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2 schools score 100% IREAD passage rates

Two Wayne County schools had all their third and/or second graders pass Indiana’s most recent reading test. Some others weren’t far behind.   Rose Hamilton Elementary School, part of Centerville-Abington Community Schools, and Community Christian School in Richmond, both earned 100% on the 2023-2024 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination, or IREAD, assessment.  Northeastern Wayne Elementary was […]

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Republicans choose 3 town council members

Hagerstown Republicans chose two new Town Council members and reelected one. Seventy-nine participants in an Aug. 13 convention chose Allan Bullock, Chris Blaase and Dillon Pitcher to serve on the council. Bullock, the present council president, will start a second term as Blaase and Pitcher take office for the first time on Jan. 1, 2025. […]

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Western Wayne building projects receive $477K

Travelers along U.S. 40 in Western Wayne County should soon see eight spruced up commercial buildings. Six buildings in Cambridge City and one each in Dublin and East Germantown were selected for grants from a $1 million Downtown Revitalization pool. The money comes from Wayne County government’s contribution of American Rescue Plan Act dollars for […]

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PHOTOS: Back to school

It still felt like summer outside, but Wayne County students reported back to their classrooms last week for the new school year. Students and teachers jumped back in to learning, laughing, experimenting and even dancing as classrooms, labs, auditoriums and cafeterias once again bustled with activity. Joshua Smith captured these photos for the Western Wayne […]

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Coroner resigns, claims lack of support

Kevin Fouche returned as Wayne County coroner Jan. 1, 2021, to serve with passion and improve the office. Believing he lacked support from Wayne County Council, Fouche became disheartened enough that he decided not to run this year for another term. Now, he’s resigned before his term concludes, effective Aug. 9. He addressed his resignation […]

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When Jubilee Days almost wasn’t 

Jubilation and gratitude seemed to be the general reaction to Jubilee Days 2024, the festival that almost didn’t happen.  “I’m glad they could pull it together,” said attendee Debbie Bell after the Jubilee Days parade on Saturday morning, Aug. 3.  Bell referred to the hurried work of a crew that took over festival planning when […]

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Council unblocks housing development in 7-2 vote

In the case of the Smith Hill planned unit development, Richmond Common Council members ultimately decided that the city’s housing needs outweigh neighbors` concerns. They voted 7-2 on Aug. 5 to approve zoning changes necessary for the development south of Backmeyer Road between South 37th Street and Garwood Road. About 90 people filled council chambers, […]

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Bands strive to grow, thrill communities

Although their shows look and sound unique, Wayne County’s band directors are proudly united about how much their students grew as musicians and leaders this summer.  That hands-on learning culminated at Indiana State Fair Band Day on Friday, Aug. 2, which eastern Indiana schools dominated.     Richmond’s “Gennett Legacy” tribute to the city’s 1920s jazz recording […]

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5 area bands in state’s Top 14

Performing jazz, rock and other styles of music, Richmond, Centerville, Winchester, Northeastern and Tri students were among the best bands at Indiana State Fair. Richmond’s “Gennett Legacy” tribute to the city’s jazz recording heritage led schools in Wayne, Randolph and Henry counties with a fourth-place finish. The Marching Red Devils wore zoot suit-styled shirts and […]

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Bands on track for fair

Band families would say it’s a question of how many, rather than if, nearby schools will qualify for Indiana State Fair Band Day’s night show on Friday, Aug. 2. Last year, Centerville led the area with a fourth-place finish at Band Day, followed by Richmond, sixth; Winchester, seventh; Northeastern, ninth; Randolph Southern, 12th; Henry County […]