Local News Archives for 2017-08

STATE ROAD 1 STOP LEADS TO METH ARRESTS

(Wayne County, IN)--A Richmond couple was jailed Thursday morning after methamphetamine was found during a traffic stop on State Road 1 in western Wayne County overnight.  31-year-olds Christina Parks and Brandon Winters are both now charged with possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.  Both were jailed at around 4:15 Thursday morning.  Parks was allegedly pulled over and was driving on a suspended license.  The quantity of meth recovered was not released.

WALMART THEFT LEADS TO METH DISCOVERY

(Richmond, IN)--What started as a shoplifting incident at Richmond’s Walmart Wednesday led to the discovery of methamphetamine.  It was less than three months ago that 19-year-old Jeremy Moore and 32-year-old Sarah Mangas of Union City were arrested for dealing meth at a Fountain City convenience store.  On Wednesday, the couple was arrested at Richmond’s Walmart.  Moore was allegedly in possession of meth and other drugs.  Both were in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning.

FINAL PUSH MADE FOR SENSORY PLAYGROUND FUNDING

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Park Superintendent Denise Retz is making one final push to raise $651 for a new sensory playground.  Earlier this year, Earlham students proposed constructing a playground at Clear Creek Park that is geared toward kids with special needs.  Retz said Wednesday that if the final $651 can be raised by the end of the day Thursday, a matching grant will kick in from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

MAN ACCUSED OF CAUSING CHILD'S DEATH JAILED, THEN RELEASED

(Richmond, IN)--The man who caused a crash that claimed the life of a five-year-old Union County girl was booked into the Wayne County Jail Tuesday, but bonded out Tuesday night.  Local officials traveled to northern Ohio Tuesday and brought back Anthony Zircher on a charge of reckless homicide.  Zircher posted bond after six o’clock Tuesday night.  Investigators say Zircher was speeding and tried to pass another vehicle on a double-yellow line on State Road 227 near Whitewater in May.  Jocelyn Gesell of Brownsville was killed in the crash.

AFFIDAVIT DETAILS JAIL CONTRABAND CASE INVOLVING CORRECTIONS OFFICER

(Richmond, IN)--Court documents obtained Tuesday reveal the types of contraband that former Wayne County Corrections Officer Timothy Knight was smuggling into the local jail.  Knight admitted to delivering Suboxone strips, tobacco, and a lighter to inmates at the Wayne County Jail last week.  He had become the subject of a Drug Task Force investigation after another inmate tipped off authorities.  Knight admitted to the allegations.  He’s currently being housed in the Hancock County Jail for his own protection.

EATON ISSUES MARIJUANA MORATORIUM

(Eaton, OH)--The Eaton City Council has placed a six-month moratorium on the production of medical marijuana.  Recently, changes to state law allowed for the growth of medical marijuana.  Two growing sites will be permitted in the three-county region of Preble, Darke, and Butler.  But council’s moratorium will prevent the growth inside Eaton city limits until at least February of next year.

MAN ARRESTED FOR BATTERING OFFICER

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man is charged with felony battery on a police officer after an incident at a bar early Tuesday morning.  29-year-old Darren Griffith allegedly attacked an officer after fighting with bouncers at the E Street Pub.  Griffith was finally subdued after pepper spray was used and was booked into jail at just before 1:30 Tuesday morning.  Griffith was also charged with disorderly conduct for the second time in less than a year.

HISTORIC TANK TO RETURN TO EATON

(Eaton, OH)--A historic tank is coming back to Eaton.  The tank, which is known as Miss Preble, was placed in front of Eaton’s armory in 1957 and stayed there until its rather controversial removal five years ago.  A group of private citizens worked with the National Guard to get Miss Preble returned.  Now, it will sit in front of Fort St. Clair.  There will be lighting, and access drive, and parking.  A ceremony has been set for the 23rd of next month.

RICHMOND WOMAN ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

(Richmond, IN)--A woman was held at gunpoint and robbed overnight in Richmond.  It happened at just before midnight Sunday night in the 400 block of North 14th Street.  The incident was apparently captured on video and shows three black men, all armed with guns, robbing a female in her basement.  The three then fled in a Chevy Tahoe, which was located a couple of blocks away.  There was no immediate indication that the victim was hurt.  The Tahoe was taken to an impound lot to be processed for evidence.

RPD PREPARES FOR BIG TRAFFIC HEADACHE

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department is preparing for what could be a big traffic headache starting soon.  RPD met with INDOT officials to discuss what will happen between September 8th and 22nd.  That’s when westbound I-70 will be diverted to one lane to allow for work on the New Paris Pike overpass.  RPD says big backups will likely occur on 70 that will cause drivers to divert onto U.S. 40 into Richmond.  Those drivers will then head north on Chester Boulevard, which is also undergoing major construction.

GLEN COURT PYTHON CAPTURED

(Richmond, IN)--If you live in the Glen Court area of Richmond, you can now sleep a little easier at night.  The python that’s been on the loose in the area for the last week has finally been captured.  The snake has been spotted a few times in the last week and was finally caught Sunday evening in the area of North 21st and Glen Court.  The python was taken first to police headquarters and then released to the Department of Natural Resources.

COUPLE CAUGHT WITH METH, PARAPHERNALIA

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond couple remained in the Wayne County Jail Monday morning after a weekend drug arrest.  Mark and Amanda Cotter, who are both in their 30’s, were taken into custody late Saturday night near the Richmond Post Office.  Both were allegedly in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  The Cotters were also arrested together – a year ago nearly to the day – for fraud.

WAYNE COUNTY CORRECTIONS OFFICER JAILED FOR TRAFFICKING WITH INMATES

(Richmond, IN)--A Wayne County Jail corrections officer woke up Friday morning on the inside of a jail cell after having been arrested for multiple felonies Thursday night.  40-year-old Timothy Knight, who lists a Greenville address, is charged with felony trafficking with an inmate and official misconduct.  An investigation led to Knight’s arrest at 8:15 Thursday night.  Details of the types and quantities of contraband that Knight was allegedly bringing into the jail for inmates have not been released.

RICHMOND, CONNERSVILLE PLACE POORLY IN STATE RANKINGS

(Richmond, IN)--The website wallethub.com has released a ranking of the best places to live in Indiana for families, and the results for local communities are not good.  Wallethub took 21 key indicators into account.  In the category of most families living below poverty level, Richmond finished 74th of Indiana’s 78 largest communities.  Only Gary, East Chicago, Michigan City, and Elkhart were worse.  Connersville finished dead last in the category of families with fewest kids, and 76th of 78 for highest divorce rate.  Overall, Richmond was determined to be the 59th best place to live.

WOMAN JAILED AFTER YOUNG CHILD FOUND WANDERING STREETS

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond woman was jailed Thursday night after a young child was found wandering city streets several blocks from her home.  46-year-old Melinda Mills has been charged with neglect of a dependent and disorderly conduct.  Multiple witnesses saw the child, who they described as about five years old, walking in the area of South 10th and G with minimal clothing.  Officers found the child, but she was unable to communicate with them.  They were eventually able to locate Mills.  The young girl was checked medically and was determined to be okay.

BLUE BUFFALO TO HOLD EVENT GEARED TOWARD HIRING

(Richmond, IN)--Blue Buffalo will be holding its first community event specifically dealing with the 165 jobs that are expected to be created.  Blue Buffalo has now set September 11 as the date for a public gathering.  Company representatives will be on hand to talk about what positions will be available and what skills and experience will be necessary.  The event is from 3-6 on September 11 at Johnson Hall at Ivy Tech in Richmond.

REID HEALTH CONDUCTS ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health conducted its first-ever active shooter drill Wednesday.  The drill took place in the emergency room but tested the response of the entire campus.  Staff and volunteers were posted in waiting areas and with patients to make sure no one thought the event was real.  A Reid spokesperson said that staff reacted well.  Reid security officers have been armed for four years and train monthly with the Richmond Police Department.

SLEEPING RPD OFFICER DISCIPLINED, BUT NOT FIRED

(Richmond, IN)--The issue of the sleeping RPD officer has been closed.  Chief Jim Branum has indicated that the officer who was photographed sleeping in a cruiser earlier this month has been disciplined but not fired.  Branum did not reveal the officer’s name or elaborate on the punishment, but did indicate that the officer was not on duty at the time he was photographed.  The photograph had made its rounds on social media.  The other person in the cruiser was not an officer.

WAYNE COUNTY LABOR POOL DROPS BY 350 PEOPLE IN LAST MONTH

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County has had another 350 people drop from its workforce as the county continues on a track to drop below 30,000 in the labor pool.  Wayne County now has just 30,245 people either working or seeking jobs.  Also, 490 people have been added to the list of unemployed Wayne County residents in just the last month, and that has caused the county’s unemployment rate to jump half a percentage point to 3.8%.  All other Indiana counties in our area saw a similar increase.

EATON GAS STATION ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

(Eaton, OH)--An armed robber struck a Preble County gas station late Wednesday night.  According to scanner traffic, a robber entered a gas station on U.S. 35 on Eaton’s western edge at just before midnight and tied up a clerk at gunpoint.  The suspect then fled.  Police canines were brought to the area, but there was no immediate word of any arrest.  Police have also not yet said whether or not the clerk or anyone else was hurt.

WEST NILE VIRUS APPEARS IN WHITEWATER VALLEY

(Franklin County, IN)--The West Nile Virus has shown up in the Whitewater Valley.  A mosquito sample taken earlier this month in Franklin County has tested positive for West Nile.  So far this summer, there have been only two human cases of West Nile in Indiana and neither of them was in our area.  Most experts say that the odds of getting bitten by an infected mosquito are extremely long.  And, even if you do, a serious medical reaction would be rare.

COUNCIL ADVANCES OLD REID LOANS

(Richmond, IN)--After changing some language in the ordinances that would allow the city of Richmond to enter into two loans to take down the old Reid Hospital building, Common Council advanced the ordinances to a third reading in two weeks.  Before the vote Monday night, Richmond Police Chief Jim Branum discussed some of the issues at old Reid.  "So far, the police department has responded to (old) Reid Hospital 58 times since January 1."  Fire Chief Jerry Purcell talked about the dangers.  "Believe me, there is tragedy after tragedy awaiting us there," Purcell said.  That includes all of this.  "We have flooded basements.  We have a 20-foot deep mechanical pit to the north of the building that's at ground level.  We have open elevator shaft doors leading to those flooded basements," Purcell added.  Council Monday night capped the rate of one loan at two and a half percent.

RPD MARKS TWO-YEAR POINT SINCE UNSOLVED HOMICIDE OCCURRED

(Richmond, IN)--Saturday marks the two-year point since 18-year-old Caleb Stevens was shot and killed inside his home in the 1600 block of South 13th Street in Richmond.  The Richmond Police Department issued a statement Thursday saying that they’re still actively involving the unsolved homicide.  There were not a lot of leads, but police did find drugs inside the home.  This was Mike Britt with RPD two years ago.  "I don't know if we can call it a drug house or not.  However, after we obtained our search warrant and entered the crime scene and began our search, there were some illegal substances discovered," Britt said.  The reward for information leading to an arrest has now exceeded $26,000.

WAYNE COUNTY CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES DROP IN JULY

(Wayne County, IN)--There has been a drop in the last month in Wayne County in the number of substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect.  The number of cases for July, according to new numbers from the Department of Children’s Services, was 37.  That’s down from 51 new, substantiated cases in June.  Wayne County is still averaging more than one new case of child abuse or neglect every day.  Officials say drugs are a factor in the vast majority of those cases.

RPD RESUMES COFFEE WITH A COP PROGRAM

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department will resume its Coffee with a Cop program next week.  It will take place beginning Monday morning at 7:30 at the McDonald’s on East Main Street.  Coffee with a Cop is a program that was designed last year and was designed as a way for community members to connect with police officers on an informal basis.  RPD representatives say more than 2000 people have taken part since the program’s inception.

CITY ASKS COUNTY FOR $2 MILLION FOR OLD REID CLEANUP

(Richmond, IN)--The city of Richmond has asked Wayne County to kick in $2 million for the cleanup of the old Reid Hospital property.  Mayor Dave Snow made the request Wednesday night at a joint meeting of Wayne County Council and Commissioners.  Snow told county leaders that city/county partnerships are critical.  County leaders said they needed time to take the $2 million request under consideration.  The city has an October 1 deadline to proceed with two loans.  Richmond’s Common Council will discuss those loans again on Monday night.

DRUG OVERDOSE CALL LEADS TO DRUG ARREST

(Richmond, IN)--What started as a drug overdose call led to a substantial drug arrest on Wednesday.  First responders were sent to the home of 24-year-old Shawn Farrow in the 100 block of Richmond Avenue.  Farrow was in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning facing a slew of charges that include dealing methamphetamine and a substance represented to be a controlled substance and possession of a syringe and smoking instrument.  23-year-old Jeffrey Henson was also arrested.  There was no word on the outcome of the overdose victim.

MAN CONNECTED TO 26-POUND PREBLE COUNTY METH BUST ARRAIGNED

(Eaton, OH)--A man who police say is connected to the discovery of 26 pounds of crystal meth on I-70 in Preble County was arraigned Wednesday.  39-year-old Waiman Yu is suspected of being part of a large drug trafficking organization for 20 years.  Federal agents put a GPS tracking device on Yu’s car, which was stopped in on I-70 in Preble County.  The drugs had a street value of $400,000.  Yu has already done six years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder.

RPD FEARS McDONALD'S DEMOLITION WILL PROMPT PROSTITUTION SHIFT

(Richmond, IN)--An interesting letter has been sent from the Richmond Police Department to owners of businesses just east of the Uptown area.  The letter says that there has been an increase in prostitution complaints inside McDonald’s at 18th and East Main.  There have also been complaints outside the building.  That McDonald’s is set to close at the end of the month for a three-month demolition and reconstruction project.  RPD is concerned prostitutes may set up shop in or near a different business.  Nearby business owners have been invited by RPD to a meeting on August 30 to address the situation.

OFFICERS IN POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING IDENTIFIED

(Connersville, IN)--The officers in a police-involved shooting in Connersville have been identified.  CPD officer Josh Durnstine and Fayette County Deputy Kyle Murry are today on administrative leave that’s part of routine procedure.  Either Durnstine or  Murry or both fired at Jason Combs last weekend when Combs came around a corner carrying a shotgun during a fight call on Indiana Avenue.  Combs was not hit.  He has been charged with criminal recklessness.

WOMAN ARRESTED ON DRUG WARRANT

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond woman was picked up at a fast-food restaurant just east of Uptown.  45-year-old Marti Adams is now in the Wayne County Jail, where she charged with possessing methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a common nuisance.  Adams was working at the Wendy’s on East Main at lunchtime Tuesday when she was taken into custody.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF RAPING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL PLEADS GUILTY

(Richmond, IN)--An illegal immigrant who was living in Richmond and was also accused of raping a 14-year-old girl pled guilty Monday to a reduced charge as part of a plea deal.  25-year-old Jose Diaz admitted to the incident, which occurred a year ago and was reported by the victim to an adult at Richmond High School.  Diaz will be sentenced to five and a half years as part of the plea agreement.  He will also have to register as a sex offender.

REID TO HOST FIRST-EVER JOB FAIR

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health averages between 130 and 160 job openings per month.  A job fair has been set for Wednesday to highlight many of those openings.  The first-ever Reid Health Career Fair will take place from 3 until 6 Wednesday afternoon at Lingle Hall.  All departments – both clinical and non-clinical – will be represented.

FOUR ARRESTED DURING SOUTH 6th DRUG BUST

(Richmond, IN)--Four people were in jail Tuesday morning after being arrested at a Richmond drug house Monday.  31-year-old Justin Agnew is a resident of a home in the 300 block of South 6th.  Agnew is charged with dealing, possession, and maintaining a common nuisance.  Also arrested were 36-year-old Amy Gadd, 33-year-old Don Hittle, and 24-year-old Dustin Reffitt.  All face various charges of possession and visiting a common nuisance.

SENATOR TODD YOUNG HEADED TO RICHMOND TO DISCUSS OPIOID CRISIS

(Richmond, IN)--The fact there were at least four drug overdoses in Richmond from Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning is indicative of the problem that’s bringing Senator Todd Young to Richmond on Wednesday.  Community leaders, elected officials, and addiction treatment representatives will meet at Reid Health Wednesday afternoon to further discuss problems created by opioid addiction.  Unlike another recent forum at Reid Health, Wednesday’s gathering is not open to the public.

PART OF STATE ROUTE 121 DEDICATED TO FALLEN SOLDIER

(New Madison, OH)--A stretch of State Route 121 in the New Madison area was dedicated Monday to honor a soldier who died during Operation Desert Storm.  Master Sergeant William McDaniel II was killed 15 years ago when the helicopter he was in crashed in the Philippines.  McDaniel was a Darke County native and lifelong resident.  Family members and military representatives were on hand Monday.  The part of 121 honoring McDaniel runs from New Madison to Fort Jefferson.

STATE POLICE TO INVESTIGATE OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

(Connersville, IN)--The Indiana State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Connersville over the weekend.  Police were called late Saturday night to a home on Indiana Avenue where a fight was in progress.  As officers went to the front door, a man later identified as 29-year-old Jason Combs walked around the corner of the house with a 12 gauge shotgun.  Officers fired but missed.  Combs ran inside and later surrendered without incident.

TEEN FOUND AFTER BEING MISSING FOR MORE THAN A DAY

(Metamora, IN)--A search for a missing Franklin County teen had a happy ending this weekend.  14-year-old Emily Pennington, who is described as being in the autism spectrum, was dropped off at her Metamora home on Thursday afternoon by a school bus but was not seen after that.  Dozens of volunteers and at least six law enforcement agencies searched wooded areas and eventually found Emily on Saturday morning sitting on the bank of the Whitewater River.  She was taken to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to be checked out.

SUGAR CREEK CASE AGAINST SEWER DISTRICT MOVING FORWARD

The ongoing fight between Sugar Creek Packing Company and the Western Wayne Regional Sewer District is moving forward. The sewer district has one week to submit its own testimony to state regulators on Sugar Creek’s complaint of poor service.  Sugar Creek has been pushing a plan to send its wastewater to Connersville, an idea the sewer district opposes.  Western Wayne has long argued that it is not a public utility and not subject to oversight by the state.

EARLHAM COLLEGE PROFESSOR AWARDED 1.1 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT

A chemistry instructor at Earlham College is getting a federal grant to develop a curriculum that could eventually be used across the country.  The National Science Foundation awarded the one-point-one million dollar grant to Lori Watson.  She is an associate professor of chemistry at Earlham.  The grant will help her and other collaborators develop syllabi for inorganic science courses that can be used at any college.

WINCHESTER CONSIDERS RECYCLING PROGRAM

Winchester is considering a recycling program.  Last month, the city was approved for a 66-thousand dollar grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to set up the program by early next year.  The Mayor of Winchester says the program will cost the city 175-thousand dollars to launch, but only about one-quarter of that amount to maintain annually.

WAYNE COUNTY CONSIDERS MAGISTRATE FOR ZONING ISSUES

(Hagerstown, IN)--Wayne County leaders are discussing creating a magistrate that would oversee what would essentially be an ordinance violation court.  The issue came to the forefront this week at a Hagerstown Town Council meeting.  Hagerstown is about to adopt a new zoning ordinance that sets lower limits on the number of farm animals allowed in areas with residential concentrations.

TWO WOMEN ARREST LAST MONTH FOR DRUGS ARRESTED AGAIN

(Richmond, IN)--Multiple types of drugs were recovered when a Richmond woman was pulled over in the 200 block of South 9th late Wednesday night.  36-year-old Melissa Leonard was allegedly driving under the influence and in possession of heroin, meth, needles, and other drug paraphernalia.  Leonard had just been jailed last month on very similar charges.  Another Richmond woman was also arrested Wednesday night on various drug charges.  23-year-old Taylor Glander had a warrant for possessing meth and needles.  She was jailed less than three weeks ago on similar charges.

RADFORD'S OPENS EAST-SIDE STORE

(Richmond, IN)--A west-side Richmond staple opens on the east side Thursday.  Radford’s Meat Market and Deli is opening Thursday in the building just east of Walmart that was originally home to Skyline Chili.  Owner Jen Ferriell talks about what prompted them to open a second store.  "It was mainly just customer driven.  We heard on a daily or weekly basis from people who didn't want to drive all the way across town, but they wanted to shop with us more often."  The west-side Radford’s will remain open.  "No changes.  We're still business as usual over there," Ferriell said.  The east-side location features limited seating.

REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION APPROVES OLD REID LOAN FUNDING

(Richmond, IN)--The demolition and cleanup of the old Reid property went before the Richmond Redevelopment Commission Tuesday.  As expected, that commission agreed to be the repayment source for a 20-year, five-and-a-quarter-million-dollar loan.  The repayment will come from Tax Increment Financing funds.  The loan plan still needs the approval of Richmond Common Council.  County involvement in old Reid’s cleanup will be discussed in a joint meeting of the county council and commissioners on August 16.

RICHMOND MAN BLOWS .435 AFTER SCOOTER CRASH

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was jailed Tuesday night after crashing his scooter and being found with an incredible blood-alcohol content.  47-year-old Nicky Davidson crashed on Round Barn Road and was taken to Reid Health twice…not because of injuries, but because of a blood-alcohol content of .435.  That’s too high to be booked into the Wayne County Jail.  After the level dropped, Davidson was jailed.  The AMA says that a blood-alcohol content of .45 is fatal for most people.

CAMDEN LEVIES PASS

(Camden, OH)--Voting took place in one Preble County community Tuesday.  Camden residents went to the polls to vote on two issues.  One was the coverage of operating expenses.  The other was a six-mil police levy.  Both issues passed, although the operating expenses levy made it by just nine votes.  The passage of the two issues will not increase taxes for Camden residents.

CONSTRUCTION TIE UPS NEAR GRAVEL PIT ROAD

(RICHMOND)- A heads up about some traffic work that could impact your drive this week.  Crews will install beams for a new I-70 westbound bridge deck near Gravel Pit Road. That means traffic on New Paris Pike will be stopped periodically during daylight hours tomorrow through Friday while the beams are lifted into place.

RPD K-9 GETTING BODY ARMOR

(RICHMOND)-  A Richmond Police Department K-9 officer is getting body armor.  Max will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K-9s.  The group is located in Massachusetts and making the donation in memory of a K-9 officer from California.

 

 

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RICHMOND COMMON COUNCIL ORDINANCES TO FUND OLD REID DEMO

(RICHMOND)- Richmond Common Council is taking up two ordinances that deal with the loans the city is taking out to tear down the old Reid Hospital and clean up the site.  The ordinances were introduced at last night’s council meeting and referred to the finance committee.  The city has been approved for just over eight million dollars in loans, though the actual cost of the project is still pending.

CAR, TRAIN COLLIDE ON NORTH 15th

(Richmond, IN)--A woman escaped serious injury when her car collided with a train Sunday night in Richmond.  It happened at the crossing near North 15th and F.  Investigators have already determined that the crossing arm was working correctly, but they’re not sure if the train hit her or if she drove into the side of the train.  A family member indicated that a dog that was in the car hopped onto her leg and forced her to hit the accelerator.  The driver was taken to Reid Health to be checked out.  The dog was not hurt.

STOLEN GUN, MASK FOUND AFTER BULLET GOES THROUGH FRONT DOOR

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police were sent to the 900 block of South 18th on a shots fired call at 1:15 Monday morning.  When they arrived, they found a bullet hole through a front door and a stolen gun and a mask in the front yard.  The resident of the home never called police.  Investigators are calling it an attempted robbery.  It’s not clear if the home’s resident knew a bullet came through the front door.  There is no suspect information.

CITY GRANTED ONE-TIME DEADLINE EXTENSION FOR STELLAR GRANT PROGRAM

(Richmond, IN)--This spring, Richmond city officials came under fire due to a deadline that was missed for the Stellar Grant program.  That program is helping to fund millions of dollars’ worth of repairs and upgrades to Uptown Richmond and the North Tenth Street area.  Now, city leaders have learned that the deadline for façade work Uptown has been extended to the end of next month.  State officials told local leaders last week that there would be no further extensions.

COUNCIL TO DISCUSS OLD REID LOANS ON MONDAY NIGHT

(Richmond, IN)--On Monday, Richmond Common Council will address two loans that would fund clean-up of the old Reid property.  One is a zero-interest loan for $2.8 million to clean up contamination.  The other is a $5.25 million, 2% interest loan that would demolish and remove the buildings.  The loan application indicates cleanup would begin this October and would take a year and a half to complete.  The application says the city intends to use the property as a multi-use residential or commercial property and city park by May of 2021.

FORMER RICHMOND RESIDENT ACCUSED OF PRODUCING CHILD PORN

(Winchester, IN)--Randolph County investigators are calling a former Richmond resident a true predator.  49-year-old Rodney Baker now lives between Lynn and Winchester.  He’s charged with attempted child solicitation and possessing child porn.  According to a press release, Baker sent multiple images of himself to what he thought was a 15-year-old girl but was really a law enforcement agent.  That led to the discovery of images that included Baker involved in inappropriate conduct with young children.  He’s in the Randolph County Jail.

EDC SURVEY SHOWS ONLY 3% OF EMPLOYERS EXPECT LAYOFFS

(Richmond, IN)--This week, the EDC of Wayne County released results of a labor and wages survey that was conducted in Whitewater Valley counties.  In that survey, 55% of employers said they plan on adding workers in the next year while only three percent expect layoffs.  More than a third of employers indicated substance abuse is at least a moderate problem in the workplace.  Production workers in our area are making a median wage of $13.85 per hour.  General laborers report a median pay rate of $14.18 per hour.

PREBLE, DARKE, AND BUTLER COUNTY TO GET TWO MEDICINAL MARIJUANA FACILITIES

(Columbus, OH)--Preble, Darke, and Butler County would be allowed a total two medicinal marijuana dispensaries to cover all three counties when Ohio’s program is fully implemented.  State regulators issued a map this week showing a county-by-county breakdown.  A board took into account potential patient population in each area.  No specific locations in our area have been revealed.  The program must be implemented in a little more than a year.

EDC RELEASES RESULTS OF LABOR AND WAGE SURVEY

(Whitewater Valley)--The EDC of Wayne County has published results of a labor survey.  The survey encompasses all Whitewater Valley counties.  One of the key findings is that nearly 30,000 people are considered to be underemployed.  2300 people in our area who are unemployed would consider re-entering the workforce.  The median pay rate that they say they would need to work again is $12 an hour.  Underemployed workers said they would commute an average of 32 miles to work at a better job.  The survey also looks at wages.  Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point will cover that part of the survey in news on Friday.

FORMER TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER SENTENCED FOR DUI

(Richmond, IN)--Former Fountain City Town Council member Jesse Berger was back in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning.  Berger has had two alcohol-related arrests in the last year and was sentenced Wednesdayday for operating while intoxicated.  Also jailed Thursday morning was 36-year-old Amanda Richards.  She had been wanted for neglecting her dependent and was located Thursday morning at a home on North C in Richmond.

CORDELL POOL EXTENDS HOURS

(Richmond, IN)--The Cordell Municipal Pool in Richmond is extending its hours for the remainder of the season.  Parks Superintendent Denise Retz said in a release Wednesday that issues with the pool early this summer prompted the extension.  The pool will now be open Tuesday nights for Family Nights.  It will also be open on weekends through September 10.  On that September 10th closing date, the pool’s 50th anniversary will be commemorated.

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RECEIVES RE-ACCREDITATION

(Richmond, IN)--The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department has been re-accredited by a national commission that ensures agencies meet the highest standards of law enforcement.  It’s a big deal because only a handful of departments nationally receive the accreditation.  Assessors from CALEA were in Wayne County in March to do an on-site assessment and then forward findings to commissioners.  That commission then unanimously approved the re-accreditation.  Sheriff Jeff Cappa and Deputy Rick Barth went to Rhode Island last week to finalize their status.

PUBLIC DISPUTE LEADS TO COUPLE'S ARREST FOR FELONY CHILD NEGLECT

(Richmond, IN)--A public domestic dispute led to the arrest of a Richmond couple on felony child neglect charges Tuesday night.  24-year-old Israel Saylor and 23-year-old Jordan Pentecost were pushing a stroller with two children near South 5th and E Streets when an argument broke out.  When police arrived, they found that both Saylor and Pentecost were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Pentecost was also allegedly in possession of drug paraphernalia.  Both were in jail Wednesday morning. The two young children were not hurt.

NW INDIANA ATTEMPTED MURDERER ARRESTED WITH GUN IN RICHMOND

(Richmond, IN)--A man who was once arrested in northwest Indiana for attempted murder was caught with a gun in the lot of the Village Pantry on West Main in Richmond Tuesday night.  41-year-old Andre Glenn now lists a Centerville address.  A traffic stop Tuesday night led to a search of the car, which turned up the weapon.  Glenn was in jail Wednesday morning where he’s charged with being a serious violent felon in possession of a handgun.

CHANGES MADE TO REID HEALTH'S MOTHER-BABY CENTER

(Richmond, IN)--Changes are coming to Reid Health’s Mother-Baby Care Center, beginning with the name.  That department is now being referred to as the Family Birthing Center.  Recent upgrades include classes for not only mothers, but also for family members that deal with caring for a newborn.  There’s also a Sleep Safe program.  Reid says the name change is a better reflection of the services that are now offered.

FOUR ARRESTED ON DRUG, COUNTERFEITING CHARGES

(Richmond, IN)--Contact with two people in an alley near North 16th and A in Richmond Monday night resulted in the search of a nearby home and the arrest of four people.  Officers saw movement inside as they were questioning two people outside.  A search warrant was then obtained.  Multiple types of drugs were recovered.  22-year-old Angel Nunez was charged with possession of meth and maintaining a common nuisance.  20-year-old Kalina Hayre also allegedly had meth, marijuana, and counterfeit money.  Mike Delucio and William Richie were also jailed.  All four remained behind bars Tuesday morning.

HAGERSTOWN MAN INJURED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH

(Delaware County, IN)--A Hagerstown man was seriously injured in a crash involving a drunken driver in the Muncie area Monday night.  44-year-old Douglas Marshall of Hagerstown was riding his motorcycle on State Road 67 when a driver pulled out of a gas station into his path.  Marshall was thrown from the motorcycle and the driver fled the scene.  He was caught a short time later.  Marshall was taken to a Level One trauma center.  His condition had not been released by early Tuesday morning.

SERVICES PENDING FOR DUKE WARD

(Richmond, IN)--Services are still pending for a Richmond man who was largely credited with helping to bring summer baseball to McBride Stadium.  Duke Ward died last Friday after having suffered a heart attack early last week.  Ward was instrumental in bringing the Richmond Roosters to McBride in the 1990’s.  He also was part of a trio that brought the River Rats to McBride after the Roosters folded.  Ward was also the owner of Side One Music in Richmond.

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