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 […]
Author Archives: Chris Hardie
Chris Hardie is the owner and publisher of the Western Wayne News.
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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 […]
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Commissioners clear alleys, consider taxes
During their July 23 meeting, Wayne County’s Commissioners worked on a wide range of business items to keep county government operating smoothly. The group approved two ordinances to vacate public rights of way in Williamsburg and Jacksonburg, advancing requests from residents looking to resolve property and infrastructure issues. Shannon Merkamp of Main Street in Williamsburg […]
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‘Solar for all’ funding could boost power resilience
A federal initiative to make sure low-income and disadvantaged communities can benefit from access to solar-powered electricity might include Richmond neighborhoods soon, if the government doesn’t reverse course and cancel the program. That’s according to a presentation from the Richmond Environmental Sustainability Commission at Richmond Common Council’s July 21 meeting. Commission member Alison Zajdel brought […]
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Centerville-Abington Schools board prepares for new year
During their July 23 meeting, the Centerville-Abington Schools board of trustees welcomed some new faces, wished farewell to a longtime educator, and wrestled with the future of the school system’s budget and testing scores. Debbie Cox’s retirement Rose Hamilton preschool teacher Deborah Cox is retiring from CACS after 35 years with the district. RH principal […]
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Weekend weather dampens competition
What started as a delay for lightning turned in to a full cancellation of the Drums of Winchester band competition on Saturday, July 26. Only 11 bands, including Lincoln High School, performed before the storms rolled in over Winchester Community High School. Those groups were given critiques but none received scores, and no other local […]