Richmond Police Chief Kyle Weatherly told Common Council members that on any given day first responders can be identified who went “above and beyond the call of service.”
That could be emergency communications specialists, firefighters, EMS personnel or law enforcement officers. However, Weatherly appeared at council’s Feb. 5 meeting to honor a citizen with a Lifesaver Award.
Heidi Lipscomb, a state distribution manager for Gannett Newspapers, found 94-year-old William Denny laying in his Southeast Parkway driveway about 2 a.m. Jan. 16 as she delivered newspapers, helping ease the burden on her carriers in the bitter cold. Denny, who had fallen and lain for hours, was conscious but unable to communicate.
“Ms. Lipscomb literally took the clothes off her back and attempted to warm Mr. Denny as it was obvious he was suffering from hypothermia,” Weatherly said. “In subzero temperatures, Ms. Lipscomb quickly called 911 for help and continued to render aid to Mr. Denny until we arrived.”
Weatherly said that Denny’s internal temperature was 77 degrees when he arrived at Reid Health. Officer Amanda Thackrey, who responded to the scene when Lipscomb called 911, nominated Lipscomb for the award.
“I am sure that without Ms. Lipscomb’s attentiveness in observing Mr. Denny in the driveway and quick actions in calling 911 and her quick response of rendering aid to Mr. Denny by covering his person with her clothing, Mr. Denny would have surely perished from hypothermia in the sub-zero temperatures,” Thackrey’s nomination said.
Lipscomb received the award to applause from council members and others in attendance. Lipscomb has since attended Denny’s 95th birthday celebration.
“I appreciate the award. Thank you, so much,” She said. “Really, the hero here is Mr. Denny and the first responders. Truthfully, I was terrified.”
Council member Bill Engle worked with Lipscomb during his newspaper career with the Palladium-Item.
“I can’t think of anybody more deserving, more kind and more devoted to this community,” Engle said. “Thank you, Heidi.”
Gorge grant
Richmond Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Denise Retz presented four ordinances to council that enable the department to accept donations and apply for grants.
One grant submission will be to the Indiana Destination Development Corporation for $250,000 to apply toward the Whitewater Gorge Park activation plan. A $250,000 match will come from the $2.65 million committed to the gorge project through the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, including $1.4 million from Wayne County government’s American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
The first phase involves redesigning the Test Road trailhead for the park that stretches from there to Waterfall Road. Included in the second phase plans are canoe and kayak launch sites at Test Road and where Weir Dam was removed from the Whitewater River, plus an overlook and fishing pier. The third phase includes plans for a zip line, river walk, amphitheater, adventure tree house, bouldering garden and adventure playground.
Retz said the department appreciates the support from the community and partnering organizations that have written advocacy letters for the grant application. The gorge activation is also part of the Revitalize Richmond effort that includes a $25 million Lilly Endowment grant to Earlham College.
“The gorge is going to look a lot different in a few years,” Retz said. “We just need to keep it up and keep up the support. Everybody has been very gracious. It’s going to take a little bit of time, but nothing happens overnight. I think the community’s very excited, and we can make this the destination it needs to be, for sure.”
Zoning request
E&B Paving has requested rezoning a 7-acre portion of a parcel along Williamsburg Pike from general commercial to industrial commercial.
By rezoning the westernmost portion southeast of Interstate 70 and Williamsburg Pike, the zoning would match the rest of the parcel, according to Dustin Purvis, the city zoning administrator. E&B would then request a variance of use to install a temporary portable concrete batching plant that would be used for the Revive I-70 project.
Council referred the zoning request to the Advisory Plan Commission for its Feb. 28 meeting. The zoning issue will then return to council, and if council permits the rezoning, a variance of use request would go before the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
A version of this article appeared in the February 14 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.