Monday, August 24, 2026

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Both Shelby County and City of Shelbyville plan commissions meet this week. The city meeting is tonight, Monday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m., in City Hall. The county meeting is Tuesday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m., in the courthouse annex. The following items are on the agenda:

Shelby County Plan Commission:

• A request from Kova Fertilizer to rezone approximately 12 acres from Conservation Agricultural to Agricultural Commercial to allow development of a fertilizer and agricultural supply distribution facility at 4571 E. Michigan Road, Shelbyville, will return to the agenda. The proposal received a 4-2 favorable vote at the commission’s July meeting but fell one vote short of approval because five affirmative votes, a majority of the nine-member commission, were required, automatically continuing the petition to this month’s meeting. Kova has proposed a two-phase facility that would include office, fertilizer and chemical storage and warehouse space and employ an estimated 10 to 12 people. During the July meeting, nearby residents raised concerns about truck traffic, chemical storage, drainage and groundwater use, while Kova representatives emphasized that the facility would not store anhydrous ammonia and agreed to a condition requiring a state high-capacity well stress test and limiting groundwater withdrawals based on the study’s results. The accompanying subdivision request also was continued and is scheduled to return with the rezoning request Tuesday.

• Hoosier Investing is requesting a rezone of 5.5 acres from Residential Estate to Single-Family Residential to allow for a three-lot subdivision, located east of and adjoining 3925 W 500 N, Fairland.

• Michael Burbing is requesting to rezone 5 acres from Conservation Agricultural to Residential Estate to allow for a one-lot simple subdivision on the east side of CR 500 W, approximately one-half mile north of Old State Road 252, Edinburgh.

• Beth Riggs is requesting a simple subdivision of 7 acres into two lots at 5599 N. Brandywine Road, Shelbyville.

• Schwier and Co. LLC is requesting to rezone 7 acres from Conservation Agricultural to allow for the future development of three single-family building lots located at the southeast corner of CR 1100 N and CR 400 W, New Palestine.

Shelbyville Plan Commission:

• A request to rezone the former First Assembly of God and The Ville Church property at 1115 St. Joseph St. from Institutional to Business General will go before the Shelbyville Plan Commission on Monday. Laura and Travis Kohrman are seeking the rezoning of the 1.38-acre property to allow the former church building to be converted into a dance instruction studio, with the possibility of leasing some office space in the future. The building was used as a church until this spring, when the congregation relocated to a property on Tucker Road, and no expansion of the existing building footprint is proposed. Laura Kohrman, who has operated Gold Star Dance Academy in Shelbyville for the past eight years, previously told the Shelbyville Common Council that the move would provide the studio with a larger, permanent location. The council unanimously approved the request on first reading, with the Plan Commission now scheduled to conduct a public hearing and make a recommendation before the rezoning returns to the council for final consideration in September.

• A proposed subdivision tied to DJM Investments’ planned Summit of Shelbyville apartment development near Highpointe Boulevard and Progress Parkway will go before the full Shelbyville Plan Commission after a nearby property owner appealed an earlier approval by the city’s Plat Committee. Developer David Muselman is seeking preliminary plat approval to divide the approximately 12.8-acre, Business General-zoned property into three lots; the land has historically been used for agriculture, while Highpointe Boulevard and Progress Parkway were constructed around 2006-07 as the surrounding area developed. The Plat Committee approved the subdivision request on July 29, but Jesse Bret Fishback filed an appeal within the permitted window, raising concerns including traffic, privacy, noise and the effect of the apartment development on neighboring property. The subdivision is part of DJM’s larger proposed market-rate apartment project, which has also been moving through the city’s economic development process. The Shelbyville Economic Development Commission recently recommended approval of up to $4.5 million in tax increment financing bonds for the development, which is planned to begin with four three-story buildings totaling 72 apartments and eventually expand to 288 units.

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• The Indianapolis Star last week included two Shelbyville football players among its 25 Central Indiana underclassmen to watch this season. Quarterback Layden Fitzgerald returns after starting as a freshman and passing for 1,448 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 166 rushing yards and three scores. Camden Thoman also made the list after catching 29 passes for 480 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns during his freshman season; the 6-foot-3 receiver is also a member of Shelbyville’s basketball program.

• HOOSIER NEWS: Circle City Broadcasting said DIRECTV customers could lose access to WRTV, WISH-TV and WNDY beginning today if the companies do not reach a new carriage agreement. Circle City says DIRECTV is undervaluing its locally owned stations, while DIRECTV says the broadcaster is seeking nearly double WRTV’s previous rate and requiring it to also carry WISH and WNDY. WRTV will remain available over the air with an antenna and through other providers, while some of its news and network programming can also be streamed online. (IndyStar)

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This Week in Shelby County, a cartoon feature illustrated by George L. Stubbs for 38 years, is reproduced with permission of the Shelby County Historical Society and the Stubbs family.

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Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials. | research by MYRON RAWLINGS

2016: The City of Shelbyville received a $1 million INDOT grant for street and sidewalk upgrades. Mayor Tom DeBaun thanked City Engineer Matt House and Street Commissioner Jennifer Jones for securing the grant. The grant included improvements to Jefferson Avenue, Evans Street, Amos Road, Hendricks Street and Intelliplex Drive.

2006: A representative from Rockies Express Pipeline-East spoke at the county commissioners meeting regarding residents’ concerns about the 1,663-mile natural gas pipeline that was proposed to cross the county. Locals had complained after the company scheduled open forum discussions in Franklin and Greensburg but not Shelby County.

1996: Sandra Marie Gonzalez was crowned the 1996 Bears of Blue River Festival Queen. She was crowned by 1995 festival queen LeDuana Martin. Michelle Haehl was named first runner-up. Stacy Hall was Miss Congeniality.

1986: New elementary teachers in the Shelbyville Central Schools district were Sharon Clark, Hendricks; Terie Anderson, Pearson; Claudia Daugherty, Pearson; Janice Harding, Pearson; Nancy Wallace, Major Kindergarten; and Mona Wickizer, Coulston. New teachers at the junior and high school levels were Russell Smith, Brenda Kelsay, Tom Davis, Debbie Thompson, Mark Kaiser, Richard Geglein, Betty Kramer and Mary Ann Werbe.

1976: Beth Laird and David Drake were reserve champions in their respective classes at the Indiana State Fair. Beth won in the Poland China gilt category, and Drake in the hampshire gilts. Darrell Drake won grand champion market litter.

An Illinois-based firm held the first of three sessions to discuss ideas for rejuvenating downtown. Dick Kiefer announced that Shelbyville Improvement Inc. had collected $54,000 in contributions for the efforts.

1966: The Shelbyville Merchants reached the finals of the State Amateur Softball Association tourney in Mishawaka. Team members were Pete Brown, Glen Baker, Glenn Ashcraft, Ray Moore, Bill Markley, Cliff Runnebohm, Gil Harmon, Larry Browning, Jerry Love, Bill House, Dick McNeely, Bill Baker, Frannie Baker and Bob Dempsey. Lou Browning was the coach, and Joe Bradley was manager. Terry Moore was the scorekeeper, and Mark Ashcraft and Glen Baker Jr. were batboys.

1956: The cornerstone laying service was held at the new St. Luke’s Episcopal Church located on North State Road 9.

A new used car business was opened by Tom McAnany, former local Dodge-Plymouth dealer for a number of years prior to the dealership’s closing. The new business was located at 237 E. Broadway.

1946: Mrs. William Showers won the women’s singles tennis championship by defeating Sheila Richeson and Phyllis Fleming.

Dave LaBolle won the city ping-pong championship by defeating Bill Rigsbee.

1936: Local organizations announced the cast of the sixth annual minstrel show, to be held at Paul Cross Gymnasium.

1926: Ray Clark, golf pro at the Blue River Country Club, was invited to participate in a national golf tournament held on the Highland course in Indianapolis.

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Dorothy Maxine Gambrel let go of an inspiring 96-year journey on August 20, 2026. She passed peacefully with family members at her side in the home of her daughter, Salli. Her unwavering faith was a testament to the devout woman of God that she was.

Maxine was born November 24, 1929, at the very beginning of the Great Depression, to Ruby Curry Spier and Louis Spier in Moral Township, Shelby County, Indiana. She lived most of her life on the family farm in Fairland, marrying high school sweetheart Irvin Gambrel on June 26, 1948. She was preceded in death by Irvin in 1975, eldest son Kent (Cyndi) in 2024, and dogs Shep, Sugar, Prince, Nishka, Snickers, BJ, Oreo and Sparky. Maxine is survived by her son Keith (Carol); and daughter, Salli Betz (Steve); 8 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

In addition to caring for her children, Maxine spent most of her married life working at the L. S. Ayres & Company headquarters. She started at the wrapping desk and finished as executive secretary to the company’s President and Treasurer. After Irvin’s death, and with Salli in grade school, she enrolled in college. Year one was at Christian Theological Seminary and then she transferred to Butler University where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education. At the age of 55, she began her post-college career by taking her one and only teaching position as the Art and Music instructor at St. Joseph Catholic School in Shelbyville, Indiana. Maxine retired in 2001, but she continued joyfully giving piano lessons for over 60 years.

During her career at St. Joseph, the school decided to add 7th and 8th grade students. Hiring a band director with limited resources would have been a challenge, so Maxine spent a summer driving to Indianapolis every day to take lessons. She learned to play the trombone, trumpet, flute and saxophone so the kids would have an instructor when school started that fall.

Maxine and Irvin were founding members of New Life United Methodist Church. Maxine served in many church leadership roles, spent years directing the chorus and handbell choirs, and played both the piano and organ during services. She volunteered at countless community functions. In 2006, she was named “Central Indiana Older Person of the Year” by the Central Indiana Council on Aging.

Never too busy for family or friends, Maxine loved and cherished both. In recent, less mobile years, she was constantly visited by loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to family and friends, she really loved life on the farm and cooking her amazing family feasts. She named her mother as the most important person in her life, who while being educated only through the 6th grade, showed her what it was like to be strong in faith, life-smart, hardworking, and humble. Maxine wanted to be remembered as being that kind of person.

Private family burial will take place at New Palestine Cemetery. Details of the celebration of life will follow.

Charles Albert Payne, age 80, of Fairland, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026, at his residence. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 2, 1945, to Miles and Mary (VanDiver) Payne. Charles graduated from Thomas Carr High School. He served in the Army as a Drill Sergeant Army 4th Class from 1965-1967. He married Ann (Perkins) on November 24, 1979.

Charles dedicated more than 40 years to the telecommunications industry. He spent 30 years working in Communication Services with Indiana Bell, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies, followed by 12 years at IUPUI specializing in the installation and repair of telephone systems. In addition to his professional career, Charles proudly volunteered for 20 years with Warren Township Fire and Rescue, serving his community with dedication and compassion. Charles was an avid NASCAR fan and a loyal supporter of Jeff Gordon, as well as a devoted Indianapolis Colts fan. Above all, he cherished his family and treasured every opportunity to spend time with them. He was well known throughout the neighborhood for his beautifully maintained yard and his elaborate holiday displays, creating unforgettable Halloween and Christmas decorations that brought joy to family, friends, and neighbors alike. Charles will be remembered for his hardworking nature, community spirit, and the love he shared with those around him.

He is survived by his children, Tom (Carla) Payne and Cathy (Darin) Nulliner; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; siblings, Linda (Tom) Miller and Cinda Raia; and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Miles and Mary Payne; daughter, Jennifer Payne; and siblings, Helen Jean Mullin, Fran (John) Schowengerdt, John (Mary) Payne, and Sandra Kay Payne.