Local News Archives for 2017-01

OLD REID "DEVELOPER" OPENING 6th RESTAURANT WITH HELP OF GRANT

(Milford, DE)--Bob Ciprietti may have walked away from the old Reid project and left Richmond with its biggest eyesore, but he’s going strong on the east coast.  In April, Cipretti will open his sixth restaurant.  The newest Touch of Italy was funded in part with the help of a $50,000 grant.  Ciprietti was quoted in Delawareonline as saying that the grant gives him extra capital to make the building better.  The restaurant is being built into an old bank.  Cipriettii is pictured with Delaware's governor in the above photo.

MINOR DAMAGE AS CAR STRIKES BUILDING

(Richmond, IN)--There were no reports of serious injury after a car hit a building on East Main in Richmond late Monday afternoon.  Witnesses told police that a driver sped out of the Phillips Drugs parking lot at 17th and East Main at a high rate of speed and crossed East Main.  That car then hit a second parked car and then careened into the Natco Empowerment Center.  There was no immediate word on the condition of the driver or what caused him or her to lose control.  The building sustained only minor damage.

FIRE DAMAGES NORTH 15th STREET HOME

(Richmond, IN)--Fire did heavy damage do a home on North 15th in Richmond Sunday night.  Firefighters got the call to the 700 block at around 7:30.  "When we arrived, the whole front porch was fully involved.  It was actually inside the first room," said Battalion Chief Charlie Bartlett.  Firefighters checked to see if it was occupied (actuality 31324).  It was not, and it appeared that the house had not been occupied recently.  Damage was set at $20,000.  There were no injuries.  The cause is under investigation.

DRUG HOUSE BUSTED FOR SECOND TIME IN TEN DAYS

(Richmond, IN)--It didn’t take long for a Richmond drug house to resume its operations.  This weekend, members of the Wayne County Drug Task Force arrested five people at a home in the first block of South 16th…the same house where eight people had been arrested less than two weeks ago.  Two people were charged for a second time.  They’re Jamie Johnson and Wesley Harris.  Three newcomers were also arrested.  They include Kody Stewart, Kena Stevens, and Jason Major.

20TH STREET BRIDGE TO CLOSE FOR MONTHS

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond’s 20th Street bridge over railroads tracks will close soon and will remain closed for much of the rest of the year.  That bridge is heavily used by people traveling back and forth from Richmond’s north and east sides.  The bridge has deteriorated to the point that it needs to be replaced.  It will be built with steel and will be a little higher to conform to railroad standards.  The bridge will close in about a month and is not expected to reopen until around November.

VANDALIA ROBBERY TRIO CAPTURED IN WAYNE COUNTY

(Wayne County, IN)--What started as a robbery of a pharmacy in Vandalia ended with the capture of three suspects in Wayne County Thursday night.  Ohio Highway Patrol troopers chased the suspects west on I-70 at speeds that, at one point, hit 118 miles per hour.  Stop sticks were deployed near the state line.  The suspects then bailed out near the weigh station just west of the U.S. 35 exit.  Two were caught after a short foot chase.  The third suspect was found in a salt barn.  One of the suspects is a juvenile.  All three are from central Indiana.

LOCAL LAWMAKER FILES BILL THAT COULD IMPOSE FEES TO ENTITIES LIKE REID HEALTH, EARLHAM COLLEGE

(Indianapolis, IN)--A bill has been filed that could have an impact on the budgets of local government.  If passed, it would allow counties to impose a service fee on entities that currently pay no property tax because of tax-exempt status.  In Richmond, that could include Reid Health, Earlham College, and Friends Fellowship.  Entities like those are often heavy users of city services.  The amount of the fee would be at the discretion of the county or municipality.  The bill has been filed by State Representative Tom Saunders, whose district covers part of the Whitewater Valley.

MAN ARRESTED FOR FIRING SHOT IN DOMESTIC DISPUTE

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was sent to the Wayne County Jail Thursday after a domestic incident that allegedly resulted in a shot fired at a home on Hayes Arboretum Road.  According to scanner traffic, a female occupant of the home barricaded herself in a bathroom.  43-year-old Matthew Thomas allegedly fired off one round with no report of any serious injuries.  He was charged with criminal recklessness and intimidation.  He has bonded out of jail.

RHS BOYS BASKETBALL FORFEITS ALL WINS

(Richmond, IN)--Even though the Richmond High School boys basketball team has won six games on the court this season, they have not won any at all on paper.  The IHSAA on Thursday ordered that Richmond forfeit all games to this point because of an error with information about a player who was a transfer student.  Richmond self-reported the error.  That player is now eligible.  Now, instead of being 6-11, the Red Devils are 0-17.  They travel to Lafayette to take on Harrison Friday night.  That game will air on 101.7 The Point.

RCS BOARD DISCUSSES DECREASING REVENUE

(Richmond, IN)--A decrease in funding has become a major concern for administrators and board members of Richmond Community Schools.  Wednesday night, CFO Karen Scalf told the board that tax caps have led to a 30% reduction in the funds the school system would normally get from property taxes.  Declining enrollment is also an issue.  Schools get state money on a per-pupil basis, and RCS lost another 40 students this school year.  Superintendent Todd Terrill did not discuss specific potential cuts and said that the top priority would be keeping cuts from affecting students.

MAN GIVES FALSE NAME DURING CHESTER BOULEVARD DRUG ARREST

(Richmond, IN)--A man in living in Richmond but wanted in central Indiana was captured Wednesday night on Chester Boulevard.  25-year-old Antonio Salcedo was allegedly in possession of three bags of marijuana and a hypodermic needle.  He initially gave police a false name.  Salcedo had been booked into the Wayne County Jail just a couple of months ago and gave police a false name then, too.  Since then, he had dyed his hair blonde.  It’s unclear whether or not he’s in the country legally.

AFFIDAVIT SHINES LIGHT ON STABBING MOTIVE

(Richmond, IN)--An affidavit that was filed Wednesday in Wayne Circuit Court sheds light on a possible motive in the stabbing death of a Richmond man earlier this month.  According to the document, a female witness said that Austin Sparks and James Childers got into a dispute over another woman outside Mack’s Place.  Sparks’ father exited the bar to separate the two when Childers reached around the father and stabbed Sparks.  Childers denied involvement in a police interview.

MAN WITH DRUGS ON I-70 SAID $2700 WAS FOR TRIP TO DENTIST

(Henry County, IN)--Officers this week stopped a car on I-70 just as it was about to enter Wayne County with a large amount of drugs.  A deputy in Henry County noticed the smell of marijuana after he pulled the car over for speeding.  When he searched a suspect, he found $2700 in cash in his pocket.  The man told the deputy he was unemployed and had the money for a trip to the dentist.  A further search uncovered heroin and crack cocaine in secret compartments.  The suspects are not from our area.

DRUG REHAB CENTER OPENS IN WAYNE COUNTY

(Cambridge City, IN)--A highly-anticipated drug rehab center has opened in Wayne County.  It’s Recovery Works at I-70 and State Road 1 near Cambridge City.  It’s a 32-bed residential facility.  CEO Joe Pritchard explained the need.  "Cambridge City, Richmond, Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky...this region is in top five in the country of opioid abuse," Pritchard said.  16 employees will provide round-the-clock assistance with detoxification.  "We will utilize services in the community.  We're going to work with vendors in the area," Pritchard added.  When final totals are in, more than 50 people will likely have died from overdoses in Wayne County last year.

MAN JAILED AFTER SHOTS FIRED AT NORTH 15th AND G

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was jailed Tuesday afternoon after allegedly firing a couple of shots during a fight at North 15th and G.  35-year-old Frank Deloney was taken into custody after police found shell casings in that area.  No one was injured.  Deloney was able to post a $15,000 bond and was set free six hours after his arrest.  There was another report of shots fired Tuesday about two blocks away.  There’s no word yet on whether or not they’re connected.

MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER HAVING BEEN SENTENCED FOR BATTERY A WEEK BEFORE STABBING

(Richmond, IN)--An arrest has been made in connection with last week’s murder on South F  Street in Richmond.  25-year-old James Childers, who is known to many as “Jim-Jim” was booked into the Wayne County Jail Monday night after being apprehended at South 9th and M.  Childers allegedly stabbed 22-year-old Austin Sparks last week.  Sparks died shortly afterward.  Investigators have not yet commented on what Childers’ motive was.  The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force helped with the investigation.  Just a week before the murder, Childers had appeared in a Wayne County courtroom to be sentenced for felony battery.  Childers was sentenced to a year and a half in jail with all but a hundred days suspended.  A judge ruled that Childers had already served his time and he was released.  Childers was jailed three different times last year.  Back in 2013, he was also jailed for battery and strangulation.

RICHMOND MANUFACTURER TO HOST EVENT AND DISTRIBUTE EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond manufacturer is inviting the public to learn about its company and its products.  Omen USA plans to create over a hundred jobs at its local facility in the next few years.  When it’s complete and operational in a few months, it will produce aluminum products for the automotive industry.  The get-acquainted event is set for January 31 at 4 p.m. on the campus of Ivy Tech.  It’s not a hiring event, but information will be distributed for people interested in working at Omen.

NETTLE CREEK ONE OF TEN INDIANA SCHOOLS TO MAKE COLLEGE BOARD'S HONOR ROLL

(Hagerstown, IN)--It’s a nice honor for Nettle Creek Schools.  Nettle Creek was one of only ten schools across Indiana to be named Monday to the College Board’s AP District Honor Roll.  Those schools are recognized for achieving increases in access to AP courses and for students in those classes maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA.  Nettle Creek Superintendent Bill Doering was surprised to learn of the award Monday and indicated that AP classes had been a point of focus recently.

TRI VILLAGE HAZING INVESTIGATION ENDS WITHOUT CRIMINAL CHARGES

(New Madison, OH)--The investigation into allegations of hazing by the Tri Village boys basketball team is now over, and no criminal charges will be filed.  Darke County Prosecutor Kelly Ormsby has issued a statement saying that after a lengthy review, he has determined that it’s not in the interest of justice to file any charges.  The decision comes after multiple alleged victims and suspects were interviewed after the allegations surfaced last month.

MASKED MAN ATTEMPTS ROBBERY AT RICHMOND BUSINESS

(Richmond, IN)--There was an attempted robbery overnight in Richmond.  It happened at Roxxy’s on South 11th.  The suspect entered the store at around midnight wearing a mask.  He fled before taking any cash or anything else.  He’s described only as a white male of average height.  Investigators are reviewing surveillance video and are still looking for the suspect.  The clerk indicated that she was not hurt.

AREA GRADUATION RATES IN MID 90'S

(Indianapolis, IN)--Graduation rates are out for Indiana high schools’ Class of 2016.  In the Whitewater Valley, just about every school was well over 90%.  That includes Richmond with a graduation rate of 95.7%.  That’s a vast improvement from a decade ago, when the school was termed a “dropout factory” in a report by John’s Hopkins University with a rate of under 60%.  Centerville, Northeastern, and Nettle Creek all had rates of between 94 and 96%.  Western Wayne was the Wayne County exception.  It’s rate was just 86.4%.  Randolph Southern had a perfect 100% rate.  Union High School had the lowest rate in our area at just 67%.

MAN FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES IN DOMESTIC ATTACK

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond woman suffered a head injury Thursday afternoon when she was pistol-whipped on North 21st Street.  24-year-old Scott Pierce allegedly entered the home with a gun as part of a domestic dispute and attacked the victim.  A child was also in the home at the time.  The victim’s injuries were non-life-threatening.  Pierce was in jail Friday morning facing charges that include aggravated battery, burglary, and pointing a firearm.

DRIVER STRUCK BY TRAIN AFTER DRIVING AROUND CROSSING GATE

(Eaton, OH)--A car was struck by a train in Eaton Friday morning.  It happened at about 1 o’clock Friday morning on Walnut Street.  The driver was a man who escaped with what appeared to be only minor injuries.  He was taken to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton to be checked out.  The man, who is an Eaton resident in his 30’s, tried to drive around a crossing gate to beat the train.  Several Eaton railroad crossings were blocked for over an hour.  The man’s name has not yet been released.

MAN ARRESTED FOR STRIPPING NAKED IN RAGE AT REID HEALTH

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was in the Wayne County Jail Friday morning after causing quite a scene Thursday night at Reid Health.  An allegedly-intoxicated 60-year-old Barry Reffitt was taken to Reid Thursday night and became unruly.  Reffitt allegedly stripped himself naked and began threatening medical staff members.  He was subdued by multiple officers and now faces two misdemeanor charges.

FIRE DAMAGES HOME ON WAYNE/RANDOLPH COUNTY LINE

(Wayne Co, IN)--Fire did heavy damage to a home Thursday night.  It broke out at just before 10 p.m. at a home in a remote area on the Wayne/Randolph County line and less than a mile from the state line.  Fighting the fire was made more difficult because of a nearby propane tank and ammunition in the house.  The home’s occupant was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.  There’s no word yet on what started the fire.

EIGHT JAILED IN RICHMOND DRUG RAID

(Richmond, IN)--Eight people were jailed Wednesday night after a drug raid in Richmond.  SWAT Team members and other officers arrived at 29 ½ South 16th, directly across from CVS, and executed a search warrant.  That home’s resident, 37-year-old Jamie Johnson, is charged with dealing meth, dealing cocaine, and maintaining a common nuisance.  The others who were jailed include Lyndsay Brown, Dillon Fultz, Wesley Harris, Nicholas Hibbard, Austin Kimble, and Christopher and Joshua Lawson.  Drugs and paraphernalia were also recovered.

REID TO OPEN NEW FACILITY ON MONDAY

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health has set Monday, January 23 as the opening day for its new ENT, Allergy, and Hearing Center on Chester Boulevard.  It’s opening at the long-time location of the Pediatric and Internal Medicine Center at the corner of Waterfall Road.  The old building was demolished and then replaced.  Reid said the new location would offer expanded services and a more comfortable environment.

VICTIM IN REPORTED ARMED ROBBERY LATER JAILED FOR FALSE INFORMING

(Richmond, IN)--There was a report of an armed robbery Wednesday night at North 15th and E in Richmond.  But, the man who is listed on the police report as the victim was later booked into the Wayne County Jail.  Police responded to the area and were given a suspect and vehicle description but did not locate anyone.  At 11:30 Wednesday night, the man listed as the victim in that case, 30-year-old Daniel Smith, was jailed for failure to appear and false informing.  Smith allegedly gave police an alias.  RPD has not yet said if they think the robbery report was legitimate.

CARBON MOTORS PRINCIPLES SEEK $20 MILLION FOR NEW ANTI-CRIME DEVICE

(Mountain View, CA)--Do you remember the names William Santani Lee and Stacy Dean Stephens?  They were two of the principles in the Carbon Motors project that was supposed to result in 1500 jobs in Connersville that never got off the ground.  Now, they’re back at it in California.  This week, they began trying to raise $20 million from investors for a robotic security device called Knightscope.  "My motto is that life is short, do what you want, and make a massive impact," Li said in a promotional video.  "Knightscope is in the business of solving problems.  And what greater problem to solve than crime?" wondered Stephens, sounding exactly he they did when they rolled out the Carbon Motors police car.  The device looks very much like R2D2 from Star Wars.

TEENS ARRESTED WITH GUNS, DRUGS, STOLEN ITEMS

(Richmond, IN)--There were a couple of arrests of note overnight.  Two Richmond teens, Noah Shaw and Devante Ferguson, were jailed at 3 o’clock Wednesday morning after they were stopped on U.S. 40 at McMinn Road near Centerville.  Stolen property, marijuana, and a gun were recovered.  And, at around midnight, 50-year-old Jessie Smith decided to push a wheelbarrow full of stolen tools across the Richmond Avenue bridge.  That drew the attention of police, who stopped Smith.  The tools, including a chain saw, had been stolen from North Carolina.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE HOOSIERS TO GET FLU SHOTS

(INDIANAPOLIS)- Indiana State health officials are urging you to get a flu shots following a recent surge in flu-like illnesses. The Indiana State Department of Health says flu cases are rising in many parts of the state and four people in Indiana have died from the flu since October. Doctors say everyone who is at least six months old and who is not allergic to the vaccine should get a flu shot every year, especially health care workers and pregnant women.

WAYNE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO PURCHASE CYBER SECURITY INSURANCE

(Wayne County)- The Wayne County Commissioners are buying cyber security insurance to help cover the cost of a potential hack of the county’s systems. Commissioners agreed to the one-year policy at a cost of roughly 85-hundred dollars following the hacking of Madison County’s computer systems in November. The installment of ransomware on the county’s computers forced them to conduct business using paper and pencil until Madison commissioners agreed to pay the ransom.

FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATING FIRE IN UNION COUNTY

(Union County)- The state fire marshal is now looking into a fire in Union County that killed a 71-year-old woman. Jane Martin was found dead in the home on Independence Lane in Liberty when firefighters arrived at the scene early Monday morning. Investigators say Martin was the only person inside the home. They say the fire appeared to ignite near a couch, but are still looking for an exact cause.

RPD INVESTIGATES MONDAY MORNING SHOOTING

(Richmond, IN)--There was a shooting in Richmond Monday morning.  It happened at around 2 o’clock Monday morning in the 200 block of North 19th.  According to scanner traffic, a child called 911 to report that someone had been shot through the shoulder.  Officers arrived and recovered a single-shot .22-caliber rifle from a woman on the scene.  The victim was initially uncooperative as he was taken to Reid Health.  It’s unclear whether the shooting was self-inflicted, accidental, or was the result of a shot fired from someone else.  The victim’s identity and condition have not been released.

NO ARRESTS IN WEEKEND STABBING DEATH

(Richmond, IN)--Investigators in Richmond are still searching for leads in the weekend stabbing death of a 22-year-old man.  Austin Sparks was found on the sidewalk outside of Mac’s Place in the 700 block of South F early Sunday morning.  Sparks was taken to Reid Health and was pronounced dead.  Police spent Sunday afternoon interviewing witnesses.  So far, though, no arrests have been made.  Investigators have not said what may have led to the incident and were still asking for the public’s help Monday morning.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER DRIVING INTO HOUSE

(Richmond, IN)--No one was seriously injured when an allegedly drunken driver drove his car into a house on Liberty Avenue in Richmond Sunday night.  At 8:30 Sunday night, the car driven by 43-year-old Jason Williamson hit a house in the 1000 block of Liberty Avenue.  Williamson then allegedly left the scene and tried to walk to a relative’s house.  He was caught, taken to Reid Health, and then arrested.  There was no significant damage to the home.

LAKENGREN RESIDENTS FIGHT PROPOSED DOLLAR GENERAL

(Preble County, OH)--Hundreds of residents inside the gated Preble County community of Lakengren are teaming up to try to fight a proposed retail development.  A Dollar General store is being pursued on State Route 732 at Winters Road…less than a half-mile from Lakengren’s front gate.  Residents say it’s an unsafe location and worry about runoff into the lake.  There are already two Dollar Generals in Eaton and 13 more within a 30-mile radius.  More than 300 people have signed a petition opposing Dollar General.  A zoning hearing is set for Thursday.

SHOTS FIRED CALL DETERMINED TO BE UNFOUNDED

(Richmond, IN)--There was a large police presence on Richmond’s south side late Thursday night.  It began when someone called 911 and said he was chasing a man who had just shot someone near South 12th and E.  Officers swarmed the area and later determined that no shots were fired.  Residents all across Richmond’s south side reported hearing a loud boom.  The source of that loud noise has not been determined.

LOCAL DEMOCRATS TO PROTEST OBAMACARE REPEAL

(Connersville, IN)--Some area Democrats are planning a protest this weekend.  Democrats from the 6th Congressional District, which includes Wayne County and the entire Whitewater Valley, are planning to gather at the Fayette County Courthouse on Sunday.  They’ll be holding a “Save Healthcare” rally on the courthouse lawn at noon.  It’s in response to a Republican effort to repeal Obamacare.  Similar demonstrations will take place all across Indiana on Sunday.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO RAPED 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS

(Greenville, OH)--An illegal immigrant who raped a 13-year-old girl in October in Darke County was sentenced to just five years behind bars Thursday.  29-year-old Hermelando Chacon had four charges against him, including abduction and a second rape charge, dropped in exchange for a guilty plea on one rape charge.  Chacon could face deportation when his sentence is complete.  The young girl’s father called the sentence “utterly ridiculous.”

HOUSING AUTHORITY PURCHASES TOWNSEND CENTER'S MORTGAGE

(Richmond, IN)--According to a statement from the Housing Authority of the city of Richmond, that organization has purchased the mortgage for the Townsend Community Center from First Bank, Richmond to guarantee the building’s safety and security for the future.  A building emergency prompted the purchase.  Part of the building closed two months ago due to damage to the roof and supporting structures.  Repairs began last week.

SPEEDS HIT 120 M.P.H. IN CHASE THAT BEGAN IN RICHMOND

(Richmond, IN)--There was a high-speed chase late Wednesday night that began in Richmond and ended just outside of Dayton.  It began at around 10:30 p.m. in the 3400 block of East Main.  Scanner traffic indicated the man fled east and, at one point, narrowly missed striking a Wayne County deputy.  The suspect went onto I-70 and into Preble County at speeds of 120 miles per hour.  The Ohio Highway Patrol used stop sticks on the suspect in Montgomery County and took him into custody there.  His name has not been released.

OVERDOSE CALL LEADS TO ARREST

(Richmond, IN)--First responders in Richmond were busy handling a series of drug overdoses Wednesday night and Thursday morning.  CPR was in progress on an overdose victim on National Road West at 4:45 this morning.  Two hours before that, there was an OD on North 17th Street.  And, five hours before that, there was an overdose requiring CPR at the trailer court at the intersection of State Road 227 and New Paris Pike.  There was an arrest in that case.  29-year-old Katrina Eddy is now being held for another jurisdiction.

EATON POLICE SEARCH FOR RUNAWAY TEEN

(Eaton, OH)--Eaton police have issued an alert for a teenage girl who they’ve classified as missing and endangered.  16-year-old Jami Hounshell left her home on her own accord on Sunday and has not been seen since.  She left in a 2000 minivan, possibly with a man named Dalton Knisley.  Hounshell also goes by the name “Alex” and is 5-7, 140 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.  She has a tattoo of the outline of a heart on her upper left arm.

REID BEGINS 48-HOUR FOLLOW-UP FOR NEWBORNS

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health has now taken steps to help new mothers and their infants.  The Mother-Baby Care Center has begun to provide follow-up appointments for new mothers 48 hours after they’re released from the hospital.  The goal is to identify problems like poor feeding, jaundice, or post-partum issues.  Reid recently became the tenth hospital in Indiana to receive what’s known as a baby-friendly designation.

ICY CRASH CLOSES 227 OVERNIGHT

(Richmond, IN)--For the second straight morning, icy roads were an issue across the Whitewater Valley on Wednesday.  Slick roads may have been a contributing factor to a crash that occurred at midnight Tuesday night / Wednesday morning at State Road 227 and Fouts Road.  227 was closed for a short time.  One person was taken to Reid Health.  High winds were also an overnight issue, knocking down some trees and causing some power outages.  The wind blew a chunk of roof off of a Mosey Manufacturing building.  It landed on nearby railroad tracks and was removed by RPD officers.

PREBLE COUNTY MAN DIES IN CRASH ON I-70

(Clayton, OH)--A Preble County man is dead after a car crash late Tuesday afternoon on I-70 near Clayton.  Investigators believe that 77-year-old Richard Schlenk Senior of Lewisburg suffered some sort of medical condition just before losing control, going off the interstate, and striking a barn-like structure off the roadway.  An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.  Schlenk is the second Preble County resident to die in a crash in less than a week.  National Trail student Olivia Wallace was killed last Saturday.

FRANKLIN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS WILL CONSOLIDATE

(Brookville, IN)--Beginning with the start of the next school year, all Franklin County 7th and 8th graders will be going to what is now Brookville Middle School.  The board this week voted in favor of consolidating the three current middle school locations into one.  It means students in those grades in Laurel and Cedar Grove will no longer attend school in those towns.  A transition committee will now be assembled to work out bussing and other logistical issues.

RHS GRAD SWEARS IN INDIANA'S NEW GOVERNOR

(Indianapolis, IN)--Indiana has a new governor.  Eric Holcomb was sworn in Monday as Indiana’s 51st governor.  Several Whitewater Valley representatives were on hand to hear Holcomb talk about efforts to improve the economy, schools, and to tackle the drug epidemic.  Loretta Rush, who is a Richmond High School graduate and now the chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, swore Holcomb in.  Former Indiana Governors Mike Pence, Mitch Daniels, and Evan Bayh were all on hand for the swearing-in.

SHOOTING VICTIM ARRIVES AT PREBLE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER

(Eaton, OH)--A shooting victim showed up at the Preble County Medical Center Tuesday morning.  One person pulled into the emergency area with a victim in the vehicle at around 2 o’clock Tuesday morning.  The driver said the man had actually been shot in the Muncie area.  The investigation has been turned over to Delaware County authorities.  The man was shot in the leg and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.  They’re trying to determine why the people would have traveled from Muncie to Eaton to be treated for a gunshot wound.

NEW MADISON VILLAGE EMPLOYEE ARRAIGNED FOR FELONY THEFT

(Greenville, OH)--A former New Madison village employee was arraigned Monday for allegedly stealing more than $21,000 during the five years that she held various titles with the village.  41-year-old Wanda Lacey now faces a felony charge of theft in offices.  The alleged thefts occurred from 2010 until 2015.  If convicted, she faces up to 18 months behind bars and an order to pay restitution.

FORMER CENTERVILLE MAN DEAD AFTER POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING

(Phoenix, AZ)--A former Centerville man has died after a confrontation with police in Phoenix.  It happened last week, and details have now been released.  31-year-old Dustin Selby first robbed a dollar store.  "The suspect had held the victim at knifepoint," said a police spokesperson.  Officers then found Selby a few blocks away armed with an eight-inch knife.  "The suspect hid himself underneath a blanked.  He was Tased.  The situation escalated from that point," the spokesperson added.  One officer  opened fire and shot Selby dead when Selby approached.  Selby had a criminal record in Wayne County that included burglary and probation violations.

122 HEROIN-ADDICTED MOTHERS GAVE BIRTH AT REID IN 2016

(Richmond, IN)--Three out of every ten mothers who gave birth at Reid Health had some type of illegal drug in their system last year.  That unbelievable statistic was delivered at the last Heroin is Here meeting in Richmond.  That amounts to 211 women.  122 of those were addicted to heroin.  Other drugs included marijuana, cocaine, and barbiturates.  Also, when toxicology results are complete, more than 50 people will have died from drug overdoses in Wayne County last year.

COUNSELORS TO HELP STUDENTS DEAL WITH NATIONAL TRAIL DEATH

(New Paris, OH)--Grief counselors will be on hand at National Trail Monday to help students cope with the loss of a classmate.  16-year-old Olivia Wallace was killed on Saturday when she lost control of her car on Orphans Road in Preble County and struck a tree.  She was the only person in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Investigators are still looking into what caused her to lose control.  A gofundme account has been established to help with Olivia’s funeral expenses.

FIVE ARRESTED FOR JAIL DRUG-SMUGGLING SCHEME

(Winchester, IN)--A plan to smuggle drugs into the Randolph County Jail has resulted in felony charges for five people.  Court documents indicate Matthew Culy got Suboxone strips while away from the jail on work release and smuggled them in to inmates.  Culy would leave the strips on his food tray for a kitchen worker, Maci Atkinson, to pick up and distribute.  James Shockley, Gary Thornburg, and Kyle Hartman have also been charged.

NEW VIDEO SHOWS CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE INSIDE OLD REID

(Richmond, IN)--There’s a relatively new posting on youtube that shows the continually deteriorating conditions that exist inside the old Reid Hospital building.  The video was shot a couple of months ago but is becoming known and gaining views from local residents.  The new video is an hour long, of high quality, and goes through each part of the old hospital, which is now virtually unrecognizable.

 

 

RPD RECOVERS LARGE AMOUNT OF METH DURING TRAFFIC STOP

(Richmond, IN)--A significant amount of methamphetamine was recovered during the arrest of a Preble County man in Richmond Thursday.  Officers began searching a car occupied by 42-year-old Jason Lawson of Lewisburg near 11th and East Main.  A  large amount of meth was found in the center console.  More meth and drug paraphernalia was found in several spots in the car, which had Florida tags and was loaded down with luggage.  Lawson was still in the Wayne County Jail Friday morning.  Police have not said exactly how much meth was recovered.

SHOTS FIRED CALL RESULTS IN TWO DRUG ARRESTS

(Richmond, IN)--A call of possible gunshots in the first block of South 13 brought Richmond police to that area at around 4 o’clock Tuesday morning.  While there’s no word on the gunshots, police did arrest two people on drug charges.  Erica Petry was allegedly found with marijuana and 22-year-old Marcus Williams was allegedly in possession of heroin.  There were two other arrests in the first block of South 13th Monday, including Corey Gross for criminal recklessness.

BUTT DIALERS ESCAPE MANHUNT

(Preble County, OH)--There was a large manhunt Sunday near the state line for two suspects who have earned quite a reputation recently.  You may know them as the Fountain City Butt Dialers after they were first arrested last month when they accidentally dialed 911 from a stolen U-Haul in Randolph County.  They had been arrested two other times in the last month.  On Sunday, police pursued another stolen U-Haul from South 16th in Richmond.  The two bailed out in a farm field on Paint Road near New Westville.  Police officers from multiple jurisdictions searched a wooded area.  A helicopter was brought in from Butler County, but the Butt Dialers could not be found.  Drugs were found in the stolen U-Haul.

DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY TO OPEN AT MONTH'S END

(Cambridge City, IN)--The opening of a Wayne County addiction treatment facility is now just a month away.  Pinnacle Treatment Centers’ Recovery Works is now set to open on January 31 at I-70 and State Road 1 near Cambridge City.  Issues with wastewater and design delayed the opening by almost a year.  The facility is an inpatient rehab and residential program, but is not a methadone clinic.  It will have 32 beds.  The average patient will stay 3-4 weeks and will be under constant medical supervision.

WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER INTERFERING WITH OVERDOSE CALL

(Richmond, IN)--Medics have responded to three more drug overdoses in Richmond Sunday night and into Monday morning, and one of them has landed a Richmond woman in jail.  There was an OD on New Paris Pike Sunday night, another one at South 8th and A at around midnight, and then, early Monday morning, first responders were sent to the Country Club Apartments.  There, they found another overdose victim and also encountered 42-year-old Angela Aponte, who allegedly interfered with medics on the scene.  Aponte has been charged with obstruction of justice and maintaining a common nuisance.

LAKENGREN RESIDENT INJURED IN FALL THROUGH CEILING

(Eaton, OH)--A Preble County man was seriously injured in a home accident Sunday.  The man was in his attic when he fell through to the cement garage floor below.  It happened Sunday afternoon on England Drive in Lakengren.  He was Careflighted to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.  His name and condition have not been released.

52 TO REMAIN CLOSED FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER LANDSLIDE

(Brookville, IN)--U.S. 52 on the south edge of Brookville is expected to remain closed for another two weeks.  That’s after a landslide brought down the large stone wall that ran along the roadway on a hill.  The slide actually happened the day after Christmas.  INDOT has released a new statement saying that engineers have been discussing how to repair the area.  The limestone wall was built about 40 years ago.

Archives:

2023-09 | 2023-08 | 2023-07 | 2023-06 | 2023-05 | 2023-04 | 2023-03 | 2023-02 | 2023-01 | 2022-12 | 2022-11 | 2022-10 | 2022-09 | 2022-08 | 2022-07 | 2022-06 | 2022-05 | 2022-04 | 2022-03 | 2022-02 | 2022-01 | 2021-12 | 2021-11 | 2021-10 | 2021-09 | 2021-08 | 2021-07 | 2021-06 | 2021-05 | 2021-04 | 2021-03 | 2021-02 | 2021-01 | 2020-12 | 2020-11 | 2020-10 | 2020-09 | 2020-08 | 2020-07 | 2020-06 | 2020-05 | 2020-04 | 2020-03 | 2020-02 | 2020-01 | 2019-12 | 2019-11 | 2019-10 | 2019-09 | 2019-08 | 2019-07 | 2019-06 | 2019-05 | 2019-04 | 2019-03 | 2019-02 | 2019-01 | 2018-12 | 2018-11 | 2018-10 | 2018-09 | 2018-08 | 2018-07 | 2018-06 | 2018-05 | 2018-04 | 2018-03 | 2018-02 | 2018-01 | 2017-12 | 2017-11 | 2017-10 | 2017-09 | 2017-08 | 2017-07 | 2017-06 | 2017-05 | 2017-04 | 2017-03 | 2017-02 | 2017-01 | 2016-12 | 2016-11 | 2016-10 | 2016-09 | 2016-08 | 2016-07 | 2016-06 | 2016-05 | 2016-04 | 2016-03 | 2016-02 | 2016-01 | 2015-12 | 2015-11 | 2015-10 | 2015-09 | 2015-08 | 2015-07 | 2015-06 | 2015-05 | 2015-04 | 2015-03 | 2015-02 | 2015-01 | 2014-12 | 2014-11