Posted inNews

Commissioners plan to award opioid settlement money this month

Applicant projects were prioritized through scoring system Twenty-three applicants should know this month whether they’ll receive a share of Wayne County’s 2022 opioid settlement disbursement. On Feb. 8, the county commissioners set their commitment goal to help interested agencies apply for $25 million the state has made available in additional grants. Local matches are required […]

Posted inNews

Richmond, firefighters still at odds over 2023 contract

Council rejects fact-finding panel’s recommendations, negotiations continue Richmond Fire Department members continue working without a 2023 contract. Common Council rejected a fact-finding panel’s recommendations Feb. 6 with an 8-1 vote. There was no discussion prior to the roll-call vote, only a recommendation from Ron Oler, chair of council’s finance committee, that council reject the recommendations […]

Posted inNews

HELP planning process seeks resident input

Meetings scheduled for all participating communities How would you spend $10 million to improve life here? Planning has begun for Wayne County communities participating in the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program, and they’re ready to hear from their residents. Meetings are scheduled for the county, Richmond and the six towns participating in HELP, which is the […]

Posted inNews

Farmers invited to free breakfast by FFA

Three local Future Farmers of America chapters are inviting local farmers and anyone working in the agriculture industry to a free breakfast on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, 861 N. Salisbury Road, Richmond. “It is a way for our members to thank our farmers and local agribusinesses and celebrate National FFA Week,” […]

Posted inNews

Life now spirals upward

Community service comes partly from man’s own experience of homelessness One of the faces becoming recognized as an up-and-coming community leader has a story to share about his journey to Richmond. Doug Macias said one reason the effort to open a warming center became important to him is that he had spent time being homeless. […]

Posted inNews

Planning process begins to boost fairgrounds rentals, self-sufficiency

Commissioners also review requests for opioid settlement funding Wayne County Fairgrounds rentals are beginning to rebound after slipping sharply because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That trend must continue for the fairground’s finances to become self-sustaining, which is the ultimate goal. The fairgrounds drew $136,000 in rental income during 2017; however, it brought in just $89,000 […]

Posted inNews

Finding homeless people in Richmond

Count volunteers have a good day, finding many of the largely unseen among us Among the people without homes who came into a Richmond church for lunch last Wednesday is one who says he needs an official identification card to get a job. But to get an ID, he needs a birth certificate from his […]