Local News Archives for 2020-11

19 DIE IN A WEEK WITH COVID-19 IN WAYNE COUNTY

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County has added another 487 cases of Covid-19 since this time last Monday.  It brings the total to 3409 cases and means that Wayne County has added just eight shy of a thousand new cases in the last two weeks.  Even more eye-opening, Reid Health had 111 patients in Covid-19 containment areas Mo nday morning.  That’s an all-time high and a 32% increase over last Monday.  And, most shocking of all, Wayne County has had 19 people die with Covid-19 in just the last week.  The total number of deaths now stands at 85.

FAYETTE, FRANKLIN COUNTY RETURN TO RED

(Whitewater Valley)--Two area counties have moved back in the red, which indicates the highest level of Covid-19 spread.  Fayette and Franklin County both have positivity rates over 15%.  At one point last week, Franklin County had Indiana’s highest positivity at 37%.  That has since dropped down to 18%.  Wayne County remains in the orange with a positivity rate of just over 10.5%.

WHITEWATER VALLEY TO GET 4000 INITIAL DOSES OF VACCINE

(Whitewater Valley)--Dr. David Jetmore on Tuesday announced a timeline and other details regarding a Covid-19 vaccine as it applies to our area.  "I think we were initially scheduled to have 2000 doses for this five-county area.  Now we're scheduled to get 4000 doses," Jetmore said.  That vaccine is expected as soon as next month from Pfizer, and here’s where it will go first.  "Distributed to first-line workers, as it should be.  They're the most at risk in our society," Jetmore explained.  Jetmore said that with light apparent at the end of the tunnel, it’s more important than ever to take precautions.  "You don't want to be the soldier that gets shot on Armistice Day," Jetmore added.  There’s no word yet on when vaccine will be available locally to the general public.

WAYNE COUNTY CROSSES 3000-CASE MARK FOR COVID-19

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County on Tuesday crossed the 3000-case mark for Covid-19 among its residents.  The 62 new cases reported Tuesday leaves Wayne County with 3013 cases.  From Wayne County’s first case in mid-March, it took 210 days to record the first 1000 cases.  It took only 28 days to record the second thousand, and has now taken just 14 days to record Wayne County’s third thousand cases.  Also Tuesday, the number of patients in Reid Health containment areas took a big jump.  That number stood at 96 Wednesday morning, and that’s the most hospitalized Covid-19 patients Reid has ever had.

GUNSHOTS, ARMED ROBBERY REPORTED OVERNIGHT

(Richmond, IN)--Shots were fired overnight in Richmond.  Officers were originally called to the 300 block of North 19th at just past midnight on Friday morning.  Residents in roughly a two-block radius reported hearing multiple shots.  RPD officers searched and were able to locate shell casings in an alley.  There were no reports of any injuries and, so far, there have not been any reports of rounds striking homes or cars.  No arrests have been made.  Law enforcement agents responded to Emerald Circle off of Round Barn Road late Thursday night on the report of an armed robbery.  According to scanner traffic, the victim reported that someone opened his truck door while he was inside and took some items at gunpoint.  That person described two suspects – one wearing a black hoodie and one wearing a white hoodie.  There were no reports of injury.

WHITEWATER VALLEY SURPASSES 200 COVID-19 DEATHS

(Whitewater Valley)--The Whitewater Valley has now surpassed the 200-mark for people who have died with Covid-19.  That includes Wayne County’s two most recent deaths – both women over the age of 80.  2/3 of Wayne County’s 61 deaths have been with people over the age of 80.  Darke County has had the second-most deaths with 58.  The majority of those have occurred in nursing home or extended care facilities.

WAYNE COUNTY NEARS 10,000 COVID-19 JOBLESS CLAIMS

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County is getting close to having 10,000 jobless claims since the Covid-19 outbreak began.  New figures show that Wayne County has had 9891 claims in the 34 weeks since the outbreak became obvious on jobless claims.  By comparison, over the same 34 weeks last year, instead of having 9891 jobless claims, Wayne County had 605.  Other area counties have seen increases of a similar magnitude.

RICHARD "JEFF" JEFFERS DEAD AT 89

(Richmond, IN)--One of Richmond’s most beloved and philanthropic residents has died.  Richard “Jeff” Jeffers died late last week.  Jeffers was the former CEO of the J.M. Hutton Company, but was much more well known as someone who donated to multiple causes across the city.  Jeffers was a contributor to Habitat for Humanity, but was certainly most well-known for his involvement with the local Boys and Girls Club.  That included a half-million-dollar donation for a new facility that opened in 2003 and bears his name.  Services are pending.  Richard “Jeff” Jeffers was 89.

WAYNE COUNTY SETS MONDAY-MONDAY COVID-19 HIGH

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County last week blew away its previous high for the weekly number of Covid-19 cases.  From last Monday until this Monday, Wayne County has added 505 more positive cases.  The previous high for a week was 380, and that was set the week before.  Over the last four weeks, Wayne County has averaged 55 new cases every day and will likely pass the 3000-case mark either Monday or Tuesday.  Reid Health this morning has 84 cases in its Covid-19 containment areas.  Two more deaths were reported on Saturday, bringing the county’s total to 61.

RICHMOND TO ADD CARDBOARD RECYCLING

(Richmond, IN)--All of the online ordering that’s occurring now is leaving most people with lots of cardboard boxes.  Now, Richmond is announcing a new program to recycle that cardboard in hopes of extending the life of the New Paris Pike Landfill.  $440,000 in grants and matching funds will fund the purchase of a new truck and 2000 containers.  By next summer, Richmond will have curbside recycling geared specifically toward cardboard.

WAYNE COUNTY SEES 100 COVID-19 CASES IN A SINGLE DAY

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County did something Thursday that it has not done since the outbreak of Covid-19…it reported a hundred new cases of the virus in a single day.  The hundred cases on Wednesday blows away Wayne County’s previous single-day record of 87 that was set on October 29.  It also marks the fourth time in the last three weeks that Wayne County has reported at least 75 cases in a single day.  The county’s positivity rate is just under eight percent.  Reid Health had 87 patients in Covid-19 containment areas Friday morning.

BLM MARCHERS GET NEW TRIAL DATE

(Richmond, IN)--New trial dates have been set for the five Black Lives Matter marchers who were charged with misdemeanors following a September incident in Richmond.  An attorney represented the five in Wayne Superior Court III this week and requested continuances in all five cases.  Those continuances were granted.  All five have now been ordered to appear for pre-trial conferences on December 22 with a new trial date now set for January 22.

BANE DRAFTED BY BOSTON, TRADED TO MEMPHIS

(Richmond, IN)--Much of the Seton family dressed in purple Wednesday and stuck to their TV’s Wednesday night as they awaited the announcement that Desmond Bane had been drafted into the NBA.  Bane is a longtime Richmond resident, Seton basketball standout, and now ranked among the greatest TCU players of all time.  Bane was drafted by Boston as the 30th and final pick of the first round and was then traded to Memphis.

WAYNE COUNTY STAYS ORANGE, RECORDS 52nd COVID-19 DEATH

(Wayne County, IN)--Indiana’s new Covid-19 map was released Wednesday and shows Wayne County still in the orange, which is the second-worst category for the spread of Covid-19.  Wayne County’s positivity rate now stands at 8.7%.  There has also been an additional Wayne County death, bringing the total to 52.  While Wayne County remained orange both Union and Fayette County improved from red to orange.  But, Franklin County has now jumped into the red with a positivity rate that has spiked up to nearly 18%.  Reid Health had 88 Covid-19 patients Wednesday morning.  Wayne County Wednesday reported its second-biggest single-day total of Covid-19 cases as it crossed the 2500-case threshold.  Wayne County added 80 new cases, second only to the 87 cases on October 29.  The county’s total of 2577 cases now means that there has been a positive test for one of every 25 residents.  Females in Wayne County are still significantly more likely to be tested and make up 57% of the positives.

16-YEAR-OLD BOYS SHOT IN PROBLEM NEIGHBORHOOD

(Richmond, IN)--Two teenagers were shot Tuesday night in an area of Richmond that has seen multiple shootings this year involving teens and young adults.  RPD officers were called to the 100 block of North West 3rd at 8:30 Tuesday night.  There, they found 16-year-old Chance Saylor with gunshot wounds to the leg and neck and 16-year-old Jayden Wilson with a gunshot wound to the leg.  Wilson was taken to Reid Health.  Saylor was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton in serious condition.  Earlier this week, we reported that Saylor is to be tried as an adult in connection with a recent armed robbery in Muncie.  No arrests have been made in connection with Tuesday night’s shooting.

REID TO IMPLEMENT NO-VISITOR POLICY

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health has implemented a no-visitor policy to combat the spread of Covid-19.  Reid issued a statement Tuesday saying that the policy will go into effect Thursday morning.  Visitors will be prohibited except in certain situations, such as end-of-life and at the Family Birthing Center.  Reid Health CEO Craig Kenyon said that the hospital has been at critical capacity for several weeks and had 91 patients in Covid-19 containment areas Tuesday afternoon.

MODEL T MUSEUM NAMES NEW DIRECTOR

(Richmond, IN)--The Model T Ford Club of America and the Model T Museum in Richmond have a new Executive Director.  She’s Rachel Hughes.  Hughes will be replacing Susan Yaeger, who is set to retire a month from Wednesday.  Hughes has a resume that includes several leadership roles with Whitewater Valley non-profits and is the co-owner of the Tin Lizzie Café in Richmond.  The Model T Museum has been rated by TripAdvisor as the #1 Thing to Do in Richmond.

CITY DROPS ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING GATHERING PENALTY

(Richmond, IN)--The ordinance that would have assessed a $1000 fine to those who violate Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings in Richmond was dropped by Common Council Monday night.  Richmond Mayor Dave Snow asked council to drop the ordinance.  That’s because when the ordinance was drafted a few weeks ago, there was no enforcement at the state level.  Since then, Indiana has outlined a series of penalties for Covid-19 gatherings.  Snow indicated that the local ordinance would amount to double penalization.  Council members unanimously agreed to drop the ordinance.

WAYNE COUNTY HAS FIRST UNDER-60 PERSON DIE WITH COVID-19

(Wayne County, IN)--Five more Wayne County residents have died with Covid-19, and that includes the first person under the age of 60.  Wayne County Health Department Executive Director Christine Stinson said Monday that the total number of deaths now stands at 51.  36 of those 51 Wayne County deaths have come since the beginning of October.  The number of patients in Reid Health’s Covid-19 containment areas is at another all-time high.  That number stood at 86 Tuesday morning, breaking the previous high of 80 which was set over the weekend.

PRE-TRIAL HEARINGS SET FOR TUESDAY FOR BLM PROTESTERS

(Richmond, IN)--Pre-trial hearings will take place Tuesday afternoon for five people charged in connection with an incident at a Black Lives Matter march that occurred in Richmond in September.  The five marchers are charged with misdemeanors for obstructing traffic.  A couple of marchers suffered minor injuries when they were bumped by a car passing through the intersection of North 7th and A.  Tuesday’s hearings will take place in Wayne Superior Court III.  Trial dates are set for next month, although it’s unlikely most cases will go to trial.

WAYNE COUNTY ADDS 380 CASES IN WEEK; REID SEES COVID-19 HIGH

(Wayne County, IN)--There were two disturbing Covid-19 statistics Monday morning for Wayne County.  Reid Health Monday morning was up to 80 patients in Covid-19 containment areas.  That’s the highest the number has ever been.  Also, Wayne County has added 380 new cases since last Monday.  That’s also biggest increase from one Monday to the next since the outbreak began.  There has also been a huge increase in cases in the last week in both Union and Preble County.  Union County’s total increased by 32% in just the last week.  Preble County’s total number of cases went up by 25%.

COUNCIL TO REVISIT ORDINANCE INVOLVING COVID-19 FINES

(Richmond, IN)--When Richmond Common Council meets Monday night, it will revisit a controversial proposal.  An ordinance would allow fines to be imposed to people who violate limits placed on social gatherings due to Covid-19.  The ordinance was introduced two weeks ago and would result in a thousand-dollar fine if executive orders are violated and gatherings of more than 75 people take place.  Public comment will be taken Monday night.  You can catch Monday night’s meeting live beginning at 7 o’clock on WCTV.

WAYNE COUNTY ENROLLMENT STEADY WITH ONE EXCEPTION

(Wayne County, IN)--New numbers from the Indiana Department of Education show that Wayne County’s five public schools are holding steady with enrollment with one exception.  Since last year, Richmond Community School has lost 39 students, which represents only one percent of its enrollment.  Centerville, Northeastern, and Nettle Creek have essentially the same enrollment as compared to this time last year.  But Western Wayne has lost 50 students, which represents six percent of its enrollment, in just the last year.

WAYNE COUNTY NOW SEEING 30-50 NEW COVID-19 CASES DAILY

(Wayne County, IN)--The Wayne County Health Department released some Covid-19 numbers for the week.  Through Thursday, Wayne County has had four short of 200 positive cases since Monday.  "We were really concerned when we were seeing 10-12 cases per day.  We're now regularly seeing 30-50 cases per day," said Christine Stinson with the Wayne County Health Department.  Stinson expressed concern over indoor family gatherings coming up in two weeks.  "If we want our loved ones at the Thanksgiving table in 2021, we need to have small Thanksgiving gatherings this year," Stinson added.  Reid Health on Friday morning showed 78 patients in Covid-19 containment areas.

LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS PREDICT POSITIVE 2021

(Richmond, IN)--Representatives of the IU East School of Business and Economics presented the economic forecast for the Whitewater Valley in 2021 Thursday.  Most local business owners who responded to a survey are optimistic, even in the face of Covid-19.   80% said they expected to maintain or increase the same level of business in the coming year.  Half of the owners say they’ll maintain employment, and a third said they will add workers.

RICHMOND BOY TO BE TRIED AS ADULT FOR ROBBERY

(Muncie, IN)--A Richmond boy will be tried as an adult for his alleged role in a Muncie armed robbery.  16-year-old Chance Saylor now faces up to 16 years in prison on charges that include robbery resulting in bodily injury and dangerous possession of a firearm by a child.  Saylor and a New Castle boy allegedly pistol-whipped a man in Muncie a few weeks ago and took his wallet.  Saylor is currently free on bond.

RICHMOND MAN DIES ON I-70 WHEN TRUCKER STOPS

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man died Wednesday on I-70 when a New Jersey trucker stopped suddenly in the westbound lanes between Chester Boulevard and Williamsburg Pike.  That was the assessment of the Indiana State Police in the crash that claimed the life of 48-year-old James Alcorn.  People in another westbound vehicle had signaled to the trucker that he had lost part of his load.  Rather than pull over, the trucker stopped in the passing lane, causing Alcorn to strike the back of the flatbed truck.  Westbound 70 was closed for several hours.  The investigation is continuing.

WAYNE COUNTY STAYS ORANGE; UNION COUNTY GOES RED

(Whitewater Valley)--There was some transition when Indiana’s new Covid-19 map came out Wednesday.  Wayne County remains in the orange, but Union County has now moved into the red.  Union County has a positivity rate of 17.5%.  Fayette County also remains in the red.  Wayne County’s positivity rate was 7% Thursday morning on the state’s dashboard.  But, Wayne County Health Department Executive Director Christine Stinson said that 30% of the people who did rapid testing on Monday were positive and that more people are getting tested because they have symptoms.  Reid Health has 79 Covid-19 patients this morning.  That’s the most it’s ever had.

LOCAL NURSING HOME REACHES 100-CASE MARK AMONG STAFF, RESIDENTS

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s an updated look at how Covid-19 cases are affecting local nursing homes.  While some local facilities have only a few cases, other facilities have large infection numbers.  That includes Forest Park in Richmond.  In that facility alone, 52 residents and 48 staff members have tested positive.  12 residents of Forest Park have died.  Numbers are also high at Majestic Care of Connersville, where 65 residents and 32 staff members have been positive and nine people have died.  Friends Fellowship in Richmond has had 16 residents and 29 staff members test positive and eight deaths.

WAYNE COUNTY POSITIVITY RATE INCREASES

(Wayne County, IN)--County Covid-19 metric maps will be updated at noon Wednesday.  On Wednesday morning, Wayne County was the orange, but is not far from red based on several recent factors.  In the last couple of days, Wayne County’s positivity rate has increased again and stands at about 11.5%.  It has also added 64 cases in the last 48 hours.  Reid Health still has 78 patients in Covid-19 containment areas.  That number is unchanged from Tuesday, but is the hospital’s high-water mark.

PORTER MILLER DIES

(Richmond, IN)--Porter Miller has died.  Miller impacted Richmond for decades in a variety of ways.  Although he will likely be remembered as Earlham College’s athletic director through the 80’s and 90’s Miller was also involved in teaching, health care, real estate, and played an active role with the local Kiwanis.  Services for Porter Miller are pending.

REID SETS COVID-19 CONTAINMENT AREA HIGH

(Wayne County, IN)--Reid Health was showing 78 patients in its Covid-19 containment areas Tuesday morning, and that’s the highest that number has ever been.  Neither Reid nor the Wayne County Department of Health releases the demographics of those patients.  In Wayne County, the age group most likely test positive is people in the 50’s.  Wayne County females are also testing positive significantly more often than males.  As of this morning, 2/3 of the 41 Wayne County residents who have died have been over the age of 80 and none have been under the age of 60.  The county’s positivity rate has dropped and is now down to seven percent.

ALLEGEDLY INTOXICATED TEEN DRIVER STRIKES PEDESTRIAN

(Richmond, IN)--An allegedly intoxicated teenager caused serious injury when he struck a pedestrian in Richmond and then fled the scene Monday night.  It happened near North West 4th and E.  A female victim was struck and was injured seriously enough to require a medical helicopter.  Her name and condition Tuesday morning has not been released.  The driver was 18-year-old Nathaniel Ervin.  Ervin continued on and allegedly caused another accident with injury in the 1400 block of North West 5th.  He is facing a long list of charges that include Operating While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury.

TWO MEN CAPTURED FOLLOWING CHASE

(Wayne County, IN)--Two Richmond men are in custody after allegedly leading police from three counties on a chase Monday night.  It began on Chester Boulevard just after 11 Monday night.  A car occupied by Eric Sheets and Michael Townsend fled north when an officer tried to stop them.  The chase went north on 27 and went to Wallace, Inke, and Hollansburg Roads while they allegedly tossed items out of the window.  Randolph and Darke County became involved.  They were caught after bailing out just across the state line in Darke County and were in jail there Tuesday morning.  Charges are pending.

WANTED ALLEGED CHILD MOLESTER CAPTURED

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man wanted for allegedly molesting two children was taken into custody Monday night.  34-year-old Shayne Beare was caught in the 200 block of South 15th and was in the Wayne County Jail Tuesday morning.  Documents filed recently allege that Beare inappropriately touched two children who were known to him for more than a year.  He faces the potential of a decades-long prison sentence.

TWO KILLED IN PREBLE COUNTY CRASH

(Preble County, OH)--Details of a crash that killed two people in Preble County over the weekend were released Monday.  It happened on Pence Shewman Road, which is just north of New Hope.  Investigators say 45-year-old Michelle Kaufman of Eaton drove off the side of that road on Sunday morning and struck a tree.  Both Kaufman and 41-year-old Jerry Reeder of New Paris were pronounced dead at the scene.  There’s no word yet on what caused Kaufman to lose control.

WAYNE COUNTY SURPASSES 2000-CASE MARK FOR COVID-19

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County has passed another Covid-19 milestone.  The county has surpassed the 2000-case mark and stood Monday morning at 2037 positives.  That’s an increase of 310 cases since last Monday.  Reid Health’s dashboard showed 68 Covid-19 patients in containment areas Monday morning.  That’s the highest number of Covid-19 patients that Reid has ever had.  Reid has issued a statement saying that it would have to cut back on services if the trend continues.  Reid has moved some non-Covid patients to temporary areas and said that it could have to stop elective surgeries.

MAN JAILED FOR ALLEGEDLY STABBING HIS FATHER

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was behind bars Monday morning after allegedly stabbing his own father Sunday night.  22-year-old Tyrus Adcock-Bell is charged with battery resulting in serious bodily injury.  According to scanner traffic, the incident occurred near 13th and East Main.  Adcock-Bell was taken into custody a few blocks away.  His father reportedly was sent to a Level One trauma center.  His condition has not been released.

TWO MOTORCYCLISTS KILLED WHEN DRIVER CROSSES CENTER LINE

(New Lisbon, IN)--Two motorcyclists are dead after a Connersville man crossed the center line on Dublin Pike near where it passes below I-70 in eastern Henry County.  It happened at 7:15 Sunday night.  The Indiana State Police say that 37-year-old Blake Nutty of Connersville crossed the center line and struck two oncoming motorcycles.  Willie and Wanda Rose of New Castle were on one motorcycle.  Both were killed.  Their son, Willie Rose Junior, was on a second motorcycle and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.  Nutty was not seriously hurt.

HEALTH DEPT: REID HAS MINIMAL COVID-19 BEDS AVAILABLE

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health on Friday morning had tied the most patients it’s had in its Covid-19 containment areas at 64.  Wayne County Health Department Executive Director Christine Stinson issued a statement about the situation Thursday.  It said that Reid had four or five patients on ventilators each day.  Overall, medial bed utilization is above 90%, leaving just four or five beds available at any given time.  Admissions are at about 30 per day.  Efforts are underway to free up space more quickly to avoid diverting admissions to other hospitals.

AFFIDAVIT DETAILS NEIGHBOR DISPUTE LEADING TO KILLING

(Hagerstown, IN)--Court documents that became available Thursday outline an ongoing dispute that led to the shooting and killing of 32-year-old K.C. Allen Simpson on North Brick Church Road near Hagerstown on Wednesday.  The man now jailed for murder, 77-year-old Billy Wilson, had shot Simpson’s dog and killed Simpson’s chickens in recent months, according to witness statements.  Wilson also made threats when the Simpsons road dirt bikes.  The shooting occurred as a result of an argument that started when a surveyor arrived to determine a property line.  Simpson had a gun in his pocket that he carried to protect himself from Wilson when Wilson allegedly shot him.

FAYETTE COUNTY RANKS AMONG 100 WORST IN USA FOR COVID CASES

(Fayette County, IN)--Not only is Fayette County one of the worst in Indiana for Covid-19, it’s among the worst in the entire country.  Fayette County now ranks among the top 100 counties in the United States for cases per hundred thousand on a seven-day rolling average.  That number stands today at 805.  By comparison, Franklin County’s number is 127.  Fayette County had a positivity rate Friday morning of nearly 23%.

WAYNE COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS DELAYED

(Wayne County, IN)--Just like at the national level, there were no results from Election Day at the Wayne County level by 7 a.m. Wednesday.  The count was stopped at around 3 o’clock Wednesday morning with no Wayne County results being released.  The delay involves a vote-counting procedure.  It was recently discovered that Wayne County has not historically followed a state requirement that requires a printout of results be made at the polling place and before voting machines are taken to the courthouse.  That process, which was done last night, took an extended period of time.  At 3 Wednesday morning, Wayne County Clerk Debbie Berry suspended the count to ensure accuracy with mail-in ballots.  The count was expected to resume at 8:30 Wednesday morning.

ISSUES REPORTED AT TWO WAYNE COUNTY VOTING LOCATIONS

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County had a couple of issues at polling places Tuesday that required the involvement of a local judge.  At Mount Olive Baptist Church, polls opened a half-hour late because of a bent prong on the cord of a voting machine.  13 people who had shown up to vote left.  Wayne County’s Election Board voted to keep Mount Olive open an extra half-hour Tuesday night, but Judge Charles Todd ruled against that.  At Hagerstown New Testament Church, a driver’s license scanner malfunctioned and created a 15 minute delay.  About 20 voters waited out that problem.

LOCAL NON-WAYNE-COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS

(Whitewater Valley)--PREBLE:  In Preble County, an incredible 75% of registered voters cast ballots.  There were only a couple of contested races, with Adam Craft defeating Mary Bullen 63-37% in a race for county commissioner.  Every village and township tax levy passed, as did two levies for Twin Valley schools.  A Preble Shawnee levy was overwhelmingly defeated.  Preble County residents strongly supported President Trump.  Nearly four times as many Preble County residents voted for Trump as for Biden.

FAYETTE:  Here is look at a couple of Fayette County election results.  For county council at large, three Republicans including Jim Wulff, Scott Bevington, and Kay Riker-Payton defeated their three Democratic challengers.  Leslie Jacobs beat Thomas Bentley for a school board seat by a 55-45% margin.  Fayette County supported Donald Trump over Joe Biden by a 77-21% margin.

RANDOLPH:  Republicans won every contested race in Randolph County.  That includes Dallas Osting for Randolph Central School Board, Melinda Peed for county clerk, Gary Girton and Mike Wickersham for county commissioner, Darin James for coroner, and Beverly Fields, Gary Friend, and David Lenkensdofer for county council.  None of results in any of those races were notably close.  Randolph County supported Donald Trump over Joe Biden by a 75-23% margin.

DARKE:  77% of registered voters turned out in Darke County.  That’s despite the fact that there were virtually no contested local races.  They, of course, turned out for the presidential race and decidedly voted for President Trump.  Nearly five times as many Darke County residents voted for Trump as for Biden.

UNION:  Union County had a contested race for county commissioner, and it wasn’t close.  Republican Tim Williams beat Jim Hensley by a 2-1 margin.  Union County mirrored the rest of the Whitewater Valley with 77% supporting President Trump.

VIOLATING GATHERING RESTRICTION COULD COST $1000

(Richmond, IN)--Violating Richmond’s new limit on gatherings of 75 people could soon cost violators a thousand dollars.  Richmond Common Council Monday night addressed a new ordinance that would levy a fine against those who refuse to comply with efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19.  Violating the limit would not be a criminal offense, but would cost the violator $1000 the first time and $2500 each time after that.  Some on council wanted to pass the ordinance Monday night, but it was held over for a second reading in two weeks.  If passed, the fine would only apply to Richmond and would not be in force for the entire county.

EARLY VOTING SETS WAYNE COUNTY RECORD

(Wayne County, IN)--Tuesday is Election Day.  And, in Wayne County, nearly half of registered voters have already cast their ballots.  Final early voting numbers show that 21,000 of Wayne County’s roughly 44,000 registered voters showed up early this year.  It’s the biggest early voting turnout since the county expanded voting options 13 years ago.  Eight vote centers are open across Wayne County Tuesday for those who have not already voted.  Polls are open until 6 Tuesday night in Indiana and until 7:30 p.m in Ohio.

COURT DOCS: TEEN HAD 500 GRAMS OF MARIJUANA DURING STOP

(Centerville, IN)--Here’s more on the arrest of two local teenagers over the weekend.  Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter said Monday that 19-year-old Jaylen Meltzer was involved in a fight on Airport Road, which led to him being stopped in Centerville.  Inside the vehicle, law enforcement agents allegedly found methamphetamine and more than 500 grams of marijuana.  Meltzer faces numerous felonies in connection with both the drugs and the Airport Road incident.  19-year-old Ryan Carroll also faces drug-dealing charges.  An initial charge against Meltzer for firing into an inhabited building has been removed.

TEENS ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING, DRUG DEALING

(Centerville, IN)--A local teenager has been arrested in connection with a shooting.  There have been multiple shootings involving teens and young adults this year, and authorities have not yet said which shooting the arrest involves or if it’s a new incident.  On Sunday, 19-year old Jaylen Meltzer was taken into custody on North 4th in Centerville.  Charges include criminal recklessness for allegedly shooting into an inhabited structure and battery with a deadly weapon.  Meltzer is also charged with dealing marijuana.  19-year-old Ryan Carroll was also arrested for dealing marijuana and possessing meth.  Both Meltzer and Carroll have bonded out and were free Monday morning.

WAYNE COUNY ADDS 348 POSITIVES IN A WEEK

(Wayne County, IN)--Not only has Wayne County seen another record week for the number of Covid-19 cases, it has smashed the previous record by more than a hundred.  From last Monday to Monday the 2nd, Wayne County had 348 positive tests.  The previous Monday-to-Monday high was 230.  The total now stands at 1727 positives.  Wayne County’s positivity rate has jumped up to 11.3%.  There were 60 patients in Reid Health containment areas Monday morning.  The highest that number has ever been is 64.

MOTORCYCLIST KILLED IN PREBLE COUNTY CRASH

(Gratis, OH)--There was a fatal crash in Preble County over the weekend.  The Preble County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation and has not released much information so far.  The crash involved a motorcycle and a pickup truck on State Route 122 just south of Somers-Gratis Road, which is just south of Gratis.  The motorcycle rider was pronounced dead.  The identity is expected to be released Monday.

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