Township merger bill fails without legislative vote
A proposal that would have forced government mergers on about 300 small Indiana townships has died in the Legislature without a vote.
Local government
Articles
Push for merging small Indiana townships nears House vote
Hundreds of Indiana’s least-populated townships face forced mergers with their neighbors in what would be the most significant overhaul of the local governments since a gubernatorial commission called for their elimination a decade ago.
Ex-Merrillville councilman pleads guilty to bribery
A former northwest Indiana town councilman has pleaded guilty to bribery for his role in an influence-buying scheme for towing contracts. The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported Thomas Goralczyk, 51, entered the plea Wednesday in federal court.
Alcoa fighting Boonville’s bid to limit coal mine plans
Alcoa Corp. wants a court to block Boonville from enforcing its new local coal mining regulations.
Marion County to expand early voting, switch to vote centers in 2019
Voters in Marion County will have more options starting with the 2019 elections due to long-debated changes approved Wednesday that expand early voting and create vote centers in the county.
Indianapolis chief makes case for witness protection program
The Indianapolis police chief says a witness protection program is needed to help prosecute violent crime.
Fishers wants to ban vaping in city parks
An Indianapolis suburb wants to ban vaping in its parks, where cigars, cigarettes and pipes are already prohibited. A proposed ordinance drafted by Fishers’ parks department will go before its city council Tuesday night. It states that the proposed ban is “in the spirit of promoting a culture of health and positive example for youth.”
Judge denies arbitration request on firefighters contract
A judge has denied a request for arbitration amid contract talks by a union representing Kokomo firefighters.
Some landowners fighting planned Wabash River Trail
Some northern Indiana landowners are opposing plans to build a 33-mile recreational trail along the Wabash River.
Indianapolis to pay $4.2M for land to build justice center
The city of Indianapolis has taken a major step toward building the $572 million criminal justice center in the Twin-Aire neighborhood where the Citizens Energy coke plant once stood.
Indianapolis mayor eyes anti-crime steps
Indianapolis officials say they’ll continue boosting the size of the city’s police force and expanding support for neighborhood anti-crime efforts in response to a seven-year trend of increasing homicides.
Charitable exemption for Starke County nonprofit upheld
A Starke County mental health non-profit was properly awarded a partial charitable exemption on its real property because the nonprofit provides a public benefit and lessens the government’s burden of addressing mental health issues, the Indiana Tax Court ruled Friday.
Portage officials mull suing US Steel
Officials of a northern Indiana city have condemned U.S. Steel’s silence over an October spill of a potentially carcinogenic chemical into a Lake Michigan tributary.
Gov. Holcomb files appeal in Bloomington annexation dispute
Gov. Eric Holcomb is turning to the Indiana Court of Appeals after the Monroe Circuit Court denied the governor’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the city of Bloomington over an annexation dispute. Special Judge Frank Nardi issued a stay Dec. 4 on further court proceedings pending an interlocutory review.
Special judge halts ‘irrational’ Charlestown code enforcement
After criticizing a southern Indiana city’s practice of levying code violation fines against some, but not all, local property owners as “irrational,” a Scott County judge has issued a preliminary injunction requiring the city to issue fines in a consistent manner that complies with local ordinances.
Fort Wayne mayor could veto contractor campaign donor limits
Fort Wayne’s mayor is considering whether to veto a proposal aimed at banning companies from bidding on public contracts if they donate more than $2,000 a year to an elected city official’s campaign.
Sellersburg clerk-treasurer loses appeal for second deputy
The Sellersburg clerk-treasurer who sought a mandate requiring the town board to give her funds for a second deputy clerk has lost her appeal of the denial of her request. The Indiana Court of Appeals determined state statute gives the legislative body oversight over the number of deputy clerks.
High Court to decide whether town can move easement without owner’s consent
A local plan commission’s decision to move an easement without the owner’s consent will come under consideration by the Indiana Supreme Court during oral arguments this week.
COA upholds conviction of man whose gun license expired six days before arrest
A man convicted of carrying a handgun with a license that had expired six days prior to his arrest has lost his appeal of his conviction, with the Indiana Court of Appeals ruling there was sufficient evidence to prove the license was no longer valid.
City, Confederate veterans to enter mediation over statue
A city attorney says Memphis, Tennessee, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans will enter mediation over the removal of a statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest from a public park.