A candlelight vigil is held Sunday at the Shelby County Courthouse to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson and County Commissioner Kevin Nigh read proclamations, Travis Conway performed a song and Amy Roland was the guest speaker. Other speakers included the Rev. Robb Barlow, Rebecca Miller (at the podium above) and Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen. | photo by JACK BOYCE
The developer of 837 Lofts, a planned affordable and workforce housing development on the city’s west side, intends to break ground this summer at 837 Webster Ave. After negotiations fell through to obtain access to Hale Road, TWG Development is now hoping to redevelop the trailer park in the 800 block of Miller Ave. for more apartment units through state READI 2.0 funding.
“We’re very hopeful for this Phase II. I think it could be a great addition to revitalize the area, but also get another point of connectivity for (837 Lofts),” Marisa Conatser, Development Director for TWG, told the Shelbyville Plan Commission last night.
The above graphic depicts one of the two residential buildings planned for 837 Lofts, which will also include a clubhouse, playground and fitness center. The proposed 138-unit complex will feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units reserved for individuals and households who meet certain income criteria. Rent will be based on a HUD calculation, and cannot exceed 30 percent of income, Conatser said.
Although the company is working on Phase II, which is dependent on funding, Phase I is the first step. Conatser last night walked through a draft of the site plan and answered questions. She said she will return in late May for formal action.
In formal business, the plan commission unanimously approved a site development plan for RISU America to construct a new manufacturing facility on 28 acres at 867 Boomer Way, at the corner of Boomer Way and Enterprise Drive, near W. Mausoleum Road. RISU intends to produce plastic shipping pallets and associated materials. The facility will include 30 parking spaces, loading bays along the west facade, a drainage pond southeast of the facility and outdoor storage and trash receptacles along the southern drive. Andrew Swanson, with JPS Consulting representing the petitions, said he expected two or three large trucks per day at the facility.
The plan commission also issued a unanimous favorable recommendation for the county to rezone seven parcels along West Polk Street and West Hendricks Street to Institutional. The intended use for two recently vacated lots is parking, Desiree Calderella, Shelby County Planning Director, said. The matter now proceeds to the common council.
In other business, the plan commission welcomed Carter Hall, a teacher at Shelbyville High School, as a new member of the commission, replacing his father, Ben Hall. The board also appointed James Garrett III as its representative to the Board of Zoning Appeals, filling the seat previously held by Wade Lewis, who stepped down after nearly 20 years of service.
The plan commission also approved amending the Stratford Place Planned United Development to correct a discrepancy between the ordinance and the approved plat., reducing the front-yard setbacks to 20 feet from 25 feet at the incoming neighborhood in the 500 block of Amos Road. The 20-foot setback matches the city standard. Davis Homes is now ready to move forward with the project. “We’ve got a model home permit and we’ve got a couple of pre-solds out there, so we’re going to start building right away,” Paul Carroll, company representative, said.
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday approved $100,000 allocation to the Shelby County Development Corporation (SCDC). Brian Asher, SCDC executive director, said Shelby County saw approximately $634 million in investments, both new construction and expansions, last year. Bunge represented the bulk of that number with a $550 million investment, the largest in Shelby County history. “That’s not only industrial, but it’s also touching the ag community as well,” Asher said of Bunge. Several other companies expanded, and RISU America has announced a $40 million operation. RISU is the 15th Japanese company to locate locally, making Shelby County second in the state in terms of the number of Japanese companies, Asher said. SCDC is also working with others in the region to determine the latest round of READI allocations. Asher said that as part of READI, officials continue to plan an indoor sports complex in Blue River Memorial Park. Commissioners last year donated $75,000 to SCDC and later provided an additional appropriation, making the total approximately $92,000. This year’s amount will help ensure SCDC does not need to return for an additional appropriation, Asher said.
The county drainage board yesterday discussed drainage issues in the Carmarla subdivision, located at CR 700 N and 500 W, near Michigan Road in northwest Shelby County. Surveyor Jeff Powell said he would review the area and report back.
Corbin Deck and Destiney Johnson were named Shelbyville High School prom king and queen on Saturday.
CORRECTED EVENT & CONTACT INFORMATION: The inaugural Bourbon & Beast Feast, hosted by the Shelbyville Rotary Club, is coming up Saturday, May 11, 6 p.m., at Suite 415 Event Center, 415 East Hendricks St., Shelbyville. The event featuring bourbon tasting, an exotic menu showcasing wild game, live auctions, silent auctions, and music by “Adam and Amanda” will benefit Dinner Before Bedtime and several other charities supported by local Rotarians. The auction will feature premium bourbons, a Big Green Egg and other valuable items.Tickets for the fundraiser are $150 each, and only 160 tickets will be sold. Contact Tim Barrick, 317-989-4040 or Tbarrick@ratiodesign.com, for tickets.
NATIONAL NEWS: The United States has over 180,000 active historical markers throughout the country, but little in the way of a national policy or code regarding what and who ought to be considered historical, or for that matter what actually happened that was commemorated. For instance, three separate states claim to have the site of the invention of anesthesia, two states claim to have Daniel Boone’s bones, two states claim to have sent the first telegram, and Texas inexplicably claims to be the site of the first successful airplane flight. Some of them are barely history to begin with, including 14 markers memorializing a ghost. California had one commemorating a dead mastodon that, upon further analysis, turned out to be a dead circus elephant. (NPR)
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2014: Mark Kuhn set a new Shelbyville Middle School track and field record in the 200-meter dash. He also won the 110 hurdles. Other Golden Bears to win events were Landon Burton (discus), Sam Lewis (high jump), Tray Hassebroek (1,600) and Luke Reed (800) in the team’s win over Mount Vernon. The quartet of Lux, Lewis, Kuhn and Skylar Coffey took first place in the 400 relay. Lewis and Coffey teamed with Joe Lux and Tim Clark to win the 1,600 relay.
2004: The developer of Central Park asked for permission to add 50 home sites to a 359-home subdivision planned to be adjacent to the Kroger shopping center. The 11-acre parcel would provide another access point to the Southeast Corridor once built.
1994: The Shelbyville News reported that Mayor Bob Williams, in a telephone interview, had expressed how friendly people were in Japan, helping him navigate the subway system on the sister city trip. “The last person to stop and help me spoke English very well,” Williams said, “and I told her, ‘You really speak good English,’ and she said, ‘I ought to, I was born and raised in Los Angeles.’”
1984: The boards of directors of the Central Indiana Bank, based in Fairland, and the State Bank of Waldron, approved and signed an agreement to merge the two long-established local banking institutions. Robert Barger, president of CIB and Edward Haymond, president of the Waldron bank, made the joint announcement. Barger said that recent mergers meant Shelby County banks were led by Indianapolis offices. “The proposed merger will produce a bank which is managed by local people and is aware of the unique needs of Shelby County,” Barger said.
1974: Ex-Morristown residents John and Jane Hedge, both 38, the son-in-law and daughter of Mrs. Lewis Prichard of Morristown, were among 107 killed in a crash of a Pan American World Airlines Boeing 707. The plane was preparing to land at Bali when it crashed into a mountain. Jane Hedge was a Morristown High School graduate.
1964: The U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Meltzer’s nomination as Shelbyville postmaster. The 48-year-old local man received word of his confirmation in telegrams from Washington from Indiana’s U.S. Senators Vance Hartke and Birch Bayh. Meltzer had been serving as active postmaster here since the retirement of Louie C. Neu. Neu, a Republican, had succeeded a Democrat, Pleas Greenlee, in 1953. Meltzer had been a former Shelby County Sheriff.
A sock hop was organized at the Rec to raise money for the support of a Korean orphan. The dance was planned by Miss Williams’ home room 174. Members of 174 paid dues each month and sent Christmas and Easter gifts and clothing to their adopted daughter. The following were on a committee to market the dance: Mary Ann Wigging, Donna Rhyal, Sandra Fleming, Gretchen Sandefur, Lonnie Small, Tim Shupert, Gary Wilkinson, Jerry Reber, Carol Riemenschneider, John Shambach, Don Shadley, Don Roell, Mike Wright, Mary Kay Schildgen, Vicke Evans and Terry Ray.
1954: The fundraising campaign for the Rec closed after collecting just $4,500 of the $6,500 goal.
The Waldron Mohawk track and field team won the county championship. Team members were Mike Cuskaden, Gary Coers, Ora Shugert, Charles Cassady, Bill Laird, Jim Hollaman, Maurice Kuntz, Gene Weaver, Max Branson, Jim Isley, Ralph Moore, Dick Mount and Carl Stotsenburg. Bill Doig was coach and Kenny Thornburg, student manager.
1944: A large crowd attended the festival orchestra concert at Paul Cross Gym, featuring 100 music students from Shelbyville High School and the surrounding area.
Three Camp Atterbury soldiers were involved in a vehicle accident on State Road 9, just north of Shelbyville. The soldiers’ 1939 Chevrolet was destroyed when it hit a tree, injuring all three.
1934: Fourteen seniors graduated from Mt. Auburn High School: Frost Brockman, Boris Hamner, Harold Kendall, Blaine Lisk, Paul Nay, Kenneth O’Haver, James Sanders, Clarilla Snapp, Wilford Sweet, Glenn VanScyoc, Evelyn Williams, Agnes Williams, Ralph Williams and James Willis. Eighteen students graduated from eighth grade: Russell Phillips, Justine Brannin, Robert Briggett, Samuel Duckworth Jr., Catherine Ford, Thomas Hack, Catherine Heflin, Hazel Kendall, Carroll Mahr, Gladys Nail, Verda Patterson, Marion Pile, Marybelle Pile, Hope Shepherd, Lenora Snapp, Lena Warder, Garrett Williams and Dela Williams.
1924: Marie Deitzer, 127 Elizabeth St., bookkeeper at the Todd store, won a hat design contest. The hats were produced in Indianapolis and sold throughout the area for $15.
1914: The Shakespeare Club held its annual open meeting at the Elks Hall on West Broadway. The meeting was held to commemorate the date of William Shakespeare’s 350th birthday anniversary. There were nearly 300 in attendance to hear the program. The hall was decorated with ferns and cut flowers.
Dr. Karen Ann (Nieman) Rupp, 42, of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, formerly of Shelby County, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at her home. Lieutenant Colonel Karen A. Rupp is Chief of Aerospace Medicine at the 354th Medical Group (MDG), 354th Fighter Wing (FW), Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska. Lt Col Rupp was charged with overseeing Aerospace Medicine Operations, Public Health, and Occupational Medicine at Eielson AFB. Prior to her current assignment she was the Chief of Aerospace Medicine at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
She was born February 20, 1982, in Greensburg, the daughter of Paul A. Nieman and Mary Jo (Mauer) Nieman.On September 10, 2011, she married Joseph Abraham “Joe” Rupp, and he survives. In addition to Joe, Karen is survived by her parents; daughters, Margaret Rose Rupp, Elizabeth Lucille Rupp and Mary Ruth Rupp, all of Alaska; sons, George Arthur Rupp and Thomas John Rupp, both of Alaska; sisters, Lynn Marie Roberts and husband, Nathan, of Greenwood and Megan Kathleen Nieman-Davis and husband, Jeremy, of Lafayette; brothers, John Paul Nieman and wife, Debbie, of St. Paul and Peter Joseph Nieman of Idaho Falls, Idaho; mother-in-law, Sharon Kay Rupp of Greensburg; brother-in-law, John Arthur Rupp and wife, Mary Elizabeth, of Columbus; sister-in-law, Nicole Lynn (Rupp) Johannigman and husband, William Carl, of Milhousen; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, George Harold Rupp and brother-in-law, Timothy Scot Rupp.
Karen graduated from Waldron High School in 2000.Lt Col Rupp received her commission in 2004 with a Health Professions Scholarship to study medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine.She received her Doctor of Medicine in 2009 and completed a transitional internship at St Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. She was awarded her flight surgeon wings in 2010 and served as a staff physician at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.Lt. Col Rupp then received her master’s in public health at Wright State University and completed residencies in Aerospace Medicine at USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio and Family Medicine at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Skies Catholic Church in Alaska.Karen, as well as, some of her children were baptized at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Shelbyville. Karen was the SGP at Eielson Air Force Base and was double-board certified in family medicine and aerospace medicine. She was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Karen was an extremely knowledgeable and motivated Senior Flight Surgeon, she was willing to face the most difficult challenges with a smile.From flying operational missions in diverse aircraft to taking care of patients, Karen was always there and ready to support.She was an excellent educator and had trained three new flight surgeons this year.
She was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Force Commendation Medal. Karen had also authored several medical publications. Karen gave countless hours to the community.She was a USA Girl Scout volunteer and co-leader. She took scouts of all ages through patches, camping, science projects, and on excursions. She was preparing to become a Squadron Commander in the summer of 2024.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. The rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 am, Friday, April 26, 2024, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 4218 E. Michigan Road, Shelbyville, with Father Mike Keucher officiating.Interment will be at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Cemetery in Shelbyville. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Karen’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Susan “Susie” Wooldridge, 63, of Shelbyville, gained her wings and went home on, Friday, April 19, 2024. She was born November 14, 1960, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Jerry Wooldridge and Sandra (Kelso) Carew. Susie is survived by her father of Georgia; daughters, Heather Colapietro of LaVernia, Texas, and Crystal Wooldridge of Shelbyville; son, Ryan Wooldridge of Chesapeake, Virginia; brothers, Bryon Marsh of Franklin, Doug Gribbons of Florida, and Johnny Wayne Gribbons and wife, Melissa, of Greenwood; sisters, Wendy Gribbons of Columbus, and Shawnadee Gribbons and husband, Aaron; grandchildren, Gabrielle Moore and husband, Seth, Marina Barrero, Adrian Barrero, Makenzie Wooldridge, Tanner Wooldridge and Richard Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother; brother, Richard Marsh; grandmother, Mary Stout; grandfather, Wayne Galloway; and niece, Sherry Gribbons.
Susie formerly worked as a CNA and painter. She was a very talented artist. Susie loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and music.She enjoyed family functions and was the “life of the party.”She never met a stranger.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 26, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.Friends and family may gather one hour prior to the service. Online condolences and memories may be shared with Susie’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Scott A. Hensley, 47, of Flat Rock, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024 at his residence. Born January 13, 1977 in Shelbyville, he was the son of Larry and Penny (Smothers) Hensley.He married Tifany (Spurling) Hensley on July 5, 1997, and she survives. Other survivors include a son, Lance Hensley of Flat Rock, and adaughter, Allison Hensley of Flat Rock, and he is also survived by several aunts, uncles, and cousins.He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Imogene Smothers, and an uncle, Robin Smothers.
Mr. Hensley was a lifelong resident of this area and attended Waldron High School.Heretired from Smothers Brothers Construction after several years of service. Scott loved his truck and enjoyed riding around in it.He dearly loved his family and always attended his children's baseball and basketball games.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road.Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.Friends may call onFriday morning from noon until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Scott Hensley Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Former St. Paul resident Thomas Richard Motz, age 76, of Wolcottville, IN, died Friday, February 9, 2024, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, Indiana. Tom was born in St. Omer, Indiana, to the late James Edward Motz and Catherine Martha Emily (Harrison) Motz.
He honorably served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He married Linda L. Leake on March 3, 1969, and she preceded him in death on April 23, 2016. Tom was a longtime employee of General Electric in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Survivors include his daughter, Amy Motz of Stroh; his son, Andy Motz of Wolcottville; brother Jim Motz (wife Diahn) of Laurel, IN., and five grandchildren, Oakley Hall, Isaiah Bolen, Miranda Motz, Riley Motz and Alayna Motz.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Union Chapel Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
