Despite suffering flood damage at the Jackson Township trustee’s office, staff have quickly connected more than 100 Western Wayne households with storm aid. Trustee Lyndon Wicker and retired Western Wayne Elementary teacher Stacey Bertsch, who joined the office in May as administrative assistant, have been meeting with applicants to distribute flood relief funds. Jackson Township […]
Author Archives: Millie Martin Emery
Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.
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New group aims to boost voter engagement
A new nonpartisan group has grown from five to 35 members this year to help inspire voter registration and promote deeper understanding of how elections work. Wayne County’s League of Women Voters has appeared at several community events to promote voter registration and the online guide its members created to provide information about this fall’s […]
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RCS reviews budget, plans elementary renovations
During a meeting including an extensive review of the district’s financial health, Richmond Community Schools’ board agreed to pursue bonds for several renovations to its elementary buildings and were pleased to learn the district’s enrollment is apparently holding steady. The Sept. 16 meeting included public hearings for several 2026 and 2027 financial matters. The school […]
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Questions persist about Cambridge City repairs
While acknowledging many unknowns, Cambridge City town council heard residents’ concerns about rebuilding flood-damaged properties while also juggling annual responsibilities such as 2027 spending. During its Sept. 14 meeting, council conducted a public hearing for the 2027 budget. Town attorney Bob Bever said that during budget preparations before the Aug. 12 flood, the town planned […]
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Flood survivors can pursue new funding
Two fundraisers are planned in Cambridge City this weekend to help flood survivors, and individuals can apply for some new types of funding. Donation opportunities The performance will be at Creitz Park Pavilion behind the fire station, 127 W. Maple St. Live music kicks off the fundraiser from 6-7 p.m., followed by opening comedian Austin […]
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Make My Move: Dollars provide 20:1 benefit
After seeing an estimated 20:1 return on its investment to recruit workers, Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County will spend another $100,000 on the Make My Move program. Ryan Pike, senior sales executive for MMM, told EDC’s board that the 50 households MMM attracted over the past approximately four years generate an estimated total new […]
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Another $50,000 approved for small business flood relief
Wayne County’s flood-damaged small businesses can soon apply for additional local financial assistance. At its Sept. 14 meeting, Economic Development Corp.’s board approved Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s request for an additional $50,000 in consolidated Economic Development Income Tax funds toward grants for flood-affected businesses. Wayne County Council approved the funding Sept. 16 after […]
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Election 2026: Mailed ballots, sign rule, key dates
Here’s a look at some recent news for prospective and registered voters related to Wayne County’s next Election Day. Absentee ballots Qualifying Wayne County voters will be able to request and cast absentee ballots via mail in the Nov. 3 election. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the U.S. Postal Service can’t implement last-minute […]
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Grants to boost 19 downtown renovations
Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County has awarded nearly $3 million to help downtown businesses across the county improve their buildings, and it sees progress in its efforts to improve additional housing stock that could attract or retain workers. Downtown grants At its Sept. 14 meeting, EDC announced the 19 winners sharing $2.99 million in […]
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Property tax limits cloud WWS budget
Circuit breakers blocking higher property tax revenues are “pretty significant” for Western Wayne Schools’ 2027 budget, a financial adviser told school officials. William Melby of Baker Tilly gave a presentation remotely at WWS’ Sept. 9 board meeting that offered an 18-month view of the budget. He looked back at 2025, reviewed January-June 2026 spending to […]