A Shelbyville attorney has been suspended for 60 days for failing to supervise his secretary's actions. That secretary, Heather Brant, entered guilty pleas to five felony charges in October 2019.
James Lisher, with Lisher Law Office, will begin his suspension on March 5. As long as there are no other penalties in effect at that time he will be reinstated following the end of the 60 days in the Conditional Agreement for Discipline.
James Lisher Agreement for Discipline.pdf
Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced several new appointments and reappointments to various state boards and commissions.
Indiana Horse Racing Commission
The governor made two reappointments to the commission, who will serve until Dec. 31, 2023 including: Susie Lightle (Greenfield), retired
Serve Indiana Commission
The governor made seven reappointments to the commission, who will serve until Dec. 31, 2021 includiing: Jane Crady (Waldron), coordinator of disaster preparedness and response with Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
The governor also made six new appointments to the commission, who will serve until Dec. 31 including: Brian Sheehan (Rushville), director of special projects and community
Shelby County Probation may have a new tool that brings technology to basic check-ins.
County Commissioner Don Parker says Judge David Riggins introduced the idea of a probation kiosk.
Judge Riggins said he believes he can get a $15, 000 grant for the kiosk and then renew that grant to maintain it.
Arbor Homes proposed housing development, Isabelle Farms, was before the Shelbyville Plan Commission Monday. A plan commission with a different look with a change in personnel.
Common Council appointed plan commission member Joanne Bowen was replaced on the commission by Common Councilman Nathan Willis following an abstention by Bowen that led to a tie of the plan commission vote at a previous meeting.
That change prompted a challenge by local attorney Bob Adams.
Shelbyville city attorney Jennifer Meltzer responded to that at the podium in a move that involved an informal vetting of Willis as a commission member.
The meeting continued with the commission hearing from Paul Munoz with Arbor Homes that some lots have been lost due to resizing of lots to deal with setback requirements.
The development involves 83 acres of land surrounded by the City of Shelbyville. The property is located east of Mausoleum Road on the east side of Michigan Road and between Michigan Road and State Road 9. The property is adjacent to Knauf Insulation to the east, Ryobi Die Casting and other industrial uses to the west and Rolling Ridge subdivision to the North. The property is contiguous to a detention pond/pit to the south.
Joanne Bowen, longtime resident of neighboring Rolling Ridge, spoke in favor of Arbor Homes but against opening Rolling Ridge to traffic from the new homes. She joined several from Rolling Ridge who feel much the same.
The Plan Commission, ultimately, voted in favor of the current Arbor Homes presentation which includes connecting the two neighborhoods for traffic. The commission said the move would favor fire and safety.
Plan Commission director Adam Rude explains where the proposal goes from here.
The proposed development will include approximately 263 detached single-family dwellings.
Governor Holcomb says he's staying out of the way of an Indiana Gaming Commission review of an Indiana casino operator's connection to a campaign finance scandal.
Holcomb says the commission was right to put Spectacle Entertainment's bid to run the new Terre Haute casino on hold while it looks into campaign finance accusations. He says he won't comment further until that review is complete.
Spectacle also owns Gary's Majestic Star Casino, and has begun construction on a new inland casino there. The company is run by former executives of Centaur Gaming, which owned the racetrack casinos in Anderson and Shelbyville before selling those properties in 2018.
On Friday, a Maryland political consultant pleaded guilty in Virginia to conspiring to funnel Centaur money from through straw donors to the 2016 congressional campaign of Greenwood Senator Brent Waltz. Federal prosecutors describe Centaur's vice president and general counsel as a co-conspirator. Former Indianapolis Representative John Keeler held those titles, and now holds the same positions with Spectacle.
Two other officers of the consulting firm have pleaded guilty to other campaign finance-related charges. No charges have been filed so far against anyone with Spectacle.
Monday marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp in Poland during the Holocaust. Among the survivors freed that day: Eva Kor. She went on to become an Indiana treasure.
To commemorate the day, Gov. Holcomb issued a proclamation declaring Monday to be Eva Education Day. After leaving Auschwitz, she eventually settled in Terre Haute. Kor died last summer but had spent much of her life teaching the public about the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of never giving up.
For many people, just the name Auschwitz brings up an all-too-real pain. Kor was a child survivor of the Holocaust and knew that pain well.
“The world probably knows my mom a little different; she was a Mengele twin. She survived Dr. Joseph Mengele’s experiments,” said her son, Alex Kor.
As the 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation nears, her story and desire to educate — her son says– matters even more.
“In this day and age I think, unfortunately, there’s a lot of people who say the Holocaust never occurred,” Kor said.
He said it was a unique experience growing up Jewish in Terre Haute with two parents who survived the Holocaust.
And he’s thankful the state is taking steps to teach children by distributing Eva Educational toolkits to schools around the state.
Kor said, “It’s even more important to carry on my mom’s work.”
In the last few years there’s been a spike in anti-Semitism, according to Amber Maze with the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis.
“That’s part of how you fight prejudice; it’s part of how you fight hate. You learn about the failings of humanity in the past,” said Maze.
Recognizing this tragic moment in history will help shine a light on current problems around the world, Maze said.
“There are genocide and human rights violations happening right at this moment,” Maze said.
In the meantime, while Kor’s son mourns his mother, he’s thankful her story and mission meant so much to so many: “She had a good heart. I’ll miss her.”
About 1,000 schools across the state and several hundred libraries received the Eva Educational toolkits.
The governor’s office has encouraged all schools to take time out of the day to show the children the documentary.
The awarding of the license for Terre Haute's new casino is up in the air after a guilty plea to campaign finance violations.
Maryland political consultant Chip O'Neil pleaded guilty to using straw donors to disguise the source of contributions from Centaur Gaming to former Greenwood Senator Brent Waltz's 2016 campaign for Congress. Centaur owned the racetrack casinos in Anderson and Shelbyville at the time. It's since sold those properties, and its top executives now hold the same positions with Spectacle Entertainment, which owns Gary's Majestic Star Casino and is the only applicant for the one in Terre Haute.
The Gaming Commission had tentatively planned to consider the Terre Haute license at its meeting in two weeks. That hearing has now been postponed while the commission investigates further. A statement from the agency calls the allegations "concerning," and says it's also reviewing the impact on Spectacle's construction of a new casino in downtown Gary.
The commission has the authority to impose discipline ranging from fines to the revocation of Spectacle's Gary license.
Federal prosecutors describe the gaming company's vice president and general counsel, former Indianapolis Representative John Keeler, as a co-conspirator. Waltz is described only as the recipient of the campaign donations. Neither is identified by name in court papers, and neither has been charged. Centaur isn't identified by name either but is clearly the company described, and the Gaming Commission says it understands Centaur to be the company involved.
Waltz finished fourth in a five-way Republican primary with 13-percent of the vote, losing to now-Congressman Trey Hollingsworth.
Besides O'Neil, two other officers of Strategic Campaign Group are named as co-conspirators and have already pleaded guilty to other charges. The firm's president, Kelley Rogers, was sentenced last week to three years in prison for wire fraud. Prosecutors say the firm raked in millions from donors but used nearly all the money to build their mailing list rather than passing it along to candidates as promised.
O'Neil's plea bargain indicates he's cooperating with prosecutors. He's expected to receive a sentence of six months to a year, though the charge against him carries a theoretical maximum of five years.
The 18th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will begin Tuesday, April 14, but for the first time in the history of the track, one person will be noticeably missing. Jon Schuster, longtime vice president and general manager, passed away in late 2019 and Indiana Grand will hold several tributes to him when racing resumes.
“Jon was such an integral part of the progress of Indiana Grand dating back to the very first season,” said Mike Rich, senior vice president and general manager. “He was very dedicated to Indiana Grand and extremely respected in the horse racing industry. We want to ensure his legacy and work continues on for many years by establishing several new initiatives in his honor connected to the business he loved so much and worked so tirelessly to promote.”
Opening day’s activities will begin with a moment of silence for Shuster prior to the playing of the National Anthem. The first race of the meet will be named the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial Mile. Family, friends, team members, and racing participants will gather in the winner’s circle following the race for a photo and dedicated tribute in his honor.
Opening weekend festivities are set for Saturday, April 25 with special announcements regarding several tributes for Schuster beginning in 2020. Schuster, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry Program, will have an annual $2,500 scholarship named in his honor funded by Indiana Grand. The track will also formally announce a name change to the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial for one of the stakes races held each year on Indiana Derby Night. In addition, Duralock, the manufacturer of new fencing being installed around the paddock renovation, will dedicate a plaque in his honor to be installed along the new outside barrier of the paddock. The paddock upgrades and renovations were one of the final plans put in motion by Schuster before his passing.
Shelbyville Police have issued a thank you to the public for information that led to a safe resolution of an initial concern involving a man at a school bus stop.
Police were notified of a man who may have been watching a young female get off the bus at East Mechanic and North Noble on Thursday.
Shelbyville Police investigated and placed a notice on social media. The follow-up yielded information that identified the man and that he had a niece on the bus.
#1 (2A) Triton Central hosts a 13-win (4A) Cathedral team Friday on GIANT fm Sports. The matchup on the court would be enough to gain interest. It's what happens surrounding the game that will fill the gym and bring a special meaning to the evening with TC's annual Pink Out Game.
Connie Larkey sets the stage for the event which has honored survivors and raised thousands to fight cancer.
#1 (2A) Triton Central hosts a 13-win (4A) Cathedral team Friday on GIANT fm Sports. The matchup on the court would be enough to gain interest. It's what happens surrounding the game that will fill the gym and bring a special meaning to the evening with TC's annual Pink Out Game.
Connie Larkey sets the stage for the event which has honored survivors and raised thousands to fight cancer.
A Bartholomew County man was sentenced to over 100 years in Shelby Circuit Court.
Corey Allen Greenlee, 41, of Columbus, was sentenced in Shelby Circuit Court to 101 years in prison for various counts of child molesting and child solicitation.
The Shelby County Prosecutor says evidence showed that Greenlee molested the victim in various ways on a regular basis for over 10 years, starting at 7 years of age.
After a two-day jury trial, Greenlee was convicted on November 13, 2019, of Class C Felony Child Molesting, two counts of Class A Felony Child Molesting, two counts of Class D Felony Child Solicitation and one Level 5 Felony count of Child Solicitation.
At his sentencing hearing on January 21, Judge Meltzer ordered all sentences to run consecutive to one-another for a total sentence of 101 years. Greenlee is a credit-restricted felon, meaning that he must actually serve at least 70.5 years in prison before he will be eligible for parole.
Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen said in a press release that Greenlee will never be able to hurt another child unless he lives to 111 years of age. Major kudos go out to Shelby County Sheriff's Detective Dan Crafton, who investigated the case, and to Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Scott Spears, who prosecuted the case.
The Board of Directors of SCUFFY (Shelby County United Fund for You) is deeply saddened by the recent and unexpected passing of its Executive Director, Angela Davies. Angie joined SCUFFY as the Executive Director in 2011. Prior to that, she served for several years on the SCUFFY Board as co-chair of the Industry/Labor Division of the annual drive while working at Knauf Insulation. SCUFFY is symbolized by the little person with the big heart and Angie was the epitome of this symbol. She cared deeply about thepeople and community of Shelby County and served the SCUFFY organization and its thirteen member agencies with sincere dedication and overwhelming compassion.She was deeply loved by the SCUFFY family and our entire community and will be sorely missed.
Given this loss, it is imperative we continue the SCUFFY mission Angie worked so hard to maintain. The SCUFFY Board has chosen David Fisher to serve as Interim Executive Director as it searches for a permanent replacement. Dave recently retired from Ryobi Die Casting where he was Purchasing Manager for 22 years. He currently sits on the SCUFFY Board and has led the Industry/Labor Division of the annual SCUFFY drive formore than two decades. In addition, Dave was Drive Chair for the 50th anniversary in 2004 and served as President of the Board of Directors during 2007/2008 and again in 2017/2018.
Dave will work with the 2020 Drive Chairs, Kyle Beaty of Beaty Construction and Drew Little of Knauf Insulation, to ensure a successful completion of the 66th annual drive. The drive starts on March 4 with an 8:00 am Kick-off Breakfast at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino and concludes with the End of Drive dinner on May 6th.
The SCUFFY Board is currently accepting applications to fill the permanent Executive Director position.Information on this position is available at www.scuffy.org. Those interested in applying can submit a resume to HR@Scuffy.org.
Please join the entire SCUFFY organization and all of Shelby County in recognizing the significant and lasting contributions Angie Davies made during her tenure as Executive Director. We ask everyone to continue their support of the organization Angie gave so much to.
A bill being discussed by state lawmakers would make helmets a requirement for kids doing certain activities.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg), would require all kids under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while riding a bike, skateboard, scooter, or inline skates on public property.
Kids caught breaking the law could be fined up to $25 dollars. Parents who knowingly allow their child to ride without a helmet could also be fined $25. Police would also be able to impound the bike, skateboard, scooter, or skates until the child is shown to have a proper helmet.
Rep. Frye said his proposal would set up a process for providing helmets to police and fire stations for free distribution to children.
The House Public Safety Committee could vote on the measure next week.
A bill authored by State Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) that would extend the statute of limitations for certain sexual offenses unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law Tuesday.
Under current law, the statute of limitations for most sex crimes against children requires charges to be filed before the victim reaches 31 years of age. Senate Bill 109 would create exemptions to this rule if law enforcement discover DNA evidence of a crime; discover a recording that provides evidence of a crime; or if the perpetrator confesses to the crime.
In 2015, Crider authored Senate Enrolled Act 94, also known as “Jenny’s Law,” which provides the same exemptions for rape. SB 109 is an expansion of Jenny’s Law, aligning the exemptions to the statute of limitations for rape with sex crimes against children.
“As a former law enforcement officer, I know how important of a step this is in ensuring justice for victims of sexual assault,” Crider said. “I remain a fierce advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and will continue to chip away at the hurdles victims must go through to seek justice.”
SB 109 will now be considered by the full Senate.
To learn more about SB 109, click here.
A Shelbyville Police officer is expected to appeal a demotion decision handed down by the Shelbyville Board of Public Works and Safety.
City attorney Jennifer Meltzer informed the board Tuesday that she had been contacted by an attorney for the officer and that an appeal was anticipated. A date for the hearing was to be scheduled, possibly sometime in the next two or three weeks.
Former Chief Detective for the department, Clifford Coffman, was demoted for a disciplinary matter. Coffman was demoted for neglect of duty and disobedience of orders for not following a directive by Deputy Chief Jamie Kolls. Kolls ordered Coffman iin December to supervise a murder investigation. Coffman took the rest of the year off.
Board member David Finkel was absent as the board voted 2-0 to demote Coffman.
A New Palestine town official recently spent a few days in the Shelby County Jail.
Stephen Pool, street commissioner for the town of New Palestine, spent three days in jail as part of his sentencing on charges of operating while intoxicated-endangerment, according to court records.
Pool was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Jan. 16 and released on Jan. 19 and was initially arrested in September, 2019 on the misdemeanor charge.
Pool has served as the town’s street commissioner since September of 2016. In 2016, he was paid $14,654.20. According to documents, he was paid $55,054.43 in 2018 and is set to make just over $56 thousand in 2019.
Court records show that Pool entered a guilty plea and as a result, Pool was sentenced to 365 days, all suspended except 10 days, accrued time of two days plus two credit days. The suspended time shall be served on probation of 355 days.
In addition, Pool’s license has been suspended for two years, followed by a year license suspension ordered to be served consecutively.
As part of his probation, Pool cannot commit another offense, nor can he use any controlled substance, drug, intoxicant or other mind-altering substance unless prescribed by a physician. Pool will be subject to random alcohol and drug screens as directed by his probation officer and must successfully complete any education or treatment program that is deemed appropriate in a timely manner at his expense.
Furthermore, Pool must submit to an assessment through the Shelby County Alcohol and Drug Assessment Program and pay all associated fees, as well as not consume any beer, wine, liquor or any consumable ethyl alcohol or enter any establishment where alcohol is sold by the drink for the consumption on the premises or the business’ primary purpose without written consent from his probation officer. Finally, Pool must successfully attend and complete the MADD Victim Impact Panel.
Town council member Bill Niemier told Giant FM that it is a personnel issue that will be “properly addressed in due course.”
Brandee Bastin, town council president, echoed those sentiments. Bastin also told Giant FM it is a personnel matter that will be discussed in an executive meeting, which she hopes will occur this week.
A Franklin man will spend nearly two decades in federal prison for child pornography.
Gary Dismore, 42, pleaded guilty to advertising, distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography.
Dinsmore was sentenced Friday to 15 years in federal prison.
Indiana State Police began investigating Dismore in November 2017.
Federal prosecutors said Dismore had been uploading, sharing, and storing explicit photos and videos since at least 2007.
"Individuals who choose to sexually exploit and prey on innocent children will be prosecuted to the full extent under federal law," said U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler. "The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to safeguarding children against child predators, like Dismore."
Dismore will spend 10 years on probation after his release from prison.
Snow, freezing rain, and frigid temperatures are all part of the immediate weather forecast across Indiana.
Snow will eventually be accompanied by freezing rain and sleet as the evening goes on, especially between midnight and 2 am Saturday.
"Then it will transition into rain Saturday morning. Roads are gonna be slick overnight Friday. Be careful if you're out on the roads. Then following the passage of this system, it's going to get cold Saturday evening, Sunday, and even into next week as well," Updike said.
Most high temperatures for cities and towns in Indiana Sunday and Monday will be in the 20s with the wind chill making it feel even colder. The northern part of the state will see the most winter weather.
"They are going to be in the snow, freezing rain, and ice accumulation for longer," Updike said. "It won't have as much of an impact in the southern part of the state. If you're going south of Indianapolis, you'll be mostly dealing with rain Saturday."
There is a winter weather advisory that begins at 4 pm Friday afternoon until noon Saturday for folks from the Michigan border down to about Muncie and Crawfordsville. Forecasters are expecting a glaze of ice and as much as four inches of snow.
A separate winter weather advisory runs from 7 pm Friday until 4 am Saturday.
"That's for the counties just south of Indianapolis all the way up through Lafayette and Kokomo," Updike said.
Updike says temperatures will start to warm up by the middle of next week. In the meantime, he recommends you bundle up.
"Make sure you're taking extra precautions and taking things slowly. Try not to be outside for long periods of time. If you've got pets, make sure you let them in and out. Don't just leave them outside," Updike said.
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) has approved racing dates for the upcoming 18th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Racing at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. Racing will begin Tuesday, April 14 and conclude Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 with a slightly altered schedule for the 120-day race meet.
Racing will be held the first week of the meet on Tuesday and Wednesday only, picking up Friday and Saturday racing beginning April 24 and 25. The meet will also end with racing only on Tuesday and Wednesday with the final Saturday racing program set for Breeders Cup Night Saturday, Nov. 7. No Thursday racing will be held in 2020, and those dates were added on to the end to extend the season by an additional week.
“We have been diligent in studying business trends and taking into account what is best for our racing partners, we decided to adjust our racing schedule for 2020,” said Mike Rich, senior vice president and general manager of Indiana Grand. “Our biggest revenue driving days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. By dropping six weekend dates throughout the year and placing our focus on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we will be able to provide more calendar weeks of competition for our horsemen while producing the best possible handle results which directly affects purse money. We are constantly working to do what is best for our racing program at Indiana Grand.”
Indiana Grand will follow the same post time format for 2020. Racing will begin at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday while Saturday action gets underway at 6:15 p.m.
More information regarding 2020 special events and stakes schedules for both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing will be available soon.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features more than 2,100 of the latest slots and table games in addition to a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course providing live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner’s Circle Race Sports Pub located on the casino floor as well as a Winner’s Circle Race Sports Pub located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at sports books and casinos. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2020 Caesars License Company, LLC.
A truck inspection Thursday morning by Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) Trooper Eric Thumb, led to the discovery of a semi-tractor pulling double trailers that was 96,300 pounds overweight. CVED Trooper Eric Thumb was driving through Rushville just before 11 a.m. Thursday morning when he noticed a southbound semi pulling double trailers known as a “Michigan Train” southbound on Main St. at Park Blvd.
From his training and experience Thumb knew that the trailer set up is often used to haul overweight loads, with special overweight permits, across northern Indiana. Trooper Thumb got the truck stopped to do an inspection and discovered the driver, Gene Maag, 36, of Waterloo, Indiana, was driving a truck with no registration plate and no federally required company markings or federal tax numbers on the side of the vehicle.
The maximum allowable weight for a commercial motor vehicle in Indiana, without a special permit, is 80,000 pounds. As part of his vehicle inspection Trooper Thumb weighed the truck and its steel coil cargo, discovering a combined weight of 176,300 pounds, or 96,300 pounds over the maximum allowable weight, without a special permit.
The fines for the overweight violation alone are just under $14,000. The truck, a 2000 Peterbilt, which belongs to Tri-State Trucking, out of Waterloo, Indiana, was impounded and the driver cited for the overweight violation and no truck registration. The driver was also issued a warning for no federally required markings or numbers on the sides of the truck. The steel coils, which had been in route from Butler, Indiana to Madison, Indiana were impounded with the truck until they can be properly unloaded and legally loaded onto other trucks.
Part of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division’s mission is educating and encouraging commercial carriers and drivers in regards to compliance as a way to reduce the potential for dangerous CMV crashes. For more information on the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division you can visit their web site at https://www.in.gov/isp/3183.htm .
Indiana’s infant mortality rate fell at the highest rate in six years, with the black infant mortality rate declining nearly 16 percent and the rate for Hispanic infants declining nearly 20 percent in 2018.
Data from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) show 559 Indiana babies died before the age of 1 in 2018, down from 602 in 2017. The overall infant mortality rate stood at 6.8 per 1,000 babies in 2018, down from 7.3 in 2017.
“Indiana has been investing heavily in improving health outcomes for moms and babies as we work toward Governor Holcomb’s goal of having the lowest infant mortality rate in the Midwest by 2024,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “It’s heartening to see those efforts pay off so that more Hoosier babies can celebrate their first birthdays.”
The 2018 infant mortality rates for non-Hispanic white infants met the Healthy People 2020 goal of 6.0 per 1,000, while the rate for Hispanic infants fell to 6.1. The non-Hispanic black infant mortality rate fell from 15.4 to 13.0.
While encouraged by an across-the-board decrease, Box said the state will continue to work with partners to address persistent racial disparities.
Box said the state’s new OB Navigator program will help those efforts by providing personalized guidance and support to women in the 20 counties at highest risk of infant mortality during their pregnancies and for six to 12 months after their babies are born. The home visiting program, which was part of Governor Holcomb’s agenda in 2019, formally launched in Allen County this week and will expand to 19 other counties in 2020.
“Every baby deserves a chance to grow and thrive,” Box said. “The new OB Navigator program that is launching in the areas of the state at highest risk for infant mortality includes specific strategies to help connect at-risk women with community resources to help them have a healthy pregnancy and support them after their baby is born.”
To learn more about Indiana’s efforts to reduce infant mortality, visit https://www.in.gov/laboroflove/. Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at http://www.in.gov/isdh/ or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN.
A Bartholomew County has been charged with murder.
James Mee, 77, of Hope, is accused of stabbing his son, Charles, 50, in the neck on January 7. Charles Mee died at the hospital in Columbus a short time later.
Court papers say James Mee admitted to killing his son.
Mee is also accused of causing a head injury to his wife, Barbara Mee, 78, but does not face any additional charges, according to court documents.
A court date has not been set.
Franklin College said Monday it has fired its president after learning he was recently arrested in Wisconsin on sex crimes.
The “deeply disturbing incident” has led the college to investigate Thomas J. Minar’s conduct while president, said a news release from Deidra Baumgardner, Franklin’s director of communications.
Minar was “taken into custody in Sturgeon Bay, WI, Door County for Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Sex Crime, Child Enticement, and Expose a Child to Harmful Materials/Narrations and was released from custody on bond, subject to no direct contact with minors unless supervised and not to use social media,” according to an email received by the university.
The news release said, “The Franklin College Board of Trustees is stunned by this event. This is the first such incident the Board has been made aware of regarding Dr. Minar, and the Board is fully committed to cooperating fully with Wisconsin authorities and working to ensure the safety of our campus community.”
In June, Minar said he would end his term as the college’s president at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. Minar became Franklin College’s 16th president on July 1, 2015.
In October, Franklin College chose an executive search firm to help them recruit the college’s 17th president.
Lori Schroeder, Franklin provost and dean, will serve as interim president. Franklin’s Board of Trustees Executive Committee later this week can appoint an acting president.
A Hancock County woman was killed in a opne-car accident in Shelby County early Friday morning.
Taylor Monday, 22, of Greenfield, was the driver of a 2002 Chevy truck southbound on South State Road 9 near Woodridge Road. About 3:30 am, the truck left the road on the east side, struck a light pole and rolled over.
Monday was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department is investigating a single vehicle, single occupant fatal car crash.
The crash happened about 3:30 am Friday on South State Road 9 around Woodridge Road.
The crash is still under investigation.
No other information is being released at this time. We will have more details coming up on GIANT fm News.
United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today that Jeffrey Esposito, 54, of Shelbyville, was sentenced in federal court, by U.S. District Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson, to 200 years in federal prison, after having previously pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.
“Esposito tortured, sexually abused, and sexually exploited children for years,” said Minkler. “Judge Magnus-Stinson’s sentence ensures that he will never come in contact with another child again.”
On April 11, 2018, Jeffrey Esposito was charged by indictment with twenty counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography. The first twenty charges relate to the recording of his repeated sexual abuse of his minor victim. The defendant’s sexual abuse of the victim started when the victim was approximately 7-8 years old and continued for years, including bondage and torture sessions with choking, whipping, and other forms of pain.
The twenty counts represent twenty images or videos of abuse and exploitation over multiple occasions out of the hundreds of sexual abuse files that the defendant created using this minor victim. The defendant was a member of various websites devoted to the sexual exploitation of children on an anonymous network, and he participated on various anonymous chatting platforms where he met other offenders, shared his produced material, and specifically requested and received child pornography from those users in exchange. The final charge represents the thousands of other depictions of sexual abuse that Esposito maintained on his various devices, which included images and videos depicting bondage and torture, images and videos depicting children as young as three years old, and images and videos of minor victims who were abused by other offenders specifically for Esposito’s benefit.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“Let this sentence serve as a reminder that HSI is committed to standing firmly in the way of those who prey on and exploit our most vulnerable population – our children,” said Special Agent in Charge James M. Gibbons. “HSI, in cooperation with our law enforcement and judicial partners, will work tirelessly to identify and bring to justice individuals who commit these heinous crimes.”
According to Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. DeBrota and Department of Justice, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Trial Attorney Lauren S. Kupersmith, who prosecuted this case for the government, Esposito will serve lifetime supervised release.
In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to utilize and partner with law enforcement agencies to prosecute individuals engaged in the sexual exploitation of children. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan Section 4.1.
State Senator Mike Crider (R-Greenfield) today filed the necessary paperwork to seek another term in the Indiana State Senate representing District 28, which is composed of Hancock County and portions of Shelby and Marion counties.
“Serving Hoosiers in District 28 at the Statehouse has been the honor of a lifetime, and I sincerely hope to continue for another term,” Crider said. “I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and the trust that has been placed in me and proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the last eight years. This session I’m working on a variety of legislation including bills regarding human trafficking and mental health.”
First elected to the State Senate in 2012, Crider serves as Majority Whip and chairs the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation. In addition, he serves on the following Senate Committees: Veterans Affairs & the Military (ranking member), Appropriations, Health & Provider Services, and Rules & Legislative Procedure.
In addition, Crider serves on the Council of State Governments Transportation and Infrastructure Public Policy Committee, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee of the Council of State Governments and the Committee on Natural Resources and Infrastructure of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
A graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and the FBI National Academy, Crider previously served as Director of Law Enforcement for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
He and his wife Sherri, a nurse, have two children and six grandchildren. They reside in Greenfield.
Judge R. Kent Apsley formally announced today that he will seek re-election to the bench.
Apsley was elected Judge of the Shelby Superior Court 1 in November of 2014. Prior to being elected Judge, Apsley served four terms as Shelby County’s elected Prosecuting Attorney.
Apsley graduated from the Indiana University School of Law (Bloomington) in 1983 and was admitted to the bar in 1984. In addition to his sixteen years as the elected Prosecutor, Judge Apsley spent another fifteen years in the private practice of law and as a Public Defender.
“I have an incredibly diverse caseload primarily made up of major felonies, civil litigation, family law and adoptions. In addition, Superior Court 1 functions as Shelby County’s Juvenile Court. No two days are ever alike. I have really enjoyed my time on the bench and think my thirty-five years as a trial attorney have been a huge benefit. I particularly enjoy presiding over civil and criminal jury trials, although I have to say it is very different after so many years of being one of the attorneys trying the case.”
Judge Apsley is a graduate of the Indiana Judicial College. He also completed a two-year Graduate Program for Judges. He and his wife, Marsha, live in Shelbyville, along with their youngest son, Ethan, a high school junior. Their oldest son, Benjamin, is an I.T. Specialist.
The Apsleys attend St. Vincent DePaul Church.
Prior to be elected Judge, Apsley was one of the founders of the Blue River Foundation. He has served on the boards of directors of Girls, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity, as well as his parish council. He remains involved in the Knights of Columbus and served as President of the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys while a prosecutor. He was actively involved in the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition, prior to going on the bench.
“I believe in the rule of law, in fidelity to the law and the Constitution of the United States. I believe that the proper rule of a judge is to apply the law and to enforce the law as it written, not to create law. Hard work, honesty and integrity mean everything to me. I have been honored to serve as a judge for the past five years and would be gratified if the people of Shelby County would allow me to serve another term.”
Filing is underway for Indiana's 2020 primary.
In Shelby County, county commissioners Kevin Nigh and Don Parker along with county councilmen Tony Titus, Ryan Claxton and Terry Smith appeared together at the county clerk’s office to file for the upcoming election.
Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Rob Nolley.
Nolley says the experience and accomplishments of the group make them strong candidates in the upcoming election. And, Republicans have held a strong controlling force on county elections locally.
The primary isn't until May 5, but candidates have to file by February 7 to get on the ballot.
Candidates for governor and president have an additional requirement: they have to turn in 45-hundred signatures from registered voters -- 500 from each congressional district.
Republicans say they finished gathering signatures for President Trump and Governor Holcomb back in October.
14 Democrats and two Republican challengers to President Trump are pursuing their party's nominations. The filing deadline falls four days after the Iowa caucuses and four days before the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, so some candidates might appear on the May ballot who have dropped out by then.
Former state health commissioner Woody Myers and Carmel businessman Josh Owens, who grew up in Shelbyville, are seeking the Democrats' nomination to run against Holcomb.
All nine U-S House seats are on the ballot, including two where the incumbents have announced they're not running again: Democrat Pete Visclosky's district in northwest Indiana and Republican Susan Brooks' seat north of Indianapolis. You'll also be picking nominees for all 100 state House seats and 25 of the 50 state Senate seats.
State party conventions will pick the candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Republican State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) announced today that she will seek re-election to the Indiana State Senate.
Leising represents District 42 which includes all of Rush County, and portions of Decatur, Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Ripley and Shelby counties.
“Since the 2019 legislative session ended, I have spent significant time meeting with community leaders and members across the district,” Leising said. “In our meetings, we have discussed many of the issues that are negatively impacting our communities. If given another term in the General Assembly, I am determined to see that these issues are addressed. I humbly ask for your support.”
Leising serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and is ranking member of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. She is also a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology; Education and Career Development; Health and Providers Services; and Utilities.
Leising is a farmer, travel agent and retired nurse. She is a member of the Farm Bureau and is the former president of the Indiana Corn Growers Association.
While representing District 42, Leising has been honored and presented with the following awards: Indiana Farm Bureau’s Farm Woman of the Year; Indiana Conservation Officers and Their Families’ Legislator of the Year; National Rifle Association’s Defender of Freedom; American Legion of Indiana’s Distinguished Public Service; Indiana Volunteer Fire Fighters Association’s Legislator of the Year; Champion of Indiana’s Electric Cooperatives; Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council Legislative Excellence; Indiana Family Institute’s 100 Percent Legislative Rating; and Indiana Disability Rights’ Promoting the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities, among others.
Leising is a member of the St. Louis Catholic Church in Batesville.
She is married to Frank Thompson and has three children and eight grandchildren.
James T. Mee, 77, of Scott Street, Hope, was arrested Tuesday on preliminary charges of:
urder and domestic battery.
Mee remains in the Bartholomew County Jail. He has been placed on a 48-hour hold without bond.
-- Original release --
The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department says one person is dead, another injured and an arrest has taken place in a double-stabbing in Hope.
After receiving a 911 call to an address on Scott Street in Hope, local and area law enforcement responded to an apparent domestic where at least one person is deceased.
Another person injured has been transported to Columbus Regional Hospital with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries.
An individual has been taken into custody and there is no danger to the public.
This is an ongoing investigation - currently being investigated by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.
GIANT fm News has learned that Angela Davies has passed away.
Davies has been the Executive Director of the Shelby County United Fund since 2011.
We will have more as details become available.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department says one person is dead, another injured and an arrest has taken place in a double-stabbing in Hope.
After receiving a 911 call to an address on Scott Street in Hope, local and area law enforcement responded to an apparent domestic where at least one person is deceased.
Another person injured has been transported to Columbus Regional Hospital with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries.
An individual has been taken into custody and there is no danger to the public.
This is an ongoing investigation - currently being investigated by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Shelbyville Common Council heard a presentation on the proposed Arbor Homes development called Isabelle Farms.
Paul Munoz with Arbor Homes
The physical description of the land in the following PUD filed with the city in November 2019:
Arbor Homes (“Petitioner”) seeks to rezone approximately 83 acres of land surrounded by the City of Shelbyville, Indiana. The property is zoned by Shelby County zoning as R-2A. Arbor is proposing to rezone the property to Planned Development (PD). The proposed development will include 263 detached single-family dwellings. Isabelle Farms will provide a new housing opportunity to the City.
The property is located east of Mausoleum Road on the east side of Michigan Road and between Michigan Road and State Road 9. The property is adjacent to Knauf Insulation to the east, Ryobi Die Casting and other industrial uses to the west and Rolling Ridge subdivision to the North. The property is contiguous to a detention pond/pit to the south. The quality infill development of residential will help improve the look and feel of the State Road 9 corridor.
The proposed development is consistent with the goals and objectives of the City of Shelbyville Comprehensive Plan. Isabelle Farms is currently listed as single family residential in the Future Land Use Map. Development such as this one will help continue to provide quality affordable housing options within the community. Housing options that will focus on recruiting and attraction of new families and workforce as reference on page 34 of the Comprehensive Plan.
Annexation of this property will allow for infill that prevents piecemeal development and helps with the responsible use of city services. The proximity to the City, existing infrastructure and existing services are key objectives to the growth and annexation plans.
Traffic note: Michigan Road is closed just north of Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.
The detours will be marked for both directions.
Indiana American Water Company is on a job at that site.
This closure is set for approximately two weeks.
For Mike Crider, the fact that the 2020 Indiana legislative session, which begins January 6, is a short one only means the senator will have to push harder to get his legislation passed.
That sits just fine with the Greenfield Republican.
Crider told Giant FM there are three big bills dealing with criminal law that he's looking to get passed.
"The first looks at eliminating the statute of limitation on sex crimes committed against a child. One looks at enhancing the penalties for a purchaser of a person under the age of 18 under the human trafficking law and one seeks to enhance the penalties for a person who causes the injury or death of a police canine," Crider told Giant FM.
In addition, Crider will look at another area he has tried to make an impact in during his tenure in the Statehouse -- mental health. He told Giant FM he has three mental health related bills.
"One requires a school that seeks grant funding under the provision I passed last year for mental health in schools to have an established relationship with an approved community mental health provider. Another bill looks at the issue of parity for mental health coverage as compared to physical health coverage from insurance providers and requires a report as to how insurance companies are complying with state and federal law. The third bill creates a mental health commission to look at mental health services in the state. Where are the gaps, where and how efficiently is the money flowing and are we capturing all of the federal dollars that we can? Indiana has received approval to do more in this area and so I think it's time to take a long look at how we can help more people who are struggling," Crider said.
One area Crider doesn't expect much discussion this session is teacher pay, despite a large statewide rally last year during Organization Day at the Statehouse.
"I doubt that teacher pay will be addressed since any raise has to have perpetual funding and that is best considered as we put our next budget together. We are also waiting on the report from the commission the governor established to look at this issue and more. I do believe teacher pay will be a priority issue during the next session," Crider said.
In recent years and months, states bordering the Hoosiers State have passed laws legalizing medical and recreational marijuana.
Crider told Giant FM there will be a "number of bills to decriminalize marijuana or make it legal in some fashion."
However, he said he doubts any of them will get traction.
"It will likely be some time and require some movement on the feds part before that discussion becomes serious here. Lots of questions about is THC necessary to gain any perceived medical benefits, if so how much and does CBD oil fit that requirement? And the issue of smoking and mental health issues around the regular use of marijuana. There is data and studies both sides and neither is overwhelming," Crider said.
Miss Shelby County has been honored at the Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant.
Catherine Hall was named 3rd Runner-Up.
The Miss Indiana State Fair 2020 is Claudia Duncan from Evansville.
The Indiana State Fair Queen plays a key role in promoting the Indiana State Fair by traveling nearly 6,500 miles during June and July to approximately 45 counties in preparation for the Indiana State Fair, August 7-23, 2020.
1st Runner-Up: Grace McCoy, Miss Elkhart County
2nd Runner-Up: Devin Hindes, Miss Newton County
3rd Runner-Up: Catherine Hall, Miss Shelby County
4th Runner-Up: Danielle Perry, Miss Posey County
Elyona Dobrodt, Miss St. Joseph County
Ellen Rohr, Miss Parke County
Jessica Bradford, Miss Warrick County
Abbigail Sprong, Miss Delaware County
Riley Lamb, Miss Boone County
Miss Congeniality: Devin Hindes, Miss Newton County
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department says a Shelbyville man was killed in a Wednesday two-car collision on North State Road 9.
It happened in the 3600 block Wednesday afternoon. Roger New, Jr., 39, was driving a Ford F350 that crossed the center line and struck the side of an oncoming F450 driven by Ty Rininger, 25, of New Palestine.
New's truck then rolled onto its top in the roadway. He was declared dead at the scene.
Rininger and two passengers were uninjured.
Indiana Conservation Officers continue to request information regarding the shooting of a bald eagle in Lawrence County on or around Dec. 20.
A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest of a suspect.
A Lawrence County animal control officer and employees of Brown County Indiana Raptor Center were notified of an injured eagle in the area of the White River near Dixie Highway and took possession on Dec. 20. The eagle, which was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, was treated, but died shortly thereafter. ICO Ryan Jahn took possession of the carcass on Dec. 21 and is investigating.
Anyone with information should call DNR Law Enforcement Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536 or the Turn in a Poacher, Inc. (TIP) hotline at 1-800-847-4367 (TIP-IDNR). TIP is a non-profit conservation organization that protects fish and wildlife resources by increasing public support and involvement in bringing violators to justice.
Several members of the public have asked about donating to the reward fund. Donations to the can be made by making checks payable to Turn in a Poacher, Inc. and sending it to ICO Central Dispatch Center, 4850 South State Road 446, Bloomington, IN 47401, and marking it c/o Lt. Col. Terry Hyndman. The reward will be adjusted accordingly as donations are received.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino launched the latest addition to its expansive menu of entertainment options at noon Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020 at the Shelbyville, Ind. facility. Several hundred new team members took their place behind more than 40 tables as the stage was set for the historic event.
A ribbon cutting ceremony took place just before Noon featuring several dignitaries just outside the High Limit pit area. Included in the ribbon cutting process was Representative Sean Eberhart, Representative Cindy Ziemke, Representative Heath Vanatter, Senator Jean Leising, Indiana Gaming Commission Executive Director Sara Tait, State Senator Mike Crider, and Indiana Grand Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rich, who provided a brief introduction leading into the official launch.
“We are very excited to launch live table games today,” said Rich. “This event has been a few years in the making and we extend a special thank you to all those involved in making this vision possible for us. We are now a full-blown casino and we are extremely proud of our team for all of their preparations and planning as we take the next step in providing more entertainment options for our guests at Indiana Grand.”
Representative Eberhart made the first official roll of the dice at one of the craps tables to signal the start of a new era for Indiana Grand. His roll of the dice was accompanied by applause and a large crowd of well-wishers taking part in the historic event.
Seven different types of live table games are now offered, including craps, roulette, blaze roulette, blackjack, baccarat, three-card poker and Mississippi Stud. Three areas are utilized for the tables with approximately 200 seats provided in the main floor area just off the parking garage and across from the cashier. High Limit table games are located in the former Poker Room represented by more than 100 gaming seats.
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