A 2026 city budget Richmond Mayor Ron Oler called “realistic” and “workable” before it was passed by Common Council will cost the city 21 employees. The impacted employees — a 5% reduction in workforce — were notified Friday, Oct. 31, Oler said during a news conference, and will remain with the city through Dec. 31. […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Richmond requests state roads funding
Richmond will apply for more than a half-million dollars from the state’s Community Crossings program to pave 12 road segments next year. Richmond Common Council approved 8-0 during its Oct. 20 meeting an ordinance permitting submission to the Indiana Department of Transportation of a grant application for $584,446.50. The city would need to match those […]
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County’s opioid money funds 4 proposals
Wayne County will distribute more than $230,000 in opioid settlement money to four local organizations. The county’s commissioners approved the funding proposal Commissioner Aaron Roberts presented during their Oct. 22 meeting. Roberts worked with a five-person committee to score the seven applications received during September for the third round of funding groups that address opioid-related […]
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N.W. 5th corridor study costs $174,000
Richmond will spend $174,000 to study North West Fifth Street and another $153,100 for design of a multiuse trail extension from the Depot District to the Cardinal Greenway. The city’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved contracts with Avenew, an Indianapolis consulting firm, and Clark Dietz, an Indianapolis engineering firm, with 3-0 votes during […]
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Flu season means it’s time for flu shots
Flu season has begun, making this the best time to receive an influenza vaccine, according to the county health officer. Dr. Jennifer Bales discussed vaccinations during the Wayne County Board of Health’s Oct. 14 meeting. Flu season starts at the beginning of October and lasts through March, and it typically has two peaks, Bales said. […]
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BZA allows accessory dwelling for family member
A Richmond family received permission to build an accessory dwelling for a family member on their South 22nd Street property. During its Oct. 15 meeting, the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-0 in favor of the request by Martel and Shannon Winburn for a special exception in the medium-density, single-family zoning district. The Winburns […]
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Commissioners consider fairgrounds parking lot
Wayne County’s commissioners plan to add 95 vehicle parking spaces at the county’s fairgrounds. They received a drainage report from Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, and Mike Sharp, the county highway supervisor, during the Oct. 15 commissioners meeting. The lot would be east of First Bank Expo Hall. Runoff water would be diverted to three […]
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County OKs padded budget, awaits state direction
Wayne County Council approved a 2026 budget that includes padding to ensure they receive as much property tax revenue as possible. The $43,078,809 in the general fund includes $6 million in council’s one-time expenditures line item, rather than the usual $3 million. Max Smith, council’s president, said he fully expects the state’s Department of Local […]
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New 2026 budget puts city ‘back on track’
Through a painstaking, line-by-line approach, Richmond’s second attempt at a 2026 budget progresses toward financial health and sustainability, but more work remains next year and beyond. Mayor Ron Oler appointed Beth Fields, the city’s director of strategic initiatives, to lead modification of the proposed budget that originally used unspent 2025 funds to cover a $2.3 […]
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RP&L’s union workers to receive yearly 3% raises
Richmond Power & Light and its employees’ union have agreed to a new three-year contract. Tony Foster, general manager of RP&L, received unanimous approval Oct. 6 from the utility’s board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, to sign the contract. It will run through Sept. 30, 2028. The contract with International Brotherhood of […]