(Richmond, IN)--The first two tenants of Earlham Commons have been identified.  That’s the name given to Earlham College’s new multi-unit retail development on National Road West just east of Earlham’s main entrance.  Parlor Doughnuts is an upscale donut shop that will be on the eastern side of the development.  Roots by Tree Hills Farms is a farm-to-table restaurant and bar that already has a location in Winchester.  It will anchor the western end of the development.  One or two more tenants will occupy the middle section.  The new tenants are expected to open in the first month of next year.

(Eaton, OH)--The city of Eaton is working to purchase a large tract of land.  The plan is to use about $325,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to purchase 38 acres of land between the Waterworks Park and Seven Mile Park.  The purchase would connect the two existing parks and would be, in the short term, green space.  Seven Mile Park was filled last night with hundreds of young soccer players.  There was some discussion among council members about converting the land to more athletic fields, although that has not been determined.

(Richmond, IN)--Trial remains on in a month for a Richmond mother for neglect resulting in serious and catastrophic injuries to her four-month-old daughter.  That girl’s father, Matthew Shaffer, was sentenced last week to 30 years in prison for his role in the crime.  Casey Miller faces similar charges.  Three years ago, the baby suffered brain damage and fractures as a result of being violently shaken.  Miller is not currently a Wayne County inmate.

(Richmond, IN)--More information was released later Tuesday about the fatal hit-and-run on U.S. 35 near Love’s that Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported Tuesday morning.  When they arrived on the scene at 3:40 a.m. Tuesday, deputies found an abandoned car with extensive front-end damage near the victim and the bicycle he was riding.  RPD officers found the registered owner of the car, who was home at the time. That person gave officers the name of the driver, who was found stumbling down Industries Road two hours later.  That person was taken to Reid Health and has not been jailed yet.  The victim’s name has not been released.

(Whitewater Valley)--US News and World Report has issued its new rankings of public high schools.  The publication takes into account numerous factors that include attendance, test performance, and graduation.  Here is how some local schools fared:  Centerville was the top ranking area school at 59^th statewide.  Richmond was well inside the top half at 192^nd.  Union County also fared well at 106^th.  And, in Preble County, Eaton ranked in the top 20% of Ohio high schools at #167.

(Eaton, OH)--Preble County Auditor Lavon Wright has now sent letters and set a series of public meetings to help explain what could be a significant property tax increase for some.  The state requires the auditor to revalue property every three years.  In Preble County, there has been an incredible increase in property values.  In 2020, the average selling price of a home was $166,000.  By last year, it had spiked to $235,000.  That’s a 41% increase.  The first of six meetings across the county takes place on September 25 in New Paris.

(Wayne County, IN)--The search was on Tuesday morning for the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run incident just northwest of Richmond.  At around 2:30 Tuesday morning, a person was struck and killed.  That person’s body was found in a ditch near the intersection of U.S. 35 and Flatley Road.  That’s in the area of Love’s Truck Stop and I-70.  Drones were launched into the area and the Indiana State Police had also become involved.  Scanner traffic indicated that police were searching for a white male wearing blue jeans and a light shirt who may have been running in the area of I-70.  No other details about the incident have been released.

(Eaton, OH)--Eaton is buzzing with the news that a large new Kroger is coming.  On Monday, officials of the Cincinnati/Dayton division of Kroger – along with Reid Health and community members – gathered outside the former K-Mart building on Barron Street to make the announcement.  The new Kroger will be 72,000 square feet and will include a pharmacy and a fuel center.  Reid acquired the property four years ago and it has sat empty since.  The new Kroger will replace Eaton’s current Kroger which is much smaller and, according to many shoppers, smells.  Reid CEO Craig Kinyon said that Reid was excited to work with Kroger on the project, but details of the collaboration were not released.  The new Kroger isn't expected to open for about two years.

(Darke County, OH)--In Darke County Monday night, the pilot of a motor-powered parachute escaped serious injury when he became stuck in a tree.  37-year-old Devan Spurlock was flying in the area of Richmond-Palestine Road when he lost control and crashed into a tree about 15 feet off the ground.  Firefighters used a ladder truck to get Spurlock down.  The accident remains under investigation.

(Richmond, IN)--Last week, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported exclusively that Wayne County’s unemployment rate has exceeded four percent for the first time in two years.  Now, here’s a look at just the city of Richmond.  Richmond’s unemployment rate has spiked this month to 4.7 percent.  In just the last month, the city has added 62 people to the list of those unemployed while simultaneously losing 40 people in the workforce.  Richmond also now has 160 fewer people working than it did at this time last year.

(Richmond, IN)--INDOT is indicating there will be a major Richmond street closure, but just for Monday.  They say they’ll be doing asphalt repairs on 8^th Street, which is also U.S. 27 south.  The closure will start at North A Street, run south through downtown, and extend further south to the area of South B Street.  Eighth Street is already affected by the closure of the Depot Overpass.  Eighth Street in the downtown area is expected to reopen by 6 o’clock Monday night.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Community Schools is touting a first-ever opportunity regarding their students’ health.  Here’s Brad Walton from the RCS Board:  "For the first time, we are able to offer immunizations at our clinics.  We have clinics in most of our schools, so you can call and set up an appointment.  That way, your kids aren't missing any time and we're not taking time out of our day to take them to doctors' offices.  We can get in done in-house."  Walton says insurance is handled the same as it would be in any doctor’s office.

(Randolph County, IN)--It’s an incredible story of recovery.  Earlier this year, Randolph County firefighter Zachary Lee was pinned under a fire truck that crashed on its way to a call.  At a Fort Wayne hospital, doctors said that Zach would likely not survive.  Since that day in May, he has undergone 32 surgeries, including one that amputated his arm.  Now, after 89 days in the hospital, Zach has been discharged to a specialized rehabilitation center in Chicago.  There is a gofundme account to help offset the cost of recovery.

(Richmond, IN)--Multiple people saw a UFO over Richmond’s south side Friday morning.  But, hold on…there is an explanation.  A staff member of a south-side Richmond business called 911 at around 2 o’clock Friday morning to say that she and eight others were watching a UFO that was changing colors and transforming shape.  Police went to the area to check it out.  What they found was a man with a kite that had been equipped with lights.  He said he didn’t think anyone would see it.  There’s no word on why he was flying his kite at 2 o’clock Friday morning.

(Darke County, OH)--A Darke County woman was seriously burned Thursday when the small camper she was in exploded.  It happened on Hahn Road east of Greenville.  First responders made it to the scene within three minutes of the call to 911 and were able to get her out.  "The whole inside of the camper is burned. It was a very important thing that they got here has as fast as they did.  They were able to pull her out and she didn't die inside the camper," said Sergeant Steve Mills.  The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.  There was no word on the victim’s condition Friday morning.

(Whitewater Valley)--An excessive heat warning is in effect Thursday for the entire Whitewater Valley.  Employers and school districts are taking precautions.  That includes pushing back Thursday night’s kickoff between Richmond and Eaton to 8 o’clock.  It also means Thursday night’s game will no longer be televised on MyTV Dayton.  And, while Thursday may be hot, it’s nowhere near the hottest Richmond has ever seen.  Than happened back in 2007, when the local thermometer it 108.  The last time Richmond hit a hundred degrees was July 7 of 2012.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board met Wednesday night and got to hear some positive employment news.  First, the Board learned that more than a dozen bus drivers have been hired and are running routes.  "Just in the last four months, we have added 14 drivers to our fleet.  There is not enough to say about how hard we worked over the summer to make that happen," said Karen Scalf with RCS.  The district also added its final police officer.  He’s Garrett Sweet, who was introduced to the Board Wednesday night.

(Centerville, IN)--Early Thursday morning, a female taxi driver picked up a man who allegedly asked her to drive him to a cemetery in Centerville.  Then, he allegedly told her to disrobe and that if she didn’t, he would attack her with a knife.  The taxi driver was able to escape and that man is now behind bars.  He’s 65-year-old Roger Greene.  Greene first went to Reid Health due to his level of intoxication and was then sent to jail.  He has a history of alcohol-related arrests.

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County’s unemployment rate is continuing to rise.  According to new numbers from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, for the fourth straight month, Wayne County’s rate is higher than the month before.  On Wednesday morning, it stands at 4.1%.  It’s the first time in two years that the unemployment rate has been over four percent.  96 more Wayne County residents than last month say they’re without jobs.  There are 165 more residents listed as unemployed than this time last year.  Fayette County now has the state’s second-highest unemployment rate at 5.6%

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board meets Wednesday afternoon and will address a proposed partnership between RCS and the City of Richmond Parks Department.  The Gorge Activation Plan is a program that is designed to preserve and protect the Whitewater Gorge while creating a destination and recreational atmosphere designed to attract visitors to explore the historical, geological, and natural assets of the gorge.  RCS owns part of the property that is impacted by the plan.  Wednesday afternoon’s meeting begins at 5:30.

(Preble County, OH)--A Richmond man with a long history of involvement in area athletics is taking on a new role.  Frank Carr has been named the new commissioner of the Western Ohio Athletic Conference.  That conference is in its third year of existence and includes National Trail, Preble Shawnee, Tri County North, Tri Village, and Twin Valley South.  Carr has previously held titles that include athletic director at both Richmond High School and Earlham College.

(Richmond, IN)--After more than three months of testing, the EPA on Monday released a list of contaminants that were located in the debris of the My Way Trading fire.  The EPA took a hundred samples and found three components of concern:  benzene, lead, and asbestos.  Now, they’ll be working to contain those chemicals during clean-up which could start in as soon as three weeks.  "We'll probably be doing air monitoring around the site to make sure we're aware of anything that's being kicked up as well as making sure that everything is wetted down and covered so that it's appropriately contained," said Jeff Wawczak with the EPA to our news partners at WHIO-TV.  The start of the cleanup had been delayed until officials could determine exactly what was in the debris.  Once it begins, cleanup will take several months.  Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said Monday that the EPA had just released the results to the city and that they are working with the EPA to determine the next steps.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond’s Main Street Bridge is about to be remained.  On Saturday, that bridge over the Whitewater Gorge will be renamed the Dr. Mary F. Thomas Bridge.  Thomas was a medical doctor in Richmond around the time of the Civil War and eventually gained notoriety in her fight for women’s rights – especially the right to vote.  Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch will be on hand Saturday to dedicate the bridge and unveil a historical marker.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond has been in need of more firefighters and police officers, and that need was partially alleviated Monday.  Richmond Mayor Dave Snow swore in nine new firefighters and three new police officers.  Snow talked about it at Monday night’s meeting of the Richmond Common Council.  "It's very exciting to see this new generation coming into a rewarding career of first response," Snow said.  The city is still in need of between ten and 12 police officers to be fully staffed.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a large firefighting response to Richmond’s Interfaith Apartments on North West 5^th Sunday morning.  Firefighters were called on the report of smoke filling the fourth floor.  Battalion Chief Chuck Powell talked about what firefighters encountered when they got there:  "It was light smoke.  Luckily, it was a small little fire on a stove that the resident had put out before he left his apartment."  Even though it was relatively minor, numerous residents evacuated.  "Some of it was probably people remembering how bad it was last time and using extra caution," Powell said.  Back in 2018, two people were killed and six others were injured in an upper-story fire at Interfaith.

(Richmond, IN)--There have been more legal filings in the class-action lawsuit surrounding April’s My Way Trading fire.  Defendant Seth Smith has filed for a motion for summary judgement.  In that motion, it is alleged that the two plaintiffs have not and cannot offer any evidence sufficient to justify piercing the corporate veil to treat Cornerstone Trading as Seth Smith’s mere alter ego.  A hearing on that motion is set for early November.  The EPA has still not released testing results despite having said they would do so well over a month ago.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after hundreds of thousands of images of child pornography, including images of sexual attacks on babies and toddlers – were found in his home.  The discovery was made early last year because 65-year-old David Julien caught his kitchen on fire cooking French fries.  Firefighters found some images in plain view.  A further investigation turned up computer hard drives. One of those alone had 730,000 images and 29,000 videos.  Julien was convicted of child molesting in 1995 and was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

(Richmond, IN)--Firefighters were on the scene of a house fire in Richmond’s Hunter’s Pointe neighborhood late Thursday afternoon.  It broke out in the 3300 block of Bishop’s Gate.  Battalion Chief Eric Holmes talked about how the fire was discovered:  "The occupants weren't home.  When they returned and opened the garage door is when they saw the fire and smoke."  It took a while to get the fire under control.  "We finally got it knocked down after about an hour and a half," Holmes explained.  No injuries were reported.  Damage was described as extensive.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(Richmond, IN)--Court documents indicate that a 55-year-old Richmond man says a female elementary student forced him to have sexual relations with her.  That girl, who is under the age of ten, told a much different story to a teacher’s assistant.  55-year-old Ronnie Black has now been charged with two counts of child molestation.  He admitted the encounters to investigators.  Black has no previous criminal record, but still faces spending what would amount to the rest of his life behind bars.

(Wayne County, IN)--No details have been released yet about what, according to scanner traffic, was a very serious crash Thursday afternoon on Banning Road near Economy.  Three people appear to have suffered injuries after crashing into a utility pole, which left the truck nearly split in half.  Careflight was called but could not fly due to weather.  A drone team was called to the scene.  There was no word yet on the identities of the victims or their conditions Friday morning.

(Richmond, IN)--Last week, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News talked about iLearn results for students across Wayne County.  Now, here’s a closer look at the performance of individual schools inside the Richmond Community School system.  Results show an eye-opening disparity in performance.  For example, at the elementary school level, 45% of students at Charles tested proficient in English and Language Arts, but only 11% of students at Starr can make the same claim.  And, at Test Intermediate, 20% of students are proficient in both English and math.  At Dennis, that number is less than two percent.  Based on that figure, only about a dozen students in the entire Dennis building are proficient in both categories.

(Franklin County, IN)--The National Weather Service has spent a couple of days surveying damage and concluded that a tornado touched down in Franklin County on Monday night.   It was rated an EF-0 with a wind speed of around 85 miles per hour and touched down northeast of Brookville in the areas of Garr Hill and Pea Ridge Roads.  Several homes sustained roof damage, a garage was destroyed, and numerous trees were uprooted.  The tornado was on the ground for about seven minutes.  No injuries were reported.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man is a long criminal history was back behind bars Thursday morning after a warrant was issued for his arrest last month.  31-year-old Dillon Fultz is now charged with Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Criminal Confinement While Armed With a Deadly Weapon.  Details of what Fultz is alleged to have done in his latest arrest have not been obtained.  Four years ago, Fultz tried to smuggle drugs into the Wayne County Jail.  After four other felony cases in the last decade, Fultz is also facing the charge of being a habitual offender.

(Wayne County, IN)--The interchange of I-70 and U.S. 40 is not the only ramp that will see major changes when the interstate is widened to three lanes in Wayne County beginning next year.  The U.S. 35 interchange is also set for modifications.  INDOT representatives disclosed those details during a recent local meeting.  The ramps at 35 and 70 will be changed to allow for more acceleration and deceleration space.  Currently, getting onto eastbound 70 from southbound 35 can be tricky because other vehicles exit 70 in the same short space.  That problem will be eliminated.

(Richmond, IN)--A plea and sentencing hearing was held Tuesday for a 70-year-old man who has been labeled a serious sex offender.  Brian Wedding was arrested last year after trying to enter Test Intermediate School in Richmond as school was letting out for the day.  He was charged with unlawful entry of school property by a serious sex offender.  Wedding was sent to the Wayne County Jail after Tuesday’s hearing.  Back in 2004, he was convicted of soliciting a child for sex in Fayette County.

(Wayne County, IN)--A wanted New York man was captured during a chase that ended in a crash just outside of Centerville Tuesday morning.  Officers tried to stop 37-year-old Cayla Martin near a hotel, but Martin fled.  Martin was sent to Reid Health after she crashed and was booked into jail later in the day.  A passenger also went to Reid.  He was wanted in the Rochester, New York area.

(Whitewater Valley)--The housing inventory in Wayne County and across the Whitewater Valley is far below where it was a year ago.  Compared to August of last year, Wayne County has 24% fewer houses on the market.  That, combined with significantly higher interest rates on mortgages is pricing first-time homebuyers out of the market.  Randolph County has one of the most drastic reductions in Indiana with 69% fewer homes on the market.

(Eaton, OH)--All Preble County households will soon be getting letters from Preble County Auditor Lavon Wright about property tax value hikes ordered by the state.  Preble County’s increase came in a 26%, but Wright was quick to stress Monday that that does not mean an across-the-board property tax hike.  The increase will apply to inside millage, which are non-voted measures that can vary by township.  Wright is scheduling a series of eight public meetings across Preble County to explain the issue.  The state had wanted to give Preble County a 37% hike, but Wright was able to get that down to 26%.

(Centerville, IN)--Clean-up is nearly complete and students are now scheduled to begin their school year at Rose Hamilton Elementary.  A large water main break occurred last week and flooded parts of the building, delaying the start of school.  Teachers will be allowed back in classrooms Monday and a meet-the-teacher event will take place Monday night.  Students will return Tuesday morning.

(Whitewater Valley)--A detailed study of the Whitewater Valley’s housing market is included in the recently released Indiana Business Review report.  Every Whitewater Valley has seen a significant increase in median housing pricing.  In Union County, it’s an incredible increase.  In the last year, the average price of a Union County home is up 139% and stands today at $215,000.  Wayne County’s average home price is up 13% to $131,000.  Franklin County has our area’s most expensive homes at $243,000, while Fayette County has the cheapest at $122,000.

(Richmond, IN)--Three alleged Richmond burglars were captured by RPD officers over the weekend.  Officers responded in the pre-dawn hours to a business located at South 5^th and G.  There, they found 19-year-olds Jesse Owens and Marquez Spicer along with 21-year-old Zachary Tout.  All three have already been released from jail, but all three face burglary charges.  In Indiana, burglary is a relatively high-level felony.  It’s a Level Two, which is second only to Level One felonies that include murder and rape.

The convenience store that’s developed a cult-like following is coming a little closer to us.  Buc-ee's the travel stop that boasts a selection of a little bit of everything will be located in Huber Heights, Ohio.  The announcement was made Thursday morning on Facebook by the mayor of Huber Heights with the post "You won’t have to drive to Kentucky now to get your beef jerky and brisket sandwiches!” In the comments on the Mayor’s Facebook post, he was asked if it’s true and he said, “I wouldn’t kid about Buc-ee’s.”  Buc-ee’s has one store in Richmond, Kentucky, and another one is coming to Smiths Grove in Western Kentucky.  The largest Buc-ee’s in the country is located in Sevierville, Tennessee. The 74,000-square-foot travel center features 120 fuel stations, snacks, award-winning restrooms and a carwash.  There are 45 Buc-ee’s locations in the U.S. with the most in Texas.

PHOTO: MARTIN LEWISON WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

A 14-year-old New Castle youth will face prosecution as an adult on a murder charge.  The boy, who was 13 at the time of the incident in New Catle, was waived from juvenile to adult court on a charge of murder of 47-year-old Ernest Thornsberry Jr, who was mortally wounded at an eastside New Castle intersection on May 2nd.  The suspect was interviewed after the incident and reportedly told officers that he and others had confronted Thornsberry, who told the juveniles to leave him alone.  When they continued to harass him, Thornsberry brandished a pocketknife, with the teenage suspect pulling a 9 mm handgun, firing one shot in the air and two in the direction of the victim.  The firearm, which had been stolen, was later recovered.  While the youth will be tried as an adult, he continues to be held at the juvenile facility in Vincennes Indiana. The trial has been scheduled for November 27th.

A Connersville man died yesterday in a one vehicle accident near Columbia.  Fayette County Sheriff's officers responded to a report yesterday morning of a vehicle that had driven off the road into a fence.  Arriving officer found that Mark Spurlock of Connersville had suffered a serious medical event that likely caused the accident.  Lifesaving measures were attempted by passerby, Sheriff's office and EMS, but were unsuccessful.

The Liberty Town Council held their regularly scheduled public meeting earlier this week and accepted the resignation of Andrew Jordan as Liberty Chief of Police. Jordan’s resignation came after a personnel decision that occurred in executive session several weeks prior. Todd Dickinson was then nominated to replace Jordan and that was unanimously approved, naming Dickinson as interim chief of police while a formal search for replacement would begin at the end of the year or early 2024.  According to the story in Whitewater Publications, Jordan has taken a position with Centerville’s police force.

An Indiana high school student was taken into custody Wednesday after bringing a firearm to the first day of school, in the Lawrenceburg Community School Corporation. According to the Lawrenceburg Administration official, faculty was notified by students that another student may have brought a gun to school. School resource officers responded Wednesday afternoon and searched the student’s belongings.  They allegedly found an unloaded gun in that student’s possession with zero ammunition.  The student was detained by school resource officers before they were picked up by the Lawrenceburg Police Department.  The student has not been identified, and there's no word whether the police are filing any charges against them. 

A program that provides Hoosier families who qualify $1,000 to spend on math and English tutoring has been expanded.  That’s according to the Indiana Department of Education, who announced that more Indiana students will now qualify for the funds. The program, which began in 2022, initially was only eligible to 4th and 5th grade students and will now be available to students in 3rd through 8th grade. The expansion will allow parents and families, who may not otherwise be able to pay for private tutoring, to access these opportunities for their students and provide them the additional support they need.”  In addition to the expanded student eligibility, the following program updates are also effective at the start of this school year. Families currently in the program and those establishing new accounts will receive $1,000.  And Families can re-apply for funds after the initial award has been spent. School corporations can serve as learning partners, and providing tutoring support direct to students and Individual schools within a school corporation can now apply to serve as learning partners. Families interested in possibly signing up can check their student’s eligibility online at indianalearns.org.

(Richmond, IN)--It was one year ago Thursday that Richmond Police Canine Officer Seara Burton was shot in the line of duty.  Hours after Seara was shot while preparing her canine for a seach, Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said this:  "This is a heavy evening in our community.  Officer Burton has been a tremendous officer.  She has supported this community.  She's worked hard for this community and tonight we need to return that to her.  Tonight, she needs our prayers.  Our department needs our prayers, and I'm thankful that our officers were able to apprehend the assailant that committed this violence that will not be tolerated in the city of Richmond."  Seara would succumb to her injuries 39 days later.  City leaders Thursday will be reflecting on Seara’s service and continue to prepare for a prayer vigil that will take place at 6 o’clock on the evening of September 8 at the city building.

(Richmond, IN)--Roundabouts.  Just saying the word can conjure up a range of emotions from drivers, and most of them are not good.  A presentation was held Wednesday night at IU East by project managers for the Revive I-70 project.  That’s the name of the plan to widen I-70 to three lanes through most of Wayne County.  One of the biggest changes will come to the interchange of 70 and U.S. 40 at the state line.  Currently, plans call for a complete reconstruction of the interchange with loop ramps removed.  Those will be replaced by a diamond interchange with roundabouts and even pedestrian facilities and sidewalks.  You can see an online presentation Thursday night at 6.

(Richmond, IN)--Scanner traffic indicated that one person was briefly trapped during a Richmond multi-unit structure fire overnight Wednesday night into Thursday morning.  It was around midnight when firefighters were called to a home in the 200 block of North 10^th.  Smoke and flames were showing.  All occupants were evacuated and no injuries were reported.  There’s no word yet on the cause of that fire.

(Webster, IN)--Three firefighters were treated and released at the scene of a house fire in Wayne County Tuesday afternoon.  Heavy smoke and fire was coming from the home in the 5000 block of King Road near Webster when firefighters arrived.  The homeowner and a dog escaped with no injury.  Photos indicate the house was gutted by fire with the outside walls still standing.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(Richmond, IN)--An attempted bicycle theft and stabbing landed a Richmond man in jail Tuesday night.  51-year-old Christopher Sipple allegedly tried to steal a bicycle from a female victim from the area of Westview Elementary at South West 16^th and A.  Sipple fled and was found hiding under a blanket in a garage on South West 14^th.  He was allegedly in possession of drug paraphernalia and syringes.  There’s no word yet on the condition of the victim.

(Fountain City, IN)--Three young Fountain City girls are making quite the name for themselves when it comes to show cattle.  It’s the name Neagle.  Seventh-grade twins Hayden and Aubrey and fifth-grader Hadley Neagle have just returned from this year’s state fair with the titles of Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion, and Intermediate Grand Champion in the Charlais (char-LAYS) division of show cattle.  They’re carrying on the legacy started by their Great Grandpa Schneider.  Here’s what Hayden likes:  "Going around the United States."  Aubrey considers showing cattle nationally a unique endeavor for kids her age.  "No one at our school really does what we do," she said.  She also likes the social element:  "Getting to learn stuff and meet new people...".  The three girls have taken on an entrepreneurial role and expanded the business of Royal Crown Farms by developing meat sales in smaller quantities.

(Richmond, IN)--Monday marked the five-year anniversary of Seara Burton’s swearing-in as a police officer in Richmond.  She would become the city’s first female canine officer.  This Thursday marks the one-year point since she was shot in the line of duty.  Monday night, Richmond Mayor Dave Snow reflected on Seara and on the support the city has received from its citizens.  "So many members of this community have reached out, surrounded us, supported us, and lifted us through this unfathomable time," Snow said.  Snow also announced that a prayer vigil has been set for Friday, September 8 at 6 p.m. at the south steps of the city building.  The public is invited.  The Wayne County Historical Museum has also announced that they’ll be adding a permanent exhibit honoring Seara.

(Centerville, IN)--Both Centerville Fire and Rescue and Centerville-Abington Schools issued statements Monday on the situation at Rose Hamilton Elementary, which suffered a significant water main break on Sunday.  Fire and Rescue was on site already on Sunday running tanker operation drills when they made entry and found water coming up through the floor.  Superintendent Dr. Mike McCoy said Monday that they’re focusing on getting the building ready for students to arrive rather than using virtual instruction, but McCoy did not give a date and said that they cannot make the solution come any faster.  McCoy said they would monitor repairs each day and then notify parents when students can return.

(Richmond, IN)--The city of Richmond took a big step toward a new terminal at the Richmond Municipal Airport Monday night.  Common Council unanimously approved accepting grants that will cover the majority of the cost of a new terminal.  Last year, 11 airports similar to Richmond’s size received federal terminal grant funding that ranged from three-quarters to $1.2 million.  The airport has made several other upgrades in the last two years.

(Richmond, IN)--School bells are ringing for the first time this school year at Richmond Community Schools Monday morning.  RHS is welcoming seniors with some fun events Monday morning at the Tiernan Center.  Students will have a full week of fall break in late October and an extended Christmas break that covers 19 days.  The last day of the school year for students will be May 23.

(Centerville, IN)--Officials with Centerville schools are still assessing damage after a large water main break at Rose Hamilton Elementary School Sunday.  Superintendent Dr. Mike McCoy sent out a message Sunday night indicating that emergency crews were on the scene and asking people to stay away.  Initial scanner traffic indicated there had been a partial building collapse.  As of Sunday night, Back To School Night, which had been scheduled for Monday night, has been cancelled.  More information is expected to be released to parents Monday.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne Bank officials say they’re just a few months from moving into a new home on Richmond’s east side.  Wayne Bank has operated at its current location in front of Aldi’s and Hobby Lobby for roughly 40 years.  By early next year, it will move to a location on Garwood Road directly north of Galo’s.  That building is currently under construction.

(Richmond, IN)--A pre-trial hearing is scheduled to take place Friday morning for the man charged with shooting and killing RPD Officer Seara Burton.  Several motions were filed Thursday in the case of Phillip Lee, including one for a Zoom option for the hearing.  An order was also issued Thursday regarding courtroom management and decorum.  Thursday of next week will mark the one-year point since Seara was shot.  Lee is not currently set to go on trial until February of 2025.

(Centerville, IN)--Wayne County schools are all focusing on improving attendance for the upcoming school year, and now one Centerville mother is facing felonies as a result of her children missing an incredible amount of school days.   According to court documents, Carla Smith’s Centerville Elementary School student missed 124 of 180 school days in the last school year, including 33 of 35 days in April and May.  Those absences came despite multiple warnings.  A second older child missed 75 of 180 days.

(Franklin County, IN)--The names of two people swept away in floodwaters in Franklin County a week ago were released Thursday.  49-year-old Hardy Harris Junior was found dead last Friday.  The search continued Thursday for 53-year-old Virginia Pennington.  125 people have been searching for Pennington for eight days.  Search teams did a land walk Thursday.  On Friday, boat searches will take place on the Whitewater River and are bringing in heavy equipment to excavate flood debris.  The hometown of Harris and Pennington was not released.

(Richmond, IN)--Ninth graders at Richmond Community Schools report Thursday, while the rest of the district’s students return on Monday.  RCS is welcoming 23 new teachers to the system and boasts a 93% retention rate.  Here’s Superintendent Dr. Curtis Wright in a promotional video that was released Wednesday:  "We have already experienced increases in student achievement at our elementary levels and have laid the groundwork for our secondary students to follow suit.  Insuring inclusive environments in which every child can be successful is a must as we move into the 2023-24 school year."  RCS has over 140 community partnerships.

(Richmond, IN)--Demolition on Richmond’s Depot District overpass continues, but passers-by will soon begin to see the first signs of the new bridge.  Crews will begin to build piers for the new bridge by drilling shafts and then hoisting steel cages into place to pour concrete.  North E Street is scheduled to be closed Wednesday and Thursday near the construction site.  It will reopen for the weekend and then close again on Monday and Tuesday if work is not complete.

(Richmond, IN)--Seth Smith and his company, Cornerstone Trading Group, filed a response Wednesday to the class-action lawsuit resulting from the April industrial fire in Richmond.  In the response, attorneys for Smith make the claim that the fire started on property owned by the city.  The city remains a third-party defendant.  Attorneys in Wednesday’s response reiterated their claim that the fire was caused by an unknown arsonist.  There has still been no information released by the state fire marshal’s office about the specific cause or any suspect information.

(Wayne County, IN)--Here’s more on the discovery of a deceased motorcyclist near Bethel that Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported Tuesday morning.  Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter Tuesday said that that rider was 54-year-old Bruce Estes of Fountain City.  Estes was previously a member of Wayne County’s Mounted Patrol Unit.  He was found on a path that he would travel to and from his workplace.  Retter said that the cause of the crash and the death was not immediately evident at the scene.  Results of an autopsy are pending.

(Richmond, IN)--A new trustee is needed for the Richmond Community School Board.  Board member Stacy Mopps will be returning to work for RCS as a human resources officer.  Mopps had previously served as principal at Test Intermediate School before being elected to an at-large seat in November of last year.  Any Richmond resident who is at least 21 years old and has lived in the district for a year is eligible.

(Wayne County, IN)--A Hagerstown woman who was already wanted for possessing a syringe was taken into custody on State Road 1 near Cambridge City Tuesday, and deputies allegedly found lots more drugs.  38-year-old Torri Richardson was allegedly in possession of undisclosed quantities of meth and cocaine.  Richardson also allegedly provided deputies with false information.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was captured shortly after he allegedly robbed a Richmond gas station Monday night.  At around 9 o’clock Monday night, employees of the Clark station at 12^th and North E were confronted by a masked man.  He did not display a weapon, but had his hand in his pocket as if he had one.  He made off with about $400.  A short time later, police located 29-year-old Jordan Jarrett nearby with a large amount of cash in his pocket.  Jarrett was in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning.  Back in 2013, he was arrested twice in two weeks – once for robbery and once for child molesting.

(Wayne County, IN)--More information will likely be released Tuesday about two separate incidents that occurred Monday.  According to scanner traffic, a deceased motorcycle rider was located in a field on State Road 227 near Bethel in northeastern Wayne County Monday.  Scanner traffic also indicated the rider had been there since the night before.  There was also a serious accident Monday on U.S. 27 and Beelor Road just south of Richmond.  Three vehicles were involved, including two that collided head-on at around 2:15 Monday afternoon.

(Richmond, IN)--The start of the new school year is now just days away for Richmond Community School students.  This year, there’s a big focus on one issue.  Here’s RCS School Board Trustee Kristen Brunton:  "We have a huge push for attendance and thinking about students and how do we get them to school every day."  The state identifies students classified as chronically absent.  According to the latest numbers, 34% of elementary students in Richmond are chronically absent.