WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – Wayne County voters will have the opportunity to hear directly from local candidates during a public forum at Earlham College this week.

The Candidate Community Forum runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, in the Landrum Bolling Center at Earlham College. The event is free and open to the public.

“It’s just a group of us that want to come together...” said Nathan Hogg, a student at Indiana University East. “An informed voter is a powerful voter, and your vote is your voice.”

All candidates running for Wayne County sheriff, Indiana Senate District 27 and Indiana House District 56 were invited to participate. Those expected to attend include Kyle Weatherly, Allan Moore, Ron Itnyre, Thomas Rockwell, and Pete Zaleski.

“Essentially, these are the folks that are determining funding, determining what laws go into effect, and everything in between,” Hogg said.

Questions will be moderated, with attendees invited to submit questions on note cards, along with others prepared by organizers. Candidates will each have two minutes to respond and will not receive questions in advance.

“It’s important that these people are authentic in their answers,” Hogg said.

Hogg said the forum is designed to give voters a chance to hear directly from candidates before heading to the polls.

The event is organized by NAACP’s Richmond Branch #3066, Wayne County League of Women Voters, Wayne County Indivisible and Earlham College’s Center for Social Justice and Department of Peace and Global Studies.

RICHMOND, Ind. – Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held Saturday, April 25, at the Richmond Municipal Building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Richmond Police Department is encouraging residents to bring unused, unwanted, or expired medications for safe disposal. Officials ask participants to separate sharps and notify officers if they are disposing of liquid medications.

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.