Signs of another project have appeared like spring flowers around the Wayne County Courthouse. Fencing has been erected near the courthouse’s east entrance in preparation for rebuilding the plaza leading to the entrance. Steve Higinbotham, the county administrator, updated Wayne County Council about the project during council’s April 2 meeting. The project, which was projected […]
Signs of another project have appeared like spring flowers around the Wayne County Courthouse.
Fencing has been erected near the courthouse’s east entrance in preparation for rebuilding the plaza leading to the entrance. Steve Higinbotham, the county administrator, updated Wayne County Council about the project during council’s April 2 meeting.
The project, which was projected to cost nearly $450,000, will add stairs and a ramp to the plaza, ensuring that it meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The ramp north of the doorway will be built first, ensuring access to the east entrance is maintained throughout plaza construction.
In the original plans, the east entrance was to be closed during construction, with the main entrance shifting to the courthouse’s south door. The change saves some money in the project; however, a 4-inch bed of concrete was discovered underneath the current brick plaza. Removal of that concrete offset the savings from the entrance and resulted in a change order totaling $11,038.50.
Commissioner Jeff Plasterer suggested that expense come from the general fund line item filled with money saved when American Rescue Plan Act dollars were spent on general fund expenses. Commissioners and council members must agree on which projects to use that money.
Council voted unanimously to take the $11,038.50 for the change order and another $6,657.60 to clean debris from a courthouse flue from the ARPA replacement line item. The flue must be cleaned then removed for installation of a new elevator in the courthouse.
WUR update
Plasterer explained to council actions taken during a joint meeting of the commissioners, Union County Commissioners and Wayne Union Recycling board in Liberty.
All three boards accepted the plan to distribute WUR’s assets, and Ron Cross, the county attorney, subsequently sent a letter to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management about the dissolution of WUR and the fact Wayne County opts not to be part of a solid waste district.
During the afternoon commissioners meeting, commissioners unanimously approved cutting checks to Union and Wayne counties for their respective 10% and 90% shares of WUR’s cash assets. Plasterer said the balance was $258,192.43. Wayne County’s check would not include $50,000 in a certificate of deposit that does not mature until Sept. 10.
The Wayne County money will be put into a newly created recycling fund for use on recycling endeavors. The county plans to continue WUR’s collection efforts through 2025 and is discussing the future of the county’s recycling with Richmond Sanitary District, which has expressed a desire to expand its curbside recycling program outside Richmond.
This year, tipping fees at the New Paris Pike Landfill that have financed WUR are not being collected; however, the county could reinstate them next year.
One of WUR’s projects has been assisting Seton Catholic High School with an e-waste collection. That collection will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 1 at Seton, 233 S. Fifth St., Richmond. Electronics will be collected for free, except for televisions and computer monitors, which carry a $20 charge.
Other actions
Council approved transferring a public health nurse in the health department from a county position to a contractual position and transferred $55,703 to the proper line item to cover the cost.
Council also approved paying a part-time nurse from a health department grant that’s no longer active but has remaining funds; $24,500 was transferred to cover that cost.
Wayne Township Assessor Gary Callahan had previously requested a pay increase for his chief deputy, saying the increase was overlooked when county positions received increases. Council approved the $5,924.16 cost of that pay increase.
A version of this article
appeared in the April 9 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
The first spring in the new era of Stanford football has concluded, with the final four spring practices taking place this past week. 15 practices scattered over four weeks in April are over, and improvement was clear from practice one through practice 15. As spring progressed, there became clear signs as to what this year’s […]
The first spring in the new era of Stanford football has concluded, with the final four spring practices taking place this past week. 15 practices scattered over four weeks in April are over, and improvement was clear from practice one through practice 15.
As spring progressed, there became clear signs as to what this year’s version of the Stanford Cardinal is going to be. This team is going to be physical. This team is going to be fast. This team is going to be aggressive. This team is going to be all-in on being there for each other.
At the end of the week, Coach Reich addressed the team after practice with what he liked from that week’s sessions. That is typical following all practices with Coach Reich, but it had a different energy level than normal. There was an additional fire in his voice, and a palpable excitement reverberated throughout the huddle.
“The first few weeks, there were some ups and downs as we figured things out. This last week, these four practices? We absolutely crushed it!” he exclaimed to the team. “[Andrew] Luck challenged us on Monday, he got after us a little bit, and you guys responded. You came out here to work for four days with monster preparation.”
UCLA men’s volleyball reflects on effects of service errors on the court
This post was updated April 29 at 10:30 p.m. The service line often drives success in volleyball. It can make or break a set, match or even a season. And despite UCLA men’s volleyball’s struggles from the back line – committing a nation-leading 603 service errors and averaging 6.15 per set – the team continued […]
The service line often drives success in volleyball.
It can make or break a set, match or even a season. And despite UCLA men’s volleyball’s struggles from the back line – committing a nation-leading 603 service errors and averaging 6.15 per set – the team continued to flourish.
“Every team will tell you that it’s all about serving,” said coach John Hawks. “We spend time on our ability to tactically serve and exert pressure.”
Although UCLA has sported a .367 hitting percentage – the third-highest in the nation – the squad’s service line blunders have negated the attack’s contributions and have cost the team crucial sets and matches.
In the Bruins’ six losses this season, only one opponent recorded more kills. But the squad committed more service errors in five of those matches, including 26 in a four-set loss to Long Beach State on Feb. 7 and 28 in the MPSF Semifinal loss to Pepperdine on Friday.
Former UCLA head coach John Speraw talks to David on the court. Speraw, most recently led the Bruins to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024. Speraw is now the President and CEO of USA volleyball, and led the national team from 2013 to 2024. (Edward Ho/Daily Bruin)
“It’s really hard to assess if it’s a great serve, and it depends on what the (opposing team) is doing,” said redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson. “We really want to dial in on serving.”
And even in UCLA’s triumphs this season, the backline has marred the team’s success.
The Bruins have committed more back line errors than their opponents in 17 of their 20 victories, making it harder to close out games.
Especially late in the season, the team’s service issues worsened
Four out of the Bruin’s last six games have been pushed to a fifth set, accruing 246 total kills across these five-set games while averaging 32.8 service errors per contest. During this stretch, UCLA set a season-high 42 service errors in its victory against Grand Canyon on April 5.
“I think that they’ll be the first to tell you that they got to be better from the service line,” Hawks said. “That’s a part of the game that’s going to improve, and we haven’t seen anywhere near where these guys are capable of going.”
The serving philosophy former Bruin coach John Speraw ingrained into the program may be the reason for UCLA’s persistent service shortcomings. The last time the team accumulated less than 500 service errors came during the 2021 season.
“As Bruins, the serving motto is to just go rip it,” said junior outside hitter Zach Rama. “That’s what got us these two past national championships.”
Coach John Hawks coaches and claps his hands from the sidelines at the Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu. (Selin Filiz/Daily Bruin staff)
Despite the errors, this service game plan has also contributed to the Bruins’ ace production.
UCLA boasted two-straight seasons where the group averaged at least 1.9 aces per set in 2023 and 2024, winning the national championship in both campaigns under the tutelage of Speraw.
And this season has been no exception, with Hawks embracing his mentor’s perspective.
“When you have to get a team off the net, you have to serve tough and take gambles,” Hawks said.
UCLA’s approach from the service line has helped it register 1.97 aces per set this year, which ranks fourth in the nation. And despite falling in the MPSF semifinals to eventual champion Pepperdine on Friday, UCLA delivered 15 aces in the affair.
The Bruins’ serving unit has been without steady contributions from senior Ido David, who has been hampered by a knee injury since February.
The outside hitter/opposite has amassed 126 aces across his four-year career at UCLA and has recorded 29 this season despite playing just 53 sets.
However, David’s accuracy seems to set him apart from the rest of the Bruins’ service arsenal.
The 2023 AVCA First Team All-Americanhas committed just 59 service errors this season, sporting a .49 ace-to-service-error ratio to complement his team-leading .55 aces per set.
David’s injury could sideline him from the NCAA tournament, leaving the squad’s back line without the serving consistency he provides among a seemingly inconsistent unit.
Just as matches are often won or lost from the service line, the Bruins’ three-peat hopes may depend on it as well.
San Marcos Girls Beach Volleyball Falls to Redondo Union in CIF Quarterfinals, 4-1 | Sports
San Marcos girls beach volleyball’s season came to a close with a 4-1 loss to Redondo Union on Tuesday in the CIF-SS Div. 1 Quarterfinals in Hermosa Beach. Redondo Union, the No. 3-ranked team in the nation, will be on the road against JSerra for the CIF-SS Semifinals on Thursday at 2 p.m. The Royals’ […]
San Marcos girls beach volleyball’s season came to a close with a 4-1 loss to Redondo Union on Tuesday in the CIF-SS Div. 1 Quarterfinals in Hermosa Beach.
Redondo Union, the No. 3-ranked team in the nation, will be on the road against JSerra for the CIF-SS Semifinals on Thursday at 2 p.m.
The Royals’ lone victory on Tuesday came at court two, where Sam Fallon and Evyn Miller battled to a two-set win, 22-20, 21-17.
“Passing, tough serving and creative offense were keys to defeating a very strong Redondo twos pair,” San Marcos head coach Tim Loomer said. “Finishing the season with a quality win was gratifying for the pair.”
San Marcos wraps up the team season with an overall record of 22-4. The Royals’ No. 1 pairing of Josie Gamberdella and Cora Loomer will continue their season at the CIF-SS Individual Pairs Tournament on May 6 and 7.
Next Game: at Ithaca 5/2/2025 | TBA May. 02 (Fri) / TBA at Ithaca History ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT junior Zoe Heffernan scored the game-winner with 1:43 remaining in overtime to lead the No. 3 Tigers to a 13-12 win over No. 6 St. Lawrence in the first round of the Liberty League Tournament, Tuesday. It is […]
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT junior Zoe Heffernan scored the game-winner with 1:43 remaining in overtime to lead the No. 3 Tigers to a 13-12 win over No. 6 St. Lawrence in the first round of the Liberty League Tournament, Tuesday.
It is RIT’s first Liberty League Tournament win since the Tigers beat Skidmore in 2018 and will face No. 2 Ithaca in the semifinals.
Senior Lily DePalma led RIT with five goals and junior Morgan Nichter tallied three goals and an assist. Heffernan and junior Adele Jones each scored two goals and an assist and junior Jenna Bovenzi had three assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Keira Dodd scored with 10:07 remaining in the first quarter to give St. Lawrence the lead.
DePalma scored off an assist from Jones to tie the score at 1-1.
The Saints scored two straight goals, taking a 3-1 lead on Jessica LaPlaca’s free position goal with 6:56 to play in the opening quarter.
Nichter and DePalma scored back-to-back goals, tying the score at 3-3 on DePalma’s goal with 57 second remaining in the first.
St. Lawrence scored the first two goals of the second quarter, taking a 6-3 lead on Hamilton’s free-position goal with 9:10 to play in the quarter.
RIT ran off three straight goals, tying the score at 6-6 on Heffernan’s goal with 2:09 to play in the half.
Hamilton scored for the Saints with 18 seconds to play in the second quarter to give St. Lawrence a 7-6 halftime lead.
Cate Rathnam scored with 11:28 remaining in the third quarter to give the Saints an 8-6 lead.
Stephen scored a free-position goal to make it 8-7 and Nichter tied the score at 8-8 on her goal off an assist from Bovenzi with 9:06 to play in the third.
St. Lawrence tallied two straight goals taking a 10-8 lead on LaPlaca’s goal with 1:47 to play in the third.
Jones scored with 1:02 remaining in the third to cut the deficit to 10-9.
Jones scored 37 seconds into the fourth quarter off an assist from Bovenzi that tied the score at 10-10.
DePalma gave RIT an 11-10 lead on her goal with 10:42 remaining in the fourth.
Phoebe Spaeth tied the score at 11-11 on her goal with 9:20 remaining.
DePalma scored a woman-up goal with 7:57 to play to give RIT a 12-11 lead and Spaeth scored with 7:31 remaining to knot the game at 12-12.
Heffernan scored on a free-position shot with 1:43 remaining in the overtime to make it a 13-12 final.
GAME NOTES
RIT outshot St. Lawrence, 30-28
Junior Ellie Ruddy made three saves while first year Grace McDonald made five stops in the second half and overtime to earn the win in goal.
Senior Jane Hudson caused three turnovers and Jones had eight draw controls and four ground balls.
RIT was 20-of-24 on clearing attempts and won 18-of-29 draw controls
WHAT’S NEXT RIT returns to action on Friday (May 2) at Ithaca in the Liberty League Tournament Semifinal.
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AWARDS UCU Athletes of the Week » Michael Crossland (BSB), Varsity Eight – Kiera Cooper, Natasha Vallancey, Laine Bradley, Annica Ford, Samantha Anderson, Lily Feagler, Matti Key, Rachel Cuneo, Sabina Petersen (WROW) All Big West First Team » Anthony Cherfan, Bryce Dvorak (MVB) All Big West Honorable Mention » Josh Schellinger (MVB) #TRITONGIVINGDAY IS APRIL 30 Support the UC San Diego scholar-athletes by making a team-specific or […]
AWARDS
UCU Athletes of the Week » Michael Crossland (BSB), Varsity Eight – Kiera Cooper, Natasha Vallancey, Laine Bradley, Annica Ford, Samantha Anderson, Lily Feagler, Matti Key, Rachel Cuneo, Sabina Petersen (WROW)
All Big West First Team » Anthony Cherfan, Bryce Dvorak (MVB)
All Big West Honorable Mention » Josh Schellinger (MVB)
#TRITONGIVINGDAY IS APRIL 30
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BASEBALL(22-20, 11-10 BIG WEST) This Week » UC San Diego travels to face No. 8 UC Irvine—the Big West leader—for a three game series, Friday-Sunday.
Last Time Out » The Tritons won their mid-week game against LMU, 6-5. Then, over the weekend, they won two of three games to secure their first ever series victory over UC Santa Barbara.
Need to Know » Michael Crossland finished the week 6-for-16 (.375) with two doubles, three walks, five RBI and two runs scored to help the Tritons to a 3-1 week.
SOFTBALL(14-28, 12-12 BIG WEST) This Week » The Tritons will finish Big West play in Hawai’i, with one game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.
Last Time Out » UC San Diego went 1-2 over the weekend against CSUN.
TRACK & FIELD This Week » The Tritons have just one final regular season meet left on the schedule. UC Irvine hosts the Steve Scott Invitational May 2-3, with The Big West Multis and Championships to come in the weeks following.
Last Time Out » The UC San Diego track and field team split up to take on three different meets. The Tritons competed in the Beach Invitational, Bryan Clay Invitational, and Mt. SAC Relays.
Need to Know » Over that weekend, the Tritons set five program records and had 16 marks in the top 10 all-time at UC San Diego. Nine Tritons reached the qualifying levels for The Big West Championships, and 29 personal-bests were set.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL (18-12, 3-7 BIG WEST) Last Time Out » The Tritons ended the season at the 2025 Outrigger Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship. There, they outlasted UC Santa Barbara in the quarterfinal round but were defeated by Long Beach State in the semifinal round.
Need to Know » Josh Schellinger set a new career high of 22 kills and 12 digs in the quarterfinal game.
WOMEN’S WATER POLO (16-13, 4-3 BIG WEST) Last Time Out » UC San Diego closed out the season in Irvine at the Big West Championship. They defeated UC Davis, 15-10, in the quarterfinal round to move to the semifinal round, where they were narrowly defeated by Hawai’i, 9-11.
Need to Know » Caroline Christl extended her goal-scoring streak to 24 games. She has scored in 29 of 30 games and netted multiple goals in 22 contests.
WOMEN’S TENNIS (11-11, 5-4 BIG WEST) Last Time Out » UC San Diego senior Adriana Tabares was a winner on court five, but the Tritons fell to UC Davis, 4-1, in the opening round of The Big West Women’s Tennis Championship
MEN’S TENNIS (7-14, 3-3 BIG WEST) Last Time Out » The Triton men made their first appearance in the Big West Championship last week. Their first match was in the quarterfinal round against Cal Poly, and they took a 4-2 win. Then, they played UC Santa Barbara in the semifinals and took a 0-4 loss.
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Players, coaches and recruits are feeling blindsided by the news that Grand Canyon University is discontinuing its men’s varsity volleyball program after 17 years. The GCU men’s volleyball team has been one of the best in the country, finishing 18-10 this year and making the NCAA Final Four in 2024. But the […]
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Players, coaches and recruits are feeling blindsided by the news that Grand Canyon University is discontinuing its men’s varsity volleyball program after 17 years.
The GCU men’s volleyball team has been one of the best in the country, finishing 18-10 this year and making the NCAA Final Four in 2024. But the team’s success wasn’t enough to save the program. School officials shocked the Valley sports world Monday when they announced that GCU is eliminating men’s volleyball.
Cole Duncanson played on the team this year and had one year left of eligibility. His plans now are to turn pro, but his teammates are left scrambling, trying to transfer to another school. “The younger players definitely took it the hardest,” said Duncanson. “I think because they came to GCU expecting to play four years of volleyball, and dedicate themselves to the program, day in and day out.”
The sudden announcement is also having an impact on incoming recruits like Thatcher Fahlbusch, from Mira Costa High School in the Los Angeles area. Thatcher’s father, Chad, can’t understand why GCU didn’t give them more notice, dropping the news on them just 30 days before graduation. “They pride themselves on being a school that has high morals,” said Chad Fahlbusch. “I think based on the activity of yesterday, they completely botched this, and have done a terrible disservice to our family and to the boys on that team.”
GCU posted this statement on its website:
A former assistant coach has started a petition drive to get GCU to reconsider and reinstate its volleyball program. GCU will be offering men’s volleyball as a club team.
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