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 […]
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.
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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, […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
Study: Main Street structures need millions in maintenance, restoration
About five dozen building owners in four downtown areas now have an idea how much it will cost to maintain and restore their buildings in the short and long term. The answer: Nearly $56 million. Main Street organizations in Cambridge City, Centerville, Hagerstown and Richmond recruited building owners in their communities to participate in a […]
Posted inNews
EDC sees investment momentum
The Richmond Redevelopment Commission has agreed to contribute $900,000 to assist a new rail-served transloading, processing and warehousing project. Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, updated Wayne County’s commissioners about EDC activities during their April 19 morning meeting. Project Thomas, reported on in the April 12, 2023 Western Wayne News, […]