When Brent Meadows won the Republican primary election for coroner, he was not the incumbent, but that’s exactly what he’ll be when he’s officially elected in November. Meadows, who is running unopposed in the general election, was elected Sept. 7 by a Republican caucus of precinct chairs to finish the term for Kevin Fouche, who […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Plan commission OKs Eagle Trace upgrades
Rocks surrounding a drainage pipe from the Eagle Trace subdivision in Richmond contained a puddle of water last week, but the newly dug retention basin was just a dry, grassy depression. That barren area, though, represents progress. For more than 25 years, the subdivision accessible off Round Barn Road has not met some city or […]
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Paint freshens county highway buildings
Fresh paint will soon spruce up two pole barns and the main building at the Wayne County Highway Department’s facility along U.S. 40. The buildings’ fresh look is among projects Mike Sharp, the highway superintendent, plans with $300,000 of American Rescue Plan Act money his department was allocated in February. Sharp updated Wayne County’s commissioners […]
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Richmond renews its animal contract for 2025
Richmond will continue taking stray dogs and cats to the Henry County Humane Society after the Board of Public Works and Safety approved a 2025 contract during its Aug. 29 meeting. Terms remain $41,200 for up to 400 animals, with each additional animal costing $103. The city has taken animals the 30 miles to New […]
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Mayor: City budget’s back in black
Mayor Ron Oler voted against the city’s 2024 budget as a Richmond Common Council member because it was a funded budget, but not balanced. As council began two nights of budget meetings Aug. 20, Oler said the 2025 budget’s general fund is in the black. Oler said the budget includes a 4% raise for nonunion […]
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O’Rourke chosen to demolish former Elder-Beerman building
The city of Richmond has selected a company with experience in complex demolition projects, including pedestrian skywalks, to demolish the former Elder-Beerman building and skywalk. O’Rourke Wrecking Company of Paragon, Indiana, was awarded the bid for $711,000 during the Aug. 22 meeting of the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety. O’Rourke’s bid was $40,040 […]
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Health department rearranges workers in its 2025 budgets
Wayne County Health Department has dropped its 2025 county budget request by about $13,000 from its 2024 funding. The county Board of Health approved the department’s revised county budget and the department’s Health First Indiana budget during its Aug. 20 meeting. That enabled the department to present the budgets to Wayne County Council during an […]
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County addresses animal issue at ‘crisis point’
Between neglect, abuse, health issues, and not having homes, animal welfare problems stretch to all corners of Wayne County. So far, Wayne County’s government and the City of Richmond have taken the lead in trying to address animal welfare through funding from the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters wants to see that […]
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Growing Transcendia receives tax abatements
A Richmond film manufacturer hopes to compete in the health care and food and beverage markets after a $10.5 million equipment investment. Transcendia is adding machinery from Austria to its 300 Industrial Parkway location. Cody Cohoon, the site manager, said new capabilities, such as lamination, will open those markets to the company. Transcendia was awarded […]
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Vet set to coordinate pet projects
National expert Sara Pizano analyzed animal welfare in Wayne County, suggesting steps to improve the situation. Now, county government and the city of Richmond are enlisting a local expert, veterinarian Dr. Stacy Kostiuk, to spend four months implementing pieces of Pizano’s report. “The study showed us the gaps,” Richmond Mayor Ron Oler said during the […]