Jeff Plasterer will continue as president of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners for a third year. New District 2 commissioner Aaron Roberts nominated Plasterer to remain president during the first meeting of the year Jan. 2. Plasterer took over as president when Brad Dwenger replaced the previous president, Ken Paust, on the board beginning […]
Category: News
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Town hiring public works superintendent
Cambridge City is beginning a search for a new superintendent of public works. At its Dec. 30 meeting, council passed the 2025 salary ordinance. Employees will receive a 3% raise, and an incentive for volunteer firefighters was increased. During discussion, it was noted the superintendent’s position would be open to start the year. President Jim […]
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County’s 1st 2025 birth occurs on holiday
After 41 weeks’ gestation, Waylon Cook was the first baby known to be born in Wayne County in 2025. His arrival at 5:29 a.m. Jan. 1 at Reid Health in Richmond came a week later than his expected Christmas due date, according to a news release. His mother, Madison Fry, and father, Bradyn Cook, both […]
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Several schools transitioning to delayed starts
After several inches of snow, the Whitewater Valley’s road conditions are prompting a new round of delays for Wednesday, Jan. 8, and downgraded travel advisory. Last update at 10:47 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. Travel watch Closures/delays Wednesday, Jan. 8 Schools Warming resources The Emergency Warming Center in Richmond is open in the evenings while temperatures […]
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Winter weather closures and resources
Prompted by the weekend’s snowy weather, organizations are updating their hours or announcing closures. Some warming centers are open for those without heat, and there are resources for monitoring road conditions. Do you know of a closure, school update or other important advisory related to the weather? Please email contact at westernwaynenews dot com with […]
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Blue Buffalo will receive city bonds
The city of Richmond will issue more than $36 million in bonds to support an ongoing Blue Buffalo expansion project after a Dec. 16 Richmond Common Council vote. Blue Buffalo, which opened in 2018 at a Midwest Industrial Park site along West Industries Road, began a 169,000-square-foot expansion in 2023 that requires purchasing additional equipment […]
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Health officer: Vaping harms children
One in 10 U.S. high school students uses e-cigarettes. Dr. Jennifer Bales, the health officer for Wayne County, highlighted the dangers that e-cigarettes and vaping pose during the Dec. 17 meeting of the county’s health board. She said dangers of smoking, such as risk of stroke, heart disease, lung disease and cancer, are well-known, but […]
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‘Lights out’ for local food inspection violations
Inspectors discovered six critical and 24 noncritical violations during recent routine inspections of local food establishments. The violations included non-working lights, unsanitary employee practices and the presence of dirt, mold, and food debris in food and bar areas. Establishments are required to post the most recent routine inspection form adjacent to the front public entrance […]
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Breakfast, speakers celebrating King’s legacy
Organizations are beginning to announce events marking the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and recruit participants for initiatives throughout the year. Ivy Tech Community College is organizing its annual “Living the Dream” breakfast at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at its Johnson Hall, 2357 Chester Blvd., Richmond. Doors open at 7:30 […]
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Grateful judge
Judges bear the weight of their rulings on their own, but the judicial system requires contributions from many. When Judge Charles Todd Jr. sat behind the desk in his Superior Court 1 chambers and spoke about nearly 16 years on the bench, he expressed gratitude toward all those people — his colleagues and staff, the […]