Safety Village of Wayne County teaches important safety lessons to about 2,500 children ages 4 to 8 each year. “It’s a great program,” said Jeff Plasterer, president of Wayne County’s commissioners. “I want to be supportive.” Rich Cody, executive director of Safety Town, spoke with commissioners during their May 28 meeting about ways they could […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Assessor: State changes agriculture base rate
After close of the Indiana legislature’s 2025 session, the Department of Local Government Finance has recalculated the agricultural land base rate for 2025 land assessments. The DLGF sent assessing officials statewide a memorandum dated May 9 and signed by DLGF Commissioner Jason Cockerill with the new base rate. The amendment lowered the base rate after […]
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Prosecutor will not seek reelection
After two decades as Wayne County prosecutor, Mike Shipman will not run for reelection during next year’s election. Shipman announced his decision May 29 by email, saying he had always planned to leave prosecution once he reached 30 years of public service. His term expires Dec. 31, 2026. In 2005, Shipman was appointed prosecutor replacing […]
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County reaching out to city about opioid settlement funds
Wayne County will have received more than $1 million in opioid settlement money with receipt of its 2025 share, and Richmond will come close to that $1 million figure. The county commissioners think that coordinating how the new payments are spent could benefit both entities. During their meeting May 21, commissioners discussed formalizing their process […]
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Auditor enters pre-trial diversion agreement for misdemeanors
Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher has entered a pretrial diversion agreement to resolve two misdemeanor intimidation charges against him. Hoelscher signed the agreement May 19, and Judge Matthew R. Cox, the case’s special judge, granted an indefinite continuance May 20. The scheduled July 18 trial in Superior Court 3 has been canceled, according to case […]
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Wayne Township trustee will move to S. 11th building
After nearly five decades, the Wayne Township trustee’s office will move to a new space this week. On May 30, it will begin serving the public at 15 S. 11th St. in Richmond. “I love it,” Trustee Susan Isaacs said of the new space. “It’s beautiful.” The trustee’s office has enjoyed a 50-year, rent-free contract […]
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City contemplates upping WCTV money
Whitewater Community Television broadcasts Richmond Common Council meetings live on its cable television and YouTube channels, indicating to the council president when to gavel the meeting into session. During council’s May 19 meeting, WCTV asked council for help. The organization’s contract with Indiana University East has been terminated as of May 31, and its board […]
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Officer: Extend syringe exchange a year
Dr. Jennifer Bales understands that syringe services programs can be a complicated and emotionally charged decision. During the May 21 workshop with Wayne County Council members and county commissioners, she requested the commissioners extend the county’s syringe program another year. The previous two-year extension expires June 30. Bales said the state will review syringe programs […]
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100 more housing units coming to downtown Richmond
A nearly $30 million project will renovate five historic downtown Richmond buildings, creating about 100 market-rate apartments and about 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The project, which is part of Revitalize Richmond, was brought before Richmond Redevelopment Commission on May 28 for consideration of an economic development agreement, the first step toward using […]
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Bridge projects end, while others begin
Bridge closures can be inconvenient, but also bring infrastructure improvements that help keep motorists safe as they cross and go on their way. Following updates to the Sample Road bridge, traffic is flowing there again, and soon will on another new bridge as well. Brandon Sanders, Wayne County’s engineer, told the county commissioners during their […]