TERRE HAUTE — Judge Michael Eldred has been a fixture on the bench of Vigo Superior Court 1 for almost 30 years.
But when his fifth six-year term comes to a close at the end of 2010, Eldred has decided he will retire from office in the Vigo County Courthouse.
He announced Monday that he will not seek a sixth term as judge of Division 1.
“This has been a difficult but rewarding job with different challenges almost every day,” Eldred said. “Yet, I can say that I enjoyed coming to this courthouse every day.”
The range of cases he has presided over has run the gamut from misdemeanor crimes to felony murder. Eldred said he feels himself to be “maxed out experience-wise,” but that does not mean he is ready to give up practicing law.
Serving as a senior judge is one option. He has also taught classes at Indiana State University. And he welcomes new opportunities that may arise.
“I’ve always been challenged by complex cases, and I know the Indiana Supreme Court accepts competent senior judges to do difficult cases around the state, so I will consider joining that group if they’ll have me.”
Announcing his retirement from the bench with a year left to serve not only allows Eldred time to plan for the future, but it also gives potential candidates for the office a chance to prepare their campaigns.
“That was very thoughtful of him to announce his retirement early,” said Vigo County Republican Party Chairman Bill Treadway. “I understand he’s ready for retirement, but he will be sorely missed.”
Treadway applauded Eldred’s reputation on the bench, and the respect he has from the public and the legal community.
“He has run unopposed many times,” Treadway said. “And that says something about him. He’s been a fantastic jurist. He’s done an amazing job for the community.”
Eldred did not come to his retirement decision easily, and only after much deliberation and discussion with his family.
“I’m satisfied that it is the right decision,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean I’m not a little anxious about it.”
Still, he did say that “30 [years] seemed like a good round number” to end a career on.
“I wish to thank my family, my friends, and the citizens of this great community who have supported me and accepted my judgment in some very controversial decisions. To serve them has been the honor of my career. I also want to thank the Terre Haute Bar Association, which is as good a group of attorneys as anywhere in the United States,” Eldred said.
“For 30 years it has been an exhilarating ride and I thank all who have made it possible.”
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Judge Michael Eldred announces retirement from Vigo Superior Court after almost 30 years of service
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Fatal semi accident closes eastbound I-70 in Hendricks County
A fatal semitrailer accident and resulting material spill earlier this morning have closed eastbound Interstate 70 at the 58-mile marker in Hendricks County, according to Indiana State Police.
-
Valentine's Day a rosy business
Red roses, mixed bouquets and even a bonsai tree or two are being delivered today on perhaps the nation’s sweetest holiday.
-
Downtown gets Wi-Fi ‘hotspot’
Frontier Communications has reached an agreement with city officials to create a Wi-Fi “hotspot” covering much of downtown Terre Haute.
-
Board OKs $5.4M in work at schools
The Vigo County School Board has approved borrowing $5.4 million for an expansion of DeVaney Elementary School and energy-related projects at 15 other schools.
-
Stella’s Cafe downtown plans to close March 2
Not long after changing its name from Bit of Britain Tea Room to Stella’s Cafe, a downtown restaurant has announced plans to close its doors.
-
Bill would ease college credit transfers
Indiana college students worried about whether their credit hours will transfer to another university may get some relief if a proposed higher-education bill passes.
-
Court alters trial date for man accused in 1979 death case
A trial date has changed for a Riley man accused of a 1979 homicide.
-
Shift to online raises school cost concerns
Legislation that would require high school students in Indiana to take at least one online course is meeting resistance from some school administrators who say they can’t afford any more mandates from the state.
-
Cops nab man after squad car struck
A West Terre Haute man was arrested Monday after a police pursuit that began after his vehicle collided with a Terre Haute police car.
-
Victim unhurt when robbed by gunman
Terre Haute police were searching late Monday night for a suspect accused of using a gun to rob another person at about 7 p.m.
-
Man face gun charge after woman shot in leg
A Terre Haute man faces a misdemeanor firearms charge following an accidental shooting during the weekend.
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Fatal semi accident closes eastbound I-70 in Hendricks County
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Sports Illustrated Cover Leaked
Swimmer makes surprise marriage proposal in Mo.
Whitney Houston Funeral Arrangements Set
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Bayne ready to defend 500
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Iran denies Israeli embassy bombings
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Facebook Parenting: Father Posts Video Responding to Daughter's Post
Bobby Brown on Houston's Death
