BEDFORD – As the first month of 2024 ended, Bedford experienced various events, from legal proceedings to community achievements and infrastructure plans. Here’s a summary of the notable stories that shaped January 2024:
Cheyenne Hill Trial Begins
On January 30, a jury began hearing testimony in the case of Cheyenne Hill, charged with child neglect in the death of her 20-month-old daughter, Elliaunna Plummer. The trial in Lawrence County Superior Court I involved more than 20 witnesses.
According to police, on November 23, 2022, at 12:16 p.m., officers were requested to IU Health Bedford Hospital by the Department of Child Services caseworker, who reported that Elli had been flown by a medical helicopter to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
The baby had suffered a brain bleed, a broken collar bone, and had head and facial bruising. She also had a swollen and deformed head with bruising to her forehead and the left and right sides of her face.
On November 26, 2022, Elli was pronounced dead at 4:35 p.m.
A post-mortem examination conducted by Pathologist Doctor Amanda Paul concluded the manner of death was a homicide, and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
Hill was arrested in September 2023 in Michigan and transported back to Lawrence County to face charges.
Oolitic Town Marshall on Administrative Leave
In a contentious town council meeting on January 8, Oolitic Town Marshall James Harrington was placed on administrative leave in a 3-1 vote amid public outcry and debate.
Harrington was ordered to turn in all his equipment and forbidden from being on town property without permission from the council.
Harrington resigned in May 2024.
Bedford Robotics Team Triumphs
The FIRST Tech Challenge Team CTF 19366 won their 10th Inspire Award at the Lafayette Qualifying Tournament on January 27, securing a spot in the State Championship.
CTF is part of the year-long youth development program Superior STEAM, a 4-H club that houses ten FIRST Robotics teams for children ages 6 to 18.
The Inspire Award is the most prestigious, and it was the same award that sent them to the World Championship in Houston in April 2023.
Little League Champions Honored
Bedford’s 12U Little League, Indiana State Champion team, was recognized at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall during an IU Hoosier Women’s basketball game on January 28. The team qualified for the World Series regional and received a signed basketball from IU Coach Teri Moren.
Bedford’s 12U team won its first state championship in July 2023, edging HYR (Floyd Central) 3-2 in the title contest. Bedford advanced to the regional level, a double-elimination tournament featuring state champions from Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and Michigan.
John Williams Boulevard Upgrade
Bedford city officials announced a partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation to construct a roundabout at the intersection of John Williams Boulevard and Beech Street. Construction is set to begin in summer 2025 and is estimated to take 4 months to complete. In September 2024, the city purchased the land to build the roundabout.
These stories reflect a month of both challenges and achievements for the Bedford area, highlighting the community’s resilience, sporting prowess, and forward-thinking approach to infrastructure development.
