Richmond Parks and Recreation Department’s certified arborist hopes the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will pay for her to earn a graduate certificate in urban forestry. Laura Karnes, the parks department’s landscape and naturalist leader, should learn this month if the DNR will fund the $11,422 cost of Oregon State University’s program. During its Nov. […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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UPDATED: City council vote supports new food and beverage tax
An 8-1 vote on Monday put Richmond one step closer to enacting a new food and beverage tax. Richmond Common Council passed a resolution Nov. 17 supporting a city food and beverage tax. If adopted the tax would provide a new funding source for city parks, trails and Whitewater Gorge activation. Council will likely consider […]
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Holiday bonus for workers on county health plan
Wayne County government employees participating in the county’s self-funded health-insurance program will receive a holiday bonus. During their Nov. 5 meeting, the county commissioners unanimously voted that those employees would not pay December premiums, although the county will still pay its monthly premium share. Employee-paid premiums total about $80,000 each month. As of Nov. 5, […]
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Health First Indiana funding requests reduced 30%
Three organizations will receive about 70% of their 2026 funding requests from the Wayne County Department of Health’s $200,000 Health First Indiana budget. The county’s health board approved the distribution plan during its Nov. 4 meeting. During the October meeting, the board approved awarding 2026 funding to Reid Health, Bridges for Life and Birth to […]
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Council supports another wage analysis of county positions
Wayne County Council will pursue another wage study in 2026 by consultant Waggoner Irwin Scheele and Associates of Muncie. During its Nov. 5 meeting, council authorized Kim Clauser, the county’s human resources director, to seek a letter of engagement from the consultant in time for council’s Nov. 19 workshop. Clauser told council that acting early […]
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Mayor Oler: ‘We’re working the comprehensive plan’ goals
Richmond Mayor Ron Oler thinks some cities put their comprehensive plans on a shelf after developing them, and doesn’t intend to let that happen here. “We’re working the comprehensive plan; that’s the best part,” Oler said Oct. 29 after the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission voted 7-0 to recommend Richmond Common Council approve the update of […]
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Students add flair to the snow fleet
Some Richmond and Wayne County snow plows will look different when you see them plowing roads this winter. You might see one telling you to “Think Spring,” with a vibrant sun. Or, one with a viper. Or, one with snowmen. A project allowed schoolchildren from Richmond Community Schools, Centerville-Abington schools and Western Wayne schools to […]
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Library searches for best path forward
Annelise DeLucio thinks a safer, reimagined Morrisson-Reeves Library is worth paying additional property taxes. She told more than 75 people attending an Oct. 28 informational meeting in the Reid Center that she doesn’t mind paying taxes when the money is used appropriately, such as for MRL’s estimated $23,815,000 project that led the library to request […]
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City cuts 21 employees to make budget work
A 2026 city budget Richmond Mayor Ron Oler called “realistic” and “workable” before it was passed by Common Council will cost the city 21 employees. The impacted employees — a 5% reduction in workforce — were notified Friday, Oct. 31, Oler said during a news conference, and will remain with the city through Dec. 31. […]
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Richmond requests state roads funding
Richmond will apply for more than a half-million dollars from the state’s Community Crossings program to pave 12 road segments next year. Richmond Common Council approved 8-0 during its Oct. 20 meeting an ordinance permitting submission to the Indiana Department of Transportation of a grant application for $584,446.50. The city would need to match those […]