“It’s his fault.” Mayor Dave Snow blames Seth Smith, owner of Cornerstone Trading Group LLC, for hazardous conditions at a three-property complex that burned for more than three days last week. Smith stored tons of plastics in six buildings that total nearly 255,000 square feet on the 13.8-acre complex. Government officials recognized the properties as […]
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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Couple experiences ‘adjustment’ living in a motel following fire evacuation
What to pack? What to do with the pets? Where to go? Those were just some of the questions Travis and Karen Poling had to consider in the moments after learning that their house on North West H Street was in the evacuation zone when an industrial fire broke out Tuesday, April 11. Karen was […]
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Firefighters put ‘heroic stop’ to historic blaze
Richmond firefighters aggressively attacked burning plastic when they arrived shortly after 2:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at a facility known as a fire hazard. Overcoming limited access to the burning pile of the 358 N.W. F St. complex, the firefighters tried to quickly gain control, but strong winds helped the fire jump to another plastics […]
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‘Dolly’ says hello (again)
Richmond Civic Theatre is abuzz with romance, comedy, energetic dance, bright costumes and what theater staff call some of the greatest songs in musical theater history. “Hello, Dolly!” opens Thursday for eight performances at the downtown theater, and dozens of area residents are assisting on or offstage. The G-rated musical features the exploits of Dolly […]
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Common Council applauds fire response
Richmond Fire Department continues to monitor the scene of last week’s plastics fire at a North West F Street complex. Chief Tim Brown said Monday night that two people watch for smoke around the clock more than six days after the April 11 fire ignited at 358 N.W. F St., consuming 13.8 acres across the […]
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Richmond evacuation order lifted
During a message broadcast Sunday afternoon, the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency lifted the evacuation order for residents and businesses within a half mile of the site of last week’s industrial fire, as well as the shelter in place order for others in the area. Mayor Dave Snow said the decision is based on the […]
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Amid growing concerns, environmental, health impacts of fire remain unclear
As soon as word spread that the massive plume of black smoke billowing over Richmond on Tuesday, April 11, was from burning plastics, many began to wonder about the health impacts on the community’s air, water and soil. Top of mind might have been the February train derailment just 300 miles away in East Palestine, […]
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Momentum builds for rail operator project
A company interested in building a new rail-served transloading, processing and warehousing facility is receiving logistical help from Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County. A $1 million community rail incentive had been offered in 2016 as part of Blue Buffalo’s plans to build a pet food manufacturing facility at Midwest Industrial Park. However, momentum slowed […]
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Fire fatigue: Evacuation order remains as officials work to assess health impact
At an afternoon press conference on Thursday, state and city officials said that while progress is being made, they are not ready to allow evacuated residents back into homes surrounding the site of Tuesday’s fire. An order to shelter in place remains active as shifting wind directions and smoke patterns mean that even more of […]
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City employees’ credit union merges into Ohio institution
After about 3 ½ months of uncertainty, Richmond City Employees Federal Credit Union’s members learned they’ll be served by a much larger peer in southwestern Ohio, and will be connected with thousands of similar institutions. RCEFCU’s merger with Kemba Credit Union took effect April 1. Kemba stands for Kroger Employees Mutual Benefit Association. The RCEFCU […]