Services shift with Graphic change

The shift of The Graphic Printing Company’s commercial printing operation to the first floor of the historic Hood Building has temporarily impacted a few of its services.

The services most impacted are numbering, perforating and folding. Plans are in place to restore these services.

All other printing services are available. In the past as well as going forward, The Graphic Printing Company will use many to-the-trade vendors that assist us with projects that we are unable to produce.

Printing orders are still being accepted. Email [email protected], call (260) 726-8141 or stop by our office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Franks joins

May Financial Group recently announced the addition of Matthew J. Franks to its team.

Jeff Hall, vice president of May Financial, announced the hiring of Franks. He will offer financial planning services for life, annuities, health and employee benefits in Indiana and Ohio.

Deal completed

Dollar Tree announced last week that it has acquired rights for 170 leases of 99 Cents Only Stores in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

The deal was completed by way of two transactions in May and approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. As part of the agreement, Dollar Tree also acquires North American Intellectual Property of 99 Cents Only Stores and some on-site furniture, fixtures and equipment.

"As we continue to execute on our accelerated growth strategy for the Dollar Tree brand, this was an attractive opportunity to secure leases in priority markets where we see strong profitable growth potential,” said Michael Creedon Jr., Dollar Tree’s Chief Operating Officer. “The portfolio complements our existing footprint and will provide us access to high quality real estate assets in premium retail centers, enabling us to rapidly grow the Dollar Tree brand across the western United States, reaching even more customers and communities.”

Applications open

Indiana Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Indiana Best Places to Work in Manufacturing 2024 awards.

Manufacturers can register for the program at bestplacestoworkmanufacturingin.com. For more information, email [email protected] or call (281) 602-5004.

The deadline is July 26.

Raising for Kate’s

Various area businesses will take part in the Ice Cream Social Fundraiser for Kate’s Kart next month.

Proceeds from sales on June 22 and 23 will help to support Kate’s Kart, a not-for-profit organization that provides books for children in hospitals. On those days, Kate’s Kar will be on hand to provide goodie bags to children.

Participating ice cream shops include:

•Tutti Frutti of Portland

•The Tasty Spoon of Hartford City

•Iceburg Ice Cream of Albany

•Berry Winkle Frozen Yogurt of Muncie

•The White Cottage Sweet Shoppe of Berne

•Toppings Ice Cream and Zesto Ice Cream of Bluffton

•Old 27 Ice Cream Shop of Decatur

•Sophie’s Ice Cream of Gas City

Suit filed

Speech First has filed a lawsuit against Indiana University’s board of trustees, president Pamela Whitten and other administrators.

The pro-free speech organization’s suit alleges that IU’s bias incident policy is designed to “deter, suppress, and punish disfavored and controversial speech.” The university’s website defines a bias incident as “any conduct, speech, or expression, motivated in whole or in part by bias or prejudice meant to intimidate, demean, mock, degrade, marginalize, or threaten individuals or groups based on that individual or group’s actual or perceived identities.”

“This policy is so overbroad that anything students find offensive can be reported,” Speech First said in a press release. “This could include something as simple as asking why the Biden Administration has added ‘gender identity’ as a protected class under Title IX. Or stating that unchecked illegal immigration will lead to an increase in crime.”

Lilly participating

Eli Lilly and Company announced last week that it will participate in the Goldman Sachs Global Healthcare Conference.

Patrik Jonsson, an executive vice president at the Indianapolis-based pharmaceuticals firm, will take part in a fireside chat during the conference at 4 p.m. June 10. A live audio webcast will be available at investor.lilly.com/webcasts-and-presentations.

Meetings scheduled

The Indiana Office of Energy Development will host a series of meetings as part of the process of planning, designing and implementing a federally funded home energy rebate program.

The office will be seeking public input on the rebate, for which implementation is planned for the fall.

In-person meetings will be held at four locations around the state in May and June. Meetings include 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, in Indianapolis, and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, in Fort Wayne. (Specific locations have not yet been announced.)

“We are seeking engagement with Hoosiers across the state so that we can reach as many qualified applicants as possible when these programs are made available,” said Ryan Hadley, executive director of the Indiana Office of Energy Development. “Input is a critical element to ensure we develop a robust and well-run program.”

A virtual closing session will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 27.

Cookie returning

Subway announced Wednesday that it is bringing its footlong cookie back to its restaurants nationwide.

"The Footlong Cookie has delighted millions of Americans since their first bites in January, sparking unprecedented demand over the last several months," said Paul Fabre, Subway senior vice president of culinary and innovation, in a press release. "Subway worked diligently to rush additional Footlong Cookie supply to satisfy cookie cravings at a great value and serve up a footlong dose of happiness this summer."

Subway has sold more than 5 million footlong cookies since the item was first placed on menus in January.

Changes set

Advance Auto Parts announced last week that Bruce Starnes will succeed senior vice president and chief merchant Ken Bush upon his retirement later this month.

Bush is retiring after nearly 20 years with the company. Starnes, who previously worked for Target, will take over his new role on June 24.

“We are very grateful for the many contributions Ken has made to our industry over the past 37 years. He has helped strengthen our merchandising operations and built a talented team within the merchandising organization, making it an optimum time to make a leadership transition. We wish him all the best in his upcoming, well-deserved retirement,” said Shane O’Kelly, Advance’s president and CEO. “ Bruce brings a deep understanding of successful merchandising operations and vendor partnerships as well as a proven track record of results at one of the world’s leading retail organizations.”

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