By: John Carlson— These days, I keep thinking I could use a kite. That’s because kites are such happy creations, a fact which has been reinforced in my life on repeated occasions, starting with Mr. Heffernan. Back in the 1950s, he was the neighbor across our backyard fence, the father of my friend Donny, and had a magical way with kites. He’d scribble a question on a slip of paper, like “Who is the greatest TV cowboy? Roy Rogers, Hopalong…
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By: Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN— Last month, Ball Brothers Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $1.7 million in its first round of grants for the year. Overall, the funding provides support to local efforts in arts, culture, and humanities; education; environment; human services; and public society benefit. These grants come in addition to the more than $300,000 in emergency grants the foundation has provided in the past three months in response to the coronavirus pandemic. While the most recent round of…
By: Lee Ann Kwiatkowski , Director of Public Education & CEO , Muncie Community Schools— Muncie, IN—In light of yet another senseless killing of an unarmed black man at the hands of the police, we at Muncie Community Schools (MCS) want to reaffirm our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. There is no justification for anything less. Racism and racist violence, by action or inaction, is intolerable and unacceptable. The Black Lives Matter movement must include all of us as we support our black and…
By: City of Muncie Communications Office— Muncie, IN- The blighted building which was once known as the “Red Carpet Inn” on South Madison is set for demolition. The current owner is out of state, and has been unresponsive to the unsafe building authority. Community Development, the Building Commissioners Office and Mayor Dan Ridenour have moved forward with plans for demolition. Complete Demolition Services out of Louisville Kentucky will complete demolition of the building, at a total cost of $289,400. One…
By: Knapp Supply— Muncie, IN—Knapp Supply’s long history goes back to just after the Civil War. After being honorably discharged from the Union Army in March 1864 for injuries that he suffered at the Battle of Chickamauga, Captain Alexander A. Knapp moved to Union City, Indiana. In 1871, Capt. Knapp was elected to the Union City Council, where he oversaw the construction of the Union City Waterworks. With the completion of the Union City Waterworks, demand for plumbing supplies was…
By: Geoff Mearns, Co-Chair & Jeff Bird, Co-Chair, Next Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—For the past two years, Next Muncie has been meeting to champion projects that have transformative potential for downtown Muncie and its adjacent neighborhoods. The group is already seeing a number of big wins for the community. Next Muncie—a team of leaders representing Muncie’s largest employers, city officials, economic and downtown development representatives, and members of the private philanthropic sector—regularly consults with economic development groups from across the city…
By: Eileen Oaks— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Habitat for Humanity serves as the convener of the 8twelve Coalition, a neighborhood revitalization initiative serving South Central and a portion of Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhoods on Muncie’s south side. Recently, this coalition received two national awards from Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) for its work. The Coalition received 3rd overall place in the Multi-Neighborhood Partnerships category, which features projects that are jointly produced by at least two neighborhoods or community organizations in a partnership effort, addressing either…
By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—It was an attractive home, nestled between two expansive oak trees. Tiny wind chimes tinkled every so often from the front porch, announcing their presence. The grass was freshly cut, yet the sidewalk and street showed no evidence of trimmings. It was a home someone loved—a home to be proud of. The home next door was quite a different story. Grass and weeds stood over a foot tall. Cigarette butts covered the sidewalk. Trash dumpsters were…
By: John Carlson— This being spring, it is a time of renewal and hope for almost everyone but Nancy and me. For us, it brings only bitterness and shame. This is because we are losing the neighborhood bird races. For example, word got around our neighborhood that some folks were attracting Baltimore orioles using oranges and jelly. Never having seen a Baltimore oriole except on Major League Baseball telecasts, Nancy and I got excited and tried to attract one, too….
By: Lydia Kirschner, Indiana House Republicans Press Secretary— STATEHOUSE– Delaware County and local communities are eligible for more than $6.5 million to cover COVID-19-related expenses through the federal stimulus package, according to local lawmakers. “Communities across our state are incurring unexpected expenses to fight this virus,” said State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero). “This funding provides an opportunity to recoup some money spent on resources that are needed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect Hoosiers’ health.” Cook said Indiana…