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 […]
Author Archives: Mike Emery
Mike Emery is a reporter and layout editor for the Western Wayne News.
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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’ […]
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Gov.: Provide input to state
“When you see a problem, solve it.” That’s the advice Gov. Eric Holcomb gave local leaders Oct. 3 to conclude a fireside chat outside Reid Health’s Lingle Hall. The state, Holcomb said, relies on innovative people in all 92 counties, people who own businesses and are connected to their communities to grow, to improve and […]
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New assisted-living facility plans move forward
A Louisville, Kentucky, company wants to construct a four-story assisted-living facility on more than 6 acres along Chester Boulevard. Richmond Advisory Plan Commission members heard during their Sept. 25 meeting a rezoning petition that would permit that construction. Members voted 7-0 to recommend Richmond Common Council approve the request to rezone 1901 Chester Blvd. from […]
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Judges’ perspective: Teetor’s the winner
A mural honoring inventor Ralph Teetor won a Fort Wayne artist top prize in the Wayne County Murals Program’s competition, according to a news release. Chris Catalogna won $10,000 for the mural on The Boot Box, 60 W. Main St., Hagerstown. Judges liked how the mural fit the long building and said “the depiction of […]