Government

Indiana Family and Social Services to Provide Funding for Mental Health Services

By Marni Lemons— Will also launch Indiana 988 phone line for crisis response on Saturday. INDIANAPOLIS–The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction is providing new funding to help build and support projects in Indiana to improve mental health services for Hoosiers. This includes funding appropriated by the Indiana General Assembly in House Enrolled Act 1001, and additional funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and other sources. DMHA is working with partners in the…

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Muncie Mayor’s Office: Maintaining Transparency in the Information Age

By Michele Owen, Communications Director, City of Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—When the phone rings at City Hall, there’s no telling who’s on the line. It could be a simple question, a profanity-laden tirade, or a grieving widow unsure where to turn. For executive assistant Shareen Wagley and receptionist Lindsay Fink, the protocol is the same – answer the phone and try to help. In the first three weeks of June alone, the mayor’s office received 2,763 phone calls, for a total…


Developer to Add 17 Additional Homes, Recreation Area to Muncie’s Northwest Side

By Michele Owen, Director of Communications, City of Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—On Thursday, June 30th, the zoning board approved a variance for the addition of two cul-de-sacs and 17 additional lots in Copperfield Commons. A project of Partuck Corporation, the Commons has developed 40 building sites near McGalliard and Morrison. 21 homes have already been built and sold on these lots. Developer Richard Case hopes to complete a new recreation area and the cul-de-sacs by 2023. Case has been collaborating with Councilman Aaron…


New ‘First Steps’ Program Offers Free Land Management Consultations 

By Colby Gray— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN—Rural property owners in Blackford and Delaware counties can more easily start implementing conservation practices on their land with help from a free program offered through the local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The program is called “First Steps” and involves one-on-one consultation with a local conservation representative. The SWCD representative helps the property owner identify conservation goals for the property by collecting, analyzing, and discussing environmental variables such as soil types, topographical information,…


White River Plaza Has New Owner, Improvements Expected

By Michele Owen, Communications Director, City of Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—Local entrepreneur Scott Mick, owner of The Barking Cow, has finalized the purchase of White River Plaza, which contains approximately 85,000 square feet of retail space. The Plaza has been the home of board game stores, breweries, and food establishments, although it was previously owned by a tax-exempt nonprofit entity. Now that the Plaza is owned by a for-profit business entity (The Cedars of Muncie LLC), Westside neighbors will benefit from…


New Indiana Laws Taking Effect on July 1st

By Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle— INDIANAPOLIS, IN—Dozens of Indiana laws took effect on July 1, 2022, including a new tax on vaping products, a ban on transgender females playing on girls sports teams and the elimination of handgun permits. Overall, more than 150 bills passed during the legislative session but some went into effect immediately. Here’s a rundown of the notable laws: Transgender athletes A law banning transgender females from competing in girls school sports will take effect despite…


You Can Save Some Money on Your Utility Bill Taxes Beginning on July 1st

By Danielle McGrath, President, Indiana Energy Association— INDIANAPOLIS, IN—At a time when costs are increasing across the board, Hoosiers will soon benefit from the elimination of a special tax on utility bills. The repeal means monthly savings for all customers beginning July 1, 2022.  The Utility Receipts Tax and Utility Services Tax is currently a 1.46% addition to energy bills based on usage. The elimination of this tax is one of many recent actions taken by the Indiana General Assembly and…


Neighborhood Residents Will Identify Properties for Environmental Cleanup

By Keith Roysdon— DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. – A group of neighborhood residents will lead an effort to identify former industrial properties for cleanup using $500,000 in federal funds. The East Central Indiana Regional Planning District won the $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA chose 10 Indiana organizations and communities that would receive part of $9.4 million in funding to assess or clean up brownfield sites, which are properties with suspected contamination from former industrial plant operations. The…


New ‘Indiana Arts and Culture Passport Program’ Launches

By Amy Howell, Director of Tourism, Marketing and Communications — INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, are teaming up to launch the Indiana Arts and Culture Passport. “From music venues and theaters, to museums and more, communities across Indiana are using art as a way to come together and build a sense of place,” Crouch said. “All of these attractions reflect the values of residents…


Health Statement From the Office of Congressman Greg Pence

By Mike Pence Press Office— COLUMBUS, Ind. – Today, the Office of Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) released the following statement regarding his health procedure over the weekend: Congressman Greg Pence is recovering from a heart procedure over the weekend after experiencing minor chest discomfort. Congressman Pence is expected to make a full recovery from home with his wife Denise and family. The Pence family is grateful to the entire Columbus Regional Hospital team for their exceptional care and professionalism. “I…