Sheriff Randy Retter needs six more jail deputies, and he presented Wayne County Council with a creative approach to filling those positions. During council’s Feb. 6 meeting, Retter explained that hiring trained jail deputies is difficult. Deputies are usually promoted from civilian corrections officers trained by jail staff. With that in mind, Retter proposed hiring […]
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Auditions planned for ‘Les Mis,’ ‘Little Shop of Horrors’
Richmond Civic Theatre is planning auditions for a radio show of “Les Miserables” and a stage production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Tryouts for “Little Shop” are at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at RCT’s Annex, 13 S. 10th St. Audition materials are available at gorct.org/auditions. The musical about […]
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RSO offering 3 concerts, new youth programs
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 […]