This year’s high school freshmen face new work-based learning requirements from the Indiana Department of Education to receive readiness seals with their diplomas. Commissioner Jeff Plasterer said during the commissioners’ April 22 meeting that as one of the county’s largest employers, Wayne County government needs to understand the requirements and consider how it can help […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Council grants bioindustry project extension
After delays raising funds, Liberation Bioindustries now steadily progresses toward completing its precision fermentation biomanufacturing facility in Richmond’s Midwest Industrial Park. Richmond Common Council members Doug Goss and Jane Bumbalough said they came away impressed after touring the facility as part of council’s tax abatement committee. During its April 20 meeting, council passed two ordinances […]
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City acquires land for READI match
Reid Health will provide Richmond nearly 80 acres of land to be used in a planned housing development on the city’s east side. The city’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved the acquisition of five tracts from Reid for the Smith Hill planned unit development south of Backmeyer Road between South 37th Street and […]
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Uranus rockets forward with new ideas
Louie Keen plans out-of-this-world additions to Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store. The self-described mayor of Uranus bought the remaining land formerly occupied by New Creations, providing an additional 70,000 square feet of building space and another 14 acres along U.S. 40 east of the Interstate 70 interchange. He has a galaxy of ideas — […]
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City extends through 2026 its medical equipment deal
George’s Family Pharmacy will continue to provide durable medical equipment for Richmond city employees covered by the city’s health insurance. During its April 16 meeting, Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved an addendum extending the 2018 contract through 2026 at 2018 rates. Durable medical equipment includes items such as wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tanks […]
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State well-being initiative targets health gaps
Indiana has tasked its rural counties to identify ways that improve health outcomes, and it’s offering to foot the bill. Dan Burk, director of the Wayne County Health Department, explained the new funding opportunity to the county’s Board of Health during its April 14 meeting. The state’s Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being initiative will use […]
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Trees important part of infrastructure
Richmond’s trees represent infrastructure, just like roads and bridges. Thomas Hill, the city’s GIS coordinator, wants residents to one day pay as much attention to that green infrastructure as to the gray infrastructure. This summer, the city will pay more attention to the trees that provide shade, which lowers temperatures, reduces energy bills and benefits […]
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Auction sells 16 delinquent properties
Bidders paid $3,200 for 16 properties during a tax lien certificate sale April 16 in the Wayne County Administration Building. The purchase amounts, though, are not as important as again having the chance to receive property tax payments. Each of 31 properties included in the auction has overdue taxes and failed to sell at a […]
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Property tax angst, rather than relief
The Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly promised Hoosiers property tax relief when passing 2025 legislation; however, that’s not what some Wayne County taxpayers felt when opening their tax bills. Instead, they’re expressing angst to the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office that their bills do not reflect an expected reduction. Tax payments this year reflect last year’s property […]
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RFD identifies 6 prospective employees
Richmond Fire Department’s recent recruiting efforts resulted in a six-person hiring list that the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved April 9. Nick Arbogast, the department’s chief of EMS, said three openings currently exist and two or three retirements are expected this year. The hiring list is: Jadon Kolb of Losantville; Brandon Wetherell […]