Changes for Anderson schools were not the only thing making headlines around the county this year. The following round out The Herald Bulletin’s Top 10 of 2009:

2. Economy’s plight was felt all over

Unemployment in Madison County went over 10 percent before the state and national averages did. Coping with double-digit job loss was one of the factors leading to a steep fall in tax revenue that crippled the county, city of Anderson and area schools.

The Hoosier Park casino also felt the crunch. Though attendance fell off only slightly, the casino was in financial trouble because, it said, the high rate of taxation.

Businesses closed, some opened, but overall 2009 was a year of lowered economic expectations in Madison County.

3. Employee theft rocks Chesterfield

In early 2009 Chesterfield’s clerk-treasurer, Chris Parrish, abruptly stepped down. Eventually, town marshal Jamie Kimm followed in his footsteps.

In October, town residents found out why when a state audit report revealed that $259,000 had been stolen from town accounts over two years.

In December, Parrish, Kimm and two others were indicted on federal theft charges and face prison time if convicted. Their trial begins on Feb. 1.

4. Officials make wrong kind of headlines

Public officials in Madison County made headlines in 2009 because they were on the wrong side of the law.

In March, Anderson City Councilman Ollie Dixon was videotaped having a gun inside the Madison County Jail, where he was taken after being suspected of driving while intoxicated. Madison County Commissioner Jeff Hardin was arrested after an altercation with his daughter in April.