Kiwi News Network

  Plainfield, IN — Plainfield Fire crews were dispatched to the Hardee’s restaurant Saturday night around 9:30 p.m. for a report of a building fire. When crews arrived, firefighters discovered smoke coming from the roof of the restaurant. The incident was shortly upgraded to a working fire as crews began working to locate the source. Firefighters determined the fire had started inside the restaurant at a charbroiler. The fire then worked its way into the restaurant’s ventilation system, sending smoke into the roof area. Crews quickly worked to contain the fire and were able to have it under control in less than 10 minutes. Firefighters remained on scene to check the ventilation system and make sure the fire was fully extinguished.

  Avon, IN — A vehicle accident reported just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, sent a vehicle off the roadway and into the Fazoli’s sign just west of US-36 and Dan Jones Road in Avon. The crash caused a temporary shutdown of US-36 eastbound as emergency crews responded to the scene. Westbound traffic was also reduced to one lane, causing traffic delays in the area. Several medics were dispatched to the scene. It is currently unclear how many people were injured or the extent of any injuries.

  Pittsboro, IN — Jason Allan Bourne, 53, was arrested in Pittsboro following an arrest warrant and is facing eight felony charges, according to court records. Bourne is facing four counts of Child Exploitation, a Level 5 felony , and four counts of Voyeurism, a Level 6 felony . The alleged offense dates listed in the case are April 8, 2025, May 9, 2025, and February 16, 2026. The case was filed in Hendricks Superior Court 4 on September 17 , with probable cause found and an arrest warrant issued. No-contact orders are also associated with the case. Bourne was booked into the Hendricks County Jail , where he is being held on a $3,500 bond . The four Child Exploitation charges involve offense dates of April 8, 2025, May 9, 2025, May 9, 2025, and February 16, 2026. The four Voyeurism charges carry those same listed offense dates.

  Brownsburg, IN — Two women are facing multiple drug charges after a traffic stop by Brownsburg Police led to the discovery of hundreds of pills, narcotics and drug paraphernalia. According to the Brownsburg Police Department, Officer Donna Davenport conducted a traffic stop and requested assistance from K9 Officer Megan Clonce and her K9 partner, Max. After Max alerted on the vehicle, officers reportedly located 18 different prescriptions that did not belong to the suspects, totaling 533 pills. Officers also reportedly found two liquid narcotics, methamphetamine, crack/cocaine, marijuana, nine syringes, four marijuana pipes, three methamphetamine pipes, two crack pipes, two THC vape cartridges and five THC gummies. The two women, identified in newly filed Hendricks County cases as Tammy L. Eversole and Kimberly Jo Collins , are facing charges including possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, a legend drug, a controlled substance, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Eversole Was Al...

  Avon, IN — Former Avon choir and theater teacher Kayvon H. Emtiaz was sentenced today to six years in the Indiana Department of Correction after pleading guilty to charges stemming from an investigation involving underage girls and Snapchat accounts. Emtiaz, 30, pleaded guilty to vicarious sexual gratification, child solicitation and possession of child pornography. The court sentenced him to a total of six years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively. The investigation began in September 2024 after authorities received a cyber tip involving a Snapchat account that was allegedly downloading CP. Investigators obtained search warrants for two Snapchat accounts connected to Emtiaz. According to court records, investigators found videos that appeared to have been recorded inside a school music classroom. Messages associated with the accounts also showed communications involving several 13 year old girls. Emtiaz was interviewed by inv...

  Brownsburg, IN — A 46-year-old Indianapolis man was arrested early Saturday morning after Hendricks County Sheriff's Deputies pursued him and he later fled from his vehicle. The pursuit began around 4:30 a.m. near 56th Street and County Road 1000 East in Brownsburg. During the incident, the suspect eventually fled from his vehicle near Ronald Reagan Parkway and Lacy Knot Drive. The suspect was briefly able to hide from law enforcement, but officers from multiple jurisdictions established a perimeter around the area and began searching for him. He was eventually located and taken into custody. Thomas Luckner, 46, was booked into the Hendricks County Jail following the incident. According to jail records, he is facing charges of resisting law enforcement, reckless driving, and operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license. The arrest marks the third time since 2022 that Luckner has been arrested for operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a driver's licen...

  Avon, IN — A 40 year old Avon man was arrested Tuesday by the Hendricks County Sheriff's Department after an arrest warrant was issued in connection with a case involving six felony charges. Richard Kimble Skelton Jr. is facing one Level 1 felony count of child molesting, four Level 5 felony counts of child exploitation and one Level 6 felony count of voyeurism. According to booking records, the alleged offenses occurred between November 2023 and May 2024. Court records show the State of Indiana filed the criminal case, an information and a redacted probable cause affidavit on September 15. Two no contact orders were also issued. The court subsequently ordered an arrest warrant to be issued for Skelton with no bond. The Hendricks County Sheriff's Department was notified of the warrant and the no contact orders, and the court docket shows the warrant was later served. Skelton was booked into the Hendricks County Jail on September 15. The case remains pending in Hendricks...

  Brownsburg, IN — Brownsburg Community Schools has reached a $900,000 settlement with former superintendent Dr. Jim Snapp, bringing an end to a yearslong legal dispute following his abrupt retirement from the district in 2024. Snapp retired from Brownsburg Community School Corporation in 2024 after serving as superintendent. Following his retirement, the Brownsburg school board raised concerns about the handling of district funds and made a claim with the Indiana State Board of Accounts alleging that Snapp had misappropriated funds. An investigation followed, but authorities did not find evidence that Snapp had committed fraud or misappropriated public funds. The dispute eventually turned into a legal battle between Snapp and the school district. Snapp sued the district, alleging that Brownsburg Community Schools had breached his retirement agreement and defamed him. The case remained ongoing for nearly three years before both sides reached an agreement to resolve the matter. Und...

  Hendricks County, IN — Ryan McLaughlin has been sentenced to 184½ years in the Indiana Department of Correction after being found guilty by a Hendricks County jury of repeatedly molesting a five year old child. McLaughlin was arrested on April 11, 2024 , after a probable cause finding resulted in an arrest warrant being issued. The case went to trial in August 2026, with the jury trial beginning on August 10 and continuing through August 12. On August 12, 2026 , the jury found McLaughlin guilty of three Level 1 felony counts of Child Molesting, a Level 4 felony count of Child Molesting, a Level 6 felony count of Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors and a Level 6 felony count of Failure to Register as a Sex or Violent Offender. The jury also found McLaughlin to be a Repeat Sex Offender and Habitual Offender . Following the verdicts, he was remanded to the custody of the Hendricks County Sheriff with no bond while awaiting sentencing. Evidence presented during the tri...

  Clayton, IN — Fire crews from Plainfield, Brownsburg, and Decatur Township were dispatched Saturday afternoon at 3:55pm to the I-70 overpass at IN-39 in Clayton following reports of a tanker truck that had tipped over onto its side. Emergency crews were also dispatched to the scene for a large spill involving the tanker. The extent of any injuries is currently unknown.

  Indianapolis, IN — Wayne Township Fire and IMPD were dispatched to Range USA at 120 Country Club Road just after noon today for a report of a person shot. An employee was reportedly suffering from a gunshot wound to the hand and was reported to be awake and breathing after firefighters arrived. The incident appears to have been accidental at this time.

  Hendricks County, IN — A Hendricks County man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Level 4 felony child molesting. Douglas Robert Russo was arrested in 2024 and originally faced three counts of child molesting. The charges included one Level 1 felony and two Level 4 felonies. The case was filed in Hendricks Superior Court 4 in November 2024. Russo appeared for his initial hearing several days later, where his bond was set at $40,000 cash and a no contact order was issued. The case continued through the court system for more than a year, with the scheduled jury trial being moved several times. A jury trial was eventually set for July 21, 2026. On July 17, a plea agreement was filed and the jury trial was canceled. Russo pleaded guilty on July 20 to two Level 4 felony counts of child molesting. The court established a factual basis for both counts and scheduled sentencing for August 31. Russo appeared in Hendricks Superior Court on August...

Avon, IN — Mo’ Bettahs held its “Avon Friends & ‘Ohana” event today as the new restaurant welcomed guests to its Avon location for a soft opening. Guests attending the event were able to get an early look at the new restaurant and try its food for free. The event gave people in the area a chance to experience Mo’ Bettahs before its regular operations get underway. Located at 8894 E US 36 in Avon , near Costco, Mo’ Bettahs brings Hawaiian-style food to Hendricks County . The restaurant is known for Hawaiian-inspired meals and flavors, giving local diners a chance to try something different from the usual options found around the area. The “Avon Friends & ‘Ohana” event was held as part of the restaurant’s soft opening, with free food offered to guests throughout the event. If you missed the opportunity to attend today, there will be another chance to stop by and try the food for free. Mo’ Bettahs will be offering free food again tomorrow from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM . The restaurant...

  Hendricks County, IN — A 55 year old man wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service in connection with an escape case has been arrested in Hendricks County. Max Austin was booked by the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office and is currently being held in the Hendricks County Jail on a U.S. Marshal hold . Austin had been wanted in connection with an escape case out of Clarksburg, West Virginia , since October 15, 2024 . He was last seen in Saginaw, Michigan , according to information released by the U.S. Marshals Service. Following his arrest in Hendricks County, Austin was booked on eight felony charges , including unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and possession of methamphetamine. Other charges include theft, unlawful carrying of a handgun, identity deception and additional drug related offenses. Austin remains in the Hendricks County Jail while being held for the U.S. Marshals Service.

Indianapolis, IN — Panic erupted among spectators near the end of the Decatur Central High School vs. Avon High School football game Friday night as a large law enforcement presence responded to the stadium following reports of a possible weapon. Initial reports indicated that someone may have had a firearm, prompting a significant police response at the game. MSD Decatur Township later clarified that no weapon was found and no shots were fired. According to the school district, the incident involved an isolated medical emergency involving a spectator. Reports of a possible weapon circulated during the response, but police responded immediately to the situation. No injuries beyond the isolated medical emergency have been reported. The incident remains under investigation. MSD Decatur Township expressed appreciation for the assistance of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Decatur Township School Police during the response.

  Avon, IN — An 18 year old high school student in Avon was arrested after a knife was reportedly found at a school facility in Avon yesterday. Success Mark Williams, who participates in the OASIS program, was arrested following the incident. According to Avon Community School Corporation, OASIS is a specialized program for students with significant behavioral disabilities that allows students to receive services within their home school district. The district previously described OASIS as a self contained special education program designed to provide opportunities for students who benefit from smaller class sizes and more focused attention from educators. Williams is facing charges of Battery With a Deadly Weapon and Possession of a Knife on School Property. According to jail records, Williams is being held in the Hendricks County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond. The reported incident occurred at the school facility where the OASIS program is located. Additional information about the ...

  Indianapolis, IN — A 15 year old was reportedly run off the road while riding a mini bike at Bridgeport and Stonewall Drive just after 8:30 p.m. Monday evening. EMS and Fire were dispatched to the scene following the incident. Once crews arrived, police were requested to respond emergent due to arguing at the scene. According to witnesses, the driver of the vehicle attempted to run the 15 year old off the road. The vehicle then made contact with the rider, knocking him off the mini bike. The 15 year old was reported to have only minor injuries. Police responded to the scene following the request from emergency crews. It is currently unknown if any arrests were made in connection with the incident.

  Plainfield, IN — The Town of Plainfield is collecting donations for communities across Indiana that have been impacted by the recent flooding. Donations will be accepted Monday, August 17 through Wednesday, August 19 at the Plainfield Civic Center. The town is asking for several items that can help individuals and families dealing with the effects of the flooding, including diapers, wipes, hygiene products, new towels, cleaning supplies, heavy duty trash bags, rubber gloves, nonperishable food and individually packaged snacks. Donations collected during the drive will be distributed to organizations and communities working directly with people affected by the flooding. Residents who are able to donate are encouraged to consider picking up an extra item or two while shopping and dropping them off at the Civic Center. The Plainfield Civic Center is located at 206 W. Main Street.

  Avon, IN — Avon Police are investigating a road rage shooting that occurred this evening in the area of Ronald Reagan Parkway and County Road 100 South. According to Avon Police Public Information Officer Steven Barton, the occupant of one vehicle discharged a firearm at another involved vehicle during the incident. The initial call came in around 7:30 p.m. A caller reported being shot at by someone driving a black Toyota Camry with no license plates. The vehicle was reported fleeing toward US 40. Plainfield Police later located and stopped the suspect vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody. Avon detectives and officers are continuing to investigate the incident. No additional information about the circumstances leading up to the shooting has been released at this time.

  Brownsburg, IN — A 31 year old Brownsburg man was arrested Thursday after probable cause was found in a felony case involving multiple allegations of child exploitation and possession of CSAM. Tai Edward Ward was arrested August 13 by the Brownsburg Police Department after a warrant was issued in Hendricks Superior Court 4. The case was filed August 12, with the probable cause affidavit and charging information filed the same day. According to court records, Ward faces nine Level 4 felony charges. The charges include three counts of child exploitation and six counts of possession of CSAM. The three child exploitation charges list an offense date of March 20, 2024. The six possession of CSAM charges list an offense date of July 9, 2026. Court records show probable cause was found on August 13. Judge Mark A. Smith then ordered an arrest warrant to be issued with no bond . The warrant was served August 13, and Ward was subsequently booked into the Hendricks County Jail by the Brown...

  Danville, IN — A traffic stop in Danville early Thursday morning led to the arrest of a Georgia woman on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. According to the Danville Police Department, an officer stopped a red Ford Focus around 1:50 a.m. near Mackey Road after observing multiple traffic violations, including the vehicle crossing left of center several times. The driver was identified as 42 year old Jennifer Dixon of Barnesville, Georgia. During the investigation, officers learned Dixon was on probation and became concerned she may have been concealing contraband. Police say Dixon consented to a search of the vehicle, during which officers observed what appeared to be plastic bags inside her mouth. Officers ordered Dixon to spit out the items, but police say she instead attempted to destroy the evidence by chewing and swallowing the bags. Officers intervened, and police say Dixon resisted their efforts to recover the suspected narcotics. During the struggle, Dixon allegedly...

Danville, IN — A Danville man was arrested Tuesday after police responded to reports of 10 to 12 dogs running loose in the area of N. Cross St. and W. Columbia St., eventually discovering severe conditions inside the residence where the animals were being kept. The updated information was provided by Nate Lien, Detective Sergeant with the Danville Police Department. Dogs Escape From Home Police said officers were dispatched around 3:08 p.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of numerous dogs running loose in the roadway. Upon arrival, officers found multiple dogs throughout the area. Neighbors told police the dogs belonged to a residence at 213 N. Cross St. and believed additional dogs were still inside. Officers discovered a large hole on the south side of the home that appeared to be an exit point for the animals. From outside the residence, officers could see what appeared to be a significant accumulation of animal feces and detected a strong odor consistent with animal waste. Severa...

  Plainfield, IN — Plainfield Police arrested a 32 year old man Tuesday after officers responded to a residence on Pike Place following a report that a woman had been held against her will. According to the department’s Public Information Officer, the incident was domestic related and began the previous evening inside a garage area of the residence where a bedroom had been set up. Police said an argument occurred between the man and woman, during which the suspect allegedly prevented the woman from leaving and displayed a knife. The woman was reportedly unable to leave the residence until the following morning, when she was able to get away and contact police. Officers responded to the residence and took the suspect into custody. The woman was evaluated by EMS. The suspect was identified as 32 year old Ralph Lance Turner . Turner was booked into the Hendricks County Jail on August 11 and is facing Level 5 felony intimidation, Level 6 felony strangulation, Level 6 felony crim...

  Avon, IN — A single vehicle crashed into a power pole this evening at E County Rd 100 N and Miller Ln in Avon. An off duty Avon Police officer reported the crash around 6:12 PM . No other vehicles were involved. Avon Fire Department was dispatched to the scene to check for injuries and assess the situation. The extent of any injuries is unknown at this time.