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 […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Short-staffed RFD searches for solutions
Staffing continues to challenge Richmond Fire Department. Chief Jeff Kinder told Richmond Common Council members that RFD has 11 openings among its 85 budgeted positions, and five members are scheduled to retire this year. He provided council with a departmental review during the March 17 meeting. The staffing shortage creates problems managing overtime. Fire department […]
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BZA rejects 2 businesses in ag zoning
The Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals twice decided March 13 that light manufacturing and light industrial businesses were not appropriate at residences on agriculturally zoned properties. BZA members denied two variances of use by men wanting to open businesses. David Stoltzfus wanted to build sheds at 5869 Dingle Road in Greens Fork, and Abner […]
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Crain building conundrum and conversation continue
Time has done the former Crain Sanitarium building and the house next door no favors. Both buildings have sat deteriorating for years, and despite growing interest to salvage the structures, time continues to pass. The buildings again were a discussion topic during the March 10 Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Michele Walker, the commission president, said […]
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Dot Foods to move health clinic
Dot Foods plans to move its family health clinic onto its Gateway Industrial Park facility. The services available for employees and families will be located in a permanent, modular building at the east end of an existing parking lot accessible from Gateway Road. The building plan shows two examination rooms, a lab, restrooms, office and […]
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Health officer recommends ensuring measles protection
A child died in Texas during a recent measles outbreak, so Dr. Jennifer Bales, Wayne County’s health officer, advocated for measles vaccinations during the March 11 Board of Health meeting. Bales said it’s not time to panic because she had not heard about any cases in Indiana. However, she said residents should make sure they’re […]
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Downtown building again to shelter women
A South 11th Street building will again provide safety for women. Susan Isaacs, the Wayne Township trustee, received a variance of use from the Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals to operate a temporary shelter at 15 S. 11th St. The unanimous vote March 12 permits safe housing in the building formerly used as a Genesis […]