Richmond will continue taking stray dogs and cats to the Henry County Humane Society after the Board of Public Works and Safety approved a 2025 contract during its Aug. 29 meeting. Terms remain $41,200 for up to 400 animals, with each additional animal costing $103. The city has taken animals the 30 miles to New […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Mayor: City budget’s back in black
Mayor Ron Oler voted against the city’s 2024 budget as a Richmond Common Council member because it was a funded budget, but not balanced. As council began two nights of budget meetings Aug. 20, Oler said the 2025 budget’s general fund is in the black. Oler said the budget includes a 4% raise for nonunion […]
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O’Rourke chosen to demolish former Elder-Beerman building
The city of Richmond has selected a company with experience in complex demolition projects, including pedestrian skywalks, to demolish the former Elder-Beerman building and skywalk. O’Rourke Wrecking Company of Paragon, Indiana, was awarded the bid for $711,000 during the Aug. 22 meeting of the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety. O’Rourke’s bid was $40,040 […]
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Health department rearranges workers in its 2025 budgets
Wayne County Health Department has dropped its 2025 county budget request by about $13,000 from its 2024 funding. The county Board of Health approved the department’s revised county budget and the department’s Health First Indiana budget during its Aug. 20 meeting. That enabled the department to present the budgets to Wayne County Council during an […]
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County addresses animal issue at ‘crisis point’
Between neglect, abuse, health issues, and not having homes, animal welfare problems stretch to all corners of Wayne County. So far, Wayne County’s government and the City of Richmond have taken the lead in trying to address animal welfare through funding from the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters wants to see that […]
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Growing Transcendia receives tax abatements
A Richmond film manufacturer hopes to compete in the health care and food and beverage markets after a $10.5 million equipment investment. Transcendia is adding machinery from Austria to its 300 Industrial Parkway location. Cody Cohoon, the site manager, said new capabilities, such as lamination, will open those markets to the company. Transcendia was awarded […]
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Vet set to coordinate pet projects
National expert Sara Pizano analyzed animal welfare in Wayne County, suggesting steps to improve the situation. Now, county government and the city of Richmond are enlisting a local expert, veterinarian Dr. Stacy Kostiuk, to spend four months implementing pieces of Pizano’s report. “The study showed us the gaps,” Richmond Mayor Ron Oler said during the […]
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City receives 7 bids to demolish Elder-Beerman building
Seven bids to demolish the former Elder-Beerman building and pedestrian skywalk ranged from about $500,000 to nearly $1.2 million. The bids were opened during the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Aug. 15 and taken under advisement. The seven bidders were: In addition, two bids for asbestos abatement were received: $13,395 from EnviroWorx Services […]
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BZA approves sign for new Five Below store
A typical Five Below storefront sign measures 180.5 square feet. That’s the sign the company wants on its planned Richmond store at 4615 National Road E., but that required a variance of development standards. It turns out the size is half of a square foot larger than the allowable 180 square feet for the 90-foot […]
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Demolition would create Depot District parking
A mural depicting a train that’s seemingly pulling into the former Pennsylvania Railroad Depot welcomes visitors to Richmond’s Historic Depot District. That train, though, will be replaced by cars, SUVs and pickup trucks. The city of Richmond plans to demolish the former Mechanics Laundry and Supply Inc. building at 1002 N. E St., where the […]