Local News Archives for 2017-05

RICHMOND CHIPOTLE INCLUDED IN MALWARE ALERT

(Richmond, IN)--If you ate at Chipotle earlier this spring, your account information may have been compromised.  Malware designed to access payment card data from cards used was discovered during a nationwide investigation.  The Richmond Chipotle was named as a store that was victimized between March 25 and April 18.  The store in Oxford was also targeted over the same dates.  Experts say that if you were a Chipotle customer between those dates, you should check your account carefully for unauthorized activity.

BUTT DIALER SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS

(Richmond, IN)--One of the two Fountain City Butt Dialers has been sentenced.  30-year-old Ricky Maddox was sentenced Wednesday to four years behind bars as a part of a plea deal that involved four criminal cases.  Maddox butt-dialed 911 after stealing from the Winchester Walmart late last year.  He had also returned a printer to Walmart with photocopies of U.S. currency still in it after trying to use the copier to produce counterfeit money.  Maddox still faces criminal charges in Randolph and Preble County.

TWO ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES NEAR UPTOWN RICHMOND

(Richmond, IN)--Two Richmond men are facing a host of drug charges after their arrest Wednesday near 10th and East Main Street.  49-year-old Darrin Wright and 43-year-old Mathew Thomas were allegedly in possession of drugs and needles.  Thomas has been charged with dealing.  Thomas had been involved in a shots fired incident at his home on Hayes Arboretum Road in January of this year.  Then, early Thursday morning, 34-year-old Treva Holliday of Richmond was caught at 14th and North E.  She was also allegedly in possession of drugs and syringes.

UNEMPLOYMENT FOLLOW-UP: WAYNE COUNTY'S RATE LOWEST SINCE AT LEAST 2000

(Wayne County, IN)--Here’s a follow-up to our report from last week showing an incredible drop in unemployment rates across the Whitewater Valley.  Wayne County’s rate of 3% is now believed to be the lowest it’s been in at least the last 20 years.  It’s the same for Fayette County, where the rate of 3.7% is the lowest it’s been since 2000.  Indiana’s new statewide rate of 3.6% unemployment is the lowest it’s been since 2001.

DOMESTIC ISSUE LANDS TWO IN JAIL ON DRUG, NEGLECT CHARGES

(Richmond, IN)--A domestic issue has landed two Richmond residents in the Wayne County Jail.  Jeffery Short and Donja Nelson were jailed early Monday after the incident near South 9th and A Street.  Short was charged with strangulation and multiple drug charges.  Drugs were also allegedly found on Nelson, who was arrested after being treated for her injuries at Reid Health.  Both were also charged with neglect of a dependent.

1987 RICHMOND RAPIST CHOSE VICTIM AT RANDOM

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s more on the man who raped a woman in Richmond in 1987 that Kicks 96 and the Point News was first to tell you about Thursday.  Court documents indicate Richard Gwinn fully admits to raping a woman inside a Crestdale home with her daughter present.  Gwinn said that the victim was chosen completely at random and that he came to Richmond only because no one knew him here.  He watched her through a window before forcing his way through a sliding glass door.  Gwinn has committed 40 rapes and has already been sentenced to two terms of life in prison in Florida.

THREE JAILED AFTER GLEN COURT DRUG BUST

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police arrested three men and uncovered drugs after a call to Glen Court Thursday night.  Thomas Fair and Lanny Fultz of Richmond, along with Joel Toney of Williamsburg, were all in the Wayne County Jail Friday morning.  According to scanner traffic, all three were under the influence of drugs.  Police found methamphetamine, controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia.  Fultz was on parole and was arrested just three weeks ago for possessing a syringe.

SHOTS FIRED ON NORTH 19TH

(Richmond, IN)--Shots were fired a block off of East Main Street in Richmond late Thursday night.  Officers were called to North 19th and A after multiple residents reported hearing three or four shots.  Investigators found shell casings in the area, but could not find what, if anything, the bullets struck.  A white male was seen running from the area, but no arrests have been made.

LOCAL MAN TO PLEAD GUILTY TO MULTIPLE COUNTS OF CHILD MOLESTING

(Winchester, IN)--A man who has lived recently in Richmond and Lynn will plead guilty to multiple counts of child molesting in a Randolph County court.  In exchange for that plea, a human trafficking charge against 36-year-old Shaunta Debouse will be dropped.  Debouse allegedly forced a woman to have sex with multiple men he had met online.  The victim told investigators Debouse threatened to shoot her if she didn’t cooperate.  He’ll be sentenced next month and faces decades in prison.

MAN WHO ADMITS TO MORE THAN 40 RAPES TRANSFERRED TO WAYNE COUNTY JAIL

(Richmond, IN)--A man who has admitted to committing more than 40 rapes in his lifetime was transferred from an Ohio prison into the Wayne County Jail Wednesday.  64-year-old Richard Gwinn began raping women in 1974 in Vandalia.  Dozens of rape investigations that had become cold cases in Ohio and Florida were tied to Gwinn through DNA testing.  There’s no word yet on when Gwinn is accused of committing a Wayne County rape.  He was being held in Wayne County Thursday morning on a $200,000 bond.  Gwinn has already been sentenced to two life terms in Florida.

VEACH'S FACES OPEN $12,300 TAX WARRANT

(Richmond, IN)--Earlier this week, Veach’s Toy Station in Richmond announced it would close after nearly eight decades in business.  Owners cited slumping sales as a primary reason.  Documents obtained by Kicks 96 and The Point News indicates there were also multiple tax warrants filed against the store.  All have been satisfied except for one that remains open.  That’s a $12,301.14 warrant for sales tax.  That warrant was filed in mid-March.

WAYNE COUNTY EMPLOYMENT ROLLS JUMP BY 500

(Wayne County, IN)--506 more people are working in Wayne County than were just a month ago.  That’s according to newly-released figures from the state’s Department of Workforce Development.  404 fewer people are also listed as unemployed.  The number of people in Wayne County’s labor force, though, is down by 750 people from this time last year.  There has been an incredible drop in unemployment rates across the Whitewater Valley.  The unemployment rate for Wayne County in April was just 3%.  That’s the lowest it’s been in at least a decade.  Other area counties are even lower.  The lowest in our area is Union County, which is down to just 2.1% unemployment.  Wayne County’s high-water mark in recent years came in January of 2013, when it was 11.2%.

MAN RESCUED FROM FLOODED PREBLE COUNTY HIGHWAY

(West Elkton, OH)--Water that flooded streets and roadways across the Whitewater Valley Wednesday night has receded.  The only closures remaining are in Union County, where the Yankeetown Road bridge and all dry fords remain closed.  High water was certainly an issue Wednesday night.  A man had to be rescued when his car became trapped on State Route 122 in southeastern Preble County.  That part of Preble County also was under a tornado warning for a brief time because of a radar-indicated tornado.  No substantial damage was reported.

ARMED ROBBER STRIKES RICHMOND PIZZA KING

(Richmond, IN)--There was an overnight armed robbery that was reported at a Richmond Pizza King.  According to scanner traffic, a suspect described only as a black male wearing a mask and a hoody entered the Pizza King on West Main Street and brandished a handgun.  The victim was forced into the kitchen.  The suspect then fled the area in an alley in what was initially described as a black Taurus.  The employee was not hurt.  No arrest had been made as of 6 a.m. Wednesday.

VICTIM ROBBED FOR $6 AT RICHMOND TRAILER PARK

(Richmond, IN)--There was an armed robbery at a Richmond trailer park Wednesday morning.  It was reported at around 3:30 Wednesday morning and happened at a North West Fifth Street trailer park.  According to scanner traffic, two black males used a handgun to rob a victim of six dollars.  Police detained two men who they thought could have been involved at Love’s Truck Stop, but those two men were released.  The victim in the robbery was not hurt.

CITY BUILDING GETS NEW EXTERNAL LIGHTING

(Richmond, IN)--If you happened to go by the Richmond City Building after sunset Tuesday night, you may have noticed something new.  On Tuesday night, new external lights were illuminated for the first time.  The lights were provided by an anonymous donor.  Mayor Dave Snow said that the building was shining brighter than it had since it was built 48 years ago.  It’s part of several recent improvements to the building, which include a pressure washing and the removal of overgrown trees.

RICHMOND'S WORKONE OFFICE TO MOVE NEXT WEEK

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond’s WorkOne Career Center is moving.  The employment center will close at its current location on South A Street just south of Kroger this coming Thursday and will reopen at its new location on Progress Drive off of Williamsburg Pike the following Tuesday.  Administrators with WorkOne say that the new location is a more job-seek and employer-centric site.

JAILER ARRESTED FOR TRAFFICKING WITH INMATE

(Connersville, IN)--One arrest has already been made and another is possible as the result of an investigation into trafficking between Fayette County correctional officers and inmates.  25-year-old Drake Pope is a former correctional officer who allegedly conspired to sell tobacco to an inmate.  Pope allegedly put tobacco in a ceiling tile and sold it on four separate occasions.  He has resigned his position at the jail.  The investigation continues.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC PLAN TO BE UNVEILED NEXT THURSDAY

(Richmond, IN)--A meeting has been set for Thursday of next week to unveil a new regional economic development plan.  The Eastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission was formed a year ago to help with economic development in a five-county area that includes Wayne, Union, Fayette, Randolph, and Rush County.  The plan that will be unveiled next Thursday is the result of a year and a half’s worth of work by about 200 people.

MAN PISTOL WHIPPED IN RICHMOND ROBBERY ATTEMPT

(Richmond, IN)--There was a pistol-whipping and attempted armed robbery at a Richmond apartment complex overnight.  Two suspects approached an older male who was outside in the 1700 block of South J Street at around midnight Wednesday night / Thursday morning.  At least one brandished a handgun, hit the victim in the head, and demanded money.  Both fled before actually taking anything.  The victim was not seriously hurt.  No suspect description has been released.

BIDS EXPECTED THURSDAY FOR SEWER EXPANSION

(Cambridge City, IN)--Bids are expected to be received Thursday for a new facility for the Western Wayne Regional Sewer District.  Upgraded wastewater treatment is necessary for further expansion of the Gateway Industrial Park, but it will come with a significant price tag for all customers.  Earlier this week, people who attended a public meeting were split on the options of constructing a new facility or sending wastewater to Connersville for treatment.  At least three more public meetings have to be held before plans for a new facility can be finalized.

MAN WAITS FOR POLICE AFTER THROWING ROCK THROUGH VP WINDOW

(Richmond, IN)--There was an odd incident at the Village Pantry at 5th and West Main Streets in Richmond Thursday morning.  At around 4 a.m. Thursday, a man later identified as 31-year-old Chris Davis threw a large brick or rock through the front window of the VP.  Davis then stood outside as an employee called police.  When an officer arrived, Davis allegedly admitted to the vandalism and told the officer to take him to jail.  Davis got his wish.  He’s charged with mischief.

MAN SHARES SUCCESS STORY OF DRUG DIVERSION PROGRAM

(Richmond, IN)--The first person to successfully complete Wayne County’s Drug Diversion Program is talking about the experience.  That program reduces or drops criminal charges against addicts if they complete a drug program.  The comments were posted Tuesday on the Facebook page of Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman.  The man said he became addicted to heroin after pain pills for a back injury became ineffective.  He said that the key is to truly want to quit heroin and to have support.  He added that he now has more money and doesn’t have to worry about killing himself by overdosing on potent drugs.

BOY ON BICYCLE STRUCK BY HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER

(Richmond, IN)--A young Richmond boy was recovering Wednesday morning after being struck by a car while he was riding his bike Tuesday.  It happened near the intersection of Reeveston Road and South 22nd Street.  The driver who hit the boy fled the scene.  Jail records indicate that driver has not been apprehended.  According to the boy’s mother on social media, the 14-year-old was on his way to school.  He suffered a concussion and lots of bumps and bruises.  No description of the car that hit the boy has been released.

CICADAS EXPECTED TO MAKE EARLY RETURN

(whitewater Valley)--There’s a good chance you’ll hear a lot of extra noise outside later this spring and into summer.  It's because of the 17-year cicada.  They’re not due to return for another four summers, but there are indications of a premature debut in the Whitewater Valley.  The last major outbreak in our area was in 2004, but there was also an early emergence in 2000 – four years early – just like is expected this year.  Cicadas have already been reported just outside of Oxford.

COUNCIL TO LOOK CLOSER AT LANDFILL LEASE OPTION

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council Monday night agreed to move forward with exploring a lease option for the city’s landfill.  Council member Jamie Lopeman had recently proposed leasing the landfill as a way to fund demolition of the old Reid Hospital property.  The city will begin to take a closer look at the feasibility of that option.  Also Monday night, an ordinance that would have rezoned a residential area near Westview Elementary for commercial development was tabled by the petitioner.  And, the city received an $8000 donation from the Lions Club for the park department.

MAN INJURED, THEN JAILED, AFTER ALLEGED ATTACK ON WOMAN

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was jailed Monday night after an alleged violent attack on a woman.  53-year-old Marc Singleton allegedly tried to sexually assault someone.  Initial reports indicate that the would-be victim fought back and injured Singleton.  He was first taken to Reid Health and then to the Wayne County Jail.  Charges include aggravated battery, confinement, and strangulation.  The condition of the victim has not been released.

DRIVER KILLED IN PREBLE COUNTY CRASH

(West Elkton, OH)--One person was killed in a Preble County crash Monday.  The victim drifted across the center line on State Route 503 near West Elkton at around 1:45 Monday afternoon and hit an oncoming car head-on.  The driver that caused the crash was pronounced dead at the scene.  The other driver was a high school student.  Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson said a seat belt may have saved her.  "The seat belt was in use by the young lady.  That actually probably limited her injuries," Simpson said.  The identity of the person that died has not been released.

THROUGH FOUR MONTHS IN 2017, WAYNE CO. AVERAGES ONE NEW CASE OF CHILD NEGLECT PER DAY

(Wayne Co., IN)--New statistics released by the Indiana Department of Child Services show that Wayne County continues to average one new substantiated case of child abuse or neglect every single day.  There were 35 new substantiated cases in April.  It brings the total for the year to 117 new cases through 120 days.  Two of the cases last month involved substantiated sexual abuse.

FIRST PERSON COMPLETES WAYNE COUNTY DRUG DIVERSION PROGRAM

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County last week had its first person successfully complete a drug diversion program.  Prosecutor Mike Shipman has made that announcement on his department’s Facebook page.  That program allows people who have been charged with lower-level drug and paraphernalia possession crimes to have those charges dismissed if they complete a drug diversion program.  Still, Shipman said that 2/3 of the people who enter the program fail to comply, even though they know that a failure will result in them going to jail or prison.

 

 

Mike Shipman joined Phil Quinn on 101.7 The Point for an extended conversation Monday Morning.

 

FIREFIGHTER TREATED AFTER BATTLING GARAGE FIRE

(Centerville, IN)--One firefighter was taken to Reid Health to be treated for smoke inhalation Sunday night after battling a fire on West Grove Road near Centerville.  Heavy smoke was coming from a detached garage when the first units arrived at around 7 o’clock.  Firefighters from multiple agencies got the fire under control in about a half an hour.  There’s no word yet on what started the fire or the dollar amount of the damage.

UNION COUNTY GIRL DIES BECAUSE MAN PASSES ON DOUBLE-YELLOW LINE

(Whitewater, IN)--A five-year-old Union County girl was pronounced dead Friday morning because a man tried to pass on a double-yellow line on State Road 227 near Whitewater Thursday.  A northeast Ohio man slammed head-on into 24-year-old Britney Byrley of Brownsville.  Both Byrley and a five-year-old girl were flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.  Byrley was listed in critical condition Friday morning.  Investigators Friday morning also said that the five-year-old, Jocelyn Gesell, has died.  An infant in the car suffered less serious injuries.  Both children were properly restrained.  Charges against the man who caused the crash are pending.  He was not seriously hurt.

2/3 OF DRUG DIVERSION PARTICIPANTS ARE REMOVED FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

(Richmond, IN)--The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has released some results of its Pre-Trial Drug Diversion Program.  That program allows addicts to have some criminal charges against dropped if they become clean.  About 2/3 of people in the program are removed for non-compliance.  Those that failed either failed drug testing, failed to attend counseling, or did not show up for probation hearings.  Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman explained in social media Thursday that people who possess needles are not subject to arrest if they obtained those needles through an exchange program, but they’re supposed to carry documentation that can be shown to police.  25 people are currently taking part in the drug dirversion program.

RICHMOND WEATHER: 16 STRAIGHT DAYS OF NASTY

(Whitewater Valley)--This Mother’s Day weekend will bring more than gifts for Mom.  It will be a gift for anyone that wants to do anything outdoors.  Here’s how nasty this spring has been recently in the Whitewater Valley…we’ve had either rain, below-normal temperatures, or both for the last 16 consecutive days.  In that 16-day stretch, 5.3 inches of rain has fallen at the Richmond Municipal Airport.  So far, our average temperature in May has been six degrees colder than April.

CAMBRIDGE CITY TO SUE RECENTLY-RESIGNED WAYNE COUNTY AUDITOR

(Cambridge City, IN)--The town of Cambridge City is suing former Wayne County Auditor Bob Coddington.  Coddington just resigned this week.  Town Attorney Bob Bever was authorized this week to file suit against the Auditor’s office.  Council members allege Coddington refused to put stormwater fees on tax statements.  They say the tax was to have been collected last year but was not because it never appeared on statements.  The estimate is that the dispute cost the town $45,000.

RCS BOARD APPROVES MASTER PLAN FUNDING

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board met Wednesday night and approved earmarking more than $71,000 for an out-of-the-area company to develop and implement a master plan.  That plan will include medium and long-range plans to reconfigure some schools, especially RHS, in the wake of declining enrollment and outdated infrastructure.  The results of the study will be presented later this year.

KEMP GETS JAIL TIME DESPITE PROSECUTION'S RECOMMENDATION

(Richmond, IN)--Former Richmond attorney Tom Kemp was sentenced to six months in jail Wednesday, despite the recommendations of both prosecutors and defense attorneys.  Kemp accepted a plea deal after taking money from clients but not providing legal services in return.  He will also have to pay $32,000 in restitution to victims.  Kemp has been working as a truck driver for Astral Industries.  Deputy Prosecutor Teresa Ashcraft wanted only a suspended sentence.  She pointed out that another former Richmond attorney, Chuck Hyde, did the same thing but to a greater degree and did no jail time.  Special Judge Steven Cox said that was irrelevant and gave Kemp six months.

WAYNE COUNTY AUDITOR RESIGNS

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County’s auditor has resigned.  Bob Coddington stepped down Tuesday to take over as the Chief Financial Officer for Muncie Community Schools.  Coddington had worked at Richmond Community Schools as its business manager from 2005 to 2014.  Coddington’s salary in Muncie will be roughly double what he was making as Wayne County’s auditor.  The vacancy created by Coddington’s departure will filled, at least temporarily, by Deputy Auditor Kim Walton.

SHIPMAN CHALLENGES NEEDLE EXCHANGE

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman took to social media Tuesday to further discuss the county’s needle exchange program.  Shipman pointed out that the program does not compel users to take any steps to end their addiction.  Shipman also pointed out that it is not a one-for-one needle exchange, and needles are not tracked to assure they’re being returned.  The prosecutor added that he thinks a better option is to enforce state law and to allow users to enter a pre-trial drug diversion program.  Comments can be read in their entirety on the Wayne County Prosector's Office Facebook page.

SEMI FIRE JEOPARDIZES OVERPASS

(Preble County, OH)--Eastbound I-70 was shut down in Preble County for a few hours Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning after a semi caught fire.  On Wednesday, engineers will look for structural damage on a highway’s overpass.  The semi caught fire very near the Preble County Line overpass.  25,000 pounds of cardboard ignited when the semi’s brakes caught fire.  Firefighters feared the heat may have damaged the overpass.  "Structural failure would be our primary concern.  I think there's been a handful of national examples of significant damage to overpasses," said one firefighter.  The initial indication was there was no damage.  Both 70 and Preble County Line Road were open by 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning.

McDONALD'S TO BE DEMOLISHED, REBUILT

(Richmond, IN)--The McDonald’s at 18th and East Main in Richmond will close later this year, be demolished, and then be rebuilt.  What will replace the current building is a new design that will be about 30% larger and have the front of the building facing toward Main Street.  The building will come down in August and should be rebuilt and reopened by November.  It’s at least the second major rebuild at that site.  Decades ago, the building was demolished and moved slightly west.

METH UNCOVERED DURING TRAFFIC STOP

(Richmond, IN)--Police recovered methamphetamine during a traffic stop at South 15th and A in Richmond Tuesday night.  Four people were inside the car.  All were searched and questioned, but only 22-year-old Justin Day, who was the driver, went to jail.  He’s charged with felony possession of methamphetamine.  The amount of meth that was recovered was not released.

WAYNE COUNTY CONSIDERS NEEDLE EXCHANGE EXPANSION

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County has applied for a $30,000 grant to continue and expand its needle exchange program.  In the nine months that the program has been in existence, the percentage of used needles being returned has grown steadily and, according to local officials, now stands at nearly 90%.  That’s led local leaders to consider expanding the exchange to more than the one-day-a-month policy that’s currently in place.  It could expand to as much as a weekly exchange.  There’s been no word yet on whether or not the exchange program has made a dent in Wayne County’s hepatitis rate, which is 2 ½ times the state average.

MAN JAILED FOR TRYING TO SNATCH GIRL FROM DAY CARE PLAYGROUND

(Eaton, OH)--A man was in jail Tuesday after allegedly trying to take a young girl from a day care center’s playground on Monday.  It happened at Imagination Station in Eaton.  Police say 56-year-old Walter Townsend started talking with some kids.  Some of those kids ran over a fence.  Townsend picked up a little girl, but a worker rushed in and grabbed the child away from Townsend.  "It just goes to show me how important it is that you supervise your children closely.  In this day and age, you have to be extremely careful," said one parent.  Townsend is charged with abduction and criminal trespass.  Police say he had no known connection to any of the children.

NATIONAL ROAD EAST SPEED BUMP REPAIRS COULD BEGIN THIS WEEK

(Richmond, IN)--Those miniature speed bumps that have caused headaches on National Road East in Richmond for the last six months could be gone soon.  INDOT is indicating that work could begin by the end of this week to repave the problem section of National Road East that stretches in both directions from around Gravel Pit Road to the state line.  Work will take a couple of weeks to complete.

WOMAN HOSPITALIZED AFTER DARKE COUNTY ACCIDENT

A woman is in the hospital with serious injuries after a rollover crash in Darke County. The Sheriff’s office says a 56-year-old woman lost control of her car on State Route 571 yesterday afternoon. The woman was flown to Miami Valley Hospital, but investigators say her injuries are not life-threatening.

PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE APPROACHING

The deadline for property taxes in Wayne County is approaching. This Wednesday, May 10th, is the cutoff date to pay property taxes without incurring a penalty. Taxes can be paid at the county treasurer’s office and also at any branch of Wayne Bank, First Bank Richmond or West End Bank.

1 IN 4 REID MOTHERS TESTED POSITIVE FOR ILLICIT DRUGS OR HIGH-RISK MEDICATION IN 2016

(Richmond, IN)--The group Heroin is Here continues to meet to work on the area’s drug problem.   It met in Richmond Thursday and released some statistics from last year.  Most shocking among them is that one in four mothers giving birth at Reid Health last year tested positive for some type of illicit drug or high-risk medication.  That includes opioids, Ecstasy, and cocaine.  Wayne County 911 received 238 overdose calls last year.  That’s an increase of 92% from 2015.  384 Narcan kits have been dispersed by Reid in the last two years.  Heroin is Here says that its primary goal this year is to decrease the number of babies born dependent on drugs.

MORE WAYNE COUNTY RESIDENTS PER CAPITAL JAILED THAN DAYTON AND CINCINNATI COMBINED

(Richmond, IN)--Some Wayne County residents complain that local criminals are granted too much leniency.  Some newly-released numbers show just the opposite.  For every 10,000 residents, 65.6 Wayne County people are incarcerated.  That’s a higher per capita rate than Dayton and Cincinnati combined.  While Wayne County’s rate is 65.6, Preble County’s is only 13.9.  Randolph County’s is even lower.  It’s just 9.8 in jail per 10,000 residents.

LOPEMAN ASKS COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PRIVATIZATION TO FUND OLD REID DEMOLITION

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council member Jamie Lopeman is asking council members to at least consider an idea that would fund the demolition of old Reid.  Lopeman is pointing to a decision to privatize sanitation service that was entered into by a city in New York.  It resulted in a $23 million up-front payment.  Lopeman says a similar payment would pay to remove old Reid.  It would also result in annual payments of between one and two million dollars to the city and would mean all residents would pay the same rate for trash disposal.  Right now in Richmond, payments are based on assessed property values.

SECOND PHASE OF U.S. 27 CONSTRUCTION TO START TUESDAY

(Richmond, IN)--The second phase of construction on U.S. 27 through Richmond will begin next week.  Beginning Tuesday, one lane of South 8th Street will be closed between South B and South N Street.  Sometime around July or August, work will begin to connect that section of roadway with sections of Chester Boulevard that are already under construction.  It’s all part of a $24 million project that won’t be completely finished for two years.

PLEA DEAL LIKELY IN KIANTE ENIS CHILD MOLESTATION CASE

(Winchester, IN)--A plea deal appears to be in the works in the Kiante Enis case.  The former Winchester and IU football standout has already admitted that he had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl.  A jury trial that had been set to start a month from today has been vacated in Randolph Circuit Court.  Details of a plea deal are not yet available.  Enis is facing two counts of child molesting and up to 18 years in prison.

PALLADIUM-ITEM CUTS LONG-TIME REPORTERS

(Richmond, IN)--Another round of cuts to reporters has come to the Palladium-Item.  Rachel Sheeley, who had been with the local paper for more than 25 years, was let go Wednesday.  Also gone is reporter Millie Martin-Emery.  The paper’s only photographer, Josh Smith, had been with the Palladium for nearly 20 years.  That run also came to an end Wednesday.  Sports writer Don Tincher was also handed a pink slip.  Long-time sports writer Mike Lopresti Wednesday called the reduction in local coverage “a crime” and “a disgrace.”  Wednesday’s cuts leave the Palladium with only four reporters.  All are male, and one of them is dedicated to sports.  In the 2006 Chamber of Commerce directory, the Palladium is listed as having 145 employees.  The Palladium-Item and its parent company, Gannett, hadmade no mention of Wednesday’s cuts by Thursday morning.

OPTIMISM FILLS LOCAL BUSINESS OUTLOOK SURVEY

(Richmond, IN)--Results of the 2016 IU East Business Survey have been compiled and released.  More than a hundred business leaders in the Whitewater Valley completed the survey that was made public on Wednesday.  There were plenty of positive indicators.  Four out of five businesses maintained or increased employment last year.  57% said that production increased, and 37% increased investment spending.  For the remainder of this year, 2/3 of owners or managers expect to increase growth, and 54% anticipate higher profits.  Only 12% of respondents projected declining local business conditions for the remainder of the year.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER RPD WITNESSES DRUG TRANSACTION

(Richmond, IN)--Patrolling in a problem area of Richmond paid off Wednesday when an officer witnessed a hand-to-hand drug transaction.  It happened at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning near North 11th and B Streets.  An officer recovered a ziplock bag filled with a powdery substance and arrested 30-year-old Darrell Green.  Green allegedly threw it down in a yard when he saw the officer approach.

$33,000 IN DRUGS TAKEN OFF I-70 BEFORE ENTERING WAYNE COUNTY

(Henry County, IN)--Police took a large amount of drugs off of I-70 just as the truck that was carrying them was about to enter and pass through Wayne County.  Officers in Henry County stopped a pickup and noticed a strange-looking wooden 4x4 post.  They then discovered that the post had been hollowed out and inside was 252 grams of heroin and 86 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of about $33,000.  A Columbus man was arrested.  The drugs were being transported from a large central Indiana city to central Ohio.

WEDNESDAY MORNING OVERDOSE CALL YIELDS TWO ARRESTS

(Richmond, IN)--Two people are in custody after a drug overdose and resuscitation on Salisbury Road South in Richmond Wednesday morning.  Police and medics were called there on the report of an unresponsive female.  53-year-old Laura Turner was revived, taken to Reid Health, and then to jail. 51-year-old Douglas Grays was also arrested.  Drugs and drug paraphernalia were recovered.  Turner has a relatively recent arrest for dealing cocaine.

PORTION OF U.S. 27 TO BE RENAMED FOR VIETNAM WAR HERO

(Lynn, IN)--A Randolph County hero is having a portion of U.S. 27 named in his honor more than 45 years after his death in combat.  Charles Edwin Engle was from the tiny town of Carlos.  He was a pilot in Vietnam.  Engle was trying to help rescue a downed aircraft.  When that aircraft sustained enemy fire, Engle dove his plane between the gunners and the helicopter, which allowed it to break free.  But, it cost Engle his life.  A section of 27 near Lynn will be renamed the Charles Edwin Engle Memorial Mile.

PREBLE SHAWNEE LEVY NARROWLY PASSES

(Camden, OH)--Administrators and supporters in the Preble Shawnee school system had made a push several times for voters to pass a levy that would construct two new school buildings to replace old structures.  Preble Shawnee’s facilities range from 35 to a hundred years old.  On Tuesday, the levy passed, but just barely.  With 2557 votes cast, the measure passed by just 21 votes.  The state has offered to pay 65% of construction.

TWO YOUNG WINCHESTER RESIDENTS KILLED IN CRASH

(Winchester, IN)--Two young Winchester residents are dead as the result of a crash Monday night.  It happened on Base Road not far from the Winchester Golf Club at 9:15 Monday night.  20-year-old Tanner Folker went through a stop sign and was sideswiped by a pickup truck driven by 16-year-old Zackary Bowman of Hagerstown.  17-year-old Nicholas Olsen was a passenger in Folkner’s car.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  Folkner was flown to a Fort Wayne Hospital, where he was also pronounced dead.  Tyler Gray was also flown to Fort Wayne.  His condition has not been released.  Bowman was not seriously hurt.

TEENS ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF NEW PARIS MAN

(Anderson, IN)--Two teenagers are in custodyfor the murder of Travis Bourne of New Paris.  Bourne’s body was found at his home in late March.  The two teens, who are both from Anderson, were questioned over the weekend after Bourne’s second missing car was found there.  "Both suspects confessed to their involvement in the murder of Travis Bourne," said Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson.  Simpson talked about how Bourne died.  "Blunt force trauma to the head."  Bourne and his killers had met on social media, but Simpson did not say why.  One of the teens, Tiyoune Hoskins, has a local connection.  "He also has some connections in Richmond," Simpson said.  Both teens are awaiting extradition to Preble County.

COUNCIL HOLDS REQUEST FOR CHANGE IN RESIDENTIAL ZONING

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council met Monday night and considered a request to change zoning.  No specific business is planned for North West 16th Street near West Main Street, but most residents who spoke Monday night didn’t want any business at all.  "It was a nice, quiet street.  You light up to think that you could walk to the Dairy Queen.  That's business enough," said one resident.  Council voted to hold the issue over on third reading.  That means the issue will come up once again in two weeks.

WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER OVERDOSING FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO MONTHS

(Richmond, IN)--There were multiple overdoses in Richmond on Monday.  One person who had multiple warrants was taken into custody when she was found passed out in a hallway of the Greenwood Apartments Monday night.  First responders used Narcan to revive 21-year-old Kaitlyn Riddle, took her to Reid Health, and then to the Wayne County Jail.  Riddle was wanted for failing to appear in court after she overdosed at Townhouse Apartments.  That happened just a month and a half ago.  In that case, she also had to be revived with Narcan.

SHIPMAN: WHO WILL PAY FOR NARCAN WHEN GRANTS RUN OUT?

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County first responders could not put a specific number on the amount of Narcan doses that have been administered this year to revive heroin addicts who have overdosed, but did indicate that it’s easily into the hundreds.  Each dose costs between $30 and $40, and multiple doses are often required for the same person.  Now, Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman has commented on his office’s Facebook page.  Shipman said that the users are not paying the costs and wondered who will pay to revive users who refuse to get clean once grant funding runs out.

GRANT WILL REFURBISH MAIN STREET RAILROAD TRESTLE

(Richmond, IN)--A grant is in place that will allow the historic railroad trestle over Main Street in Richmond to be refurbished.  It’s been a long time since a train has passed over it, and that trestle is at the crossroads of Richmond’s trail program for walkers and bicyclists.  The $5000 grant, which was received by Center City, will allow for cleaning and painting, modern metal lettering that spells out “Richmond”, and multi-colored LED backlighting.

WANTED RICHMOND MAN FOUND MONDAY MORNING

(Richmond, IN)--Even though he’s only 20 years old, Richmond’s Zach Neathery has already built a lengthy criminal record.  Neathery was wanted in another jurisdiction and was located Monday morning.  RPD officers were able to capture Neathery in the 100 block of Richmond Avenue.  He was booked into jail at 2 o’clock Monday morning.  Neathery’s arrest record includes charges for burglary and drug possession.

RP&L BOARD TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RIDER

(Richmond, IN)--When the Richmond Power and Light Board meets Monday night, it’s expected to pass a resolution for an economic development rider.  That rider would result in lower energy costs for large, industrial customers.  Here’s how it works.  RP&L will receive a credit for qualifying customers from IMPA which will then be passed on to the customer.  It would result in a 20% savings in the first year, and decreasing amounts for the next four years.

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