Franklin Township resident reflects on service with National Guard 20 years later

 Reporter's note: This article originally published to South Indy Connect on Nov. 26, 2024.

Franklin Township resident Tim Jeffers (left, in the sunglasses) served as a Public Command Officer for General David Petraeus during his 2004-2005 tour in Iraq. In addition to meeting with the media, he fought alongside Iraqi soldiers. (Photo provided.)

By HANNAH GUNNELL

Not many 40 year olds get called up to the line of duty, but Franklin Township resident Tim Jeffers found himself in that position in 2004.

“I was ‘04-’05, and to be honest with you, it’s kind of like a dream,” he said.

The Scecina Memorial High School alumnus had served in the National Guard, then resigned to handle family affairs. When a soldier resigns, they sign a resignation letter for both the state commission and federal commission — but he didn’t sign for his federal commission at the time, so five years after resigning, he had orders to go back.

Read more at https://communityconnectmedia.com/franklin-township-resident-reflects-on-service-with-national-guard-20-years-later

Johnson County Veteran Service Office expanding to provide more support

 

Reporter's Note: This article originally published to South Indy Connect's website on Nov. 26, 2024. 

The Johnson County Veteran Service Office consists of Director Seneca Harbin and Veteran Service Officer Megan Brown. The office serves 500-600 veterans and their families within the county, and will soon employ a third individual to help provide better support to the county’s veterans.

By HANNAH GUNNELL

Megan Brown has learned a lot in the last 18 months as the Johnson County Veteran Service Officer.

“Sometimes it’s just crazy the stories that you hear,” she said.

The Navy veteran’s office provides resources for just about everything veteran related, including legal, employment, housing, medical, education, and disability, to name a few.

Read more at https://communityconnectmedia.com/johnson-county-veteran-service-office-expanding-to-provide-more-support/

SPD seeking sponsors to revamp K9 program

 Reporter's note: This article originally ran in the Oct. 16 edition of The Shelbyville News.

Shelbyville Police Officer Jarod Scudder and K9 Bronco complete a bite demonstration. Bronco is currently the only K9 SPD has working, as previous dogs have retired over the last few years. SPD is seeking to secure new dogs for this program, and is looking for community partners to help sponsor the cost of new K9s. (Photo provided)

By HANNAH GUNNELL

The Shelbyville Police Department is seeking corporate sponsors to help grow its K9 program.

Due to retiring dogs and officer pairs over the last few years, the department’s K9 program has dwindled from four dogs to just one. Officer Jarod Scudder and his K9 Bronco are currently the only working pair.

Read more: https://www.shelbynews.com/news/spd-seeking-sponsors-to-revamp-k9-program/article_332a37fc-02af-506b-b1f6-e18100551573.html

MHP Spine completes first surgery with new robot

 Reporter's Note: This article originally ran in the Aug. 24 edition of The Shelbyville News. 

Dr. James Cole of MHP Spine completes a posterior lumbar fusion with the help of an Excelsius robotic arm last week. This is a new piece of equipment that brings navigation technology to Major Health Partners. The equipment improves the accuracy of lumbar fusion procedures by showing the surgeon where to place the rods and screws. (Photo provided.) 

By HANNAH GUNNELL

Major Health Partners’ newest department completed its first surgery with a new piece of robotic equipment last week.

MHP Spine’s Dr. James Cole and Carrie Graves, NP, successfully performed a posterior lumbar fusion with the aid of Excelsius Technology, manufactured by Globus Medical.

“The robot is a one-armed device that makes placing all the metal that we put in a patient’s spine more accurate,” Cole said. “It’s less stressful [for us], and it’s better for the patient because it’s more safe for them.”

Read more at https://www.shelbynews.com/news/mhp-spine-completes-first-surgery-with-new-robot/article_6454e13e-494c-538e-b565-75af84822da0.html. 

Knauf partners with Colts to collect glass in End Zone Tailgate parking lot

Reporter's note: This article originally ran in the Aug. 17 edition of The Shelbyville News. 

Photo provided: Knauf Insulation began collecting glass to recycle at the End Zone Tailgate parking lot outside Lucas Oil Stadium during Sunday’s preseason game. They will continue to be set up at home games throughout the season to collect glass bottles and set up activities for tailgaters to participate in. The goal is to raise awareness about the company and its sustainability efforts.

By HANNAH GUNNELL

Indianapolis Colts fans may not be allowed to bring glass bottles inside Lucas Oil Stadium, but they are allowed to have them in the End Zone Tailgate parking lot.

With that in mind, Knauf Insulation has partnered with the organization to collect glass bottles to recycle during this season’s football games.

“We have a three-year partnership with the Colts now, and we did this partnership for a number of reasons,” Knauf Sr. Manager of Brand and Marketing Amanda Hampton said. “The Indianapolis community is so close to Shelbyville – I mean, it’s a 30-minute drive – to bring awareness of Knauf to that community is something we really wanted to do.”

Read more at https://www.shelbynews.com/news/knauf-partners-with-colts-to-collect-glass-in-end-zone-tailgate-parking-lot/article_26fecb14-c6d2-5a5b-8808-c92c5149658f.html. 

Board of Works affirms unsafe building order for Adam's Glass Building

This article originally published in the Aug. 7 edition of The Shelbyville News.

By HANNAH GUNNELL

The Board of Works and Public Safety affirmed an unsafe building order it issued last month for the vacant building at 15/17 Broadway Street.

Colloquially called the “Adam’s Glass Building,” city engineers determined the building is vacant and an unsafe structure. The board previously expressed concern about the possibility of it falling into the street.

Last month, the board issued an unsafe building order at the recommendation of City Attorney Jenny Meltzer. At that meeting, the city announced it would hold a public hearing regarding the order, during which the board would take further action.

Read more at: https://www.shelbynews.com/news/board-of-works-affirms-unsafe-building-order-for-adams-glass-building/article_dcb3f428-1b8b-5b25-84da-b7c0aa63a5b9.html

SPD K9 'Mikey' to retire after eight years

This article originally published in the Aug. 1 edition of The Shelbyville News.

File photo (originally by Ross Flint): Shelbyville Police Officer Keith England and his K-9 Mikey visit the Free Fishing Day event at the FOP Lodge. England and Mikey have made quite a few public appearances at various events and even in the schools over the pup's eight years in service. Mikey will be retiring later this year. 

By HANNAH GUNNELL

After almost eight years in service, Mikey the Labrador will be retiring from his role as a Shelbyville Police Department’s K-9 later this year.

Officer Keith England, Mikey’s handler, could not be more proud of his partner.

“We got Mikey in 2017, January 2017,” he said. “He’s been in service almost eight years. He was actually a unique story – he’s a Labrador. Most people when they think of K-9, they think German Shepherd. The department wanted to get Mikey because he filled a special need we had. He’s super friendly, social and outgoing, and it solved a couple issues for us.”

Read more at https://www.shelbynews.com/news/spd-k9-mikey-to-retire-after-eight-years/article_ad247c18-7dd1-5ec7-94e6-543b2b444649.html. 

Blue River Memorial Park, Tom Hession Drive welcome visitors during eclipse

Reporter's Note: This article originally published in the April 10, 2024 edition of The Shelbyville News.

Photo: Visitors parked along Tom Hession Drive watch the moon pass the sun during the total solar eclipse Monday, April 8. During totality, the horizon in every direction appeared like a sunset.

By HANNAH GUNNELL

Visitors from around the country ventured to Shelbyville’s Blue River Memorial Park and Tom Hession Drive Monday to view the total solar eclipse.

Both locations had the capacity to hold a little more than 700 vehicles. While the park reached that capacity and closed its gates around noon, Tom Hession Drive only had about 30 cars, Emergency Management Director Denis Ratekin estimated Tuesday morning.

Read more: https://www.shelbynews.com/news/blue-river-memorial-park-tom-hession-drive-welcome-visitors-during-eclipse/article_7bcf4672-2fd2-5a02-ae7a-6a198f342c7d.html. 

Indiana Barn Foundation seeking local heritage barns for fall barn tour

Reporter's Note: This article originally published in the April 8, 2024 edition of The Shelbyville News.

Randy Miles from the Indiana Barn Foundation conducts an assessment of Patricia Crafton’s heritage barn in Flat Rock. Crafton would like to have the barn restored. The Indiana Barn Foundation offers assessments of heritage barns to help individuals get started on their path to restoration.

By HANNAH GUNNELL

Randy Miles from the Indiana Barn Foundation has dated more barns than women, he said.

And he dated Flat Rock resident Patricia Crafton’s heritage barn’s construction around 1890 (plus or minus 10 years) Friday afternoon during a barn assessment.

“The thing that gives it away is this big beam here,” he said, pointing to a beam that runs across the middle of Crafton’s barn. “This is hand-hewn. That did not go through a sawmill. It was by hand labor, chopped away. In many cases, they would dig a trench and get down in the trench, put the beam overhead and [cut it.] Early on, there were not local sawmills where that could be finished."

Miles and the Indiana Barn Foundation are on a mission to restore heritage barns around the state.

Read more: https://www.shelbynews.com/news/indiana-barn-foundation-seeking-local-heritage-barns-for-fall-barn-tour/article_56fb9368-0cca-5677-b26b-253f95bee1f4.html. 

'Patriotic Party': Republican candidates, leaders discuss goals at America First Rally

Reporter's Note: This article originally published in the March 28, 2024 edition of The Shelbyville News.

 

Photo: Senate Candidate Jim Banks (left) and Donald Trump Jr. promote the Republican Party during the America First Rally Tuesday afternoon at Fischers Inc. Trump Jr. endorsed Banks' campaign.

By HANNAH GUNNELL

American flags, campaign signs and “Make America Great Again” hats waved at Fischers Inc. Tuesday afternoon as Hoosier Republican candidates and leaders emphasized their platforms during the America First Rally.

Among the Hoosiers included Representative Jim Banks (IN-03), who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held currently by Mike Braun. Braun, who is running for governor, was also in attendance, as well as Attorney General Todd Rokita and Secretary of State Diego Morales – all promoted by prominent businessman and son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr.

Read more at https://www.shelbynews.com/news/patriotic-party-republican-candidates-leaders-discuss-goals-at-america-first-rally/article_ec4da90f-d143-5c1a-8873-57eaf6050550.html.