(Richmond, IN)--A plan to restrict semis from parking in residential drives got a lukewarm reception from Common Council when it was first discussed back in July, but now it’s coming back.  The Richmond Plan Commission has now recommended that the city pass an ordinance banning parking.  The idea was borne from complaints of some citizens that semis running constantly decrease their quality of life and their property value.  Back in July, Doug Goss was one councilman who expressed some opposition.  "We allow the cars that they fix up in their yard.  What's the difference there?"  Council will hear the ordinance again on October 7.

(Connersville, IN)--Reid Health administrators say they’re surprised by Anthem’s decision to refuse to include two Connersville facilities to existing contracts.  It leaves a number of commercially insured Anthem customers out-of-network for Reid in Connersville.  The main Reid campus on Virginia Avenue, which is the former home of Fayette Regional Health System, is out of network for Anthem.  Reid is now reaching out to employers who offer Anthem to their workers to let them know.

(Richmond, IN)--More extended construction is now underway on westbound I-70 around Richmond.  Over the weekend, more permanent concrete barriers went up on westbound 70 near Chester Boulevard to just west of Williamsburg Pike.  The barriers prevent traffic from using the passing lane.  The construction caused a significant backup Sunday.  Construction along 70 is expected to continue for a couple of months.

(Whitewater Valley)--Much of the Whitewater Valley is now officially in a drought.  The US Drought Monitor released a new map Thursday that shows that northeastern Wayne County, southeastern Randolph County, the eastern half of Union County, and nearly all of Preble, Darke, and Franklin County are in what’s classified as a moderate drought.  Richmond has had measurable rainfall just twice in the last 30 days, and even that’s amounted to just over a tenth of an inch.

(Richmond, IN)--There will be no restructuring of the Richmond Community Schools grade structure – at least not in the near future.  That determination was made this week by the RCS Board.  Earlier this month, the board had discussed some major changes that would have moved fifth grade back to elementary schools and would’ve converted Hibberd into an elementary.  But that now is off the table.  The Board said it would focus instead on existing programs.

(Fayette County, IN)--What was described by investigators as a large amount of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl was seized during two different drug arrests Fayette County this week.  In one case, Jacob Lowery of Cambridge City and Gregory Armstrong were arrested with $8000 worth of drugs on West 21^st Street.  In another case, Wayne and Fayette County deputies teamed up to arrest Eric Sheets at a home on Wayne Avenue.  12 grams of fentanyl were recovered.  The federal government says that 3 milligrams of pure fentanyl can kill an adult.  12 grams, then, would be enough to kill 4000 people.

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County Commissioners Wednesday discussed a new way to generate revenue – by selling naming rights to some county-owned facilities.  Discussion Wednesday focused on the Wayne County Fairgrounds, where the Tom Raper Center could potentially be renamed based on a number of criteria.  No specific cost for naming rights was established.  Commissioners will begin accepting proposals at the end of next month and will continue until April of next year.  Naming right would be in place for between two and five years.

(Franklin County, IN)--A second area county has now issued a burn ban as the result of dry conditions.  Franklin County has joined Union County in instituting a ban that prevents all outdoor burning until further notice.  Campers at state parks in those two counties are still allowed to have campfires if they’re contained inside designated fire rings.  Other area counties could soon join the ban.  There’s no significant rain in the forecast for the next seven days.

(Wayne County, IN)--175 more people in Wayne County are working now than were a month ago.  That’s according to new numbers from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.  Wayne County is now just 27 people shy of having 30,000 people working.  The increases are enough to drop the county’s unemployment rate from 3.9% down to 3.5%.  This is the first time Wayne County’s unemployment rate has dropped since April.  Fayette County has Indiana’s highest rate at 4.7%.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond heroin dealer has now been charged with a home invasion and shooting.  26-year-old Cotey Ewen has been tied to an incident three years ago at a home on South 5^th Street in which an occupant was nearly shot.  Prosecutors say DNA on a bandana found near the scene has been shown to match Ewen.  This week, charges including burglary with a deadly weapon have been added.  Ewen currently has about three years left to serve in prison after being arrested with drugs at Motel Six in Richmond.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond teen has been released from jail after allegedly having been caught with a handgun in a backpack Tuesday.  18-year-old Jacob Neathery was contacted by police in the 200 block of Gravel Pit Road.  According to scanner traffic, officers searched Neathery’s backpack and found not only a gun for which he had no permit, but also controlled substances and marijuana.  Quantities of drugs located have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--An Alabama firm will help with developing a strategic plan for downtown Richmond.  On Monday, the city’s Redevelopment Commission approved hiring a consultant to assess potential for public-private partnerships by conducting a market analysis of downtown that will include interviews with existing merchants and incorporate the results with a larger, city-wide plan.  The city is paying $12,000 for the service.  Also on Monday, the commission approved spending $50,000 for a utility vehicle to keep snow and leaves off sidewalks and bike paths.

(Union County, IN)--Abnormally dry conditions have prompted one Whitewater Valley county to issue a burn ban.  That county is Union County.  Commissioners there have issued an outdoor burn ban until further notice.  Union County is officially classified this morning as abnormally dry by the US drought monitor.  Eastern Darke County is officially in a moderate drought but there’s no ban in effect.  No other area county or municipality is currently observing a burn ban.

(Preble County, OH)--The identity of a 48-year-old New Paris woman killed in a crash on Sunday on U.S. 40 has been released.  Krista Jones was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred on 40 near Oxford-Gettysburg Road and close to National Trail schools.  Investigators say Jones was on a motorcycle that drifted left of center and into the path of an oncoming pickup truck.  The teenage driver of the pickup was not hurt.

(Richmond, IN)--A downtown Richmond business is filing a lawsuit against the city over the effects of downtown construction.  Phillips Drugs and owner Pete Zaleski have filed a Tort Claim Notice through a central Indiana attorney asking for reimbursement of over $7700 for water damage.  Specifically, Zaleski alleges that sidewalks that were installed as part of the Stellar Complete Streets construction project slant toward the building and that, every time it rains, water seeps into the building’s basement through its foundation.  The tort claim says that Zaleski has repeatedly sought a resolution from the city, but the problem remains unresolved.   We’ll have more on the issue throughout the week next week, beginning Tuesday.  Below is a link to the Tort Claim in its entirety.

.https://kicks96.com/assets/images/NEWS%20IMAGES/Tort_Claim_Notice_Letter.pdf

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man has been arrested and charged with the highest level of felony child molesting.  21-year-old Sean Johnson was booked into the Wayne County Jail Thursday after being arrested at RPD headquarters.  Details of what Johnson is alleged to have done have not yet become available.  On his Facebook page, Johnson describes himself as a specialist at a local youth treatment center, although that employment has not yet been confirmed.

(Richmond, IN)--A new stop sign is now up in a heavily traveled area of Richmond’s Depot District.  A three-way stop went up Thursday at the intersection of North 10^th and E.  The idea is to generally slow traffic going into the Depot District and to make it safer for those turned onto E Street from 10^th.  And, here’s another traffic note…work has now begun on the surface of the Lamar Lundy Bridge.  There will be lane restrictions at times for the next month and a half.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond woman escaped with non-life-threatening injuries after driving the wrong way on I-70 and crashing Wednesday afternoon.  23-year-old Cassidy King was headed east on 70 near the Reservoir Road overpass when she pulled to the shoulder.  King then made a U-turn and began driving westbound in the eastbound lanes.  She collided with a semi driven by a Middletown man.  King was taken to Reid Health.  The trucker was not hurt.  An investigation is continuing to figure out why King made the U-turn.

(Connersville, IN)--An elderly Connersville man died in a house fire in June, and now a woman who was living with him has been charged with murder and arson.  80-year-old Gerald Strait was found dead in his burned home on Richmond Avenue.  A coroner later ruled that it was a homicide.  An affidavit reveals a gas can was found in a nearby yard and that the fire had started in the bedroom where Strait was found.  Police originally questioned 41-year-old Frankie Nichols.  Now that the investigation is complete, Nichols has been charged with murder and arson.  She was already being held in the Fayette County Jail on a different charge.

(Wayne County, IN)--After public meetings in the last week, it appears there will be no consolidation of Wayne County schools – at least in the near future.  The schools themselves were never going to consolidate, but there had been talk of joining at the administrative level as a way to cut cost and obtain other benefits.  Nettle Creek bowed out last month due to unanswered questions.  Several members of the Northeastern and Western Wayne communities had also expressed apprehension, although those two schools will continue with informal collaborations.

(Richmond, IN)--The K-Mart pharmacy in Richmond will close on Wednesday, September 25.  When it does, prescription files at K-Mart will automatically transfer to Walgreens across town on National Road East.  That’s according to a statement sent to Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point Tuesday by a Walgreens spokesperson.  In K-Mart closures in other cities, Walgreens had purchased the pharmacy list.  The statement did not say if Walgreens is paying for the local medical information or, if so, how much.  It did indicate that prescription files will "automatically transfer and that patients will receive a letter in the mail with more details."

(Richmond, IN)--Traffic lights remain unsynched on South A Street in Richmond, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to change.  An RPD supervisor spoke with INDOT about the issue recently.  INDOT indicated that new lights in the areas of construction are on sensors that monitor traffic flow and are no longer on manual timing.  INDOT added that the lights will not be like they were prior to construction, when vehicles were able to go east on South A without stopping because lights were properly timed.  Today, traveling the length of South A means you’ll likely have to stop multiple times.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond woman was jailed Tuesday after allegedly driving at more than three times the legal limit, hitting a family in another vehicle, and then fleeing the scene.  The crash happened Tuesday afternoon near South 10^th and A.  At least one person went to Reid Health to be treated for minor injuries.  Shortly after that, another witness reported seeing a van with parts falling off of it going through the intersection of North 12^th and E so fast that it became airborne.  Police arrested 35-year-old Leandra Street.  Street allegedly blew a .286, according to scanner traffic.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County may have recently decided to allow ATV’s on county roads, but the city of Richmond will not.  Richmond Common Council addressed the issue Monday night.  Misty Hollis spoke on behalf of the Public Safety Committee about the idea of allowing golf carts, snowmobiles, and other non-traditional vehicles on city streets.  "We talked about benefits.  We talked about concerns.  And, really, the concerns outweigh the benefits for the city of Richmond," Hollis said.  One problem, she said, is that there are numerous state highways that cut through the city.  "Any ordinances we pass wouldn't relate to what state law would be, so it would be a little more complicated."  Other council members, like Doug Goss, were concerned about safety.  "With so much traffic in town, it would be hard to overlook the safety issue," Goss said.  The issue appears to be dead – at least for now.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged methamphetamine dealer was caught Monday, and two females were charged with trafficking with an inmate in the same incident.  Police were called to the 400 block of Lincoln Street Monday morning.  38-year-old Timothy Wilson was charged with dealing meth.  49-year-old Kimberly Bobbitt and 28-year-old Elizabeth Townsend allegedly still had meth in their possession as they were being booked into jail.  Quantities have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--The city of Richmond is planning to put a commemorative marker at the site of the old Reid Hospital.  According to the city, the event will allow the community to come together to share memories and to begin envisioning the site’s future.  It’s been set for October 10.  Shuttle busses will transport people from Elstro Plaza to old Reid because there will be no on-site parking.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond residents have flooded the Dr. Oz Show Facebook page in the last 24 hours with requests to not air the show that is scheduled for this Thursday.  A segment of the show that day will feature Mary York, who is the mother of the boy who shot his way inside Dennis Intermediate School last December and took his own life when he was cornered by police in a stairwell.  The focus of the show appeared to be on suicide and/or bullying rather than school shootings.  Local residents, including Dennis parents and teachers, say that the true victims were the people inside Dennis that day.  The incident is not the primary focus of the Thursday episode.  It will likely run in the last few segments of the show that day.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department is continuing to ask for the help of the public in identifying two people.  The images of two males have been captured on surveillance video, although RPD is not saying from where the images were taken.  There’s also no word on what the two are suspected of having done.  Call RPD if you can identify them.

(Wayne County, IN)--Multiple shots were fired Thursday night outside a home on Bockhofer Road just northwest of Fountain City.  According to scanner traffic, one or more occupants of a light-colored sedan fired multiple shots in the driveway of a home in the 5000 block of Bockhofer Road and then fled the area.  Shell casings from multiple guns and a holster were located.  There were no reports of any injuries to anyone inside the home.  A suspicious car was checked out shortly after the incident in Williamsburg but was determined to have not been involved in the shooting.

(Laurel, IN)--A Franklin County man has been arrested on multiple child pornography charges.  The arrest of 22-year-old Kyle Monroe of Laurel comes as the result of an investigation by the state police’s Crimes Against Children Task Force after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  Monroe has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography.  Investigators have not said if any local children were depicted in the images.

(Columbus, OH)--Lots of people in Indiana question of the validity of current standardized school testing and ratings, and it’s the same in Ohio.  Some state administrators are calling the report card system for each school too complicated and flawed.  But, for what they’re worth, letter grades for schools were issued yesterday.  In our area, Eaton and Tri Village schools received B’s.  National Trail, Tri County North, and Twin Valley all received C’s.  And Preble Shawnee was given a D.

(Wayne County, IN)--More patrolling is expected on U.S. 40 as a result of construction on I-70.  Numerous residents have complained that construction on the interstate – especially westbound – has resulted in semis and other traffic diverting onto U.S. 40 in western Wayne County.  And, to make matters worse, portions of 40 have been recently chip-sealed and are heavily covered in gravel.  People who live in Cambridge City and Pershing complained Wednesday about speeding.  The construction on 70 will continue almost through the end of the year at various spots from the state line all the way into Hancock County.

(Richmond, IN)--A man who was wanted for both felony sexual battery and auto theft was located and captured Wednesday.  A warrant had been issued for 42-year-old Magdaleno Martinez.  Martinez was located in the 1300 block of Peacock Road in Richmond late Wednesday afternoon and taken to the Wayne County Jail.  He remained there Thursday morning.  Details of what Martinez is alleged to have done have not been released.

(Richmond and Liberty, IN)--If you’re in the downtown Richmond area, you may notice some additions to Jack Elstro Plaza.  On Wednesday, the city indicated that new Play in the Park equipment has arrived and is now being installed.  It consists mostly of concrete game tables and other activities like a Foosball table.  The equipment was funded through a state grant and with the help of numerous local organizations.  Changes are coming to the Liberty landscape.  Plans are progressing for a park that currently has no name on 18 acres near Pierce Street.  The park will have an amphitheater, a playground, a dog park, and tennis and pickleball courts.  Also, two buildings are now set to be taken down next month.  The old Woodruff’s building and what was the Frank Collier barbershop building will both be demolished.  Those buildings had been damaged by fire.

(Richmond, IN)--A formal charge of armed robbery has now been filed against a 20-year-old Richmond man accused of holding up the Village Pantry in the 1200 block of South 9^th last month.  Laquent Hogg allegedly robbed the store at gunpoint but was recognized by the clerk, who happened to be Hogg’s classmate.  He now faces a standard nine-year prison sentence.  A second suspect was involved in the robbery.  That suspect has not been identified or arrested.

(Winchester, IN)--On Tuesday, a criminal charge was filed in connection with a crash that killed a Fountain City man last month.  69-year-old Charles Miller died in the crash on U.S. 27 near Lynn.  Investigators say that 29-year-old Audriana Hardwick not only caused the crash by crossing the center line, but was driving drunk.  Hardwick now faces up to 12 years in prison.  Her criminal history includes driving while suspended and possession of marijuana.

(Centerville, IN)--On Monday, Richmond High School dealt with a threat.  On Tuesday, it’s Centerville High School.  According to a statement Monday night from Superintendent Phil Stevenson, one student told several others Monday that he was planning on bringing a gun to school.  Stevenson and Centerville police have indicated that they are confident that the student is not a threat and is now facing expulsion.  There will be an increased police presence at Centerville High School Tuesday.

(Fountain City, IN)--There was an accident involving a school bus late Monday afternoon just outside of Fountain City.  The initial indication is that a passenger vehicle crossed the center line on U.S. 27 and hit an oncoming semi head-on near the Fountain Acres store.  A school bus, which was headed to pick up a football team and did not have any students onboard, was also involved.  One person suffered non-life-threatening injuries.  Traffic on 27 was affected for about an hour.

(Richmond, IN)--There’s news today from several local institutes of higher learning.  Earlham College has been ranked the 35^th most innovative school in the country by U.S. News and World Report.  Ivy Tech in Richmond has been ranked as having the third-best LPN nursing school in Indiana.  And IU East has announced that they’re now seeking local responders for their annual business survey which, among other things, is an indicator of hiring in the coming year.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Community School Superintendent Todd Terrill issued a statement early Monday morning after what appeared to be a threat was posted on Snapchat.  Terrill said that the threat had been investigated and that they were confident that the individual responsible is not a threat to RHS.  A resolution was reached within two hours of Terrill being notified.  And, for that, he thanked students and parents for following the “See Something, Say Something” protocol.  "Because of our students and the information that they shared with parents, phone calls were made to officals at Richmond Community Schools.  RThe threat alluded to a shooting.  Investigators Sunday night spoke with the person who made the post and a parent.  They also searched a home and were given the poster’s cell phone by the parent.  Extra police officers will be visible throughout the RCS system on Monday.

(Richmond, IN)--A couple of first responders with the Richmond Fire Department are back home after helping during Hurricane Dorian.  John Purcell and Chris Morris are firefighter/paramedics with RFD.  They served with Ohio Task Force One and returned over the weekend.  Purcell and Morris traveled more than 2400 miles as they followed Dorian up the east coast.  They had most recently staged in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

(Richmond, IN)--Three people were taken into custody Thursday after allegedly trying to smuggle methamphetamine into the Wayne County Jail.  Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter indicated that Dillon and Lanny Fultz and Loren Hatfield had concocted a scheme to transfer the meth to an inmate waiting for a hearing at the Wayne County Courthouse.  Investigators became aware of the plan in advance and arrested the three when the transaction took place.  The investigation is continuing.

(Richmond, IN)--A man who Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman described as a lifelong criminal was sentenced Thursday.  28-year-old Justin Noelker was sentenced to 15 years for hitting a man and stealing his car four years ago.  Another 15 years was tacked on due to Noelker’s criminal record.  The Wayne County sentence will be served consecutive to a Florida prison term after he stabbed two people there.    Noelker blamed his history on a difficult childhood.  He will serve at least 22 years.

(Cambridge City, IN)--On Thursday, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point updated the unsolved case of Denise Pflum of Connersville, who went missing back in 1986.  But her's is not the Whitewater Valley’s only decades-long unsolved murder case.  This weekend, family members of Ann Harmeier will have a booth at Canal Days as they seek information.  Ann Harmeier was a 20-year-old Cambridge City resident who was found dead in a farm field near Martinsville way back in 1977.  She had been returning to IU in Bloomington from Cambridge City when her car broke down.  Investigators got a new lead earlier this year, but no arrests have ever been made.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School system issued a statement Wednesday in conjunction with the state’s release of ILEARN results.  Richmond finished well below the state average of 37% of students rated as proficient in math and English.  RCS’s number was 16%.  The statement says that scores released do not include student growth data and that it’s frustrating that the scores do not reflect the hard work of teachers and students.  Todd Terrill is joining other superintendents statewide in calling on legislators to review the practice of evaluating students and teachers based on standardized tests.

(Richmond, IN)--There has been no official confirmation yet from corporate leaders, but a sign on the door of Richmond’s Tim Horton’s store on National Road West indicates that the store has closed.  The local Tim Horton’s escaped a round of closures that included several regional stores last year.  The sign on the door Thursday morning does not indicate that the closure is in any way temporary.  If the closure is permanent, the closest Tim Horton’s to Richmond would be in Englewood.

(Connersville, IN)--Detectives in Connersville have released surveillance images of a jewelry thief with a very unique appearance.  A social media post on Wednesday does not mention where the crime took place or other details.  But it does show a white man with an extremely square chin, a Freddy Mercury-style mustache, and wearing a red hat turned backward or, possibly a beret.

(Connersville, IN)--Fayette County Sheriff Joey Laughlin says his department is closer than it’s ever been to solving the Denise Pflum case.  Pflum was a teenager when she went missing back in 1986.  Laughlin  told the News Examiner this week that there is now probably cause for an arrest, but investigators are continuing to tie up loose ends.  A new witness has provided many new details.  Laughlin said that Denise Pflum was murdered.  Her body has not been located despite numerous searches.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council got an update on the first phase of the Loop project in Richmond on Tuesday night.  "All Milestone work has been done.  All additional stormwater drainage is complete.  Signage, painting, and street lights are done.  Landscaping is complete," said Kate Kotan (koe-TONN) with the city.  An inspection will take place next week.  We have our pre-final inspection set for September 12.  After that inspection, the crews will have a window of time to complete a punchlist," Kotan added.  Kotan also indicated Tuesday night that meetings will take place this month with nearby residents and businesses about the second phase of the Loop project.

(Anderson, IN)--A Randolph County man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for a stabbing.  47-year-old Troy Neal of Losantville went to his ex-wife’s home near Anderson last fall and stabbed a man she was having dinner with five times in the back.  The man survived the attack.  Neal has been tagged as a habitual offender after having previously been convicted of sexual battery and burglary.

(Richmond, IN)--Two shots fired incidents that took place just minutes apart in Richmond are not related, according to a press release from Richmond police.  It began around 5:30 Tuesday morning when shots were fired near 21^st and North D Street.  Shell casings were found, but no damage or injuries were reported.  Then, about 15 minutes later, a man showed up at Reid Health with a gunshot.  RPD said that gunshot was accidental and occurred in the 600 block of North West L.  The victim suffered a non-life-threatening injury.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council is set to meet Tuesday night.  Council is expected to take up a discussion about allowing off-road vehicles like golf carts and ATV’s on city streets.  A month ago, Wayne County elected officials granted approval for the usage of those types of vehicles on county roads.  The city had been waiting to see what the county would do before addressing the issue.  Tuesday night’s meeting gets underway at 7:30.  You can catch it live on WCTV.

(Wayne County, IN)--Later this week, major work will begin on I-70 to improve what are currently less-than-ideal driving conditions.  Beginning Friday, contractors will begin full-depth patching on both east and westbound I-70 from the state line about 60 miles west into central Indiana.  Lane restrictions will be in ten-mile increments.  The work will begin in Hancock County and work its way east.  There’s no word a completion date.