Community members are reacting to a Sept. 21 Facebook post by Richmond mayor Ron Oler warning city employees that their public comments about political violence could lead to firing or prosecution. In the post, Oler says he issued an executive order about conduct expected of “employees, appointees, and members of City boards and commissions” when […]
Author Archives: Chris Hardie
Chris Hardie is the owner and publisher of the Western Wayne News.
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Board rejects teachers union complaint against Richmond schools
The Indiana Education Employment Relations Board has ruled against the Richmond Education Association in its complaint alleging unfair labor practices by Richmond Community Schools, closing the case at the agency level. REA, which represents district teachers, originally filed its complaint in June 2023 after the school board approved supplemental stipends and salary increases outside the […]
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Centerville council eyes water, public safety improvements
Centerville’s town council met for a work session Tuesday, July 29, to hear updates from department heads and approve several actions. Some of the town’s most public spaces are getting updates, with preparations underway for the 2025 Archway Days festival Aug. 22-23, and with the completion of Indiana Department of Transportation’s work at the intersection […]
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County to revisit courthouse bollard work, elevator bids
Wayne County’s commissioners breezed through their weekly meeting on July 30, hearing updates on various facilities projects and other business. Jeff Plasterer and Brad Dwenger were in attendance; Aaron Roberts was absent. Steve Higinbotham, the county administrator, said that the renovation of the courthouse’s main entrance is starting to wrap up. He noted that the […]
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$257K helps airport terminal updates take off
The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a $257,165 grant to support updates to the Richmond Municipal Airport’s terminal. The funding will cover architectural and engineering design, site preparation, and environmental assessments. City officials said in a statement that the work will lay the foundation for a modernized facility aimed at improving efficiency, accessibility and passenger […]
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Drama club debuts at Nettle Creek schools
Educator Lisa Bane loves the arts, and now she’s excited to bring the joy of theater performance to students in Nettle Creek schools. A teacher in the district, Bane is leveraging her own experience with dance and theater, and collaborating with choral director Makayla Cranfill, to launch the new “Act I” drama club for students […]
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Cambridge City starts budget planning process
In a July 28 workshop meeting, Cambridge City’s town council reviewed its 2025 spending so far and began planning for its 2026 budget. Like many other area government bodies and school boards, they confronted the question of how to fund services in the face of declining or legislatively limited revenue. Town attorney Bob Bever advised […]
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Judge dismisses lawsuit against county prosecutor
A special judge has dismissed a lawsuit that Richmond Police Department Major Adam Blanton and the City of Richmond filed against Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman, ruling that Shipman acted within the scope of his legal duties when he placed Blanton on the county’s Brady-Giglio list. Henry County Circuit Court Judge Bob A. Witham, appointed […]
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RCS board advances facility projects, policy updates
The Richmond Community Schools board of trustees reviewed proposed facility improvements, policy revisions, and community partnerships during its regular business meeting on Wednesday, July 23. The board authorized bond funding actions for over a dozen infrastructure investments across the district. Among the approved projects are track resurfacing, a tennis court rebuild, applied skills classroom renovations, […]
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Jubilee Days returns Aug. 1–2 with food, fun and familiar traditions
Hagerstown’s cherished end-of-summer celebration, Jubilee Days, returns Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1–2, with a full lineup of events, entertainment and food. It continues a small-town tradition that almost ended just a year ago. The festival, organized now by community volunteers and sponsored by American Legion Post No. 333, builds on the revamped format introduced in […]