Articles by Mike Rhodes

Three Ways to Take Charge of Your Health During Heart Month

By Tim Harms, American Heart Association— INDIANAPOLIS, IN— More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year[1]. This February, during American Heart Month, the American Heart Association is calling on everyday citizens to be agents of change by stepping in as the first responder until professional help arrives. Nine out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, in part because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of…

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Help Shape the Future of the Muncie Arts and Culture Council

By Tania Said— MUNCIE, IN — The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) is inviting community members to help shape the future of arts and culture in Muncie through a series of upcoming focus groups designed to gather ideas, insights, and perspectives from those who care about the city’s creative ecosystem. MuncieArts will host small, discussion-based focus groups to hear directly from artists, creatives, arts supporters, partners, and residents about what they value, what they see, and what they hope…


Muncie League of Women Voters to Sponsor Public Meeting on Feb. 14

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—“Community Services Helping People Who Are Homeless ” will be the topic of a public meeting of the League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4800 W. Bradford Drive. Admission is free. A panel of local professionals who work daily with people who are homeless will talk about their work and organizations and will answer questions about the needs of people who are homeless in…


Yorktown High School Earns Gold Recognition on 2025 AP® School Honor Roll

By Jo Cox, Yorktown Community Schools— YORKTOWN, IN – Yorktown High School has been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement®, AP® School Honor Roll, earning Gold recognition from the College Board. This distinction marks a significant milestone for the school, reflecting a three-year progression of continuous improvement—from Bronze recognition in the program’s first year, to Silver, and now Gold. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that expand access to rigorous, college-level coursework while supporting strong student outcomes and a…


Arts Alive! Series Presents Multidisciplinary Artist Jeffrey Gibson at Ball State University, Feb. 4

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s Arts Alive! series continues with an on-campus presentation followed by a Q&A with artist Jeffrey Gibson at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Pruis Hall. The event will conclude with a reception and light refreshments. This special lecture is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the New York Parking Garage (located east of Pruis Hall, off New York Avenue), and is free after 7 p.m. Jeffrey Gibson…


Shafer Leadership Academy Expands Team Amid Growing Demand for Customized Leadership Development

By Arrick Garringer—  MUNCIE, IN— Shafer Leadership Academy announced plans to expand its facilitation team in response to increasing demand for customized leadership development programs across East Central Indiana and surrounding regions. The nonprofit organization has seen growing interest from employers in manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services who are seeking leadership development that reflects the realities of their workforce and industry. As organizations navigate workforce transitions, talent retention challenges, and the need for inclusive leadership practices, Shafer Leadership Academy is…


Mid-West Metal Products Announces New Executive Leadership

By Tina Black— MUNCIE, IN— Mid-West Metal Products Company, Inc. has announced the promotion of two company executives. Effective January 1, 2026, the Board of Directors has approved the promotion of Chad Smith to President & Chief Executive Officer of Mid-West Metal Products Company, Inc., reflecting the scope of operations across four Muncie locations and international facilities. John W. Smith will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Division. With this leadership team in place, Mid-West Metal…


‘Women of Whitely’ Event Honors Black Women’s Legacy and Leadership in Muncie, Feb. 26

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — The Notable Women of Muncie and Delaware County Project will host “Women of Whitely: At the Heart of Muncie’s Black History” at the Shaffer Chapel Museum, 1501 E. Highland Ave., in Muncie at 6 p.m. Feb. 26. This free public program celebrates the leadership, resilience, and creativity of Black women who shaped Muncie’s historic Whitely neighborhood. The event is part of Bracken Library’s 50th anniversary celebration and Muncie Public Library’s America 250 initiative and will bring…


IT Support for the Artificial Intelligence Age

By Gary Thomas and Michael Thomas, Owners of Leap Managed IT— MUNCE, IN—If you lead a business, a government agency, or a non-profit here in Indiana, you’ve likely felt the shift. Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) isn’t coming, it’s here. It’s writing emails, analyzing spreadsheets, and changing how work gets done. We also know A.I. isn’t perfect (and it may never be). We’ve all seen A.I.-generated graphics with an extra thumb or answers so far off-base you have to laugh. One of…


Muncie Action Plan’s Parks and Connective Corridors

By Jason Donati— MUNCIE, IN—As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) looks back on a productive year, we are excited to reflect on our continued efforts to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. We invite the community to join us for our Annual Report to the Community, taking place Wednesday, January 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Ivy Tech. During this gathering, each of MAP’s four task forces will present their accomplishments and progress…