Local News Archives for 2015-11

FIRE FORCES EVACUATION AT CARRIAGE HOUSE APARTMENTS

(Richmond, IN)--Fire forced evacuation at a Richmond apartment complex Sunday.  Crews were called to the 700 block of Winding Ridge Drive off of Chester Boulevard at around 5:15 Sunday afternoon.  Light smoke was showing when firefighters arrived, but the fire was contained to one unit and there were no injuries.  There’s no word yet on what started the fire or the dollar amount of the damage.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR DUI, RESISTING, AND LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

(Hagerstown, IN)--A Hagerstown woman was in the Wayne County Jail Monday morning after allegedly driving drunk, leaving the scene of an accident, and resisting law enforcement on Sunday.  36-year-old Crystal Koteich is the same Hagerstown woman who allegedly allowed her pit bull to run loose over the summer in the 100 block of South Washington.  That dog attacked a woman on Walnut Street.

PREBLE COUNTY TO HOST COPS & KIDS EVENT

(Eaton, OH)--The Preble County Sheriff’s Department is making a final push this week for its Cops & Kids event.  On Wednesday, December 9, Sheriff’s Department representatives will serve a dinner to needy families across Preble County and then FOP members will take those families shopping.  75 kids have been helped over the last five years.  Donations can be sent to: Cops & Kids, P.O. Box 602, Eaton, OH 45320.

BLOOD AND SHELL CASINGS FOUND; VICTIM AND SUSPECT NOT LOCATED

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police investigated a shots fired call late Thursday night on North 13th.  But, despite finding fresh blood on apartment steps and shell casings, no suspect or victim could be located.  9 millimeter shell casings were found in the area of North 13th and A.  Officers were attempting to locate the female occupant of an apartment in the area.  She could not be found.

MORE GROUNDWATER TESTING NEEDED AT OLD REID

(Richmond, IN)--A consultant says that more ground testing is needed at the former Reid Hospital site.  It’s to determine the extent of contamination to groundwater and to find the best solution to clean it up.  Preliminary testing indicates radioactive materials may be naturally occurring and not the result of materials used for medical testing.  Contamination in the northeastern section of the property appears to have been the result of public dumping.

OBJECTS DROPPED FROM RAILROAD BRIDGE ONTO SIM HODGIN CARS

(Richmond, IN)--There were multiple instances Wednesday morning of objects being dropped from a railroad bridge onto passing cars on Sim Hodgin Parkway in Richmond.  At 1:15 Wednesday morning, a brick smashed through the windshield of a car that was passing under the bridge.  The driver was not hurt.  A similar incident happened 45 minutes earlier, but a rock was used in that case.  Police searched the area but were unable to find any suspects.

HEROIN, GUN, AND $28,000 IN CASH FOUND ON N. 19th

(Richmond, IN)--Members of the Wayne County Drug Task Force made another heroin bust Tuesday, and this was a pretty big one.  Officers served a search warrant at a home in the 800 block of North 19th in Richmond.  Inside, they found 115 grams of heroin, marijuana, a loaded handgun, and more than $28,000 in cash.  Arrested were 22-year-old James Chagdes of Richmond and 28-year-old Fredrick Biga.  Chagdes was being held without bond Wednesday.

FOSTER TO LEAVE POSITION WITH CITY

(Richmond, IN)--Next to Mayor Sally Hutton, Tony Foster has arguably been the most instrumental employee of the city of Richmond in the last decade.  But, Foster has announced that he’s leaving his current job as Metropolitan Development Director to become the new director of the Area 9 In-Home Agency through IU East.  Foster will oversee 40 employees for the agency that assists elderly and disabled residents.  Foster will end his run with the city at the end of the year.

1004 MORE WAYNE CO. RESIDENTS EMPLOYED TODAY AS COMPARED TO ONE YEAR AGO

(Richmond, IN)--Every county on the Indiana side of the line saw a slight increase in unemployment last month.  Still, all Whitewater Valley counties, with the exception of Fayette, are below 5%.  Wayne County is at 4.6%.  The good news for Wayne County lies in its comparison to a year ago.  1004 more people are listed as employed in Wayne County today as compared to this time last year.  In Indiana, county unemployment rates include Wayne: 4.6. Union: 3.8.  Fayette: 5.8.  Franklin: 4.3.  Randolph: 4.1.  Henry: 4.5.  Ohio’s county rates come out later Tuesday.

FIRE DAMAGES FOUNTAIN CITY HOME

(Fountain City, IN)--Fire did heavy damage to a home in Fountain City Monday.  That fire broke out in a home in the 100 block of Cherry Street.  Most of the upstairs of the home was involved when firefighters arrived.  The initial indication was that a candle may have started the fire.  There were no injuries.  The dollar amount of damage was not immediately available.

SEVEN ARRESTED IN BURGLARY RING BUST

(Brookville, IN)--A total of seven people have now been arrested as police in Brookville work to break up a burglary ring.  21-year-old Bradley McReynolds is the latest to be charged after admitting to breaking into several businesses over the last couple of months.  In one case, some of the seven climbed onto the roof of Ye Olde Shak where they stole alcohol to wash down the candy bars they had just taken from an auto repair shop break-in.

RANDOLPH COUNTY TEEN KILLED IN WEEKEND CRASH

(Gaston, IN)--A Randolph County teen was killed in a weekend crash.  17-year-old Allie McKim of Modoc was a passenger in an SUV that collided with a utility company bucket truck northwest of Muncie in Delaware County on Saturday.  According to law enforcement, McKim was traveling with a teenage boy from Marion who she had just met through social media.  Both he and the driver of the utility truck sustained minor injuries.  Snowy roads are thought to have been a contributing factor.

TRIO ARRESTED AFTER POINTING GUN IN KROGER PARKING LOT

(Richmond, IN)--Three people were arrested Sunday night after allegedly pointing a gun at someone in the Kroger parking lot in Richmond.  After pointing the gun, the three decided to go through the nearby Long John Silver’s drive-thru.  A juvenile, along with Jonathan Osborn and Devon Speers of Connersville ,were taken into custody nearby.  They have bonded out of the Wayne County Jail.  There were no injuries.

FORMER HENNY PENNY OWNER, EATON MAYOR DIES

(Eaton, OH)--A community leader in Eaton has died.  Jack Cobb was the 4th employee ever hired at Henny Penny, a company that now employs over 600.  He would go on to own Henny Penny in the 1980’s.  The company has grown and now has annual sales of $185 million.  Cobb also served as a city council member and was Eaton’s mayor in the 1970’s.  Jack Cobb was 83.

NEW SUMMER TEAM TO CALL McBRIDE STADIUM HOME

(Richmond, IN)--Just a month after the announcement that the Richmond River Rats were leaving McBride Stadium came the announcement Thursday that the Richmond Jazz are coming.  The Jazz will play in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League against teams that are much closer to home.  Xenia, Hamilton, and Cincinnati are among the opponents.  The team will play only 20 home games.  The logo features a saxophone in the shape of the letter J.  Colors are navy, orange, and green.

STATE ROAD 1 CLOSES AFTER DRUNKEN CRASH INTO CREEK

(Milton, IN)--State Road 1 was closed late Thursday night near the Wayne/Fayette County line when a man crashed a stolen car nose-deep into a creek.  The suspect allegedly took the car from his ex-wife and was headed to Connersville when he lost control and went down a ten-foot embankment into a creek.  A medical helicopter was put on standby, but the man refused treatment.  Oren Isaacs was charged with auto theft and OWI.

ZERO PARTICIPANTS SHOW UP FOR DAY #1 OF FAYETTE COUNTY'S NEEDLE EXCHANGE

(Connersville, IN)--Fayette County’s needle exchange program got underway Thursday, but not a single person showed up to participate.  It’s Indiana’s third county to begin a program as a way to combat the spread of Hepatitis C.  The other two counties also experienced slow starts when they began in August.  The needle exchange will take place from 9 a.m. until noon each Thursday in the old Erb Lumber parking lot on Virginia Avenue in Connersville.

NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM STARTS TODAY IN CONNERSVILLE

(Connersville, IN)--Thursday is a milestone day of sorts in Fayette County.  Beginning Thursday afternoon, drug addicts can exchange dirty needles for new, clean ones.  The exchange will take place in the parking lot of the former Erb Lumber in the 3100 block of Virginia Avenue.  In addition to the needles, addicts will get help enrolling into a health insurance program and get free HIV and hepatitis testing.  Officials have maintained the cost of providing needles is a fraction of the cost of treating hepatitis.  Wayne County is pursuing a similar needle exchange program.

JUDGE TO RULE ON LOCAL DORN CHARGES

(Richmond, IN)--A hearing was held this week in Wayne Superior Court II over possible charges for two employees of the former DORN Center between Centerville and Richmond.  That’s the facility where authorities say prescriptions for a synthetic heroin substitute were handed out with little or no oversight.  Judge Gregory Horn will rule whether or not local charges can be filed against the two.  Similar charges against the same two former employees in a central Indiana county were dismissed.

MAN DASHES FROM RICHMOND SQUARE MALL WITH RACKS OF CLOTHES

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police were searching Wednesday night for a man who not just shoplifted from the Richmond Square Mall, but snatched two whole racks of clothes from Finish Line and dashed out the door.  Police, though, were able to arrest 29-year-old Heather Clark at the mall.  She was charged with conversion and assisting a criminal and was in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning.

TEEN KILLED IN UNION COUNTY CRASH

(Union County, IN)--There was a fatal accident in Union County Tuesday morning.  The driver of the car failed to negotiate a curve on State Route 101 just south of the entrance to Whitewater Memorial State Park and rolled into a field.  That driver was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.  An occupant was taken to an undisclosed hospital.  Her condition has not been released.  The occupants were identified as teenage girls from the Anderson area.

SEX OFFENDERS TO PAY REGISTRATION FEE

(Richmond, IN)--Sex offenders in Wayne County will face new registration charges at the beginning of the year.  County Commissioners have adopted an ordinance that allows the Sheriff’s Department to collect $50 for registering a sex offender and another $5 every time the offender moves.  Wayne County currently has 104 registered offenders.

TASK FORCE MAKES THIRD HEROIN-DEALING ARREST THIS WEEK

(Richmond, IN)--The Wayne County Drug Task Force continued its round-up of alleged heroin dealers.  After arresting three on Monday, one more was taken into custody Tuesday.  28-year-old Megan Tipton was arrested at her home in the 100 block of Lincoln Street.  Tipton faces two felony counts after allegedly selling heroin.  She was caught as part of an undercover investigation.

YEAR-END STIPEND FOR CITY EMPLOYEES REDUCED

(Richmond, IN)--The year-end stipend for employees of the city of Richmond won’t be quite as big as originally anticipated.  At Monday night’s meeting of the Richmond Common Council, the amount was reduced from $1500 to $1000 for full-time employees.  The reason for the reduction is that the Sanitary District’s payment in lieu of taxes dropped from $429,000 to just $254,000.

WAYNE COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE BUSTS THREE ALLEGED DEALERS

(Richmond, IN)--The Wayne County Drug Task Force rounded up three alleged drug dealers Monday.  35-year-old Ian Coleman was arrested at his home for dealing marijuana.  27-year-old Jessica McMiller was arrested in Uptown Richmond for dealing heroin.  Officers found heroin in McMiller’s purse.  Police also arrested alleged heroin dealer Sherman Harper at his home in the 2000 block of West Main.  Harper and McMiller were still behind bars Tuesday morning.  Coleman has bonded out.

TWO JAILED IN DAYTON-TO-CONNERSVILLE HEROIN TRAFFICKING OPERATION

(Connersville, IN)--Two people were jailed in Connersville after a tip about a Dayton-to-Fayette County heroin trafficking operation.  One of the suspects, Logan Crabtree, was found unconscious at Smalley’s Pond.  Even though bystanders had just performed CPR, Crabtree refused treatment.  Drugs were later allegeldy found hidden in his body cavity.  A self-described Dayton stripper was also arrested at the scene.  She’s been charged with dealing a narcotic drug.

MASSIVE AUCTION SET FOR DELUCIO & SON LAND, EQUIPMENT

(Richmond, IN)--A massive auction has now been set as a Richmond business sets to end a 75-year run.  According to Myron Bowling Auctioneers, Mike Delucio & Sons owners are retiring.  On December 11, well over a million dollars’ worth of backhoes, tractors, and other heavy equipment will be sold off.  A total of about 75 acres of land at four sites around Richmond and a 14,000 square foot warehouse on Progress Drive will also be up for bid.

PHYSICIAN'S ASSISANT PLEADS GUILTY TO ROLE IN DRUG DISTRIBUTION RING

(Connersville, IN)--One of the four men accused in a case of illegal prescription drug distribution involving Fayette Regional Health physicians has plead guilty to forgery.  David Wulff pled guilty to one count, but had 23 others dropped.  Wulff was sentenced to four years and will have to testify against his co-defendants, including Drs. David Ringle and Daniel Palmer.

TAX BILL FOR OLD REID NOW EXCEEDS 3/4 OF A MILLION DOLLARS

(Richmond, IN)--This week, the property tax deadline came and went.  Each time that happens, tens of thousands of dollars are tacked on to the total owed by old Reid owners Bob Ciprietti and Ernesto Zampisi.  "The total amount due is now around three quarters of a million dollars in back property taxes and penalties," said Wayne County Commissioner Mary Ann Butters.  Local leaders are increasing their efforts to collect.  "We're going after him with all the force of law we possibly can," Butters added.  Kicks 96 and the Point News called Ciprietti at his Delaware restaurant Thursday.  As is always the case, a staff member hung up on us.

ALLEGED MARIJUANA DEALER ARRESTED IN RESTAURANT PARKING LOT

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man who allegedly had marijuana that he intended to distribute was taken into custody Thursday in the parking lot of a Richmond restaurant.  According to law enforcement agents, 25-year-old Jeremy Weiser was arrested in the Fricker’s parking lot.  Police have not yet said how much marijuana Weiser had.  He was also charged with neglect of a dependent.  Weiser bonded out of jail Thursday.

TWO OF THREE JAILED AFTER SHOOTING REMAIN BEHIND BARS

(Richmond, IN)--Two of three people arrested after a Richmond shooting Wednesday afternoon remained in jail Thursday.  Police were called to the area of North 16th and C when shots rang out.  No victim was ever found, but police did find 22-year-old Damon Bowling.  Bowling was wanted for felony battery in Connersville.  Police also found 37-year-old Gerald Saylor of Richmond, who was wanted for a robbery-related incident.  Saylor repeatedly bashed his own head against the police cruiser as he was being taken to the Wayne County Jail.  20-year-old Cierra Caplinger has bonded out of jail.  A three-month-old child was released to family members.

OLD REID OWNER HAS IGNORED OTHER TOWN'S LAWSUITS

(Richmond, IN)--Even though Wayne County officials have located old Reid owner Bob Ciprietti and served him notice of a lawsuit, don’t expect any rapid response.  Town officials in Denton, Maryland, served Ciprietti with a similar notice at his home four years ago and still have had no response.  Ciprietti’s LLC owes Wayne County over half a million dollars in back taxes.  Kicks 96 and The Point News found Ciprietti months ago at his Delaware restaurant.  Ciprietti never accepts calls or returns messages.

MAN ARRESTED FOR PARK NUDITY LAST WEEK ARRESTED AGAIN

(Richmond, IN)--Last week, we told you about the Richmond man who was found naked at Glen Miller Park.  He was David Simpson, who was the same man who led police on a high-speed chase from Richmond to Englewood.  Simpson was released from jail after being naked last week.  Now, he’s back behind bars.  Simpson failed to show for his hearing on his nudity this week and was caught Wednesday when residents of the Chester Heights Apartments found Simpson was sleeping in front of a washing machine.

CHANGES COMING TO KICKS 96 AND 101.7 THE POINT

(Richmond, IN)--

Richmond radio stations Kicks 96 and 101.7 FM The Point are announcing a change in leadership and the launch of a new, third radio station.

After 36 years at WQLK and WHON, General Manager Dave Strycker is stepping down at the end of the year.  “I’ve had more fun than anyone can imagine,” Strycker said.  “I’ve been fortunate to work with great, talented people who made me laugh often and kept me young.”  Strycker will stay on in a transitional and advisory role on a part-time basis throughout 2016.  Amy Dillon will assume the general manager’s position in January.  Dillon returns to Brewer Broadcasting after formerly working locally as general sales manager.  "I’m honored to have the rare opportunity to return to the company where I started my radio career,” Dillon said.  “It’s exciting to come home.”  Dillon returns to Richmond after having worked for several broadcasting companies, including Midwest Communications in Terre Haute and Backyard Broadcasting in Muncie.

2016 will be a year of growth for Brewer Broadcasting.  A third station will be added to the Kicks 96 and 101.7 FM The Point lineup by the end of 2015.  The new station’s format and other details will be released soon.  Also in 2016, all three stations will begin broadcasting in high-definition.

SERIAL BURGLARS CAUGHT WHEN CAR BREAKS DOWN IN VICTIM'S DRIVEWAY

(Modoc, IN)--A couple has admitted to committing several burglaries in Randolph County, including one in which they traded stolen guns for heroin obtained from a Dayton drug dealer.  26-year-old David Kelly and 28-year-old Lauren Hill of Winchester were both behind bars Wednesday.  The couple’s car broke down in the driveway of a home near Modoc that they were burglarizing Tuesday.  Kelly was found walking shirtless nearby even though it was only 50 degrees.  Hill was also located.  The two also admitted to committing a burglary on Monday.

JUDGE WON'T PRESIDE OVER TRIAL OF MAN FACING 19 FELONIES

(Richmond, IN)--Finding a Wayne County judge who has not dealt with Todd Stigleman has proved to be a challenge.  Stigleman, who is from Cambridge City, has had his trial delayed because Circuit Court Judge David Kolger once prosecuted him.  Stigleman is facing 19 felony charges in three separate criminal cases.  This spring, he allegedly kidnapped his estranged wife in the Hagerstown area.  Last winter, he stabbed himself in the stomach after a standoff with police in Oxford.

MALL'S RECEIVER TO BE DISCHARGED NEXT WEEK

(Richmond, IN)--There is a transition of sorts at the Richmond Square Mall, although it’s not a transition that will be noticeable to customers.  When the mall sold for $4 million at sheriff’s sale in late July, a receiver was appointed by the court.  A receiver is essentially a property manager.  According to attorneys working with the case Monday, next week, that receiver status will be discharged.  Chicago-based DTZ will be the property manager.  DTZ was also the court-appointed receiver.  Attorneys said that mall patrons will not see any change.  Wells Fargo Bank purchased the mall in July.

HIRING BANNERS UP AT FORMER D&M FACILITY

(Connersville, IN)--Hiring signs are now up on the former D&M facility on Western Avenue in Connersville.  Banners that are now hanging on the side of the building tout a Spring, 2016 opening and include a phone number.  Jane’s Development Corporation’s CEO has indicated that the company will employ a thousand people in a year and a half.  Jane’s will produce materials needed to construct grocery stores.

MAN FOUND GUILTY OF BATTERING RPD OFFICER

(Richmond, IN)--52-year-old Lance Brown of Richmond now faces up to a 2 ½ year prison sentenced after he battered an RPD officer last year.  Brown was found guilty of battering a police officer in a Wayne Superior Court I bench trial Monday, but was acquitted on a charge of trying to disarm an officer.  Brown injured Officer Jonathan Huth in a fight on North 13th Street in Richmond last December.

CRUISER DAMAGED, TWO HURT IN ABINGTON-AREA CHASE

(Abington, IN)--A Wayne County law enforcement vehicle was damaged and two people were hurt as the result of a short chase in the Abington area Sunday.  A man later identified as 22-year-old Jordan Riddle and an underage girl were fleeing from an Abington-area location.  The girl would later tell officers she threw drugs from the car’s window as it fled.  The car crashed on Pottershop Road.  Riddle was charged with contributed to the delinquency of a minor and has bonded out of jail.

11 JAILED IN BURGLARY RING / DRUG BUST

(Richmond, IN)--11 people were sent to the Wayne County Jail late Thursday night after local police broke up what appears to be a burglary and drug operation on Reller Street in the Fairview neighborhood in Richmond.  The house number, appropriately enough, was 420.  Investigators found stolen items inside and worked overnight to identify the property.  While officers were on the scene, several people showed up to buy drugs.  Officers had to call for a paddy wagon to take them all to jail.  The home’s occupants, who are all now in jail, include Rodney Abner, Jeffrey Henson, and Lisa Walker.  They face charges that include possession of stolen property and heroin.  Two people were arrested for possession of paraphernalia.  Those two are 18-year-old Kasey Collins and 27-year-old Jeremy Goodwin of Richmond.  Six people were arrested for visiting a common nuisance.  They include 33-year-old Clayborne Agnew, John Austerman, 49-year-old Andrea Butler, 29-year-old Amanda Henson, and 50-year-old Ricky Smith of Richmond and 20-year-old Dylan Marshall of Cambridge City.  All suspects, with the exception of Austerman, were in the Wayne County Jail Friday morning.

PARK BOARD CHOOSES RICHMOND COMPANY TO OVERSEE IMPROVEMENTS

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond company was picked Thursday to serve as a consultant to oversee renovation projects of the Richmond Parks Department.  The board Thursday chose LWC in Richmond in part because they’re local and tabled decisions until January.  Superintendent Bill Thistlethwaite also confirmed the park, for the first time in decades, will not grow flowers over the winter at its two greenhouses.  He said buying flowers in the spring will save at least $15,000.

OFFICER RECEIVES MINOR INJURIES IN APPREHENSION OF ALLEGED DRUG USER

(Connersville, IN)--A Fayette County officer received minor injuries while taking an alleged drug user into custody.  Police were called to Connersville’s Speedway station on Central Avenue after customers reported two men acting oddly in the bathroom.  They fled.  One man, later identified as 26-yar-old Joshua Banks of Laurel, hid in a doghouse.  He fought as he was pulled out.  Officers allegedly found a drug kit in his possession.  Banks was also wanted for forgery in Franklin County.

DRUNKEN DRIVER CAUSES AMBULANCE CRASH

(Richmond, IN)--A drunken driver caused a crash that sent an ambulance into a utility pole on Chester Boulevard in Richmond early Thursday morning.  The ambulance was transporting a patient to Reid Health from Randolph County.  Power lines went down near McDonalds when the pole was snapped in half.  Another ambulance arrived to take the patient on to Reid.  Two EMT’s were also checked at Reid and not seriously hurt.  32-year-old Chasity Fosnaugh of Richmond was arrested for OWI.  She was in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning.

MAN FOUND WITH STOLEN CREDIT CARDS AFTER URINATING ON CAR IN MALL PARKING LOT

(Richmond, IN)--A St. Louis man was taken into custody Wednesday night outside the Richmond Square Mall.  It started because Alan Cohen decided to urinate on a car. That brought police, who found that he had well over a dozen stolen credit cards – all with different names.  Charges again Cohen include fraud, violation of the legend drug act, and public indecency.  He was in the Wayne County Jail Thursday.

MAN WHO LED POLICE ON HIGH-SPEED CHASE FOUND NAKED IN GLEN MILLER PARK

(Richmond, IN)--A man who in August led police on a high-speed chase through three counties was found Wednesday night running around Glen Miller Park in Richmond completely naked.  22-year-old David Simpson was in the Wayne County Jail Thursday.  He was spotted naked near one of Glen Miller’s shelters at 9 o’clock Wednesday night.  In August, Simpson allegedly drove a stolen BMW from Richmond to Englewood at speeds of 110 miles per hour.

WHITEWATER VALLEY ELECTION RECAP

Here is a recap of election results from across the Whitewater Valley.

 

RICHMOND MAYORAL:  Richmond’s next mayor is Dave Snow.  "It's utter excitement.  I knew this was gonna be really, really close," Snow said.  How close?  Snow defeated Kyle Ingram by just under 700 votes, or a 56-44 percent margin.  Snow talked about what he thought made the difference.  "I think it was connecting to the younger voters.  I saw a lot of younger voters at the polls.  That had me really excited, so I hope we can keep working at that," Snow added.  Ingram had no regrets.  "We did everything we could as a campaign.  I don't think there's anything we'd want to do differently." Ingram said.  He urged the city to move forward.  "I think it's important for this city to rally around and support Dave with what he wants to do moving forward," Ingram added.  Snow will actually take office on January 1.

 

RICHMOND COUNCIL:  Richmond Common Council will have three new members after Tuesday’s election.  Democrat Jeff Locke ousted incumbent Don Winget by 37 votes in District 5.  Republican Gary Turner defeated Danny Matheny for the seat long held by Larry Parker.  And, Jamie Lopeman won an at-large seat.  He said he’ll start Wednesday.  "We start talking to other council members and understand the budget better to make sure that our tax dollars are accounted for, taken care of, and spent well," Lopeman said.  Ron Oler kept his at-large seat, as did Misty Hollis.  "I'm excited about serving the citizens another four years.  I'm hoping that my voice the last four years has made a difference and I look forward to the future," Hollis said.  In other races, Doug Goss defeated Suzanne Derengowski 55-45% in District 1.  Kelly Cruse Nicholson beat Jason Wise by a 2-1 margin, and Bruce Wissel defeated Denise Bullock 62-38%.

 

WAYNE COUNTY:  In Wayne County, Gary Holbert will return to Centerville Town Council after defeating Kate Johnson-Keep by 42 votes.  In Cambridge City, Republican Jeff Mardis won a seat on Town Council by 20 votes.  In Dublin, six people ran for five seats on town council.  John Myers was the odd man out.  Milton also elected five council members.  Seven people ran.  Dwight Smith and Donna Smith Powell were the two who came up short.

 

LIBERTY:  Liberty will have three new town council members.  Republicans Matt Barnhizer and Keith Bias, along with Democrat Roger Bowling, will join incumbents Jerry Paul and Rachel Marcum.  Incumbents Pete Petro and Ross Keasling were ousted – Petro by just seven votes. Only 21% of Liberty’s registered voters cast ballots.

 

PREBLE COUNTY:  In Preble County, Lisa Moss won the race for Camden’s mayor by just seven votes.  Carol Lunsford won in the race for Mayor of West Alexandria.  Joseph Renner won a spot on Eaton City Council by just 30 votes.  County-wide tax levies for the library and for the Department of Job and Family Services easily passed.  49% of Preble County voters cast ballots.

 

CONNERSVILLE:  Connersville will have a new mayor.  Democrat Harold Gordon defeated Republican Brian Doub by a razor-thin margin of just ten votes.  Doub indicated that he would not press for a recount, but would ultimately leave that decision up to the Republican Party.  Independent Holly Dunn fell about 275 votes short.

 

RANDOLPH COUNTY:  Two Randolph County communities elected mayors.  In Winchester, Democrat Shon Byrum defeated Joseph Younts by 82 votes.  And, in Union City, Republican Incumbent Bryan Conklin beat Vincent Hernandez by a 57-43% margin.

FIRE DESTROYS NURSERY'S BARN

(Richmond, IN)--Fire destroyed a barn at the Pleasant View Nursery on New Paris Pike in Richmond Tuesday morning.  "The nursery barn was fully involved when our first companies were called to the scene," said Battalion Chief Jeff Glenn.  Firefighters got the call at around 3 o’clock Tuesday morning.  Glenn said the barn’s contents made it go up quickly.  "They had a lot of equipment inside and bales of hay.  That all contributed to the fire." Glenn explained.  There were no injuries.  The barn is a total loss.  There’s no word yet on what started it.

RICHMOND MANUFACTURER RECEIVE GRANTS FOR EXPANSION

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond manufacturer is expanding.  At Monday’s EDC Board meeting, an EDIT grant of $105,000 was approved for Grafcor, which is a division of Innomark Communications on North West 5th in Richmond.  The company is bringing a screen printing operation from Kentucky to Richmond.  17 new jobs will be created as part of a $1.5 million investment.  The new equipment will be installed in January with hiring set for the first quarter of next year.

CITY WORKERS COULD GET UP TO $1500 STIPEND

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council met Monday night and discussed a year-end stipend for the city’s employees.  That stipend could be as much as $1500 for each worker, but it depends on some variables.  The city is asking the Sanitation Department for roughly $675,000 for leaf pickup and payment in lieu of taxes.  The Sanitation Board could lower the amount.  Council will revisit the issue in two weeks.

RICHMOND MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD MOLESTING

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was taken into custody Monday and charged with the highest level of child molesting.  24-year-old Bruce Jones, who lists his address in the 200 block of Pearl Street, was in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning and is being held on a $60,000 bond.  Details of what Jones is alleged to have done and how many children may have been victimized have not yet become available.

RICHMOND MAN KILLED IN I-70 CRASH

(Lewisburg, OH)--A Richmond man was killed in a crash on I-70 in Preble County Sunday.  29-year-old Andrew Adkins was headed west on 70 near Lewisburg when he slammed into the back of a semi that had slowed for a previous crash.  "We don't have any indications that there was any pre-crash braking or anything like that on the part of the passenger vehicle.  He probably was not paying attention," said Chris Colbert with the Ohio Highway Patrol.  Adkins was pronounced dead at the scene.  His wife, Christine, was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.  She was in serious condition Monday morning.  The couple’s two children suffered relatively minor injuries.

LESS THAN 10% OF RICHMOND RESIDENTS HAVE CAST BALLOTS

(Richmond, IN)--The leader in this year’s Richmond mayoral election, so far, is apathy.  After a full week of voting last week, only 1900 votes had been cast.  It’s roughly just half of the number of people that voted in the full week of voting leading up to the 2011 mayoral election and represents 9% of the city’s 21,000 registered voters.  Local poll workers indicated that the vast majority of voters last week appeared to be over the age of 40.

WINCHESTER POLICE INVESTIGATE CANDY TAMPERING CLAIM

(Winchester, IN)--Police in Winchester were working over the weekend to check the validity of a report of tampering with Halloween candy.  According to the department’s Facebook page, Winchester police received a report of a razor blade in a candy bar and included a picture.  Actual confirmed cases of tampering with Halloween candy are extremely rare nationally.  Winchester police did not release specifics of the alleged incident.

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