The Morgan County Correspondent

02/01/2025

Two dead in early morning fires, including one in Mooresville and one in Martinsville.
The investigations are ongoing, according to the Morgan County Coroner.

01/30/2025

The MCSO is asking for the public's assistance in locating a Martinsville juvenile.

——-Update——Juvenile has been located safely

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office is currently attempting to locate a missing Juvenile, Isabella (pictured). She was last seen after school in the Martinsville area on Wednesday January 29th.
If you have seen, or know the current whereabouts of Isabella, please contact the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center at 765-342-5544.

01/29/2025

We have end rolls for sale in our office! $5 each. Great for crafts, wrapping items, etc. Stop in at 109 E Morgan St.

01/22/2025

Members of the Morgan County Prosecutor's Office, along with MCSO Det. Sgt. Patrick Williams, held a press conference at 2 o'clock this afternoon regarding the charges filed in late December against Sonja and Brian Stafford — a former married couple who lived in Morgan County just east of Eminence.
This morning, the 155-page probable cause affidavit was released, detailing the allegations against the couple.
The picture painted in the PC by the victims is horrific, with starvation, extreme forms of punishment and general cruelty, as well as widespread mental, physical and sexual abuse allegedly rampant on the family's homestead.
According to authorities, a total of 33 victims — many adopted by the family or fostered — have been identified, but authorities are seeking the public's assistance to gather additional information and/or locate additional victims.
Anyone with information relevant to the case is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Williams at [email protected] or at 765-349-5057. The public may also contact Crime Stoppers and remain anonymous at 317-262-TIPS (8477) or at 800-262-TIPS (8477).
Pictured: From left — Det. Sgt. Williams, Morgan County Prosecutor Steve Sonnega, deputy prosecutor Michelle Armstrong and chief deputy prosecutor Cassie Melady address members of the media during Wednesday's press conference.

01/17/2025

The Martinsville McDonald's location was the site of a special celebration this morning, where the store and its customers were recognized for their generous donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana, by rounding up their orders throughout the year.
On Dec. 2, 2024, a customer's "round up" was the transaction that brought RMHC's 2024 regional fundraising efforts — which includes 175 Central Indiana locations — across the $1 million threshold, so today's celebration was in honor of that achievement.
Here, Martinsville McDonald's owner-operator Michael Stieglitz speaks in front of the camera from WRTV-6, which was on hand for the occasion and will broadcast a segment this evening.

01/09/2025

ATTENTION: Due to the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter, federal agencies are closed in observation — including the U.S. Post Office. Therefore, today's edition will be delivered tomorrow.
We certainly apologize for any inconvenience, but your patience is appreciated, as it is out of our hands.
In the meantime, we have another great edition full of ALL local news, including:
• A recap on the weekend's snowstorm
• Pay gaps in local education
• 'Bell yeah' gal at the Mooresville Taco Bell brightens customers' days
• Plans in the works for former Ralph & Ava's location in downtown Mooresville
• Elected officials sworn into office
And in sports, the Mooresville girls wrestling team dominates at first-ever sectional!
Single copies are still available at 16 locations across the county today, including our office here at 109 E. Morgan St. in Martinsville.
To subscribe, visit morgancountycorrespondent.com and hit the "Subscribe" tab.
Thanks for reading, Morgan County!
— Your friends at The Correspondent

01/06/2025

Wind, sleet, rain or snow, the news business doesn't stop, and our office is officially open today! We've already had one visitor stop by who was taking a downtown stroll to enjoy the winter wonderland.
Of course, we will not be making it to "every corner of the county" today, but we'd still love to see photos from your neck of the woods.
And if you'd like to possibly see it in print, feel free to email a high-resolution photo (include who took it and any additional details, starting with location) to our editor at [email protected] . Or just post below to show the world!
Happy Snow Day!
— Your friends at The Correspondent

01/03/2025

UPDATE: Sunday night dinner and Monday morning breakfast will be provided at both locations.

Due to the pending snowstorm, two overnight shelters — one in Martinsville and one in Mooresville — have been set up for those in need by the Morgan County Emergency Management Agency.

01/02/2025

Our top story in this week's edition highlights longtime Mooresville Public Library Director Diane Huerkamp, who held her final library board meeting last Friday as she sets off into retirement. She leaves "a lasting legacy," indeed, and she'll be missed by many. Here, Diane (fifth from left) grabs a photo with the rest of the library board — along with incoming interim director Sandra Osborn (to her right) — during a meet-and-greet held after last Friday's meeting.
Other stories this week include:
• Details on the 121 criminal charges levied against a former Morgan County couple
• Women in local politics
• A Year-In-Review of Morgan County's 2024
And in sports:
• Monrovia's Ash wrestles to first
• Mooresville girls wrestling team dominates at tourney
• Lady Eels enjoys nine-game winning streak; wins 'Christmas in the Tank' tourney
As always, we're located in 16 locations around the county, including our office at 109 E. Morgan St. in Martinsville.
To subscribe, stop by our office, call 765-201-0302 or visit morgancountycorrespondent.com.
Thanks for reading!
— Your friends at The Correspondent

12/27/2024

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office has issued a press release related to a high-speed chase that took place in Martinsville in the early morning hours today, resulting in the arrest of two.

12/27/2024

On the heels of yesterday's criminal charges against Sonja and Brian Stafford, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office is seeking any additional information the public may have related to the case.

12/26/2024

UPDATED:
Following a seven-month investigation, a former Morgan County couple appeared by Zoom from the county jail in the local magistrate court in downtown Martinsville this afternoon for an initial hearing on a wide array of charges that stretch back to 2011.
Sixty-year-old Brian Stafford, who now lives in New Castle, is facing 59 felony charges ranging from child molesting — 10 counts in total — to human trafficking and neglect of a dependent.
Sixty-year-old Sonja Stafford, who has a mailing address in Plainfield but is reportedly still living in Morgan County, is facing 62 criminal charges — including 58 felonies and 4 misdemeanors — ranging from the promotion of human trafficking and strangulation to neglect of a dependent, obstruction of justice and domestic battery.
The couple divorced earlier this year and sold their 23-acre Morgan County property located off Ind. 142, between Wilbur and Eminence.
While the couple has two adult biological children, they adopted at least 11 other children over the course of several years.
The probable cause affidavit — which details the allegations of a case — was presented orally in Superior 3 last week, after which arrest warrants were issued. The probable cause will not be available until transcription is completed.
Each was given a $60,000 property/surity and $4,000 cash bond. The two are facing June trial dates.

12/21/2024

The Morgan County Sheriff's Office has issued a press release related to the alleged home invasion and subsequent law enforcement activity on Ind. 39 just south of Monrovia.

12/20/2024

As of this afternoon, the MSD of Martinsville has officially purchased a parcel of land on Centennial Road just south of River Valley Christian Church as the site of the new elementary school.
As part of the plans for the new elementary school, up to four current elementary schools — to be officially announced next fall — will be closed and consolidated.
The new school is slated to open for the 2027-28 school year. Additional improvements are also planned at the other elementary schools that remain.
“We understand that there will be questions about the upcoming improvements to our schools, and we want the community to know that we’ve taken a thoughtful, thorough approach. We've spent time consulting with experts, engaging with community members and business owners, and conducting extensive research to ensure that every decision benefits the future of our teachers, staff, principals, and especially students,” said MSD of Martinsville Superintendent Eric Bowlen in a statement. “They deserve nothing less than the best, and it's our responsibility to set them up for lifelong success. While we are still working through the details, we will provide more information as it becomes available.”

*The map is an approximate boundary of the purchased parcel. UPDATE: The district reportedly purchased approximately 20 acres of the parcel, shown in red.

12/19/2024

Not many times does a newspaper have the opportunity to put a photo TAKEN by a governor on their front page, but this week, we made it happen! Last week, a local fourth-grader got the opportunity to read her statewide, first-place essay at the statehouse in honor of the Hoosier State's birthday, and Gov. Eric Holcomb snapped this fantastic photo of the occasion.
In other news in this week's edition:
• Martinsville leaders discuss proposal to build new $6M office space
• Stability First celebrates the opening of its men's recovery home
• Wreaths Across America celebrated throughout county
• County officials reject revamp of PTO policy for employees
• Seasonal recycling returns to fairgrounds through mid January
• Mooresville Consolidated School Corp. celebrates high graduation rate
As always, single copies are available at locations throughout the county, as well as our office at 109 E. Morgan St. in Martinsville. Or visit morgancountycorrespondent.com.
Happy reading, Morgan County!
— Your friends at the Correspondent

12/05/2024

It's delivery day! And this week, we highlight the annual WCBK Christmas Parade, which marks the unofficial start of the Christmas season.
Some other top stories include:
• The Humane Society wants out of the animal-control business
• Mooresville school board appoints a new member
• MSD of Martinsville contends with substitute teacher shortages
• National Adoption Day celebrated at courthouse
• Victorian Christmas tree fundraiser hit by vandals
And in sports:
• Monrovia Bulldogs come out on top in boys and girls basketball
• Mooresville tops Martinsville in girls basketball
• Monrovia standout Emery Newlin signs with Univ. of Dayton
As usual, single copies are available at 16 locations throughout the county, in addition to our office at 109 E. Morgan St. in Martinsville.
To subscribe, visit morgancountycorrespondent.com.
Thanks for reading!!
— Your friends at the Correspondent

11/21/2024

Does your nonprofit need volunteers? Let us help! Fill out the form at https://tinyurl.com/mccvolun

11/16/2024

Time to celebrate!! After holding a lead for most of the game, the Artesians found themselves trailing 28-27 late. But they found the endzone one last time to regain the lead and the 35-28 victory! Next stop, New Palestine!

(Melissa Dillon photos / MCC)