Local News Archives for 2018-01

ELDER-BEERMAN OWES WAYNE COUNTY $3700 IN PROPERTY TAX PENALTIES

(Richmond, IN)--It’s another bad sign for Elder-Beerman.  Elder-Beerman’s parent company, Bon-Ton has now filed documents indicating the possible closure of its Dayton-area distribution facility.  Bon-Ton would not specifically discuss the Richmond Elder-Beerman’s situation Tuesday.  But, a check with county officials revealed that the fall installment of property taxes for the Richmond store were paid late.  The company now owes Wayne County just over $3761.56 in penalties.

MAN CHARGED WITH FELONY BATTERY ON A POLICE OFFICER AFTER CHASE

(Richmond, IN)--A central Indiana man is facing a host of charges after leading Richmond police on a foot chase Tuesday.  The chase was in the area of South 12th and A.  Officers used a Taser on 44-year-old William Conrad, but it was not effective.  Conrad was eventually taken into custody.  Officers found meth and other drugs.  He’s also now facing an additional charge of felony battery on a police officer and is wanted in another jurisdiction.

OFFICERS FOLLOW CAR PARTS TO ARREST DRUNKEN DRIVER

(Richmond, IN)--Police followed car parts from Henry County to Richmond to arrest an allegedly drunken driver Wednesday morning.  30-year-old Kristina Jasper of New Castle began hitting objects with her Mustang in New Castle.  On her way to Wayne County, her front bumper, a head light, and other car parts fell off along the roadway.  Jasper was booked into the Wayne County Jail at around 6 o’clock Wednesday morning after having been determined to have a blood alcohol content of .128.  Investigators don’t yet know how many objects or parked vehicles she may have struck.

42 ELDER-BEERMAN STORES COULD CLOSE BY YEAR'S END

(Dayton, OH)--The parent company of Elder-Beerman announced Monday that another 40 underperforming stores could potentially close this year in an effort to turn around the failing business.  Bon-Ton could file bankruptcy as early as next week if it cannot come to terms with its creditors.  A specific list of underperforming stores was not released.  An Elder-Beerman store in Middletown closed less than two months ago.

MAN JAILED AFTER OVERDOSE CALL INVOLVING PREGNANT WOMAN

(Dublin, IN)--A western Wayne County man was in jail Tuesday morning after a double overdose call Monday night.  And, according to scanner traffic, the female is pregnant.  First responders were sent to the 2300 block of West South Street in Dublin Monday night when the couple allegedly overdosed.  Both were revived.  23-year-old Austin Lambert is now charged with felony neglect of a dependent.  The female was not jailed.

SIXTH STREET TO CLOSE NEAR SOUTH A

(Richmond, IN)--An Uptown Richmond street is closing.  Beginning Tuesday and lasting for a week, Sixth Street will be closed for storm sewer installation.  The closure will be north of South A Street, although parts of Sixth will still be accessible from 5th and 7th Streets.  Meanwhile, INDOT’s $24 million pavement project continues for heavily traveled city streets that began in March of last year and won’t wrap up until the end of this year.

ALLEGED DRUG DEALER CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER FOR OVERDOSE DEATH

(Connersville, IN)--In the first case of its kind in Fayette County, one alleged drug dealer has been charged with involuntarily manslaughter for the death of another man.  49-year-old Thomas Delph was arrested for involuntary manslaughter following the overdose death last October of Julon Gaines.  Investigators have now been able to piece together phone messages just before Gaines’ death and determine he had allegedly obtained drugs from Delph immediately before the overdose.

WAYNE COUNTY DISPATCHERS FIELDED 94,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE LAST YEAR

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County Emergency Communications has released some numbers from last year.  According to their post on social media, 911 dispatchers handled just shy of 94,000 calls for service last year in Wayne County for police, fire, and ambulance.  That’s about 258 calls per day.  They received only 258 text messages for service.  Their busiest day of the week may surprise you…it was Tuesdays.  911 provides dispatch service for 27 Wayne County agencies.

RAPID RESPONSE TEAM DISPATCHED FOR AUTOCAR WORKERS

(Hagerstown, IN)--The Indiana Department of Workforce Development and WorkOne have activated the state’s Rapid Response team to help the 70 hourly employees affected by the Autocar layoffs in Hagerstown.  Those organizations will help workers build resumes and interview skills as they search for new jobs.  Local officials had complained shortly after the layoffs were announced that Autocar did not provide notice as required by layoffs of that magnitude.

WAYNE COUNTY WORKFORCE FALLS BELOW 30,000 PEOPLE

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County has now dropped below the threshold of having 30,000 people in its workforce.  The number of people in the workforce has steadily declined in recent years, and, according to new numbers from the state, stands today at 29,877 people.  That’s a drop of 137 in the last month and a drop of 300 people from this point last year.  Wayne County’s new unemployment rate is 3.2%.

ALLEGED VILLAGE PANTRY FINGER ROBBER ARRESTED AGAIN

(Richmond, IN)--The man who allegedly tried to rob a Richmond Village Pantry last week by trying to pass his finger off as a gun was back behind bars Friday morning.  45-year-old Francis Dunn had been released from jail after being charged with the attempted robbery, but he failed to show for his initial court hearing early this week.  Dunn was found at 4 o’clock Friday morning at his South 6th Street home and returned to the Wayne County Jail.

WOMAN'S FATHER'S DOG TAGS RETURNED AFTER BEING BURIED FOR 73 YEARS

(Eaton, OH)--It's a testament to the power of social media…Last month, a couple was digging it their back yard in Bristol, Virginia.  They dug up the World War II dog tags of a man named Scott Falker and posted a picture on social media.  It was eventually seen by Pamela Weadick, who lives in Eaton.  She recognized that the tags belonged to her father, Scott Falkner.  Falkner had lived at that Bristol home but moved to Eaton back in 1945, meaning the tags had been buried for at least 73 years.  Weadick received her father’s tags this week.

BOWMAN BAKERY SEARCHED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS

(Hagerstown, IN)--Multiple law enforcement agencies descended on Bowman Bakery and two nearby buildings in Hagerstown Wednesday night, but the nature of their investigation still has not been released.  The Indiana State Police cordoned off three properties and detained two people at the scene, but no one had been booked into jail Thursday morning.  Investigators were removing electronic equipment from the scene.  More evidence was removed in two large bags.  Child Protective Services was also involved.  A female was questioned and released.  A male was detained longer.

GANNETT: NO NAME CHANGE COMING TO PALLADIUM-ITEM

(Richmond, IN)--A Gannett official said Wednesday that no name change is coming to the Palladium-Item despite what was included in a letter sent to local retailers this week.  Merchants who sell the Palladium received a letter this week indicating that the Monday-Saturday cost of the paper would be raised to $2 beginning next month.  But, the letter refers to the "Richmond – Indianapolis Star."  Nowhere on the letter do the words Palladium-Item appear.  The letter says the increase is due to increasing operational costs.

TRUCK, TRAIN COLLIDE IN CONNERSVILLE

(Connersville, IN)--A truck and a train collided in Connersville Wednesday.  The truck had stopped at the Eastern Avenue crossing because the gates were down.  As the train approached at a very slow speed, witnesses said the gate went back up.  The driver of a truck that had been leased to Angela Prifogle was struck as it crossed.  The truck was pushed about 30 feet down the track.  No serious injuries were reported.

RPD NABS BURGLARY SUSPECT

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged Richmond burglar was captured Wednesday morning.  Officers arrested 30-year-old Dylan McLemore at his home on Washington Court in Richmond at around 1 o’clock Wednesday morning.  McLemore has 14 prior contacts with law enforcement, including just two weeks ago when he was arrested for failing to appear in court following an arrest last November for drug possession.  Details of McLemore’s alleged burglary have not been released.

CONNERSVILLE AND FAYETTE COUNTY SUE DRUG COMPANIES

(Connersville, IN)--The city of Connersville and Fayette County has filed a lawsuit against nine pharmaceutical companies over the opioid crisis.  The lawsuit was filed this week and claims that companies like Johnson and Johnson deceptively marketed the appropriate use of opioids.  The lawsuit does not ask for a specific amount of money, but does identify the expenses the county has incurred.  Multiple other cities and counties across the country have filed similar lawsuits.

ALLEGED DRUG DEALER ARRESTED

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police arrested an alleged drug dealer Tuesday morning.  Officers investigated drug activity in the area of North 17th and C Street at around 2 o’clock Tuesday morning and located 39-year-old Larry Blackstock.  Blackstock was taken into custody and charged with both dealing cocaine and dealing methamphetamine.  RPD has not released other details of the arrest.

BOIL ADVISORY ISSUED FOR PART OF CENTERVILLE

(Centerville, IN)--A boil advisory was in effect for part of Centerville Tuesday morning.  The advisory went into effect Monday after an emergency repair to a water main.  The area includes North First Street to North Ash Street and from U.S. 40 to Water Street.  Residents should boil water for 12 minutes before using it for cooking or drinking.  The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

RICHMOND INVESTMENT FIRM PARTNERS WITH OKLAHOMA FIRM

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond investment firm has partnered with an Oklahoma City firm.  The Bartel-Guiley Group, which is a former branch of Raymond James, has officially become Vista Investment Partners.  According to a release, established clients will not notice changes in day-to-day operations.  The Bartel-Guiley Group was formed 13 years ago.

ELDER-BEERMAN'S PARENT COMPANY MISSES PAYMENT, CLOSES NEARBY STORE

(Dayton, OH)--There’s more trouble for Bon-Ton Stores.  That’s the parent company of Elder-Beerman.  Last month, the company missed a $14 million interest payment.  It started a 30-day grace period that will end this week.  Also this month, the Elder-Beerman in nearby Middletown was permanently closed.  Bon-Ton has hired a private company to find ways to refinance the company’s debt as sales and customer traffic decline at stores like Elder-Beerman.

MULTIPLE CREWS BATTLE BARN FIRE

(Gratis, OH)--There was developing news in Preble County Monday morning.  Crews from multiple agencies covering three counties were on the scene of a large barn fire.  It broke out at about 3:30 Monday morning on Auckerman Creek Road.  That’s just outside of Gratis.  There’s no word yet on what started the fire or the contents of the barn.  Crews were expected to be there most of the morning.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER BEING FOUND PASSED OUT OVER THE HANDLEBARS OF A BICYCLE

(Richmond, IN)--A Connersville man was jailed last night after he was allegedly found passed out over the handlebars of a bicycle in Richmond.  Officers were called to North 15th and A Street Sunday night where they found 40-year-old Chad Holmes.  Holmes was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, narcotic drugs, and a syringe.  He is also wanted in Fayette County.  Holmes was also charged with public intoxication.

LANDRUM BOLING DEAD AT 104

(Richmond, IN)--An Earlham College icon has died.  Landrum Bolling served as Earlham President for over 15 years in a time when the campus grew tremendously.  "I would gladly have paid for the priviledge of doing the jobs I have had if I would've had to pay for it," Bolling said in an interview a couple of years ago.  He was nationally known for his devotion to global peace and remained active with Earlham.  "The college continues to be a very strong institution doing wonderful work," Bolling said in 2014.  This was his philosophy:  "I've enjoyed life.  I think the real secret is to enjoy life, enjoy people, and enjoy what you're doing."  Landrum Bolling was 104.

MAN FOUND HIDING UNDER BED AFTER TRYING TO ROB VP WITH HIS FINGER

(Richmond, IN)--On Thursday, Kicks 96 and The Point News reported that a man had tried to pass his finger off as a gun in a holdup attempt at the Village Pantry at 5th and West Main in Richmond.  Now, he’s been identified and arrested.  45-year-old Francis Dunn was in the Wayne County Jail Friday morning.  A resident of South 6th Street tipped police off a few hours after the robbery attempt and said that Dunn was hiding underneath her bed.  That’s where officers found him.  Dunn has been charged with felony robbery, even though his alleged attempt was unsuccessful.

DUI SUSPECT CRASHES INTO HOUSE

(Richmond, IN)--A car driven by a drunken driver smashed into a house in Richmond Friday morning.  It happened at about 1:30 Friday morning in the first block of South 17th.  A woman later identified as 32-year-old Charlene Byrd of Fort Wayne smashed into the house.  "There was some damage to the brick porch," said Battalion Chief Jeff Glenn.  She was able to drive away, but not before hitting a parked car.  Police were able to track her down on South 11th.  She was taken first to Reid Health because of a blood alcohol content of .258.  That’s more than three times the legal limit.  She then went to the Wayne County Jail.  No one in the house was hurt.

RPD FINDS HEROIN IN SUSPECT'S MOUTH

(Richmond, IN)--An RPD officer checked on a suspicious person Friday morning and made a drug arrest as a result.  The officer came into contact with 22-year-old Dallas Dunn in the area of South 13th and M Street just after midnight Friday morning.  And, inside Dunn’s mouth was allegedly a baggie full of heroin.  He was taken first to Reid Health for a possible overdose and then to the Wayne County Jail.

MAN ARRESTED FOR DUI CRASH 1 HOUR AFTER TURNING 21

(Richmond, IN)--21-year-old Brendan Linville of Richmond had only been legally able to drink for about an hour and 15 minutes before being crashing early Friday morning.  First responders were sent to the area of State Road 227 and River Court in Richmond at 1:15 Friday morning on the report of a crash into a pole.  They found Linville there with a blood alcohol content of .190.  That’s more than twice the legal limit.  Linville was not seriously hurt but now faces charges that include criminal recklessness.

RP&L CREW ARRIVES IN PUERTO RICO

(San Juan, PR)--An RP&L crew has arrived in Puerto Rico to help with hurricane relief efforts.  Now, the crew is awaiting the arrival of equipment.  An RP&L truck is on a barge that’s nearing Puerto Rico.  RP&L General Randy Baker said that he heard from FEMA this week.  "They're trying to expedite some of the reimbursements for this whole project.  Instead of waiting until the whole thing is over, we may be able to bill them in 30-day increments," Baker said.  The crew could be working in Puerto Rico for as long as two months.

MAN USES FINGER TO TRY TO HOLD UP RICHMOND VP

(Richmond, IN)--There was an attempted armed robbery of sorts Thursday morning at a Richmond Village Pantry.  It happened at around 5 o’clock Thursday morning at the VP at 5th and West Main.  A man was milling around in the store for a while and then walked up to the clerk.  The clerk saw the man take his hand out of his pocket and stick it under his shirt as though he had a gun.  He then demanded cash.  The clerk told the man she saw him stick his hand under his shirt and knew that it wasn’t a gun.  He then fled the scene without any cash.

LOCALS WITNESS METEOR

(Whitewater Valley)--If you saw the sky light up briefly late Wednesday night, you’re not alone.  Dispatchers from across the Whitewater Valley received calls at just before midnight questioning the event.  The source appears to be a second meteor that has entered Earth’s atmosphere this week.  One RPD officer who was out on a call Wednesday night witnessed the event and said that the sky lit up with a blue color.  Preble and Randolph County also received calls with a similar description.

COUNCIL APPROVES PET ORDINANCE

(Richmond, IN)--Pet owners filled Richmond Common Council chambers Tuesday night as council addressed an ordinance aimed at cracking down on neglectful owners.  "Unfortunately, the owner does not always know what's best.  I think there should be set temperatures," said one of numerous people who spoke.  Council passed an ordinance that does not set a specific temperature at which pets must be brought in, but does require owners to alleviate any distress.  Council member Clay Miller said enforcement is the real issue.  "We can add all the language in the world we want to add.  But, if it's not enforced, it doesn't make a difference.  Miller cast the lone dissenting vote.  The fine for a first offense is $100.  Penalties essentially double after that

RICHMOND CITY PLANNER TO JOIN EDC STAFF

(Richmond, IN)--The EDC of Wayne County has hired a new manager of Existing Business and Education.  Sarah Mitchell will be joining the EDC staff in a few weeks.  Mitchell is the former planner for the city of Richmond and has already worked on multiple projects that have had EDC involvement.  In her work with the city, Mitchell was involved in projects that include Stellar Communities, Blight Elimination, and Neighborhood Stabilization.

RPD MAKES PROSTITUTION ARREST

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged Richmond prostitute was arrested Tuesday at the Leisure Village Mobile Home park on South Q Street.  36-year-old Angelina Hayes was in the Wayne County Jail Wednesday morning facing multiple charges, including possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  Details of what led police to arrest Hayes have not yet been released.

EATON'S POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS

(Eaton, OH)--Eaton’s police chief has resigned.  Chad DePew has led Eaton’s police department for the last seven years, but is stepping down to take a position with the Kettering Health Network’s Medical Center Police Department.  He’ll manage several facilities in the Kettering network, including the Preble County Emergency Room.  Eaton city leaders will now look for a replacement.  DePew’s last day on the job is Friday.

HEARING SET FOR ADMITTED MURDERER OF FORMER LYNN RESIDENT

(Goodlettsville, TN)--An initial hearing has now been set for a man accused of murdering his wife, who is a former Lynn resident.  Randolph County native Jacqueline Castano was shot and killed by her husband in the Nashville, Tennessee suburb of Goodlettsville.  Her husband called 911 and admitted to the crime.  Jacqueline had become a special education teacher after leaving Lynn.

RICHMOND MAN CRITICALLY INJURED IN FALL

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was flown to a Level One trauma center after being critically injured early Tuesday morning.  First responders were called to the 200 block of North 12th Street at around 2 o’clock Tuesday morning after a man fell out of a second-story window.  Details that led to the fall have not been disclosed, but alcohol is suspected to have played a role.  His injuries were described as life-threatening.  The man’s identity and current condition have not been released.

FOUR JAILED AFTER THEFT FROM KOHL'S, CHASE

(Richmond, IN)--Four people were jailed Monday after a short police chase in which stolen shoes were being flung out of a car window.  Justin Day and Ashley Sparks of Richmond, along with Haley Lewis of Williamsburg and Matthew Thompson of New Paris were all in jail Tuesday morning.  The four allegedly fled Kohl’s in Richmond after stealing multiple items.  They were all taken into custody near the intersection of Elks Road and East Main.

REID FLU CASES SPIKE FROM 22 LAST SEASON TO 350 THIS SEASON

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health has seen an explosion of flu cases this season.  How bad is it?  There were only 22 confirmed flu cases all of last flu season at Reid.  So far this season, there have been 350…that’s nearly 16 times as many.  46 people have had the flu bad enough to require admission to Reid.  There were only two last year.  Reid recommends the three C’s: clean your hands, cover your cough, and contain yourself – meaning stay home if you’re sick to avoid infecting others.

WATER MAIN BREAKS PROMPT BOIL ADVISORIES

(Wayne County, IN)--Water main breaks prompted boil advisories in two Wayne County communities on Monday.  A large main break in Cambridge City nearly drained the town’s water tower on Sunday and put the entire town under a boil advisory.  There was also a break in Centerville.  Residents in much of the southwestern section of Centerville were also under an advisory Monday.  Water should be boiled for several minutes before using it for cooking or drinking.

FOUNTAIN CITY MAN FLEES POLICE AT 95 MPH

(Randolph County, IN)--A Fountain City man is facing charges after allegedly fleeing a Lynn town marshal at 95 miles per hour in southeastern Randolph County.  27-year-old James Cook was found with heroin, meth, Xanax, and drug paraphernalia.  Also in the car was 28-year-old Alexis Peden.  She faces similar charges.  Peden was wanted in a three-year-old Darke County burglary case.

WAYNE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TREATS ROADS AHEAD OF STORM

(Wayne County, IN)--The Wayne County Highway Department is getting set for the looming winter weather.  "On Friday morning, we will probably just treat down the middle of the roadways and get them prepared for the ice," said Mike Sharp with the Highway Department.  He said covering 720 miles of Wayne County roadways can be a challenge.  "We don't have a lot of extra personnel.  I'll have two people that will be on night crew (Friday night) just for running emergencies," Sharp added.  A full crew will return to work Saturday morning.

RICHMOND WOMAN TO APPEAR FRIDAY ON KATHIE LEE AND HODA SHOW ON FRIDAY

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond woman is making an appearance on a national morning television show Friday.  Joan Bartel is in New York City and attended Thursday’s broadcast of NBC’s Today Show.  Joan was picked out of the crowd to take part in a game that was taped Thursday and is airing Friday morning during the Kathie Lee and Hoda Show.  "What they want us to do is play this game that they play.  They referred to it as a crossword puzzle type of game," Bartel said.  The segment will air at around 10:52 Friday morning.  The Kathie Lee and Hoda Show airs on local channels that include WDTN, Channel 2 in Dayton and WLWT, Channel 5 in Cincinnati.

ALLEGED DRUG DEALER ARRESTED AT COURTHOUSE

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged Richmond drug dealer was arrested Thursday at a place where she spent a lot of time last year.  31-year-old Heather Capps was arrested at the Wayne County Courthouse on charges that include dealing cocaine and methamphetamine.  Capps was arrested and jailed at least four times last year, including for possessing meth last October.

WAYNE COUNTY COULD LOSE TWO TOWNSHIPS

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County is facing losing two of its townships.  There’s currently a Republican plan to eliminate 300 townships across Indiana.  Townships with less than 1200 people would be merged into others over the course of the next five years.  In Wayne County, that would eliminate Boston and Dalton Townships.  Union County would lose four of its six townships, and Franklin County would lose seven of its 13.  Proponents of the plan say it’s a way to reduce expenditures.

BURGLARY INVESTIGATION ENDS WITH ARREST OF 21-YEAR-OLD

(Richmond, IN)--An investigation wrapped up late Wednesday afternoon with the arrest of a suspected Richmond burglar.  21-year-old Samantha Downard was taken into custody at her home on Cart Road and booked into the Wayne County Jail at 7 o’clock Wednesday night.  She now faces a Level 4 Felony.  Details of what Downard is alleged to have burglarized have not been released.

ALLEGED DRUNKEN DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING CRASH SCENE

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police were able to arrest a drunken driver who allegedly fled the scene of a crash Thursday morning.  According to police reports, the crash happened at about 2:30 Thursday morning in the 200 block of South 16th.  Officers were able to track the driver that fled to his home in the 200 block of South 6th and arrested 22-year-old Kian Gibson.  Gibson now faces four charges.  There were no injuries.

FIRE DAMAGES HAGERSTOWN BUSINESS

(Hagerstown, IN)--Fire did heavy damage to a Hagerstown business Wednesday morning.  An officer saw smoke and flames inside the Dave’s Café and Flatlanders building in the 500 block of East Main in Hagerstown at around 3:20 Wednesday morning.  Four departments responded.  It took 45 minutes to get the fire under control.  Investigators feared someone may have been inside the building at the time, but that does not appear to be the case.  The cause of the fire and a dollar amount of the damage have not yet been determined.

MAN ARRESTED IN STABBING INCIDENT

(Richmond, IN)--There was a stabbing in Wayne County Tuesday.  Deputies were sent to Airport Road between Richmond and Centerville and arrested 23-year-old Chance Duarte after a short foot chase.  Duarte allegedly stabbed 22-year-old Jasmine Oakley-Field.  She fled to the Westwood Apartments in Richmond and called for help.  She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.  The couple was arrested just about a month ago for stealing a vehicle at Westwood.

BLUE BUFFALO PURCHASES INDUSTRIAL PARK LAND

(Richmond, IN)--Blue Buffalo has purchased an additional 36 acres of land in the Midwest Industrial Park.  Blue Buffalo is paying about $268,000 for the land, but has not publically said exactly what its use will be.  Construction continues on the 400,000 square-foot plant inside the industrial park.  The sale leaves just 32 acres available in the Phase II area of the park, although the EDC is working to expand the area.  Blue Buffalo expects to employ 165 people at an average wage of $17 per hour.

30% OF REID BABIES BORN TO ADDICTED MOTHERS IN 2017

(Richmond, IN)--Three out of every ten babies born at Reid Health last year were born to drug-addicted mothers.  That’s according to newly released figures from the group Heroin Is Here.  It’s a very slight drop from the numbers in 2016.  But, only two positive tests in the last half of last year were for heroin.  There was, though, a large increase in the percentage of mothers with marijuana in their system.  While 30% of mothers were addicted last year, in 2010 that number was less than 2/10 of one percent.  The number of drug overdose deaths in Wayne County grew by at least 32% last year.  Early last year, Wayne County was on pace to have over a hundred deaths.  The final number will not be that high.  In 2017, there were 74 confirmed OD deaths, but there are few remaining pending cases that could add to the total.  We’re barely nine days into 2018, and there have already been two suspected overdose deaths in Wayne County this year.

RPD SEEKS NEW OFFICERS

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department is looking for officers.  RPD issued a statement Monday saying that they want outstanding candidates with a strong desire to serve the community.  The first step in the process is written testing, and that will begin as soon as Monday, January 15 at Ivy Tech.  Requirements include being under the age of 36 and having a record free of any felonies.

RICHMOND MAN ARRESTED FOR THIRD TIME IN FOUR MONTHS

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was arrested for the third time in the last four months in what has become a problem area of the city.  Officers took 26-year-old Timothy Culbertson into custody in the 2200 block of Grand Avenue late Monday afternoon.  RPD recovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  He remained in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning.

MIT STUDY: WAYNE COUNTY FAMILY OF 4 NEEDS $27.75 HOURLY

(Wayne County, IN)--Researchers at MIT have examined living wages across the country on a county-by-county basis, and here’s what they’ve found for Wayne County.  A living wage is the amount of money someone must earn to actually support a family and is always higher than the minimum wage.  MIT says that a married Wayne County couple with two children must earn a combined $27.75 an hour to make ends meet.  A single adult with one child would have to earn $20.50 an hour.  They say a Wayne County family of four will incur about $58,000 in expenses annually.

LARGE ONLINE RESPONSE POSTPONES BLUE BUFFALO JOB FAIR

(Richmond, IN)--Construction at Blue Buffalo’s Heartland Pet Manufacturing facility in Richmond continues.  There was to have been a job fair yesterday, but that proved unnecessary – at least for the time being – due to what company officials called an overwhelming response to online job postings.  Blue Buffalo said it will host a job fair at some point this year, although no date has been set.  Openings will continue to be posted on the company website.

MISSING TEEN FOUND; MAN THOUGHT TO BE ACCOMPANYING HER JAILED

(Richmond, IN)--A missing Richmond teen has been found.  Megan Catey was found late Thursday night at returned safely to her home.  Megan voluntarily left her home nearly a week ago and had been the subject of a widespread search by law enforcement agents, friends, and family.  She is the daughter of a Connersville police officer.  Details of how Megan was located and where she’s been for the last week have not been released.  Meanwhile, the man she was thought to be with was jailed Thursday.  Austin Neathery is being held for a probation violation.  He was also wanted in Delaware County.  Investigators have not connected Neathery's jailing Thursday to the finding of Megan Catey.

KNOLLENBERG'S BUILDING SUSTAINS HEAVY WATER DAMAGE

(Richmond, IN)--A sprinkler malfunction that was likely brought about by cold temperatures has caused major damage to a historic Uptown Richmond building.  City officials and other crews spent much of Thursday in the Knollenberg’s building.  Water was pouring from pipes for an estimated 48 hours before it was discovered.  Friday morning, orange tags were outside the building signifying that it cannot be occupied.  There is currently no heat or electricity.  The city will work with the building’s owner with clean-up efforts.

HEATING LAMP BLAMED FOR NEW PARIS FIRE

(Preble County, OH)--Investigators say a heat lamp inside a dog house sparked a fire that completely destroyed a home just outside of New Paris.  Crews were called to the house in the 10,000 block of Primrose Road just north of New Paris.  By then, though, the house was fully engulfed in flame.  The house and contents are a total loss.  Damage is in excess of $200,000.  There were no human injuries, but a family pet was killed.

RICHMOND K-MART NOT INCLUDED ON NATIONWIDE CLOSURE LIST

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond K-Mart lives on.  Sears Holding, which is the parent company of K-Mart, announced Thursday that 64 K-Mart stores across the country would be closing due to slumping sales, and Richmond’s store was not on the closure list.  Two stores in Indiana and one in Ohio will be closing, but not in our area.  Eaton’s K-Mart closed a few years ago.

D'AMICO STEPS DOWN AS WAYNE COUNTY CHAMBER LEADER

(Richmond, IN)--Phil D’Amico is out as the leader of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce.  D’Amico recently informed the Chamber’s Board that he would be leaving to take a similar position in Bloomington.  D’Amico was in Wayne County for only about a year after having come from South Bend.  The Chamber now says they’ll be mapping out a transition strategy.

LIBERTY WOMAN ARRESTED IN RICHMOND WITH DRUGS, PARAPHERNALIA

(Richmond, IN)--A Liberty woman is facing a host of charges after her arrest Wednesday just north of Richmond.  Officers responded to a home near the intersection of Crescent Drive and U.S. 27 and arrested 23-year-old Bradi Louden.  She was allegedly in possession of controlled substances, syringes, and drug paraphernalia.  Quantities were not released.  Louden is also charged with theft and was still in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning.

THIRD RAPE CHARGE ADDED AGAINST OXFORD TAXI DRIVER

(Oxford, OH)--The Oxford taxi cab driver who had been charged with raping two Miami University students in his cab has now been charged with a third rape.  38-year-old Sherman Jackson was in the Butler County Jail on the previous charges when the third charge was added Wednesday.  Investigators say it’s completely unrelated to the two previous cases.  Jackson owns Sherman’s Safe Ride Taxi.

MAN ACCUSED OF BEING WITH MISSING TEEN DENIES INVOLVEMENT

(Richmond, IN)--There have been no significant developments in the last 24 hours in the search for 17-year-old Richmond runaway Megan Catey.  Investigators say she cut through a screen window in her home last Saturday and has not been seen since.  Her family and police investigators have said they believe she’s with 18-year-old Austin Neathery.  But Neathery denies those claims in a profanity-laden Facebook post made on Tuesday.  Neathery claims he was never with Megan and has offered to help with the search.

RICHMOND SMASHES JANUARY 2 RECORD LOW

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond has easily broken its all-time record low temperature for this date.  The mercury dropped to ten below at the Richmond Municipal Airport at 6:19 Tuesday morning.  It easily breaks a record low of five below that was set in the late 1800's.  How cold has it been?  Our last above-normal day was December 23.  In the nine days since, we’ve been a combined 157 degrees below normal.  December 23 was also the last time we were above freezing.  We’re not forecast to be above freezing until this coming Sunday.

MAN JAILED AFTER SMASHING HOUSING AUTHORITY BUILDING'S WINDOWS

(Richmond, IN)--A New York man was in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning after an incident on South 15th Street in Richmond Monday.  People in the area originally thought that someone was firing shots from the Merle Henderson Apartments.  As officers investigated, they found that no shots had been fired but that the man had stolen a fire extinguisher from a nearby church and broken out windows at a Richmond Housing Authority Building.  He faces multiple charges, including burglary and criminal trespass.  No reason for the incident has been released.

SEARCH FOR MISSING RICHMOND TEEN INTENSIFIES

(Richmond, IN)--The search is intensifying Tuesday for the missing Richmond teen who is also the daughter of a Connersville police officer.  17-year-old Megan Catey went missing early Saturday morning.  She is reportedly being accompanied by 18-year-old Austin Neathery of Richmond.  Multiple law enforcement agencies have issued notices to the public regarding Catey’s disappearance.  She is the daughter of Connersville officer Chad Catey.

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