Seven communities joined Wayne County in its Stellar Pathways application. Commissioner Jeff Plasterer told Wayne County Council members May 1 that the Wayne County Foundation that day would submit a letter of intent to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Four finalists will be chosen to submit complete applications, and two will be […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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County donates properties to housing organizations
Bridges for Life and Good News Habitat for Humanity will receive property donations from Wayne County’s commissioners. During their April 10 meeting, commissioners unanimously voted to give each organization two properties that were slated for the deed sale. Bridges for Life prioritized — and will receive — properties on Crosshall and Butler streets, while Habitat […]
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County, city BZAs delay asphalt plant decisions
Highway projects inevitably hit delays. A Goshen-based construction company bidding for Interstate 70 work found delays on back-to-back nights last week while attempting to receive zoning variances for a temporary portable asphalt plant through 2028. Rieth-Riley Construction Company requested variances of use from Richmond to allow the plant at 450 W. Industries Road and from […]
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Centerville, Hagerstown join county’s Stellar Pathways application
Centerville and Hagerstown are joining other Wayne County communities in seeking Indiana’s Stellar Pathways funds. Neither participated in the county’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. Forward Wayne County’s Acacia St. John and county Commissioner Jeff Plasterer shared Stellar’s potential benefits during Centerville’s April 9 council meeting. St. John then also appeared before commissioners April 10, requesting […]
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EPA removes 4,800 tons of rubble from fire site
A five-month cleanup effort has removed most traces of last April’s devastating plastics fire from two of three North West F Street properties involved. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed about 4,800 tons of debris from the two city-owned sites — at 310 and 358 N.W. F St. — Mayor Ron Oler told Richmond Common […]
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Public access counselor receives complaint about Abington Township
Indiana’s public access counselor has received a formal complaint about the Abington Township trustee and advisory board regarding an alleged violation of the state’s open door law for government meetings. The complaint was lodged by a former Abington Township Volunteer Fire Department member who has provided the complaint and response from the state agency. He […]
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RP&L customers urged to manage accounts online
Richmond Power & Light customers are urged to use the SmartHub online tool to monitor and manage their accounts. General Manager Tony Foster explained the digital system during the RP&L board’s April 1 meeting. Richmond Common Council members comprise the RP&L board. Foster said that since the utility began using SmartHub in 2021, it mails […]
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Cappa fills seat for ‘dear friend and mentor’
Jeff Cappa left Richmond Common Council after one term to spend more time with his family. Then Bob Chamness, a man Cappa considers family, asked Cappa to replace Chamness on Wayne County Council, if the need would arise. Chamness died March 3, just more than a year into his third term, and a month later, […]
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Celebration without congestion, issues
The community prepared for massive crowds, traffic delays, and an eclipse celebration of a lifetime on April 8. In the end, the last one happened largely without the first two. There was heavy traffic around Indianapolis, and hotels did fill up much more than usual. But whether it was the abundance of viewing opportunities across […]
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Online vehicle auction proves success for county
Wayne County might have found a better way to rid itself of old, unwanted equipment. The county’s fleet management committee used a vehicle as a trial for an online auction, rather than waiting for an annual in-person auction. Steve Higinbotham, the county’s director of facilities and development, reported April 3 the trial was a success. […]