Two men who once teamed up to get each other elected are now exchanging criticisms in the public square. Mayor Ron Oler issued a signed statement Tuesday responding to a Facebook post by Richmond Common Council member Jerry Purcell that the statement said included “blatant factual inaccuracies.” Oler’s statement was approved by the city’s legal […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Veterinarian adds bite into animal programs
The animal welfare project in Wayne County’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program began by sniffing out possibilities and is now digging up real solutions. Dr. Stacy Kostiuk, a local veterinarian, updated the county’s commissioners Nov. 13 about progress she’s made implementing ideas to alleviate the county’s issue with cats and dogs. Part of her presentation included […]
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No boom, only bust for BZA’s fireworks hearing
More than 20 people expecting fireworks attended the Nov. 14 Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, but their issue of concern fizzled. The five-member board was scheduled to hear a petition from Gary Wolff and Jesse Wolff requesting a variance of use to permit 12 shipping containers storing fireworks at 4937 Esteb Road, which […]
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Richmond board orders vicious dog’s euthanasia
A dog deemed vicious by Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety has been ordered to be euthanized. The board determined the dog owned by Brandon Wood of the 1900 block of Valley Drive was vicious during its Nov. 7 meeting. Then, on Nov. 14, the board voted 3-0 that the dog should be euthanized […]
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Longtime council member must resign
Wayne County Council member Tony Gillam stunned his colleagues during their Nov. 6 meeting by announcing he must resign from the District 4 seat he’s occupied for two decades. Gillam had been shopping for a new home and the one he found — one he said he’s loved since it was built in the early […]
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County steps toward dissolving WUR
Calling Wayne Union Recycling a “cumbersome” process to administer, Wayne County’s commissioners took the first step Nov. 6 toward dissolving the quasi-government organization. Commissioners Jeff Plasterer and Brad Dwenger asked county attorney Ron Cross to prepare the necessary resolutions. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters could not attend the meeting. WUR formed three decades ago with Wayne, […]
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Volunteers dig in with tree-planting project
Javier Orduz and his sons, Andre and Mathias, planted a tree Nov. 9 along the west side of South 10th Street near Hibberd school. They were among about 25 volunteers helping with the effort to improve the tree canopy. After watching Aren Flint and Kelley Scholfield of Davey Resource Group demonstrate the process, the Orduzes […]
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Leftover HELP dollars address animal issues
The city of Richmond and Wayne County government are using leftover Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program dollars to spay and neuter dogs and cats. A spay and neuter clinic for dogs is scheduled for Nov. 18 at Animal Care Alliance, followed by clinics for cats on Nov. 19 and 20. Mayor Ron Oler said during the […]
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IMPA chooses RP&L for 1st solar battery
Richmond Power & Light is in line to receive assistance serving customers during peak demand times. The Indiana Municipal Power Agency’s board of commissioners voted at its Oct. 25 meeting to allocate funds for a battery energy storage system at the Richmond 6 solar park. Tony Foster, the general manager of RP&L, informed his board, […]
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PHOTOS: Our flag, their legacy
Parade goers waved flags and paid tribute to the service of military veterans during the Veterans Day parade in Richmond on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. View photos captured by Joshua Smith in our gallery below.