Cline joins The CR as a reporter

Bailey Cline has joined The Commercial Review as its county reporter.

Cline, 22, graduated in May from Ball State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and telecommunications. She has worked at the Ball State Daily News in Muncie as a reporter and editor, and she has also worked at the Indiana Daily Student in Bloomington as a beat reporter.

Born and raised in Hartford City, Cline enjoys reading, gaming and spending time with her 8-year-old border collie, Beauty.



Leaving board

In addition to retiring in September, Dr. Robert Judge has resigned as a member of Adams Health Network Board.

Judge, a Bellmont High School graduate, has served on the board since January 1988. He earned his MD at Indiana University School of Medicine in 1982 and joined Adams Health Network three years later.

"Dr. Judge will be missed as both a physician in our community and as a constant compass providing vision and guidance to Adams Health Network over his thirty-two-year tenure,” said Adams Health Network CEO Dr. Scott Smith in a press release. “His shoes will be difficult to fill.”



Director named

First Merchants Corporation has named Scott McKee its corporate social responsibility director.

The company announced the move in a press release.

McKee, a graduate of Ball State University who went on to earn his master’s of business administration at Butler University, previously served as the president of the company’s Muncie region. He has been with First Merchants for 13 years.

“First Merchants believes in taking care of our communities,” said First Merchants president and CEO Michael C. Rechin. “The expanded effort will have a significant impact, both internally and externally, and we have the utmost confidence in Scott to lead the way. The success of our clients and communities will always be the true barometer of this company’s performance.”



First in surgery

Dr. Mary Ann Meo of Lutheran Health Physicians of Fort Wayne recently became accredited as the nation’s first master surgeon in breast treatment, as determined by Surgical Review Corporation.

In order to earn the accreditation, a surgeon must perform at least 125 qualifying procedures annually. The process includes an on-site inspection from SRC.

“I am honored to have achieved this milestone and represent Dupont Hospital, who currently holds the designation as a Center of Excellence for breast treatment, in providing this service,” said Meo in a press release. “I value the effort and dedication our breast health team ahs demonstrated. We look forward to providing the community this advanced care now and in the future.”



Smaller format

Walgreens has launched a pilot program with more than 30 small-format pharmacies.

The goal, CNBC reported, is to place an emphasis on relationships between pharmacists and customers. The stores have a smaller selection of items, such as bandages, thermometers, over-the-counter medications and snacks.



Caps are back

Comcast announced this week that it has reinstated its cap on home internet data. The move was effective July 1.

Comcast had suspended its data caps and overage fees in mid-March in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

AT&T, meanwhile, announced that it will continue to waive overage charges for home internet data through Sept. 30, ARS Technica reported.



Franchisee files

Pizza Hut’s largest franchisee has filed for bankruptcy.

According to a report from Financial Times, NPC International filed for bankruptcy after it did not secure adequate financial relief from brand owner Yum Brands. (Yum also owns Taco Bell.)

NPC operates 1,225 Pizza Hut locations and has more than 7,500 full-time employees and 28,500 part-time employees. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Texas Wednesday.



Partnering

Walmart and Tribeca are partnering on temporary drive-in theaters.

The companies will partner to turn 160 Walmart store parking lots into temporary drive-in movie theaters, Market Watch Reported. Movies are planned to be shown from early August through October.



Makeup offered

CVS is now carrying a makeup line designed for men.

The drugstore chain is adding the cosmetics line to 2,000 stores, the Chicago Tribune reported. It is hoping to capitalize on a growing market, as a Morning Consult survey last year said about one-third of U.S. men younger than 45 said they would consider trying makeup.



Pulled, expanding

McDonald’s quietly pulled a meatless burger from its Canadian restaurants while Burger King is planning to expand its offerings.

McDonald’s in January had doubled the number of restaurants trying out the “Plant, Lettuce and Tomato” (P.L.T.) burger featuring Beyond Meat. The item was removed from menus last week, though the move went unnoticed until recently, CBC reported.

"We have no current plans to bring it back to our menu at this time,” McDonald’s Canada said via Twitter.

Barron’s reported this week that Burger King plans a nationwide launch for its plant-based sausage from Impossible Foods. The sandwich was originally offered in select locations in January.

Burger King will give away up to 100,000 Impossible Croissan’wich sandwiches to help promote the new product.