Local organization opposing Bloomington annexation sends out reminder to residents
*press release provided by CRAA
County Residents Against Annexation reminds interested members of the public to ‘Mark your calendars.’
While the New Year brings many changes within the City of Bloomington government, court proceedings related to the last administration’s attempts to complete multiple, simultaneous involuntary annexations are still ongoing.
First up, a hearing concerning the constitutional claims made by the City on the waiver issue is set for 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 8. The Honorable Owen County Judge Kelsey Hanlon will preside, and members of the public are welcome to attend. The hearing will take place at the Justice Building located at 301 N. College Ave.
“During that hearing, the judge will consider the State Attorney General’s request that the Court dismiss the waiver cases against annexation areas 1C, 2, 3, 4, and 5 because the City dismissed identical cases against annexation areas 1A and 1B,” explains County Residents Against Annexation (CRAA) President Margaret Clements.
And on Monday, April 29 at 9:00 a.m., a five-day bench trial concerning the former City administration’s attempt to annex areas 1A and 1B is also set to begin. Likewise open to members of the public, the trial will take place at the Justice Building located at 301 N. College Ave., and the Honorable Lawrence County Judge Nathan Nikirk will preside. “Owners of properties located in areas 1A and 1B are represented by legal counsel,” Clements says. “We encourage anyone with an interest in either of these court proceedings to mark your calendars and plan to attend.”
Outside of the upcoming court proceedings, the new City of Bloomington administration could decide to abandon the previous administrations’ attempted involuntary annexations. “Just as the City of Bloomington unilaterally and involuntarily attempted to annex property in the county, only the City of Bloomington can unilaterally end the dispute,” Clements explains.
CRAA is a non-partisan, 501c3 public charity. Tax deductible donations may be mailed to: CRAA, PO Box 5774, Bloomington, IN 47407. To learn more visit www.craa.in.
Indy man sentenced to 30 years in Federal Prison for raping a toddler and recording it on his phone
Devon Shane Mitchell, 37, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting a child. According to court documents, in February of 2023, law enforcement officers began investigating Mitchell for criminal activity unrelated to child sexual abuse. During the course of that investigation, officers discovered multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse on Mitchell’s cell phone. The videos showed Mitchell raping a child under four years old, who is crying during the attack. At times, the child was in his care, custody, or control.
In April of 2023, Mitchell was arrested at his home. During a thorough search of his electronic devices, FBI agents found over 800 images and videos of other child sexual abuse material Mitchell collected online, in addition to the videos he created using the toddler victim.
“Our hearts break for the violence and trauma the defendant inflicted on such a young and vulnerable child. We are deeply committed to finding the offenders who sexually exploit our children and ensuring that they are taken out of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “Thanks to the dedicated investigators at the FBI, IMPD, and our federal prosecutor, this victim and every other child will be protected from the defendant’s crimes for decades to come.”
FBI and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Judge Pratt also ordered that Mitchell be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years following his release from federal prison and pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim.
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This Week in Hoosier History
1938 – Rolla N. Harger, Indiana University Professor of biochemistry and toxicology, introduced the “Drunkometer.” This was the first tool used to determine blood alcohol levels by using an individual’s breath.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson