Sara Pizano told about 60 people July 18 that Wayne County’s animal welfare problems are not unique. They’re the same problems the animal welfare strategist finds in communities across the country. The good news, Pizano said, is that there are solutions. “I promise you that everything you’re facing here is common to every other organization […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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City buys downtown business building
A downtown Richmond building is ready for a business and for residents. Richmond Neighborhood Restoration sold the renovated building at 720 and 724 E. Main St. to the city of Richmond. The Board of Public Works and Safety approved the $62,500 purchase on May 30. RNR had bought the building for renovations in 2021. It […]
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Auditor promises staff he’ll finish term, seek another
Through communications with Indiana’s other auditors, Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher has learned other auditors are resigning their positions. Ten, so far, Hoelscher said. That led Hoelscher — in the 19th month of his term — to gather his staff July 9 and announce that he has no plans to resign and, in fact, will […]
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MONDAY UPDATE: Western Wayne recovering from storm damage
Neighbors, first responders and utility workers collaborated to clean up extensive storm debris and block traffic to offer protection from downed power lines on Sunday, July 14. Cambridge City received the most visible damage from the storm just before 2:30 p.m. Town officials quickly urged residents and visitors to stay off roads so cleanup could […]
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55 apply for downtown building grants
Fifty-five applications were submitted for $2 million available in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program’s downtown revitalization effort. Beth Fields, the county’s HELP coordinator, told Wayne County Council members on July 3 that 42 applications were received in Richmond, seven in Cambridge City, three in East Germantown and one each in Spring Grove, Dublin and Economy. […]
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Could a park curb violence?
Commissioner Mary Anne Butters envisions a park where Wayne County residents can drive off-road vehicles, participate in water sports, become physically fit and learn firearm safety. She wants the county to assess how to develop such a place, hoping it would promote spending time outdoors and also curb violence. Butters suggests the county invest $35,000 […]
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RP&L buying new equipment
Richmond Power & Light’s line department will soon have a new mini-excavator and trailer. RP&L’s board, comprised of all Richmond Common Council members, approved the purchases during its July 1 meeting. RP&L will buy the mini-excavator from New Holland of Richmond for $70,965, the lowest of three bids received. RP&L General Manager Tony Foster expects […]
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Plan substitutes 110 townhomes for apartments
A development plan for 80 acres on Richmond’s southeast side now includes townhomes rather than apartments. Bryan Stumpf and 11th Street Development LLC have again applied for zoning changes necessary to construct the Smith Hill planned unit development south of Backmeyer Road between South 37th Street and Garwood Road. Richmond Common Council denied an original […]
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Mayor requests $300K for parks, projects
Mayor Ron Oler is asking Richmond Common Council for $300,000 for parks, downtown parking and community branding. Oler presented his request during council’s July 1 meeting. The city’s economic development fund received $673,236 from the state’s 2024 supplemental local income tax distribution. Oler said he’s now asking for only $300,000 because of anticipated expenses later […]
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County insurance premiums rise 18.4%
Wayne County will pay nearly $130,000 in additional insurance premiums the next 12 months than during the past 12 months. The county’s insurance runs July 1 to June 30, and county commissioners heard a presentation by Andy Brown of Gregory & Appel Insurance of Indianapolis during their June 26 meeting. Commissioners unanimously voted to use […]