Nine years on home detention for a Muncie man who pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of meth. Police say Joshua Lee Ireland’s robbery conviction stemmed from a 2018 armed home invasion on Muncie’s south side that saw three victims — two men and a woman — held at gunpoint and robbed of property including “a bunch of shoes,” cash, two guns, a video-game unit, a safe, watches and a nail gun, reports the Star Press.

A search for a missing 14-year-old Eaton boy entered its fifth day on Monday. The Star Press reports 14 year old Scottie Dean Morris left his family’s home about 8:30 p.m. Thursday and has not been seen since. Search parties — made up of both law enforcement professionals, emergency responders and volunteers — combed the area around Eaton on both Friday and Saturday.

An evening of seven short, light-hearted works from the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, Lin Manuel Miranda, and more. The East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra date is scheduled to perform at Northside Middle School Auditorium on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at 7 pm. MuncieJournal.com reports NMS is located at 2400 W Bethel Ave. in Muncie. Admission & parking are Free, and open to all.

The annual membership meeting of the Muncie Branch of the American Association of University Women will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 25, at Ivy Tech Community College, 345 S. High St. MuncieJournal.com reports The meeting is open to the public and people interested in joining AAUW. The keynote speech will focus on empowering students to succeed.

People in Muncie are still talking about this today –  After Muncie City Council tabled a request for tax abatement requested by Mayor Ridenour for a moderate to low income apartment complex, Thursday morning he asked the Muncie Redevelopment Commission for a vote, and pending approval by the State, the development is a “go.”  IPR reported at that city council meeting earlier this month, questions were answered about  Preston Byrd, founder of the company that wants to build – who was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering relating fraudulent business loans.  He served time in federal prison and is paying restitution.

FULL INTERVIEW HERE

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The Ball State Men’s and Women’s Golf teams did some spring cleaning at Delaware Country Club recently, picking up sticks and limbs on their home course.   Coach Fleck and Coach Andry were thanked by Superintendent Dave Walters.

Craig Ulrey, a seventh grader from Heritage Hall Christian School in Muncie, is champion of the 2023 Ball State PBS Regional Spelling Bee – happened earlier this month, but BSU just sent a release Friday!

BSU Men’s Volleyball 3-2 loss at Ohio State Saturday.

March 19, 1955 For the first time anywhere in the nation, an all-black high school won an open state tournament. Crispus Attucks High School won the state basketball championship. One of the stars of the team was 12 time NBA  All-Star Oscar Robertson.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said two recalls of strawberries were announced Thursday for fear of Hepatitis A. Sold at Costco, Aldi and more – locations vary by brand, but overall impact the entirety of the United States.

Astronomical spring begins at 5:24 p.m. ET today (Monday, March 20, 2023), in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the National Weather Service.

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Feeding hummingbirds might sound funny after the cold weekend we just had – but the Indy Star says April 1 is early, but April 15 is about right to have your feeders out in your yard.

BSU women (26-8) will play at Memphis (21-10) in the second round of the WNIT tonight at 8 p.m. on 92.5 FM 1340 AM free streams and on Alexa, Play WMUN.

Nursing aide at New Castle prison charged with smuggling drugs to inmate – Alicia Renee Henderson denied wrongdoing but acknowledged the inmate had paid her about $2,000 according to the Star Press.

Muncie Central High School placed 10th at the Unified State Bowling championship over the weekend.

Rod Stewart was forced to cancel a concert in Australia at the last moment – viral infection, throat too irritated to sing.

Delta boy’s basketball made it to the championship Saturday night on the new WMUN, but lost.  Wapahani boys fell in the morning session on Blake FM.  Kokomo advanced and get Ben Davis in the 4A state finals.

An investigation of a homicide in Muncie early Wednesday led to the Thursday arrest of a Muncie man on drug-dealing charges. The Star Press reports a vehicle that was reportedly seen in the area of Wednesday’s shooting was later spotted parked in the 1400 block of West 13th Street. That led to the Thursday afternoon arrest, in a traffic stop, of 21 year old Dayten Eli Abram of Muncie. A bag containing more than 1500 suspected counterfeit oxycodone pills was found in the truck.

The 37th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held Friday, March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day) beginning at 6:00 p.m. Line-up will begin at 4:30 pm at Muncie Central Fieldhouse parking lot. The parade will proceed south on Walnut Street to Charles St. and return via Mulberry St. MuncieJournal.com reports parade attendees are asked to line up on Walnut St. between Wysor and Charles and on Charles from Walnut to Mulberry. No candy will be thrown until parade entries reach Wysor St.

UPDATE to a story we’ve been following:  last week, Muncie City Council tabled a request submitted earlier in 2023 for a tax abatement to build an apartment complex in Muncie.  We asked Mayor Dan Ridenour for the story, and he provided this live interview on March 17, 2023 on Delaware County Today, on the New WMUN Radio.

At the March 16 Muncie Redevelopment Commission Meeting, Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour surprised some, but presenting a “Plan B,” regarding a housing project proposal (see that meeting here).  At last week’s Muncie City Council meeting, resolution 5-23 asking for a 5 year tax abatement for Horizon Companies, LLC was tabled. Horizon companies, LLC is a developer wishing to build a 276 unit apartment complex at 2901 W. Memorial Drive in Muncie. All 276 units will be low income housing. Representatives from Horizon Companies, LLC were present at the city council meeting, but were not able to communicate a figure for monthly rent amounts to be charged to local tenants, should the development go forward. The request for tax abatement was tabled until the company comes forth with more information, which it is willing to do.

WLBC News Bits:

Shipments of the toxic soil from the East Palestine train derailment to an Indiana landfill have now resumed. Heritage Environment in Putnam County has now found the level of dioxins is within the acceptable area of safety according to government regulators.

Ball State Men’s volleyball, coming off a 3-0 home win against the same team this week, travel to Ohio State Saturday night.

When I spoke yesterday to BSU President Geoffrey Mearns, he reminded me of the great season for the women’s track and field team, and the amazing Charity Griffith

That entire interview airs on This Week in Delaware County, first airing Saturday’s at 9 a.m. on 92.5 1340 and Alexa, Play WMUN.

In the few days after Daylight Saving Time begins, U.S. businesses lose almost a half billion dollars in productivity.

More pre-K classes coming to Muncie Community Schools

Dr. Kwiatkowski can be heard on WMUNmuncie.com – scroll down to look for that from last week.

WLBC News Bits:

Amber’s Beauty School, one of Indiana’s oldest and most respected institutions, has announced the launch of a new Esthetics Program set to commence in June 2023. It’s a family-owned institution with over 87 years of experience in providing a unique and comprehensive educational experience.

High school boy’s basketball reminder:  Wapahani game at 10 a.m. on 96.7 102.9 and free streams.  Delta on 92.5 1340 free streams and Alexa, Play WMUN.

On Monday’s new weekly Radio show called 765BusinessJournal.com, guest will be Randy Dunnuck- VP Albany Town Board.  9 – 9:30 a.m. on the new WMUN.