The Wayne County Health Department will use six community groups to help address core services required by Health First Indiana funding. During a May 21 meeting, the county’s Board of Health allocated $703,355.44 to the six agencies and organizations selected from eight applicants. The board will use 2024 and 2025 Heath First Indiana funds as […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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RPD applies for $120K to purchase protective gear
Richmond Police Department will pursue nearly $120,000 in grants for protective equipment. Richmond Common Council approved 8-0 during its May 20 meeting two ordinances authorizing RPD to seek the grants. Council member Jerry Purcell recused himself from both votes because his son is an RPD officer and SWAT team member. Chief Kyle Weatherly said RPD […]
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Holsapple church could soon become a home
Sidney Hines is working his way through the zoning process for a necessary change that would permit him to renovate an old church building into his home. The Richmond Advisory Plan Commission voted 10-0 during its May 22 meeting to recommend Richmond Common Council approve Hines’ request to rezone 1720 Holsapple Road from institutional to […]
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Swish or miss? INDOT shares welcome center plans
When Steve McAvoy was tasked with reimagining Indiana’s 10 interstate welcome centers, he ventured to Texas for research. “That’s where I learned about theme-based, or regional-based, projects,” said McAvoy, the statewide facilities director for the Indiana Department of Transportation. Centerville’s welcome center, at the 143 mile marker of westbound Interstate 70, will represent Indiana’s basketball […]
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County finds $186K for Community Crossings match
Wayne County council members transferred $186,520.26 as match money for the county highway department’s Community Crossings grant money. The action came during a nine-minute workshop May 15 with council and commissioners. The funds are left over jail bond money that was transferred to the highway department when the jail projects were completed. Community Crossings awarded […]
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Contract OK’d for pre-demolition work at E-B site
Richmond took a step toward demolition of the former Elder-Beerman building and adjoining skywalk. The city’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved 3-0 during its May 16 meeting a contract with American Structurepoint Inc. of Indianapolis for architectural and engineering design services that prepare a demolition bid package and demolition cost estimates. American Structurepoint […]
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Auction facility arguments set for June court hearing
The issue of an auction facility along U.S. 27 will soon go before a judge, essentially pitting agribusiness against rural living. Judge April Drake scheduled a hearing at 9:30 a.m. June 6 in Circuit Court to consider John and Tammy Tackett’s appeal of Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals decisions last September permitting a general […]
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Sanitary district plans building purchase
Richmond Sanitary District’s required record storage has overwhelmed its current administration building. Some customers have also complained the 2380 Liberty Avenue location is not convenient. The district plans to solve both issues by purchasing an office building at 25 N. Seventh St. Pat Smoker, the sanitary district director, told Richmond Common Council during its May […]
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BZA vote untangles hair salon zoning
Applause greeted a Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals decision May 9 that allows a hair salon to continue operation. The BZA unanimously granted Amanda Seal a variance of use to continue operating her salon in a building outside her Union Pike home on property zoned agricultural. Seal began the salon more than four years […]
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Auditor to offer Saturday hours
Auditor Mark Hoelscher will open his office Saturday for residents needing to file property tax exemptions. Hoelscher received permission from the Wayne County commissioners to open the Wayne County Administration Building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18. He said some residents are unable to visit the office in person during regular Monday-Friday business […]