(Eaton, OH)--Former Eaton Middle School teacher Kristin Schamel appeared in court for the first time Thursday.  Schamel pled not guilty to multiple felony counts associated with allegations that she sexually abused one of her former students 12 years ago.  The alleged victim came forward with the allegations earlier this year.  After Thurday’s hearing, Schamel posted the $50,000  bond that was set and was released from custody.  She’s due back in court in early September.  Trial was set for late September, although that will likely be pushed back.

(Richmond, IN)--A wanted Richmond man turned himself in at the Wayne County Jail Thursday and then quickly bonded out.  A warrant had been issued earlier this week for 58-year-old Robert Hurd after a judge found probable cause for battery resulting in serious injury.  An initial hearing for Hurd is now pending.  Online court documents show no criminal history for Hurd in Wayne County.

(Richmond, IN)--Two significant resignations were added to the agenda before the Richmond Community School Board met Wednesday afternoon.  Robert Lee has resigned as the RCS athletic director.  Lee came to Richmond just two years ago after having served in a similar role in Gary.  Also stepping down was former RHS boys basketball coach Billy Wright, who is also the brother of Superintendent Dr. Curtis Wright.  Billy Wright had previously transitioned from boys basketball coach to middle school athletic director and was more recently listed as a middle school teacher.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board on Wednesday night addressed the issue of allowing non-RCS students to participate in RCS extracurricular activities, including sports.  The issue came up as part of policy review.  That policy, as it’s written now, states that a student living in the RCS district who is being home-schooled or attends a non-public school will not be allowed to participate.  "If you have a non-RCS student that takes a spot from an RCS student, that could be a concern," said Board President Austin Brann.  The Board on Wednesday night moved the issue to a third reading to allow more time for consideration.

(Eaton, OH)--A former Eaton Middle School teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a student is due in court for the first time Thursday.  Kristin Schamel was taken into custody late last week in Florida and returned to Preble County on Tuesday.  According to court documents, the crimes happened over ten months back in 2014.  The alleged victim, who is now an adult, made the allegations earlier this year.  Schamel was first placed on administrative leave, but is now no longer an employee.  Schamel remains in the Preble County Jail.

(Hagerstown, IN)--A Richmond native who now describes himself as a California resident was arrested in Hagerstown Wednesday night on some serious charges.  30-year-old Montgomery Adams was taken into custody in the 100 block of West Walnut Street and now faces charges that include burglary, strangulation, and domestic battery.  Other details, including the condition of the alleged victim, have not yet become available.

(Wayne County, IN)--So far, Wayne County has excaped an illness that is affecting other parts of the Midwest.  "I received my report one week ago and, at that time, there were no local cases," said Wayne County Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bales yesterday talking about cyclosporiasis.  It’s an illness caused by an intestinal parasite that is being transmitted mostly through unwashed fruits and vegetables.  There are less than 200 cases in Indiana.  It’s much more prevalent in northern Ohio and Michigan.

(Preble County, OH)--The identity of a man killed in a weekend motorcycle crash in Preble County was released by the Ohio Highway Patrol yesterday.  39-year-old Douglas Miller of Gettysburg was headed north on State Route 726 late Saturday afternoon when he lost control and struck a utility pole.  He was taken to Reid Health where he died later that night.  Investigators did not say what they believe caused Miller to lose control.

(Richmond, IN)--A Richmond man who attacked a nine-month-old baby and then tried to blame it on his girlfriend has been sentenced.  31-year-old Darris Siler Senior was handed a 14-month sentence as part of a plea deal that saw a charge of intimidation dismissed.  The incident happened a year and a half ago when, according to Siler’s own admission, the baby would not stop crying.  The child was examined at Reid Health, where a large amount of deep bruising was discovered.  Siler has been given credit for the nine months he’s already spent in jail.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Power and Light General Manager Tony Foster presented the results of a service and rate study to the RP&L Board Monday night.  That study includes a proposed rate increase.  Foster laid out several reasons for the proposed changes, including this:  "due to having modest cash balances, we've been able to weather the storm.  But we need to rebuild those reserves," Foster said.  There’s also growth and increased demand for power, including both residential and industrial.  "If we do see some prospects in the new part of the industrial park that we could make sure we accomodate them," Foster added.  The proposed increase would be implemented over three years and would total just shy of $14 per month for the average residential customer by the end of the three-year period.  The proposal must go through several levels of approval.

(Richmond, IN)--Officers arrived at the job site of a Richmond man and took him into custody Monday after warrants were issued for crimes against children.  34-year-old Dustin Pierce was taken into custody at Phillips Tube Group on Industrial Parkway on charges that include child seduction by a guardian, child solicitation, stalking, and performing sexual conduct in the presence of a minor.  Pierce was able to post a $60,000 bond later Monday and was released from jail.  He remained free Tuesday morning.  Details of what he is alleged to have done have not been released.  An initial hearing is pending.

(Eaton, OH)--The man accused of killing his new girlfriend at a truck stop on U.S. 40 on the state line last month is now pleading not guilty by reason of insanity.  LaDavid Shaw faces charges that include murder and tampering with evidence.  Shaw had already admitted that he strangled the victim because she wouldn’t be quiet.  A date for Shaw’s competency hearing has not been set.

(Liberty, IN)--An educator who has served in numerous roles with schools across the area has been picked as principal of Union County High School.  Warren Cook returns after having been principal during the 2022-23 school year.  Most recently, Cook was the principal at Rushville.  He is also a former teacher, coach, and athletic director at Richmond High School.

(Union County, IN)--Monday, Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced the recipients of the READI Arts & Culture grant, and Union County is a big recipient.  Union County will get a million dollars to build an open-air pavilion and to create a documentary highlighting local entrepreneurs.  Union County is one of two local recipients.  Oldenburg in Franklin County will get funding for a new festival and mural highlighting the community’s German heritage.

(Richmond, IN)--The man accused of trying to rape a 16-year-old girl on the Cardinal-Greenway trail in Richmond has made his first appearance in court.  37-year-old Billy Wallace remains charged with rape and strangulation.  On Friday, he appeared in Wayne Circuit Court.  Wallace was declared indigent and a public defender was appointed to the case.   According to court documents, Wallace came up behind a girl walking on the trail, put a towel around her mouth, and dragged her into the woods.  Wallace said that he had no recollection of the incident because he was high on drugs.  A trial date was set on Friday for September 29, although that will almost certainly be pushed back.

(Richmond, IN)--An alleged Richmond drug dealer was taken into custody Sunday.  Richmond police located 34-year-old Brandon Baker in the 100 block of South 10^th at around 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon.  Baker was charged with both dealing and possession of meth.  Quantities have not been released. 

(Wayne County, IN)--At least one person was flown from the scene of yet another crash in the construction zone of the Revive I-70 project Sunday afternoon.  It happened at around 5 o’clock in the westbound lanes near the Mineral Springs Road overpass.  The crash blocked the westbound lanes.  Eastbound lanes were also shut down to allow a medical helicopter to land.  Details of what caused the crash – along with the identities and conditions of those involved – have not yet been released.

(Connersville, IN)--The cause of a Connersville fire remained under investigation Monday morning.  It broke out at around 11:15 Friday night at a building in the 200 block of West 6^th Street.  That building had once been home to both an employment office and a license branch.  Firefighters arrived to find flames showing from the front of the building.  They were on the scene for several hours due to the building’s construction and false ceilings.  No injuries were reported.

(Eaton, OH)--A former Eaton middle school teacher has been taken into custody in Florida and now faces numerous counts of sexual battery.  The investigation into 45-year-old Kristin Schamel began earlier this year.  "The victim came to us an made an allegation of inappropriate sexual activity while they were a student at the (Eaton) middle school," said Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson.  On Monday, Schamel was indicted by a grand jury and, later this week, she was picked up in the St. Petersburg area of Florida.  She was initially charged with ten counts of sexual battery and now faces extradition back to Ohio.

(Richmond, IN)--A mechanic for the Richmond Police Department has been charged with theft.  36-year-old Rhett Richey was initially jailed earlier this week for theft from a motor vehicle.  An initial hearing in the case was waived yesterday and a bench trial was set for September.  Other details, including what Richey is alleged to have taken, have not yet been obtained.