(Richmond, IN)--The Indiana Department of Transportation has launched a new section of its website that’s specifically geared toward allowing Richmond residents to keep track of road construction projects across the city.  It’s called Renew Richmond.  A huge project shows up on that section of the website this morning.  Beginning next year, the bridge that carries U.S. 27 traffic over the railroad tracks in the Depot District in Richmond will close and be rebuilt.  That bridge is expected to be closed for two years.  It also says that construction on Ninth Street between South O and North B will continue through the middle of next year.

(Richmond, IN)--Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News is continuing its look at demographics in Richmond that are contained in new census results, and today we’re focusing on age.  Local economic leaders have been focused on keeping residents who are just entering the workforce from leaving the community to work elsewhere, and that effort is backed up by new numbers.  Richmond’s single-largest age bracket is now people aged 20-24.  The second largest age bracket is made up of people just about to retire – age 60-64.  One of the smallest segments is people who should be in the middle of their careers – age 40-44.  Richmond now has just over 35,000 residents.  Its high-water mark came in 1960, when 9000 more people lived in Richmond.

(Eaton, OH)--Groundbreaking ceremonies will be taking place Wednesday morning at one of the Whitewater Valley’s largest and most unique employers.  It’s to recognize a $9 million expansion project at Henny Penny in Eaton.  The 30,000-square-foot facility will be constructed for well-being and employee ownership.  The new addition will include an expanded onsite clinic, fitness center, and multipurpose gathering space.  Eaton Mayor Joe Renner will be on hand for the 10 a.m. groundbreaking.

(Richmond, IN)--The next hearing and a new trial date have now been set for Phillip Lee, who is charged with shooting and killing Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton.  At a hearing last week, Lee initially said that he wanted to represent himself but then changed his mind and opted for public defenders.  On Monday, a pre-trial hearing was set in Wayne Circuit Court for February 3 with a new trial date of March 7.  Until then, Lee will remain in a state prison facility on a probation violation.

(Richmond, IN)--If you retired as a Richmond resident with a million dollars, how long do you think it would last?  The answer, if you’re a Richmond resident, is longer than all but seven cities in the entire country.  According to a new study by a national organization called Smart Assets, Richmond ranks 8^th in the country for places where a million dollars would last the longest.  The study took into consideration costs for food, housing, utilities, and other essentials.  That study claims that a million dollars in Richmond would last a retiree just shy of 23 years.

(Richmond, IN)--On Monday, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported that, according to new state numbers, only 38% of Richmond residents of all ages are currently working.  There’s another interesting demographic contained in the latest census report for the city.  For the first time, the number of married households has been surpassed by non-family households.  A non-family household is defined as either a person living alone or with another person with whom they are not related or married.  There are currently 5100 married households in Richmond, but 6200 non-married households.  And, for single adult residents, there are now five times as many only-adult female households in Richmond as only-adult male households.

(New Paris, OH)--Police in New Paris are asking for the help of the public in identifying a counterfeiter.  Investigators there have made public a fairly clear image of a man passing counterfeit currency at a New Paris dollar store.  Police have not said if he is suspected of passing fake bills at any other area stores.  If you can help, you’re asked to call New Paris police.

(Wayne County, IN)--There’s both good and bad news regarding employment in Wayne County.  New numbers are out from the Department of Workforce Development.  On the positive side, 190 more people have joined the workforce in the last month.  But, 195 more people are listed as unemployed, and that’s caused Wayne County’s unemployment rate to spike from 2.3% to 3%.  Inside the city of Richmond, the number of people working has dropped slightly in the last month.  Right now, only 38% of Richmond’s population is working.  That includes people of all ages.

(Richmond, IN)--A large barn fire broke out on Niewoehner Road in Richmond Monday morning.  It started at around 3:30 Monday morning on a property near the bottom of the large hill at the north end of Niewoehner.  Richmond firefighters responded and got help from other agencies including Boston and Abington.  Crews had cleared up by 6 o’clcock.  A battalion chief said that the barn burned to the ground in ten minutes.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

(Richmond, IN)--A fire broke out Sunday morning at a former Richmond dry cleaning location.  It happened near the intersection of South West 9^th and West Main Street.  Firefighters arrived to find fire showing and were able to get it under control in about a half an hour.  No injuries were reported.  There’s no word yet on the cause or the dollar amount of damage.  The building had no utilities.  Richmond police had responded to a call for a domestic incident at that location the day before the fire broke out.

(Richmond, IN)--Phillip Lee, who is charged with shooting and killing Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton, made an appearance in a Wayne County courtroom on Wednesday.  In that hearing, Lee initially told the judge that he wanted to represent himself in the case.  Lee then changed his mind as the hearing progressed and agreed to use two court-appointed attorneys.  Lee also asked for a speedy trial.  Some of Seara Burton’s family members were on hand for the hearing.  Lee faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.  The trial was originally set for next month but, as expected, was pushed back to sometime next year.

(Richmond, IN)--Two juveniles led Richmond police on a chase early Friday morning.  It began near the Uptown area, headed west on Richmond Avenue, and ended when they crashed near Nixon Tool.  County officials say a 15-year-old was captured near the Cardinal Greenway.  The underage driver also fled in that direction and reportedly jumped off a cliff in the gorge area.  One person was taken to Reid Health.  That person’s condition has not been released.

(Randolph County, IN)--A Randolph County teen is dead as the result of a Wednesday crash.  Investigators say that 19-year-old Kaden Purdin of Union City was headed south in the 9500 block of South Arba Pike.  A witness said that Purdin was traveling at a high rate of speed, went off the side of the road, overcorrected, and then rolled over several times.  Purdin was pronounced dead at the scene.  The investigation continues.

(Richmond, IN)--The man charged with shooting and ultimately killing Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton is due for a pretrial hearing Wednesday morning.  Phillip Lee now faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.  On Tuesday, Judge April Drake issued a court management and decorum order.  In addition to the murder charge, Lee also faces two counts of attempted murder and several other felony charges.  He’s been held in a state prison near Kokomo on a probation violation.

(Liberty, IN)--Union County officials are not releasing any information about what came across scanners Tuesday night as a pedestrian strike.  Scanner traffic indicated that a pedestrian was struck at the intersection of Main and Seminary Street in Liberty.  The victim – again, according to scanner traffic – was flown to Miami Valley Hospital and a suspect was taken to Reid Health Connersville for a blood draw.  Union County officials said Wednesday morning that no one had been booked into jail in connection with the incident.

(Parker City, IN)--In Randolph County on Tuesday, first responders rescued a dog that had fallen through a thin layer of ice on a retention pond.  It happened behind a dollar store in Parker City.  Firefighters went into the water and pulled out the husky, which had fallen through and was holding itself up with its front legs while the rest of the dog was submerged.  The dog was recovering at home last night.  The dollar store provided a leash, a collar, and towels for the dog.  (Photo:  Parker City Volunteer Fire Department)

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Police Chief Mike Britt passed along lots of crime statistics to Common Council Monday night.  In many areas, those numbers are headed in the right direction.  So far this year, there have been more than 26,000 calls for service to RPD.  It averages out to 86 calls per day.  They’re on pace to drop calls for service by about 9000 from last year.  As compared to 2015, the number of burglaries is down by more than half.  Britt said his department has continued to perform through the death of Officer Seara Burton.  "What we went through really didn't affect our statistics that much, so that speaks volumes about the type of employees I have," Britt said.  Britt told council that staffing shortage is a primary concern.  At least five more officers are needed.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond residents are facing the likelihood of a significant increase in monthly sewer bills.  On Monday night, those residents were encouraged to attend council’s next meeting for public comment on the issue.  Rates would increase 13.75% next year and 5.75% the two years after that.  Also Monday night, council dealt with annexing 160 acres into the city limits.  "This petition would annex that land into the city limits," said Beth Fields.  The land is part of the Midwest Industrial Park’s third phase.

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s more on the sanctioning of former Richmond High School boys basketball coach and current Mooresville coach Shabaz Khaliq that Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported Monday morning.  Khaliq was sanctioned and the program was placed on probation for what amounted to recruiting of players from other schools.  Those were the same allegations Khaliq faced at Richmond, although he was never penalized.  In the same meeting regarding Khaliq, the Richmond High School football team was also warned for playing an academically ineligible player.  If Richmond would have won any of the games, they would have had to forfeit.  But, that wasn’t an issue.  Richmond finished 0-10 and was outscored 518-66 over the season.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a fatal fire over the weekend in Richmond.  It broke out at 10 o’clock Saturday morning in a vacant warehouse in the 600 block of South J Street.  Two people were spotted inside.  Firefighters were able to get a ladder up to a window and help those two people get out.  They reported that a third person was also inside near where a roof had already collapsed.  Crews re-entered the burning warehouse, but had to retreat for their own safety.  When the fire was brought under control, the victim was found inside.  No identity has been released.  There’s no word yet on what started the fire.

(Richmond, IN)--The name of Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton is now permanently inscribed on the Richmond Fire and Police Memorial.  A small ceremony was held Friday to unveil her name and was attended by Seara’s family and RPD officers.  This weekend marked the two-month point since she died after being shot in the line of duty.  Seara’s name on the memorial joins Amos Markle, George Little, Elmer Stephenson, John Hennigar, and Kenneth Lester as RPD officers who have died in the line of duty.

(Mooresville, IN)--During the final year of Shabaz Khaliq’s three-year tenure as boys basketball coach at Richmond High School, allegations swirled around the coach and the program.  Those allegations included recruitment of players well outside Richmond and arranging housing for out-of-area players without adult supervision at a home on South West 3^rd.  Now, Khaliq has been sanctioned for similar actions at Mooresville.  Mooresville has been placed on probation until next summer for what the IHSAA has called “unacceptable and serious violations.”  Those violations include contact with players at other IHSAA schools.  Shabaz had cited racism as his primary reason for leaving Richmond for Mooresville.

(Eaton, OH)--More information became available Thursday in the tragic murder of a 93-year-old Eaton woman at the hands of her own granddaughter earlier this week.  Heidi Matheny admitted to drowning Alice Matheny – first in the kitchen sink and then in a bathtub.  Heidi had been her grandmother’s caregiver.  According to a police report obtained Thursday, investigators asked Heidi Matheny what led up to the drowning.  Her response was “Nothing special.  It was like any other day.”  Heidi had been arrested for domestic violence last year.  Details of that case have not yet become available.

(Richmond, IN)--Police officers and firefighters in Richmond have some new workout equipment that honors their recently fallen colleague.  Indiana Bourbon presented SearaStrong equipment to be used at the Fire and Police Training Center.  The weight plates are inscribed in blue with the words SearaStrong in honor of Seara Burton.  Seara, according to the announcement Thursday, loved the gym and her fellow officers.

(Richmond, IN)--A wanted man who once told a judge that he was a monster was taken into custody on South 7^th Street in Richmond Thursday night.  Five years ago, Damien Carter was sentenced to nine years in prison for knocking down a 95-year-old woman and snatching her purse.  Carter had been paroled and recently became wanted for violating that parole.  When police arrested him Thursday night, Carter allegedly resisted and was in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

(Eaton, OH)--More details were released Wednesday afternoon about the Tuesday night murder in Eaton that Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point news reported Wednesday morning.  The victim of 35-year-old Heidi Matheny is her own 93-year-old grandmother.  "The circumstances, to say the least, are upsetting," said Eaton Police Chief Steve Hurd.  Alice Matheny was doing dishes in the kitchen sink when her granddaughter attacked.  "She started to drown her in the sink...wasn't convinced she was deceased, and then moved her to the bathtub and drowned her in the bathtub," Hurd explained.  Heidi Matheny was her grandmother’s caregiver.  A doctor had recommended that Alice Matheny go to a nursing home, Heidi Matheny had said she couldn’t afford it because she owns her home.  After the homicide, Heidi Matheny walked to the sheriff’s department and turned herself in.

(Richmond, IN)--Preparations are underway for an upcoming hearing for the man charged with shooting and ultimately killing Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton.  Phillip Lee is due in a Wayne County courtroom on Wednesday of next week.  That hearing will be a standard initial hearing and, according to Odyssey online court records, will include a hearing on correspondence from Lee.  A transport order for Lee has also been entered.  He’s currently in a state prison near Kokomo.

(Wayne County, IN)--An accident on I-70 slowed eastbound traffic through Wayne County for hours.  Two semis collided late Wednesday afternoon about a mile east of the Centerville Road exit.  One semi was split open.  Fruit cups and other produce spilled out all over the interstate.  Cleanup took hours and traffic was backed up for miles.  Crews finally cleared the scene at around nine o’clock Wednesday night.  There’s been no word so far on injuries or what caused the crash.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond residents are facing the possibility of a fairly significant increase in wastewater rates.  At the last meeting of Richmond Common Council, rates at the landfill were increased.  The new proposal would apply to wastewater.  It’s the result of an effort to keep up with increasing costs.  "The goal is always to offer these services at cost," said Sanitary District Director Pat Smoker.  How much would rates increase?  "What we're proposing is a 13.75% increase for next year and then 2.75% the two years following that, Smoker said.  The proposed increase will now go before Common Council.

(Eaton, OH)--There was a homicide in Eaton Tuesday night.  Only a few details have been released so far, but police were called to a home on Somers Street at around 6 o'clock.  Later Tuesday night, 35-year-old Heidi Matheny was booked into the Preble County Jail and charged with murder.  Last year, Matheny was charged with domestic violence.  There is no word yet on the victim’s identity or what led to the murder.

(Eaton, OH)--A Preble County grand jury has issued a criminal indictment against a man accused of firing shots inside Lakengren last month.  On the evening of October 19, residents in the 200 block of Hatchet Drive heard several gunshots fired in rapid succession.  At least one round struck a home.  That round was found lodged in a couch where the homeowner was sleeping.  After an extensive investigation, which included witness interviews and review of surveillance video, James Ivey was identified as the suspect.  The incident was not a targeted case.  Ivey does not know the victim and said he was shooting at what appeared to be a coyote.  Last week, Ivey was indicted on one count Shooting into a Habitation (felony) and one count of Criminal Damaging (misdemeanor).  Ivey has family that lives inside Lakengren and had permission to be inside the gated community.  He was cooperative through the investigation.  The weapon has been recovered.

(Franklin County, IN)--Authorities in Franklin County are warning residents in rural areas to be on the lookout for would-be home intruders.  The three are pretending to make a Door Dash delivery, but they’re really just trying to determine if anyone is home.  If not, they’re breaking in.  It happened last Friday to Mallory Holman, who was home with her two-year-old.  She didn’t hear the knock at the door and then, this:  "I noticed there were two masked me standing in my kitchen," Holman said.  She yelled and the men fled.  The trio is suspected of breaking into numerous homes in multiple counties, including Franklin.

(Connersville, IN)--In Connersville, city leaders on Monday announced some steps they’re taking to stop semis and other high-profile vehicles from slamming into the railroad trestle on Central Avenue because they can’t fit underneath.  The city now says its happened an incredible 45 times in the last couple of years.  A feasibility study that would examine the cost of lowering the road under the trestle is planned.  There is also new lighting and signage in the works.  The city would also like to paint the trestle a brighter color, but CSX – which owns the bridge – won’t allow it.

(Richmond, IN)--The city of Richmond provided an update Monday on a long-standing uptown building.  Work is progressing on the former Readmore Building at 9^th and East Main.  The rehabilitation of that building is part of the city PLACE program, which identified blighted downtown properties and uses Redevelopment Commission funding for upgrades.  Crews are currently fixing damage to the roof.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police are still seeking information about the city’s latest fatal shooting.  Early Saturday morning, officers responded to the 1100 block of North I Street and found 33-year-old Nicholas Lakes dead at the scene.  The only information on the suspected shooter is that the person was wearing a mask, dressed in red, and fled to the east.  Lakes had been scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in two separate drug-dealing cases two weeks from today.  Police would like to hear from anyone who can help with the shooting investigation.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter has been named the 2022 Law Enforcement Executive of the year.  A ceremony was held at the Governor’s mansion that included the reading of an essay by a Seton student named Adeline who won a contest spotlighting the D.A.R.E. program.  Now, Sheriff Retter would like to hear from Wayne County residents about issues and concerns about safety and security in Wayne County.  You can find a link to an anonymous survey on the Sheriff’s Department Facebook page.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man who has racked up an incredible number of charges just this calendar year was jailed again this weekend on yet another felony charge.  24-year-old Tyrus Bell-Adcock was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute in a vehicle as that vehicle was traveling through the Fairview neighborhood.  A juvenile was allegedly in that vehicle.  The victim was not seriously hurt.  For Bell-Adcock, this makes the ninth time he’s been jailed on different criminal charges in 2022.

(Darke County, OH)--Two accused murderers have been released from the Darke County Jail.  In Ohio, a Supreme Court ruling has prevented judges from considering public safety when setting a bond.  That law was overwhelmingly rejected in Tuesday’s election, but it still applies until the first of the year.  Dean Baker and William Fields have both posted bond are out of jail.  Sheriff Mark Whittaker said Thursday that, in the interest of public safety, he was compelled to inform the public of their release.

(Everton, IN)--The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department on Thursday released more information on the latest body to be found in or near a cemetery.  A body was found Tuesday in Everton Cemetery.  The cause of death was a gunshot wound.  Thursday, investigators said that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.  The Indiana State Police assisted with the most recent investigation.

(Camden, OH)--A 23^rd birthday party was held Thursday for Spike in Preble County.  Spike is a Chihuahua.  And, if that age is accurate, it would make him the oldest known living dog in the world.  Here’s Spike’s owner, Rita Kimball:  "He's still still mobile.  He gets around.  He just can't see very well, can't hear very well, and he has no teeth."  Guinness is now checking vet records to confirm Spike’s age.  The celebration was held Thursday – appropriately enough – at the Preble County Council on Aging.

(Richmond, IN)--A few weeks ago, a jailer at the Wayne County Jail had to be revived with Narcan after being exposed to fentanyl that a man who was being booked in had carried into the jail.  On Wednesday, it was a paramedic that had to be revived at the scene of a traffic accident.  Two people were in a vehicle that crashed at the intersection of South West 3^rd and B Street in Richmond Wednesday afternoon.  Both the driver and the passenger overdosed and were unresponsive.  As a paramedic was tending to them, he or she also become overcome by the fentanyl and was administered Narcan.  The paramedic was okay Thursday morning.  The two people who overdosed were revived.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a serious accident that closed a part of I-70 early Thursday morning.  It happened at around 1:30 Thursday morning in the eastbound lanes about a half-mile on the Indiana side of the state line.  The initial report was that a car and a semi had collided.  Scanner traffic indicated that one female in the vehicle was unconscious and unresponsive.  A medical helicopter was summoned.  Later, a drone unit became part of the investigation.  There’s no word on the victim’s identity or condition.  At 3:30 Thursday morning, eastbound 70 was still backed up from the state line to Chester Boulevard.

(Richmond, IN)--Statistically speaking, the intersection of East Main and South 37^th is the most dangerous in Richmond.  It’s certainly one of the busiest.  Now, INDOT has made a change in the traffic pattern in hopes of alleviating some of the intersection’s issues.  Previously, the middle of three lanes of traffic headed out of the Kroger Plaza and onto East Main had the option of either turning left or going straight onto Elks Road.  Now, both the left and center lanes must turn left.  The right lane can go straight or turn right.

RICHMOND:  There were a couple of issues specific to the city of Richmond when voters took to the polls yesterday.  One was the public question of whether or not Richmond Power and Light should withdraw from the jurisdiction of the IURC.  It was extremely close.  More than 6200 votes were cast and the issue passed by just 37 votes.  The other issue was the race for Richmond Community School Board.  Ten candidates were vying for two at-large seats.  The two that came out on top were Pete Zaleski and Stacy Mopps.  Mopps was clear of third-place finisher Beth Lipps by more than 900 votes.

WAYNE COUNTY:  Many of the races that appeared on the Wayne County ballot were unopposed, but here’s a look at how the contested issues came out.  For Northeastern School Board, Kim Claypoole won by garnering 104 more votes than Cindy Robertson.  For Centerville School Board, Brad Lambright defeated Tiffany Torbeck 58-42%.  And, for Western Wayne Schools, Phil Pflum beat Amber Rushton 56-44%.  For Wayne Township Trustee, Susan Isaacs defeated Cassandra Brown 61-39%.

PREBLE:  The ballot in Preble County was dominated by tax levies.  Levies in Eaton, Gratis, and Lewisburg all passed.  One of the levies for Camden, though, failed.  Across Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine easily won re-election over Democratic challenger Nan Whaley.  One of the more interesting issues on the Ohio ballot yesterday was whether or not someone should actually have to be a U.S. citizen to vote in a U.S. election.  That issue passed by a 77-23% margin.

UNION:  Here are results from Union County.  In the race for sheriff, Jeff Adams defeated Jeff Franklin 57-43%.  For the lone contested seat on county council, Republican Tyler Clavell defeated Democrat Jim Hensley 58-42%.  Union County had a 51% voter turnout.

FAYETTE:  Republicans came out on top in virtually every race in Fayette County.  That includes the race for sheriff.  Voters favored Zach Jones over Craig Pennington by more than a 2-1 margin.  Robert Stewart, Tim Patterson, and Sharon Crandill all cruised to victories for county council.  School board winners were Chris Hunt, Ryan Baker, and Ann Kirschner.

INDIANA:  Here’s a look at some state-level election results in Indiana.  For State Senate District 27, Richmond’s Jeff Raatz cruised to a 71-29% win over Ronald Intyre.  For State Representative District 56, Richmond’s Dr. Brad Barrett also had an easy victory, beating Yvonne Washington by a 70-30% margin.  U.S. Senator Todd Young won reelection.  Indiana Republicans won 8 of 10 U.S. House Seats.  That includes Greg Pence by a 2-1 margin.

(Liberty, IN)--The search continued Wednesday morning for a man who stole a Union County Sheriff’s Department truck Tuesday a fled through multiple counties.  45-year-old Steven Lakes had eluded Connersville police a couple of days ago.  Then, Lakes was able to steal the police vehicle from the QuickPix Convenience store on North Main Street in Liberty at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning.  The sheriff’s department is not saying exactly how Lakes got control of the vehicle.  Claims on social media Tuesday that Lakes had been captured in Henry County are not accurate.  He’s considered armed and dangerous.

(Everton, IN)--For the third time in four months, a dead body has been found in Fayette County.  Two of those three bodies have been found in cemeteries, including the one Tuesday.  The body was found in Everton Cemetery early Tuesday.  Investigators are not releasing any information, including the identity of the person, how long the person was likely there, and whether or not foul play is suspected.  Back in August, a body was found in Dale Cemetery in Connersville.  Police are also not saying if they believe the incidents are connected.

(Richmond, IN)--Odyssey online court records listed some updates Monday in the case against Phillip Lee.  Lee is accused of shooting and ultimately killing Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton.  Odyssey shows that the case was opened as a new filing Monday reflecting the upgraded murder charge.  That’s after Judge April Drake found probable cause for the updated charge on Friday.  A pre-trial conference is still scheduled for the 28^th, but the trial date late next month no longer appears.

(Richmond, IN)--Fire broke out Monday night at a house next door to the Crain Sanitarium near 22^nd and East Main in Richmond.  "It was a vacant house.  It was pretty much fully involved when we pulled up," said Battalion Chief Charlie Bartlett describing what firefighters encountered.  The fire was contained in about half an hour.  The house is not considered to be a total loss.  The Crain building next door, which continues to deteriorate, was not damaged.  The cause is under investigation.  Here’s why:  There were no utilities hooked to it.  The electric was off.  The gas was shut off," Bartlett explained.  There were no injuries.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond firefighters are being credited with saving a life.  Fire broke out in the overnight hours Saturday night in a multi-story apartment building on South 14^th.  First responders Kyle Vickers and Thomas Berger fought their way through thick smoke to the fourth floor, where they found a victim.  That person was carried to a stairwell where paramedics Camren Munchel and Trenton Stout carried the person outside and began life-saving measures.  The victim is recovering.

(Richmond, IN)--Two people were shot in Richmond Sunday night.  Officers were sent to the 1200 block of North D Street and found 34-year-old Darren Griffith with a gunshot wound to the hand and 54-year-old Timothy Matheny with a gunshot wound to the upper leg.  Both Griffith and Matheny were taken to Reid Health for non-life-threatening injuries.  Two suspects – who were both described as black and about 5-10 – fled south down an alley between North 12^th and North 13^th.  Anyone with any information is asked to call Richmond police.

(Lewisburg, OH)--A Cambridge City man is dead as the result of a weekend crash in Preble County.  It happened Saturday afternoon on U.S. 40 at the western edge of Lewisburg.  Investigators say 45-year-old Jason Buckley of Lewisburg drifted across the center line and went into the path of 41-year-old Curtis Albright of Cambridge City and 40-year-old Kelli Foust of New Paris.  Albright was pronounced dead at Reid Health.  Foust was seriously injured.  Buckley, who caused the crash, sustained only minor injuries.  There’s no word on what caused him to cross the center line.

(Richmond, IN)--A large retailer at the Gateway Mall in Richmond is closing.  Signs notifying shoppers of the looming closing were covering the windows Monday morning of Party City.  Party City has been closing locations nationally for the last few years.  There’s no word specifically on why the Richmond location is closing or when the final day of operation will be.  Once it closes, the closest Party City to Richmond will be in Hamilton.

(Whitewater Valley)--Earlier this week, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported that more than 20 regional Dollar General stores are under investigation for charging more at the register for items than the price that’s displayed on the shelf.  Now, regional Family Dollar stores face the same accusations.  There are six Family Dollars within a 30-mile radius of Richmond.  At one store in our region, 25 items were checked by an auditor.  21 of the 25 items that were checked were incorrect, and all but one of the price discrepancies were in the store’s favor.  Dollar General faces a lawsuit.  Family Dollar, so far, does not.

(Richmond, IN)--Earlier this week, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point reported that INDOT said that East Main Street in Richmond would reopen to traffic on Tuesday of next week after months of closure for construction.  INDOT said the reopening was dependent on weather.  Since then, the weather has been virtually perfect, but the reopening has been pushed back anyway.  Part of the delay has to do with moving traffic signals.  There’s now no estimated date of when East Main will reopen.

(Richmond, IN)--There’s not much vehicle traffic on Reeveston Road in Richmond at 3:15 in the morning, and there’s really not much vehicle traffic on its sidewalks.  But that wasn’t the case Friday morning.  23-year-old Jahaziel Quijada was allegedly driving at three times the legal limit on the sidewalks near South 16^th and Reeveston Friday morning.  His journey came to an end when he became stuck on a tree stump.  Quijada went to Reid Health and then to the Wayne County Jail.

(Richmond, IN)--The proposed large senior housing project on Richmond’s southeast side has passed through the city’s planning commission with a favorable recommendation and is now set to go back before council on Monday for final approval.  The plan is to create housing for up to 231 people who are at least 55 years old.  It would cover 35 acres at the south end of Garwood Road and would include lots of amenities for residents.  About half of the nearby residents who were contacted opposed the project.

(Fountain City, IN)--Six electric school buses are coming to Northeastern.  School buses powered by electricity cost between three and four times a traditional diesel-powered school bus.  Northeastern is able to purchase the new buses with the help of a nearly $2.4 million grant from the EPA.  The new buses will each carry up to 68 students and are expected to be in use in the next two years.

(Richmond, IN)--On Wedneday, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had reached out through a video message with words of encouragement to a terminally ill 17-year-old girl in Brookville.  Here’s more on Kayla Spangler.  According to family members, Kayla now has, at most, a few days left.  On Wednesday, she received her high school diploma.  "It couldn't have happened at a better time and I'm glad she got to do this before it was too late," said Kayla’s mom.  While this week’s events were taking place, Christmas gifts from the community were being dropped off at Franklin County High School.  Kayla’s family will celebrate Christmas on Thursday.

(Butler County, OH)--There are 25 Dollar General stores within a 35 mile radius of downtown Richmond.  Now, some of the Dollar Generals in our region are being accused of increasing prices at the register.  A formal complaint is now being investigated after numerous stores were found to have prices for items at the register ring up significantly higher than they were priced on shelves.  In Butler County, including a location in Oxford, 73% of items examined by the Auditor’s office rang up higher than the price on the shelf.  For instance, a container of coffee creamer that was priced on the shelf at $2 rang up for $4.35.  It wasn’t just one store – it was 20 of them.  A lawsuit has now been filed.

(Brookville, IN)--Last week, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported that a Brookville girl with terminal brain cancer had the dying wish of hearing from actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.  17-year-old Kayla Spangler’s condition has deteriorated since she was voted Franklin County High School’s Homecoming Queen last month.  But, on Tuesday, she got this message from her hero:  "Kayla, thank you for being a fan.  I know that you're fighting hard.  Keep fighting and keep inspiring everyone around you.  You're my biggest fan?  Now I'm your biggest fan.," Johnson said.  Kayla can look forward to this:  "I'm gonna send you some cool stuff right away.  I'm gonna get it out tomorrow," Johnson said in his video message.  Kicks 96 and The Point News will have more on Kayla coming up in news Wednesday.

(Richmond, IN)--According to Odyssey online court records, there were a couple of developments Tuesday in the case of Phillip Lee.  Lee now faces the possibility of the death penalty in connection with the death of RPD Officer Seara Burton.  On Tuesday, Wayne Circuit Court Judge April Drake issued an order that prevents members of law enforcement, members of the family, and others from releasing information about the case by means of public communication.  The judge also issued a supplementary discovery protective order.  Lee is still currently scheduled to go on trial late next month.

(Richmond, IN)--They’re calling it the Battle of the Beards.  Beginning Tuesday, officers from both the Richmond Police Department and the Elwood Police Department are growing beards for fundraising efforts.  The bond between the two departments has grown strong because both departments lost officers in the line of duty a few months ago, including RPD Officer Seara Burton.  Richmond police officers have been granted permission by Chief Mike Britt this month and next.

(Eaton, OH)--A Preble County home healthcare worker who sexually abused a 76-year-old patient was sentenced Monday.  24-year-old Brandon Velez was sentenced to 18 months in prison.  That’s the maximum he could get given his charges and admissions as part of a plea deal.  Velez was an employee at Empowering People Incorporated.  David Sizemore with the Eaton Police Department described the victim, who he said was essentially helpless:  "She is non-verbal.  She is under constant care.  She's blind.  She has a lot of physical and mental disabilities going on."  The crime happened at a facility on North Barron Street in Eaton.  A co-worker found evidence of the crime and tipped off police.

(Richmond, IN)--There’s good news for Uptown Richmond merchants and anyone else who travels through that area.  INDOT has announced that it is scheduled to be done with construction on Main Street and reopen it to traffic November 8.  For months, Main Street has been under heavy construction and, in various locations and at various times, closed completely.  INDOT says the reopening date of November 8 is dependent on weather.