Ice cream social is next month

Kate’s Kart is preparing for its ice cream social next month.

Ice cream shops in 15 counties will participate in the organization’s fundraiser on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22. Money will be used to support its mission of providing free books to hospitalized children.

Among the locations participating on June 21 are:

•Dairy Queen, Portland

•The Tasty Spoon, Hartford City

•BerryWinkle Frozen Yogurt, Muncie

•The White Cottage Sweet Shoppe, Berne

•The Old 27 Ice Cream Shop, Decatur

Holding fairs

The United States Postal Service will host job fairs Thursday, May 22.

The fairs are being held to fill immediate openings. They will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:

•103 N. Meridian St., Winchester

•116 S. Main St., Lynn

•215 S. Jefferson, Montpelier

•215 W. Main St., Berne

•205 S. Main St., Bluffton

•113 E. Washington St., Monroe

•106 S. Ogden, Ossian

•400 North A St., Richmond

Grants available

CenterPoint Energy is accepting applications for its Community Safety Grant Program.

Grants of up to $2,500 are available to local government agencies to fund community safety equipment and safety-related projects. Initiatives include installing automated external defibrillators, emergency communication equipment, traffic control signs and gas monitoring devices.

“At CenterPoint, safety is our top core value, and this drives every effort we take as a company for the customers and communities we are privileged to serve,” said June Deadrick, CenterPoint’s vice president of community relations, in a press release. “Through our Community Safety Grant Program, we are thrilled to recognize the work our emergency responders, local officials and many others do to help support the health and safety of our customers  across the communities we, too, call home.” 

Offering tours

Adams Woodcrest will host independent living tours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7.

Visitors will be able to tour cottages, villas and apartments, meet residents and talk with staff. Refreshments will be provided.

To RSVP, call (260) 724-3311 or email [email protected].

BSU honored

Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts awarded the Ball State University College of Communication, Information and Media its No. 1 ranking for Top Winning Sports Program.

Ball State Sports Link also earned top honors for video features, living production and on-air talent. BSU students earned nine individual awards.

“These national rankings speak to the creativity, collaboration, and talent that define our college,” said Dr. Kristen McCauliff, dean of the college, in a press release. “Whether our students are anchoring broadcasts, producing award-winning documentaries, or making persuasive arguments in national debate tournaments, they embody the values and mission of our college: to foster critical thinkers, skilled storytellers, and engaged citizens. I am deeply proud of our students — and grateful for the faculty and staff who mentor and inspire them every day.”

Ball State’s Miller College of Business has also reaffirmed its accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business for its business and accounting programs.

Partnership expands

The Indiana Fever and TEGNA recently announced an expanded broadcast partnership.

The agreement calls for 11 additional TV stations in the Midwest to join WTHS of Indianapolis to air 18 Indiana Fever games. It includes coverage in Iowa, the home state of Fever Star Caitlin Clark.

“We're incredibly excited to expand our partnership with TEGNA and bring Fever basketball to even more fans across the Midwest — free and over the air,” Indiana Fever president of basketball and business operations Kelly Krauskopf said in a press release. “From Indiana to Iowa and beyond, this level of access is unprecedented in our franchise's history and really reflects the surging popularity of our team, our players and women's professional basketball.”

Promotion announced

First Financial Bank and its Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group has promoted Carlton Zesch as the new executive managing director and head of Yellow cardinal M&A Services.

Zesch will oversee investment banking for Yellow Cardinal.

“Since joining First Financial and Yellow Cardinal, Carlton has been a valuable resource for clients seeking to map out a financial path forward, for themselves and the businesses they lead, and we look forward to more success under his leadership,” said Greg Harris, president of Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group. 

Director named

Tom Pearson was named last week as the new executive director of Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

Pearson has worked for the state government department since December 2011. He became director of homeownership in 2021.

“I am honored and humbled to be IHCDA's Executive Director. I look forward to taking our agency in a positive direction, investing in our people, and helping Hoosiers,” said Pearson, an Indiana University graduate, in a press release. “Most of all, I am here to serve our constituents, communities, and the team here at IHCDA.” 

Hosting drive

Menards stores are holding a pet supplies drive through the end of May.

Supplies needed include food, treats, feeders, collars and beds. Items collected will be donated to local humane associations.

Donation boxes will be near the next doors at Menards locations, including in Muncie, Richmond and Celina, Ohio.

Nominate manufacturers

Nominations are open for the Indiana Manufacturers Association 2025 Manufacturing Excellence Awards.

The awards honor Indiana companies and individuals for their contributions to the manufacturing industry. They are open to all manufacturers in Indiana.

Anyone can make a nomination by visiting indianamfg.com/2025-manufacturing-excellence-awards. The deadline is Sunday, Aug. 31.

Nomination opens

The state is now accepting nominations for the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards.

The awards honor businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have “demonstrated a commitment to serving the community.”

Criteria for the award includes:

Continuous operations in Indiana for 100 or 50 years by Dec. 31, 2024.

Participation in the same line of work for the duration of its operations.

Having its base in Indiana since it was founded.

Applications are available at iedc.in.gov/program/century-and-half-century-awards. The deadline is Friday, May 30.