Richmond Power & Light customers are urged to use the SmartHub online tool to monitor and manage their accounts. General Manager Tony Foster explained the digital system during the RP&L board’s April 1 meeting. Richmond Common Council members comprise the RP&L board. Foster said that since the utility began using SmartHub in 2021, it mails […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
Posted inNews
Cappa fills seat for ‘dear friend and mentor’
Jeff Cappa left Richmond Common Council after one term to spend more time with his family. Then Bob Chamness, a man Cappa considers family, asked Cappa to replace Chamness on Wayne County Council, if the need would arise. Chamness died March 3, just more than a year into his third term, and a month later, […]
Posted inNews
Celebration without congestion, issues
The community prepared for massive crowds, traffic delays, and an eclipse celebration of a lifetime on April 8. In the end, the last one happened largely without the first two. There was heavy traffic around Indianapolis, and hotels did fill up much more than usual. But whether it was the abundance of viewing opportunities across […]
Posted inNews
Online vehicle auction proves success for county
Wayne County might have found a better way to rid itself of old, unwanted equipment. The county’s fleet management committee used a vehicle as a trial for an online auction, rather than waiting for an annual in-person auction. Steve Higinbotham, the county’s director of facilities and development, reported April 3 the trial was a success. […]
Posted inNews
Abington Township board removes fire chief
The Abington Township board removed James Ausmus as the township fire department’s chief with a 2-1 vote March 26. Township Trustee Steven Kaiser said that during a meeting with an attorney, a determination was made that Ausmus breached his contract with the township and misused funds when distributing stipends to department officers during January. Ausmus […]
Posted inNews
Commissioners support Make My Move continuation
Thirteen families have already moved to Wayne County through the Make My Move program. Another two have accepted the county’s relocation incentive offers and a third is considering an offer, despite the fact the Make My Move contract ended Jan. 31. Wayne County’s commissioners would like to see Make My Move continue at least for […]
Posted inNews
Thrown by the Loop?
Richmond’s East Main Street and the Depot District are prepared for Phase 2 of the Loop transportation improvement project now that trees have been cleared. Milestone Contractors, however, will not begin construction until after the April 8 total solar eclipse, Mayor Ron Oler said. The Indiana Department of Transportation and the contractor control the project […]
Posted inNews
Program plans to better lives through training, tackling blight
Learning building trades could soon build better futures for participants who were chronically unsheltered or emerging from treatment programs or incarceration. Bridges for Life is developing a Building Together program that would provide low-cost housing and a six-month training program for participants renovating blighted homes. Tim Pierson and Jeff Holthouse of Bridges for Life updated […]
Posted inNews
Don’t get burned by being unprepared
April 8 presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Wayne County will be in the middle of a total solar eclipse’s path of totality. It’s an event to enjoy as the moon moves between Earth and the sun, with the moon’s shadow casting the county into darkness for up to 4 minutes, depending on location. Preparation and attention […]
Posted inNews
Beat the Heat hopes to provide residents air conditioning
Richmond’s Beat the Heat program hopes to distribute window air conditioning units with an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant. On March 18, Alison Zajdel of the Richmond Environmental Sustainability Commission requested that Richmond Common Council approve interlocal agreement with the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office and a city ordinance to accept $20,000 from […]