Renovation work at LifeSpring church will close a portion of South E Street through mid-September. During its July 9 meeting, the Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety approved the closure of eastbound South E Street in front of the church, which is at South E and South Seventh streets. The closure was scheduled for […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Mobile home residents request council’s help
Some Mobile Manor residents fear they can’t afford rate hikes they expect from the mobile home park’s new owners. When addressing Richmond Common Council on July 6, Ron McFadden, president of the Richmond Mobile Manor Residents Association, advocated the city adopt an ordinance protecting mobile home park residents. At least 16 other residents from the […]
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BZA brings shed business into compliance
A misunderstanding led a Hagerstown-area business to violate terms of its zoning variance, but that’s no longer a problem. The Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals amended its 2023 variance of use to bring Elam Lapp’s shed-building business into compliance. The board met July 9. Lapp said he believed the 2023 variance permitted him to […]
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New phone system alters IT staffer’s responsibilities
Wayne County government’s new voice-over internet protocol phone system has significantly changed duties for one position in the information technology department. To keep up with those changes, Craig Eason, the county’s IT director, asked the county commissioners during their July 8 meeting for permission to revise the job description for the phone system’s administrator. He […]
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Bucket truck to cost RP&L $220,800
A Circleville, Ohio, company will provide Richmond Power & Light with a new 48-foot bucket truck. RP&L’s board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, awarded the bid to Utility Truck Equipment during a July 6 meeting. The truck will cost $220,800 with a Feb. 19, 2027, estimated delivery date. RP&L General Manager Tony […]
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BZA vote provides coffee, pet treats
By next spring, coffee lovers and their furry friends could have a new east-side place to pick up treats. The Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals on July 8 approved 5-0 a variance of development standards that will enable Schlosser Coffee 2 of Portland to build a Scooter’s Coffee at 4563 National Road E., the former […]
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$300K OK’d for safety, security project
Wayne County plans to spend nearly $300,000 to improve safety and security for sheriff’s officers and jail inmates. The sheriff’s officers transport inmates to the courthouse’s west entrance for court appearances. The entrance is next to the building’s cooling tower inside an alcove accessed on a narrow, crumbling concrete driveway. Council member Jeff Cappa, a […]
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Uranus receives zoning change despite lawsuit
When it was recently informed about a water dispute, Richmond Common Council delayed its decision about Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store’s request to rezone adjacent land, preferring to receive more information. What council members heard June 15 convinced just enough of them to approve the ordinance changing the parcel at 6412 National Road E. […]
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Rose View driver challenges position switch
Following a sixth-month driver trial period, Rose View Transit switched from three to two drivers for its paratransit service. The driver affected, Matthew Reed, moved to a Rose View bus route, but he filed a grievance against Rose View through the Amalgamated Transit Union 1474. The city’s Board of Public Works and Safety heard Reed’s […]
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Smith Hill ready for progress
Day after day, the 2026 construction season passes without dirt turning for the Smith Hill planned unit development. The developers, however, expect that will change before the season ends, according to Chris Hamm of HWC Engineering. There’s already activity with on-site surveying and a traffic study, plus progress toward funding for the initial phase’s infrastructure. […]