Richmond Common Council appropriated nearly $60 million for the city’s 2025 budget Oct. 7, but not before removing more than $800,000 from the appropriation. Justin Burkhardt, chair of council’s finance committee, made four motions that pulled $831,839.83 from the budget appropriation. The majority — $682,899.83 — came from Richmond Fire Department and emergency medical services […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Utility leader thanks crews, customers
Hurricane Helene pounded Wayne County with strong winds and torrential rain Sept. 27 that wreaked havoc on the Richmond Power & Light electric grid. While most sheltered inside — even if in darkness — RP&L crews defied the elements to restore power as quickly as possible. During the Oct. 7 RP&L board meeting, Tony Foster, […]
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Funding plan incentivizes homebuilders
In an effort to squeeze more housing availability out of existing space, Wayne County economic leaders are requesting at least $500,000 to accelerate the completion of housing subdivisions. At its Oct. 7 meeting, Economic Development of Wayne County’s board approved spending $500,000 from its Consolidated Economic Development Income Tax fund, and the parameters of the […]
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Contracts approved for demolition
Contracts approved for demolition By Mike Emery The Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety approved contracts worth nearly $725,000 related to the demolition of the Elder-Beerman building and skywalk during its Oct. 10 meeting. O’Rourke Wrecking Company received a $711,000 contract to demolish the structures. The board had opened bids Aug. 15 and awarded […]
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Exception allows 4,200 hogs
A Williamsburg couple received a special exception to operate a hog confined feeding operation at a 48-acre North Centerville Road farm. Jonas S. and Mamie F. Fisher plan to construct a 34,500-square-foot building to house 4,200 hogs in two groups each year. The young hogs would be moved from the site when they reach a […]
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County leaders prepare for future collaboration, planning
Aiming to keep communication and collaboration going after Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program funding comes to an end, some Wayne County leaders want to begin another countywide planning effort. During its Oct. 7 meeting, Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County board members voted to contribute up to $25,000 for a new review of county priorities and […]
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Cyclists urge Richmond to implement improvements
During 2015, Richmond spent $40,000 from a grant and other funding to have a consultant develop a bicycle and pedestrian master plan. Nine years later, the city has moved forward with little beyond the Loop multimodal pathway. Goals and ideas previously developed with community input simply remain in the master plan documents accessible on the […]
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Mental health hits home for Lt. Gov. Crouch
Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch’s attention to mental health developed through multiple family situations. “My interest is very personal,” Crouch said Oct. 3 while participating in a discussion with Wayne County mental health professionals and leaders at the Neighborhood Health Center’s administration building. Crouch co-chairs the Indiana Mental Health Roundtable that addresses mental illness and […]
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Sheriff buys command unit
When an emergency situation strikes Wayne County, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office rolls out a 2004 Hurricane motor home that’s been converted to serve as a mobile command unit. Sheriff Randy Retter said he’s lost confidence in the aging vehicle’s ability to function, so he was eager to bid on a purpose-built MCU being auctioned […]
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Probation dept. wants reduced work week
As part of the 2025 budgeting process, Wayne County Council received a request that probation officers reduce their weekly hours to 37.5 while maintaining the same wages. Kory George, the county’s chief probation officer, presented information during the Oct. 2 council and commissioners meetings about that reduction from 40 hours. The state establishes probation officers’ […]