When a cemetery foundation believed to have nearly $300,000 reportedly wouldn’t pay an $8,000 groundskeeping bill, suspicions were raised to police and an investigation began. Indiana State Police now accuses a local couple who were leaders of the cemetery foundation of writing checks worth more than $150,000 to themselves, according to a probable cause affidavit […]
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Richmond council considers changes for tax abatements
An ordinance presented to Richmond Common Council during its April 3 meeting would change requirements and the award process for companies requesting city tax abatements, which are intended to incentivize economic development activity. Two immediate changes are raising the minimum investment by new businesses or expanding businesses to $500,000 from $250,000 and limiting personal property […]
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City water bills could rise 32%
Indiana American Water’s customers in Richmond could see their bills increase gradually to $14 more per month if a proposed rate increase is approved. IAW has filed a rate adjustment request with Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, noting $875 million in water and wastewater system investments to be made through 2025. If the proposed rates are […]
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Color images emerge from explosion witness
Fifty-five years later, the painful images of Richmond’s downtown explosions are still vivid for survivors as well as those who lost loved ones on that deadly Saturday afternoon. Through extensive images, legendary Richmond photographer Ralph Pyle and local journalists documented the horrible day of April 6, 1968, and its aftermath. Nearly all those moments captured […]
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Centerville weighs special pickup trash fee
A new fee might be set for residents who don’t get their trash out in time for regular collections and request a special pickup. At the council’s March 28 meeting, Town Manager Kevin Slick proposed a $40 special pickup fee to cover fuel, truck and worker expenses. After a search, Slick said he’s found records […]
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Bids due for county projects
Progress continues through a list of major Wayne County projects. Bids are due April 5 for a replacement generator at the Wayne County Administration Building, and bids for a new HVAC system at First Bank Expo Hall will be due May 3, said Steve Higinbotham, the county’s director of facilities and development, during a short […]
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Task force plans to improve area broadband access
Online learning. Job searches. Telehealth appointments. Online banking. Remote work. All of these activities can change someone’s quality of life, and all of them require a reliable internet connection. In Wayne County approximately 9% of residents don’t have an internet connection at all, and of those who do only 57% are satisfied with their connection. […]
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Randolph, Henry counties sharing nearly $4M in road funds
From staff reports Randolph and Henry counties are among the rural Indiana areas receiving federal transportation funds through Indiana Department of Transportation. Randolph County has received $2,410,400 for a project about half a mile west of U.S. 27 on Short Street. Henry County received $1.37 million for a project a fraction of a mile north […]
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Preparing for a derailment: ‘what if’ the unthinkable happens?
Wayne County agencies have plans for derailment, other hazmat responses Despite being as prepared as possible for an accident involving hazardous materials, local fire and response managers agree that no one agency can be completely ready for something like the derailment that occurred Feb. 3 in a small Ohio town. In East Palestine, Ohio, 38 […]
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Baby box, small theater among grant recipients
Twenty local organizations are receiving support for needs ranging from a Safe Haven Baby Box to scholarships for summer camp. Wayne County Foundation’s board has approved an allocation of $170,572 for projects through its Grant Cycle I and other first-quarter grant opportunities. Grants are made through gifts from individual donors who create funds to benefit […]