(Richmond, IN)--A convicted Richmond child molester with a massive criminal record was arrested yet again Thursday.  41-year-old Shannon Maples was located near South 10^th and C.  A judge had found probable cause in a meth possession case.  Maples molested a 12-year-old girl a decade ago.  Since then, he’s racked up nine other criminal cases – mostly involving drugs and theft.  He has an initial hearing in a theft case this coming Tuesday.

(Springfield, OH)--The Richmond man accused of breaking into two Springfield homes and then attacking deputies last month has pled not guilty by reason of insanity.  A Champaign County grand jury this week indicted 37-year-old Timothy Cole on 14 counts, including aggravated robbery.  In court documents filed Thursday, Cole’s attorney said that he suffers from an acute mental disorder and does not understand the consequences of his actions.  Cole is still behind bars in Springfield.

(Richmond, IN)--A body was discovered in the area of the Starr Gennett Building in the Whitewater Gorge in Richmond.  In a release Wednesday, RPD said there is no suspicion of foul play, but that they are continuing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.  The person’s name has not been released.  The release did not indicate how long the body may have been there before being discovered.

(Wayne County, IN)--Two years ago, plans to build a fireworks storage facility on Esteb Road drew an outcry from residents in the area and contributed to the arrest of Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher, who lives nearby.  The county’s Board of Zoning Appeals rejected the proposal of property owner Gary Wolff early last year.  But, on Wednesday, the issue came up again with Wayne County Commissioners.  Commissioners discussed that approval had been granted for what they call a "barndominum" as a residence only, but they believe the owner still plans to store large quantities of fireworks on site.  Here’s an exchange between County Attorney Ron Cross and the county’s Steve Higinbotham on Wednesday:

 

Cross:  "We really need to know what the end plan is for the property."

 

Higinbotham:  "And that's not the way that person operates."

 

  Wolff has filed a petition for judicial review.

(Richmond, IN)--A man was arrested at Glen Miller Park in Richmond for prostitution and indecent exposure on Tuesday night.  Richmond police announced the arrest Wednesday.  Officers identified 60-year-old Paul Wilburn as the primary suspect.  Both charges are misdemeanors.  Wilburn was free Thursday morning on a minimal bond.  Other details about what led to his arrest have not been released.

(Cambridge City, IN)--The town of Cambridge City cautioned flood victims in western Wayne County on Wednesday that they may need a permit for rebuilding and remodeling.  They say permit will be needed if the property is located in a designated flood plain or floodway.  Cambridge City said that necessary inspections will begin in the coming days.  The town is developing and training a task force to assist with conducting those inspections.

(Columbus, IN)--A change of plea hearing has now been set for a Richmond man who allegedly drove to Columbus, Indiana to have sex with what he thought was a young boy.  According to court documents, 48-year-old Matthew Ciske was located in Columbus about a half of mile of where he was supposed to meet the boy, which was really a Bartholomew County investigator.  Ciske and the "boy" had been engaging in sexually charged online conversations.  Ciske told investigators that he is studying to become a chaplain.  The change of plea hearing has been set for November.

(Wayne County, IN)--FEMA intake centers are opening in Wayne County this week to assist victims from last month’s flood, including one that will open today.  At 9 o’clock Wednesday morning, an intake center will open at Centerville Christian Church.  On Thursday, another intake center opens at the Cambridge City Christian Church on Church Street.  Both centers will be open until late Saturday afternoon.  FEMA will ask for a photo ID, insurance information, photos of damage, and other information.

(Richmond, IN)--A pickup truck slammed into the Papa Joe’s building on Chester Boulevard in Richmond early Tuesday afternoon.  More than half of the pickup ended up inside the building, leaving a gaping hole and significant structural damage.  Here’s Battalion Chief Eric Holmes:  "They ran the vehicle up inside the building.  Nobody was really injured majorly."  First responders were working to determine if it was a medical incident or other reason for the driver the hit the building.  The driver’s identity has not been released.

(Lynn, IN)--It’s now been more than a month since Lynn Town Marshal Brad Fisher was struck and killed during a pursuit.  A check of online court documents indicate that the driver who is accused of striking and killing Fisher has not yet been formally charged with that crime.  Maci Atkinson continues to be held in the Wayne County Jail without bond.  Atkinson is being held there as a courtesy to Randolph County.  She has four other criminal cases actively pending that are unrelated to the July 29 chase.  Atkinson is next due in court for all of those cases in early November.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Indiana Governor Mike Braun was in the Whitewater Valley on Monday to check in on flood cleanup and repairs.  Braun said he’s still seeing signs of neighbors helping neighbors.  "And we should all take pride in that," Braun said.  Meanwhile, FEMA has begun inspecting individual homes in Cambridge City.  One of them belongs to Melissa Parker.  "Yesterday, they came out to the house and did an inspection, but we're still waiting to hear back from them," Parker said.  Connersville remains the closest FEMA intake center for residents of western Wayne County.

(West Alexandria, OH)--Details of a fatal weekend crash in West Alexandria were released Monday.  It happened on Sunday on West Dayton Street, which is also U.S. 35.  The driver of a pickup drove into a parked car, which then hit two pedestrians.  80-year-old Donna Tubesing was pronounced dead at the scene.  Her husband, Kenton, sustained serious injuries.  Further investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle was allegedly impaired at the time.  David Shafer is currently only being held on drug possession charges.  Additional charges are certain to be added.

(Richmond, IN)--Officers took two different wanted Richmond men into custody in two different incidents Monday night, and neither one of them came quietly.  The probations of both Cody Spitler and Thomas Vanderpool had been revoked.  Vanderpool allegedly stabbed someone earlier this year.  He allegedly drew a weapon when officers approached in the 800 block of South J in Richmond late Monday afternoon.  He was Tased and taken into custody.  A SWAT Team responded to the 1100 block of South B later Monday night when Spitler allegedly barricaded himself inside.  He eventually surrendered.  Spitler has had five different theft or burglary cases in the last two years.

(Brookville, IN)--A 36-year-old Brookville man will spend the next five years behind bars after trying to convince a 13-year-old girl to exchange sexual favors for tobacco products.  Robert Marshall has pled guilty to child solicition and been sentenced to five years.  Marshall will also have to register as a sex offender following his release.  The case began earlier this year when Marshall began messaging the girl through her Facebook page and requested explicit photos.  A forensic examination of Marshall’s phone confirmed the girl’s allegations.

(Connersville, IN)--Connersville City Council met Monday night for less than ten minutes and for one purpose…to approve a wheel tax for the city.  Passage of a wheel tax is now necessary for municipalities to be eligible for Community Crossings grant money to maintain streets and roadways.  Mayor Chad Frank on Monday night made one thing clear.  "We're not changing the current city wheel tax.  The rate stays exactly the same.  The taxpayer will not see any difference," Frank said.  Council unanimously approved passage.

(Pershing, IN)--Cambridge City officials announced Sunday night that a temporary location has been established to conduct town business.  That location is at 519 Queen Street in Pershing, which is a former Western Wayne school building.  There, people can pay utility bills, get permits, and get non-emergent police services.  There’s no drop box in place yet and efforts are still being made to get the phone system up and operational.  County commissioners approved funding that allowed the police department to get computers and office equipment.  The water boil advisory for Cambridge City was lifted on Friday.

(Richmond, IN)--No cause has been released yet in fire that killed a Richmond man on Friday night.  That fire broke out in the 200 block of North 7^th Street.  Scanner traffic indicated that one person was trapped upstairs.  William Henderson has been identified by family members as the victim.  Photos from the scene show heavy flame coming from the house.  Surviving family members have been housed in a hotel since the fire.

(Liberty, IN)--Shots were fired outside of a Liberty apartment over the weekend.  Officers responded to the 300 block of Meadow Lane following a report of a disturbance involving a firearm and a battery.  Shots had been fired outside the entrance to the apartment after a separate battery resulting in injury had occurred.  Tyler Beach was charged with criminal recklessness and battery.  Other individuals involved were checked out by medical personnel and released at the scene.

(Whitewater Valley)--Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced additional assistance for people affected by flooding that occurred earlier this month.  Residents of Wayne, Union, Fayette, and Franklin County can now apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance.  It’s financial help for people who lost their jobs or had them interrupted by the high water.  Applications for the DUA assistance have to be filed by October 27.  More details about eligibility requirements can be found on the website of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a large police presence on Glen Court in Richmond on Friday as police worked to get a man into custody who had allegedly fired shots into a building.  A judge found probable cause against 31-year-old Clyde Wooten Junior.  Details of where Wooten is alleged to have fired shots are not yet available.  He’s also charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon.

(Whitewater Valley)--An exact opening date for a FEMA intake center for flood victims in Wayne County has not been set, but an intake center will be open Friday and Saturday in Franklin County.  The intake center will be open at the Metamora Church of God Friday and Saturday, and at the Laurel Library on Monday and Tuesday.  Representatives of FEMA will help flood-impacted residents by helping apply for financial assistance.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged drug dealer was behind bars after his arrest in downtown Richmond early Friday morning.  Police came into contact with 42-year-old Bray Ellison at 3 o’clock Friday morning at 8^th and East Main.  Ellison is now charged with dealing cocaine or narcotic drug.  Details of what led to his arrest have not been released.  Ellison has a criminal history that includes multiple arrests for drugs and theft.

(Oxford, OH)--One area community has decided to completely ban flock cameras.  Oxford has become the first community in all of Ohio to ban the license plate-reading devices.  14 of those cameras are now being removed throughout Oxford.  In Wayne County, the organization Eyes Off Indiana says there are 17 documented flock cameras.  Nearly all of them are located on I-70, U.S. 40, and Chester Boulevard.  That number and those locations have not been independently confirmed by local law enforcement.

(Wayne County, IN)--President Trump this week signed a major disaster declaration after flooding earlier this month.  Wednesday, Matthew Cain with Wayne County Emergency Management talked about what happens next to help flood victims get some financial help.  "The state and/or FEMA will be coming in and setting up a disaster recovery center where individuals will sit down one-on-one with an individual that will help them fill out the application and get a case started with FEMA, and then they will help them through the process," Cain said.  The county has been covering the cost of disposal of flood-destroyed items at the landfill.  Commissioners on Wednesday decided that would end a week from Friday.  Commissioners also Wednesday allowed the local disaster declaration to expire.  Instructions on how to apply for federal help are now available on the town of Cambridge City’s Facebook page.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond’s Advisory Plan Commission advanced a plan Wednesday to construct five more new homes on Richmond’s east side.  Preliminary approval for the development of six lots at the east end of South C off of Garwood Road was granted back in the 1980’s, but those lots were never developed.  Now, plans have changed slightly to construct homes on five lots.  Here’s the Plan Commission’s Bruce Wissel:  "The goal of this is to make a better neighborhood than what they already have the right to."  The commission granted unanimous approval.