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(Richmond, IN)--US Senator Evan Bayh stopped at Tom's New York Deli in Richmond Thursday to discuss the situation with the auto industry, and, in particular how it affects local manufacturers.  About a dozen people were on hand, including leaders of some of Richmond's biggest manufacturing companies.  Here's the former Indiana governor.  "I'm well aware that times are very difficult, and we need to what we have to do to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps.  There is no magic wand.  But I am convinced that there are things that we can do," Bayh said.  Bayh said that includes a federal bailout of the auto industry.  Bayh said he's confident that some type of rescue will pass.

(Richmond, IN)--The victim in Richmond's most recent home invasion and attack that we told you about Thursday morning is describing the ordeal.  19-year-old Sarah Mays was home on South 7th Street with her 8-month-old baby Wednesday night when she heard a knock on the back door.  When she answered it, a masked man barged in.  "He barged into my house, threw me onto the floor, started to rip off my clothes, and punched me in the mouth," Mays said.  Sarah was able to grab a steak knife and stab the man.  It's the second such attack this week.  The suspect is described as about 5-10 and heavy set.  He was last seen driving a small black car.

(Richmond, IN)--Manufacturing leaders were on hand when US Senator Evan Bayh was in Richmond Thursday, including George Mosey of Mosey Manufacturing and Kevin Ahaus of Ahaus Tool.  Both discussed the effect that the automotive plight has had on their organizations.  "We have a lot of people laid off.  We feel bad because it's the holiday season, but we're hopeful that we can get them all back to work," Mosey said.  Mosey was prepared for a new manufacturing line when the downturn hit and affecteed those plans.  Kevin Ahaus said his company won't be as affected until next March or April.  "Things have been okay.  We're more of a long-term supplier.  We build tooling that takes three to six months to build.  We're busy through the first of the year, but we've definitely seen a downturn in sales over the last two months.  The two companies combined to employ more than 500 people two years ago.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond police are investigating another home invasion and attack.  But, this time, the intended victim struck a blow against her would-be attacker.  According to police reports, a man entered a home in the 700 block of South 7th Street late Wednesday night and attempted to attack a female resident.  The woman was able to defend herself by stabbing the man with a steak knife.  According to the victim, the man fled the home with the steak knife still stuck in his stomach.   The only description of the man was that he was dressed in black.  On Monday, a woman was attacked in her home in the 300 block of North 17th Street.  The man fled and was chased by the victim's husband, but escaped.  The victim was treated at Reid Hospital after being struck in the head.

(Richmond, IN)--Wayne County Commissioners met Wednesday.  Commissioners declined to comment on a new dispute that we told you about on Tuesday between the city of Richmond and Wayne County over a new EDC contract.  Richmond Common Council members Monday night indicated that they want to address the issue of representation with the EDC board.  Right now, the city of Richmond contributes about half of the EDC's annual budget.  It was also the last regular meeting for commissioner Mary Heyob.  Heyob has been involved in lots of county organizations and has been a commissioner for the last eight years.  She called it an honor and a privilege to serve.  Heyob said that she would continue to work on projects for other boards that she's served on.

(Richmond, IN)--December 31 will mark the one-year point since Eldorado's Danielle Brookshire was critically injured and lost her unborn son in a crash on Wernle Road.  Now, the trial of the man accused of causing that crash has been delayed again after his attorney asked for and was granted a release from the case.  Ron Berry actually faces trial not for the crash itself, but because he allegedly failed to show up for a hearing following a crash last March.  Berry is charged with obstruction of justice.  His criminal history is long, and includes 31 entries in Tennessee over a four-year period.  Just last week, Richmond police had to pull Berry off of a lawn mower after riding it around his sister's yard from 9 o'clock at night until 4 o'clock the next morning.  Berry's trial has been reset for March 17 next year.

(Whitewater Valley)--Ice created treacherous travel conditions Wednesday morning.  Law enforcement agencies reported main roads and highways were wet to slick in spots, but side streets and county roads are slick and hazardous.  Numerous schools were either closed or delayed.  Wayne County reported 29 accidents Tuesday afternoon.  Outlying counties also reported lots of slide-offs.  The icy roads are being blamed for a crash that killed three people in Henry County Tuesday afternoon.  At around 4:30, a van carrying five people slid across I-70 and into the path of an oncoming westbound semi.  Three of those people, who were from the Springfield, Ohio area, were killed.  The other two occupants were taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.  The driver told police he lost control on the icy highway.  Westbound 70 was shut down for about three hours.  There was a much less serious crash involving a school bus on its way to Centerville High School.  A bus carrying a wresting team from the Southern Wells school district slid into a light pole at South Morton and South Streets in Centerville Tuesday night.  There were no injuries.  There were relatively few slide-offs and accidents reported Wednesday morning.

(Eaton, OH)--Security was recently pulled from the Preble County courthouse because of budgetary constraints.  Now, a judge says he's ready to issue a court order to have it restored.  Judge David Abruzzo issued a prepared statement.  In it, the judge said that the days of vigilante justice are gone and we must help to assure that those days do not return.  The statement goes on to say that each judge operating in the courthouse has the authority to order the appropriation of funds necessary to provide reasonable security for persons using the court.  Sheriff Mike Simpson told commissioners that maintaining previous levels of security and staying within a greatly reduced budget would mean pulling deputies off the roadways.

(Milton, IN)--Two people were taken into custody Tuesday morning after hiding out from law enforcement in Milton.  The Indiana State Police monitored a home at 300 East Main in Milton.  At 11:30 Tuesday morning, 31-year-old Jennifer McCullough emerged and was apprehended at the Milton Mini Mart.  A short time later, 45-year-old Robert Wayman was arrested as he left the home.  The two were wanted in both Franklin and Shelby Counties for a whole slew of burglary-related charges.  Both McCullough and Wayman were taken to the Wayne County Jail.

(Richmond, IN)--Glen Miller Golf Course died Monday night at the age of 85.  The Richmond Park Board followed the recommendation of Superintendent Sonia Brock and voted unanimously to close indefinitely the nine-hole public course that's existed since 1923.  Brock had included in her recommendation the possibility of keeping Glen Miller open through a turnkey lease option, but board members voted against that possibility because they feared the competition it could create with Highland Lake.  While Highland will remain open, its maintenance operations will be outsourced.  Longtime Glen Miller golfers in attendance last night lamented the decision.  "It's like losing a family member," said council laison Bing Welch.  After the closing of Glen Miller was unanimously approved, Park Board President Avis Stewart addressed the future of Highland Lake.  Stewart said that Highland's financial situation will be monitored closely next season.  And, if certain benchmarks are not met, it, too will be closed as early as mid-season.
Now that the decision has been made to close Glen Miller Golf Course, what will become of the land it sits on?  According to Park Superintendent Sonia Brock, the front third of the course will remain open as a walk-on golf practice facility.  It's the portion of the course that is most visible from East Main Street.  The other two-thirds of the course will be mowed occasionally as alternative uses are sought.  Officials also want to maintain the possibility of re-opening the course at some in the future if finances permit.  The clubhouse will be turned into a rental facility for various gatherings.  One of the alternative uses suggested for the land: Frisbee golf.

(Richmond, IN)--Richmond Common Council did not address an ordinance that, if approved, would reimburse the fire department for non-fire runs.  The ordinance was tabled Monday night and will be addressed at a future date.  Also Monday night, council unanimously voted down a resolution that would have renewed a contract with the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County.  The contract between the two entities is the same as in the past.  But, council members indicated that they want to address the issue of representation with the EDC board.  Right now, the city of Richmond contributes about half of the EDC's annual budget.  Council members said that should entitle them to a representative on the EDC board.  Some council members are expected to attend the next EDC board meeting to address the issue.

(Richmond, IN)--Fire did heavy damage to a Richmond home Monday night.  The fire broke out at a home in the 1000 block of South B Street at around 6:30.  "Upon arrival, we had heavy fire and smoke showing.  Crews were able to extinguish the fire in about 12 minutes," said Battalion Chief Jerry Purcell.  No one was home at the time.  Damage has been set at $50,000.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(Richmond, IN)--There was a home invasion that happened at around 5 o'clock Monday morning in Richmond.  It happened in the 300 block of North 17th.  A call to 911 indicated that a man entered a home and attacked a female resident.  According to police radio traffic, a tire iron was used in the attack.  The woman was treated at Reid Hospital for a cut over her eye.  The attacker was described wearing a dark ski mask with blue jeans and gloves.  He told the victim not to scream.  Her husband, still wearing pajamas, apparently chased the suspect down a nearby alley.  Richmond police officers quickly joined in the search, but were unable to locate the suspect.

(Richmond, IN)--Two important governmental meetings take place Monday night in Richmond.  At 5:30, the park board is expected to vote on the future of public golf in Richmond.  Based upon financial projections released in a public meeting last week, if either public course is chosen to close, it will almost assuredly be Glen Miller.  If the city keeps Highland open and closes Glen Miller, the city is projected to make $8200 next year.  But, if the city closed Highland and kept Glen Miller open, there would be a $36,000 loss.  The vote is expected following a recommendation from Superintendent Sonia Brock.  And then, at 7:30 Monday night, Richmond Common Council will discuss an ordinance that would allow the fire department to charge a fee for some non-fire runs.  That fee, if applied, would start at $75 and go up depending on the level of service provided.  Several city council members have indicated that there are still a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the ordinance.  Those questions include the logistics of collecting the fees and the degree of insurance reimbursement.  The ordinance is still on second reading.

(Centerville, IN)--The eastbound rest area on I-70 near the Centerville exit is about to close permanently.  That closure will take place at the end of next month.  Also, the westbound rest area will be replaced with a more modern welcome center in the next couple of years.  The closure of the rest area will save the state about $150,000 a year in upkeep.  Beside the financial savings, the state says that fewer and fewer interstate rest areas are needed because nearly every exit has some type of convenience store, restaurant, and restroom facility.

(Fountain City, IN)--On Thursday, a report issued by the Connersville Police Department indicated that a drug sweep conducted at Northeastern High School resulted in the arrest of three students for possession of marijuana.  But, Wayne County officials dispute that report.  Wayne County Chief Deputy Jeff Cappa said Thursday that a drug sweep had been conducted at Northeastern on Wednesday, but the sweep did not turn up any drugs and did not result in any arrests.  An RPD investigator confirmed Cappa's account.  Several agencies took part in the sweep, include Connersville, which provided a drug-sniffing dog.

(Franklin County, IN)--The REX Pipeline project is proceeding through Franklin County.  Lots of residents are up in arms about the aftermath of the construction.  The new pipeline carries natural gas all the way from Colorado to eastern Ohio.  As crews are constructing the Franklin County portion of the line, county surveyor Joe Gillespie Junior is fielding lots of complaints about the company.  The chief complaint is that large chunks of mud and debris are being left behind on county roads.  REX indicated that they don't want to wash roads down because they'll ice over.  The pipeline runs across Franklin County between Brookville and Batesville.

(Preble County, OH)--Throughout 2008, Preble County has celebrated its bicentennial will all kinds of observances and activities.  That all comes to an end this Sunday.  The last official bicentennial event is the Hanby Holiday celebration at National Trail High School from 1 until 4 Sunday afternoon.  Benjamin Hanby is the former New Paris resident who wrote Up On The Housetop - a Christmas carol popularized by Gene Autry.  Up On The Housetop was written in New Paris way back in 1864.  Bicentennial observances were held throughout this year in all 12 Preble County townships.

(Richmond, IN)--Common Council chambers was packed Wednesday night for a special meeting of the Richmond Park Board.  At stake is the future of the city's two public golf courses.  Highland Lake and Glen Miller have lost money for at least six straight years.  Park management presented the public with lots of statistics and projections regarding local golf and the economy.  Among those numbers is a projection that keeping both courses open next year would result in a $23,000 loss.  20 people spoke.  Almost all were in favor of finding a way to keep both courses open.  Council liaison Bing Welch said he supports keeping both courses open and suggested freezing a $32,000 intergovernmental charge applied to the courses.  "Only charge the golf division for the time that a department of the city building or city employee spend on golf-related activity," Welch suggested.  If one course is destined to close, it will almost assuredly be Glen Miller.  Projections given Wednesday night indicate that closing Glen Miller would result in an $8200 profit next year.  But, closing Highland would result in a $36,500 loss.  No decisions were made last night.  That will happen at the park board meeting at 5:30 Monday afternoon.

(Richmond, IN)--The Richmond Community School Board meeting was packed Wednesday night with teachers wearing black.  It was a demonstration organized to highlight a demand for a new contract which would include a four percent raise.  "There are some real issues that affect the community if teachers are not treated fairly," Richmond Education Association President Patsy Baker said.  It's a demonstration that may be backfiring.  Many in the community feel that given the economy and ISTEP scores that are flat at best, teachers should be happy simply to be employed.  Here's the REA's response from Baker.  "Certainly there are many folks out of work here.  However, we've been without a contract for two years.  We've failed to keep up with rising inflation, and the demands of our job are particularly taxing."  Four teachers spoke to the board Wednesday night.