Wayne County residents planning to build an accessory structure — a garage, barn, gazebo or greenhouse, for example — in a flood plain likely will soon face less regulation. The county’s Advisory Plan Commission on Jan. 15 voted to favorably recommend to the county commissioners a new flood plain ordinance. If approved by commissioners, it […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Duplexes receive zoning OK despite neighbor objections
Developer Doug Tharp hopes Reid Health doctors will find two duplexes along U.S. 27 in the Fair Acres addition attractive places to live. Despite neighbor concerns about putting new rentals in the addition, Richmond’s Board of Zoning Appeals granted Tharp two variances Jan. 14 that remove zoning obstacles for the duplexes. A variance of use […]
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Flu mutates with ill effect
A mutated flu strain threatens to cause back-to-back severe flu seasons, according to Wayne County’s health officer. During the Wayne County Board of Health’s Jan. 13 meeting, Dr. Jennifer Bales discussed the current “very high” incidence of flu-like illnesses. She said the county is experiencing the first peak of the flu season, with a second […]
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City still places dogs in New Castle
Richmond this year will continue paying the Henry County Humane Society more than $40,000 to accept stray and seized animals. The city’s Board of Public Works and Safety unanimously approved the 2026 contract during its Jan. 15 meeting. According to the contract, Richmond will pay $41,200 for placing up to 400 animals at the New […]
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Housing push expands
Cranes, hard hats and dump trucks are just some of the clues that Wayne County’s housing stock is growing. It’s hard to keep track of the medley of projects that are in various stages, and you might be surprised by how many organizations — and which ones — are jumping in to work on the […]
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Commercial dog breeders will not face cap
An ordinance amending Wayne County’s zoning regulations no longer limits how many female dogs a commercial breeder may have. During their Jan. 14 meeting, the county commissioners voted 3-0 to remove the limit, which had been added in November by the Wayne County Advisory Plan Commission. A final version of the ordinance will be presented […]
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City awards city’s 2026 fuel contract to Keystone
Keystone Cooperative will supply the city of Richmond with unleaded and diesel fuels during 2026. The Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety approved a contract with Keystone during a Jan. 8 meeting. Keystone was the only bidder for the yearlong contract. The board also provided Kara Noe, the city purchasing manager, authority to sign […]
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RP&L expects progress on coal ash project
Richmond Power & Light hopes to this year begin the process of containing roughly 400,000 tons of coal ash on its property, General Manager Tony Foster told his board of directors Jan. 5. The Whitewater Valley Generating Station along U.S. 27, which was built in 1954, burned coal and created the ash from the 1950s […]
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City seeks $1.4M grant for new airport terminal
Richmond will apply for a $1.4 million grant to help construct a new Richmond Municipal Airport terminal. During its Jan. 5 meeting, Richmond Common Council unanimously granted permission for the application to the Federal Aviation Administration, which has funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant requires a $35,000 city match from airport funds, […]
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City food, beverage tax takes effect March 1
Diners at Richmond restaurants will begin seeing a 1% food and beverage tax on their bills March 1. Denise Retz, the city’s parks superintendent, updated parks board members about the tax during a Jan. 8 meeting. In December, Richmond Common Council enacted the tax, which was made possible by legislation passed during last year’s state […]