September 10, 2024 — Cognia® names Richmond Friends School a 2024 Cognia® School of Distinction for excellence in education. This year Cognia, the global nonprofit school improvement organization, recognized 60 schools and school systems in the United States and Puerto Rico, and five other countries across the globe as 2024 Cognia Schools or Systems of Distinction.
 
“Richmond Friends School is committed to doing what is best for each student. We have phenomenal teachers who recognize the importance of educating the whole child and a curriculum that results in students who love to learn. We are thrilled that Cognia has recognized the excellent work we do,” said Becky Dimick Eastman, Head of School, Richmond Friends School. “Being in the top 60 of Cognia’s 1,952 eligible schools and school systems is a huge honor.”
 
About the Richmond Friends School
Richmond Friends School is a Preschool-8th grade independent Quaker school founded in 1971. The school features multi-aged classrooms purposefully designed to have low student to teacher ratios allowing for customized instruction, expectations and assessments tailored to the academic and social needs of each individual child. Students are challenged to solve problems critically and collaboratively in a rich and nurturing community. RFS graduates are life-long learners who are academically advanced and committed to making the world a better place.
 
“Richmond Friends School is to be commended for earning the designation as a School of Distinction,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia. “Cognia Accreditation is already a mark of school quality recognized around the world. Being named a School or System of Distinction further acknowledges the demonstrated commitment to education quality and a mindset of continuous improvement Richmond Friends School has for its learners,” Elgart added.
 
During the 2023-2024 school year, Richmond Friends School participated in Cognia’s rigorous Accreditation Engagement Review process, which is grounded in research-based performance standards. The process includes a third-party review of evidence by education experts, interviews, and classroom observations. The review evaluates institutions and seeks evidence of growth in learning, a healthy culture for learning, engaging and high-quality instructional environments, and effective leadership for learning—all characteristics Cognia expects to see in quality schools that also demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.

For Cognia Global Network member institutions, Cognia offers an opportunity to earn designation as a school or system of distinction in the year in which an accreditation engagement review is held. Unlike the typical six-year accreditation cycle, this program recognizes institutions that host a Cognia Accreditation Engagement Review within the recognition year and winners carry the designation for one year. Learn more about Cognia Accreditation at Cognia.org.
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About Cognia
Cognia is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education
providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and
improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private
institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective
to advancing teaching and learning. Find out more at cognia.org. 

​WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation announces upcoming changes to the existing signals at two intersections on U.S. 40 in Richmond starting early October. 

Beginning on or after Tuesday, October 1, crews will change the existing traffic signals at the U.S. 40 (Main St.) and 12th St. and U.S. 40 (N. A St.) & 12th St. intersections. U.S. 40 (Main St. and N. A St.) traffic will have flashing yellow signals and 12th St. traffic will have flashing red signals. Traffic on 12th St. will be required to make a complete stop before entering the intersection, while U.S. 40 (Main St. and N. A St.) will be through traffic that does not stop. The flashing yellow signals serve as a reminder for motorists to use caution when approaching these intersections. 

​INDOT will monitor the new signal change to ensure traffic flows safely and efficiently. This is a trial period to determine if the traffic signals at the U.S. 40 (Main St. and N. A St.) and 12th St. intersections should be permanently removed to increase the efficiency of the traffic flow on U.S. 40.

MUNCIE, Ind. – Meridian Health Services invites the community to Flu‐Lapalooza, a FREE one‐day flu shot clinic, on Thursday, October 3 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., or until supplies last, at Meridian’s primary medical care and MeridianMD locations throughout the state of Indiana. Each location will be drawing for a chance to WIN a $50 grocery gift card (eligible to participants only).  

Flu‐Lapalooza ensures convenient accessto health care by providing free flu shotsto those six months and older. No insurance is necessary and no out‐of‐pocket fees apply. You need not be a current Meridian patient to obtain a flu shot at one of the participating locations. Walk‐ins welcome!

Participating Meridian locations include:  
Anderson:  ‐ Meridian Health Services: 1547 Ohio Ave., Anderson, IN 46016
Bluffton:   ‐ MeridianMD & Meridian Health Pediatrics: 303 S. Main St., Bluffton, IN 46714
Connersville:  ‐ Meridian Health Services: 707 W. 3rd St., Connersville, IN 47331  
Dunkirk:   ‐ MeridianMD: 1150 S. Main St., Dunkirk, IN 47336
Elwood:  ‐ MeridianMD: 1518 Main St., Elwood, IN 46036 
Fort Wayne:  ‐ Meridian Health Services: 2622 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Frankfort:  ‐ MeridianMD: 50 S. Maish Rd., Frankfort, IN 46041       
Indianapolis:   ‐ Meridian Health Services: 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 105, Indianapolis, IN 46205
                        ‐ Meridian Health Services: 5230 E. Stop 11 Rd., Suite 300 & 350, Indianapolis, IN 46227
Marion:  ‐ Meridian Health Services: 911 N. Western Ave., Marion, IN 46952
Mooresville:  ‐ Meridian Health Services: 1001 Hadley Rd., Mooresville, IN 46158
Muncie:   ‐ MeridianMD & Meridian Health Pediatrics: 205 N. Tillotson Ave., Muncie, IN 47304
                ‐ Meridian School Clinic – Southside Middle School: 1601 E. 26th St., Muncie, IN 47302
New Castle:  ‐ Meridian Health Services: 930 N. 14th St., New Castle, IN 47362
Portland:   ‐ MeridianMD: 406 W. Votaw St., Portland, IN 47371  
Richmond:  ‐ MeridianMD: 520 S. 9th St., Suite A, Richmond, IN 47374
Rushville:  ‐ Meridian Health Services: 509 Conrad Harcourt Way, Rushville, IN 46173

The flu shot is effective in reducing the number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths attributed to seasonal influenza. The flu shot provided at Flu‐Lapalooza locations is Fluarix – a normal dose vaccine.  

Please mark your calendar to receive your FREE flu shot during Meridian’s Flu‐Lapalooza one‐day‐ only event on October 3 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Meridian location nearest you. Learn more at MeridianHS.org.  

Flu‐Lapalooza is supported by Presenting Sponsor, American Electric Power Foundation, and Presenting Media Sponsor, G101.3 Radio. Additional support is provided by Ball Brothers Foundation, Jay‐Crew, Brooklawn Services, Henry Community Health, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, The Star Press, NASH FM, Anthem, MD wise, Wayne County Health Department, Pridemark Construction, Palladium‐Item, Indianapolis Star, WLBC‐104.1 FM, WILO Community Radio and Clinton County Daily News.    

​It’s that time of year for the 43rd Annual 4th Street Fair. This beloved event offers thousands of fair goers a weekend FULL of FREE fun and entertainment nestled amongst the beautiful architecture of Richmond, Indiana’s Old Richmond Historic District.
 
4th St Foundation, Inc. invites you to come shop amongst the stunning architecture and scenery of a charming historic neighborhood. Relax, enjoy the fun activities, and feast on delicious offerings from our food vendors. Socialize with friends and family while taking in the beautiful surroundings. Bring the kids, there will be plenty to do!
 
The 43rd Annual 4th Street Fair will be open Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year the fair has been expanded and vendors will line both sides of South 4th Street between South A and South E Streets in Richmond.
 
Open to all ages, this rain or shine historic street fair promises something for everyone. Attractions for this year’s event include:

• Over 140 vendors with an exceptional variety of high quality handmade goods, arts and crafts, and other unique items.

 

• Two Food Courts featuring a tasty variety of flavors including popular food trucks, concession stands, and bakers from around the region.

 

• A wide variety of FREE music all weekend at the Entertainment Stage thanks to the coordination of Joe Augustin of ALMS: Augustin Live Music Solutions.

 

• A new Performance Area spotlighting local talent, located in the 100 block of South 4th Street, between South A and South B Streets.

 

• Kid’s Zone with new and improved games, along with prizes as overseen by volunteers from various local churches.

 

• Rest Tents strategically placed all throughout the fair for friends to connect and for the weary to rest their legs.

 
For full details, visit our website at 4thStreetFair.com.
 
Check out our Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.4thstreetfair.com/volunteers
 
Become a Sponsor: https://www.4thstreetfair.com/sponsors
 
 
In keeping with the spirit of the fair’s founder, Gertrude “Lucky” Ward, all proceeds will be going back to the community through the recently established 4th St Foundation, Inc.
 
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4th St Foundation, Inc is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization committed to “Preserving Richmond, One Neighborhood at a Time.” Stop by the 4th Street Foundation’s Booth to see some of our project ideas and find out how you can be a part of this exciting new all-volunteer venture.

Centerville, IN – October 18, 2024 – Cope Environmental Center is thrilled to announce the first event in its highly anticipated 'Enjoy the Great Outdoors' series, Spiders and Ciders, scheduled for Friday, October 18th at 6:30 PM. This unique fall event will bring together nature, fun, and community in an engaging, adults-only evening under the stars.

Get ready for the ultimate fall night out with Spiders and Ciders, a cozy evening full of seasonal fun and relaxation! Imagine strolling along a hard cider-tasting trail, grabbing a bite from local food trucks, and enjoying live music, all set against the stunning backdrop of autumn’s golden hues. Whether you're planning a date night or just looking to unwind with friends, this event offers the perfect blend of fall vibes, community, and good times.

We’ll have storytelling around the fire with s’mores to spark your imagination, and for those feeling adventurous, there’s a night hike and a lighthearted round of spider jeopardy. Don’t worry though, this evening is all about kicking back, soaking up that fall magic, and having a blast.

So, throw on your favorite flannel, grab your bestie or significant other, and join us for a Friday night that's sure to become your new fall tradition. This 21+ event is the perfect way for adults to relax and experience nature in a laid-back, fun atmosphere. Sponsored by Advanced Duct Cleaning, Spiders and Ciders is one fall night you won’t want to miss!

Get your tickets now at VisitCope.org. See you there for an unforgettable evening

​Richmond, Ind. - Thanks to the tremendous support from the local business communities, economic development corporations, and chambers of commerce, we continued to have great success last year for our East-Central Indiana Business Survey.

Based on the valuable responses we collected, we successfully calculated the 2023 value of our IU East Regional Business Confidence Index. Our report has been released on the IU East Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) website under the section Region Business Research.

The BERC of the School of Business and Economics at Indiana University East is again working with the local economic development corporations/groups and chambers of commerce to conduct the 2024 annual business survey for the East-Central Indiana region.

The survey will be open to businesses/companies in the Fayette, Franklin, Henry, Randolph, Rush, Union, and Wayne counties from September 9, 2024, to September 20, 2024.

The results of the survey will not only help the BERC maintain the IU East Regional Business Confidence Index to monitor the business sentiment and economic trends in our region, but further assist the local and regional economic studies conducted by the BERC.

In addition, the survey results might aid the aforementioned economic development corporations/groups or the like and chambers of commerce for consideration as part of any future strategic planning and economic development efforts to facilitate a healthy business climate in the region. Responses to the 10-minute survey will be confidential.

Business owners/managers will be asked to provide general information on their business/company’s demography, their opinion of various aspects related to business performance for this year, and their business and economic expectations for next year in their county.

While the individual responses to the survey will not be shared, the research survey results will be made public by the end of 2024.

For more information, contact Dr. Oi Lin (Irene) Cheung, Director of the IU East Business and Economic Research Center at (765) 973-8497 or [email protected].

​Richmond, Ind. – HYPE Wayne County (Helping Young Professionals Engage) as an action committee of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the fourth cohort for WC Leads.
 
WC Leads is a leadership academy, created in 2021 for young professionals ages 21-40. This 12-week program includes leadership development on key topics such as program development, project management, emotional intelligence, communication, and team building. Each cohort member is matched with a community leader mentor who meets with the mentee throughout the program. The program will launch at the Chamber’s upcoming Business Leader Series entitled “Unlocking the Power of Body Language” which is open to all Chamber members. WC Leads graduates will be celebrated at the Annual Dinner held in January 2025. 
 
This year’s participants consist of employees at various levels in their careers and serving in a wide variety of fields, from nonprofit and healthcare to finance and manufacturing. Over 20 young professionals applied, and of those applicants 12 individuals were chosen. Meet the members of the fourth cohort below:

1. Sam Hutton                           Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County
2. Taylor Rogers                       First Bank Richmond
3. Eric Meija                              Hills Pet Nutrition
4. Matthew Schroeder              Merchants Bank of Indiana
5. Amanda Upchurch                3 River’s Credit Union
6. Brittany Santos                     3 River’s Credit Union
7. Allison Steele                        Ivy Tech Community College
8. John Przybysz                      Reid Health
9. Hannah Elder                        Reid Health
10. Lindsay Darnell                     City of Richmond
11. Savannah Lester                   Natco Credit Union
12. Chloe Brown                         Turner and Shepard Insurance

 
HYPE Wayne County is the only young professional network in the Wayne County area, serving the 21-40 aged population. Members of the organization are representatives of their employers and can participate in HYPE programs and events. The Chamber committee offers professional development, social networking, and volunteer opportunities in hopes of creating a community where young people love to live. To learn more about HYPE visit HYPEWayneCounty.org. For any questions regarding WC Leads or HYPE, please contact [email protected]. 

​Indianapolis, Indiana – On Friday, August 23, the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce sent three students—Ellie Fost, Sadie Penrod, and Marisol Colaj—to participate in the 2024 state championship of the National Civics Bee at the Indiana Statehouse. The National Civics Bee, organized in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, aims to foster civic engagement among young Americans and encourage their active contribution to our communities and nation.
 
The state competition was hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Department of education. It featured 20 students representing their respective counties and Chambers and comprised two segments: a live quiz event followed by a presentation of their essays and a Q&A session with the judges. The judging panel for the state Civics Bee included Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education; Charles Dunlap, President and CEO of the Indiana Bar Foundation; and Charles Hyde, President and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
 
“In an era of high-tension politics, it is valuable to show students how to engage in their community in a positive way,” said Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Melissa Vance. “These middle-schoolers identified challenges and shared their ideas for potential solutions. Hopefully, they will put the skills they learn through this process into use right here in our community both now and in their adult years.”
 
Only the top five students were selected to present their essay pitches. Among these finalists was Ellie Fost, representing the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce and Richmond High School. Entering the speech segment in second place after a strong performance in the quiz portion, Ellie captivated the judges with her insightful and articulate pitch on Mental Health Awareness in Teens and Schools.
 
Ellie’s impressive pitch earned her first place in the state championship, along with a $1,000 cash prize. The state champion, Ellie Fost, had a few words about her win on Friday, “It means a lot for me to win, and it’s a big achievement. I think it’s a step in the right direction for getting the resources to kids and schools that they need. I’m proud of myself for winning, but I’m more proud about being able to spread awareness for mental health.”
 
As the Indiana State Champion, Ellie will advance to the inaugural National Civics Bee national championship in Washington, D.C. in November 2024, where she will have the opportunity to compete for prizes totaling over $50,000.