Dennis Tyler at Muncie Free Press - Delaware County Indiana | News and Information

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN  - Keeping the Peace in memory of Jamel Barnes was a huge success Saturday as the Harlem Wizards entertained and played before more than 300 people at Southside High School.

Mayor Dennis Tyler took the court as the leader of Mel Beezy as the Wizards ran, jumped and outshot their competitors by an easy score of 74-45.

Regardless of the outcome, Tyler said it was a smiles on all the faces of youth who were watching the antics of the Wizards like King Arthur, Tomahawk, Space Jam, and Air Jamaica who reenacted the glory days of the former Harlem Globetrotters who were beloved by millions.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - With a new retail center and student housing in the University Village, look for hundreds of more construction jobs to be created as the community could see up to $100 million in investment to bolster local government and schools.

"It is a very exciting time in the city," said Mayor Dennis Tyler.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN  - Primary colors of a jigsaw puzzle and the Interlock name stand for education and awareness for Autism support in East Central Indiana.

On Saturday, more than 500 people walked, ran, and gathered to support the needs of the autistic and others with neuromuscular disorders.

Autism does not get the money or attention that other deadly health conditions like heart disease, and cancer, but the local Interlock has the means and people to make a difference for those with neural conditions.

 And the local group has some community leaders to stand up and make a difference for those with disability. 

Mayor Dennis Tyler, whose grandson has an autistic condition, was there with his family, participating in the event at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

Besides awareness, the mayor said more money should be spent on treatment of autistic conditions besides more outreach and opportunity for those who want to work and be part of the community.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN -  A panel discussion by law enforcement about the drug culture in the community came out strongly against legalizing marijuana while also wanting to rid neighborhoods of meth labs and other hard drug use.

"I hope we never legalize it," said Delaware County Prosecutor Jeff Arnold about marijuana, which is already legal in Colorado and Washington.

This was the same message from Delaware County Sheriff Mike Scroggins and Mayor Dennis Tyler, although the former lawmaker said decriminalization was the answer, given the cost  of $38,500 a year to put drug offenders in prison.

 The panel on drug in the Delaware County sponsored by the Muncie-Delaware County League of Women Voters was predictable, given that law enforcement and the government they work for was represented. Without a war on drugs, the need for law enforcement, criminal justice and corrections is diminished, meaning fewer jobs and less money.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Mayor Dennis Tyler offered the hope for more jobs, a new downtown hotel and a better quality of life with more recreation and education for youth besides adults.

His common sense and partnership approach to local government was clear Thursday when he delivered a State of the City address before a standing ovation crowd of more than 300 people at the Horizon Convention Center.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Peace and justice can be achieved in many ways as activists, political leaders and academics explained Friday at the opening of the first Benjamin V. Cohen Peace Conference.

The conference, that continues Saturday at the Ball State Alumni Center has attracted activists around the country and North America who have improved their neighborhood, county and the world.

As Mayor Dennis Tyler said, "We cannot have a quality of life without peace."

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - DWNTWN Muncie's new marketing program has gone viral producing five development prospects with renovation underway at the old Roberts Hotel with a new full service hotel to be built across the street.

 The surrounding neighborhoods are being revitalized with federal Community Development and HOME dollars aimed at improving the housing stock there.

And Mayor Dennis Tyler is developing a program to deal with the more than 4,600 abandoned and neglected properties in Muncie through demolition and renewal.

Those were just some of initiatives discussed Tuesday during a community development and neighborhood preservation forum conducted by city planners and developers. More than 75 people came to the Open Door Health Center to get a preview of how to improve Muncie's inner city neighborhoods.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, iN - Mayor Dennis Tyler agrees stronger background checks on gun sales is necessary to keep weapons out of the hands of felons or those with mental disability.

"I still believe in the 2nd Amendment, but we have strengthen the law on background checks," said the mayor

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - The next generation of thin wall die cast aluminum will mean a $4.9 million investment and 13 new jobs by the next generation of the former Delaware Machine.

 Now called Delaware Dynamics, the plant on South Walnut Street got property tax abatement last Christmas and is already hiring machinists and die cast assembly makers.

By Rick Yencer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Mayor Dennis Tyler responded to some of biggest concerns in Muncie at the Indiana Statehouse this week, the growing problem with meth labs and rising utility bills paid by consumers.

 A former lawmaker, Tyler testified before Indiana House committees that put further restrictions on pseudoephedrine and also make it easier for public utility companies to increase rates on businesses and residences.