Newspaper report questions spending by AG’s office under Hill
A newspaper investigation has exposed questionable spending of taxpayer money by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office under embattled Republican officeholder Curtis Hill.
Elkhart
Articles
Report: Elkhart Police Department must track use of force
A northern Indiana city’s police department has a reputation for the rough treatment of residents and offending officers are seldom held accountable, according to an external review conducted following the release of video showing two officers repeatedly punching a handcuffed man.
COA: Elkhart pastor incorrectly found in contempt, ordered to jail
A years-long dispute between an Elkhart pastor and members of his congregation has resulted in a reversal from an appellate panel that determined a trial court erred in ordering the faith leader to spend one month in jail.
Tax Court upholds Elkhart CVS store assessment
A CVS pharmacy store in Elkhart could not persuade the Indiana Tax Court to rule in its favor in an appeal of the Indiana Board of Tax Review’s final determination of its property value.
Democratic mayors win reelection in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne
The Democratic mayors of Indianapolis and Fort Wayne cruised to big victories in Tuesday’s local elections, denying Republicans their hopes of capturing leadership in either of Indiana’s largest cities.
Hill takes stand in discipline case; ex-colleague recalls crude sexual advances
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has taken the stand in his attorney discipline action, beginning testimony Wednesday in a case that could jeopardize his law license. The morning’s testimony also included allegations of unwanted sexual advances Hill made by a former employee of his office when he was Elkhart County prosecutor.
Ex-sheriff’s captain enters plea related to wage theft probe
A former sheriff’s captain in Elkhart charged with lying during an investigation into alleged wage theft by employees he supervised has pleaded guilty in the case. Jim Bradberry, 50, entered the plea to one of three counts of false informing.
Convicted Indiana sex offender charged with raping Amish woman
An Elkhart man with felony rape and child molestation convictions on his record has been charged with sexually assaulting an Amish woman last month in Marshall County. The Elkhart Truth reports 49-year-old Michael Middaugh is charged with rape, burglary with an armed weapon and criminal confinement.
Fired Elkhart city attorney fails to overcome appointee determination
A former Elkhart city attorney who was told she was being fired because the new mayor wanted “to hire my own guy” could not overcome the precedent the Northern Indiana District Court used to determine she was an appointed policymaker and therefore not covered by federal protections.
Elkhart officer cleared in man’s car crash death during pursuit
Prosecutors have cleared northern Indiana police in the June car crash death of a man who was fleeing from officers.
Conviction upheld in robbery after iPhone exchange
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed an Elkhart student’s robbery conviction after concluding there was sufficient evidence to support that she stole money in the presence of the cash’s owner.
Officials investigate death of inmate at Elkhart County Jail
Authorities say a 51-year-old man who was under medical care at a northern Indiana jail has died after being found unresponsive in his cell. The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department says Brian Banister was being treated for an illness while being held on a preliminary charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and resisting law enforcement.
Federal case to proceed against Elkhart cops in beating case
Indiana prosecutors are setting aside their case against two police officers who were caught on video repeatedly punching a handcuffed man so that a federal case against them can proceed.
Restorative justice mediation fosters accountability, lets victims be heard
Mediators who work in restorative justice programs around Indiana say the program allows offenders and victims the chance to see each other as human, and perhaps increase accountability and understanding.
COA rejects ex-teacher’s defamation claims against Elkhart Truth
A former Elkhart teacher who alleged a newspaper defamed him by writing an article about his federal lawsuit against the school that fired him failed to convince an appellate panel that the issue was not of public interest, or that the article was not written in good faith.
Elkhart man wins wage dispute, but judge awards just $35
A northern Indiana man who sought wages for lunch breaks he didn’t take has won his claim, although a judge awarded him just $35. Joe Lehman was seeking $3,543 he said Thor Industries’ Postle Aluminum division owed him for lunch breaks he didn’t take while working as a truck driver for about a year and a half, but an Elkhart County magistrate granted him a judgment of only $35, plus $125 in court costs.
Scooter bill zips through Statehouse, but not yet to Holcomb
Hoosiers statewide may be able to scoot alongside other modes of transportation now that a bill aimed at regulating electronic scooter use has zipped through both Houses of the the Indiana General Assembly.
COA hears arguments in teacher defamation suit against Elkhart newspaper
An Indiana Court of Appeals panel was asked to consider whether a reporter’s use of the word “incompetent” to describe a former Elkhart teacher’s termination was defamatory language – and ultimately whether a newspaper had the right to publish a story using the contested word.
Elkhart officers on unpaid leave after handcuffed man beaten
Two Indiana police officers who were caught on video repeatedly punching a handcuffed man have been placed on unpaid administrative leave. Members of the Elkhart Board of Public Safety agreed Monday to place Cory Newland and Joshua Titus on unpaid administrative leave.
Attorneys share discovery in Elkhart woman’s terror case
Prosecutors have said they are still determining which confidential items they can share with attorneys defending an Indiana woman who is accused of providing tactical gear and funds to two Islamic State fighters. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abizer Zanzi said at a status hearing in federal court Thursday that the government has shared discovery that is not confidential with the attorneys for Samantha Elhassani.