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 […]
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Sheriff touts support for federal immigration policy
Sheriff Randy Retter doesn’t know why Wayne County was labeled a sanctuary county by an anti-immigration think tank, but he made sure the county didn’t stay on that list. Retter told Wayne County’s commissioners during their Jan. 29 meeting that he worked with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Indianapolis to assure the […]
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Stride Crisis Center and mobile unit to open Feb. 14
A new 24/7 mental health and substance abuse crisis center and mobile crisis unit will enable all residents within 60 miles of Richmond to access immediate care. Centerstone has received a capital grant of up to $50,000 from Indiana United Ways to develop a new Stride Crisis Center at 816 Dillon Drive in Richmond. The […]
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Bills could negatively impact paving funds, I-70 businesses
Centerville officials are concerned about the possibilities of Interstate 70 becoming a toll road and changes in how towns qualify for local paving funds. Road discussion Council President Dan Wandersee monitors legislation going through Indiana General Assembly before its session ends in April. During council’s Jan. 28 work session, he asked those attending to contact […]
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Fountain City volunteers plan for 2025
Fountain City residents are invited to learn about 2025 opportunities and reflect on 2024 projects for their community. Fountain City Forward is planning a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Lions Club’s building, 600 W. Main St. Upcoming events and volunteer opportunities include stewardship of new concrete planters placed throughout town […]
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Most local grad rates between 90-100%
Nearly all Wayne County high schools neared or exceeded a 90% graduation rate for the Class of 2024. Three local schools surpassed Indiana’s average of 90.23%, which is the highest graduation rate since state officials began publishing data. Indiana’s rate was 88.98% in 2023. Centerville Senior High School Principal Brian Bellew said rates can vary widely […]
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Upcoming bridge projects carry $14M price tag
With 250 bridges maintained by Wayne County, there’s never a shortage of projects needing work, whether rehabilitations or outright replacements. Federal funding passed through the Indiana Department of Transportation expands the county’s ability to tackle bridge projects. Brandon Sanders, the county highway engineer, updated the eight federal bridge projects during the Jan. 29 commissioners meeting. […]
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Former sanitary district clerk seeks dismissal of 11 charges
A former Richmond Sanitary District employee accused of stealing more than $825,000 says 11 of 16 charges against her should be dismissed. Jennifer Wilson, 48, was charged last November with eight counts of theft — seven as Level 5 felonies for the years 2017 through 2023 and one as a Level 6 felony for 2016 […]
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‘1619 Project’ creator speaking in Richmond
Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of “The 1619 Project,” will give a free talk in Richmond. The program starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Earlham College’s Goddard Auditorium in Carpenter Hall, 801 National Road W. Admission is free for the community. No tickets are required. Her visit includes a 75-minute […]