Anderson Wins Band Day, Muncie Council Turns Red, and Safety Tips
Most area schools are either returning to session this week or have already returned – Anderson Prep, and Elwood start today. The Indiana State Police offer some helpful tips to keep everybody safe and start the year off right – drive smart, be alert and talk with your kids about crossing streets safely and being aware of their surroundings.
Since 1947, Indiana’s best high school marching bands have taken the field at the State Fairgrounds in August — not with concert music, but with cadence, color, and community pride. In the 1950s and ’60s, powerhouse programs like Lebanon and Brazil ruled the podium. In the 1980s and ’90s, Anderson Highland and Winchester built dynasties. This year, Anderson High School reclaimed glory — winning their 7th Band Day championship with a finals score of 92.850. Muncie Central, the 2024 champions, finished a close second, and Kokomo High School rounded out the top three.
A story first reported on WoofBoomNews.com, more Party switches in Delaware County: the longest serving current member of Muncie City Council, Jerry Dishman said over the weekend in a statement: “…the local Democrat Party has gone, in my opinion, to the far left and no longer aligns with my values and beliefs.” That change creates a Republican majority on Council. Democratic party chairman Andrew Dale told the Star Press he was not surprised by Dishman’s announcement, in part because Dishman had not returned messages Dale sent via voicemail, e-mails and text messages since March. Quoting Dale in a letter he shared aimed at Dishman, “I now read that you believe the local Democratic Party is disproportionally progressive,” Dale wrote. “I don’t share that assertion because I know that’s factually untrue.” Dale said his party is “an organization made up of a blended group of people…” Since Republican David Dominick unseated two-term Democratic Mayor James P. Carey in 1991, Republicans have won six of eight Muncie mayoral elections. Now a 5 – 4 Republican lead, the past 34 years have seen local Democrats retain a majority on Muncie City Council according to the Star Press – who cited Roger Overby as posing for photos at the announcement – but we have confirmed with Republican Party Chair that Overby has joined the Republican party as well.
The longest serving current member of Muncie City Council, Jerry Dishman said over the weekend in a statement, he is joining the Republican party: “…the local Democrat Party has gone, in my opinion, to the far left and no longer aligns with my values and beliefs.” That change creates a Republican majority on Council. Democratic party chairman Andrew Dale told the Star Press he was not surprised by Dishman’s announcement, in part because Dishman had not returned messages Dale sent via voicemail, e-mails and text messages since March. Quoting Dale in a letter he shared, aimed at Dishman, “I now read that you believe the local Democratic Party is disproportionally progressive,” Dale wrote. “I don’t share that assertion because I know that’s factually untrue.” Dale said his party is “an organization made up of a blended group of people…”
Ball State tight end Kam Anthony lets WMUN’s Mark Forester know how he’s looking to improve in his red-shirt freshman season.
The Cardinals open their first football season under head coach Mike Uremovich on Aug. 30 at Purdue.
Road work was scheduled to begin today on State Road 38 in Madison and Henry Counties. The work will be done between State Road 9 and State Road 234 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for 10 days, weather permitting. Access will be maintained for local traffic only.
This year, it’s Anderson back on top at Friday’s State Fair Band Day, with Muncie Central very close behind for second place. Some history: Muncie Southside High School grew into one of the most dominant marching band programs in Indiana, before consolidation of Muncie’s two schools. Their reign at Band Day truly began in 2000, when the Spirit of South topped the podium at the Indiana State Fair. Southside repeated as champions six times in less than a decade. In fact, Southside’s largest margin of victory came in 2004, when they outscored the legendary Anderson Highlanders by 8.25 points — still the singlelargest spread in Band Day history.
Jerry Dishman became the latest Democrat defection over the weekend. That change creates a Republican majority on Council for the first time in 34 years. We have also confirmed with Party Chair Tim Overton that Roger Overby has joined with Republican Party as well.
The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie is looking to repaint its gym and common areas at the Madison Street facility and is asking for public donations. The crowd-funding account on Kindful has set a goal of $3,400 to complete the work.
The ECI Regional Planning District will host a free Business Enterprise Services & Training workshop today at the Jay County Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon. The presenter is Muncie Innovation Connector director and CEO Ted Baker.
