The Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals twice decided March 13 that light manufacturing and light industrial businesses were not appropriate at residences on agriculturally zoned properties. BZA members denied two variances of use by men wanting to open businesses. David Stoltzfus wanted to build sheds at 5869 Dingle Road in Greens Fork, and Abner […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Crain building conundrum and conversation continue
Time has done the former Crain Sanitarium building and the house next door no favors. Both buildings have sat deteriorating for years, and despite growing interest to salvage the structures, time continues to pass. The buildings again were a discussion topic during the March 10 Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Michele Walker, the commission president, said […]
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Dot Foods to move health clinic
Dot Foods plans to move its family health clinic onto its Gateway Industrial Park facility. The services available for employees and families will be located in a permanent, modular building at the east end of an existing parking lot accessible from Gateway Road. The building plan shows two examination rooms, a lab, restrooms, office and […]
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Health officer recommends ensuring measles protection
A child died in Texas during a recent measles outbreak, so Dr. Jennifer Bales, Wayne County’s health officer, advocated for measles vaccinations during the March 11 Board of Health meeting. Bales said it’s not time to panic because she had not heard about any cases in Indiana. However, she said residents should make sure they’re […]
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Downtown building again to shelter women
A South 11th Street building will again provide safety for women. Susan Isaacs, the Wayne Township trustee, received a variance of use from the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals to operate a temporary shelter at 15 S. 11th St. The unanimous vote March 12 permits safe housing in the building formerly used as a Genesis […]
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Mayor describes ‘exciting’ future
Richmond Mayor Ron Oler used his March 14 State of the City address to share what his administration accomplished during 2024, his first year in office, and what’s underway and planned for 2025. The 35-minute speech was attended by about 60 people in the council chambers of the Richmond Municipal Building. “Our remarkable history, recent […]
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County drives toward fairgrounds parking solution
Improvements to the Wayne County Fairgrounds’ First Bank Kuhlman Center and First Bank Expo Hall are increasing rentals, which sometimes results in events occupying both buildings simultaneously. And that puts a premium on fairgrounds parking. A county fairgrounds committee ranks increased parking as the fairgrounds’ top priority. Wayne County’s commissioners discussed the issue during their […]
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Richmond’s I-70 fuel and food options could grow
More fuel — and snacks and drinks — could be added to Richmond’s competition to provide traveler services. A zoning change has been requested for 2477 U.S. 35 so a gas station and convenience store can be built on the property directly across from the Love’s Travel Stop north of the Interstate 70 interchange. The […]
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Parallax 2-car purchase provides Tesla test drive
Richmond Power & Light will test using electric vehicles as a utility through its Parallax Systems, which provides fiber internet service. General Manager Tony Foster received permission from the RP&L board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, to purchase two Tesla Model Y vehicles for about $39,000 each after receiving a tax rebate. […]
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Sheriff experiences historic occasion
When President Donald Trump stepped to the podium March 4 to address the nation, millions of Americans watched on television, but Wayne County Sheriff Randy Retter was there, inside the House of Representatives’ chamber. Retter took in Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress a few seats away from former Speaker of the House […]