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, […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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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 […]
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23 groups request shares of opioid settlement money
Wayne County would need three times its 2022 opioid settlement money to fill all the requests it has received. Applications for the county’s $411,000 initial share of the national settlement requested in excess of $1.2 million. Twenty-three not-for-profit entities filed applications by the Dec. 28 deadline. Wayne County will receive nearly $2 million through 2038 […]
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Residents can help expand high-speed internet options
FCC’s challenge process impacts local broadband funding Wayne County residents have the opportunity to shape the county’s broadband future. The Federal Communications Commission has used broadband provider data to create a map listing broadband availability for addresses across the country. In a unique opportunity, the FCC is allowing residents to verify the availability listing for their […]
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After 5 decades, new auditor returns to office
Hoelscher confident in transition despite slow start Mark Hoelscher last served Wayne County as auditor five decades ago. While the auditor’s core role — tracking the county’s finances and paying its bills — remains the same, computerization has changed how the work happens. Hoelscher, who has discussed his inexperience with computers, and his chief deputy […]
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Through 5 decades, Paust’s service impacts city, county
Commissioner honored with Sagamore of the Wabash Ken Paust wants to make Richmond and Wayne County a better, more attractive place to live. For five decades, he’s worked to do just that as a Richmond council member, a county council member and, finally, as a county commissioner. “What is best for this county? What can […]
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Relocating remote worker chooses Wayne County
Make My Move has extended 5 more offers Make My Move has delivered a mover to Wayne County. Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, told the county commissioners Dec. 14 that the first mover has bought a home in Wayne County. Make My Move offers relocating remote workers incentives to […]
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Mayor, former fire chief share their views about Dec. 6 dismissal
Former Richmond Fire Department Chief Jerry Purcell and Mayor Dave Snow have further explained their views about why Snow removed Purcell from his position Dec. 6. Purcell wrote what he called an “open letter to the citizens of Richmond, Indiana” that he emailed Dec. 18 to the Western Wayne News and posted on his Facebook […]