As area first responders and public safety personnel make more use of encrypted radio communications, the residents who have traditionally tuned in to scanner traffic might be wondering about the loss of transparency. Government officials say there are still options to hold them accountable. In a culmination of years of planning and equipment upgrades, many […]
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County rejects Hagerstown’s 2-year EDIT contract request
Wayne County’s commissioners decided Jan. 22 against Hagerstown’s request to participate in the countywide consolidated EDIT program for just two years. The town in December provided the county a two-year contract to contribute half of its economic development income tax revenue to consolidated EDIT. That fund pays operating expenses for the Economic Development Corporation of […]
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Richmond parks help families enjoy fun times
Simply put, parks provide fun for the people who use them. During 2024, Richmond Parks and Recreation Department facilities hosted 362 birthday parties, 104 baby showers, 67 graduation parties and 61 holiday parties, according to Denise Retz, the parks superintendent, during a Jan. 21 presentation to Richmond Common Council. “That’s a lot of fun times […]
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CACS adds grad paths, addresses weather
Centerville-Abington Community Schools board members learned about new graduation pathways through a medical training school and administrators’ criteria for weather-related delays or cancellations. Graduation pathways The board approved a memorandum of understanding with KLR Medical Certification Training School to help CACS meet Indiana’s new diploma requirements. Superintendent Mike McCoy and Director of Student Learning Tammy […]
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Auditor faces 2 intimidation charges
Wayne County Auditor Mark Hoelscher faces two misdemeanor intimidation charges regarding handwritten notes left in neighbors’ mailboxes. The notes that were handwritten on envelopes read, “Break into my house again or hurt any of my animals I will give you something to arrest me for,” according to the police narrative by Indiana State Police Trooper […]
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Transformers to cost RP&L $5.5 million
Richmond Power & Light will spend more than $5.5 million for two new transformers. During a Jan. 21 meeting, RP&L’s board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, awarded Virginia Georgia Transformer the transformer bid for $5,543,850. Virginia George provided the lowest of four bids and the quickest delivery time, at 85 to 90 […]
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Northeastern school board eager for new reading texts
Inspired by a presentation by two Northeastern Wayne educators, school board members enthusiastically expanded the purchase of new reading textbooks to an additional grade level. During the board’s Jan. 22 meeting, Tierney Stevenson, elementary principal, and Teresa Ervin, literacy coach, requested a purchase of textbooks for kindergarten through second grades for next fall and expanding […]
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County’s housing ‘accelerator’ program launches
Housing developers are getting a new tool to use to increase housing stock. The Housing Accelerator Program, announced by Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, will provide grants, with a maximum of $250,000 per project, to support public infrastructure projects in existing, unfinished, platted subdivisions. On Jan. 17, EDC staff announced that applications are now […]
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Gem changes hands
Paul and Pam Fowler quickly agreed about Indiana with a middle-aged couple hauling rustic collectibles to the second floor of the National Road Antique Mall building. Introducing themselves as the building’s new owners, the Fowlers fell into conversation with the couple, who, it turned out, are new vendors there. Both couples found they had moved […]
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Common Council business continues despite friction
Larry Parker’s seen plenty of disagreements during four decades as a Richmond Common Council member. Even a fistfight on the elevator. So some strife during the past year between council members and between council members and the mayor wasn’t so significant, especially because council’s business proceeded during meetings. “I don’t think it ever stopped anything […]