Local news and updates from Wayne County, Indiana reportersRichmond

Sides present arguments related to impasse, panel’s recommendations Ten months after negotiations began, Richmond Fire Department members do not have a 2023 contract. Richmond Common Council could approve one on Feb. 6, or the negotiating process could continue. Council must decide whether to accept or reject recommendations from a fact-finding panel enlisted to help resolve […]

After leading applause for a group of high school students who stood and recited an original poem, a Broadway star spoke about how thoughts become dreams which, in turn, become things. Nine student members of Wayne County Writers recited a poem they had written as a group after reading and discussing the 1963 “I Have […]

Rose Hamilton Elementary and Richmond High School are both recovering from water damage caused by burst pipes over winter break. Richmond Community Schools officials initially said RHS students would return to in-person instruction after a week of repairs, but additional moisture testing revealed that the school needed more time to dry out. Students will continue […]

A warmhearted committee of volunteers started an event in 2014 to help crack Wayne County’s winter doldrums. That event, the Meltdown Winter Ice Festival, has continued to grow and offer new activities for all ages while keeping general admission free. It’s now time for the festival to return next week for its 10th year. Activities […]

Retiring couple says “it’s been a good life downtown” John Gephart is finishing his final projects in the next few weeks after nearly 60 years of custom framing treasured items, and selling wall décor and arts and craft supplies. Gephart’s store in downtown Richmond, John’s Custom Framing, is closing no later than the end of […]

State’s Revive I-70 project to begin during late 2024 in Wayne County The Indiana Department of Transportation envisions six lanes of free-flowing Interstate 70 traffic between the Ohio state line and Indianapolis. That vision, called Revive I-70, is still years away, but Wayne County construction should begin in late 2024. Starting at the state line, […]

Pastor says Martin Luther King Jr. shared spirit of a disciple The Christian Bible’s story of the apostles Philip and Nathaneal is a lesson about overcoming prejudice born of ignorance, according to the speaker at a Sunday service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In his remarks, the Rev. Martel Winburn Sr. said Dr. King […]

Demolition would clear way for 26,000-square-foot new building Bob Johnson will return to Richmond’s Historic Preservation Commission with updated drawings of a new, three-story mixed-use building. When he does, likely during the Feb. 13 meeting, commission members must choose between that new building and four vacant houses in varying states of neglect and disrepair. Johnson […]

Goal is to have something for this year, then plan for future needs A new plan for warming shelters and a program for operating them may be in place by the end of January. Almost 50 people in a Jan. 3 meeting agreed to have a plan in place for warming centers for homeless people and others […]