Former Mayor Hunter passes away | other headlines: e-bike, SUV crash in Shelby | Memorial Day preview | standout student

By David Jacobs

May 23, 2025

Former Shelby Mayor Jim Hunter passes away

For the second time in seven weeks, the city of Shelby is mourning the passing of a former mayor.

Former Shelby Mayor Jim Hunter, who was also a former City Council member and retired educator in the community, has died. Hunter was elected Shelby mayor on Nov. 6, 2001, was sworn in as mayor late that year and served a four-year term.

Flags lowered to honor former Mayor Hunter

Word of his passing on Thursday was shared by retired Shelby City Councilman and former Shelby Mayor Garland Gates via social media update.

“Grace and peace to all who knew and loved Jim Hunter,” Mr. Gates wrote.

No further information was immediately available. Barkdull Funeral Home in Shelby confirmed on Thursday evening that it is handling arrangements. Full obituary information and arrangements were being finalized. (Check back for updates).

Hunter’s predecessor as Shelby mayor, Doris Payne-Biglin, passed away on April 2 of this year at age 91.

SHELBY

Electric bike, SUV collide in Shelby

An SUV and an electric bike collided in Shelby, throwing the e-bike rider and resulting in minor injuries to the 15-year-old boy, police reported Thursday.

The crash occurred at 2:36 p.m. on May 12 at West Smiley Avenue and Sunset Drive.

The e-bike was on the sidewalk of West Smiley, traveling east and attempted to cross Sunset at the crosswalk at 15 mph, the traffic crash report states.

The bike did not yield to a 2013 Honda CR-V, which was turning onto Sunset from West Smiley, resulting in the minor collision, the report said.

The Shelby Fire Department took the e-bike rider to OhioHealth Shelby Hospital.

The CR-V was going 10 mph in a 25 mph area. Its driver, a 16-year-old boy, was not hurt.

COMMUNITY

Plans set for Memorial Day observances

Plans for Shelby's Memorial Day observances are in place, highlighted by the annual parade followed by a special ceremony at Oakland Cemetery

Here are some details via commander Ralph Rosinsky of American Legion, O'Brien Post 326, and event coordinator Linda Fichter, who serves as the Shelby Memorial Day Association chairwoman.

-- parade participants start lining up at 9 a.m. Monday, May 26 along Wentz Avenue at Main Street. Taking part in the parade is free.

"Anyone who wishes to be in the parade, show up, and the parade marshals will get you in line," Fichter said.

-- The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. and heads through downtown and to historic Oakland Cemetery. The Shelby Boy Scouts will lead the parade, which is to include participants such as the Shelby Whippet Band.

-- At the cemetery, a special program to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice is set for 11 a.m. The event also honors veterans who have passed away since the 2024 Memorial Day ceremony and who are buried in a Shelby area cemetery, Fichter wrote in a Facebook post.

"I have a person who will read all of the veterans' names, and I have 21 people who will place wreaths" Fichter said in the interview, to represent various eras of the U.S. military.

"I also have Boys State and Girls State who are going to be there," Fichter said, noting that they will conduct special readings.

At Oakland Cemetery, an honor guard will be on hand and will fire a volley of shots totaling 21 as a salute from their rifles. (Mr. Rosinsky said this is not a 21-gun salute). Fichter noted participation from others, including the American Legion Auxiliary of Shelby and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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American and U.S. military flags are shown flying in Shelby’s Flag Park. (Photo by David Jacobs)

EDUCATION

Shelby Rotary names Student of the Month

The Rotary Club of Shelby has named Avery Mongold as its final Student of the Month for the 2024–25 school year, highlighting a standout academic and extracurricular record.

Mongold, who holds a weighted GPA of 4.224, has completed multiple Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus classes, the Rotary detailed. His accomplishments go well beyond academics.

“Marching band, concert band, choir, 4 years of math league, and 7 years in academic challenge, oh and did I mention he is an Eagle Scout?” the Rotary Club said in its announcement on its Facebook page this week. “In his spare time, Avery competes on the swim team and is a tennis player!”

With such a well-rounded and accomplished resume, the club said, “You can see why we are so excited to congratulate Avery Mongold on being an exemplary student of the month!”

In March of this year, Mongold spoke to the Shelby City Council about his Eagle Scout project of installing safety equipment at Shelby Reservoir 3.

He is a member of Shelby High School’s Class of 2025.