Richmond is taking a step toward demolishing the former Warfield Oil property. The city’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved a $3,200 contract with Patriot Engineering during its Feb. 26 meeting. Patriot will conduct a pre-demolition survey for asbestos-containing materials. Matt Keller, the city’s director of public operations and engineering, said the survey is […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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County to collect assessments for 7 drainage watersheds
A routine county decision means some residents will pay higher drainage ditch assessments this spring, while others get a year off. Wayne County’s Drainage Board, which is composed of the county commissioners, approved 25% assessment increases for six of those watersheds during a Feb. 25 meeting. Assessments are paid with spring property taxes. Each drainage […]
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County boosts HELP payments
An organization that shelters dogs waiting to find their forever homes is expected to get more financial support from county government. Wayne County’s commissioners have agreed to increase payments for unaltered dogs the county shelters with HELP the Animals. Commissioners Aaron Roberts and Brad Dwenger approved the 2026 contract during their Feb. 25 meeting. Commissioner […]
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County set to receive vehicle tax revenue
Wayne County government prepared Feb. 18 to begin receiving new tax revenue from residents registering their vehicles with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The county council last year enacted local option highway user taxes that took effect Jan. 1. The BMV collects the wheel tax, a $40 charge for large trucks, large trailers, buses […]
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Chief deputy coroner sues county over Facebook block
Wayne County’s chief deputy coroner claims that he’s been blocked from the county commissioners’ Facebook page, violating his First Amendment rights, and he’s sued to regain his access. On behalf of Dillon Pitcher, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed the lawsuit against the county and its commissioners Feb. 12 in the U.S. District […]
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Life-saving efforts receive recognition
Three residents, seven police officers and 14 firefighters came together Jan. 5 to save a life. During Richmond Common Council’s Feb. 18 meeting, those individuals were honored for their efforts to rescue and save a suicidal person who had become impaled on safety fencing along the South G Street bridge. Each received a certificate. “Their […]
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Trailer wash to buy 5 acres in industrial park
A trailer wash is planned for a 5-acre site in the Midwest Industrial Park. During its Feb. 12 meeting, Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety unanimously approved the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County exercising its option to sell 5.731 acres north of Industries Road and west of Salisbury Road to Milestone Properties LLC. […]
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Furniture business receives OK to add office shed
A Williamsburg man who builds furniture is now able to build an office shed where customers can order and pick up his custom pieces. Last October, Ivan Glick received a variance of use from the Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals to operate his furniture business at 6567 Flatley Road southeast of Williamsburg. He returned […]
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Simple steps reduce cancer risk
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Indiana and in the United States, trailing only heart disease. Dr. Jennifer Bales, Wayne County’s health officer, highlighted cancer prevention tips during the Feb. 9 Wayne County Board of Health meeting. February is National Cancer Prevention Month. The American Cancer Society estimates that 30% of cancer deaths […]
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State standardizes veterans affairs officer training
Certification for county veterans affairs officers will take a step up beginning July 1. Indiana’s General Assembly last year passed legislation requiring certification standards to conduct operational business. Joe DeVito of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs spoke Feb. 11 to Wayne County’s commissioners about the changing standards. The standardized training will ensure that all […]