2021

Construction in the lobby of city hall. Photo provided.

Government July 15, 2021

Muncie City Hall Undergoing Lobby Security Renovations

By Corey Ohlenkamp, Director of Communications, City of Muncie— Muncie, IN – Construction work has begun on a new front lobby for Muncie City Hall. The construction will last approximately three weeks and will also upgrade security measures within city hall. Planned changes will alter building access procedures so they are more in line with those in place at other government buildings. “Security is something that we are constantly reviewing,” said Muncie Police Department Chief Nathan Sloan about the planned updates…

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The new store at 244 W McGalliard Rd. Photo provided

Business July 14, 2021

Comcast Opens New Xfinity® Store In Muncie

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN – Comcast has opened a 2,300-square-foot Xfinity® retail store in Muncie.  Located at 244 W McGalliard Rd. at The Muncie Shoppes, the new Xfinity store is designed entirely around the needs of customers, providing a comprehensive, in-person store experience. The retail store features contemporary hands-on displays and comfortable seating areas where customers can interact with all Xfinity products from internet, video and connected home solutions to Xfinity Mobile. Visitors can learn from trained technology…

The Delaware County Justice Center in downtown Muncie. Photo provided.

Government July 14, 2021

City of Muncie to Take Site Control of Former Delaware County Jail

By Corey Ohlenkamp, Director of Communications, City of Muncie— Muncie, IN— East Central Indiana Regional Planning district voted on Wednesday to transfer the former Delaware County Justice Center in the heart of downtown Muncie to the City of Muncie leadership in a joint partnership to further site development. The agreement between the City of Muncie and county officials will serve as a first step to bringing that location back on the tax roll, as well as continue economic development efforts around…

Ana Pichardo passes the gavel to Kate Stoss. Photo by Matt Howell.

Non-Profit July 14, 2021

Muncie Rotary Club Installs New Officers, Sherry Riggin Recognized for Her Service

By Kate Stoss— Muncie, IN – The Muncie Rotary Club celebrated the transition to the new for the 2021-2022 Rotary year on June 29, 2021. Ana Pichardo, retiring 2020-2021 President of the Muncie Rotary Club, presided over the installation ceremonies of the new club officers and praised the club members for their continued commitment in upholding the mission and values of Rotary. 2021-2022 Muncie Rotary Club Officers President: Kate Stoss President Elect: Matt Howell Immediate Past President: Ana Pichardo Secretary:…

"Regarding The Discarded." Photo provided

Entertainment July 13, 2021

Muncie Arts and Plyspace Present ‘Open Curiosity’ a Virtual Workshop Series

By Sarah Shaffer— Muncie, IN—PlySpace, the artist in residence program of The Muncie Arts and Culture Council is excited to announce Open Curiosity: An Exploration of Material as Metaphor. This workshop series will be led by Summer 2021 Virtual PlySpace Resident Carrie Dickason. The free, four-part workshop series will take place via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, beginning Tuesday, July 20 and ending Thursday, July 29. The program is open to ages 18+ and all…

Townsend employees often get involved when major weather events occur across the country. Photo provided

Business July 13, 2021

Family-Owned The Townsend Corporation Treats Employees Like Family

By Stacey A. Shannon— Muncie, IN—For 75 years, The Townsend Corporation has been a family-owned business headquartered in Muncie at 1015 W. Jackson St. The company, whose purpose is to work with electric utility companies to clear tree and vegetation away from power lines, has crews in a number of states with a variety of jobs available.  https://careers-thetownsendcorp.icims.com/ Sarah Hudelson, Recruiting and Retention Specialist for The Townsend Corporation, said the company values all of its employees and is committed to…

Dr. Leonard Kaminsky (second from right), Administrative Director of the Healthy Lifestyle Center (HLC) accepts the Healthy Community Alliance of East Central Indiana’s “100,000 Award” award on behalf of the HLC and Ball State University’s College of Health. Healthy Lifestyle Center team members posed in front of Ball State’s Health Professions Building July 12th to accept the award from John Disher (far right), Director of Community Outreach for IU Health’s East Central Region and Facilitator of the Healthy Community Alliance of East Central Indiana. Photo by Matthew S. Cox.

Health July 12, 2021

Healthy Community Alliance Recognizes Outstanding Partner Contributions

By John Disher— Annual “100,000 Award” recognizes dedication to improving health and well-being Muncie, IN— The Healthy Community Alliance of East Central Indiana (HCA) presented its “100,000 Award in Memory of Dr. George Branam” to the Healthy Lifestyle Center during its annual partner meeting on June 17, 2021. The annual award is given to an organization that supports the work of the HCA through outstanding leadership, innovative collaborations and unwavering dedication to improving the health and well-being of our community….

Exchange Club of Muncie recognized the incoming 2021 board of directors during a special ceremony on June 24, 2021. Pictured (left to right): Mike Donovan, Rick Edmundson, Lee Nicolson, Tim Williams, Joseph Rogers, Neal Barnum, Harrold Roberts, Marianne Benson, Tom Adams, and Forrest Bowers.

Non-Profit July 12, 2021

Exchange Club Celebrates 100 Years and Recognizes New Board of Directors

By Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, IN—The Exchange Club of Muncie celebrated its 100th anniversary on March 7, 2021. In its 100th year, the club is pleased to recognize its board of directors and slate of officers: Jeffrey A. Heavilon, M.D., President. Jim Kouns, Vice President Marianne Benson, Secretary Mike Donovan, Treasurer Forrest Bowers, Past President Neal Barnum, Board Member Rick Edmundson, Board Member Lee Nicholson, Board Member Harold Roberts, Board Member Joseph Rogers, Board Member Tim Williams, Board Member “I am…

Indiana University School of Medicine-Muncie Campus. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Health July 11, 2021

IU School of Medicine Receives $30 million NIA Grant for Alzheimer’s, Dementia Research

By IU School of Medicine— Indianapolis, IN—A National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias(NCRAD) grant has been renewed for another five years with funding expected to total $30 million from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NCRAD is led by Tatiana Foroud, PhD, Executive Associate Dean for Research Affairs at IU School of Medicine. Since 2018, NCRAD has been among the five largest grants awarded to the IU School of Medicine. “The…

Human Library participants are pictured during a recent ZOOM virtual meeting. Photo by Charlize Jamieson

Non-Profit July 10, 2021

Human Library Aims to Erase Prejudices

By Shwetha Sundarrajan— Muncie, IN—It’s not like your typical library. No, it’s definitely not like a bookmobile either. The Human Library is unlike anything you’ve seen. Founded by Roni Abergel in 2000, the Denmark based international non-profit aims to “better our understanding of diversity in order to help create more inclusive and cohesive communities across cultural, religious, social and ethnic differences.” But what exactly constitutes a Human Library? According to Peggy Lewis, the book depot manager of the Muncie Human…