Open Door Providing Healthcare Coverage Enrollment Assistance
Open Enrollment for healthcare coverage is here, running from November 1 through January 15. This is the critical window for individuals and families who aren’t covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or employer-sponsored insurance. Open Door Health Services, is the local leader in providing free enrollment assistance through the Covering Kids and Families program. They have licensed healthcare navigators on staff ready to help residents understand their options and get enrolled. This support is completely free. For more information on how to apply, visit munciejournal.com.
For the second straight year, Ball State University student-athletes have matched their institutional record with a graduation success rate of 93 percent, according to a report released by the NCAA. The 93 percent graduation success rate reflects the fifth straight year that Ball State student-athletes have eclipsed a 90 percent rate and at least matched their program record.
FOX NFL analyst Michael Strahan announced over the weekend he will drive the pace car in the Indianapolis 500 next year. Strahan retired from his Hall of Fame football career in 2007. The Indy 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for May 25th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
WTHR reports a car crashed into a sourthside Indy elementary school building early Sunday morning. According to a Facebook post from Winchester Village Elementary School, around 1:20 a.m. on Nov. 24, a car was driving westbound on Stop 12 Road when it went off the road and hit the northeast corner of the school. No one was inside the school at the time of the crash and the Facebook post says neither the driver nor the passenger of the car were injured.
Thirty-two former Ball State football stars have been named to the Ball State Football All-Century Team sponsored by Gainbridge, as determined by fan balloting throughout the 2024 college football season. The All-Century Team celebrates the 100th season of Ball State football, and the 100th anniversary of a program that began in 1924.
“Heroes and Helpers” Christmas shopping events, hosted by Muncie Crime Stoppers, is set for two Saturday mornings. The first will be on Dec. 7 at the south Muncie Walmart, 1501 E. 29th St., with the second planned Dec. 14 at the Muncie Target store, 3601 N. Barr St. Each child is partnered with a “hero” — first responders including law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel — or a a community volunteer, in the role of a “helper,” and are given a gift card to Christmas shop for themselves or members of their families.
Twelve shootings happened over the weekend in Indianapolis injuring several people and killing two of them. The first fatal shooting happened Saturday night at a fast food restaurant near 38th and Keystone. Early Sunday, the second fatal shooting happened in the parking lot of a bar where an argument had been going on, police say. Finally, no one was killed in the last shooting in that 12 hour time span, but it happened at the Brass Flamingo strip club. An argument escalated into shots being fired. Police say this is the third time this year they’ve been called to the strip club for a shooting.
WISH TV reports State officials are using a $15 million grant to help create affordable high-speed internet access in rural areas and build digital literacy. It’s all part of a nationwide program to bridge the digital divide. About a third or more of people in rural areas of Indiana don’t have high speed Internet, according to Katrina Hall, senior director of policy at Indiana Farm Bureau. Hall says that’s why this funding can help inject much needed resources for farmers. Many people just rely on their cellphone for Internet access, and that’s not sufficient to run a business, she said.
Two people were arrested during a drug bust in Grant County over the weekend. Police conducted a traffic stop with the driver of a red 2008 Ford Escape near the intersection of State Road 15 and Overlook Drive in Marion on Sunday. During the traffic stop, K-9s helped police positively identify the odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle. In a subsequent search of the car, investigators identified five ounces of heroin, two ounces of cocaine, eight grams of methamphetamine, 17 grams of marijuana, two digital scales and drug paraphernalia. According to FOX 59, the driver of the car — 55-year-old Marc D. Miller — was arrested after the traffic stop. Miller was preliminarily charged with dealing in cocaine or another narcotic drug — a Level 2 Felony. The car’s passenger, 45-year-old Michelle Miller was also arrested after the traffic stop. She was charged with possession of cocaine or another narcotic drug — a Level 6 Felony — and possession of marijuana, a Class C Misdemeanor.
A Thanksgiving meal for 10 costs a little less than last year – approximately $53.31 – according to the annual “market basket survey” by the Indiana Farm Bureau. That’s $1.33 less than a Thanksgiving meal cost Hoosiers in 2023, and $4.77 less than the average American will pay at the grocery store this year. The cost includes items like a 16 lb. turkey, pumpkin pie filling and shells, sweet potatoes, peas, a dozen rolls, cranberries and a veggie tray.
A Republican-backed group pushing Indiana’s lawmakers to “adopt safe and regulated” marijuana policies launched last week. The Indiana Capital Chronicle report says the organization, dubbed Safe and Regulated Indiana, already has a multimedia advertisement live. In its materials, the group avoided any variation of the word “legalization,” instead focusing on “regulation.”“It’s time, Indiana — time to tax and regulate marijuana for adults 21 and up, just like alcohol,” the voice-over says.The spot asserts that this would bring new tax revenue, put “drug dealers out of business,” and free up law enforcement to focus on bigger problems like violent crimes.
The Hamilton County Reporter newspaper reports Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness recently visited local schools ands surprise six teachers with more than $170,000 in funding as part of a new Educator Innovation Grant program, marking the highest grant amount awarded so far. The program launched this year, with $500,000 allocated from the 2024 budget to empower educators within Hamilton Southeastern Schools with the resources to bring innovation to the classroom and inspire students to rethink learning.
The annual Gobble Wobble and Small Business Saturday event will take place in downtown Muncie this Saturday from 8am to 10pm. Downtown bars and eateries will participate with food and drink specials and other fun surprises. And most downtown businesses will be offering specials on their products and services. On December 5th from 5-8pm, celebrate the lighting of the community Christmas tree at Canan Commons. The music and light show will continue on weekends through December.
Join the Friends of Mounds State Park at their fourth annual Nights of Lights fundraiser. Drive through the Mounds State Park campgrounds and see over 60 community hosted light displays from local businesses, groups, and organizations. The event is held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening from November 30 to December 29, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The Court of Appeals of Indiana’s award-winning civics education outreach program, Appeals on Wheels, is coming to Delaware County on December 2nd at 10:30 AM. The event will be held in the Muncie Central auditorium. A panel of judges will hear live, in-person arguments in Manuel v. State. The event is open to the public and the audience will have a chance to ask the judges questions about the judiciary following the argument.
