— Two Muncie men already incarcerated for unrelated crimes have been charged with participating in a local triple homicide in 2021 were each charged April 30 in Delaware Circuit Court 3 with three counts of murder along with conspiracy to commit robbery and aiding the bodies of three men from Detroit — Adrian Demarlo George Jr. 27 — were found by Muncie police in an apartment in the Elgin Manor Apartments complex Authorities said the Michigan men had been shot to death was arrested a few weeks after the homicides According to a court document filed in 2021, Harris admitted to engaging in a conspiracy to rob the Michigan men of cash Harris on April 30 pleaded guilty to three counts of murder A plea agreement reportedly calls for him to receive a 45-year prison term He is not expected to be sentenced until the charges against his co-defendants have been resolved A murder conviction in Indiana carries a maximum 65-year sentence According to affidavits attached to the murder counts filed April 30 Jackson in 2021 told investigators he was in the apartment when the homicides took place but he maintained he was asleep at the time Edwards is incarcerated at the Plainfield Correctional Facility serving a nine-year sentence for a 2022 drug-dealing conviction held at the Correctional Industrial Facility in Pendleton was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2022 after he pleaded guilty to dealing in a narcotic drug Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com MUNCIE, IN—All planetarium programs are free of charge, cash donations are accepted at the door. No tickets or reservations are required for these public planetarium shows. www.bsu.edu/planetarium explore exactly what astronomers do to answer the questions of the Universe featuring info on NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and the Large Hadron Collider Enjoy a guided tour of the celestial wonderland that is the night sky with the help of free star charts provided during this live program explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry and connect life on Earth to the evolution of the Universe Little Wanderers Part 1: The Inner Planets Journey to three world-class observatories in Chile’s rugged Andes Mountains and arid Atacama Desert—along the way and support staff who keep these mega-machines running and learn about their research With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere Join narrator Daveed Diggs on a journey through space and time to discover how life makes Earth livable where it could be found elsewhere in the cosmos and what new technologies we might use to find it Little Wanderers Part 2: The Outer Planets For directions and parking information, as well as general policies, please visit the Charles W. Brown Planetarium website The Muncie Journal will strive to include the good things that are happening with businesses and non-profits within Delaware County We will focus on three areas: (1) Education (2) Economic Development (3) Quality of Life You'll hear about this project on the radio on four of the radio stations that make up the Woof Boom Radio Group The IHSAA announced the baseball sectional pairings on Sunday more than three weeks before the tournament begins May 28 Regional games will then be played on June 7 The four IHSAA baseball state championship games will be played on June 20-21 at Victory Field in Indianapolis Here's a look at where each Muncie area baseball team is headed for sectionals and their first-round matchups Muncie Central will head to Pendleton Heights for Sectional 9 where the Bearcats will take on Greenfield-Central in Game 2 of the six-team bracket Yorktown will host a six-team bracket that also features Connersville The Tigers drew the semifinal game and will take on Hamilton Heights in Game 4 Delta: Sectional 24 at YorktownDelta will get the action started in Sectional 24 at Yorktown with a Game 1 matchup against Connersville Jay County will take on New Castle in Game 2 of Sectional 24 New Castle and Jay County will face off in Game 2 of Sectional 24 Blackford will head to Madison-Grant for the six-team Sectional 40 where the Bruins drew a semifinal matchup with Wapahani in Game 4 Muncie Burris will join Blackford and Wapahani at Madison-Grant in Sectional 40 where the Owls will get the action started in Game 1 against Eastbrook Wapahani will play Blackford in a semifinal matchup Winchester will host a six-team bracket that also includes Centerville The Golden Falcons will face Shenandoah in Game 2 Shenandoah: Sectional 44 at Winchester CommunityClass 2A No 10 Shenandoah will take on the aforementioned Winchester Wes-Del will host the eight-team Sectional 55 bracket The Warriors will take on Delaware County foe and Mid-Eastern Conference rival Cowan in Game 2 Cowan will take on Sectional 55 host Wes-Del Daleville will join fellow Delaware County teams Cowan and Wes-Del in Sectional 55 The Broncos will take on North Miami in Game 3 Blue River Valley will head to Seton Catholic for Sectional 56 where they will get things started with a matchup against Union County in Game 1 Monroe Central will play in Game 2 of Sectional 56 at Seton Catholic The Golden Bears will face off with Cambridge City Lincoln Contact Cade Hampton via email at cbhampton@muncie.gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10 vsCentral Michigan IN—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients: is a recipient of the Zach Greenwalt Scholarship Reece plans to study engineering at Purdue University He is the son of the late Ryan Berry and Kris Dishman Keesling Memorial Scholarship and the Murray’s Jewelers Scholarship Shelby plans to study Fine Arts at Ball State University She is the daughter of David and Carrie Brannon Meghan plans to study nonprofit management and leadership at Indiana University She is the daughter of Ben and Beth Buehler a senior at Heritage Hall Christian School Caleb plans to study business at Cedarville University He is the son of Christopher and Emily Cunningham Robling Scholarship and the eKeeper Systems Unparalleled Excellence Scholarship Christy plans to study data science at Indiana University She is the daughter of Nicole Gao and Zhifeng Gao Regan plans to study cybersecurity at Ball State University is a recipient of the Jerry Parrish Scholarship Zinna plans to study biology at Ball State University is a recipient of the Jim Leffler Memorial Scholarship and the Robert and Wanda McKibben Scholarship Aurilia plans to study elementary education at Ball State University She is the daughter of Judd and Rhea Moulton is a recipient of the Tom Devine Memorial Scholarship Isabella plans to study elementary education at Ball State University She is the daughter of Mary Vannatta and Gary Vannatta is a recipient of the Alice Miriam Kitselman Scholarship Andrew plans to study biochemistry at Ball State University He is the son of Anna Sammelson and Robert Sammelson Hailie plans to study biology at Purdue University Peyton plans to study pre-health and biology at the University of Notre Dame Logan plans to study computer science at Ball State University The Community Foundation will announce scholarship recipients in the order that students accept awards. To view all 2025 Community Foundation Scholarship recipients, visit cfmdin.org/news/2025-scholarships About The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County has been serving the local community since 1985 assisting donors in building a permanent source of charitable assets and investing in initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County the Foundation has distributed nearly $68 million in grants and scholarships to date Thousands entered Worthen Arena May 3 for Ball State's 201th commencement ceremony Smiling guests filled the arena seats as graduates filed onto the court floor conversing with each other before the ceremony started Ball State Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Anand Marri opened the ceremony with a welcome which was followed by the Presentation of the Colors and the National Anthem this is a most happy day and we are glad to have all of you here to share in this important occasion we offer our warmest congratulations,” Marri said Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns approached the podium and introduced the 2025 commencement speaker Davion started her speech by thanking God and President Mearns and shouting out the Theatre and Dance Department She then spoke about her experience at Ball State and gave advice and appreciation to those graduating “You are each here because of this moment; it had to be you…each of y’all sitting here today has been through a major life event,” she said Davion said to redefine success and appreciate the communities around you Be unafraid of the profound voice that you carry because the inner parts of you are waiting to come alive,” Davion concluded Mearns and Marri invited candidates who will receive doctoral and master's degrees to rise and cross the platform 34 undergraduate honor students were recognized Those graduating with undergraduate degrees from each college were then asked to stand and move their tassels signifying their accomplishments and success Mearns returned to the stage for his closing remarks. “I encourage you to pursue a life of meaning Life is a precious gift and I believe that to lead a meaningful life you should share that gift with other people who need you,” Mearns said graduating students from the Theatre and Dance Department sang Ball State’s “We Fly anthem,” a commencement tradition Contact Jessica Bergfors via email at jessica.bergfors@bsu.edu We use cookies to improve your experience Please read our Privacy Policy or click Accept.× Please read our Privacy Policy or click Accept Topics: Alumni, Commencement, Faculty, Muncie, President, Students Ball State University celebrated the achievements of its Class of 2025 during its Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday. Due to inclement weather, the event was moved indoors to Worthen Arena where the University conferred approximately 2,800 degrees to graduates from its doctoral Broadway actor and Ball State alumna Kayla Davion congratulating graduates on their resilience and their connection to purpose—especially those who began college during the COVID-19 pandemic “You learned to navigate college life while still carrying the weight of what the world had just endured,” Ms you are the first in your family to graduate Some of you work two jobs or more in order to stay enrolled some of you set seven different alarms just to continue to press snooze and you somehow still showed up to class—most days Some of you battled with anxiety and grief or the quiet fear that maybe you wouldn't make it “You didn’t just make it to this moment even when everything around you was uncertain; the decision speaks volumes about you.” who made history as the first Ball State student to book a Broadway show before graduating on Saturday was awarded the President’s Medal of Distinction—one of the University’s highest honors—for her artistic accomplishments and her advocacy for students in the arts President Geoffrey S. Mearns also addressed the graduates “I hope you are inspired to know that Ball State is a university that supports students with big dreams—and also empowers our graduates with the knowledge and the confidence to achieve these ambitious aspirations,” he said President’s Medals of Distinction were also awarded this weekend to Dr Bird was honored for his leadership in healthcare and his commitment to the East Central Indiana community was recognized for his environmentally responsible designs and global influence in the field The ceremony concluded with a performance of Ball State’s anthem, “We Fly,” by graduating seniors in the Department of Theatre and Dance. College-specific ceremonies followed at Emens Auditorium and Worthen Arena Fox 59 — Two additional men have been charged after a robbery led to a fatal triple shooting at a Muncie apartment complex in February 2021 According to court documents recently filed in Delaware County This comes after Chandler Harris pleaded guilty to three counts of felony murder in relation to this incident Harris’ sentencing is scheduled for July 28 officers with the Muncie Police Department were dispatched to an apartment complex in north Muncie for a shots fired call but didn’t find anything at the time the department received multiple calls about a shooting in the complex the night before When officers entered an apartment in the complex they located three individuals who had been shot court documents indicate that officers found “several spent shell casings and projectiles,” as well as an ID card that allegedly belonged Edwards and a cell phone that allegedly belonged to Harris Hollis and Thomas were all in the apartment the witness reportedly told police that she discovered that George Harris reportedly told law enforcement that the group had conspired to rob the three individuals inside the apartment Harris reportedly said that $20,000 was taken from the apartment after the shooting The court documents indicate that he was checked in under a false name police reportedly found a dismantled handgun with “parts of it located inside a toilet.” Jackson was located in Fishers on March 11 Jackson reportedly told police at the time that he was in the apartment during the incident but was “asleep at the time of the shooting.” When Jackson saw that there had been a shooting he told police that he “ran out of the apartment.” Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" these are the actual most popular baby names so far in 2025 Whether it’s a short vacation or they’re jetting off to begin their career show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift National Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5 take advantage of these freebies and deals — The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission has approved plans for three designated outdoor refreshment areas in Muncie patrons will be allowed to "legally carry and consume alcoholic beverages in certain outdoor public spaces as they explore the local area," according to a release issued by Mayor Dan Ridenour's administration in November the administration said the districts will be "creating vibrant spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy beverages responsibly while exploring local businesses." City council members Ro Selvey and Sara Gullion wrote the ordinance creating the DORAs which was approved last year in a 7-2 vote the Village business district adjacent to the Ball State University campus and the McKinley neighborhood northeast of downtown — are expected to go into effect this summer More: City of Muncie creates designated outdoor refreshment areas Each area will be clearly marked with signage and will adhere to regulations regarding hours of operation permitted beverage types and other guidelines The downtown DORA include Savage's Ale House Ron Lahody's Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse Permittees in the Village DORA are Roots Burger Bar Greek's Pizzeria and Lacasa Restaurant and Bar permittees are Elm Street Brewing Company and 7 Rock Brew “The implementation of DORAs is a significant step forward for Muncie’s downtown revitalization,” Ridenour said in Friday's release welcoming environment for residents and visitors while supporting our local businesses.” City officials will host informational sessions — yet to be scheduled — for participating businesses and the public covering "operational guidelines Patrons in the districts can have up to two open containers of alcoholic beverages at a time Hours for operation of the DORAs will be noon to midnight daily Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com The IHSAA revealed the 2025 softball sectional pairings on Sunday The sectionals will be held from May 26-31 The four IHSAA softball state championship games will be played on June 13-14 at Purdue's Bittinger Stadium More: East Central Indiana high school softball scores, top performers from April 28-May 3 More: East Central Indiana high school baseball scores, top performers from April 28-May 3 Here's a look at where each Muncie-area softball team is headed for sectionals and their first-round matchups Full dates and times for these games will be announced at a later date Muncie Central will travel to Fortville for the six-team Sectional 9 hosted by Mt The Bearcats will take on conference-rival Richmond in Game 1 Class 3ADelta: hosting Sectional 24Delta will host Connersville The Eagles will take on Jay County in Game 2 for their first matchup 11 in Class 3A by the Softball Coaches Association of Indiana will play in Game 2 of Sectional 24 against host Delta More: Jay County softball off to hot start led by dual-sport superstar Mallory Winner New Castle will take on conference rival Yorktown in Game 1 of Sectional 24 at Delta back-to-back sectional champs and ranked No will take on New Castle in Game 1 of Sectional 24 Madison-Grant and Wapahani in Sectional 40 with the winner advancing to the sectional championship Wapahani: Sectional 40 at BlackfordWapahani will take on host Blackford in Game 2 of Sectional 40 Shenandoah drew a bye in the six-team Sectional 44 The Lady Raiders will play in Game 4 against the winner of Game 2 between Union County and Winchester Community Winchester will take on Union County in Game 2 of Sectional 44 at Centerville will travel to North Miami for an eight-team bracket in Sectional 55 The Blackhawks will take on Southern Wells in Game 2 Daleville will play in Sectional 55 at North Miami where they will take on Northfield in Game 4 in the first round Wes-Del will join fellow Delaware County schools Cowan and Daleville in Sectional 55 at North Miami The Warriors will take on Southwood in Game 3 Monroe Central: Sectional 56 at Cambridge City LincolnMonroe Central will take on Union City in Game 2 of the four-team Sectional 56 at Cambridge City Lincoln NEW CASTLE — After an incredibly successful 18-year run the Matt Luce era of Wapahani boys basketball has come to an end Luce was named the next head coach at New Castle following a special session of the New Castle Community Schools board on Friday He went 335-99 during his time at Wapahani making him the program's all-time winningest coach "How exciting to be the new coach of the New Castle Trojans?" Luce said I think my wife and I will be excited for it so just excited to be standing here and thrilled to be the next coach at New Castle." The news was first reported May 1 on social media by Sam Frick of Around the Northeast Corner. led the Raiders to six Delaware County titles three regional championships and one semi-state title during his tenure Wapahani finished as IHSAA Class 2A state runners-up in the 2023-24 season Wapahani had endured 10 straight losing seasons the decision to leave Wapahani and the Selma community where he grew up was not an easy one New Castle athletic director Cory Bennett highlighted the characteristics that made Luce stand out as a candidate for the Trojans head coaching job he has a great record at Wapahani," Bennet said "But I think also just the fact that he's been running the ECI leagues so obviously he has a lot of knowledge with feeder systems and putting time into feeder systems And I think the last part was just personality Thought he would fit in well with not only all of us Luce began his coaching career as an assistant at Fountain Central from 1999-2001 He then was an assistant at Crawfordsville in 2001-02 before beginning his head coaching career at Southwestern (Hanover) in 2002-03 He returned to Crawfordsville as the head coach for 2003-04 before spending three years as the head coach at Benton Central from 2004-07 His overall career coaching record is 385-159 Joe Luce was recently named the next head coach at Wawasee after three seasons at Tippecanoe Valley — The Ball State University Board of Trustees has reappointed Dave Heeter to the Muncie Community School Board Heeter has served on the school board since the start of Ball State's partnership with the district which began in 2018 when the Indiana General Assembly authorized Ball State to assume responsibility for MCS The school district has since made "significant improvements in enrollment financial stability and teacher compensation and retention," according to a Ball State news release "We are proud of the continued success that has resulted from our university’s partnership with Muncie Community Schools," said Rick Hall chairman of the Ball State Board of Trustees "Dave Heeter has played a critical role since the beginning of this historic collaboration is a retired executive vice president of Northwest Bank and previously served as president and CEO of MutualFirst Financial and Mutual Bank He has also served on the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors since 2014 "I am grateful to Dave and the entire MCS team for their commitment to students," Ball State President Geoffrey S "Our partnership with Muncie Community Schools is making a clear difference.” the Ball State Board of Trustees approved the budget and scope for an $8.8 million project to build new clubhouses for Ball State's baseball and softball teams Each clubhouse will be about 6,000 gross square feet and located adjacent to their respective home dugouts at Shebeck Stadium and the Ball State Softball Stadium The new facilities will feature locker rooms for student-athletes satellite training and physical therapy rooms Construction is anticipated to begin this fall WBB Completes its 2025-26 Roster with Signing of Laura Martinez & Violeta Rojas May 05 — Chief Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig will run for judge of Delaware Circuit Court 4 in next year's election cycle a Republican — is not expected to seek election to a fifth term on the Circuit Court 4 bench Feick has presided over the court since 2003 Craig has been Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman's chief deputy since 2019 His responsibilities have included overseeing significant drug-related cases including prosecutions stemming from fatal overdoses Ball State University and Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis — has been a deputy prosecutor since 2009 More: Prosecutor Hoffman to seek re-election, this time as a Republican "I'm a firm believer that if you have the ability to do something then you have the responsibility to do it," Craig said Friday With the experience I've gained over the past 16 years in the prosecutor's office especially the last six years as the chief deputy I think that has put me in a unique position to be highly qualified to be the one that takes over when Judge Feick retires." Craig noted Delaware Circuit Court 4 oversees the county's drug and veterans courts "Those are extremely important programs," he said "They need to be safeguarded by a judge who understands the complexities of criminal matters and when somebody deserves a chance and when somebody is not deserving of that chance." Craig on Monday filed the paperwork necessary to form a campaign committee 0vs6Central Michigan 6at0Ball State Photo by: Julia Bice '22,M'24 - @jb.jpg10First Day in Muncie Ends in Split for Softball5/3/2025 7:37:00 PM | Softball Central Michigan Softball shutout Ball State in game one of the double header on Saturday afternoon 2vs1Kent State Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State AthleticsGriffin's Walk-off Single Leads Cardinals to 2-1 Win over Kent State in 10 Innings May 03 A graduate looks up to the crowd before walking at Fall Commencement Dec Ball State conferred more than 1,200 doctoral master’s and baccalaureate degrees during the ceremony According to a decision made early Saturday morning through official communication channels Ball State is officially moving commencement indoors to Worthen Arena.  The main ceremony will still take place at 10 a.m College Ceremonies will continue at indoor locations as well.  but must find their designated seats instead Both groups should arrive and be seated before 9:45 a.m RELATED:  Ball State alumna Kayla Davion to speak at the university’s Spring 2025 Commencement Guests can enter Worthen Arena through Gates Two An accessible entrance is located at Lower Level Gate One Faculty can enter Worthen Arena through Lower Level Gate One by the ticket office Go directly to the arena floor where a section will be reserved for faculty More information and details about commencement moving indoors can be found online. The decision follows uncertain and rainy weather this week and a previous statement that decisions would be made on the morning of commencement.  The Ball State Daily News will update this brief if more information is made available.  Contact the Daily News via email at editor@bsudailynews.com A part of Ball State Unversity's award winning College of Communication beige hallways of Ball State University’s North Quadrangle Building is room 215 an assistant teaching professor of sociology live with the color of artwork and thankful calligraphic inscriptions from former students is a reflection of her artsy clothing style with chic plaid influences and the bright big-toothed smile and warm handshake she offers when meeting someone new “I learned at a young age that color travels ‘This is the most exciting concept I've learned.’ I still use that concept I love using color in my own self expression,” Collas said The concept came from a lesson at the Cleveland Museum of Art which Collas attended in the company of her twin sister as a result of their mother’s strategic planning she was able to navigate ‘the system’ and get these scholarships for different like art lessons at the Cleveland Museum of Art,” Collas said Various lessons about the vitality of art and culture at a young age shaped her Collas said her mother — who died last year at age 92 — was not only “a great Jewish storyteller,” but also “the most influential person in my life,” with enough chutzpah “My mom instilled a lot of confidence in me,” she said “My mother always told me how beautiful I was I remember she always told me what a beautiful smile I had and she thought one of the Kennedys would ask me to marry him because I had such a beautiful smile.” Though Collas does not have children with a Kennedy brother — much to the dismay of her mother — today at age 61 she has found a way to honor her Jewish heritage in the absence of her mother from an opportunity provided by Ball State and Dr an assistant teaching professor at the university’s honors college Gertsenzon hosts a variety of Jewish studies workshops upon taking the directorial role of the university’s Benjamin and Bessie Ziegler Jewish Studies Program in 2022 is to provide the university and surrounding community with an understanding of The presentations and revitalization work she has done for the decades-old program have left a lasting impact on colleagues and staunch proponents of the Jewish studies program like Collas who has invited Gertsenzon to speak to her Music and Art in Society class Ball State University is so fortunate to have Dr her favorite is educating younger generations by helping them nurture their passion for music I cannot see myself doing anything that doesn't involve music,” she said Her affection for rhythm and sound was fueled by a relentless desire to play the family’s piano like her older sister The then envious six-year-old stubbornly begged her parents for piano lessons Gertsenzon said her parents “had no money,” but after two years her grandmother was able to find a “very good” teacher whose price rates did not add to the family’s already-existing financial burdens Gertsenzon was an intrinsically skilled pianist but had yet to grasp the mechanics of musical composition until graduate school where she was introduced to — and entranced by — the work of Gideon Klein a Czechoslovakian pianist and classical music composer in the early 20th century I found there is so much more music that is unknown That realization sparked a desire to know the unknown in all her endeavors making her a lifelong learner and passionate educator teaches private piano lessons to eager children like she once was “I see so much growth in the kids that I teach and I have the privilege to become the music mentor It's the greatest gift I can ask for in professional work to be someone who's educating others,” she said When it comes to Jewish faith, Gertsenzon is disheartened by a growing number of Holocaust deniers across the globe. Her sentiments were echoed by Collas who has noticed an increasing amount of anti-semetic behavior, particularly on college campuses.  A January 2025 worldwide report from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference Organization) detailed that nearly half of all U.S adults (49 percent) reported Holocaust distortion is “common,” with 38 percent of the country’s adults flatly denying it are a byproduct of social media intake — particularly among millennials and Generation Z — which is creating a media literacy deficit  “A lot of people now are getting their information from social media and [social media] is based on other people's opinions not facts,” she said.  “The Holocaust did not happen in one day It happened as a series of very small steps.” The same Claims Conference Organization report highlighted the more than three-quarters (76 percent) of U.S adults that believe something like the Holocaust could happen again today.  Collas has been attending Gertsenzon workshops since last summer and has been “blown away” ever since “I had always thought about the Holocaust in terms of all the people that were killed I had never thought about music and art during the Holocaust,” she said.  Gertsenzon’s breadth of knowledge relating art and music to the Holocaust comes from a class she’s spearheaded since 2018 through the honors college will now be offered in person and branch out to encompass not just the Holocaust but the artistic influences of WWII as a whole Gertsenzon said the inclusion is intended to illustrate the quantity of minority groups that were persecuted by the Nazis learned a common thread when it comes to the necessity and durability of diverse storytelling “One thing I learned in the Jewish storytelling workshop was how all oppressed groups use humor to deflect our pain our struggles [and] our hardships,” she said Collas’ eye-opening lesson of humanitarian commonality reflects Gertsenzon's mission for the Jewish studies program and its sister workshops and classes “My goal as an educator is to teach about things that happened. If my family didn't survive, I would not be here,” Gertsenzon underscored. “They survived. I have family members who died in the Holocaust, and I have family members who survived, and thanks to them, I'm here,” she said. Contact Katherine Hill via email at katherine.hill@bsu.edu (WISH) — The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission has approved three Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas DORAs in Indiana allow patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved establishments and enjoy them within clearly marked outdoor zones Muncie officials say its city’s DORAs are designed to support local businesses and create a more vibrant downtown environment The designated areas are expected to become gathering points for residents and visitors alike According to a news release issued Friday from the city government the Downtown DORA in Muncie will include The Clubhouse Muncie Ron Lahody’s Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse The Village DORA will include Roots Burger Bar The McKinley DORA will include Elm Street Brewing Company and 7 Rock Brew the city plans to hold informational sessions for business owners and the public Officials say the sessions will address rules and how the program will operate once active Dates for those meetings will be announced in the coming weeks Councilwomen Ro Selvey and Sara Gullion in September proposed the initiative in a city ordinance Here’s a list of Indiana communities with active DORAs according to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission’s website: Bargersville Stacker compiled a list of the most expensive homes in Muncie listed for sale on realtor.com Homes are ranked by price with ties broken by price per square foot — A Muncie man was killed and an Albany man was critically injured Tuesday morning when their vehicles collided head-on on Ind was southbound on the four-lane state highway when it crossed the center line and collided with a northbound Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by a 24-year-old Albany man The Muncie man was pronounced dead at the scene — between Delaware County roads 600 West and 700 West — while the Albany man was taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital where he was reported to be in critical condition The crash was reported to Delaware County emergency dispatchers about 8:10 a.m The Muncie man's name was not released pending notification of family members Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene said DNA testing might be necessary to officially confirm his identity The highway was closed to traffic for about four hours while state police conducted an investigation investigators believe the Muncie man might have fallen asleep while driving There were no indications alcohol or drug use were factors Daleville-Salem Township and East Madison firefighters Daleville-Salem Township and Delaware County EMS and the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency responded to the scene Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press — At least one person was reportedly killed Tuesday morning in a head-on crash on Indiana 67 near Delaware County Road 700 West The crash was reported to Delaware County emergency dispatchers about 8:15 a.m Emergency responders from several agencies were responding to the scene Traffic on four-lane Indiana 67 is expected to be closed for an extended period Alarmed locals peered out their windows and saw the new post office engulfed in flames He ran to the conflagration and determined that the fire was igniting a shipping crate of blasting shells With no fire department and little stored water the post office was left to ruin and burned to the ground was also home to Progress’ only general store The Muncie Morning Star estimated a total loss valued at $2,000 Ed Sharp and his brother-in-law John Modlin sifted through the smoking rubble for clues as to what happened They discovered a set of footprints and a trail of discarded mail that led to the edge of town Sharp suspected arson as a cover for robbery and telegraphed for Muncie police The MPD at the time had a metropolitan jurisdiction that covered much of Delaware County Patrolman Fred Puckett arrived with bloodhounds The footprints ran southwest out of Progress along the new Midland railroad tracks and then disappeared better known as “the Midland,” was built through southwest Delaware County The railroad brought mostly coal to Muncie from Clay County In addition to a few houses and Modlin’s blacksmith shop telegraph office and a small depot named “Sharp’s Station.” north of and parallel to what is now Indiana 67 in Salem Township The railroad curved northeast toward Muncie at Will Sharp’s farm near the intersection of today’s county roads 500 South and 300 West the Sharp family built a small community around the depot officially platted the village as “Progress” in 1903 Progress was one of three settlements along a two-mile stretch of 300 West About a mile south of Progress lies the hamlet of Soccum The settlement sits at the crossroads with Monroe Street The historical record is unclear as to when Soccum was first established but a cluster of houses has existed there since at least the Civil War Soccum wasn’t platted and had no official boundaries maybe 20 people lived there at any one time The hamlet’s name also never had a consistent spelling a post office was established in 1881 — but named Tabor There’s nothing definitive I could find as to the origins of the Soccum name A few locals with the surname Socks and Sachs once lived in southern Delaware County historian and reporter Dick Greene wrote in the Muncie Star that Soccum once had a blacksmith “who had a propensity for fighting resulted from his pugilistic activity,” as in: Sock ‘em in the face In addition to the Tabor post office and blacksmith Soccum had a wagon shop and a general store operated by Lory Snell Tabor Church has sat about a half mile south of Soccum’s main crossroads During the Indiana Gas and Oil Boom (~1886 to 1910) derricks sprang up in fields around the hamlet a small village two miles north of Soccum and one mile north of Progress it’s unclear in the historical record when Richwood first was settled it’s likely the village began in the late 1830s or early 1840s with the arrival of a crossroads post office and a new state road into Muncietown 40) was built through central Indiana in the early 1830s the Whig-driven General Assembly launched new road projects connecting the region’s cities they commissioned the Muncietown and Pendleton Road actually ran from Muncie to Middletown in Henry County a traveler could take other routes to Pendleton The Indianapolis and Pendleton Road (today’s Pendleton Pike/U.S part of the road in Delaware and Henry counties became the Muncie & Middletown Turnpike the Middletown Pike provided fast and reliable transportation into Muncie from the southwest The route in town was renamed Hoyt Avenue in the 1880s Like many Delaware County turnpikes after the Civil War The company set up toll gates every few miles to collect fees from travelers One was established about six miles southwest of Muncie at the intersection of the Middletown and Rangeline turnpikes — today’s Indiana 67 and county road 300 West A small hamlet grew around the toll gate at this intersection Locals named it Richwood on account of the surrounding dense forest at the time The settlement had a post office intermittently in the 19th century All three of these settlements still exist strung out sparsely across the rural landscape straddling Salem and Monroe townships Soccum and Richwood don’t even appear on modern maps If you’ve ever left Muncie south via Hoyt Avenue to the bypass you’ve driven through Richwood without even knowing it Soccum and Richwood offer cautionary tales: That which sustains is never certain and that thriving communities of today may well be the ghost towns of tomorrow Chris Flook is a Delaware County Historical Society historian and senior lecturer of media at Ball State University The time has come again to vote for The Star Press Athlete of the Week The reigning Athlete of the Week is Winchester Community track runner Ian Hardwick. Hardwick led Winchester to wins in multiple events in Class B at the Muncie Relays on April 26 He won the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.62 seconds Hardwick also ran on the Golden Falcons' 4x100 and sprint medley relay teams Hardwick received 7,901 out of 15,014 votes cast (52.62%) This week brings us 10 more nominees who had standout performances during the week of April 28-May 3. To submit nominees for next week's poll, please email their name and any relevant statistics or accomplishments to cbhampton@muncie.gannett.com Please vote using the poll below — votes submitted via email will not be counted Here's a quick look at this week's nominees: — A Muncie mother has been accused of physically abusing her 5-year-old daughter was arrested Thursday on a preliminary count of battery on a person less than 14 years old a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison Hall — also listed in court documents at a Yorktown address — was being held in the Delaware County Jail on Friday under a $5,000 bond A Muncie police detective reported that city police learned of abuse allegations against Hall from officials with the Indiana Department of Child Services on Feb Her daughter's injuries were reported to include what appeared to be a bite mark on the left side of her face and several scratches "in different stages of healing." More: Muncie man who battered toddler draws 1-year sentence DCS officials told police the child "is starting to open up about her abuse and has consistently said her mother the girl said Hall "bit her on the face and used a stick to scratch the insides of her legs," according to an affidavit but said she has been manipulated by her (foster parents) and DCS," the detective wrote The Delaware County prosecutor's office will determine whether formal charges will be filed Hall already faced five charges in three cases pending in local courts: battery with a deadly weapon resisting law enforcement and two counts of domestic battery the Muncie woman was convicted of criminal trespass in 2019 MUNCIE — Muncie Central has found its next head football coach According to a release from the school sent out Thursday morning Mississinewa head coach Kyle Buresh will take over as the next coach of the Bearcats He has spent the last five seasons leading Mississinewa's program starting 11-0 last season before falling in the sectional championship to eventual 3A runner-up Fort Wayne Bishop Luers Buresh will replace Kyle Padgett, who resigned March 31 and took a position with the football program at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard. “The improvement overall that they’ve made foundationally and culturally under coach Padgett has been really good and extremely positive,” Buresh said in the release “It’s a place that has an extremely high ceiling from an athletic perspective and now it’s just time to see some of the fruits of that labor.” More: Vote now: Who is The Star Press IU Health Athlete of the Week for April 21-26? More: Eli Andrews' return to baseball continues paying off for Wapahani against Monroe Central Before he became Mississinewa's head coach Buresh spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at small college football programs including stops at Denison University (Ohio) HIs focus on wide receivers and quarterbacks earned him a reputation as an offensive-minded head coach — a reputation that was furthered by Mississinewa outscoring its opponents 456-80 last season The Bearcats have not posted a winning season since going 7-4 in 2016 but Buresh is hopeful that he can lead them back to prominence but you have to trust the process that goes into winning the technique… getting our guys to buy into all of it on the field,” Buresh said in the release “We are going to work tirelessly as a coaching staff to put our guys in a great schematic situation every play.” Buresh has lived in Muncie since 2020 and will teach physical education at Central Buresh's hire will not become official until the Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees approves his application at its May 13 meeting "Coach Padgett did an amazing job changing the culture of the program over the past three years,” MCS Board President Jim Williams said in the statement “Coach Buresh will now have the opportunity to build a program the entire community will be proud to support because of the way it competes and how the players conduct themselves on the field and in the classroom We’re excited about taking this next step.” — A Muncie teenager has been charged with murder in a young Minnesota man's February shooting death Julius Sanchez, 17, is accused of shooting 20-year-old DeJay DayQuan Kidd on the front porch of a home in the 2300 block of South Elm Street was taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital three days after Kidd flew from Minneapolis to Indiana to meet with a young Muncie woman he had recently met online a dispute between that woman and a female acquaintance apparently led to angry words being exchanged between Kidd and a man believed to be Sanchez during a phone conversation Kidd reportedly went to the south-side home where he was gunned down to confront an individual he believed had threatened his local friend While at least three witnesses told police they did not see a handgun in Kidd's possession Sanchez maintained the Minnesota man was armed when the fatal gunshot was fired A handgun was found near the shooting victim on the house's porch that firearm had been reported stolen in Delaware County in April 2023 Investigators noted Kidd had apparently not been in Muncie before the week of his death Sanchez said he had thrown his own gun in an alley while fleeing from the shooting scene Police found a 10mm handgun in a nearby trash can Detectives also said while being interviewed the teenager "repeatedly (changed) his story." Sanchez was charged with two counts of obstruction of justice a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison along with dangerous possession of a firearm The charges against Sanchez were filed Monday in Delaware Circuit Court 1 Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press — A report of two young children walking down a street unattended has resulted in the arrest of two Muncie residents were each preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent Muncie police on the early afternoon of Friday received a report of "two infants walking in the roadway" in the 1800 block of West Royale Drive The document did not specify the children's ages but indicated they were wearing "sagging diapers." More: Jury finds Muncie mother guilty of neglect charge stemming from baby's bone fractures Officers determined the children lived in a nearby apartment building walls and floor were covered in feces," an officer wrote A door to the apartment was open when officers arrived Love was also found in the apartment sleeping The target of five arrest warrants issued outside of Delaware County Love reportedly provided police with a false name He was also preliminarily charged with false reporting was arrested when she arrived at the scene "a short time later." She was being held in the Delaware County Jail on Tuesday under a $15,000 bond Love was being held without bond due to the out-of-county warrants Court records reflect Love has been convicted of possession of marijuana in Tippecanoe and Warren counties Records list both Love and Gould as former residents of Otterbein in a local retention pond has been identified as that of a Muncie woman reported missing in late December was last seen walking near Tillotson Avenue and Jackson Street in the early morning hours of Dec The retention pond where her body was found — just west of the McDonald's on South Tillotson Avenue — wasn't far from where she was last seen Deputy Police Chief Melissa Criswell said Friday an autopsy conducted Wednesday at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital found no indications of foul play Criswell said the Muncie Police Department along with Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene's Office reviewed "the information obtained from the autopsy A statewide Silver Alert was issued for Howard on Dec Police had repeatedly searched the surrounding area, at times using drones and police dogs IN— Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County continues its commitment to community engagement by supporting Brothers 2 Brothers United a local nonprofit dedicated to mentoring and empowering young men Ivy Tech was connected to the organization when Corbin Black was introduced to Brothers 2 Brothers United founder Kelly indicated that they needed assistance in setting up their computers and network Associate Professor of Information Technology After discovering the age of the organization’s computer systems and leadership to donate computers to enhance the organization’s resources an Ivy Tech Information Technology student and work-study accepted the task of setting up the computers and network on behalf of Brothers 2 Brothers United Green completed the task and assisted Kelly’s team in developing a business email account so that everyone could access messages “Being able to apply my skills in a way that directly helps the community has been an incredible experience It’s rewarding to know that these computers will have a new life helping young men gain access to educational and career resources.” Kelly expressed his gratitude for Ivy Tech’s involvement emphasizing the impact the new computers and network setup will have on the young men they serve we can better equip our participants with the tools they need to succeed in today’s digital world It will continue to allow us to engage and teach these young men in a personal Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County is proud to support Brothers 2 Brothers United and remains dedicated to fostering opportunities that strengthen the local community This partnership highlights Ivy Tech’s commitment to bridging educational gaps and empowering individuals with real-world skills “This has definitely been a community project Ivy Tech is one of our strongest supporters and has been with us every step of the way We wouldn’t even be in our building today without the support of Ivy Tech Community College and we’re incredibly thankful for everything they’ve done and will continue to do,” Kelly said To learn more about Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County visit them online at ivytech.edu/muncie For more information on Brothers 2 Brothers United, including ways to support their mission, please contact them at info@brothers2brothersunited.org or visit their location at 306 East 5th Street — Muncie Police Chief Nate Sloan said Wednesday afternoon that investigators were still in the process of identifying the remains of a woman found Tuesday in a west-side retention pond Sloan said an autopsy had been conducted Wednesday morning at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Any results of the autopsy were not immediately released Sloan confirmed the deceased person was a woman The body was found Tuesday in the pond in an area largely covered by brush immediately west of the McDonald's restaurant city police have been searching for 74-year-old Shonda Howard a Muncie woman who was last seen walking near the intersection of Tillotson Avenue and Jackson Street on the early morning of Dec Howard lived in an apartment building a few hundred yards northwest of the pond.  A statewide Silver Alert was issued for her on Dec City police have repeatedly searched the surrounding area, at times using drones and police dogs Efforts to confirm the body's identity could involve dental records and DNA testing the police chief acknowledged no evidence to this point would rule out the possibility that the remains are those of Howard MUNCIE – After a year of searching for a buyer Muncie Monthly Meeting of Friends has entered into a purchase agreement with Recovery Café of Muncie allowing the church to continue having services at its historic building near downtown at 418 W The church will also continue its extensive community service efforts and combine with Recovery Café to offer help to individuals for those facing addictions clerk of ministry and oversight for the church and a member of the committee that conducted the search for a buyer we have tried to be a place of hope and safety in a neighborhood that at times has had neither,” Daniel said Thursday as she addressed a fundraising breakfast for Recovery Café Daniel is also a member of the board at Recovery Café The fundraiser will assist Recovery Café in getting the funds for the organization’s new location The nonprofit group is currently located in Commonway Church at 201 E Roossien said the new location will provide more room for the growing numbers seeking assistance through the café more than 900 people came to the mental health agency seeking help in overcoming addictions She said the café helps people facing all sorts of addictions As many as 40 to 50 people might come to the café in a given day Roossien said the café was looking for a “true ally” to partner with and had found it in the church There will be an effort to blend food pantries now offered by both organizations There are about 70 Recovery Café organizations in the country and 20 in Indiana In addition to various grants and donations the local café is funded with federal money that is awarded through the Indiana Department of Health The café uses the government money to pay staff but she said the group will rely on local funding sources to pay for the purchase of the church building The Trump administration has been examining the use of federal funding for local programs but Roossien said the café in Muncie has been approved for its funding this year through the state The change in address for the café comes as Roossien prepares to leave Muncie with her family who is a biology professor at Ball State University has taken a position with Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts She said the café’s move should be completed by July 1 Terms of the sale call for $125,000 to be paid under contract over 10 years for the 21,000-square-foot building listed on the National Register of Historic Places The asking price when listed for sale in April 2024 was $550,000 Daniel said months passed without a single offer to buy the building “We showed the church to several pastors of other congregations We also had lots of interest from buyers with other creative ideas,” she said Preliminary proposals for the building included developing apartments Perhaps most distinctive was a plan by a fellow from Dayton to make the church building home to a museum to honor Elvis Presley who claimed the famed singer was his biological father The decision to sell came after years of declining membership made the facility too much of a financial burden to maintain the Muncie Friends congregation had more than 1,000 members and was the third largest in the nation the church had been approached by Recovery Café about leasing space in the church building Missions offered by the Friends Church include its monthly food pantry and a free coffee shop The church also partnered with the Muncie Folk Collective to offer a box to dispense Narcan to rescue people from opioid overdoses as well as a sharps disposal in the church parking lot “The sharps disposal is the only one in the city and is an essential part of reducing harm faced by neighbors who are still in addiction,” Daniel said Some members feared that by selling the church and leaving the Old West End Neighborhood they would be abandoning their mission field “Looking back on all the prospective buyers of our church it could only be the Recovery Café,” Daniel said — Muncie police on Tuesday confirmed they had found a "deceased individual" in a retention pond near the McDonald's restaurant on South Tillotson Avenue Officers on Tuesday afternoon used yellow crime-scene tape to mark off a large area — including the pond — west of the restaurant north of railroad tracks and east of a former Marsh supermarket that now holds medical offices The area marked off is not far from the West Jackson Street apartment building where 74-year-old Shonda Howard resided Howard has been missing since late December. A statewide Silver Alert was issued on Dec Deputy Police Chief Melissa Criswell said the "identity of the deceased cannot be confirmed until further investigation and examination is completed." "This is an ongoing investigation," Criswell said "Further information will be released at a later time." Howard was last seen walking near Tillotson Avenue and Jackson Street Family members told police they had not seen the Muncie woman since the evening of Dec Investigators also learned that Howard frequently walked from her apartment to a Pay Less Supermarket at 715 S City police have repeatedly searched the surrounding area, at times using drones and police dogs Criswell on Tuesday asked that anyone with information about the case to call Muncie police detectives at 765-747-4867 — A Muncie man was arrested early Wednesday after he allegedly was involved in an armed holdup a Level 3 felony carrying up to 16 years in prison City police received a report of a robbery at a home along South Gharkey Street shortly before 11 p.m An individual said two men — one of them later identified as Hasani — came to that address after indicating they were interested in buying a gun from him The man said after he placed the .40-caliber Glock handgun on a table to be examined Hasani gave him the cash he had requested in exchange for the firearm More: Muncie man, 19, accused of robbing clerk at local smoke shop The witness told police Hasani told him he had "been robbed recently and needed a firearm." the man said Hasani then "grabbed the money back from him" while his reported accomplice pointed another handgun at the would-be gun dealer They reportedly fled with both the cash and the Glock gun Hasani was later arrested at an apartment complex north of the Delaware County Fairgrounds His alleged accomplice remained at large on Wednesday Hasani was being held in the Delaware County Jail under a bond of $11,000 Court records reflect no prior convictions for the Muncie man MUNCIE — The 86th annual Muncie Relays were held at Muncie Central Saturday morning giving 13 teams from around the area an opportunity to see where they stack up as boys track and field season enters the final month of the regular season the 13 schools were divided into two classes: the five larger schools made up Class A while the eight smaller schools were in Class B More: Easton Foster leads 2024-25 Star Press Boys Basketball All-Area team. Who else made it? More: Remembering Jennifer Southerland, an 'incredibly joyful' Delta mother and supporter The Muncie Relays is a great opportunity for teams to see how they stack up ahead of the postseason as 10 of the 13 schools who participated will return to Muncie Central for sectionals on May 22 Here's what we learned from the 86th annual Muncie Relays Wapahani dominated Class B with a team score of 126 points The Raiders impressed in the distance events winning the 4x800 relay and the distance medley relay (DMR) while taking second in the 4x400 The Raiders' DMR time of 10:44.30 set a new Class B meet record and shattered the Wapahani school record "Our cross country guys really have stepped it up on the track and that really showed out today," Wapahani coach Bo Stevenson said "We had several guys that basically had a decathlon a list of events from the different types of things they were doing." Juniors Mason Tomboni and Kason Thrasher were among those who ran in multiple events Fellow junior Preston McCorkill also had a long but successful day running in the 100-meter dash and the DMR while also claiming first in the long jump with a personal record of 19 feet Well-rounded effort lifts YorktownYorktown's victory over the Class A field was much narrower than Wapahani's as the Tigers' 124 points beat out Delta's 110 and Muncie Central's 107 and a big part of that success was Yorktown's young duo of sophomore Wyatt Turner and freshman Thomas Loney Senior Daniel Davis continues to shine as a sprinter He took first place in the 100 with a time of 11.26 seconds and anchored Yorktown's 4x100 team that also claimed first place The Tigers also swept the top two spots in the pole vault with seniors Adam Lin and Julian McKay both clearing the bar at 12 feet Monroe Central senior Easton Foster and Blue River Valley senior Jacob Fox both had great days in their respective field events in Class B Muncie Central seniors dominated the shot put and discus throw Foster cleared a 6-6 high jump to break his own meet record set in 2023 He also placed second in the long jump at 19 feet won both the shot put and discus throw for Class B with new personal records in both events He recorded a throw of 52-6 in the shot put and a discus throw of 133-4 Bearcats seniors Jamar Clark and Emmanuel Taylor impressed in the Class A shot put and discus throw Clark set a new PR with a throw of 47-3½ in shot put took second in the discus with a PR of 144-5 The American Lung Association ranks Indianapolis among the most air polluted cities in the U.S State of the Air is the American Lung Association’s (ALA) annual report card on air quality based on pollution data from the U.S The report ranks the Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie region 11th worst in year-round particle pollution out of 208 metropolitan areas The ALA gave a grade of “F” to Marion County’s air quality when considering high ozone days “What that means in real world terms is far too many residents are being forced to breathe unhealthy air,” said Mike Seilback vice president of state public policy for the ALA year-round exposure to particle pollution can lead to increased risk of asthma The report comes as Indiana is reducing access to Medicaid, by increasing regulation and passing new legislation limiting the number of people allowed to enroll in the Healthy Indiana Plan “We need to make sure that people have the healthcare they need,” Seilback said The ALA is advocating against Medicaid cuts at the state and federal level “We should do everything to protect our residents not make it harder to stay on healthcare,” Seilback said 46 percent of Americans are living in areas with failing grades for ozone or particle pollution This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/health-spotlight/american-lung-association-ranks-indy-among-worst-in-air-quality Frys which is a part of Kroger has been doing senior day for years but learned I am allergic to the metals used in the implants I would really like to know if this procedure is less painful during recovery I’m having a long overdue knee surgery in the near future for a bone on bone situation IS THE OP SAFE FOR AN EDERLY WOMAN????????? New Martini Bar & Cocktail Lounge Set to Open in Spring 2025 IN — Muncie’s nightlife is about to get a sophisticated upgrade with the opening of RoHo’s Muncie a martini bar and craft cocktail lounge set to debut in Spring 2025 The new upscale establishment is the latest venture from Angie Rogers-Howell and Matt Howell the entrepreneurial duo behind Farmhouse Creative who are now bringing their passion for community and innovation into the world of hospitality RoHo’s Muncie will offer an elegant yet inviting atmosphere perfect for locals looking to unwind after work or simply enjoy cocktails in a stylish setting The lounge will feature a curated menu of craft cocktails and martinis complemented by a selection of appetizers and desserts making it an ideal spot to begin or end an evening out “Our goal with RoHo’s Muncie is to create a comfortable and inclusive gathering place where people can enjoy exceptional drinks and light food offerings,” said co-owner Angie Rogers-Howell “We felt Muncie needs a gathering spot for locals to unwind after a day of work enjoy a cocktail before heading to the downtown restaurants We can’t wait to welcome guests into a space that feels both timeless and fresh.” With old school movies like Casablanca playing silently on the televisions and jazz music piped in the speakers guests can expect an ambiance that’s both lively and intimate—a place where conversations flow as smoothly as the cocktails Whether you’re a martini connoisseur or looking to explore new flavors RoHo’s promises an elevated experience in the heart of the city “We’ve poured our creativity into this project just like we have with our other business ventures,” added Matt Howell and we’re excited to bring something new to Muncie’s nightlife.” including the official opening date and sneak peeks of the menu Follow RoHo’s Muncie on social media for updates and exclusive previews Spartz to host town hall in Muncie on SaturdayStar PressMUNCIE Victoria Spartz will hold a town hall meeting on Saturday is in her third term representing Indiana's 5th Congressional District YORKTOWN — Yorktown didn't have to look far for its next boys basketball coach who resigned as the Muncie Central head coach earlier in the month was announced as Yorktown's new head coach Tuesday Ullom will replace Matt Moulton as the Yorktown coach Moulton led Yorktown to a 70-73 record over six seasons Ullom cited the work done by Moulton and his predecessors as what attracted him to Yorktown "The timing of it ― I think the job opened up a few days or the day after I resigned from Muncie Central," Ullom told The Star Press "I think it's a program with a good foundation there certainly with Coach (Matt) Moulton and the guys who came before him that maybe just needed a new voice to lead them to that next level From early April: Justin Ullom resigns after three seasons at Muncie Central Ullom brings eleven seasons of head coaching experience to Yorktown between Monroe Central and Muncie Central He guided Monroe Central to a 119-72 record over eight seasons including an undefeated regular season and a sectional title in 2021-22 He spent the past three seasons at Muncie Central “I am honored to join the Yorktown community and lead the Tigers basketball program,” Ullom said in a statement “My goal is to build a culture of high standards and integrity on the court and in the classroom I look forward to working with our student-athletes and the Yorktown community to achieve great things together.” losing to Delta in an IHSAA Class 3A sectional semifinal game and commitment to developing young people make him the ideal choice to lead our program We are excited to welcome him to the Tiger family," Yorktown athletic director Paul Heidenreich said in a statement." — A Muncie woman has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a fatal downtown crash on Monday pleaded guilty in Delaware Circuit Court 3 to resisting law enforcement resulting in death driving while intoxicated resulting in death involuntary manslaughter and driving while suspended Larue could receive up to 16 years in prison for those convictions resisting law enforcement resulting in death is a Level 3 felony with a maximum 16-year sentence the same agreement called for Larue to also plead guilty to an unrelated count of dealing in cocaine Under the terms of the deal — taken under advisement by Senior Judge Marianne Vorhees — Larue would receive a sentence of up to 17 years and six months for the dealing conviction The dealing sentence would be served consecutive to the prison term stemming from the crash convictions Vorhees tentatively set sentencing for May 1 LaRue was being chased by city police — on Jan 2024 — when she ran a red light at Main and Mulberry streets Larue's Ford Escape collided with a 2015 Honda Acura that then overturned. A passenger in the Acura, 30-year-old Javonta Tyrell Jones, was pronounced dead at the scene and crash injuries caused the death of her unborn child In a release issued when the crash-related charges were filed in July Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman noted Larue in October 2022 was charged in Delaware Circuit Court 2 with crimes including two counts of dealing in cocaine one of them Level 2 felony with a maximum 30-year sentence the Muncie woman was released from the Delaware County Jail Larue was charged in Madison County with counts including dealing in cocaine and dealing in a narcotic drug Hoffman's office filed a petition to revoke Larue's bond in the Delaware County dealing case Larue — who had also posted bond in the Madison County case — did not show up for that hearing The chase leading to the fatal crash began when officers tried to serve that arrest warrant Hoffman has suggested the bond reduction hearing in Circuit Court 2 at that time presided over by then-Judge Kimberly Dowling Larue was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to dealing in cocaine dealing in a narcotic drug and identity deception in the Madison County case — A Delaware County jury on Tuesday evening found a Marion man guilty of ingesting drugs before causing a crash that killed a pregnant Muncie woman and her infant The Delaware Circuit Court 4 jury found Nicholas Allen Blackburn guilty of two counts of causing death when driving with a controlled substance in his system a Level 4 felony carrying up to 12 years in prison According to Delaware County sheriff's deputies an eastbound Chevrolet Impala — on April 27 2023 — was stopped on Indiana 32 near Truitt Road waiting for traffic to clear before it could turn north when it was struck in the rear by an eastbound Chevrolet Equinox driven by Blackburn The impact of the rear-end crash forced the Impala — driven by 32-year-old Brittany N who was six months pregnant — 122 feet before it came to rest in the four-lane state highway's westbound lanes Wilson would die while being transported in an ambulance bound for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Emergency personnel were able to deliver the baby More: Daleville police say woman was intoxicated at time of crash that killed young Anderson man Blackburn told deputies he had been looking at his cellphone "to change the music," before driving into the rear of Wilson's vehicle A breath test reflected the Marion man had no alcohol in his system at the time of the collision laboratory tests would later reveal he had narcotics — including meth and fentanyl — in his bloodstream at the time The jury also found Blackburn guilty of involuntary manslaughter a Level 5 felony with a maximum six-year sentence and driving with a controlled substance in his system Judge John Feick set sentencing for April 28 Deputy Prosecutor Adrian Perez presented the state's case against Blackburn who was defended by attorney Angelus Kocoshis The jury was unable to determine whether Blackburn was a habitual offender a finding that could have added up to 20 years to his sentence Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman said Thursday night his office would "be exploring all possible avenues of appeal" after Judge Feick declined to schedule a second trial on the habitual offender issue “I have made it a priority of this office to vigorously prosecute violent criminals and habitual offenders," Hoffman said in a release Blackburn has been convicted of possession of meth failure to stop after an accident resulting in injury carrying a handgun without a license (three times) resisting law enforcement (twice) and unlawful possession of a syringe (three times) — City police say when a Muncie woman went out drinking early Wednesday she left her two children — one of them only 9 days old — home alone When 32-year-old Sandra Marie Henriquez was later arrested for driving while intoxicated after crashing her car she reportedly told officers at the Delaware County Jail she had no children city police were called to Henriquez's house where they were told her children — a 1-year-old and the newborn infant — were locked inside Officers forced open a door to gain access to the children More: New Castle mother gets 27 years for neglect conviction stemming from baby's death The baby was described as "urgently cyanotic" and was " blue in the hands Both the baby and the toddler were taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital The baby was admitted to the hospital "with a feeding tube," the court document said The older child was found to be in good health Officers first came into contact with Henriquez about 5:30 a.m after her car reportedly struck a utility pole at Wagner Street and Koontz Avenue Police said Koontz declined to respond when asked at the crash scene whether she had children After being delivered to the Delaware County Jail she at first denied having dependents but later told jail staff she had children who were home alone She was "unwilling" to provide her address or a phone number for anyone who might be able to check on the children Henriquez said she left her home shortly after midnight and had intended to go to a liquor store but instead ended up at Big Shots Pub Henriquez was being held in the jail on Thursday under a bond of $42,500 preliminarily charged with multiple counts of neglect of a dependent The most serious of the preliminary charges neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury is a Level 3 felony carrying up to 16 years in prison Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman's office will determine whether formal charges will be filed "Henriquez had multiple opportunities to inform officers and other staff about her children being home alone," an officer wrote Court records reflect no prior charges against the Muncie woman Muncie Central has found its next head volleyball coach Kate Hughes will return as the head coach of the Bearcats Hughes previously served as the head coach from 2018-21 She will replace interim head coach Chelsie Bilby “I am excited and optimistic to work with this program again,” Hughes said “I know that with positive energy and a strong work ethic this program can be incredibly successful.” Hughes was part of the coaching staffs for Muncie Central's 2009 and 2010 teams that finished as state champions and state runners-up She has also coached for Munciana volleyball for the past 16 years Hughes is currently a social studies teacher at Muncie Central More: Who stood out in boys track and field at the 2025 Muncie Relays? "Kate is an amazing teacher who brings a wealth of experience and a strong passion for developing student athletes both on and off the court,” Muncie Central athletic director Jeff Holloway said “I have personally seen Kate in action in practice and game situations and I am excited to see how she will inspire our student-athletes to develop and compete and leave their own legacy on the Muncie Central volleyball program." the Muncie Community finally got its first look inside the brand-spanking new YMCA in downtown Muncie The first thing you’ll notice that is different from the old YMCA is how bright and airy the facility is There are windows on every side of the building there was plenty of sunlight beaming through the windows illuminating all kinds of brand new equipment the YMCA of Muncie announced plans to construct a new 73,000-square-foot facility on the Muncie Central High School campus the public can begin using the new facility Below are 53 photos I took Saturday morning during the open house I wanted to primarily share with you the facility and its features without the photos being obstructed by large crowds of people I hope you’ll click though the pictures of this fabulous facility (Click on a thumbnail to open a larger version of the photos Editor’s note: The audio immediately below is from the Y’s opening day  on March 10 — A severe storm tore through the Muncie area shortly after 10 p.m leaving in its wake several damaged homes and downed power lines of funnel clouds striking the ground near Cammack chief deputy of the Delaware County Sheriff's Department Thursday several homes had sustained damage in the area of Delaware County roads 500 North and 500 West Storm damage and downed lines were also reported in other areas of the county A tornado warning issued for Delaware County expired at 10:15 p.m Downed power lines were reported at several locations Indiana 28 was to be closed to traffic north of Muncie to allow for removal of some of those lines there was also a report of a 100-mph wind gust in the Eaton area there was a report of a barn that had collapsed About 5,000 Indiana Michigan Power customers in the Muncie area were reported to be without electricity about 10:40 p.m the number of homes without power in Muncie and Delaware County appeared to have grown to more than 5,000 an online Indiana Michigan Power map still showed more than 5,000 homes without electricity a storm with high winds was reported to be moving in the direction of New Castle in Henry County the storm caused destruction of a home near Windsor according to the Parker City Volunteer Fire Department A family dog was fatally injured at that location Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.