(EATON)-Preble County will open the doors to a 24 hour emergency care center on August 24th of this year. Kettering Heath Network’s Emergency Center will hold their ribbon cutting ceremony on August 11th, along with an open house on August 23rd. The new center will be the first ever 24 hour emergency care center in Preble county, which still holds the title of the only county in Ohio without a hospital.

(EATON)- 29 year old Gary Ray Eaton of Eaton, Ohio was arrested yesterday evening on charges of receiving stolen property and taking the identity of another, thank to help from the public. He was arrested in the 100 block of East Somers Street in Eaton. He remains in jail waiting for formal charges from the Eaton Municipal Court.

(RICHMOND)-Sheriff Jeff Capa has commended several of his deputies and Richmond Firefighters on the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department official Facebook page for the outstanding job they did in saving someone from committing suicide. The person was reportedly dangling their legs over an I-70 overpass when deputies and firefighters stopped traffic on I-70 below the overpass and convinced the subject to seek treatment, and transported the subject to Reid Hospital.

Photos from Facebook

Patrolman Tony Suttle

Patrolman Brandon Krofta

Patrolman Tyler Marsh

Patrolman B.J. Skaggs

RFD's Cory Brewer & Kyle Vickers

(DARKE COUNTY)- 200 marijuana plants were discovered in Darke County, Ohio on Tuesday. The plants were said to add up to 200 thousand dollars in street value. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office is not seeking charges for the plant discoveries.

(EATON)-  Eaton Police are looking for a felon who was last seen in Richmond. The man is suspected to have stolen credit card information in Eaton. He is described as a short, white male in his early to mid 20s, is thin, and has a teardrop tattoo under his right eye, and a large tattoo on his neck. The suspect appears to be driving an older Ford truck with a black flat bed. If you have information about this suspect, please call 973-456-5531. To make an anonymous report, call 888-456-2980.

In replacement of current left turn traffic lights, INDOT will be installing new lights with a flashing yellow arrow, something current traffic lights do not have. The new lights will allow more left turns in each cycle, which will improve intersection efficiency. The flashing yellow arrow will stand for yielding to oncoming traffic, while the solid yellow arrow will stand for stopping if able to safely. INDOT program director Harry Maginity says the project will take five to eight years to complete statewide.

(RICHMOND)-The 68-year-old Richmond woman who was arrested on July 20th for battery with a lamp now has a trial date of September 25th, and is now being charged with a class B misdemeanor. Christie Lear called police to her house around 3am on July 20th in suspicion that the 14-year-old girl in her home was in the company of a teenage boy. When police arrived, they found the boy on the stairs leading to the attic. Lear then proceeded to smack the boy and hit him with a lamp. When the officer tried to stop Lear, she struck him with the lamp, as well. If convicted, Lear could spend up to 180 days in jail and have fines up to 1 thousand dollars.

(RICHMOND)- A local heroin dealer has been sentenced to two and a half years in jail. 20-year-old Ivan I. Mitchell plead guilty to dealing drugs, and was also granted a credit of 69 days served and 23 days of good-time credit. Three other people were also sentenced yesterday for drug related charges.

(RICHMOND)-22-year-old Joseph Hatfield was arrested yesterday after a vehicle and foot chase. Hatfield had warrants out for his arrest for allegedly dealing drugs and parole violation. When members of the Wayne County Drug Task Force recognized him, they called officers to arrest him. Two officers chased Hatfield through several yards to 15th street where he was boxed in by cruisers and was apprehended. He remains in Wayne County Jail and faces several felony and misdemeanor charges.

PREBLE COUNTY- Two unidentified people were arrested in Preble County in suspicion of a meth lab. Several meth making materials were removed by hazmat crews on Sunday afternoon in the 1st block of Quaker Trace Road. Crews remained on the scene until early this morning. Deputies have not released any further information.

WEST ALEXANDRIA-  A motorcycle crash near West Alexandria, Ohio killed a 41-year-old Preble County resident. Wendell Blankenship was traveling on the 5200 block of East Lexington Road when he went off the right side of the road at a curve and hit a guardrail. A woman driving by discovered Blankenship and called 9-1-1, but did not witness the accident. Blankenship was not wearing a helmet.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Friday is the groundbreaking for a new drug treatment center called Recovery Works on State Road 1 near Cambridge City.  "Our goal is to create something that will be a benefit to this community for a long time," said CEO Joe Pritchard.  He talked about the need.  "Cambridge City, Richmond, Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky...this region is in the top five in the country for opioid abuse." Pritchard explained.  And, it will benefit the entire area.  "We will utilize services in the community.  We are going to hire people that are local.  We're going to work with vendors in the area," Pritchard added.  The facility is expected to open in the first quarter of next year.  Friday’s event begins at noon.

(Richmond, IN)--Sunday is a special day for the family of Niqui McCown.  They’re holding an event to remember her on the anniversary of her disappearance in 2001.  "By celebrating my mother's life, she's not forgotten.  It's been a long time since she disappeared," said Payton Johnston, Niqui's daugter.  She said it’s an upbeat event.  "We want people to not be sad about it because being sad or dwelling on it is not going to bring her back," Johnston explained.  The public is invited.  For the family, it’s a chance to offer thanks.  "The support doesn't go unnoticed.  If we could thank them all and hug them all individually, we definitely would," Johnston said.  It begins at 3 Sunday afternoon at Shelter #10 in Glen Miller Park.

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s another scam warning…Richmond police have taken calls from residents who say they’ve received phone calls from people identifying themselves as IRS agents.  The pre-recorded message to local residents has been that legal proceedings have begun to collect unpaid taxes.  Then, a settlement amount is offered.  An RPD spokesperson said that the calls are phony and instructed anyone who receives such a call to phone police.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police were able to track down and apprehend the man who allegedly robbed the Uptown branch of Chase Bank Wednesday afternoon.  22-year-old Shane Newton pointed a gun at a teller and demanded cash.  Surveillance images were distributed shortly afterward.  Officers got a tip that a man who resembled the robber was at Fricker’s on I-70.  Newton fled on foot shortly before police arrived.  He was then tracked by a canine officer to a wooded area between Highland Road and I-70 where a large amount of cash was found.  Newton was being held Thursday on a $25,000 bond.

(Richmond, IN)--Police made an arrest in what was originally dispatched as a robbery outside the Bottle Shop on South 9^th in Richmond Wednesday night.  A man later identified as 52-year-old Jerry Long of Richmond allegedly held up a customer and then pedaled away on his bicycle with $32.  Officers tracked Long to a porch on South 10^th, where he was identified out of a group of intoxicated people.  So far, Long has been charged only with theft.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Redevelopment Commission Wednesday reached a compromise agreement of sorts by approving the allocation of $80,000 for repair of the Paulee Restaurant wall in the Depot District.  Owners had requested $120,000.  There were stipulations placed on the agreement.  Those include a promise from owners that the city will not be subject to any lawsuits and that the owners pay back taxes on the building.  Also, if the building sells, the city would be paid back.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Redevelopment Commission will decide Wednesday whether or not to allocate $120,000 to repair the crumbling wall at the Paulee Restaurant site in the Depot District.  Mayoral candidate Kyle Ingram said the decision is best left in the hands of the Redevelopment Commission, but said it’s a problem that’s lingered long enough.  "Put the pressure on all those involved to get it fixed as fast as possible or as soon as the process will permit," Ingram said.  Ingram said the issue is bigger than just the Paulee wall.  "There are several businesses that could use Redevelopment dollars to fix issues that they have.  I just see this being an issue where you could have a domino effect.  Dave Snow said the problem should have never gotten to this point.  "The ball has been kicked so far down the road at this point that the city has to put the safety of our citizens and economic growth as a top priority."  And, Snow added "This will not set a precedent for my future administration.  I will fully expect private business to resolve issues on their own instead of putting a burden on the taxpayers."  The commission meets at noon in council chambers.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Customers in the Western Wayne Sewer District in and around Cambridge City are facing the possibility of a massive increase in monthly bills.  The sewer district is looking at a $13 million expansion, partially due to growth at the Gateway Industrial Park.  The average customer’s monthly bill would go from $27.64 a month to $68.  Another option is called a capacity fee.  That would force new customers to pay over $3300 to establish sewer service.

(Connersville, IN)--Fayette County will apply to the State Department of Health for help in establishing a needle exchange program.  County commissioners held a special meeting Tuesday afternoon and voted unanimously to apply as a way to reduce the spread of Hepatitis C among drug addicts.  Fayette County has had 74 cases so far this year, and that’s as many as all of last year.  Wayne County is also eligible.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council Monday night discussed the city’s Uptown parking garage.  Council heard from Uptown business owners who indicated that on-street parking continues to be a problem.  Those merchants also suggested improving safety inside the garage by adding cameras and upgrading lighting.  By an 8-1 vote, council approved assessing a $50 fine to vehicles that are parked too long in the garage.  The fine would be cut in half if paid early.  Parking on the upper levels of the garage will be by permit only.

(Wayne County, IN)--Police Monday night searched for a man who gave passers-by on U.S. 27 south of Richmond a little more than they wanted to see.  The driver of a Chrysler SUV stopped at the intersection of 27 and Esteb Road, got out intermittently, and waived his private parts at passing cars.  It happened at about 10 o’clock.  One caller could not get through to 911 until she reached Union County.  By the time police arrived, the man had left the area.

(Richmond, IN)--A 68-year-old Richmond woman was out of jail Tuesday after allegedly attacking a boy and police officer.  According to police reports, at 3 o’clock Monday morning, Christie Lear found a boy in her house that was there to meet a 14-year-old girl.  Lear grabbed a lamp and cracked it across the boy’s chest.  She then hit an officer who had responded with the same lamp.  Lear posted bond and was released Monday.

(Richmond, IN)--Emergency weather sirens sounded Sunday night across Wayne County even though there was no severe weather anywhere in the area.  It’s the second time the sirens have erroneously sounded in the last week.  And, as of Sunday night, Emergency Management Agency officials had not been able to determine why.  The sirens went off at just after 8 Sunday night.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Square Mall goes up for sheriff’s sale on Wednesday.  The mall is in foreclosure and is currently being operated by an independent management company.  Numerous repairs have been made to the mall this year, including to the roof.  The leaks are part of what prompted Sears to leave.  Radio Shak, Hallmark, Hibbett, Deb, and Finish Line owe the mall more than $37,000.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police have identified and are searching today for the man they say fired shots in a Richmond alley in late May.  22-year-old Calob Wooten was identified through cell phone video that was taken in an alley off of South 14^th.  Wooten is accused of firing at someone who met Wooten to buy the gun.  Wooten is also accused of pointing the gun at a teenage girl and pulling the trigger, but the gun did not fire.  Numerous other teens witnessed the incident.  Wooten already has a lengthy criminal record.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police had to deal with several incidents Thursday night and into Friday morning.  31-year-old Travis Bowling was the subject of numerous calls to 911 from the 300 block of North 17^th.  An allegedly out-of-control Bowling was tased after trying to fight several neighbors.  Also, police responded to a fight at a North West 5^th trailer park.  24-year-old Jacob Griffee was found in possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.

(Centerville, IN)--The Centerville man who recently shot his wife the day before a divorce hearing will soon be released from jail if a plea deal is accepted.  45-year-old Danny Watson shot his wife, Christina, in May.  A plea deal that was filed yesterday would have Watson sentenced to two years for criminal recklessness.  All time would be suspended after the hearing takes place.  The hearing has not yet been scheduled, but will likely take place in about a month.  Watson was originally charged with attempted murder, but that charge was reduced when Christina Watson indicated the shooting was accidental.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was taken into custody Wednesday on multiple counts of child molesting.  30-year-old Justin Mitchell now faces decades in prison after being taken into custody Wednesday on charges that include Felony Levels 1, 2, and 3 child molesting.  Mitchell listed his address as a home on North West 16^th.  He is a 2003 graduate of Northeastern High School.  Details of what Mitchell is alleged to have done have not yet become available.

(Liberty, IN)--He had been Liberty’s police chief for the last 31 years, but that run came to an end Wednesday for Barry Bryant.  Bryant began with Liberty back in 1981, and became chief just three years after being hired.  Andrew Jordan takes over as Liberty Police Chief Thursday.  Jordan is a 1995 Union County graduate who began as a reserve officer back in 2007.

(Richmond, IN)--Next Wednesday will mark the 14-year mark since Richmond’s Niqui McCown disappeared after last being seen at a Richmond laundry.  Now, her daughter Payton is taking the lead in making sure her mom is remembered and that the case stays active.  Payton Johnston was nine at the time, but is now 23 and living in Arizona.  Payton is planning a candlelight vigil on the 22^nd at the laundry with a celebration of life the following Sunday at Glen Miller Park.  She said the public is welcome.

(Richmond, IN)--For the most part, out-of-town Earlham College students do not become all that engaged with the Richmond community.  But a new Earlham program looks to change that.  Earlham on Thursday is announcing a pre-orientation program.  It’s a five-day acclimation for incoming students that includes touring Richmond’s historic districts, biking the Cardinal Greenway, and canoeing the Whitewater River.  The program is being funded through a million-dollar grant.

(Randolph County, IN)--A Level One Travel Advisory was in effect in Randolph County Wednesday morning as the result of another round of flooding rains Tuesday.  Several county roads, mainly in the northeastern sections of Randolph County, remained impassable.  The Mississinewa River was out of its banks.  Flooding was even more significant to the north.  Governor Mike Pence surveyed Portland Tuesday.  Downtown there was inundated with floodwaters as the mayor declared a state of emergency.  U.S. 27 in Portland re-opened at about 5 o’clock Wednesday morning.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Groundbreaking ceremonies have now been set for a week from Friday for a new drug and alcohol treatment center just north of Cambridge City.  It will be called Recovery Works.  They’re constructing a 15,000-square foot, 32-bed residential facility that will provide intensive, in-house drug treatment.  Patients will either have to have commercial insurance or pay privately at a cost that’s estimated to be around $13,000.  It will be located just north of I-70 on State Road 1.

(Richmond, IN)--Law enforcement agencies Tuesday night had to deal with an incident at the old Reid Hospital property.  At around 8 o’clock Tuesday night, at least two people were spotted walking around on the roof of the deteriorating building.  Police and firefighters have previously stated that they are hesitant to enter the building due to its condition.  The two people on the roof last night were able to get away and were not arrested.

(Richmond, IN)--It made for a lot of interesting pictures on social media, but the storms that passed through the Whitewater Valley Monday did relatively little damage.  Richmond had five downed trees and just under an inch of rain.  Wayne County’s severe weather sirens sounded, but they should not have.  EMA employees were trying to find out why that happened.  Counting Monday and with more rain likely Tuesday, Richmond has now had measurable rain on 16 of the 24 days of summer.

(Eldorado, OH)--Preble County law enforcement said Monday that the fatal shooting of an armed home invader in Eldorado over the weekend was justified.  "The resident's decision to fire at our victim was based on the fact that the victim was armed with a pistol.  Based on what we know today, we don't see any issues with his decision to do that," said Sheriff Mike Simpson.  22-year-old Jacob Craft of Eaton was shot and killed.  A male resident shot Craft when he came through a screen door and started yelling.  The prosecutor has the final decision about criminal charges.

(Richmond, IN)--The Wayne County Drug Task Force is continuing its effort to cut down on prostitution.  36-year-old Elizabeth Riggs was arrested Monday on North 13^th and E in Richmond after she allegedly propositioned an undercover officer.  It was the third prostitution arrest this week.  Riggs has multiple arrests, including two for attempted robbery and one for child neglect.

(Eldorado, OH)--An armed intruder has died after barging his way into a home in the Preble County town of Eldorado.  22-year-old Jacob Craft of Eaton died over the weekend after police say he forced his way inside a home on Lowell Avenue.  Six people, including three children, were home at the time.  None of them knew Craft.  One occupant had a gun and used it when he saw that Craft was also armed.  Craft had parked in the driveway and come in through an open screen door.  The occupants are cooperating with police and have not been charged.

(Richmond, IN)--Monday is the 23^rd day of summer.  So far in the Whitewater Valley, it’s felt like anything but summer.  In the previous 22 days, Richmond has had measurable rain on 14 of those 22 days with plenty more in the forecast Monday.  The temperature has been below normal for 15 of the 22 days.  Richmond highest temperature has been 86, and that happened on summer’s first day.

(Richmond, IN)--The United Way of Whitewater Valley is looking for a new leader.  Scott Zimmerman is stepping down as president.  No reason was given for Zimmerman’s departure.  He had been at the United Way for a relatively short time…just over a year.  Amber Willeford, who is the Director of Donor Engagement, will be serving as the interim president until a permanent replacement is found.

(Richmond, IN)--There appears to have been another heroin overdose death in Richmond Thursday.  Police were called to the 300 block of North 10^th Thursday afternoon on the report of a man down.  He later died at Reid Hospital.  A woman also collapsed in the front yard.  Her blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit.  She was taken to the Wayne County Jail.  Identities have not been released.  If Thursday’s death, and ten others awaiting final determination, all turn out to be heroin-related, it would be the 24^th heroin death in Wayne County so far this year.

(Eaton, OH)--A man in his 50’s was killed when he was struck by a train in Eaton at around 7 o’clock Thursday night.  On Friday morning, investigators are said he intentionally stepped in front of the train.  His name is not being released.  Police Chief Chad Depew said the man stepped in front of the train near the crossing of Seven Mile Creek on Eaton’s west side.  The incident brought the train to a stop and blocked nearly every crossing in the city for three hours, including Highways 35 and 127.

(Richmond, IN)--One member of Richmond Common Council said that the council will soon ask the Redevelopment Commission for money to help clean up the old Reid Hospital site.  Ron Oler made the statement Wednesday at a hearing regarding the Paulee wall in the Depot District.  Oler said the request would come in the next couple months.  Costs to completely remove the structures and clean up all environmental issues continue to climb.  The cost now, according to Oler, could be as high as $9 million.  Oler did not say how much money council would request.

(Richmond, IN)--An incident at Richmond’s Walmart late Wednesday afternoon ended with at least three arrests and one suspect going to Reid Hospital.  Officers responded on the report of five teens shoplifting.  In the struggle to get them into custody, one teen fell and hit his head.  An initial report indicated that one officer may also have suffered a minor injury.  Three 18-year-olds were still in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning.  They include Jaime and Lucille Allen of Richmond and Robert Cave of New Paris.

(Laurel, IN)--The woman accused of stealing items from gravesites in Franklin – and possibly Fayette – County has been charged and identified.  44-year-old Jeanette Reece-Brandes of Laurel now faces a theft charge.  She was arrested after a family member of a person buried in Laurel North Cemetery set up a hidden camera and caught her stealing items like flowers, wind chimes, and other decorations.  Brandes faces up to a year in jail and will be in court later this month.

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Hospital has sent its detailed response to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management regarding the condition of the old Reid campus.  Reid said that it will deal with any environmental issues for which it may be responsible, but also said that it has nothing to do with the building’s current dilapidated condition.  Reid has retained an environmental consultant that will be involved in more testing.  CEO Craig Kinyon said that 3000 pieces of furniture were left behind for the new owners and that Reid turned the building over to them in good faith and in good condition in 2008.

See the entire Reid press release here.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond is getting another Dollar General store.  Construction crews on Wednesday are working on a new Dollar General on North West 5^th, just south of Indiana Avenue and near the site of the former Mosey Hall building of Ivy Tech.  It will be the 24^th Dollar General store within a 25-mile radius of Uptown Richmond.  There are six Family Dollars that are also inside that radius.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond man arrested in Florida this week for various theft charges is no longer considered a suspect in several Richmond robberies.  RPD was searching for 20-year-old Zachary Vansickle after an alleged assault recently.  At that time, one local law enforcement agent indicated that Vansickle was wanted for questioning in several recent business robberies.  But, that is no longer the case.  Vansickle will not face extradition due to the distance between Richmond and Florida.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Police mediators are being credited with helping to save a life Monday night.  A suicidal man climbed over the rail of the Twentieth Century Bridge on Richmond Avenue and threatened to jump.  The bridge, along with Sim Hodgin Parkway below and other surrounding streets, was blocked off for about an hour as police talked the man down.  He was uninjured and was taken to Reid Hospital for evaluation.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Redevelopment Commission will be asked on Wednesday to come up with $120,000 to fix the wall near the former Paulee Restaurant in the Depot District.  That crumbling wall forced Paulee’s closure at that location a couple of years ago and has been the source of several lawsuits.  Roger Richert sued the city.  Paulee sued Richert and Porter Advertising.  The requested $120,000 would still leave about $40,000 in repair costs to be covered.

(Richmond, IN)--There was an attempted armed robbery in Richmond late Sunday night.  The target was the Dairy Queen on National Road West.  It happened at just before 10 Sunday night when a suspect, described as a six-foot-tall white male about 20 years old, showed an employee a handgun and demanded cash.  The initial report indicated he fled without any money.  Police used canines and combed an area near the Westwood Apartments but were unable to locate the suspect.  There were no injuries.  Surveillance images may be available later Monday.

(Richmond, IN)--A police incident Monday morning shut down a few streets in the Sheridan Street area of Richmond.  Only a few details have become available, but police were sent to a home in the first block of NW D that had allegedly been the scene of a shots fired call in the last year.  Police cordoned off the area at around 2 o’clock Monday morning and took 38-year-old James Harris of Webster and 22-year-old Dustin Harris of Richmond into custody.

(Oxford, OH)--One area lake has been placed under an E. coli advisory.  Officials at Acton Lake at Hueston Woods are recommending that young children and the elderly stay out of the water after testing revealed a high level of E. coli.  The high levels are due mostly to recent heavy rain.  Other large area lakes, including Brookville Lake and Lake Lakengren, appear to have safe levels.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond and Wayne County’s heroin statistics were discussed during a meeting of a group called Heroin is Here.  That’s a group of community leaders working to fight the growing problem.  According to Wayne County Coroner Ron Stevens Thursday, Wayne County is on pace this year to exceed the last three years in heroin overdose deaths.  There have been 13 deaths in the county officially tied to heroin so far this year, with ten more cases awaiting final determination.  There were 16 deaths last year and 20 in 2013.

(Richmond, IN)--A Silver Alert that was issued for a missing Richmond man has a happy ending.  The statewide alert was issued for 70-year-old Charles Provance Thursday afternoon after he was last seen Wednesday afternoon.  Family members indicated he needed daily medication.  Provance was located later in the day Thursday and returned home.

(Connersville, IN)--On Thursday, Kicks 96 and The Point news reported that two women who were stealing items from graves in Franklin County.  Now, it appears they may also be targeting Dale Cemetery in Connersville.  Investigators say the women are taking items like flowers, wind chimes, and other ornaments from graves and then selling them.  Newly released hidden camera images show an obese white woman with dirty blonde hair removing several items two weeks ago.

(Cambridge City, IN)--There was a reported home invasion and attempted strangulation at a home in Cambridge City overnight.  At around 1 o’clock Thursday morning, a female resident in the 500 block of North Graham Street indicated a man entered her home and tried to strangle her.  She broke free and called 911 from a different location.  Her attacker also fled.  Police searched with canines but could not locate the man.  The only description is that he was wearing jeans and no shirt.

(Richmond, IN)--Investigators are looking at surveillance video from a business on Sim Hodgin Parkway to see if an incident where two men were shot was caught on tape.  44-year-old James Napier and 21-year-old Jessie Swearingen were shot in the legs at around 3 in the morning Wednesday.  There’s no word on what they were doing out at that time of the morning, but both have lengthy drug records.  Swearingen was caught with 36 grams of heroin last summer.

(Richmond, IN)--A married Oxford man came to Richmond Wednesday to meet up with a known prostitute.  But, the two were arrested after picking a Richmond park to do the deed.  60-year-old Ron Whittington and 37-year-old Tasha Mize were caught in the act at the north end of Middlefork Reservoir and taken to the Wayne County Jail.  Mize had been arrested for the same thing last fall, and was also allegedly in possession of drug paraphernalia Wednesday.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a reported double shooting in Richmond Wednesday morning.  Two people showed up at Reid Hospital with gunshot wounds at around 3:15 a.m.  They told police they were walking on Sim Hodgin Parkway near Bridge Avenue when a black male fired at them from the passenger seat of a passing car.  Investigators found shell casings and blood where they said they were shot.  Police also found shell casings in an alley between South 14^th and 15^th Streets after a shots fired call there, but it’s not yet clear if the incidents are connected.  There’s no word yet on the identities or conditions of the victims.

(Milton, IN)--Five pets died and a home sustained serious damage when fire broke out on Milton Road about a mile east of Milton.  Crews were called at around 7:30 Tuesday night.  It took them about a half an hour to get the fire under control.  The occupants were not home at the time.  There’s no word yet on the dollar amount of the damage or what may have started the fire.

(Richmond, IN)--Former Richmond attorney Chuck Hyde is asking that his criminal charges be dropped.  Hyde faces 27 counts of felony theft after allegedly taking money in advance from 14 clients and never providing legal services in return.  Hyde’s motion claims that the offenses do not constitute theft and that he did not have fraudulent intent.  Hyde cannot practice law again for at least two more years.  The judge in the case has yet to rule on the motion.