Wayne County’s court system is dealing more frequently with language barriers that require translators. To make sure there’s enough money, Wayne County Council created a new budget line item in the court services 2025 budget and transferred $10,000 to that line item from the pauper attorney line item. Adam McQueen, the assistant chief probation officer, […]
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Bus drivers could qualify for insurance
Centerville-Abington Community Schools is sweetening incentives to recruit bus drivers. At its March 19 meeting, the board voted to offer insurance to noncertified employees who work more than 30 hours per week and are also bus drivers. Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson said other schools offer that benefit to encourage younger employees to become bus drivers. […]
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Explosion survivor wants memorial moved
The nightmare of being trapped in a building and surrounded by fire now only haunts Jack Bales occasionally nearly 57 years after he survived two explosions in downtown Richmond. On April 6, 1968, Bales was in Marting Arms on the southeast corner of Sixth and Main streets, standing next to his friend, Greg Oler. An […]
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Recycling breakup navigates asset split
Wayne County will receive about $230,000 and Union County about $25,000 from the distribution of Wayne Union Recycling’s assets. During a joint meeting March 21 in Union County’s courthouse, the WUR board, Union County commissioners and Wayne County commissioners approved an analysis of WUR assets and obligations, the distribution of assets and allocation of responsibilities […]
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BZA’s fireworks decision faces appeal
A father and son who want to store fireworks on an Esteb Road property appealed a Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals decision that would prevent that. Gary Wolff and Jesse Wolff were denied a variance of use that would have permitted 12 storage containers for consumer fireworks at 4937 Esteb Road, which is zoned […]
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Hagerstown schools change snow day schedule
Nettle Creek School Corp. approved its 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school calendars with one change. At their March 12 meeting, board members heard a recommendation to implement live online learning days if needed for bad weather to avoid adding days to the end of the school year. Superintendent Emily Schaeffer noted that in the past, Nettle […]
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Rodent reckoning: Food inspections expose unsanitary conditions
Inspectors discovered 14 critical and 21 noncritical violations during recent routine inspections of local food establishments. The violations include the presence of rodents, unsanitary employee practices, dirty equipment and equipment requiring repair, and improper food temperatures. Establishments are required to post the most recent routine inspection form adjacent to the front public entrance for potential […]
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Prosecutor asks judge to dismiss lawsuit
Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman has requested dismissal of a lawsuit filed against him by Richmond Police Department Major Adam Blanton. Blanton filed the lawsuit, which was later joined by the city of Richmond, after Shipman placed him on the locally maintained Brady-Giglio list, which identifies law enforcement officers whose testimony in court could become […]
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Community voices unite to perform with Richmond Symphony
Nearly 70 singers ranging from students to retirees, including a Grammy winner, will combine with 60 professional instrumentalists this weekend. Richmond Symphony Orchestra has re-established its longtime collaboration with voice programs at Indiana University East and Earlham College. Earlham’s Concert Choir, IUE’s Chorale, and local residents are forming the 66-member Richmond Symphony Chorus. They can […]
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Short-staffed RFD searches for solutions
Staffing continues to challenge Richmond Fire Department. Chief Jeff Kinder told Richmond Common Council members that RFD has 11 openings among its 85 budgeted positions, and five members are scheduled to retire this year. He provided council with a departmental review during the March 17 meeting. The staffing shortage creates problems managing overtime. Fire department […]