News

Sheriff seeking photos, videos from fatal I-70 crash for evidence

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As Wayne County Sheriff’s Office concludes its investigation into the multiple fatality motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 5:07 p.m. July 9 on Interstate 70 near Indiana 1 (137-mile marker), officers are reaching out to the public for assistance. Sheriff Randy Retter said that in the department’s efforts to acquire all possible evidence in this case, those who have a photo or video of the motor vehicle crash are asked to provide it to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Photos or videos can be conveniently uploaded using the following link on cell phones, tablets, laptops, or other electronic devices at https://waynesheriffin.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/70fatalcrash

“We appreciate the public’s assistance with this matter,” Retter said.

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Governor: Indiana will remain at Stage 4.5 for at least 2 more weeks

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Written by: Brenda McLane
Governor Eric Holcomb will be signing an executive order to keep Indiana at Stage 4.5 for at least the next two weeks, citing the volatility of the virus in Indiana, across the country and around the world. For the second week in a row Indiana’s positivity rate has increased. This week brought 4,300 new cases and just a month ago, Indiana recorded 3,000 cases. The broader spread of the virus is limiting the ability of Indiana and all states to get enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The governor made it a point to say that schools, churches, and the like “will look different through the foreseeable future.”
While Indiana is leaving the mask mandate in local county control, Holcomb is not ruling out a future statewide mask mandate.

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Richmond superintendent officially resigns

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Richmond Community Schools Board of School Trustees and Superintendent Dr. Todd Terrill announced late Monday night (July 13) that he is resigning to accept the superintendent position at Crown Point Community School Corporation in Crown Point, Indiana. “After five years of serving as superintendent of RCS, I made the decision to pursue another opportunity to further my growth as an educational leader,” Terrill said in a news release. “Richmond has been our home for 15 years and we will always think of Richmond as home. As I reflect on the time I have served as your superintendent, I am thankful for the opportunity to work with so many great individuals. During this time, we have experienced many accomplishments.

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Applications now open for state’s highest agricultural honor

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Nominations are now being accepted by Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch for the highest agricultural honor presented by the state, the AgriVision Award. Now in its 14th year, the AgriVision Award will recognize Hoosiers dedicated to advancing agriculture throughout the state. Recipients may be recognized for their work pioneering new agriculture technologies, leading one of our states many great organizations or addressing global issues. “Indiana agriculture is at the forefront of innovation and conservation,” Crouch said. “The AgriVision Award allows us to recognize Hoosiers who are ensuring agriculture continues to be a thriving industry in our state.”
The AgriVision Award is open to any Indiana resident and all sectors of the agriculture industry—from bioenergy to livestock to agbiosciences.

News

Update: Police release names of 4 kids who died in burning car at I-70 crash site

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Drugs used by a semi driver were a contributing factor in a fatal accident that killed four children in a car that became fully engulfed in flames Thursday evening after a crash on Interstate 70, police said. Wayne County deputies responded to a three-vehicle crash shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday, July 9, a little west of the I-70 Cambridge City exit, just west of a construction zone. Deputies arrived to find a Chevrolet car and semi pulling a box trailer off the left side of eastbound I-70 fully engulfed, according to a news release from Indiana State Police Sgt. John Bowling. A passerby was able to pull the car’s driver out of the vehicle, but none of his passengers, Bowling said.

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Police: Drugs contribute to fiery fatal I-70 crash near Cambridge City, charges forthcoming

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Drugs were a contributing factor in a fatal accident that included a car and semi being fully engulfed in flames Thursday evening on Interstate 70, police said. Wayne County deputies responded to a three-vehicle crash shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday, July 9, a little west of the I-70 Cambridge City exit, just west of a construction zone. Deputies arrived to find a Chevrolet car and semi pulling a box trailer off the left side of eastbound I-70 fully engulfed, according to a news release from Indiana State Police Sgt. John Bowling. Fire departments from Cambridge City, Greens Fork and Hagerstown responded to extinguish the flames.

News

Arrest made in local woman’s 1986 disappearance

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Fayette County Sheriff’s Department announced an arrest Thursday, July 9, in the 1986 disappearance of Denise Pflum from eastern Indiana. Pflum, then 18, disappeared from Connersville on March 28, 1986, but her case remained unsolved. On Thursday, Shawn M. McClung was charged with voluntary manslaughter, a Class B felony, after an investigation led by Sheriff Joey Laughlin and Detective Chad Blaes. The information and probable cause alleges that McClung previously claimed that Pflum was still alive, but has recently admitted that he killed her in March 1986, the sheriff’s department statement said. “No further comments will be made at this time, as the investigation is ongoing regarding the involvement of other parties,” the statement concluded.

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Centerville schools offering counseling after teen’s death

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Members of the Centerville-Abington Community Schools family are among those mourning the loss of a Centerville High School junior. Emma Grace Ulm, 16, who was a lifelong Richmond resident, died Tuesday, July 7. In a statement, officials said the school system was saddened to learn of Ulm’s passing, and sends its thoughts and prayers to her friends and family, which includes parents Keith and Dawn Ulm and sister Abby Ulm. “Emma was an outstanding student-athlete who always had a smile on her face and was willing to help others,” the schools’ statement said. “Emma was a true competitor on the court and dedicated student in the classroom.

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Andy Jack Armes

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Andy Jack Armes 73 of Richmond died unexpectedly June 28, 2020 in his home. He was born June 14, 1947 in Petross, TN., to his biological father Jack Armes; he was raised by his mother Tracie and Elijah Fultz. He lived in Richmond all of his life and worked as a Factory welder and driver for Toyota. He is survived by his two children Kim (Ed) Claypoole of Richmond, Andrew (Tammy) Fultz, four grandchildren Ethan and Gracie Fultz, Zach and Joey Claypoole. He is preceded in death by his biological father and his parents.

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Sheriff asks any victims to come forward after man facing child porn charge admits contact with women, girl

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Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter is asking anyone who might be a victim of a man who admitted to police that he touched women in public and rubbed up against a girl in a local store to share their stories. The suspect, James Duane Brooks, 53, was arrested Friday, June 19, after the sheriff’s department executed a search warrant at Brooks Trucking, 5557 U.S. 27 in Richmond, which is also listed as Brooks’ address in jail records. Several items were recovered at the scene Friday morning, including computer equipment and mobile phones. Retter said evidence of child pornography was discovered on a preliminary examination of some of the computer equipment seized during the search. Brooks was inside the building when the search warrant was served and he was later transported to the sheriff’s office.