An information clerk could again greet visitors to Richmond Police Department next year. The clerk’s position was eliminated during 2026 budget cuts; however, during Sept. 22 discussions for the 2027 budget, Richmond Common Council voted to fund two part-time clerk positions. Council President Justin Burkhardt initiated discussion about staffing the information desk, which is at […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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County vacates undeveloped road off Arba Pike
A Wayne County landowner will now own a little more property along Arba Pike. Ivan Esch requested the county vacate an undeveloped roadway that splits his properties in the 11000 block of Arba Pike. The county’s commissioners approved the ordinance vacating the road during their Sept. 16 meeting. The five-lot Shurman T. Richardson subdivision was […]
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County council faces $10 million budget gap
Wayne County Council members learned their working 2027 general fund budget exceeds estimated revenue by about $10 million. Council discussed the budget during the Sept. 16 combined council/commissioners workshop. Members concentrated on preparing to advertise the budget on the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance’s Gateway website, available at wwn.to/budgets26. The working general fund budget […]
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Water rescue training to cost RFD $6,000
Ten Richmond Fire Department members will become certified in surface water rescue through a Greenwood-based company. During a Sept. 17 meeting, the Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety approved a $6,000 contract with Advanced Rescue Solutions to provide the course that includes hands-on skill sessions. The fire department also received board approval of a […]
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Jury finds city, others negligent in plastics fire
An eight-member federal jury found the city of Richmond, Cornerstone Trading Group and its owner, Seth Smith, negligent regarding circumstances that resulted in an April 2023 plastics fire. The verdict that awarded negligence and nuisance compensation to plaintiffs Tushawn Craig and Marquetta Stokes concluded a five-day trial in the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana […]
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Signs will tell food and beverage tale
Richmond Parks and Recreation Department has signs to inform residents about projects funded by food and beverage tax money, and those signs will be used often. In addition to about $4.5 million received from bond anticipation notes to kickstart immediately needed projects, the department has collected more than a half-million dollars in revenue through six […]
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Richmond considers ban on transporting some homeless people
Richmond Mayor Ron Oler’s proposal for fines of up to $7,500 for transporting homeless people into the city prompted questions about its necessity and legality when it reached Richmond Common Council Sept. 8. Oler said he doesn’t want other communities taking advantage of Richmond resources offered for unhoused people, either now or in the future. […]
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Mobile home residents again plead for help
Residents of two Island Communities mobile home parks in Richmond fear for their futures. For a second time, they requested help from Richmond Common Council, returning to council’s Sept. 8 meeting after first presenting council an ordinance providing mobile home residents protections July 6. About 25 residents in attendance were again told there’s little the […]
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City’s 2027 budget draft includes 7 unbalanced funds
Richmond Common Council members found thick binders containing the city’s 2027 preliminary budget at their seats prior to their Sept. 8 meeting. It’s the second budget cycle in council’s three-year mandate for the city to balance its budget, and Beth Fields, the city’s director of strategic initiatives, said 21 city funds are balanced. However, two […]
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RP&L’s initial rate increase lower than expected
Richmond Power & Light’s residential rates will increase slightly less than expected when RP&L implements new rates Oct. 1. General Manager Tony Foster provided the good news when presenting the RP&L board Sept. 8 with the fourth-quarter energy cost adjustment. The residential ECA will drop for the fourth quarter, the second consecutive quarter of decline. […]