(Richmond, IN)--A transfer of 5 parcels of land from Reid Health to the city of Richmond at the site of the proposed Smith Hill development was approved by the Board of Works on Thursday.  Two years ago, the city received $4.3 million for Smith Hill, but that money must be matched.  The Redevelopment Commission had an agreement with Reid regarding cleanup of the old Reid Hospital for which Reid would contribute $1 million.  Beth Fields explains:  "That agreement stipulated that once the environmental restrictive covenants were placed on the property, that million dollars would be contributed to the Redevelopment Commission," Fields said.  Then, Reid and the city reached an agreement.  "The conversation occurred with Reid Health that the donation of this property to the city in exchange for waiving that one-million-dollar contribution would be in both of our best interests," Fields explained.  Cleanup of the old Reid site is expected to be complete later this year.

(Liberty, IN)--Usually, when there is some type of suspected criminal conduct or other significant employee misconduct involving an employee of any school district, school boards will allow that employee to resign rather than fire them.  That was not the case this week with the Union County – College Corner School District.  The school board rejected the resignation of corporate treasurer Jennifer Blakley and, instead, fired her.  The district’s attorney offered these justifications for the firing:  "breach of fiduciary duty and financial mismanagement, operational malfeasance, violation of law and district policy, and systemic misconduct," he said.  Specific details of the allegations against Blakley were not discussed.

(Richmond, IN)--Ramp closures at the junction of I-70 and U.S. 27 went into effect Thursday night.  The exit ramp from eastbound I-70 to 27 is expected to reopen in mid-June.  The entrance ramp from 27 onto eastbound 70 won’t reopen until mid- August.  Traffic on eastbound 70 is moving to new roadway this weekend as crews begin a new phase of Revive I-70.   Between highways 35 and 227, eastbound traffic is shifting to the new lanes in what was once the median.

(Richmond, IN)--A man with a history of both drug possession and resisting arrest was apprehended following a chase in Richmond Thursday night.  Police took 43-year-old Marcus Jackson into custody at his home in the 600 block of South 10^th Street.  He was jailed at around 11:15 p.m.  The charges indicate that someone was injured in the pursuit.  It is at least the third resisting arrest for Jackson.  Details of what led to the chase and the extent of the injury have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--Representatives from the city of Richmond joined leaders from eight other local municipalities this week for what was called Wayne County Agency Day.  The event served as a critical platform for Richmond to engage directly with some key state agencies, including INDOT and the Office of Rural and Community Affairs.  In a prepared statement, the city indicated that, as one of nine communities represented, Richmond leadership utilized the forum to showcase the city’s vision for growth.

(Richmond, IN)--Last year, Richmond city leaders, developers, and nearby residents debated what was known as the Smith Hill project that would have constructed about 175 single-family homes.  The issue went to the backburner when developers wanted to include rental units  Now, the proposal is resurfacing.  When Richmond’s Board of Works meets Thursday afternoon, they will address a resolution for the city to acquire multiple tracts of land from Reid Health near the intersection of South 37^th and Backmeyer Road.  According to the resolution, the land will be transferred to the city from Reid in lieu of payments by Reid.  Thursday afternoon’s meeting begins at 5 o’clock in council chambers at the city building.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County will be helping out Union County with 911 service for at least the next three months.  According to Barry Ritter, Union County has had staffing issues since Covid.  He added that it should be seamless coverage for Union County residents.  "As Wayne covers these hours for Union, someone calling 911...they're not going to know they're calling Wayne County," Ritter said.  Systems will be tested next week.  Wayne County Commissioners gave their approval to the coverage Wednesday.  Union County has already done that.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged drug dealer was arrested in Richmond early Thursday morning.  Officers encountered 49-year-old Floyd Story near South 13^th and Q Streets at around 1 o’clock Thursday morning.  He now faces several new charges, including dealing cocaine and obstruction of justice.  Story has had three different criminal cases in the last five years, including one for burglary and two for drug possession.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police on Wednesday afternoon rounded up a man wanted for strangulation and for killing a domestic animal.  A warrant had been issued for 43-year-old Jason Mills back in January.  He was located Wednesday in the 400 block of North 16^th Street.  Mills allegedly had entered a home and was in possession of an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine.

(Richmond, IN)--The collaboration between Whitewater Community Television and Richmond Community Schools advanced at Tuesday’s meeting of the Richmond Redevelopment Commission.  The commission approved $80,000 in funding to help WCTV complete its move from IU East to Richmond High School.  Here’s Nicole Stults, who is part of the RCS Board and is a non-voting member of the commission:  "The Board has been very excited about this collaboration and the opportunity that it provides students.  They're the ones who are going to win," Stults said.  WCTV President Ken Paust said it will take about two more months to complete the buildout and that WCTV is looking to hire more staff members.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police have made an arrest in connection with a stabbing that occurred late Monday night.  Trevor Younger allegedly became involved in a fight in the 700 block of South 14th that escalated into a stabbing.  The victim was taken to Reid Health with non-life-threatening injuries.  Two years ago, Younger was charged with criminal confinement with a deadly weapon.  That case was pled down last year with Younger pleading guilty to a lesser charge, getting sentenced to two years, but serving only 30 days in jail.

(Richmond, IN)--The United Way of the Whitewater Valley has announced grant recipients for this grant year.  Community grants are fueled by employees taking part in the United Way’s annual workplace campaign.  A total of $50,000 was awarded to 19 local health and human services agencies.  Those organizations include Amigos, Birth to Five, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County, and the Townsend Center.

(Cambridge City, IN)--About five years ago, ownership at what was once Cutshaw’s Market in Cambridge City changed and it became the Cambridge City Market.  The results, in general, were less than positive.  Now, ownership has changed again with one goal in mind.  "I want Cambridge City back.  I want the customers to be happy.  We're going to make it right," said new owner Scott Morrill.  Morrill said the change has been palpable since he took over nearly two months ago.  "It's been really, really positive.  Customers are noticing the change.  Employees are embracing the change," Morrill added.  The Cambridge City Market is open daily from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.

(Greenville, OH)--The man accused of killing his employer, who was also a cheerleading coach at a Darke County high school, was formally indicted Tuesday.  22-year-old Peyton Beam is charged with aggravated murder, arson, and several other crimes.  At Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors said Beam shot Ericka Kramer twice in the back of head execution style, doused her body with gasoline, and set the house on fire.  Beam then responded to the scene as an Ansonia firefighter.

(Eaton, OH)--Vandalism has affected a popular playground in Eaton.  The Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities said in a social media post that recent vandalism has closed the restrooms at the ASK playground on Maple Street until further notice.  The estimated dollar amount of damage to the playground was not disclosed.  No arrests have been made.

(Richmond, IN)--It was a short meeting Monday night for Richmond Common Council.  But, in the 20-minute meeting, Council approved two tax abatements for Liberation Bioindustries – formerly known as Liberation Labs – in the Midwest Industrial Park.  Council member Jane Bumbalough recently toured the facility.  "We explored the facility and it is very impressive.  I'm really looking forward to seeing what the future holds," Bumbalough said.  The company expects to begin production later this year.

(Peru, IN)--A convicted Wayne County murderer has died in prison, and now an investigation is underway by the Indiana State Police.  Billy Wilson shot and killed KC Allen Simpson in November of 2020 and was sentenced to 48 years in prison.  Wilson, who is now 82 years old, was found dead at the Miami Correctional Facility in Peru.  Prison officials have requested an autopsy.  Details about why they think Wilson’s death could be from something other than natural causes have not been released.

(Brookville, IN)--While Richmond Community Schools deals with the potential reduction of 22 positions, another area school district will also be laying off teachers.  Four teaching positions will be eliminated at the end of this school year at Franklin County Schools.  The primary reason given was a drop in student enrollment.  Teachers have not been named, but the teachers at Brookville, Laurel, and Mount Carmel Elementary Schools have been notified.

(Winchester, IN)--A Randolph County man has been sentenced to time served after sexually assaulting a teen.  46-year-old George Fenton provided an 18-year-old female with alcohol and then followed her into a bedroom and assaulted her.  Fenton had originally been charged with the much more serious crime of rape, but that was pled down to a reduced charge of sexual battery.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Police Department wants everyone to know that heavy police activity this week in the area of South West 10^th near Clear Creek Park is part of training and is not any reason for concern.  Nearby schools, including Dennis, have been notified that the activity will be taking place.  Officers will be training on residential room clearing and core response skills.