Jenie Lahmann has found magical opportunities at Morrisson-Reeves Library throughout her life. She checked out books and records during childhood visits with family or on her bicycle. As a 15-year-old, shelving books provided the perfect part-time job, which evolved into full-time work and a fun, challenging, rewarding career. Lahmann even found her husband, Frank, while […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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RP&L’s approved 2024 budget anticipates $971K surplus
Richmond Power & Light anticipates net income of nearly a million dollars in 2024. The utility’s board of directors, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, approved the 2024 budget Dec. 4 that’s a 2.17% increase from 2023. The board also set the 2024 salaries for RP&L employees. The 2024 income and operating expenses […]
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City awards Smarrelli contract for RFD barn
Smarrelli General Contractor has been awarded the bid to build Richmond Fire Department a barn to store its standby trucks and other equipment. Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety voted 2-0 on Nov. 30 to accept Smarrelli’s $371,750 bid as recommended by RFD. Smarrelli’s bid was the lowest of five bidders, including Thor Construction […]
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Gas station under development for U.S. 27, interstate interchange
QuikTrip plans to build a convenience store and gas station at the U.S. 27 and Interstate 70 interchange in Richmond. Paperwork filed with the city’s planning and zoning department indicates QuikTrip has a contract to purchase about 11.5 acres northwest of the interchange. The company would raze existing structures to construct an 8,292-square-foot convenience store […]
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Daisy blooms as RFD comfort dog
If Richmond Fire Department personnel need an emotional boost, they can visit with the department’s four-legged member — Daisy, the new comfort dog. For now, Daisy relies on her cuteness and puppy personality to provide a pick-me-up and raise morale at the fire department and wherever she visits. However, she’s working hard at obedience training […]
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RFD program improves city’s mental health services
Richmond’s ability to assist residents struggling with mental health issues has improved the past two years thanks to a Richmond Fire Department program. RFD received a $1,024,000, two-year grant during early 2022 to develop a paramedicine program that has now transitioned into a mobile integrated health care program. The initial plan was to hire a […]
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Commissioners hope ARPA money will pay for fuel tank replacement
Wayne County’s commissioners plan to ask county council members to allocate $500,000 from American Rescue Plan Act dollars for the replacement of in-ground fuel tanks. Mike Sharp, the highway department’s superintendent, asked commissioners Nov. 8 to accept the $513,225 bid from Allied-Ott Petroleum Equipment. Commissioners unanimously did so. The highway department has two 12,000-gallon in-ground […]
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Council OKs county budget at just under $50 million
Wayne County’s 2024 budget falls just short of $50 million. Council unanimously approved the budget and the 2024 salary ordinance Nov. 1. That was the final day budgets could be approved, according to the state’s Department of Local Government Finance regulations. The budget includes $36,114,079.99 in the general fund and another $13,818,155 in other funds, […]
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2023 uncertified election results
9:15 p.m. – Ron Oler defeats Dave Snow for Richmond Mayor Although Richmond will have a new mayor, he won’t be a new face to area voters. Ron Oler, who has served on Richmond Common Council for 12 years, defeated two-term Richmond Mayor Dave Snow on Tuesday. In unofficial results, Oler, a Republican, received 51.23 […]
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Neighbors appeal BZA decisions allowing auction facility
An appeal filed in circuit court accuses Wayne County’s Board of Zoning Appeals members of hastily making a decision that would allow a U.S. 27 auction facility without fully considering neighbors’ concerns. John and Tammy Tackett, who live south of the proposed livestock, equipment and general merchandise auction facility, are appealing two BZA decisions made […]