Year in Review 2023

DECEMBER 30, 2023

2023 DAILY JOURNAL

2

DECEMBER 30, 2021

»

Jan. 2

Trafalgar firefighter Jon O’Brien pulls a saw from an engine at the Trafalgar Fire Department in January. The department began staffing it’s department 24/7 with part-time paid 12-hour shifts this year.

Local judges temporarily delayed implementing proposed changes to Johnson County’s bail bond schedule. Last year, the judges of Johnson County’s Circuit Court and Superior Courts gave notice of their proposal to amend the county’s local rules. The public had until Nov. 16 to comment on the proposed changes, which were planned to go into effect on Jan. 1. However, the changes have been delayed until at least June so local judges could have more time to further evaluate the changes and the comments they received from the public.

Daily Journal file photo

Main Street Interstate 65 interchange had to wait until at least next month.

Following a deadlocked 2-2 vote, the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals delayed their decision on two zoning variances that would either allow or limit the ability for a RaceTrac gas station to be built at the northeast corner of the Main Street I-65 interchange.

Jan. 26

Jan. 3 The new year means state lawmakers will soon return to the Indiana Statehouse for this year’s legislative session.

Jan. 4

IN-35152489

The first Johnson County baby of 2023 was born in the hospital where her mother works. Natalie Marie Ray was born to Greenwood couple Erin and Aaron Ray at 10:01 a.m. New Year’s Day at Community Hospital South just north of County Line Road.

ESTABLISHED

Jan. 5

As the clock struck 8 a.m.

Wednesday, Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett became the first candidate to file to be on the ballot in this year’s municipal primary elections.

There are 36 local offices with 52 seats on the ballot this election cycle, though Jan. 7-8 there is a chance not all of them will be contested races. All six Johnson County high schools graduated seniors at Jan. 6 a higher rate than the state as a whole. The Indiana Officials from Greenwood’s building and fire departments, Department of Education released 2022 graduation rate data, showing the six county schools surpassed the state graduation rate of 86.6%.

1825

1300 East Adams Dr Franklin, IN 46131 / 317-736-7962 www.franklingrace.org

IN-35152374

ESTABLISHED

1890

www.mymsb.bank Four locations to serve you!

Franklin, Stones Crossing, Trafalgar

ESTABLISHED

along with the Johnson County Health Department, toured the hotel for an allbuilding inspection, they documented not only a water leak and disrepair, but also the hotel’s efforts to correct issues as the owner files counterclaim.

1897

Jan. 9 The city of Greenwood rescinded a stop work order issued to the Red Carpet Inn and Fanta Suites as the final report for the hotel’s latest inspection is pending.

The removal of the order was dependent on whether inspectors would be granted access for a inspection, and since they were, the order was rescinded.

Jan. 10 For the first time in 70 years, the Trafalgar Fire Department was staffed 24/7. The department, since its inception in 1953, always ran 100% volunteer. But that changed at the start of this year by implementing a paid, part-time structure to ensure the fire station is staffed 24/7, 365 days of the year. A main reason for this change was the growing problem among all volunteer fire departments nationwide — a lack of volunteers, said Mark Dunn, Trafalgar fire chief.

Jan. 11

IN-35152377

Main & U.S. 31 Greenwood • 317-881-2514 5950 E. Thompson Rd. Indianapolis • 317-783-3653 www.stpierrefamilyfuneral.com

ESTABLISHED

1910

Preserving Franklin’s iconic last remaining brick street caused some headaches, but officials said it will be worth it in the end. The $3.7 million Yandes Street project involved tearing up and replacing five blocks of brick street, plus a block of Madison Street between Yandes and Depot streets.

The project also involved relocating all utility lines from the street to the sidewalk area, installing new sidewalks and new street lighting.

Jan. 12 A special prosecutor was requested for the drunk driving case involving a former Johnson County judge. Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner formally requested the appointment of a special judge in the criminal case filed against former county judge Jeffrey C. Eggers, 66, of Franklin. Eggers was charged with two counts

of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, both misdemeanors in Johnson County.

by Town Manager Dan Cartwright, will tackle safety concerns and code violations.

Jan. 13

Jan. 19

Police said a road rage incident led to the fatal shooting on County Line Road in Greenwood. The incident was believed to have initiated on Interstate 65 southbound north of County Line Road, police said. The shooting occurred at the I-65 interchange.

Richard Donnell Hamilton, 43, of Indianapolis was riding in the passenger seat of a white, work van with a female driver when a gunman opened fire, according to the Indiana State Police.

When Greenwood police and firefighters arrived, they found Hamilton unresponsive with a gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead at the scene, police said. He was the founder of the Indy Steelers youth football team in Indianapolis, a youth organization that mentors young players, according to their website.

Needham Fire’s new chief is planning to tackle recruitment and response time issues head-on. Jason Cahill took over as chief of the Needham Community Volunteer Fire Department on Jan. 1. The department provides fire services for the Needham community, along with areas of Needham, Clark and Franklin Townships.

Jan. 14-15 Walnut Grove Elementary School will have a new principal. Heather Gant took over the reins from Principal Brian Proctor, who announced he will be leaving his post at the end of the spring semester, according to a news release from Center Grove Community School Corporation.

Jan. 16 The worst was over for flu activity in Johnson County, but health officials say people should still be on alert for a new coronavirus variant.

Jan. 17 Trash pickup woes have persisted for months in Franklin and other central Indiana areas in the midst of a transition period from Ray’s Trash Service to Waste Management. With these changes, some trash pickup delays have impacted Franklin and other areas in the county Waste Management took over service for in September. Delays were also reported across Indianapolis and other surrounding counties.

Jan. 18 The Bargersville Community Center, known as the Bargersville Senior Citizen Center until earlier this month, will undergo extensive renovations.

Most of the renovations, particularly those listed in the “immediate” category

Jan. 20 Endress+Hauser planned a nearly $33 million expansion on Greenwood’s south side, asking the city council for a $3.2 million tax break to help with initial costs. The Swiss-based operating process and laboratory instrumentation and automation supplier has planned to invest about $33.1 million to build an approximately 120,000 square-foot commercial office and light industrial facility on about 35 acres of land located between U.S. 31 and Pushville and Worthsville roads.

Jan. 21-22 Ivy Tech Community College’s Franklin campus announced it is adding a high school manufacturing lab. The lab will include industry-grade equipment, including programmable logic controllers and skill bosses for training in advanced manufacturing, electrical and mechanical engineering, mechatronics, automation and processing, said Stephanie Amos, vice chancellor at Ivy Tech’s Franklin campus.

Johnson County was blanketed with as much as 3 inches of snow after a winter storm dropped rain and snow. Precipitation began as early as midnight, starting with rain and switching quickly to snow. By midmorning, heavy snowfall was reported across the county, according to the National Weather Service. The county was under a Winter Storm Warning Wednesday morning, although by 1:30 p.m., the warning was dropped. Total snow accumulations between 2 to 6 inches were expected for the county on Tuesday, but as the storm arrived these totals were lowered.

Jan. 27 Evie Stuard’s time with Tabernacle Christian Church came to a close.

The longtime pastor announced her retirement earlier this year and Sunday, will be her last service. The congregation celebrated her with a party following worship, taking the opportunity to thank her for her leadership over the years.

Jan. 28-29 There was less than a week remaining for municipal candidate filing, and local contested races already began to take shape.

Former Center Grove School Board President Joe Hubbard officially threw his hat into the ring for Greenwood mayor, challenging incumbent Mark Myers in the May 3 municipal primary. Hubbard previously served on the Center Grove Community School Board from 2019-2022, where he was board president and on the Central Nine Career Center Board of Trustees.

Jan. 30

One month in, the new Johnson County Prosecutor said he’s set the ball rolling A new, lodge-style sports bar to live up to his campaign with “scenic views” will open promise of making the office its doors on Greenwood’s stronger. Prosecutor Lance far north side. Twin Peaks, Hamner was elected for a a Texas-based restaurant second stint as prosecutor chain whose tagline is “Eats, last year, ousting incumbent drinks and scenic views,” will Joe Villanueva in the be opening a new location Republican primary. at the former site of Logan’s Roadhouse on north end of Jan. 31 the Greenwood Park Mall, a Polar Plunge raised money spokesperson confirmed. to support Special Olympics and more than 100 brave Jan. 24 souls from Johnson County A winter storm was expected and beyond were ready to to bring up to six inches of answer with enthusiasm. snow to Johnson County.

Hundreds of supporters of The National Weather Special Olympics Indiana Service in Indianapolis prepared themselves for issued a Winter Storm an annual tradition like no Watch for a large portion other — the Polar Plunge. of central and northeastern Athletes, local families, Indiana, including Johnson individuals, business owners County. and anyone else who supported the organization Jan. 25 gathered at Dye’s Walk Country Club for a dip into The decision on whether a an ice-cold pool set up on proposed gas station can the course. be built at Greenwood’s

Jan. 23

On the cover

IN-35152498

Pictured clockwise from top left: Pearl snuggles a student in Katie Bright’s third-grade class at Whiteland Elementary. Pearl is Clark-Pleasant schools’ new therapy dog. // Max Clark signs autographs for the hundreds of fans who showed up to cheer him on at an MLB draft party at the DriveHubler.com Amphitheater in Franklin. // A view from behind the courthouse clockface while it was under construction. // A salad put together by Antilogy Chef and Co-owner Willy Roegner. // Greenwood resident Chris Burton took a video of the twister, seen here in this screenshot, from the front door of his apartment at Copper Chase at Stones Crossing. // SyKo before his micro wrestling match at the Johnson County Fair on in July 2022. Contributing photographer Rob Baker won both Photo of the Year and Best Sports Feature Photo for the image in October. Daily Journal file photos; Submitted photos

DECEMBER 30, 2023

»

Feb. 1

Feb. 8 After increasing rates last year because of rising fuel costs, Duke Energy

Designs were unveiled for the first phase of the massive expansion and renovation of Whiteland Community High School.

School officials revealed new renderings and designs for the first phase of the roughly $235 million project that will add a new wing and upgrade the school’s old classrooms, auditorium, pool, cafeteria, band and choir spaces.

Feb. 15 The Greenwood Advisory Plan Commission gave a favorable recommendation to a rezoning request to

March 1 Eight months after his critical car accident, Trafalgar Officer Dustin Moody said he is taking recovery one day at a time.

He’s currently bound to a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down. His life and his family’s life has changed drastically, as they adjust to this new, but hopefully temporary, normal.

Moody returned home to Greenwood in December after almost six months in the hospital and a rehab center in Chicago.

March 2 The city of Indianapolis planned millions of dollars in upgrades for the western portion of County Line Road — upgrades that will benefit southside

Feb. 16

Feb. 22

Edinburgh’s town council plan to develop 18 acres northeast of State Road 252 and U.S. 31 in Edinburgh moved forward. The council members unanimously approved rezoning and plating the land for a mixeduse development. Five large lots will be used for commercial spaces, while five smaller lots, will be reserved for residential properties, according to town documents.

City and town leaders in Johnson County said they feel blindsided by county officials’ decision to cease funding for bridge repairs.

The Johnson County Board of Commissioners and the Johnson County Council Feb. 27 voted to dissolve the county’s cumulative bridge Over 200 “affordable” fund, which stopped the senior living apartments flow of bridge and culvert repair funding for towns and cities beginning Jan. 1. For years, the county had been ESTABLISHED responsible for all bridges and culverts in the county, even those within city or town limits.

Feb. 18-19 Whiteland Town Council is considered a code change allowing backyard chickens. Two ordinances in the Whiteland town code prohibit residents from owning chickens on residentially zoned lots.

Shawn Butler purchased six chickens to keep in his side yard in Whiteland.

The only problem, he wasn’t allowed to have them, and the town notified him that owning chickens was in violation of these town ordinances. At the Whiteland Town Council’s meeting, Butler pleaded his case for the town to change its ordinance. He noted the benefits of raising chickens, including self-sustainability.

Feb. 20 Center Grove’s Charlie LaRocca and Whiteland senior Joey Buttler won state wrestling championships at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Greenwood mayoral candidate Joe Hubbard prevailed over three challenges against his residency in city limits and remained on the Republican ballot. The Johnson County Election Board ruled that the three Greenwood residents who filed challenges against Hubbard didn’t have enough evidence to prove he didn’t meet statutory residency requirements to be a candidate.

March 3 Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers touted progress and

Antilogy co-owners Bob Sendelbach, Rachel Sendelbach, Andrea Roegner and Willy Roegner wanted to open a restaurant that serves not just as a brunch spot but can host date nights as well. Their vision of a restaurant that defies convention came to fruition when they cut the ribbon on Antilogy, located at 5867 N. State Road 135, just south of Smokey Row Road.

1922

Feb. 24 A local firefighters union endorsed Greenwood mayoral candidate Joe Hubbard, the union’s first-ever endorsement of a political candidate.

The Johnson County Professional Firefighters Local 4252 formally endorsed Hubbard for Greenwood mayor. The union is comprised of over 150 firefighters in Johnson County from the Greenwood, Bargersville, and White River Township Fire Fepartments.

57 N. Main St. Looking for a Franklin 317-736-6823 primary care provider?

1946

Robert Kavelman, MD, is now part of the family me HUFF ELECTRIC CO., INC. is board at Johnson Memorial Health.

Dr. Kavelman Electrical Contractors & Engineers family medicine and graduated from Indiana Univer Residential • Commercial • Industrial Medicine with Honors. He came to south central Ind Accepting Visa/MC/American Express Ft. Wayne in 1997 and has been practicing here eve Over 76 Years of Service Dr. Kavelman isStop seeing new patients of all ages at th 463 E. 18 RD. 317-881-0067 Memorial Health campus in Franklin.

To schedule an appointment, call

1947

317.736.6133 ESTABLISHED

1125 W. Jefferson St. Franklin, IN 46131 317-736-3300

Great care starts here.

ESTABLISHED

Feb. 25-26

1952

A Korean War veteran will finally receive a burial in Greenwood. The veteran’s

upcoming projects during his State of the City address. The city has a low tax rate and continues to have strong financial health while investing in its residents and progress, Myers said during the address.

The address took place before a sold-out crowd at the Greenwood Fieldhouse as part of an Aspire Johnson County Legislation Matters event.

1125 West Je 1155 Building Franklin, IN 4

JohnsonMe

317-736-8277

ESTABLISHED

1963

Daily Journal

Daily Journal file photo

add additional travel lanes in both directions and a continuous center turn lane to County Line Road.

Feb. 28

Start with Dr. Kave ESTABLISHED

Trafalgar Police Officer Dustin Moody puts a movie on the TV for his son in their Greenwood apartment. Moody returned home in December and is recovering from a critical accident he was in last summer while on duty.

drivers on both sides of the county line. The $40 million South County Line Road project was expected to begin construction later this year between State Road 37/ Interstate 69 and State Road 135. The project will

and a memory care center went under construction in New Whiteland.

Indianapolis-based Vita Investment Holdings announced it is building a 242-unit campus, geared toward senior assisted and independent living on both sides of Country Gate Drive along U.S. 31.

Feb. 23 IN-35152430

Habitat for Humanity brings back the Soup Bowl fundraiser in person after a pair of pandemic-influenced years. Combining locallymade soups and artistmade serving dishes that attendees could take home with them, the annual Soup Bowl has generated more than $20,000 each year to help build houses for those in need.

IN-35152506

Feb. 17

Homeowners can expect high property tax bills this year as assessed values of homes skyrocketed in Johnson County last year.

remains have been returned from North Korea and identified by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Sgt. Charles Garrigus Jr., who originally hailed from the small Indiana town of Francisco, will be buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Greenwood.

On Dec. 1, 1950, he was reported missing in action during battle with enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, part of the brutal 17-day battle in freezing weather.

IN-35152205

Franklin Mayor Steve Barnett released his annual list of projects to the city council and the public.

About $17 million in city projects were planned in Franklin this year.

Feb. 14

Feb. 21

IN-35152376

Feb. 7

Franklin College officials cut the ribbon on a redesigned Center for Tech Innovation, marking the completion of about $200,000 in renovations to the building’s exterior.

rezone approximately 77 acres of land located at 3111 S. State Road 135 from commercial large and agricultural zoning for a mixed-use, planned unit development.

317-736-7101

dailyjournal.net Johnson County, Indiana

ESTABLISHED

IN-35152491

New Whiteland’s police turnover problem caused concern with town council members. In a period of six months, the department lost three officers to the Whiteland Police Department, said John Perrin, New Whiteland Town Council president. Not long before that, two other officers also left, with one leaving for the Greenwood Police Department.

Feb. 13

Daily Journal file photo

»

Feb. 6

Whiteland resident Shawn Butler holds a chicken at his home in mid-Feburary. Butler bought a small flock of chickens to raise in his yard over a year ago, and he recently convinced the Whiteland Town Council to change town codes banning residential chicken ownership.

IN-35152504

filed for its second rate decrease in four months. In Years-long plans for a new the request, Duke Energy community corrections announced its intent building and renovated to decrease its current county highway department residential electric rates by went underway again.

15.9% or 1.5%, over what County officials approved these customers paid for spending $1 million from the same period last year. money the county received It would appear on bills as from the federal American a decrease of $26.60 per Rescue Plan Act to billing cycle. start the designs of both projects on their shared Feb. 9 property at 1071 and 1051 Webb Elementary won the Hospital Road in Franklin. statewide science bowl.

Eleven Webb Elementary Feb. 2 School fourth-graders A former Greenwood studied kinetic and teacher pled guilty to potential energy using child-seduction charges, a swinging pendulum to following an allegation prepare for the Indiana he had an inappropriate Association of School relationship with a student. Principals Science Bowl Matthew M. Hockersmith, competition. Their work 41, pled guilty to three paid off, as they won the counts of child seduction, statewide fourth-grade a Level 5 felony, before category, outperforming Johnson County Circuit kids from Madison to Court Judge Andrew Valparaiso.

Roesener on Jan. 19.

Hockersmith was initially Feb. 10 charged with the Level 5 In Franklin’s bicentennial felonies in December 2021. year, the city is growing with no sign of stopping.

Feb. 3 That growth, however, Cub Academy faced a continues to be controlled growing waitlist and lacked and measured, said Mayor the space to expand.

Steve Barnett in his 7th Cub Academy currently State of the City address. provides services to 120 In the 200 years since children ages three to Franklin’s founding, the five, but with few options city has grown from 250 for parents in the Franklin people and 40 acres to area, the demand for over 25,000 and over 9,800 preschool became greater acres. than ever. While the waitlist had grown to about 30 Feb. 11-12 children each year, in A Greenwood mayoral 2022, it jumped to 50 kids, candidate is facing causing Katie Smith, the questions about whether academy’s director, to he meets the state’s close the list for the year. residency requirements to run for office. Three Feb. 4-5 Greenwood residents filed Primary ballots were candidacy challenges set, leaving candidates against Republican Joe with nearly three months Hubbard, questioning if he to make their cases to lives at the home he listed Johnson County voters. on his candidacy filing for Filing for this year’s mayor, or if he still lives in municipal primary officially his previous home address ended with a total of 80 in White River Township, candidates vying to snag 52 outside of city limits. seats for 36 local offices.

3

1973

3090 N. Morton Street - Lot 190 Franklin, IN 46131 317-736-7677 parkoffice@penningtonsmobilehomepark.com

DECEMBER 30, 2021

March 4-5

the high school through a door that was propped Johnson County kicked open near the band area. off the bicentennial year Inside the building, the with a special event. On a individuals discharged March day in 1823, Johnson multiple fire extinguishers County was born in a pair of before leaving. High school log homes. Though Indiana’s students had an e-learning governor had approved day as staff members the formation of the county conducted a deep cleaning months before, March of the school and repaired 8, 1823, was the day the the damage. county’s first officials would be elected. Votes were March 9 cast in two separate log Sunbeam’s I-65 South homes, and before the end Commerce Park will be of the day, the first county built over the next five to commissioners, a recorder seven years. The second and a few judges were of up to 11 industrial selected. From a simple buildings to be built on 542 act of democracy in a wild, acres east of Interstate rugged country to a dynamic 65 in Franklin is set in metropolitan county, much motion as the Franklin has changed in Johnson Common Council voted County. unanimously to award Sunbeam Development March 6 Corp. a tax abatement to A Cincinnati man is faced build a 1.1 million-squarefederal sex trafficking foot speculative building at and child exploitation Jim Black Road and Upper charges after police found Shelbyville Road. two missing teenage girls, including one from March 10 Greenwood, in his home.

First responders were Payton Jamar Brown, 26, called to Ale Emporium, was charged with sex 997 E. County Line Road, trafficking and sexually following a report of a exploiting children. person shot. Timothy A. Sannito, 52 of Indianapolis, March 7 was found shot in the After being sought for restaurant’s parking lot nearly five months, a former and was taken to Sidney & Whiteland hot-rod shop Lois Eskenazi Hospital in worker wanted on fraud Indianapolis, said Jim Ison, charges was caught in North Greenwood police chief. He Carolina. John E. Bragg II, later died at the hospital.

45, formerly of Greenwood and Nashville, was arrested March 11-12 by police in Beaufort, Concerns were raised North Carolina, following a about ambulance service cooperative investigation in Greenwood following a between the Johnson Facebook post showing all County Sheriff’s Office of the city’s ambulances and the Beaufort Police out of service. The public Department. post shared by a firefighter showed that all three of March 8 the city’s ambulances Police searched for four were out of service due to a staffing issue. Calling it individuals involved with setting off fire extinguishers unacceptable, the person in a Greenwood Community said Seals, the company the city contracts to provide High School hallway. Four both emergency and nonindividuals, three males emergency ambulance and one female, entered

ESTABLISHED

services, was no longer March 17 providing adequate coverage A multi-agency drug round up for the city. led to the arrest of 29 people and police were searching March 13 for more. Members of the Restore Old Town Greenwood was once again Johnson County Sheriff’s designated an Indiana Main Office, Franklin Police Department, Greenwood Street program, opening Police Department, Marion the door for more events County Sheriff’s Office and initiatives. The Indiana Main Street Program allows and the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office joined communities to celebrate forces to serve several drug their uniqueness and warrants stemming from joint showcase their downtown investigations. districts.

March 14 Local officials encouraged residents to pay attention to a type of spring weather: severe storms. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb proclaimed March 12-18 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Officials’ goal is to better educate people about the hazards of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes and to help everyone be prepared when severe weather occurs.

March 15 A Greenwood man was arrested in connection to a fatal shooting outside Ale Emporium in Greenwood.

Marco Antonio Gonzalez, 25, was arrested on preliminary charges of murder and criminal recklessness. Police believe he shot Timothy A. Sannito, 52, of Indianapolis, outside the restaurant.

Gonzalez was held without bond at the Johnson County jail.

March 16 Indian Creek and Center Grove students claimed top spots at recent state and national competitions. The Indian Creek High School dance team claimed its third state title in a row, with a top finish for the team’s hip-hop routine during the dance championship, and for the second consecutive year, Center Grove choirs swept top spots in a national competition.

March 18-19

Exchanges over the proposed Whiteland chicken ordinance were heated at times. After giving consensus to move forward with developing an ordinance to allow chickens at their meeting last month, the Whiteland Town Council debated the first draft of the ordinance at this month’s meeting. Council members had tense exchanges over whether the ordinance should even be before them, the process it took to get there and the contents of the ordinance. Despite all the discussion, no changes were made to the ordinance at the meeting.

March 20 At the end of its 50th year, in 2024, Earlywood Educational Services will no longer be assisting students.

Earlywood’s board, consisting of Executive Director Angela Balsley and superintendents from six school districts in Johnson, Bartholomew and Shelby counties, voted unanimously to dissolve the service center, citing concerns about maintenance issues that stem from the building’s architecture.

March 21 A team of Central Nine Career Center culinary students placed third in a state competition, and another student qualified for nationals in a solo contest.

IN-35152371

Stephen L. Huddleson Dustin D. Huddleston Martha E. McQueen Phone 317-736-5121 Fax 317-736-5137

Clark House 98 West Jefferson St Post Office Box 9 Franklin, Indiana 46131 www.huddlestonlaw.com

1974

David P. Ebeyer Celebrating 25 years in Real Estate State Licensed Appraiser - 18 Years

EBEYER

REALTY, LLC Your Friend and Realtor ® for Life!

Direct: (317) 557-4554 Office: (317) 887-5633

IN-35152375

973 Emerson Parkway, Suite C Greenwood, IN 46143

David P. Ebeyer Celebrating 38 years in Real Estate Direct: 317-557-4554 • Greenwood, IN 46143

ESTABLISHED

1977

IN-35152597

CRAGEN LAWN CARE Family Owned & Operated Since 1977 317-882-2525 CragenLawn.com

1981 DAVE’S FARM SERVICE LLC IN-35152378 IN-35089753

ESTABLISHED

50 N. Eisenhower Dr., Edinburgh, IN 812-526-5504 www.davesfarmservice.com

IN-35153235

ESTABLISHED

After a decade leading the school district, ClarkPleasant’s superintendent announced he will leave this summer to take a job as Perry Township Schools’ new superintendent.

Spray has been the superintendent of ClarkPleasant Community School Corp. since July 2013. He is expected to complete the rest of the current 2022-23 school year in Johnson County before he moves to Marion County to start his new job on July 1.

March 23 Seymour resident Elisjsha “Eli” Dicken, 22, an armed civilian who fatally shot the Greenwood Park Mall gunman, was named the 2022 Outstanding Citizen of the Year for his actions at the July shooting during Greenwood VFW Post 5864’s annual community awards program.

March 24 A downtown Franklin boutique received a big upgrade. Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined moved up the street to a bigger space at 100 E. Jefferson St.

March 25-26

on a grain bin and two one-story buildings on the property to prepare for the Umbarger Plaza project, and that demolition is expected to be complete in a month.

March 28 A Whiteland hot rod restoration company was sued by the state of Indiana for deceiving customers and failing to do the work asked of them. JB Bugs Trick & Truck Shop and Palm Principals — both operating under the name JB Bugs — and owners John E. Bragg II and Melanie Goode, are being sued by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, his office announced. The lawsuit stemmed from their failure to perform work after taking payments from customers seeking restoration of vintage Volkswagen vehicles.

March 29 The beginning of the end of the 22-year Amphenol/ Franklin Power Products clean-up process could kick off this summer. The 110-page Final Decision document, outlining the decades-long history of the site and the process to clean it up once and for all, was released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The town of Trafalgar asked county officials to consider March 30 doling out federal funds to Greenwood will invest $3.9 help offset the costs of the town’s $7 million wastewater million for road work as part of the city’s annual paving project. programs, as 14 streets and March 27 six alleys will be refreshed and repaved, city officials Bargersville town officials announced. unveiled plans for a new plaza, complete with a stage, public restrooms and March 31 green space. Roy Umbarger A local bank CEO David Coffey of Franklin-based & Sons Inc. transferred the Mutual Savings Bank, said 0.79-acre property east the collapse of two large of the railroad tracks and banks in the U.S. this month southwest of Old Plank Road and Baldwin Street to likely won’t have a ripple effect on independent, Bargersville town officials community banks, both in in January. Construction Franklin and across Indiana. crews began demolition

1974 April 1-2

ESTABLISHED

March 22

1981

The Dealership Alternative for Service and Repairs www.beckautomotive.com 3070 N US 31, Franklin • 317-736-8800

The two Republican candidates for Bargersville clerk-treasurer brought different types of financial expertise to the table.

Incumbent, Nancy Kehl, is in her second term as clerk-treasurer, a position that works closely with the town council to manage the town’s finances. She will take on challenger, Dustin Doyle, who served on the town council from 2019 to 2022, owns an investment company and currently serves on the town’s redevelopment commission.

April 3 Tornadoes and strong winds carved areas of destruction throughout Johnson County. Severe storms passed through Johnson County bringing heavy rain, high winds and tornadoes. The National Weather Service believed two tornadoes struck Johnson County. The EF-0 tornado occurred first, touching down south of Bargersville and traveling northeast for about 1.9 miles, according to reports from the NWS. The EF-2 touched down approximately six minutes later on Whiteland’s far southwest side, traveling northeast for about 3.5 miles before dissipating just east of Interstate 65.

April 4 179 homes in Whiteland were affected by the tornado that ripped through the town, including 16 that were completely destroyed. Whiteland town officials, law enforcement and emergency personnel gave an update to the public on the aftermath of the EF-3 tornado damage throughout various areas in town. As cleanup continued, the town issued a disaster declaration and set a curfew for the entire town.

Bailey and Wood employees Jennifer Cogan, far left, and Bart Beach, center left, hand a woman a wine bottle she won as part of a raffle during the Fundraiser for Whiteland in the Bailey and Wood parking lot on April 12 in Whiteland.

»

4

Daily Journal file photo

April 5 Three days after a tornado ripped through Whiteland, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch toured the areas of devastation with local officials. Crouch was shown the destruction the EF-3 tornado caused throughout the town.

April 6 United Way of Johnson County helped organize a one-stop shop for resource information at the ClarkPleasant Administration Building. People who had been displaced stopped by for information on temporary housing and others signed up to volunteer.

April 7 An iconic Greenwood establishment prepared to reopen after a year-long hiatus. The Suds, a drivein restaurant that’s been located in the heart of Old Town Greenwood for half a century, will reopen for the 2023 season this month.

April 8-9 Local officials were still tallying up the damage to public buildings from the storms, and it may be a while before the final numbers are ready. The Clark Pleasant Branch Library had power restored

by Bargersville Utilities, and although internet service through MetroNet were still down at press time, the branch reopened.

April 10 Center Grove school officials planned two new

multi-million dollar building projects. The buildings planned are a Center Grove Wellness Center to benefit staff and an Instructional Hitting Facility to house practice facilities for the school’s golf and softball teams. Both buildings would be expected to open in time for the 2023-24 school year.

April 11 Calling themselves Operation Jack and Jill, the seven members of the Leadership Johnson County focused on making improvements to the facility where Cattle Creek Company operates. The program of Indian Creek High School had students take part in a working cattle farm, which in turn provided locally raised meat for the school system’s cafeterias.

April 14 The Whiteland community came together to help those in need. Businesses from around the town and beyond came together to raise money for victims of the March 31 tornado as part of Fundraiser for Whiteland. The fundraiser was hosted in the parking lot of Bailey and Wood Financial Group’s headquarters in the heart of Whiteland.

April 15-16

The two men who ran in the Republican primary for Greenwood mayor had different visions for the city’s future. Incumbent Mayor Mark Myers is seeking sought his fourth term in office. He was challenged by Joe Hubbard, a former member of the Center Grove school board April 12 who moved into city limits A troubled Greenwood hotel last year in a bid to oust Myers. will likely be demolished, a city commission affirmed.

April 17 In a unanimous vote, the Greenwood Advisory Plan Voters didn’t have to wait Commission affirmed a until Election day to cast their ballots, as early voting city order to demolish the began.

Red Carpet Inn and Fanta Suites at 1117 E. Main St. in April 18 Greenwood.

Federal aid became April 13 available for local residents affected by tornadoes The New Whiteland Police and severe storms that Department announced devastated Whiteland. it will be restarting its K-9 program for little cost. New President Joe Biden approved a request for a Whiteland Police Officer major disaster declaration Cody Robertson started at the department in January, for Indiana, making federal coming from the Southport disaster assistance available Police Department. There, to supplement state and he was a K-9 handler, and local recovery efforts when he left, his dog, JJ, following severe storms on came with him.

March 31 and April 1.

»

DECEMBER 30, 2023

April 19

Homes and businesses lie in ruin in the swath of damage that cut through Whiteland in the wake of an EF-2 tornado that struck on March 31.

Eight Republicans wantdc a shot at five seats that were available on the Trafalgar Town Council. Incumbents Jeff Eisenmenger, Jessica Jones, Jason Ramey and Kyle Siegfred were seeking reelection to the council overseeing the small town of Trafalgar, facing challengers Jackie Bryant, Ashley Chaney, David Moore and Rick Morgan.

One of the five seats was open without an incumbent running because current member Jerry Rafferty was not seeking reelection.

Submitted photo

approached, one Greenwood City Council candidate took unconventional steps to reach potential voters.

Some of those voters responded with concern.

Dale Marmaduke, who was running for the District 5 seat on the council, sent out letters to voter households throughout his district. The letters focused on Marmaduke’s main concerns with the city, which he said are “low-paying jobs,” crime, “dropping quality of life” and the number of nonEnglish speaking students that are “overwhelming” local schools.

April 20

The Red Carpet Inn will not be demolished — at least for now. Johnson County Superior Court 1 Judge Kevin Barton granted a request by the owner of the hotel to stay until the city of Greenwood’s order for the demolition of the hotel, pending judicial review of the city’s order.

The hotel’s attorneys filed a petition for judicial review.

Building Commissioner Kenneth Seal initially filed the demolition order for the hotel, citing the city’s unsafe building laws.

May 2 Election Day, the day for voters to make their voices heard. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., voters cast ballots to select candidates in multiple contested races at the local level. In some races, whoever won would likely be the person to hold office next year, unless Democrat or a Libertarian entered races to challenge them before the November municipal election.

Nearly a month ago, they lost everything. A pile of rubble and a few walls remain where their

More elected officials endorsed Joe Hubbard for Greenwood mayor.

Indiana State Treasurer Daniel Elliot and Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner have both endorsed Joe Hubbard in his bid to unseat incumbent Mayor Mark Myers in the Republican municipal primary, Hubbard’s campaign announced.

May 8 Future of the Whiteland chicken proposal was still uncertain. The planning board gave an unfavorable vote, and the town council will decide the ordinance’s fate.

May 9

Two Franklin manufacturers grew with two tax abatements each in hand.

Essex Furukawa planned May 3 a $60 million investment to add a new manufacturing Despite a highly area for magnet wire to be contentious primary, used in electric and hybridRepublican voters in electric vehicles. Laugle Greenwood wanted Mark Myers to keep the city’s top Properties and Dualtech, job. Myers, who has been in Inc. planned a $9.6 million office since 2012, was able investment to expand into a larger building south of its to thwart a challenge from Joe Hubbard to receive the current facility, which will house a new foundry and nomination for Greenwood machining equipment. mayor. He got 3,465 votes, while Hubbard received May 10 2,785 votes.

Plans for a corrugated packaging manufacturing May 4 facility in Greenwood The curtain went up and were pulled, following the lights went down again public outcry. Attorneys at the Historic Artcraft representing Saica Pack Theatre. Nearly a month U.S., withdrew their request after storm damage to the to rezone 42.7 acres roof forced it to close to near Pushville Road and the public, the downtown Emerson Avenue, nearly Franklin mainstay five hours before a public welcomed patrons again. hearing before the city’s Engineers conducted a Advisory Plan Commission. thorough inspection before May 11 giving the OK to reopen.

The Whiteland Town May 5 Council unanimously A downtown Franklin decided to release Jim boutique, Eclectic Jade, will Lowhorn from his town soon make a big move. The manager duties. Lowhorn small shop on Jefferson had been the Whiteland Street, sells a variety of town manager since “eclectic” items largely February last year. Due to inspired by bohemian and personal reasons, he was ’60s and ’70s styles. After absent from the job more a few years in its current recently, including on the storefront, the store is in night of the tornado.

As the primary election

April 29-30 One month after violent storms tore through Whiteland and other parts of the county, residents impacted by the disaster discovered a new way to find longlasting help. A disaster recovery center opened in Whiteland. Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the state of Indiana and the U.S. Small Business Administration were available at the centers to help with disaster relief applications, answer questions and provide referrals to resources.

Firefighters stand and watch as the home they were training in burns down during a live fire exercise May 9 in Bargersville.

Submitted photo

May 6-7 A local, small business designed a new logo for the town of Trafalgar. The Trafalgar Town Council approved spending $5,700 to purchase several new signs for the town, from “No parking” to speed limit signs. With that money, the town is also getting three new “Welcome to Trafalgar” signs made. The three signs will be placed in high-traffic areas entering town limits, including State Roads 135 and 252.

April 28

May 12

May 17

Local fire departments partnered to form The Joint Fire Academy. All three departments; Bargersville, Greenwood and White River Township happened to have large hiring periods around the same time, which allowed for them to coordinate training through a partnership. It is the first time recruits from the Bargersville, Greenwood and White River Township fire departments were learning the ins and outs of being a firefighter together.

A female student at Whiteland Community High School died at the school pool.

May 13-14

May 19

Johnson County construction projects began ramping up as summer approached. In downtown Greenwood and Franklin, construction signs and a hole in the ground where a sidewalk and street used to be became familiar sights. Projects to rebuild Greenwood’s Main Street and Franklin’s Yandes Street are just two of several projects throughout Johnson County this year meant to improve roadways and add sidewalk mileage for pedestrians and cyclists.

May 15 An old lift station in Whiteland will receive a long-needed upgrade with most of the cost covered by a state grant and a donation. Whiteland’s interstate wastewater lift station is the oldest in town and needs an update. The upgrade and expansion was expected to cost $618,000 and after the grant and donation that would leave Whiteland with an estimated $93,000 to cover.

May 16 A local firefighter was injured while fighting a fire that broke out in the attic of a house in Needham.

May 18 A new Greenwood doughnut shop opened and offered unique donuts. The Sassy Donut Co., located along North Emerson Avenue near County Line Road, offered area residents and visitors a variety of fresh doughnut options from their specialty bakery.

Investigation continued into a Whiteland student’s death. Alaina Dildine, 15, died from an apparent drowning at the Whiteland Community High School pool. A medical examination was completed and the cause of death was still undetermined as the coroner awaited toxicology results.

May 20-21 The Johnson County Community Foundation was looking for submissions for its Color the County program, an annual contest helping to beautify public areas.

The mural will be painted on the book barn at the Franklin branch of the Johnson County Public Library, 401 S. State Street.

May 22 Next summer, construction will begin on a roundabout at the entrance of Greenwood Community High School. City officials announced they are planning to construct a two-lane, approximately $1.4 million roundabout at the intersection of Smith Valley Road and Woodmen Boulevard in the summer of 2024.

ESTABLISHED

1982

ROBARDS & SONS “Lets Start A Growing Friendship” IN-35152373

the early stages of building a new, bigger location just down the street on South Main Street.

April 25

April 26

Greenwood officials pushed back against a political mailer accusing the city’s mayor of paying “hush money” to settle lawsuits filed by former city employees. The mailer sent

by Friends of Joe Hubbard alleged that incumbent Mayor Mark Myers, who is seeking reelection, spent “tens of thousands” of taxpayer dollars on legal settlements. It further claimed he was trying to “cover-up” civil suits by former city employees and a former employee of Indy Greenwood South Airport.

5275 W. Smokey Row Road • Greenwood

371-422-8411 ESTABLISHED

IN-35152429

May 1

Local police arrested 32 men as part of a threeday child solicitation sting.

Members of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin Police Department and the Edinburgh Police Department took part in

Custer Baker Intermediate School sixth-grader Emberley Martin won the spelling bee championship by correctly spelling out m-o-r-t-g-a-g-e to end an intense, final-round battle between herself and Maple Grove Elementary School fourth-grader Gus Rodriguez at Creekside Elementary School in Franklin.

April 27

LIKE US ON

1983

48 East Madison, St. Franklin franklinheritage.org

ESTABLISHED

1984

FINDLEY AUCTIONEERS KEVIN (317) 919-2033 AUO1035783

IN-35152372

April 22-23

April 24

house once stood. Jessica Patterson and her family are building back their life after their home on Pearl Street in Whiteland was destroyed by a tornado.

WADE (317) 691-2234 AUO1047495

BRUCE (317) 509-7382 AUO1046570

www.findleyauctioneers.com “Your Sale Our Specialty” ESTABLISHED

1984

“Where Everybody Gets A Great Deal”

IN-35152620

Thousands of dollars were spent by candidates as they tried to shore up support ahead of the May 2 municipal primary, especially in the Greenwood mayoral race. The most expensive race this years was the Greenwood mayor, which

the operation that ran from April 18 to April 20.

3099 North Morton Street Franklin, IN 46131 Phone: (317) 738-4170 “Where Everybody Gets a Great Deal”

ESTABLISHED

1984

We custom design & build for all facets of construction.

See our projects at IN-35152505

April 21

was between challenger Joe Hubbard and incumbent Mayor Mark Myers. Both candidates raised a combined total of at least $205,000.

Combined, they spent over $226,000 on their respective campaigns from Jan. 1 to April 7, the end of the pre-primary reporting period.

»

Two Johnson County communities received grant funds to boost road work this summer. Franklin and New Whiteland were among the 224 Indiana cities, towns and counties that will receive a combined $133.4 million in state matching funds for local road projects through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, a component of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Roads agenda.

5

www.freedomconst.com (317) 738-2422 (812) 372-3551 Trafalgar Columbus

DECEMBER 30, 2021

May 23 The Johnson County Public Library, Clark Pleasant branch, unveiled a statue celebrating women. Sculptor Kimberly McNeelan unveiled her sculpture, titled “The Light Shines Through.” The piece featured one woman walking on the pages of a giant book while holding a book in her outstretched hand.

May 24 Edinburgh Town Council members voted down

a project to bring a DG Market to State Road 252.

Meeting attendees broke into applause after a 3-2 vote denied a rezoning proposal for the grocery store concept from Dollar General.

May 25 Local homeowners are grappling with higher tax bills. Homestead assessed values in Johnson County grew exponentially by over 20% between pay 2022 and pay 2023 tax years.

Johnson County was one of seven counties in the

state to see the highest homestead gross assessed value.

May 26 United Way of Johnson County celebrated as more than $1,476,974 was raised this year.

May 27-28 For veterans, new legislation offered hope of treatment for health problems related to their military service.

The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act — known better as

the PACT Act — expands the benefits available to veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals during wartime, which have left them with maladies, ranging from high blood pressure to chronic breathing issues to different kinds of cancer.

May 29 The former athletic director of the Greenwood Christian Academy was accused of stealing money from the school and spending it on sports betting, police said. Devin M. Gray, 31, of Greenwood, could have

faced a level 6 felony theft charge in connection to the reported theft of more than $42,500. Formal charges were being reviewed by the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office Prosecutor Lance Hamner.

June 1

A Greenwood senior center closed for a week after a car drove into the building over Memorial Day weekend. Police were May 30 called to The Social, 550 Polk Street, on a report of Johnson County’s a personal injury accident population continued to involving a vehicle driving rise in 2022, though not at the same rate as it did from into a building, according to a Greenwood Police 2020 to 2021, estimates Department. No one was from the U.S. Census inside the building at the Bureau show. From July 2021 to July 2022, Johnson time of the incident, and the County’s population rose by driver involved is doing OK.

June 2 Two months after a tornado destroyed and damaged over 100 homes in Whiteland, residents began the long process of rebuilding. Robert Stuck’s home in the Park Forest neighborhood was destroyed in the direct path of the tornado. The roof was ripped off most of the house, in the front room and front bedroom. Two months later, a defendant shoots a firearm it was still standing, awaiting into a building, and criminal demolition. mischief for the incident that occurred in the 300 block of June 3-4 Springfield Circle. He was Franklin police said the man arrested by police in Iowa on the warrant from Johnson wanted in connection to a County. double shooting in Hope shot himself near Whiteland, June 6 following a pursuit. The shooting suspect, Robbie An estimated $50 million L. Perez, 35, of Columbus, U.S. 31 project rewas found shot with a selfimagining five miles of inflicted gunshot wound, U.S. 31 in Franklin could following a slow-speed begin next year, after six police pursuit, Franklin Police years of planning. The Captain Scott Carter said.

Indiana Department of Transportation project will June 5 mostly remove the ability to cut directly across U.S. A Nebraska man was 31, which state officials say arrested on a warrant in has been the source of connection with a drive-by many accidents. Instead, shooting that damaged a the project would construct Greenwood home. Timothy a long series of reduced P. Mark, 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was charged with conflict intersections on the criminal recklessness, where five-mile stretch between

1986

The Willard “Where Friends Meet”

99 N. Main, Franklin • 317-738-9668 THANKS TO OUR CUSTOMERS FOR A GREAT YEAR — Tony, Sammy, and the Willard Team

IN-35152573

ESTABLISHED

1988

A-1 Garage Doors, LLC IN-35152200

“The Company with the Boss on the Job” 515 West Old South St. Bargersville, Indiana 46106 317-422-5225 • a1garagedoors.com

ESTABLISHED

1989

IN-35152434

info@haulinrocks.com

www.Haulinrocks.com 650 Industrial Drive • Bargersville, IN 46106 (317) 443-3527 • Fax (317) 422-1805

ESTABLISHED

1991

Be it Remembered...

Genealogical and Family History Research Betty L. Warren

IN-35152574

May 31

Pictured from top: Kyle Haflich, left, and Devin Byers make coffee drinks during the soft opening of Main & Madison Micro on June 8 inside Johnson Memorial Health in Franklin. The shop offers a limited menu of coffee, tea and pastries inside the hospital building. // Guests to Up Cellar, Bargersville’s newest eatery, walk up a darkened staircase towards a neon “Drink Up” sign to enter the dining room. The restaurant has the feel of a speakeasy lounge, with dark colors, neon and plush chairs throughout.

A Whiteland Town Council member held on to his seat after winning the caucus, breaking the tied Ward 2 race. Brad Goedeker will move on to the November general municipal election, after defeating challenger Scot Ford in a Republican Party caucus. Goedeker won three out of the four votes.

ESTABLISHED

1,364, pushing the county’s total population to 165,782.

»

6

6922 Rocklane Rd. Greenwood, IN 46143-9739

(317) 862-2426

Daily Journal file photos

South Main Street and the area just north of Israel Lane.

June 7 Fifteen years ago, the rain wouldn’t stop and floodwaters kept rising throughout Johnson County.

Streets became rivers, as homes, businesses and even government buildings became inundated with water on June 7, 2008.

Roads and bridges washed away, cutting off wide parts of the county. Described as a 100-year flood, the flood of June 2008 affected the entire hardship have essential county. home services through a new program. Once a month, June 8 as part of their Peterman A former Greenwood and Cares Program, Peterman Southport teacher faced a Brothers donates and installs child molestation charge. heating, cooling, plumbing, Shane E. Williams, 46, was or electrical equipment for charged with child molesting someone experiencing and dissemination of matter unplanned hardship. harmful to minors. He was booked into the Johnson June 15 County jails and he was The Whiteland chicken released on bail. debate continued. Council members voted unanimously June 9 to amend and move forward Following an incident where the proposed ordinance individuals pointed guns at to allow residents to keep each other at Greenwood’s backyard chickens.

Freedom Springs Aquatics Park, officials announced June 16 they are adding a security Workers in nearly all of presence at the pool Indiana’s counties make indefinitely. less money than the national average wage, with Johnson June 10-11 County workers having an The next Greenwood average wage of 67 cents fire chief will start the job for each dollar earned by during the summer. James Washel, who was the acting their national counterparts, a recent analysis of chief of the Bloomington employment data revealed.

Fire Department, was to become the new chief of the Greenwood Fire Department June 17-18 The Edinburgh Town effective Aug. 1.

Council hired Kevin June 12 McGinnis as the town’s new manager. He served as Something new brewed Bargersville’s town manager at Johnson Memorial for two years and most Health. As visitors stepped recently was Whiteland’s into the hospital’s main town manager for a year, entrance, the roasty aroma before he “retired” in of fresh-brewed coffee January 2022. But his was inescapable. Tying it retirement was temporary. all together was a familiar McGinnis started a new name, Main & Madison job as Edinburgh’s leader, Micro, a smaller version of relieving Wade Watson of the popular Franklin eatery his duties as interim town and coffee shop opened at manager.

Johnson Memorial Health.

June 13

June 19

Up Cellar, a new steakhouse, wine bar and lounge, which was envisioned as an intimate gathering place for the community, where people could enjoy locally raised steaks or chilled drinks, opened in Bargersville.

Whiteland Town Council officially named new town managers, splitting the previous job into two positions. Carmen Young became the town director of administration and Shaun Young was the director of operations. Both took on the duties of a “town manager,” just with split roles and titles.

June 14 Peterman Bros, a local residential, heating, cooling and plumbing company helped families facing

June 20 Whiteland Community High

School’s principal accepted an administrative position with Franklin schools. Benji Betts planned to leave his position at the end of the month to serve as Franklin Community School Corporation’s executive director of operations.

June 21 Ivy Tech — Franklin provided new tools to skill up the workforce, and a new 4,000-square-foot lab will provide a plethora of opportunities for future manufacturing employees in Johnson County.

June 22 A proposed rezoning that would’ve brought industrial and commercial development to Greenwood’s east side will not be moving forward. In a 6-3 vote, the Greenwood City Council voted against rezoning approximately 29 acres of land on the northeast corner of Worthsville Road and Collins Road for industrial and commercial use.

June 26 For the third time in as many months, at least one tornado touched down in Johnson County, cutting a path from White River Township to Clark Township.

June 27 A single tornado touched down in Johnson County, officials reported as area residents began to clean up from the storms. Storm survey teams from the National Weather Service surveyed the damaged areas of White River Township, Bargersville and Greenwood, confirming that one tornado touched down in the county.

The tornado has preliminarily been rated an EF-1, with winds between 100 to 110 mph, according to the NWS.

June 28

Clean up from the tornado continued across areas of northern Johnson County, as officials discussed the storm’s path and peculiar timing. The twister, rated as an EF-2 with peak winds of 115 mph, was on the ground for 10 minutes, June 23 Judges across Indiana may carving a 5.4-mile path of choose to allow news media destruction through areas of White River Township and to broadcast, televise, Pleasant Township. At its record, digitally stream, maximum width, the twister or photograph inside was anywhere from 200 to courtrooms. Previously, 400 yards wide, the National Indiana was one of only Weather Service said. a handful of states that didn’t permit cameras in June 29 courtrooms under any circumstances. The change Bargersville unveiled a new website, where users in policy was a result of a can click on links to view judicial rule issued by the community news, upcoming Indiana Supreme Court, which gives local judges the events and pay their utility bills, all without leaving the power to allow photos and homepage. videos on a case-by-case basis.

June 24-25 Mariela Rodriguez dreamed of having her own small restaurant one day, and she and her husband, Antonio Torres, opened their own restaurant, Maye’s Grill. Maye’s Grill, at 89 E. Jefferson St., brings a new option to Franklin, Rodriguez said.

June 30

An Indiana State Police trooper, who was a local resident, was killed during a police pursuit. Trooper Aaron N. Smith, 33, was killed following a vehicle crash on the Ronald Reagan Parkway, in Hendricks County. Smith, who lived in Franklin, was a 2008 graduate of Whiteland Community High School.

»

July 1-2

Daily Journal file photo

July 21

off 311 workers after the elimination of the facility’s parcel delivery and returns operation. Officials with Pitney Bowes Inc., a hightech shipping company, said in a notice to the state that “changing business needs” required them to permanently close the two departments of the facility. The closure would result in the layoffs of 240 company employees and 71 temporary workers.

July 12

July 17

County elected officials approved spending $11 million in federal dollars on a new mental health wing of Johnson Memorial Hospital. Appropriating the funding was a hurdle the project needed to get over to officially get started.

Johnson County 4-Hers geared up to celebrate their 100th year of promoting agriculture, building leadership skills and having fun at the Johnson County Fair.

Dogs and cats overpopulated at the Johnson County Animal Shelter caused employees to share their office spaces with them.

Though a new addition that partially opened, provided relief, with every new neighborhood built in Johnson County, comes the potential for even more surrendered animals.

July 18

July 24

As a little girl, Jenna Kelsay, 19, always watched the Miss Johnson County Feathers were ruffled pageants. She dreamt of among Whiteland Town someday being the fair Council members, who July 8-9 argued again over details in queen, wearing her own Humble. Servant. Hero. a proposal to allow backyard glittery crown and passing out showmanship ribbons.

These words were used to chickens in town. The Standing amongst seven describe slain Indiana State Whiteland Town Council other young women, Trooper Aaron Smith as split in a 3-2 vote to pass Kelsay finally had the his family, law enforcement another amended version July 5 moment she had always officers, firefighters and of an ordinance to allow After 200 years, Franklin community members from waited for — being backyard chickens. This celebrated its bicentennial across the state and nation crowned the 2023 Miss version of the ordinance during the Norman P. came together to honor him will go back to the Johnson County.

Blankenship Firecracker at Emmanuel Church in planning commission for Festival, which along with the Greenwood.

July 19 consideration. normal festivities, featured A food truck at the the presentation of a time July 10 Johnson County 4-H and July 14 capsule and a proclamation Agricultural Fair was the Franklin celebrated as it’s Federal investigators

by Mayor Steve Barnett to only place in Indiana that star baseball player Max unlocked the Greenwood mark the city’s milestone. offered a doughy delicacy Clark was selected in the Park Mall gunman’s known as a beaver tail.

Major League Baseball draft July 6 phone, with the contents The treats are similar to by the Detroit Tigers. An showing he had homicidal The late Max Fitzpatrick elephant ears, a popular attentive silence gripped and suicidal thoughts for never had children of his treat for fairgoers, but are the Franklin crowd as MLB own, but in many ways, made with more yeast for a Commissioner Rob Manfred years. However, there was no information about the he did. A man with a zest fluffier, donut-like texture. made the announcement. for education and his gunman’s plans to carry out The taste and the rarity community, Fitzpatrick an attack at the mall, police were not the only reason July 11 donated the better part of to buy one, the treat also said.

A student who drowned at his 89 years to Johnson supports a good cause.

Whiteland Community High July 15-16 County. Fitzpatrick was a The money raised at the School was underwater for lifelong volunteer, who also fair goes to the Center Clark-Pleasant’s new 52 minutes before she was dedicated his career to Grove Optimist Club. superintendent said plans pulled out, the sheriff’s office giving back as an educator. said. No criminal charges are in the works to improve He instilled this love of Whiteland Community High July 20 were expected to be filed learning in others both as School’s pool safety, amidst The latest ILEARN test against Clark-Pleasant a teacher and a principal calls for change following results showed most Community School Corp. at Webb and Needham the death of a student in elementary and middle employees in connection Elementary schools.

May. Fifteen-year-old Alaina school students in Johnson with the drowning death Dildine died during her of Alaina Dildine, 15, who County still haven’t made July 7 morning physical education up the ground they lost was found unconscious A Greenwood shipping swim class at Whiteland underwater in the high during the COVID-19 facility planned to lay school’s pool.

Community High School. pandemic.

July 13

»

Aug. 1

Aug. 4 The Clark-Pleasant School Board planned to implement new rules for swimming

ESTABLISHED

classes after a Whiteland Community High School student drowned in a school pool. Alaina Dildine, 15, was underwater for 52 minutes before she was pulled out of the high school’s pool. The Johnson County Coroner’s Office ruled her death an accident and said she died from drowning after having a seizure.

Aug. 5-6 The new mashup of Field to Fork and Millie’s Ice Cream Co. is a concept that is strange in theory, but wonderful in practice,

owners said. The businesses partnered up to share the building, located at 90 W. Jefferson St., in Franklin.

Aug. 7 Union Elementary class reunites more than 50 years later. All grown up now, they’ve maintained contact for over 50 years. About 20 of them came together to reminisce and catch up during a unique reunion.

Aug. 8 Students and staff at ClarkPleasant schools have a

new furry friend. Pearl, a white labradoodle, is ClarkPleasant’s first therapy dog.

She started the job this school year. She’s been on duty at different schools providing emotional support to students in different classes, from kindergarten to high school. In her first week on the job, she put smiles on many faces.

Aug. 9 When an Indian Creek seventh-grader took home three Grand Champion banners, she didn’t know she’d made history. Oaklee Perry became the first 4-Her to win a Triple Crown of steer showing events during the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair.

The three events included the 4-H Market Steer show, the 4-H Born and Raised Steer show and the 4-H Beef Steer show.

Kinley Shoemaker has always been on stage, standing beneath bright, warm lights. From competing in smaller, local pageants to singing with Franklin Community High School’s show choir program. All this experience added up to her crowning moment when Shoemaker won the title of 2023 Miss Indiana Teen USA.

July 29-30

1991

“A Community Bank Serving You Better” Member FDIC

Craig Bland

Paul Buening

St. Rd. 44 & Milford Dr., Franklin

317-738-3700

ESTABLISHED

1993

Johnson, Gray & Johnson IN-35152206

Attorneys at Law • Russell Johnson • Lynnette Gray • Kyle Johnson 63 E. Court • Franklin, IN 46131 (317) 738-3365 www.jgmlawfirm.com

ESTABLISHED

1996

RV SALES, INC.

I-65 to Exit 76B 1 Mile North of Outlet Mall YOUR FULL SERVICE RV DEALERSHIP FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED IN-35153223

A Johnson County deputy who was in training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy was found dead.

Academy recruits found Tim Guyer, a 49-yearold resident of Trafalgar, unresponsive in his dormitory at the ILEA in Plainfield after he did not report to breakfast.

July 28

After years of fear of what’s in the ground, in the water and the air around Amphenol and the former Hoagland Cannery, Franklin was able July 25 to breathe easy. A Health and Hazard Assessment Over the past decade, report from the U.S. churches throughout Johnson County have used Department of Health and their resources to host free Human Services Agency meals for the community for Toxic Substances and and Friendship Baptist Disease Registry, analyzed Church in Franklin joined all samples gathered from the group. the site and determined that there was never July 26 enough contamination in A previously rejected any home or business to mixed-use development on cause cancer.

Greenwood’s far southwest side was revived and July 31 went back to the city Major upgrades to council. The request to classrooms, hallways, rezone approximately 77 entryways and athletic acres of land, located at fields were part of $10.8 3111 S. State Road 135, million in nearly completed from commercial large renovations at Greenwood and agricultural zoning Schools. The renovations for a mixed-use, planned cover upgrades at unit development. The two school buildings, Greenwood Advisory Greenwood Community Plan Commission gave a favorable recommendation High School and Northeast and forwarded it to the Elementary School.

Submitted photo

Aug. 2

Members of Whiteland’s planning commission were not satisfied with revisions made to the highly-debated proposal to allow town residents to own backyard chickens. The Whiteland Advisory Plan Commission voted 6-0 in disapproval of the newest iteration of an ordinance to allow residents to keep small flocks of hens in town limits.

Indianapolis favorite Iozzo’s Garden of Italy will bring housemade pasta, custom wine and seafood to downtown Franklin. The restaurant will open at 351 E. Jefferson Street, next to the railroad tracks and across from Hoosier Cupboard Ice Cream and Candy.

Across Johnson County, school administrators faced a two-pronged staffing crisis — fewer qualified candidates applied for new teaching positions and dozens of teachers left for other jobs.

Indian Creek Middle School seventh-grader Oaklee Perry poses with the three Grand Champion banners she won for steer showmanship at the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair in July. She’s the first 4-Her to win the Triple Crown of competitions.

Johnson County Health Department was notified by state health officials that the West Nile virus had been detected in a sample taken from a pool of mosquitoes at the Whiteland Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Aug. 3

July 27

July 22-23

812.526.7878 | www.edmundsonrv.com 32 Service Bays/Full Body Shop/Certified Technicians

Established

1996 1996 1996

venter HEATING & s n o S AIR CONDITIONING & EMERGENCY SERVICE erHOURHEATING t24 Family Owned venInstallations deNew n a & Operated V & n Da s Office: (317) 878-5792 or AIR 878-9792 Cell: (317) 697-1797 n o S CONDITIONING & de an Van EDESTABLISHED stablished

Home: (317) 878-5993 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

Family Owned 2400 W. 900 • Trafalgar, IN 46181 & Operated NewS.Installations

Never anorovertime Office: (317) 878-5792 878-9792charge Cell: (317) 697-1797

Home: (317) 878-5993 Office: (317) 878-5792 or 878-9792 Cell: (317) 697-1797 2400 W. 900(317) S. • Trafalgar, IN 46181 Home: 878-5993 charge 2400 W.Never 900 S.an•overtime Trafalgar, IN 461841

IN-35152523

Formal charges were filed against two men in connection to the death of a state trooper from Franklin. Eddie P. Jones Jr., 18, of Sikeston, Missouri, was charged with murder, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle resulting in death, as a Level 2 felony and auto theft, as a Level 6 felony. He was allegedly driving the stolen vehicle that fatally struck Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith, during a police pursuit in Hendricks County.

city council for further consideration.

Johnson County fair-goers can put the “I” in “FAIR” with a new photo opportunity on the midway. A large metal fixture on the midway at the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair became a new space for those attending the fair to capture memories with a picturesque background of the fair.

July 3

July 4

7

Indiana State Trooper Supt. Douglas G. Carter gives a final salute to Trooper Aaron Smith.

With over a year in the making, plans for a new mental health facility in Johnson County were coming to fruition. Johnson County government planned to spend around $11 million in federal pandemic relief funds to construct a 17,400-squarefoot behavioral psychology wing at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin.

At Purdue Extension Johnson County’s annual garden camp, experts cultivated young people who love getting their hands dirty. The Growing Healthy Roots Summer Camp gets kids digging in the dirt while learning about nature, livestock, growing food and all kinds of other topics.

DECEMBER 30, 2023

DECEMBER 30, 2021

Whiteland’s highly-debated chicken ordinance made it to the other side of the road. In a split 3-2 vote, the Whiteland Town Council voted to confirm adoption of the ordinance that allows residents to keep backyard chickens in town limits.

southwest of Old Plank Road and Baldwin Street will include a stage, public restrooms, benches, a lawn, trees and plants from native prairies.

Aug. 15

A $30,000 grant allow the Amity Volunteer Fire Department to upgrade life-saving extrication Aug. 11 equipment. Amity Fire The renovated and newly announced it received the landscaped street island on grant from the Johnson Dorrell Court in Greenwood’s County Community Foundation to purchase Ashwood neighborhood is three, battery-operated known as Gilligan’s Island. eDRAULIC extrication tools Residents worked together from HURST Jaws of Life. earlier this year to redo the island, creating a mini oasis Aug. 16 at the end of the road for the Bargersville officials cut the community. ribbon on Kephart Park. A splash pad, eight pickleball Aug. 12-13 courts, restrooms, an area Johnson County lost two for grilling, a wooded trail, “hometown heroes,” Indiana greenspace and playground State Trooper Aaron Smith, equipment are all part of what is now the largest park of Franklin, and Johnson in Bargersville.

County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Guyer, of Trafalgar.

Aug. 17 Efforts went underway to Johnson County council honor both of them at New members approved Whiteland’s Proctor Park.

The park at 499 Tracy Road spending $400,000 to pay for work done to clean up was founded as a tribute to debris from the June 25 Sgt. Joseph E. Proctor, a tornado. The EF-2 twister Whiteland Community High had peak winds of 115 mph, School graduate and former cutting a path length of 5.4 New Whiteland resident who miles across White River was killed while serving in Township. The area with the most damage from the Iraq in 2006. tornado was around State Aug. 14 Road 135 north of Smokey Row Road and south of Bargersville town officials Stones Crossing. released initial renderings of Umbarger Plaza, a planned downtown gathering Aug. 18 A former Johnson County place for entertainment judge was sentenced to and leisure. The estimated 357 days of probation for $2 million plaza is east drunk driving. The sentence of the railroad tracks and

Sept. 1 A local firefighters union celebrated around 30 years of fundraising for muscular dystrophy.

Visitors to downtown Franklin were asked to take a moment to stop and help Franklin Career Firefighters Local 3433 “Fill the Boot.” Union members collected donations as they participate in a “Fill the Boot” fundraising drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, or MDA.

Sept. 2-3 Franklin Chamber of Commerce gave out its inaugural round of Capacity Building grants.

A total of $30,000 was given to 13 downtown businesses to complete a wide array of projects, including boosting marketing budgets, building online catalogs, updating point-of-sale systems and funding renovation projects. Of the

ESTABLISHED

IN-35153236 IN-35153029

Aug. 21 Two local teachers were among the honorees for Indiana Teacher of the Year.

Eric Jenkins of Franklin Community High School reached the top 10, while Courtney Hess of Sugar Grove Elementary School made the top 25 for Indiana Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year award.

Aug. 22 Dye’s Walk Country Club in Greenwood adds a 4,600 square-foot building that includes locker rooms, a larger pro shop and a second-story loft with three simulators and a putting green in a nearly $2 million project.

Aug. 23 A suspended Greenwood police officer filed a federal lawsuit against the chief of police, alleging retaliation after he criticized the chief on social media.

Greenwood Police Officer Sam Bowen, who is currently suspended, is accusing Police Chief Jim Ison of depriving/ conspiring to deprive him of his First Amendment

right of Freedom of Speech based on posts made on Facebook before the May Municipal Primary and messages he sent to other officers. He is also suing the city of Greenwood for breach of contract.

Aug. 24 Violence among young people is a growing concern. More than half of the homicides in Johnson County within the last year were allegedly committed by teenagers and young adults in their early twenties.

Aug. 25 A Greenwood man charged in a shooting in White River Township claimed he doesn’t remember committing the act. Lal Thang Fela, 53, was charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, for the shooting that occurred at a home in Greenwood. When Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the home, they found one person who had been shot. The

man, a 24-year-old family member of Lal, was taken to IU Methodist Hospital in serious but stable condition.

Aug. 26-27 A Johnson County resident had the West Nile virus, state health officials announced. Indiana Department of Health officials said the first West Nile virus disease case of 2023 was identified in a Johnson County resident.

The announcement comes as the virus continues to be detected across the state.

Aug. 28 Auditor’s office corrects years-long property tax error. Over 100 households in Johnson County this month received corrected property tax bills telling them they owed up to thousands in back taxes. The corrected bills were sent to correct an error in the prior software system the Johnson County Auditor’s Office used to collect property taxes.

Aug. 29 When a Bargersville resident received a notice she was in violation of the

town’s animal ordinance, she was confused. Dilley looked through the town’s ordinances and saw nothing prohibiting ownership of chickens. Assuming it was permitted, the couple bought four chickens and added two more to their flock earlier this year. After Dilley meets with town officials, the council will likely put the issue of amending the ordinance on a town council agenda.

Aug. 30 Fights between a Greenwood man and his father allegedly culminated in a shooting. Jacob M. Moran, 22, was taken into custody by the Michigan State Police just across the Indiana-Michigan state line. He is suspected

by Greenwood police of shooting his father, 45-yearold Greenwood resident Shaun M. Moran who was found dead in the home’s garage.

Aug. 31 A family and their dogs were safe after an early morning house fire in downtown Franklin. The fire was reported at 1:38 a.m. in the 100 block of Jackson Street. When the Franklin Fire Department and Seals Ambulance Service arrived minutes later, the house was already fully engulfed, according to Franklin Fire Department.

Pictured from left: John Sincroft, head boys and girls swim coach, shows off a Wave drowning detection headband on Sept. 6 at the Clark-Pleasant School Board work session. ClarkPleasant schools is looking to purchase headbands for swim class at Whiteland Community High School. // A front view of the Payne Elementary side of the Active Adult Center. The building was built in 1870 and would be torn down to make way for a new senior center. Daily Journal file photos

Sept. 6 The Red Carpet Inn was still up for sale as legal battle continues, it has been more than five months since the Red Carpet Inn and Fanta Suites were first ordered to be demolished. The city of Greenwood first filed an

1997

2004

Phone: 887-3999 Fax: 889-7894 Phone: 887-3999 www.carlhc.com Phone 317-887-3999 Fax: 889-7894 www.carlhc.com www.carlhc.com

Carl J. Magna, Jr., Owner Carl J. Magna, Jr.,Greenwood owner 500 S. Polk St. #20, Carl J.40 Magna, Jr., Owner Over Yrs Experience Over 30 Years Experience 500 S. #20, Greenwood 24Polk HrsSt. Same Price 24 Hrs Same Price Over 30 Years Experience 24 Hrs Same Price

2007

Quality Water Solutions

Sales, Service WaterConditioners Conditioners Sales, Service&&Rentals, Rentals • Water Reverse Osmosis, Filters Chlorination Systems • WaterIron Heaters Salt Delivery, Insured Reverse Osmosis • Iron Filters • Well Tanks

Scott Sheppard Salt Delivery • Insured Over 35 yrs. Experience Whiteland • 317-412-1118 SCOTT SHEPPARD

The Needham Volunteer Fire Department made a move to staff one of its stations 24/7, a move the fire chief said is necessary for the growing district.

During a Franklin Community High School introductory business class, students were able to travel to markets in Egypt, India, Sweden and Saudi Arabia without leaving the classroom.

They did so with the help of virtual reality headsets available from the school’s technology center. Business teacher Stephanie Woodring decided to incorporate the VR excursion as part of her curriculum after she went to Paris, France.

317-535-3022

Owner • 25 yrs. Experience

Aug. 19-20

Sept. 5

Mike and Pam Wood - Owners 750 Tracy Road New Whiteland, IN 46184

ESTABLISHED

Daily Journal file photo

13, eight received $2,500 and five received $2,000.

WOOD AUTO REPAIR

ESTABLISHED

The playground at Kephart Park, located northeast of County Road 144 and Saddle Club Road in Bargersville.

is in line with the advisory sentence set for an A misdemeanor. Jeffrey C. Eggers, 66, of Franklin, was charged twice with drunk driving over a period of a few months.

»

Aug. 10

IN-35152490

»

8

3012 E 600 N • Whiteland 317.412.1188

order for the demolition of the hotel in March.

However, the hotel has not yet been demolished as a judge granted the hotel’s request for a stay of the demolition order in April.

Sept. 7 Clark-Pleasant School beefs up proposed new pool policies. Having a dedicated swim instructor, leveled swimming classes and drowning-detector headbands are some of the changes schools plans to make to improve safety in student swim classes.

These changes come four months after Alaina Dildine, 15, died after drowning in the Whiteland Community High School pool during her physical education swim class.

Sept. 8 The man accused of fatally shooting his father in Greenwood reportedly told his mother that he shot him. Jacob M. Moran, 22, is charged with murder and domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16 years old after prosecutors say he both battered and later fatally shot his father in the back, 45-year-old Greenwood resident Shaun M. Moran.

Sept. 9-10 Local composer pens a song for Franklin’s 200th birthday. Local musician and composer Phil Beaman was

commissioned by the Franklin Community Band to compose a work for Franklin’s bicentennial. He wove together aspects that have made up Franklin’s history — faith, family, the railroads and Franklin College.

Sept. 12 Bargersville officials intend to fix drainage issues in the Three Notch neighborhood using a $600,000 grant. The Community Development Block Grant comes from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Town leaders applied for the grant earlier this year and were awarded it in August.

Bargersville was one of 17 rural Indiana communities to receive $11.1 million in federal grant funding distributed by the state.

paint a larger picture of the county’s 200 years of history.

on an 8.82-acre site on Whiteland Road near State Road 135.

Sept. 14

Sept. 19

A meeting room at the Greenwood Public Library was packed as officials, residents and other stakeholders took part in a community workshop for the city’s comprehensive plan update. The city of Greenwood is in the process of creating a new comprehensive plan, a group of documents that will guide development and growth in the city for the next 10 to 20 years.

The city of Greenwood is planning to build a 16-court pickleball complex at Freedom Park on the city’s west side. The 16 courts will be located in a bank of four on a flat, grassy area to the immediate north of Freedom Springs Aquatic Park.

Sept. 15

Edinburgh Police raised money to fund their K-9 program during their Fall Festival. K-9 Skye retired on Aug. 31 after she sustained two onduty shoulder injuries.

Sept. 13 Veterinarians advised Inside the Johnson County Edinburgh Police to retire Skye because it was likely Museum of History, 200 the strain of running while years comes to life. on the job would result in Arrowheads and other more injuries, said Doyne Native American tools Little, police chief. speak to the original residents of central Sept. 16-17 Indiana. Axes, pitchforks A formal complaint has and other tools show been filed by a local how homesteaders property owner in his tamed the land in the fight to stop Duke Energy county’s earliest days.

Indiana from using Items such as county eminent domain to build fair ribbons and canning a new power substation labels showcase ways on the Bargersvilleof life that have shaped Greenwood line. Duke the community over two Energy plans to build a centuries. Each piece of new power substation history is meant to help

Sept. 20 Franklin considered a $5 million new Active Adult Center. The project includes tearing down the existing building at 160 E. Adams St. and rebuilding at the current site.

Sept. 21 Revisions to ClarkPleasant’s pool policy following the drowning death of a student could be finalized on October.

Special uniforms for lifeguards, a ban on cell phone use by instructors and lifeguards and a requirement for all students to wear drowning-detector headbands are all proposed to be added to the swimming policy at Clark-Pleasant schools.

The Clark-Pleasant school board conducted a first reading of its revised pool safety policies and staff standard operating procedures during its meeting.

DECEMBER 30, 2023

Sept. 22

a row, a Greenwood student organized a walk for State Sen. Jack Sandlin, a suicide prevention to show Republican who has served other students that they in the Indiana Senate since are not alone. The secondfirst being elected in 2016, ever Light in the Darkness died. He represented District Suicide Prevention and 36, which covers areas of Mental Health Awareness northwestern Pleasant and Walk occured on Sept. 30 at northeastern White River the Greenwood Community Township in Johnson County High School football and a majority of Perry stadium. The goal of the Township in Marion County. walk is to raise awareness of mental health issues and Sept. 23-24 suicide prevention, said Ava For the second year in Smith, organizer.

Sept. 26 Greenwood Christian Academy offered a firearm safety program that will train staff members who want to be armed in the classroom — a first for Johnson County.

Sept. 27 A 44-acre parcel on Greenwood’s south side will be developed into homes, the third proposal for the land in three

years. Lennar Homes came before the city’s Advisory Plan Commission Monday to ask for a change in commitments for their proposed 44-acre subdivision located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Pushville Road and Emerson Avenue on Greenwood’s far south side.

Sept. 28 A Greenwood Village South senior living

facility embarked on a nearly $100 million expansion to provide more space and amenities to its residents.

Sept. 29 Johnson County celebrated 200 years during the Franklin Fall Festival.

The county’s bicentennial celebration brings together much of what has made Johnson County such a unique and special place to live.

9

Sept. 30 In a ceremony on the Johnson County Courthouse Square, Franklin resident Helen Hodgen’s dream became a reality — the courthouse would be lit up permanently.

The 93-year-old lifelong resident of Franklin got to flip the switch to turn on the lights herself, surrounded by family, donors to the project, community members and local and county officials.

Oct. 3

Oct. 5 Edinburgh’s budget increased by almost $1 million, following a new income tax in Johnson County and rising home values. The advertised budget, which the Edinburgh Town Council approved, included $8.7 million for town officials to work with in 2024.

Oct. 6 A new neighborhood is in development on Greenwood’s west side.

Brighton Knoll, a new community of 49 home sites, is being developed

by Fischer Homes on about 22.3 acres of land northwest of Freedom Park.

Oct. 7-8 The Daily Journal was honored for journalism excellence in a statewide newspaper contest.

Staffers won multiple first-, second- and third-place awards for reporting, writing, photography, multimedia and design in the 2023 Hoosier State Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.

Contributing photographer Rob Baker won Photo of the

Year for a photo of SyKo, a micro-wrestler, before a match at the Johnson County Fair in July 2022.

Oct. 10 A Greenwood man was accused of beating a man during a hit-and-run accident and threatening to kill officers during a nearly five-hour standoff. William Douglas Rees, 61, was charged with two counts of intimidation and one count of intimidation for the incidents that occurred on Greenwood’s east side. He was arrested and was later released after paying bail.

Oct. 11 By the end of the year, visitors to downtown Franklin will be surrounded by the beauty of Japanese culture. Work started to transform downtown Franklin’s Kuji Alley into an immersive, Instagram-able attraction for visitors and residents alike.

Oct. 12 Johnson Memorial Health leaders and local government officials were at the groundbreaking for the new behavioral health annex at the Franklin hospital. The $11 million annex will be constructed next to the hospital’s existing Franklin campus, with the hopes to be

completed in late 2024 or early 2025.

Oct. 13 A suspended Greenwood police officer’s fate was in the hands of the city’s police merit commission after nearly four hours of testimony. Officer Sam Bowen, who was suspended without pay, faced termination for allegedly violating three of the department’s policies: Information and Technology Use, Mobile Data Center Use, and Standards of Conduct.

Oct. 14 A Greenwood police officer was fired for sending obscene messages on government-owned devices in violation of the department’s policies. The Greenwood Police Merit Commission unanimously voted 5-0 to terminate Officer Sam Bowen for violating three of the department’s policies.

Oct. 17 Edinburgh’s 19th-century dam burst after a historic run as one of the town’s most prominent landmarks.

Originally built in 1884, the Thompson Mill Dam, nestled on the Big Blue River in the town of Edinburgh, failed over the weekend. The 10-foot

Nov. 1

The City of Franklin officially opened Yandes Street following a ribboncutting ceremony. Under construction since August 2, 2022, the historical Yandes and Madison Street

Greenwood city council members voted in favor of a maximum property tax levy appeal with a condition the funds are directed to public safety. City officials argued earmarking where the funds went would tie the hands of future city councils.

Oct. 19 Greenwood City Council approved the city’s nearly $64.7 million budget, though they decided to scrap planned raises for some elected officials.

Oct. 20 A former Marion County prosecutor candidate was chosen to replace the late Sen. Jack Sandlin, a longtime public servant who died suddenly in Sept. at the age of 72, during a Republican Party caucus. Fifty-three precinct committeemen from Marion and Johnson counties selected Cyndi Carrasco for the vacant State Senate District 36 seat.

Oct. 21-22

derogatory slurs resigned.

Officer Elijah Allen resigned from the Greenwood Police Department, the agency announced. His disciplinary hearing was also canceled.

Oct. 24 A handful of county voters cast ballots as early voting opened. Though election officials did not expect a large turnout for early voting or the Nov. 7 election in general, they were prepared for anyone who wanted to cast their ballots before Election Day.

Oct. 25 Energizer Holdings planned to relocate their packaging operations facility from Franklin, but local officials said the plant is not shutting down. However, about 100 employees were expected to be affected by Energizer layoffs amid restructuring.

Oct. 26 Clark-Pleasant school’s new swimming pool policy was sent to an independent consulting firm for review, although parents still have concerns about the

A suspended Greenwood police officer who was facing termination for sending messages with

ESTABLISHED

preservation project was embarked upon to refurbish the last remaining brick street in Franklin, an initiative residents had been adamant about maintaining.

Nov. 4-5 Farm Girl Mercantile was the only Johnson County business to receive the Hoosier Hospitality Award this year. The Hoosier Hospitality Award is given

out each year by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, formed by the state legislature to promote Indiana as a great place for living, visiting, learning, and earning.

Nov. 7 The Johnson County Public Library system unveiled its newest outreach effort — JCPL on Wheels. The bookmobile was created

Nov. 8 With a small number of contested races and no large races to drive turnout, voter participation for this year’s municipal general election was expected to be low. That proved true by the time all ballots were counted. According to the county clerk’s office, 8,930 people voted in the general election — 11% of all registered eligible voters.

circumstances surrounding the new policy. The policy has been heavily-discussed for months following the death of Alaina Dildine.

Oct. 27 Haberdasher Artisan Distillery, the first distillery to be located in Johnson County since the Civil War era, opened its doors to the public. The Distillery is located in the Garment Factory in Franklin.

Oct. 28-29

Whiteland Community High School’s new principal is a familiar face to students.

Duke Lines, who was interim principal, was officially named the high school’s new principal.

Lines was the former assistant principal and was voted in as interim principal after former principal Benji Betts took a job at Franklin Community Schools.

Oct. 31 Indian Creek’s sophomore Libby Dowty won the state championship at the 43rd annual girls state cross country finals.

2013

ATTORNEYS AT LAW 98 N. Jackson St., Franklin, IN 317-736-7146

ESTABLISHED

to bring high-demand books, movies and more to Johnson County neighborhoods. Library organizers also envision the vehicle bringing storytime, special activities and programming to events around the county.

Nov. 2

Nov. 3

Oct. 18

Mayor Steve Barnett cuts the ribbon and officially reopens Yandes Street. Daily Journal file photo

Clark-Pleasant, Center Grove and Greenwood school districts each saw increases in their student populations this year, while other local schools saw a decline in enrollment.

A one-million-square-foot warehouse in Whiteland’s Mohr Logistics Park was torn in half by the EF-3 tornado in March. Six months later, Mohr rebuilt and helped out some of their neighboring property owners in the process.

limestone structure was initially built by John Thompson, who ran the former Thompson Mill.

IN-35152560

With an appropriation of $5 million, the Franklin City Council paved the way for the new Franklin Active Adult Center. The new senior center is to be built on the site of the current one at 160 E. Adams St.

»

2014

Mitzi Christian 317-439-4343

Mitzi@TheModernRealtyGroup.com www.modrealtygroup.com IN-35152427

ESTABLISHED

IN-35152428

Oct. 4

Pictured from left: Indiana State Sen.-elect Cyndi Carrasco speaks to reporters following an Indiana GOP caucus Oct. 18 at The Atrium Banquet & Conference Center in Indianapolis. // Indian Creek’s Libby Dowty flashes a smile while holding her first place medal after the state meet in Terre Haute on Oct. 31. Daily Journal file photos

»

Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner announced English Language Arts teacher Eric Jenkins as 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year.

Hundreds of students and staff members erupted in cheers, some holding cutouts of Jenkins, whose family was also on-hand to witness the celebration.

Indiana Department of Education officials chose Jenkins among about 65,000 Hoosier teachers.

He is the first Johnson County educator to win the award in the history of the Teacher of the Year program, that began in 1967.

2015

350 E. Madison St., Franklin FHIsalvage.org

»

10 DECEMBER 30, 2021

Nov. 9

A new electronic ringer has been installed by Smith’s Bell on the historic courthouse bell, which was manufactured in 1881. Daily Journal file photo

Endress+Hauser and its sales and service partner, George E. Booth Co., broke ground on an approximately 106,000-square-foot commercial office and light industry facility located west of Endress+Hauser’s Greenwood headquarters.

leaking crime scene photos from the Delphi murders. Mitch Thomas Westerman, 41, is charged with conversion. The charge, filed in Johnson County Superior Court 3, were unsealed.

Nov. 10

Nov. 24

Two ordinances introduced by the Greenwood City Council makes changes to how left and right turns take place at the intersection of Main Street and Madison Avenue.

Nov. 11-12 The Trafalgar Town Council named Bryan Gregg as the town’s new building commissioner, a role that will navigate the town’s growth while preserving its history.

Nov. 14 A new monument that honors individuals who have served in the United States military was unveiled on Veterans Day at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Greenwood.

The monument features the insignias of every military branch, the state of Indiana, the United States and the symbol of prisoners of war and missing in action.

Nov. 15 A month after the Thompson Mill Dam burst, the Edinburgh Town Council approved its removal pending legal review of a federal grant.

The $560,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service will remove the low-head dam from Big Blue River at no cost to the town.

Nov. 18-19

The Johnson County Courthouse bell and c lock have been tolling and chiming away since Nov. 16 1883. Both pieces of Franklin’s ice skating rink history were renewed for opened, offering another attraction to draw people to the next generation by the downtown area. People Smith’s Bell, a Cambybased company. The will be able to rent skates or bring their own for open project to modernize the clock and bell is part of skating, while food trucks, a larger slate of work performers and other that the Johnson County entertainment make each Commissioners have weekend its own holly, been undertaking at the jolly event. The temporary 144-year-old landmark. rink features a synthetic surface that makes skating Part of the courthouse available regardless of the project is to repair the clock tower following temperature outside. strong storms that blew Nov. 17 into Franklin the same night as tornados Franklin, Johnson County and Whiteland collaborated struck Whiteland and rural Bargersville. on a new roundabout However, other parts project at the intersection are routine maintenance of Paul Hand Boulevard and Graham Road. The undertaken as part of the unique partnership sees commissioners’ mission to each entity pick up a preserve the courthouse portion of the $2.4 million and its grounds for the next project. generation.

Nov. 21 The final Interstate 69 exit in Johnson County opened in White River Township. I-69 Finish Line project team members, contracting partners and officials gathered at the new Smith Valley Road interchange to celebrate the grand opening.

Nov. 22 More than four years after Cummins Inc. first announced they were coming to Greenwood, nothing has been built on the land they purchased — and no one knows when that could change.

Cummins officials say they are still evaluating different options for the property, and city officials are hoping that something will eventually be built.

Nov. 23 A Westfield man has been charged in Johnson County for his role in

Dec. 1

Law enforcement arrested 21 people as part of a threeday child solicitation sting in Greenwood. Members of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Bargersville, Edinburgh, Franklin and Greenfield Police Departments and the U.S. Secret Service conducted the sting operation. Men from as far away as West Virginia were arrested during the sixth sting operation of its kind conducted by local law enforcement.

The Johnson County Courthouse bell tower was ceremonially lit during the annual holiday lighting, which drew thousands to downtown Franklin.

Bud and Bloom Florist, Boutique and Home celebrated a grand reopening celebration after nearly half a century in

Nov. 28 The demolition of a

Nov. 30 The Edinburgh Town Council approved the purchase of 16 new body cameras and redaction software for the police department. The upgrade was needed because the current camera system didn’t come with redaction software, which made it difficult to fulfill public information requests for footage in a timely manner, said Doyne Little, police chief.

Center Grove School Corporation held a ceremony to celebrate the placement of the last beam for the Center Grove Academic Pavilion. The new academic pavilion is three stories and 50,000 square feet. Located on the west side of the high school, the addition includes 18 classrooms, a collaboration space and an additional food court. The project will also add additional security cameras and additional space for the bus parking lot, Pictured from top: Derion Noonan, according to Center Grove’s 11, holds a WWE toy as Johnson Coun- website. ty Sheriff’s Sgt. Ryan Bartlett looks for other wrestling toys during Shop with Dec. 19 a Cop at Meijer on Dec. 16 in GreenShop with a Cop made wood. // Santa Claus Larry Shaw said holiday wishes come true. that he welcomes any individual who Thirty-six kids were paired possesses the Christmas spirit to reach up with law enforcement out to him to find out how to get officers from agencies involved with Santa cosplay. across Johnson County Daily Journal file photo; Submitted photo — including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in homicide in Greenwood.

Bargersville, Edinburgh, Way Drive in the city’s Police said the suspects Franklin, Greenwood and Central Park neighborhood in the shooting of Ethan J. Whiteland, for this year’s on a report of shots David, 18, of Indianapolis, Shop with a Cop. The fired. In the initial call, a were a 17-year-old male event was made possible neighbor reported hearing and a 15-year-old female. through donations the a gunshot and then saw Quincy D. Stringer Jr., 17, FOP received from the two people running from of Greenwood, was community, businesses and a car. One male was identified on the Johnson foundations. found dead in the car. The County jail bookings as Johnson County Coroner’s he was waived up to adult Dec. 20 court, however, the female’s Office identified the man If it seems like it is harder identity was not released as 18-year-old Ethan J. to find a Santa appearance due to her age.

Stringer David of Indianapolis. was booked by Greenwood in recent years, it isn’t your imagination. Indiana Dec. 13 Police on a preliminary Santa portrayers said there charge of murder.

The A request to build a liquor is a national shortage, bookings said he and store near the Buckmoor intensified during and the female were both Manor and Heron since the COVID-19 being held at the juvenile Ridge neighborhoods pandemic. Randy Goodin, detention center. in Greenwood caused a Greenwood resident who concerns among area has been a Santa Claus for Dec. 15 residents. the last 15 years, said that The Clark-Pleasant school the Santa population was Dec. 14 board voted to hire Bethany specifically hit hard during Two juveniles were arrested Guilfoy as Whiteland the pandemic, and Santa in connection with the Elementary’s new principal. groups are still recovering.

»

Dec. 5

Dec. 7

For more than 100 years, the Good Cheer Fund has been woven into the fabric of the Johnson County community. The annual food distribution provides baskets of fresh and nonperishable food to more than 900 households across the county. Local organizers have given out baskets of food to families in need for generations and over that same time, individuals, businesses, clubs, churches and more have made supporting the fund a part of their Christmas tradition.

Several states monitored an unusual illness in dogs while veterinarians are trying to pin down what exactly is making them sick. Pet owners in Indiana are seeing the illness as well. Indiana State Board of Health has heard from veterinarians across the state reporting and discussing the cases.

Dec. 16-17

Dec. 2-3

A popular Bargersville restaurant that outgrew the shack it started in, has struggled, said owner, Nate Johnson. to keep its doors open. In June 2021, Johnson’s BBQ Shack leaders announced they were looking at a $5.5 million rebuild to its original location at 82 S. Baldwin St. But that never got off the ground. Instead, both Greenwood locations closed in 2022, and struggles at the Bargersville location began to intensify.

Nov. 25-26

Nov. 29

Guilfoy had been serving as interim principal for the last eight weeks. Raised in Whiteland, Guilfoy marks the third generation in her family to serve Clark-Pleasant Schools. Her daughter is a student in the district, and her father, Butch Zike, is a Clark-Pleasant school board member and long-time athletic director.

Big changes are coming to Johnson County Park in the next two years. The upgrades will include a new park office and camp store, an additional barn for Hoosier Horse Park and an upgrade to the amphitheater on the property. The new park office and camp store will be located on the north end of the property and will feature camping essentials such as drinks, food items, laundry detergent, t-shirts, charcoal and lighter fluid.

Dec. 6

An expansion and renovation years in the making is now underway at Franklin Fire Station 21.

The 1974-built fire station is getting an extensive interior renovation that will bring the station up to modern standards. The $2.4 million renovation is something that Franklin officials have been working toward for at least six years, and something that the fire department is eager to see completed.

troubled Greenwood hotel moved forward. Since April, the fate of the Red Carpet Inn and Fanta Suites, 1117 E. Main St., has been up in the air after a Johnson County judge granted the hotel’s request for judicial review of a city of Greenwood order for demolition. Superior Court 1 Judge Kevin Barton also issued a stay of the order in April. On Nov. 21, the stay of the demolition order was lifted by Superior Court 4 Judge Marla Clark — paving the way forward for the hotel’s destruction.

Franklin. The florist, which now operates under new ownership, aims to provide the community with the same services they have traditionally offered with a few added twists. Delanie and Jasen Owen acquired the business from the Myrick family.

Dec. 9-10

Four local school corporations were the recipients of state science of reading grants. The Indiana Department of Education awarded nearly $15 million in grants to 72 school corporations across the state. The Dec. 8 grants will help Center Grove, Nineveh-Jackson Daniel Watson, the director United, Clark Pleasant of choirs at Greenwood and Greenwood school Community High School, was chosen as the winner of corporations implement the Indianapolis Symphonic “evidence-based practices Choir 2023 Christmas Carol aligned with the science of reading.”

Commission Competition.

The annual competition Dec. 12 seeks an “outstanding original and unpublished” An Indianapolis man died Christmas or holiday piece following a fatal shooting that’ll be performed by the in Greenwood. First choir at its annual Festival of responders were called to Carols performance. the 2000 block of Liberty