The 2022 induction class into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame will include Morristown standout Jerry Bass.

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors announced the 17-member induction class today that will be honored on March 23, 2022.

Bass (photo), a 1958 graduate of Morristown High School, will be inducted posthumously. He died in 2009.

Joining Bass in the New Castle-based Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame will be 1960 Rockport graduate Wayne Boultinghouse, 1970 East Chicago Roosevelt graduate Napoleon Bradford, 1959 Connersville graduate Al Brown, 1965 Pierceton graduate Garth Cone, 1963 Oakland City graduate Gary Duncan, 1991 Noblesville graduate Tony Etchison, 1965 Washington graduate Jerry Flake, 1979 Muncie Central graduate Ray McCallum, 1964 Northwestern graduate Gary Merrell, 1975 Hamilton Heights graduate Doug Mitchell, 1983 Washington graduate Craig Neal, 1989 Delta graduate Matt Painter, 1960 Indianapolis Wood graduate Bill Smith Sr., 1926 Owensville graduate James Strickland, 1946 East Chicago Washington graduate Clarence Walker and 1982 Indianapolis Washington graduate John Sherman Williams.

The 2022 Silver Medal Award will be presented to Mark Baltz.

Bass was the state’s leading scorer in 1958 and an Indiana All-Star before playing at Indiana University. He set the Morristown High School career scoring record at 1,652 points after averaging a state-best 30.1 points per game as a senior.

Playing at IU under coach Branch McCracken, he totaled 632 points in 68 career games, including averaging 11.9 ppg as a senior in 1961-62.

Bass is currently fourth on Morristown’s career scoring list behind Hayden Langkabel (2,186 points), Brady Adkins (2,112 points) and Dylan Langkabel (2,072 points). He was the first Yellow Jacket to surpass 1,000 career points.

Bass helped Morristown win the 1957 Rushville Sectional and he was the 1958 Shelby County Tournament Most Valuable Player. Bass also qualified for the 1957 state track and field championships in the pole vault, where he finished third.

One of the more notable inductees for the Class of 2022 is current Purdue University men’s basketball coach Matt Painter. In his 17^th season in West Lafayette, Painter’s Boilermakers have five Sweet 16 appearances, 12 NCAA Tournament berths, three Big Ten regular-season championships and a Big Ten Tournament title.

Purdue is currently ranked No. 2 in the country.

Painter is a 1994 graduate of Purdue and remains among the program leaders in career assists. His prep career at Delta High School included school records in career scoring (1,497 points) and assists.

As a senior, he set Delta’s record for single-season scoring, averaging 27.7 ppg along with 9.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, leading the Eagles to a 21-4 record, a sectional championship and a selection as a 1989 Indiana All-Star.

Mark Baltz is the recipient of the 2022 Silver Medal Award for contributions to Indiana basketball other than as an Indiana high school player or Indiana high school coach. Officiating Indiana high school basketball for 43 years and a sports official for 50 years, he worked Indiana high school basketball game from 1971-2013.

Baltz was the 2005 recipient of the IHSAA & NFOA Basketball Official of the Year recognition, the 2011 recipient of the IBCA Roy Gardner Award and 2013 recipient of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Center Circle Officials Award. He worked 36 sectionals, 26 regionals, six semistates and three boys basketball state finals.

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 60^th Men’s Award Banquet on March 23 begins with a reception at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame museum in New Castle and ends with a banquet that night at the Primo Banquet Hall in Indianapolis.

For more information on the induction class or how to reserve tickets for the banquet, go to www.hoopshall.com.

The Indiana State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting which took place overnight in Rushville. The request came from Rushville Police Chief Craig Tucker.

The investigation is also believed to be connected to a second shooting incident which took place earlier in the evening in the town of Kennard located in rural Henry County. The Indiana State Police is assisting the Henry County Major Investigations Team consisting of the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, New Castle Police Department, and the Henry County Prosecutor’s Office.

The joint investigation has preliminarily revealed at approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday, Henry County 911 received calls reporting a shooting which took place at 2411 S. Kennard Rd. in Kennard. Investigators learned the homeowner awakened to a knock at the door of the residence. Upon opening the door, he was shot and killed by a male subject, who fled the scene. Investigators developed a suspect and subsequently advised surrounding police agencies in hopes he would be located.

Later in the early morning hours, officers from the Rushville Police Department located a vehicle matching that of the suspect traveling south on State Road 3 in northern Rush County. Officers followed the vehicle as it turned in the Speedway Gas Station located at 1877 N. Main St. in Rushville. The driver exited the vehicle and entered the store. A short time later, he exited the store and encountered two officers who had taken a position of cover and began giving him loud verbal commands. The suspect failed to follow orders and reached for a holster, drew a handgun, and pointed it at the officers. Two officers fired their department issued weapons, striking the suspect an undetermined number of times.

Officers immediately began administering first aid until medics arrived and were able to take over. Life saving measures were unsuccessful and the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Rush County Coroner.

Neither police officer sustained any injuries during the altercation.

Per department policy each officer has been put on paid administrative leave. The names of the suspect and officers will be released in a subsequent news release once all notifications have been made.

At the conclusion of the investigation, all information will be turned over to the Rush County Prosecutor’s Office for review. 

Investigators have determined there is no longer any threat to the public as the deceased suspect was the sole suspect in both incidents.

It's Giving Tuesday.  It is touted as a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world".

One of the leaders of Special Olympics in Shelby County along with the Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO hope you’ll use Giving Tuesday to think of how you could become involved with their organization.

Mike Van Arsdale has a message for the public – Special Olympics is special.

Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Jeff Mohler says Van Arsdale’s message is one that he echoes.

So now, Van Arsdale looks to lift the message of an organization that helped to lift him.

Mohler says Special Olympics is getting very active again, leaving virtual activities for in-person competitions.  And now, throw in Giving Tuesday.  He hopes that will cause people to think of Special Olympics and how they can get involved.

A small child was found by a diver nearly two days after duck hunters found her father and his truck in the White River.

Bartolomew County Sheriff Matt Myers says the body of a two-year old girl was found almost two miles downstream from the initial investigation site.  The girl's father, Jeremy Sweet, 39, has been hospitalized with hypothermia since Friday when he and his truck were found partially submerged in the river.  Sweet told authorities he wasn't certain what caused his truck to go into the river down a 15-foot embankment.

Sheriff Myers said Sweet has given differing accounts of what happened.

Sweet was placed on a 72-hour hold while the investigation continues.  At last report, he was listed in critical condition.

With the downtown redevelopment project near completion, the City of Shelbyville is planning a holiday celebration on Dec. 3.

The annual Christmas parade returns after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and occurs in conjunction with the holiday celebration and Mistletoe Market.

The Mainstreet Mistletoe Market runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 3 with several vendors set up and live music. Horse and carriage rides and live reindeer will be part of the celebration.

Bourbons and Brews will set up in the alley on East Washington St.

There will be an ice skating venue as well on East Washington St., which was the first portion finished in the three-year downtown redevelopment project.

Cookie decorating and hot chocolate will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. in front of the former Chase Bank building on the southwest corner of the Public Square.

The Christmas Parade starts at 7 p.m. at the Porter Center and will travel south down North Harrison St. to the Public Square. The parade will continue west down West Washington St. and end at City Hall.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will close out the parade by stopping at the Public Square to participate in the downtown lighting ceremony.

After the lighting ceremony, Santa and Mrs. Claus will head inside the former Chase Bank building, which is now owned by the city, to meet with local children.

The holiday celebration will be the first event in the newly-renovated downtown area as well as the first large event staged downtown by the city in over two years.

The event is a work-in-progress admitted mayor Tom DeBaun. With the renovation of the 100-year-old Joseph water fountain in downtown Shelbyville and the transformation of the Public Square, logistics are different than in years past.

The water fountain will not serve as a centerpiece Christmas tree. The much-larger water basin makes it more difficult to set up a large tree and the damage it could do to the renovated fountain makes it no longer a viable option.

Instead, the city will set up four 14-foot Christmas trees around the Public Square.

“We have these large, four-foot round concrete pots and we will put Christmas trees in those that are about 14 feet tall and space those out around the square,” said DeBaun.

Santa’s house and the toy shop building will not return to downtown this year but DeBaun did not rule out a return in future celebrations. Those houses will sit again in Blue River Memorial Park this holiday season and be part of a drive-thru Christmas light display that will be larger in year two thanks to generous donations from local businesses and increased fundraising efforts.

“I think that’s safe to say,” said DeBaun when asked if this year’s event will be the start of new holiday traditions. “We have to figure out what looks good and what works well.”

Santa’s house and the toy shop have been repaired again with the toy shop getting updated toys for display.

The figurine of Mrs. Claus has new clothing and the building she resides in has new curtains for a fresher look.

The weather report for the Friday night celebration is favorable and DeBaun is ready for residents to celebrate the end of an extended transformation to downtown Shelbyville and the beginning of new holiday traditions.

“I am excited for people to come down and see it,” he said.

As growth spread outward from Marion County, Shelby County often went overlooked.

Over the last six years, Shelby County has been found.

Brian Asher, executive director of the Shelby County Development Corporation, detailed many local investment projects on Nov. 19 at the SCDC’s annual meeting held at Blessing’s Opera House in downtown Shelbyville.

“Since 2016 we are at $1,702,320,960 of industrial investment and warehouse investment,” said Asher. “That’s $1.7 billion with a ‘B’. That’s unbelievable in six years.”

On Monday, the Accelerate Rural Indiana group, which includes Shelbyville and Shelby County, will make a presentation to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation with the goal of being awarded up to $50 million as part of the READI grant.

Accelerate Rural Indiana consists of representatives of Shelbyville and Shelby County, Rushville and Rush County, Greensburg and Decatur County, and Batesville. The READI grant has $500 million to disperse across different regions to spur growth.

“We went through the planning process to see how to develop this area (along the Interstate 74 corridor) and attract people,” said Asher. “If all the projects come to fruition, that $50 million we receive could turn into $866 million of total investment for the region.”

Asher detailed to those attending the meeting several projects currently underway in Shelby County.

Bunge is working on a $345 million expansion project in Morristown that would match the largest expansion project in terms of dollars in Shelby County history.

The Pleasant View area along I-74 in the northern part of Shelby County is growing exponentially with Five Below’s newest distribution center under construction as well as HIS Constructors’ new corporate headquarters and Blue Star Redi Mix’s newest concrete facility.

Those three projects net approximately 562 jobs and $115 million in investment.

Two more large warehouse facilities in the area are in the planning phases.

“As you can see driving down I-74, it has totally changed that exit,” said Asher.

Closer to Shelbyville, an as-yet-to-be named project will be announced soon for a $290 million investment with 300 new jobs in the Fairland area near Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which has several expansion projects of its own underway at a cost of $40 million.

With the completion this year of Major Health Partners Community Health and Wellness Center, which includes a new YMCA, retail growth has spurred around Exit 113 in Shelbyville.

Casey’s General Store and Zaxby’s restaurant are open with a Taco Bell and Culver’s currently under construction.

“I am excited to see some retail spaces going in that direction,” said Asher.

Greenleaf Foods made a splashy announcement over two years ago regarding building a new facility off Exit 116 in Shelbyville, but the $300 million project which would add over 450 jobs has been slow to develop.

“Everything continues to move forward with Greenleaf,” said Asher. “It’s a lot slower than we hoped with everything going on with COVID and the food service industry, but everything continues to move along and they are saying all the right things.”

To go along with the industrial and retail development, new or expanded housing subdivisions are under construction.

“There are close to 1,000 new homes coming our way,” said Asher.

Simultaneously with all that expanded growth, the City of Shelbyville is nearly finished with a three-year downtown redevelopment project that has modernized the Public Square and renovated a 100-year-old water fountain that will serve as a gathering place for downtown events in the future.

Mayor Tom DeBaun, now in his third term, has touted neighborhood connectivity during his tenure and pushed for new trail systems throughout the city that now includes over 14 miles of pedestrian-friendly walkways and bicycle paths.

“We went from zero to 14 miles in a matter of six years,” said DeBaun. “It’s those things, paying attention to the community and, quite frankly, talking to the youth in our community and asking them, ‘What would bring you back or keep you here or what are the things that keep you from coming back?’

“It’s recreational opportunities. It’s diverse, independently-owned investment in the forms of restaurants and boutiques. It’s trail opportunities and educational opportunities.”

Brian Asher, executive director of Shelby County Development Corporation, discusses several industrial investment projects underway in Shelby County during the SCDC's annual meeting on Nov. 19 at Blessing's Opera House in downtown Shelbyville. At Asher's right is a backdrop painting likely used for the last opera or play held at Blessing's Opera House in the early 1900s.

As the downtown takes on a new look, so will Blessing’s Opera House, located just above Pudder’s restaurant on the Public Square. Now owned by Rob Nolley, president of the city’s Common Council, and his business partner, Jason Foltz, Blessing’s Opera House originally opened in 1869.

John Blessing wanted the city to have a first-class entertainment venue. The facility was the host site for a Frederick Douglass speech on March 17, 1870, according to Nolley, that drew 10,000 people to the downtown area.

The entertainment venue closed in 1906. The space continued to be used for meetings before it became part of DePrez’s hardware store where the second floor became well known for its toy selections.

The space officially closed in 1986 and is currently under restoration by Nolley and Foltz to reinvent it as an entertainment and meeting venue.

Nolley’s goal is to have the facility open during this year’s downtown Christmas celebration on Dec. 3.

This Thanksgiving, travel is expected to rebound to nearly pre-pandemic levels. According to AAA, it’s predicted that 48.3 million people will be taking to the roads for the holiday, an 8 percent increase from last year.

Unfortunately, heavier traffic, combined with declining seat belt use and the prevalence of impaired driving, makes this travel period particularly dangerous for road users.

In response, the Indiana State Police is joining hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the state for the Safe Family Travel campaign. Over the next six weeks, officers will be out in greater numbers to discourage impaired driving and ensure drivers and passengers are properly buckled.

The high-visibility patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and will concentrate around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

“Driving impaired, not wearing a seat belt and speeding are always concerns around this time of year,” said Lt. Terry Gose, District Commander for the Lowell Post.  “That’s why we’re increasing patrols and encouraging those traveling to buckle up, drive sober and slow down. It’s better to be late and reach your destination safely, than not at all.”

In Indiana and nationwide, reckless driving incidents remain higher than during pre-pandemic times. As of early October, 683 people have been killed in crashes statewide, which is an 8 percent increase from the same time in 2019 and on pace with 2020 – one of the dealiest years in the past decade.

With one of the busiest travel periods still ahead, officers will be working to reverse this trend by focusing on impaired and unrestrained driving, two of the main causes behind the rise in fatalities.

Of the total number of vehicle occupants killed in crashes so far this year, more than 40 percent were not wearing seat belts. Moreover, seat belt use in Indiana declined for the first time in five years from 94.9 percent before the pandemic to 92.9 percent.

“Whether you’re driving for 10 minutes or 10 hours, we’re asking everyone to plan ahead and make safety their top priority,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “Don’t be the reason there’s an empty seat at your table or someone else’s this Thanksgiving.”

The Indiana State Police wants to remind motorists that most traffic fatalities can be prevented by taking some simple precautions: never drive impaired, always wear a seat belt, follow posted speed limits, and avoid distractions.

Before consuming alcohol, plan a sober ride home, such as a designated driver or using a ride service or public transportation. Motorists are encouraged to call 911 if they encounter an impaired or unsafe driver on the road.

However, impaired driving isn’t the only concern during the holiday season. Winter weather also poses challenges for motorists, and it’s important to be prepared.

Always have an emergency kit in the vehicle with food, water, a phone charger, sand or cat litter, flares or bright LED alternatives, a flashlight, and blankets. Keep the vehicle full of gas, and make sure the battery is strong, fluids are at the correct levels and the spare tire is properly inflated.

Stratford Place, a 73-lot residential subdivision set for Amos Road, moved one step closer to reality Monday at the city’s Plan Commission meeting.

Following a presentation Wednesday at the Shelbyville Central Schools board, Paul Carroll of Davis Building Group appeared before the Plan Commission at City Hall Monday night to get approval for the Planned Unit Development detailed plan and preliminary plat.

Carroll has been in discussions with the Shelbyville school board over a drainage easement for a detention pond on the north side of the property which borders the Golden Bear Preschool and the school system’s administrative offices.

Carroll told the Plan Commission he expects the school board to vote on the drainage easement at its December meeting.

The Plan Commission approved a favorable recommendation on both the detailed plan and the preliminary plat which will be sent for final approval next month to the city’s Common Council.

In other plan commission business Monday, two rezonings for local businesses were approved.

The Tom and Noell Krughoff-owned property at 32 E. Broadway was rezoned from Business General to Business Central to allow for a second-floor apartment at the property to become a rental property.

The first floor houses the Krughoff’s home healthcare business.

Debbie and Terry Esters own the property at 533 and 535 E. Hendricks St. and needed it rezoned from Light Industrial to Business General.

Terry Esters owns and operates Esters Auto Repair on the site and is retiring and selling the business which will remain an auto repair shop.

Esters will maintain control of the other portion of the property which has a mini-barn sales business.

The Light Industrial zoning designation dated back to when a factory was near that site.

An arrest has been made in an incident with shots fired in St. Paul.

The Decatur County Sheriff’s Department says Adams Township Fire Chief Craig Jones has been arrested.

The Decatur County Sheriff’s Office responded to the disturbance at 303 East Water Street, St. Paul.  Jones has been charged initially with four counts of criminal recklessness with a firearm.  Each charge is a Level 5 Felony.

St. Paul Police, St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department and the Greensburg Fire Department also responded to the scene.

No other details were made available in the Decatur County Sheriff's office press release.

A Shelby County man was killed in a Friday one-car accident.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was called with emergency personnel to 1000 North, just west of State Road 9, about 9:30 pm Friday.  A Dodge Grand Caravan had left the road and rolled several times before coming to rest in a field.

The driver, Matthew Beck, 36, of Morristown, was ejected from the vehicle.  He died of his injuries.

At this time, there’s no cause available for led to the accident.

Morristown and Fountaintown fire crews and medics also responded to the scene.

A Shelbyville man has been arrested for carrying a loaded gun on Capitol grounds, assaulting law enforcement, and other crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Mark Andrew Mazza, 56, is charged with illegal possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a dangerous weapon, among other charges. He was arrested at his home in Shelbyville and made his initial court appearance yesterday in the Southern District of Indiana.  Mazza was ordered held without bond pending his next court proceeding.

According to court documents, Mazza brought a Taurus revolver, loaded with three shotgun shells and two hollow point bullets, to the Capitol. The gun was recovered in the West Front Terrace area shortly after 2:30 p.m. Video footage later shows Mazza in the crowd entering the tunnel to the Lower West Terrace doors at approximately 3:08 p.m. Once the glass doors to the Capitol were breached, Mazza held the doors open in an apparent effort to allow rioters to flow into the building. Holding a baton, he assisted the group in pushing toward officers who were defending the area and joined in assaulting them. He actively swung the baton at police, at one point yelling, “This is our f---- house! We own this house!” He then participated in “heave-ho” efforts to apply significant physical force and pressure on the officers.

On Jan. 8, 2021, according to the documents, Mazza filed a false police report in Indiana in which he claimed to have lost his gun in an Ohio casino. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. The U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

In the ten months since Jan. 6, more than 675 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 210 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Diamond Pet Foods, a leading manufacturer of quality pet foods, announced that it plans to build a new manufacturing facility and has selected the city of Rushville as its preferred location.

The plant would bring more than 170 new jobs to the area by 2023.

“With its proximity to suppliers and customers and access to a high-quality workforce, this facility will allow us to continue offering quality pet foods at competitive prices,” Mark Schell, executive vice president at Diamond Pet Foods, said. “Diamond is family owned, and we look forward to adding to our family in a state that’s considered to be ‘the crossroads of America.’”

The project represents one of the largest private investments in the City of Rushville.

“We look forward to continuing to support Diamond Pet Food in the development of their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, including providing ongoing support to attract and build the necessary workforce to ensure that Diamond is successful here in Rushville for many years to come,” Mayor Michael Pavey said.

Following a competitive site selection process, Rushville was chosen for its supportive business climate and availability of site-ready development parcels. Final selection is contingent upon approval of state and local incentives.

Founded in 1970, Diamond Pet Foods, a privately held company, works with quality ingredients to provide families a wide range of pet food formulas at a price they can feel good about. The planned 700,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution facility, with state-of-the-art machinery and equipment, will be at least a $200 million investment for the company.

“We are thrilled to welcome Diamond Pet Foods into our portfolio of quality pet food manufacturers choosing Indiana for growth,” Jim Staton, senior vice president and chief business development officer for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, said. “Our highly skilled workforce of hardworking Hoosiers has been critical to attracting new investment to every corner of the state. Knowing Diamond Pet Foods, a family-owned business, will benefit the Rush County community by adding quality career opportunities is one of the many reasons Indiana will continue to be a trusted partner for any future company growth.”

“We’re pleased to be considering Rushville as the site of our sixth manufacturing facility in the U.S.,” Schell said. “I know our potential partners in Rushville share our excitement about moving to the next phase of development.”

About Diamond Pet Foods

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

Duke Energy Indiana is partnering with Toray Resin Company, an international plastics manufacturer, to construct a solar energy facility capable of producing up to 900 kilowatts of power at its campus in Shelbyville.

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

“Many of our customers are looking for renewable energy choices,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “Through a unique leasing arrangement, we’re proud to be partnering with Toray Resin to break ground on a solar facility that will provide power for their manufacturing operations in a sustainable and cost-effective way.”
 

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

Construction on the ground-mounted solar project is underway and is expected to be completed by summer 2022.

“This project supports our commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 and aligns with our vision to deliver innovative technologies and advanced materials while balancing development and sustainability,” said Dennis Godwin, president of Toray Resin Company, a subsidiary of Toray Industries. “It reflects our commitment to take the steps necessary to reduce our CO₂ footprint, and we will continue to pursue renewable energy sources to help power our operations. This solar project will be the first for Toray Resin Company as well as the first in Indiana under the pilot program.”

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

This program joins the company’s other efforts to promote clean, renewable solar power, including building and operating a 17-MW solar plant at a southern Indiana naval base and purchasing up to 20 MW of solar power from four solar sites that generate up to 5 MW each.

Other renewable programs include the company’s GoGreen Indiana program, which  gives customers the ability to support the development of green power sources. Customers can purchase a minimum of two 100-kWh blocks of green power for $1.80 per month. The 200-kWh commitment equates to about 20 percent of an average residential customer’s energy use and helps to avoid 4,800 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

And the current upgrade and modernization of the company’s nearly 50-year-old Markland Hydro Station near Florence, Ind., along the Ohio River, will ensure our customers can continue to reap the benefits of low-cost, carbon-free electric generation for years to come.

Cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) led to the arrest of a Bartholomew County man for possession of child pornography.  

Master Trooper / Detective Kevin Getz with the Indiana State Police - Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force began an investigation in January 2021 after receiving four cyber tip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The cyber tip reports indicated that a specific account user for four separate social media applications was possibly in possession of child pornography image and video files.

Master Trooper Getz requested a search warrant based on information gathered during his investigation. On Wednesday, members of the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force, which included members of the Indiana State Police’s ICAC Unit, the Cyber Crimes Unit, and IMPD Detective Darin Odier, with K-9 Hunter, executed a search warrant at a Spring Valley Drive address in Columbus.

As a result of the investigation and search, Gavin Christopher Denton Haight, 21, of Columbus, was arrested on four counts of Possession of Child Pornography.  Each charge is a Level 5 Felony. 

Haight was transported and remanded into the custody of the Bartholomew County Jail without incident. 

The City of Shelbyville is reviving the Economic Development Commission and now has two of three members ready to serve.

On Tuesday, the Shelby County Council nominated and approved T.J. Titus, the son of council president Tony Titus, which did not sit well with council member Linda Sanders, who voted against the nomination.

“I don’t support your son in this position at this time,” said Sanders during the meeting. She stated she was informed of the nominee at 5 p.m. – ninety minutes before the meeting with no formal discussion.

Originally created in the early mid-2000s, the terms of the last three serving members of the commission expired in 2012 and 2013, according to city attorney Jennifer Meltzer.

The commission will handle public hearings on bonds and review documents for economic development projects for the city, said Meltzer. Recommendations will then be forwarded to the city’s Common Council for approval or denial.

John Hartnett Jr., the retired executive director of the Self Shelbyville Boys and Girls Club, was the first person appointed to the commission.

Mayor Tom DeBaun is searching for a third candidate which Meltzer believes will be appointed at one of the two December common council meetings.

Meltzer anticipates the commission to meet sometime in the next three months. The commission will only meet when necessary.

In other county council business Tuesday, the council approved a resolution to create an Economic Revitalization Area in Pleasant View which will allow Browning Investments to pursue a tax abatement for a 930,000 square foot spec warehouse proposal in the area.

Browning Investments will spend $40 million to create the warehouse that does not yet have a business occupant.

The resolution approval allows Browning Investments to return to the December Shelby County Council meeting for formal tax abatement approval.

Shelby County Tourism and Visitors Bureau is marketing Shelby County today at the 2021 Media Marketplace at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After a year off, the  Media Marketplace, an Indiana Destination Development Corporation event, is back for 2021.

Writers from across the United States come together at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Destination Management Organizations bring their “stories to tell” and pitch story ideas to writers, bloggers and podcasters. Over 60 Indiana counties and tourism destinations will be represented at the event.

Shelby County introduced a new logo/brand last year, along with the “Find Your Place” tagline enticing visitors to discover all the unique towns of Shelby County.

“COVID took the tag in an unknown direction, as we were able to leverage the tag to our own residents for various contests that kept them involved in social media while at home. The tag gave them the chance at winning gift certificates to local restaurants, a win-win for everyone at the time,” said Nisha Ciarletta, Operations Director for Shelby County Tourism and Visitors Bureau.

Today, the tagline lends to the hook, “The Undiscovered Doughnut,” as Shelby County is uniquely positioned as the doughnut county to the southeast of Marion County.

“We may be undiscovered to a few now, but that won’t be for much longer, as we are on the cusp of getting noticed by visitors from across the U.S. We are going through a rediscovery in our own county. We all see what a naturally beautiful place we have to offer visitors with our trails, museums, galleries, renovated downtown in Shelbyville, and our outlying towns and their histories, it’s exciting to be a part of this historic time,” said Rachael Ackley, Executive Director of the Shelby County Visitors Bureau. “We look forward to telling our stories to all these writers, along with ensuring they leave with plenty of swag straight from Shelby County including Linne’s cake doughnuts, Brandywine Creek Vineyards and Winery wines and plenty of Shelby County Bicentennial merchandise, including the ever-popular town trading pins.”

The Odd Couple will be presented at the Triton Central Auditorium this weekend.  The couple of high schooll actors cast in the main roles may surprise some.

Director Jeff Wilson explains why in this conversation with GIANT fm News and the Shelby County Post.

Performances are November 18 and Noember 19, at 7pm.  All tickets are $5 at the door.  

The show stars seniors Daniel Sanders and Logan Buck, with six other students in the cast:  seniors Kalub Coulston-Judah, Nick Fisher, and J.P. Trimble, and juniors Jackson Seeger, Lydia Fisher, and Emma Milholland.  (These six students are all members of the TC Marching Tigers)

Lighting is done by junior Olivia McElwain.  Sound engineering performed by senior Thomas Oyler.  (Both are first-timers to TC Drama, they are also members of the Marching Tigers)

Stage crew is comprised of Spanish exchange student Jana Cambero-Bai and Ukrainian exchange student Anya Gumenyuk.

Red Kettles are out again.  The annual Salvation Army tradition is also its largest fundraiser.

Shelbyville Salvation Army Major Connie Shaw says they need bell ringers.

One location is at the Shelbyville Rural King.  More are opening soon.

Major Shaw says the Salvation Army powered through the Covid pandemic.  But now raising funds is key to future operations.

A St. Paul woman was convicted of charges related to a relationship with a minor.

Lyda Bullard, 32, of St. Paul, was convicted at jury trial of the offenses of Sexual Misconduct With a Minor, a Level 4 felony, and Invasion of Privacy, a Class A Misdemeanor. The repeated acts of sexual abuse occurred between April and June of 2020, and thereafter Bullard violated a protective order in July of 2020.

The mother of the victim had confronted Bullard about the inappropriate activities, and Bullard admitted to her that she had engaged in a sexual relationship with the victim. This conversation was recorded by the mother. Officers investigated the matter and located digital communications between the victim and Bullard. Bullard listed the victim under the name "Pet", and the conversations confirmed the allegations.

Bullard faces up to 12 years in prison when she is sentenced on December 1.

The case was prosecuted by deputy prosecutor Brandon Robinson and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Scott Spears

MHP Pediatrics PEDIATRIC COVID Vaccine Clinic

(Children must be an established patient at either MHP Family & Internal Medicine or MHP Pediatrics)

Call 317-398-7337 to schedule an appointment.

Vaccine Clinic Days (by appointment ONLY):

• Saturday, November 20 - 8:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Saturday, December 11 - 8:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Children ages 5-17 are required to have a parent/guardian present to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Please bring your insurance card with you.

MHP MedWorks Pharmacy PEDIATRIC COVID Vaccine Clinic

Starting Friday, November 12, 2021 MedWorks will begin offering the Pediatric COVID Pfizer vaccine.

Call 317-421-2020 to schedule an appointment.

Vaccine Clinic Days (by appointment ONLY):

• Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Children ages 5-17 are required to have a parent/guardian present to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at MHP MedWorks Pharmacy.

Please bring your insurance card with you.

MedWorks Pharmacy COVID Vaccine/BOOSTER Info:

Offering the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine/Booster and the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine/Booster.

• Walk-ins are welcome or you can make an appointment by calling 317-421-2020.

Vaccine/Booster Clinic Days:

• Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please bring your insurance card and ID

Collecting toys for local children has become an annual event at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. As the 2021 racing season winds down, this year’s jockey colony brought in over 75 new toys to distribute to area children just in time for the holiday season.

“We just want to see everybody have a good Christmas,” said Tommy Pompell, who owns a home locally in Shelbyville, Indiana. “It means a lot for us to all come together like this for these kids in our area.”

The jockeys gathered after the third race Wednesday at Indiana Grand and surrounded the pile of donated items that will be distributed to local children in need. Twelve of the jockeys joined Rachel McLaughlin, on-air racing analyst, for the presentation in the paddock. Jockeys included in the presentation were Jose Riquelme, Santo Sanjur, Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Alex Achard, Andrea Rodriguez, Tommy Pompell, Perry Ouzts, Rodney Prescott, Joe Ramos, DeShawn Parker, Agustin Bracho and Joshua Morales.

Many of the jockeys grew up in countries where presents were sometimes not available around the holidays. Being able to share happiness during the holidays has become very important to them.

Alex Achard, a native of France, may be a long way from home, but he still knows how important it is to give back to the community he calls home six months out of the year. Achard donated several toys to the drive with hopes it will put smiles on the faces of kids around Christmas.

“It is a pleasure to help kids who need a little help,” said Achard. “For us, it is not much to do, but we hope for them it will mean a lot. We hope to give brightness to their Christmas.”

The 20^th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing at Indiana Grand is scheduled to start on April 19, 2022.

It could be said that a Winamac man turned himself in to law enforcement.

About 6:00 pm Tuesday the LaPorte County Dispatch Center received a call of a possible impaired driver on U.S. 421 in the Michigan City area.  Attempts to locate the vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado, were initially unsuccessful.  Minutes later, the dispatch center received calls of a vehicle matching the Silverado’s description, had driven through the main gate of the Indiana State Prison.  The vehicle was eventually stopped, and the Indiana State Police were requested to the scene to investigate the incident. 

During the crash investigation, it was determined that the subject had consumed alcoholic beverages and field sobriety tests were conducted.  Later, a certified chemical test for intoxication was administered, with the driver registering .14% BAC (Blood Alcohol Content). 

The driver, Robert D. Merriman, 62, of Winamac, was incarcerated at the LaPorte County Jail.  He is preliminarily charged with:

Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Endangering)- Class A Misdemeanor

Operating While Intoxicated- Class C Misdemeanor

Criminal Trespass- Class A Misdemeanor

Assisting at the scene was the Michigan City Police Department, Indiana State Prison and Ace Auto.

The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis released the following statement regarding Thursday's Veterans Day Parade and related ceremonies:

Due to inclement weather projections for the Indianapolis area on Thursday, the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis has made the difficult decision to cancel the Veterans Day Parade.

With the amount of rainfall, high wind gusts, and potential for lightening forecasted, the safety and health of everyone involved is our utmost concern, especially our veterans and high school student marching bands, as well as the many volunteers and spectators; consequently, the Council has deemed it in the best interest to cancel this year’s parade.

The weather concerns have also led to moving the Veterans Day Service indoors at the Indiana War Memorial located at 55 East Michigan Street in downtown Indianapolis. The service will be conducted in the Pershing Auditorium located inside the Indiana War Memorial. The Veterans Day Service will still begin at 11 a.m., with a patriotic musical prelude provided by the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division Band beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Veterans Day Service will still be live streamed at http://www.veteransdayindy.org/service.

For those attending the indoor Veterans Day Service, there will be no public parking available on Michigan Street between Pennsylvania and Meridian streets. Public parking will be available on both sides of the street for the following:

•    Pennsylvania St., between Michigan and Vermont streets (with the exception of in front of the Minton-Capehart Federal Building)

•    Vermont St., between Pennsylvania and Meridian streets

•    Meridian St., between Vermont and North streets

•    North St., between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets

For those areas the public may disregard any no parking signs posted on parking meters.

The Veterans Day Breakfast scheduled from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., in the Arabian Room of the Murat Shrine (502 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN 46204) will not be affected by the weather.

The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis is a volunteer based, 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to bring about a wholesome and constructive relationship between the community and veterans of our Armed Forces. The activities of the Council culminate in our annual observance of Veterans Day.

Learn more about our commitment to veterans at: http://www.veteransdayindy.org/about and see how you or your organization can help contribute.

For more information about 2021 Indianapolis Veterans Day observance, or to schedule an interview with a council member contact Josh Marshall, jmarshall@indianalegion.org, or 317-345-9969.

The City of Shelbyville’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved a high-rise sign and an electronic message board for a new Culver’s family restaurant at 1930 Morristown Road in Shelbyville.

The 100-foot sign will be visible from Interstate 74.

A proposal from Springfield Sign, the national sign company for Culver’s restaurant chain, also included an electronic message board on the high-rise sign but that drew distraction concerns from BZA members.

The electronic message sign is a critical part of Culver’s “way finding program,” according to the Springfield Sign representative at Tuesday’s meeting at City Hall. A special exception use for the property was needed for the electronic message board.

Over 30 minutes of discussion occurred debating the merits of which way the electronic message board would be pointed and how it would affect drivers.

The ownership group, S&L Properties Shelbyville, LLC, was agreeable to a standard ground-mounted electronic message board, according to the Springfield Signs representative.

A motion to vote on the approval of an electronic message board finally came to pass with stipulations that it not be on the high-rise sign; have a 15-minute hold time on changing electronic messages; would only operate 30 minutes prior to opening and 30 minutes after closing; a contact person and information would be declared in case of the sign faltering; and the monument sign must meet all standards set forth by the city.

Both sign special exceptions were approved.

The Board of Zoning Appeals closed the meeting Tuesday with a somber note after learning of the death Monday of local attorney James Lisher, who was a sitting member of the BZA for 13 years.

Plan director Adam Rude expressed the board’s condolences to the Lisher family.

Braydon Povinelli was accustomed to playing chess online against multiple players at the same time but found doing it in a live setting quite exhausting.

The fact that he was doing so as a fundraiser event for Drug Free Shelby County made the physical toll worthwhile.

The Shelbyville High School senior and reigning Indiana State Chess Champion faced 10 players simultaneously Oct. 30 at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport’s new hangar.

Through donations, Povinelli was able to raise $3,055 which was presented to Lori Springer of Shelby County Drug Free on Tuesday afternoon at Shelbyville High School’s Golden Bear Room.

“It was fun,” said Povinelli. “There are plans to make this an annual event.”

Povinelli moved chess board to chess board during the event, quickly scanning the pieces and making his next move. The mental strain was expected but the physical toll of walking and playing for well over two hours caught up to him.

“It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “It took a lot longer than I expected. Mentally, it took a toll. About an hour in it was pretty obvious to me this was going to be very tiring. And physically, walking for two-and-a-half hours was not so easy.”

Povinelli’s chess schedule is light now as 2021 closes down. He will defend his state championship in April.

“Right now it is just continuing to play and improving,” he said.

Up next for him is deciding his college route.

Povinelli is one of five finalists for the 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Shelby County. The winner will be announced in December.

Law enforcement is still looking for an armed robbery suspect who escaped on foot a car crash and then stole another car in Bartholomew County.

About 3:30 am Tuesday, a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy Dylan Prather initiated a traffic stop on northbound I65, near the 76 mile-marker.  The vehicle, wanted in an armed robbery in Nashville, TN, fled from  and a pursuit ensued. 

After crashing and rolling multiple times, two suspects fled on foot.  A 16-year-old juvenile was later located at a residence on SR 252 east of the interstate where he sought assistance for his injuries.  He was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital.

Units continued looking for a black male suspect.  He was described as wearing a black shirt, jeans and a grey toboggan.  Two K9's, two drones and deputies and officers from multiple agencies attempted to locate the second offender, but so far have been unsuccessful. 

A 2016 Kia Sportage that was stolen from the Waffle House in Taylorsville shortly after the pursuit was recovered early Wednesday morning  in Nashville, TN.  The subject was not located.  However, it is believed that the second subject involved in the Bartholomew Co. pursuit is also the subject who stole the Kia.

The suspect being sought is allegedly armed with a S&W .45 handgun.

A short time later, BCSO deputies were dispatched to a vehicle theft at Waffle House in Taylorsville.  The male who stole the 2016 Kia Sportage is believed to be the same suspect on the loose from the pursuit. 

“I want to give a huge thanks to all agencies involved”,"says Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers.    “If anyone sees this vehicle or a person matching this description, please do not approach – call law enforcement immediately," added Sheriff Myers.

A motorcycle rider was seriously injured in a collision with a semi on Tuesday.

Shelbyville Police report that a semi, driven by Adrian Sebastian of Greensburg, was eastbound on Shelby County Road 300 North about 1:30 pm.  Another vehicle was stopped at the intersection waiting to turn onto 300 North.

The third vehicle, a Harley Davidson driven by Troy Hazelbaker, 31, of Shelbyville, was westbound on 300 North approaching Tom Hession Drive.

According to police, Sebastian started making his turn and did not see any traffic coming westbound.  During the turn of the semi, Hazelbaker entered the area and a traffic collision took place between the semi and the motorcycle.  Further information shows that after making contact with the semi, Hazelbaker then made contact with the stopped vehicle and finally came to rest on the roadway.

Hazelbaker was transported to IU Methodist Hospital. 

Police report Sebastian was very cooperative at the scene and a blood draw was completed per state law.  At this time, there is no evidence of impairment. 

A reconstruction of the crash scene is being completed by SPD. 

Former Shelby County Prosecutor James Lisher, 74, passed away Monday at his home.

Lisher practiced law for 45 years and served as Shelby County Prosecutor for 12 years. He was the founder of Victim Assistance and Turn in Drug Pusher Programs. He also served as a public defender.

A gathering of friends will be Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.

The Masonic ritual will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Celebration of Life following with military rites.

Lisher is survived by his wife, Martha; daughter, Dr. Jennifer Lisher, and husband, Daniel, of Greenwood; Lieutenant Colonel James Lisher II; brother, John Lisher, and wife, Mary, of Indianapolis; and granddaughters Mary, Lillian and Isabella.

Lisher graduated in 1965 from North Central High School in Indianapolis. He received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1969. In 1974, he graduated from Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.

Lisher was a member of the Indianapolis and Shelby County Bar Associations, admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, and was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran and member of First Christian Church.

He also served on the boards of many civic organizations, including the Shelbyville Lions Club, treasurer and director of the Blue River Festival, Cancer Association of Shelby County, and Board of Zoning Appeals.

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, Indiana, will wrap up its record-setting racing season Thursday. Several promotions are included on the Veteran’s Day program featuring “Bettor Appreciation” as a way to say “Thank You” to all the racing fans that have supported the program this season.

To help usher out the 19^th season, the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) will sponsor a special $2,500 Veteran’s Day Challenge handicapping contest open to players both online and on-track.

The Veteran’s Day Challenge will be held on six races with players submitting their top selection for races five through 10. The event will end on the inaugural running of the $75,000 Salute the Heroes Stakes race with all veterans in attendance invited to come to the winner’s circle to help present the trophy and blanket to the winner. The top 10 handicappers at the end of the contest will be awarded prizes with first place taking home the grand prize of $1,000 courtesy of Indiana HBPA.

The Veteran’s Day Challenge is open to all players 18 years of age and older. All entries must be submitted by 4:25 p.m. to play with online individuals sending in selections to indianagrandcontest@gmail.com.

Racing fans on track will submit entries to the first floor OTB counter by the deadline. All winners are subject to verification of identity and must adhere to contest rules to be eligible to play and win.

Joining Indiana HBPA’s Veteran’s Day Challenge will be a seeded $50,000 Pick 5. Indiana Grand will add $50,000 into the pool to kick off the wager, rewarding the fleet of loyal racing fans who have watched and wagered on Indiana’s program this season. The Pick 5 begins in Race 6 on the program with an estimated post time of 5 p.m. (EST).

To help boost the Pick 5, 20 handicappers from across the nation will submit Pick 5 tickets worth up to $250 each, courtesy of Indiana Grand. All proceeds from the wagers will be earmarked to Homeless Veterans and Families (HVAF) of Indiana.

Handicappers included in the lineup for the charitable wagers are Steve Byk, “At the Races”; Dan Dakich, 1070 The Fan ESPN Radio; Jeremiah Johnson, Indiana Pacers; Aaron Vercruysse, Southern California handicapper; Ellis Starr, Equibase; Gene McLean, The Pressbox; John Dooley, Fair Grounds track announcer; Jimmy McNerney, Ellis Park track announcer; Anthony Stabile, NYRA; Mike Penna, Horse Racing Radio Network; Sak, social media influencer and handicapper; Sarge, TVG; Dan Tordjman, America’s Best Racing; Ed DeRosa, Horse Racing Nation; Louis Rabaut, Horse Racing Happy Hour; Briana Mott, Stable Duel; Big Mike, Horse Racing Happy Hour; Megan Devine, on-air host and television personality; Producer Kyle, WRTV Channel 6 and Dan Dakich Show; and Scott Ehlers, Daily Racing Form.

The 20^th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is set to resume April 19 and run through Nov. 23, 2022. For more information on events and racing, go to www.indianagrand.com.

The City of Shelbyville and Shelby County recently received nearly $450,000 as part of the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program to improve roads and bridges.

The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program was established in 2016 by the Indiana General Assembly to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve Indiana’s roads and bridges. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $1 billion in state matching funds for local construction projects.

Indiana Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) distributed a media release touting the grants for communities in Senate District 42, which she represents.

Receiving grants were

• Carthage received $130,115.40
• Connersville received 4593,580.73
• Franklin County received $142,631.74
• Greensburg received $475,439.11
• Knightstown received $352,975.50
• Lewisville received $67,882.50
• Oldenburg received $202,587.75
• Rush County received $664,275
• Rushville received $664,275
• Shelby County received $152,355.75
• Shelbyville received $292,769.09
• Shirley received $71,797.50

Sen. Jean Leising

This is a beneficial program that many of our local leaders have used to better our roads and bridges, especially in our smaller and more rural areas, according to Leising.

“I’m grateful our local communities have the opportunity to use these grants to improve our infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have,” she said.

The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program offers two round of applications each year, with the next call for applications occurring in early 2022.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a hunting related accident  that occurred Saturday in Bartholomew County. 

Just after 8 pm, responders were dispatched to private property near the 11000 block of S 800 W, for an injured person who fell from a tree stand.

Zachary Burbrink, 33, Columbus, was injured when a cable securing his stand to a tree broke causing Burbrink to fall approximately 12 feet to the ground. He was not utilizing a full body safety harness at the time of the incident.

Burbrink was transported, via helicopter, to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with a back injury.

Assisting agencies were the Southwest Fire Department, Harrison Twp. Fire Department, Columbus Regional Hospital EMS, Bartholomew Co. Sheriff’s Department.

First Merchants Corporation (Nasdaq: FRME) (“First Merchants”) and Level One Bancorp, Inc., (Nasdaq: LEVL) today announced they have executed a definitive merger agreement by which Level One Bancorp, Inc. will merge with and into First Merchants Corporation in a stock and cash transaction currently valued at approximately $323.5 million.

Upon completion of the merger, Level One Bank will merge with and into First Merchants Bank.

Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, LEVL operates 16 banking center locations in the southeastern Michigan area. Since its founding in 2007, LEVL has grown to be one of the largest community banks in Michigan with consistent double-digit loan and deposit growth rates. LEVL has total assets of $2.5 billion, total loans of $1.7 billion, and total deposits of $2.1 billion earning a 1.50% return on average assets and 16.3% return on tangible common equity for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

The merger agreement provides that the common shareholders of LEVL will have the right to receive a 0.7167 share of First Merchants common stock, in a tax-free exchange, and $10.17 in cash for each share of LEVL common stock owned, currently an approximate 75% stock / 25% cash mix. Based on the closing price of First Merchants common stock on November 3, 2021 of $43.50 per share, the implied merger consideration for each share of LEVL common stock is $41.35 per share. In addition, each share of Level One’s 7.50% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be converted into the right to receive one share of a newly created series of preferred stock of First Merchants having voting powers, preferences and special rights that are substantially identical to the Level One Series B preferred stock. First Merchants expects this combination to be mutually beneficial to First Merchants and LEVL shareholders and customers. First Merchants anticipates earnings per share accretion of approximately 10.4% in 2023 (the first full year of combined operations) and a tangible book value earnback of 2.9 years.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2022, subject to the affirmative vote of a majority of LEVL common shareholders, regulatory approvals, and other customary conditions. The combined company, conducting its banking business as First Merchants Bank, expects to complete its system integration during the third quarter of 2022.

First Merchants and LEVL will have combined assets of approximately $17.6 billion and First Merchants will remain the second largest financial holding company headquartered in Indiana. The combined company will have 122 banking offices across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.

Mark Hardwick, Chief Executive Officer of First Merchants, said: “Like First Merchants, Level One Bank has a strong customer-focused history and a deep-rooted commitment to community banking. We are excited they have chosen to become the newest member of the First Merchants family.”

According to Mike Stewart, President of First Merchants, “The LEVL franchise contiguously extends First Merchants further into southeastern Michigan. Our operating approach is focused on enhancing the financial wellness and prosperity of the communities we serve. Consistent with our brand reputation, our service model reflects a genuine relationship-oriented way of meeting the financial needs of businesses and consumers within the communities we serve.”

In First Merchants Bank’s newly acquired market, the executive team will include Level One Bank President, Timothy Mackay, Chief Lending Officer and Corporate Secretary, Gregory Wernette, and Risk Management Officer, Eva Scurlock. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Fehring, Chief Human Resources Officer, Lani Barrett, and Chief Financial Officer, David Walker will retire after completion of the merger.

Patrick Fehring, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Level One, stated, “We believe our partnership with First Merchants will provide tremendous benefits to our customers, shareholders and communities as we look forward to continuing the legacy of exceptional customer service, local responsiveness and strong community engagement that has defined Level One Bank since it was founded in 2007.”

Tim Mackay, President of Level One, added, “This partnership brings together two organizations with very similar cultures and a go-to-market strategy that allows us to build upon our strong commercial banking performance while also leveraging the momentum and growth we have developed in consumer banking and residential mortgage lending in recent years.”

Shelbyville Police are looking for any individual that may have witnessed the semi - pedestrian accident on November 3 that resulted in a Shelbyville woman being lifelined to IU Methodist Hospital.

If anyone has information on this incident they are asked to please contact the Shelbyville Police Department and request to speak with Capt. Bill Dwenger.  

Original story posted to Shelby County Post and GIANT fm News

A Shelbyville woman was seriously injured in a semi - pedestrian accident on Wednesday.

Shelbyville Police report the incident happened just before 11:00 am on Colescott Street at the intersection of South Harrison.  The driver, Thomas Phillips, 56, of Alexandria, Ohio, was driving a 2018 Freightliner.  Phillips was travelling northbound on South Harrison and turned left onto Colescott. Phillips told police he didn't see anyone in the intersection as he began the turn but then saw something in his driver's side mirror as he pulled through it.  He then saw people getting out of their cars and running towards the intersection.

The Shelbyville Police report when the semi was three quarters of the way through the turn the back wheels struck Carolyn Hazelbaker, 79, of Shelbyville.  Hazelbaker sustained lacerations to the her lower body and head trauma. 

Hazelbaker was lifelined to IU Methodist Hospital.

The Shelby County Health Department will be giving out the newly approved pediatric Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 - 11.

The children's vaccine will be available at the Shelby County Fairgrounds in the Family Arts Building along with Moderna, adult Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson.

The department will be giving out the vaccines on:

Monday, 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Wednesday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thursday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Vaccines will also be provided on Saturday, November 20, from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

You can register online at www.ourshot.in.gov  or call 211 to schedule and appointment.  You can also walk-in during the hours available at the fairgrounds.

For more information, contact the Shelby County Health Department at (317) 392-6470.

A Shelbyville woman was seriously injured in a semi - pedestrian accident on Wednesday.

Shelbyville Police report the incident happened just before 11:00 am on Colescott Street at the intersection of South Harrison.  The driver, Thomas Phillips, 56, of Alexandria, Ohio, was driving a 2018 Freightliner.  Phillips was travelling northbound on South Harrison and turned left onto Colescott. Phillips told police he didn't see anyone in the intersection as he began the turn but then saw something in his driver's side mirror as he pulled through it.  He then saw people getting out of their cars and running towards the intersection.

The Shelbyville Police report when the semi was three quarters of the way through the turn the back wheels struck Carolyn Hazelbaker, 79, of Shelbyville.  Hazelbaker sustained lacerations to the her lower body and head trauma. 

Hazelbaker was lifelined to IU Methodist Hospital.

Closing time for Shelbyville's Mickey's T-Mart is coming this weekend.

Brian Meeke informed the Shelby County Post and GIANT fm News that they will close for the final time at 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 6.

Original story posted October 12, 2021

Mickey’s T-Mart is counting down its last days as Shelbyville’s locally-owned and operated supermarket with a closing target date of the day before Thanksgiving.

Brian Meeke said they’ve been looking at possibilities for some time related to selling the business but no offer was quite good enough.  Thus, the decision now to close the supermarket at 748 South Harrison Street.

Meeke says the leading reason is the passing of time and customers.

So, what’s next?  Meeke details the coming days and weeks which include opening a 25% off sale starting Wednesday.

Meeke says Wednesday’s sale opening could be a flood of activity.

The decision to close Mickey’s T-Mart comes after entertainment of offers to buy the business and the properties over the years.  But Meeke says those offers weren’t what they were looking for.  That results in the decision now.

Will the site feature another supermarket down the road?  Meeke hopes so but notes that the issues plaguing business right now may delay that until supply chains, hiring, wages and more are repaired.

Meeke says it’s been a great run for his family dating back to 1978.  It might be hard to remember a date or time of something over four decades ago but in the case of Mickey’s T-Mart, probably not.  Remember something else that happened in ’78?

The Indiana Department of Health announced today that Hoosiers ages 5 to 11 are now eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine following Tuesday’s authorization of the pediatric vaccine by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine that is currently authorized for use in individuals under age 18.

Dr. Paula Gustafson is the Chief Medical Officer and a board-certified pediatrician at Major Health Partners. She spoke with GIANT fm News and the Shelby County Post about the pediatric vaccine and why it's important to get a booster.

The pediatric vaccine will be available on a walk-in basis from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the vaccination clinic outside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4551 W. 16th St., Indianapolis. Additional locations will be updated throughout the day at www.ourshot.in.gov.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, parents who wish to schedule an appointment for their child to receive the vaccine can do so at www.ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211 or (866) 211-9966 for assistance. Please note that 211 cannot make appointments until Thursday.

Pediatric vaccine supplies may be limited initially as shipments arrive on a staggered basis. Individuals are encouraged to make an appointment or call ahead to ensure that a site has vaccine available prior to visiting the location. A parent or guardian must provide consent, and children under 16 must be accompanied to the vaccination appointment by an adult.

The pediatric dose of Pfizer is lower than the dosage for ages 12 and older, so parents should ensure they visit a site that carries the pediatric dosage. To find these clinics, visit https://ourshot.in.gov beginning Thursday and look for the pin designating sites with pediatric vaccine.

The Indiana Department of Health announced today that Hoosiers ages 5 to 11 are now eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine following Tuesday’s authorization of the pediatric vaccine by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine that is currently authorized for use in individuals under age 18.

“Having a COVID-19 vaccine available to our younger Hoosiers is a game changer in terms of our efforts to keep children healthy and in school for in-person learning,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine if they are exposed but have no symptoms, so I encourage parents to get their children vaccinated if they are eligible.”

The pediatric vaccine will be available on a walk-in basis from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the vaccination clinic outside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4551 W. 16^th St., Indianapolis. Additional locations will be updated throughout the day at www.ourshot.in.gov. Beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, parents who wish to schedule an appointment for their child to receive the vaccine can do so at www.ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211 or (866) 211-9966 for assistance. Please note that 211 cannot make appointments until Thursday.

Pediatric vaccine supplies may be limited initially as shipments arrive on a staggered basis. Individuals are encouraged to make an appointment or call ahead to ensure that a site has vaccine available prior to visiting the location. A parent or guardian must provide consent, and children under 16 must be accompanied to the vaccination appointment by an adult.

The pediatric dose of Pfizer is lower than the dosage for ages 12 and older, so parents should ensure they visit a site that carries the pediatric dosage. To find these clinics, visit https://ourshot.in.gov beginning Thursday and look for the pin designating sites with pediatric vaccine.

As of Wednesday, a total of 7,133,806 doses have been administered in Indiana. This includes 3,344,763 first doses and 414,620 booster doses. A total of 3,374,423 individuals are fully vaccinated.

The City of Shelbyville Board of Works and Public Safety approved the $1 purchase price of a school bus from Shelbyville Central Schools that will be used for training purposes by the Shelbyville Fire Department.

“I want to thank the school board for this opportunity here,” said Shelbyville Fire Chief Tony Logan at Tuesday’s Board of Works meeting at City Hall. “We don’t get a chance to see buses very often. Now we get a chance to work on a newer bus and physically dismantle one. It’s a great opportunity.”

The school board has already approved the transfer of ownership to the city.

In other Board of Works business Tuesday, the board accepted the retirement letter from police department detective Jason Brown, who is leaving the police force after 25 years to pursue another opportunity.

Brown still has vacation time accrued and will use that time into early 2022, according to police chief Mark Weidner, before his retirement is official.

A man has been arrested in connection to a child's death in Rush County.

The Rush County Sheriff's Department says Robert Scott Geise has been charged with four felonies including Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death (Level 1).  Geise was held at the Rush County Jail on $100, 000 bond.

On September 21, deputies at Mays EMS responded to a call of an unresponsive four-year-old boy.  The initial call to 911 stated that the boy had fallen off an outdoor playset.

Mays EMS transferred the child to Rush Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  Following an investigation the Rush County Coroner concluded the cause of death to be homicide due to blunt force injuries to the head and abdomen.

The Rush County Sheriff's Department arrested Geise, the boyfriend of the boy's mother, on additional felonies of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death (Level 3), and Aggravated Battery (Level 1 and 3).

 Indiana Department of Transportation contractor MAC Construction plans to resume patching operations next week on I-65 in Shelby and Johnson Counties. Work began in early October between Exit 80 (S.R. 252) and Exit 90 (S.R. 44).

Daily lane closures will be in place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday (Nov. 8, 11 & 13).  All work is expected to be complete by the end of the week, but may be extended if needed due to weather.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near construction zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Braydon Povinelli is the reigning Indiana state chess champion.

The Shelbyville High School senior also has a philanthropic side, though, that was honored Saturday afternoon at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport.

Povinelli offered to play multiple chess players simultaneously to help raise funds for the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition.

Prior to the event Saturday inside the large airport hangar, Shelbyville mayor Tom DeBaun honored the teenager with a “Braydon Povinelli Day” proclamation that cited his state championship win on April 25, 2021, his overall rating of Candidate Master with the United States Chess Federation, and his more than 350 volunteer hours with Major Hospital.

Povinelli thanked the mayor, welcomed the competitors and explained the rules.

Playing the white chess pieces, Povinelli made the first move on each chess board. Once he returned to the board, the competitor could make his move and Povinelli would respond with his own move.

It took approximately eight minutes for his first victory.

By the time the event was over, Povinelli handed out one medal in his lone defeat. He also accepted a draw in another match.

Shelbyville High School senior Braydon Povinelli, right in both photos, played 10 chess matches simultaneously Saturday at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport as part of a fundraising event for Shelby County Drug Free Coalition. Povinelli is the reigning Indiana State Champion. (photo above) Povinelli watches local attorney Warren Good (purple shirt) make a move in their head-to-head match.

Povinelli chose the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition because of his own family’s struggle with addiction.

With the assistance of local attorney Warren Good, who serves on the city’s Aviation Board, Povinelli expects the event to raise over $3,000. A check-presentation ceremony will occur at a later date.

A plan is in place to make the chess competition an annual fundraising event.