(Preble County, OH and Franklin County, IN)--The National Weather Service confirmed Monday that two tornados touched down in the Whitewater Valley when storms rolled through last Saturday night.  One of the tornados was in Preble County just northwest of Eaton.  Lydia Michael said she’s just glad no one was hurt at her damaged home.  "We lost everything.  But we're thankful...very thankful," Michael said.  The weather service will release more details on that tornado’s strength Tuesday.  The other confirmed tornado was near Cedar Grove in Franklin County.  It was rated as an EF-0 with a maximum wind speed of 80 miles per hour.

(Richmond, IN)--Ten years ago, Richmond’s Cody Vanwinkle was labeled a habitual offender and sentenced to ten years in prison.  He’s out of prison now, but Vanwinkle is back behind bars and faces a whole new round of charges after a drug-dealing arrest early Tuesday morning.  The 38-year-old Vanwinkle was taken into custody at 12:45 Tuesday morning in the area of South 5^th and G in Richmond.  Vanwinkle is charged with dealing cocaine, dealing meth, and possession.  Details of what led to his arrest and the amount of drugs recovered have not been released.

(Richmond, IN)--There was more discussion about the purchase of police cars at Richmond Common Council Monday night.  A report was made a few weeks ago by one local media outlet that six police cars had been purchased from a Detroit dealer at a cost $20,000 less than a Richmond dealer.  Monday night, Council President Justin Burkhart said that wasn’t exactly accurate.  "After further review, that wasn't necessarily a fair article in my opinion because what was bid from our local dealer - Wetzel - was not what was bid from our Detroit dealer," Burkhardt explained.  The proposed vehicles had different engines and equipment, meaning it was not an apple-to-apples comparison.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council met Monday night and briefly addressed a proposed rate hike for Richmond Power & Light.  "Tonight, our simple request is to refer this to Finance Committee for review.  We'll come back at a later date for presentation and public hearing," said RP&L General Manager Tony Foster.  RP&L has proposed a phased rate increase totaling just under $14 extra per month for the average residential customer to be implemented in increments over a three-year period.

(Eaton, OH)--The Preble County Fair is underway this week.  And now, the man accused of setting a young girl’s chicken coop on fire just before the fair has been formally charged.  A grand jury on Monday indicted Benjamin Heggs on charges including arson, aggravated possession of drugs, and attempted cruelty to animals.  None of the chickens were hurt in the fire.  The family told police they had been made aware of a complaint before the fire when they accidentally bought a rooster rather than a chicken.  The girl is showing the chickens at the fair this week.

(Richmond, IN)--Progress continues to be made on a new terminal building at the Richmond Municipal Airport.  Here’s Council Member Jane Bumbalough Monday night:  "We've received $1.4 million in grant award and are currently awaiting the second portion of grant funding to arrive.  Once that funding is in place, we'll be able to move forward with construction."  Also, runway improvements are slated to begin this month.

(Lynn, IN)--Hundreds of people gathered at Randolph Southern High School in Lynn Sunday to mourn the loss of Town Marshal Brad Fisher, who was struck by a stolen vehicle during a pursuit last Wednesday.  The service included more than 300 police officers and first responders from numerous local and regional agencies.  Brad’s brother, Jason, spoke at the service.  "Brad's legacy as a public service in evident in front of all of you today - a testament to his all-or-nothing attitude," Fisher said.  Following the service, Fisher’s casket was taken from the high school to Spartanburg Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.  Then came the traditional final call from dispatch.  Fisher had spent 27 years in law enforcement.  He was also a fire department captain and an umpire.

(Whitewater Valley)--Storm damage will continue to be assessed Monday day across the Whitewater Valley and cleanup and repairs will continue to some homes that suffered major damage.  In Richmond, three and a half inches of rain came down in less than two hours on Saturday night, causing major street flooding on North E, National Road East, South E, and South West G Street.  In Preble County, people in the area just northwest of Eaton took photos of a tornado that touched down and damaged at least four homes.  The National Weather Service will be in the area of Surface Road Monday to determine the size and the strength of the tornado.  Saturday night storms took their toll in Fayette and Franklin County night.  In Fayette County, high water washed out a part of Alquina Road, leading to its closure.  There was street flooding on Vine and other streets in Connersville.  In Franklin County, there were reports of a funnel cloud that may have touched down in the Cedar Grove area.   The National Weather Service will be there today to assess damage.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council is set to meet Monday night.  An ordinance comes before council on first reading that would adopt a new schedule of rates and charges for RP&L.  Last month, council heard a proposal that would be implemented and would increase bills incrementally over the next three years that would total $14 more per month for the average residential customer when the increase is complete.  RP&L General Manager Tony Foster laid out the reasons for the increase.  This is one of them:  "Due to having modest cash balances, we've been able to weather the storm.  But, we need to rebuild those reserves."  Monday night’s meeting gets underway at 7.  As always, you can catch it live on WGTV.

(Lynn, IN)--Hundreds of people gathered at a baseball field in Lynn Thursday night to pay tribute to Town Marshal Brad Fisher.  Fisher was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday.  This is Fisher’s daughter, Zoey:  "You're in the arms of Jesus now, Daddy.  You have fought the greatest fight."  Earlier in the day Thursday, more than a dozen state and local agencies took part in a three-mile procession with Fisher’s body from Muncie to Reichard Funeral Home in Union City.  Hundreds lined the streets in tribute.  And, Thursday night, Zoey had this message for her father during the vigil:  "Don't worry.  We'll help take care of the town of Lynn that you loved so deeply."  There has been no official word on a public service yet.  The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office asks that all support for the family be directed through the website IndianaFallenHeroes.org.

(Lynn, IN)--The woman charged with striking and killing Lynn Town Marshal Brad Fisher on Wednesday remained behind bars Friday morning, but not in the Randolph County Jail.  Maci Atkinson was instead in the Wayne County Jail in Richmond Friday morning, where she is being held without bond.  Officials say that Atkinson is being held in Richmond as a courtesy to Randolph County.  A check of online court records on Friday morning indicated that no charges have been filed yet against Atkinson in connection with Fisher’s death.  She’s being held on warrants involving previous criminal cases.

(Wayne County, IN)--New food insecurity rates have been released by the organization Feeding America.  That study shows that Wayne and Fayette County have some of the highest rates in Indiana.  Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to safe, nutritionally adequate food.  In Wayne County, more than one of every five people – or 21.8% - are now described as food insecure.  The rate is even higher in Fayette County – 22.9%.

(Richmond, IN)--A request has been made for a shooting suspect to be returned to Richmond from ICE custody.  A 19-year-old man in the country illegally shot a 40-year-old man in the abdomen in the 200 block of North 18^th last week.  According to an affidavit, the victim was drunk and had threatened to harm his own wife with a rake.  That affidavit also identifies the victim as the shooter’s father-in-law.  A motion was filed Wednesday to return the shooter from ICE custody for a hearing that’s been set for August 6.  The victim is recovering at Miami Valley Hospital.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond’s observance of the National Night Out, which was scheduled for Saturday night, has been cancelled.  The National Night Out is an annual effort to improve relationships between police and communities.  RPD issued a notice Thursday indicating that this year’s event has been cancelled as the department makes itself available to help in Lynn.  Forecast inclement weather was cited as another reason for the cancellation.

(Lynn, IN)--Tributes and messages of support poured into the town of Lynn Wednesday night and into Thursday morning as its residents mourn the death Wednesday of Town Marshal Brad Fisher.  "The local law enforcement is going to have a tough time proceeding.  The Indiana State Police is going to be here to assist them with whatever they need," said Scott Keegan with the Indiana State Police.  Fisher was deploying stop sticks on U.S. 36 when investigators say Maci Atkinson struck and killed Fisher.  Atkinson had multiple warrants and was fleeing in a stolen van.  Fisher was not only Lynn’s town marshal, he had also served with the fire department since 1995.  He was also a coach and volunteered his time extensively to numerous causes.  The Richmond Police Department, which saw Officer Seara Burton die in the line of duty four years ago, said that Fisher’s commitment to protecting others never wavered.  Lynn officials will be working Thursday to set public observances to honor Fisher’s service and life.

(Winchester, IN)--The woman who struck and killed Lynn Town Marshal Brad Fisher on Wednesday not only has a lengthy criminal record, she was just in court a few days ago.  Maci Atkinson had been charged  last Thursday with unlawful possession of a syringe.  In a hearing on Monday, Atkinson was released to a drug treatment facility.  On Tuesday, the court was notified that Atkinson had left the facility and a warrant was issued for her arrest.  She had another criminal case pending from last month.  She is facing a battery charge in that case.  Back in April, she was arrested again on drug possession charges.  In the first hearing in that case, she showed up to court under the influence of drugs.  Other charges in previous years include drug dealing and maintaining a common nuisance.

(Richmond, IN)--Union County has requested that Wayne County permanently serve as the dispatch center for Union County first responders.  Several months ago, Wayne County began dispatching for Union County do the staffing shortages.  In the last two weeks, two Union County dispatchers resigned.  And, when that happened, the director sent commissioners a notice.  "...that she would be ending her employment effective Saturday, meaning they have no employees to take 911 calls," said Consultant Barry Ritter talking Wednesday to Wayne County Commissioners.  Wayne County Commissioners agreed Wednesday to look into a permanent interlocal agreement but did not make a commitment.

(Richmond, IN)--Earlier this year, Wayne County Chief Deputy Coroner Dillon Pitcher filed a lawsuit against Wayne County Commissioners after claiming he had been blocked from the county’s Facebook page based on previous comments he had made.  That lawsuit was addressed by Wayne County Commissioners on Wednesday.  Here’s County Attorney Ron Cross with the details a settlement that has been reached:  "...a total of $8000 payable to the Indiana Civil Liberties Union - American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana - whatever it is now."  The county took that Facebook page down and it is no longer in existence.

(Richmond, IN)--A long-time Richmond business leader and volunteer to numerous organizations has died.  Jan Passmore died over the weekend.  Passmore was heavily involved in the insurance industry, but will be most remembered locally for the guidance he provided to numerous organizations.  That includes Kiwanis, the Boy Scouts, the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, and Safety Village.  Passmore was also the founding president of the city’s Economic Development Commission.  Service and visitation have now been set for August 5 at Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary.  Jan Passmore was 85.

(Richmond, IN)--45 pounds of marijuana were found on I-70, and now both a Richmond and New Paris man are facing charges.  The stop occurred on I-70 near the state line.  A police canine was brought to the scene and found the marijuana along with 50 boxes of THC vape cartridges, edibles, and cash.  26-year-old Brenden Pitcher of Richmond and 25-year-old Jamison Easley of New Paris both face numerous felony charges, including trafficking.  That arrest led to a search warrant at a Richmond house.  There, 20 more pounds of raw marijuana and two pounds of psychedelic mushrooms were located.