Richmond firefighters aggressively attacked burning plastic when they arrived shortly after 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at a facility known as a fire hazard. Overcoming limited access to the burning pile of the 358 N.W. F St. complex, the firefighters tried to quickly gain control, but strong winds helped the fire jump to another plastics […]
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Supportive notes needed for fire station dreams
If the town wants $500,000 in state funding to renovate Fire Station 1, more Centerville residents need to share how a fire station benefits them. Centerville’s council conducted the first of two public hearings regarding its upcoming application. Clerk-Treasurer Richard Tincher spoke with an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs representative after the town’s […]
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‘Dolly’ says hello (again)
Richmond Civic Theatre is abuzz with romance, comedy, energetic dance, bright costumes and what theater staff call some of the greatest songs in musical theater history. “Hello, Dolly!” opens Thursday for eight performances at the downtown theater, and dozens of area residents are assisting on or offstage. The G-rated musical features the exploits of Dolly […]
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Local syringe exchange up for county renewal
Should Wayne County continue providing a syringe exchange program? Since 2016, commissioners have decided yes, and again face that decision as the most recent two-year renewal expires June 30. Christine Stinson, executive director of the Wayne County Health Department, formally requested April 12 that commissioners renew the program. They have the option of a one- […]
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Common Council applauds fire response
Richmond Fire Department continues to monitor the scene of last week’s plastics fire at a North West F Street complex. Chief Tim Brown said Monday night that two people watch for smoke around the clock more than six days after the April 11 fire ignited at 358 N.W. F St., consuming 13.8 acres across the […]
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Resignations at WW Schools similar to previous years
Three extracurricular resignations approved by the Western Wayne School board last week brought the total number of staff resignations this school year to 23, similar to numbers in previous years. Before the April 12 board meeting, Superintendent Andy Stover had responded to questions from Western Wayne News about staff resignations. In a March 29 email, […]
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Richmond evacuation order lifted
During a message broadcast Sunday afternoon, the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency lifted the evacuation order for residents and businesses within a half mile of the site of last week’s industrial fire, as well as the shelter in place order for others in the area. Mayor Dave Snow said the decision is based on the […]
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Amid growing concerns, environmental, health impacts of fire remain unclear
As soon as word spread that the massive plume of black smoke billowing over Richmond on Tuesday, April 11, was from burning plastics, many began to wonder about the health impacts on the community’s air, water and soil. Top of mind might have been the February train derailment just 300 miles away in East Palestine, […]
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Momentum builds for rail operator project
A company interested in building a new rail-served transloading, processing and warehousing facility is receiving logistical help from Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County. A $1 million community rail incentive had been offered in 2016 as part of Blue Buffalo’s plans to build a pet food manufacturing facility at Midwest Industrial Park. However, momentum slowed […]
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Sheriff’s office seeks grant for drug-detection equipment
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has applied for $102,000 in Bureau of Justice Assistance grant funding to purchase drug-detection equipment, Sheriff Randy Retter told Wayne County’s commissioners during an April 5 meeting. The Ionscan 600 is a highly sensitive trace detector that utilizes litmus paper to show the presence of and identify narcotics, including fentanyl. […]