Talisha Spicher’s family has experienced breathing problems, coughs, sore throats and headaches since returning to their Linden Court home after Richmond’s plastics fire. Still, she had one main objective when attending an April 25 informational session at Fairview Elementary School. “We want to know if the soil is safe for our kids,” said Spicher, who […]
Local news and updates from Wayne County, Indiana reportersRichmond
Richmond, Indiana is the county seat of Wayne County and sits in the eastern part of the county near the Ohio state line. Full of rich history, vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes, the city offers a wide variety of experiences, neighborhoods, events and community opportunities to residents and visitors alike.
There’s always something new happening in Richmond, and the Western Wayne News team is there to cover it. Our reporters bring updates from local government meetings, school boards, sports teams, colleges and universities, small businesses, non-profit organizations, performing arts events and much more. Below you can find the latest news, information, scores and updates.
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RFD contract provides 3% raise
Richmond’s firefighters will receive a 3% salary increase with their new two-year contract. The raise will be split with 1.5% this year and 1.5%, non-compounding, in 2024, according to the contract approved April 27 by the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety. The contract — and the raise makes the base firefighter salary $53,279.90 […]
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Lawsuit alleges ‘blatant disregard’ for residents’ safety and welfare
The billowing black smoke from an April 11 plastics fire triggered an evacuation order that forced residents from their homes and closed businesses. A class-action lawsuit claims residents have experienced physical problems and emotional distress because of the fire at a North West F Street plastics recycling and resale business. It seeks compensatory and punitive […]
Posted inNews
RCS enrollment full for STEAM program, preschool
Richmond Community Schools addressed a variety of topics at its April 26 board meeting, including an update on its new STEAM Academy, helping kids impacted by trauma, and a $60,000 contract for strategic planning. STEAM Academy: All student spots are filled in the new program for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. A second fifth-grade […]
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Unexpected cash precedes dash
About 30 seconds before he was to run the 200-meter dash, Austin Rohe’s friends told him he’d just won a car or a $25,500 scholarship. The Richmond High School senior was one of 120 students being recognized at Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Celebration for near-perfect school attendance this year. Rohe hasn’t missed […]
Posted inSports
Richmond duo wins state fishing title
Richmond High School seniors Henry Vincent and Ross Peacock are state champions. Western Wayne News ran an article in our March 22nd issue announcing the signing of Vincent to attend Adrian College in Michigan on a fishing scholarship. Last weekend Vincent, with his fishing partner and classmate Ross Peacock, validated Adrian College’s decision by winning […]
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The shared costs of blighted properties
Mayor Dave Snow made one point “crystal clear,” as he said, when speaking about the conundrum the city faced with plastics-filled properties on North West F Street that were a known fire hazard: Taxpayers would not pay the multimillion-dollar cleanup tab. The city had been working with Seth Smith, the owner of Cornerstone Trading Group, […]
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Former resident sharing TV, film industry insights
A former Richmond resident who writes, produces and directs for TV shows and movies is returning home from Los Angeles to share his experiences. Aaron Harberts, who was born in Iowa and raised in Richmond and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will speak at 6 p.m. Friday at Richmond Art Museum’s 16th annual Phantoscope High School Film […]
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Long-term health effects from plastics fire unlikely
The thick, black smoke from the April 11 plastics fire in Richmond looked ominous, and it definitely carried toxic material from the burning plastic. There were many unknowns about the air quality at the time; however, constant Environmental Protection Agency testing for more than a week has left health officials confident the burning plastics won’t […]
Posted inSports
Richmond ends season-opening losing streak
The Richmond softball team ended their season-opening, nine-game losing streak the night of Wednesday, April 19 by run-ruling visiting Winchester Community 10-0 in five innings. Macie Ferguson led off the bottom of the first inning with a triple and the Lady Red Devils never slowed down. Richmond went on to score three runs in the […]