ONE TEEN SHOT, ANOTHER TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A teenager has undergone an overnight surgery at Miami Valley Hospital after being shot in Richmond Sunday.  It happened late Sunday afternoon at a bridge over the East Fork of the Whitewater River at the north end of North 17^th.  Richmond police investigators say the boy was found in or near the river and that life-saving efforts were immediately rendered.  The boy was carried across the river to a waiting ambulance, taken to Reid Health, and then flown out to Miami Valley.  Police then interviewed a second juvenile and transferred that teen to a juvenile detention center.  RPD’s release made no mention of the relationship between the two or what led to the shooting, but friends and family members have indicated that they knew each other and got into an argument while fishing.

MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING HIS GRANDMOTHER

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Darke County, OH)--An arraignment is pending for a Darke County man accused of intentionally setting a fire that killed his own grandmother.  A six-month investigation has ended with charges of aggravated murder and arson against 36-year-old Jamin Brenner.  Brenner was taken into custody on Friday afternoon.  Investigators allege he set fire to a trailer in the Sherwood Forest Trailer Community that killed 86-year-old Beverly Lees in December of last year.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES IN AREA INDIANA COUNTIES

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Whitewater Valley)--After having dropped for three consecutive months, unemployment rates for Indiana counties in the Whitewater Valley have increased.  New numbers show Wayne County’s unemployment rate now stands at 3.6%.  That’s up from 3.2% the month before.  All other area counties saw a similar increase.  The number of people in Wayne County’s labor force continues to grow.  It now includes just over 30,800 people.

ALCOHOL CITED AS FACTOR IN DOUBLE-FATAL CRASH

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Franklin County, IN)--Two people were killed in a Saturday night crash in Franklin County.  The preliminary investigators showed that both speed and alcohol were factors in the crash that killed 49-year-old William Dunham of Oldenburg and a man from Sunman.  The crash happened on West Chapel Road near Andersonville, which is on U.S. 52 at the western edge of Franklin County.  The driver was speeding when he lost control, hit a tree, went airborne, and then struck a residence.  No one inside the home was hurt.

WOMAN WANTED IN MISSISSIPPI CAPTURED IN WAYNE COUNTY

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Wayne County, IN)--A woman who lives in Kansas and is wanted in Mississippi was taken into custody on Saturday on Germantown Road near Cambridge City.  29-year-old Miah Farve was allegedly driving with a high blood alcohol content and with at least one child in the car.  Police say she fled the scene of a property damage crash and then resisted arrest.  There was no indication of any injury to the child or children.  Farve is wanted in Mississippi on drug and parole violation charges.

UNION SCHOOLS TO REMAIN OPEN

Posted About Ten Months Ago

Union Schools are now expected to stay open for the upcoming school year.  As we previously reported, the district faced closure this upcoming school year due to a property tax overhaul bill.  The bill prevented the district from writing new contracts for staff members.  In a ruling last week a judge disagreed. Union Schools filed a lawsuit in May against the state, Gov. Mike Braun and Education Secretary Katie Jenner. The Modoc-based district serves about 300 students in-person and also educates nearly 9,000 students online through a partnership with the Indiana Digital Learning School. It’s been 50 years since Indiana has dissolved a public school district. 

PHOTO CREDIT: David Benbennick

 

GRANT COULD SAVE WHITEWATER CANAL

Posted About Ten Months Ago

The Whitewater Canal State Historic Site may be saved after all. In a press release yesterday, the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites says it, along with the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, could receive a $7 million grant to help with the preservation of the site in Metamora. The historic site was expected to close permanently after this summer season, after exhausting all avenues to raise funds for essential repairs. The Indiana Legislature set aside $7 million in 2023, but the group was unable to raise the matching funds. The IEDC pre-commitment notice would help to make essential repairs to keep the site open, originally estimated at 14.4 million. 

LAWSUITS SAY HENRY CO OFFICIALS COVERED UP SEXUAL ABUSE/RAPE CHARGES

Posted About Ten Months Ago

Numerous lawsuits, including one filed this week, claim that a former deputy director of Henry County Community Corrections and a former Henry County Sheriff raped or sexually abused convicts for decades, and their actions were covered up by other county officials. Attorney Jon Little is representing at least SIX men who say Jason Bertram sexually abused or raped them while overseeing their probation. All of them have filed federal lawsuits against numerous Henry County officials and agencies.  All of the alleged crimes took place in the offices of Henry County Community Corrections. The victims were men completing sentences and required to visit the facility. Bertram worked for the county agency for 12 years. After he was finally charged last year, he put a gun in his mouth and killed himself before he could be arrested. The case against him was dismissed and removed from public access. Former Sheriff Kim Cronk shot himself in his front yard in 2020.  There is a memorial to him in New Castle.  

WOMAN KILLED BY MACHETE IN PREBLE COUNTY

Posted About Ten Months Ago

A woman is dead after she was struck with a machete while riding a motorcycle in Preble County. 41-year-old Leigha Huff of Middletown was pronounced dead on Aukerman Creek Road Sunday night following the attack which caused a severe laceration to her right leg. According to the Preble County Sheriff’s Department, Huff had been the passenger on a motorcycle that had been traveling past a home on Upper Somers Road near Camden. That’s exactly when 59-year-old Kenneth Brabant reportedly threw a machete down the driveway and ultimately, into Huff’s leg.  Brabant was part of an unrelated altercation that night involving his daughter and her motorcycle-riding ex boyfriend. At this point in the investigation it can only be assumed the machete was intended for the driver of the other bike and Huff’s drive-by was deathly unfortunate. Yesterday morning Brabant was formally charged in Eaton Municipal Court with two counts of Murder, two counts of Felonious Assault, and other charges.  The incident remains under investigation. 

photo credit: Preble County Sheriff

CITY'S LEGAL FEES IN LAWSUIT AGAINST SHIPMAN NOW EXCEED $100,000

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman has indicated that the lawsuit filed against him by RPD’s Adam Blanton and the City of Richmond over Blanton’s placement on the Brady List is still in its early stages.  But, according to the city’s law department, the City has now racked up more than $100,000 in legal fees.  That total, which is actually now $105,921 does not include Blanton and the City’s lawyers’ time for the dismissal hearing in Henry County two weeks ago.  The parties have also not started the discovery process yet.

UPTOWN INCIDENT DETERMINED TO BE SWATTING

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--What appeared to be a major situation in Uptown Richmond Tuesday night turned out to be much ado about nothing.  It began at 5 o’clock with a call that someone was holding seven people hostage at knifepoint in a building somewhere on East Main between 7^th and 9^th Streets.  Police quickly cordoned off the area and blocked surrounding streets.  By 8 o’clock, all buildings had been cleared.  It was determined that a live Google Earth feed permitted a called to make a hoax to watch the police respond.  Streets reopened at around 9 o’clock.  RPD will now be in contact with the FBI about the hoax.

IU EAST INCLUDED IN TWO-YEAR TUITION FREEZE

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Tuition at IU East has been frozen for the upcoming academic year and for the year that follows.  Governor Mike Braun made the announcement Tueday that all 15 of Indiana’s public colleges and universities will see a two-year tuition freeze, and that includes IU East in Richmond.  It applies only to in-state undergraduate students.

FOUNDATION DOLES OUT $275,000 IN GRANTS

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Wayne County, IN)--Seven local organizations have been awarded a total of $275,000 in grants through the Wayne County Foundation.  Three of those are for $50,000 each.  The Animal Car Alliance is getting $50,000 to recruit an associate veterinarian.  The Ivy Tech Foundation will get a virtual welding machine, and Morrisson-Reeves Library will get a Mobile Book Truck.  The funding comes from donors who put no restrictions on their gifts.

METH DEALER SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond methamphetamine dealer was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison.  Three of those years were suspended for 52-year-old David Lawman.  Lawman was one of four people jailed during a drug bust on South 14^th Street last year.  Meth, cocaine, syringes, and drug paraphernalia was recovered.  Lawman had already been classified as a habitual substance offender before last year’s arrest.

MISSING LOCAL RESIDENTS LOCATED

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond and Connersville, IN)--Two missing Whitewater Valley females have both been safely located.  In Richmond, investigators said yesterday that Brittanee Goeble has been found.  She had been missing for an entire month.  And, in Connersville, 16-year-old Samantha Bunch has also been found and is home with her parents.  She had been missing for ten days.  Police did not say where either of the missing people had been or how they were located.

DARKE COUNTY FAIR MANAGER RESIGNS AFTER LESS THAN A MONTH

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Greenville, OH)--The manager of the Great Darke County Fair has resigned after less than a month on the job, and he did not hold back in his resignation letter.  Keith Ludwick wrote that his role was misrepresented from the start and calls the environment reactive and unstable.  He goes on to write that the current state of the fair lies with those who have allowed the situation to continue for years.  The Darke County Fair is, by far, our area’s largest county fair and is scheduled for the third week of August.

RICHMOND WOMAN KILLED IN CRASH ON I-70

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Wayne County, IN)--A Richmond resident was killed in a crash on I-70 Sunday.  Investigators say 55-year-old Connie Jones was driving eastbound on 70 near the State Road 1 exit in western Wayne County at just after 1 o’clock Sunday morning when her vehicle left the roadway, went down an embankment, and overturned.  Jones was ejected during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.  A passenger, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, said that the vehicle unexpectedly veered off the road.  I-70 was closed for about three hours early Sunday morning.

THREE FAMILIES DISPLACED BY APARTMENT FIRE

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Connersville, IN)--Fire did heavy damage to a multi-unit Connersville apartment early Sunday morning.  It broke out at five minutes after midnight Sunday at a building in the 800 block of Western Avenue.  Flames were showing from an upstairs apartment window.  A second alarm was immediately requested because a ladder truck was being repaired.  Multiple agencies responded and were able to contain the fire to an upstairs area.  All residents were able to make it out on their own without injury.  Firefighters were on the scene for four hours.  The Red Cross has been helping three displaced families with basic needs.  There is no word yet on what caused the fire.

RPD SAYS VAN'S OCCUPANTS WERE HUNTING LOST DOG

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Police put out a statement Sunday night that should ease the concerns of residents on an around North E Street.  Several people who live in the area claimed that the occupants of an unmarked white work van were interacting with children in a suspicious manner.  After an investigation, it was determined that those occupants were searching for a lost dog and that there was no criminal intent.

DEPUTY PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCED CANDIDACY TO REPLACE SHIPMAN

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--One person has made public her intention to replace Mike Shipman as Wayne County Prosecutor.  Shipman recently announced that he would not seek another term when his current term expires at the end of next year.  Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ashley Green announced over the weekend that she will launch a campaign with a public event on the courthouse lawn this coming Saturday afternoon.

POWER RESTORED TO NEARLY ALL HOMES

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Whitewater Valley)--Crews were out in full force Thursday working to restore power to thousands who were without after Wednesday night’s storms.  And, on Friday morning, there were just over one hundred combined homes of various companies still in the dark.  Preble County had 88 outages of AES scattered in remote areas of the county.  In Union County, only 44 customers of Duke Energy were still out Friday morning.  Most of those are in the Roseburg area just south of Liberty.  There was no estimated time of restoration for those still without power.

SIGNAGE, OTHER VARIANCES APPROVED FOR GAS STATION

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Plans are advancing for a new gas station and convenience store on U.S. 35 across from Love’s just northwest of Richmond.  The combined Speedway and 7-11 has now received five variances from Richmond’s Board of Zoning Appeals.  One of those variances will allow for a sign that rises 75 feet off the ground and will be visible from I-70.  There are also plans for a new stoplight in the area, although that does not fall under the Zoning Board’s jurisdiction.

THOUSANDS REMAIN WITHOUT POWER THURSDAY MORNING

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Whitewater Valley)--Chain saws will be firing up across the Whitewater Valley Thursday morning as cleanup begins from storms carrying strong winds blew through the area Wednesday night.  Richmond reported wind gusts in excess of 60 miles per hour at around 6 o’clock Wednesday night, bringing down trees and knocking out power.  Some of those outages were lingering Thursday morning.  RP&L reported only 20 still out at 4:30 Thursday morning.  But, almost 1200 customers of AES in Preble County were still out early Thursday.  Full restoration is not expected until 8 o’clock Thursday night.  Whitewater Valle REMC showed 740 customers still in the dark.  Most of those were just south of Richmond.  The most widespread outage still remaining Thursday morning is for Duke Energy customers in Union County, where almost 2400 customers were without power.  Duke has not set an estimated time for restoration.  Lingering power outages were not the only impact from Wednesday night’s storm.  Numerous buildings across the Whitewater Valley also sustained structural damage from either wind or lightning.  A roof was partially blown off a storage building at North 15^th and E Street in Richmond.  Lightning struck a tree, which then came down onto a house, on Centerville Road just north of Williamsburg.  Numerous utility poles came down across Union County.  Local law enforcement was urging caution when driving Thursday morning because limbs or power lines may still be down across roadways, especially in more rural areas.  No injuries have been reported as a result of Wednesday night’s storms.

WAYNE COUNTY HAS BOTH POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES IN INDICATOR REPORT

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Wayne County, IN)--The Wayne County Foundation and Forward Wayne County on Wednesday released its County Indicator Report for last year, which provides insight into the county’s economic and social trends.  Some of the positive results include the fact that the household poverty rate is down slightly and that the median household income increased by four percent.  Some of the not-so-positive results show that Wayne County has the third highest percentage of residents receiving food stamps or SNAP benefits of all the counties in Indiana, and that the county’s per-capita personal income is more than 14% below the state average.  The Foundation is now working on gathering input for indicators for this year.

MAN KILLED IN DARKE COUNTY GARAGE

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Arcanum, OH)--A man was killed in Darke County Wednesday when the vehicle he was working on fell on top of him.  It happened of State Route 722 near Arcanum.  Investigators say 52-year-old Mark Angle was working on a vehicle in his garage and had it sitting on blocks while he was underneath.  The vehicle came off and pinned Angle.  He was discovered by a family member Wednesday night and was pronounced dead.

TWO AREA HOSPITALS LABELED "AT RISK"

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Whitewater Valley)--Two Whitewater Valley hospitals have been labeled “at risk,” according to data obtained and released by a U.S. senator’s office.  The claim is that proposed Medicaid cuts have placed some rural hospitals at risk of potential cuts, conversions, or outright closures.  The two in our area that have been placed on the list are Ascension St. Vincent Randolph Hospital in Winchester and Wayne Hospital in Greenville.  Wayne Healthcare has urged lawmakers to consider long-term effects of cuts.

CONNERSVILLE COUNCIL VOTES TO KEEP FLUORIDE IN WATER

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Connersville, IN)--A few Whitewater Valley communities are addressing the issue of whether or not to continue to add fluoride to water.  That includes Connersville.  This week, by a close 4-3 vote, Connersville’s council voted to continue to add fluoride.  An equal number of residents spoke both for and against the continued addition of fluoride.  The Fayette County Health Board had previously voted unanimously that fluoride should stay in the water.

SMITH HILL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT HITS MAJOR SNAG

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--The Smith Hill development project that would place 170 new homes on Richmond’s southeastern edge appears to have hit a major snag.  Richmond Common Council got an update Monday night from the project’s developers.  They indicated that some funding questions have arisen due largely to what they described as a 10-25% reduction in expected property tax revenue and how that would affect financing.  "It just makes it to where this project has to operate perfectly.  It's always nice to have a little wiggle room," said one of the developers.  The revised proposal Monday night was to include up to one hundred senior housing rental units, which immediately brought a reaction from Council President Larry Parker.  "We've reviewed the tapes.  When we asked you if there would be any rental properties in there, you specifically said 'no'," Parker said.  Parker then suggested this to the developers:  "And now that you want to present it that way, it's a little late.  I don't know what you're going to do.  I guess you start all over and try to get it passed this way (with rental revisions)."  No action was taken Monday night other than to refer the issue to a committed to determine how to proceed.

CONSTRUCTION AT ELDER-BEERMAN SITE TO BEGIN MONDAY

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Plans to add apartment units to two different areas of downtown are progressing.  Monday night, Richmond Mayor Ron Oler said that a construction trailer has now moved into place at the former Elder-Beerman site and that construction on the foundation will begin this coming Monday.  Oler also said there’s been movement on properties a couple of blocks to the east.  "They closed on the last two properties on Friday - the former Harris Bank and Jenkins buildings.  All five properties are now back in the hands of Indiana developers, so that's a good thing."  Those two projects, when complete, are expected to provide more than 250 units.

HOME WHERE DOUBLE SHOOTING OCCURRED LAST WEEKEND HAD RPD RESPONSE IN MAY

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Neighbors in the North West 17^th Street area of Richmond are indicating that the home where the weekend double shooting occurred has been a problem recently.  The shooting occurred at a second large party a particular home in the last month.  Police reports indicate that back on May 30, officers were called when several teens were seen by neighbors in back yards.  One nearby resident called police when one person tried to retrieve a gun from that person’s back yard.  After last weekend’s shootings, residents found shell casings in yards.  There has been no new information regarding the conditions of the victims or where the investigation stands since RPD's initial press release was issued.

INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT NAMED FOR WESTERN WAYNE, BOARD MEMBER SOUGHT

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Cambridge City, IN)--Western Wayne Schools has named an interim superintendent.  She’s Alice Johnson.  Johnson is expected to serve in the role for only a brief time as the search for a permanent replacement for Andy Stover continues.  Stover’s resignation becomes effective at the end of the month.  Western Wayne is also now searching for a new school board member.  It’s an at-large seat that has been created by the resignation of Phil Pflum.

NO ARRESTS IN DOUBLE SHOOTING; POTENTIAL THIRD VICTIM SOUGHT

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--There is no indication of any arrests in connection with a double shooting that happened early Sunday morning in the first block of North West 17^th Street in Richmond.  According to RPD investigators, one victim was found there with multiple gunshots wounds.  That person was taken to Reid Health in critical condition.  Shortly afterward, a second person arrived at Reid in a private vehicle.  That person also suffered a gunshot wound and was less seriously injured.  A press release also stated that both victims have refused to cooperate with police.  No witnesses have come forward.  RPD indicated those factors are hampering the investigation.  Their ages, identities, and current conditions have also not been released.  Investigators spent part of Sunday searching for what could have been a third shooting victim.  Authorities were searching for a potential third victim who could not be located.  That person’s phone was pinged in an effort to find him or her.  Meanwhile, Reid Health Police was inundated with people who went to the hospital shortly after the shootings.  Additional units from other departments had to be called to Reid to help control the scene in the emergency room area.

COUNCIL TO GET UPDATE ON SMITH HILL DEVELOPMENT

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council is set to meet Monday night.  One of the items on the agenda is an update on the Smith Hill Development.  That development, which will bring roughly 170 homes to the southeastern edge of Richmond, has been on the news backburner lately with of all the apartment additions coming to downtown Richmond.  There is also an ordinance on first reading that would require local governmental entities to enter meeting agendas and minutes into document management databases.  Monday night’s meeting is begins at 7 o’clock.

PREBLE COUNTY RAILROAD CROSSINGS TO REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH PART OF THE WEEK

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Preble County, OH)--The railroad crossing closures across much of western Preble County could remain in place through this entire week.  The railroad has not provided the county with a specific timeline of when all of those crossings will reopen.  Every crossing from Toby Road to the state line with one exception – Paint Road – is closed for repair.  That includes both Campbellstown crossings.  It covers a distance of more than five miles and can mean lengthy detours for anyone trying to get across.  There are also three crossing closures in Eaton that will last most of the week.

SIX RESCUED FROM WHITEWATER RIVER

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Connersville, IN)--There was a water rescue on the Whitewater River Sunday.  Multiple agencies responded to the river near Water Street in Connersville on an initial report that six people had become stranded in a part of the river that has a particularly strong current.  It took about an hour and a half to get all six to safety, but it was done with no injury.

JUDGE HEARS FROM ATTORNEYS IN BLANTON, CITY'S LAWSUIT AGAINST SHIPMAN

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(New Castle, IN)--A hearing was held Thursday in a Henry County courtroom in which a judge heard arguments from both sides in Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman’s motion to have the lawsuit filed against him by RPD’s Adam Blanton and the City of Richmond dismissed.  The city and Blanton sued Shipman after Shipman placed Blanton on what’s commonly referred to as the Brady List.  Thursday, attorneys from both sides made arguments that followed previously filed legal briefs.  The judge gave both sides a deadline of July 14 to submit proposed orders.  There is no timeline for a decision from the judge.

WHITEWATER CANAL STATE HISTORIC SITE TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Metamora, IN)--The Whitewater Canal State Historic Site in Metamora will close permanently.  According to a release yesterday from the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, the decision was made after exhausting all avenues to raise funds to make essential repairs.  They added that it is no longer economically or environmentally feasible to continue to operate and manage the site.  The intention is for the site to remain open through this year’s summer season.

UNION SCHOOLS WORKS TO BE ABLE TO OPEN IN AUGUST

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Modoc, IN)--Union Schools in Modoc is essentially fighting two legal battles over the summer.  Earlier this year, the school was tagged for closure in 2027 as part of state budgeting.  The new law also essentially prevents Union from doing any business after July 1.  It cannot hire new staff or enter into any contracts for services.  An injunction has been filed with a hearing date now set for this coming Tuesday.  Superintendent Galen Mast hopes it’s settled before that.  "We are doing some work outside the court to try to settle the injunction portion while we continue to work on Amendment 45 and the legality around that," Mast said.  Less than 300 students are enrolled in grades K through 12.

PICKLEBALL SWINDLER NOW ON THE HOOK FOR $47 MILLION

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Brookville, IN)--The former owner of a Whitewater Valley pickleball company who swindled investors out of more than $47 million is now legally liable for the debt and creditors are free to pursue payment.  That’s according to a release this week from the U.S. Department of Justice.  Rodney Grubbs operated Pickleball Rocks in Brookville.  The victims of his Ponzi-like scheme were from across the country.  Most of the $47 million is long gone.  As part of bankruptcy filings, Grubbs claimed assets of less than $2 million.

HEARING ON SHIPMAN'S MOTION TO DISMISS SET FOR THURSDAY

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(New Castle, IN)--A hearing is set for Thursday morning in a Henry County courtroom in the lawsuit filed by Adam Blanton of the Richmond Police Department against Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman.  The city of Richmond later joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff and has already accumulated well over $40,000 in legal fees as plaintiffs.  The lawsuit stems over Blanton’s placement last year on what is commonly referred to as the Brady List.  In March, Shipman filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit and cited immunity under both Indiana and federal law.  Thursday’s hearing is to address Shipman’s motion.  The case was assigned to Henry County and a special judge after Wayne County judges recused themselves.

MORE THAN 12,000 SYRINGES DISTRIBUTED AS PROGRAM WINDS DOWN

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--With Wayne County’s needle exchange program winding down, the county’s health department got what will be one of the final reports Tuesday on the distribution of free syringes.  Here’s Dan Burk:  "We served 163 participants..two new.  13,090 needles in, 12,770 out...86 Naloxone out."  Naloxone is the name for the overdose-reversing drug Narcan.  Last week, Wayne County Commissioners voted to let the needle exchange program expire at the end of the month after having been in existence since 2016.

TWO JAILED FOR POSSESSION AFTER BEING REVIVED

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Willamsburg, IN)--Two Muncie-area men were in the Wayne County Jail Wednesday morning after an overnight incident near the four-way stop in the middle of Williamsburg.  That’s where Dustin Minniear and Dustin Smith were both found unresponsive.  Minniear, who was allegedly behind the wheel, had to be revived with Narcan at just after midnight Wednesday morning.  After being medically cleared, the two were booked into jail.  An undisclosed amount of cocaine or other narcotic drugs were recovered.  Smith is also wanted for drug possession in Blackford County.

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING CHILD

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A three-year-old local child has been taken by her maternal grandmother and has not been seen for nearly a week.  According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department on Monday, 66-year-old Anna Mullin failed to comply with a court’s order and has not disclosed the child’s location.  The situation stems from a court-ordered custody arrangement that directed the child be turned over to the custodial parent.  The missing child is three-year-old Ariana Mullin.  She’s white with red hair and blue eyes.  Anna Mullin is believed to be driving a maroon Ford F-150 pickup truck.  Anyone who can help is asked to call the sheriff’s department or 911.

TWO JAILED AFTER DIFFERENT CHASES

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Wayne County, IN)--A police chase Monday involved eight different agencies across Wayne County and ended with the arrest of a 56-year-old man.  It began at around 11:30 Monday morning when a marshal tried to stop Kevin Land for speeding on U.S. 40 west of Centerville.  Land then allegedly fled through the central part of the county.  The chase ended at Salisbury and Industries Road after stop sticks were applied.  There’s no word on why Land fled.  It was one of at least two chases Monday.  On Monday night, Dustin Clinton was arrested following a scooter chase through Richmond’s northwest neighborhoods.

MASSAGE SCHOOL OWNER RETURNED TO WAYNE COUNTY

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--The man accused of scamming students at a Richmond massage school was returned to the Wayne County Jail Monday.  42-year-old Joshua Ridenour was booked in on three counts of credit card fraud.  Ridenour operated That Massage School on South 5^th in Richmond as well as in several other locations – mostly in northern Indiana.  Earlier this year, several students came forward and claimed that they were not being taught massage but were still giving them and were, in effect, providing free labor to Ridenour.  A ceases and desist order was issued by the state.  Ridenour was initially arrested in Elkhart last week.

AREA UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS TO LOWEST LEVELS IN MORE THAN A YEAR

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County’s unemployment rate has dropped for the third consecutive month.  Not only that…it is also now at the lowest level it has been since December of 2023.  According to new numbers from the state, Wayne County’s unemployment rate stands today at just 3.2%.  All other area counties showed a similar drop.  Union County’s rate is a miniscule 2.1%.  That’s its lowest rate since September of 2022.  And, in Fayette County, the rate has dropped for six consecutive months.  Back in November of last year, it was 6.6%.  Currently, it stands at 3.5%.

RICHMOND RANKED AMONG CHEAPEST CITIES IN U.S. IN WHICH TO LIVE

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond is now the fourth least expensive city in the country in which to live.  That’s according to the latest ranking of the Council for Consumer and Economic Research, which ranked 251 participating communities in the first quarter of 2025.  The report indicates that anything that, on average, costs a dollar would only cost 80 cents in Richmond.  Prices of 61 different items are collected quarterly by chambers of commerce including housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, and health care.

WOMAN JAILED AFTER BEING WANTED FOR ARSON FOR OVER A YEAR

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--An arson suspect who has been wanted for nearly a year and a half was taken into custody over the weekend.  Back in November of 2022, 42-year-old Kimberly Frazier allegedly stopped in at a convenience store, bought a gas can, and filled it with gas.  She then walked to a house in the 300 block of South 12^th, poured the gas around the house, and set it on fire.  Frazier was identified by multiple people on surveillance video.  She’s being held this morning on a $15,000 bond.

TRI VILLAGE WINS STATE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(New Madison, OH)--Celebrations are coming to New Madison.  That’s because the Tri Village High School softball team has claimed a state championship.  The team was welcomed back to the community Sunday night as it returned from Akron with a 6-0 win.  Not only did Tri Village claim a state championship, it also finished the season with a perfect 30-0 record.  More observances will take place in the coming days.

WAYNE COUNTY'S NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM WILL EXPIRE

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County’s needle exchange program is coming to an end, at least for now.  Commissioners this week voted to allow the program to expire at the end of this month. They said that there is no significant data to show that it has reduced hepatitis C.  Wayne County is one of only eight Indiana counties with an exchange program still in place, but that will end at the end of this month.  Commissioners also indicated they saw no reason to hold a public hearing on the issue.

INVESTIGATORS SAY "HOTBOY" HAD ENOUGH FENTANYL TO KILL ALL OF WAYNE COUNTY

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s more on the arrest that Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported earlier this week of Richmond’s Davonta Chatman.  Thursday, the Sheriff’s Department indicated that his arrest came as the result of a drug distribution investigation on Richmond’s south side.  As a result of two arrests of Chatman, who also goes by the nickname “Hotboy”, so far this year, 160 grams of fentanyl was taken off Richmond streets.  That’s enough fentanyl to kill the entire population of Wayne County.  They also recovered 93 grams of cocaine and $12,000 in cash.  Chatman remained in the Wayne County Jail Friday morning on a $75,000 bond.

MAN CHARGED WITH DEALING DRUGS CAUSING DEATH

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man who is accused of dealing drugs that resulted in someone’s death was taken into custody Wednesday.  47-year-old Kenosis Sewell had an active warrant and was located in the 200 block of South 12^th Street Wednesday morning.  An affidavit in the case, which will provide more details, has not yet become available.  He has a criminal history that includes five different felony drug possession cases.  Sewell is being held this morning on a $100,000 bond.

RPD SEEKS PUBLIC HELP IN SEARCH FOR MISSING PERSON

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Investigators are now asking for the help of the public in locating a Richmond resident who hasn’t been seen in almost two weeks.  29-year-old Brittanee Goebel was last seen at the Merle Henderson Apartments in Richmond on May 22^nd.  Brittanee is described as a white female, 5-7 and 120 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes, and several tattoos.

MAN WANTED FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS CAPTURED

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man who has been sought by police for nearly two years was found Wednesday afternoon and was behind bars Thursday morning.  34-year-old Chavis Whittaker was facing two different drug dealing cases and another case of battery causing permanent disfigurement.  He failed to show up for hearings in those cases in July of 2023 and has been wanted ever since.  Whittaker was located in the 1600 block of National Road West.  He was being held without bond Thursday morning.

WOMAN KILLED IN PREBLE COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CRASH

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Preble County, OH)--Details of a fatal motorcycle crash in Preble County were released Wednesday.  The crash happened late Tuesday afternoon on Eaton-Gettysburg Road.  Investigators say that 61-year-old Katherine Dailey was riding a motorcycle that struck the rear of a pickup truck.  Dailey died while being transported to the Preble County Medical Center.  The driver of the pickup was not hurt.

PREBLE COUNTY COMPANY GROWS FROM THREE TO 200 EMPLOYEES IN FOUR YEARS

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Jeff Lane

(Camden, OH)--A Preble County company is growing at an incredible rate.  Just four years ago, MedShip in Camden began operations with just three employees.  Now, it has almost 200.  That growth comes with an announcement that it will create another 75 new jobs and purchase a historic building for its headquarters.  MedShip ships surgical dressings directly to patients.  The new facility on South Main Street will have about 9000 square feet.

RPD CHIEF TO RUN FOR WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF

Posted About Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond’s police chief wants to be Wayne County’s next sheriff.  Kyle Weatherly announced on social media on Tuesday that he will seek the spot currently held by Randy Retter.  Weatherly is a Wayne County native and Centerville High School graduate who spent most of his law enforcement career with the sheriff’s department before becoming RPD Chief when Ron Oler became mayor.  Weatherly becomes the second person to announce his candidacy after Chief Deputy Alan Moore threw his hat into the ring in April.

LIBERATION LABS CHANGES NAME

Posted About Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A new Richmond company has changed its name before production has even begun.  Liberation Labs is now Liberation Bioindustries.  The company’s founder said this week that having the word “labs” in the name felt unnecessarily limiting, if not outright confusing.  The company is now in the late stages of constructing its biomanufacturing facility in the Midwest Industrial Park.  Production is expected to begin early next year.

MAN "BUILT LIKE SPONGEBOB" ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO MEET YOUNG GIRL

Posted About Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Randolph County, IN)--A hearing is set for Wednesday morning for a Rush County man who allegedly drove to Randolph County to meet what he thought was a 13-year-old girl for sex but was actually a Randolph County detective.  In the online chat between the two, 63-year-old James Raber told the girl that he was a tall guy and was built like Spongebob Squarepants.  Undercover officers were waiting for Raber when he showed up at a Randolph County convenience store to pick up the girl.

DOWNTOWN RICHMOND OFFICE TO UNDERGO MAJOR RENOVATION

Posted About Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A downtown Richmond building will undergo a major renovation.  Wayne Bank announced Tuesday that its flagship office in downtown Richmond will undergo a multi-million-dollar remodel beginning soon.  Whitewater Construction will be doing the work.  The bank will remain open during the renovation, which is expected to take about a year to complete.

RICHMOND WOMAN AMONG THREE REMOVED FROM IU BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Posted About Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Bloomington, IN)--A Richmond woman is one of three people who have been removed from the Indiana University Board of Trustees.  The announcement to Donna Spears came in the form of a one-sentence letter from Governor Mike Braun saying that she had been removed from the Board effective immediately.  The governor only gained the authority to control IU’s Board in the last legislative session.

RICHMOND MAN JAILED ON DRUG CHARGES FOR SECOND TIME IN A WEEK

Posted About Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--For the second time in a week, a Richmond man was sent to the Wayne County Jail on drug charges.  It happened Tuesday when Tayonne Tevis was stopped in the first block of South 14^th.  22-year-old Destiny Moore was also in the car.  Officers allegedly found crack, heroin, various pills, and drug paraphernalia.  Tevis was arrested last week on dealing charges.  RPD said in its release about Tevis that "some folks just can’t stay out of the back seat of our patrol cars."

FANS OFFERED CHANCE TO NAME BASEBALL TEAM

Posted About Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--If you think you’ve got a good nickname for Richmond’s new baseball team, the team would like to hear it and may just adopt it.  Yesterday, the management group of Richmond new Northwoods League team launched their website and a Name Your Team campaign.  The person who submits a name that is ultimately picked will win season tickets for life.  The team will begin play next summer.  You can submit a nickname at richmondnwlbaseball.com.

OWNER OF RICHMOND MASSAGE SCHOOL CHARGED WITH FRAUD

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--The owner of a Richmond business is now facing criminal charges.  Joshua Ridenour, who owned That Massage School on South 5^th Street, has now been charged with three counts of fraud in Wayne Superior Court I.  Earlier this year, several students came forward and claimed that they were not being taught massage, but were still giving them and were, in effect, providing free labor to Ridenour.  A cease and desist order was issued by the state.  That Massage School had operated in several other cities across Indiana.  A warrant for Ridenour’s arrest was issued last Friday.

COUNCIL ADDRESSES WCTV FUNDING

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Efforts to keep WCTV financially able to continue to provide coverage of local governmental meetings took a step forward when Richmond Common Council met Monday night.  Council approved a prepared motion to increase cable franchise fees to 65% retroactive to the first of the year.  Here’s Council member Jerry Purcell:  "WCTV serves the whole county.  I think it's very important that we participate in a way that helps this continue for the transparency of the complete county and county government."  The motion carries some requirements from WCTV, including the submission of a business plan.  The issue now goes to the Board of Works.

OPIOID MONEY COULD BE EARMARKED FOR DOWNTOWN HOMELESSNESS, OTHER ISSUES

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--The city of Richmond and Wayne County appear to be set to collaborate on a plan to address homelessness and other problems in the city’s downtown area, including Elstro Plaza and the parking garage.  Mayor Ron Oler addressed it Monday night.  "It may include spending some of the restricted opioid dollars that the city has been holding for a rainy day.  There's no timeline to spend it.  We've been waiting for the area of greatest need, and we think that is now come to fruition," Oler said.  Oler said that a funding appropriation is likely several months away.

RICHMOND MAN GETS SECOND DEALING CHARGE OF THE YEAR

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man picked up his second drug-dealing charge of the year Monday night.  A search warrant was executed and 32-year-old Davonta Chapman was taken into custody in 700 block of South F Street at 9 o’clock Monday night.  Chapman is charged with dealing cocaine or other narcotic drug.  Chapman was arrested for the same thing back in January and is due to go on trial in that case in August.  Details of what led to Monday night’s arrest have not been released.

SHELTER IN PLACE LIFTED FOR UNION CITY

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Union City, IN)--A man who was described as suicidal and threatening “suicide by cop” prompted a shelter in place warning in Union City Monday afternoon.  A man later identified as Theodore Heiligenberg of was found outside his home on High Street with a loaded handgun and a sawed-off shotgun.  A negotiator was brought in and was able to bring the situation to an end.  Heiligenberg has been charged with criminal recklessness with a firearm.

RANDOLPH COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ISSUES RESPONSE

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Randolph County, IN)--The Randolph County Sheriff’s Department has issued a response after the Union City Police Department said that the office released what they called a wanted violent illegal immigrant back into the community rather than hold him for ICE agents.  The Sheriff’s Department said that there was no signed federal warrant present to the office or to the inmate, so they had no choice but to release the man.  The also added that no information about the warrant was shared with the department.  They say now that they’re focused on restoring the trust of the public and improving interagency coordination.  You can read the entire statement on the Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page.

RICHMOND TO SEE SMOKY SKIES, 17th STRAIGHT DAY OF BELOW-NORMAL TEMPS

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Canadian wildfire smoke has been moving farther east, and it will become more pronounced in our sky Monday.  So, despite the forecast for a sunny sky, it will not be the brilliant blue you’d expect and will instead appear more hazy than normal.  Meanwhile, with Monday’s low in the low 40’s, this will be the 17^th consecutive day that Richmond’s temperature has been below normal.

SHIPMAN'S DECISION TO NOT SEEK REELECTION WAS MADE YEARS AGO

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Last week, Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman made public the fact that he would not seek reelection when his term ends at the end of next year.  In response to a question about whether or not there was a specific reason for his decision, Shipman said that it has always been his plan to leave prosecution once he reached 30 years of public service.  Shipman added that he told people who are close to him two and a half years ago that this would be his last term.

WANTED WOMAN RETURNED TO RICHMOND FROM PREBLE COUNTY

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--A wanted Richmond woman has been returned to the Wayne County Jail from Preble County.  35-year-old Angelrae Wiley faces two different robbery cases and failed to show up for a hearing.  In one of the cases, Wiley is accused of punching her own mother in the face, taking her cellphone and stomping on her stomach.  Wiley has a criminal record that includes cocaine possession and resisting arrest.

FIREWORKS COLLECTIONS AT 37th AND EAST MAIN ARE NOT LEGIT

Posted About One Year Ago by Jeff Lane

(Richmond, IN)--Someone has been trying to take advantage of the fact that funding is still needed for the Fourth of July fireworks on Roosevelt Hill in Richmond.  Over the weekend, Councilwoman Dr. Lucinda Wright notified the American Legion Post 65 that people were standing at the busy corner of South 37^th and East Main with handwritten signs saying they were collecting donations for the fireworks.  Post 65 said those people have no association with Legion and that donations are accepted at their location on North 6^th.