Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch enjoyed a celebration and viewed devastation May 9 during a spur-of-the-moment visit to Richmond. Crouch participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony as Test Intermediate School celebrated its 100th year, then she visited the site of the April 11 plastics fire, getting a firsthand look at the rubble remaining on the 13.8-acre site. […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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BZA votes clear path for solar park, grain facility
Richmond’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved variance requests last week that will allow an eighth solar park and a new grain handling company that will supply area pet food manufacturers. The requests for fence height by the Indiana Municipal Power Agency and for building height by Anchor Transload LLC needed and received affirmative votes from […]
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Plan addresses city heat dangers
Extreme heat takes a toll and presents a hazard to Richmond residents. The city now has a guide for alleviating heat-related problems for vulnerable residents. Richmond Common Council on May 1 adopted a heat management plan developed through the grant-funded Beat the Heat program. It addresses heat response protocols, public outreach, home cooling and climate […]
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Security wall divides officials’ opinions
Do staff in the Wayne County Administration Building need more security protection from the the residents and taxpayers they serve? That was the question debated by the county’s commissioners and council members during the May 3 council meeting. Amid concerns about a nationwide increase in gun violence and threats against government officials, local lawmakers have […]
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Cambridge City, county disagree on billing
Cambridge City and Wayne County officials differ as to who they think should bill property owners for the town’s stormwater fee, and an opinion from the state is being sought. The county added the assessment to property tax bills and collected $43,000 for the town during 2020, but 2023 is now the third year that […]
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New solar park to catch rays along U.S. 40
The Indiana Municipal Power Agency plans an eighth Richmond solar park, this one along U.S. 40 west of the city limits. IMPA submitted paperwork requesting relief from zoning standards about fence heights to install a 7-foot-high fence with another foot of barbed wire at the top. The request is similar to the fencing allowed at […]
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Richmond man deemed ‘dangerous’ 2 days before allegedly shooting neighbor
Two days before a Richmond man allegedly shot a neighbor, a Wayne County judge ruled him a dangerous person and decided a confiscated gun should not be returned. Charles R. Adams, 81, of the 2100 block of Flatley Road was wounded by Indiana State Police gunfire late May 4 after a nearly nine-hour standoff. Adams […]
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Fire experience: ‘It’s been horrible’
Talisha Spicher’s family has experienced breathing problems, coughs, sore throats and headaches since returning to their Linden Court home after Richmond’s plastics fire. Still, she had one main objective when attending an April 25 informational session at Fairview Elementary School. “We want to know if the soil is safe for our kids,” said Spicher, who […]
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County to extend syringe program
Wayne County’s syringe exchange program will apparently continue for another two years. County commissioners established support April 26 to extend the program that began in August 2016; however, Ron Cross, the county’s attorney, will draft a resolution before commissioners take their final vote. Christine Stinson, executive director of the Wayne County Health Department, presented April […]
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RFD contract provides 3% raise
Richmond’s firefighters will receive a 3% salary increase with their new two-year contract. The raise will be split with 1.5% this year and 1.5%, non-compounding, in 2024, according to the contract approved April 27 by the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety. The contract — and the raise makes the base firefighter salary $53,279.90 […]