SugarCreek Packing has expressed interest in expanding within the Gateway Industrial Park. SugarCreek wants to acquire 16.9 acres south of its plant to expand its truck staging and parking area, Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, told the county commissioners during their June 14 meeting. The county owns that land. […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Plastics company owner says city liable for fire damages
The owner of a plastics recycling and sales company says in a court filing the city of Richmond is liable for damages caused by an April 11 fire. Seth Smith and Cornerstone Trading Group LLC have been sued by Tushawn Craig, Marquetta Stokes and Limitless Pallets for damages from the fire that emitted toxic smoke […]
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State boosts mental health funding
The state of Indiana took a step toward supporting its residents’ mental health with a $100 million investment the next two years. State Sen. Jeff Raatz, a Richmond Republican, updated Wayne County Council during its June 7 meeting about that investment and Senate Bill 1, which became Public Law 162 after Gov. Eric Holcomb signed […]
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BZA delays livestock auction decision
Some Wayne County farmers told the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals that a proposed livestock auction is badly needed in the county. Opponents don’t discount that need, thinking it is a worthy project, they just don’t like the proposed location: the property directly west of The Barn at Helm flower farm and event site on […]
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Resident asks Richmond council to solve blight problem
An insurance agent addressed Richmond Common Council about what he called a “horrendous problem,” blight. Richard Lake said Richmond residents share the blame for the city’s blight; however, he asked council members during the June 5 meeting to solve the problem he said leads to drug use, crime, generational poverty and declining property values. “The […]
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Bidders sabotage county auction
Out-of-state bidders sabotaged the county’s June 6 deed sale. The group, which has attended other Indiana counties’ deed sales, did not follow through on winning bids and pay for the properties. Winning bids on 14 properties totaled nearly $4 million, including $3.5 million for one North 17th Street property with a boarded-up house. Following the […]
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Firefighters renovate N. 8th building
When Richmond Fire Department Engine 1 arrives at a fire, its three firefighters strive to save the burning building. Now, during their time away from RFD, Tom Broyles, Nick Arbogast and Matt Baker work in a different way to save a building. The three formed Buddies on the Block LLC and are renovating a 33,465-square-foot […]
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HELP committee narrows project list
The question of how to spend millions in community improvement dollars is closer to being answered. Wayne County’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program core committee will submit its project list Friday to the Purdue Center for Regional Development. Those projects will form the Strategic Investment Plan for American Rescue Plan Act dollars committed by the county […]
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2024 budget process begins
Not even halfway through 2023, it’s time to think about 2024 budgets. Wayne County’s commissioners began their budget discussions during a portion of their May 24 weekly meeting. The County Council, which finalizes the county’s budget, has requested departments provide budget requests by June 1. Commissioners plan to ask the council for additional money in […]
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Development decision delayed
A couple of feet is making all the difference for a planned Richmond subdivision. Trademark Construction requested the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission approve a primary plat request and two variances for a six-residence subdivision at 315 Garwood Road. One of the variances would make lot sizes 38 feet wide instead of the required 40. Plan […]