(Richmond, IN)--Drugs were apparently a factor in an overnight crash in the 200 block of South 12th in Richmond.  At 11:30 Monday night, a car driven by Christopher Matthews hit a parked car and took out a light pole.  Matthews was found unresponsive at the scene but was revived with the help of the heroin-reversing drug Narcan.  Officers found a recently-filled bottle of Methadone in the car.  Matthews was taken to Reid Health and then to the Wayne County Jail.

(Richmond, IN)--A short vehicle pursuit through Richmond streets Monday morning sent four teens to jail.  19-year-old Dylan Reed was caught on South 11^th.  He was charged with criminal recklessness and carrying a handgun without a permit.  19-year-old Chase Gwin was charged with assisting a criminal.  Two underage girls went to a juvenile detention center.  There were no injuries.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police are still investigating after reports of shots fired all across the south side of the city early Friday morning.  It began at around 1 o’clock with reports of multiple shots from Dorothy Lane.  Police found shell casings at Henley Road and South E.  More shots were reported from residents on South 11^th, 9^th, and 6^th.  Investigators said they have found no evidence that any homes or cars were struck, and there have been no reports of any injury.

(Eaton, OH)--Ribbon-cutting and a public party take place Friday afternoon at Eaton’s brand new public swimming pool.  "We're going to have our ribbon-cutting for our aquatic center.  It's a brand-new, state-of-the-are facility," said Josh Haynes with the Preble County YMCA.  The pool was built with an anonymous $2 million donation.  "It's got the 'wow' factor when you come into it.  It's got some interactive play features.  It's got a a splash pad.  It has some really awesome slides - kind of like water park slides," Haynes added.  The public is welcome to check it out for free beginning at 5 Friday afternoon.  The pool will be open to the public throughout the summer.

(Preble County, OH)--One person is dead as the result of a Preble County crash.  It happened at around 12:30 Thursday afternnon when the driver of a pickup truck blew through a stop sign on at the intersection of Lexington-Salem and South Preble County Line Roads.  The truck sideswiped a car occupied by two people.  Both of those occupants were Careflighted to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.  One has died.  The other is in critical condition.  The driver that caused the crash suffered less serious injuries.  Names have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County law enforcement officials returned from Florida early Friday morning.  They went there to bring back Brandon Aubuchon.  Aubuchon was wanted for multiple Richmond robberies last fall.  He allegedly took part in armed hold-ups of the Conoco Phillips 66, a Village Pantry, and a Clark gas station over a three-day period last October.  Aubuchon has a lengthy criminal record.  Details of his apprehension in Florida have not been released.

(Winchester, IN)--One well-cooked squirrel is being blamed for what turned out to be a major power outage in downtown Winchester Thursday.  The squirrel got into a transformer and caused a circuit breaker to be tripped.  It knocked out power to 1900 Indiana Michigan Power customers, including most downtown Winchester businesses, for the entire morning.  It also caused the postponement of hearings at the Randolph County Courthouse.

(Richmond, IN)--A traffic stop at South 24^th and E Streets in Richmond Wednesday turned up a dangerous form of heroin.  28-year-old Vincent Sartain was wanted on a different charge when officers pulled him over.  Inside the car, officers found drug paraphernalia.  44-year-old Aimee McKee was in the back seat.  Officers found heroin laced with Fentanyl inside her purse.  Both were taken to the Wayne County Jail.

(Franklin County, IN)--Human remains found in Franklin County have now been positively identified as a woman who had been missing for nearly two weeks.  The car of Therese Barrett was found in a remote area near Metamora on May 9.  Numerous searches turned up nothing.  The remains were found later in a field.  Investigators said there were no immediate signs of foul play, but a final report is still several weeks away.

(Richmond, IN)--More college-bound students than ever before are choosing to stay in Wayne County.  IU East and Ivy Tech enrollment continues to grow, but now Earlham College has set its own record for Wayne County residents who have enrolled.  16 graduating Wayne County seniors have enrolled at Earlham.  That includes the valedictorian of Richmond High School.

(Richmond, IN)--Only one school in the Whitewater Valley has made the new list of Four Star schools across Indiana.  To be named a Four Star school, a school has to be in the top 25 percentile in two ISTEP categories and earn an A in the state’s accountability rating.  The only school in our area to make it…Charles Elementary in Richmond.

(Connersville, IN)--The fourth and final defendant in the Fayette Regional Health System drug distribution ring has now reached a plea deal.  Former physician’s assistant Jeff Ferryman will plead guilty to forgery.  More serious charges will be dropped.  Ferryman, along with Drs. Daniel Palmer and David Ringel were arrested two and a half years ago after an investigation by the federal DEA.  They forged prescriptions and dealt narcotic drugs.

(Centerville, IN)--A Milton woman died in a crash just outside of Centerville Tuesday morning.  It happened on U.S. 40 at Mineral Springs Road at 2 o’clock Tuesday morning.  24-year-old Crystal Downing lost control, went off the road, and rolled several times.  She was ejected from her vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Wayne County Sheriff Jeff Cappa indicated she was not wearing a seat belt.  Investigators don’t yet know what caused Downing to lose control.

(Richmond, IN)--A resolution has been approved by Richmond Common Council that marks another step in the effort to land a pet foot manufacturer that would create 165 jobs that pay an average of $17 per hour.  In the resolution passed Monday night, the city agrees to pay for construction of a rail spur near the Midwest Industrial Park.  It also dictates the city’s portion of upgrades to Gaar-Jackson and Round Barn Roads.  The rail and the roads will cost $5 million.  The cost will be split with the county.  Grants will be sought to offset the cost.

(Richmond, IN)--surveillance image has been released by the Richmond Police Department of the man who robbed the Chester Boulevard Speedway station early Monday morning.  That image shows a Hispanic man who made no effort to conceal his identity.  He used a box cutter to force the clerk into handing over an undetermined amount of cash.  He ran toward the north after taking the money.  The clerk was not hurt.

(Washington Court House, OH)--A Preble County couple has been killed in a motorcycle crash in central Ohio.  James and Linda Fetters of southern Preble County were riding a motorcycle just outside of Washington Court House Monday afternoon.  Initial police reports indicated the motorcycle crossed the center line and went into the path of an oncoming car.  Both James and Linda Fetters were pronounced dead at the scene.

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County showed modest improvement in the number of people working in the last month.  According to new figures from the state, Wayne County has 160 more people working than last month, and 192 fewer classified as unemployed.  Wayne County’s unemployment rate stands at 5.4%.  Fayette County has the highest unemployment at 6.7%.  Union County is the lowest at 4.4%.  Ohio rates come out Tuesday.

(DARKE COUNTY)- There’s another scam warning today. This one comes from the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. Several complaints have been received from residents who have had calls from someone claiming to be an IRS agent. The caller says some kind of legal action will result if a late filing penalty is not paid. The scammers often have foreign accents with phone numbers that can’t be traced.

(RICHMOND)- Richmond Common Council meets tonight to discuss several issues regarding the pet food manufacturer that is considering locating in the Midwest Industrial Park. Council will be asked to approve the transfer of 90 acres of land to Heartland Pet Foods Manufacturing. A funding agreement for improvements to Gaar-Jackson Road has been reached. The city of Richmond will pay half of the cost with Wayne County picking up the other half. The town of Centerville, which also maintains part of the road, will pay nothing.

(CENTERVILLE)- A multiple vehicle crash closed Interstate 70 eastbound yesterday around four pm. The crash included two semis and two passenger vehicles, with one woman dead and another seriously injured. Margaret Ryan of Boston was pronounced dead at the scene, with passenger Christine Yip of St. Louis in serious condition.  According to police a semi was going too fast, sending a car in the median, and hitting the vehicle of Ryan under another semi. 70 was closed for more than five hours, but has since reopened.

(Richmond, IN)--His victims are upset that he received no jail time at all despite stealing from multiple clients.  Former Richmond attorney Chuck Hyde was sentenced to six years of probation Thursday by Special Judge Marianne Vorhees of Delaware County.  Hyde was originally charged with 26 counts of felony theft for taking advance payments from clients for legal services that he never provided.  Hyde addressed many of the victims who were in court Thursday, saying that he let them down.  He was ordered to pay nearly $55,000 in restitution.

(Richmond, IN)--Another step was taken Thursday in Wayne County’s effort to land a new pet food manufacturer.  The company would create nearly 150 jobs with its venture in the Midwest Industrial Park.  On Thursday, the EDC Board approved transferring 90 acres of land to the company.  Richmond is believed to be the leading finalist for the project, with only one other location in contention.  Richmond Common Council must still approve the transfer.

(Preble County, OH)--A large overnight fire destroyed two barns and killed dozens of animals.  It broke out at 11:30 Thursday night on Stateline Road near Concord Road.  That’s just a few miles east of Boston.  Multiple agencies were on the scene for hours.  At least four dozen hogs died when one barn caught fire and then spread to the second.  One of the barns collapsed.  There’s no word yet on the cause of the fire.

(Centerville, IN)--A post on social media made by a relative of the man injured in a crash on U.S. 40 last week indicates that that man died Thursday.  Frank Massey turned into the path of an oncoming car at the intersection of 40 and Hildebrand Road. Massey was Careflighted to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton and had been on life support since the crash.  The post indicates Massey died Thursday morning.  There has been no independent confirmation from any law enforcement agency.

(Union City, IN)--She told police that her four young kids should be taken away from her.  23-year-old Jessica Elkins of Union City now faces four counts of child neglect.  Investigators were called when bruises were found on a two-year-old boy.  Her boyfriend told police he tried to show tough love by shutting the boy in a plastic cooler.  Elkins told police she never took the boy to the doctor because she was high all the time.  The home had no electricity.

(Metamora, IN)--Daily searches are continuing for a woman who is missing in Franklin County.  The car of 61-year-old Therese Barrett was found a week and a half ago in one of the most remote areas of Franklin County close to Metamora.  Authorities have searched the woods multiple times and found nothing. Barrett’s car has been processed, with no leads uncovered.  She’s listed as a missing endangered person.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond teenager is being charged as an adult in connection with a beating at Wal-Mart.  16-year-old Quentin Pamplin now faces up to 16 years in prison for allegedly attacking a much-older Marvin Edwards near a checkout line last month.  Edwards’ ear was nearly ripped off in the attack.  Edwards had indicated that the only contact he had with Pamplin and his girlfriend was to ask them where the hash browns were located.  Pamplin is free on bond.

(Richmond, IN)--The moving Vietnam Wall is coming back to Richmond in September.  The wall is a smaller version of the national monument in Washington.  The four-day event will include a memorial service for the 40 servicemen from Wayne County who died in Vietnam.  It will also include a Huey helicopter fly-in.  Organizers are now seeking donors to help offset the $20,000 cost.  Donations can be sent to the Wayne County Veterans Park Committee, PO Box 2401, Richmond, IN 47375.

(Richmond, IN)--For the fourth time, Richmond has been honored with a Playful City USA designation.  That’s a national program that recognizes cities and towns across the country that make their cities more playable.  Richmond identified 84 playspaces in its application and highlighted other events like the JUKO program and the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival.

(Fountain City, IN)--Richmond police spent the overnight hours Wednesday night and Thursday morning sorting out what began with reports of a speeding SUV that slammed into a rock wall near the Sheridan Pub.  The SUV fled the scene.  Later, the SUV was spotted near Tingler Road with blood inside but no occupants.  Police were able to track the owners to the home of 19-year-old Erin Shaw in Fountain City.  Both she and 20-year-old Anthony Hampton were arrested for minor consuming, false informing, and intimidation.  Both were in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning.  Shaw had originally told police that she had swerved to miss a deer.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Expanding and improving wastewater treatment is critical to expand the Gateway Industrial Park near Cambridge City and create jobs.  Now, preliminary proposals for federal grants have been submitted.  Without the improvements, new business cannot be sought and current companies – namely Sugar Creek – cannot expand.  One grant application would send the sewage to Connersville for treatment.  The other would expand the current plant.  Expansion would cost $13 million.

(Richmond, IN)--A report of a fight between several people involving a knife sent Richmond police to the Depot District early Wednesday morning.  21-year-old Kaleb Mangen and 22-year-old Randolph Thornburg Weatherly were taken into custody near the corner of North 8^th and E.  Thornburg Weatherly reportedly had to be hog-tied after damaging the back of an RPD cruiser.  One person was sent to Reid Health with unspecified injuries.

(Brookville, IN)--There are more serious allegations involving Franklin County elected officials.  A few months ago, Franklin County Auditor Steve Brack was charged with felony theft for allegedly taking money from a service club.  Now, Brack is accused of altering a public document notifying local media of an upcoming meeting.  That’s also a felony.  And, Franklin County Council President Rebecca Oglesby is accused of organizing an illegal, behind-closed-doors meeting involving the salaries of county employees.

(Richmond, IN)--A pet food manufacturer may want to locate a new facility in the Midwest Industrial Park in Richmond.  It would bring 165 jobs in two years.  But, questions about preparing the area for the company arose at Monday night’s meeting of the Richmond Common Council.  A railroad spur would cost a million dollars.  Widening Gaar-Jackson Road would cost another $3.5 million.  Three entities maintain that road now – Richmond, Centerville, and Wayne County.  How the cost would be divided is yet to be determined.  The company wants an agreement by the end of the month.  A special council meeting has been set for next week.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged drunken driver is being blamed for a head-on crash on Chester Boulevard late Monday night that sent two people to Reid Health and shut the street down for a short time.  32-year-old Bobbi Shaffer, who is a Richmond female, allegedly crossed into oncoming traffic at 10:15 Monday night.  Shaffer was in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning.  There’s no word yet on the condition of the victims.

(Oxford, OH)--What has been a very popular and quickly-growing central Indiana brewhouse is coming to our area.  Scotty’s Brewhouse is opening in Oxford.  The owner, Scott Wise, said Oxford was on his radar long ago.  "I went to Oxford a lot just as a kid in college to go drink with friends and have an excuse to go on a road trip."  He hopes to open when Miami University students return.  "August 15 is a little tight, but we'll make it work," Wise said.  It will open in the spot last occupied by Dakota’s Steakhouse on Spring Street.  A hundred jobs will be created.

(Richmond, IN)--A car crashed into a house in Richmond late Sunday night shortly after two people allegedly shoplifted from Meijer.  Two people later identified as 25-year-old Michael Qualls and 23-year-old Jesstin Dean were in a car that crashed into a house in the 700 block of Locust Drive.  "They did some damage to the house.  It knocked some brick off and pushed some walls in on the inside.  Structurally, it was still sound," said Battalion Chief Charlie Bartlett.  No one inside the house was hurt.  Qualls and Dean had walked away when loss prevention officers tried to stop them at Meijer.  Qualls was found with stolen candy in his pocket.  Both he and Dean were taken to the Wayne County Jail.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man has been arrested for both possession of child pornography and child exploitation.  36-year-old Scott Asher was jailed over the weekend but has since bonded out.  Asher listed a Richmond address but works at a pawn store out of the area.  Details of what led to Asher’s arrest have not yet been released.

(Preble County, OH)--A large barn was destroyed by fire in Preble County over the weekend.  It broke out on Orphans Road, near U.S. 27 north of Eaton early Saturday evening.  Firefighters indicated that flames were shooting 30 feet into the air as they arrived.  It took eight departments to bring it under control.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  There were no injuries.

(Spring Grove, IN)--An attorney representing the town of Spring Grove has responded to one of the town’s board’s member’s allegations of impropriety.  Board member Ben Lukacek claims the seats of other board members should have been vacated because they failed to file an oath of office as required by Indiana law.  Attorney Andrew Sickmann said in a written statement that the board members were all holdovers, so no oaths of office were necessary.  Sickmann added that the issue was reviewed by the clerk of courts of Wayne County.  Lukacek has made a series of other allegations.

(Centerville, IN)--One man was critically injured in a crash on U.S. 40 near Centerville Thursday night.  According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Frank Massey turned into the path of an oncoming car at the intersection of 40 and Hildebrand Road at around 6:15.  Massey was Careflighted to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton with a life-threatening head injury.  He was listed in critical condition Friday morning.  Two people in the other car, including Claudette Cornett, were taken to Reid Health with less serious injuries.  40 was shut down for more than an hour.

(Richmond, IN)--A Wayne County jury Thursday found a Centerville man guilty of leaving the scene of an accident causing death.  Nearly two years ago, a woman who was visiting the area from Australia was riding her bike on U.S. 40 near Mineral Springs Road.  She was struck and killed by Clifford Henry.  Henry immediately fled the scene.  Thursday’s conviction was for a Level 5 felony.  Henry will be sentenced in a couple of weeks.

(Richmond, IN)--Last year, 300 Wayne County business leaders were surveyed about a host of issues by the IU East Business and Economic Research Center.  Results have been compiled and were released this week.  Some of the findings…most leaders were satisfied with utilities, financing, and quality of life in Wayne County, but they were dissatisfied with workforce quality and availability.  The single-most important quality those leaders are looking for in employees is the ability to work on a team.  And, what is the best way to improve the business climate in Wayne County?  According to the survey, it’s getting people to move here.

See the findings here.

(Richmond, IN)--A long list of allegations has surfaced against the Spring Grove Town Board, and it comes from one of its own.  Spring Grove is the small town on Chester Boulevard that’s surrounded by the city of Richmond.  Board member Ben Lukacek claims that the town’s other four board members failed to file their oaths of office and, according to Indiana law, it vacates their seats on the board.  This week, according to Lukacek, the board held a vote to decide if they had violated any law.  They found themselves not guilty.  There are numerous other allegations against the board, and some are much more serious.  We’ll be covering those in the days ahead.

(Lynn, IN)--She collected her own urine in buckets for months and then threw it on her neighbor’s house because she didn’t like him.  Now, 69-year-old Jackie Van Tyle of Lynn has reached a plea deal.  Details of the plea deal have not been released.  Van Tyle faced two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief.  She was caught because the victim in the case set up a security camera and recorded her dumping her urine on his house.

(Richmond, IN)--Tuesday’s groundbreaking for a new, three-story facility for West End Bank means that another Uptown Richmond building that’s stood for decades is coming down.  "The former Patti Insurance building comes down starting Monday," said Dan Stamper, who is the president of Thor Contruction.  Construction on the new building will take a year and will be tricky.  "We're going down 14.5 feet, and we're going to hit water at nine (feet).  We'll continually pump for a long period of time.  It makes it more difficult," Stamper explained.  One lane of South A Street will be shut down to allow for demolition of the old Patti building.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police are searching for an alleged rapist.  It happened more than a month ago, but an arrest warrant has now been issued for 36-year-old Michael Abbott.  Abbott is accused of taking his former girlfriend to a home on South 11^th in early April.  Then, according to police reports, he assaulted her and then forced her to stay in a closet.  Abbott then took her to Walgreens and Walmart to buy ingredients needed to manufacture methamphetamine.

(Richmond, IN)--Friends and colleagues are remembering Joe Spicer.  Spicer died Sunday at a central Indiana hospital after having spent 30 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator at the Richmond Community School system.  A public visitation has been set for 4-8 Thursday night at the Tiernan Center.  The funeral will be held Friday morning at First Presbyterian Church.  Joe Spicer was 62.

(Wayne County, IN)--Newly-released figures show the extent to which Wayne County’s infants and children continue to be affected by drug abuse.  Through the end of April, 23 babies have been born at Reid Health addicted to opioids and heroin.  It puts Reid on a pace to exceed last year’s total of addicted babies by 28%.  Also, through the first three months of the year, there have been 54 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in Wayne County.  Many of those children live with at least one drug-addicted parent.

(Williamsburg, IN)--The fire that destroyed a vacant home in Williamsburg Monday started because of a marijuana grow operation.  Someone was stealing electricity and using it to power grow lights in the home’s crawl space.  After the fire was out, the Wayne County Drug Task Force pulled at least six dozen plastic cups from the crawl space that contained young pot plants.  The house was supposed to go up for sheriff’s sale Wednesday.  No charges have been filed.

(Connersville, IN)--One of the Fayette Regional Health System doctors involved in illegal prescription drug distribution now appears set to accept a plea deal.  Dr. David Ringle’s trial date next month is now off and a plea and sentencing hearing has been set.  Ringle is one of four former Fayette Regional employees who illegally prescribed painkillers and other medication.  Details of the plea deal have not yet been released.

(Winchester, IN)--A potential disaster was averted in Winchester Monday morning.  At just before 2 o’clock Monday morning, officers saw a train engine on fire as it passed through Winchester.  Flames were shooting five feet above the engine.  And, that train had just picked up 80 train car loads of fuel from the Cardinal Ethanol plant.  Officers were able to stop the train near County Road 375 West.  One house was evacuated.  Fire crews were able to get the fire out before it spread to the fuel cars.

(Whitewater Valley)--There’s good education news for the Whitewater Valley.  Indiana’s College Readiness report is out today, and it shows that most area schools exceed the state average for high school students who graduate without having to take remediation class in math, reading, or writing before entering college.  Richmond’s rate is 83% - just above the state average of 82%.  Northeastern is the area leader at 97%.  Centerville is 94%, with Nettle Creek and Western Wayne at 81%.  The report shows more college-bound Richmond grads are going to either IU East or Ivy Tech than all other colleges and universities combined.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police were investigating Monday morning after a man was beaten in an apparent robbery.  It happened at a little past midnight in the 300 block of South 8^th.  The victim was taken to Reid Health after being beaten in the head with a baseball bat.  The two suspects, who are described only as white males wearing bandanas, took twenty dollars.  The victim’s injuries were non-life-threatening.

(Eaton, OH)--A traffic stop in Eaton Sunday night uncovered a possible meth lab.  The car was pulled over Sunday night near Main and Vine Streets, close to the old National Guard armory.  Supervisors were called to the scene after officers found a portable methamphetamine manufacturing operation.  There’s no word yet on any arrests.  The investigation was still underway Monday morning.

(Economy, IN)--A 17-year-old boy has been killed in a Wayne County crash.  It happened around 9:30 Thursday night on U.S. 35 at Newman Road just outside of Economy.  According to the Indiana State Police, a buggy was headed north on 35 with no lights on.  An approaching car hit the buggy from behind.  The impact threw an occupant of the buggy, identified as 17-year-old Jonas Beiler of Economy, into the roadway where he was struck by another oncoming car.  Beiler was pronounced dead at the scene.  Two other people in the buggy were unhurt.  The drivers of the other two cars were also uninjured.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged drug-dealing husband and wife team was taken into custody Thursday night in what is usually a quiet Richmond neighborhood.  27-year-old Kris Carico and his 28-year-old wife Khandyce were apprehended at their home in Glen Hills.  The list of charges is lengthy.  It includes dealing cocaine and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.  Kris Carico is also charged with operating a loaded machine gun.  They were booked into the Wayne County Jail at 7 o’clock Thursday night.  Just a few hours later, family members walked in with $7000 in cash and bonded the couple out of jail.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond drug store was robbed Thursday.  Police say a man entered the CVS on National Road West and passed a note to the pharmacy staff demanding drugs.  No weapon was displayed, but the man implied that he had one.  The suspect fled north on South West 18^th.  He’s described as a thin black male.    The eastside CVS was the target of a different would-be robber last month.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond has received a $200,000 federal grant that will pave the way for new hiking and biking trails along the East Fork of the Whitewater River.  It will be called the Wayne County National Road Heritage Trail and will run on the north side of the river from North 12^th to North 24^th with a trail head at Freeman Park.  There’s no word yet on a proposed completion date.

(Richmond, IN)--A plea deal has been reached in the case of a Richmond man who committed multiple armed robberies.  26-year-old Derrick Hockett has now admitted to robbing Lee’s Famous Recipe, a Phillips 66, and a Shell gas station.  If the deal is approved by the judge in the case, Hockett will be sentenced to 18 years in prison.  A Greenfield man who took part in one of the robberies with Hockett, and then committed other robberies at Hornak’s Liquor and a Village Pantry is set to go on trial next month.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond armed robber and cocaine dealer was handed a seven-year prison sentence as the result of a plea deal in Wayne Circuit Court this week.  20-year-old Cedric Thompson II robbed the Family Dollar on South 9^th nearly two years ago.  Last year, Thompson was involved in a drug deal gone bad that led to a car chase that resulted in two crashes.

(West Alexandria, OH)--The death of a Preble County toddler is now officially a homicide.  Christy Warwick of West Alexandria was formally charged in a two-count, secret indictment Wednesday with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.  Warwick is allegedly responsible for the death of 21-month-old Sylas Warwick last December.  The autopsy showed Sylas died from blunt force trauma to the head.  A not-guilty plea has been entered.  Warwick is set to go on trial in late July.  A press conference has been set for Thursday.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department has posted surveillance images and is now asking for the public’s help with identifying a man who they say is wanted for questioning in several cases of theft and fraud.  The images show what appears to be a white man with a shaved head entering Walmart.  Specifics of the cases have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--IU East is making its final preparations for its 45^th commencement.  This year, 772 baccalaureate and 23 masters degrees will be awarded.  It marks the highest number of degrees ever given in a single year.  Honorary doctorate degrees will be awarded to long-time local lawmakers Allen Paul and Dick Bodiker.  IU East will throw caution to the wind, ignore superstition, and hand out its degrees on Friday the 13^th at the Tiernan Center.

(Winchester, IN)--There have been a couple of significant drug busts in Randolph County this week.  Winchester police seized five pounds of marijuana and arrested 22-year-old Levi Tucker.  Police say Tucker was in the middle of cooking up some marijuana brownies when he was caught.  And, in Union City, an alleged drug house that had been under surveillance for weeks was the site of a bust that uncovered heroin, pills, and lots of paraphernalia.  26-year-old Kyle Hartman now faces a host of felony charges.

(Oxford, OH)--An Oxford man has now admitted that he stabbed and killed his neighbor in January.  41-year-old Philip Zink pled guilty to murder Wednesday in Butler County Common Pleas Court.  He’s now set for sentencing next week.  Zink stabbed 56-year-old Denver Hubbard at a mobile home park on College Corner Pike.  Hubbard later died.  A 76-year-old woman was also stabbed, but survived.

(Whitewater Valley)--As has been the trend in recent elections, lots of Wayne County voters cast ballots Tuesday.  Nearly twice as many people voted Tuesday in Wayne County as did in all of days of early voting available through the vote center concept.  Just shy of 15,000 total votes were cast, representing 35.6% of registered voters.  That’s a 43% increase from the presidential primary in 2012.

WAYNE COMMISSIONERS:  Wayne County Commissioners Mary Ann Butters and Denny Burns advanced to November’s election Tuesday.  Butters defeated challenger Larry Fouche in District 2 59-41 percent, while Burns won District 3 by defeating Carol Study by a 60-40 percent margin.

WAYNE COUNCIL:  All three of Wayne County Council’s incumbent Republicans advanced Tuesday, although the race for the third spot was close.  Hagerstown’s Chris Beeson got the most votes with Gary Saunders of Economy in second.  Richmond’s Rodger Smith edged out Milton’s Beth Leisure by just 47 votes for the final spot.

UNION COUNTY:  In Union County, Linda Rosenberger won the race for county treasurer while her husband, Chris, was one of three Republicans picked for county council.  He’ll join current Treasurer Bonnie Adams and political newcomer Jeff Adams.  Adams was the top overall vote-getter.  Union County had a 32.2% voter turnout.

FAYETTE COUNTY:  In Fayette County, on the Republican side, Gary Naylor won for county commissioner while Mark Brockman, David Jobe, and Kay Peyton were successful in their bids for county council.  On the Democratic side, John Gray and Ellis McQueen won for commissioner while Holly Dunn, Ruby Siler, and Jim Wulff won for county council.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman has been cleared of any wrongdoing connected to his prosecution of some DORN Center employees.  Several employees were originally charged with various crimes after allegedly illegally distributing a synthetic heroin substitute between Richmond and Centerville.  An attorney connected to the case filed a grievance, calling the prosecution dishonest and corrupt.  Now, the Executive Secretary of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has ruled that there was no misconduct on Shipman’s part and has dropped the case.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged Richmond heroin dealer was caught after a foot chase Tuesday.  32-year-old Kyle McCord allegedly fled into a house near North 19^th and E.  Several people were inside.  Investigators found heroin.  There was also heroin located in a gold Cadillac parked behind the house.  McCord was still in jail Wednesday morning and has a long list of arrests for drug dealing and possession.

Plan on driving on interstate 70 after nine this week? Then be cautious of the orange barrels as they will be out. Milestone Contractors will be working for the Indiana Department of Transportation as they plan to close one west bound lane of I-70 between US 27 and the Ohio State line every night this week. The $6.7 million project plan is to repair and pave a new asphalt surface, and is expected to be completed this summer.

(Richmond)- The Economic Development Commission of Wayne county held its annual meeting yesterday where they celebrated 2015 as a year of growth in the area’s workforce. The EDC completed 12 projects totaling $27.59 million, these projects included creating 232 new jobs and the retention of nearly 100 others. Valerie Shaffer, president of EDC, stated that 2015 was a fantastic year for them, and are thrilled with the development they were able to help bring together. Shaffer also stated that the county development group is working with Jay and Randolph counties to create a web platform for those seeking career opportunities. 

(GREENVILLE)- Greenville, Ohio’s main street is gaining some fame after being named as a quarter finalist in the 2016 Independent We Stand “America’s Main Streets” contest. According to Amber Garrett, executive director of main street Greenville, the community has actively pushed downtown revitalization since the late 1970’s. Garrett states that the community is in a position to fully utilize the $25,000 award and appreciates all who have voted. Semifinalist voted started yesterday and runs till May 29. Go to our website to find the link to vote!

(Richmond)- A Friday night fight ended with a man missing part of his nose and another in the Wayne County Jail. Michael Drew of Richmond got into an altercation with James O. Delk of New Castle. Before getting into a fight the two had an argument in Delk’s pickup, which lead to the pair stopping the truck and fighting. At some point during the fight Drew has his nose bit, leading to him going to Reid Health for treatment. Delk was arrested on preliminary charges of aggravated battery and battery resulting in a serious bodily injury.

(LIBERTY)- Today the Union County Board of Health will have a special meeting. Last week the health board met to discuss the cost of employees for the county’s new opiate treatment center. There has been some concern about the cost of staff. In April the county council approved $35,000 loan for the health department for the cost of paying staff and operating the facility.