This State Could Seize Homeowners’ Land to Build An Amish Buggy Lane – and Residents Say They’re Being Ignored

This State Could Seize Homeowners’ Land to Build An Amish Buggy Lane – and Residents Say They’re Being Ignored

ByErik Wesner
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There is a plan to build a buggy lane on U.S. 6, a highway in the Nappanee, Indiana settlement. But residents of Bremen, a town in the community, say their concerns are being ignored as the plan moves forward, seemingly full speed ahead. The Indiana Department of Transportation apparently promised residents “open houses” to discuss the topic – which reportedly never happened. It’s described as…

Judge Rules Amish Mother Ruth Miller Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity In Son’s Drowning Death

Judge Rules Amish Mother Ruth Miller Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity In Son’s Drowning Death

ByErik Wesner
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Judge Michael Ernest delivered his verdict this morning in Tuscarawas County, Ohio Common Pleas Court in the case of Ruth Miller, charged with aggravated murder in the drowning death of her 4-year-old son, Vincen. Judge Ernest found Miller not guilty by reason of insanity, following her waiving of a jury trial last week. From WKYC: NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — Ruth Miller, the Amish mother accused…

The Most Dangerous Job in America Claims the Life of a 29-Year-Old Kentucky Amish Man

The Most Dangerous Job in America Claims the Life of a 29-Year-Old Kentucky Amish Man

ByErik Wesner
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Logging workers have the highest fatality rate of any civilian job in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The profession sees 110.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers – a rate more than double that of roofing (the third-deadliest occupation) and over 33 times higher than the national average for all workers. Amish in many communities are involved in the lumber industry – both…

Inside a 3,000-Square-Foot Amish Farmhouse on 38 Acres — With Just an Outhouse (29 Photos)

Inside a 3,000-Square-Foot Amish Farmhouse on 38 Acres — With Just an Outhouse (29 Photos)

ByErik Wesner
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Here’s an interesting Amish property in Kentucky which stands out for several reasons. This is a sprawling cattle and horse farm in Metcalfe County, Kentucky – home, since the early 1990s, to an Amish community now over 250 people in size. The place is set on a hill and has some nice views of the surrounding countryside – and a charming interior with a look…

Sheriff’s Deputies Grabbed Hoses to Fight Amish Sawmill Blaze Before Fire Crews Arrived

Sheriff’s Deputies Grabbed Hoses to Fight Amish Sawmill Blaze Before Fire Crews Arrived

ByErik Wesner
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Sheriff’s deputies in Montgomery County, New York showed up on the scene of a fully involved fire at an Amish sawmill yesterday morning. Fire crews had yet to arrive – so the two men, Lieutenant Justin Smith and Sergeant Luke Paine, had to act quickly. As it happened, one of them had firefighting training, and the other did not. More from WRGB 6 News: GLEN,…

An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 6): Stuck

An Amish Winter Trip Gone Wrong (Part 6): Stuck

ByHaley Straw

Author Haley Straw returns today with part 6 of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here if you missed them. We should have been home by then. Instead, we were still chasing taillights through the dark. Highway 30 was clear. Highway 151…

In Virginia’s Largest Amish Community, A Small Amish Dairy Sells Ricotta, Cuajada & More (12 Photos)

In Virginia’s Largest Amish Community, A Small Amish Dairy Sells Ricotta, Cuajada & More (12 Photos)

ByErik Wesner
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I had a chance to stop in at a new (for me at least) Amish cheese business in Virginia recently. New Sunrise Dairy is located in the Charlotte County, VA community – the state’s largest Amish settlement – and got its start about three years ago. I had just visited this community last year, and even drove down the road it’s on – but missed…

Propane Tank Explodes After Amish Woman Lights Heater, Blows Wall Off Phone Booth

Propane Tank Explodes After Amish Woman Lights Heater, Blows Wall Off Phone Booth

ByErik Wesner
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Fortunately, the Amish woman was okay. But it had to be a scary experience – and a reminder of the dangers of certain fuels commonly used by Amish for light and heat. This happened in the Bloomfield, Iowa Amish settlement. It appeared in a brief report at the Bloomfield Democrat: A busy week of fire calls for Davis County firefighters culminated with an explosion Monday…

Amish Murder Case: Ruth Miller Waives Right To Jury Trial; Judge Will Deliver Verdict As Early As Next Tuesday

Amish Murder Case: Ruth Miller Waives Right To Jury Trial; Judge Will Deliver Verdict As Early As Next Tuesday

ByErik Wesner
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I just finished watching the pre-trial hearing in the Ruth Miller case, intended to be the final hearing before her trial, which had been scheduled for March 4th. The big news from this is that Ruth has waived her right to a jury trial, instead opting for a bench trial. That means the judge in the case, Tuscarawas County Judge Michael Ernest, will review the…

New Details Emerge About Amish Mother Ruth Miller’s Alleged Delusions And Behavior Ahead of March Murder Trial

New Details Emerge About Amish Mother Ruth Miller’s Alleged Delusions And Behavior Ahead of March Murder Trial

ByErik Wesner
2 Comments

The trial date for Amish mother Ruth Miller, charged with aggravated murder in the death of her four-year-old son Vincen, is fast approaching. It’s slated to begin in early March in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. A timely new report from People provides more back story and several disturbing details about what happened last August at Atwood Lake, not far from the couple’s Amish community. It is…