(Winchester, IN)--It’s been a month and a half since a tornado devastated Winchester.  No one died as an immediate result.  But now, a Randolph County death is being directly attributed to the tornado.  In a statement Monday, the National Weather Service indicated that a Randolph County resident who was injured in the tornado has now died.  That person’s identity has not been released.  The weather service also released some other updated numbers.  38 other people were hurt in the tornado.  163 building sustained damage, including 47 that were destroyed.  575 volunteers checked in to help people rebuild.

(Richmond, IN)--A Centerville teenager has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for killing his own father.  19-year-old James Burkhart killed his father, with whom he shares his name, back in December of 2020 at a home on South First Street in Centerville.  Audio from a surveillance camera indicated Burkhart killed his father because of the way he had treated his mother.  He was 16 at the time of the shooting.  19-year-old Lucas Benkert, who also took part in the murder, will be sentenced Tuesday afternoon.

(Richmond, IN)--Layoffs are coming to Lifestream this week.  Lifestream is the aging and disability resource center for East Central Indiana.  According to a local leader close to the situation, the layoffs are the result of a budget miscalculation by the Family and Social Services Administration.  The layoffs will impact local residents over 60 with the elimination of case managers.  The total number of layoffs has not been released, and Lifestream has not yet released any formal statement.

(Wayne County, IN)--Primary voting ramps up Monday with the opening of four vote centers across Wayne County.  From 10 until 7 this week, votes can be cast at the First Bank Kuhlman Center and First English Lutheran Church in Richmond, at the Golay Center in Cambridge City, and at the New Testament Church in Hagerstown.  All of the contested races in Wayne County involve Republicans.  State-issued photo ID’s are required to cast a ballot.

(Richmond, IN)--Details of a recent incident at Richmond State Hospital have become available through court documents.  According to an affidavit, Aaron Reid became upset when staffers tried to separate him from a female patient.  He then pulled two box cutters from his jacket and held one to his throat.  Four state hospital employees were injured in the struggle to disarm Reid.  None of the injuries were life-threatening.

(Richmond, IN)--A new event is coming to Richmond that will help to honor the legacy of fallen canine Officer Seara Burton.  On May 25^th, the inaugural “Seara’s Legacy K9 Trials” will be held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.  There will be various competitions involving the canines…things like Best Nose and Obstacle Course Champion.  Law enforcement canine teams from across the region are expected to take part.

(Connersville, IN)--There was to have been a hearing this week to force the owner of a Fayette County property to allow searchers to look for the remains of Denise Pflum – the Connersville teen who went missing back in 1986.  Up until now, Erika Johnson had refused to allow the search to take place.  That hearing did not take place this week.  Now, Denise’s parents have indicated that attorneys for both sides have agreed to structure the language in an agreement to proceed with the search of the property in question.  A new hearing has now been set for May 3.

(Darke County, OH)--A Richmond woman is being blamed for a Darke County crash on Thursday that has left three people, including two children, in serious condition at two different Dayton hospitals.  Investigators say Melissa Leonard of Richmond turned in front of an oncoming car on State Route 121 at Weavers – Fort Jefferson Road.  Leonard was not seriously hurt, but 24-year-old Mary Funk was Careflighted to Miami Valley.  A six-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy both went to Dayton Children’s.  Three separate medical helicopters responded to the scene.

(Liberty, IN)--Earlier this week, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported that lots of Union County residents had expressed concern over police canine Ice.  They claimed that the dog’s original handler recently took another position outside of the department and that the police canine was placed in the local shelter.  Thursday, the Sheriff’s Departments of Union and Fayette County indicated that the two departments had reached an agreement that will send Ice to serve in Fayette County.

(Richmond, IN)--The numbers are up for the percentage of Richmond Community School teachers and employees in terms of job satisfaction.  The results of an annual cultural survey were discussed at Wednesday afternoon’s RCS Board meeting.  Just over 250 RCS employees responded to the survey.  61% say they’re satisfied with their jobs.  Another 34% are somewhat satisfied, and that’s up from last year.  "You can see a 3.8% growth in job satisfaction from 'somewhat satisfied' to 'satisfied'," explained   Jamie Bolser with RCS.  As for staffers who are not satisfied, here are the reasons:  "student discipline and behavior and a lack of effective communication," Bolser said.  79% of RCS staffers say they would recommend working for the district.

(Wayne County, IN)--A police officer was struck in Dayton Wednesday night, and officers caught the suspect after a chase that ended in Wayne County.  Officers from multiple agencies chased the suspect west on I-70 through Montgomery and then Preble County.  Stop sticks were successfully deployed.  The man was driving on all four rims as he passed the Chester Boulevard exit with sparks flying.  He was taken into custody west of the U.S. 35 exit.  The officer who was struck in Dayton was not seriously hurt.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond fire crews battled a house fire Wednesday night.  The call came in at around 10:30 to a house in the 1100 block of North West 6^th Street.  "The first crew arrived and advised there was heavy smoke showing.  We made a quick attack and got it knocked down and under control in 15 minutes," said Battalion Chief Chuck Powell.  No one was home at the time and there were no injuries.  There’s no word yet on what started the fire, which consumed most of the house.

(Richmond, IN)--On Tuesday, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported that new numbers from the state show that Wayne County has lost 700 members of its labor force since this time last year.  Now, here’s a look specifically at the city of Richmond.  Richmond has lost 312 members of its labor force in the last year.  More eye-opening, though, is the fact that there are 445 fewer Richmond residents who are employed as there were a year ago.  The city’s unemployment rate stands at five percent.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police caught a man classified as a sexually violent predator who is now also an alleged burglar Tuesday.  50-year-old Christopher Cones was taken into custody in the 100 block of South West 4^th Street.  Details of that burglary have not been released.  Cones was convicted of first-degree rape in Oklahoma back in 1998.  In Wayne County, this now makes his fifth criminal case in the last ten months.  The previous four involve trespassing and theft.

(Richmond, IN)--33 years in prison is the sentence for a former Richmond woman who was responsible for the death of a two-year-old boy in 2019.  Pamela Barger operated a babysitting service.  Barger failed to seek medical attention in a timely manner after the toddler suffered blunt force trauma to the head.  A co-defendant, Todd Volker, had previously been sentenced to 25 years for his role in the boy’s death.

(Richmond, IN)--Last week, Richmond Common Council denied rezoning that would have advanced the plan to create a large housing development called Smith Hill located near the intersection of South 37^th and Backmeyer Road.  The property is owned by an LLC formed by Craig Kinyon and Reid Health.  Reid incidated the property had been purchased to help solve a housing shortage in Richmond that makes it difficult to recruit and retain employees.  Monday, a Reid Health spokesperson issued a short statement on what Reid will do with the land now that zoning was rejected.  The statement said simply that Reid is exploring other options, but did not indicate what those options entail.

(Wayne County, IN)--Numbers released by the state Monday show that Wayne County is holding steady at its highest employment rate in the last three and a half years.  Wayne County’s rate remained at 4.6% Tuesday morning.  Most other area counties in Indiana saw a slight decline.  The number of people listed as unemployed and the number of people in Wayne County’s workforce remain nearly identical to last month.  But, Wayne County’s labor force has shrunk by nearly 700 people since this time last year and now stands at just under 29,000 people.

(Abington, IN)--Indiana’s Public Access Counselor has determined that the Abington Township Advisory Board did not violate Indiana Open Door laws regarding a meeting earlier this year.  The allegation was that the Board held an executive session without providing public notice.  That was one of three investigations by at least four separate agencies regarding the Board and the volunteer fire department.  There is another meeting scheduled for either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon.  The notice on the department’s door says the meeting is Tuesday the 24^th, meaning either the day or the date is incorrect.

(Union County, IN)--There has been no response yet from law enforcement agents in Union County after allegations centering on the treatment of a police canine named Ice swirled across social media over the weekend.  Several concerned residents claim that the dog’s original handler recently took another position outside of the department and that the police canine was placed in the local shelter.  They further claim that the handler offered to keep the canine until another handler was put in place, but that request was denied.

(Richmond, IN)--A New Paris man is facing numerous felonies after an overnight incident Sunday night.  31-year-old Kyle Burwick was taken into custody in the 3200 block of East Main Street in Richmond and booked into the Wayne County Jail two minutes before midnight Sunday night.   An undisclosed quantity of methamphetamine was recovered.  Burwick is also charged with felony resisting arrest.  Details of what led to the arrest have not yet been released.

(Wayne County, IN)--There has been a huge jump in the number of substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in Wayne County so far this year.  According to new numbers from the state, Wayne County has experienced 93 confirmed cases of abuse and neglect so far this year.  That’s an 86% increase in the number of cases as compared to the first three months of last year.  Local officials have not speculated on the reason for the drastic increase in cases.

(Richmond, IN)--A lawsuit against both the city of Richmond and the town of Fountain City was dismissed this week.  It was filed last year by Matthew Meyers of Lynn.  Meyers claimed in the lawsuit that potholes and other debris on Round Barn Road caused him to lose control of his motorcycle and crash last summer.  Meyers was seeking unspecified damages for both physical and emotional trauma.  The lawsuit was dismissed this week because the accident occurred neither inside the city limits of either Richmond or Fountain City.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Mayor Ron Oler met this week with the self-proclaimed mayor of the Uranus Fudge Factory this week.  Uranus will soon be opening a new site on U.S. 40 at the state line.  The two mayors exchanged gifts and posed for photos.  The mayor said that he was excited to open Uranus in Richmond.  The general store is expected to open before the end of this year and will employ a hundred people.

(Richmond, IN)--Thursday, Richmond’s Board of Public Works will address a contract to perform an environmental site assessment at the former Elder-Beerman building.  The assessment will include adjacent lots and the skywalk that connects the building to the municipal parking garage.  It’s the latest step to convert that property into a new building with roughly 150 market-rate apartments.  Right now, Richmond has a vacancy rate of only one percent for those types of units.  A large proposed development on South 37th that would have included those types of apartments was struck down by Common Council earlier this week.

(Liberty, IN)--Union County’s prosecutor will not be pursuing a criminal case against a man involved in a shooting last month.  It happened on March 30 on Liberty Pike.  A deputy was originally dispatched there for a dispute between two men.  Bradley Bowling was found lying in the road with multiple gunshot wounds.  A handgun was found under him.  Oscar Gentry was then located nearby and taken into custody without incident.  The charging decision indicated that Gentry will not be tried because of evidence that the shooting was done in self-defense.

(Richmond, IN)--A shortage of bus drivers is impacting Richmond Community Schools both Thursday and Friday.  RCS, in a message Wednesday, called the shortage “unexpected” and encouraged anyone who can arrange their own morning and afternoon transportation to do so.  The driver shortage will impact the entire district.  There is no indication that the shortage will extend into next week or beyond.

(Wayne County, IN)--Traffic numbers from the Indiana Department of Transportation confirm there was virtually no effect on the volume of vehicles in the area as a result of last week’s eclipse.  Some local leaders and agencies had predicted up to 100,000 out-of-towners would arrive to view the eclipse, but it simply did not happen.  According to the state’s newly released counts, on the day before and the day of the eclipse, there were just over 35,000 vehicles on I-70 in Wayne County.  In each of the eight days before that, there were actually more vehicles passing through on the interstate than on the day before and the day of the eclipse.

(Abington, IN)--There is another development now regarding various investigations into the Abington Volunteer Fire Department.  Township Trustee Steve Kaiser is already under a criminal investigation involving a fabricated letter used to secure a donated fire vehicle from an Ohio department.  Now, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security is actively investigating another Abington firefighter based on accusations that he falsified records to obtain an EMS certification.  This now makes three separate investigations by multiple agencies into the department and the advisory board.  Abington’s advisory board meets late Wednesday afternoon.

(Richmond, IN)--If you hate the thought of roundabouts enough to take the time to sound off about it, now is your chance.  The Indiana Department of Transportation recently announced plans to add roundabouts to the U.S. 35 and I-70 interchange in Richmond when the interstate is widened to three lanes.  Now, they’re asking for public feedback.  A banner has been added to the website revivei70.com that allows the public to weigh in on roundabouts.  There are also roundabouts planned for the state line exit of I-70.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council Monday night, by a 6-3 vote, put the brakes on a large proposed housing development near South 37^th and Backmeyer Road when they denied a request for a zoning change.  14 people spoke in favor of the zoning change.  They were nearly all business and community leaders who spoke about the need for additional housing.  18 more people spoke against the development.  They were nearly all people who live nearby and expressed concern about traffic, water runoff, and property value.  Some of the six council members who opposed the development talked about unanswered questions, including Larry Parker.  Parker had an exchange with the developer questioning rental prices, HOA fees, and a Forest Hills Country Club membership.  Some council members clearly struggled with the decision.  "This is so hard.  I'm gonna have to say 'no.'  I'm sorry," said Jane Bumbalough in a role-call vote^.  While the people who filled council chambers Monday night had very differing opinions on whether or not the proposed South 37^th Street housing and apartment development was a good idea, nearly everyone was in agreement that Richmond is in desperate need of midrange housing.  "At this moment, we find ourselves with 75 active homes on the market, and 23 of those are under $100,000," said real estate broker James Henley.  "How many time have we seen people accepting jobs in Wayne County and choosing to live somewhere else because they didn't have the type of neighborhood or the type of home they want for their family?" questioned  And this is Melissa Vance from the local Chamber.  South 37^th, or Smith Hill, would have added housing for hundreds of residents.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council meets Monday night with a major issue on the agenda.  It’s the zoning ordinance that would pave the way for the proposed major housing and apartment development near South 37^th and Backmeyer Road.  The ordinance is on second reading Monday night.  That’s when public comment is taken.  Proponents of the project, which include nearly all city and business leaders, say that the housing is desperately needed to attract and retain employees needed to allow businesses to survive and expand.   But many nearby residents oppose the project, fearing congestion, inadequate roads, and unprotected retention ponds.  Monday night’s meeting begins at 7.  As always, you can catch it live on WCTV.

(Preble County, OH)--The Preble County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a missing person case focused on a 49-year-old woman who functions at the level of an eight-year-old.  Amy Evans lives on Quaker Trace Road and has not been seen since Friday.  Investigators say she is believed to have been picked up near her home by a man in a dark blue mid-sized vehicle.  She is not responding to calls to her phone.

(Richmond, IN)--They’re not saying exactly what it is yet, but the National Register of Historic Districts in Richmond is indicating that "good things are coming" to the former post office building on North A in Richmond, which would later become the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame closed and the building was sold late in 2021.  Property records show the building is currently owned by First Bank Richmond.  Sunday’s hint does not indicate when an official announcement will be made.

(Whitewater Valley)--A very large amount of rain came down in a very short time Thursday afternoon and resulted in street flooding to a level that some Richmond residents said they had never before seen.  The Reeveston area of Richmond had water rise quickly.  Multiple cars became stranded as they tried to go through ponded water at South 23^rd and Reeveston.  On South G Street, an image shows water up to the window of a parked car.  Water also crossed New Paris Pike near Porterfield Road.  County officials say New Paris Pike remained closed Friday morning.  In Union County, the gate at the bridge on Clifton Road over the Whitewater River was closed Friday morning.  The dry fords were also closed.

(Indianapolis, IN)--Wayne, Fayette, Randolph, and Henry are four of the eight counties in the East Central Indiana region that have been awarded $35 million in funding from what’s known by the acronym READI.  READI encourages regional economic collaboration to attract and retain talent.  Among other things, the funding is expected to attract 1500 people to the region each year, construct 7200 housing units, and increase regional per capita income by more than $22,000 in the next five years.  The award for our region was the second-largest in the state.

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s the latest on the class action lawsuit filed against the city of Richmond and partial property owner Seth Smith in connection with the My Way Trading fire.  Tushawn Craig and Marquetta Stokes filed the lawsuit last year.  It was moved from a Wayne County court to a federal court, but now there’s a motion to move that lawsuit back to Wayne County.  A judge has yet to rule on that motion.

(Richmond, IN)--It was one year ago Thursday that a large industrial fire broke out at the My Way Trading site in Richmond. Thousands were forced from their homes as billowing black smoke rose from the scene of the My Way Trading fired that could be seen for miles.  In the months that followed, lawsuits were filed including a class-action suit against the City of Richmond and another claiming that a New Paris woman died as a direct result.  The EPA completed its cleanup last month.  "Spent about $2.8 million in federal superfunds, so no city dollars were spent," said Richmond Mayor Ron Oler  What has not been addressed in the year is the cause.  It is widely assumed to have been arson, but no law enforcement agency has ever released any information about where the investigation stands.

(Richmond, IN)--After two recent serious crashes, including one that turned fatal, Richmond police on Wednesday released a statement saying they’ve requested an INDOT traffic study for North and South A Street.  Several years ago, traffic lights on those one-way streets were synchronized – meaning drivers could go the entire lengths of those streets without stopping for a red light.  Following construction a few years ago, that synchronization was removed to discourage assumptions about simultaneous green lights.  RPD says it will increase patrols on those streets until the study is complete.

(Richmond, IN)--Earlham College has named a new president.  He’s Dr. Paul Sniegowski, who will come to Earlham after having spent more than 25 years at Penn, including as its Dean since 2017.  Sniegowski has been an advocate for first-generation, low-income students and will replace Anne Houtman, who spent five years as Earlham’s leader.  Sniegowski will begin his tenure on August 1.

(Whitewater Valley)--There’s no question that the influx of visitors to the Whitewater Valley for the eclipse failed to meet expectations.  But why?  The answer could lie in the scope of the eclipse itself.  In a total eclipse that occurred in parts of the country in 2017, interstates were jammed with people trying to get in the line of totality.  But, in that eclipse, the path of totality was only 62 miles wide.  The path in this week’s eclipse was more than twice as wide – meaning many more options for viewing existed and people didn’t need to cram into as tight of an area.  19 million more people were in the path of totality this week than were in 2017.

(Winchester, IN)--A Randolph County man has been taken into custody in the United Kingdom after fleeing the country following his arrest on a host of serious charges.  20-year-old Louis Galligan of Winchester was charged last December with rape, human sex trafficking, and possession of child pornography.  Investigators said Galligan had engaged in acts with juvenile males.  Following his arrest, he was released on bond but failed to show up for a court hearing in February.  Authorities were able to track Galligan to the United Kingdom.  He is being held there pending extradition back to the United States.

(Richmond, IN)--A teen was taken into custody following a foot chase early Wednesday morning.  According to scanner traffic, 19-year-old Luis Rodriguez tossed a handgun behind a house and ran.  He was eventually captured in the 200 block of North 18^th Street.  A small amount of drugs was also recovered.  Rodriguez is charged with resisting and possession.  RPD has not yet indicated what led to the chase.

(Whitewater Valley)--Thousands of people from near and far were awe-struck by Monday’s total solar eclipse.  Our area caught a huge break with nearly clear skies that provided a perfect view of four minutes of totality.  And when that moment of totality came, people who had gathered in groups all across the Whitewater Valley had the same awe-struck reaction of cheering.  Wayne County leaders had prepared extensively for Monday’s eclipse and none reported any significant issues.  If you’re excited for the next local eclipse, you’ve got a while.  If you are 20 years old today, you’ll be 95 when you can see the next one here.  There are no estimates from law enforcement or other groups about the number of out-of-towners who came to the area for Monday’s eclipse.  Predictions were for as many as 100,000 visitors in Wayne County.  That number clearly did not happen, but all Richmond hotels were booked and full of people from as far away as California.  The predicted road congestion also never materialized; if anything, traffic on I-70 through the area Monday was lighter than normal.  There were no accidents reported anywhere in the Whitewater Valley that significantly impeded traffic.  If you’re wondering what to do with your eclipse glasses now, you can still put them to good use.  In Eaton, eclipse glasses are being collected at the city building to be sent to children in Latin America.  A total solar eclipse will occur there this coming August.

(Richmond, IN)--The female pedestrian who was struck over the weekend as the result of a crash at North 8^th and A Street in Richmond has now died.  Two pickups collided there Saturday night when one ran the red light at the intersection and careened into the victim.  She was taken to Miami Valley Hospital and was removed from life support early Monday morning.  Her identity has not been released.  There is no word yet on any potential criminal charges against the driver who caused the crash.

(Preble County, OH)--The Preble County school resource officer arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a National Trail student posted bond Monday and was released from jail.  Mason Williams was released after posting a $50,000 bond.  Williams must wear an ankle monitor and has been ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.  Williams has been the resource officer for two years and remains on paid administrative leave.

(Wayne County, IN)--In the last year, many local officials had predicted up to 100,000 visitors would descend on Wayne County for Monday’s eclipse.  Some are wondering, though, if that estimate will pan out based on what they experienced over the weekend.  At the Wayne County Fairgrounds Sunday, scheduled performances by some bands were cancelled.  The organizer, who is not associated with the Fairgrounds, notified bands early Sunday morning that poor attendance would prevent the bands from being paid.  Attendance at another popular spot just off of I-70 in Wayne County Sunday afternoon was no heavier than on any other Sunday.  The Richmond Farmer’s Market, though, did report heavier-than-normal attendance with lots of out-of-state license plates Uptown.  Richmond hotels Sunday night remained booked and did not report a significant number of cancellations.

(Richmond, IN)--Over the weekend, the National Weather Service determined that a tornado touched down on the northern edge of Richmond last week.  It was part of a line of storms that rolled through last Tuesday night.  The tornado was the weakest on the Fujita scale – an EF-0 with maximum wind speeds of 80 miles per hour.  It touched down near the Gaar Mansion on Pleasant View Road.  It went northeast across Buttermilk Road and I-70 before lifting just after crossing the state line.  There was some damage to barns and outbuildings, but no one was hurt.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Parks and Recreation issued a statement late Thursday night after community uproar earlier Thursday.  Park closure signs had gone up in various locations related to the eclipse, causing some to question why the city would promote visitation only to close public spots.  In the statement overnight, the Park Department said the signs will be removed Friday and that they were never placed to be unwelcoming – only to provide measures to help out emergency personnel.  Barricades will remain in place.

(Richmond, IN)--Residents who live around the planned large housing development at South 37^th and Backmeyer Road in Richmond are coming together to oppose the project.  That project would create 178 new homes and up to 250 apartment units.  Richmond Common Council will address it on April 15.  According to opponents, 101 nearby residents responded to letters sent by the city.  Of the 101 who responded, one hundred responded in opposition.  They’re worried about increased traffic, exposed retention ponds, and drainage.  They also claim a conflict of interest because they believe a council person’s family member is a candidate for a high-ranking job at Reid Health.  A Reid spokesperson said Thursday that the CFO position is open and that there are no in-house candidates.  Reid, through an LLC, paid a million dollars for the property in 2021.  Opponents also claim that potential lot buyers were promised a membership at Forest Hills Country Club by the developer.  Forest Hills denies that offer is in place.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond woman with a lengthy criminal record was back behind bars Friday morning after an incident Thursday in the area of Salisbury Stables.  According to Wayne County officials, Taylor Steele of New Castle was invited into the home there by resident Laura Turner.  Upon entry, Steele was attacked by a pit bull and was taken to a hospital for surgery.  The dog was later euthanized.  Turner was charged with failure to appear.  Turner now has eight pending criminal cases and 15 in the last decade.

(Richmond, IN)--A huge tribute is coming to Veterans Memorial Park in Richmond for Memorial Day next month.  The Wayne County Veterans Memorial Committee announced Wednesday that the American Veterans Traveling Tribute is coming.  The traveling display features an 80% sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.  There will also be a 9-11 tribute commemorating first responders.  All events will be free and open to the public.

(Richmond, IN)--Plans have changed for the U.S. 35 – or Williamsburg Pike – interchange with I-70 as part of the Revive I-70 project that will widen the interstate to three lanes through Wayne County.  Now, plans call for a tight diamond interchange with two single-lane roundabouts.  The original plans called only for extension of the entry and exit areas.  There are already roundabouts coming to the U.S. 40 interchange at the state line.

(Richmond, IN)--A wanted Richmond drug dealer was taken into custody at Reid Health Wednesday.  31-year-old Sharae Jackson had warrants for dealing cocaine and other drugs after she failed to show up for an initial hearing last month.  In February, police found cocaine and the drug molly when they investigated a shooting on South West 17^th.  Jackson was charged with dealing after 19 grams of cocaine were recovered.  She was convicted of dealing meth back in 2018.

(Whitewater Valley)--The Whitewater Valley on Tuesday escaped the destructive weather that meteorologists had said was a strong possibility.  Many schools dismissed early in anticipation of severe weather that never materialized.  There were, though, some effects.  Strong winds did some structural damage to several sheds and barns in the Smryna Road area of Wayne County.  There was also minor street flooding in several areas.  The Whitewater River at Alpine crested just below flood stage early Wednesday morning.

(Abington, IN)--A formal complaint has been filed with Indiana’s Public Access Counselor which accuses the Abington Township Advisory Board of violating state Open Door laws.  It’s the latest in a series of allegations leveled against that body and Abington Township Trustee Steve Kaiser.  In particular, the complaint alleges the date of last month’s meeting – at which controversial discussion of the donation of a fire vehicle and subsequent firefighter suspensions was expected to take place – was improperly changed.  A response from the Township’s Advisory Board is required by the state by the 22^nd.

(Winchester, IN)--Beginning Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Small Business Administration will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center for Randolph County residents impacted by the March 14 tornados.  Residents who suffered damage can ask questions related to their recovery and receive one-on-one assistance with connecting to resources.  The office opens Wednesday at the Randolph County Center For Family Opportunity on South Oak Street.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Mayor Ron Oler updated Common Council Monday night on progress at the My Way Trading fire site.  The EPA turned the property back over to the city last week after months of cleanup.  Here’s what the city is dealing with now:  "There are a lot of pits and basements and loading ramps.  The city is in the process of filling those.  One of the pits is 15 feet deep," Oler said.  And the city is still having issues with Seth Smith, who owns part of the fire site.  "We'll keep a security fence around the trailers until their fate is decided.  That's an ongoing issue with the owner.  The owner still has a site there that has debris on it," Oler explained.  Oler also cautioned about the smokestack, which is still standing and has been filled with concrete.  He called it the most solid structure in Richmond after the EPA was unable to knock it down.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man with a long criminal history is facing a new list of serious charges after an incident Monday night.  At around 8 o’clock, there was a shots fired call connected to Harris Street.  There were no reports of injury.  Shortly afterward, officers took 36-year-old Joshua Harrison into custody on Waterfall Road and recovered a handgun.  They also recovered some meth.  Back in the summer of 2020, Harrison shot someone at the Garden City Trailer Court and prompted a large manhunt.

(Eaton, OH)--The National Trail school resource officer who was arrested last month for an alleged sexual relationship with a student was formally indicted Monday.  Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Monday that 26-year-old Mason Williams is charged with two counts of sexual battery and one count of tampering with evidence.  Each count is a third-degree felony.  Williams remained in custody Monday without bond.

(Wayne County, IN)--For the second straight month, Wayne County’s unemployment rate has spiked and stands this morning at a rate not seen in three and a half years.  The new rate today is 4.6%.  That’s up from 2.9% since the start of the year.  This morning, there are 470 more Wayne County residents who are classified as unemployed than there were when 2024 started.  Unemployment for just Richmond is even higher than the county rate.  Richmond’s rate today is 5.1%.

(Richmond, IN)--A weekend shots fired incident landed to Richmond men in jail – both the alleged shooter and the suspected intended victim.  26-year-old James Dupree was taken into custody Saturday near 18^th and West Main Street.  He’s charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and neglect of a dependent.  23-year-old Clayton McFarland was taken into custody later on Chester Boulevard.  He faces similar charges.  There is no indication that anyone suffered any serious injuries, and there’s no word yet on what led to the incident.

(Richmond, IN)--A juvenile was reportedly in stable condition this morning after being struck in Richmond yesterday.  It happened late yesterday afternoon near North 12^th and G Street.  A medical helicopter was summoned.  The juvenile was taken to Children’s Hospital in Dayton.  His or her identity has not been released and there’s no word on what led to the incident.  The driver of the vehicle was not charged.