Charlestown code enforcement case headed for trial
A lawsuit alleging the Charlestown city administration is unconstitutionally using fines to force low-income residents to sell their homes to a developer is scheduled for trial next month.
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Hamilton County Jail program aims to connect inmates with jobs, mentors
The Hamilton County Jail’s Transitioning Opportunities for Work, Education & Reality — or TOWER — mentoring program, which was launched in January, provides inmates with a mentor who can help connect them to resources in the community. But perhaps most importantly, it also aims to help inmates find work.
Mental health services center to open next year as first facility at justice center
A mental health services and addiction-treatment center planned for the city’s new Community Justice Campus will open years ahead of the new jail and courthouse facilities, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Wednesday.
COA on rehearing lets stand ruling setting aside tax deed
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected multiple arguments regarding its prior decision involving the LaPorte County auditor’s failure to check records that would have revealed the address of a Michigan City property owner whose land was sold without notice for back taxes.
COA will hear habitual offender, frat house oral arguments
The Indiana Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments this week involving a man’s prolonged fight against his habitual offender status as well as a dispute regarding an Indiana University fraternity house property.
Mears promises to be independent, tough on violent crime as Marion County prosecutor
Ryan Mears has been named the new Marion County prosecutor, replacing former Prosecutor Terry Curry.
Indianapolis threatens to take GM stamping plant land by eminent domain
The city of Indianapolis told Ambrose Property Group on Wednesday that it will use eminent domain if necessary to take ownership of the GM stamping plant property Ambrose had planned to turn into a $1.4 billion, mixed-use development called Waterside “to ensure necessary redevelopment” still occurs there.
Hammond City Court plans closure, gives deadline for new filings
After a protracted battle between the judge and the city, the Hammond City Court will not be accepting any new civil filings after Sept. 30 in anticipation of the court’s closure at the end of the year, according to a letter sent to local bar members from Hammond City Court Judge Amy Jorgensen.
Police arrest Gary council leader over firing shots at teens
Police in northwestern Indiana have arrested the Gary City Council president on allegations he fired a gun at two teenagers he suspected of stealing his car and taking one of them back to Gary.
Ex-Portage mayor fighting federal convictions
A former northwestern Indiana mayor is continuing to fight the bribery and tax obstruction convictions that forced him from office earlier this year.
Ruling for Madison County upheld in inmate housing lease dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling for Madison County in a lease dispute with a property manager that housed county inmates before the county backed out of the agreement years early.
Madison County halts regional jail consideration
Talks have ended between two central Indiana counties about possibly building a regional jail that they would share. The Madison County Council voted to halt discussions with Henry County and recommend that Madison County commissioners start a feasibility study for a new jail in Anderson potentially costing $50 million.
Anderson mayor’s son faces attorney discipline complaint
The son of Anderson’s mayor, who also previously served as an assistant city attorney, is facing an attorney discipline complaint stemming from his misdemeanor conviction after a drunken-driving property damage crash last year. The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission last week filed a formal complaint against Evan B. Broderick, son of Anderson Democratic Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr., who also is an attorney and former Madison County prosecutor.
Judge rules Carmel noise ordinance unconstitutional, sides with two Lucas employees
In a ruling that declares Carmel’s noise ordinance unconstitutional, a city court judge has found in favor of two employees of the Lucas family estate who were sued by the city after it accused them of violating the ordinance.
Candidate’s suit challenges caucus to pick Johnson County prosecutor
The selection of a new Johnson County prosecutor will continue as scheduled Thursday night, even though one of the candidates filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the Republican Party caucus to select a successor to Bradley Cooper, who was removed from office.
Divided COA voids casino tax-sharing agreement
A city and county’s agreement to share tax revenue from a southeastern Indiana riverboat casino is void, an Indiana Court of Appeals majority ruled, but a dissenting judge held that the agreement should continue.
Bartholomew County judge raises fines on her own after county passes
A judge has unilaterally raised fines for people who ignore road closure signs or drive around high water barricades in an Indiana county. Bartholomew County Judge Kathleen “Kitty” Coriden acted after Bartholomew County commissioners last week refused to raise the fines.
Judgment for sign company in digital billboard fight reversed
A judgment in favor a sign company that converted a large billboard in Lawrence to a digital display was reversed on appeal Friday. The Indiana Court of Appeals remanded a lawsuit brought by the city of Indianapolis, setting the stage for a possible trial over whether the digital billboard may remain.
COA continues terms of justice center lease in Floyd County
Although the city of New Albany argued holdover tenants should not be given “another bite at the apple,” the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed its original ruling that continued occupancy of the criminal justice center maintains the terms and conditions of the lease even after the agreement as expired.
Judge awards $548K to estate of scammed Indiana veteran
A northern Indiana judge has awarded nearly a half-million dollars to the estate of a generous veteran who got scammed.