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,” […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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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 […]
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With bridge out, find a new route
U.S. 27 bridge closing for demolition, replacement If your journeys through Richmond cross the U.S. 27 bridge in the Depot District, it’s time to find a new route. The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to close the bridge April 3, or shortly thereafter, to begin a $12.8 million bridge-replacement project five years in the planning. […]
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City, state ride investment momentum
State support helps downtown apartment project develop As he did March 23 for the Blue Buffalo plant expansion groundbreaking, Gov. Eric Holcomb visits Richmond and Wayne County for celebrations. Whether ground-breaking or ribbon-cutting ceremonies, investments by new or expanding companies providing new jobs are celebrated. Thursday morning at Blue Buffalo and later during an Indiana […]
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HELP program progress toward prioritizing projects
300 attend meetings, 1,000 submit online surveys Wayne County’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program team completed seven public meetings — attended by an estimated 300 people — and received about 1,000 online survey responses. Now, it’s time to analyze the input and begin identifying and prioritizing projects. As the HELP process proceeds, Denny Spinner, the executive […]
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Priorities set for new fairgrounds position
Sales and marketing coordinator yet to be hired When the sales and marketing coordinator for the Wayne County Fairgrounds is hired, that person will have five priorities on their to-do list. Wayne County’s commissioners waited to post the approved and budgeted position until those priorities were identified. A committee involving the county, fairgrounds, 4-H and […]
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Continuing sewer overflow prevention, Council approves bond allowance
Sanitary District plans $6.6 million loan with $2 million forgiven by state Richmond Common Council will allow Richmond Sanitary District to increase its bond allowance to cover an upcoming $11 million project. Council voted 7-1 in favor of the resolution during its March 6 meeting. Sanitary Director Pat Smoker had presented the resolution Feb. 20, […]
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Superior Court 3 to receive additional security
Commissioners also open bridge, culvert bids Additional security will soon be provided in one of Wayne County’s courts. It’ll only be for Superior 3 right now because that’s all current funding will allow. During their March 8 meeting, commissioners unanimously approved contracting with Whisenhunt Construction for $32,000 to provide shatter-resistant film for the courtroom and […]
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State considers doubling juror pay
Local judge says boost ‘a long time coming’ Wayne County jurors who spend eight hours listening to testimony and weighing evidence receive pay equivalent to $5 per hour. It’s the same all across Indiana, but it could soon change. House Bill 1466 would double compensation for those called among a jury pool and for those […]
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Former 4-H Horse and Pony treasurer accused of stealing
Woman charged with theft, fraud over bank card transactions A former 4-H committee treasurer is accused of stealing nearly $12,000. Stephanie Ball, 48, of the 4000 block of Hunt Road, is charged with theft and fraud as Level 6 felonies. She was arrested March 3 and posted $1,500 bail. A Wayne County Circuit Court trial […]