(Richmond, IN)--There’s a clear discrepancy between the city of Richmond and Wayne County when it comes to a proposed sewer rate increase for the city.  The rate increase that’s being considered is six percent each year for four consecutive years.  The increase would help to cover the cost of major infrastructure upgrades at the Midwest Industrial Park.  On Monday night, Richmond Common Council member Jerry Purcell said this:  "We did also meet with the county to try to get them to subsidize this, and they have turned that request down."  But Wednesday, Max Smith with Wayne County Council said this:  "There has not been an official request.  This council has not acted on anything.  We have not turned it down because we have not acted on it."  Richmond Common Council will revisit the proposed increase a week from Monday.

(Wayne County, IN)--Alan Moore begins his second day as Wayne County Sheriff on Thursday.  Moore takes over as sheriff following the election of Randy Retter as a state representative on Tuesday.  Under Indiana law, a person cannot simultaneously hold two lucrative public offices.  Retter returns to the enforcement division as a lieutenant.  He’ll serve in that roll until his retirement at the end of January.  Moore had most recently served as the county’s chief deputy.

(Preble County, OH)--Details of a fatal crash in Preble County have been released.  It happened on Tuesday night on Fisher-Twin Road south of West Alexandria.  A vehicle occupied by three elderly people left the roadway on a curve, went through a yard, and struck a tree.  91-year-old Chie Demeter of Eaton was riding in the back seat and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Two 83-year-old front-seat occupants were both injured.

(Fayette County, IN)--An identity has now been made in connection with human remains that were found 36 years ago.  Mushroom hunters found the remains in a shallow grave in a remote area of southern Fayette County back in 1990.  Through the efforts of multiple agencies and advanced DNA technology, those remains have now been identified as those of Jay Bell, who was born in 1945.  Now, investigators are seeking his two biological sons:  Jason Williamson, who was born in 1974, and Jay Williamson, who was born in 1970.  Investigators have been unable to locate any other family members who were alive when Bell’s remains were discovered.

(Connersville, IN)--Details of a drug bust in Fayette County were released Wednesday.  It happened on Illinois Avenue in Connersville.  During a traffic stop there, indicators of drug activity were detected.  A canine then gave a positive indication.  A further search of the vehicle turned up methamphetamine, fentanyl, and more than 600 pounds of stolen copper.  Donald Lynch, Charles Simpson, and Caitlin Allen were all taken into custody and face a host of felony charges.

Two newcomers will join the Richmond Community Schools Board following Tuesday's general election, while several contested races across Wayne County and surrounding communities were decided by narrow margins.

Rod Weiss and Tevin Thomas won the two available Richmond school board seats, with Thomas finishing just 94 votes ahead of third-place candidate Kym Pickering. In another close contest, Democrat Jade Rockwell defeated Republican incumbent Susan Isaacs for Wayne Township trustee by 67 votes.

Here's a county-by-county breakdown of the unofficial results from the November 3 election.

Richmond and Wayne County

Richmond Community Schools Board

Five candidates competed for two at-large seats.

• Rod Weiss — 29.13% (Elected)

• Tevin Thomas — 20.76% (Elected)

• Kym Pickering — 19.96%

• Bruce Laudermilk — 16.38%

• Mike Elorreaga — 13.76%

Wayne County Superior Court II Judge

Republican Austin Shadle won the race to succeed retiring Judge Gregory Horn.

• Austin Shadle (R) — 62.66%

• Jessica Richert (Independent) — 37.34%

Wayne County Council

District 2

• Barry Ritter (R) — 64.70%

• Ryan Ogden (D) — 35.30%

District 4

• Richard Tincher (R) — 53.08%

• Tom Pennington (D) — 46.92%

Wayne Township Trustee

Democrat Jade Rockwell won one of Wayne County's closest races, defeating Republican incumbent Susan Isaacs by 67 votes.

• Jade Rockwell (D) — 50.37%

• Susan Isaacs (R) — 49.63%

Union County

County Auditor

• Barry Boggs (R) — 61%

• Dennis Spaeth (D) — 37%

County Council District 2

• Tyler Clavell (R) — 57%

• James Hensley (D) — 41%

Fayette County

County Commissioner District 1

• Kay Peyton (R) — 64%

• Dale Strong (D) — 36%

County Council District 4

• Gary Keener Jr. (R) — 80%

• Jaime West (D) — 20%

Fayette County School Board District 3

Three candidates competed for two available seats.

• Dennis Perkins — 47% (Elected)

• Chris Hunt — 37% (Elected)

• Jared Glaub — 16%

Randolph County

Superior Court Judge

• Olivia Faddis (R) — 71.6%

• Christen Commers Smith (D) — 28.4%

Preble County, Ohio

Voters considered several local tax levies and funding proposals, with mixed results.

• Preble County Council on Aging: Renewal levy passed with 65% support.

• Camden: Police levy renewal failed, with 51% voting against it.

• College Corner: Fire levy renewal received 76% support in the Preble County returns.

• West Elkton: Emergency services levy failed, with 55% voting against it.

• Lewisburg: Parks levy renewal passed with 62% support.

• West Alexandria: Proposed municipal income tax failed, with 64% voting against it.

Indiana State Election Results

Secretary of State

Democrat Beau Bayh defeated Republican Max Engling.

• Beau Bayh (D) — approximately 50%

• Max Engling (R) — approximately 44%

Indiana Constitutional Amendments

Indiana voters approved two proposed constitutional amendments.

Public Question 1 — Bail Requirements

The amendment expands the circumstances under which judges may deny bail when the state meets specified legal standards.

• Yes — 58%

• No — 42%

Public Question 2 — Judicial Residency

The amendment changes residency requirements for city and town court judges, allowing them to live in certain neighboring counties.

• Yes — 62%

• No — 38%

Indiana Senate District 27

• Jeff Raatz (R) — 61%

• Ronald Itnyre (D) — 39%

Indiana House District 56

Republican Randy Retter, currently serving as Wayne County sheriff, won the race to succeed retiring State Representative Brad Barrett.

• Randy Retter (R) — 59%

• Thomas Rockwell (D) — 41%

Ohio State Election Results

Governor

Democrat Amy Acton will become the first woman elected governor of Ohio.

• Amy Acton (D) — approximately 51%

• Vivek Ramaswamy (R) — approximately 46%

U.S. Senate

• Sherrod Brown (D) — approximately 49%

• Jon Husted (R) — approximately 46%

Ohio Issue 3 — Voter Identification

Ohio voters approved the proposed constitutional amendment addressing voter identification requirements.

• Yes — approximately 66%

• No — approximately 34%

 

Editor's note: Election results are based on returns reported November 4, 2026, and are subject to official certification. Some percentages are rounded and may not total 100% where additional votes or candidates are not displayed.

Sources: Wayne County Clerk's Office, Indiana Election Division, Preble County Board of Elections, WISH-TV election results and regional election reporting.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Sanitary District rates were discussed when Richmond Common Council met Monday night.  Significant upgrades to the stormwater and sewage systems are needed at the Midwest Industrial Park to allow the industrial park to grow to capacity.  A variety of sources to finance the upgrades are being sought, but that could include a rate increase.  Jerry Purcell, who sits on the city’s finance committee, said that the city sought help from the county, and that request was turned down.  That denial means this..."that means that the full 24% increase in rates would have to come into effect at six percent per year for four years in a row," Purcell said.  Council did not vote on the issue Monday night.  It will address the proposed increase again in a couple of weeks.

(Fayette County, IN)--Fayette County Commissioner Dale Strong gave an update on the Nulltown Bridge over the Whitewater River on Monday.  That bridge has been closed since shortly after August flooding.  Strong said that one of the bridge’s piers has been damaged beyond repair.  Options now include removing and rebuilding two sections of the bridge or replacing the bridge entirely.  A full bridge replacement is estimated to cost between $10 and $12 million.  Whichever option is taken, the estimate now is that it will take two years to complete.  The Nulltown Bridge is the only bridge across the river in the 11-mile stretch between Connersville and Laurel.

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County no longer has the most cases of measles in Indiana, but it’s not because the number of cases has dropped.  According to numbers released by the state’s Department of Health Monday, Wayne County cases of measles have increased in the last week from 14 to 17.  After having led the state for several consecutive weeks, Wayne County is now second behind LaGrange County, which has 26 cases.  Randolph County is the only other Whitewater Valley County with any cases.  It has two.

(Richmond, IN)--An incident at Reid Health Monday ended with one person being taken to the Wayne County Jail.  Details of the incident have not yet been released, but 22-year-old McKenzie Becker was taken into custody on charges that include battery by bodily waste with disease and battery against a public safety official.  Becker is a Centerville resident and was being held on a $750 bond.

(Wayne County, IN)--Firefighters were battling a large barn fire early Monday morning.  The first units to arrive to East Seany Road near Fountain City indicated the barn was already fully involved.  In addition to Fountain City, crews from Williamsburg, Economy, Hollansburg, and numerous other communities all arrived to help provide water.  There’s no word yet on any injuries or what started the fire.

(Richmond, IN)--An engineering firm has identified some potential issues related to water at the proposed Smith Hill development on Richmond’s southeast side.  In that report, which is part of the materials being reviewed by the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission, soil testing has revealed water on some building sites as close to the surface as a foot and a half.  The report states that basements may not be possible in all locations and that significant, long-term dewatering requirements should be anticipated.  The report also states the underground water could cause an issue with the installation of utilities.  The Plan Commission will hear more when it meets on the 18^th of this month.

(Richmond, IN)--A heavily used ramp on I-70 in Wayne County is reopening Monday night.  It’s the eastbound exit from 70 to Williamsburg Pike.  It will restore access to both southbound Williamsburg Pike and to northbound U.S. 35.  That ramp had closed in late August to allow crews to construct new roundabouts at that interchange.  But, there’s also a new closure.  Smyrna Road will close Tuesday for about two weeks to allow for work on the overpass over the interstate.

(Richmond, IN)--There were a couple of drug arrests of note over the weekend.  Gary Lady was taken into custody Sunday night at the Richmond Inn & Suites on East Main and charged with dealing cocaine and possession of meth.  This makes the drug arrest #6 for Lady in the last six years.  And, 26-year-old Brianna Gross was arrested Saturday at South 13^th and A.  Her book-in photo for possession of cocaine and OWI shows her still with cat make-up on her face.  Gross was released on her own recognizance Monday morning.

(Brookville, IN)--The Brookville woman who shot and killed her own brother has been sentenced to 17 ½ years in prison.  The sentence for Crystal Pence comes after she changed her plea to guilty of voluntary manslaughter.  Nearly two years ago, Pence shot and killed her brother, 32-year-old Ronald Pence.  She told investigators then that she did it because he asked her to do it.  Crystal Pence spoke at the sentencing and said that her brother had been struggling since their father committed suicide a year before.

(Richmond, IN)--One of the biggest concerns of the proposed Smith Hill project, which would add up to 265 residential units consisting of 167 single-family homes to Richmond’s southeast side, is its impact on traffic.  Now, the results of a traffic study have become available.  The study was conducted by HWC Engineering.  It concludes that the development will not have a major impact on traffic along South 37^th, Hodgin Road, Garwood Road, or U.S. 40.  It does, though, suggest that either a traffic light would have to be installed or a roundabout constructed at the intersection of South 37^th and Hodgin Road.  The study also identifies ongoing problems on U.S. 40 at the intersections of Elks Road and Garwood Roads, but claims the Smith Hill development would not make those problems any worse than they already are.  The issue goes before the Plan Commission in about three weeks.

(Darke County, OH)--There was a fatal crash involving a motorcycle in Darke County on Thursday.  It happened late Thursday afternoon on State Route 121 at the entrance to Wayne Lakes.  Investigators say 78-year-old Charlene Flatter turned directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle being driven by 52-year-old Rickie Hess Junior.  Hess was pronounced dead at the scene.  Flatter was not injured.

(Terre Haute, IN)--Saturday is a big day for three area runners competing at the IHSAA state cross country championship in Terre Haute.  That includes Seton sophomore Hayden Neagle.  Hayden is the first Seton girl to compete at the state since 2017.  RHS runners Cale Newton and Dash Thacker will also be competing.  Best of luck to Hayden, Cale, and Dash.

(Richmond, IN)--There have been more incidents in Richmond involving kids with guns.  On Wednesday, Richmond police released details on an arrest that occurred Tuesday on South 9^th.  A 12-year-old boy was taken into custody for unlawful carrying of a handgun.  The boy was arrested along with Robert White-Martinez, who was charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon.  Then, Wednesday night, 18-year-old Luis Wool was taken into custody in the area of Linda Lane and Sylvan Nook Drive in Richmond and charged with intimidation with a deadly weapon and pointing a firearm.  Details of what led to that charge have not been released.  Wool was in the process of bonding out of jail at 4:30 Thursday morning.

Note: The accompanying mugshot is of Wool, not of the 12-year-old boy.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County Commissioners on Wednesday addressed the policy of prayer before public governmental meetings.  The policy would allow each local body to sets its own parameters involving prayer.  Commissioners were split on the issue.  Here’s Jeff Plasterer:  "While I support prayer, I also believe that, in this case, government and religion should remain as separate as possible."  Aaron Roberts had a different point of view.  "The phrase 'separation of church and state' does not actually appear in the U.S. Constitution," Roberts said.  The vote passed by a 2-1 margin.

(Richmond, IN)--Many people nowadays transition straight from Halloween to Christmas.  So, when this happens, it will seem well into the Christmas season.  Two weeks from Saturday, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be making a stop in Richmond on its way to Washington, D.C.   The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce says it envisions a family-friendly series of events centered around the tree’s stop in downtown Richmond.  Thursday, Richmond’s Board of Public Works will address planned street closures to allow those events to take place.

(Richmond, IN)--Sim Hodgin Parkway in Richmond won’t be reopening any time soon.  That road, which cuts through the Whitewater Gorge, has been closed for several months to allow for removal of the Weir Dam and for work on a railroad bridge.  Part of the reason for the extended closure is that drivers have driven around barricades.  Here’s Aaron Stevens with RPD:  "There were some cars that had broken through the barricades.  Average speeds on them approaching that area were in excess of 45 miles per hour."  When will Sim Hodgin reopen?  "I hope it's sometime in December," Stevens said.  The Board of Works has approved the extended closure.

(Richmond, IN)--He held numerous titles in his nine decades in Wayne County.  Family, friends, and associates of John Catey are remembering all of those contributions.  Catey died Sunday afternoon.  Catey joined the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department in 1958 and became sheriff in 1970 and would serve in state leadership roles in that capacity.  In the 1980’s, he became a Wayne County Council member and then a Wayne County Commissioner.  He was also on the board at Reid Health during construction of its new facility.  Service has been set for 1 o’clock Friday afternoon at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Richmond.  John Catey was 92.

(Greenville, OH)--IU East is expanding its Seamless Admission program.  That’s the program that automatically admits high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have GPA’s of 2.5 or higher.  IU East has now partnered with Greenville High School to introduce 400 students there to the program.  IU East began the program with Richmond High School last year.

(Richmond, IN)--A suspect in a child sexual abuse case turned himself in at the Wayne County Jail Monday afternoon and has already bonded out.  21-year-old Sawyer Knott is charged with possession of child sex abuse material and child exploitation.  Details of what led to those charges have not yet been obtained.  A warrant for Knott’s arrest was issued last Friday after a judge found probable cause in the case.