(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Family YMCA is eyeballing a new site for a new youth and family center and sports park facility.  And, that site is the former Reid Hospital property on Chester Boulevard.  Demolition was complete in 2019.  "The environmental remediation is winding down finally," said Richmond Mayor Ron Oler.  Right now, planning is extremely preliminary, but…"this does seem to be a good fit for future use and would be a huge asset for the city.  We see people who travel into these complexes for traveling games," Oler added.  Thursday night, the Board of Works signed a memorandum of understanding for the project which paves the way for a feasibility study to be conducted this fall.  "The next steps will be that market study and to engage a community of donors," said Michael Ingram with the Y.  The proposed complex would include multiple sports fields for football, soccer, softball, and baseball.  Local leaders say they’ll know by December if there’s enough support to move forward with the project.

(Richmond, IN)--Approval was granted Thursday night by the Board of Works for Richmond to enter into a contract that will put into place a massive reworking of the playground and splash pad at Glen Miller Park.  Park Superintendent Denise Retz talked about it.  "The most exciting features that the community will really love about this playground is that we're really honoring Glen Miller Park's history," Retz said.  Those features will include references to the small train near the playground which operated decades ago and a reference to the long-gone zoo.  The total cost of the project is set at just under $2.6 million.  Ken Paust with the Board of Works explained the source of that money.  "This is coming out of the new food and beverage (tax)," Paust said.  Construction is expected to start next month and be complete by next spring.

(West Alexandria, OH)--West Alexandria Fire & EMS was involved in a high-water rescue on State Route 503 after several inches of rain fell in the pre-dawn hours Thursday morning.  The driver would later tell crews that he didn’t realize the roadway was flooded until he entered the water.  A rescue crew from Miamisburg was already in the area.  Several members went into the rushing water and removed the driver from the partially submerged vehicle.  No one was injured.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a high-speed chase Thursday morning in Richmond that ended with the arrest of a teenager.  18-year-old Robert Martinez-White was taken to the Wayne County Jail and charged with felony resisting and driving without ever having had a license.  The chase went along East Main Street.  There’s no word yet on what started it.

(Preble County, OH)--More unneeded rain fell across the Whitewater Valley Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.  And, in some areas, it has totaled multiple inches.  Some of the heaviest rain fell in southern Preble County, where radar estimates indicate another two to four inches of rain has come down generally, although one area between Camden and Lakengren has seen nearly six inches come down overnight.  Overnight images from Camden show high standing water at a trailer park.  Evacuations were taking place there.  Camden firefighters were dispatched at around 12:30 Thursday morning to the 7500 block of Camden Road on a reported water rescue.

(Wayne County, IN)--People who lost their homes in the flood one week ago are still in temporary housing, but those numbers are beginning to go down.  "Shelter operations are continuing at the Kuhlman Center," said Matt Cain with Wayne County Emergency Management on Wednesday night.  And, that temporary housing is shifting.  "We've also merged some people who are using that shelter with those affected in Connersville.  It's serving for both," Cain explained.  Cain also said that the county will be submitting flood damage estimates to the state Friday for potential reimbursement.  Cain also said Wednesday night that FEMA has arrived and toured nearly all Wayne County towns earlier in the day.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Cambridge City police Wednesday arrested a man who they say was trying to take advantage of flood victims.  He’s 63-year-old Bruce Miller.  Miller allegedly came from his home in Spiceland to rummage through items residents had placed outside during flood clean-up.  He was taken into custody late Wednesday afternoon and charged with two counts of theft.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged child molester was returned to Richmond on Wednesday.  Deputies went to Dayton to bring back 38-year-old Chris Moore.  Warrants had been issued for Moore’s arrest on charges that include child molesting and child seduction.  Moore was located and arrested in Dayton on Sunday following a nearly year-long investigation.  He was being held in the Wayne County Jail Thursday morning without bond.

(Fishers, IN)--The victim in a fatal hit and run incident that occurred on Tuesday night in central Indiana has now been identified as a Randolph County man.  Investigators say that 36-year-old Gregory Christopher of Parker City was changing a flat tire on his van on I-69 when he was struck.  The driver that hit him fled the scene.  State police indicated Wednesday that they’re continuing to search for the suspect.

(Wayne County, IN)--Wayne County Emergency Management has issued a flood damage assessment update.  As of Tuesday, the county now has had 176 homes that sustained major damage.  Another 74 have sustained minor damage.  And, those numbers do not include the communities of Hagerstown, Greens Fork, Williamsburg, and Fountain City.  Numbers are still being compiled there.  To date, more than 381 individual damage reports have been received through Indiana 211 and Wayne County EMA.

(Winchester, IN)--Details of a rescue from a fire in Winchester were released Tuesday.  The fire broke out on Monday night at a home in the 100 block of West Washington Street.  When they arrived, firefighters saw heavy fire coming from the second floor of the building and that two people were trapped inside.  A ladder was placed at a second-story window, and both occupants were able to escape without injury.  Both people were examined at a nearby hospital.  The cause of the fire and the dollar amount of the damage have not been released.

(Springfield, OH)--A Richmond man is facing serious charges after allegedly breaking into a 90-year-old woman’s apartment in Springfield on Tuesday.  37-year-old Timothy Broc Cole allegedly took a vehicle from his father’s dealership in Richmond, drove to Springfield, climbed onto a second-floor balcony, and forcibly entered the woman’s home.  A realtor heard what was happening and called police.  He was found hiding in a bathtub.  Cole then allegedly tried to wrestle a gun from an officer.  He was Tased and taken into custody.

(Richmond, IN)--Funding for the proposed Smith Hill development on Richmond’s southeast side went before Common Council on Monday night in the form of an ordinance on first reading.  Ownership of the property is currently being transferred to the city, but the city has not yet closed on it.  Once again, council discussed apartments, town homes, and rental units.  According to Council Member Larry Parker, 98 rental units are now in the plan.  It prompted this reaction:  "They still plan on having rental units there, and nobody has approved the rental units.  I don't see how we can possibly give these people this kind of money for something that they misled on from the very, very beginning," Parker said.  It’s a $7.5 million investment.  The issue was assigned Monday night to finance committee.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Some initial damage reports are coming in from Cambridge City related to last week’s flood.  That initial assessment, which was discussed at Monday night’s meeting of Richmond Common Council, indicates that three homes and one business were completely destroyed by high water.  174 structures sustained what was classified as major damage.  Another 71 sustained minor damage.  No injuries or missing persons were reported.

(Richmond, IN)--A proposed $14 rate increase for RP&L to be implemented over several years went in front of Richmond Common Council Monday night.  RP&L General Manager Tony Foster again laid out the reasons for the proposed increase.  No members of the public showed up to speak for or against the proposed rate increase.  Council decided to hold the issue on second reading, which will again allow public comment.  That will take place on council’s first meeting in September.

(Cambridge City, IN)--A town hall meeting was held Sunday at Lincoln High School for the residents of Cambridge City as that community and others, including Hagerstown and Greens Fork, continue to deal with the aftermath of record flooding.  Urgent donations were requested, including food storage containers, laundry soap, bread, fans, and house washing solutions.  Cambridge City Christian Church is the donation center.  Town officials have been operating out the fire department after heavy damage to the town hall, but that could soon change.  "We've got a couple of options.  We might use space at the Jackson Township Trustees building.  We're also looking at getting a construction trailer and working out of there," said Town Council President Jim McLane.  Matt Cain with Wayne County Emergency Management talked about financial help.  "The FEMA part of this...it's going to take time.  You need money yesterday.  I know that.  It's going to take time," Cain explained.  Residents were advised to document damage as much as possible.

(Wayne County, IN)--With utilities restored to most people in western Wayne County, the focus now is turning to disposal of everything that was ruined by floodwaters last week.  "We're gonna get as many dumpsters in here as we can possibly get.  There's going to be a central dumpster and debris point.  That's going to be at 2nd and Green Street," said Mike Amick with Cambridge City Public Works.  There will be strict requirements about disposal for various types of items.  Dumpsters will be labeled so that people know where to put each item according to FEMA requirements.  "If we don't do that, we would jeopardize some of the money that we could get back from the government, so we want to make sure that we cooperate and follow all the rules," Amick explained.  Dumpsters have already been delivered to Hagerstown High School.  President Trump on Saturday approved an Emergency Disaster Declaration that paves the way for federal help.

(Connersville, IN)--The Fayette County Health Department issued a warning Sunday to those cleaning up from flood damage.  They say that floodwater there may have been contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and other contaminants.  That department will be monitoring for infectious disease.  Also in Connersville, the call has gone out for campers and trailers to be loaned or donated for temporary housing.  Connersville is also in need of heavy machinery like excavators, bulldozers, and dump trucks.  State officials searched Saturday along the river for any potential victims, especially in southern Fayette County.  There have been no missing persons reports so far.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council meets Monday night with a couple of important items on the agenda.  One is a resolution that would provide up to $7.5 million from various sources to fund infrastructure improvements to the proposed Smith Hill development in the area of South 37^th and Backmeyer Road.  Also Monday night, the proposed rate increase for RP&L is on second reading.  That means public comment will be taken.  Monday night’ meeting gets underway at 7 o’clock.  As always, you can catch it live on WGTV.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man was sent to the Wayne County Jail on Saturday night.  And, for 56-year-old Richard Cummins, it was his first or second time, it was his 27^th time.  Cummins was taken into custody following a stop in the 1800 block of National Road West in Richmond.  Charges include dealing meth and OWI endangerment.  Cummins’ 27 book-ins into the Wayne County Jail date back to 2004.

(Whitewater Valley)--Two Wayne County highways have reopened.  One of them is westbound I-70.  INDOT announced late Thursday night that part of the interstate that had washed out in this week’s flooding was completely repaired in about 32 hours.  "I didn't think there would be any way you could replace that kind of gap in pavement and do it in a permanent way and not just in a temporary way," said Governor Mike Braun Thursday.  The opening relieves both Richmond city streets and county roads just north of I-70 that had been clogged with semis and other interstate traffic seeking a detour.  Also, State Road 38 has reopened on the west side of Hagerstown.  Crews on Thursday completed temporary repairs between State Road 1 and Brick Church Road.  More work may be needed next week to make permanent repairs.  The east end of 38 near U.S. 35 remained closed Friday morning.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Indiana Governor Mike Braun was in Cambridge City Thursday to survey flood damage.  Earlier Thursday, Braun had issued a statewide disaster emergency order that will pave the way for federal help.  Braun gave a timeline.  "It'll take us up to a week to give them (federal agencies) to actually give them the report for federal assistance," he said.  And, he said that state resources will remain in the area at least through Friday.  "We're going to keep a Blackhawk helicopter here in case we need it for any search, retrieval, or rescue," Braun explained.  The order states that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security will enlist the support of additional state agencies.

(Cambridge City, IN)--Cambridge City has issued an overnight curfew.  The curfew will go into effect at 8 o’clock each night and will be in effect until 7 o’clock the following morning.  During the curfew period, people will be prohibited from driving or gathering on public streets, sidewalks, parks, and other public places.  The curfew will be in effect each night and will be lifted on Thursday morning next week.

(Whitewater Valley)--Efforts to restore utilities to flood-ravaged areas continued Friday morning.  880 customers of Duke Energy remained without power at 6 a.m. Friday in western Wayne County.  Town officials said Thursday night that the hope is to have at least some power restored by the middle of the day Friday. 1100 Duke customers were out Friday morning in Brookville.  Hagerstown, Cambridge City and Dublin remain under water boil advisories until further notice.  Cambridge City is also asking that people not place flood-damaged items like furniture and bedding in the streets.  Instructions will be released Friday about disposal of large items.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department was involved in a stand-off late Thursday afternoon.  According to a release from RPD, 63-year-old Charles Thomas had made threats both online and toward his neighbors in the 1100 block of South 24^th.  Officers cordoned off the area when Thomas refused to exit.  The RPD SWAT Team then responded.  Thomas eventually surrendered and is now charged with two counts of felony intimidation.