Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher wants residents to save money when they pay property taxes next year. Therefore, he stresses that residents should ensure they have filed for deductions and credits for which they are eligible. For those owning their property by Dec. 31, the deadline to file is Jan. 15. Available deductions and credits […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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AFSCME workers get 3% raises
Union workers in Richmond’s parks, sanitary and street departments will receive 3% non-compounding pay increases the next three years. The raises are part of the new three-year contract between the city and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1791. The Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety approved the contract during […]
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Auction facility gets food truck approval
A food truck is now permitted to serve those attending auctions at a Wayne County facility. The Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals approved amendments to a variance of use and special exception for Midway Auction Barn LLC during its Dec. 11 meeting. The amendments permit a food truck on the east side of the […]
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Sheriff plans to lease 35 in-car computers
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office hopes that leasing instead of owning its in-car computers will save taxpayer dollars in the long run. During their Dec. 10 meeting, the county commissioners approved leasing 35 Panasonic laptops at an annual cost of about $36,000. Another $10,000 will be needed to adjust vehicle mounts to the new units. […]
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Food, beverage tax approved as parks funding solution
Every meal purchased at a Richmond restaurant soon will help the city’s park system. That’s after Richmond Common Council voted 8-1 during a Dec. 15 special meeting to enact a 1% food and beverage tax. State legislation passed this year permitted the city to enact up to a 1% tax on food and beverage sales […]
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Board OKs RP&L’s $98.6M budget
Richmond Power & Light budgeted expenses of more than $98.6 million for 2026. That’s a 0.4% increase over the 2025 budget. “When we looked at our department-by-department expenses, we tried to do our very best to have a status quo expense budget this year,” said Tony Foster, general manager for RP&L during the Dec. 1 […]
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Sheriff’s department spreads Christmas cheer
Santa Claus and a toy add cheer to most any child’s Christmas. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office plans to spread that cheer with a family-friendly Christmas event from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 13 in the chambers room of the Wayne County Administration Building, 401 E. Main St., Richmond. The event is open to the […]
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Friends: Hamm ‘really cared about our area’
Former Indiana State Rep. Richard Hamm stayed connected to state and local government through chats over spicy shrimp, sugar cream pie and meals at the VFW. In addition to his years of helping Wayne County residents at the state level, Hamm was known for decades of providing jobs and supporting many nonprofit organizations. Friends shared […]
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Council to take public input on tax
Are Richmond residents willing to spend pennies more anytime they eat out to benefit the city’s parks? Richmond Common Council will soon find out. Council scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, to hear public opinions about the proposed 1% city food and beverage tax. The meeting will be in council chambers […]
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Lot’s future: Green space to enjoy lunch
A grassy plot sits next to the Romey and Evans buildings that Eric Dimick Eastman owns on the northwest corner of East Main and 10th streets. Dimick Eastman, though, sees the 0.15-acre plot’s future with paths, tables, seating, trees and bushes next to the makerspace, called The Hive, he’s creating inside his buildings. He showed […]