Thursday, July 3, 2025
FAIR FUN
The Rush County Fair midway has been a popular attraction this week. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
LOCAL HISTORY: McDonald’s - a Rushville Fixture Since 1980
Construction of a new McDonald’s building is in its final stages at 1602 N. Main St., with the restaurant receiving its last preliminary inspection this week before the final review. Planning Director Samantha Copley told the Board of Public Works that she will soon meet with the property owner to review landscaping and other exterior improvements.
With all the changes, a recent post in the “If you grew up in Rush County” Facebook group sparked interest in the location’s history. Here’s a timeline, compiled from past news coverage:
September 1980
McDonald’s received plat approval for a lot on the north side of the Northgate Shopping Center. Two Plan Commission members expressed skepticism about a third fast-food restaurant in the area, but the project moved forward.
October 1980
Construction began on the McDonald’s building on N. Main Street.
November 1980
The golden arches were installed. Hiring began soon after as the store prepared to open.
Dec. 18, 1980 – Grand Opening Day
McDonald’s opened at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast. The first 100 customers received free Norman Rockwell Christmas ornaments. At 10 a.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held using $100 in dollar bills, which were donated to a local charity. Festivities continued throughout the weekend with lunch and dinner appearances by the Hamburglar, a live remote broadcast from WRCR 94.3 FM, and free helium balloons for children. The restaurant was operated by John Dresser of Greenfield and managed by Jerry Hunsinger of Rushville. The store was open 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.
1981
Customers received a free Papermate Write Bros. pen with any breakfast purchase. The pens featured the McDonald’s logo.
1989
A building permit was issued for an addition to the structure.
May 12, 1990
Amanda Elizabeth Keaton, a senior at Rushville Consolidated High School from Arlington, received a $1,000 Central Indiana McDonald’s Employee Scholarship—one of just six recipients. She worked at the Rushville location and was president of the National Honor Society and editor of “Inkspots”. Store manager Timothy Yazel said, “Amanda is an asset to our business. She excels in all areas of the store’s operations.”
1991
Craig Smith of Arlington, another RCHS senior, received a $500 McDonald’s Employee Scholarship. He was Student Council president and earned a Congressional nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
May 2–4, 2008 – Grand Reopening Weekend
After 28 years of operation, the restaurant underwent a full renovation. The three-month “re-imaging” included new asphalt, fresh paint, updated landscaping, and a complete interior redesign featuring self-serve beverage stations, new restrooms, and a revamped lobby. Central Indiana McDonald’s hosted a grand reopening celebration with giveaways, prizes, and a live remote by Ted Kramer of WIFE-FM 94.3. Ronald McDonald also made an appearance. Store manager Shauna Kuhn also introduced a rotating local art gallery, allowing area artists to display and sell their work inside the restaurant.
2023
McDonald’s continued its support of local education through MAC grants, distributed by owner/operator Andy Ball.
2025
The restaurant closed April 20 for demolition and a complete rebuild.
NOTEBOOK:
The City of Rushville is asking residents to complete a survey for a downtown revitalization grant. The City is applying for an OCRA Downtown Revitalization Planning Grant to help create a clear, community-driven plan to improve and re-energize downtown. The grant is a key first step to future projects that can boost local businesses, attract investment, and make downtown a vibrant gathering place, the city said in a social media release. The survey can be accessed here.
Speaking of surveys, a Community Input Session for Accelerate Rural Indiana (ARI) and READI 2.0 will be held Wednesday, July 30, 5 - 6:30 p.m., at the Love Community Center. The event will provide updates on ARI and READI 2.0 progress, celebrate local arts and culture assets, and invite residents to help shape placemaking priorities for the region. Community members are encouraged to provide feedback via a survey (access here).
HOOSIER NEWS: Gov. Mike Braun was given slightly more expansive authority this year to explore tolling Indiana’s interstate highways. Braun said existing resources — almost solely reliant on fuel taxes — aren’t enough to help Indiana’s transportation network grow. Braun called fuel taxes a diminishing resource. States are expected to collect less in gas taxes as cars become more fuel efficient and hybrid and electric vehicles become more common. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith recently posted on social media his opposition to tolling. Braun said tolling has to be part of the road funding conversation. (Indiana Public Radio)
NATIONAL NEWS: A new study out of Cornell found that 47 percent of U.S. grandchildren live within 10 miles of a grandparent. A total of 21 percent of grandchildren live within one and five miles, while fully 13 percent live within a mile of the grandparents. That last number is the same figure as the number of grandchildren who live 500 miles or more away. (Cornell University/Numlock)
Daily Local News: Rush County is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
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Local Organizations Unite to Prepare Students for School Year
by KATIE THOMAN, Rush County Community Foundation Public Relations Intern
Entering the meeting, a group of leaders from 17 local social service organizations sit in a circle, and the quiet, yet electric, energy floats around the room. The group, Caring for Rush County, is a coalition that seeks to fulfill the needs of the Rush County community. The group consists of different organizations, like the Rush County Health Department, More for Kids and Changing Footprints, which helps Rush County families through a wide array of services.
Their meeting is to prepare for this year’s Back-to-School Resource Fair hosted in the Love Community Center from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, July 16. Jenny McCarrell leads the meeting. She is the director of Community Partners for Firefly Children and Families Alliance, an organization that provides support programs and resources to Hoosier parents, children, and individuals.
McCarrell was one of the five representatives who helped start this event in 2019. The first Back-to-School Resource Fair originated from the urgent need to help students obtain school supplies.
“We, at that time, pulled together our resources and got what we could. And it’s just grown every year since then,” said McCarrell. Today, the group is six times larger than it was in the beginning.
The event aims to service 300 elementary students with school supplies donated by the service organizations within the coalition. Supplies include backpacks, folders, notebooks and more. Students can even get their required vaccinations for Kindergarten and sixth grade from the Rush County Health Department at this event.
According to Rush County Community Assistance Food Pantry leader and Caring for Rush County member Darilyn Bedel, the event is “more than just a giveaway; it’s a community-powered launch pad for families heading into the school year.”
Families also have the opportunity to connect with local organizations with programs that can support them throughout the year. As their children get their school supplies, Caring for Rush County aims to build fruitful connections and provide meaningful service for families.
“Times are hard, and families are struggling. So, if there’s any way we can help offset that just by coming together and making it happen, why wouldn’t we want to do that? We want every kid to have that great first day,” said McCarrell.
Caring for Rush County’s event is committed to that goal. The efforts from this group prove that amazing things can happen when a community stands together to make a difference.
“The event is a powerful reminder that when a community shows up with care and purpose, we do more than prepare kids for school. We equip families with dignity, connection and the belief that they matter. It is another way of giving back to a community that I love,” said Bedel.
For more information, contact Jenny McCarrell at jmccarrell@fireflyin.org.
This Day in Rush County History
News around Rush County as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated from newspaper archives and library genealogy materials.
2015: The Rush County Board of Zoning Appeals voted to change setbacks on wind farms to 2,300 feet and set a six-month moratorium on wind farm projects. A portion of the large crowd in attendance was forced to line the walls inside the building, with even more residents standing outside. A company had proposed placing over 60 wind turbines in the county, but a company representative said changing the setbacks would kill the project.
2005: Winners in the Rush County Fair Baby Show were Nakia Palmer, Mitchell Knecht, Mackenzie Crowder, Isaiah Ashwill, Araceli Leon, Isaac Arueyingho, Grace Marie Davis, Bradon Yeend, Brody Keith and Gavin Clifford Fox. Mackenzie Crowder was the overall champion and reserve champion was Isaac Arueyingho.
1995: Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh was named Grand Marshal of the Willkie Day parade in September. Dr. Fred Phillips was organizing the parade, and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julie Hogsett was heading up the Willkie Day Festival.
1985: Ryan Conover pitched a no-hitter for the Cards in the Cub Scout league in a 10-0 victory over the Owls. The Rushville American Legion Post 150 played six games in a week, with big plays from Bryan Cole, Mike Goodwin, Todd Evans, Stu Linville, Wayne Fowler, Gary Hoeing and Darrin New.
1975: Rotary Club members announced upcoming bicentennial events. Jerry Fox, Rotary President, explained an effort to update the 1921 History of Rush County by John Worth and his committee. Al Hodge, a local teacher, said students were excited about the country’s upcoming celebration.
1965: Ben Earley, Rushville High School principal for the previous seven years, stepped down to accept a position in Kendallville. Roy Lavengood was named new vocational agriculture teacher at Mays School. He succeeded Kenneth Brashaber, who had moved to Rushville High School.
1955: Mayor William Winship said that anyone having trees trimmed by a professional crew would have to have the limbs hauled away. The mayor said crews had been piling limbs up for the street department to haul away, but the department would only haul limbs they had cut to avoid contact with city utilities.
1945: Paul Stearly was named president of the Chamber of Commerce, and William Moster was named president of the Rotary Club. The Rotary Club recognized drug store owner Raymond Hargrove, who had been in business in the same location, 239 Main Street, in Rushville for 50 years. Hargrove was a charter member of the Kiwanis. He and the late Alonzo Stewart had first purchased the Sam Finney drug store and opened it in a new location on July 4, 1895.
1935: A new state law had placed responsibility on the circuit court judge for issuing gun licenses. The clerk of courts had previously issued the licenses. Failing to carry a pistol without a license would lead to a fine up to $1,000 and a one to 10-year prison sentence. “This included certain formalities designed to permit authorities, so to speak, to separate the goats from the sheep,” The Rushville Republican said.
1925: Contractors repaved Fifth and Morgan streets after a water line break near the Baptist Church in fall 1924 had made it necessary to cut a hole in the street. The city opted to wait until summer to repair the street.
The Rushville Ministerial Association approved of East Hill Cemetery’s ban on Sunday funerals. “All were agreed that Sunday was not intended as a day for the burial of the dead,” The Republican said. “It is frequently observed that many people attend a funeral on Sunday who would not take time to show their interest and sympathy on some weekday.”
OBITUARIES
None today.