Mental health issues plague many inmates in Wayne County’s jail, according to Sheriff Randy Retter, making access to mental health care vitally important. To that end, Retter requested during Wayne County Council’s Aug. 5 meeting that it provide an extra $62,000 in his 2027 budget to double mental health services in the jail from 20 […]
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Lincoln alumni plan community concert
It’s unusual for a high school reunion to book a rock band for the entire community to enjoy, but that’s what Lincoln Middle/High School’s Class of 1976 has planned. They have booked local band The Longshots to perform from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, on the new Creitz Park Pavilion behind the fire station, 127 […]
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RPD to provide RCS 3 school resource officers
Richmond Police Department will provide Richmond Community Schools one fewer school resource officer this school year. During its Aug. 6 meeting, the Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety approved a memorandum of understanding for the 2026-27 school year. Major Austin Lipps highlighted that the MOU provides three officers for $300,000 rather than the four […]
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Sun helps customers meet needs
Sunny days help 24 Richmond Power & Light customers generate their own electricity. Seventeen customers operate solar systems that generate less than 10 kilowatts, while seven more operate larger systems. RP&L General Manager Tony Foster provided the utility’s board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, with a solar update during an Aug. 3 […]
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Sewage, water overflow concerns flood meeting
Fountain City’s Joe Longfellow sees recent heavy rain as acts of God. But a utilities issue was his concern at the Aug. 4 town council meeting. Longfellow, who lives on U.S. Highway 27, said that hours after rainfall recedes, his yard and basement flood with septic tank residue. The backup has occurred twice — July […]
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Catastrophic flooding hits Wayne County
Updated Aug. 13, 2026, at 10:16 a.m. Historic flooding has inundated parts of Wayne County on Aug. 12 after up to 10 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours, prompting widespread water rescues, evacuations, road closures, school cancellations and a local disaster emergency declaration. Officials have prohibited non-emergency travel under a Level III […]
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PHOTOS: Starr students start the new school year
Starr Elementary School had its first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 5, in Richmond. Students enjoyed breakfast, learned where to hang their backpacks, colored pictures, organized school supplies and got accustomed to their new classrooms. Joshua Smith captured these photos for the Western Wayne News.
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Centerville-Abington schools note smooth start to year
Centerville-Abington Community Schools approved a new evaluation tool for its administrators and reflected on a positive first day of school. CACS’ board met a week earlier than usual — on its first day for students, Wednesday, Aug. 5 — so any pending hires were formally approved. One of the final teachers to join was Andrew […]
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Author shares inventor’s legacy with council
Author Doug Sanders was the special guest at Hagerstown’s Aug. 3 council meeting. Sanders’ new book, “Ralph R. Teetor: The Man Who Knows How Fast You Drive,” retells Hagerstown’s industrious history through Teetor’s lens, the blind innovator who invented vehicle cruise control. The book chronicles Teetor’s life and career, including his work with Perfect Circle/Dana […]
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Theater season includes ‘9 to 5,’ ‘Annie’
From Dolly Parton to Daddy Warbucks, Richmond Civic Theatre offers a mix of familiar and fresh plays this year. The season opened earlier this fall than usual, with the first show, “1776: The Musical,” concluding its run Sunday, Aug. 16. Shows take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at 1003 E. Main […]