(Richmond, IN)--Three people went to Reid Health late Monday night after a chase and crash in the Fairview area of Richmond.  It began at around 11:30 Monday night with a pursuit involving two teens who have now been identified as 18-year-old Skyler Cottongim and 19-year-old Nicholas Combs.  Cottongim had just gotten out of jail a few days ago following a theft, and Combs had an active warrant after failing to appear for a hearing on an allegation that he fired shots into a Kinsey Street home last year.  Overnight, the two crashed into another vehicle and brought the pursuit to an end.  Both fled on foot and were captured in the Kinsey Street area.  There’s no word on the condition of the people in the other vehicle who went to Reid for treatment.

(Richmond, IN)--On Monday, Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported that new numbers show that Wayne County’s unemployment rate has dropped slightly.  Now, here’s a look at just the city of Richmond.  Richmond’s unemployment rate is higher than the county-wide rate at 4.2%.  But, what’s most notable in the new state report is the drop in the number of people who are working in Richmond.  This morning, there are 261 fewer people employed in Richmond than were employed last Halloween.  The drop in workers exists even though the number of people in the Richmond workforce remains essentially the same.

(Richmond, IN)--A large number of Uptown Richmond businesses are taking part in a trick-or-treat event Tuesday night.  On Monday, the city announced that 48 different Uptown businesses on Main Street will be passing out candy from 5 until 7 Tuesday night.  It’s good not only for the kids, but also for businesses looking to improve visibility to the kids’ parents.  More businesses in the Depot District will also be taking part.  The event is being organized by Main Street Richmond.

(Richmond, IN)--The number of locations to cast a ballot in Wayne County grows by one Monday morning.  First English Lutheran Church on East Main in Richmond will open as a voting location Monday morning and will remain open through Friday afternoon.  The First Bank Kuhlman Center will also be open for voting throughout the week and this coming Saturday.  Then, a week from Tuesday, two more voting locations will open in Richmond along with one location each in Cambridge City and Milton for the traditional Election Day.  Political filings reveal that the two leading candidates for Richmond Mayor – Democratic Incumbent Dave Snow and Republican Challenger Ron Oler – received roughly the same amount in campaign contributions for the upcoming election.  Both reported receiving between $23,000 and $28,000.  Independent challenger David Carpenter, who listed his alter-ego Batman on his filing, reported receiving zero dollars in contributions.

(Whitewater Valley)--Unemployment rates are down for the second consecutive months in counties across the Whitewater Valley.  That includes Wayne County, where new numbers indicate a modest drop from 3.8 to 3.6% unemployment.  That rate drop is largely due to the fact that 286 people have dropped out of Wayne County’s labor force in the last month.  Union and Franklin County tie for the lowest unemployment rate in our area at three percent.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond teenager who was caught in May climbing out of an apartment window after allegedly committing a rape was captured early Sunday morning at a different apartment complex after allegedly committing a domestic battery in the presence of a child.  18-year-old Theron Beaty-Robertson was captured at Genesis Apartments early Sunday morning.  Details of the incident have not been released.  Beaty-Robertson is due to go on trial on the rape charge in January.

(Richmond, IN)--It’s the least of his legal worries, but Phillip Lee, the man charged with shooting and killing RPD Officer Seara Burton last year, is now being sued in connection with a pit bull attack.    About three weeks before Seara was shot, Lee’s pit bull attacked Chelsea Saylor when Saylor was visiting a friend at a multi-unit apartment on Tenth Street.  According to the lawsuit, Saylor was injured so severely that she spent six days in intensive care and then had to undergo therapy for weeks to re-learn to walk.  Saylor is seeking unspecified damages against Lee and the property owners.  Lee’s murder trial still remains scheduled for February of 2025.

(Preble County, OH)--Drugs crossing the country from west to east often pass through Preble County on I-70.  This particular load, though, didn’t make it.  Earlier this week, deputies stopped a minivan.  A search of the vehicle turned up 246 pounds of marijuana and four pounds of hallucinogenic mushrooms.  The drugs have an estimated street value of three quarters of a million dollars.  A California man was taken to the Preble County Jail and charged with aggravated trafficking.

(Richmond, IN)--Saturday marks the first day this fall that Wayne County voters will be able to cast a ballot anywhere other than the Wayne County Courthouse.  The First Bank Kuhlman Center will open to voters at 10 o’clock Saturday morning and remain open until 3 o’clock in the afternoon.  Then, on Monday, First English Lutheran Church on East Main in Richmond will be added as a polling location.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond teen wanted for breaking into a mobile home and attacking an occupant turned himself into the Wayne County Jail Wednesday.  19-year-old Dakota Damrell was being held Thursday morning on a $25,000 bond and faces a charge of burglary.  Last month, Damrell allegedly kicked in the door of a Salisbury Road mobile home and began punching the victim.  Court documents indicate Damrell was upset because clothing he had left at the trailer had gone missing.

(Darke County, OH)--A Lynn man who was driving a straight truck slammed into the back of a horse and buggy on U.S. 36 in Darke County Wednesday morning.  An 18-year-old girl, who was the sole occupant of the buggy, was thrown into a ditch.  The extent of her injuries Thursday morning was unknown.  37-year-old Joshua Morrison is the driver that hit the girl.  Morrison received a citation and was not hurt.

(Hagerstown, IN)--The trial date for a former Hagerstown teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student has been moved back for at least the 13^th time.  Four years ago, Tom Drake was arrested after allegedly inappropriately touching a 14-year-old at a dance and then making advances when that student was alone with him in a classroom.  Trial was supposed to have begun this coming Monday.  The case has been transferred out of Circuit Court because Judge April Drake was a prosecutor at the time of Drake’s arrest.  The new trial date is in January.

(Union City, IN)--There was an officer-involved shooting in Randolph County late Tuesday afternoon.  According to the Indiana State Police, deputies were sent to a house in the 400 block of East Elm Street in Union City on the report of an overdose.  Deputies were told that the person had left and they began checking the area.  Deputies then encountered a 19-year-old Muncie man in the small village of New Pittsburg.  Within a minute, he produced a handgun and fired at two deputies.  Deputies returned fire and he was later pronounced dead.  Those deputies have been placed on administrative leave, which is department procedure.

(Alquina, IN and West Alexandria, OH)--The crash near Alquina that Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported Tuesday morning has turned fatal.  Tuesday afternoon, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said that a Monday crash on Alquina Road has claimed the life of Connie Smith of Liberty.  She was flown to University Hospital in Cincinnati and was pronounced dead there.  Two other people were helped out of the burning vehicle by first responders and were sent by ground ambulance to Reid Health.  The cause of the accident remains under investigation.  Preble County officials said Tuesday that the person who was struck by a car Monday night in West Alexandria has died.  The victim was identified yesterday as 70-year-old Mary Cooper.  The preliminary investigation showed that the Cooper was crossing the street just north of the intersection of U.S. 35 and State Route 503 when she was struck by a 17-year-old driver from Lewisburg.  The incident remains under investigation.

(Eaton, OH)--The identity of the person whose remains were found in Eaton back in 1968 will be revealed next month.  55 years ago, flooding washed out a shallow grave and revealed the remains of what was determined to be a female.  Investigators then said she had been dead for decades.  Her remains were buried and then exhumed four years ago for DNA testing.  Now, there’s a positive identity.  It will be revealed in a press conference on November 17.

(Preble County, OH)--Details of what turned out to be a fatal crash on Sunday in Preble County were released Monday.  Investigators say 42-year-old Matthew Elswick was traveling in excess of 80 miles an hour when he lost control on Lexington Road near State Route 503 just north of West Alexandria.  Elswick struck a tree and then a culvert and was pronounced dead at the scene.  He was not wearing a seat belt.  Authorities say speed and alcohol were both factors in the crash.

(Richmond, IN)--The city of Richmond on Monday released a statement on the sale of McBride Stadium to Richmond Community Schools.  That sale includes not only the stadium, but also two surrounding softball fields and what was once referred to as the Babe Ruth field just across Clear Creek.  Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said Monday that he’s thrilled at the partnership between the city and that RCS is making a half-million dollar investment that will preserve the properties.  The city will hold the right of first refusal if RCS looks to sell the property at some point in the future.  The city's entire statement can be viewed on its Facebook page.

(Union County, IN)--Traveling between Liberty and Brookville is about to get more difficult.  INDOT announced Monday that it will be closing State Road 101 just south of the entrance to Whitewater Memorial State Park on November 1 to replace a pipe under the roadway.  101 is expected to be closed there for a month, but INDOT says that’s dependent on weather.

(Wayne County, IN)--INDOT has released a new video in which details of the Revive I-70 project are discussed.  Revive I-70 is the name given to the project which will widen I-70 to three lanes through nearly all of Wayne County.  One of the first focuses of construction will be on the 36 bridges in the span that need various degrees of work.  "The advantage of doing the bridge work is that we can widen the bridges even if we aren't widening the pavement.  That adds savings in the future because, if the bridge is ready to go, they can just come through and approach roadway work," said INDOT’s Brad Kahn in the video.   Construction is still about a year away.

(Richmond, IN)--Last Friday, a January trial date was set for a Richmond mother who was charged with two counts of a neglect of a dependent.  According to court documents, one of 31-year-old Kayla Martinez’s young children was found walking completely naked a block from home last week.  A second child was wearing only a shirt.  An officer said Martinez showed no concern when told one child had not been found and then told an officers to remove their badges and "see what’s up."

(Eaton, OH)--A bench trial is scheduled to start Monday in a Preble County courtroom in the case of a man charged with firing shots into a Lakengren home about a year ago.  James Ivey was charged with one count of shooting into a habitation.  At least one round stuck a home on Hatchet Drive and was found lodged in a couch where the homeowner was sleeping.  There were no injuries.  Ivey was described as cooperative through the investigation.

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s more on the purchase of McBride Stadium from the city of Richmond by Richmond Community Schools.  The $12,000 purchase, which was approved by the RCS Board this week, will be one of the smallest of large expenditures that will be needed to bring the stadium back to its previous condition.  RCS estimated expenditures totaling around $850,000 over two years.  That includes a potential move of the softball field to the stadium and a move of the tennis courts at the high school due to ongoing water issues.

(Richmond, IN)--The new building for Liberation Labs is beginning to take shape.  Last January, Liberation Labs announced that it had chosen the Midwest Industrial Park in Richmond for its $115 million facility that will become a first-of-its-kind precision fermentation manufacturer.  Wayne County’s EDC on Thursday distributed photos of the building’s foundation, which had just been poured.  Construction is expected to take about a year.  45 jobs will be created.

(Richmond, IN)--The G Street Bridge in Richmond is in need of some expensive repairs.  The current bridge was built around 34 years ago.  Wayne County Commissioners have approved the final plan for upgrades that are projected to cost $3 million.  Those upgrades include patching the underside of the bridge and putting a new concrete overlay on top.  Bids won’t go out until February with the work expected to begin early next spring.

(Richmond, IN)--McBride Stadium is being purchased by Richmond Community Schools.  The stadium, which has stood at the corner of Peacock Road and North West 13^th for the last 87 years, is being purchased from the city for $12,000 after the RCS Board gave unanimous approval Wednesday night.  RCS was paying $6800 per year to the city for the use of the field.  Attorney Ron Cross said the transition will take a while.  "Closing probably will not occur this year.  It will probably be shortly after the first of the year."  The Richmond Jazz, which is part of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, is now saying that the suspension of next summer’s season is a direct result of the uncertainty surrounding ownership of their home, McBride Stadium.  This week, the Jazz issued a statement saying "we are unable to solidify what our partnership will look like moving forward."  The Jazz said they will re-evaluate their plans for the 2025 season.  The Jazz have been in an agreement with the city of Richmond since the team’s inaugural season of 2016.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board on Wednesday night approved classified staff salary increases and other employee pay raises.  Administrators had recommended a minimum three percent pay increase.  Here’s part of the discussion Wednesday night regarding support staff:  "There was really no push for somebody to want to retain for multiple years because, whether you were here zero years or here 20 years, you got the same rate of pay."  The Board also approved an increase in pay for substitute teachers to up to $115 per day.

(Richmond, IN)--Here’s more on the cleanup of the My Way Trading fire site, which will be handled by the EPA and will begin in a few weeks.  City of Richmond officials now say that the EPA issued a liability letter to Cornerstone Trading Group, but issued no such letter to the city.  The city owns part of the parcels that burned and reiterated its position that its ownership was solely to facilitate removal of plastics and does not change Cornerstone’s ultimate responsibility.

(Richmond, IN)--Cleanup of the My Way Trading fire site is about to begin.  The United States EPA has announced that cleanup will start in about three weeks at a cost of $2.8 million.  The EPA said that agency would be funding the cost.  Debris from the fire, which includes lead, benzene, and asbestos will not be going into the local landfill.  Instead, it will be transported to an unspecified hazardous waste facility.  As part of the announcement from the EPA, the city of Richmond has announced that it will be pursuing legal claims against Cornerstone Trading Group, which owned parts of the facilities.  The city remains a third-party defendant in a separate class-action suit which has been moved to a federal court.  Cleanup of the site will take several months to complete.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council this week addressed a series of projects that would be a part of the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program.  One of the more prominent uses of more than $21 million would be Main Street revitalization.  60 buildings will be examined to assess infrastructure needs.  Other programs would fund a consultant to address animal welfare, mitigate neighborhood blight, and expand public wifi.  One of the more interesting projects included in the Hoosier Legacy Program are upgrades to the Whitewater Gorge.  The first of three phases focuses on 50 acres in the south part of the gorge.  The final phase would include ziplining.  The police department is requesting an armored rescue vehicle and cited instances where it was needed.  Some of the $21 million would also fund Townsend Homes – a 50-unit apartment complex at the site of the former Nicholson School.  The Rose Garden would also receive upgrades.

(Preble County, OH)--Law enforcement agents were able to apprehend a driver who was allegedly going up to 120 miles per hour on country roads in western Preble County late Tuesday night.  Scanner traffic indicated he crossed the state line on State Road 122 doing a hundred.  He then sped to Paddock and Wolverton Roads going even faster.  He was eventually taken into custody.  19-year-old Travis Felix was charged with failure to comply and was taken to the Preble County Jail.

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County officials confirmed Monday afternoon that the fire Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point News reported Monday morning claimed the lives of two people.  That fire broke out late Sunday afternoon at a home on Carlos Road just west of Williamsburg.  There were initial reports that at least one person was trapped inside.  The two people who died were a male and a female in their early 60’s.  Specific identification is still pending notification of family members.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although no foul play is suspected.

(Richmond, IN)--The girl who escaped from the Wernle Youth & Family Treatment Center in Richmond and stabbed a 77-year-old resident who lived nearby now wants her prison sentence reduced.  Savanna Young turns 17 on Wednesday.  She was sentenced as an adult to 15 years with five suspended last year as part of a plea deal.  Now, in new court filings, she claims to have had no parent or guardian present when she signed the plea deal.  Wernle was sanctioned by the state a couple of years ago after repeated escapes and fights.  According to employees now, the institution today houses only about 14 children.

(Richmond, IN)--Earlham College President Anne Houtman announced Monday that she will retire at the end of this academic year.  Although Earlham College has existed for 176 years, Houtman is just the 20th president of the college and its first female leader.  Houtman became president in 2019 and said that she will remain in the area.  The Earlham Board of Trustees will begin a search for Houtman’s successor in the coming weeks.

(Wayne County, IN)--A large house fire broke out late Sunday afternoon.  It happened on Carlos Road just west of Williamsburg at around 5 o’clock.  The initial report, according to scanner traffic, was that two people were initially unaccounted for.  Firefighters from multiple surrounding agencies responded and spent two hours getting the fire out.  As of early Monday morning, no information had been released about the condition of the occupants, their identities, the cause of the fire, or the extent of the damage.

(Richmond, IN)--The report of a reckless driver on I-70 in Preble County Monday morning resulted in the arrest of a Richmond woman who is no stranger at the Wayne County Jail.  60-year-old Laura Turner was taken into custody on Williamsburg Pike at near I-70 at around 5 Monday morning after a canine gave a positive indication for drugs.  Cocaine and other narcotics were allegedly found.  Turner was the owner of Salisbury Stables and was arrested during a drug search there two years ago.  In the last 15 years, Turner has had 11 different criminal cases including eight felony cases.  She is currently due to go on trial in January for dealing.  Monday morning’s mug shot is her 32^nd that is on file at the Wayne County Jail.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Education Association – or teachers’ union – is planning another public demonstration of sorts.  Sunday night, the REA made a social media post encouraging teachers to do their grading Tuesday afternoon at 4 on the lawn outside the RCS Central Office to show support for the REA Bargaining team as it heads into its first session.  The REA has filed two formal complaints in recent months and, among other things, has demanded the reinstatement of President Kelley McDermott.

(Whitewater Valley)--Consider it a warmup for the big event next April.  Saturday, the Whitewater Valley will experience a partial solar eclipse.  But don’t get your hopes up.  First, there are clouds in the forecast that will diminish the effect.  More importantly, though, there will only be about 40% coverage.  You many notice a little bit of change in lighting and some colors, but that’s about it.  It will be at around 11:30 and run until 3:30.  Next April’s event will be total and will plunge the Whitewater Valley into total darkness in the middle of the afternoon.

(Richmond, IN)--There will be no Richmond Jazz baseball at McBride Stadium next summer.  According to the website of the Great Lakes Summer Intercollegiate League, of which Richmond is a member, Richmond will, quote, take the upcoming season off, unquote.  According to the league’s bylaws, Richmond will have the option to return after one season off.  No specific reason for the decision was given.  Five other teams in the league are also taking next year off.

(Winchester, IN)--For several years, Randolph County investigators have used online decoys posing as young girls to lure men who try to meet those underage girls for sex.  The latest to be caught is a Richmond man.  41-year-old Charles Bishop was arrested last weekend after traveling to Randolph County to meet what he thought was a 13-year-old girl at Walmart.  According to the affidavit, when he was confronted, Bishop laid down and appeared to lose consciousness.  He has no previous criminal record, but now faces charges that include attempted child molesting.

(Richmond, IN)--RP&L General Manager Tony Foster has updated the RP&L Board on the city’s use of renewable energy – namely, solar panels.  Right now, Richmond has six solar fields that are currently generating enough power to serve 5900 homes.  That’s roughly 40% of the total number of households in the city.  Another solar park on Round Barn Road comes on line later this month.  An 8^th solar field on National Road West between Round Barn and Salisbury Roads is in the planning stage.

(Richmond, IN)--One week remains for INDOT to accept public comment on various aspects of the Revive I-70 project.  That’s the name given to the plan to wide I-70 to three lanes through nearly all of Wayne County.  One of the more controversial elements of the design includes plans for roundabouts at the current junction of I-70 and U.S. 40 at the state lane.  Not only are there plans for roundabouts, there are also plans for sidewalks in that area.  Construction won't begin for a year.

(Richmond, IN)--Early voting got underway across the Whitewater Valley on Wednesday.  Probably the most high-profile local race this year is that for Richmond mayor.  If you’re still undecided about several candidates vying for the seat, you can learn more about each person when WCTV airs its candidate forum Thursday night at 6 p.m.  Viewer questions will also be taken.  Candidates for other local races, including Richmond Common Council, have already appeared on WCTV.  You can find those programs on WCTV’s youtube page.

(Richmond, IN)--It was six months ago Wednesday that the My Way Trading Fire broke out.  Multiple buildings crammed with recycled plastics began burning on April 11 and burned for days, spreading smoke and fumes across a wide area.  Even though it has now been six months, there has still not been one word from investigators on any level about the cause of the fire.  Attorneys involved in civil cases have mentioned arson, but that’s never been confirmed by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.  A class action suit filed by Richmond residents has now been moved to federal court.  In a separate lawsuit, the family of an elderly New Paris woman says she died as a direct result of the smoke from the fire.  The last official word from the EPA about the fire came back in August, when they released a list of chemicals that burned.

(Whitewater Valley)--Early voting gets underway Wednesday across the Whitewater Valley.  In Wayne County, registered voters can cast their ballots only at the Wayne County Courthouse.  That will be the case until Saturday the 28^th, when voting can be done at the First Bank Kuhlman Center.  Then, on Monday the 30^th, First English Lutheran Church begins to host voting.  Election Day is November 7.  Voters will need identification to cast a ballot.  Over the next month, Richmond voters will decide on a mayor and several members of Common Council.

(Wayne County, IN)--A 19-year-old Wayne County man was clocked doing 115 miles per hour on a motorcycle on U.S. 27 between Richmond and Fountain City Tuesday night.  Officers briefly chased the motorcyclist, who was later identified as Bradyn Goodwin, a short distance before he surrendered in the area of Union Pike.  Goodwin is charged with criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a police chase all across the south side of Richmond Tuesday morning.  At just before 2:30, officers tried to stop 29-year-old Curtis Mathis on South A Street.  Mathis took off and sped through South 12^th, South E, Henley Road, Wernle Road, and then back into Richmond, where stop sticks were deployed.  Mathis pulled into a South 9^th convenience store and was taken into custody.  He faces felony resisting as well as multiple drug charges.

(Connersville, IN)--Investigators in Connersville on Monday called a recent shots fired incident involving juveniles “isolated”.  It happened this past Saturday at a home in the 1900 block of Ohio Avenue.  At least was shot was fired during an altercation, but no one was hit.  The firearm has been recovered and placed into evidence.  The ages of the juveniles involved have not been released.  The incident remains under investigation and police are seeking additional information from the public.

(Wayne County, IN)--In-person absentee voting, sometimes called early voting, is just a couple of days from getting underway.  Beginning Wednesday, early voting can be done at the Wayne County Courthouse.  It will continue there until vote centers open on October 30.  Contested local races this year include a race for Richmond mayor, several seats on Common Council, and town issues in Cambridge City and Milton.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man with a recent string of serious charges was taken into custody Sunday after allegedly being found with a handgun.  26-year-old Anthony Luster was found in the 200 block of North 11^th.  Six years ago, Luster strangled a woman who was pregnant with his child and then escaped from the Wayne County Courthouse during a hearing on that charge.

(Richmond, IN)--One of the two routes drivers generally use to detour around the Depot Overpass replacement project in Richmond will be closed Monday.  The railroad crossing at North 8^th Street will shut down at noon Monday to allow crews to relocate water lines as part of the project.  North E between 8^th and 10^th Street will also shut down.  The city recommends using 12^th Street as a detour.  The area is expected to reopen at midnight Monday night.

(Richmond, IN)--A pre-trial hearing is scheduled to take place Friday for Phillip Lee.  Lee is charged with shooting and ultimately killing RPD Officer Seara Burton a year ago.  Friday’s hearing will be the first since early August.  Since then, numerous motions have been filed.  There are nine more pre-trial hearings scheduled – all about two months apart – before Lee is finally set to stand trial in February of 2025.

(Wayne County, IN)--For the second time this week, an incident with a semi closed I-70 and clogged local streets and roads with out-of-town drivers trying to get around the closure.  Thursday afternoon at around 5 o’clock, an eastbound semi driver lost control near the U.S. 40 interchange and the semi ended up on its side across both lanes.  Traffic was diverted onto East Main Street.  The semi was removed and the interstate reopened at just after 9 o’clock.  There’s no word on what caused the crash or any injuries that resulted.

(Hamilton, OH)--A Preble County man who is a father to three young kids continued Friday morning to fight for his life after a worksite accident that happened this week in Hamilton.  A large piece of machinery described by witnesses as a paver began rolling over on State Road 177 on Hamilton’s north side.  Damion Winkler of Eaton was one of the workers.  Family friend Shawna Cain updated Damion’s condition Thursday.  "He is still in ICU in a coma with several different broken bones and a brain bleed.  We're just hoping he wakes up soon," Cain said.  A second worker from the Cincinnati area was killed.  OSHA is investigating the crash.

(Wayne County, IN)--Centerville residents currently have no community-wide curbside recycling options, but they’ll soon be asked if they want that to change.  A survey will soon be issued to determine whether or not Centerville should go forward with a collaboration with Richmond that would make curbside recycling a reality.  Centerville’s trash already goes to Richmond.  Establishing recycling could reduce landfill fees and offset the cost of a recycling program.  More information is coming in Centerville’s utility bills.

(Connersville, IN)--An alleged arsonist in Connersville was arrested late Wednesday night shortly after setting a fire.  Firefighters were called to the 700 block of Beech Street for a shed fire.  As that fire was being extinguished, police were called to West 3^rd Street because a man was acting suspiciously.  After speaking with the man, he admitted to police that he set the fire.  He was identified as Joshua Farmer. Farmer was booked into jail on an arson charge.

(Union County, IN)--For the second time this week, there was a large field fire in Union County Wednesday.  This one broke out at around 6 o’clock Wednesday night in a bean field on West Mitchell Road.  Firefighters from Liberty were first to respond, but they needed help from Abington and College Corner to get the fire under control.  Most of the Whitewater Valley, including Union County, is officially classified as being in a drought.  A new drought map comes out Thursday.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond’s DORA plan is on indefinite hold.  That plan, which would allow alcoholic beverages to be carried outside in the Depot District, came before Common Council again on Monday night.  The ordinance was tabled as concerns continue to be expressed.  There are concerns about security and measuring the quantities of alcohol consumed, among other things.   There ordinance is going back to the Safety Committee for further examination with no timetable for a return to Council.

(Wayne County, IN)--A semi loaded with Hershey’s chocolate caught fire on I-70 late Tuesday afternoon.  The semi became fully engulfed in the eastbound lanes near the Williamsburg Pike exit and forced their closure.  Eastbound traffic then backed up well into Henry County.  Alternative routes like State Route 38 and U.S. 40 also became clogged.  County roads then also became backed up due to U.S. 40’s closure with the bridge out near Centerville.  The interstate was closed for several hours.  There were no initial reports of any injury.

(Richmond, IN)--Getting around Richmond is going to be a little more challenging Wednesday.  That’s because the bridge over the railroad tracks on North West 5^th just north of Indiana Avenue will be closed for much of the day. The closure is necessary so the bridge deck can be cleaned and sealed to get it ready for winter.  The closure is expected to last until about 3 o’clock Wednesday afternoon.

(Richmond, IN)--An IU East professor and his wife have been arrested in connection with a statewide crackdown in Ohio that sought to arrest those trying to buy sex and identify survivors of human trafficking.  Ramesh Karki was listed on the IU East website Tuesday morning as an associate professor of mathematics.  His wife, Anil Wagle, operates a business inside the Richmond Mall.  Details of what the couple are alleged to have done have not been released, but they are two of 150 people across Ohio arrested in the sting.  Some were arrested for engaging in prostitution.  Others were arrested for seeking sex with minors.  IU East has not commented on Karki’s status.  Another of the people arrested was the Director of Excellence at the University of Dayton.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter Monday night released details of the death of a man who was being housed at the Wayne County Jail.  Last week, four days after 47-year-old Mica Griffith was booked into the Wayne County, Griffith dove headfirst from the top bunk of his cell onto the floor.  He was taken to Reid Health and returned to jail, where suicide precautions were taken.  Later that day, video shows Griffith packing his throat with food and choking.  He was taken back to Reid, where he later died.  An investigation is continuing.

(Richmond, IN)--The woman who stole nearly $12,000 from the Wayne County 4-H Horse and Pony Committee has been sentenced.  During her five-year tenure as treasurer, Stephanie Ball had used the organization’s credit cards and checks for her own benefit at places like Walmart and Meijer.  She was caught after the accounts were depleted and a check bounced.  Bell was sentenced Monday to two years in jail with a year and a half suspended.  The remaining time is to be served on home detention.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond High School Athletics has had a middle school fan section for decades, but that’s over now.  RHS announced over the weekend that it will eliminate its middle school section at varsity high school sporting events due to what they called, quote, several issues of discipline, unquote.  Beginning immediately, no student who is in the 8^th grade or younger will be permitted to enter an athletic event unless they’re accompanied by a parent or guardian.  Once inside, those students must remain under the supervision of an adult.  Specific details of the incidents that prompted the policy change were not released.

(Wayne County, IN)--A hit-and-run semi struck at least two vehicles, including a Greyhound bus, on I-70 in western Wayne County Sunday night.  The impact with the moving bus occurred at around 10:15 Sunday night and was relatively minor.  None of the passengers on board were hurt.  The semi continued on from that impact and then struck a passenger vehicle, taking off its driver’s side mirror.  Another caller to 911 reported that he was nearly struck three different times by the semi.  There’s no indication that the semi driver was stopped in Wayne County.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council meets Monday night with a couple of important issues on second reading, which means they’re up for public comment.  There are six ordinances on the agenda that all deal with the 2024 budget and salaries for elected officials, police, firefighters, and sanitation workers.  Also on second reading Monday night is an ordinance that would create a DORA – or Designated Outdoor Recreation Area – in the Depot District.  Passage of that ordinance would allow alcoholic beverages to be carried outside under certain conditions.  Monday night’s meeting begins at 7 o’clock.  As always, you can catch it live on WCTV.