Two men who once teamed up to get each other elected are now exchanging criticisms in the public square. Mayor Ron Oler issued a signed statement Tuesday responding to a Facebook post by Richmond Common Council member Jerry Purcell that the statement said included “blatant factual inaccuracies.” Oler’s statement was approved by the city’s legal […]
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Centerville advances comprehensive planning
Everyone speaking at the Nov. 12 public hearing agreed that Centerville needs a new comprehensive plan, and the town will soon find out if it will receive $50,000 in grant funding to make that happen. The hearing was an important step in advancing the application to Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs, which was […]
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Veterinarian adds bite into animal programs
The animal welfare project in Wayne County’s Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program began by sniffing out possibilities and is now digging up real solutions. Dr. Stacy Kostiuk, a local veterinarian, updated the county’s commissioners Nov. 13 about progress she’s made implementing ideas to alleviate the county’s issue with cats and dogs. Part of her presentation included […]
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No boom, only bust for BZA’s fireworks hearing
More than 20 people expecting fireworks attended the Nov. 14 Wayne County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, but their issue of concern fizzled. The five-member board was scheduled to hear a petition from Gary Wolff and Jesse Wolff requesting a variance of use to permit 12 shipping containers storing fireworks at 4937 Esteb Road, which […]
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Richmond board orders vicious dog’s euthanasia
A dog deemed vicious by Richmond’s Board of Public Works and Safety has been ordered to be euthanized. The board determined the dog owned by Brandon Wood of the 1900 block of Valley Drive was vicious during its Nov. 7 meeting. Then, on Nov. 14, the board voted 3-0 that the dog should be euthanized […]
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Longtime council member must resign
Wayne County Council member Tony Gillam stunned his colleagues during their Nov. 6 meeting by announcing he must resign from the District 4 seat he’s occupied for two decades. Gillam had been shopping for a new home and the one he found — one he said he’s loved since it was built in the early […]
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County steps toward dissolving WUR
Calling Wayne Union Recycling a “cumbersome” process to administer, Wayne County’s commissioners took the first step Nov. 6 toward dissolving the quasi-government organization. Commissioners Jeff Plasterer and Brad Dwenger asked county attorney Ron Cross to prepare the necessary resolutions. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters could not attend the meeting. WUR formed three decades ago with Wayne, […]
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Hagerstown weighs its future with EDC
President Valerie Shafer of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, Indiana, asked the Hagerstown Town Council to renew its contract for four years. Hagerstown is one of several towns that pays the county one-half of its economic development income tax, which is then used for the EDC and economic development projects. Hagerstown is paying […]
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Volunteers dig in with tree-planting project
Javier Orduz and his sons, Andre and Mathias, planted a tree Nov. 9 along the west side of South 10th Street near Hibberd school. They were among about 25 volunteers helping with the effort to improve the tree canopy. After watching Aren Flint and Kelley Scholfield of Davey Resource Group demonstrate the process, the Orduzes […]
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EDC extends president’s contract
Wayne County’s economic development leader has received a two-year contract extension. Board members of Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County unanimously voted to retain President Valerie Shaffer during their Nov. 4 meeting. Shaffer’s base salary will be $142,956 per year. She’s receiving a 10% raise, which EDC’s executive committee believe is similar to Wayne County’s […]