July 31
In 1997, the local firefighters association deposited $1,676 into a fund to care for Sparky, the Dalmatian living at Greenfield Fire Department. The money was part of more than $2,200 that poured in over several days, after Sparky’s bout with kidney stones racked up $883 in vet bills and started a discussion at a Greenfield Board of Works meeting. After a story about Sparky ran, the department was flooded with calls and donations. The donations made it possible to pay Sparky’s bills and set up a fund for his care. Sparky, Happy and Pepper, the department’s “fire dogs” over the years, are all buried by the fire station on South Street. These days, firefighters say the growth of the city over the years keeps them too busy to care for a station dog.
Aug. 1
In 1917, high temperatures from the day before continued — and were believed responsible for bulging and raising in patches of the brick pavement on North State Street. Near the curb, some bricks were 12 to 18 inches above grade.
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Aug. 2
In 2002, J.B. Stephens was honored at the dedication ceremony for the new J.B. Stephens Elementary School named in his honor. The longtime educator and retired local school superintendent visited the school for special occasions in the years that followed, presenting character awards named for him and attending belated celebrations of his Dec. 24 birthday there. The last one he attended was for his 99th. A celebration of his 100th birthday was videotaped and sent to him as a get-well greeting. Stephens died in May 2008 at the age of 100.
Aug. 3
In 1987, a bricklayer working on a new Hancock County Jail was shocked when a piece of metal reinforcement came into contact with an electrical line. He survived. The explosion left some East Main Street businesses without power.
Aug. 4
In 1985, ground was broken to expand the former Ecoff Trucking building to become the new site for Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library. It moved from 115 N. Main St. to 625 E. Broadway eight months later.
Aug. 5
In 1944, 44-year-old Ferris Woods of Charlottesville died when lightning struck a tree he had gone under for shelter. He was driving cows home when a storm arose.
In 2016, former Hancock County resident Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell signed with the National Basketball Association’s Brooklyn Nets.
Aug. 6
In 1952, Greenfield City Council voted to issue a $50,000 school aid bond to help build two additional six-room school buildings. It also approved a proposal to buy 10 acres as a school site for $5,650. City School Superintendent Charles P. Wisehart later told the council enrollment in the school system could reach 2,000 students by 1960.
In 1958, Buck Creek Township’s Delores Sparks was chosen as the first Hancock County 4-H Fair Queen. The 16-year-old was a junior at Mt. Comfort High School.
In 2008, Covance and Eli Lilly and Co. announced Covance was buying the 94-year-old Lilly plant in Greenfield with an up-front payment of $50 million.
In 2010, Hancock County Coroner Tamara Vangundy arrested Sheriff Bud Gray outside a Shelbyville casino. He was accused of using department funds to pay personal expenses; six months later, a special prosecutor dropped the case, citing lack of credible evidence or witnesses. Gray and his wife sued the City of Greenfield in 2012, and the city settled for $100,000.
