The Depot District is Richmond’s first Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. Richmond Common Council passed two DORA ordinances with 6-3 votes Dec. 18. The first allows the city to establish up to the state maximum seven DORAs, and the second created the Depot DORA. A new state law permits cities to establish areas exempt from certain […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Plastics company files $700K lawsuit for lost property
The plastics recycling business involved in an April 11 industrial fire has named the city and state in a lawsuit seeking $700,000 in damages. Cornerstone Trading Group’s lawsuit in Circuit Court names the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the city of Richmond and Richmond Fire Department as defendants. It claims the company has property within […]
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Auditor: Going digital will better serve taxpayers
Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher plans to computerize more of his office’s functions. Hoelscher spoke with Western Wayne News about his plans, then addressed the Wayne County commissioners during their Dec. 13 meeting with department heads. He said the changes will be a major step forward in the county’s finances. “These are changes I want […]
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New RPD 2-year contract raises officer pay 3%
Richmond Police Department officers will receive 3% raises over the next two years. The city of Richmond and John Hennigar Lodge No. 63 of the Fraternal Order of Police reached agreement on a new two-year contract for 2024 and 2025. Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved 3-0 the contract Dec. 14. The 1.5%, […]
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Recalled cinnamon fruit pouches contain lead
Recalled cinnamon-flavored products sold at local Dollar Tree locations have been removed from store shelves. Products included in the nationwide recall include WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches, Schnucks cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety packs, and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches. Becca Alliston, the clinical director for the Wayne County Health Department, said the health department […]
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Thankful mayor lives his dream
A young Dave Snow dreamed about two things: being on the radio and serving as Richmond’s mayor, two jobs that connect with his hometown community. Mayors spoke to students, and Snow would hang on every word, fascinated with their work. Later, while a broadcaster, Snow knew Mayor Sally Hutton, who eventually encouraged him to try […]
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State program would help collect unpaid fees
A state program might help Wayne County collect unpaid probation and community corrections fees. Kory George, the county’s chief probation officer, received commissioner approval Dec. 6 to use the Association of Indiana Counties’ Tax Refund Exchange and Compliance System program. George said he had heard from a colleague in another county about the program’s success. […]
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Richmond pursues funding for tree, recycling programs
Two initiatives could help Richmond with the city’s tree and recycling programs. Common Council on Dec. 4 voted 9-0 to allow a proposal submission to Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute for assistance valued at $142,000 and a grant application to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for $100,000. Richmond has previously participated in two Environmental […]
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County council OKs apartments funding
Wayne County Council officially provided its support Dec. 6 for an apartment project at the former Elder-Beerman site in Richmond. The $36 million investment package includes $2 million in consolidated EDIT money that requires council’s approval. Council members heard a presentation Nov. 15 about the project by Indianapolis-based Flaherty & Collins Properties to build 150 […]
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Library legacy
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 […]