Boston Indiana Fire Department

08/19/2026

Our hearts are heavy today with the loss of our brother and friend Lt. Christopher Johnston. Words cannot express how deeply he will be missed. His time given, dedication, and hard work over 10 years of service with our department will be very hard, if not impossible to replace. Chris, rest easy, know that you, Amanda, Morgan, and the rest of your family are in our thoughts and prayers!

Boston 85-4 EOW 08-18-2026

Christopher M. Johnston, 39, of College Corner, Ohio, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Christopher was a 2005 Union County High School graduate. A hard worker from the very beginning, Christopher earned many awards as a Boy Scout, worked at the Liberty CountryMark Co Op, College Corner Implement Company, Harvestland, Rumpke, and Usalco. After a successful blind date, he met the love of his life, Amanda, and they married in 2009. In 2013, Christopher and Amanda were blessed with their beautiful daughter, Morgan.
Christopher joined the Boston Fire Department in 2016, later received the title of Lieutenant, and was an Israel Township Trustee for many faithful years. He was also a member of the Salem Friends Church.

Christopher was preceded in death by his mother, Julie (Vivian) Johnston, and grandparents, John and Marilyn Johnston, Jack Vivian, and Donna Weber.
He is survived by his wife, Amanda, daughter, Morgan, father, Kevin (Kim) Johnston, sister, Katherine (Brock) O’Neil, nephews, Brock and Julian O’Neil, as well as many other family members and friends.

Visitation for Christopher will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 9:00 am at the College Corner Union School in College Corner, until the time of the service at 11:00 am, officiated by Pastor Paul Ayers.
Burial will follow at the College Corner Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made for the benefit of his daughter, Morgan, and her future plans.

Urban Winkler Liberty Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Johnston family.

To sign the online guestbook or to leave the family with a personal message visit www.urbanwinklerfuneralhome.com.

08/13/2026

WAYNE COUNTY TRAVEL EMERGENCY – LEVEL 3 WARNING

Effective 3:30 PM today, August 12, 2026, Wayne County has been placed under a Level 3 Travel Emergency (Warning) due to historic flooding and extremely dangerous road conditions.

A Warning is the highest level of local travel advisory. Residents should refrain from all travel.

Significant flooding continues across portions of Wayne County, with numerous roads flooded, closed, or potentially unsafe. Emergency crews continue to conduct response operations throughout the affected areas.

Residents are directed to:

* Refrain from all travel.
* Comply with necessary emergency measures.
* Cooperate with public safety and emergency management personnel.
* Obey all road closures, barricades, and lawful directions from emergency personnel.

DO NOT DRIVE AROUND BARRICADES. Floodwaters can hide washed-out roads, damaged bridges, and other serious hazards.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

Continue monitoring official information from the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency and local public safety agencies.

08/12/2026

UPDATE 3:30 PM, LEVEL 3 Travel Emergency.

LEVEL 2 TRAVEL WATCH

A Level II Travel Watch means only essential travel is permitted on county roads. This declaration does not apply to state or federal highways.

08/12/2026

LEVEL 1 TRAVEL ADVISORY

06/17/2026

Thunderstorms will move into the region this evening and continue overnight. Severe storms are possible. Damaging wind is the main threat, though large hail and a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out. These storms will be capable of producing heavy downpours, resulting in localized flash flooding.

06/17/2026

Please stay weather aware today and this evening!

Noon update on the greatest potential for severe weather this evening!

Latest in-depth analysis with the team has us thinking the ceiling for strong and long tracked tornadoes is coming down a bit thankfully!

That said we do still anticipate an active and dangerous evening across the region tonight. I think you'll see this with the SPC new update here in 30 mins.

We will be live here within the hour so be on the lookout for an update!

Time of post 12pm 6-17-26
-Michael

05/19/2026

Community Training Notice

On Saturday, May 30, a mass casualty incident training exercise will take place at the Richmond Municipal Airport from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Our local public safety partners will be working together during this exercise to better prepare, train, and serve our community. Residents may notice multiple emergency vehicles, helicopters, and a school bus in the area. Training signs will be posted to inform the public that this is a planned exercise.

Traffic near the airport may be slower than normal as emergency vehicles enter and exit the airport grounds. Please use caution, be patient, and allow extra travel time if you will be in the area.

This is only a training exercise. There is no emergency.

Thank you for your understanding and support as our emergency responders continue working to keep Richmond prepared and safe.

03/20/2026

It’s that time of year again! Please have multiple means of being notified of inclement weather!

🚨 Fact Check Friday: Outdoor Warning Sirens

Myth: You should be able to hear outdoor warning sirens inside your home.

Fact: Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter. They are not intended to be heard clearly indoors, especially with doors and windows closed or while you’re sleeping.

🔔 Stay informed the right way:

Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone!

Have a NOAA Weather Radio!

Follow trusted local sources like Wayne County EMA

Bottom line: If you hear a siren, go inside and get more information right away. Don’t rely on sirens as your only warning method!

03/05/2026

Over the past 24 hours, our area has received approximately over 3.00 inches of rain. With this amount of rainfall, flooding can develop quickly, especially in low lying or poor drainage areas.

Stay aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on current weather conditions. Being informed helps you stay prepared and safe.

03/05/2026

Cancerfighter We can’t say Thank You enough for coming down to support Chris, his family, and our department with the event! What a tremendous success!