Indiana justices accept another NIPSCO case
The Indiana Supreme Court has accepted transfer of another dispute over utility rates where the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is a defendant.
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Supreme Court agrees to decide fate of Yorktown clerk-treasurer’s job
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Yorktown can forcibly remove its clerk-treasurer from office, a decision the clerk-treasurer’s attorney told the justices could have implications beyond his client.
Ex-Bunker Hill marshal pleads guilty to obstruction of justice
An ex-northern Indiana town marshal who authorities say provided false police credentials for an acquaintance so the person could be paid more while working as a security guard has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. Aaron Dague of Wabash entered the plea Thursday under a deal with prosecutors, was sentenced to one year of probation and can no longer work in law enforcement.
Legal bills in South Bend police wiretapping case nearly $2M
A long-running dispute over wiretapping within the South Bend Police Department has cost taxpayers in the northern Indiana city nearly $2 million to date. The case stems from a subpoena that South Bend’s city council issued to Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s office in 2012, seeking copies of recordings made from police phone lines.
Justices consider ouster of Yorktown clerk-treasurer
Choosing to forcibly remove an elected official from office is a weighty decision, one that requires government officials to go against the will of the voters — presumably for the public good. In theory, an impeachment occurs only when an elected officer has egregiously failed to perform his or her duties, leaving no choice but to force the official to vacate her office.
Plan would ban sitting, lying on downtown Indy streets, sidewalks
A proposal that would make it illegal to sit or lie on the ground during most of the day in downtown Indianapolis will be introduced this month to the Indianapolis City-County Council by local Republicans.
COA overturns injunction against Charlestown code enforcement scheme
A special judge’s ruling that preliminarily enjoined the city of Charlestown from inconsistently imposing code violation fees while simultaneously finding the city was not subject to the state’s Unsafe Building Law has been overturned. The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the trial court erred in finding the UBL does not apply to the city, thus requiring remand for re-examination of how local and state regulations should work together.
Proposal to decriminalize marijuana in Gary fails by 1 vote
A proposal to decriminalize marijuana in Gary fell one vote short of passage amid concerns that it would overstep Indiana law. Councilwoman Lavetta Sparks-Wade said she abstained from voting because the council’s attorney advised the council that it would circumvent state law.
Fort Wayne settles suit challenging amplified-noise statute
Indiana’s second-largest city has settled a federal lawsuit that challenged a portion of its ordinance regulating amplified noises. Court documents filed Tuesday show the city of Fort Wayne has agreed to an injunction permanently barring it from enforcing a provision that “prohibits amplified sound, including speech, that can be heard more than 50 feet from the source.”
Jeff Miller resigns from City-County Council, pleads guilty to felonies
Embattled Indianapolis City-County Councilor Jeff Miller resigned from the council on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to four counts of battery. The developments cap a months-long saga in which Miller defied bipartisan calls to resign.
Attorney homeowner loses appeal in historic-area zoning case
A downtown Indianapolis homeowner and attorney lacked standing to petition for judicial review of variances granted to build condominiums, duplexes and a retail space across the street from his home, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.
Attorney fees unwarranted in tax sale appeal
The Indiana Court of Appeals found that despite strictly complying with procedural rules, the flaws in a tax case were not egregious enough to award appellate attorney’s fees.
Challenge to Indy panhandling code proceeds in federal court
A federal lawsuit against the Indianapolis police chief will continue after a district court judge declined to abstain from hearing the case alleging a local ordinance restricting panhandling is unconstitutional.
Hotel operator sues airport authority, Infosys over lease termination
A Detroit-based hotel operator has sued the Indianapolis Airport Authority and Infosys Ltd., alleging the authority and the tech company colluded to wrongfully terminate the hotel company’s lease to make room for Infosys’ proposed $245 million innovation hub development at the airport.
Indy autopsies by coroner fired in Chicago reviewed
An out-of-state consultant will review the work in Indiana of a part-time forensic pathologist who was fired in Chicago last year after his work was called into question.
Health officer rejects needle exchange for Miami County
The number of hepatitis C cases doesn’t justify implementing a local needle exchange program despite cases doubling in just one year, a Miami County health official said. Health Officer Dr. Rafik Farag declined to declare an epidemic caused by needle sharing despite pleas from other officials.
Scooters halted in Indy for now; cities address sudden issue
Scooter rental service Bird has changed its mind about maintaining operations in Indianapolis while it waits for city officials to come up with regulations. Bird began removing scooters from the city Wednesday. City-County Council members are expected to vote on an ordinance regulating scooter-rental services on Monday.
‘Let us begin:’ Ground broken for Indy Criminal Justice Center
The ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Marion County Criminal Justice Center was more than the symbolic start of construction, Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili said — it was the start of the city taking a groundbreaking step toward criminal justice reform.
Indiana town marshal arrested following medication theft
Authorities say a northeast Indiana town marshal faces charges after he allegedly took medication from a home while in uniform. State police say 49-year-old Van Buren Town Marshal Donald R. Bosley was arrested Thursday following a complaint earlier in the day.
Ruling against Indianapolis’ condo nuisance claim upheld
Summary judgment entered in favor of an east side Indianapolis condominium complex was affirmed when the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that damages sought against the complex by the city for being a “nuisance” were inappropriate.