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Episode 4: A Conversation with Emma Claxton

Recent Shelbyville High School graduate and incoming Butler University student Emma Claxton visits with Kristiaan Rawlings’ class, including co-hosts Jordyn Noe and McKenzie Haehl, to discuss her leadership and educational experiences, as well as plans for the future.

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NOTEBOOK:

• The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued a notice of violation to the Town of Morristown and proposed a $10,575 civil penalty over violations involving the town’s wastewater treatment plant. IDEM said a March wastewater treatment plant upset resulted in untreated wastewater containing black, septic sludge solids being discharged into the Big Blue River for more than two weeks, extending 15 to 20 yards downstream; the agency also cited permit-limit violations involving E. coli, chlorine, suspended solids, ammonia and other pollutants. IDEM also alleged Morristown failed to properly report the March incident, which the agency learned about through a citizen complaint, and cited problems with monitoring records, plant operation and enforcement involving industrial discharges. Under the proposed agreed order, Morristown would be required to submit a compliance plan, address industrial users and demonstrate 12 consecutive months of compliance with its wastewater permit.

• The Shelby County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died Aug. 7 at Ryobi Die Casting (USA) Inc. in Shelbyville as Luis Roberto Cantu Benavides, 50, of Columbus. The cause and manner of death remain pending. The coroner’s office and Shelbyville Police Department continue to investigate the death.

• The Indiana Department of Transportation began an intersection improvement project Monday at State Road 9 and Colescott Street. The approximately 18-day project will widen the intersection radii to improve turning movements and add a dedicated left-turn lane for northbound State Road 9 traffic turning onto Colescott Street. The intersection will remain open during construction, but drivers are encouraged to use caution and allow additional travel time.

• Shelby County Commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance yesterday, largely bringing local regulations into compliance with new state laws that took effect July 1. The changes allow indoor shooting ranges in commercial, industrial and agricultural districts and certain outdoor ranges in designated districts, while adding safety requirements for projectiles, backstops and noise; sporting goods stores also are permitted in commercial districts. The ordinance also addresses accessory dwelling units, manufactured and mobile homes, mailboxes and accessory structures. Internal accessory dwelling units are permitted in residential districts, while external units still require a zoning variance; non-breakaway mailboxes are prohibited in rights of way; and some accessory-structure setbacks are increased. The ordinance also removes pond standards and development plan review provisions that the county had not historically enforced. Planning Director Desiree Calderella said most of the revisions were required by state law, with several smaller changes updating the ordinance to reflect county practices. The Plan Commission voted 6-0 on July 28 to give the amendments a favorable recommendation.

• County Commissioners approved the retirement of Medo, a Shelby County Sheriff’s Department K-9 who is nearing 8 years old and experiencing medical issues. Sheriff Chris Holder said the department had hoped to transfer Medo to another handler, but had difficulty finding a training school willing to accept an older dog that had previously worked with another handler. Under the county’s K-9 retirement policy, Medo’s handler can purchase him from the county for $1 and keep him in retirement. Holder said the department is searching for a replacement K-9 and has been offered free training through the Indiana State Police if it can find a dog and handler. He estimated a newly trained K-9 can cost $15,000 to $18,000, but said he hopes the department can keep the cost closer to $10,000 to $12,000.

• Commissioners also approved a new policy allowing county employees to use under-desk walking pads at work. Human Resources Director Donna Cook said the policy was developed after three employees asked about using the devices. The county will not purchase the walking pads; employees who want one must buy their own and bring it from home. Employees also must receive permission from their department head or elected official before using one and sign an acknowledgment and liability waiver. Cook said the policy addresses equipment requirements, electrical and machine setup and operational safety guidelines. The commissioners approved the policy 3-0, and Cook said it will be incorporated into the employee handbook during its next review.

• The following couples applied for marriage licenses at the Shelby County Clerk’s office last week: Thomas Lapinski, 36, and Katherine L. John, 35; Michael A. Cook, 43, and Stephanie L. Russell, 45; Kayla B. Davis, 25, and William J. Doty, 24; Alberto M. Perez, 41, and Shelbi A. Wolf, 33; Heather L. Harlow, 37, and Kyle L. Bennett, 38; Kyla L. Boles, 37, and Terry J. Gill, 36; Christopher A. Wilson, 28, and Amanda N. Trego, 26.

• HOOSIER NEWS: Meijer will open a new 75,000-square-foot grocery-focused store at 15700 Southeastern Parkway in Fishers next month, along with a Meijer Express gas station. The store will offer produce, meat, deli and bakery items, a pharmacy, health and beauty products, alcohol, floral items and other grocery essentials, as well as pickup and delivery services. It will be Meijer’s second Grocery concept in Indiana, following the Noblesville location that opened in 2024, and will be about 20% smaller than that store. (IndyStar)

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This Day in Shelby County History

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. | edited by HANNAH BAKER | compiled by MYRON RAWLINGS

2016: The Shelbyville Central Schools board extended Dr. David Adams’ contract. All SCS schools had seen an increase of out-of-district students transferring in during his tenure.

2006: The local Salvation Army announced a desperate need for money and food donations. The local organization was serving lunch to about 100 people per day.

1996: Parks Director Linda Sanders shared the need for a new pool facility with the parks board. “The pool has served its purpose for 65 years. It’s time to be replaced,” Sanders said. Councilmen Roland Stine and Jeff Martin agreed that the current pool needed too many repairs. “It’s a good example of throwing money down a rathole,” Stine said.

1986: Shelby County Fair Queen Dana Lawson, 18, placed fourth in the State Fair Queen contest. Lawson lived with her grandmother, Marjori Sandefur, in Shelbyville.

1976: A Boggstown Road farm owned by Mrs. George (Dorothy Thomas) Plymate was designated a Hoosier Homestead Award Farm after remaining in the same family for more than 100 years. Plymate and her son, Tom, a graduate student at Indiana University, occupied the family homeplace, where her parents, Charles and Mrs. Thomas, had lived after acquiring the property from his mother and other heirs in 1900. The land’s history stretched back to three original federal grants, one to Isaac Hunt of Ohio in 1823, signed by President James Monroe, and two to Barnabus Ray, signed by Presidents John Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren, while another portion of the original property east of the homeplace was owned by Plymate’s sister, Estella Thomas Cochran.

Bob’s Bicycle Servicenter, at the corner of Broadway and Vine, began offering the first “motorized bicycle Garelli” in Shelby County, a newspaper ad said. The bike got up to 150 miles per gallon. “No license, no registration, no insurance, no helmet,” the ad read.

1966: Holiday Skateland, the former Taylor’s Rink at Kennedy Park featuring dancing and skating, opened. Darrell Adcock was the supervisor.

The St. Joseph’s rifle team captured first place in the South Central Junior League. Team members were Don Andrews, Julia Hankins, Steve Aldridge, John Roberts, Mark Hankins, John Snyder, Tom Huesman and John Wisker. Nick Runnebohm and Riley Theobald were coaches.

1956: Morris Emerick of Hendricks Township set a new record for the tractor pull at the county fair. Ray Wilson won first in the “light” field. Williams Falls was second, and Earl Baker and Truman Sawyer were third and fourth, respectively.

1946: Porter Pool closed for the season due to mechanical failures. American Legion officials said they would work on the issues over the winter.

1936: Local businessman A. Goodman told the Shelbyville Lions Club about a trip through Europe, Asia and the Holy Land that included a return to his native Poland after 33 years away. Goodman spent 11 days in Poland and visited the small town where he was born. He told club members that little progress had occurred there and that the town had been burned during World War I and rebuilt without major improvements. He contrasted Poland with Shelby County, saying Shelby County had more paved roads than all of Poland, and described Polish travel as largely dependent on crowded trains that he considered inferior to American coaches.

1926: Boggstown residents and former residents planned to gather for an annual all-day community picnic and homecoming at Camp Joy along Sugar Creek. Organizers expected a large crowd, with Laydon Shaw in charge of a noon fish fry for which 250 pounds of fish had been ordered, while women of the community were to provide other food. The afternoon program was to include community singing and short talks, with Charles Powers serving as president of the organization and J.L. Harker as secretary.

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OBITUARIES

Tye Curtis Wade, 42, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at his residence. Born Jan. 27, 1984, he was the son of Adam and Christy (Jenkins) Wade. Survivors include a brother, Troy Wade of Fairland; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Wade had lived most of his life in this area and attended Triton Central High School. He had worked at Knauf Fiber Glass for seven years and Brinks Security for 10 years. Tye enjoyed camping, the outdoors, collecting guns and classic cars.

Funeral services will be at noon Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with the Rev. Andy Hamilton officiating. Friends may call Friday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.