An apartment project at the former Elder-Beerman site can now officially include first-floor and studio units. Richmond’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved in a Dec. 18 meeting televised by Whitewater Community Television a variance from the 700-square-foot minimum unit size and an exception for the first-floor apartments in the central business district zone. Developer Flaherty […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Firefighters’ deal includes 4.5% pay bumps in ’25, ’26
Richmond’s union firefighters will receive a 9% pay raise across the next two years, triple the raises they’ve received during the 2023-24 contract. A new two-year contract between the city and Richmond Professional Firefighters International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO Local 1408 was approved 3-0 by Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety members Dec. 19. […]
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$1 million payment protects ARPA money
With time ticking toward the end of 2024, Wayne County government worked to ensure that it would not return any of its American Rescue Plan Act dollars to the federal government. The county had until Dec. 31 to spend or commit — through contract, memorandum of understanding or interlocal agreement — the entire $12,797,195 it […]
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Reid Health EMS: Service with a cost
Reid Health EMS lost nearly $1 million providing emergency medical service during 2023 in Wayne County. Jacob Cox, the director of Reid’s EMS program, and Matthew Cain, director of Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, provided an update about EMS services during the Dec. 11 meeting of Wayne County’s commissioners. Cox said Reid billed patients and […]
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Paw-sitive partnership helps animals
Wayne County’s ability to help neglected and stray animals is far better today than it was a year ago. That results from the partnership between the county and the HELP the Animals shelter on West Main Street in Richmond. The two entities are completing the first year of a contract that HELP would accept animals […]
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U.S. 27 subdivision passes initial step
A planned eight- or nine-lot subdivision along Webster Road and U.S. 27 took an initial step toward development Dec. 12 by receiving a variance of use from Wayne County’s Board of Zoning Appeals. Webster Heights would use about 20 acres from two parcels that are bordered on the north by the Cummings Brothers subdivision. The […]
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Sheriff receives OK to purchase 2 drones
Drones now serve law enforcement in a variety of ways, sometimes when time is critical. Therefore, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office sought permission from Wayne County’s commissioners during their Dec. 11 meeting to purchase two outdoor drones. Commissioners unanimously approved $57,385.14 from opioid settlement money distributed to the sheriff’s department to purchase two Skydio X10 […]
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Zoning change clears way for apartments
Chester Heights Apartments turned away 31 qualified tenants during November, owner Jake Powers told Richmond Common Council members Dec. 2, because there simply were no units available to rent. Despite adding 96 units just a few years ago, the complex along Chester Boulevard needs more units to meet demand. Powers of Powers Property Investment LLC […]
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RP&L board approves $94M budget for 2025
Richmond Power & Light projects a net income of nearly $700,000 during 2025. The RP&L board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, approved RP&L’s 2025 budget during the board’s Dec. 2 meeting. The board met Nov. 12 for a detailed budget presentation. The budget expects total income of $95,168,883 with total expenses of […]
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Mixed feelings
When Mary Anne Butters sat on the floor reading to kindergartners in 2011, she noticed their shoes were in terrible shape — no laces or too small. A little research told her that Wayne County’s rate of children living in poverty ranked among Indiana’s worst. And the county ranked with Fayette County among Indiana’s worst […]