September 2025: A community mourns, airport renovations and more
BEDFORD – September 2025 was a month marked by a mix of national tragedy, local progress, and a community mourning the loss of a beloved figure.
A National Tragedy and Legal Proceedings
A high-profile murder case continued to move forward as Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, was charged with aggravated murder.
Prosecutors announced they would be seeking the death penalty. Robinson, who confessed to the murder in text messages, will remain in custody without bail. The case, which has drawn national attention, will proceed with a hearing on September 29.
Local Leadership, Policy, and Infrastructure
In a local leadership change, Craig Turpen was sworn in as the newest at-large member of the Bedford City Council, replacing Dan Bortner.
On a statewide level, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced a procedural change in its deer management policy. For the first time in over 30 years, there will be no deer management hunts in state parks in 2025. The DNR cited a procedural issue with its rulemaking process but expects the hunts to resume next year.
In a positive development for local infrastructure, the Lawrence County Commissioners approved a significant project for the Virgil I. Grissom Municipal Airport. The project, a new parallel taxiway system, has an estimated total cost of over $3.2 million, with the FAA covering 90%, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) covering 5%, and a local contribution covering the remaining 5%.
A Community Mourns a Beloved Resident
The Mitchell community is mourning the loss of a well-known resident, Albert Mesarosh. The 87-year-old was reported missing on September 10, and his body was recovered in a field on the west side of town on September 14.
According to Mitchell Police Chief Troy Lobosky, preliminary findings suggest that health and environmental exposure contributed to his passing, with no immediate signs of foul play.
Mesarosh was a familiar and beloved figure in the community, known for his kindness and his unwavering support for the annual Persimmon Festival, which he ran every year. He was the only person to have participated in every Persimmon 5K to date.