In the case of the Smith Hill planned unit development, Richmond Common Council members ultimately decided that the city’s housing needs outweigh neighbors` concerns. They voted 7-2 on Aug. 5 to approve zoning changes necessary for the development south of Backmeyer Road between South 37th Street and Garwood Road. About 90 people filled council chambers, […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Uranus owner excited about Richmond
Louie Keen said he’s excited to open his third Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store in Richmond. The Uranus owner — or self-described mayor — appeared July 24 before the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission to support a zoning request for a portion of the former New Creations church and boarding school along U.S. 40 at […]
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Proposed auction facility along U.S. 27 still waits for final OK
A proposed auction facility along U.S. 27 still waits for final approval, despite now receiving a second set of favorable rulings. Much like an auction — going once … going twice … sold — Midway Auction Barn LLC waits for the final gavel. The proposed general merchandise and equipment consignment facility that will also have […]
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Clinical director leaves health department
The Wayne County Health Department is looking for new leadership. Dr. Paul Rider, chair of the county’s health board, announced at its July 23 meeting that Becca Alliston, the clinical director, was leaving the department. Rider praised Alliston, who joined the department in May 2023, for her work while the department has not had an […]
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Residents want Clyde Moberly in county road system
The request to turn a country lane into a county road came in August 1977 as farm fields became homesteads. That lane extending south from Webster Road was named Clyde Moberly Road in November 1978, and the intention of the county commissioners at the time was clear: They would accept Clyde Moberly into the county […]
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Smith Hill tweaks don’t appease neighbors
Alterations to the Smith Hill development plan didn’t assuage neighbors’ opposition. About 50 people attended the July 24 Richmond Advisory Plan Commission when it considered the second zoning request for the planned unit development. The original request by 11th Street Development was rejected by Richmond Common Council in April, although the plan commission had recommended […]
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Bridges, raises provide biggest budget challenges
Wayne County Council began shaping the county’s 2025 budget July 17 with six hours of budget presentations from elected officials and department heads. Those presentations often contained good news with budgets remaining unchanged from 2024 or having minimal increases. Clerk Debbie Berry even had a decrease in her election budget because there is no election […]
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Commissioners consider insurance tweaks
Wayne County’s commissioners are considering options for its employee insurance program. Dunn & Associates, the third-party benefits administrator based in Columbus, discussed the insurance program with commissioners July 17 during their weekly meeting. Commissioners conducted the meeting simultaneously with Wayne County Council’s daylong budget meeting. Commissioner Jeff Plasterer said the county’s insurance program is healthy […]
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Zoning requests will return to council
About 20 opponents and supporters of a proposed South 37th Street development attended the July 15 Richmond Common Council meeting, but they did not have a chance to speak. An ordinance to rezone 80 acres south of Backmeyer Road between South 37th Street and Garwood Road for a planned unit development was presented to council […]
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Picture honors RPD officer’s memory
Officer Seara Burton’s mother, Jennifer Miller, stretched to place a blue flower next to her daughter’s picture on the End of Watch: Ride to Remember trailer. Burton is one of the 380 officers killed in 2022 and 2023 whose sacrifice is being remembered by the Beyond the Call of Duty tour, which began June 1 […]