(Richmond, IN)--The second round of Wayne County’s needle exchange program took place recently.  On Thursday, the Wayne County Health Department disclosed figures.  After no one took part in the August exchange, three people took part this month.  Those three people turned in a total of seven dirty needles.  In return, the three were given a total of 470 clean needles.  That’s an average of 157 new needles each.  County leaders expect the number of participants to increase.  The exchange takes place just one day a month at the Centerstone facility on North 13^th Street in Richmond.

(Richmond, IN)--A shot was fired during an armed robbery attempt in Richmond.  It happened at a home in the 1200 block of South 5^th at around 4:15 Thursday afternoon.  According to scanner traffic, the suspect walked into a house there and tried to force a couple into a back room.  When he reached that room, the would-be victim grabbed his own gun and fired a shot.  The robber fled and is still on the loose.  There was no word of any injury and no description of the suspect has been released.

(New Madison, OH)--Frida night is the night that New Madison welcomes its Olympic hero home.  Bronze medalist Clayton Murphy will be honored after becoming the first American in 24 years to medal in the 800-meter run.  Murphy did it in Rio last month.  It begins at 6 Friday night with a parade starting at the north end of New Madison that will wind down Main Street.  There will be an on-field ceremony just before kickoff of Friday night’s Tri Village football game.

(Connersville, IN)--Fayette Regional Health System is actively seeking partnerships with other healthcare systems.  A memo went out to employees this week notifying them that it would be business as usual as options are sought.  Hospital administrators have blamed changes in federal law – namely Obamacare – as the primary reason that mergers are being sought.  Fayette Regional laid off 49 employees two years ago.

(Oxford, OH)--An Oxford doctor is now facing nine counts of drug trafficking.  60-year-old Dr. Rick Bucher has been indicted by a Butler County grand jury.  The alleged crimes occurred nine different times between August and December of last year.  Bucher has practiced medicine for 34 years at Oxford Family Medicine.  He’s also affiliated with McCullough-Hyde Hospital.  Booker now faces up to 22 years in prison.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board Wednesday night voted to sell the Highland Heights Elementary building to Reid Health for $90,000.  The board discussed potential new mandates for preschool, but decided the Highland building was too poorly located and too costly to maintain.  The sale, though, will be stalled by litigation.  There are lawsuits and injuctions between RCS, Reid, and Mint Management, which had agreed to buy the building earlier this year for a million dollars.  The RCS Board voted to countersue Mint Management Wednesday night.

(Richmond, IN)--Animal control officers were called to a home near the Wayne County Fairgrounds Wednesday.  22 dogs were located at a home there.  The majority of those were reportedly toy poodles.  Circumstances surrounding the discovery of the dogs have not yet been released.  No one was booked into the Wayne County Jail for animal cruelty.

(Winchester, IN)--Kiante Enis entered pleas of not guilty Wednesday, even though he’s admitted to molesting a 13-year-old girl.  The former Winchester and IU running back appeared in Randolph Circuit Court and notified the court that a Muncie attorney would be handling his case.  A trial date was set for February 13.  According to Enis’ own admission at the time of his arrest, he had sex with the young girl multiple times last March.

(Connersville, IN)--The last person involved in the illegal drug distribution case at Fayette Regional Health System was sentenced Wednesday.  Former physician’s assistant Jeff Ferryman was sentenced to four years of home detention as part of a plea deal.  Ferryman, along with fellow assistant David Wulff and Doctors Daniel Palmer and David Ringel, conspired to distribute pain-killing medication by forging signatures and providing blank prescription forms.  All four received similar sentences.

(Richmond, IN)--The old Reid Hospital building will be available for purchase at a tax sale Thursday.  The bidding will begin at $900,000.  That’s the amount of back taxes, current taxes, and penalties.  No bidders are expected, though.  The building is far beyond repair and continues to deteriorate.  The condition was highlighted by an incident last weekend when a teenage trespasser fell through a floor at Old Reid.  He was treated at the new Reid Health for a back injury.  Thursday’s tax sale begins at 10 o’clock in commissioners chambers.

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health has joined the legal fight over the former Highland Heights Elementary School building.  Reid has joined Richmond Community Schools in a fight over an injunction that would block the sale of the building.  Mint Management filed suit against RCS to recoup its security deposit after the sale fell through earlier this year.  A hearing on the injunction request will take place Friday afternoon in a Wayne County courtroom.

(Greenville, OH)--You’ve probably heard reports of creepy clowns attacking people around the country.  Now, the Whitewater Valley has its first report.  A Greenville man told police he was attacked by two clowns as he was walking down South Broadway Tuesday morning.  He said the clowns took his baseball bat and hit him in the neck.  There’s no word on why the alleged victim was walking outside with a bat at 4 o’clock in the morning.

(Richmond, IN)--The owners of the Crain Sanitarium building are making renewed efforts to reclaim that historic building on the corner of 22^nd and East Main in Richmond.  The building was sold on contract to Heaven and Ben Johnson.  This spring, though, Heaven Johnson was arrested for theft and it was learned that she had used six aliases while committing fraud-related crimes in at least three states.  Recently, a judgment was awarded to a local electrical contractor after the Johnsons failed to pay for services.  People who live near the home say they have not seen activity there in weeks.  Meanwhile, Heaven Johnson has resurfaced.  She’s now using a new name – Heaven Saint Lacroix.  She has a new look and now claims to be a central Indiana resident.  She has contacted the owner of the NFL franchise there and identified herself as a Beverly Hills interior designer.  Attempts to contact Heaven Johnson/Saint Lacroix/Greer were unsuccessful.

(Richmond, IN)--Two Richmond men were jailed following drug arrests on the city’s east side Tuesday morning.  21-year-old Matthew Berry allegedly had methamphetamine at Gravel Pit Road and National Road East.  He was jailed at just after midnight Tuesday morning.  Then, at 2:30 Tuesday morning, 28-year-old Jeremy Goodwin was found with heroin in a parking lot near Lowe’s.  Goodwin has also been charged with counterfeiting.  Details of the counterfeiting allegation have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--It was a narrow escape for a Richmond man who decided to try to beat a train on his bicycle overnight.  The man was crossing the tracks on North 15^th Street just ahead of an oncoming train.  How close was it?  According to dispatchers, the train hit the bicycle’s back tire with the man riding it.  Unbelievably, he was not injured.  The train operator thought he had hit the man and brought the train to a stop.  Train traffic resumed at around midnight.  The bicycle rider's name has not been released.

(Centerville, IN)--One man escaped serious injury Sunday after driving his car through Centerville at an estimated 70 miles per hour and crashing into a tree.  It happened at just before noon on U.S. 40 near Matte Harris Road.  The man apparently fell asleep at the wheel and did not realize how fast he was traveling.  U.S. 40 was shut down for a brief time as first responders cut the man free from the wreckage.  His name has not been released.

(Connersville, IN)--A Connersville man is facing criminal charges after being found passed out in bed from a drug overdose with a child beside him.  First responders were able to revive 33-year-old Nicholas Allen with Narcan.  Also in the room at the home on Iowa Avenue was a bag of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Allen faces various drug charges and neglect of a dependent.

(Richmond, IN)--Ground was officially broken on the Blue Buffalo project in Richmond Thursday.  With the project come 165 new jobs. "These new jobs will add to Wayne County's already-existing 5500 manufacturing positions that employ residents all across the region."  That's what EDC CEO Valerie Shaffer said when the project was announced.  Blue Buffalo founder Bill Bishop was on hand and said that Richmond stood out.  Hiring is expected to begin early next year.

(Winchester, IN)--Winchester’s standout football player is now an admitted child molester.  19-year-old Kiante Enis, who was a freshman on IU’s football team, is charged with two counts of child molestation after having sex with a girl under the age of 14.  "Both parties involved stated that they had been in a sexual relationship," said Randolph County Chief Deputy Doug Fritz.  Enis was immediately kicked off IU’s team and now faces up to 16 years in prison.  The acts were consensual, but that’s irrelevant.  "If it's under the age of 14, it's child molesting - even if it's consensual," Fritz said.  Enis bonded out of jail at around 11 o’clock Thursday night.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Indiana Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb was at the Gateway Industrial Park near Cambridge City Thursday to cut the ribbon on the SugarCreek Packing project.  SugarCreek actually opened the 418,000 square-foot plant last year and is already looking to expand once wastewater issues are solved.  At capacity, the plant expects to employ between 400 and 500 people.

(Indianapolis, IN)--The votes have been counted, and Indiana residents have picked a new license plate design.  It was obvious from the start that a colorful plate featuring a covered bridge would be the winner.  The other two options were much blander.  The bridge plate beat both of them combined.  You’ll start seeing the new plates on Indiana vehicles in January.

(Richmond, IN)--The teenage Richmond parents of the baby that was found crawling alone on South 6^th Street Wednesday remained behind bars Thursday morning.  Both are charged with felony neglect of a dependent.  A bus driver noticed the baby Wednesday afternoon.  Investigators say the home of 19-year-old Jacob York and 17-year-old Codie Boomershine was infested with fleas and had a deteriorating floor.  Child Protective Services removed the baby from the home.

(Richmond, IN)--New employment numbers were released Wednesday for Wayne County and the rest of Indiana.  Locally, the numbers are not good.  125 more people are now listed as unemployment than were last month.  Also, 32 less people are listed as employed.  Wayne County’s unemployment rate jumped from 4.7 to 5.1%.  All other Whitewater Valley counties saw a similar increase.

(Winchester, IN)--A Winchester funeral home director was sentenced Wednesday to 20 days in jail for stealing the ring off of a dead man’s finger moments before he was lowered into the ground.  64-year-old Greg Thayer then took the ring to a Richmond pawn store and pawned it for $75.  Cemetery workers witnessed the theft and reported it to police.  Thayer will report to jail Friday.  He’ll have to serve an additional 40 days on home detention.

(Lynn, IN)--Police say he left his elderly mother sitting in a chair for three months after she broke her hip, and now a Lynn man is facing criminal charges.  54-year-old Phillip Weimer was having his own medical problems when first responders were sent to his home on West Church Street in Lynn.  The victim had been laying across the chair with a shelf over her for three months.  The hoard was so bad that she had to be removed through a window.  She was taken to Reid Health.  Authorities have declared the house unfit for habitation.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged rapist turned himself in at the Wayne County Jail Tuesday.  23-year-old Vadial Jett of Richmond had been wanted for warrants on charges that include rape and sexual battery.  Details of what Jett is alleged to have done have not yet been released.  He was being held on a $50,000 bond Wednesday morning.  Jett’s only criminal history include theft and fraud charges two and a half years ago.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond firefighters had to deal with a couple of different arsons Tuesday night.  Someone set a large stack of pallets on fire in the grassy area off of Hawkins Road.  That fire was visible to many people on Richmond’s north side.  Just before that, someone set a garage on fire in the 200 block of South 14^th.  It was extinguished before the garage was destroyed.  There were no injuries in either fire.  No arrests have been made.

(London, KY)--The Richmond man who was the subject of a Silver Alert overnight has been found.  79-year-old George Surber went missing from his home in the 2300 block of Minneman Road at around 5 o’clock Monday afternoon.  Law enforcement agents confirm that the Silver Alert has been cancelled.  Family members have indicated on social media that Surber was found at just before 6 o’clock Tuesday morning driving the wrong way on I-75 near London, Kentucky.  London is about 50 miles north of the Tennessee line.  They indicated they were headed toward London to bring him home.

(Richmond, IN)--A Silver Alert was in effect Tuesday morning for a missing Richmond man.  79-year-old George Surber went missing from his home in the 2300 block of Minneman Road at around 5 o’clock Monday afternoon.  Police say Surber is likely disoriented and in need of medical attention.  He’s white, 5-8, 200 pounds, and has a USMS tattoo on his left arm.  Surber is thought to be traveling in a 1998 red Dodge pickup truck.  The inside of that truck may be filled with winter clothes.

(Cambridge City, IN)--A suspended Lincoln High School teacher has been reinstated.  Over a hundred students and some community members protested last week when math teacher Amy Engle was suspended.  But, she was back in the classroom Monday.  "She's nice.  Mrs. Engle...she goes out of her way," said Senior Class President Harrison Seybolt.  Although no official reason was offered by the district, there were indications that Engle and a new teacher had been involved in a disagreement.  School officials have not said if Engle was found in violation of any policy.

(Connersville, IN)--A sexting investigation is underway at Connersville High School with multiple students facing possible criminal charges.  Last week, several students shared a sexually-explicit photo of a student from another school in the area.  Information has been forwarded to law enforcement.  If that student is underage, sharing it could constitute distribution of child pornography. Officials have not said what school the subject in the photo attends.

(Richmond, IN)--It was an incredibly short meeting of the Richmond Common Council Monday night.  Mayor Dave Snow, though, did take time to highlight a couple of events that will happen Wednesday.  The Richmond High School Homecoming Parade is Wednesday night.  And, the Vietnam Replica Wall arrives on Wednesday.  "I really encourage everyone to visit our Veterans Park and see the Moving Wall," Snow said.  Also, on Thursday, ground will be officially broken for the Blue Buffalo project at the Midwest Industrial Park.

(Richmond, IN)--Denise Retz, who is the Richmond Park Superintendent, announced Monday night that a major donor has come forward to upgrade the tennis courts in Glen Miller Park.  The courts had already been set for resurfacing.  Now, a donation will allow that and other upgrades to be completed this year.  The donor will be revealed and other details will be announced during a special meeting on Thursday.

(Oxford, OH)--Streets were blocked around Oxford Sunday after a suspicious backpack was found near the Uptown square.  A bomb squad was called to the scene after a caller to 911 said they saw someone put the backpack down and walk away.  A robot inspected the backpack, which allowed police to determine there was nothing dangerous inside.  Streets re-opened by about 7 o’clock Sunday night.

(Richmond, IN)--A Greens Fork man was in the Wayne County Jail Monday morning after his weekend arrest.  28-year-old Orin Gettinger was taken into custody in the 700 block of South G Street in Richmond.  Gettinger is now charged with felony residential entry, intimidation, and resisting law enforcement.  Details of what he is alleged to have done have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--An injunction was filed in a Wayne County court Thursday to prevent the sale of the Highland Heights Elementary School building.  The injunction was filed by Rod Weiss with Mint Management LLC.  Weiss sued this week to recover his $100,000 security deposit after his attempted purchase of the building fell through.  The school board on Wednesday night discussed countersuing Mint Management.  One school board member indicated Thursday that the board was unaware until very late in the process that Weiss’ ultimate goal was to lease the building to Northeastern Wayne Schools for use as a preschool.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged child molester bonded out of the Wayne County Jail Thursday night about two hours after he turned himself in.  24-year-old Brandon Hibbard of Hagerstown arrived at the jail with a bail bondsmen and was free on bond Friday morning.  Hibbard now faces a Level 4 Felony charge of child molesting.  Details of what Hibbard is alleged to have done have not been released.

(Columbus, OH)--Ohio school report cards were issued Thursday, and administrators are slamming the process.  Grades fell in 600 of Ohio’s 608 districts under the third system that’s been used in the last three years.  Locally, in the achievement category, every school got a D except for Eaton, which received a C.  In the category of preparation for success, only National Trail, Tri County North, and Talawanda received C’s.  All other schools received D’s.

(Fountain City, IN)--Levi Coffin Days is this weekend, but it’s not called Levi Coffin Days anymore.  The name has been changed to the Lions Fall Festival.  But why?  "With the state coming in and taking over the Levi Coffin House, they might come forward holding their hand out for using that name in the future," said Lions Club Treasurer Larry Gardner.  But, according to Levi Coffin House Director Janet McGuire, the state has no control whatsoever over the name Levi Coffin.  Because he was a public figure, the name cannot be trademarked and the Lions Club is free to use it without charge.  Everyone agrees, though, that the name change has been discussed for years.  Ironically, the Lions Fall Festival takes place on the last weekend of summer.

(Richmond, IN)--The outside of the old Reid Hospital building is about to get a makeover.  Barnhizer and Associates is about to tackle cleaning up some of the worst of Richmond’s biggest eyesore.  "What we're gonna do is we're gonna come out here and remove the burnt part of the awning so we can expose the brick.  We're going to pressure clean and chemically clean all of that soot you can see on the side of the building," said Jason Barnhizer on a video posted on the company’s Facebook page.  Work will begin in about a month.  They’ll also be removing graffiti from the top of the building.  Mark Barnhizer said the company is donating part of the cost.  "We've been in the community for a long time and want to see things progressively move in a positive direction out here.".  Barnhizer did not return calls about who is paying for the rest of the cleaning.

(Cambridge City, IN)--About 130 students took part in a protest Wednesday at Lincoln High School.  The students, and many parents and other community members, are upset about the suspension of math teacher Amy Engle.  "We'd like for our administration to release a statement...at least say something. But they have kept silent," said Senior Class President Harrison Seybold.  He said Engle and her husband are well-respected.  "They're just incredible people...Very caring, loving people.  Mrs. Engle - she goes out of her way."  Engle had apparently been involved in a disagreement with another teacher who is new to Lincoln.  Principal Jason Bodnar did not return calls from Kicks 96 and The Point News.  Superintendent Robert Mahon issued a short statement saying that it’s an ongoing investigation and they would not provide any information.

(Richmond, IN)--Three men were jailed and drugs and guns were recovered after an arrest near Charles Elementary School in Richmond Wednesday afternoon.  Bernard George and Angel Nunez of Richmond and Steven Williams of Centerville were caught at 27^th and Reeveston Road and jailed for dealing counterfeit drugs, dealing real drugs, and carrying handguns without permits.  All three were still in jail Thursday morning.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board is being sued over the failed sale of the Highland Heights Elementary School building.  An attorney for Mint Management LLC says the school board is illegally withholding a $100,000 security deposit.  The lawsuit claims the board has not provided a specific legal reason that allows them to keep the deposit.  Mint Management agreed in February to pay a million dollars, but the deal fell through when Northeastern Schools reversed its plans to use the building as a pre-school.

(Eaton, OH)--The pedestrian who was killed walking along North Maple Street in Eaton just before dawn Tuesday has been identified as 50-year-old Wendy Allen.  She was making her daily walk to McDonald’s when she was hit from behind by a truck.  Trooper Chris Colbert said the driver was not to blame.  "It was a dark, unlit roadway.  She was wearing dark clothing.  It would be very difficult to see somebody in time to actually react to it."  Speed and alcohol were not factors in the incident.

(Eaton, OH)--A former Mexican Federal Highway Patrol officer who was caught in Preble County with $1.2 million worth of heroin was sentenced Tuesday to time served.  Rolf Kruger maintained that he was forced to drive the drugs across the country by a Mexican drug cartel, who threatened to kill his family.  When he initially refused, his son died under suspicious circumstances.  Kruger faces deportation when he’s released on Friday.

(Richmond, IN)--Two local schools were recognized in the annual rankings of colleges by U.S. News and World Report, which was released Tuesday.  Earlham College is listed as one of 40 Schools at a Great Price and as a top-20 liberal arts college for undergraduate teaching.  Miami University ranked 2^nd nationally for its faculty members’ commitment to undergraduate teaching.  Miami trailed only Princeton and finished ahead of Yale and Brown Universities.

(Richmond, IN)--The Blue Buffalo project that’s beginning in Richmond’s Midwest Industrial Park is positive in almost every aspect, but there is a downside.  By consuming 90 acres, the city and the industrial park is now in need of additional land.  "I've asked for the EDC to give me numbers on what size of acreage we need to stay really competitive in the market.  We've been looking at that and looking at parcels to see where our next move needs to be," said Mayor Dave Snow Monday night.  Budget discussions continue Tuesday night and, possibly, Wednesday night.

(Richmond, IN)--City of Richmond employees are in line for their first pay raise in several years after budget discussions Monday night by Richmond Common Council.  The raise would be set at two percent.  Now, the unions representing various city department employees will consider the proposed raise.  It will also have to be formally approved by council.  The Richmond Police Department would like to add two patrol officers.  During budget discussions Monday night, RPD Chief Jim Branum explained that the department will operate with one less captain which will partially fund the salaries of two extra officers in 2017.  Right now, RPD has 76 officers but only 41 of them are patrol officers.  Health care costs for employees will once again consume a fairly large percentage of the city of Richmond’s budget for 2017.  During discussion sMonday night, Mayor Dave Snow told council members that he wants to move away from the ELAP program.  "I just haven't been happy with it from Day 1.  We've really been working hard to hit the reset button and figure out how to appropriately and thoughtfully budget for our health care in a way that makes health care for our employees accessible and affordable."  The insurance budget is currently set at just under $8 million.  That’s about $1.7 million more than this year’s budget.  It’s undetermined how much, if any, of that increase would be passed along to city employees.

(Dublin, IN)--A large water main break has prompted a boil advisory for the town of Dublin.  The alert was issued at 12:45 Tuesday morning and is expected to remain in effect for at least 48 hours.  All Dublin residents should boil water for five minutes before using it for cooking or drinking.  Crews were working overnight to repair the break.  Its location was not specified.

(Richmond, IN)--A big improvement is underway at the Richmond Square Mall.  On Mondday, crews began installing a new roof.  It was a leaky roof that was largely responsible for Sears leaving the mall three years ago.  The mall sold to a Georgia-based group last December.  Last summer, the mall sold for $4 million at a sheriff’s sale to Wells Fargo Bank.  A crew leader said Monday it would take about a month to install the new roof.  All stores inside will remain open.

(Franklin County, IN)--Officials in Franklin County over the weekend set the amount of damage caused by last week’s flooding at $200,000.  Four inches of rain fell last Thursday night into Friday morning.  The damage includes roads and bridges and crops that were flattened by high water.  There were at least three water rescues when people became trapped in their cars by water that had risen over creek banks.  No injuries were reported.

(Darke County, OH)--Investigators say that alcohol and speed were factors in a fatal Darke County crash Sunday night on North Star – Fort Loramie Road.  Police say a car driven by 24-year-old Dean Bornhorst slammed into the back of a car occupied by 65-year-old Steven Knapke and his wife Lois.  Steven Knapke was pronounced dead.  Bornhorst and Lois Knapke went to Miami Valley Hospital.  Two other people were not seriously hurt.  It was the fifth fatal crash in Darke County this year.

(Connersville, IN)--A brand-new festival is coming to Connersville.  Preparations are underway for the first-ever Apple Dumpling Days.  It will take place on the weekend of the 24^th and 25^th of this month and will coincide with the arrival of Indiana’s Bicentennial torch.  Apple Dumpling Days will resemble the other late summer and early fall festivals that take place across the Whitewater Valley but will incorporate tours of historical sites across Fayette County.

(Franklin County, IN)--Flooding has affected the southern portion of the Whitewater Valley overnight Thursday night and into this Friday morning.  Dispatchers in Franklin County indicated Friday morning that numerous county roads are closed due to high water.  Some of those roads have extensive damage.  "We had plenty of officers and tow truck guys that came in and were saying that it's really bad," said Amanda, who was working at the Brookville Food Mart Friday morning.  At 11:20 Thursday night, a trained weather spotter reported high water flowing over U.S. 52.  By midnight, three and a half inches of rain had fallen in Oxford.  No injuries have been reported.

(Richmond, IN)--A heroin overdose call late Thursday night led to the arrest of a Richmond woman.  First responders were called to the 200 block of North 22^nd on the report of an unconscious female.  Officers questioned numerous people who had gathered as crews worked to revive her.  21-year-old Chelsea Moles was taken to the Wayne County Jail.  The overdose victim was taken to Reid Health.  There’s no word on her condition.

(Eaton, OH)--Sentencing is Friday for a former Mexican Federal Highway Patrol officer who was passing through the Whitewater Valley with $1.2 million worth of heroin hidden in his Volkswagen.   Rolf Krueger was caught in Preble County.  Krueger claims that he was forced to drive the drugs from Arizona to New York by a dangerous Mexican drug cartel who said they would kill his family if he did not comply.  After his arrest, Krueger’s son died under suspicious circumstances.

(Richmond, IN)--INDOT representatives were at a site near the new Blue Buffalo project to present Richmond, Centerville, and Wayne County with checks totaling more than $2.4 million on Wednesday.  The money will be used largely to fund upgrades in the Gaar Jackson Road area.  "Today is a great opportunity to come together and celebrate a lot of the teamwork that went into this Community Crossings Grant and the way that we're going to be able to leverage the money we already have to get a lot of work done," said Richmond Mayor Dave Snow.  He said it was the result of a collaborative effort of local government.  "Everybody worked hard to get here, but this is what our job really is...to stretch our dollars as far as we can."  Most of the road construction won’t begin until next spring.  Wednesday’s check presentation by INDOT to local government for road improvements in the Gaar Jackson Road area has spurred interest beyond the Blue Buffalo project.  "We have one company that's already looking at coming to Centerville Road.  They've already submitted some plans to us, and we're excited about that," said Dan Wandersee with the town of Centerville.  But that’s not all.  "We also have another inquiry.  Us joining together and being able to do this and get the funding...that's just a win-win for everybody," Wandersee added.  Centerville received $482,000 for its portion of the project

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged drunken driver from Hagerstown led Richmond police on a chase Wednesday night.  It began at around 8:30 Wednesday night when an officer tried to pull over 28-year-old Troy Collins on South 13^th Street.  Collins refused to pull over but stopped on South O Street when other officers joined the chase.  He had a blood alcohol content of .107.  Officers also found some marijuana.  Collins was still in jail Thursday morning.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond has had a couple of garage fires in the last 24 hours and both are considered suspicious.  One was in the 200 block of South 14^th late Tuesday.  A second garage fire broke out Wednesday morning in the 400 block of South 11^th Street.  "We caught them in time, so they didn't get away from us.  Right now, Inspector Davis has them under investigation," said Battalion Chief Eric Holmes.  Neither garage had utilities.  One witness told police he saw a black male and a white female with backpacks fleeing the area of Wednesday morning’s fire.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police Wednesday morning discovered what appear to be multiple stolen scooters in an alley between South 7^th and 8^th Streets.  It appeared initially to investigators that four scooters they found had been stolen from another person who had stolen them earlier.  All four were taken to impound Wednesday morning and now police are working to find the rightful owners.  No arrests were made.

(Richmond, IN)--A suspect in multiple Richmond burglaries has been arrested.  29-year-old Jamison Ramsey was in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning.  He’s now accused of burglarizing Larry’s Antiques, Crazy Bob’s Bikes, and the Dollar General on North H.  Investigators say Ramsey may have committed several other break-ins by breaking in glass doors to gain entry.  Ramsey has a lengthy record that includes armed robberies and burglaries over the last decade.

(Richmond, IN)--The Fountain City man who drove drunk and caused the death of his friend in April was sentenced to six years in prison Tuesday.  Devon Collins had a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit when he crashed on Gaar Jackson Road.  Daniel Wilson Junior was a passenger and was killed.  Wilson’s father expressed forgiveness and then told the judge he thought Collins was being sentenced to too much time.  The sentence was part of a plea deal.

(Brookville, IN)--Franklin County government has had a slew of problems this year.  Now, you can add one more.  Their auditor faces criminal charges, a commissioner has paid a $400,000 settlement for trying to defraud the U.S. government.  And now, buzzards are eating the roof of the government center.  The vultures started eating the rubber roof a couple of weeks ago and have caused leaks.  Brown water streaks are visible on a conference room wall.  Emergency repairs are planned.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County Sheriff’s Department investigators have developed a person of interest but have not yet made an arrest after a Sunday incident on Woolard Drive in Richmond.  Officers arrived and found a man with his wrists and ankles bound with tape and zip ties.  The victim told police a man came to his home.  After being allowed inside, the suspect tied the man up, robbed him, and fled.  The suspect is white with an average build.  He was driving a black Ford transit van with the back windows tinted.  One of the driver’s side tires did not match the others on the van.

(Hagerstown, IN)--A shot was fired in Hagerstown late Monday night.  It happened on Parry Street and involved an 18-year-old who had allegedly stolen alcohol from a liquor store earlier Monday night.  A fight broke out at the Parry Street home.  One shot was fired in the air as a warning.  Emerson Adams, who listed his hometown as Hilliard, Ohio, was booked into the Wayne County Jail at 11 o’clock Monday night.

(Richmond, IN)--Three people were jailed after reports of drug-dealing activity on North West Fifth in Richmond Monday.  Officers were called to the 700 block of NW 5^th and saw a white Cadillac trying to leave the area.  Inside, officers found drugs and a handgun.  41-year-old Bob Knight of Muncie faces the most serious charges of the three, including possession of a handgun by a serious violent felon.

(Richmond, IN)--A Muncie man who was speeding to get a dose of methadone at the Richmond Treatment Center and caused a fatal crash was sentenced Thursday to six years in prison.  43-year-old James Dishmon was facing as much as a 21-year sentence.  Dishmon was speeding west on National Road East in Richmond in June of last year when he collided with Kevin Spurgeon. Spurgeon was killed as he was crossing at Gravel Pit Road.  Dishmon apologized in court Thursday.

(Cambridge City, IN)--A New Castle couple apparently couldn’t wait late Thursday night.  According to police reports, Mathew Thurston and Kourtenay Moore of New Castle went to a dark area not far from the businesses at State Road 1 and I-70 near Cambridge City and had sex.  When officers investigated, they found cocaine and methamphetamine in the car.  Thurston still had Moore’s panties in his mouth when he was arrested.  Both were in the Wayne County Jail Friday morning.

(Richmond, IN)--More charges have been levied against two of the three people arrested in what police say was a weekend crime spree.  20-year-old Zachary Peacock had 11 more burglary-related probable cause affidavits filed Thursday in Wayne Circuit Court.  24-year-old Ashley Sparks now has an additional seven charges.  They now have 23 charges between them.  Both remained in the Wayne County Jail Friday morning.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Fire Chief Jerry Purcell has been named the Fire Chief of the Year by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.  The nomination states that Purcell took over a stagnant department two years ago and assembled a staff that shared ideas and visions for growth.  Purcell has been with the department since 1984.

(Brookville, IN)--Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday announced a plan to manage bovine tuberculosis after it was found in a deer in Franklin County.  Here’s how it will affect hunters this fall.  A management zone has been established that is south of State Road 44 in Union and Fayette County and includes all of Franklin County.  There is a mandatory check-in of harvested deer on September 24 and 25.  It’s voluntary after October 1.  There are other restrictions.  Check the DNR’s website to see them in their entirety. 

Click here to view the release from the DNR

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond couple was behind bars Thursday morning.  34-year-old Mark and 29-year-old Amanda Cotter were arrested for forgery at their home on Elks Road late Wednesday night.  A warrant had been issued for their arrest.  Details of the type of forgery the Cotters were allegedly involved in have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--A Dayton man is facing a host of drug-related charges after being arrested in Richmond Wednesday.  21-year-old Donald Eyler was found Wednesday on Boston Pike near St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Eyler was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana.  He was taken to the Wayne County Jail but was able to post bond and is now free.  Amounts of the confiscated drugs have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--The investigation into the city of Richmond’s Human Resources Department is now being handled by the Indiana State Police.  The exact nature of the investigation has still not been revealed, although suspended director Sue Roberson says it involves her falling victim to a scam.  Richmond police asked the state police to take over.  Roberson remains on paid leave and maintains she’s the victim of a crime.  "There are too many people that this is happening to who are too embarrassed to report it to law enforcement," Roberson said.  Meanwhile, the city has reversed Roberson’s policy of keeping the office open only three days a week.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County’s new needle exchange program was discussed Wednesday.  It operates on the fourth Thursday of the month at Centerstone’s facility on North 13^th in Richmond.  When it began last week, not a single addict showed up to exchange a dirty needle for a clean one.  Fayette County had a similar slow start with only four showing up on the first day there.  Wayne County has nearly three times the statewide rate of hepatitis C.