Local News Archives for 2015-04

STATE BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING FOR WAYNE COUNTY NEEDLE EXCHANGE

(Richmond, IN)--An agreement was been reached Tuesday night on Indiana’s $31 billion state budget, and it includes funding for a needle exchange program.  Only counties with the highest rates of hepatitis C would qualify.  That includes Wayne and Fayette.  It would allow heroin addicts and other drug users to exchange needles to prevent disease.  The needle exchange program would have to be approved at the county level to be implemented.

20,000 PEOPLE EXPECTED IN WINCHESTER FOR VIETNAM WALL

(Winchester, IN)--20,000 people are expected to visit Winchester in the next five days.  A replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall that’s 80% of the size of the one in Washington will be on display.  Numerous events are scheduled beginning Wednesday and running through Sunday.  Traffic on U.S. 27 between Richmond and Winchester will be slow at times Wednesday afternoon.  The wall will stop at 3 o’clock at the Wesleyan Church near Fountain City before continuing north to Winchester.

PROSECUTION RESTS IN TRAIL OF MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING RICHMOND WOMAN

(Greenville, OH)--The state has rested in the trial of an Eaton man accused raping a Richmond woman.  Klint Kuck was the owner of the Backroads Bar and Grill in New Madison.  The alleged victim testified Tuesday that she went to the bar with friends and woke up covered only in a towel.  Kuck allegedly raped her and then had another man drive the victim back to Richmond.  A second alleged victim also testified.  Kuck is expected to take the stand today as the defense presents its case.

ONLY 1% OF REGISTERED RICHMOND VOTERS HAVE CAST BALLOTS

(Richmond, IN)--It’s a high-profile mayoral primary in Richmond, but you would not know it from the voter turnout so far.  Voting began on Saturday and continued Monday.  Less than 250 people have cast ballots so far, and that’s only one percent of Richmond’s 20,500 registered voters.  Voting continues all week at First English Lutheran Church, the Kuhlman Center, and at the Wayne County courthouse.  The traditional Election Day is one week from Tuesday.

CHILD RAPIST SENTENCED TO 61 YEARS

(Liberty, IN)--A Union County child molester and rapist was given what amounts to a sentence of life behind bars Monday.  58-year-old Myron Stephen Davisson was sentenced to 61 years for attacks on a girl under the age of 14.  At Monday’s hearing, Judge Matthew Cox said that Davisson’s lack of remorse was almost laughable.  Davisson tried to call the girl 11 times from jail the day before his trial earlier this month.

SURVEILLANCE IMAGE RELEASED FROM CVS ROBBERY

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department Monday released a surveillance image from what was the city’s ninth robbery of the month.  The image shows a man standing at the counter of the CVS at the corner of 16th and East Main.  His face is mostly covered.  That robbery on Sunday night, and five others in April, remains unsolved.  Three others have been connected to one man who’s now in custody.

CVS ROBBED; BECOMES RICHMOND'S 9TH IN APRIL

(Richmond, IN)--There has been another armed robbery in Richmond.  This time, it was the CVS at 15th and East Main that was targeted at around 10:30 Sunday night.  Police say a thin white male about 6 feet tall and about 30 years old wearing a Carhart jacket entered and demanded money.  He fled south after being handed an undisclosed amount of cash.  There were no injuries.  It’s Richmond’s ninth armed robbery this month.  Six of them remain unsolved.  A Richmond couple was arrested last week and charged with the other three.

FUND ESTABLISHED FOR CRASH VICTIM'S YOUNG SON

(Richmond, IN)--A funeral and visitation has been set for Saturday for Dylan Kettler.  The 22-year-old Richmond man died Friday from injuries he sustained in a Fayette County crash that also claimed the life of his friend, Arie Lackey.  Meanwhile, family and friends have established a GoFundMe account.  It’s called the Memorial Fund to Benefit Maddix.  Maddix is Dylan’s son.  He’ll turn two in July.  Here's the link

GARAGE FIRE CALLED SUSPICIOUS

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond garage fire that broke out Sunday night is already being labeled as suspicious.  "It's being investigated because it was a vacant house.  The garage was actually empty," said Richmond Battalion Chief Charlie Bartlett about a fire that broke out in a garage in the 800 block of South 10th at around 6:30 Sunday night.  There were no utilities connected to the garage and there were no injuries.  Smoke from the fire could be seen for several blocks.

STUDY INDICATES 28% OF WAYNE COUNTY CHILDREN ARE "FOOD INSECURE"

(Richmond, IN)--According to newly-released figures from the organization Feeding America, Wayne County is among the highest in Indiana for what they call food insecurity.  Food insecurity is the lack of enough food to sustain a healthy, active lifestyle.  In Wayne County, 17.6% of the population, including 28% of children, are food insecure.  That percentage translates to more than 12,000 people.  Here are the percentages of food insecure residents of other Whitewater Valley counties:  Fayette: 18%; Franklin: 13.8%; Union: 14.1%; Henry: 15.8%; Randolph: 15.4%; Preble: 14.1%; Darke: 14.6%; Butler: 14.2%.

RICHMOND THIEVES TARGETING FLEA AND TICK MEDICATION

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond thieves are targeting something new.  This week, city officials say there have been multiple reports of stolen flea and tick medication.  At the Orscheln store this week, someone used bolt cutters to cut a lock during business hours and take nearly $2000 worth of flea and tick medicine.  Similar theft of the medication have been reported recently in other stores across the Midwest.  The Wayne County Drug Task Force has not indicated yet if the flea and tick medicine is an ingredient in illegal human drugs.

RPD SEARCHES FOR SOURCE OF TWO LOUD BOOMS

(Richmond, IN)--If you live in Richmond, there's a good chance you heard two loud booms late Thursday night.  Dispatchers handled numerous calls from residents.  some said that the explosions were so loud that they shook their houses.  Officers investigated and surmised that the source was two large fireworks shells that were set off somewhere near the Whitewater Gorge or on the Cardinal Greenway Trail.  There were no power outages caused by blown transformers that are often the source of loud booms.

RICHMOND VOTING BEGINS SATURDAY

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond is just two days away from the start of voting in its mayoral primary election.  Votes can be cast beginning Saturday at the Wayne County Courthouse and at the Kuhlman Center.  Satellite voting will take place all next week at those locations and at First English Lutheran Church.  Actual Election Day is May 5.  The Townsend Center and First Baptist Church will be open that day.

DEMOCRATIC MAYORAL CANDIDATES TO DEBATE

(Richmond, IN)--The Republican candidates to be Richmond’s next mayor have debated, and now the Democrats are set to follow suit.  Candidates Monica Burns, Larry Scott, and Dave Snow will take part in a debate that’s been set for Wednesday night of next week at 6 at the city building.  Former IU East Chancellor David Fulton will be the moderate.  The primary election is set for May 5th.

LIBERTY'S 28-FOOT CHICKEN TO BE REPLACED BY LARGE FLAG, CROSSES

(Liberty, IN)--The big chicken that caused so much controversy in Liberty a few years ago is gone.  "There were some complaints about the chicken," said one town official about the Liberty Bell’s 28-foot-tall chicken that stood on State Route 101.  The chicken came down voluntarily.  Liberty Bell owners say they want to do something different.  Now, they’ll put up a 24-by-40 American flag, three crosses, and a plaque with a Bible verse.

MAN LEADS POLICE ON THREE-COUNTY, 100 M.P.H. CHASE

(Union City, OH)--A man who police call a career criminal led them on a chase Tuesday that topped 100 m.ph. and covered three counties.  Union City police tried to pull over Michael Penka.  Penka let a female out of his car and then fled to Wayne County and then to Hollansburg.  Six agencies gave chase and took Penka into custody when he pulled into his mother’s house.  He had fled from a work release program.

MAN STABS HIS OWN SON'S MOTHER LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM PRISON

(Randolph County, IN)--A Randolph County man was out of prison less than a week before allegedly stabbing the mother of his two-year-old son.  26-year-old Jeremy Flick found messages on the woman’s phone from another man sent while Flick was in prison.  He then allegedly stabbed her in the side.  He’s been charged with attempted murder.  The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries including a broken rib.

MOVIE SCENES TO BE SHOT IN EATON

(Eaton, OH)--Wanna be in a movie?  There are plans for a few scenes of a film called The Long Home to be shot in Eaton.  It’s the story of a violent bootlegger and his impact on a small town.  It’s supposed to take place in the 1940’s in Tennessee.  One of the stars of the movie is Nick Jonas.  If you’d like to be considered as an extra, send a head-and-shoulders picture to thelonghomebg@gmail.com.

HUSBAND-WIFE DUO CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE ARMED ROBBERIES

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police believe they’ve found the people responsible for at least three of the seven armed robberies in the city this month.  26-year-old John Wilkie Junior was arrested Monday after allegedly trying to rob La Mexicana on North West 5th.  His wife, 32-year-old Jennifer Anderson, was also taken into custody.  Investigators believe the pair is responsible for robbing Hornak’s Liquor Mart last Saturday night and a Village Pantry last week.  Five other armed robberies remain under investigation.  The couple  was caught Monday with the help of a very observant clerk.  That man refused to hand over money to Wilkie, even though Wilkie put a gun in his face.  Wilkie ran out, but the clerk was able to give a good description to officers, who caught Wilkie after a foot chase.  The weapon Wilkie allegedly used was recovered.

CONNERY PROMOTED TO RPD CHIEF

(Richmond, IN)--Mark Connery was officially named Richmond’s new police chief Monday.  Connery replaces Kris Wolski, who resigned last week to take a job at NSK in Liberty.  Connery has been with RPD for 32 years and was serving in the rank of major.  The department’s other major, Kevin Wampler, resigned his rank last week when he learned Connery would be promoted to chief.  Connery is due to retire in early March of next year.

PREBLE COUNTY FIRST WINERY TO OPERATE IN ABANDONED SCHOOL BUILDING

(Eaton, OH)--Preble County is getting something it’s never had before…a winery.  The old District #4 schoolhouse at the intersection of Highways 127 and 726 just north of Eaton is being converted into what will be known as the Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard and Winery.  That building had been vacant for the last 30 years.  A thousand vines have been planted in the last couple of weeks.  The vineyard is set to open next year.  You can follow the winery’s progress on Facebook.  Search Olde Schoolhouse with an “E” on the end of the word “old”.

RICHMOND'S 7th ARMED ROBBERY OF APRIL OCCURS AT HORNAK'S LIQUOR

(Richmond, IN)--Police are looking for the short, white male who committed Richmond’s 7th armed robbery this month.  The man entered Hornak’s Liquor Mart on North E late Saturday night armed with what the clerk said was likely an airsoft gun.  He demanded cash and made off with $117.  Investigators indicated there are similarities with other robberies this month.  Other robberies have occurred at two different Shells, two different Village Pantries, and Phillips 66.  The attached picture was taken from surveillance video in the Hornak's robbery.

CENTERVILLE MAN DIES IN FAYETTE COUNTY CRASH

(Alquina, IN)--The victim in a fatal weekend crash in Fayette County has been identified as a Centerville man.  24-year-old Arie Lackey was inside a vehicle that crashed on County Road 450 East just north of Alquina.  22-year-old Dylan Kettler of Richmond was also inside.  He was flown to a Level One trauma center.  He is listed in critical condition and, according to a family member, was scheduled for surgery to repair burns Monday morning.  There’s no word yet on what caused the crash.

TRIO ARRIVES AT FIGHT ARMED WITH SWORDS

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police have responded to several incidents in recent weeks of fights involving large groups of people, but here’s one with a twist.  Officers were sent to an area about a block away from the Hibberd building late Sunday night.  Three people showed up armed with swords.  The three fled down an alley before police arrived.  There were no injuries.  Officers searched the area but did not find the suspects or the swords.

WOLSKI RESIGNS AS RICHMOND POLICE CHIEF

(Richmond, IN)--There is a major shake-up in the Richmond Police Department.  RPD Chief Kris Wolski has resigned.  An RPD spokesperson Friday morning said that Wolski would be addressing the situation later in the day.  Wolski is stepping down voluntarily to take a job at NSK in Liberty.  He will go to work there in less than two weeks.  An initial report indicates that Mark Connery has been promoted to chief.  An unconfirmed report indicated that one other high-ranking RPD employee was so upset with Connery’s promotion that he immediately resigned.

RAPER FUNERAL AND VISITATION SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY IN FLORIDA

(Fort Lauderdale, FL)--There’s no word yet on whether or not there will be any local service for Tom Raper.  The former Richmond businessman died earlier this week in Florida.  There is a visitation and service scheduled for Saturday at a church in Fort Lauderdale, but there’s no mention in the obituary about any subsequent service in Richmond.  Tom Raper was 76.

WOMAN ARRESTED WITH DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AFTER KIDS FOUND OUTSIDE UNCLOTHED

(Hagerstown, IN)--A Hagerstown woman was taken to jail Thursday after her two young girls were found running around outside without any clothes on.  Officers were sent to the home of Serina St. John on West High Street.  Two toddlers were found outside, unclothed, and unsupervised.  Inside, officers found drug paraphernalia.  St. John now faces charges that include felony neglect of a dependent.

RAPER DISCUSSED MOTIVATIONS TO TENNESSEE CONGREGATION MONTHS BEFORE HIS DEATH

(Richmond, IN)--Tom Raper died late Tuesday night in Florida.  Just a few months ago, he spoke to a congregation in Tennessee about his early days as a Richmond businessman.  Here’s what he said he did to make ends meet when he operated a small car lot on North E.  "I went next door and told the man that if let me hook a hose onto the spicket on the side of his house so that I could wash my cars, that I would pay his water bill."  Raper said that naysayers made him more determined to succeed.  "Everyone with the exception of my father said I would not make.  I told them that I would give them a chance to say 'I told you so' because I think I can do it."  Raper sold the business in 2002.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH VICTIM LISTED IN GOOD CONDITION

(Richmond, IN)--A Centerville man is recovering after being rear-ended by a dump truck on his motorcycle Wednesday.  21-year-old Blake Babcock was hit on National Road West near J&J Winery.  The impact threw him an estimated 30 feet.  He was Lifelined to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.  Babcock was listed in good condition Thursday morning.  The crash tied up traffic in the area for about an hour.

ALLEGED VICTIM TESTIFIES IN UNION COUNTY CHILD RAPE TRAIL

(Liberty, IN)--The prosecution in the Steve Davisson child rape trial in Union County was expected to wrap up its case Thursday morning.  On Wednesday, the alleged victim testified in graphic detail about how the 58-year-old Davisson’s attention toward her increased until he raped her last year.  A youth pastor testified that he noticed changes in the 14-year-old girl’s behavior during the time of the abuse.  And, a state police investigator testified that Davisson admitted to touching the girl but denied raping her.  The defense will present its side when the prosecution rests.

BREAKING: Former Richmond businessman Tom Raper has died.

(Richmond, IN)-Former Richmond businessman Tom Raper has died. Employees of Camping World, formerly Tom Raper RV in Richmond, have confirmed the death. Raper was recently hospitallized in Florida. We'll have more information tomorrow morning.

SHOTS FIRED, NUMEROUS WEAPONS RECOVERED FROM HOME ON PEARL STREET

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was behind bars Wednesday morning after allegedly firing multiple shots from multiple weapons at a home in the 400 block of Pearl Street Tuesday night.  22-year-old Jeffrey Pierce allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .233 as he fired off numerous rounds into the surrounding neighborhood.  Officers were able to get Pierce to surrender without further incident.  Numerous shell casings were found and at least seven weapons, including five rifles and a shotgun, were recovered.  There were no injuries.  There is also no word yet on what prompted Pierce to shoot.

LUMBER ON I-70 CAUSES MULTIPLE CRASHES

(Wayne County, IN)--Large pieces of lumber spread out across I-70 in Wayne County caused at least three accidents at around 8:30 Tuesday night.  One officer described one piece of lumber as a railroad tie.  Other pieces were 4x4’s that were six feet long.  Crashes occurred at the 145, 147, and 149 mile markers.  The most serious was at the 147.  Three people were in a car that rolled over, but none were seriously hurt.  Traffic was slowed for a couple of hours.  The source of the dropped lumber could not be determined.

ALLEGED BURGLARS NABBED IN TRAFFIC STOP

(Centerville, IN)--Centerville police recovered drugs and arrested two alleged burglars after a traffic stop Tuesday night.  33-year-old Nicholas Gadd of Centerville and 44-year-old Angela Stone allegedly broke into a home outside of Centerville and were stopped later in town.  Both face numerous drug charges and were in the Wayne County Jail Wednesday.  The amount and type of drugs recovered has not been released.

END-OF-SEASON REPORT SHOWS FLU CASES AT REID DOUBLED

(Richmond, IN)--Flu season is essentially dead, and Reid Hospital is delivering its post-mortem report.  This past season, the number of flu cases being tracked by Reid nearly doubled to 600 from 350 cases the year before.  A Reid spokesperson said the increase may have been caused because the virus may have undergone a genetic change that made the vaccine less effective.  Flu cases peaked locally in late December.

ROBBERIES LIKELY COMMITTED BY DIFFERENT SUSPECTS

(Richmond, IN)--Investigators said Monday that the two robberies of Richmond businesses Sunday night and Monday morning were likely committed by different people.  Although descriptions differed at a Village Pantry and Phillips 66, there are similarities between the two men who robbed Phillips 66 and the two who robbed Shell stations earlier this month.  Detectives spent Monday examining surveillance images from Richmond’s two most recent robberies.

ONE-DOLLAR FEE TO BE ASSESSED FOR TAX COUPONS

(Richmond, IN)--The first round of property taxes in Wayne County is due in a month.  Treasurer Cathy Williams said Monday that there will be a one-dollar fee assessed to people who don’t bring a tax coupon with them when they pay their taxes.  Also, Williams suggested looking at this year’s statement for details on how to go paperless for next year’s statement.  Taxpayers should get their statements later this week.

NEW HEALTH CARE CLINIC OPENS IN CAMBRIDGE CITY

(Cambridge City, IN)--A new health care clinic has opened in Cambridge City.  It’s called the Cambridge City Family Health Partners and it’s located in the 400 block of East Main.  It offers evening and weekend hours in a part of the Whitewater Valley that’s never had that convenience before.  The clinic is staffed with nurse practitioners and is operated by Henry County Hospital.

ARMED ROBBERS STRIKE TWO RICHMOND BUSINESSES OVERNIGHT

(Richmond, IN)--We’re now just 13 days into April and Richmond has had its fifth and sixth armed robberies of the month.  At around 11 o’clock Sunday night, a man entered the Village Pantry in the 500 block of West Main and demanded money.  There was an extensive search in the area of Dennis Intermediate School, but no suspect was located.  Then, at around 4 o’clock Monday morning, the Phillips 66 at the corner of South West 18th and Main was robbed by a man with a gun.  The suspect in the first robbery is described as a thin, white male about 5 feet eight inches tall.  There is no description yet of the suspect in the second armed robbery.  Investigators have not yet said whether or not they believe the two robberies were committed by the same suspect.  There were no reports of injury.

OLD REID OWNER SPOTTED AT WINE EVENT DOING TONY SOPRANO IMPERSONATION

(Richmond, IN)--Ever wonder what happened to Bob Ciprietti?  He’s the developer who owns the deteriorating old Reid hospital and who now owes more than $350,000 in back property taxes to Wayne County.  Cipretti has refused to respond to local officials, but he’s out and about in Delaware.  According to the online newspaper capegazette.com, Cipretti spent last weekend at the Lewes Yacht Club’s wine tasting event.  The review states "Bob “Big Cip” Ciprietti did his best Tony Soprano imitation (he’s not very good at it) as he held court behind Touch of Italy’s gigantic antipasto platter and mountains of those not-to-be-missed Italian cookies."  Touch of Italy is Ciprietti's Delaware restaurant.

MAN SNATCHES ELDERLY VICTIM'S WALLET AFTER DOING YARD WORK

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police are looking for someone who robbed an elderly man Sunday night and fled on a bicycle.  A man who said his name was Scott did some yard work at a home on South J Street.  When the homeowner took out his wallet to pay, 'Scott" snatched the entire wallet from the elderly man’s hands and then took off on a black and red mountain bike.  The homeowner was not injured.

LONG-TIME DRUG DEALER ARRESTED BY SWAT ON SOUTH 15th

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond drug dealer who has spent most of his adult life in prison will likely be going back for a long time.  36-year-old Lavar Thomas was taken into custody after a SWAT Team response at his home in the 100 block of South 15th Street Thursday morning.  He faces 11 charges, including dealing cocaine and heroin, pointing and aiming a firearm, and being a violent felon in possession of a firearm.  Thomas is in the Wayne County Jail today.  He had been sentenced to 26 years for dealing cocaine back in 1999.

ACCUSED MURDERER HELD IN WAYNE COUNTY

(Richmond, IN)--Murder charges were filed Thursday against a Henry County man accused of killing a woman, stuffing her body into a suitcase, and then tossing it into a pond about a dozen miles northwest of Hagerstown.  The father of 22-year-old Kirsten Sidwell said that his daughter was familiar with 37-year-old Anthony Dailey.  "She knew this dude, and he betrayed her trust.  He's a worthless waste of oxygen," said Josh Sidwell (actuality 31456).  Investigators say Kirsten was strangled away from where her body was found.  Dailey is being held in the Wayne County Jail today.  He was brought to Wayne County because he is a corrections officer in Henry County.

RCS REVERTS TO NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL SYSTEM

(Richmond, IN)--Changes are coming to Richmond Community Schools as a result of Wednesday night’s board meeting.  Beginning with the new school year in August, RCS will return to a neighborhood school system.  It means that elementary school boundaries will be redrawn and students who attend schools away from where they live, including the Starr Academy, will be reassigned to their own neighborhood schools.  The new school boundaries can be seen on the RCS website Thursday.  The change will save the school system $150,000 in annual transportation costs.

CHILD RAPIST SENTENCED TO 25 TO LIFE

(Eaton, OH)--A Preble County man who sexually abused two young girls was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Wednesday.  "At that young age, they become traumatized.  The victims will have to live with this for the rest of their lives," said Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson.  45-year-old Ricky Marcum raped two girls under the age of ten multiple times over a three-year period.  A mandatory life sentence was avoided when the judge ruled that Marcum was not a sexually violent predator.

STORMS LEAVE MODERATE DAMAGE ACROSS WHITEWATER VALLEY

(Whitewater Valley)--A series of storms left moderate damage in their wake Wednesday.  A large tree fell on a shed at the Wayne County Museum, causing $20,000 in damage.  In Preble County, a barn that was only two years old was destroyed at the farm of Ron Deaton.  "It replaced a 150-year-old barn and we expected it to be around for a long time, but sometimes Mother Nature doesn't cooperate," Deaton said.  A large trampoline ended up in a tall tree there.  Roughly 3500 customers of various power companies experienced outages.  It was restored by 4:30 yesterday afternoon.  There were no reports of any injuries.

WOMAN SUFFERS BURNS IN NORTH WEST E HOUSE FIRE

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond family escaped a house fire Tuesday night.  It broke out a little before 9 o’clock in the 300 block of North West C.  "We pulled up with a bedroom fully involved.  Heavy smoke was showing.  The front window was just breaking as we pulled up, giving it air, so it took off pretty well," said Battalion Chief Jeff Glenn.  All of the residents made it out, but an elderly female sustained minor burns to the chest.  Glenn explains what likely happened.  "A heating pad that the mother would use is what we believe started the fire."  Damage has been set at $45,000.  The home was not considered a total loss.

SUBJECT OF WAYNE COUNTY SILVER ALERT FOUND HITCHHIKING

(Plainfield, IN)--A Richmond man was found unharmed Tuesday after a Silver Alert was issued.  According to our news partners at WHIO-TV, 64-year-old Charles Tyler was found late Tuesday afternoon near Plainfield – about a hundred miles west of Richmond.  Tyler was seen trying to hitchhike in the Plainfield area.  He had been missing for 24 hours and was originally thought to have been walking to Muncie.

TEEN FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER BEING FOLLOWED TO PAWN SHOP

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond teenager is facing a slew of felony charges after being taken into custody Tuesday.  18-year-old Tyler Stevens, who has no address, now faces charges that include robbery, burglary, possession of drugs and paraphernalia, and interfering with a 911 call.  An initial report indicated Stevens was taken into custody at a pawn shop after being followed there by a witness who saw Stevens break into a home and take a TV.

GRAND JURY INDICTS MOTHER OF CHILDREN WHO DIED IN HOUSE FIRE

(Eaton, OH)--On Monday, a Preble County grand jury indicted the mother of two children who died in a February house fire.  35-year-old Chastity Hall now faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter.  Hall left her children home alone to go out for a night of drinking.  She returned home the next morning to find that her two children had died in the fire.  "The mother failed recklessly to live up to her duty to care and support and protect those children," said Preble County Prosecutor Martin Votel.  Hall is now due in court Friday morning for formal arraignment.

GRAVEL THIEF LEADS POLICE ON CHASE, ASSAULTS OFFICER

(Richmond, IN)--It shows people will steal just about anything…24-year-old Casey Conyers of Williamsburg was in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday after allegedly stealing gravel Monday night and then leading police on a chase through Fairview neighborhoods.  Police found the gravel in Conyers’ truck and beer bottles in his pockets that matched those at the scene of the crime.  Conyers also allegedly had drug paraphernalia in his possession and battered a police officer during the arrest.  There was no word on any possible injuries to the officer.

COUNCIL DOES NOT ADDRESS RFRA ISSUE

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council met Monday night, but did not issue any kind of statement or resolution regarding Indiana’s controversial religious freedom bill.  The issue no longer is in the national spotlight after changes at the state level were made late last week.  A few other Indiana cities and counties have passed resolutions, including Muncie Monday night, but most local governmental entities have stayed away from the issue.

EMPLOYEES FORCED TO THE FLOOR IN ROUND BARN SHELL ROBBERY

(Richmond, IN)--Two men armed with handguns forced two employees of the Round Barn Road Shell Station to lie down on the floor as they took money.  It happened at 7:30 Sunday morning.  The men fled on foot with the cash.  There were no reports of any injuries.  Investigators have not said whether or not the two suspects match the description of those who robbed the National Road East Shell last Wednesday.

VILLAGE PANTRY ROBBED; MAN ARRESTED NEARBY FOR ATTACKING OFFICER

(Richmond, IN)--A man dressed in all black produced a handgun at the Village Pantry on South E Street at around 2 o’clock Sunday morning.  He fled down an alley.  About four hours later, there was a report at the same Village Pantry of a man with a gun.  Shortly after that call, 32-year-old Charles Cross was arrested nearby.  Cross was allegedly in possession of a handgun and drugs and battered a police officer.  He was in the Wayne County Jail Monday morning, but has not been charged with the robbery.

BOY SERIOUSLY INJURED IN DOG ATTACK

(Richmond, IN)--A child was attacked by a dog that was running loose in Richmond Sunday.  It happened in the 400 block of South 6th.  Animal control officers had been summoned to the home before.  The boy was taken to Reid Hospital to be treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.  His name and condition have not been released.  The dog was taken to the Wayne County Animal Shelter.

ACCUSED DRUG DEALER FOUND DEAD AT POND NORTHWEST OF HAGERSTOWN

(Henry County, IN)--A woman who was charged one month ago with dealing drugs was found dead near a Henry County pond Thursday.  Sheriff Rick McCorkle said the death of 22-year-old Kirsten Sidwell is being investigated as a homicide.  Sidwell’s body was found near Province Pond, about 12 miles northwest of Hagerstown.  Sidwell had posted bond and been released from jail two weeks ago.

FUNDING FOR FAIRFIELD CAUSEWAY REPAIRS IN PLACE

(Franklin County, IN)--Funding plans to repair the Fairfield Causeway are coming together.  Franklin County commissioners have indicated it will cost $1.8 million to repair the bridge that crosses Brookville Lake at its midpoint.  Franklin County will have to cover $360,000.  The rest will be paid with federal funds.  A thousand cars cross the causeway every day.  Repairs won’t begin for two years.

WOMAN TELLS RPD SHE BATTERED ANOTHER FEMALE OVER STOLEN MARIJUANA

(Richmond, IN)--A battle between two women at a trailer park on North West 5th in Richmond Thursday has landed one of them in jail.  37-year-old Kimberly Barnes was in the Wayne County Jail Friday.  According to police reports, Barnes told officers that she battered and injured Melissa Darling because Darling stole her marijuana.  Barnes is being held on a $500 bond.

COMMISSIONERS PASS RFRA REACTION RESOLUTION

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County commissioners apparently felt the need to state publically what’s been the case all along…that Wayne County respects diversity and encourages equal access to all.  Commissioners passed a resolution yesterday in obvious response to the religious freedom bill at the state level.  Common Council and the local Chamber of Commerce will likely issue similar statements.  Click here to view the full statement.

WAYNE COUNTY QUALIFIES FOR PROPOSED NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

(Indianapolis, IN)--Wayne County is a candidate for a needle exchange program that’s included in a bill that’s working its way through the Indiana House.  The bill has already passed one House committee.  It would apply to the 23 counties with the highest rates of hepatitis C.  That includes Wayne and Fayette.  It would allow heroin addicts and other drug users to exchange needles to prevent disease.

JOB FAIR SET TO HIRE WORKERS FOR SUGAR CREEK

(Richmond, IN)--A job fair has been set in advance of the opening of Sugar Creek Foods in the Gateway Industrial Park in Cambridge City.  On April 16, a job fair will be held at the WorkOne office on South A in Richmond.  Hiring for full-time workers in production, maintenance, wastewater treatment, entry-level management, and a variety of other positions will all be done.  Sugar Creek expects to begin production in July.

FIRE TRUCK CATCHES FIRE

(Liberty, IN)--There was a fire in Union County Wednesday night.  What caught fire?  A fire truck.  Only a few details have been released by 6 a.m. Thursday, but a Liberty fire truck apparently became engulfed in flame when crews got too close to a grass fire.  Embers got underneath the truck and started the fire.  The truck is said to be a total loss.  There were no injuries.

ARMED ROBBERS STRIKE RICHMOND SHELL STATION

(Richmond, IN)--Armed robbers struck a Richmond business overnight.  At just after midnight Wednesday morning, two men armed with what appeared to be handguns with silencers entered the Shell station on U.S. 40 near the state line.  Investigators checked surveillance video and nearby businesses but have not located the suspects.  One is described as a white man in a Carhart jacket.  The other appeared to be a bi-racial male.  There were no injuries.  That Shell station has been the target of several robberies in recent years.

CONTROLLED BURN NEAR LAKENGREN GETS OUT OF CONTROL

(Preble County, OH)--A controlled burn by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Tuesday just outside of Lakengren quickly got out of control.  The DNR was trying to burn three acres, but it expanded and forced the evacuation of residents like this one.  "There was a guy that came to our fron door and asked us to evacuate.  He said that there was a fire coming."  "I was nervous.  Fortunately, I know that we have a good crew.  They've been specially trained for these fires," said Bruce Terrill with the DNR.  Crews from several agencies eventually got the fire under control with no damage to any homes.

TWO ARRESTED ON HEROIN CHARGES IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS

(Richmond, IN)--Two separate incidents resulted in two heroin arrests in Richmond Tuesday.  29-year-old Jesse Baldwin was stopped and found to be in possession of heroin.  Also, the Drug Task Force wrapped up an undercover investigation with the arrest of Bret Sciortino.  Sciortino had been wanted for dealing heroin.  He was located in the 1000 block of South C and taken to the Wayne County Jail.

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