Wayne County’s commissioners will decide if the county should accept millions of dollars designated toward improving the area’s poor public health ranking. A few local residents are asking them to say ‘no.’ Indiana’s legislature this year committed $225 million in additional health funding for 2024 and 2025. Counties must opt in by Sept. 1. Wayne […]
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Qualifying families can apply for $1,000 of tutoring
Indiana Department of Education has announced expansion of Indiana Learns, a statewide grant program providing qualifying families with $1,000 to spend on math and English/language arts high-dosage tutoring and approved out-of-school academic programs for their students. To date, more than 10,000 students are enrolled in Indiana Learns. All five Wayne County public districts have students […]
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Educators focused on improving ILEARN scores
Some Wayne County educators are relieved that last year’s instructional changes boosted their student’s state-mandated standardized test scores, while all say they’ll analyze their districts’ weaknesses and target improvements to score better next year. Statewide, 40.7% of Hoosier students who took the Indiana Learning Evaluation and Assessment Readiness Network (ILEARN) test in 2023 were at […]
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Some public hearings set for 2024 budgets
Wayne County citizens have an opportunity to address how their tax money is spent locally. The county’s taxing districts must advertise their proposed 2024 budgets, public hearings and budget adoption plans on the state’s Department of Local Government Finance website. Visit https://budgetnotices.in.gov/unit_lookup.aspx?ct=89000 to find budget information submitted by county government, the city of Richmond, plus […]
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County woos new industry, expansions
A speculative warehouse space is being considered to help current Wayne County industry grow and/or attract new companies. Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County staff told board members during their Aug. 7 meeting that they are evaluating two opportunities with developers interested in creating the spec building. They also met with a contractor to discuss […]
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Hagerstown evaluates its letter jacket policy
There’s talk of changing how letter jackets are awarded at Hagerstown Jr.-Sr. High School. Nettle Creek Schools board members agreed on Aug. 9 to ask the school’s athletic director to consider whether changes should be made to a system that has been in place for as long as anyone remembers. Board member Shaun Lieberman brought […]
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2023 opioid settlement payments grow 478%
For the second consecutive year, Wayne County government will receive more than $400,000 in opioid settlement money in 2023. Since the county received about $411,000 last December in the first settlement installment, new settlements have been reached to hold companies accountable for their roles in the opioid addiction crisis. The Indiana Attorney General now estimates […]
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Roundabouts coming to Wayne County
The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to install Wayne County’s first roundabouts. Two roundabouts are included in the new-look Interstate 70 interchange with U.S. 40 on Richmond’s east side. That reconstruction is part of the Revive I-70 project that will impact I-70 throughout its 20-plus miles in Wayne County, then extend to Indianapolis. INDOT representatives […]
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Hagerstown’s Jubilee Days begins with gyroscopes
For at least 70 years, Jubilee Days has been a late summer fixture of life in Hagerstown. Organized by Nettle Creek Lions Club, the annual festival returns this weekend. Activities start Thursday evening with the Gyroscope Championship of the World at 6 p.m. in The Meeting Place at 11 E. Main St. Anyone can enter […]
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Rose Hamilton reopening after water, mud damage
Some eager kindergartners will soon start their school careers, but a few days later than expected. After a week involving engineering studies, mud and water cleanup and dryers, Rose Hamilton Elementary in Centerville was scheduled to open to students Tuesday, Aug. 15. Barring unforeseen circumstances, teachers were to be allowed in their classrooms on the morning […]