Hagerstown residents might want to set aside some extra funds to cover expected water rate increases that are needed to support updating the town’s water infrastructure. Sarah Correll, an attorney with Ice Miller, presented an update on the issuance of a bond to fund the replacement of the town’s water lines, along with a corresponding […]
Author Archives: Chris Hardie
Chris Hardie is the owner and publisher of the Western Wayne News.
Posted inNews
Lincoln grad brings love of math, physics to global tech industry
If you’ve used a modern smartphone, television or computing device, you’re likely benefiting from the work of 1982 Lincoln High School graduate Joseph Olson. Classmates might remember him for his accomplishments on the tennis court — he was a TEC doubles champion in his senior year — or his participation in band, but as a […]
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Renters, landlords meet to clarify housing rights
Tenants and landlords came together in a Feb. 27 meeting to figure out how everyone can do their part to ensure laws are being followed and rights are being respected in area rental housing arrangements. Attendees have rented houses and apartments for all sorts of reasons. Some were young professionals just starting out in the […]
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Reid Health sees leadership transition
Reid Health has a new acting president and CEO. Ben Wells, who joined the regional healthcare organization in July 2024 as a vice president and chief financial officer, has assumed the top role in an acting capacity, according to a Reid Health representative. Craig Kinyon had been in that role since 2008 after serving as […]
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State overreach concerns officials
Hagerstown is joining the list of area towns concerned about how proposed state legislation might reduce or remove local control of services. During their Feb. 3 meeting, Hagerstown Town Council members heard from fire chief Rick Cole about the potential implications of various bills, including HB1233. Proposed by Republican rep. Karen Engleman from District 70, […]
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State dings school system for financial management
The Indiana State Board of Accounts released a Jan. 29 report noting Nettle Creek School Corporation was deficient in managing some bank accounts and in submitting required reports to the state. The report examined the management of the school corporation’s extracurricular bank accounts from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. SBOA said the school […]
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Residents share community improvement ideas
Housing, child care and health care topped the list of issues needing funding and improvement in Wayne County, according to 15 residents who attended a Jan. 29 public meeting that Forward Wayne County facilitated. The event, held at the Richmond High School cafeteria, was the first of four listening sessions that community leaders are holding […]
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Radio encryption squelches scanner listening
As area first responders and public safety personnel make more use of encrypted radio communications, the residents who have traditionally tuned in to scanner traffic might be wondering about the loss of transparency. Government officials say there are still options to hold them accountable. In a culmination of years of planning and equipment upgrades, many […]
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Sensitive student, teacher data stolen
An attack on a software tool that Richmond Community Schools and Centerville-Abington Schools use has potentially exposed undetermined amounts of sensitive student and teacher data to hackers. PowerSchool, a California-based cloud educational software service, notified schools who use the service that a December 2024 compromise of one of its customer support systems had allowed an […]
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Several schools transitioning to delayed starts
After several inches of snow, the Whitewater Valley’s road conditions are prompting a new round of delays for Wednesday, Jan. 8, and downgraded travel advisory. Last update at 10:47 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. Travel watch Closures/delays Wednesday, Jan. 8 Schools Warming resources The Emergency Warming Center in Richmond is open in the evenings while temperatures […]