COA: Lake County sheriff didn’t need commissioners’ approval to sign jail contract for health services
In a dispute between Lake County’s sheriff and the local county commissioners, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled for the sheriff.
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Hamilton Co. sues Indiana VA over denied benefits claims, seeks oversight responsibility for VA
Hamilton County has filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, alleging hundreds of veterans were denied medical benefits for five years due to mismanagement.
COA finds ‘shall’ is unambiguous in requirements for solar farm application
The Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed that the plug must be pulled on the first phase of what has been described as one of the largest commercial solar farms.
Lake County Council can have power over county purchasing, data collection, COA affirms
A dispute over who can make purchasing decisions and collect data for Lake County has been resolved in favor of the Lake County Council, despite opposition from the county’s commissioners.
Lawsuit against Boone County for blocking resident from Facebook page dismissed
A lawsuit filed last month against Boone County for blocking a resident from the county’s Facebook page was dismissed this week, according to court documents.
Boone Co. man charged with murder withdraws from township race
A central Indiana man who was one of three Republican candidates who advanced in the primary for a township board position has withdrawn after being charged with murder in connection with the March death of his wife.
Lawsuit alleges Clay Co. misappropriating funds from ICE, detention contract should be terminated due to poor conditions
Calling the agreement to hold U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees at the local jail a “cash cow,” a federal lawsuit alleges Clay County officials are unlawfully diverting funds required to care for ICE detainees to unrelated county expenses.
ACLU of Indiana lawsuit says Boone County blocked resident from Facebook page
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit this month against Boone County, alleging the county violated a resident’s First Amendment rights when it blocked him from the county’s Facebook page.
COA: Open door lawsuit requires a bond to continue
Residents of Cass County who challenged the local government’s actions to lure a zinc oxide manufacturing facility to their community will have to put more skin in the game to continue their fight after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found they filed a public lawsuit that requires the setting of a bond.
Council resolution is latest effort to upend merit selection in Lake County
The Lake County Council has joined the push to give local residents the ability to elect their superior court judges rather than have the governor select the community’s judicial officers.
Immigration group drops suit against Clay Co. officials regarding jail project that could house more ICE detainees
A lawsuit alleging Clay County officials failed to provide transparency in developing plans for a possible expansion of the Clay County Justice Center in Brazil, which houses U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees, has been voluntarily dismissed.
Zionsville mayor can’t demote fire chief without town council’s approval, COA affirms
The mayor of Zionsville cannot unilaterally demote the town’s fire chief without approval from the town council, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed.
COA reverses for Madison man removed from community boards by mayor
A Madison man who was removed from two community boards by the mayor after a heated exchange during a public meeting could still be reinstated after a split Court of Appeals of Indiana found multiple errors were made by the trial court in its legal reasoning for denying him injunctive relief.
Ex-Indiana mayor stays free for appeal of bribery conviction
A former northwestern Indiana mayor is being allowed to stay out of prison while he appeals his conviction on bribery and tax evasion charges.
State lawmakers eye business tax cuts
Whether Indiana lawmakers will cut business taxes in the 2022 session could be a $300 million question.
Ex-Muncie mayor sentenced to year in prison for bribery
A former Indiana mayor was sentenced Wednesday to a year in prison on federal charges of taking a $5,000 bribe in exchange for steering city projects to a contractor.
Judge OKs $626 million settlement in Flint water litigation
A judge on Wednesday approved a $626 million deal to settle lawsuits filed by Flint residents who found their tap water contaminated by lead following disastrous decisions to switch the city’s water source and a failure to swiftly acknowledge the problem.
Indiana lawmakers could debate sales, business tax changes
With Indiana’s state tax collections surging, a top Republican legislator is looking at possible significant changes to the state sales tax and cutting property taxes for some businesses.
Indiana Supreme Court told to reverse rulings against Lake County
Indiana counties and probation departments are siding with Lake County in a dispute with the state over who is required to represent and indemnify two probation officers accused of sexual misconduct and retaliation. The dispute will go before the Indiana Supreme Court on petition to transfer next week.
Ex-Portage mayor gets 21 months in prison for seeking bribe
A former northwestern Indiana mayor who was found guilty of taking a $13,000 bribe from a trucking company and illegal tax evasion was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in prison.