(Wayne County, IN)--There’s good news if you travel between Richmond and Muncie.  The U.S. 35 bridge over the Whitewater River has now reopened.  That bridge, which is located just east of the intersection of State Road 1 and 35, had been closed since February for a bridge deck replacement project.  The new bridge deck is expected to extend the service life of the bridge by 75 years.  In some other bridge news, the reconstruction project on Bridge Avenue in Richmond has been delayed.  County officials said Wednesday that bridge is now not expected to reopen until late next month or early November.  It was supposed to have been open by now.  Several flooding events have caused the delay.  It’s the same story for the Richmond Avenue bridge.  That key connector between downtown and the city’s northwest side is now not expected to reopen until late next month.

(Richmond, IN)--Ceremonies were held Wednesday to mark the opening of the new IU East High School.  "We are very fortunate to have a partnership with the Indiana Microschool Collaborative.  They are taking education out of the box," said Chancellor Dennis Rome.  The new microschool model is designed to deliver personalized and future-focus education.  And, Rome said it will likely also be good for IU East.  "Chances are they'll want to remain here and complete their undergraduate degree here.  And, they'll probably finish in a shorter amount of time than in a traditional classroom," Rome added.  Students can earn as much as 52 college credits over four years.

(Wayne County, IN)--Another case of measles has been confirmed in Wayne County.  "We had confirmation this morning of our third positive measles case in Wayne County.  We're still tracking that outbreak and running clinics to help prevent future outbreaks," said Dan Burk with the Wayne County Health Department.  Burk did not indicate Wednesday how severe the cases have been.  Burk said the cases are unvaccinated adults.  Burk said he believed that there are other undiagnosed cases of measles that currently exist in Wayne County.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council on Tuesday night heard on first reading an ordinance that would prevent other communities from sending their homeless residents to Richmond.  Here’s Richmond Mayor Ron Oler:  "The idea is protecting the resources you have in your community to help the unsheltered homeless and not be subject to other communities dropping people off into a homeless situation."  If state funding becomes available, Oler said that the city would move forward with constructing a 30-unit facility at an as-yet-undisclosed location for the homeless.  The ordinance would stop other cities from dropping their homeless off at a facility like that.  One council member immediately expressed her reservations.  "I am not in favor of this as it stands right now.  I think that we might even be borderline on constitutional rights," said Anne Taylor.  The ordinance was referred to the law department Tuesday night for further review.

(Lynn, IN)--According to newly released court documents, Maci Atkinson told investigators that she deserves to spend the rest of her life in prison for striking and killing Lynn Town Marshal Brad Fisher during a chase in July.  After charges were filed Tuesday, she may get her wish.  Atkinson now faces charges that include murder and aggravated battery.  Other details of Tuesday’s affidavit indicate that fentanyl and meth were found in the vehicle Atkinson admitted to stealing.  Atkinson said that she had intended to drive the stolen vehicle until it ran out of gas and then ditch it in a cornfield.  Atkinson’s initial hearing on the murder charge is set for Monday.

(Richmond, IN)--The 6Main Apartments where Elder-Beerman once stood in downtown Richmond are nearing completion.  Here’s Richmond Mayor Ron Oler on Tuesday night:  "They started two weeks ago...final inspection on the fourth floor.  The building commissioner has been through the fourth floor and they're slowly working their way down.  They still have some time to finish the first floor, but things are moving along very well."  The developer has asked for temporary occupancy of a leasing office that will open next month.  One of the finishing touches is a plaque to recognize the downtown explosion of 1968.  "We got the bronze plaque to memorialize the explosion.  I met with them today about where they're going to locate that," Oler said.  That plaque will list the names of all 41 victims.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council on Tuesday night got its first look at next year’s budget.  Here’s Beth Fields with a recap for Council:  "Of the 28 funds that you have, 21 are balanced, two are structurally balanced, and there are five that are not balanced."  Those five funds include local road and streets and unsafe building.  Still, Mayor Ron Oler likes what he sees so far.  "I think it's one of the best budgets I've seen in a long time.  If we didn't have property tax cuts, we wouldn't be having the challenges we have and we'd have some surplus,"  Oler said.  Council and department heads will continue to refine the budget in the coming weeks.

(Cambridge City, IN)--FEMA will be back in Cambridge City beginning Wednesday to help residents recover financially from flood damage.  That federal agency will remain in western Wayne County through Saturday.  Meanwhile, at a special meeting late last week, council agreed to pay just shy of a quarter of a million dollars for emergency water restoration.  The town has now had dumpsters that were put into place to help residents dispose of ruined furniture and other debris removed due to ongoing costs.  A total of about 700 tons of debris have been collected since last month’s flood.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council meets Tuesday night and is set to address the issue of homelessness.  An ordinance will be introduced that prohibits government officials or private citizens from transporting homeless people from another jurisdiction into the city of Richmond.  The ordinance states that only local homeless people should benefit from limited local help that is available and that others brought into the area create health and public safety issues and put strain on resources.  Tuesday night’s meeting gets underway at 7.  As always, you can catch it live on WGTV.

(Richmond, IN)--Two young Richmond men were taken into custody late Saturday night.  It happened near the intersection of State Road 227 and Smyrna Road.  Both 19-year-old Joshua Duncan and 21-year-old David Tomlin are charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.  That’s often the charge that’s applied when shots are fired.  Details of exactly what happened are not yet available.  Investigators say alcohol was a factor.

(Richmond, IN)--A convicted Richmond child molester with a massive criminal record was arrested yet again Thursday.  41-year-old Shannon Maples was located near South 10^th and C.  A judge had found probable cause in a meth possession case.  Maples molested a 12-year-old girl a decade ago.  Since then, he’s racked up nine other criminal cases – mostly involving drugs and theft.  He has an initial hearing in a theft case this coming Tuesday.

(Springfield, OH)--The Richmond man accused of breaking into two Springfield homes and then attacking deputies last month has pled not guilty by reason of insanity.  A Champaign County grand jury this week indicted 37-year-old Timothy Cole on 14 counts, including aggravated robbery.  In court documents filed Thursday, Cole’s attorney said that he suffers from an acute mental disorder and does not understand the consequences of his actions.  Cole is still behind bars in Springfield.

(Richmond, IN)--A body was discovered in the area of the Starr Gennett Building in the Whitewater Gorge in Richmond.  In a release Wednesday, RPD said there is no suspicion of foul play, but that they are continuing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.  The person’s name has not been released.  The release did not indicate how long the body may have been there before being discovered.

(Wayne County, IN)--Two years ago, plans to build a fireworks storage facility on Esteb Road drew an outcry from residents in the area and contributed to the arrest of Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher, who lives nearby.  The county’s Board of Zoning Appeals rejected the proposal of property owner Gary Wolff early last year.  But, on Wednesday, the issue came up again with Wayne County Commissioners.  Commissioners discussed that approval had been granted for what they call a "barndominum" as a residence only, but they believe the owner still plans to store large quantities of fireworks on site.  Here’s an exchange between County Attorney Ron Cross and the county’s Steve Higinbotham on Wednesday:

 

Cross:  "We really need to know what the end plan is for the property."

 

Higinbotham:  "And that's not the way that person operates."

 

  Wolff has filed a petition for judicial review.

(Richmond, IN)--A man was arrested at Glen Miller Park in Richmond for prostitution and indecent exposure on Tuesday night.  Richmond police announced the arrest Wednesday.  Officers identified 60-year-old Paul Wilburn as the primary suspect.  Both charges are misdemeanors.  Wilburn was free Thursday morning on a minimal bond.  Other details about what led to his arrest have not been released.

(Cambridge City, IN)--The town of Cambridge City cautioned flood victims in western Wayne County on Wednesday that they may need a permit for rebuilding and remodeling.  They say permit will be needed if the property is located in a designated flood plain or floodway.  Cambridge City said that necessary inspections will begin in the coming days.  The town is developing and training a task force to assist with conducting those inspections.

(Columbus, IN)--A change of plea hearing has now been set for a Richmond man who allegedly drove to Columbus, Indiana to have sex with what he thought was a young boy.  According to court documents, 48-year-old Matthew Ciske was located in Columbus about a half of mile of where he was supposed to meet the boy, which was really a Bartholomew County investigator.  Ciske and the "boy" had been engaging in sexually charged online conversations.  Ciske told investigators that he is studying to become a chaplain.  The change of plea hearing has been set for November.

(Wayne County, IN)--FEMA intake centers are opening in Wayne County this week to assist victims from last month’s flood, including one that will open today.  At 9 o’clock Wednesday morning, an intake center will open at Centerville Christian Church.  On Thursday, another intake center opens at the Cambridge City Christian Church on Church Street.  Both centers will be open until late Saturday afternoon.  FEMA will ask for a photo ID, insurance information, photos of damage, and other information.

(Richmond, IN)--A pickup truck slammed into the Papa Joe’s building on Chester Boulevard in Richmond early Tuesday afternoon.  More than half of the pickup ended up inside the building, leaving a gaping hole and significant structural damage.  Here’s Battalion Chief Eric Holmes:  "They ran the vehicle up inside the building.  Nobody was really injured majorly."  First responders were working to determine if it was a medical incident or other reason for the driver the hit the building.  The driver’s identity has not been released.

(Lynn, IN)--It’s now been more than a month since Lynn Town Marshal Brad Fisher was struck and killed during a pursuit.  A check of online court documents indicate that the driver who is accused of striking and killing Fisher has not yet been formally charged with that crime.  Maci Atkinson continues to be held in the Wayne County Jail without bond.  Atkinson is being held there as a courtesy to Randolph County.  She has four other criminal cases actively pending that are unrelated to the July 29 chase.  Atkinson is next due in court for all of those cases in early November.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Indiana Governor Mike Braun was in the Whitewater Valley on Monday to check in on flood cleanup and repairs.  Braun said he’s still seeing signs of neighbors helping neighbors.  "And we should all take pride in that," Braun said.  Meanwhile, FEMA has begun inspecting individual homes in Cambridge City.  One of them belongs to Melissa Parker.  "Yesterday, they came out to the house and did an inspection, but we're still waiting to hear back from them," Parker said.  Connersville remains the closest FEMA intake center for residents of western Wayne County.

(West Alexandria, OH)--Details of a fatal weekend crash in West Alexandria were released Monday.  It happened on Sunday on West Dayton Street, which is also U.S. 35.  The driver of a pickup drove into a parked car, which then hit two pedestrians.  80-year-old Donna Tubesing was pronounced dead at the scene.  Her husband, Kenton, sustained serious injuries.  Further investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle was allegedly impaired at the time.  David Shafer is currently only being held on drug possession charges.  Additional charges are certain to be added.

(Richmond, IN)--Officers took two different wanted Richmond men into custody in two different incidents Monday night, and neither one of them came quietly.  The probations of both Cody Spitler and Thomas Vanderpool had been revoked.  Vanderpool allegedly stabbed someone earlier this year.  He allegedly drew a weapon when officers approached in the 800 block of South J in Richmond late Monday afternoon.  He was Tased and taken into custody.  A SWAT Team responded to the 1100 block of South B later Monday night when Spitler allegedly barricaded himself inside.  He eventually surrendered.  Spitler has had five different theft or burglary cases in the last two years.

(Brookville, IN)--A 36-year-old Brookville man will spend the next five years behind bars after trying to convince a 13-year-old girl to exchange sexual favors for tobacco products.  Robert Marshall has pled guilty to child solicition and been sentenced to five years.  Marshall will also have to register as a sex offender following his release.  The case began earlier this year when Marshall began messaging the girl through her Facebook page and requested explicit photos.  A forensic examination of Marshall’s phone confirmed the girl’s allegations.

(Connersville, IN)--Connersville City Council met Monday night for less than ten minutes and for one purpose…to approve a wheel tax for the city.  Passage of a wheel tax is now necessary for municipalities to be eligible for Community Crossings grant money to maintain streets and roadways.  Mayor Chad Frank on Monday night made one thing clear.  "We're not changing the current city wheel tax.  The rate stays exactly the same.  The taxpayer will not see any difference," Frank said.  Council unanimously approved passage.