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 […]
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.
For a list of upcoming events in Richmond, Indiana, you can also visit our community calendar at WayneCounty.events. It has local arts events in Richmond, family events in Richmond, Indiana, and much more.
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, […]
Posted inNews
Richmond council OKs tax abatement scoring system
Richmond Common Council approved a new, 12-category scoring system to award tax abatements. The measure passed 8-0 during the council’s April 17 meeting after two amendments also passed unanimously. Council raised the minimum starting wage for new and retained jobs from $14 to $18 and required applying companies to provide employees health and wellness benefits. […]
Posted inNews
3 events planned to help residents affected by fire
Upon returning, some residents of Richmond’s fire evacuation zone might not be physically able to deep clean their home after their neighborhood became smoky. Some might need detergent and quarters for extra loads of laundry at a coin-operated wash to remove odors from clothes, drapes and bedding. Some might need help buying food or paying […]
Posted inNews
Blame for fire’s cause, costs hit property owner
“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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
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 […]
Posted inNews
‘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 […]