The Morgan County Correspondent

01/07/2026

Election season has begun!

This morning at 8 a.m. sharp, the Morgan County Election Office received its first official candidate filing for the 2026 Election. Local residents who are interested in running have until Feb. 6 to formally file, and local political leaders are hoping for a robust slate of quality candidates this year.
Tammy Parker was first to officially file this morning as she looks to be re-elected as county clerk. Dan Downing was close behind as he seeks the sheriff position.

LOCAL RACES IN 2026
U.S. House of Representatives – District 4
State Representative – District 57
State Representative – District 60
Morgan County Commissioner – District 2
Morgan County Council – District 1
Morgan County Council – District 2
Morgan County Council – District 3
Morgan County Council – District 4
Morgan County Assessor
Morgan County Sheriff
Morgan County Auditor
Morgan County Clerk
Morgan County Prosecutor
Judge, Superior Court 1
Judge, Superior Court 3
All township trustees and board members
Bethany Town Council (three positions)
Bethany Clerk-Treasurer
Brooklyn Town Council (two positions)
Brooklyn Clerk-Treasurer
Monrovia Town Council – District 2
Monrovia Town Council – District 4
Monrovia Clerk-Treasurer
Mooresville Town Council – Ward 1
Mooresville Town Council – Ward 5
Morgantown Town Council (three positions)
Morgantown Clerk-Treasurer
Paragon Town Council – Ward 1
Paragon Clerk-Treasurer
Eminence Community School Corp. School Board – Adams Township
Eminence Community School Corp. School Board – Ashland Township
Eminence Community School Corp. School Board – At-Large
Monroe-Gregg School Corp. School Board – Gregg Township
Monroe-Gregg School Corp. School Board – Monroe Township
Mooresville Consolidated School Corp. – District 1
Mooresville Consolidated School Corp. – District 2
Mooresville Consolidated School Corp. – At Large
MSD Martinsville School Board – District 2
MSD Martinsville School Board – District 5
Nineveh-Hensley Jackson School Board – Jackson Township
Nineveh-Hensley Jackson School Board – Hensley Township

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
• For the Republican Party, contact Carole Snyder at [email protected].
• For the Democratic Party, contact Melvin Bolden at [email protected].
• For the Libertarian Party, attend one of the party’s monthly meetings at Black Dog Brewery in Mooresville at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday.

12/21/2025

Our editor recently sat down with Mark Coffey of The Coffey Compass Group-Keller Willams Realty, who's been making the rounds recently, highlighting local businesses throughout the county and showcasing their unique role in the community.

When it comes to The Correspondent, our primary aim is to keep folks informed, to tell the stories that define our community, and of course, to keep an eye on the elected.

We love what we do! And we appreciate the opportunity to tell our story.

Thanks again for the sitdown, Mark!

12/17/2025

Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray (R-Martinsville) stopped by our office this morning to discuss all things Statehouse on the heels of last week's redistricting vote.

In a decisive 19-31 vote, the Indiana Senate voted down the House bill and ended the monthslong saga, which included intense pressure from the Trump administration and Gov. Braun. Throughout it all, Bray found himself at the center of the debate.

See the Dec. 24 edition of The Correspondent for more on Bray's "insights from the inside."

12/12/2025

With the pending winter weather and subsequent cold snap, WellSpring is graciously accommodating those who may have no other shelter or housing.
Our community is blessed to have so many ready to lend a helping hand!

We are setting up for Winter Contingency in our lobby. With the help of EMA we will host and feed those in need of warm shelter. Official hours are from 7 PM to 7 AM tonight thru Monday morning.

If you would like to help us in helping others, we are in need of hand and feet warmers, water repellent gloves, winter coats (new or clean gently used) in all sizes, and blankets. Toilet Paper and Paper Towels are always welcome!

We welcome your prayers over this opportunity and those we serve!

12/11/2025

Indiana Senate says NO to redistricting

UPDATE: Sen. Bray released the following statement following this afternoon's vote:

"Indiana Senate Republicans want to see a Republican majority in congress at the midterms. The issue before us today was how to get there, and many of my caucus members don't think redrawing our Congressional map mid-cycle is a guaranteed way for Indiana – or our country – to achieve that outcome.
"We support President Trump, and we are with him on many important issues like immigration enforcement and public safety, and Hoosiers will see legislation from our caucus this session that works in partnership with the federal government to further those efforts.
"Further, we are grateful for the way President Trump speaks about our great nation full of good people.
"It's time to turn the page. Hoosiers need leadership from their state government that will continue to improve our education system and make life more affordable for Hoosiers."

INDIANAPOLIS — Just after 4:30 p.m., the Indiana Senate voted down HB 1032, which would have paved the way for redistricting maps in the state of Indiana.
The bill failed to pass by a vote of 19 for and 31 against, with Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray (R-Martinsville) joining in the "nay" votes against the bill.
With a 40-10 GOP majority in the Senate, 21 Republican Senators voted against the bill.

12/10/2025

MSD TO CLOSE FOUR SCHOOLS

Centerton, Green Township, Poston and Smith elementary schools will close after the 2026/'27 academic year, paving the way for the new elementary school being built off I-69 south of the Henderson Ford exit.
No details yet as to what will become of the four schools after their official closure, though the district has said it will hold onto "at least some" of them, hoping to repurpose them.

MSD Superintendent Eric Bowlen addresses the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new elementary school back in September. (MSD of Martinsville cour ...

12/08/2025

OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

PATTON LAKE — Deputies responded around 1 p.m. this afternoon on reports of a breaking-and-entering call in the 4200 block of Belt Lane near Patton Lake.
A deputy responded and found someone on the premises, so the deputy called for backup. Additional law enforcement responded, including K9 officer David Tolin and his dog, Bullet.
Officers called for the person to exit the residence, but he refused to come out or show his hands. So they sent the K9 dog in, and the suspect attacked the dog with a blunt object, rendering it unconscious.
At that time, at least one deputy opened fire, and the suspect was hit. EMS was immediately called, and the suspect was transported by air to Methodist Hospital.
The dog was rushed to a veterinary clinic in Indianapolis, and according to most recent reports, it was awake and wagging its tail, said Morgan County Sheriff Rich Myers at a press conference held at 5 p.m. at the sheriff's office.
The matter is still under investigation by the Morgan County Major Crimes Taskforce.

In the photo: An officer with Brooklyn Police Department blocks the roadway on Belt Lane, just off Upper Patton near Wilbur — the site of an officer-involved shooting this afternoon.

12/05/2025

The Indiana House of Representatives voted this afternoon on the redistricting bill — HB 1032 — which passed 57-41.
While the House has a 70-person GOP super majority, 12 Republicans voted against the bill, including Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville). Craig Haggard (R-Mooresville) voted for it.
The bill now goes to the Indiana Senate, which is expected to take up the issue, starting Monday, Dec. 8.

NOTE: In the map, the current congressional boundaries are outlined in black, while the proposed new boundaries are outlined in white with colored districts. (Casey Smith graphic / Indiana Capital Chronicle)

11/27/2025

We have so much to be thankful for each day, and while it doesn't always feel like it, the blessings far outweigh.
But on this day of Thanksgiving, we just want to say how thankful we are for this community — a community that has supported, contributed and helped transform this dream of a locally owned newspaper into a reality.
We are truly thankful for the opportunity to serve Morgan County.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
— Your friends at The Correspondent

11/25/2025

NOT SO FAST: State Senate looks to reconvene Dec. 8

STATEHOUSE — Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) made the following statement today regarding the decision to reconvene the Senate in December as part of the regular 2026 session:

"The issue of redrawing Indiana's congressional maps mid-cycle has received a lot of attention and is causing strife here in our state. To resolve this issue, the Senate intends to reconvene as part of the regular 2026 session on Dec. 8 and make a final decision that week on any redistricting proposal sent from the House. Because we will reconvene as part of the regular 2026 legislative session, we anticipate concluding our regular 2026 session by the end of February."

PICTURED — From left: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray sit together during a Statehouse event on Nov. 18. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz photo / Indiana Capital Chronicle)

11/25/2025

HOT OFF THE PRESSES — the Thanksgiving edition!!
This year's edition has alotta extra meat on the bone, with two 10-page sections, full color throughout, and two inserts — one from Ace Hardware and another from Dollar General.
We just finished our drop at the Martinsville Post Office, and we're now delivering to three other post offices in the county to ensure delivery tomorrow, Wednesday.
And as usual, we'll have single copies available at more than 20 locations throughout the county, starting tomorrow morning, including:
MARTINSVILLE
• Kroger
• Walmart
• BP on Morton Ave
• Casey's on Morton Ave
• Indy’s family restaurant
• Eggcellent Day restaurant
• Urban Market
• Our office at 109 E Morgan St
MOORESVILLE
• Kroger
• Morgan's Corner Cafe
• Value Market
• Eremos Coffee Co.
• Food Mart on S Indiana St
• Casey's on Ind. 144
• Casey's on Indianapolis Road
MONROVIA
• Fraberg's Foods
BROOKLYN
• Dollar General
CENTERTON
• Marathon gas station
WILBUR
• Shively’s Farm & Crop Shop
EMINENCE
• Dairyland
PARAGON
• Step Saver Citgo
MORGANTOWN
• Dollar General
WAVERLY
• Circle K
To subscribe, visit morgancountycorrespondent.com/subscribe, call 765-201-0302 or stop by our office at 109 E. Morgan St. in Martinsville.
Happy reading, Morgan County!
— Your friends at The Correspondent

11/24/2025

Shockley gets 12 years

MORGAN COUNTY — A Mooresville teen has been sentenced to 12 years in prison this morning after pleading guilty to charges related to a planned shooting on Valentine’s Day at Mooresville High School this past February.
Trinity Shockley, now 19, pled guilty last month to the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, as a level 2 felony.
Superior Court I Judge Dakota VanLeeuwen handed down the sentence this morning in a hearing that lasted nearly two hours.
Judge VanLeeuwen sentenced her to 20 years, with 12 years behind bars, 8 years suspended, and five years probation following her incarceration.

More to come in next week's Correspondent.

NOTE: The specifics of the sentencing have been updated.