Regulations that protect bats required Wayne County to urgently pay a bridge project invoice, and that required a special Wayne County Council meeting March 14. Indiana Department of Transportation regulations adapted from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service require any tree removal for transportation projects occur between Oct. 1 and March 31 when Indiana bats […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
Posted inNews
County considers claiming Clyde Moberly Road
Wayne County’s commissioners named Clyde Moberly Road in 1977. Since then, the county has treated the road as one of its own — maintaining it, plowing snow from it and putting new asphalt on it. Officially, though, it isn’t a county road, leaving it considered a private lane. The dead-end road that drops south off […]
Posted inNews
Protect your eyes from permanent damage
Viewing the April 8 solar eclipse requires special eye protection, except during the 4 minutes or so of totality. Wear eclipse glasses or hold solar viewers during the partial phases of the eclipse to prevent the bright sun from damaging retinal cells in the eyes. Even a quick glance could result in permanent eye damage. […]
Posted inNews
RP&L continues meter conversion
Richmond Power and Light expects to complete its transition to advanced metering infrastructure two years ahead of schedule, according to General Manager Tony Foster. AMI meters enable two-way communication between the meter and the utility’s office, Foster said during the March 4 meeting of RP&L’s board of directors, which is composed of Richmond Common Council […]
Posted inNews
‘A true public servant’
For nearly five decades, Bob Chamness served Wayne County citizens with the sheriff’s department, probation department and county council. Chamness, 72, died March 3, and how much he will be missed was evident during county government meetings March 6. Somber council members and others shared their feelings and memories about Chamness. “(If) you watch Bob […]
Posted inNews
Documentary series to feature Richmond
A film crew will collect stories about Richmond’s history for a documentary. Mayor Ron Oler told Richmond Common Council members during their March 4 meeting that Ball State University PBS wants input from anyone with history and artifacts about the city for “Now Entering … Richmond.” The documentary is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. […]
Posted inNews
County receives $368K opioid settlement payment
Wayne County’s 2023 opioid settlement is in the bank. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters reported during the commissioners’ March 6 meeting that the county received a $368,260 payment consisting of its remaining 2023 distribution and an initial part of its 2024 distribution. The county’s share is part of $44.7 million distributed by the state attorney general’s […]
Posted inNews
Don’t be in the dark about the total solar eclipse
Wayne County will soon witness a rare celestial event. Dalton Township is one of the best viewing spots in the world to see the total solar eclipse shortly after 3 p.m. April 8, but local eclipse activities will span the weekend as the county expects thousands of visitors to share the nearly 4 minutes of […]
Posted inNews
Grant money helps sheriff’s officers ID drugs
Light passed into crumbs from the crushed cashew covering the small diamond sensor. Within a minute, the Target-ID from Smiths Detection identified the cashew’s composition. The top three ingredients listed on the display were cottonseed oil, castor oil and olive oil. The demonstration inside the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office evidence area showed how Target-ID could […]
Posted inNews
Rising construction costs leave bridge funding gaps
Rapidly rising construction prices mean Wayne County must find additional funding for eight bridge projects scheduled across three years. Brandon Sanders, the county’s engineer, appeared before the county’s commissioners Feb. 28 to discuss shortfalls associated with the rising costs. The first of the federal projects is Bridge 701 on South G Street in Richmond. Sanders […]