Wayne County’s commissioners asked the county’s elected officials and department heads for their ideas about possible uses of more than $5.23 million in available American Rescue Plan Act and opioid settlement dollars. Those two areas of funding were addressed during an Oct. 25 meeting designed to discuss and receive feedback on multiple topics. The county […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Richmond council approves $18M in investments
Richmond became the final participant to approve Wayne County’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program strategic investment plan during the Oct. 16 Common Council meeting. Council members heard a comprehensive presentation about the nine projects anticipated to result in $18,809,776 of investment. Four projects, with an expected investment of $5,075,000, are shared with Wayne County, while another […]
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Down to the wire with county’s 2024 budget
Wayne County Council planned to adopt the county’s 2024 budget during its Oct. 18 workshop; however, that did not occur. Instead, adoption was delayed until council’s next scheduled meeting on Nov. 1, which is the approval deadline established by the Department of Local Government Finance. Previously, council voted to raise employee salaries to job-specific midpoints […]
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Flood of liquor store opposition keeps Chester Boulevard corner dry
The first six speakers opposing a proposed liquor store on the southeast corner of Chester Boulevard and Sylvan Nook Drive received rousing applause during an Oct. 17 Spring Grove Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. At that point, about a half-hour into the meeting, Harvinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh turned to the nearly 50 people attending […]
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Preparations continue ahead of South G Street bridge project
Wayne County continues preparing for the 2024 renovation of the South G Street bridge in Richmond. During their Oct. 18 meeting, the three county commissioners unanimously passed a memorandum of understanding with the city of Richmond that allows access through city property for the bridge project. The county will return the property to its existing […]
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EPA to cover $2.8M cost for fire cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will fund and perform the hazardous waste cleanup on two Richmond-owned properties where an April industrial fire occurred. The EPA and city announced last week that heavy equipment would begin appearing as soon as this week for the cleanup of 310 N.W. F St. and 358 N.W. F St. The […]
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Dublin approves $850K in improvements
Dublin became the latest community to approve Wayne County’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program strategic investment plan. Commissioner Jeff Plasterer shared during the Oct. 11 commissioners meeting that Dublin was the final participating town to vote its approval, doing so during an Oct. 10 meeting. That leaves only Richmond among the eight participants — also including […]
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Tire recycling event collects nearly 23 tons
Wayne Union Recycle collected about 23 tons of used tires during a recycling program Sept. 30 at six sites. During an Oct. 11 WUR board meeting, volunteers described turning away dozens of vehicles because the receptacles were filled. Union County’s site turned away 41 vehicles because the receptacle, which was delivered by Best Way, was […]
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Coal reliance for local electricity diminishes during past decade
More of the electricity Richmond Power & Light purchases comes from renewables and nuclear generation. The Indiana Municipal Power Agency, which supplies 61 communities with municipally owned utilities, has reduced its reliance on coal during the past decade. RP&L General Manager shared with his board of directors Oct. 2 parts of a presentation IMPA President […]
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County receives help with HELP projects
Two Wayne County groups will take over management of Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program projects after Oct. 4 decisions by the county’s commissioners, including one described as “irresponsible governing.” The three commissioners unanimously agreed that the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County would organize and operate blight elimination within Wayne County. The EDC’s Sarah Mitchell previously […]