A woman’s efforts to find and preserve the fight songs of Indiana schools that were closed because of consolidation has resulted in a published book and website that continues to gather information. In 2024, Western Wayne News readers alerted Reta Williams to the inclusion of all the county’s songs in a 2017 book written by […]
Author Archives: Millie Martin Emery
Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.
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Cambridge City hires code enforcement help
Cambridge City council took action on two items to help town laborers get more work done before conducting an executive session on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Public Works Superintendent Joe Webb received permission to hire Steve Kohne part-time for code enforcement, mowing, leaf pickup and other tasks as needed. Kohne will work no more than 32 […]
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Too little lead, too little cash: Centerville water bills could increase again
Centerville’s town council will hear residents’ comments about proposed new water rates and charges on Sept. 9. Higher bills for trash collection might not be far behind. Water Residents might wonder why their water bills would rise when Phase II of a three-phase bill increase is already underway. Centerville customers now pay $13.07 per month […]
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Cambridge City creating social media policy
Cambridge City’s town attorney is helping the police department develop a social media policy. Policies also might be created for other town employees and the volunteer fire department. At council’s Aug. 11 meeting, President Jim McLane said town leaders recently realized a policy is needed regarding announcements of arrests and other police matters. Most CCPD […]
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LMHS renovations winding down
Renovations are nearly complete at Lincoln Middle/High School, and planning begins in September for Western Wayne Elementary improvements. Western Wayne School board members received construction updates at their Aug. 13 meeting. LMHS Principal Renee Lakes said students have loved the new look of everything, including giant windows in the cafeteria to add light. Window wraps […]
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Third grade reading scores jump
School leaders say additional targeted efforts to help Wayne County kids learn to read by third grade are paying off, as about 90% passed a state test checking their progress. Four of the county’s five public districts and two of its private schools surpassed the state average of 87.3% on the 2024-2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation […]
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RCS approves 35 administrator contracts
Richmond Community Schools’ board approved current administrators’ contracts, heard from Richmond Art Museum supporters, and tabled some policy updates at its Aug. 13 meeting. Administration Board members initially tabled but then approved administrators’ contracts near the meeting’s end after getting questions answered. The approvals typically occur after July 1 each year. At a recent meeting, […]
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2 trips, Eagle Scout project approved
Centerville-Abington Community Schools’ first student day went smoothly, according to Superintendent Mike McCoy, but board members and administrators still had a variety of matters to consider that night that impact this school year and beyond. Travel During its Aug. 6 meeting, the board approved two June 2026 trip requests for Centerville Senior High School, noting […]
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EDC plans 2026 budget amid uncertainties
Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County plans to conduct business as usual despite looming funding uncertainties for local, county and state government units related to its operations. At its Aug. 4 board meeting, President Valerie Shaffer received members’ tentative approval for a 2026 budget she presented Aug. 6 for county leaders, who have the final […]
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Northeastern chooses O’Brien as interim leader
Northeastern Wayne Schools has appointed an interim superintendent after its leader’s resignation. As of Aug. 2, Jennifer O’Brien is the district’s interim superintendent. She recently became NWS’ assistant superintendent. The board approved O’Brien for the interim role during a special July 29 meeting. Before joining the district as Northeastern Elementary School’s assistant principal, O’Brien served […]