(williamsburg, IN)--Kicks 96 and the Point News has confirmed that a crash on U.S. 35 Friday morning is a fatal one.  First responders were sent to 35 and Sycamore Street at around 5:15 Friday morning.  That’s near the top of the hill on the south end of Williamsburg.  "There is something on fire.  A lot of smoke coming from the area," said said one witness to the aftermath.  Wayne County Sheriff Jeff Cappa has indicated that the crash involved a semi and a box truck.  There’s no word yet on identities or what caused the crash.  35 was closed for several hours.

(Centerville, IN)--An incident at the Panoramic Apartments in Centerville Friday morning has landed two people in the Wayne County Jail, where they face a host of felony charges.  Police were called to the apartment of 30-year-old Daniel Estes and 25-year-old April Scalf.  Investigators found heroin and drug paraphernalia.  The two were also charged with felony neglect of a dependent.  Police were called to the home originally to check on the welfare of a small child.

(Richmond, IN)--Three people were in the Wayne County Jail Friday for counterfeiting.  Police were called to Richmond’s Walmart Thursday after Ricky Maddox, along with Chad and Whitney Wyatt, tried to return their third printer of the day.  Police reports indicate that they did not remove all of the photocopies of the cash they had tried to duplicate before returning the printers.  Chad Wyatt was also charged with violation of the legend drug act.

(Henry County, IN)--A Richmond police officer took part in a massive drug bust on I-70 earlier this week.  An eastbound vehicle with stolen license plates was pulled over in Henry County.  RPD Officer Jeff Glover located six large plastic-wrapped bundles hidden under the center console packed with 15 pounds of heroin.  The drugs had a street value of close $700,000.  Three suspects from California were taken to the Henry County Jail.  Not only was one of the suspects in the country illegally, he had been deported for previously committing a felony in the United States.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department is recruiting new officers.

The Richmond Indiana Police Department will be conducting a hiring process for the position of Police Officer.  We are looking for outstanding, diverse candidates interested in a career in Law Enforcement, that have a strong desire to serve the community of Richmond, Indiana.  Richmond PD utilizes empco.net, a company partnered with the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, to conduct testing for our hiring processes.  The preliminary test can be taken by applicants at the local Ivy Tech Campus, as well as several other testing locations around the State of Indiana.  

There are several test dates available before the cutoff date of March 3, 2016.  Instructions for the testing procedure as well as some of the requirements for the position are listed below.

The steps prospective candidates need to follow are these:

* Go to empco.net

* Choose client (services)

* Choose Indiana Sheriff Association

* Next the individual would choose to enter under the “New Candidate Registration”.  If they have previously used this site then they already would have a username and password to access the site.

* Once applicants have registered they will select Richmond Police Department.  After they have paid for the exam and scheduled, they need to know to come to McDaniel Hall, room 1128 on the Ivy Tech campus on the test date selected.  Applicants are required to bring a valid government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.  Applicants need to know their social security number, this is what they will use to access the exam.  Test locations are required to take a thumb print to verify their attendance at the exam appointment.

Some of the basic requirements are as follows:

* Applicants must be a US Citizen between the ages 21 and 35 at the time of hire.

* Applicants must be a High School Graduate (GED) and meet Indiana residency requirements at the time of hire.

* Applicants must have never been convicted of a felony or domestic violence.

* Applicants must pass a written exam, oral interview, physical agility test, background investigation, and CVSA (voice stress) test.  

* Applicants must possess a valid Indiana Driver’s license at the time of hire.

Further questions may be directed to:

Major Jon Bales

765-983-7255

jbales@richmondindiana.gov

(Richmond, IN)--A $10,000 reward remains in place today for information leading to the arrest of whoever robbed the U.S. Bank branch in the 2900 block of East Main in Richmond Wednesday morning.  The suspect was armed with a silver handgun and fled into Ravinia Park.  That forced Charles Elementary to go on lockdown.  Investigators do not think Wednesday’s robber was involved in either the Phillips 66 or Milkhouse robberies in the last week.  RPD has released images of the bank robber.  The person is described as male, although many people feel he or she looks decidedly female.

(Richmond, IN)--Students in the Richmond Community School system will each get personal, take-home computers when the next school year begins in August.  The board Wednesday night approved the proposal in a 5-2 vote.  The process has clearly not been popular with some RCS teachers, who indicated last night that they were left out of the planning phase.  Each student in grades 5 through 12 will get the computers.

(Richmond, IN)--When the Powerball jackpot hit $1.5 billion earlier this month, someone in Richmond won $50,000.  Now that person has come forward.  Cindy Wilson of Richmond is splitting her winnings with a life-long friend.  Cindy and Carla Davis, who now lives in Alabama, made an agreement long ago that if either won the lottery, they would split the winnings with the other.  Cindy said she’ll use her half to take a trip to Hawaii.

(Richmond, IN)--It’s good news for an elderly Richmond man.  The resident of Audree Lane had items stolen from his home earlier this week.  But they weren’t just any items.  They were medals that the man had earned while fighting in the Korean War.  Investigators were able to track the medals down at a local pawn shop and return them to the man.  A suspect has been identified.

(Liberty, IN)--Liberty is considering doing away with the fluoride that’s currently added to the town’s water supply.  A special town meeting has been set for Monday night.  The system that manages the fluoride levels is in need of repair.  Town leaders say they want input from residents about whether or not they want the system fixed.  The meeting gets underway at 7 Monday night at the Union County Courthouse.

(Indianapolis, IN)--Unemployment is up across the board in the Whitewater Valley.  Each of the nine counties are up about a half a percentage point, including Wayne, which now sits at 5.1%.  409 fewer people are employed in Wayne County than were just a month ago.  Fayette County has the highest rate in our area at 6.5%.  The low spot is Darke County, which has 4% unemployment.

News Director Jeff Lane is reporting police are searching for a suspect who robbed a bank in Richmond. More info when it becomes available.

Police are searching in Ravinia Park for man who robbed eastside US Bank. White, in 30's, green sweatshirt, pajama bottoms.

— Jeff Lane (@jeff_lanenews) January 27, 2016

(Richmond, IN)--Production is set to start by the end of the year for an Israel-based auto supplier that announced Tuesday that it would set up shop in Richmond.  Omen USA plans to hire a hundred people in the next three years.  Those jobs are projected to pay between $14 and $18 an hour.  Omen will operate in a facility on Rich Road that was once home to PRC and Cinram.  Improvements to the building are getting underway this week.

(Richmond, IN)--According to a newly-released study by the Council for Community and Economic Research, Richmond is one of the cheapest places in the country to live.  That organization looked at prices for the first three quarters of last year.  It examined 283 communities nationwide, and Richmond finished 3^rd.  Only McAllen and Harlegen, Texas, were cheaper.  The report says Richmond’s cost of living is only 81% of the national average.

(Indianapolis, IN)--The Indiana Department of Education released letter grades for all schools Tuesday.  What those results mean – if anything at all – is clearly up for debate following an order from Governor Mike Pence that grades not be lowered after last year’s ISTEP fiasco.  Grades for area schools remained largely unchanged from a year ago.  Richmond High School received an A.  Every other Wayne County public high school received a B.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Sanitation Department wants residents to know about some restrictions that are in place.  The New Paris Pike Landfill has stopped accepting electronic waste – things like TV’s computers, DVD players, video games, and cameras.  "It's one of our permit requirements that we not take those electronics," said Director Bill Harris.  Instead, people with electronic trash can take it to Best Buy, Rosa’s Office Plus, the Cope Center, or Goodwill.  Electronic items also cannot be placed into Rosie Rollers.

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health has released a final statistic for 2015 involving babies who are born addicted to drugs, and it is shocking.  Last year, a total of 54 babies at Reid were born addicted to heroin or opioid drugs.  That’s more than one baby a week.  By comparison, 34 babies were born addicted in 2014.  Those babies then suffer NAS, or Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.  Symptoms include tremors and seizures.  It can become life-threatening if not treated.

(Richmond, IN)--Shots were fired into up to three houses in Richmond’s Fairview neighborhood overnight.  The initial call came at around 11:30 Monday night and indicated that shots hit a house on Crosshall Street.  Shell casings were also located at Boyer Street and North West J.  Witnesses indicated the shots may have come from a maroon, four-door car that was missing a taillight.  There were no injuries.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a report of an armed robbery early Monday morning.  But the business’s owner or manager waited hours to report it.  The alleged incident happened at the Phillips 66 at the corner of West Main and South West 18^th at 1 o’clock Monday morning.  But, it was not reported to police until after 5 o’clock Monday afternoon.  The initial indication was that the owner wanted to review surveillance video on his own before calling police.  No description of the alleged robber has been released.

(Richmond, IN)--21-year-old Deandre Plant said that he was sorry that 17-year-old Caleb Woosley was murdered nearly two years ago in Richmond, but Plant maintained his innocence at a sentencing hearing Monday.  Wayne Superior Court I Judge Charles Todd delayed pronouncing sentence for a week so that he could consider testimony about Plant’s childhood and other legal issues.  Plant is likely to get somewhere between 47 and 62 years.

(Anderson, IN)--A former principal at Test Middle School in Richmond who had moved to Anderson was sentenced Monday for soliciting one of his students.  61-year-old Patrick Porter tried to get a 15-year-old girl to have sex with him on a desk at Liberty Christian School.  He was sentenced to three years in prison.  Porter said the victim’s family supported him during his wife’s terminal illness.  Porter had been the subject of some parental complaints during his time in Richmond, but never faced any criminal charges.

(Richmond, IN)--There was an armed robbery in Richmond late Sunday night.  It happened at around 10 o’clock at the Miller Milkhouse on 17^th and East Main.  Initial reports indicate a man approached a clerk with a gun in his pocket and demanded cash.  He then fled down an alley behind Wendy’s.  The description of the suspect varied, including his race, but he was apparently wearing a hoody and sunglasses.  There were no injuries.

(Richmond, IN)--A Milton man was in the Wayne County Jail Monday morning after leading police on a high-speed chase through several neighborhoods on Saturday night.  Officers attempted to make contact with 55-year-old Ronald Guffey after a domestic call.  Guffey fled through Richmond’s west side, including down North West 5^th at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour.  Stop sticks helped bring the chase to a close on National Road West near SW 3^rd.  Guffey is being held on a $25,000 bond.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond and the Whitewater Valley have a new radio station. Brewer Broadcasting, which operates both Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point, has launched Sunny 95.3.  Sunny 95.3 is a Contempory Christian station that will operate in conjunction with the Salem Radio Network.  The station will offer local programming, including local news and weather.  Sunny 95.3’s website is 953thelegend.com.

Another major upgrade at Brewer is the investment into a high-definition transmitter.  It means that all three stations are being broadcast in HD, which will result in a much clearer signal for people with HD radios in their cars or homes.  The signal strength will also reach farther than a traditional analog signal.  Listeners without HD radio will notice no change.

(Richmond, IN)--Law enforcement agents are now searching for a man who they say took part in two robberies and an attempted robbery.  An arrest warrant has been issued for 33-year-old Brandon Aubuchon.  Aubuchon is accused of robbing the Phillips 66 station and a Village Pantry in Richmond last October.  He has a lengthy record of felony convictions.  His roommate, Justin Johnson, has already been apprehended and charged with those robberies.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man who was already in the Wayne County Jail on drugs and weapons charges is now facing a whole new series of accusations.  42-year-old Derrick Jenkins faces new dealing charges after an undercover investigation by the Wayne County Drug Task Force into the continued usage of heroin in the Richmond area.  Jenkins remains in the Wayne County Jail.

(Richmond, IN)--New numbers from the Indiana State Police show that Wayne County had a total of nine meth labs seized last year.  Local officials were happy that 2014 saw only three meth labs, but that now looks more like an anomaly.  Wayne County had 44 meth labs in 2011-2013.  A proposal that would require a prescription for allergy medication went back on the table Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse.  That medication is a common ingredient in meth production.

(Richmond, IN)--It appears to be a case of arson at a house in the 200 block of South 13^th in Richmond.  "We believe it probably was intentional.  There was no power or any utilities to the house," said Battalion Chief Jeff Glenn.  Firefighters got the call at 11:30 Wednesday night.  The fire was put out before a significant amount of damage had been done.  The house has been the source of numerous calls in the recent past and appears on the list of blighted homes to be demolished.

Jeff Lane is reporting on accidents that have closed parts of I-70 East Bound. We'll have updates as soon as they become available.

Eastbound I-70 is shut down as a result of two crashes...one near Williamsburg Pike and another near Centerville Road.

— Jeff Lane (@jeff_lanenews) January 20, 2016

Another crash has just occurred on westbound I-70. This one is near Chester Boulevard.

— Jeff Lane (@jeff_lanenews) January 20, 2016

(Cambridge City, IN)--Up to 800 new jobs are in limbo until the sewage treatment issue is settled at the Gateway Industrial Park near Cambridge City.  County commissioners this week indicated that Sugar Creek Packing could add as many as 800 jobs onto the 800 that was cited in the original plan.  Other lots in the park are also not able to be sold and developed.  Commissioners will meet next week with Connersville to see about having the sewage treatment done there.

(Connersville, IN)--It comes as no surprise given the pending criminal charges against its developer, but a plan to bring up to a thousand food processing jobs to the former D&M facility in Connersville is dead in the water.  The due diligence period for Jerome Hoffman has expired.  The 82-year-old Hoffman faces criminal charges in both Michigan and Georgia.  Now, new potential developers for the property will be sought.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond woman is facing a host of criminal charges after an incident at Meijer Tuesday.  27-year-old Ashley Doolin allegedy shoplifted from Meijer Tuesday.  But, while inside the store, Doolin left a small child in her vehicle along with a stolen handgun and prescription medication that was not her own.  Doolin now has been charged with felony child endangerment.  She has bonded out of jail.

(Monticello, KY)--A Belden plant is closing.  It’s not Richmond’s.  The Belden plant that is shutting down is in the southern Kentucky town of Monticello.  A statement provided by Belden officials indicated that a decline in investments in U.S. manufacturing and in oil and gas contributed to the closure .  The impact of the closure to Richmond’s plant is expected to be minimal.  Some line operations could be shifted here.  230 full-time Belden employees in Monticello will lose their jobs.

(Richmond, IN)--The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department is trying to return property to dozens of people and businesses.  On its Facebook page, the Sheriff’s Department lists more than 50 names – presumably victims of various crimes – who have property that is being held and can be claimed.  The department is learning that several of the people are either dead or in jail somewhere else.  To see if you’re on the list, search for Wayne County Sheriff’s Department on your Facebook page.

(Richmond, IN)--A quick response by the Richmond Fire Department Monday afternoon prevented a garage fire in the 2000 block of South 15^th from becoming more serious than what it turned out to be.  "A breaker-box fire burned a two-foot hole in the roof directly above it," said Richmond Battalion Chief Eric Holmes.  Firefighters were able to deal with the single-digit temperatures and prevent significant damage to the contents.  There were no injuries.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police responded to a strange call at the old Reid Hospital property Sunday.  An ambulance team reported seeing four children walking around on the roof of old Reid at around sunset Sunday night.  When police investigated, scanner traffic indicated that they found that a family of five had shown up with four others because Google Reviews listed old Reid as a tourist attraction.  They were escorted away and not cited.

(Connersville, IN)--A Richmond man is facing methamphetamine charges in Connersville.  20-year-old Matthew Berry allegedly fled the scene of a crash and was later found in a fast-food restaurant’s restroom with meth.  It was one of two methamphetamine arrests over the weekend.  An active meth lab was discovered on Elm Street in Union City.  Police found the meth lab when they responded to a juvenile who was in distress inside the home.

(New Paris, OH)--There was an armed robbery Friday morning.  This one happened at the Marathon station on South Washington in New Paris.  Police reports indicate that a suspect described only as a white male approached an employee as the business was closing at 1:15 Friday morning.  That suspect had a gun and demanded cash.  There was no report of any injury.  There was also no description of a getaway vehicle, if one was even used.

(Camden, OH)--There was a fatal crash in Preble County Thursday night.  An elderly Clayton woman was killed in a single-car crash in the 2900 block of State Route 725 just outside of Camden.  The car rolled three times and the victim was ejected.  Weather conditions were no longer a factor.  "The roadway is not slick at this time.  I don't believe it was at that time, either," said John Chesser with the Ohio Highway Patrol.  More likely, investigators say, it was speed that caused the crash.

(Fountain City, IN)--The Northeastern High School community is rallying in support of one of its own today.  Junior Austin McNew was in a sledding accident earlier this week that has left him unable to use his arms and legs.  McNew is an all-TEC football player.  Now, an account has been established to help with various elements of his recovery, including travel for the family to and from the central Indiana hospital where Austin is recovering.  Donations can be made at any Mainsource Bank branch.  There are also T-shirt sales and a silent auction set for the end of the month.

(Richmond, IN)--Unless you bought your ticket in Tennessee, Florida, or California, you did not win Wednesday night’s record Powerball jackpot.  But, all is not lost.  One ticket sold somewhere in Richmond is a $50,000 winner.  Another ticket sold somewhere in Indiana matched five numbers but not the Powerball.  That’s worth $1 million.  There were 1078 tickets sold in Indiana that are worth at least $100.  Ohio had four million-dollar winners and more than 1800 winners of at least $100.  We don’t yet know at what store Richmond’s $50,000 ticket was sold.

(Eaton, OH)--Three people were stabbed in Eaton Wednesday night, and one of the victims was in serious condition Thursday morning.  Police say 32-year-old James Hartley barged into a house on Israel Street and stabbed three people, including his ex-girlfriend.  "According to the victims, he forced entry into the home.  He kicked the front door of the residence in, and was wielding a kitchen knife," said Chad DePew with the Eaton Police Department.  Hartley was found on a nearby street and taken to the Preble County Jail.  Hartley knows all three of his alleged victims.  Their names have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County’s ambulance coverage issue was solidified by Wayne County commissioners, who awarded several contracts Wednesday.  Red Line Ambulance will cover the eastern side of Wayne County that’s not already covered by the Richmond Fire Department.  Dublin EMS will cover southwestern Wayne County, while Culberson Ambulance will serve Hagerstown and most of northwestern Wayne County.

(Richmond, IN)--The week-long strike at the Richmond Baking Company is over.  Union members who struck over wages and health insurance premiums took a vote on Monday about whether or not to end the work stoppage.  That vote was split, but the union eventually decided to return.  President Bill Quigg was not available for comment Tuesday to update the situation, but did say last week that that ownership’s relations with the union are important.  "We try very hard to foster a family environment," Quigg said.  Richmond Baking has operated in the city for more than a hundred years.

(Richmond, IN)--An armed robbery was reported at Richmond’s south-side Village Pantry Tuesday night, but it did not happen inside the store.  One person reported being approached by a white man in a dark jacket who stuck something in the victim’s back and demanded his wallet.  The suspect then fled east toward Parry Street.  Police searched the area but were unable to locate a suspect.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Wayne County leaders will meet Thursday with representatives of the EPA to try to come up with answers about sewage treatment at the Gateway Industrial Park near Cambridge City.  Sewage capacity at the park needs to be expanded if the park is to expand.  But, that expansion could raise the monthly payment for Cambridge City residents from an average of $27 to $68 per month.  Wayne County is working with Connersville as well.  That’s because Connersville’s system has the capacity.

(Winchester, IN)--A Winchester patrolman is set to undergo a kidney transplant Wednesday.  Josh Geesy has known since he was a student at Winchester High School that he would one day need a transplant.  On Wednesday, he gets it.  The donor is someone he knows.  A Winchester teacher, who is also a former classmate of Geesy’s is donating a healthy kidney.  That teacher is Jordan Law, who teaches at Willard Elementary.

Richmond- Around 10 AM this morning, Rescue Crews were dispatched for an accident on I-70 that shut down lanes in both directions. Below are tweets from News Director Jeff Lane reporting on the scene.

Up to 30 cars involved in massive pile-up on I-70 just west of Centerville. Near Mineral Springs Road overpass.

— Jeff Lane (@jeff_lanenews) January 12, 2016

From scene of pile up. pic.twitter.com/GiAQbc5fFT

— Jeff Lane (@jeff_lanenews) January 12, 2016

At scene of 30 car pileup. 1 serious injury. No fatalities. I will have live update on fox 59 at noon. pic.twitter.com/R7uqjd2vDz

— Jeff Lane (@jeff_lanenews) January 12, 2016

One of two entrapments. pic.twitter.com/1PF1wtyrvb

— Jeff Lane (@jeff_lanenews) January 12, 2016

Jeff will have more on the accident tomorrow morning in news.

(Richmond, IN)--There’s a big change coming to Uptown Richmond.  West End Bank is about to begin construction on a new facility across the street from its current Uptown office at 7^th and East Main.  It will be a three-story, 19,000 square foot home to the bank’s executive and financial functions.  West End is expected to break ground on the new facility in April with a projected opening date in March of next year.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged Richmond drug dealer was taken into custody Monday.  23-year-old Kwandell Lundy was arrested following a traffic stop in Richmond after a sealed warrant had been issued for his arrest.  Lundy had marijuana and drug paraphernalia on him when he was arrested.  He’s also accused of dealing heroin throughout Richmond and Wayne County.  As is so often the case with drug dealers, Lundy bonded out almost immediately.  He was jailed for all of an hour and 50 minutes Monday.

(Richmond, IN)--Hartman’s Market at the corner of South 13^th and L in Richmond was targeted by a man who was armed with a large butcher knife at around 9:30 Sunday night.  The suspect was described as white, short, thin, in his late 20’s, and as having rotten teeth.  A customer gave chase but could not keep up.  There were no injuries.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police Sunday night investigated a report of a man holding up Murphy Oil, which is the gas station in front of Walmart, at just before 10 o’clock.  The suspect was a white male with long brown hair.  He had bags of potato chips in one hand and a drug needle in the other hand as he approached the clerk.  She was not injured.  The man may have fled in a red pick-up truck. 

(Richmond, IN)--According to a release from its union, there was little if any progress in a Saturday negotiation session between the Richmond Baking Company and its union.  The strike enters its second week Monday with workers unhappy about wage offers and health insurance premiums.  Richmond Baking President Bill Quigg said this about the offer last week.  "This is what we've got on the table.  Their choice past that is certainly theirs."  Now, the union is demanding that Quigg family members release their personal tax returns.

(Richmond, IN)--A couple of area lawmakers are planning on introducing bills at the Indiana Statehouse that deal with crime and heroin abuse.  State Senator Jeff Raatz told Wayne County leaders Thursday that he wants to double the number of times clients of methadone clinics are drug tested from eight to 16 times annually.  Also, State Representative Dick Hamm has introduced a bill that would mean a mandatory 15-year prison sentence for anyone who uses a gun to commit a crime.

(Winchester, IN)--An illegal immigrant who is also a child molestor is being deported, but will not see significant prison time.  25-year-old Jesus Velasquez has been living in Union City.  He was arrested for engaging in sex acts with a girl under the age of 13.  Under the terms of a plea deal this week, Velasquez pled guilty to battery in a Randolph County court.  He was sentenced to time already served and deportation.

(Richmond, IN)--It’s the second local fake urine case of the week.  A Connersville woman is in the Wayne County jail after allegedly driving under the influence and with drugs.  Court documents indicate that 36-year-old Felisha Andrews was taken to Reid Health after being involved in a crash in the Neuman Lake area near Milton.  According to police reports, while at the hospital, Andrews tried to pass tap water off as her urine sample.  That earned her an obstruction charge.  Then, she stuffed the hospital’s bed sheet into her purse.  That added a theft charge.

(Richmond, IN)--Virtually every Whitewater Valley school superintendent downplayed ISTEP results that were released Wednesday.  "How do you explain to kids that even though you continue to succeed in the classroom, that this major test that everybody puts all this weight in...that that's not a true measurement of where you are?" wondered RCS superintendent Todd Terrill.  The percentage of students passing both math and English parts of the test was down about 25% locally.  No Whitewater Valley school system had even 60% of students pass.  Terrill joined other superintendents at the Indiana Statehouse Wednesday.  "There's actually a bill coming up to the floor to hold schools harmless so that your grades don't drop based off of this assessment," Terrill explained.  Changes to the test brought about the drop.

(Richmond, IN)--There were plenty of Wayne County political filings as that process began Wednesday.  Wayne County Commissioners Denny Burns and Mary Anne Butters filed for re-election, as did Treasurer Cathy Williams and Clerk Debbie Berry.  Roger Smith and Gary Saunders filed for Wayne County Council.  One of the more interesting filings was Richmond City Clerk Karen Chasteen, who will run as a Democrat for the District 56 seat in the Indiana House.  The deadline to file is February 5.

(Richmond, IN)--Expect lines at convenience stores for the next couple of days with the Powerball jackpot now at $675 million after no one won Wednesday night.  Both Richmond and Indiana have historically been lucky.  With 38 winners, Indiana has claimed more Powerball jackpots than any other state.  Richmond has hit it big twice.  A $296 million ticket was sold in Richmond in 1998.  A $314 million ticket was sold at a Richmond Speedway in 2007.

(Indianapolis, IN)--ISTEP results were released Wednesday morning.  And, as expected, the numbers are way down.  Some Whitewater Valley teachers and administrators have vowed to largely ignore the results due to problems with testing last year.  In Richmond, for example, less than half of the third-graders at Crestdale, Fairview, Starr, and Vaile passed the math portion of the ISTEP according to results that were released Wednesday morning.

(Richmond, IN)--Members of the union currently on strike at the Richmond Baking Company, and that union’s president, disclosed some of the issues that had them on the picket line again Wednesday.  President Don Woods said there is not one single point of contention.  Instead, it’s this.  "They did what they did because the feel like they've been mistreated and not respected and not appreciated."  Pay is one issue.  Woods wants to know administrative salaries.  "What they salary?  How much do they make?" he wondered.  Union members added that very few employees are able to complete a wellness program that would qualify them for full health coverage at company expense.

(Richmond, IN)--Officials at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton are not releasing the condition of an accused murderer from Chillicothe who was found in Richmond Tuesday.  "He had what appeared to be a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," said a Chillicothe investigator talking about 34-year-old Jerry Way.  Way shot himself in the parking lot between Richmond’s Applebee’s and Hobby Lobby after police tracked his cell phone and closed in on him at around noon.  He is accused of killing his sister-in-law Tuesday morning. 

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Mayor Dave Snow named three department heads Tuesday.  TL Bosell will continue in his position as Street Commissioner.  Also staying on to lead the legal department is City Attorney Walt Chidester.  Beth Fields will replace Tony Foster as the Director of Metropolitan Development.  Snow said that position will be redefined with city planner Sarah Mitchell taking on some of the duties Foster performed.

(Cambridge City, IN)--A Cambridge City man was in the Wayne County Jail Wednesday morning after a traffic stop Tuesday night.  Officers allegedly stopped 44-year-old Robert Young for driving while intoxicated at Main and Walnut in Cambridge City.  They found drugs and paraphernalia, but they also found a large container of fake urine.  Synthetic urine is used by drug offenders to pass drug screenings.  It can be purchased online, but is illegal to possess in Indiana.

(Brookville, IN)--A former township trustee in Franklin County is now the subject of an investigation by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.  According to the audit, Brookville Township Trustee Britney Ison owes taxpayers almost $17,000.  She allegedly paid herself too much for two years and reimbursed herself for several questionable purchases.  A criminal investigation is also underway.

(Richmond, IN)--A strike continues at the Richmond Baking Company.  Union workers would not indicate specifically what they’re asking for when the strike began Monday afternoon, and union representatives did not return calls.  According to a release from Baking Company officials, the company is paying an average wage of just shy of $19 per hour with health insurance at no premium cost, as long as employees take part in a wellness program.  Richmond Baking has operated in Richmond for more than a century.  The President of the Richmond Baking Company said in a release Monday that the most recent offer to the company’s union is its final offer.  Bill Quigg said the company offered raises ranging from 40 cents to a dollar and health insurance at no cost to the employee or their family.  Richmond Baking said it would continue operations despite the strike and will continue to meet customers’ needs.

(Centerville, IN)--A Centerville restaurant appears to have closed its doors.  A message on the Facebook page of the Wheelhouse Grill indicates that New Year’s Eve was the restaurant’s last night.  The building on Main Street was built in 1900 and has been home to several restaurants and other businesses.  It had been purchased by Centerville native Jeff Wheeler.  No specific reason for the closure was posted.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was arrested for shoplifting at the CVS on East Main in Richmond Monday.  That’s certainly not unusual.  But, what is rather amazing was the suspect’s blood-alcohol content.  27-year-old Corey Hebner blew an incredible .464.  That’s approaching six times the legal limit and, according to a federal agency, poses a significant risk of coma and death.  Hebner went to Reid Health and later to the Wayne County Jail.

(Oxford, OH)--A Sunday night stabbing in Oxford turned into a murder case Monday.  56-year-old Denver Hubbard called 911 and reported that he had been stabbed at a trailer park on College Corner Pike.  Hubbard later died at McCullough-Hyde Hospital.  A 75-year-old female was also treated for injuries to her hands and face.  Police have now arrested 41-year-old Philip Zink.  He is in the Butler County Jail awaiting formal charges.

(Richmond, IN)--Some parts of the Whitewater Valley received just enough snow Monday morning to make driving an issue.  Westbound I-70 was shut down after a semi went into a ditch just east of Chester Boulevard in Richmond.  Traffic was currently backed up to the state line.  There was another crash on 70 at U.S. 35, and one on Centerville Road at Gates Road.  Other crashes occurred on Carlos Road and another at North 11^th and A.  One person was hurt in one of the I-70 crashes.  A medical helicopter was called, but was delayed because of weather.  I-70 reopened at 6:30 Monday morning.

(Whitewater Valley)--Reid Health had to wait for its first baby of 2016, but he finally came Sunday night.  The name of the baby boy and his parents have not yet been released.  McCullough-Hyde Hospital in Oxford saw its first baby on the first day of the year.  Again, no names.  Fayette Regional’s first baby also came Sunday.  And, you guessed it, no names can be released.