Richmond Symphony Orchestra will play a piece this weekend that musicians chose as their highlight of this season, and the ensemble is offering some new and returning education programs. Concerts RSO’s concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, in Civic Hall Performing Arts Center includes Igor Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella.” When RSO musicians were surveyed before the […]
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State overreach concerns officials
Hagerstown is joining the list of area towns concerned about how proposed state legislation might reduce or remove local control of services. During their Feb. 3 meeting, Hagerstown Town Council members heard from fire chief Rick Cole about the potential implications of various bills, including HB1233. Proposed by Republican rep. Karen Engleman from District 70, […]
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Valentine fundraisers benefit animals, more
At least four organizations are offering Valentine-related fundraisers or promotions in February. Nonprofits can send information about their programs and events to contact@westernwaynenews.com for publication consideration.
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Despite hurricane, RP&L reliability exceeds 99.9%
Squirrels posed a problem for Richmond Power & Light during 2024. So did trees. Those are normal issues causing outages each year, but Hurricane Helene was an anomaly that impacted RP&L’s service the most last year. General Manager Tony Foster reported to the RP&L board, which is comprised of Richmond Common Council members, the utility’s […]
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State dings school system for financial management
The Indiana State Board of Accounts released a Jan. 29 report noting Nettle Creek School Corporation was deficient in managing some bank accounts and in submitting required reports to the state. The report examined the management of the school corporation’s extracurricular bank accounts from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023. SBOA said the school […]
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Earlham trustees decline teachers’ union
After months of deliberations, Earlham College won’t voluntarily recognize a teaching faculty union. Tom Thornburg, the trustees’ board chair, announced the decision Feb. 3. An ad hoc committee of trustees had explored the request for the union and made a recommendation to the board. The board made its decision with its financial oversight role firmly […]
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Property tax rates drop in Wayne Co.
Property tax rates in all 35 Wayne County taxing districts are lower for 2025 payments than in 2024. That seems like good news, but it doesn’t necessarily mean lower property tax bills. The 2025 total payments, with half due in May and half due in November, are based on 2024 property assessments. Higher assessments lead […]
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Council considers bonds for 6Main build
With demolition of the former Elder-Beerman complete, construction nears for the luxury apartment development planned for the corner of South Sixth and East Main streets. The estimated $37 million 6Main development promises 150 apartments and 3,200 square feet of retail space, according to a presentation from Deron Kintner of developer Flaherty & Collins Properties during […]
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Shoppers find Richmond 3rd cheapest U.S. urban area
Richmond ranks third out of 254 urban areas nationwide when six categories were compared in a year-end Cost of Living Index review. Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County discussed the latest ranking at their Feb. 3 board meeting. EDC staff gather and submit prices for 61 different items related to housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, health […]
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Commissioners shift gears on truck drivers’ tuition benefit
The Wayne County Highway Department invests more than $10,000 when it hires truck drivers without Class A commercial drivers licenses. The new drivers are enrolled in a six-week course to obtain their CDLs. Tuition costs $5,245, and the drivers earn $22.27 per hour while taking the class. Those drivers are required to pay back some […]