(Winchester, IN)--State Road 32 in Winchester has reopened Thursday morning after what appears to have been a fatal accident.  There have been no details released by law enforcement so far.  But, at around midnight Thursday night, scanner traffic indicated that INDOT personnel was being sent to the site of what was a fatal crash on 32.  The Winchester Police Department is expected to release more information Thursday.

(Richmond, IN)--Indiana State Police troopers were involved in a Richmond chase overnight.  At a little before midnight Wednesday night, troopers began to pursue a man later identified as 57-year-old James Mills of Richmond.  Mills was eventually captured in the area of South 7^th and P Streets and taken to the Wayne County Jail.  He’s charged with reckless driving and felony resisting.

(Wayne County, IN)--On Tuesday, for the first time, a Michigan woman visited the exact Wayne County spot where her mother’s remains were found 41 years ago.  It was the culmination of efforts between the family of Misty LaBean and the Wayne County Coroner’s Office in identifying the remains of LaBean’s mother, Connie Christensen.  Hunters stumble upon Christensen’s remains back in 1982 near Jacksonburg.  Coroner’s Office personnel and LaBean have now developed a personal friendship.  "I have always felt like it was all about me, and I haven't felt like that a lot in my life," LaBean said.  The identification was made public on Monday.  The man who is suspected of killing Christensen died in September.  LaBean visited the site yesterday wearing the ring that was found on Christensen’s finger.  (Note:  this photo was taken Tuesday at the spot of the discovery, which is at the end of Ted Davis Road near Jacksonburg).

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board this week formally ratified a new contract with the Richmond Education Association, or teachers’ union.  "This is an unprecedented pay increase and I believe it demonstrates our appreciation for our teachers," RCS School Board President Nicole Stults said Tuesday.  CFO Jamie Bolser talked about one of the highlights of the new contract:  "The salary schedule is commensurate with education and years of experience.  On average, there's a ten percent, or $4500 increase with the minimum additional compensation of $1000.  The new contract is a two-year collective bargaining agreement.

(Richmond, IN)--A manhunt in the area of Blue Buffalo in Richmond ended with the capture of two men who led police on a chase that began at least as far as west as Greenfield Tuesday afternoon.  After entering Wayne County on I-70 at speeds of up to 130 miles per hour, the two crashed near Round Barn Road and then fled on foot into a wooded area.  Drones and a helicopter helped locate the two men.  They were taken first to Reid Health and then to the Henry County Jail.  There’s no word yet on their identity or what started the chase.

(Richmond, IN)--There have been no new developments in the search for whoever shot and killed Richmond’s Jaziah Scudiero early Sunday morning, but there were shots fired Monday night not far from where Scudiero was killed.  At around 7 o’clock Monday night, according to scanner traffic, two vehicles were involved near the Excel Center in the 800 block of South I.  Shots were fired from one of the vehicles at the other vehicle.  No injuries were reported.  Officers found shell casings.  The vehicles were described as a black Honda with loud exhaust and a red Ford Fusion.  Monday night’s incident was only about five blocks from where Scudiero was shot and killed.

(Wayne County, IN)--Through the hard work and determination of the Wayne County Coroner’s Office and a little bit of luck, a Michigan woman now has answers about her mother’s life.  Around Christmas of 1982, hunters found the remains of a young mother just north of Jacksonburg in Wayne County.  She had been there for eight months, and despite efforts at the time, she could never be identified.  The remains were kept at IU in Bloomington.  Through a grant, the coroner’s office began to look at cold cases and recently did extensive DNA testing.  At roughly the same time, a member of the young mother’s family happened to take an interest in genealogy and a connection was made.  On Monday afternoon, the remains were publically identified as those of Connie Christensen of Wisconsin.  Connie’s daughter, who was just one year old when her mother disappeared, talked about it Monday.  "Obviously, it gave me answers that I had been looking for for a long time,"  said Misty LaBean.  Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News will have more on the identification in news on Wednesday.

(West Manchester, OH)--More information was released Monday about a double-fatal crash that occurred near West Manchester on Saturday afternoon.  According to investigators Monday, a 16-year-old New Madison boy drove a pickup through a stop sign on Wikel Road and broad-sided an SUV driven by a 66-year-old Dayton man.  That man’s 36-year-old daughter was riding alongside.  Both were killed at the scene.  The boy who caused the crash was not seriously injured.

(Richmond, IN)--The search continued Monday morning for whoever shot and killed a 20-year-old Richmond man early Sunday morning.  It was around 5:30 Sunday morning when Richmond police were called to the 700 block of South 14^th Street.  There, they found Jaziah Scudiero with multiple gunshot wounds.  Scudiero was pronounced dead at the scene.  The only description of any possible suspect that was released to the public is that the shooter was wearing a light-colored hoodie.  Multiple witnesses were taken to RPD headquarters and interviewed.  RPD investigators would like to hear from anyone with additional information.

(West Manchester, IN)--Two people were killed in a Preble County crash on Saturday.  It happened on Wikel Road near West Manchester at around 5 o’clock Saturday afternoon.  First responders located the victims in the wreckage when they arrived.  The names of the two victims and other conditions that led to the crash have not been released.

(Wayne County, IN)--For the third consecutive month, Wayne County’s unemployment rate is lower than it was the month before.  According to new numbers from the state, Wayne County’s unemployment rate this morning is 3.5%.  That’s down a modest tenth of a percentage point from last month.  Fayette County’s rate has increased to four-and-a-half percent.  That’s the second-highest unemployment rate in all of Indiana.  The number of people in Wayne County’s labor force has remained essentially the same from both last month and this time last year.

(Richmond, IN)--The remains of a Richmond man killed in World War II will finally be coming back to the United States for final burial.  Gene Walker left Richmond to fight in Germany and died there when his tank caught fire.  His wife and daughter, who he never got to meet, were left behind.  Decades later, his remains were discovered in a Belgian cemetery.  DNA testing of the remains confirmed Walker’s identification.  Those remains will be brought to San Diego and buried there in a few months.

(Richmond, IN)--For the second time in ten days, there was a serious crash Thursday night on the sweeping curve of North A Street between the jail and Richmond City Building.  According to scanner traffic, a crash late Thursday night began with the report of a stolen vehicle from Elstro Plaza.  The driver of that car fled west and hit another vehicle in the curve.  A female driver sustained minor injuries.  The male driver of the stolen vehicle was being checked out at Reid Health Friday morning.

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health Community Benefit is awarding a third grant cycle to area nonprofit organizations for the first time since expanding its program earlier this year.  17 organizations are receiving support for maternal, infant, and children’s health.  The largest single recipients are Birth To Five and the Hope Center.  The total amount of grants awarded is $100,000.

(Richmond, IN)--There has been no indication from law enforcement in either Wayne or Preble County that the subject of Tuesday morning’s incident on and around I-70 has been captured.  According to scanner traffic, that person stole a truck in Preble County and fled west into Wayne County at around 5:30 Tuesday morning before crashing near the New Paris Pike overpass.  The suspect fled into the large wooded area around New Creations.  Meanwhile, traffic on westbound I-70 came to a standstill.  Authorities used drones and other measures to search for at least two hours.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police investigated a call of shots fired from a truck late Tuesday afternoon in the area of North 15^th and J Streets.  The initial report was that bullet holes were found in a door, glass had been shattered, and that shell casings were found nearby.  There was no report of any injury.  The vehicle was described as a dark blue or black SUV with tinted windows.

(Richmond, IN)--Monday night was the public comment portion of the ratification of the new contract between Richmond Community Schools and the REA, or teachers’ union.  Jamie Bolser with RCS shared the opinions of education leaders about the new contract. "Indiana State Teacher Association Director and former REA President Scott Priest acknowledged that this teachers' contract is the most significant contractual agreement in the history of Richmond Community Schools."  Six speakers then paraded to the microphone to talk not about the new contract, but instead about the removal of REA President Kelley McDermott.  Former Dennis teacher Casey Raper teed off on the Board.  "You have chosen to be selfish, narcissistic political bullies and you should be ashamed of yourselves.  You need to stop your political agendas and listen," Raper said.  The Board is expected to ratify the new contract this coming Monday.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Mayor Elect Ron Oler talked Monday about how the relationship between his soon-to-be police chief and a newly elected member of Common Council will affect council proceedings over the next four years.  On January 2, Kyle Weatherly will become RPD’s chief.  Also on that day, Anne Taylor becomes a member of Common Council.  Weatherly and Taylor are married even though they don’t share the same last name.  Oler said Monday that Taylor, like all other council members, will sign an annual conflict of interest form.  She will also abstain from any voting on a police salary ordinance.

(Richmond, IN)--Law enforcement agents went into the Whitewater Gorge in Richmond early Monday to track down a suspect after multiple car break-ins were reported.  It happened in the area of Richmond High School.  47-year-old Christopher Bolner allegedly fled into the gorge area and was apprehended there.  Bolner is now charged with two counts of theft from a motor vehicle, intimidation, and numerous drug charges.  The quantity of drugs recovered has not been released.

(Eaton, OH)--A body that was found more than 50 years ago in Eaton has finally been identified, and there’s a twist.  For all those years, investigators believed that the body that was located by children playing in a creek bed was that of a female.  But recent DNA testing revealed that is was a man from Hamilton.  He had last been seen in 1964, but had never been reported missing.  The cause of death, though, is still undetermined.  Now, those investigators are hoping that someone who knew Albert Frost can provide more information.

(Connersville, IN)--Connersville investigators are still looking for whoever struck a child with their vehicle and then fled the scene.  Now, they’ve released an image of the vehicle that was taken from a security system.  It happened Friday night in the area of 12^th and Grand Avenue.  The child that was struck was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital.  The driver who fled was described as a female who had two small children in her vehicle.  She was driving a white passenger car.

(Richmond, IN)--A wanted Richmond man was taken into custody Sunday.  It was just last month that 26-year-old Anthony Luster was jailed for being found with a handgun.  When Luster failed to show up for an initial hearing in that case, a warrant was issued for his arrest.  He was located Sunday at his home on North 11^th.  Six years ago, Luster strangled a woman who was pregnant with his child and then escaped from the Wayne County Courthouse during a hearing on that charge.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Mayor Elect Ron Oler has named his first department head.  Kyle Weatherly from the Wayne County Sheriff’s office will be the new Chief of Police.  Oler said Thursday that current chief Mike Britt would be resigning as chief effective January 2 but will retain his last merited rank of Lieutenant.  Weatherly has indicated he will bring on Adam Blanton from the Hagerstown Police Department as part of RPD.

(Winchester, IN)--A man from the Hamilton area is now facing multiple felonies after an encounter with the group Predator Catchers.  27-year-old Aaron Clark, who is a male but often poses as a female, was arrested at the Winchester Walmart after driving there to meet what he thought was a 13-year-old girl but were really adults posing online as children.  Here’s Clark’s explanation when he was confronted outside the Winchester Walmart:  "I really wasn't going to go through with anything unless she was okay with it.  I would never do anything that she didn't want to do."  Predator Catchers provided investigators with lewd online descriptions of what he intended to do with the girl.

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s more on the new contract between the Richmond Education Association and Richmond Community Schools.  Starting teachers will begin with a $46,000 annual salary.  Established teachers will get, on average, a ten percent raise.  "This teachers' contract is further confirmation that our corporation is committed to action-based leadership.  As a result of such leadership, we are strengthening the partnership with our classroom teachers, which will be of benefit to the students that our teachers selflessly serve," said Superintendent Dr. Curtis Wright.  The new collective bargaining agreement will be in effect for the next two years.

(Richmond, IN)--Cleanup is now visibly underway at site of the last spring’s My Way Trading fire in Richmond.  Tuesday, the EPA held a press conference to talk about the process and the cost.  "We have estimated and budgeted a little over $3 million," said Allen Jarrell with the EPA.  But, the EPA will only be cleaning up about 2/3 of the 14 acres because that’s where most of the lead, asbestos, and benzene was centered.  When asked who is responsible for cleaning up the rest of the property, this was Jarrell’s response:  "That's not my concern."  That property is owned by the city and Seth Smith.  The debris will be taken to a special landfill out of the area.  Cleanup is expected to be complete by next summer.

(Richmond, IN)--A medical helicopter was summoned after a serious crash near the Wayne County Jail late Tuesday night.  It happened at around 10 o’clock on the sweeping curve of North A between the jail and the city building.  Scanner traffic indicated one person was unconscious at the scene.  The roadway was shut down.  Other details including the identities, conditions, and the cause of the crash have not been released.  (Photo:  Speak Out Scanners)

(Connersville, IN)--Last week, 63-year-old Dena Scripture was arrested for making a terroristic threat after a photo of a gun and the words “be ready” were posted on her Facebook page.  Now, after further investigation, Connersville police say that Scripture did not make the threat and that it was instead made by a 14-year-old boy who had accessed Scripture’s Facebook account.  That boy has now been charged.  The threat charge against Scripture has been dropped, but a drug charge that resulted from a search of her home will stick.

(Richmond, IN)--On Tuesday morning, representatives of the EPA will be in Richmond to discuss more details about the start of cleanup at the My Way Trading fire site.  That event comes just about a month after the EPA announced it would soon begin cleanup.  The cost of the cleanup is estimated to be just under $3 million.  The EPA will pay two-thirds of the cost.   At Tuesday morning’s event, the EPA will discuss the removal of materials that contain asbestos and lead.  It will not be open to the public.

(Connersville, IN)--An initial hearing is pending for a Connersville pastor accused of throwing an apple and hitting an elderly lady in the face at Walmart.  Garfield Seeley was jailed and then released after a warrant was issued for his arrest.  Seeley is charged with battery resulting in bodily injury.  There no word on what prompted the incident.  Seeley’s father Merle, who is also a pastor, was also charged with battery earlier this year after allegedly attacking a 16-year-old basketball player.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Police investigators want to talk to anyone who may have information about the city’s latest shooting.  At around 11 o’clock on Saturday night, officers responded to the 900 block of North C Street.  There, they found 24-year-old Laquent Hogg with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.  Multiple shell casings were located and a passenger car had also been struck.  There was no description of any shooter or associated vehicle.  There’s also no word on what may have led to the shooting.  Hogg was arrested for armed robbery four years ago, but that charge was ultimately dropped.

(Wayne County, IN)--There was a fatal crash on U.S. 35 in Wayne County on Saturday morning.  According to Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter, it happened near the intersection of Davis Meyers Road between Williamsburg and Economy.  35-year-old Carolyn Legg of Muncie drifted across the center line and into the path of an oncoming feed truck being driven by Jay Ballinger of New Paris.  Legg was pronounced dead at the scene.  Ballinger was taken to Reid Health.  Investigators say Legg may have been looking at an electronic device just before the crash.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Mayor Dave Snow has issued a response after being defeated last week in his bid for a third term as Richmond mayor.  Here it is in its entirety: 

(Fountain City, IN)--Thursday night, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department released details of what turned out to be a fatal accident on U.S. 27 at the south side of Fountain City on Wednesday.  56-year-old Dean Dunaway of Fountain City was riding his bicycle on the southbound shoulder of the highway when he turned into the path of a vehicle that was approaching from behind.  Dunaway was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, where he was later pronounced dead.  The investigation is continuing.

(Richmond, IN)--On Tuesday of next week, representatives of the EPA will be in Richmond to discuss more details about the start of cleanup at the My Way Trading fire site.  That event comes just about a month after the EPA announced it would soon begin cleanup.  The cost of the cleanup is estimated to be just under $3 million.  The EPA will pay two-thirds of the cost.   At next Tuesday’s event, the EPA will discuss the removal of materials that contain asbestos and lead.  It will not be open to the public.

(Connersville, IN)--A social media threat Thursday forced the cancellation of some events for the Fayette County School District.  Within an hour of the threat being made, investigators had arrested 63-year-old Dena Scripture.  Scripture had posted a picture of a handgun with the words “going to the closest school.  Be ready.”  A search warrant was then executed at her Connersville home.  Drugs and drug paraphernalia was located along with 47-year-old Ralph Hendrix.  Hendrix initially refused to come out but eventually surrendered.  Scripture is charged with making a terroristic threat.

Richmond Mayor Dave Snow has issued a statement after losing his reelection bid to Republican Ron Oler.  Snow released the statement on social media Wednesday and said, quote, “I’ve had a lot of people ask me how I’m feeling today. My overwhelming feeling is thankful. I’m so grateful for this community, and everyone who has lifted and inspired me over these past 8 years."  He goes on to say "This time in office has been a dream job for me, and I have enjoyed every minute I’ve had to work with such a wonderful team. Every single person that works for our city is passionate about the work they do, and getting to work alongside each of them has been a humbling experience I will carry with me for years to come." He ends his statement with " Always fight for the beauty and authenticity of our amazing city." and "Thank You".  Snow was serving his second term as mayor. He secured around 39 percent of the vote, while his opponent Ron Oler garnered 51 percent.

A serious motor vehicle/bicycle accident occurred Wednesday afternoon near Whitewater Road and US 27.  27 was closed down as careflight was reportedly called in for the unconscious bicyclist.  The accident, and the resulting emergency response forced students and parents at Northeastern Schools to re-route at school dismissal yesterday afternoon.  No further information as to the condition of the bicyclist has been made available at this time.

A Union City man has been charged in Randolph County with child molesting, which is a felony that carries up to a 40-year prison term.  Eric Wayne Bowers, age 39, is accused of sexual assault of a minor who told authorities that she and her siblings had been left in his care for an evening.  Bowers has denied the allegations and is being held in the Randolph County jail under a $70,000 bond.  An initial hearing in the case is set for later today.

Earlham College is giving its students greater flexibility in completing their degrees and will begin to offer a new online winter session in January 2024.  Classes will run from January 2-19 and will be taught by Earlham’s teaching faculty.  The additional session is being offered to help with student success and retention according to Rick Stephens, Earlham College interim provost and vice president of academic affairs. Its aim is to help Students get ahead on their credits, catch up if they fall behind or spread out their course load to create greater flexibility in managing their future pursuits on campus.”  Registration will run from November 14 to December 8 for current students and non-matriculating students seeking to resume progress on their degree.  Additional information is available at Visit earlham.edu/winter-session.

Ohio voters delivered a statewide victory for progressives on Tuesday when they passed a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights. In an election that drew national attention, Issue 1racked up a big early voting advantage that helped it cruise to victory on election night and end a bitter campaign over abortion access that drew millions of dollars in outside spending on both sides.  Ohio becomes the seventh state to back abortion rights in statewide votes since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022. The language that will be added to the Ohio Constitution protects individuals’ decisions about abortion, pregnancy, contraception, miscarriage care and fertility treatment until fetal viability, around 22 to 24 weeks. Then the General Assembly would be allowed to regulate reproductive decisions. But women would still be allowed to get an abortion after viability if in the professional judgement of her physician it’s needed to protect her life or health.

Ohio also just became the 24th state to legalize recreational marijuana, but don't expect big changes yet.  Issue 2, approved by Ohio voters in Tuesday's elections, will allow adults 21 and older to buy, possess and grow marijuana, but it won't go into effect immediately. The measure is an initiated statute, which means it will become part of the Ohio Revised Code in 30 days.  And in the interim, Republican lawmakers are already calling for changes. Issue 2 will allow Ohioans age 21 and older to possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis in any form except extract and 15 grams of extract. They can also grow up to six plants individually and no more than 12 in a household with multiple adults.  The products will be taxed 10% on top of Ohio's sales tax and is scheduled to go into effect December 7th, But the Ohio Legislature could change any part of the law before, and even after it's enacted.  Additionally, The state has nine months to issue the first round of licenses to marijuana growers, processors and dispensaries. Those licenses will go to existing medical marijuana businesses and participants.

What's next for Indiana?

And with Ohio voters legalizing marijuana for recreational use, they join neighboring states Michigan and Illinois in decriminalizing cannabis.  Indiana, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Iowa reamin area states where the growing and use of marijuana is still against the law. 

(Richmond, IN)--Republican Ron Oler unseated Richmond Mayor Dave Snow yesterday.  Oler’s win was decisive.  He collected 51% of the total vote while Snow garnered 39%.  It was a difference of 639 votes.  "This is awesome.  I am so pleased and humbled.  Thank you Richmond voters.  Thank you, family and friends.  Thank you, everyone who carried me across the finish line.  I'll be proud to serve you and proud to serve Richmond.  I'm ready to get to work tomorrow but know I have to wait until January 2," said Oler Monday night.  Howard Price received 408 votes, while 101 people cast their ballot for David “Batman” Carpenter.  Oler will take over with a more strongly leaning Republican Common Council.  "We not at 6-3 instead of 5-4," Oler added.  Oler will be Richmond’s first Republican mayor in 20 years.  That’s also the last time a sitting mayor was defeated in a Richmond election.  If there’s one major difference in this year’s Richmond election when compared to the last mayoral election of 2019, it’s the change in straight-party voters.  In 2019, almost 3000 people voted straight-party with 42% of those voting Democrat.  But, this year, only 2146 people voted straight-party, and 61% of those chose Republicans.  Overall, 365 fewer people voted this year in Richmond.  The 5543 people who bothered to cast a ballot represent only 20 percent of Richmond residents who were old enough to have voted.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond’s Common Council becomes more strongly Republican as a result of Tuesday’s election.  The three successful at-large candidates, in order of votes received, were newcomer Jerry Purcell, Jane Bumbalough, and newcomer Justin Burkhardt.  All are Republicans.  "I'm very thankful for the outcome and I know that everybody who was elected will represent everyone in the city very well," said Bumbalough.  Democrat Claudia Edwards was edged out, but wished others well.  "I've been serving our community at different levels for years and I plan on continuing to do the same, and wish the best to all the elected officials.".  The race in District 2 was relatively close.  Democrat Lucinda Wright edged out Gary Miller by 53 votes.  The other contested race was in District 5.  Republican Anne Taylor unseated Gary Locke by a 61-39% margin.  Council will now consist of six Republicans and three Democrats.

(Richmond, IN)--Tuesday’s election in Wayne County was affected by a major power outage.  It happened at just before 9 Tuesday morning.  12,000 RP&L customers were out, including polling locations.  After the outage was resolved by 11 o’clock, the Wayne County Election Board decided to keep polling locations open until 7 Tuesday night, which is an hour longer than normal.  RP&L indicated that a car crash somewhere took out a large regional power line.  Power was also out in Centerville, Hagerstown, and Liberty.  Many school districts, including Richmond, dismissed early as a result of the outage.

(Richmond, IN)--Tuesday is Election Day.  Polls are open until 6 o’clock Tuesday night in Indiana and until 7:30 in Ohio.  In both states, you’ll need a photo ID to cast a ballot.  Four polling locations are open in Richmond.  They include the First Bank Kuhlman Center, Mount Olive Baptist Church, First English Lutheran Church, and First Baptist Church.  Cambridge City residents can vote at the Golay Center.  Milton residents can vote at Town Hall.  Residents of other Wayne County communities will not be participating because there are no races.  In Richmond, four people are vying for Mayor.  A total of six people are running for three spots on Richmond Common Council.  WCTV will have live coverage beginning at 6 o’clock Tuesday night.

(Richmond, IN)--Wolverine Worldwide is nine and a half years into a ten-year lease of a property on Industries Road in Richmond.  Now, they have notified local officials that they will not be renewing the lease when it expires.  Wolverine is transitioning to a fully remote staffing model, which became more common after the reaction to Covid-19.  The EDC is already working with a potential new tenant.  According to the website All Biz, there are a dozen employees working in the local call center.

(Richmond, IN)--14 years in prison is the sentence that’s been handed down to a Richmond child molester.  34-year-old John Ashcraft was given the sentence in Wayne Superior Court I as part of a plea deal.  Ashcraft admitted to two counts.  Four other counts were dropped in return.  He began attacking the victim when she was just seven years old.

(Cincinnati, OH)--The family of Richmond's Shawn King indicated Monday morning that he has been taken off of life support and has died.  King never regained consciousness after being trapped under a lawnmower that had flipped over into the water in at a pond at a Fairfield Apartment complex last week.  The decision was made to remove King from life support Sunday.  Late Sunday night, the family accompanied him to an organ donation at University Hospital in Cincinnati and thaned the UC staff who lined the hallways.  King died at 1 o’clock Monday morning.

(Wayne County, IN)--Tuesday is Election Day in Wayne County and across the Whitewater Valley.  Voting, though, has been going on for nearly a month and will continue Monday, but only until noon and only at the Wayne County Courthouse.  Tuesday, there will be four voting locations in Richmond, one in Cambridge City, and one in Milton.  About 2100 Wayne County residents have cast ballots so far.  If you’re voting Monday or Tuesday, you’ll have to have a photo ID.

(Richmond, IN)--There are some startling numbers from a local food pantry that is indicative of the effects of inflation and other factors.  The Community Food Pantry in Richmond is now serving an average of one new family every single day.  Even more startling…they’ve served three and a half times as many people this year as they did at this time last year.  They’ve served 30,000 more meals so far this year than they did all of last year.  Now, the pantry needs about $50,000 to finish the year out of a deficit.  Cash donations are being accepted.  The Community Food Pantry is located in the 300 block of North 19^th in Richmond.

(Fairfield, OH)--A Richmond lawn care worker remained in critical condition in a medically induced coma Friday morning in a Cincinnati hospital following an accident earlier this week.  Shawn King was working Tuesday for a Richmond company called All Seasons Lawn and Snow when his mower flipped into a pond and pinned him underwater at an apartment complex in Fairfield.  "Our personnel arrived to find a male under a lawn mower at the edge of the pond.  He was submerged in the water unconscious and unresponsive.  Our folks got him out.  Paramedics started lifesaving efforts," said Fairfield firefighter Randy McCreadie.  A gofundme account has been established to help King’s family.

(Richmond, IN)--A former Richmond resident has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for murdering his wife in a Richmond trailer park two years ago.  26-year-old Vincent Hoffman pled guilty to murder this week in Wayne Circuit Court.  In December of ’21, Hoffman broke into his mother-in-law’s trailer and shot his 34-year-old wife Jessica twice.  He would later tell police he heard voices telling him to do it and that he had been awake for days and on cocaine.  In the spring of 2019, Hoffman rammed his car into another vehicle occupied by his former girlfriend at the Centerville Dollar General.

(Wayne County, IN)--A planned large livestock auction that was rejected near Williamsburg earlier this year is now drawing the same type of opposition for its new location on U.S. 27 north of Fountain City.  Residents there are now expressing the same types of concerns, including increased traffic and decreased property values.  The case is now moving through Wayne Circuit Court following a formal challenge by two residents.  No hearing date for the challenge has been set yet.

(Columbus, OH)--The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that plans to construct two large solar farms in Preble County can move forward.  An organization called Concerned Citizens of Preble County had fought the development for two years.  One of the solar farms is planned for the College Corner area; the other is for just east of Lakengren.  Opponents felt the plans for the solar farms were not properly publically advertised, but the Supreme Court ruled differently.

(Connersville, IN)--A Connersville man has been charged with the highest possible level of felony following a recent overdose death.  47-year-old Clint Edwards was arrested this week and charged with Dealing Resulting in Death.  An investigation revealed that Edwards had dealt drugs laced with fentanyl that resulted in the death of one person in Connersville back in September.  Edwards is being held on a quarter of a million dollar bond.

(Dayton, OH)--An IU East math professor has appeared in Dayton Municipal Court and has pled not guilty to charges that include engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools.  Ramesh Karki was one of about a hundred men caught in a human trafficking sting across Ohio earlier this year.  Karki was in court Monday and is due back at the end of the month.  Karki was described this week as a former IU East professor, although he still appears in the IU East staff directory.

(Hagerstown, IN)--Just as trick-or-treat was wrapping up Tuesday night in Hagerstown, there was a man allegedly driving around at twice the legal limit of alcohol and with at least one child in his vehicle.  30-year-old Zachary Callahan was stopped by Hagerstown police in the first block of South Perry Street.  Callahan, who has a previous OWI conviction, was taken to the Wayne County Jail and had already bonded out Wednesday morning.  He faces numerous charges.

(Richmond, IN)--INDOT issued a brief update Tuesday on the Depot District Overpass replacement project.  INDOT said that it will be pouring pier caps within a week.  Those caps will protect new concrete pillars.  The overpass is still on target to reopen to traffic in about a year, will full project completion expected by the summer of ’25.