(Richmond, IN)--The EPA is now a full month past the time that they had said they would release the results of testing at the My Way Trading Fire site.  The Wayne County Republican Party issued a statement over the weekend saying they "have been ordered not to speak publicly about this incident by the city administration and the city’s legal team due to ongoing litigation and investigations."  It’s now been nearly four months since the fire, and there’s still no official word on the cause, although court documents filed by the plaintiffs in the civil suit called it arson.  On Friday, the city requested and was granted a 45-day extension to file a response to the lawsuit.

(Franklin County, IN)--One person is dead and another is still missing after flash flooding struck Franklin County on Friday.  Between five and eight inches of rain fell in various parts of Franklin County.  First responders received a report that two people who were staying in a cabin on Wolf Creek were missing and that the cabin had been washed away.  "These rivers and creeks - they just get more dangerous than people realize," said Franklin County Coroner Brian Baxter.  A male victim was found dead downstream.  The search is ongoing for a female.  The name of the victim has not been released.

(Greens Fork, IN)--The investigation will continue Monday into the death late last week of a 26-year-old mother in Greens Fork.  Haily Danielle Snyder was pronounced dead at Reid Health on Thursday night.  Late that afternoon, deputies responded to a reported shooting in the 100 block of South Green Street.  Snyder and her son were found in a parked car in front of the house.  The boy was unharmed.  The cause and manner of death have not been determined.  Sheriff Randy Retter said in a statement that there is no threat to the community.

(Franklin County, IN)--Franklin County officials were reporting lots of flooding issues across the county Friday morning.  Heavy rain began falling in the area at around 3 o’clock Friday morning.  At 4:30, the National Weather Service reported that up to two inches of rain had already fallen in southern parts of the Whitewater Valley and that another two inches was possible.  Franklin County wants to make sure that drivers don’t try to go across flooded roadways.  Friday morning’s storms were accompanied by lots of lightning.  There were about 350 households without power.

(Richmond, IN)--A summons was issued Thursday to Richmond Mayor Dave Snow as part of the My Way Trading fire class-action lawsuit.  The summons states that an answer or appropriate response in writing to the complaint must be filed by either Snow or the city attorney within 20 days.  Meanwhile, there’s still no word on test results following a collection of materials by the EPA.

(Richmond, IN)--Earlier this week, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported that Wayne County’s unemployment rate had hit a two-year high at 3.7%.  Now, here’s a look specific to the city of Richmond.  Richmond’s unemployment rate is 4.3%.  But, there are some positive indicators.  There are 100 more people working in Richmond today than were working one month ago.  And, there are 130 more people considered to be in the labor force.  Since this time last year, there are 160 more people working in Richmond.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board met Wednesday night and had a brief discussion about open positions.  Recently, Kicks 96 and The Point News reported that 75 job openings of all types appeared on the RCS website covering both classified and certified positions.  Superintendent Dr. Curtis Wright elaborated Wednesday night.  "Those particular jobs that were referenced...a majority of those positions were classified positions such as 7th grade girls soccer coach, not certified classroom teachers.  We have one of the highest retention rates in some time," Wright said.  But, the RCS website Thursday morning does still show 32 open certified positions, with nine of those being open teaching positions.  Wright said Wednesday night there is a surplus of teachers who want to join RCS.

(Liberty, IN)--Liberty is losing its CVS drug store. CVS recently announced that it would close its Liberty store at the end of next month.  The pharmacy is closing 900 stores around the country.  CVS indicated that, since Covid-19, many people are now getting prescriptions filled and delivered through an online process.  The Liberty CVS opened in the mid-90’s.  Before that, it had operated at a Hook’s Drugs.  The closure will leave just one remaining pharmacy in all of Union County – the Medi-Center Pharmacy.  There's no word on how many jobs will be affected.

(Richmond, IN)--Public meetings have been set for the upcoming Revive I-70 project.  That’s the name given to the project to widen I-70 to three lanes in each direction from the state line to the State Road 1 exit.  INDOT will host the public meeting on August 9 on the campus of IU East and will have a virtual meeting the following day.  According to INDOT’s current timeline, contracts will be let early next year with actual construction starting late next year.

(Richmond, IN)--Two adults and a juvenile are in custody and another arrest is pending following a shooting incident that took place in the area of the Norwood Apartments early Wednesday morning.  Multiple shots were reportedly fired from a moving vehicle at around 1:30 Wednesday morning.  There was no immediate report of any injuries.  20-year-old Keyshawn Edwards and 18-year-old Bryan Orr Junior are now charged with felony contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  Edwards is also charged with assisting a criminal.

(Richmond, IN)--On Tuesday, Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter released details of the Monday motorcycle crash at New Paris Pike and Porterfield Road that turned fatal.  Investigators say that a minivan being driven by an 80-year-old Columbus-area man tried to make a U-turn and struck a motorcycle being ridden by 78-year-old Melvin Cox of Ansonia.  Cox died a few hours after the collision at Miami Valley Hospital.  The case remains under investigation.

(Cambridge City, IN)--There was a fire Tuesday that forced the Subway in Cambridge City to close for the day.  Subway shares the building on Main Street with El Mezcal Grill.  According to a social media post by Subway manager Jason Lamott, it was started by an outside company in the parking lot and did damage to the outside wall.  There were no injuries.  Lamott indicated that the Subway would remain closed until cleanup is complete.

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County unemployment has reached its highest level in the last two years.  In numbers released Monday, Wayne County’s unemployment rate climbed to 3.7%.  That’s a full percentage point higher than two months ago.  The increase in the rate is due largely to the fact that the number of people in Wayne County’s labor force increased by 234.  Other area counties are seeing similar two-year highs.  That includes Fayette County, which rose to five percent unemployment.  That’s the third highest rate in the state.

(Whitewater Valley)--Here’s more on the semi-automated trucks that will soon begin to pass through the Whitewater Valley on I-70.  The first steps will be a process called “platooning”.  Two or more 53-foot semitrailers are connected through technology so that the lead semi will control speed, steering, acceleration, and braking while the second or following semi will respond automatically.  A purple light on the side of the cab will let people know there’s no driver at the wheel.  Platooning trucks will begin to pass through our area either in the fall or next spring.

(Richmond, IN)--This past weekend marked the 22-year point since Richmond’s Niqui McCown went missing.  Family and friends marked the event by gathering at what was a laundry on South E Street, which is where Niqui was last seen back in 2001.  No one has ever been arrested in connection with her disappearance.  One of Niqui’s family members, Michelle Luster, has become involved with an organization called the Dock Ellis Foundation and now serves on its board.  Dock Ellis Foundation's mission is to empower minority communities by bringing home missing persons.

(Connersville, IN)--Reid Health is delaying the planned closure of the HealthWorks Fitness Center in Connerville while they work on a potential transfer to new local ownership.  Recently, Reid announced that HealthWorks would shut down one week from Moday in the wake of a $43 million annual gap between rising costs and underpayments from insurance providers.  Since then, a community business leader has reached out to Reid and expressed an interest in ownership.  Now, HealthWorks will remain open until the end of September as the two parties work out an agreement.

(Hagerstown, IN)--A local physics professor is talking about some of the specifics of next April’s total solar eclipse.  Wes Tobin from IU East says that Hagerstown will experience the longest eclipse duration at four minutes.  Other areas of Wayne County will see a slightly shorter duration.  During that four minutes beginning at 3:07 in the afternoon, Tobin says, the temperature will drop between ten and 20 degrees, nocturnal animals will become active, and stars and planets will be visible.  The position of the sun in the sky on that day will be similar to where it is this Labor Day.

(Darke County, OH)--Four teens led officers on a 40-minute chase on Saturday.  It began when they deliberately crashed a vehicle into a gun store in Winchester and then fled with multiple firearms.  They crossed into Darke County when multiple agencies joined the pursuit.  They bailed out in the village of Pitsburg and were caught after fleeing on foot.  All four teens, who are from Dayton, were taken to a juvenile detention facility.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police on Friday will continue to search for whoever shot and killed a man at a Richmond apartment complex Thursday morning.  At just after 8 Thursday morning, officers were called to the Townhouse Village Apartments just off of East Main Street.  There, they found 32-year-old Robert Anthony Hill in a parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds.  Hill was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.  Witnesses said that two men who were wearing all black clothing fled the area in a black or dark blue car with chrome colored wheels.  Investigators also determined that bullets had struck multiple buildings and a car, but no other injuries were reported.

(Hagerstown, IN)--Mosquitos that tested positive for the West Nile virus have been located near Hagerstown.  Wayne County Health Department Executive Director Christine Stinson issued a release Thursday confirming the results of recent testing.  She said the best defense is to eliminate anything with standing water around your house.  The odds of being bitten by a mosquito with West Nile are remote and, even if you are, it is highly unlikely there will be any serious health effects.

(Fayette County, IN)--More information was released Thursday on the search for what was reported as a submerged vehicle in a pond on the IMI property just south of Connersville.  The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday that it was located under 30 feet of water.  A dredge was brought to the scene.  It was determined that the items picked up by the dredge were likely from a trash pile that had been dumped in the lake some time ago.  Officers could not locate anything that appeared to be a vehicle.

(Richmond, IN)--A Reid Health spokesperson said Wednesday that the recent restructuring will have no impact on the construction of the large new hospital that’s under construction in Connersville.  Reid is building a new $100 million facility there.  They said Wednesday that financing for the project was secured over a year ago and that the delay in construction has been brought about by increased cost of construction materials and lead time in ordering certain components.  Reid added that the design of the building has evolved to fit the amount of funding secured.  Reid also stood Wednesday by 25 as the number of positions that were recently eliminated.

(Lynn, IN)--Lynn is under a water boil advisory Thursday.  On Wednesday afternoon, a water main ruptured causing water to drain from the tower.  Lynn residents were without water for about an hour.  When the problem was fixed, a boil advisory went into effect that continues through Thursday.  Town officials say the water could be discolored but is fine for bathing and laundry.  It should not be used for drinking or cooking without being boiled first.

(Fayette County, IN)--There’s been no information released yet regarding what, if anything, a dive team found when they searched a pond at the IMI facility on State Road 121 just south of Connersville on Wednesday.  The dive team went there on the report of a submerged vehicle that had been spotted.  A large tow truck did respond to the scene.  The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation.  (Photo courtesy of Fayette/Union County Scanners).

(Connersville, IN)--There is a major economic development announcement for Connersville and the Whitewater Valley.  Nova Chemicals is a Canadian producer of sustainable plastics that announced Tuesday that it will establish its first mechanical recycling facility in Connersville.  Nova said it will create 125 jobs in the coming years at what was once the Visteon facility on Western Avenue.  It will build out a portion of the 1.7 million-square-foot facility and make plastic film to be used in food packaging.  Nova said that it chose Connersville because of its access to abundant supplies from nearby metropolitan areas as well as easy access to rail service.  Its first processing line is expected to be up and running in just under two years.

(Wayne County, IN)--A zoning change for a controversial proposed livestock auction in Wayne County has been rejected by the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals.  The proposal was for the auction to operate several days a week at a property on Helm Road just outside of Williamsburg.  Residents in the area for months had expressed numerous concerns and objections.  The Board ultimately agreed with those residents and believed that the impact on them would be too great.

(Richmond, IN)--Organizers Wednesday will continue to lay out plans for next spring’s total solar eclipse, which is now 264 days away.  The path for totality of the solar eclipse is less than a hundred miles wide and it passes right over the Whitewater Valley.  100,000 visitors are estimated to be coming to Wayne County.  More details will be released about events taking place during the days before and after the eclipse.  There will be educational programs, live music, watch parties, and other events.

(Eaton, OH)--Reid Health Monday announced another significant closure.  After announcing a restructuring last week that Reid says eliminated 25 jobs, Reid announced Monday that it will permanently close its urgent care facility in Eaton.  Reid indicated that the issues that are forcing the closure are the same as what caused the restructuring – rising costs and lagging reimbursements.  Affected employees will be reassigned to other Reid facilities.  The closure date is August 11.  Reid’s urgent care in Eaton sits nearly across the street from the former K-Mart building which remains dormant after Reid purchased it four years ago for $1.5 million.

(Richmond, IN)--Marketing efforts are gearing up for next spring’s total solar eclipse.  A website has now been developed that provides local information about the eclipse.  It’s richmondsolareclipse.com.  There’s also a tagline…the best place to be in the dark.  The new website includes information like scenic viewing areas and a countdown clock.  The clock stood Tuesday morning at 265 days and roughly eight hours.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Community Schools is making a push to hire employees as the start of the school year approaches.  A social media post was made Monday about openings at Test Intermediate School.  The RCS website Tuesday morning listed a total of 75 job openings, including 34 certified and 41 classified positions.  Application can be made on the RCS website.

(Richmond, IN)--Reid Health has now put a number on the amount of job reductions that took place last week.  Reid had said that a restructuring was needed due to several factors that included inflation and lagging reimbursements from public and private insurance.   The total number of jobs that were cut was 25.  A few of those were at the top range of the pay scale.  One of the job eliminations was a vice president who, according to 2021 tax filings, earned $320,000.  The cuts represent less than one percent of Reid’s total workforce.

(Whitewater Valley)--Most of the Whitewater Valley is again under an Air Quality Alert Monday as a result of smoke from Canadian wildfires.  Only Preble and Darke County are exempt.  Richmond’s Air Quality Index Monday morning was at 152.  That’s considered in the unhealthy range.  People with certain health issues may feel the effects.  Even though Monday’s reading at 152 in Richmond is unhealthy, it’s not quite as high as a couple of weeks ago when the reading hit 161.

(Richmond, IN)--There’s been another significant development in the My Way Trading fire civil lawsuit.  The two plaintiffs in the case who live nearby in the Fairview area are now not only suing Seth Smith, who owned part of the property that burned in April, they are also now suing the City of Richmond.  According to court documents filed Thursday, the two plaintiffs had to exhaust certain requirements before they could sue the city and that has now been complete.  In the amended filing, the plaintiffs say "the City of Richmond is the owner of the land located at 310 NW F and owned a duty to maintain the property in a safe and reasonable condition, unquote.  The filing goes on to say that the city received a grant and was told to clean it up and make it safe, but "failed miserably."  It also states that up to 2000 plaintiffs could join the class-action lawsuit.  The plaintiffs are asking for in excess of $25,000 each.  The EPA has still not released results of testing from the site.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board this week approved Rick Thalls, Junior as the chief of the newly formed RCS Police Department, even as other law enforcement officers expressed skepticism about the timeline.  It took Reid Health two years to become a fully functional police department.  RCS is attempting to do it in a fraction of that time.  Here’s RPD Chief Mike Britt talking about his initial opinion of the department’s formation:  "That was not my first choice, just to be honest."  The department will start with the three officers that served at the end of the last school year as school resource officers.  The goal is to hire at least two more.  Here’s Rick Thalls:  "Between now and August 7, the relevant policies will have been drafted for us to discuss how to implement so that our officers, on August 7, are operating under proper policies for law enforcement agents."  There will be an ongoing assessment of where those officers are needed.

(Richmond, IN)--A suspect was still on the loose Friday morning following a stabbing in Richmond Thursday afternoon.  When police were called to the 100 block of South 12^th at 2:30, they found 30-year-old Jeffrey Skalak with multiple cuts.  The suspect fled on foot.  The only description is that he was a short, white male wearing a black t-shirt and stone-washed jeans.  40-year-old Rachael Ditty was arrested at the scene for disorderly conduct.  Skalak’s injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Here’s more on the job reductions and department closures that Reid Health announced on Tuesday. Reid has not released the specific number of employees who have been affected, although that number is expected to be released in a subsequent statement later today. Meanwhile, Reid CEO Craig Kinyon further outlined the organization’s challenges by saying that the shortfall between increasing costs and the amount that Reid receives is growing. Adding to the burden is the fact that insurance companies are slow to reimburse patients with commercial insurance after care has been delivered. In many cases, according to Reid, claims are even outright denied despite having prior authorizations. Reid also indicated that other hospitals across Indiana are in a similar situation.

Although this is the first time Reid Health has undergone substantial job cuts due to financial pressures, the organization has been dealing with financial shortfalls for an extended period. 15 years ago, Reid had $60 million in categories such as bad debt, charity care, and Medicaid payment shortfalls. By 2016, that number had nearly tripled – ballooning to $158 million without including Medicaid shortfalls. That year, Medicaid paid 31% of charges and Reid wrote off $102 million and announced a rate increase.

New statewide standardized test results were released for Indiana students, and there are two elements of note on the local level. First, Richmond’s scores are woefully behind other schools in the area. Secondly, nearly all area school results are down significantly from the pre-Covid year of 2019. In English and Language Arts for grades three through eight, 40.9% of students statewide are counted as proficient. Four Wayne County public schools are very near that – ranging between 38 and 42%. But, at Richmond, just under 22% are rated proficient. Union County – College Corner was the best performing area school with 45.8% proficiency. 

(Richmond, IN)--  Below are transcripts from two newscasts that aired Wednesday morning regarding a major announcement by Reid Health.  The full release can be viewed at reidhealth.org.

REID MAIN:  A major restructuring which includes layoffs and the closure of departments is impacting Reid Health.  Reid, which is, by far, Wayne County’s largest employer did not put a specific number on the amount of layoffs in a release yesterday, but it did cite numerous reasons.  Those reasons include reduced volumes, especially in inpatient services, skyrocketing labor and supply costs driven by high inflation, and difficulty receiving timely payment from various insurance providers.  In the release, Reid CEO Craig Kinyon said that the current model is not sustainable and that it has forced Reid to reduce costs and be more efficient.  Among the layoffs are members of middle and upper-level management.  All affected employees have the opportunity to apply for other positions.  According to the EDC, Reid has 3000 employees.  That’s four times as many as Richmond Community Schools, which ranks second.  And, we’ll have more on Reid, including the departments that are closing, coming up at the bottom of the hour.

ALT REID:  Skyrocketing costs and tightening reimbursements from commercial and governmental payers are among the reasons cited in Reid Health’s announcement yesterday that they are reducing the number of employees by an undisclosed amount and closing departments.  Reid will close the Reid Employee Wellness, Sports Performance, and Massage Therapy departments along with the HealthWorks Fitness Center in Connersville.  HealthWorks will close on July 31.  The Reid Health Governing Board has been working with a consultant to identify opportunities to streamline organizational operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiencies.  We’ll have lots more on Reid coming up at the top of the hour.

(Richmond, IN)--Wednesday marked the three-month point since the My Way Trading industrial fire in Richmond.  In recent weeks, little activity has occurred in terms of clean-up.  That’s because disposal of the material depends on what the EPA finds in its testing.  Last week, the EPA said results would be likely be released by the end of last week.  That didn’t happen.  And this week, the EPA is saying the same thing.  The EPA collected the material two months ago.

(Richmond, IN)--The new Richmond Community School Police Department will be a topic of discussion when the RCS Board meets late Wednesday afternoon.  In a letter that’s dated July 12 to Dr. Curtis Wright, Jamie Bolser, who is the RCS Chief Human Resources Officer, says that school-based officers will focus on the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors. In addition, RCSPD officers will build relationships with students, which can promote trust, open communication, and positive interactions. They serve as mentors, role models, and resources for students, helping to foster a safe and supportive school environment.  There is still no word on most of the details of the department’s structure.

(Richmond, IN)--Some details of the newly approved Richmond Community School Police Department have become available.  RCS administrators did not respond to Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News’s request for additional information about the structure of the department.  But, according to the agenda for the next RCS Board meeting, Rick Thalls has been recommended to serve as chief of police.  Deputies Cody Dudley and Dustin Cushing will be Tier 1 officers with RCS.  There’s still no word on how many total officers will be employed, where they’ll be stationed, and numerous other elements of the new police department.

(Richmond, IN)--A group of police officers called Cops Cycling for Survivors pedaled into Richmond Monday as they completed the first leg of their journey across Indiana.  This year holds special significance for Richmond because K9 Officer Seara Burton is one of the officers the cycling officers are honoring.  The group of about two dozen will leave Richmond Tuesday morning and pedal their way Madison – 78 miles away.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a report of a robbery in Richmond Monday that is right down the street from where another robbery occurred last week.  Dispatchers received a report of a robbery at Low Bob’s on East Main late Monday afternoon.  Scanner traffic indicated a suspect described only as a black male with a red bandana fled west and then went into a building on North 12^th.  There is no indication that an arrest was made, and there have been no surveillance images released.  Last week. Oz Mart on East Main and a Village Pantry were both robbed.

(Richmond, IN)--A trial date has been set for the man charged with shooting and killing Richmond Police officer Seara Burton.  That trial date is more than a year and a half away.  On Friday, a series of dates was set for Phillip Lee.  The trial date is now set for February 10 of 2025.  Ten weeks have been blocked off in the Wayne Circuit Court calendar for the trial.  There are also now ten pre-trial hearings set to take place about every two months between now and the trial date.  Lee faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.

(Richmond, IN)--The Midwest Industrial Park’s newest tenant is applying for a quarter-of-a-million-dollar EDIT grant.  The EDC Board this afternoon will consider the request from Liberation Labs.  And, inside the application is the disclosure that Liberation Labs wants to construct a second, larger facility that would be up and running by 2027.  According to the application, the second facility would be a $350 million investment that would create 160 jobs.  Construction on the first plant has just gotten underway.

(Richmond, IN)--A local man whose name is synonymous with Richmond baseball is being inducted into the Frontier League Hall of Fame.  John Cate was the architect of the Richmond Roosters when the team entered the league in the 1990’s.  Cate is already a member of the RHS Hall of Fame and the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame.  The field at McBride Stadium now bears his name.  Induction ceremonies for John Cate have been set for July 29 at McBride Stadium.

(Richmond, IN)--It’s now been nearly two months since the EPA collected debris for testing at the My Way Trading fire site and there’s still no word on those results were.  Thursday, though, the EPA indicated that those results would be released within a week - possibly as soon as Friday.  The next hearing in the civil lawsuit has been set for October.  If the case ever goes to trial, it won’t happen until early in 2025 at the earliest.

(Richmond, IN)--Armed robberies of Richmond businesses have dropped off in recent years, but investigators were working to solve two of them in two consecutive nights.  On Wednesday night, someone used a knife to hold up the Oz Mart on East Main Street.  Then, early Thursday morning, someone robbed the Village Pantry at 11^th and South E Street.  No one was hurt in either robbery.  Police did make an arrest for robbery Thursday, but it’s not known yet if it is in connection with either of the two from Wednesday and Thursday.  41-year-old Amanda Smith was taken into custody at around noon Thursday on Commerce Road in Richmond.

(Richmond, IN)--A much-needed new tenant appears headed to the Gateway Plaza on National Road East in Richmond.  A small sign on the window of a vacant unit next to Harbor Freight indicates that Plato’s Closet is coming to Richmond.  It already appears as a location on the company’s website.  Plato’s Closet sells gently used brand-name clothing…brands like Adidas, Guess, and Under Armor.  There are currently locations in Muncie and Miamisburg.  There’s no word yet on when Plato’s Closet in Richmond will open.

(Richmond, IN)--There was another development in the My Way Trading fire lawsuit Wednesday.  The two Richmond residents who are suing Seth Smith have been given until September 5 to respond to his motion to dismiss the case.  State and federal authorities are continuing to monitor the cleanup of the site and review testing for indications of hazardous debris.  But, the EPA has not released any kind of official update since May 15.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a report of an armed robbery Wednesday night in Richmond.  It was around 6 o’clock when there was a report that a man had held up the Oz Mart at 11^th and East Main with a knife.  Scanner traffic indicated that a black male wearing black pants and a red bandana fled west on foot.  There was no report of any arrest Thursday morning.

(Randolph County, IN)--In Randolph County, a contract has been signed with an engineering firm to explore constructing a county trail system that would connect to the Cardinal Greenway.  The trail would not only run through Modoc, Lynn, Winchester, and Union City, but would eventually extend west into Henry County and east across the state line.  Randolph County commissioners this week also gave approval for the lighting of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Winchester this holiday season.

(Richmond, IN)--Subpoenas have now been issued for city of Richmond officials in connection with the My Way Trading fire civil lawsuit.  Richmond Mayor Dave Snow and City Attorney Andrew Sickmann have been subpoenaed as third-party defendants.  Two Richmond residents are suing Cornerstone Trading Group and owner Seth Smith, but the city of Richmond now is a third-party defendant.  Cornerstone this week filed a 19-point motion to dismiss the case, claiming that the city is liable based on property ownership.  Since the fire broke out, the city has claimed that Smith is liable despite the ownership issue.

(Richmond, IN)--Investigators and officials at every level have been extremely tight-lipped about the cause of the April My Way Trading fire, even though that fire occurred nearly three months ago.  The only response, to date, has been that the cause is under investigation.  Now, though, court documents – for the first time – use the word “arson.”  In a newly filed response to a lawsuit, defense attorneys claim that the fire was started "by an unknown arsonist."  They add that nothing on the property was combustible without a separate ignition source.

(Richmond, IN)--Court documents reveal details in Richmond’s latest murder.  Tommy Earl remained in the Wayne County Jail Wednesday morning, charged with stabbing 59-year-old Michelle Peacock to death outside the Merle Henderson Apartments last Friday.   Those new details reveal that Earl not only admitted to police that he stabbed Peacock, but indicated that he would do it again.  He also indicated that the stabbing was the result of a dispute that had been going on for several months.  Earl also indicated that he had recently self-adjusted his medications.  An initial hearing has been set for July 12.

(Union County, IN)--Three people sustained non-life-threatening injuries when Sunday’s storm rolled through Whitewater Memorial State Park in Union County.  Strong winds brought a tree down onto a campsite and struck the victims.  Mark Lobeladay talked about the tree that came down on his family.  "Dropped it down where we were all underneath the shelter and sent three family members to the hospital."  First responders had to weave their way through other fallen limbs and trees to get to the campsite.

(Whitewater Valley)--Cleanup continues from Sunday night’s strong winds that moved through the area.  Wind gusts near 70 miles per hour were reported in some parts of the Whitewater Valley, taking down trees and knocking out power.  Preble County took the brunt of the storm.  723 AES customers remained without power at 6 o'clock Monday morning in Preble County.  U.S. 127 was blocked by a tree that came down.  State Route 122 near Gratis was blocked when part of a barn blew into the roadway.  No injuries were reported.

(Richmond, IN)--The suspect in Richmond’s most recent murder remained in custody Monday morning as the case begins its trek through the Wayne County court system.  It happened Friday afternoon in the first block of South 14^th.  When officers arrived there, they found bystanders trying to subdue 67-year-old Tommy Earl.  They also found a female with stab wounds who was later identified as 59-year-old Michelle Peacock.  Peacock was pronounced dead and Earl was charged with murder.  Details about what may have led to the incident have not yet become available.