The demotion of a Richmond Police Department officer resulted from a 26-second incident during which he threatened to smack another officer in the mouth. During an April 3 special meeting, RPD’s Merit Commission, which had conducted a March 24 hearing, rejected the administration’s request to fire Jeremy Worch, an 11-year RPD officer. Instead, Worch, who […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Resources available to protect children
The Wayne County Health Department provides childhood vaccines to keep children safe from disease, but that’s not the only way it works to protect children. Trauma and injury prevention is one of the key performance indicators measured by the Health First Indiana program. With the HFI funding, the department and its partners have developed a […]
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Helpers rally to clean up flood debris
Volunteers pitched in to help schools, neighbors and even sports foes after significant flooding in Wayne and surrounding counties that damaged roads and delayed events. Throughout the April 4-6 weekend, widespread rainfall totaled more than 6 inches over a three- to four-day period, according to Matthew Cain, director of Wayne County Emergency Communications and Emergency […]
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Infrastructure funds set for 82 home sites
Infrastructure costs ground some Wayne County subdivision expansions to a halt, remaining stagnant despite plat approvals. Helping restart those projects was prioritized during Hoosier Enduring Legacy Planning, with more than a million dollars allocated to infrastructure projects. The Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County has vetted developers and their projects to determine a funding plan […]
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Town’s fire bill lowered for 2025
Spring Grove will pay Richmond Fire Department less this year for fire coverage than anticipated. A discussion among Mayor Ron Oler and Spring Grove’s town board at the board’s Feb. 11 meeting set the change in motion. The city believed that Spring Grove owed a past-due amount for fire coverage; however, Oler blamed the situation […]
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Commissioners cancel April deed sale
Wayne County’s commissioners canceled the annual deed sale of properties. The commissioners reviewed 18 properties eligible for the sale during their April 2 meeting. The city of Richmond requested the county convey nine of those properties to the city. Commissioners voted unanimously to fulfill the city’s request. The city has preliminarily been awarded Regional Economic […]
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Path eases for regaining driving privileges
When Cathy Williams was trying to help a resident regain solid footing after battling addiction, she learned that Indiana had made regaining a driver’s license easier for some suspended drivers. A 2022 law change enables reinstatement of driving privileges while delaying payments, whether for citations or the reinstatement fees. Williams, a Wayne County Council member, […]
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Courthouse fencing signals new project
Signs of another project have appeared like spring flowers around the Wayne County Courthouse. Fencing has been erected near the courthouse’s east entrance in preparation for rebuilding the plaza leading to the entrance. Steve Higinbotham, the county administrator, updated Wayne County Council about the project during council’s April 2 meeting. The project, which was projected […]
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Merit board demotes RPD investigator
The Richmond Police Department Merit Commission demoted an RPD investigator to patrolman during a special session April 3. Jeremy Worch will not be fired as recommended by RPD administration. During the quick meeting attended by about 30 people, most of them RPD officers, the merit commission members denied terminating Worch. They also recommended Worch receive […]
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Stoplight could ease U.S. 35’s traffic issues
Trucks turning at the Love’s Travel Stop complicate U.S. 35 traffic when speeding vehicles encounter the stopped or slowly moving semis. Building a convenience store and gas station across the street might address some traffic difficulties by adding a traffic light. U.S. 35 traffic north of Interstate 70 was a concern during the March 26 […]