“The Backyard Astronomer” Gary Boyle – Replay the full interview at WMUN Muncie.com.

The Delaware Country Club has worked in partnership with Ball State’s men’s and women’s golf programs to upgrade the facilities for student-athletes. BSU president Geoffrey Mearns shared details on “Delaware County Today.”

The man shot during a Tuesday stand-off with Muncie police has been identified as 76-year-old Charles Zearbaugh. The Indiana State Police are investigating the officer-involved shooting death, and the Star Press says Delaware County prosecutor Eric Hoffman will determine whether the shooting was justified after receiving the results of the ISP report.

Anderson mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. told The Herald Bulletin preliminary estimates project the city will lose $6.5 million in the property tax replacement fund and $5 million in public safety local income tax in 2029 as a result of the state property tax bill adopted in 2025.

Madison County sheriff candidate Norman Rayford told “Anderson Talks” he had bi-partisan encouragement to throw his hat into the crowded primary race. He is the current assistant chief of the Anderson Police.

After accusations of twice selling fentanyl to an undercover informant, 52-year-old Michael Everette Atkins has been arrested as part of an operation by the Muncie-Delaware County Drug Task Force. The Star Press says the sales took place on March 14 and March 24.

A Henry County man has been arrested following a Tuesday accident that left an Anderson woman hospitalized. The Herald Bulletin says 35-year-old Allen Neal is accused of driving while intoxicated when he ran a stop sign at State Road 38 and Madison County Road 400 East. He struck a car driven by 49-year-old Karen Sizemore, who is in stable condition in an Indianapolis hospital.

Taylor University freshman guard Kaycie Warfel has been named a third-team All-American by NAIA Women’s Basketball and earned honorable mention from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. The former Pendleton Heights star is Taylor’s 19th All-American in program history.

Muncie Burris fifth-grader Carini Lyons is competing for the title of “America’s Most Artistic Kid.” The winner of the national contest, presented by Bob Ross Inc., will have their art displayed in the Minnetrista Museum, appear on a special episode of “The Joy of Painting” and receive $20,000. Public voting for the semi-finals ends April 9. Support Lyons at artistickid.org/2026/carini-069d.

A 20-year-old Jay County man has been accused of striking his ex-girlfriend with a Chevy Silverado while she was holding their 19-month-old child. The Star Press says Tayden M. McDowell is accused of throwing the woman’s belongings out of their house and threatening to run over her and the child. The woman told police she suffered scratches and lower back pain.

The East Madison Fire Territory has earned a Class 2 ISO rating, improving from Class 3 effective July 1. Public information officer Todd Harmeson told the “Anderson Journal” morning show why that’s important for residents within the territory.

Delta girls basketball coach Tyronda Benning has resigned after three seasons leading the program. Benning told The Star Press in an e-mail the decision is “best for my family.” The Eagles were 45-29 under Benning, including the program’s first sectional title in 32 years and first regional title ever.

An Indy man who arrived in Anderson last May expecting to meet up with a 14-year-old girl has been sentenced to two years on formal probation. The Herald Bulletin says 21-year-old Daniel Alonge also is required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

The post How is the Date for Easter Determined? An Astronomer Explains appeared first on Woof Boom Radio News.

By Paul Ward—

MUNCIE, IN—Do you ever feel like all hope is lost? Sit in front of the evening news and you’ll see violence, arguments, and injustice. No one offers any real change. No one offers any real hope. When we lose everything, we lose hope.

During World War II an Austrian psychiatrist named Viktor Frankl was sentenced to the Auschwitz concentration camp. While he was living in the midst of pure misery, Frankl noticed that his fellow prisoners had different reactions to their circumstances. They were all exposed to the same levels of torment and trauma. Yet, some of them seemed to waste away and die, while others continued to press on and live.

What seemed to stand out to Frankl was a sense of hope. He made the observation that those who had a reason for hope also had a greater chance to live. He went so far as to write that the immune system must be tied to the sense of courage and hope. In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, he wrote that “the state of immunity of [a man’s] body will understand that sudden loss of hope and courage can have a deadly effect.”

I can imagine that the earliest followers of Jesus of Nazareth had a similar loss of hope. For three years they had followed him. They had listened to his teachings and believed that he was going to bring about a revolution. Their country was being controlled by corrupt governments and morality appeared to be at an all-time low. Even those who were supposed to be religious leaders had turned out to be hypocrites.

Jesus began teaching something new. He was bringing about a change that the people in Israel desperately needed. He was challenging those who were in power. He challenged those who had the responsibility to change things, but failed to look past their own selfish interests. It looked like this was really going to happen. Everything was going to be good once again.

In the shadows late one Thursday night Jesus was arrested. The hope of the world was put on trial. His followers could barely even watch as the political powers in charge stripped Jesus of anything that remotely resembled dignity. Hope was being lost in front of their very eyes. Maybe you can relate. Maybe you’ve had to sit idle as the very thing that offered you hope was stripped away by one injustice after another.

By Friday afternoon Jesus was hanging on a cross. His crime was offering a new way. His crime was calling for others to change. His crime was preaching love instead of legalism. While he slowly died, everything that he stood for and everything that he preached appeared to have died with him. For those who had poured their faith and their very lives into Jesus’ teachings, it felt like all hope was finally gone for good.

For the next few days, his followers tried to make sense of everything that had happened. What should they do now? Where should they go? Jesus said that he was going to bring the Kingdom of God, but how? How could he now that he was dead? How could anything good possibly happen now that evil had won?

As Viktor Frankl discovered, and maybe as you’ve discovered in your own life, hope is never lost. Even in the deepest recesses of the most miserable prison camp on earth, hope lives. Even when the very thing that you thought would save you looks dead, hope is still alive. Those who have hope continue. Those who find hope can thrive.  Hope does exist and it is life giving.

Easter morning proved that hope is never really dead. As Jesus’ tomb was opened and his body emerged from the shadows, all doubt and despair had to flee. Hope stood alive in the risen body of Jesus Christ.

Many people will have big family celebrations this Easter. Kids will hunt for colorful eggs. A magical bunny will make its way into many homes to drop off baskets of candy. People will buy new Easter outfits and find themselves sitting in a church sanctuary. For a moment this will distract us. It will distract us from all of the things that cause us to lose our hope.

That may feel good, but we don’t need to be distracted. We need to find hope. We need to find purpose and meaning. With the new sense of hope we can press on. We can thrive. Our community can be alive once again. That hope is found in Easter. It is found in a Jesus who rose from the grave and is offering a new way, a different way.

In the midst of world full of bad news, don’t lose hope.  In your own life, when trouble and trauma strike, don’t lose hope. May this Easter be the time when you find that hope once again.

The post The Hope of Easter appeared first on Muncie Journal.

MUNCIE, IN — Community members from East Central Indiana are invited to attend All Aboard: Board Leadership in Action, an annual workshop designed to help individuals explore nonprofit board service, on Tuesday, May 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the YWCA of Central Indiana, 310 E. Charles St., downtown Muncie.

The free event is presented by Shafer Leadership Academy, Heart of Indiana United Way, and the Nonprofit Support Network, with additional programmatic and in-kind support from the YWCA of East Central Indiana.

This three-hour workshop is designed for individuals interested in learning more about local nonprofits and what it means to serve on a nonprofit board. Participants will explore the roles and responsibilities of board service and learn how to identify nonprofit board opportunities in Muncie and Delaware County that align with their skills and interests. Dinner will be provided.

The program will be facilitated by Mitch Isaacs, Executive Director of Shafer Leadership Academy, and Dr. John Anderson Jr. of the Family Life Institute. It will also feature a panel discussion with local nonprofit leaders Lindsey Arthur, CEO of Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity; Dave Franklin, board member of Muncie Queer Alliance; and Ken Hudson, Executive Director of Whitely Community Council.

All Aboard emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives and lived experiences in nonprofit board service. Strong boards benefit from members who bring a wide range of insights, ideas, and connections that help organizations better understand and respond to community needs. The workshop is intended to encourage broader participation in board service, especially among those who may be considering it for the first time.

Jena Ashby, Relationship and Resource Director for the Nonprofit Support Network, said, “Board members are a vital part of a thriving nonprofit organization. We are grateful for the community members who attend this training and choose to invest in community betterment through board service.”

To learn more about and register for the All Aboard workshop, visit https://www.shaferleadership.com/all-aboard/ or email Mitch Isaacs at misaacs@shaferleadership.com.

About Shafer Leadership Academy

Shafer Leadership Academy provides inclusive leadership development so that people, organizations, and communities reach their full potential. Empowering people to inspire positive change in their community—our participants excel in their careers, enrich the lives of others and transform their communities.

About Heart of Indiana United Way

Heart of Indiana United Way mobilizes communities to close gaps and open opportunities so all can thrive. With deep local roots, across Delaware, Madison, Henry, Randolph, and Fayette Counties, we unite people and resources to tackle core interconnected challenges and create a future where everyone everywhere can reach their full potential.

About Nonprofit Support Network

Nonprofit Support Network is dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations serving Muncie and Delaware County by providing them programs, services, and tools to strengthen organizations. Our mission is to provide support to ensure a healthy, well-supported, sustainable nonprofit sector in Muncie and Delaware County.

The post Free ‘All Aboard’ Workshop Invites Community Members to Explore Nonprofit Board Service in Muncie appeared first on Muncie Journal.

By Andy Klotz—

MUNCIE, IN— Muncie Community Schools (MCS) will be holding kindergarten roundup at all six of its elementary schools Thursday, April 9 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for families to register their 5-year-olds for the 2026-27 school year while getting a first-hand look at classrooms. Teachers and administrators will be on hand to answer parents’ questions. Children must turn five on or before September 1 to be eligible for kindergarten.

The roundup will coincide with on-site open enrollment for all grades, preschool through 12. Preschool openings are limited with priority given to children who will be four years old by September 1. Three-year-olds may be admitted if space is available.

To secure a spot on the preschool wait list, parents and guardians can visit https://forms.monday.com/forms/5d10975efeba6914c25b6e3223f65049?r=use1.

Financial assistance through Indiana’s On My Way Pre-K program is available for many families. People should visit https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/on-my-way-pre-k/ to determine eligibility.

The quickest and easiest way for parents and guardians to enroll new or returning MCS students is by going to EnrollinMCS.org. People who need assistance or prefer to register in person at their home school should plan to bring these documents on April 9:

• Current identification
• Proof of residency
• Student’s birth certificate
• Student’s immunization records

By enrolling students early, parents make it easier for school principals to appropriately staff their buildings for the first day of school, which is set for August 12.  For more information, please visit muncieschools.org.

About Muncie Community Schools

Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society.

The post Muncie Community Schools Kindergarten Roundup Set for April 9 appeared first on Muncie Journal.

From WMUN’s “Delaware County Today.”

Shanta Schmiesing suffered serious injuries after her Jeep was hit during a high-speed police chase in Muncie in April 2024. The Star Press says Schmiesing has filed suit against the man convicted of causing the crash, the Henry County deputy who pursued him, the Henry County sheriff, Henry County commissioners and the Henry County government.

First Thursday is back. And tonight marks the first planned outdoor gathering of the Muncie Makers Market in 2026. The market will be held on the sidewalks of Adams and Walnut streets in downtown Muncie from 5 to 8 p.m., but stay aware of weather plans.

The 2026 Spirit of Muncie award was announced yesterday at the Muncie on the Move, by MC Dale Basham

Created in 2002 to honor Al Rent, this award presented annually by the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce to a community member who exemplifies exceptional volunteerism and leadership. It recognizes individuals with a positive attitude who work to improve Muncie and Delaware County.

The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association is celebrating its 30th anniversary and recently recognized three distinguished alumni – 1963 graduate Robert Coatie, 1933 graduate Mary Jane Croft and Woof Boom Radio’s own Lathay Pegues, a 1993 grad. Read more at Muncie Journal.com.

Magic City Sip & Savor will take place Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at MadJax. Tickets are $45, or you can get a VIP experience for $60. Downtown Muncie event director Cheryl Crowder shared more details of the annual fundraiser with “Delaware County Today.”

A fight during a March 7 party on Muncie’s South Hoyt Avenue has led to criminal recklessness accusations against a Muncie teen. The Star Press says 18-year-old Chloe Elise Pugh is accused of using a black Honda Pilot to strike a 16-year-old girl with whom she fought earlier in the evening.

The PhyXTGears, East Central Indiana’s FIRST Robotics Team 1720, reached the final playoff matches at the FIN Columbus Regional recently. The team will compete in Washington, Ind., this Friday and Saturday (April 3-4) and at the Indiana State Championship on April 18-19. Learn how to support or join the team at Muncie Journal.com.

The trial for a former Anderson police detective charged with child solicitation has been continued. The Herald Bulletin says 52-year-old Joshua Senseney’s case is now set to heard on June 29. Senseney was arrested in 2024 after contact with five boys at Highland Middle School, where he served as a resource officer.

Our Hometown Hero of the month is Winchester Main Street – they will be guests tomorrow morning on WMUN just after 8 a.m. The Airwaves in Action winner is Home Savers of Delaware County. Each monthly winner receives a $10,000 in-kind donation from Woof Boom Radio.

Indiana State police say a Muncie man was shot Tuesday night after pointing a handgun at officers, then barricading himself inside a house. The ISP report says Muncie police officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and establish communication, but a chemical agent was deployed into the rear of the house around 8:50 p.m. shots were fired, and the man was pronounced dead at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

The Muncie Public Works Department has released the city’s paving plan for 2026, including more than 10 miles of paving. Among the highest profile areas on the list is a plan to pave Tillotson Avenue from McGalliard Road to Kilgore.

INDOT says culvert replacements and road resurfacing will close State Road 28 between State Road 9 and I-69 in Madison and Delaware counties through mid-May. The official detour will follow State Road 9, State Road 26 and I-69.

An investigation by a special agent with the U.S. Postal Service has led to the arrest of an Anderson postal worker. The Herald Bulletin says 27-year-old Austin Humphrey has been charged with theft, fraud and official misconduct.

All branches of the YMCA of Muncie will be closed Sunday for Easter celebrations. 24/7 Access members will still be able to enter the Yorktown and Muncie locations with their fob. All branches will re-open for normal business Monday.

The post WMUN Local News Summary, 04/02/26 appeared first on Woof Boom Radio News.

It’s May 5 at Yorktown High School. Ceremonies will get underway around 5 p.m.

A 3-year-old girl is an Indianapolis hospital with life-threatening injuries, and a New Castle mother and her boyfriend have been accused of neglect. The Star Press says 23-year-old Kami Nelson and 25-year-old Lee O’Donnell Jr. blamed one another for the child’s injuries.

Week two of the newest local show all about Ball State Baseball

You Tube channel is Woof Boom Studio B, and Radio is 92.5 FM and 1340 AM – 5 p.m. Thursday’s on WMUN.

There is work still to be done.

The Gathering of the Queens Founder Marilyn Collier, about the new home for its food pantry and other community service – they’ll soon move into the former YWCA building on Jackson Street. From Oldies 101.

A hit-and-run accident that caused severe injuries to a 63-year-old male pedestrian in December has led to the arrest of a Hartford City man. The Star Press says 43-year-old Josiah D. Dudelston is accused of DWI and leaving the scene near a Taco Bell on Hartford City’s North Walnut Street.

Anderson Housing Authority COO Kevin Sulc told The Herald Bulletin the organization has received offers on three of the five houses its put up for sale. The houses are being sold to help fund the remodeling of two apartment complexes in the city.

Second Harvest Food Bank has announced tailgate distributions at the Jay County Fairgrounds today (April 1), the Blackford County Fairgrounds and Delaware County Fairgrounds tomorrow (April 2), and the SHFB Warehouse on Old State Road 3 in Muncie on Saturday (April 4). Each event begins at 10 a.m.

Short stretches of U.S. 36 will soon be closed in Madison County as INDOT crews work on culvert replacements. The work is scheduled to begin Monday and will close areas of the highway between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Work is expected to continue through the end of April.

The American Red Cross has several upcoming blood drives in Hamilton County, with events taking place at Noblesville’s IN Blood Donation Center, Carmel’s Cool Creek Nature Center and IU Health North Hospital and Fishers’ Billericay Park Multi-Purpose Community Building. More details at redcrossblood.org.

A veteran of nearly two decades in law enforcement and security, Dennis Watson told Oldies 101’s “Anderson Talks” why he has decided to throw his hat into the crowded race to become Madison County’s next sheriff.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie are celebrating the inaugural “Coffee with the Clubs” event from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the clubs’ headquarters on South Madison Street. RSVP at the clubs’ Facebook page and learn more about the Spring Match Campaign.

The post Smash Cancer Tennis Match Coming May 5 appeared first on Woof Boom Radio News.

Muncie, IN – The Muncie Police Department has requested the Indiana State Police to conduct an independent investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred this evening.

At approximately 5:00 p.m., Muncie Police officers were dispatched to the 300 block of South Ivy Wood Drive to conduct a welfare check. Officers arrived on scene within minutes. Upon their arrival, the male subject pointed a handgun at responding officers before retreating inside the residence and barricading himself.

Officers remained on scene and made multiple attempts to de-escalate the situation, engaging in negotiations in an effort to have the subject surrender peacefully.

At approximately 8:50 p.m., officers attempted to deploy chemical agent into the back of the residence, at which time shots were fired. The male subject was transported to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Upon completion of the investigation, all findings will be submitted to the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

The Indiana State Police was assisted on scene by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Delaware County Coroner’s Office, and the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office.

The post Muncie Police Department – Officer-Involved Shooting appeared first on Woof Boom Radio News.

MUNCIE, IN— One Ball State Day (OBSD), Ball State University’s annual day of giving and celebration of Cardinal spirit, returns Wednesday, April 1. The 24-hour event brings together alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students to strengthen the University through gifts, advocacy, and engagement.

Supporters can make a gift at oneballstate.bsu.edu anytime from midnight to 11:59 ET on Wednesday, April 1. Donors may choose to support student emergency aid or make a gift to the Ball State school, college, department, or organization that matters most to them, with gifts of $5 or more qualifying for One Ball State Day participation and, in some cases, additional challenge or matching funds.

Last year’s One Ball State Day generated more than $1.3 million through more than 7,900 gifts. The 2025 effort also included more than 400 student gifts, more than 1,900 employee gifts, and participation from supporters representing 17 countries. This year’s event will build on that momentum by highlighting the many ways the Ball State community can come together in support of today’s students and future generations of Cardinals.

“One Ball State Day reflects the generosity and enduring spirit of beneficence that define Ball State University,” said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “Each year, our alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students come together to support opportunities that help our students thrive. I am grateful to everyone who participates in this special day and demonstrates, through their engagement and their gifts, a shared commitment to our mission to prepare graduates for fulfilling careers and for meaningful lives.”

In addition to making a gift, supporters can take part in One Ball State Day by serving as ambassadors and sharing their Ball State pride with fellow graduates, friends, and family members.

“One Ball State Day is an opportunity to celebrate what Ball State makes possible,” said Lola Mauer, associate vice president of engagement and strategy at the Ball State University Foundation. “It is about more than a single day of giving. It is a chance for our University community to come together, share its pride, and invest in opportunities that directly benefit students. Every gift and every act of engagement helps strengthen the Ball State experience and expand what is possible for our students.”

Throughout the day, Ball State’s campus will feature events and activities tied to the celebration, including:

• OBSD Headquarters, Emens Auditorium Lobby: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Stop in throughout the day to celebrate One Ball State Day with games, activities, giveaways, OBSD mugs, tea from McAlister’s, and additional refreshments made possible by Meijer while supplies last.
• Student Donor Lounge, Emens Auditorium Lobby: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Student donors can visit the lounge to receive an exclusive Goose Lapel Pin.
• OBSD Donuts with the Deans, Emens Auditorium Lobby: 10-10:30 a.m. Faculty and staff are invited to help kick off the day, serve donuts, and engage with students.
• Trivia Taxi, campus-wide: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Trivia Taxi will offer free rides across campus while riders answer OBSD trivia questions for prizes.
• OBSD Passports, Emens Auditorium Lobby: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Participants can bring completed OBSD Passports to headquarters for a prize.
• Dash & Splash, Lewellen Pool: noon-1 p.m. Participants from Ball State colleges and departments will race giant inflatable ducks, with the top finishers winning Challenge Funds for the fund of their choice. 

• OBSD Pizza with the President, Emens Auditorium Lobby: 12:30-1 p.m., or until pizza is gone. President Mearns will serve pizza to attendees at headquarters, courtesy of Cousin Vinny’s.
• OBSD Dunk Tank, Emens Auditorium Courtyard: 1-3 p.m. Participants can earn throws to dunk Ball State celebrities by supporting participating contestants’ funds and sharing OBSD content on social media.
• OBSD Shakes & Shirts, Emens Auditorium Lobby: 1:30-2 p.m., or until supplies run out. Attendees can enjoy shakes from Steak ‘n Shake and pick up a One Ball State Day T-shirt.
• Dodgeball, Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation Center, Two Basketball Court Area: 4-6 p.m. Student teams will compete in the inaugural OBSD Dodgeball Tournament while raising money for their favorite OBSD funds. 

Supporters can make gifts online throughout the day on the One Ball State Day website. They are also encouraged to share photos, videos, and messages on social media to help spread the word and inspire others to participate.

For more information about One Ball State Day, including participating groups, ambassador opportunities, event details, and how to give, visit the OBSD website or email oneballstateday@bsu.edu.

Established in 1951, the Ball State University Foundation supports the University, its mission, and its students by carefully stewarding, prudently investing, and strategically allocating private gifts for scholarships, faculty, and programs.

For more information, visit bsu.edu/foundation, call 765-285-8316, or email giftadmin@bsu.edu. To support Ball State with a one-time or recurring gift at any time, visit bsu.edu/give.

About Ball State

Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 20,000 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University. We Fly!

The post One Ball State Day Returns April 1, Inviting Cardinals Everywhere to Celebrate Their Impact appeared first on Muncie Journal.

MUNCIE, IN—The 11^th IDEA Conference returned on March 6^th with a playful, purposeful nod to Sesame Street, inviting neighborhood leaders to “come and play” while engaging in networking, workshops, and more at Ball State University’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center.

Nearly 130 people attended this year’s sessions, which covered a range of topics, from political action and leadership development to project planning and community engagement.

In one session, led by the Whitely Neighborhood Association, participants played a new Monopoly-style game that celebrated the history of that neighborhood. In another session, city leaders grabbed a “Seat On the Stoop” with participants to discuss various neighborhood development projects.

Some of the participants at this year’s IDEA Conference noted that they were inspired to attend “because I love Muncie and want to learn as much as I can to contribute to my community,” they “want to be more involved in my neighborhood,” and “learn more about my community and the resources and agencies in it.”

IDEA was hosted by Building Better Neighborhoods, Muncie Action Plan, Shafer Leadership Academy, and Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement. Contributing sponsors include City of Muncie, Ball Brothers Foundation, The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, HOPE, and the Muncie Sanitary District.

During the event, this year’s graduating CenterPoint Scholars were also recognized and a new cohort was introduced. CenterPoint Scholars is a leadership academy designed to equip neighborhood advocates with essential skills in advocacy, conflict resolution, and project management.

Graduating Scholars were Jasmine Taylor, Joey Scholl III, Sam McCollum, Rachael Robertson, Eliana Heimlich, Isabel Heimlich, and Kiwani Pine. New Scholars are Paige Brown, Elisabeth Edgell, Kim Hampton, Danielle Heimlich, David Robbins, Monique Vargas, and Kylee Tremaine. Several of their projects were featuring during sessions at the conference, including a new neighborhood-focused program/podcast, Porch Light Radio.

A highlight of the event each year is the annual Neighborhood Awards, recognizing outstanding efforts to enhance local neighborhoods. Morningside McCormick and Whitely received the awards for most trash collected during the Spring and Fall 2025 cleanups. Combined, they removed 30,000 tons from our neighborhood streets and alleys!

The 2025 Neighborhood Project and Neighborhood Leader of the Year were awarded to the Old West End neighborhood for its partnership in a multi-million dollar housing regeneration project, and Frank Scott Sr. for his dedication to leadership in the Whitely neighborhood.

Photo by Ty Morton

For more information about neighborhood initiatives and future events, visit http://www.muncieneighborhoods.org.

The post Neighborhood Leaders Gather for Another Successful IDEA Conference appeared first on Muncie Journal.

“This week a partial video of one of several traffic stops conducted by MPD officers was posted on social media. The stop was for minor traffic violations but led to the arrest of a young citizen who chose not to cooperate when asked. Some feedback on the video has been reasonable and wise and much of it has been critical of the police. I’m used to that and typically don’t respond as people are entitled to their opinions, even when they lack facts or are simply wrong. Some of the comments regarding this particular partial video, however, have been based on untruths, accusations, vitriol, and even threats. For those willing to listen, here is some information.

An adult passenger in the vehicle was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the stop. Seat belts are required in Indiana. Consequently, the citizen was asked for his identification, which the law requires citizens to provide when in contact with the police for an infraction like this one. After multiple requests, the citizen declined to provide a license or ID but eventually begrudgingly gave partial information verbally. However, he declined to provide complete information that is required by the law and that is needed to issue a citation. After multiple requests and explanation of the consequences of not providing the information, the citizen was asked to step from the vehicle. He refused. The citizen then resisted attempts to remove him and so the minimum amount of force to do so was used. The officers communicated with the citizen continuously as he continued to resist, even attempting to get back inside the vehicle. In short, the citizen chose to resist. He was arrested.

I think it’s worth pointing out that had the young man simply provided the information requested (and that is required by law), at worst, he would have received a $25 seat belt ticket (with no court costs and no points added to his driving record). It is also possible he would have been given a verbal warning and sent on his way. As a result of his choices though, the citizen was arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement, Refusal to Identify, Possession of Marijuana, & Possession of Paraphernalia.

The Refusal to Identify statute’s purpose is to ensure that officers can enforce traffic laws evenly and fairly. It would be unjust if some citizens could avoid being cited simply by refusing to provide their identification while other law-abiding citizens are cited and accept their responsibility. The law applies equally as it should. Imagine if you lived within view of your child’s elementary school and noticed a driver speeding through the school zone daily at 50+ mph in the 20 mph zone. Let’s say you noticed that the police stopped the driver one day and, after the stop, you spoke with the officer and he said, “I’m sorry, Ma’am, but I couldn’t write the speeder a citation because he declined to identify himself. I hope he slows down tomorrow.” Simply, the law serves a purpose in our civil society. It also provides for reasonable consequences when it is violated.

Another important point– use of force is not pleasant to watch. That it is not pleasant to see though does not necessarily make it wrong. The facts matter. Our officers are taught to use force only when necessary and when other options have not worked, and then the minimum amount needed whenever possible. The officers in this case began the contact with politeness and courtesy and became more firm and direct only when it was required by the citizen’s choices and actions. The officers made multiple attempts to convince the citizen to cooperate as the law requires and communicated clearly throughout the encounter, even when attempting to gain compliance and even when faced with forceful resistance. The officers were polite when they were allowed to be and were firm and decisive when they needed to be. The citizen chose not to abide by the law even after multiple opportunities to do so. He was arrested. The alternative would have been to allow the citizen to evade his responsibility to abide by the law while other citizens are held accountable. That is injustice. Had the officers allowed the citizen’s tactic of non-compliance to be successful, I would have disciplined them for this would be unfair to every other person we lawfully arrest or write tickets to. The officers did their job and I support them. I hope you do, too. As for the young citizen, I wish him the best and hope he finds wisdom, peace, and success going forward.”

A Muncie woman and a Yorktown man were arrested last week at the Bestway Inn on Muncie’s North Broadway Street and have been charged with dealing in a narcotic drug. The Star Press says 30-year-old Jamie Danielle Speece and 49-year-old Christopher Harold Phillips could face up to 30 years in prison.

A hero among us. As we first told you Friday morning on WMUN news Radio, Muncie’s Hayden DeLong pulled two young girls from the wreckage of a car accident in early March, he shared what was going through his mind when he first saw the children trapped in the vehicle.

He was honored by the Skinner family, and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department last week – on his 17th birthday. Hear the entire award presentation on WMUNmuncie.com.

Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (IN-05) postponed the March 28 Gas City (11:00 a.m.) and Kokomo (2:00 p.m.) Town Halls having to stay in DC for votes on DHS funding. The Congresswoman will also host live policy discussions on X every first and third Thursday from April through July at 8 p.m., and will still hold a tele-town hall on May 13 – details not included in the release.

Two views on one subject: Indiana school funding

Democrat State Rep Sue Errington’s contention

The other side of the issue explains it this way

Republican State Rep JD Prescott

Full interview on WMUNmuncie.com.

The Pendleton Heights marching band had the opportunity of a lifetime, performing in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, Ireland. Band director Chris Taylor told the “Anderson Journal” morning show about the experience.

Many area schools already have rules banning personal electronic devices in the classroom, but a new state law taking effect July 1 will go even further. Senate Bill 78 prohibits the use of wireless communication devices at any point during the school day – including lunch and passing periods.

One Ball State Day returns tomorrow (April 1). The annual 24-hour giving event allows donors to choose to support student emergency aid or to make a gift to the college, department or organization that means the most to them. Any gift of $5 or more qualifies for participation. Donate at oneballstate.bsu.edu any time from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on April 1.

Tomorrow is the Muncie on the Move breakfast event and program at the Horizon Convention Center. 6:45 a.m. – Doors open7 a.m. – Breakfast buffet opens 7:25 a.m. – Program begins 8:30 a.m. Each event features nearly 200 attendees, a short program, and opportunities to network your business. Tylonius Studio is excited to offer FREE professional headshots for attendees!

A fifth McDonald’s restaurant is headed to Muncie with Mayor Dan Ridenour’s administration announcing on its Facebook page last week construction will soon begin at the corner of 29th Street and Macedonia Avenue.

Critics of President Trump gathered locally in Muncie and Anderson on Saturday as part of the nation-wide “No Kings” protests. There were brief appearances by counter-protesters at both locations, but there were no reports of violence or other public disturbances. The New York Times estimated 8 million gathered at sites Nationwide – an AI source says that’s about 2.5% of the Nation’s population.

Many area schools already have rules banning personal electronic devices in the classroom, but a new state law taking effect July 1 will go even further. Senate Bill 78 prohibits the use of wireless communication devices at any point during the school day – including lunch and passing periods.

A headline on social media over the weekend read, “Cicada COVID Variant Has Hit 25 States.” But some say they buried the lead – in the final paragraph, it said, While experts say it will be hard to determine whether you have the common cold or a case of COVID-19, it may not really matter, since this variant isn’t poised to make those who catch it any sicker than previous versions.” As for symptoms, they look the same as previous versions
Cough
Sore throat
Congestion
Fever or chills
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Headache
Gastrointestinal issues
And, just like many other variations of COVID-19, experts say some people will experience the telltale loss of taste and smell.

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