David and Lori Garard received unexpected good news last week. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources no longer considers their Jacksonburg home as sitting in a hazardous flood plain. That will allow them to construct a steel building on their property for David’s workshop. “We were ecstatic; we were excited,” Lori said about the DNR’s […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Planning process begins to boost fairgrounds rentals, self-sufficiency
Commissioners also review requests for opioid settlement funding Wayne County Fairgrounds rentals are beginning to rebound after slipping sharply because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That trend must continue for the fairground’s finances to become self-sustaining, which is the ultimate goal. The fairgrounds drew $136,000 in rental income during 2017; however, it brought in just $89,000 […]
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INDOT hears hopes, concerns about Revive I-70 project
About 75 attend public meeting to provide input, hear plans Nothing distinguishes Richmond’s U.S. 40 exit from others found on Interstate 70. Motorists pass under the blue arch and sweep through a right-hand curve, then there’s two plain exit ramps. One leads back into Ohio, and the other funnels traffic to National Road East businesses […]
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Health department aims to take services on the road
Director hopes for monthly RV visits in 4 county towns The Wayne County Health Department is a half-hour or longer drive away for some county residents, creating challenges for those wanting to use services the department provides. Christine Stinson, the department’s executive director, would like to take services to those residents. Stinson outlined five departmental […]
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Richmond firefighter contract hangs on Common Council vote
Sides present arguments related to impasse, panel’s recommendations Ten months after negotiations began, Richmond Fire Department members do not have a 2023 contract. Richmond Common Council could approve one on Feb. 6, or the negotiating process could continue. Council must decide whether to accept or reject recommendations from a fact-finding panel enlisted to help resolve […]
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County’s HELP participation picks up speed
With the start of 2023, Wayne County’s participation in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program has begun. Offered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the program helps participants plan effective spending of American Rescue Plan Act dollars. A group of county representatives participated in four days of HELP training last week in Connersville, […]
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Snarls before smiles: Construction inconveniences will lead to wider I-70
State’s Revive I-70 project to begin during late 2024 in Wayne County The Indiana Department of Transportation envisions six lanes of free-flowing Interstate 70 traffic between the Ohio state line and Indianapolis. That vision, called Revive I-70, is still years away, but Wayne County construction should begin in late 2024. Starting at the state line, […]
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Preservation Commission to decide fate of 4 old houses in Depot District
Demolition would clear way for 26,000-square-foot new building Bob Johnson will return to Richmond’s Historic Preservation Commission with updated drawings of a new, three-story mixed-use building. When he does, likely during the Feb. 13 meeting, commission members must choose between that new building and four vacant houses in varying states of neglect and disrepair. Johnson […]
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Richmond mom requests tougher penalties for parole violators causing deaths
Driver in crash that killed her son faces Level 4, Level 5 felonies Christine Stinson was shattered June 17. Stinson’s son, Joseph “Evan” Dely, 31, died that day when his Jeep Wrangler was struck from behind while traveling Interstate 465 on Indianapolis’ southeast side toward the airport. He was catching a flight for a camping and hiking trip […]
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Fairgrounds improvements aim to boost rental revenue
Sales and marketing job description sent to consultant The Wayne County Fairgrounds is a county asset that provides revenue, and county officials would like to take better advantage of that opportunity. With a concentrated effort to update, renovate and repair the fairgrounds, the county hopes it becomes more attractive for rentals that generate enough revenue […]