Cash joins staff as sports writer

A new sports writer has joined the newspaper’s staff.

The Graphic Printing Company has hired Will Cash, a native of Virginia, as part of its sports writing team. His first day was Monday.

He joins Andrew Balko and Ray Cooney in covering sports for The Commercial Review (Portland), The News-Gazette (Winchester), The News Times (Hartford City) and The News & Sun (Dunkirk).

Cash is a recent graduate of Liberty University, where he focused on sports journalism and digital media.

He loves NBA basketball and roots for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is also a fan of the Denver Broncos in the NFL and of Virginia Tech and Liberty University athletics.

Cash is from Waynesboro, Virginia, a city of just over 22,000 in the Shenandoah Valley of north central Virginia. He is now living in Winchester.

Bank holding drives

First Financial Bank will host a food drive from Oct. 7 through 25.

Bank branches will accept canned and non-perishable boxed food donations in bins at:

•Portland — 112 N. Meridian St.

•Hartford City — 101 W. Washington St.

The items donated will be distributed to local organizations.

Last year, First Financial Bank associates and volunteers donated over 6,600 food items throughout its four states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. 

Fisher granted

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a grant to Fisher Packing Company.

The department awarded a $923,864 grant to the Portland-based company to increase processing capacity through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program.

The funding will help Fisher obtain inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program at its Pennville site and expand processing capacity at its Redkey location. Additional processing capacity will include products such as beef sticks and bacon.

“Fisher Packing Company will expand their processing capacity, meet consumer demand, and create 20 new full-time jobs, benefiting 1150 local producers,” said USDA Rural Development Indiana deputy state director Curtis Johnson in a press release. “The USDA's support for rural Hoosiers through programs like MPPEP exemplifies a commitment to fostering economic growth and job creation in our local communities.”

Providing assistance

Jay County REMC and Indiana Michigan Power sent crews south ahead of Hurricane Helene to be ready to help with electricity restoration efforts.

Jay County REMC teamed with other electric cooperatives in the state, to send 40 lineworkers to help Cobb EMC near Marietta, Georgia.

“Every cooperative in the Indiana electric cooperative family is an integral part of a state and national network of hundreds of fellow cooperatives,” said John Cassady, CEO for Indiana Electric Cooperatives, in a press release. “It is incumbent upon us to work together and help one another in times of disaster, to make sure our power delivery systems are repaired as quickly, safely and cost-effectively as possible.”

 I&M sent fleet technicians and safety support staff to Georgia. They were scheduled to work 16-hour days performing duties such as repairing and replacing damaged power poles and power lines.

“We know firsthand how much mutual assistance is appreciated when we have storms that impact our customers. That’s why we are proud to safely return the support when other communities and power companies need it the most,” said I&M manager of distribution system Donny Williams in a press release. “While it’s hard for us to leave home, we know helping turn the lights back on for impacted neighborhoods along with the messages of gratitude and support we receive makes it worth the effort.”

Meridian expanding

Meridian Health Services has started to offer a speaker series for junior high and high schools.

The series features discussions of daily challenges for teens and provides support and resources. The series kicked off with an event in August at Southside and Northside middle schools in Muncie.

For more information, visit meridianhs.org/speaker-series.

Meridian also announced that it is completing an arrangement with Lutheran Health Network’s Bluffton Medical Group and Dukes Medical Group to acquire the operations assets and staffing of its family medicine and pediatric clinics in Bluffton and surrounding area, as well as those in Peru. The change will go into effect Nov. 1.

“This is good news for our patients, staff and providers, as well as each community and we know all will be in good hands,” said Julie Thompson, chief administrative officer of Bluffton Regional Medical Center, in a press release.

“The transition of full ownership to Meridian will keep the clinics in their current location with current providers, and Meridian’s FQHC status will enable these clinics to offer additional services,” added David Brooks, Chief Administrative Officer for DMH.

Chamber honors

The Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce honored Thomas Kinghorn on Sept. 28 at its Legacy Dinner.

Kinghorn is president and CEO of the George and Frances Ball Foundation. The award goes to someone who “has made extraordinary, sustained, and positive contributions to the Muncie-Delaware County community at large, and who has provided leadership in the development of programs, events, and new traditions that promote goodwill and community pride.”

“His accomplishments are vast, and our community is a better place because of Mr. Tom Kinghorn,” said Stephen Brand, president of the chamber’s board of directors.

IU Health named

IU Health has been named the title sponsor of the 500 Festival Mini Marathon.

The company has been involved in the mini-marathon previously, including providing services to runners throughout the race. It has also been the presenting sponsor for the 500 Festival Education Program for 10 years.

“We are thrilled to welcome IU Health as the title sponsor for the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival, in a press release. “Their commitment to health and wellness has been instrumental in the growth and success of our events. We look forward to collectively expanding our initiatives to inspire fitness and active living across Indiana for all Hoosiers.”

President named

Indiana Manufacturers Association has named Andrew Berger as its new president and CEO.

He will start in his new role Jan. 1.

Berger has served as an Indiana Manufacturers Association lobbyist for the last 10 years. He was most recently senior vice president of governmental affairs.

He is a graduate of Hanover College and earned his law degree from Indiana University – Indianapolis.

"We are delighted to name Andrew Berger as our new President and CEO,” said Indiana Manufacturers Association chair Angie Holt. “After completing a thorough search process, the IMA Executive Committee determined Andrew possessed the background, skills and vision to lead the IMA into the next phase of its 100-plus year service to the Indiana manufacturing community. Andrew has the experience and connections needed to effectively serve the evolving needs of our industry."

Awards are scheduled

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13.

The dinner will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. NBC chief political analyst Chuck Todd will be the guest speaker.

To register, visit indianachamber.com.

Also, the chamber’s 2025 Indiana Safety and Health Conference has been scheduled for Feb. 24 through 26 at the Indiana Convention Center. The event will feature the Indiana forklift rodeo, various speakers, educational breakout sessions and an innovation showcase featuring safety tools and products. Continuing education credits will be available for wastewater operators.

To reserve a spot, visit insafetyconf.com/registration.

CareSource names

Steve Smitherman has been named as CareSource’s new Midwest regional vice president, with Dr. Cameual Wright moving into the role of market president for Indiana.

Smitherman will oversee Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia and Arkansas for CareSource, a nonprofit health plan. Wright will lead CareSource’s overall work in Indiana.

“Over the last decade, CareSource has made a real impact on the lives of Hoosiers, and I’m proud to have been a part of that journey,” Smitherman said in a press release. “In this new role, I look forward to working with our teams across the Midwest to continue driving innovative solutions that improve the health and quality of life of those we serve.