Grow-a-Row is a national program that focuses on planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free, fresh garden produce to community partners who will then distribute it to our neighbors. Grow-a-Row Gardeners have access to 10+ donation sites in Delaware, Blackford, Jay and Grant Counties. The local effort is spearheaded by members of the Healthy Community Alliance (HCA) Food Council and Nutrition Workgroup. Find a Grow-A-Row donation site near you by visiting www.healthycommunityalliance.org.

In his own voice  – Yesterday on WMUN’s Delaware County Today Radio show, Muncie City Council President Jeff Robinson talked about the recent tabling of the tax abatement request for an apartment complex. FULL INTERVIEW BELOW

WLBC News bits:

Ball State baseball remains at home as Butler makes the trip to Muncie on Wednesday, March 22. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

The Indianapolis Zoo has been named one of the 10 best zoos in the country, according to the USA Today 10Best.

March 20, 1954  The championship game immortalized in the1986 movie Hoosiers was won by Milan High School.  Milan beat Muncie Central, a much larger school, 32-30.

Parents in Fishers tell WTHR they are concerned after an Instagram account allowing students to bash, spread rumors about classmates and teachers gains popularity.

Dollar Tree has reportedly stopped selling eggs, pointing to ‘very high’ prices.

A study found that more men than women still have a stuffed animal. 40 percent of adults who have stuffed animals say they still ‘interact’ with them. 53 percent of adults have a stuffed animal from their childhood.

By now, you have probably learned that an elephant at the Indianapolis Zoo, 16-year-old Zahara, is pregnant. The announcement recently received national attention, as USA Today reported on the expectant mother, with the calf arriving in October.

Each year the Indiana Broadcasters Association awards $5,000 scholarships to ten deserving broadcasting students attending an Indiana college or university.   Around here winners included Ariel Roy – Ball State University, Rachel Henderson – Ball State University, Colin Williams – Ball State University.

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

WLBC News Bits:

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.

WLBC News Bits:

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.