Working in the Reid Health emergency department, Dr. Jennifer Bales often treats patients when it’s too late to make a difference. By serving as Wayne County’s new health officer, Bales wants to impact residents’ health so she won’t see them at her day job. “If there’s an opportunity to help somebody before they need me […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Council OKs building, planning fee increases
The city of Richmond is increasing fees related to building codes, planning and zoning, and the next round of increases will probably not take as long as this one. Dustin Purvis, the city’s planning director, said during Richmond Common Council’s Nov. 18 meeting that the building code fee schedule that involves building, electrical, mechanical and […]
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Busier fairgrounds requires additional parking spaces
With improvements to First Bank Kuhlman Center and First Bank Expo Hall, Wayne County’s commissioners hope to draw more events — and more people — to the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Those people will often arrive in vehicles, increasing the need for parking around the fairgrounds’ showpiece buildings. During their Nov. 20 meeting, commissioners received a […]
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County commits money to attract more money
Wayne County hopes to receive $3.98 million in state money from the Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s Regional Economic Acceleration Development Initiative 2.0 grants. To further those hopes, the county commissioners and council have committed to $2.98 million in match money. Wayne County Council members agreed during the Nov. 20 council/commissioners workshop to that commitment and […]
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Ex-fire chief accused of misconduct in mental health leave case
A second federal lawsuit has been filed against the city of Richmond and former fire chief Jerry Purcell alleging retaliation, discrimination, harassment and defamation of firefighters taking medical leave for mental health disabilities caused by job duties. Chris O’Neil, a former assistant chief for Richmond Fire Department, filed the suit Nov. 14 in The U.S. […]
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16 felony charges filed against former city employee
A former Richmond Sanitary District accounts payable clerk now faces 16 felony charges regarding $825,819.74 in missing cash deposits spanning 6 1/2 years. Jennifer Wilson, 47, of Richmond is formally charged with eight counts of theft, seven as Level 5 felonies and one as a Level 6 felony, and eight counts of official misconduct, all […]
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Can the former Crain building be saved?
For more than eight years, the former Crain Sanitarium building and its smaller, brick neighbor have deteriorated unabated although interest exists to rehabilitate them. However, entering the buildings to assess their viability has been impossible. Both have absent owners not paying taxes and not responding to requests for building access. Indiana Landmarks is now pursuing […]
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Asphalt plant planned along Industries Road
A construction company will erect a temporary portable asphalt plant on a West Industries Road property for use during the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Revive I-70 project. Rieth-Riley Construction Company appeared Nov. 13 before the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals for relief from variances requiring landscaping and screening of outdoor storage. All five variances were […]
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Mayor calls council member’s comments ‘disgruntled’
Two men who once teamed up to get each other elected are now exchanging criticisms in the public square. Mayor Ron Oler issued a signed statement Tuesday responding to a Facebook post by Richmond Common Council member Jerry Purcell that the statement said included “blatant factual inaccuracies.” Oler’s statement was approved by the city’s legal […]
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Veterinarian adds bite into animal programs
The animal welfare project in Wayne County’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program began by sniffing out possibilities and is now digging up real solutions. Dr. Stacy Kostiuk, a local veterinarian, updated the county’s commissioners Nov. 13 about progress she’s made implementing ideas to alleviate the county’s issue with cats and dogs. Part of her presentation included […]