April 8 presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Wayne County will be in the middle of a total solar eclipse’s path of totality. It’s an event to enjoy as the moon moves between Earth and the sun, with the moon’s shadow casting the county into darkness for up to 4 minutes, depending on location. Preparation and attention […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Beat the Heat hopes to provide residents air conditioning
Richmond’s Beat the Heat program hopes to distribute window air conditioning units with an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant. On March 18, Alison Zajdel of the Richmond Environmental Sustainability Commission requested that Richmond Common Council approve interlocal agreement with the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office and a city ordinance to accept $20,000 from […]
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Housing help precedes city’s camp removals
During his campaign, Mayor Ron Oler began thinking about the plight of unhoused people in Richmond encampments. Helping those people would address issues such as trash, open fires, noise and overdoses, and upon taking office, Oler tasked Richmond Police Department with leading the assistance effort. But, it wouldn’t just be a police endeavor. Oler said […]
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Opioid funds will buy sheriff drones, ATV
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has received permission to purchase five drones and a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle. During their March 20 meeting, Wayne County’s commissioners approved up to $85,000 for the purchases, allocating the money from the county’s opioid settlement distribution. The county recently received more than $345,000 from its 2023 settlement total of $442,308.30, […]
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Health First Indiana contracts on track to begin June 1
The Wayne County Health Department plans to have local agencies under contract by June 1 to provide core services required by Health First Indiana. During a March 12 meeting, the county’s Board of Health approved a contract template and timeline for requesting proposals, receiving grant applications and awarding funds from the $803,000 additional public health […]
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Plan your eclipse experience in advance
Richmond and Wayne County will be buzzing before the April 8 total solar eclipse. Visitors will fill hotels, campgrounds and other lodging options throughout the weekend leading up to the Monday celestial event. That’s going to increase traffic on local roads and demand at local businesses. A little planning and preparation can help smooth the […]
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BZA OKs Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A sandwiches could be served in Richmond before 2025 ends. Mike Timko, a civil engineer with Kimley-Horn and Associates of Indianapolis, said March 13 that time frame is realistic after the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals granted the restaurant company five variances of development standards. The variances make the restaurant viable at 5901 National Road […]
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Bats prompt urgent council action for bridge project
Regulations that protect bats required Wayne County to urgently pay a bridge project invoice, and that required a special Wayne County Council meeting March 14. Indiana Department of Transportation regulations adapted from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service require any tree removal for transportation projects occur between Oct. 1 and March 31 when Indiana bats […]
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County considers claiming Clyde Moberly Road
Wayne County’s commissioners named Clyde Moberly Road in 1977. Since then, the county has treated the road as one of its own — maintaining it, plowing snow from it and putting new asphalt on it. Officially, though, it isn’t a county road, leaving it considered a private lane. The dead-end road that drops south off […]
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Protect your eyes from permanent damage
Viewing the April 8 solar eclipse requires special eye protection, except during the 4 minutes or so of totality. Wear eclipse glasses or hold solar viewers during the partial phases of the eclipse to prevent the bright sun from damaging retinal cells in the eyes. Even a quick glance could result in permanent eye damage. […]