Government

By Braden Dunlap, GOP Press Secretary— STATEHOUSE– Several Delaware County schools recently received more than $474,000 through the state’s Secured Schools Safety Grant Program, according to area lawmakers. State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) said the local funding is part of this year’s record-breaking school safety investments totaling more than $22.9 million in matching state grants for 425 schools across Indiana. “Ensuring students and staff are safe is a priority, and Indiana is making significant investments to help our schools as they improve…

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—According to City Engineer Adam Leach, the Streets Department has laid down nearly as much paving material in 2022 as in the last two years combined. Records going back farther than that may unearth a more prolific year, but the paving crew is clearly on a roll – and the pace isn’t slowing down. Part of the increased volume is due to the City’s dedication to fixing roads, not paving over them. This includes milling the…

By Michele Owen—  MUNCIE, IN—In October, 2021, Muncie Police Officers and Firefighters received a $1,000 one-time bonus, as a thank you for their hard work during a period of understaffing. This year, due to cautious spending and budgeting, Mayor Ridenour is providing a similar bonus to other full-time staff. “It’s the right thing to do,” Ridenour commented. “Our public works department, EMS, animal control, and others work tirelessly to keep our city running, and it’s often thankless work. I’m proud…

By Watasha Barnes Griffin— Local organizations plan to register voters in Muncie, Indiana to celebrate the National Voter Registration Holiday. MUNCIE, IN— On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Americans will celebrate National Voter Registration Day with a massive cross-country effort to register voters well in advance of Election Day this November. Founded in 2012, National Voter Registration Day is designed to create an annual moment when the entire nation focuses on registering Americans to exercise their most basic right—the right to vote. Nearly 3 million Americans have…

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—Beech Grove Cemetery, a historic landmark dating back to 1841, is seeing new life under a new superintendent. Troy Watters, a lifelong Muncie resident with a history of public service, was appointed to the position in July, and has accomplished noticeable change in just a few months. “He’s out there working with the guys,” said Muncie resident Mary Stilts at September’s City Council meeting. “He’s not a sit in the truck kind of supervisor.” Since July,…

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—For many high school students, junior year is about college visits, summer jobs, and SATs. For 16-year-old Jimmy, junior year is about adventure. Thanks to the Muncie Rotary Exchange program, Jimmy (full name Te-Chan Yang) has travelled all the way from Taiwan to live and study in Muncie for 11 months. He is currently attending Muncie Burris high school, and staying with Mayor and first lady Dan and Sherry Ridenour. So far, Jimmy has accompanied the…

By Senator Young’s Press Office— INDIANAPOLIS –  On Monday, August 29, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) will present a Purple Heart medal to Army veteran Reginald Staley at his annual Academy Day on Monday. Mr. Staley received a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, and several other decorations for his service in Vietnam. Senator Young will present these medals at his “Academy Day,” an informational session for high school students interested in enrolling at one of the nation’s service academies. Representatives from…