When Cathy Williams was trying to help a resident regain solid footing after battling addiction, she learned that Indiana had made regaining a driver’s license easier for some suspended drivers. A 2022 law change enables reinstatement of driving privileges while delaying payments, whether for citations or the reinstatement fees. Williams, a Wayne County Council member, […]

Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
Courthouse fencing signals new project
Signs of another project have appeared like spring flowers around the Wayne County Courthouse. Fencing has been erected near the courthouse’s east entrance in preparation for rebuilding the plaza leading to the entrance. Steve Higinbotham, the county administrator, updated Wayne County Council about the project during council’s April 2 meeting. The project, which was projected […]
Merit board demotes RPD investigator
The Richmond Police Department Merit Commission demoted an RPD investigator to patrolman during a special session April 3. Jeremy Worch will not be fired as recommended by RPD administration. During the quick meeting attended by about 30 people, most of them RPD officers, the merit commission members denied terminating Worch. They also recommended Worch receive […]
Stoplight could ease U.S. 35’s traffic issues
Trucks turning at the Love’s Travel Stop complicate U.S. 35 traffic when speeding vehicles encounter the stopped or slowly moving semis. Building a convenience store and gas station across the street might address some traffic difficulties by adding a traffic light. U.S. 35 traffic north of Interstate 70 was a concern during the March 26 […]
Skup begins fighting crime
Sheriff Randy Retter played tug-of-war with one of Wayne County’s newest crime fighters, and Skup kept a firm grip on his toy ball. Skup and Deputy Tyler Greene are the county’s newest K-9 team, having completed their training Feb. 21 at Ultimate Canine. So far, there haven’t been any big drug busts, but Skup has […]
Court cases more often require translators, increasing cost
Wayne County’s court system is dealing more frequently with language barriers that require translators. To make sure there’s enough money, Wayne County Council created a new budget line item in the court services 2025 budget and transferred $10,000 to that line item from the pauper attorney line item. Adam McQueen, the assistant chief probation officer, […]
Explosion survivor wants memorial moved
The nightmare of being trapped in a building and surrounded by fire now only haunts Jack Bales occasionally nearly 57 years after he survived two explosions in downtown Richmond. On April 6, 1968, Bales was in Marting Arms on the southeast corner of Sixth and Main streets, standing next to his friend, Greg Oler. An […]
Recycling breakup navigates asset split
Wayne County will receive about $230,000 and Union County about $25,000 from the distribution of Wayne Union Recycling’s assets. During a joint meeting March 21 in Union County’s courthouse, the WUR board, Union County commissioners and Wayne County commissioners approved an analysis of WUR assets and obligations, the distribution of assets and allocation of responsibilities […]
BZA’s fireworks decision faces appeal
A father and son who want to store fireworks on an Esteb Road property appealed a Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals decision that would prevent that. Gary Wolff and Jesse Wolff were denied a variance of use that would have permitted 12 storage containers for consumer fireworks at 4937 Esteb Road, which is zoned […]
Prosecutor asks judge to dismiss lawsuit
Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman has requested dismissal of a lawsuit filed against him by Richmond Police Department Major Adam Blanton. Blanton filed the lawsuit, which was later joined by the city of Richmond, after Shipman placed him on the locally maintained Brady-Giglio list, which identifies law enforcement officers whose testimony in court could become […]