As the seventh of eight children, Dennis Rome was inspired by two older sisters who became teachers. Despite the challenges faced after Rome lost his father at age 4, his mother encouraged the siblings to become the first generation of their family to pursue college. He is still working in higher education more than 30 […]
Category: News
Posted inNews
Overnight shelters regularly open
Local organizations are beginning to announce their overnight shelters and warming stations when temperatures dip to dangerously cold levels. Some facilities, such as volunteer fire stations, are not staffed regularly and should be contacted via phone before arriving to ensure someone will be present. This list was compiled by Region 9 Continuum of Care. Contact […]
Posted inNews
Costumes, candy and Halloween fun
Safety Village of Wayne County welcomed hundreds of costumed trick-or-treaters Oct. 23. Lines wound through the village as representatives of community organizations and businesses passed out candy. The line extended across the Richmond State Hospital grounds with nice weather for the annual event. It was one of the many available Halloween events in addition to […]
Posted inNews
The $5 million question: How to spend ARPA, opioid money?
Wayne County’s commissioners asked the county’s elected officials and department heads for their ideas about possible uses of more than $5.23 million in available American Rescue Plan Act and opioid settlement dollars. Those two areas of funding were addressed during an Oct. 25 meeting designed to discuss and receive feedback on multiple topics. The county […]
Posted inNews
‘Rent’ opening at RCT
Today’s young professionals and some who are decades away from that season of life might relate to a group of friends struggling with love, finances and illness. Richmond Civic Theatre offers eight performances of the rock musical “Rent” from Nov. 2-5 and 9-12. “Rent” follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished […]
Posted inNews
Schools, charities receive funds for youth programs
Nearly 30 local youth-focused organizations and schools have received grants. Stamm Koechlein Family Foundation’s board recently awarded $270,000 to enhance community vitality in Indiana, California, North Carolina and Missouri. The 2023 grant cycle brings the foundation’s total giving to more than $4.3 million since 2001. The board also has invested more than $25,000 in local […]
Posted inNews
Egg farm gets zoning go-ahead
A unanimous vote after a 15-minute discussion ended a four-month quest for a zoning variance for a Hagerstown-area farmer. The Hagerstown Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-0 on Oct. 25 in favor of Gideon and Anna Ebersol’s request for a zoning variance that will allow them to keep up to 20,000 chickens on their farm. […]
Posted inNews
Tripled demand for food pantry strains funds
Citing heavy demand, a local food pantry is seeking nearly $50,000 to end the year in the black. Eldon Harzman, board president for Community Food Pantry, said the organization has fed 3.5 times as many people as this time last year. In 2023’s first nine months, CFP provided 102,408 meals, compared to 73,870 meals for […]
Posted inNews
Pay raise for RCS staff draws cheers
Although agreeing to purchase McBride Stadium might be the most visible outcome of Richmond Community Schools’ Oct. 18 board meeting, it wasn’t the action that received audience applause. That celebration was after a 6-0 vote to increase pay for staff such as preschool teachers and classroom paraprofessionals. Classified staff salaries Some RCS teachers have previously […]
Posted inNews
Nettle Creek board OKs bonding
In a series of meetings on Oct. 3, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18, the Nettle Creek schools board has formalized details of a bond sale to fund improvements and buses, approved its 2024 budget and spotlighted accomplishments of school staff and students. On Oct. 11, the board approved documents detailing a $1.325 million bond issue […]