Dena Little
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Morrisson-Reeves Library hires director

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National search culminates with selection of Dena Little

A Virginia librarian who previously worked in Ohio will become director at Morrisson-Reeves Library in early December. Dena Little will become the Richmond library’s sixth director since its founding in 1864, its board of trustees announced on Monday. “Dena’s depth and breadth of library experience, strong communication skills, knowledge of and approach to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA), approachability, and professionalism are among her many strengths,” board president Jennifer Lewis said in a news release. Little is coming to Wayne County from Arlington Public Library in Virginia, where she served in leadership roles for the past five years, most recently as assistant division chief. She also has experience in Ohio public library systems.

Little’s strengths include project management, staff development, strategic and outcomes planning and analytical evaluation, MRL officials said.

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9 advocate for Centerville fire station renovation

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Police chief sounds off about staff shortage, radio changes

On the same evening that some residents spoke in favor of a fire station expansion, the town’s police chief noted a couple “troubling” developments for his team of first responders. CPD Chief Ed Buchholz is concerned the current staffing shortage could grow worse, and that larger local agencies’ plans to install a new radio system could reduce his department’s communication with them. Station renovation
Nine people, many of whom are affiliated with Centerville Fire/Rescue, spoke in favor of the department’s proposal to pursue a state grant to renovate and expand Fire Station No. 1 on South Morton Avenue. No one spoke in opposition.

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Photo of a memorial marker

For first time, RFD honors firefighter killed in 1860

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Researcher finds more details about previously unknown sacrifice on 29th birthday

Philip Riley and his wife came to Wayne County from Ireland in pursuit of a better life. However, the father of three died on his 29th birthday while fighting a fire in downtown Richmond on Oct. 28, 1860. Riley’s death had not been included as part of the in-the-line-of-duty deaths mourned each year by Richmond Fire Department, but RFD officials learned about him earlier this year, and have begun honoring him. The oversight was corrected during RFD’s 52nd memorial service Friday, when a helmet was placed at the traditional Firefighter Memorial Table, a bell was rung in his memory, and his story was told.

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Red flag warning issued to discourage outdoor burning; Cambridge City adds ban

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National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for several area counties, which is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14. The warning is for Wayne, Fayette and Union counties in Indiana and Preble and Darke counties in Ohio. A red flag means outdoor burning is not recommended because weather conditions are favorable for rapid fire growth. On Friday afternoon, Cambridge City Volunteer Fire Department announced that Cambridge City and Jackson Township will be on a burn ban starting that day for an indefinite amount of time.

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Town council president withdraws resignation, attorney confirms

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Milton’s town council president has withdrawn his verbal resignation less than 48 hours after he announced his departure from the board. AJ Sickmann, who serves as Milton’s attorney, told Western Wayne News on Thursday that he had discussed the situation with Clerk-Treasurer Terry Craig. Sickmann said Craig confirmed that John Noland verbally stated after Tuesday’s meeting that he was resigning from council. Sickmann was not present that night. Noland’s resignation came just after the meeting’s adjournment, shortly following an exchange with a resident who had attended the meeting.

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NAACP electing officers Oct. 11

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Wayne County’s NAACP Branch #3066 is conducting an election of officers and at-large Executive Committee members for the 2023-2024 term. The election will take place from 6-7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 1108 N. G St., Richmond. Those eligible to vote in the election must be a financially active member with the branch and have paid dues no later than 30 days before the election.

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End of watch recording for Officer Seara Burton

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Wayne County Emergency Communications Dispatch has shared the final call for Richmond Police Department K-9 Officer Seara Burton. After Monday’s service at Richmond High School concluded, Burton’s hearse paused in front of her vehicle parked on the lawn of Richmond Municipal Building for the moving end-of-tour dispatch. The dispatch is called a 10-42 in the first responder community. 10-42 is the signal that officers use to tell dispatchers their work day has ended. Officers sign into their shifts with a 10-41 transmission.

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What’s airing on WCTV channels this week (Sept. 27-Oct. 1)?

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New and Special Programs for the week of 9/25/22 – 10/1/22
WGTV Channel 11

* IN Focus Candidate Forum – Thursday, 9/29 @ 6:00pm
Guests: Candidates for Richmond Community School Board, At Large. * IN Focus Special – Thursday, 9/29 @ 7:30pm
Guests Chrstine Stinson & Dr. Thomas Huth speak with Eric Marsh about the
vaccine summit at Reid Health on October 13, 2022. * IN Focus Special – Friday, 9/30 @ 9:30pm
RP&L General Manager Tony Foster talks with Eric Marsh about the special question
on the November ballot. WETV Channel 20
* Earlham College Presents – Tuesday, 9/27 @ 11:05pm
JazzCussion – Jazz Replay of a faculty/student event recorded 11/5/21. * IHSAA Football – Wednesday, 9/28 @ 8:00pm
Replay of the Connersville Spartans vs the Franklin County Wildcats game played
8/26/22.

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Burton notebook: School plans, traffic updates, fake fundraising account removed

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School plans
Two Wayne County school districts will not be in their buildings on Monday so faculty, staff and students can attend K-9 Officer Seara Burton’s funeral at 11 a.m. in Richmond High School’s Tiernan Center if desired. Two other districts are planning an early dismissal to avoid families being caught up in Burton’s funeral procession on U.S. 40. *Northeastern Wayne Schools will be closed Monday. Burton, 28, is a Northeastern graduate, and some teachers and school employees who were there during her student days still work for the district and want to pay their respects. In addition, some Northeastern families are connected to Burton through the first responder community, said Assistant Superintendent Jessica Neill.