A state program might help Wayne County collect unpaid probation and community corrections fees. Kory George, the county’s chief probation officer, received commissioner approval Dec. 6 to use the Association of Indiana Counties’ Tax Refund Exchange and Compliance System program. George said he had heard from a colleague in another county about the program’s success. […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Richmond pursues funding for tree, recycling programs
Two initiatives could help Richmond with the city’s tree and recycling programs. Common Council on Dec. 4 voted 9-0 to allow a proposal submission to Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute for assistance valued at $142,000 and a grant application to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for $100,000. Richmond has previously participated in two Environmental […]
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County council OKs apartments funding
Wayne County Council officially provided its support Dec. 6 for an apartment project at the former Elder-Beerman site in Richmond. The $36 million investment package includes $2 million in consolidated EDIT money that requires council’s approval. Council members heard a presentation Nov. 15 about the project by Indianapolis-based Flaherty & Collins Properties to build 150 […]
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Library legacy
Jenie Lahmann has found magical opportunities at Morrisson-Reeves Library throughout her life. She checked out books and records during childhood visits with family or on her bicycle. As a 15-year-old, shelving books provided the perfect part-time job, which evolved into full-time work and a fun, challenging, rewarding career. Lahmann even found her husband, Frank, while […]
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RP&L’s approved 2024 budget anticipates $971K surplus
Richmond Power & Light anticipates net income of nearly a million dollars in 2024. The utility’s board of directors, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, approved the 2024 budget Dec. 4 that’s a 2.17% increase from 2023. The board also set the 2024 salaries for RP&L employees. The 2024 income and operating expenses […]
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City awards Smarrelli contract for RFD barn
Smarrelli General Contractor has been awarded the bid to build Richmond Fire Department a barn to store its standby trucks and other equipment. Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety voted 2-0 on Nov. 30 to accept Smarrelli’s $371,750 bid as recommended by RFD. Smarrelli’s bid was the lowest of five bidders, including Thor Construction […]
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Gas station under development for U.S. 27, interstate interchange
QuikTrip plans to build a convenience store and gas station at the U.S. 27 and Interstate 70 interchange in Richmond. Paperwork filed with the city’s planning and zoning department indicates QuikTrip has a contract to purchase about 11.5 acres northwest of the interchange. The company would raze existing structures to construct an 8,292-square-foot convenience store […]
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Daisy blooms as RFD comfort dog
If Richmond Fire Department personnel need an emotional boost, they can visit with the department’s four-legged member — Daisy, the new comfort dog. For now, Daisy relies on her cuteness and puppy personality to provide a pick-me-up and raise morale at the fire department and wherever she visits. However, she’s working hard at obedience training […]
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RFD program improves city’s mental health services
Richmond’s ability to assist residents struggling with mental health issues has improved the past two years thanks to a Richmond Fire Department program. RFD received a $1,024,000, two-year grant during early 2022 to develop a paramedicine program that has now transitioned into a mobile integrated health care program. The initial plan was to hire a […]
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Commissioners hope ARPA money will pay for fuel tank replacement
Wayne County’s commissioners plan to ask county council members to allocate $500,000 from American Rescue Plan Act dollars for the replacement of in-ground fuel tanks. Mike Sharp, the highway department’s superintendent, asked commissioners Nov. 8 to accept the $513,225 bid from Allied-Ott Petroleum Equipment. Commissioners unanimously did so. The highway department has two 12,000-gallon in-ground […]