The 765

12/13/2025

Regional Travel Advisory Update

UPDATE (3:13 P.M.) - Franklin County has been upgraded to an Orange Travel Watch due to worsening road conditions.

As of 2 p.m., our news coverage area is under a Yellow Travel Advisory due to deteriorating road conditions. This includes Franklin, Union, Fayette, Rush, Henry, and Wayne counties.

A Yellow Advisory is the lowest travel level, indicating hazardous conditions that may require slowed speeds, increased caution, and avoidance of trouble spots when possible. Travel is not restricted, but motorists should remain alert and allow extra time.

Residents are encouraged to monitor local alerts and weather updates as conditions change. We will update post as we receive information.

12/10/2025

Pedestrian Killed in Early-Morning Crash on U.S. 35; Investigation Ongoing

RICHMOND, Ind. — The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred early Wednesday morning on U.S. 35 near the Love’s Truck Stop north of Richmond.

Deputies were dispatched at 6:07 a.m. Dec. 10 to 2698 U.S. 35 North on a report of a vehicle–pedestrian collision. When officers arrived, they found an unidentified adult man lying in the roadway with severe head and body trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are still working to confirm his identity.

According to preliminary findings, a southbound 2018 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Isabelle Waldron, 24, of Williamsburg, struck the pedestrian first. Waldron told investigators the crash occurred suddenly and without warning and that she did not see the victim in the roadway until impact.

After the initial collision, the victim was struck by two additionalnorthbound vehicles. Those drivers were identified as Matthew Murphy, 41, of Richmond, operating a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, and Stephen Davis, 38, of Richmond, driving a 2000 GMC Jimmy.

Investigators said intoxication does not appear to be a factor, though toxicology results are pending with the Indiana State Police Laboratory. Weather-related visibility issues and darkness at the time of the crash may have contributed.

Crash reconstruction specialists from the Sheriff’s Office documented the scene using physical evidence and available technology. Early findings indicate the initial impact occurred in the roadway, consistent with witness statements and vehicle damage.

The investigation remains active, and officials caution that all findings are preliminary.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked the Richmond Police Department, Richmond Fire Department, Indiana State Police and the Wayne County Coroner’s Office for assisting at the scene.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

12/08/2025

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. - Drivers on I-70 should prepare for overnight lane restrictions this week as bridge demolition and pothole patching continue near New Paris Pike. Additional ramp closures are planned Tuesday night at State Road 1.

Read more here:

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – Lane restrictions are scheduled this week on I-70 for bridge demolition work near New Paris Pike and pothole patching along the western portion of the project corridor. Drivers can expect the following restrictions: Monday, Dec. 8 – Friday, Dec. 12 Eastbound and westbound I-...

12/04/2025

Downtown Connersville will be filled with holiday activities, family fun, food trucks, shopping, Santa visits and more this weekend!

Carriage rides, live music, kids’ games, window displays and evening light features will all be part of this year’s event.

Read more here:

Connersville, IN - Historic Downtown Connersville will once again transform into a festive holiday destination as the community gathers for Winterfest 2025, taking place Friday, December 5 from 3:30–8:30 PM and Saturday, December 6 from 12:30–8:30 PM. Winterfest is an annual Connersville traditi...

12/03/2025

The 1846 Duck Creek Aqueduct in Metamora, IN, is the only surviving covered wooden aqueduct in the United States, and it is deteriorating rapidly. Community leaders are urging the State of Indiana to honor its legal obligation under Indiana Code §14-20-5-2 and release $4 of the $7 million already appropriated for the restoration of the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site to repair the aqueduct.

Read how deferred maintenance, statutory obligations, and statewide advocacy efforts are converging on one of Indiana’s most important historic structures:

Local stakeholders are calling on the State of Indiana to uphold its statutory obligation and take immediate action to preserve the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, warning the nationally significant Duck Creek Aqueduct is at risk of irreversible loss without urgent state intervention. A Statut...

11/30/2025

Franklin County Travel Advisory Levels

The county is now under a travel advisory/yellow. Please use extra caution when driving, as we’ve had numerous slide offs reported.

It may take a few minutes for the INDOT traffic map to update.  https://www.in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map/

11/28/2025

Metamora’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk kicks off today! Stroll the canal, shop local, visit Santa and enjoy all the holiday magic. Read more here:

METAMORA, Ind. — Metamora officially kicked off the holiday season today as the town’s beloved Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk begins its first weekend of festivities. The Christmas Walk, a longtime tradition in Indiana’s last working canal town, will run each weekend from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21...

11/22/2025

The following is a statement from ISP regarding
Aurora man charged with attempted murder:

Yesterday, a 46-year-old Dearborn County, Indiana man was officially charged with attempted murder as a result of an investigation by Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post following an incident that occurred around 12:30 pm on Wednesday, November 19th.

Troopers from the ISP-Versailles Post, along with Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, originally responded to a crash on US 421 near Michigan Road in northern Jefferson County where the driver of a blue 1991 Chevrolet truck left the scene of the crash in the vehicle.

The investigation of the crash indicated that the driver of the truck, later identified as Larry W. Webster II, age 46, Aurora, IN, rear ended a second vehicle while traveling northbound on US 421. After the other driver exited his vehicle, Webster allegedly intentionally struck the vehicle a second time and also struck the other driver, who was standing next to the vehicle. Webster then left the scene in the vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle was injured and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Responding officers soon located Webster’s vehicle abandoned on Old Michigan Road in southern Ripley County. Webster was located walking nearby. While taking Webster into custody, an altercation occurred, causing an Indiana State Trooper to sustain injuries. The injured trooper was treated and released from a nearby hospital.

Webster was transported to Norton King’s Daughters Hospital in Madison, Indiana before being transferred to a second hospital for additional evaluation and treatment. He was later released from the hospital and incarcerated in the Jefferson County Jail.

After a review of the investigation by the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, a charged of Attempted Murder was officially filed in the Jefferson County Circuit Court yesterday. Webster will soon face an initial appearance in court.

Additional charges may be forthcoming in this case.

Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Osgood Town Marshal, Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, and Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office.

11/22/2025

Search warrant leads to arrests at East Main Street property

RICHMOND, Ind. — A multi-agency law enforcement operation Tuesday night led to two arrests following the ex*****on of a search warrant at 1117 East Main St., a location police say has been a long-standing source of criminal activity.

The Richmond Police Department, assisted by the Indiana State Excise Police, initiated the operation after ongoing investigations into disturbances, illegal substances and other problems tied to the property, known locally as “The Lounge.”

RPD SWAT executed the warrant with support from the department’s drone, negotiation and K9 units. Randolph County SWAT, Indiana State Excise Police and Wayne County Emergency Communications also assisted. Excise officers made the on-scene arrests as part of their ongoing investigation.

Two Richmond men were taken into custody:

Jerry Norris, 53, on preliminary charges of:
• Racketeering, Level 5 felony
• Dealing an illegal substance, Level 6 felony
• Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 felony
• Possession of a narcotic, Level 6 felony
• Liquor sales without a license, Class B misdemeanor

Willie Mills Jr., 38, on preliminary charges of:
• Maintaining a common nuisance, Level 6 felony
• Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, Level 4 felony

“Criminal businesses don’t get a free pass here,” Police Chief Kyle Weatherly said in a statement. “When they take advantage of our community, we bring partners, we bring resources, and we shut it down. Public safety succeeds when agencies stand together, and this operation is proof of that.”

Weatherly thanked the assisting agencies, noting the coordinated response helped address what he described as chronic issues at the location.

Police reminded the public that arrests and charges are accusations, and all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

11/21/2025

With conversations about redrawing Indiana’s congressional maps resurfacing ahead of the 2026 election cycle, State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) is weighing in on the debate. In the following column, she explains why she opposes mid-cycle redistricting and why she believes the state should not reconvene for a special session.
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Redistricting: Why or Why Not?
By State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg)

Redistricting in Indiana occurs every 10 years after the census. The purpose is to even the population within each district – congressional, State Senate and State House of Representatives. Indiana most recently redistricted in 2021. These maps were not challenged in the courts, and 36 senators supported them.

However, recently there has been a push for Indiana to redraw our Congressional maps mid-cycle.

Mid-cycle redistricting is a purely political effort by outside groups that don’t have Indiana's best interests at heart to gain more Republican congressional seats. We have had no change in population over the past five years to justify creating new maps. Republican representatives already hold seven of the nine congressional seats in Indiana.

While mid-cycle redistricting has been tried in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, California and Utah, all these attempts are currently tied up in court litigation, and it is unclear if these states will be allowed to use their new gerrymandered maps for the 2026 election.

The majority of the Indiana Senate has voted to return Jan. 5, meaning the body at large does not have the appetite to conduct a special session to consider redistricting. The cost of a special session would also needlessly spend taxpayer dollars on something that isn't even likely to be a success.

While I support President Trump, I cannot support a special session to consider redistricting. Only about 7.5% of my constituents who have contacted me at the Statehouse support the effort. We also have not been provided with a map to consider. I regret that my constituents have had to tolerate so many negative texts, videos and mailers from interest groups in Washington, D.C. to convince Indiana to support new maps at whatever the cost.

I will continue to listen to my constituents and make sure their voices are heard loud and clear.

I encourage residents of Senate District 42 to contact me with any questions or comments they may have. I can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Leising or by phone at 800-382-9467.

Indiana Farm Bureau’s Farm Woman of the Year Award, 1984Indiana Conservation Officers and Their Families’ Legislator of the Year Award, 1995National Rifle Association’s Defender of Freedom Award, 1996American Legion of Indiana’s Distinguished Public Service Award, 2009Indiana Volunteer Fire ...

11/20/2025

11/19/2025

Investigative duo and hosts of Murder Sheet podcast, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee, dive deep into the Delphi murders in their new book "Shadow of the Bridge."

We spoke with the authors about their findings, the Rush County connection, the early chaos of the investigation and the bravery of Libby German and Abby Williams.

Read the full story here:

DELPHI, Ind. - In 2017, the murders of 14-year-old Liberty "Libby" German and 13-year-old Abigail "Abby" Williams rocked the small town of Delphi. It was a case that went unsolved for five years before an arrest was made, and a tragedy that captivated the nation's attention. It also caught the atten...