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Police: 4 in ‘self-proclaimed criminal gang’ arrested; about 50 officers involved

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About 50 law enforcement officers from local, state and federal agencies teamed to arrest four young men they say have caused havoc in Wayne County through their “self-proclaimed criminal gang.”

One of the suspects faces charges of murder, attempted murder and criminal gang intimidation, while police say the others face a variety of lesser charges that are related to recent shooting incidents and shots fired calls. During the early morning of July 28, Richmond Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Preble County Ohio Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation (Safe Streets Task Force) and Wayne County Prosecutors Office mobilized and executed a number of arrest warrants. RPD Chief Mike Britt said the team partnered to direct efforts and considerable resources to identify suspects in incidents organized by a “self-proclaimed criminal gang that has been operating in our city and county for the last several months,” according to a news release. Britt said no defendants or officers were injured as the four arrests were made around Richmond, calling the process “truly a team effort.”

“This is a part of a lengthy, ongoing investigation to curtail this recklessness and help ensure the safety of the citizens of our community,” Britt said. “As a result of this morning’s operation.

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Silver Alert canceled for missing New Castle man

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A Statewide Silver Alert has been canceled  for a New Castle man. New Castle (Indiana) Police Department had investigated the disappearance of David Mise, a 63-year-old white male. Mise is 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 390 pounds and has white hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a light blue polo shirt, dark blue shorts, and red and blue flip-flops. He was driving a silver 2021 Kia Rio with Arizona license 2NA8VC.

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Updated: Silver Alert canceled for missing New Castle man

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A Statewide Silver Alert has been canceled after New Castle Police Department  investigated the disappearance of David Heaston, a 33-year-old white male. Heaston is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 220 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light colored T-shirt and khaki shorts. Heaston was missing from New Castle, Indiana. He was last seen on Friday, July 9, at 8:07 p.m.

He was believed to be in extreme danger and possibly require medical assistance.

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Search underway for missing Connersville man

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Indiana Conservation Officers and several other local groups of first responders are searching for a missing man in the vicinity of Mahan Park, commonly referred to as “Three-Mile Bridge,” near Highway 121 in Connersville. After receiving notification from Fayette County Dispatch at approximately 5:45 p.m. Thursday, conservation officers arrived on scene and discovered a vehicle and several articles belonging to Robert L. Austin, 26, of Connersville. Conservation officers, with the assistance from other agencies, are currently searching the Whitewater River with boats and sonar, as well as utilizing an Indiana State Police helicopter and drones. Those with any information of Austin’s whereabouts are urged to call Indiana Conservation Officer Dispatch Center at (812) 837-9536 or Fayette County Dispatch at (765) 825-2111. Agencies assisting in the search are Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, Everton Fire Department, Laurel Fire Department, Fayette EMS, Bentonville Fire Department and Richmond Fire Department.

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State offering free COVID vaccines at Ivy Tech from July 7-10

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Indiana Department of Health is offering a free COVID-19 mobile vaccine clinic from July 7-10  in Richmond that is open to the public. Vaccines are available for individuals 12 and older, and no appointment is necessary. This clinic will be at Richmond’s Ivy Tech building, 2357 Chester Blvd. on Wednesday, July 7, through Saturday, July 10. Vaccinations will occur from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on those dates.

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Election filing deadline for CC independent candidates earlier than expected

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Wayne County Clerk Debra Berry and the county’s Voter Registration staff are alerting Cambridge City residents that the deadline to file paperwork for a town council seat could be earlier than they expect. An error on a state form means the deadline is one day earlier for independent candidates than stated, but the state will not allow an extension. Berry announced Tuesday, June 29, that anyone seeking one of the two town council seats up for election this fall as an independent candidate needs to file a petition of nomination, called a CAN-44 form, by noon Wednesday, June 30. The form is called a Petition of Nomination for City or Town Office in 2021. 

As part of that CAN-44 form, the candidate needs to collect at least 17 signatures from registered voters saying that person should be on the ballot. Berry recommends getting extra signatures in case any can’t be verified.  None of the signatures can be from anyone who plans to also run for council.

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Sheriff: Fountain City teen missing

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The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the whereabouts of Jazmine McDowell, a 17-year-old female from Fountain City, Indiana. Jazmine’s last known location was the Richmond, Indiana, area. If you have any information, please contact Deputy Alain Lacasse by calling 765-973-9393, ext. 1628

The sheriff’s office continues to search for another missing Wayne County teen. The disappearance of Adrea Strickland, a 16-year-old female from Hagerstown, was shared June 11 by the sheriff’s office.

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COVID vaccines available Saturday to public at Ivy Tech

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Indiana Department of Health has set up a vaccination clinic at Ivy Tech Richmond. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, through Saturday, June 19, at 2357 Chester Blvd. Walk-ins are welcome. If you’d like to save time and make an appointment, it’s easy to get one. Appointments can be scheduled online anytime at ourshot.in.gov on your computer or smartphone (use Chrome or Firefox as your browser).

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Grad ads due Thursday, June 10!

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CALL OR EMAIL US BY 5 p.m. Thursday, June 10, TO PLACE YOUR AD CONGRATULATING YOUR FAVORITE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE GRADUATE! If your business or family would like to congratulate the entire Class of 2021, a group of student employees, or an individual graduate, please reach out. Our full-color (discounted) ads start at just $35 for this keepsake edition. Email a photo of your grad to customerservice@hmgccity.com and the text you’d like to include, and our designers will get a proof ready for your approval. Please call (765) 478-5448 with questions.

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Earlham, IU East offering virtual discussion on documentary featuring women in science

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The Joseph Moore Museum and Department of Biology at Earlham College is screening the acclaimed documentary Picture A Scientist for 72 hours beginning on Friday, April 30. The documentary portrays discrimination against women in science and highlights three scientists writing a new chapter for women working in the field. The screening will culminate with a virtual panel and small-group discussions at 7 p.m. Monday, May 3, that feature graduates and faculty from Earlham and Indiana University East. Registration is free and open to the public. Those interested in watching the documentary outside of the designated time frame can do so for a limited time here. “We’re taking this as an opportunity to bring people together who are interested in changing the culture of science.  We all suffer when STEM research and product design don’t come from diverse teams,” said Heather Lerner, Earlham associate professor of biology and director of the Joseph Moore Museum.