportive. It turned out to be a great team effort for the student council. We made signs and promoted the event all over the county.”

Tickets were available for purchase at The State Bank of Waldron, The Ranch Supermarket, The Belaire Pharmacy, Griffey’s Sporting Goods and Hub Shoes. Risley stated that the game netted an excellent profit and was a success for all involved.

The concept of a traveling Cincinnati Reds basketball team was the brainchild of legendary Reds player Pete Rose.

“I had played basketball in the offseason since 1965 as a way of staying in peak condition,” said Rose in 1971. “We were all pretty good basketball players and needed some offseason competition so it seemed like a good idea.”

Unlike today, there were very few year-round work-out facilities during those days, hence players were responsible for their own offseason training. Basketball seemed like a good option.

The Cincinnati Bengals football team also fielded a basketball team and player contracts of the period did not prohibit playing basketball or similar physical activity.

The Reds made it clear that while the games would be played with a sense of goodwill, there would be serious competition involved.

“We didn’t want the games to be clown shows,” said Rose. “We wanted them to be competitive. We told the game community organizers that we wanted to go against good players. Otherwise, it made no sense for us to play.”

Risley went about the task of putting together a solid alumni team to battle the Reds, who played against former local standouts from communities basically within a 100-mile radius of Cincinnati with event proceeds dedicated to a community charity. The Reds began basketball play following the 1969 season and compiled a 51-4 record during the first two offseasons. Then, starting Reds centerfielder Bobby Tolan ruptured his Achilles tendon during a game in Frankfort, Kentucky, in January of 1971. His injury would sideline him for the entire upcoming season.

Reds general manager Bob Howsam subsequently asked Rose, Bench and most of the team’s starting position players to stop playing for the Reds basketball team.

“I was sad to have to stop,” said Rose. “I played basketball for a long time and Tolan was the only guy I ever saw get seriously injured. But, Mr. Howsam is the boss. It is a shame though. This was great public relations for the team and we played in front an estimated 90,000 fans over that two-year period.”

One can understand the prescient Howsam’s reservations following Tolan’s injury. He anticipated tremendous success for his developing “Big Red Machine” and was intent on keeping everyone healthy. The team had captured National League pennants in 1970 and 1972, a Western Division title in 1973 and would win back-to-back World series championships in 1975 and 1976.

Several Reds and other MLB players residing in the Cincinnati area during the offseason expressed an interest in continuing the program. Howsam gave his consent and the team continued for two more years. Howsam’s edict, however, deprived the Reds basketball team of its marquee players and best athletes and in doing so diminished the level of available basketball talent that the squad would need to compete against the formidable community teams they would face. Enter Dick Vories.

Vories had been a 1963 NAIA All-American basketball player at Georgetown College in Kentucky, scoring more than 3,000 points throughout a storied career. Rose had recruited him for a few of the more challenging contests such as when the Reds faced off against players from the 1961 and 1962 University of Cincinnati  NCAA championship teams. The UC alumni handed the Reds a 30-point loss that night but Vories torched the nets for 49 points. Vories would henchforth be a member of the Reds basketball team.

Shelby County's Garry Elkins (21) and Mike Sipes (31) trap Reds player Dick Vories during second-half action at Garrett Gymnasium.

The Reds team that played in Shelbyville on Dec. 6, 1973, had a seven-man roster that featured players with impressive resumes. Former Red Lee May, who electrified Cincinnati fans with his powerful bat from 1965 through 1971, played that night. May hit 25 or more home runs in eight different seasons during his MLB career. He was a member of the Houston Astros in 1973.

Pitcher Jack Billingham was the only player at the Shelbyville game who was still a member of the Reds at the time. He would be a prime contributor to two Cincinnati World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.

May and Billingham are both members of the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ross Grimsley also represented the Reds on the hardwood at Shelbyville. The left-handed hurler played three seasons with the Reds, compiling a record of 37 wins and 25 losses. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles following the 1973 season.

Forty-two-year-old former pitcher and 9-time MLB all-star Jim Bunning was the oldest player on the court that December evening in Shelbyville and registered a basket for the Reds outfit. Bunning was a resident of northern Kentucky and later became a congressman and United States Senator.

Bunning was never a member of the Reds but pitched against them on numerous occasions. He had retired from baseball in 1971 after a 17-year career. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1996.

Grimsley recorded 19 points against the Shelby County team, Billingham had 10 and May tallied 6, however the star of the night was Vories. The Newport native and former Georgetown All-American scored 47 points including 22 in the opening quarter that paced the Reds to a 50-42 halftime advantage.

1968 Shelbyville standout and Auburn basketball alumnus Tim Ash hit a jumper with just over three minutes to play to give the locals an 84-82 lead that they would not relinquish. Former SHS and Indiana University star Gary Long (playing at the age of 34) led Shelby County scoring with 27 points. 1966 Shelbyville graduate Garry Elkins contributed 19. 1965 Golden Bear graduate Terry Nicholson netted 11 points while Ash finished with 8. Shelby County outscored the Reds 29-20 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Long recalls a very competitive game.

“I think we were behind for a good portion of the night and came back at the end,” said Long. “I was playing a lot of basketball at the time so I was in playing shape. I had heard Vories’ name in basketball circles so I knew he was very good. Lee May had been a star with the Reds so he was well-known. The Reds’ players said that we should be glad that Rose no longer played because he was intense, could be rough and always played for keeps.”

The 17-man Shelby County roster included 13 former Golden Bears including seven Paul Cross Award recipients: Ash (1968), Long (1956 and 1957), Pat McKenney (1966), Mike Sipes (1972) Kent Laird (1973), Steve Drake (1967) and Jim Tindall (1957). Other former SHS players on hand were the above-mentioned Nicholson and Elkins, Rod Dickmann (1969), Doug Adams (1970), Jack Tindall (1957) and Brad Eads (1972).

Ray Hamilton, who played on excellent Southwestern teams between 1967 and 1970 for Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach George Marshall, took the court against the Reds, as did fellow former Southwestern standout and Dartmouth basketball alumnus Van McQueen.

Sam Ingle (class of 1970) and Billy Bob Scott (class of 1969) represented Triton Central High School and scored five points apiece. 

The Reds basketball team ceased operation following the 1973 offseason.

Vories undoubtedly stole the show when the Reds basketball team came to Shelbyville. He dazzled the crowd with 47 points and his tremendous array of offensive skills. But more significant was the fact that area fans were treated to a living testimony to Shelby County’s basketball history.

Members of Shelbyville’s 1947 state championship team Bill Garrett, Marshall Murray, Loren Hemingway and Emerson Johnson served as honorary coaches for the Shelby County squad. 1953 Golden Bear graduate and Indiana All-Star Jim Plymate was also in attendance.

Golden Bear Gary Long was named to several high school all-state teams in 1957 and became a three-year letterman and two-year starter for Branch McCracken’s IU teams that compiled a three-year record of 46-24.

Tim Ash, Garry Elkins, Pat McKenney, Steve Drake, Doug Adams and Rod Dickmann played for Shelbyville during a tremendous five-year span of basketball success from 1965 through 1970 during which Shelbyville compiled a 77% cumulative winning percentage. It is indeed remarkable to consider that Ash and Elkins currently rank third and fifth respectively on the all-time Golden Bear scoring list more than 55 years after the conclusion of their high school basketball careers.

Southwestern’s Van McQueen tied the Memorial Gymnasium single-game scoring record with 39 points in the 1967 Columbus Sectional versus Brown County. Ray Hamilton was one of the area’s leading scorers in 1970 and led the Spartans to a 20-2 record that year.

This represents only a snapshot of the local basketball heritage on display that night. Each member of the Shelby County All-Star Team that faced off with the Reds in 1973 could relate multiple success stories from his basketball past.

Following the game, the Reds team players signed autographs and mingled with the people in attendance. The star-struck crowd may have been momentarily enamored with the Reds team celebrity and, for the moment, overlooked what would most likely dawn on them later: they had been witness to the inspirational legacy of Shelby County basketball.  And more importantly, Shelby County won the game.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is extending Sunday's statewide Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) through Monday.

IDEM is forecasting high levels of fine particles (PM_2.5) in the air for Sunday and Monday, July 16-17, in the following regions:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

Smoke and particulate matter will be moving into the state on Sunday raising particulate levels to unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG).

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Smoke and particulate matter will be moving into the state on Sunday raising particulate levels to unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG). The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is issuing an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high levels of fine particles (PM_2.5) in the air for Sunday, July 16, in the following regions:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A pursuit involving law enforcement in Hancock County began near Mt. Comfort Road and I-70 and ended near McCordsville.

About 4:30 a.m. Friday members of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department were called to the area of Carvana located near Mt. Comfort Road and I-70, for a possible vehicle theft in progress. Deputies arrived and located a suspicious vehicle near the Carvana gate with no headlights or taillights on. Upon seeing police, the vehicle immediately fled the area at a high rate of speed.

Deputies pursued the vehicle north on County Road 700 West. The vehicle crashed into another car at the intersection of 700 West and 600 North. Deputies arrived on the scene and called for the Hancock County Fatal Accident Crash Team (F.A.C.Team) to respond because of the severity of the crash.

The suspect vehicle was a Nissan Sentra driven by an unidentified male. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. He was transported to Eskenazi Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Deputies are working with the coroner’s office and hospital staff to identify the male.

The other car was a Chevrolet Malibu occupied by three people. The three occupants were transported to Eskenazi Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

At this time, drugs may be a factor, along with fleeing law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing.

The intersection was closed for about four hours while officers from the Hancock County Fatal Accident Crash Team and McCordsville Police Department investigated.

Officers formed a perimeter around Carvana and searched for any other possible occupants of the suspect vehicle, but none were located.

MHP has been recognized as a Top Hospital for Nurse Communication by Becker's.

MHP was named one of the top-10 hospitals in Indiana and one of the top 364 hospitals in the nation for their communication with patients.    

“In healthcare, effective communication is a key component of patient safety.  I am extremely proud of all our MHP staff for this recognition,” said Jack Horner, President & CEO of Major Health Partners. “It is a true testament to our nurses’ dedication to safety and patient-centered care. Congratulations on your efforts and the results they have produced.”

Becker's has compiled a list of the best hospitals for nurse communication in each state using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems data from CMS.

CMS shares 10 HCAHPS star ratings based on publicly reported HCAHPS measures. The nurse communication star rating combines data from three HCAHPS survey questions and summarizes how well patients feel that their nurses explained things clearly, listened carefully to the patient, and treated the patient with courtesy and respect.

The star rating is based on survey data collected from hospital patients from July 2021 through June 2022. 

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer has officially called a caucus of eligible precinct committee members to fill the upcoming vacancy in the office of Indiana State Representative for District 67. 

The seat is currently held by State Rep. Randy Frye, whose resignation was effective July 8.

The caucus will be held on Monday at 6 p.m. at the Ripley County Courthouse Annex, located at 102 W First North St. in Versailles, Indiana. The winner will fill the remainder of the office's 2023-2024 term.

Individuals interested in running in the caucus should contact the secretary of the Indiana Republican Party to ensure they file the proper forms prior to the deadline, which is 72 hours prior to the vote. The caucus will be open to credentialed media who pre-register by Friday. 

A live stream will be available for members of the public who wish to watch the caucus proceedings.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

This summer, the Indiana State Police is teaming up with other Indiana law enforcement agencies to keep drivers and passengers safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits.

Through the end of the month, law enforcement officers in your community will be on high alert for speeding vehicles while participating in the Speeding Slows You Down campaign, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

Not only is speeding illegal, it's also deadly. In 2021, speeding killed 252 people in Indiana, accounting for more than one-quarter of all crash fatalities. Tragically, there was a dramatic increase (15%) in speeding-related crash fatalities from 2021-2022.

Preliminary data shows that in 2022, speeding killed 290 people in Indiana, with nearly 300 fatalities projected in 2023. The Indiana State Police wants to remind drivers that, no matter how seasoned you are as a driver, ultimately, Speeding Slows You Down.

Like impaired driving, speeding can have deadly consequences for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Speeding reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. Even the safest cars with the newest technologies are limited in how much they can help reduce the odds of a crash. "Speed limit signs are not suggestions; they are the law," said Indiana State Police Lieutenant TJ Zeiser.

According to data from ICJI, more people crash while speeding on local roads than on highways. In 2022, 77% of all speeding-related traffic crashes on Indiana roads occurred on non-interstate roadways.

Drivers in neighborhoods, school zones, or secondary roads should be especially aware of this campaign and their speed. For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Rush County law enforcement is asking for the public's help to find a motorcycle rider who was involved in a pursuit on the 4th of July.

The Rush County Sheriff's office and Rushville Police tried to perform a traffic stop on the motorcycle but the operator drove off while reaching high rates of speed and driving off the roadway several times. The pursuit began on West State Road 44 on the edge of Rushville at about 9:30 a.m.

The Rush County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help in identifying the person in the pictures.  The office notes that the license plate has a clear cover but had been scratched to make it difficult to read the plate.

Anyone with information should call the Rush County Sheriff's Department at (765) 932-2931.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Shelbyville High School has announced “9^th Grade Orientation” is Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon.

This is a student-only orientation.

Students should enter Door 1 at the high school, 2003 S. Miller St., where they will meet with the staff and fellow students.

The orientation also will include a tour of the building and iPads will be issued.

The first day of school for Shelbyville Central Schools students for the 2023-2024 school year is Aug. 9.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department is dealing with vandals and homeless people at Kennedy Park.

Two recent incidents of graffiti on playground equipment and within the 10-acre park have been handled, but the culprit is still at large. The parks department is asking neighboring residents for any information they may have of vandals in the park after hours when the incidents are occurring.

Parks department staff also have been dealing with homeless encampments along the Little Blue River near the shelter house at Kennedy Park, 309 Coffey Lane.

“What we can’t allow is for this to continue where we can’t be in our own parks and have people feel safe,” said parks department director Trisha Tackett at Wednesday’s parks board meeting.

Reports of as many as six people sleeping in the shelter house at Kennedy Park have been addressed. The homeless camps along the river were tagged and ordered to vacate the premises.

Tackett pointed out that discussions were had with all the homeless individuals about receiving help from city services. All declined any assistance and have moved on from Kennedy Park.

“Assistance has been offered to them but they don’t want it,” said Tackett. “The police chief has offered assistance to them and asked if they want help. I have told them there are resources but they don’t want that.”

All Shelbyville parks are open from dawn to dusk. Restroom doors at each facility are locked at the end of each day after being cleaned by parks department staff. The parks department will now keep shelter house lights on overnight at each city park to help police and parks department staff better patrol the areas.

The Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center, 101 McKinley St., will close for the season on Aug. 13 with its annual “Doggie Day” celebration – a fundraiser from 1 to 3 p.m. that benefits the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter.

The aquatic center will host a “Dive-In Movie” night on July 21. Gates will open at 7:30 p.m. with no admission price for the movie, “The Bad Guys” that will begin once it is dark.

The aquatic center will remain open daily through July 30. The last weekend to visit the aquatic center is Aug. 5-6. The center will then be open again on Aug. 12 with “Doggie Day” to follow one day later.

The parks department will continue its “Music in the Park” series Friday with “Heartache Tonight” performing at Blue River Memorial Park located at 725 Lee Boulevard. Buck Rogers Jr. will open the free concert at 7 p.m. with Heartache Tonight, an Eagles tribute band, to follow.

The 25^th Annual Shelby Shifters Car Show is Sunday at Kennedy Park. The awards portion of the event will commence at 3 p.m.

Tackett opened discussion with the parks board about how the department can be involved with activities occurring during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Shelby County is in the direct path of the eclipse and is expected to draw thousands of people into the region to monitor the event.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A 21-year-old Greenfield man has been arrested after allegedly starting a fire in his apartment. 

According to the Greenfield Police, Seth Schmidt was arrested after officers and firefighters were called to a call of a structure fire Tuesday at 2130 Crossing Lane in the Greenfield Crossing apartment complex. 

First responders were able to contain the fire to the apartment and put it out quickly with fire extinguishers and begin an investigation.

During the investigation, witnesses and neighbors stated there was a domestic disturbance that took place shortly before the fire and evidence located at the scene prompted officers to make an arrest. 

Schmidt was being held in the Hancock County Jail Wednesday afternoon, awaiting an initial hearing in court. Formal charges are being considered by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office and could be filed after a review of the case is done.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

MORRISTOWN – After nearly two decades as a teacher, Andrew Shores steps into an administrative role as the new Principal of Morristown Junior-Senior High School.

“It will be different not having a classroom full of students,” admitted Shores. “I will miss that. There is no doubt about that.

“I love teaching. I am hoping to bring that connection to the staff. I think knowing the scope is just different. I am learning a ton of stuff right now. I am trying to figure out all the different things that are a part of the role. That’s a big part of what’s been going on.”

Shores official first day was July 1 but he has been around the building  since late June preparing for the transition, including assisting in the hiring of new Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Dan Theobald.

“It will be a change for the staff,” said Shores of having two new administrators in the building. “I know (the teachers) have to be a little nervous with the whole switch at the top. I have been meeting with a lot of them already. Hopefully, I will get to meet with the rest of them. We’ve been having 1-on-1 meetings so I can get to know everybody and it helps me know what they need.”

https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/696012/theobald-hired-as-new-morristown-assistant-principal-and-athletic-director

The Illinois native migrated east to Indiana out of high school to attend Anderson University.

“It was just the right distance from home, a small Christian school and it seemed like a good fit in a lot of different ways,” said Shores.

Anderson assigned him to the Eastern Hancock school system for his student-teaching assignment. While there, the teacher he worked with mentioned retirement was in his near future.

Shores started his teaching career at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard before getting a call that his student-teaching mentor was indeed retiring and his job was available.

Shores spent 19 years at Eastern Hancock High School teaching Calculus, Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, and Algebra II.

“About five years ago, the principal who had been at Eastern Hancock the whole time I was teaching announced his retirement,” said Shores. That got me thinking. I’ve been spoiled here with leadership. I liked and respected the principal. I started thinking about leadership in general and then I started the leadership program through Ball State (University).

“I finished that and here I am. I ended up here because it’s a small school in the area. I love the idea of a student body where I can know every kid. At Eastern Hancock, I knew every high school (student) pretty much and pretty much every high school and middle school student by face, if not by name. Knowing every kid is a big part of why I ended up here.”

Shores is currently working to fill the final staffing needs at the school, including finding Theobald’s replacement in the Social Studies department. The first “official” day of school is Aug. 10.

“I intend to be right out in front greeting the kids and meeting everybody,” he said of his first day plans. “I’ve already met a few kids here and there. I intend to be out and about those first couple of days to make sure things go smoothly.”

Former Morristown principal Jeremy Powers accepted the principal position at Benjamin Rush Middle School in Rushville and former athletic director/assistant principal Collin McCartt accepted an administrative position at Rushville High School.

Those moves opened up the opportunity for Shores to grow into a new role.

“I hope to mostly bring some stability and support for what (teachers) need to be doing in the classroom,” he said. “I am a big fan of teachers and the work they do. I know its hard work. I want to do everything I can to offer them the support they need so that they have the tools they need for success and the students are set up for success.

“I don’t have any huge initiatives I’m bringing right away. I want to get to know everybody and see where they are at and where we need to go from there. I am kind of in an evaluation stage right now and see what needs to happen.”

Shores and his wife, Kelly, a marriage and family therapy counselor in Fortville, have two children; Amelia, 13, and Asher, 11.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Incoming sixth graders to Shelbyville Middle School will have orientation on Aug. 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Parents must park in the West lot of the middle school, located at 1200 W. McKay Road, and walk their student(s) into the school through the gymnasium doors, where you can sign them in.

Doors open at 5:15 p.m.

Parents can then leave the school and return to the gym at 6:40 p.m. for a question-and-answer session and to pick up your student(s).

While at the orientation, students will tour the school, receive their iPads, meet Shelbyville Middle School staff, and have an opportunity to become more comfortable with the school building.

The first day of school for students in the Shelbyville Central Schools system is Aug. 9.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The death of a man in Pennsylvania who has ties to Shelbyville is being investigated as a homicide.

Funeral services have been scheduled locally for Alexander Mason Price, 29, of Allentown, formerly of Easton, Pennsylvania, and Shelbyville, Indiana.  He passed away on Sunday in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The Lehigh County Coroner has ruled Price's death as a homicide.

Investigators say there is no danger to the public. They believe it was an isolated incident between two people that resulted in Price's death Friday at a rooming home in Allentown. Price was discovered Sunday. Forensic units and police were on the scene all day Sunday.

The Lehigh County Coroner has declared the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.

At last report, police had a man that was a person of interest but no arrests or motive.

Price's death is being investigated by the Allentown Police Department with assistance from the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and the Lehigh County District Attorney's office.

Price, 29, was born in Indianapolis. He was a 2012 graduate of Nazareth Area High School and had also attended Northampton Community College and East Stroudsburg University.

Price is survived by his parents, Anthony and Jennifer (Nolley) Price of Easton; his brother, Adam Price and wife, Micah, of Indianapolis; sister, Chloe Price of Easton; maternal grandparents, Robert and Donna (Dunham) Nolley of Shelbyville; nieces, Clementine and Clara, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents John and Charlotte (Snow) Price; cousin, Zachary Clark.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday at the Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. 

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Shelbyville, with Rev. Bill Horner officiating..

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department has released information on an inmate passing away Monday after collapsing in the book-in area of the jail.

Denim Fassold, 33, of Shelbyville, was found unresponsive at 7:12 a.m. Monday. Jail staff initiated life-saving procedures as well as notifying medical personnel of the situation.

Medics from the Shelbyville Fire Department responded and attended to Fassold, who was still unresponsive. Fassold was transported to Major Health Partners Medical Center in Shelbyville and later transferred to St. Francis Hospital.

The sheriff’s department was notified Monday night that Fassold passed away.

Fassold was arrested Saturday around 3:10 p.m. on drug-related charges.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Shelby County high school students on track to graduate by June 30, 2024, can now apply for scholarships during Blue River Community Foundation’s summer scholarship cycle.

Students applying during this cycle are considered for both the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship and BRCF administered scholarship opportunities. Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship consideration; however, all students are encouraged to apply for over 175 scholarships awarded annually through BRCF’s Scholarship Program.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 1, 2023.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) is proud to partner with Lilly Endowment Inc. to select one Shelby County high school senior as a nominee for the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP). Independent colleges of Indiana on behalf of Lilly Endowment Inc. will make final scholarship selections and notify BRCF of its decision by Dec. 8, 2023. BRCF will notify the recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship no later than Dec. 20, 2023.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is designed to:

• Help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana
• Increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities
• Encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit, and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state

The scholarship provides for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, repaired fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The program awards 147 scholarships statewide.

Minimum requirements that must be met for consideration include:

• Reside in Shelby County
• Graduate by the end of June with a diploma from a regionally-accredited Indiana high school
• Intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an accredited public or private college or university in Indiana
• Demonstrate the following:

• Participation in community activities
• Leadership skills in school, community, and/or extracurricular activities
• Commitment to academics and ability to succeed at the next level
• Must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and a minimum 1100 total score on SAT or ACT equivalent

Lilly Endowment created LECSP in 1998 and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $486 million. Over 5,100 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception; including 42 Shelby County recipients.

BRCF Scholarship Program

Blue River Community Foundation administers over 95 scholarship funds established by caring and generous donors who are passionate about supporting students as they pursue their post-secondary educational goals. During the most recent cohort, BRCF administered funds-awarded 193 scholarships to 146 students for a combined total of $459,000. High school applicants who complete the summer cycle application in full are considered for all scholarships administered by BRCF for which they are eligible.

Students currently pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or professional program degrees as well as nontraditional students are encouraged to apply for BRCF scholarships during the foundation’s winter scholarship cycle which opens Nov. 1, 2023, for the 2024-2025 academic year.

High school students not applying during the summer application cycle may also apply during the winter cycle; however, they will not be considered for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.

For a complete list of the scholarship funds, visit the foundation's website at www.blueriverfoundation.com or BRCF's Scholarship Resource Guide.

For more information about the summer scholarship application cycle, contact Julie Alvis, Communications and Scholarships Director, at 317-392-7955, ext. 102 or jalvis@blueriverfoundation.com.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

FAIRLAND -- With a detailed list of projects that need to be completed, the Northwestern Consolidated Schools board continued to discuss the general obligation bond process that would infuse the school system with a sizable amount of funding.

At Monday’s July school board meeting, the details of how the bond process works were discussed and a public hearing will be held at the August meeting to receive community input. The final decision on the bond process will be made in September and, if approved, would provide the Triton Central school system with $6.1 million once the bonds are sold.

“Our board facilities committee met over the winter and identified a list of projects,” said Northwestern Consolidated Schools Superintendent Chris Hoke of what spurred the financial discussion.

The most pressing project at the top of the school system’s list is a new HVAC system at Triton Central High School, which also will have all of its windows replaced. The windows are original to when the school was built, according to Hoke.

“We will do the windows and the HVAC together,” he said. “That’s the big need.”

Another major project is installing a new basketball floor in the high school gymnasium. It too is original to the school’s construction and cannot be sanded down and refinished any more.

In addition, there are transformers that need to be moved at the elementary school and middle school.

“Just for safety reasons. We don’t want the transformers inside (the buildings),” said Hoke. “In 1960, that was common. It doesn’t make good sense now.”

Despite there being as many as 20 items identified by the facilities committee, Hoke anticipates the $6.1 million being more than enough to cover the costs.

“I think we will have money left over,” said Hoke. “We can take this issue now in 2023 and there is an opportunity to do a similar thing in 2025 and then in 2031 or 2032. If there is the ability to take a 2025 timeline project and move it into the 2023 project we would.”

In other board business Monday:

• Approved the 2023-2024 student handbook.
• Hired 2015 Triton Central graduate James Polston as the Alternative Schools Supervisor. Polston also will join the high school girls basketball program’s coaching staff.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The investigation into the drowning death of a Whiteland High School student will not result in criminal charges.

On May 16, Alaina Dildine, 15, was swimming during a physical education class. First responders found Dildine underwater and beneath the bulkhead of the school’s pool. Despite lifesaving measures, shortly thereafter, she was pronounced deceased.

Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner stated in a press release, “based upon the materials submitted by the Sheriff’s Office, this office has determined that no criminal laws were violated by school employees. It is not the function of this office, however, to determine whether any negligence on behalf of school officials contributed to this tragedy. Such a determination would need to be made in the civil justice system.”

According to the prosecutor’s release, an autopsy was conducted by the Johnson County Coroner’s Office and the cause of death was determined to be both drowning and seizure disorder with the manner of death being ruled as an accident.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, by agreement with the Clark Pleasant Police Department, assumed responsibility for the criminal investigation into Dildine’s death. The results of the investigation were forwarded to the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A random mention a few years ago by her father put an idea into Madelyn Henry’s mind. And when it came time to start planning for her future, that idea of becoming a pharmacist started coming into focus.

“At the time, I really didn’t want to do it,” said Henry. “Two years ago, I started researching what (pharmacy) was about and I got interested in it. I started finding schools for it at the end of my junior year.”

About that same time, Henry, a Shelby County resident, learned she was a top-five student at Oldenburg Academy. One year later, Henry received a phone call informing her she was the Class of 2023 Valedictorian.

The next step for Henry is to study Pharmacy at Butler University in Indianapolis.

“When I toured the campus, I honestly fell in love with it,” said Henry of her Butler visit. “It was so beautiful. I got to shadow a student there who is in the Pharmacy program. I got to see everything from her perspective too.

“And then they have a Pharmacy camp I went to for a day and I got to see all the classrooms and professors. It solidified it I guess.”

Henry also considered Purdue University but liked the smaller-school feel of Butler – a fact not lost on her after attending Oldenburg Academy following four years of being a homeschool student.

“I wanted to go to a regular high school,” she said. “I think (my mother) would have homeschooled me through it but I really wanted to experience high school.

“Oldenburg Academy was a good transition. It’s a tiny school. I just really liked OA. The campus is really pretty. All the teachers there are really amazing.”

The personal experiences Henry had at Oldenburg Academy are what will stick with her the most as she moves on to Butler.

“Honestly, the people. I got close with the teachers and my friends there,” said Henry. “I think our average class size there was like 10 people. It was really nice to be able to go into a teacher’s room pretty much anytime to ask a question. Everyone knows who you are. I will miss that aspect.”

While at Oldenburg Academy, Henry was part of the girls soccer program, a student manager for the girls basketball team, and a hurdler with the track and field program. She also participated in several school clubs and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Henry, the daughter of Brad and Miranda Henry, will spend the rest of the summer enjoying some down time. She just recently returned with her family from a two-week vacation in Ireland and England.

“That was really fun,” she said. “My dad always wanted to go.”

That followed a March school-sponsored trip to Spain.

“That was an amazing seven or eight days,” she said. We got to go to four different cities.”

Now, in a little over a month, Henry will officially move in to a Butler dormitory and start a brand new adventure.

“I am getting really excited,” she said.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Indiana State Fair unveiled new must-have items to try at this year’s State Fair.

Fairgoers wait annually for the announcement of new Fair Food Favorites and this year’s items won’t disappoint! In addition to these new tasty treats, fairgoers can also expect the classic must have selections across a wide variety of 140-plus different food stands.

The 2023 Indiana State Fair returns July 28 through Aug. 20 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

BBQ Pig Wings (Offered by Indiana Pork)

The BBQ bone-in pork wing comes from the bottom of the ham and consists of tender, dark meat that is full of delicious flavors. There is a single small bone running through the center with a small handle sticking out – it’s pork without a fork!

Bratchos (Offered by Urick Concessions)

Tortilla Chips topped with a sizzling Bratwurst, creamy hatch queso, zesty jalapeños, fire roasted salsa, and a dollop of Sour Cream. It's the ultimate fiesta on a plate that will leave you craving more with every crunchy bite.

Buffalo Pork-n-Mac (Offered by Nitro Hog BBQ)

A bowl of homemade mac-n-cheese with pulled pork, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing drizzled on top.

Cherry Lemonade Twister (Offered by Twisted Drinks and Food)

A fresh squeezed lemonade with cherry syrup and maraschino cherries added to make for the perfect summertime drink.

Cherry ShakeUp (Offered by Hi & Mighty)

Eat, drink and be cherry! Keep it bright and Cardinal red with a citrus refresher made to shake it up for celebrations big and small. In partnership with Ball State University ... Chirp Chirp Cherry!

Chocolate Glazed Popcorn (Offered by Olde Tyme Poppin Korn)

Popped the old fashion way, but with a tasty chocolate glaze and a hint of salt.

Cinnamon Crunch Corn (Offered by Fairlivin Concessions)

Shredded sweet corn on the cob in butter, topped with a cinnamon toast crunch and a cream cheese icing.

Deep Fried Corn on a Stick (Offered by Cantina Louies by Meatball Factory)

A 6-inch ear of corn on a stick seasoned then dipped into a buttermilk and egg mixture and then rolled into a flour corn meal with spice, then placed in the fryer until it is a golden brown and topped off with mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese. A little Cholula hot sauce pack is handed out with each one to enhance the flavor and give it a good kick.

Deep Fried Sandwich Cookie Ale (Offered by Sun King Brewery & Spirits)

Deep-Fried Sandwich Cookies is an Oatmeal Milk Porter made with oats, lactose, chocolate malt, and 300lbs of chocolate sandwich cookies.

Elote Street Corn Pizza (Offered by DG Concession) 

Signature crust topped with a mixed base of mozzarella and cotija cheese, corn, jalapeños, a drizzle of chipotle mayo, a sprinkle of tajin, and crushed ranch tortilla chips for added crunch.

Flaming Hot Cheeto Corn in a Cup (Offered by Wilson Concessions)

Corn, nacho cheese, Flaming Hot Cheetos, and tajin served in a cup.

Gimme S’more Bourbon Shake (Offered by Urick Concessions)

A summer staple, but as a boozy milkshake with the help of Hotel Tango's Shmallow Toasted Marshmallow Bourbon. Creamy vanilla ice cream, milk, and Shmallow Bourbon blended together and topped with the classic s'mores essentials.

Hoosier Burger Mango (Offered by Black Leaf Vegan, LLC)

Born in the Hoosier State, this one of a kind plant-based burger patty submerged in our unique Black Leaf sauce (teriyaki bbq), topped with fresh mango salsa and vegan cheddar cheese on a buttery brioche bun is the best of what Indiana has to offer.

Indiana Hardwood Nachos (Offered by Twisted Drinks and Food)

Nacho chips layered with queso cheese, homemade Indiana street corn and then drizzled with Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce to top it off!

Italian Melt (Offered by American Dairy Association Indiana Inc.)

Provolone and basil pesto on sourdough, served with marinara sauce for dipping.

Lemon Drop Drizzle (Offered by R&W Concessions)

5 mini sponge cakes with lemon icing dipped in funnel cake batter, deep fried to a golden brown, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with vanilla icing. Ooey Gooey Deliciousness!

Nutellaphant Ear (Offered by Urick Concessions)

A whimsical twist on a State Fair favorite. Fried dough generously slathered with velvety Nutella, and topped with strawberries and bananas. A final sprinkle of powdered sugar adds the perfect touch of sweetness and nostalgia meets pure delight in every bite!

Pepperoni Pizza Pretzel (Offered by Wilson Concessions)

A jumbo pretzel with pizza sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.

S’mores Funnel Cake (Offered by LT Concessions LLC)

Funnel Cake with marshmallow drizzle, Hershey's Chocolate and graham cracker crumble.

Sirloin Tip Fries (Offered by SW Concessions)

A base of curly fries cooked to a golden brown and topped with cheese, Sirloin Tips, and of course A1 steak sauce.

Smoked Bologna Burnt Ends (Offered by Red Frazier Bison)

Smoked bologna burnt ends served with pickles and mustard.

Spicy Sweet Chili Walking Taco (Offered by Georgia’s Kitchen)

Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream.

Street Corn Pizza (Offered by Swains Pizza on a Stick) 

Fresh dough made daily topped with a homemade white sauce, sprinkled with a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, finished off with fire roasted corn, a generous dusting of chili lime seasoning and cilantro then baked to perfection.

The Dirty Dog (Offered by R&W Concessions) 

Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream.

The Hoosier Slam Dunk Caramel Apple Surprise (Offered by Jessop Candy Products) 

Cinnamon sugared apple slices with hot caramel sauce, nuts, sprinkles, optional mini chocolate chips or chocolate sauce, whipped cream, cherry and topped with cotton candy.

The Indiana Grown Burger (Offered by Red Frazier Bison) 

Red Frazier Bison Burger 1/4lb Patty, Rice’s Farm Quality Meats Bacon, Metal Honey Foods Burger Jam, Rising Creek Goat Cheese, Dillman Farm’s Bread & Butter Pickles, and Cornerstone Bread Pretzel Bun.

The Mac Daddy Empanada (Offered by Gobble Gobble) 

The newest twist on our Original Mac Daddy! The cheesy mac and cheese and the pulled BBQ Turkey combo stuffed in the empanada, is one you don't want to miss this year!

The Walking Burger (Offered by Indiana Ribeye) 

Regular or BBQ chips with a hamburger cut into bite sized pieces and a scoop of our cowboy beans, made right at our stand. Add a fork and you are ready to explore the rest of the fair!

Vanilla Dream Coffee Ice Cream Soda (Offered by Hooks Drug Store Museum and Soda Fountain) 

Vanilla flavored iced coffee topped with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and whipped topping.

Wicked Chicken N Waffles (Offered by Urick Concessions)  

An infinitely hot take on the classic chicken and waffles. The Wicked Chicken N Waffles features chicken tenders sandwiched between two waffles drenched in Mike's Hot Honey, and topped with crushed Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Photon Automation, a leading provider of automated laser technology solutions since 2000, has announced the opening of a state-of-the-art laser applications laboratory in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The 7,400-square-foot facility will be led by renowned laser physicist, Dr. Najah George, Ph.D., who brings over 35 years of extensive experience in laser technology.

The new laboratory will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research, development and testing of laser applications. Equipped with advanced laser systems and best-in-class technology, the facility will offer a wide range of services to cater to various industries.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

MORRISTOWN -- Bunge’s newest investment at its Morristown location will be the largest single investment in Shelby County’s history.

On Thursday, Bunge hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its $550 million fully-integrated soy protein concentrate and texturing plant.

“This is a perfect fit for Shelby County,” said Brian Asher, Executive Director of the Shelby County Development Corporation. “It’s a perfect fit for the state of Indiana. Agriculture has always been the backbone of Shelby County’s economy and this kind of proves that and will magnify it for the future.”

The new plant, located at 700 N. Rangeline Road on Bunge’s 110-plus-acre property, will add 70 new employees and process an additional 4.5 million bushels of soybeans once operational.

“It’s not just the next chapter of this facility,” said Aaron Buettner, Bunge’s President of Food Solutions. “It’s the next chapter of (agriculture) and food in this part of the world and the power it has to connect to the rest of the world. Connection is something at Bunge that we embrace. It’s really core to our purpose.

“We say our purpose is connecting farmers to consumers around the world. That means buying it from farmers, processing and turning it into the final food products that our customers will consume.”

Congressman Greg Pence (photo) was one the dignitaries that participated in the groundbreaking ceremony and spoke at the press conference.

“I want to thank Bunge on behalf of Morristown and the whole Indiana sixth district,” said Pence. “This is such an agriculture area. Indiana being such an agriculture state, we really appreciate you not just being here for all these years but also for expanding and making an additional investment here.”

Bunge scoured several sites for its new facility but, ultimately, decided to grow the Morristown location.

“They looked at a number of locations in the Midwest area, other opportunities but it came back to the footprint we have here, the facility you see behind me,” said Brad Sommer (photo), who will serve as the new plant manager when it becomes operational. “It just made sense to choose Bunge Morristown as the site for this plant. We are extremely excited that Bunge chose us.”

Prep work has already started on the facility, according to Sommer, which is expected to become operational in mid-2025.

“We will be producing soy protein concentrate and texture products from beans that are grown local,” said Sommer. “We will be putting it into the form of a powder or texture that has structure that can then be added to food applications. It can be consumed in a vegetarian diet. It can go in a number of food solutions to feed people around the world.

“Bunge is known for connecting farmers to consumers and this is a huge piece of that chain we are going to connect. It is exciting to see Midwest farmers are going to have a role in feeding the world.”

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Following the recommendation of the Plan Commission, the Shelbyville Common Council agreed not to rezone a tract of land in a congested area.

Continuing with its extraterritorial jurisdiction planning, the initial thought was to rezone the parcels of land (photo) between North State Road 9 and Morristown Road from Single-Family Residential (R1) to Business Highway (BH).

Residents in the area were concerned about the rezone and what it would mean for future use. Several showed up at a recent plan commission meeting to express frustration with the rezone.

Heeding their concerns, the plan commission recommended leaving the parcels R1 until they were ready to be developed.

The common council then approved the extraterritorial jurisdiction, not an annexation into city limits, at Wednesday’s meeting at City Hall.

“I don’t want anyone to think we are dealing in absolutes here,” said Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun at the council meeting. “As we discussed in the pre-meeting, traffic is a big concern out there. Until INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) or the city, next future administrations work out a solution, I don’t think anything will develop on those parcels and they will remain as shown.

“What I don’t want is for somebody to come to the city council 10 or 20 years from now and say you told us this would always be R1. I want to make sure this is an accurate representation of why this is happening and what will happen in the future.”

With the addition of Culver’s restaurant to the area in 2022, traffic moving onto Morristown Road from State Road 9, and vice versa, is not ideal with the stop light at the intersection.

DeBaun mentioned that INDOT is looking into the intersection to come up with a better solution. There is no timeline in place for that decision.

There was a second amendment to the jurisdiction ordinance, a second recommendation from the Plan Commission, to change a tract of land east of the Progress Parkway and E. Michigan Road intersection, from R1 to Agriculture (AG).

The common council also agreed with the recommendation while approving the ordinance.

In other council business Wednesday:

• Approved a more detailed map outlining the specific areas of the new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area ordinance approved in June. The city was asked to provide the new map by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC).
• Approved the transfer of a Riverfront District license to Bryan and Kim Rice, owners of Pudder’s restaurant in downtown Shelbyville.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Transport Enterprise Leasing (TEL) has unveiled a new 56,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fleet maintenance and reconditioning facility in Greenfield.

Located just off I-70, the facility can handle more than 130 tractors and trailers a month, expanding TEL’s maintenance and reconditioning capabilities across the Midwest and other parts of the country, said Aaron Thompson, Vice President of Fleet Maintenance for the company.

The facility, which sits on 40 acres, includes six trailer bays, 18 truck service bays and 10,000 square feet of space for parts storage. It employs 30 people on a single shift, with the potential of adding a second shift in 2024.

“TEL’s mission has always been to help entrepreneurial minded individuals start and maintain successful businesses in the trucking industry. We do that by offering innovative solutions, unparalleled value and best-in-class service and support to aid in growing their businesses. This maintenance and reconditioning facility is a testament to our commitment to serve independent contractors and small fleet customers in the Midwest and beyond,” Thompson noted.

The facility features:

• A security enclosed lot, which allows for expansive storage of tractors and trailers to accommodate most fleet sizes
• A fully enclosed paint booth, where technicians paint the complete tractor as well as parts needed for the reconditioning process
• Department of Transportation (DOT) certified full-time technicians on staff, who provide road-ready DOT inspection for all vehicles 
• A fully automated indoor truck wash system to clean all tractors and trailers leaving the facility

Before moving to Greenfield, TEL operated a smaller maintenance facility in leased space in Marion County.

“The Hancock County economic development zone is what drew us to Greenfield,” Thompson said.

TEL President Jud Alexander joined Thompson and other employees recently at the facility’s grand opening event to welcome leaders in the transportation industry, including fleet carriers, customers, vendors and business partners.

“The Greenfield facility is already increasing the level of service TEL is able to provide customers,” Alexander said afterward. “It is a great example of the level of growth we have achieved to date, with much more to come, as TEL expands from the Southeast across the Midwest and into Texas and the Southwest,” he said.

Transport Enterprise Leasing (TEL) is a leading national provider of commercial truck and trailer leasing, sales and remarketing. TEL helps professionals build profitable businesses by providing and financing new and like-new transport equipment from top brands, including Peterbilt, Freightliner, Volvo, Kenworth, Hyundai, Wabash, Utility and Fontaine. TEL specializes in Class 8 sleepers and day cabs, dry vans, reefers and flatbeds. 

Founded in 2004, TEL headquarters is located in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Bunge is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for its fully integrated soy protein concentrate (SPC) and textured soy protein concentrate (TSPC) facility in Morristown.

The facility will help Bunge meet rising customer demand for key ingredients in the production of plant-based foods, processed meat, pet food, and feed products.

Expected to be commissioned in mid-2025, the plant will create around 70 full-time jobs and process an additional 4.5 million bushels of soybeans.
The facility is adjacent to and integrated with Bunge’s soybean processing plant.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

 

Indiana State Police have been notified of an online fundraising page claiming to benefit the family of Trooper Aaron Smith. This is a scam, there are no online social media fundraising pages to support or benefit the family of Trooper Smith.

The official memorial fund is established at Indiana Members Credit Union by the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation

Please do not contribute to any online fundraiser claiming to benefit Trooper Smith’s family or other organizations utilizing this tragedy to scam people out of money.

Please use the official link below if you would like to help Trooper Smith's Family or visit any IMCU bank to contribute.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/...

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Last year saw a roughly 40% increase in the number of reported cases involving agricultural confined spaces, according to the 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities recently released by the Purdue University Agricultural Safety and Health Program in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

The annual, widely used summary documents the previous year’s frequency and causes of confined space and grain entrapment incidents in the agricultural industry and provides a historical analysis of agricultural confined space hazards.

The authors of the summary are Yuan-Hsin Cheng, agricultural safety and health researcher; Mahmoud Nour, postdoctoral researcher in Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Bill Field and Kingsly Ambrose, professors of agricultural and biological engineering; and Edward Sheldon, research associate, Agricultural Safety and Health Program. 

In 2022, the summary reported no fewer than 83 cases – 24 fatal and 59 nonfatal cases – involving agricultural confined spaces. This represents a 40.7% increase over the 59 cases in 2021. The authors explain that there are limitations in data collection as not every case may be reported. As a result, these numbers are approximate. 

In addition, of the total number of confinement cases, 42 grain-related entrapments represented a 44.8% increase over 2021. This was the highest number of reported grain entrapments in over a decade. According to the authors, grain entrapments are the most common type of agricultural confined space incident.

“In the summary, an issue we try to point out is the role of out-of-condition grain in grain entrapments,” Sheldon says. “Many entrapments result from someone entering a bin or structure to break loose clumped, spoiled grain. Keep the grain in good condition to eliminate the need to enter the bin.”

Of 41 non-grain-related cases, incidents involved livestock waste handling facilities, entanglements inside confined spaces, falls from confined space structures and grain dust explosions or fires.

Iowa reported the most agricultural confinement cases, at 24, and grain entrapment cases at nine. One female case was documented, which occurred inside a cotton module builder.

Sheldon says, “As shown in the annual summary, incidents involving confined spaces in agriculture continue to result in a significant number of injuries and fatalities in agricultural workplaces throughout the country.”

He adds, “We strongly encourage farmers and agribusiness employers to recognize the hazards presented by confined spaces such as grain bins, silos and manure storage facilities, and use best management practices and effective training programs to keep their families and employees safe.” 

Sheldon urges farmers and agribusiness employers to utilize the educational resources outlined in the summary, pointing them to other programs like Gearing Up for Safety, also from Purdue’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. This program offers a youth-oriented curriculum, also related to the hazards associated with agricultural confined spaces.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A total of nine horses have been entered for the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville.

The race will complete the 12-race card that begins at 12:10 p.m. leading up to the Indiana Derby with an estimated post time of 6:40 p.m.

The field of nine includes two starters from this year’s Kentucky Derby plus the winner of the Texas Derby and the winner of the Hawthorne Derby in Chicago. Verifying and Raise Cain both entered the gate for the Kentucky Derby and will lead the charge into Indiana’s biggest horse race.

Verifying, from the Brad Cox barn, comes into the race off a second-place finish in the Grade 3 $400,000 Matt Winn Stakes held at Ellis Park. The Justify colt, purchased for $775,000 at the Keeneland Yearling Sale, will pick up the services of Horseshoe Indianapolis’ three-time leading jockey Marcelino Pedroza. The duo starts from post five.

Entering the gate from post two is Raise Cain and Luan Machado. The Violence colt, trained by Ben Colebrook, has one win this season and finished fourth in the Matt Winn Stakes in his last start. Overall, he has more than $300,000 on his card.

Act a Fool, from the Larry Rivelli barn, is seeking to extend his four-race win streak in the Indiana Derby. The Oscar Performance colt was a winner in his last start in the $100,000 Hawthorne Derby over the turf. He begins in post three with Orlando Mojica, three-time leading jockey at Horseshoe Indianapolis, aboard.

Hayes Strike and Brian Hernandez will vie for their second Derby title this year from post seven. The Ken McPeek trained Connect colt was a winner in the $300,000 Texas Derby two starts back and comes into the race off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby. Hayes Strike is looking for his third win of 2023.

Joining the Indiana Derby on the card is the 28^th running of the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks, set as the race leading into the Derby as the 11^th on the 12-race card. The field of eight fillies is led by Taxed, winner of the Grade 2 Black Eyed Susan in her last start. Rafael Bejarano rides for trainer Randy Morse from post two.

Indiana Derby Day, the state’s biggest day of horse racing, will be complemented by numerous activities, including a Virtual Reality Jockey Station, cigar rolling station to the first 500, $600 Indiana Derby Hat Contest, $2,500 Indiana Derby Legends Handicapping Contest, and a drawing for one $3,000 Megabet across the board on the Indiana Derby. A total of eight premier races are on the program featuring purses in excess of $1.1 million.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with ample seating both indoors and outside on a first come, first serve basis. Free parking and free general admission offered to guests of all ages on the racing side.

Reservations are available in the Clubhouse by contacting Beth Litteral at 317-421-8801.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

At the backdrop of the Indiana War Memorial, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) launched a new initiative: 'Military Monuments and Museums IN Indiana,' powered by Luke Family of Brands.

"The Military Monuments and Museums IN Indiana initiative is a comprehensive program that encompasses war memorials, historical markers, museums and other distinctive locations that showcase the rich military history of the great state of Indiana," said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "This initiative is creating a network of information and immersive opportunities that unites all regions of Indiana."                          

IDDC collaborated with various organizations across Indiana to promote the state's military history, including the Indiana National Guard, Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana War Memorials and more. These partnerships demonstrate Indiana's collective dedication to preserving its military heritage.

The Military Monuments and Museums IN Indiana initiative has a dedicated microsite on VisitIndiana.com/military where people can learn about Indiana’s military history and numerous locations around the state that showcase it. The wide range of information on the microsite would not be possible without the statewide effort made by IDDC partners and Luke Family of Brands.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has issued a Public Admonition of Hancock Superior Court 1 Judge Donald Jack (“D.J.”) Davis.

Davis cooperated with the investigation, acknowledges he violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, and apologizes for making statements unbecoming of a judicial officer.

The Commission admonished Davis for inappropriate public comments made in June 2022 during a police department investigation concerning his son. Judge Davis’ inappropriate comments were directed toward a person at a private residence while police were present. The behavior is a violation of Rule 1.2 of the Code of Judicial Conduct.

Further details about the matter can be found in the Admonition.

The Commission notes that judges need to be cautious about appearing at emotionally charged scenes, especially if there are any challenges to their maintaining appropriate demeanor.

The seven-member Commission that investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges determined that formal disciplinary charges are warranted. However, Supreme Court rules allow for the judicial officer and the Commission to agree to a public admonition, instead of filing charges.

Davis will not be formally charged with ethical misconduct. He accepts the public admonition.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Shelbyville Rotary Club No. 3422 is still accepting teams and sponsorships for its second annual Rotary Golf Outing.

The outing is July 14 at Blue Bear Golf Course in Shelbyville. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

The inaugural golf outing in 2022 was a huge success with all the proceeds from the event donated to the Shelbyville Youth Assistance Program.

The 2023 beneficiary is Shelbyville’s Forest Hill Cemetery, which has a  “Safe Trails Fund” at Blue River Community Foundation that is being used for a current paving project, tree trimming and other maintenance endeavors.

Blue River Foundation is currently matching dollar for dollar up to $25,000 on all donations made to the Safe Trails Fund from now until Sept. 1. The matching funds program is very exciting for the Shelbyville Rotary Club since all the funds donated will be doubled.

Registration fee for the golf outing is $75 per player or $300 for a foursome. The price includes lunch.

There will be a Corporate Challenge Category as well as a police department vs. fire department challenge. The winners of these categories get a plaque to display for an entire year.

There also will be prizes and raffles associated with the golf outing.

All teams need to be registered by Friday at noon.

To register, or to receive more information, contact Bill Poland at 317-363-1292, Carrie Ridgeway at 317-364-0344, or Brad Ridgeway at 317-395-4841.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

An account to benefit the family of Trooper Aaron N. Smith has been established at Indiana Members Credit Union (IMCU) under “Aaron Smith Memorial Fund.” 

Anyone can make a donation by stopping in the nearest IMCU branch or calling 800-556-9268.  There is a branch in Franklin, Trooper Smith’s hometown.

Donations can also be made through the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization here:

 https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=67UJVY86UNWZA

If you, your company or organization would like to help with the funeral and other final expenses, please contribute directly to the Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation at:

Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation, Inc.
1710 South 10th Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 431-0755

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

Impacts from overnight storms and more possible storms in the Saturday forecast have postponed today’s Waldron Freedom Festival.

Saturday’s parade has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 4. However, the remaining festivities including food and retail vendors, concerts, car show, kid zone, games, contests and the fireworks show are, at this time, being rescheduled for Labor Day weekend. Efforts are being made to ensure that those dates are a viable option and more details are to come.

Organizer Jason Yantiss stated in a social media post about the schedule changes that added concerns include having cranes in the air with the threat of lightning is just too dangerous. Saturated ground further endangers those trying to assemble the fireworks show along with emergency services and first responders who might be called if an accident took place.

Yantiss says they regret and apologize to all for the decision to push back the festival and fireworks but feel it’s the right decision under the circumstances.

Get the most recent Shelby County Post headlines delivered to your email. Go to shelbycountypost.com and click on the free daily email signup link at the top of the page.

A suspect has been arrested in the Hancock County investigation of leaving the scene of the crash that critically injured a young boy in Wilkinson on June 17.

Aaron M. Magee, 33, of Anderson, was arrested by Hancock County Sheriff’s Office investigators. An arrest warrant was granted for a Level 4 felony of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury.

The victim, 13, is still in the hospital. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office says doctors stated his condition is still very critical and will likely affect him for the rest of his life. It is still too early to determine the exact, lasting effects of the injuries since he has shown very little improvement since the crash.

Investigators used video and images from public and private cameras and tips from the public to identify the gold 2008 Saturn Aura belonging to Magee. The vehicle was located in a garage in Anderson. The sheriff's office says it was evident Magee had been hiding the vehicle. The Saturn was seized for processing on June 22, in accordance with a search warrant. Evidence found on the Saturn matches evidence found on the bicycle and at the scene of the crash. Probable cause was filed with the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office on June 29 and an arrest warrant was granted that afternoon.

The investigation is still ongoing and additional evidence it still being processed. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. The Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office has the final decision on presenting or altering charges.

Currently, investigators are still following tips to gather additional information and evidence. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office at 317-477-1199 if you have any information about this case.