Beginning Oct. 1, Richmond Power & Light customers will pay more per kilowatt-hour for their electric usage. Richmond Common Council approved during its Aug. 17 meeting a new RP&L rate schedule that will increase residential rates 11.0% through 2029. Council members had previously approved the schedule when voting as the RP&L board. The Oct. 1 […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Glen Miller playground work to begin Sept. 14
When weather warms in spring 2027, Glen Miller Park’s brand new playground and splash pad should greet Richmond children. Work is set to begin Sept. 14 on the $2 million project. Denise Retz, the city’s parks superintendent, discussed the playground with the Richmond Parks and Recreation Board during its Aug. 20 meeting. Immediately following that […]
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Y’s plan: Explore old hospital site
Imagine driving down Chester Boulevard and seeing children playing football, soccer, softball and baseball in the abandoned lot where Reid Hospital once stood. Nearly two decades after the hospital left its 1401 Chester Blvd. location, that vision could replace the sight of overgrown weeds and environmental mitigation work. Richmond Family YMCA has expressed interest in […]
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County extends disaster declaration 7 days
Wayne County’s commissioners extended the county’s disaster declaration another seven days. Matthew Cain, director of Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, requested the extension during the Aug. 19 Wayne County Council and commissioners workshop. The county must reconsider a disaster declaration every seven days, and the original declaration was made during the Aug. 12 rainstorm that […]
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Flood-hit businesses can get $5K
Wayne County small businesses struggling after the Aug. 12 floods have an opportunity to receive grants up to $5,000. The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce announced Aug. 21 the Business Bridge Grant Program operating through its Chamber Center for Excellence. The program makes $3,000 to $5,000 available for small businesses. Funding comes from the […]
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Consultant lauds ‘unexciting’ drug program audit
The Wayne County Health Department’s 340B federal drug program has improved and is in good shape moving forward, according to the department’s consultant. Joshua Free of Nelco Advisory reported audit findings during the Wayne County Board of Health’s Aug. 11 meeting. Free said the audit was “unexciting,” just like it should be. Nelco was contracted […]
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Smith Hill proposes 265 units by 2044
The Smith Hill planned unit development will include 167 single-family homes and 98 townhomes, with the completed development expected about in 2044, according to a detailed development plan submitted to Richmond’s planning department. Smith Hill submitted a drainage plan and traffic study for one of two upcoming steps necessary for the development to proceed. The […]
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Opioid grants to ‘change people’s lives’
Wayne County has more than a quarter of a million dollars this year to combat drug use and overdose. The money represents the county’s share of state settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers in the fifth year receiving annual payments. The state attorney general’s office estimates the county will receive $3,877,700.26 in settlement money […]
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Test Road park passes floodwater test
The new Test Road Trailhead was completely covered by floodwaters Aug. 12 that left downed trees, limbs, debris and muck. But that was a big win for the parks department. Denise Retz, Richmond’s parks superintendent, said the new amenities performed exactly as designed and emerged undamaged. The unfortunate flooding provided a test that built confidence […]
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Care necessary with cleanup work, water, food
Work quickly began on flood-damaged Wayne County buildings, but those doing the work should protect themselves, according to the Wayne County Health Department. Proper protection equipment, such as gloves and rubber boots, should be worn when working in flooded or damaged areas, Dan Burk, director of the health department, told WWN. Burk also recommends those […]