Wayne County’s commissioners learned $1.5 million likely won’t be enough to solve the county’s emergency radio communications problems. Barry Ritter, a Wayne County Council member and owner of Ritter Strategic Services, provided commissioners an update about the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program project during their June 5 meeting. Ritter estimated costs of two communication towers plus […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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No butts about it: Council wants city cleanup
Howard Price held aloft a large bag of trash June 3 as he began addressing Richmond Common Council members. “We’re not the Rose City anymore; we’re the Butt City,” Price said, estimating there were 200 cigarette butts in the bag. Price collected the trash walking through Glen Miller Park and brought it as an example […]
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Suspect in officer’s killing dies in prison cell
The man accused of killing Richmond K-9 Officer Seara Burton died June 6 in his prison cell. The death of Phillip Matthew Lee, 48, ends the criminal case charging him with murder without a trial. Lee won’t face a jury of his peers, and there won’t be a verdict. “Two years ago, a very bad […]
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Health department addresses injury trends, causes
From 2018 through 2022, 463 Wayne County residents died from injuries. Addressing injuries and trauma is a key point of the new Health First Indiana program, and the state’s Department of Trauma and Injury Prevention is helping the Wayne County Health Department get a handle on what might be necessary in the county. Becca Alliston, […]
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2 meetings set to explain downtown business grant program
Wayne County’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program has $2 million available to infuse new growth into participating communities’ downtowns. Grants up to $100,000 are available to rehabilitate downtown retail or commercial building space in Cambridge City, Dublin, East Germantown, Economy, Milton, Richmond and Spring Grove. The grants require a 25% match — for example, $25,000 for […]
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County rules deteriorating Williamsburg property unsafe
Even two boats along the roadway don’t make the corner of Main and Edwards streets in Williamsburg resemble a marina. Vegetation has grown enough to partially obscure the boats, the deteriorating house and even a front loader on a trailer located at 6341 Edwards St. Steve Sorah, the county building commissioner, in April sent a […]
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6 groups to help address core health issues
The Wayne County Health Department will use six community groups to help address core services required by Health First Indiana funding. During a May 21 meeting, the county’s Board of Health allocated $703,355.44 to the six agencies and organizations selected from eight applicants. The board will use 2024 and 2025 Heath First Indiana funds as […]
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RPD applies for $120K to purchase protective gear
Richmond Police Department will pursue nearly $120,000 in grants for protective equipment. Richmond Common Council approved 8-0 during its May 20 meeting two ordinances authorizing RPD to seek the grants. Council member Jerry Purcell recused himself from both votes because his son is an RPD officer and SWAT team member. Chief Kyle Weatherly said RPD […]
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Holsapple church could soon become a home
Sidney Hines is working his way through the zoning process for a necessary change that would permit him to renovate an old church building into his home. The Richmond Advisory Plan Commission voted 10-0 during its May 22 meeting to recommend Richmond Common Council approve Hines’ request to rezone 1720 Holsapple Road from institutional to […]
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Swish or miss? INDOT shares welcome center plans
When Steve McAvoy was tasked with reimagining Indiana’s 10 interstate welcome centers, he ventured to Texas for research. “That’s where I learned about theme-based, or regional-based, projects,” said McAvoy, the statewide facilities director for the Indiana Department of Transportation. Centerville’s welcome center, at the 143 mile marker of westbound Interstate 70, will represent Indiana’s basketball […]