Judge strikes down legislation that blocked Bloomington annexation
A judge has ruled that 2017 state legislation inserted into the budget bill that blocked Bloomington’s attempt to annex 9,500 acres of property is unconstitutional.
Monroe County
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Monroe County official accused of sex harassment to resign
A southern Indiana county commissioner and Bloomington mayoral candidate is stepping down from her post after being accused of sexual harassment by a former county contractor.
Reversal: COA orders return of once-‘dangerous’ man’s 51 guns
After more than six years of being considered statutorily “dangerous” and unfit to possess firearms, a man whose 51 guns were taken from him by the state for his bizarre behavior will have them returned to his care.
Man seeks return of 51 guns taken under ‘red flag law’
An Indianapolis man is again petitioning for the return of his 51 confiscated firearms after a judge previously determined him dangerous due to his bizarre behavior near a Bloomington bar. But an Indiana Court of Appeals panel Tuesday seemed to struggle with the argument that he was still dangerous six years later.
Indiana superintendent criticized for letter seeking prayers
A southern Indiana school superintendent’s letter asking local churches to pray for the district has led to criticism that he may have overstepped the boundary between church and state.
Man arrested for breaking into Mellencamp’s Indiana home
An Indianapolis man has been arrested after ramming his SUV through a security gate at the home of rocker John Mellencamp and kicking in a door. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department said 48-year-old Robert P. Carter was arrested about 6 a.m. Thursday by officers responding to an alarm at Mellencamp’s home outside Bloomington.
Maurer students again offering free tax services
Starting this week, Indiana University Maurer School of Law students will continue their annual tradition of helping qualified Monroe County residents prepare their taxes for free.
Justices grapple with refiling of similar CHINS case
As Indiana’s executive and legislative branches work to implement reforms in the Department of Child Services and boost funding, the judicial branch is also reviewing the department in a case that could decide whether child welfare cases are subject to res judicata.
Justices to hear ‘piecemeal’ CHINS litigation, auto part supply cases
Indiana Supreme Court justices will hear oral argument in two cases this week, including a dispute over “piecemeal” litigation in a children in need of services case and an auto assembly supply dispute coming before the court on petition to transfer.
Freedom of religion remains free at Monroe County Jail
Be it rosary beads for a Catholic, a meeting with a rabbi, a prayer mat for Ramadan or a Bible for someone who’s never held one, whatever the religious need, it’s met by the chaplain and staff at the Monroe County Jail.
Voters oust trial court judge; Carmichael beats party-switching ex-jurist
Southern Indiana voters rejected one trial court judge and narrowly re-elected another who was challenged by a former colleague who changed parties to run against her. Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Darrell Maurice Auxier, a Democrat, was the lone sitting Indiana trial court judge to lose his bid for re-election, while Clark Circuit Judge Vicki Carmichael retained her bench seat in one of Indiana’s closest countywide trial court races Tuesday.
New judges named in Allen, Monroe counties
An Allen County magistrate judge has been selected to fill one of two upcoming vacancies in the Allen County courts, and the successor has been chosen for a longtime jurist in Monroe County.
Monroe County Judge Ken Todd retiring after more than 40 years
As he reflects on his career before his Oct. 15 retirement, Monroe Circuit Judge Kenneth Todd says his interactions with litigants and courtroom colleagues has been the best part of his 40-year stint on the bench. “I intended to do it for one term, but I found that it was a good fit for me,” he said of his judicial career.
COA affirms ruling for lawyer on legal malpractice claim
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for a Bloomington lawyer accused of legal malpractice, finding the evidence negated the proximate cause element of the claim.
Deadline near to apply for Monroe County, Terre Haute judgeships
Attorneys interested in filling vacancies on the Monroe Circuit Court and Terre Haute City Court have just days remaining to make their interest known. Wednesday, Sept. 5 is the deadline to submit applications for Gov. Eric Holcomb’s appointments to both positions.
COA affirms med-mal suit venue is Monroe, not Marion County
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a venue switch for a medical malpractice case from Marion County to Monroe County on Tuesday, finding Marion County was not a county of preferred venue.
Prosecutors cite ethics rules to Hill in abortion lawsuit
Three Indiana prosecutors are renewing their calls for Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to concede on their behalf the merits of lawsuit that blocked a 2018 abortion law and told the AG's staff in an email that Hill is obligated under the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct to follow their directive as his clients. Hill, however, maintains he is authorized to defend the statute on behalf of his "ultimate client:" the people of Indiana.
Company to pay $10K fine in worker’s death at IU’s campus
A contractor has agreed to pay $10,000 in fines for workplace safety violations found after a worker died at an Indiana University construction site.
ACLU arguing for injunction against abortion law taking effect July 1
An in-court battle over yet another Indiana abortion law will take place Friday when the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana will urge a district court judge to enter an injunction against portions of a law set to take effect in less than a month.
Justices decline state’s appeal in I-69 land taking case
A Monroe County property owner whose road access to former State Road 37 is being cut off by its conversion to Interstate 69 will receive a trial on damages after a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court declined to hear the state’s appeal in a condemnation case.