RICHMOND, Ind. – The city of Richmond will break ground soon on 22 new homes in the Vaile Neighborhood, marking a major step in expanding local housing opportunities. In tandem, Homeownership 101 courses are now open to help residents prepare for purchasing a home.
Starting April 7, the four-week series will cover budgeting, credit, and mortgage options that include HUD and FHA programs, and resources such as down payment assistance of up to $20,000.
Participants who complete the course will earn a certification often required for homeownership programs.
The courses will run April 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Vaile Elementary School.
Dinner will be provided, and activities for children ages 5 and older will be available.
City officials encourage interested residents to enroll to prepare for homeownership.
PREBLE COUNTY, Ohio – County officials and the Preble County Land Reutilization Corporation recently announced that funding from the statewide Lead Safe Ohio Program has been put to use, helping families improve the safety of their homes.
Through this program, aging properties across the county are being stabilized and hazards such as lead-based paint are being safely addressed.
Local contractors received training and certification to conduct the work, boosting both home safety and professional opportunities within the community.
Austin Cole, Land Bank President, said in a press release that the program allowed for the Land Bank to help make older homes safer without requiring families to leave their community or take on financial burdens.
Image credit to Preble County Land Bank Facebook Page.
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – Forward Wayne County has launched Wayne County’s Countywide Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for 2026-2033.
SIP was developed through a multi-step process that also relied on community input and drive. The process was led by Forward Wayne County, FWC Steering Committee, and HWC Engineering.
All incorporated communities in Wayne County were invited to participate, with ten of the 14 communities participating in workshops and stakeholder meetings.
Through the planning process, five investment areas were highlighted as priorities. Those areas include housing, infrastructure, parks and recreation, revitalization and beautification, and tourism.
These form a portfolio of more than 30 proposed projects. Some of these include the revitalization of Richmond’s Whitewater Gorge to rural enhancements in Greens Fork and infrastructure upgrades in Dublin.
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The first phase of the Whitewater Gorge project is finishing up with the opening of Test Road Trailhead.
Denise Retz, Park Superintendent for Richmond Parks and Recreation, said the momentum behind the project started in 2019, when Richmond completed a comprehensive city plan, followed by a Park Comprehensive Master Plan. Both plans, developed with extensive public input, highlighted the need to better activate and invest in the Whitewater Gorge.
“The gorge trail has seen a lot of activity, it’s been utilized a lot,” Retz said. “So, there was a reason why we did start there. We wanted to open it up, we wanted it to be more accessible.”
The feedback led to the creation of the Gorge Activation Plan, a community-driven roadmap shaped through surveys and public meetings. The plan divides the gorge into three districts: south, central and north. The plan outlines priorities for each area, ranging from trail improvements and water access to recreation and future attractions.
Phase one focused on the south end of the gorge, home to the city’s oldest trail and trailhead. The goal was accessibility for everyone and a better connection to the river.
For this project, the city was able to secure Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, matched by the Richmond Redevelopment Commission. Additional partners later joined in, including Revitalize Richmond, Lilly Endowment, the Wayne County Foundation, and more.
“We have a lot of partners who have come together to say that they wanted to fund certain aspects of the activation of these projects, whether it be phase one, phase two, phase three,” Retz said.
Construction started last May. The newly improved trailhead now features:
ADA-accessible parking, ramps, and shelter
Handicap-accessible picnic tables
River overlook with steps down to the riverbed
New lighting, security systems and signage
Expanded parking and gated access from dawn to dusk
Three new “rest nodes” along the trail with benches, bike racks, and trash receptacles
Retz said these additions help to transform a trailhead that was aging, now into a welcoming destination connected to the city’s Greenway system.
“Before it wasn’t necessarily a good spot to want to come. Now it is,” she said.
Some finishing touches include a custom-built railing, additional lighting and electrical work; all of which are expected to be completed soon. Landscaping and tree mitigation have also been addressed, with more trees planted than were removed and an emphasis on low-maintenance designs.
With phase one complete, attention is turning north and central. The city has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a developer to handle phases two and three, with responses due in mid-January.
Planned improvements include:
Phase Two (North End): a Weir Dam overlook, fishing pier, kayak and canoe out-in, and potential future outfitter services along Sim Hodgin Parkway
Phase Three (Central Area): A natural playground, bouldering garden, riverwalk, potential amphitheater, and possible zipline partnership near the Starr-Gennett site
Current goals place phase two completion by the end of 2026 and phase three by 2028, depending on funding, permitting and development timelines.
Much of the funding is restricted grant and partner funding that cannot be used for other parks. Maintenance, Retz said, will be an ongoing priority.
Residents are encouraged to get involved by volunteering, adopting trail sections, and reporting issues directly to the Parks Department at 983-PARK, rather than only posting concerns on social media.
“These are all of our parks, so we want to make sure that we’re doing this together,” Retz said. “We believe our community deserves much more and we’re trying to give that to them.”
The Gorge Activation Plan is part of a broader push to reinvest in Richmond’s park system. Up next is the Glen Miller Improvement Plan, set to launch within the next month. Like the gorge plan, it will be community-driven, with public meetings and surveys guiding an eight-month planning process.
“Glen Miller serves as one of our big flagship parks and it should operate that way and look that way. We’re going to make that happen together,” Retz said.
Retz said the push to move these projects forward, combined with efforts like Revitalize Richmond, is creating momentum and encouraging people to strive for more.
“When you remain stagnant in what you do, or what you want, then there’s no purpose. You can be that person that wants to help and continue to drive things forward,” she said.
Residents can follow progress and updates at gorgeactivation.com, where project phases and timelines are posted.
INDIANA – Senate Bill 57, authored by State Senator Jean Leising of Oldenburg, has unanimously passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.
The bill would shift management of Indiana’s historic sites from the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation back to the Department of Natural Resources, which oversaw them until 2011.
It also creates a new DNR division dedicated to historic sites.
Senator Jean Leising serves District 42, which includes Fayette County.
INDIANA – Local governments across East Central Indiana are preparing for their first meetings of the month, giving residents a chance to follow decisions that shape everything from budgets to public safety.
Henry County
The Henry County Council meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 4:30. The Henry County Commissioners meet twice monthly on Wednesdays; upcoming meetings are set for January 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and January 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Meeting location: 101 S Main Street
New Castle, IN
The Planning Commission meets every third Thursday at 5 p.m.
1033 Ron Lampe Way
New Castle, IN
Fayette County
The Fayette County Council meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners Conference Room of the courthouse. Commissioners meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 2 p.m.
401 North Central Ave, 1st Floor, Connersville, IN
Randolph County
The Randolph County Common Council meets on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the courthouse.
100 South Main Street, Winchester, IN
Wayne County
The Richmond Common Council meets on the first and third Mondays at 7 p.m. The Board of Public Works & Safety meets every Thursday at 5 p.m. The PLAY Committee meets as needed, with the notices posted on the City of Richmond Facebook page.
All meetings take place on the third floor of the Richmond Municipal Building.
50 North 5th Street, Richmond, IN
Union County
The Union County Council meets on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. Commissioners meet on the first and third Fridays at 8:30 a.m. Meetings are held on the second floor of the courthouse.
26 W Union Street, Liberty, IN
Local officials emphasize the importance of public participation in the meeting process. Agendas and meetings are available online for anyone who wants to stay engaged with county and city government.
LIBERTY, Ind. - The Liberty Police Department has welcomed its newest officer, Tanner Earl.
Tanner previously served two years with Reid Hospital Police Department and more than five years as a Corrections Officer with the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.
RICHMOND, Ind. – The Richmond Police Department is inviting community members with backgrounds in religion or education to apply for two open positions on the Police Merit Commission.
The commission plays a key role in shaping department policies, promotions, and disciplinary actions. Members serve two-year terms and meet on the second Tuesday of each month to conduct official business.
Aaron Stevens, Administrative Resource Officer, said the department is looking for candidates who not only meet the professional background requirements but also demonstrate strong community involvement.
Interested individuals are asked to submit a letter of interest and a resume outlining their background and community service.
Applications must be received by December 31, 2025.
Candidates will be contacted immediately to confirm receipt of their materials.
RICHMOND, Ind. – The city of Richmond is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, a long-term guide for community growth, development, and investment.
The plan, Richmond Rising, was created by the city in 2019 after a yearlong study. Now, city leaders are refreshing the plan to reflect on how the community has changed over the last six years.
“A comprehensive plan for a city is considered a guidebook of how the city wants to address issues, with a focus around land development,” said Richmond Mayor Ron Oler. “The reason we went through this is to understand current community conditions. If you can refresh it every five years or so, it’s a lot less work and you can tie in a lot of things that have changed since then.”
Oler said one of his first goals after taking office was to rebrand the city, a project that helped shape this new plan. The updated logo draws on Richmond’s historic identity, incorporating the old bridge and colors inspired by the city’s past.
“It harkens back to the old bridge, the importance of the Depot District and the overpass bridge. All the colors in the brand are historic in nature,” Oler said.
Updating the plan is also part of a legal requirement to qualify for certain state grants through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).
The 2025 update connects several other local and regional efforts, including the 2023 East Central Indiana Regional Development Plan, the 2023 Wayne County Foundation Gift VIII Plan, the 2024 Whitewater Gorge Activation Plan, the 2025 Cindy Citywide Branding Initiative, and the 2025 Community Benefit Implementation Plan.
The new comprehensive plan expands on Richmond Rising by introducing updated goals and redefining various development areas. It's organized around four key themes: Grow Richmond, Connect Richmond, Protect Richmond, and Celebrate Richmond.
Oler said the city has refined its future land use map, focusing on housing growth in the southeast corner of the city and expanding the Industrial Park in the northwest.
“There’s a lot of opportunity for housing out there and we’re working specifically on housing in that area,” he said.
The plan also adds two new goals focused on economic development and quality of life, emphasizing improvements to parks, housing, and public spaces. The city has consolidated resources by retiring some smaller parks to invest more heavily in what Oler called Richmond’s “flagship parks,” where most residents spend their time.
Work on the plan began in May with a steering committee of city employees, stakeholders, and community members. Over the past eight months, public input was gathered through meetings, before presenting a draft to the plan commission.
Oler said this update comes at a time when people’s habits and priorities have shifted, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to producing a vision statement that reflects that: "The City of Richmond is revitalizing, becoming a vibrant community where there are opportunities for education, entertainment, and employment."
He noted that residents are walking and biking more and spending more time in their neighborhoods.
“We’re connecting things in a way that people want to connect.”
Later this month, the council will review and vote on adopting the plan. Once approved, it will be published on the city’s website.
For Oler, this is a period of growth. When asked what excites him most, he said it is seeing construction cranes.
“Last year we had three construction cranes in Industrial Park. I have never seen three construction cranes in our Industrial Park, and now we have a construction crane right on Main Street,” Oler said. “We’re building for our present and building for our future.”
FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – A construction project will soon be coming to U.S. 27 through Fountain City.
The contract was awarded to Milestone Paving and will include resurfacing asphalt as well as constructing new curbs and gutters. The project stretches from south of South Street to north of North Street, with two projects being done at once.
The south portion will focus on pavement. “That gutter and that curb we’re talking about, some new sidewalks and driveways, some select areas to make them ADA accessible,” said INDOT Public Relations Director Jordan Yaney. The north side will focus on small pipe work. Combining the projects aims to improve traffic flow along the corridor.
“It’s long overdue. It’s time for a new pavement through there,” Yaney said.
Once construction begins, lanes will be slightly narrower, but most work will take place at the side of the road and won’t require closures on U.S. 27. Some side streets may experience temporary access restrictions.
The exact schedule hasn’t been released, but work is anticipated to start in 2026. “You might be seeing some things out there now. We’ve had some utility pulls moved,” Yaney said.
“This is something that we’re excited to be able to do. It is still early on, but we wanted to get the message out there early because we know that U.S. 27 is kind of the heart of Fountain City. It’s that main artery through town.”
A total of $2.5 million has been awarded for the project. Yaney asked that once construction kicks off, drivers stay cautious and slow down.
“Just give us some patience and slowdown in work zones,” Yaney said. “It takes one distracted driver just for a little bit for something to go really wrong.”
INDOT also has a 24-hour customer service line available for questions regarding construction, road conditions, and more. That number is 855-INDOT4U.
EATON, Ohio - The Preble County Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for its annual Platinum Playlist Awards Gala.
The event is scheduled for January 24, 2026, at Henny Penny Owner's Hall in Eaton.
The event recognizes individuals, businesses, educators, and organizations that have made a significant impact in Preble County. This year's theme, "Platinum Playlist," reflects a focus on those who have demonstrated excellence in service, innovation, and community involvement.
Categories for nominations include: Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Educator of the Year, Emerging Leader, and others recognizing community contributions.
Community members are encouraged to submit nominations. Neither nominators nor nominees are required to be Chamber members.
"Our goal is to honor the individuals and organizations who make a lasting difference right here in Preble County," said Stacy Hess, Interim Director of the Preble County Chamber of Commerce, in a press release.
The gala features an awards ceremony, dinner, and live entertainment. This event is hosted as part of the Chamber's mission to support economic development, community leadership and collaboration throughout the region.
PREBLE COUNTY, Ohio - Starting with the November 2025 general election, the Preble County Board of Elections will consolidate several polling locations into local schools, citing cost saving, early voting, and improved accessibility for poll workers as reasons.
The decision, announced in Sept. 2025, is intended to streamline voting operations amid increasing early voting and staffing challenges. Under Ohio law, poll workers must serve full shifts, making centralized locations more efficient.
In total, six polling locations will be open for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Five of those will be located at school buildings, while one will be held at a local church.
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The Revive I-70 project is underway in Wayne County, led by the Indiana Department of Transportation to improve the interstate corridor.
“The goal of the project is to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow and safety on I-70 in Wayne County,” said Natalie Garrett, INDOT Strategic Communications Director, in an email.
The project is divided into three work contracts.
Contract 1 covers the eastern portion of the project, stretching just west of U.S. 35 to the Ohio state line. Construction for Contract 1 began in early 2025 and is currently ongoing.
Contract 2 extends from west of State Road 1 to just west of Centerville. As of September, pre-construction activities are underway.
“Shoulder strengthening, a key activity to prepare for construction, is continuing for Contract 2, and the ramp from westbound I-70 to westbound U.S. 40 is anticipated to open late this month after closing in late July to begin reconstructing the U.S. 40 interchange,” Garrett wrote in a September update. “When the ramp reopens, there will be a slight traffic shift to new pavement, and drivers will use half of the new roundabout at the U.S. 40 interchange.”
The current partial cloverleaf interchange at U.S. 40 is being replaced with a diamond interchange featuring single-lane roundabouts. As part of the redesign, the existing loops will be removed.
The speed limit through the work zone will remain 55 mph during construction.
Contract 3 will extend from west of Centerville to U.S. 35. A construction timeline and further details for this phase are still in development.
Safety and mobility improvements are major goals of the Revive I-70 project. Garrett said pavement and bridge work is ongoing through the corridor.
“A common incidence along the Revive I-70 corridor is rear-end crashes and crashes caused by improper lane changes and failure to yield,” Garrett said. “Additionally, median barriers will be installed to reduce or eliminate crossover crashes.”
Currently, I-70 has four travel lanes. The project will add a third lane in each direction, for a total of six, just west of U.S. 35 to the Ohio state line. INDOT crews are widening the roadway by using the existing grassy median.
As part of the project:
The U.S. 35 interchange is being converted into a diamond interchange with single-lane roundabouts.
U.S. 40 interchange is also being rebuilt with roundabouts and new pedestrian facilities, including sidewalks.
According to the INDOT Revive I-70 website, two travel lanes in each direction on I-70 will remain open during most of the construction. However, some short-term road closures and detours will be required, particularly during work at the I-70/U.S. 40 interchange.
The Cardinal Greenway Trail in Richmond will be temporarily closed for part of the project, though access to the north and south of the closure will remain available.
Construction for Contracts 1 and 2 is expected to be complete by 2029.
“This project is much-needed and INDOT is making significant investments to improve the commute for drivers on I-70, an important interstate corridor. The pavement replacement and rehabilitation will make a big difference in the driver’s experience,” Garrett stated.
Parsons Corp. is the lead project development and design firm. Contractors include Walsh Construction, Crider & Crider, Rieth Riley Joint Venture, and Milestone and E&B Paving.
Drivers can find more information on ReviveI70.com. The project also provides updates on Facebook and X (@ReviveI70).
