The Abington Township board removed James Ausmus as the township fire department’s chief with a 2-1 vote March 26. Township Trustee Steven Kaiser said that during a meeting with an attorney, a determination was made that Ausmus breached his contract with the township and misused funds when distributing stipends to department officers during January. Ausmus […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Commissioners support Make My Move continuation
Thirteen families have already moved to Wayne County through the Make My Move program. Another two have accepted the county’s relocation incentive offers and a third is considering an offer, despite the fact the Make My Move contract ended Jan. 31. Wayne County’s commissioners would like to see Make My Move continue at least for […]
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Thrown by the Loop?
Richmond’s East Main Street and the Depot District are prepared for Phase 2 of the Loop transportation improvement project now that trees have been cleared. Milestone Contractors, however, will not begin construction until after the April 8 total solar eclipse, Mayor Ron Oler said. The Indiana Department of Transportation and the contractor control the project […]
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Program plans to better lives through training, tackling blight
Learning building trades could soon build better futures for participants who were chronically unsheltered or emerging from treatment programs or incarceration. Bridges for Life is developing a Building Together program that would provide low-cost housing and a six-month training program for participants renovating blighted homes. Tim Pierson and Jeff Holthouse of Bridges for Life updated […]
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Don’t get burned by being unprepared
April 8 presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Wayne County will be in the middle of a total solar eclipse’s path of totality. It’s an event to enjoy as the moon moves between Earth and the sun, with the moon’s shadow casting the county into darkness for up to 4 minutes, depending on location. Preparation and attention […]
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Beat the Heat hopes to provide residents air conditioning
Richmond’s Beat the Heat program hopes to distribute window air conditioning units with an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant. On March 18, Alison Zajdel of the Richmond Environmental Sustainability Commission requested that Richmond Common Council approve interlocal agreement with the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office and a city ordinance to accept $20,000 from […]
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Housing help precedes city’s camp removals
During his campaign, Mayor Ron Oler began thinking about the plight of unhoused people in Richmond encampments. Helping those people would address issues such as trash, open fires, noise and overdoses, and upon taking office, Oler tasked Richmond Police Department with leading the assistance effort. But, it wouldn’t just be a police endeavor. Oler said […]
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Opioid funds will buy sheriff drones, ATV
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has received permission to purchase five drones and a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle. During their March 20 meeting, Wayne County’s commissioners approved up to $85,000 for the purchases, allocating the money from the county’s opioid settlement distribution. The county recently received more than $345,000 from its 2023 settlement total of $442,308.30, […]
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Health First Indiana contracts on track to begin June 1
The Wayne County Health Department plans to have local agencies under contract by June 1 to provide core services required by Health First Indiana. During a March 12 meeting, the county’s Board of Health approved a contract template and timeline for requesting proposals, receiving grant applications and awarding funds from the $803,000 additional public health […]
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Plan your eclipse experience in advance
Richmond and Wayne County will be buzzing before the April 8 total solar eclipse. Visitors will fill hotels, campgrounds and other lodging options throughout the weekend leading up to the Monday celestial event. That’s going to increase traffic on local roads and demand at local businesses. A little planning and preparation can help smooth the […]