Richmond Fire Department continues to monitor the scene of last week’s plastics fire at a North West F Street complex. Chief Tim Brown said Monday night that two people watch for smoke around the clock more than six days after the April 11 fire ignited at 358 N.W. F St., consuming 13.8 acres across the […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Sheriff’s office seeks grant for drug-detection equipment
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has applied for $102,000 in Bureau of Justice Assistance grant funding to purchase drug-detection equipment, Sheriff Randy Retter told Wayne County’s commissioners during an April 5 meeting. The Ionscan 600 is a highly sensitive trace detector that utilizes litmus paper to show the presence of and identify narcotics, including fentanyl. […]
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Fire fatigue: Evacuation order remains as officials work to assess health impact
At an afternoon press conference on Thursday, state and city officials said that while progress is being made, they are not ready to allow evacuated residents back into homes surrounding the site of Tuesday’s fire. An order to shelter in place remains active as shifting wind directions and smoke patterns mean that even more of […]
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RP&L approves minor rate relief
Richmond Power & Light residential customers will benefit from a dip in an electric rate this quarter. The savings are estimated to be about five cents for customers consuming 1,000 kilowatt hours during a month. RP&L’s board April 3 unanimously approved a decrease in the utility’s Energy Cost Adjustment rate. The ECA is in addition […]
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Richmond fire response continues as officials blame ‘negligent’ property owner
READ THE LATEST: Fire fatigue: Evacuation order remains as officials work to assess health impact 6:24 PM: Mayor announces press conference Mayor Dave Snow posted on Twitter that the fire is still active, that environmental hazard assessment is still happening, and that a press conference is planned for Thursday at 2 p.m. 5:40 PM: Red […]
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Richmond council considers changes for tax abatements
An ordinance presented to Richmond Common Council during its April 3 meeting would change requirements and the award process for companies requesting city tax abatements, which are intended to incentivize economic development activity. Two immediate changes are raising the minimum investment by new businesses or expanding businesses to $500,000 from $250,000 and limiting personal property […]
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Bids due for county projects
Progress continues through a list of major Wayne County projects. Bids are due April 5 for a replacement generator at the Wayne County Administration Building, and bids for a new HVAC system at First Bank Expo Hall will be due May 3, said Steve Higinbotham, the county’s director of facilities and development, during a short […]
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City tags help return runaway pets home
City law requires registration, tags for dogs and cats A blue, star-shaped tag can help return an escaped dog or cat home to its loving family. It’s the first thing Richmond Police Department Animal Control Officer Desiree Durbin looks for when picking up a runaway pet. The city-issued tags, which are required by ordinance, help […]
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Property tax bills may sting
Increased assessments affect amounts due in May, Nov. Spring property tax bills will be arriving in mailboxes, and Wayne County officials want taxpayers to prepare themselves to contribute a little more to local infrastructure this year. “We’ve already been warned by the state that they’re going to be higher than people expected them to be,” […]
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City increases planning, zoning focus
Mayor restructures positions, plans department of planning and zoning Richmond Mayor Dave Snow plans to restructure positions to intensify the city’s focus on planning and zoning. Ian Vanness, the director of infrastructure and development, left the city, and that position will be eliminated. The city planner position will become director of planning, and a new […]