Local News Archives for 2017-02

COUNCIL SETS GOAL OF FALL OF '18 TO BEGIN OLD REID DEMOLITION

(Richmond, IN)--If a newly-established timeline holds true, demolition of the old Reid Hospital building in Richmond will begin in the fall of next year.  Members of Richmond Common Council met Monday night with city administrators to discuss the mammoth eyesore.  The timeline was set as a goal with the realization that another remediation will have to take place to determine that amount of contaminants at the site.  That will cost at least a half-million dollars.  Council will take demolition costs into consideration when budget discussions for next year begin this summer.  The total cost of demolition and clean-up will likely be north of $10 million.

VIA'S DEFENSE: GUN WAS DEFECTIVE

(Richmond, IN)--The murder trial of Stephen Via got underway Monday in Wayne Circuit Court.  Via is on trial for shooting and killing Stacey Mosier in June of last year.  In opening statements, Via’s attorney said his client was responsible for the shooting, but blamed it on a defective gun.  That claim was refuted by the state’s first witness.  She claimed that Via was very upset at Mosier, that he showed no emotion in describing the shooting, and that he had thought about shooting himself.  Several RPD investigators testified about finding the body and other evidence.  The trial resumes Tuesday morning.

INDOT AWARDS CONTRACT FOR UPTOWN RICHMOND STREET CONSTRUCTION

(Richmond, IN)--The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Monday that it had awarded a nearly $24 million contract to fix parts of U.S. 40 and U.S. 27 in the Uptown Richmond area.  Preliminary work could begin as soon as tomorrow on stretches of South 8th and South A Streets.  The project will also include the elimination of the jog in the road just south of the railroad overpass at the Depot District.  The project won’t be completely done until the end of next year.

POLICE IDENTIFY LIKELY CAMDEN BANK ROBBER

(Camden, OH)--Police in Camden are looking for a man who they say robbed the First Financial Bank Monday.  Investigators say it was likely 32-year-old Stephen Anderson of Camden who entered the bank and handed the teller a note demanding money.  He fled with some cash, but was quickly identified after bank surveillance video was viewed.  Police are now asking for the public’s help in locating Stephen Anderson.

NEW KIDS COUNT REPORT MOSTLY NEGATIVE FOR WAYNE COUNTY

(Wayne County, IN)--The Indiana Youth Institute on Monday released its annual Kids Count data for Wayne County..  In the last year, the teen birth rate in Wayne County has held steady.  For every 1000 babies born locally, about 17 are born to girls between the ages of 15 and 17.  For all mothers, regardless of age, 22% admit that they smoked during pregnancy.  That’s an increase of more than a full percentage point.  Wayne County is also continuing with a trend it started about a decade ago.  More than half of the babies born locally – 54% - are born to unmarried parents.  That figure has never been that high.  There are two very disturbing figures where the safety of Wayne County children is concerned.  In the last year that numbers have been available, the number of children in need of services is up 123%.  The number had held steady for the previous three years but skyrocketed this year.  Even more disturbing…the number of adults who have had their parental right terminated is up 300%.  There are some positive numbers for Wayne County kids and economics.  In the most recent figures, the percentage of kids living in poverty is down to 28%.  That’s down from 33% four years ago.  The number of Wayne County residents on food stamps has dropped substantially in the last year.  800 fewer people are receiving help in that area.  On the downside, though, median household income has dropped.  It’s down to $38,500.  Last year, it was $41,000.

CHILD FINDS LOADED HANDGUN OUTSIDE RICHMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

(Richmond, IN)--A child found a loaded gun in a bush at an elementary school in Richmond late Sunday afternoon.  According to police reports, the child found a Glock handgun with a round in the chamber on the east side of Vaile Elementary School.  The child picked up the weapon, flagged down a police officer, and handed the gun over without incident.  Officers checked the serial number and determined it had not been stolen.  There was a weekend shooting about five blocks away from where the gun was found Sunday night.  There’s no word on whether or not the gun may have been used in that incident.  The age and sex of the child that found the gun has not been released.

METHAMPHETAMINE FOUND STUFFED IN SHOE AT DOLLAR GENERAL

(Richmond, IN)--Methamphetamine was found stuffed in a shoe for sale at a Richmond Dollar General store Sunday night.  Police had been called to the southside Dollar General on Saturday night on the report of a man acting strangely.  That man was not arrested.  Then, Sunday night, methamphetamine was found in a shoe.  An unconfirmed report indicates that a seven-year-old girl located the drugs.  Police arrived and took the methamphetamine.

TWO PEDESTRIANS SERIOUSLY HURT IN SEPARATE PREBLE COUNTY INCIDENTS

(Preble County, OH)--A 40-year-old man was unresponsive at the scene after apparently being crushed by a car Sunday night at the Five Points Center on North Barron Street in Eaton.  That man was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.  His identity and condition have not been released by Monday morning.  It was one of two incidents where someone was injured by a car in Preble County Sunday night.  One person was unresponsive after being struck by a car on Wikel Road in Eldorado.  Again, there’s been no word on the victim’s identity or condition.

RHS GRAD INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION OF OSCAR-WINNING FILM

(Los Angeles, CA)--A Richmond High School graduate had a role in a movie that won an Oscar Sunday night.  Katie Reihman is a 2004 RHS graduate and is now a lighting artist for Walt Disney Animation Studios.  She was involved in the production of Zootopia, which won Sunday night for Best Animated Feature Film.  Reihman did not attend last night’s Academy Awards.  She also worked on the hit movie Frozen.

MAYOR TO DELIVER STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

(Richmond, IN)--"We can think in a very different way and still be very successful." That's what then-candidate for Richmond Mayor Dave Snow before he took office more than a year ago.  Now, 14 months into his tenure, Snow has announced he will deliver a State of the City address.  It will happen this coming Thursday and will cover a wide range of topics, including economic development, crime, drugs, and infrastructure.  Snow said it’s important for the community to hear directly from the mayor.  You can watch the address live on WCTV beginning at 6 p.m.

CAREER DRUG OFFENDER CHARGED AS HABITUAL OFFENDER

(Richmond, IN)--A career Richmond drug offender is facing substantially more prison time after a pre-trial hearing Thursday.  42-year-old Torrie Mayberry has been charged as a habitual offender.  Mayberry was arrested on South 8th earlier this month for possession and selling 28 grams of cocaine.  He already has two drug convictions.  Mayberry was in jail for only an hour Thursday before posting bond and being released.  The habitual offender designation could double Mayberry’s time behind bars if he’s convicted.

STOVE FIRE SPREADS, DAMAGES KING ROAD HOME

(Webster, IN)--What started as a fire on a stove spread and did heavy damage to a home near Webster late Thursday night.  It happened at a home on King Road near Tingler Road.  One man was inside and was able to get out unharmed.  By the time firefighters arrived, flames could be seen coming from the back door.  Firefighters cleared the scene early Friday morning.  There’s no word yet on the dollar amount of the damage.

MISSING NEW MADISON TEEN FOUND UNHARMED

(New Madison, OH)--A missing New Madison teenager has been found unharmed.  13-year-old Tyler Weimer went missing from his home on Weavers-Fort Jefferson Road on Wednesday afternoon.  The Darke County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert.  With help from a helicopter from Butler County, deputies searched overnight in fields and wooded areas.  Then, early Thursday afternoon, a deputy searching near Godfrey Road located the boy.  He did not appear hurt.  It appears that he left his home voluntarily.

BROOKVILLE INVESTMENT REP ORDERED TO REPAY $800,000

(Brookville, IN)--A Brookville investment representative has been ordered to repay $800,000 to victims and has been stripped of his license.  Michael Wiesemann is the owner of MAH Investment Management.  The order is part of a settlement after Wiesemann targeted elderly investors over a ten-year period.  He used proceeds from his victims to purchase a million-dollar home on Sanibel Island, Florida.  Wiesemann’s Brookville office is now closed.

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FORMALLY RECEIVES JAIL ACCREDITIATION

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County was formally given its accreditation Tuesday from the National Institute for Jail Operations.  Wayne County is the first in a three-state region to receive that designation, and it’s meaningful for several reasons.  Sheriff Jeff Cappa said it’s a protection to taxpayers.  The percentage of liability to a taxpayer for a jail is normally around 70%.  "When you are accredited in your jail operations, especially in the legal-based part of it, then you take that liability down from 70% to 28 or 30%," Cappa said.  Cappa credited his staff.  "Correctional officer is one of the most stressful jobs...just like a law enforcement officer.  It takes a special person to do that kind of work."  The jail had to meet 600 guidelines and work for two years to get the accreditation.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON BARKING DOG ORDINANCE

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council met Tuesday night and once again addressed a revised ordinance aimed at penalizing pet owners who allow their dogs to bark.  Tuesday night, public comment was taken.  Council member Jamie Lopeman said there were several complaints about one area of the city.  "Centered on the North 11th area and an ongoing issue, but the ordinance is for a citywide improvement for resources for our law enforcement officers."  Members of the Richmond Police Department have said that the ordinance, as it’s currently written, is difficult to enforce.  The new ordinance will likely come up again in two weeks.

DRUGS FOUND DURING ARREST ON SOUTH 6th

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Police were sent to an area around South 6th and Oakland Avenue late Tuesday night on the report that two people had locked themselves in a bathroom and that other people were outside with guns.  Officers quickly discovered that drugs were involved after stopping a truck nearby.  The driver of that truck, who was later identified as 37-year-old James Thacker, was arrested for possession of cocaine or narcotic drug.  No injuries were reported.

FOUNTAIN CITY POLICE CHIEF SAYS JOB NOT IN JEOPARDY AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION

(Fountain City, IN)--Fountain City residents rallied Tuesday night in support of Police Chief Aron Tutt as the town’s council held an executive session.  Some feared Tutt’s job was in jeopardy.  Afterward, Tutt posted a message on social media.  Tutt wrote that it’s been said that his job is not in jeopardy and thanked residents for their support.  Tuesday night’s executive session – which was off limits to the public – dealt in part with employee and law enforcement policies.

TWO WAYNE COUNTY MEN ARRESTED IN SEPARATE METH INCIDENTS

(Wayne County, IN)--While heroin gets lots of attention in Wayne County, methamphetamine use also remains an issue.  There were two more arrests Monday.  Monday morning, 19-year-old Robert Seward was caught at Main and Center Streets in Cambridge City.  Monday afternoon, 25-year-old Dillon Fultz was arrested at 12th and North E in Richmond.  Both were in possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.  The cases are unrelated.  Both Seward and Fultz were in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning.

GREENVILLE POLICE SEEK SPEEDWAY ROBBER

(Greenville, OH)--Police in Greenville Monday released a surveillance image of a man who held up a Speedway station over the weekend.  Investigators hope someone recognizes a man who held up the Speedway station on East Main in Greenville on Sunday.  He never displayed a gun, but indicated that he had one.  The clerk was not hurt.  A Walgreen across the street was robbed last year.  Police have not said if they believe the robberies are connected.

WARM WEATHER PUTS LOCAL FRUIT CROP IN JEOPARDY

(New Paris, OH)--Temperatures in the 60’s will continue this week with a full month of winter left.  While it’s good for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s putting the local fruit crop in jeopardy.  "Bud development starts to occur once you reach 60 degrees for several days in a row," said Ron Wesler at Wesler’s Orchard in New Paris.  Freezing overnight temperatures will kill those buds off.  "That's our fear.  Once they develop, there's no turning back," Wesler explained.  Wesler’s has had two complete crop losses to warm weather since 2000.  Another year, they lost half the crop.  "Previous to that - and we've been here since 1930 - we've never had an entire crop lost," Wesler added.  Peaches, berries and other fruits are also in jeopardy.

METH RECOVERED DURING BURGLARY ARREST

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was arrested Sunday on a host of drug-related charges.  37-year-old David Lamb is also an alleged burglar.  Officers recovered methamphetamine, controlled substances, and syringes when they caught Lamb at a home on Rich Road.  He’ll have an initial hearing in Wayne Circuit Court sometime in the next 48 hours.

TWO BOND OUT AFTER NEGLECT OF A DEPENDENT ARREST

(Richmond, IN)--A week ago, we told you that Wayne County had had 344 cases of child neglect last year.  Over the weekend, two Richmond residents were arrested for neglect of a dependent.  26-year-old Ashlie Butts and 28-year-old  Robert Jasso were taken into custody on what has become a problem area – Glen Court.  Butts and Jasso were able to come up with a thousand dollars each and were released from jail.  Jail records indicate Butts was arrested for theft last month.  Jasso has previous marijuana and alcohol convictions.

SOUTH 15th RESIDENT HOLDS WOULD-BE BURGLAR AT GUNPOINT

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond homeowner held a would-be burglar at gunpoint Thursday night.  It happened in the 600 block of South 15th when a man later identified as 34-year-old Charles Gellinger allegedly tried to enter a home.  Gellinger quickly found himself on the business end of a Glock handgun.  The homeowner ordered Gellinger face down on the ground and held him there until police arrived and took him to jail.  Gellinger had a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit.

AT LEAST ONE PERSON SERIOUSLY INJURED IN LYNN CRASH

(Lynn, IN)--There was a serious crash on U.S. 27 near Lynn.  Only a few details have been released, but at least one person was seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash that happened at around 6:30 Thursday night in the 400 block of South Main.  It apparently was caused by a car that failed to stop for another that was trying to make a left turn.  A medical helicopter transported at least one victim.  Names and conditions have not been released.  Traffic on 27 was affected for more than an hour.

MAN'S ARREST WAS FOURTH IN A MONTH

(Richmond, IN)--On Wednesday, Kicks 96 and The Point News reported that New Paris’s Joshua Lawson had been arrested on Tuesday on North 13th in Richmond for dealing cocaine and methamphetamine.  New information reveals It was the fourth arrest for Lawson in less than a month.  He was arrested in a drug raid at a home on South 16th last month, he stands accused of battering a police officer in an incident three days after that, and he was arrested last Saturday in Richmond for drug possession.

NEW PARIS STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT HITS SNAG

(New Paris, OH)--The reconstruction of New Paris’s most heavily traveled east-west street has hit a snag.  Funding from the state has been temporarily pulled for Phase II of the Cherry Street reconstruction project.  The state recently changed its grant guidelines by dividing Ohio in half.  One half can apply for grants in even years with the other half in odd years.  New Paris now cannot apply until next year.  The village could now have to come up with another $200,000.

ALLEGED METH, COCAINE DEALER CAPTURED

(Richmond, IN)--A wanted alleged methamphetamine and cocaine dealer was captured Tuesday afternoon in Richmond.  25-year-old Joshua Lawson of New Paris was in the Wayne County Jail Wednesday morning.  That arrest comes on the heels of a Monday arrest by the Wayne County Drug Task Force.  35-year-old Thomas Pentecost was taken into custody during a raid by the force and a SWAT team at his home in the 100 block of North Main in Greens Fork.  Investigators found drug paraphernalia and cash.

ANIMAL CARE ALLIANCE TO CONSTRUCT BUILDING AT NEW LOCATION

(Richmond, IN)--A new home is in the works for Animal Care Alliance.  That’s the organization that is providing low-cost veterinary care from a facility on U.S. 40 near Round Barn Road.  A brand-new building that’s about 2/3 larger than the current building will be constructed on Abington Pike close to Test Road.  Permits for construction were issued last week.  The building is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

TRUCKER WHO DIED ON I-70 WORKED FOR COMPANY WITH LONG HISTORY OF CRASHES AND COMPLAINTS

(Preble County, OH)--The truck driver who died Monday night in a crash on I-70 near the state line drove for a company with a long history of problems.  That driver has now been identified as a 41-year-old Missouri man.  He drove for Swift Transportation.  That company has had 650 crashes in the last two years.  Ten percent of those have been fatal.  Violations have been found in 31% of inspections.  In Monday night’s crash, the driver never slowed down before plowing into a line of stopped traffic.

MURDERER'S APPEAL DENIED

(Liberty, IN)--The appeal of a Union County murderer has been denied.  Bert McQueen shot and killed Brandon Wicker in Brownsville nearly two and a half years ago.  McQueen was sentenced to 63 years in prison.  McQueen appealed, claiming the sentence was inappropriate and that the murder was not particularly gruesome.  The appeals court disagreed.  At the end of the sentence, McQueen would be 108 years old.

NO SERIOUS INJURIES REPORTED IN BARN COLLAPSE

(Hagerstown, IN)--There were no serious injuries when a barn collapsed in Wayne County.  The original call to 911 at 3:30 Sunday afternoon indicated that as many as 50 people were inside a barn in the 7400 block of Baker Road a few miles north of Hagerstown.  First responders from multiple agencies arrived to find that an 8400-square foot hoop barn had collapsed, but only four people suffered minor injuries.  Three of those people were taken to Reid Health.  Investigators have not said what caused the collapse, but high winds were prevalent throughout the day Sunday.

FRANKLIN COUNTY WORKS TO FIX $2 MILLION BUDGET MISTAKE

(Brookville, IN)--Franklin County is dealing with a massive budget mistake for this year.  The county submitted a budget to the state that was $2 million over what it was intended to be, and the state approved it.  The $2-million error was discussed on Friday and came about because a budget that was a wish-list budget was sent to the state.  One county council member said that the county would be broke by the end of the year if the error is not corrected.

WAYNE COUNTY CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES INCREASE 30% IN 2016

(Wayne County, IN)--Final child abuse and neglect numbers have been tallied, and they show a shocking increase in Wayne County.  In 2016, according to the Indiana Department of Child Services, Wayne County had 344 new child abuse or neglect cases.  That’s nearly one new case every day.  It also represents a 30% increase in the number of cases from the previous year.  Local authorities who work with the cases have said that the overwhelming majority of cases are tied to parents who use drugs.

RP&L WARNS OF PAYMENT SCAM

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Power & Light is warning of a scam that could affect you when you’re paying your electric bill.  RP&L Spokesperson Susan Alexander said that doxo.com has created a website page that makes customers think they’re paying their RP&L bill, when they’re really paying doxo.com.  Alexander is warning customers to avoid using that website to pay electric bills.

JAIL REINFORCEMENTS COMPLETE AFTER 2016 ESCAPE

(Connersville, IN)--Upgrades are now complete at the Fayette County Jail.  In June of last year, Chad Heath and Michael Roberts carved their way through a concrete block wall, broke through a brick wall, and escaped.  They were caught after a few days on the loose.  Commissioners were told this week that steel reinforcement of all the cells at the Fayette County Jail is now complete.

MAN PRONOUNCED DEAD AT REID AFTER POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING

(Brookville, IN)--There was an officer-involved shooting in northern Franklin County Wednesday that resulted in one man’s death.  It began when an 82-year-old woman went to law enforcement to report that her grandson was acting erratically.  A deputy arrived at a home on State Road 101 across from Hickory Woods Campground.  That deputy encountered 29-year-old Don Parker Junior, who was armed with multiple weapons.  Two Brookville police officers arrived on the scene as Parker stepped onto a porch with at least one gun.  "Due to his actions and him waving the weapons around and pointing them in their direction, they chose to take action and to stop that threat," said Stephen Wheeles with the Indiana State Police.  Both officers shot Parker.  He was taken to Reid Health where he was pronounced dead.

REID CITES VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FOR HELPING ADDICTED NEWBORNS

(Richmond, IN)--112 babies have been born at Reid Health in the last two years that were addicted to drugs at birth because their mothers were addicts.  Today, Reid is citing a volunteer program for helping those babies.  It’s called “Baby Rocker”. Doctors say that in addition to medical treatment, the babies simply need to feel the human touch.  Volunteers do just that…hold and rock the babies.  Addicted babies can be hospitalized for up to a month.  If you’d like to be a volunteer baby rocker, contact Reid Health.

NO INJURIES IN HOTEL CEILING COLLAPSE

(Richmond, IN)--A ceiling collapsed at the Holiday Inn in Richmond early Wednesday morning.  Mike Davis explains what firefighters encountered when they arrived at around 12:30 Wednesday morning.  "We found heavy water flow from a broken sprinkler head and a ceiling collapse in an area outside of a couple of conference rooms."  All of the hotel’s 99 rooms had been sold for the night, but none of the occupants were in danger.  "No rooms were compromised.  There were no public safety issues to worry about," Davis said.  Davis added that some guests went outside.  Others remained inside.  "There was not a total evacuation, but everybody was awake and aware of what was going on."  Clean-up will continue Wednesday.

STATE POLICE INVESTIGATOR FINDS NO WRONGDOING IN SUE ROBERSON CASE

(Richmond, IN)--The Indiana State Police has reversed what it said last week in the case of Sue Roberson.  Roberson is the former city of Richmond’s Human Resources Director who was fired last fall in the wake of an investigation.  Kicks 96 and The Point News reported on Monday that the State Police said Roberson’s case had been turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office before Christmas.  Now, the State Police is indicating that it found no wrongdoing on Roberson’s part and never turned the case over to prosecutors.  Roberson maintained that she lost some of her own money when she became the victim of a scam but that no city funds were lost.

OVERNIGHT FIRE DAMAGES MILTON HOME

(Milton, IN)--Fire did heavy damage to a home in Milton overnight Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.  Crews from multiple agencies responded to a fire at a home on Central Avenue, which is also State Road 1, at around 11 o’clock Tuesday night.  Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the second floor.  The residents were able to make it out without injury.  State Road 1 was shut down for a time.  There’s no word on what started the fire.  The Red Cross was helping the occupants Wednesday morning.

WOMEN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH OVERDOSE DEATH

(Preble County, OH)--Two women are in the Preble County Jail.  They’re facing major criminal charges for their alleged role in an overdose death.  Both 31-year-old Courtney Alspaugh and 39-year-old Dana Webb have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and drug trafficking.  Details of exactly how the two allegedly contributed to the overdose death have not been released.

EDIT GRANT APPROVED FOR RICHMOND CASTING

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Casting is expanding.  At Monday’s monthly meeting of the EDC of Wayne County, a $10,000 EDIT grant was approved.  It will allow Richmond Casting to invest just over half a million dollars into a project that will produce stronger molds and increase efficiency.  It will also help the company to retain 28 jobs.  Richmond Casting has operated in Richmond for 37 years and is located on Rich Road.

DEPUTY BRAVES FRIGID RESERVOIR TO RESCUE STUCK DUCK

(Richmond, IN)--A Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy took extreme measures yesterday to save the life of a duck.  The duck was spotted in Middlefork Reservoir in Richmond with a fishing hook through its bill.  The line had gotten wrapped around a limb, leaving the duck stuck.  Deputy Doug Bullock waded into the frigid water to free the duck, which was taken to the Animal Care Alliance for treatment.  The hook was removed and the duck is recovering.

REID URGENT CARE FACILITY TO OPEN THURSDAY

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health is set to open its new urgent care facility on Thursday.  Reid Urgent Care will move just up the hill and across Chester Boulevard to a standalone space at Chester Boulevard and Waterfall Road.  It’s an 11,000 square foot facility.  The old urgent care building will be renovated to provide more space for primary care providers.

KANSAS MAN JAILED FOR HARASSING HOTEL CLERK

(Richmond, IN)--A Kansas man was in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning after an incident at the Comfort Inn in Richmond overnight.  The very drunken man, who was later identified as 45-year-old Christopher Kanawyer, began calling down to the desk and making inappropriate comments to the 18-year-old desk clerk who was working overnight for the first time.  It happened repeatedly and she called police.  An Indiana State Police trooper arrived just as Kanawyer called the desk again.  The clerk put the trooper on the phone.  The trooper heard Kanawyer's comments, waited for backup, and took him to jail.

COPE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION

(Richmond, IN)--The Director of the Cope Environmental Center is stepping down.  Alison Zajdel (ZIGH-dull) announced on her Facebook page Sunday that she would serve in that role until April and then leave to spend more time with her family.  Zajdel has been with Cope for 15 years and was involved in numerous Cope upgrades, including the development of a 6000-square foot sustainable environmental education center.

ONE PERSON KILLED IN PREBLE COUNTY CRASH

(Preble County, OH)--There was a fatal crash in Preble County over the weekend.  The Ohio Highway Patrol is handling the case, and only a few details have been released so far.  It happened on or very near the railroad crossing on Oxford-Gettysburg Road between New Hope and Lakengren.  Dispatchers indicated the incident was not the result of a collision with a train.  The identity of the person that was killed has not been released.

MULTIPLE OD's ON NORTH 11TH LEAD TO RICHMOND MAN'S ARREST

(Richmond, IN)--There was a heroin overdose on North 11th in Richmond on Saturday night, and police records indicate it’s one of multiple incidents there.  56-year-old Bruce Gordon was behind bars Monday morning.  One woman OD’d there over the weekend, marking the sixth time since last summer.  Gordon was charged with maintaining a common nuisance.  Just a few hours before, medics were called to a home two blocks away on North 13th Street.  An unconfirmed report indicated that a female overdose victim there died.

BURGER TIME TO MOVE IN CHESTER BOULEVARD LOCATION

(Richmond)- One burger establishment is replacing another on Chester Boulevard in Richmond.  Signs were changed Thursday at the old Rally’s location to reflect the new business called Burger Time.  They’ll offer a familiar menu that includes burgers, fries, shakes, and pies.  There are only ten Burger Times nationally and none are anywhere close to Richmond.  There’s no word yet on when it will open.

ALLEGED RICHMOND DRUG DEALER CAUGHT

(Richmond)- An alleged Richmond drug dealer was caught Thursday afternoon.  Police stopped a car occupied by 42-year-old Torrie Mayberry in the 700 block of South 8th.  Scanner traffic indicated that there was a large amount of cocaine found inside, although police have not yet specified how much.  Mayberry was charged with dealing cocaine and was taken to the Wayne County Jail.  He bonded out in five hours and is free this morning.

RICHMOND HAD TWO OVER DOSE DEATHS SINCE 6PM THURSDAY

(Richmond)- Richmond has had two deaths due to overdoses of heroin or other drugs since 6 p.m. Thursday.  First responders were sent to a home at the south end of South 13th at around 6:30 Friday night.  Drug paraphernalia was found right next to the female victim’s body.  Then, at just after midnight Friday morning, another female died from an apparent overdose on New Paris Pike near the Gaar Mansion.  Another person died from an overdose in the Preble County town of Gratis earlier this week.

 

VIOLENT FELON CAPTURED AFTER CHASE AT 10th STREET PARK

(Richmond, IN)--There was a foot chase through Richmond streets for two violent criminals Wednesday night.  It began in the South 10th Street Park when officers investigated suspicious vehicles.  According to scanner traffic, officers from a central Indiana city were in Richmond looking for a murder suspect.  Two men fled on foot.  One man was captured.  He was identified as 23-year-old Raheem Colson.  Colson has a Richmond address but was wanted in Cincinnati for assault with a firearm and armed robbery.  The second suspect was not caught.  His identity has not been released.

MAN TASED AFTER POINTING LOADED GUN IN OFFICER'S FACE

(Cambridge City, IN)--A Cambridge City man was taken into custody Wednesday night after allegedly pointing a gun in the face of an officer.  Police were initially called to the Chug-A-Lug Bar on the report of a man throwing drinks on people.  Later, they went to the Foote Street home of 44-year-old Gary Peach.  Peach allegedly exited the home and immediately pointed a weapon in the officer’s face.  That officer was able to Tase Peach and take him into custody.  He was in jail Thursday morning with charges that include pointing a loaded firearm at another person and possession of methamphetamine.

COMMERCIAL LAND REVERTS TO BANK; OWNERS HOLD SLOTS FOR THREE BUSINESSES

(Richmond, IN)--A high-profile piece of property on National Road East in Richmond has reverted back to the bank that held the mortgage.  It’s the 11 acres owned by Eastside Commerical Park, LLC, just west of the former Quality Inn Hotel.  Nine years ago, 17 business leaders invested $2.2 million to convert the property to retail development.  The group recently decided it did not want to put more money into the property and it reverted back to West End Bank.  One investor, Dan Stamper, said that three slots are being held for different businesses.  Those businesses include a Panera Bread, a Hardee’s, and a car wash.  Even though the land just west of the former Quality Inn Hotel has reverted back to West End Bank, 17 business leaders still own 32 acres at the rear outright, and that land is still being marketed.  In the last month, an Illinois developer was looking at both the empty land and the hotel to bring a larger retailer.  The developer was going to tear out the new road that divides the parcels.  The company decided just a couple of weeks ago against pursuing the venture.

SHOT FIRED INTO RICHMOND HOME

(Richmond, IN)--It appears that at least one bullet went into one house in Richmond Wednesday morning.  Police were called to the 400 block of North 14th Street at around 4:45 Wednesday morning.  Officers encountered a group of people in the area and began checking them for warrants.  Investigators then found that a round had entered a home in the area.  There was no word of any injury.  Police then began checking to see if other homes or cars had been struck.  Information about any arrests is still pending.

DRUG TRATMENT FACILITY OFFICIALLY OPENS

(Cambridge City, IN)--A grand opening was held Tuesday for a new drug addiction treatment facility in Wayne County.  Recovery Works near Cambridge City began accepting patients last week, but officially opened its doors Tuesday.  Recovery Works provides detoxification, residential, and then outpatient treatment for up to 32 patients.  It has applied to accept Medicaid and currently accepts commercial insurance.

WOMAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH LAKENGREN BURGLARIES

(Preble County, OH)--An arrest has been made after a series of burglaries in Lakengren.  52-year-old Shawnee Tucker was taken to the Preble County Jail after stolen items from at least five different homes were found in her garage on Norseman Drive.  Items like power tools and pressure washers were recovered with values that exceed $2000.  Lakengren had been plagued by a series of theft and breaking and entering complaints in recent weeks.

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