In 2029, Richmond Sanitary District’s residential customers could pay sewer rates nearly 23% higher than today’s, costing a 4,000-gallon-a-month user about $150 extra for the year. Pat Smoker, the sanitary district’s supervisor, presented Richmond Common Council during its Aug. 4 meeting with an ordinance that would raise sewer rates and the storm water rate. Council […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Safety training ‘crucial’ for RP&L
Richmond Power & Light’s workforce is younger and less experienced following recent retirements, making safety training “crucial,” according to General Manager Tony Foster. Foster highlighted the utility’s safety training efforts during the RP&L board’s Aug. 4 meeting. RP&L has adopted the American Public Power Association’s safety manual as its safety guide, and as a member […]
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City accepts dismissal of RPD major’s lawsuit
The city of Richmond is not pursuing further legal action after a special judge dismissed Richmond Police Department Major Adam Blanton’s lawsuit against Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman. Mayor Ron Oler issued a news release Aug. 7 standing behind the lawsuit Blanton filed, which the city then joined, after Shipman placed Blanton on the county’s […]
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Residents oppose state ‘bullying’ over road funds
A handful of Wayne County residents stressed two points during Wayne County Council’s Aug. 6 public hearing about local option highway user taxes: Don’t be bullied by the state legislature, and don’t enact new taxes. The state legislature has changed the way counties and municipalities will receive highway and bridge funding by reducing the amount […]
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State makes new local taxes seem inevitable
Indiana’s legislature is forcing the question of how much government is too much government on communities across the state, and Wayne County residents could soon pay new local income taxes as a result. The Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly implemented property tax reform this year, limiting how much property tax revenue cities and counties can expect […]
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Firefighter to receive half his OT request
A Richmond Fire Department firefighter will receive overtime payment for half of the hours he spends in a paramedicine course after his grievance was partially supported by the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety. The board voted 3-0 after an hour-and-a-half discussion July 17 to award Michael Stolzfus half of the estimated $15,840 of […]
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Council reluctantly considers new taxes
State lawmakers are essentially blackmailing local lawmakers in to imposing new taxes on residents who drive. That’s according to Wayne County Council members who reluctantly voted July 16 to consider requiring residents pay a new annual fee when registering their vehicles. The local option highway user taxes include a wheel tax of up to $80 […]
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Cuts coming as county considers 2026 budget
When you need more money than you have, what do you do? Wayne County Council began trying to answer that question for the 2026 budgeting process in earnest on July 16, spending about 5 1/2 hours listening to departmental budget proposals. A lot of work and many difficult decisions remain prior to budget adoption late […]
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Garage demolition receives Historic Preservation OK
Renowned architect John Hasecoster designed the Free Classic-style home at 1907 E. Main St. in Richmond late in the 19th century, but the garage currently behind the historic home wasn’t built until after Hasecoster sold the property. Now, that deteriorated garage, which is about 95 years old, will be demolished. Property owner Jack Cruse received […]
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Welding, fabrication business receives OK
An Economy man’s second attempt before the Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals turned out in his favor July 10. Abner King received a variance of use to operate a welding and fabricating business to repair agricultural equipment from a detached garage at his Manning Road residence. King previously requested the variance during March’s BZA […]