While navigating swift-moving, dangerous floodwaters, Richmond Fire Department’s inflatable rescue boat had a 4-foot hole torn in its bottom. RFD learned lessons Aug. 12 while helping execute 29 water rescues, and Deputy Chief Matt Baker talked about the experiences during the Aug. 17 Richmond Common Council meeting. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Lynn Fire […]
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Employer: Make sure water rate increases are fair
A major Cambridge City manufacturer asked town council members to be as fair as possible to businesses when considering a potential water bill increase. Council conducted a public hearing regarding proposed water rates along with its Monday, Aug. 10, meeting. That discussion was just more than 24 hours before heavy rains led to catastrophic flooding. […]
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First responder recalls fateful day after flood
Nine days after record rain swallowed Western Wayne County, Milton’s Nicole Robinson still had water flowing through her basement. Her home’s sump pump quit working sometime on Aug. 12, letting in 4 ½ feet of water. It took days and two sump pumps to remove most of it. And even with a new one installed, […]
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Return to school offers normalcy
Seven days after torrential flooding canceled school countywide, the Nettle Creek School board reconvened for its monthly meeting on Aug. 19. The board praised its community and Superintendent Emily Schaeffer for leading efforts to make the return possible. Board member Mike Banning called the efforts humbling and overwhelming, describing the Nettle Creek School community as […]
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Cambridge City begins rebuilding
Although the town’s water still needs boiling and hundreds of homes remain damaged, Cambridge City businesses have begun rebounding from the flood and students are back in school. “We know there is still a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, but we are continuing to work every day to help Cambridge City recover,” the […]
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Centerville celebrates perfect IREAD score
Centerville-Abington Community Schools celebrated several academic successes and helping a neighboring district, and reviewed preliminary enrollment numbers. Testing During the Aug. 19 board meeting, CACS celebrated earning a 100% passing rate on IREAD, Indiana’s required reading test for second and third graders. Assistant Superintendent Sean Stevenson said CACS was one of nine Indiana public school […]
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County’s work-based learning hits snag
Despite Centerville-Abington Community Schools Superintendent Mike McCoy believing Wayne County is among Indiana’s best-prepared counties for the new work-based learning program, he said a significant issue has arisen that’s keeping many students out of workplaces. HEA 1098 requires employers purchase workers’ compensation insurance for unpaid interns. McCoy said about 80% of CACS interns are unpaid. […]
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Reading scores rising
School leaders are recognizing their students and employees for successes on Indiana’s reading test for second and third graders. Indiana Department of Education recently released results from spring and summer Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination, or IREAD-3, testing to the public. Most Wayne County districts were above or near the state’s 88.7% pass rate; two […]
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Councilor: Smith Hill developer ‘misled’ about rentals
Larry Parker thinks the Smith Hill housing project’s developers misled Richmond Common Council, and he’s not inclined to provide them with more than $7.5 million in infrastructure funding. An ordinance authorizing a $7,560,000 forgivable loan was presented to council during its Aug. 17 meeting, and Parker renewed his objections that the project includes rental units. […]
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RP&L rates go up Oct 1
Beginning Oct. 1, Richmond Power & Light customers will pay more per kilowatt-hour for their electric usage. Richmond Common Council approved during its Aug. 17 meeting a new RP&L rate schedule that will increase residential rates 11.0% through 2029. Council members had previously approved the schedule when voting as the RP&L board. The Oct. 1 […]