The Gateway Industrial Park in Cambridge City needs an increased water supply, and countywide, neighborhoods need revitalization. Supporting proposals that address those two issues could cost Wayne County government more than $2 million from taxpayer dollars. Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, addressed county council members and commissioners about those […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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$7M parks project list awaits new tax dollars
Richmond’s parks system shows wear and tear — whether it’s the aging Glen Miller Park playground or building roofs, the Glen Miller pond or park trails. Officials say there’s never been enough money to handle all of the parks department’s yearly needs but the city is progressing toward implementing a 1% food and beverage tax […]
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RP&L pursues 2 equipment purchases
Two capital purchases for its line department could cost Richmond Power & Light more than $475,000. During its Nov. 3 meeting, the utility’s board approved spending $301,338 for a 71-foot bucket truck, awarding the bid to Altec Industries of Indianapolis. The bid was opened during the board’s October meeting. Altec bid $307,338 for the bucket […]
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City’s arborist hoping to pursue urban forestry certificate
Richmond Parks and Recreation Department’s certified arborist hopes the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will pay for her to earn a graduate certificate in urban forestry. Laura Karnes, the parks department’s landscape and naturalist leader, should learn this month if the DNR will fund the $11,422 cost of Oregon State University’s program. During its Nov. […]
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UPDATED: City council vote supports new food and beverage tax
An 8-1 vote on Monday put Richmond one step closer to enacting a new food and beverage tax. Richmond Common Council passed a resolution Nov. 17 supporting a city food and beverage tax. If adopted the tax would provide a new funding source for city parks, trails and Whitewater Gorge activation. Council will likely consider […]
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Holiday bonus for workers on county health plan
Wayne County government employees participating in the county’s self-funded health-insurance program will receive a holiday bonus. During their Nov. 5 meeting, the county commissioners unanimously voted that those employees would not pay December premiums, although the county will still pay its monthly premium share. Employee-paid premiums total about $80,000 each month. As of Nov. 5, […]
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Health First Indiana funding requests reduced 30%
Three organizations will receive about 70% of their 2026 funding requests from the Wayne County Department of Health’s $200,000 Health First Indiana budget. The county’s health board approved the distribution plan during its Nov. 4 meeting. During the October meeting, the board approved awarding 2026 funding to Reid Health, Bridges for Life and Birth to […]
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Council supports another wage analysis of county positions
Wayne County Council will pursue another wage study in 2026 by consultant Waggoner Irwin Scheele and Associates of Muncie. During its Nov. 5 meeting, council authorized Kim Clauser, the county’s human resources director, to seek a letter of engagement from the consultant in time for council’s Nov. 19 workshop. Clauser told council that acting early […]
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Mayor Oler: ‘We’re working the comprehensive plan’ goals
Richmond Mayor Ron Oler thinks some cities put their comprehensive plans on a shelf after developing them, and doesn’t intend to let that happen here. “We’re working the comprehensive plan; that’s the best part,” Oler said Oct. 29 after the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission voted 7-0 to recommend Richmond Common Council approve the update of […]
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Students add flair to the snow fleet
Some Richmond and Wayne County snow plows will look different when you see them plowing roads this winter. You might see one telling you to “Think Spring,” with a vibrant sun. Or, one with a viper. Or, one with snowmen. A project allowed schoolchildren from Richmond Community Schools, Centerville-Abington schools and Western Wayne schools to […]