Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ashley Surpas is the new associate director for Regional Initiatives at Ball State University.

Education January 3, 2023

ECI Talent Collaborative Announces New Associate Director, Strategic Plan 

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN – The East Central Indiana Talent Collaborative (ECITC) welcomes Ashley Surpas as the new associate director for Regional Initiatives at Ball State University. In this role, Ms. Surpas will oversee the university’s role as the backbone organization for the ECITC, a collective-impact initiative advancing talent attraction, talent development, and talent connection across Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush, and Wayne counties. Since joining Ball State’s Office of Community Engagement on Oct. 3, Ms. Surpas…

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A grant to Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District will support marketing, education, and outreach for the Upper White River Watershed Project. A similar grant in 2021 supported educational programming this year, including a river education event with the students from Destiny Christian Academy.

Non-Profit January 2, 2023

Community Foundation Awards $265K to Community Organizations in November and December

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Grants totaling $264,953 were awarded from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County to benefit the community between November and December 2022. Most grants are awarded through permanently endowed funds that benefit our community today and always. Grants totaling $81,550 were awarded from the Quarterly Competitive Grants Program at The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County during the final quarter of 2022. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects and programs for which…

Happy New Year 2023

Entertainment December 30, 2022

LISTEN: 2022 Round Two, A Look Back

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— To call the year 2022 an “interesting one” doesn’t do it justice. That’s why it’s important to go back and remember all that’s happened in the last year. Below you’ll find a special audio presentation produced by Woof Boom Radio’s news-gathering partners, Chris Davis and John Herrick at Network Indiana. You’ll hear all about the ramifications of Roe v Wade being overturned, the impact of inflation, and an arrest in one of Indiana’s criminal cases that dates…

A family poses with their shovels at Red-tail’s 2022 Earth Day Tree Planting. Photo by Red-tail Land Conservancy.

Non-Profit December 30, 2022

Red-Tail Land Conservancy Saw Record-Breaking Volunteerism in 2022

By Kelley V. Phillips— A recently released volunteer report from local land trust shows significant growth in service hours, valued at $40K. MUNCIE, IN – Earlier this month, Red-tail Land Conservancy released their 2022 volunteering report showing a record number of service hours donated to the nonprofit. Community members from across east central Indiana volunteered a total of 1,507 hours to support Red-tail’s land conservation, wildlife habitat restoration, and outdoor education efforts, a 30% growth from last year. Since 2020, Red-tail’s volunteer…

Bearcat memorabilia on display. Photo provided

Education December 30, 2022

2023 Memorabilia Room Schedule During Muncie Central Boys Basketball Games

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association’s Memorabilia Room will be open to people attending Central home boys basketball games through February 2023. The Memorabilia Room will open 30 minutes ahead of each boys varsity game and will close after halftime. The room will be open on Friday, Jan. 6; Friday, Jan. 13; and Friday, Jan. 20; Jan. 28; Saturday, Feb. 8; and Tuesday, Feb. 14. Graduation classes organizing reunions and interested in including a visit…

Photo by: BSU photo services

Education December 30, 2022

Ball State University Entrepreneurship Center Announces Grant Awardees

By BSU Marketing and Communications—  MUNCIE, IN—The Entrepreneurship Center at Ball State University has provided seven students with funding to develop and advance their entrepreneurial ventures. Twice a year, all enrolled students at Ball State are invited to apply for pre-seed grants of up to $2,500 per student, per semester for venture development. This fund was established to help students take their new or established business concepts to the next stage. Funding has historically been used to conduct market surveys,…

Thomas A. Cannon Jr., Judge of the Delaware Circuit Court No. 5 is pictured administering the Oath of Office to Eric Hoffman. Eric’s father, Charles Hoffman is holding the bible during the swearing-in ceremony. Photo provided

Government December 29, 2022

Eric Hoffman Sworn In For Second Term as Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney

By Office of the Prosecuting Attorney— Muncie, IN– Wednesday afternoon, the Honorable Thomas A. Cannon Jr., Judge of the Delaware Circuit Court No. 5 administered the Oath of Office to Eric Hoffman who will begin his second term as Delaware County’s Prosecuting Attorney on January 1, 2023.  Judge Cannon’s father, Thomas A. Cannon Sr., served as Delaware County Prosecutor 1941-1942 before he enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve our country in World War II. Hoffman is a graduate of…

Don Engel (left) has been elected Chairman of the Board of Managers at Deltec Solutions, and has named Steve Davis (right) as the next President and CEO

Business December 28, 2022

Deltec Solutions Appoints Steve Davis as President and CEO

By Deltec Solutions— Longtime leader Don Engel elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Financial Officer MUNCIE, IN – Deltec Solutions, a leading managed service provider and strategic IT consulting firm, announces the appointment of Steve Davis as President and CEO, replacing Don Engel, who has been elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Financial Officer. Davis will assume his new responsibilities on Monday, January 2. Engel has been President and CEO since 2009 and replaces Wil Davis, who remains…

Delaware County Justice Center, Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit December 27, 2022

JUMP Program Receives $60,000 Ball Brothers Foundation Grant to Bolster Community Partnership

By Intersection— MUNCIE, IN — This fall, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant to help officially launch the Judicial Users Manufacturing Partnership (JUMP) program in Delaware County. The JUMP program was created by John Bush, a 15-year employee of the Delaware County Probation Department. During his time with the department, he has seen first-hand the barriers to employment that are faced by justice-involved individuals. Bush proposed the JUMP program as a solution to multiple congruent problems facing Delaware County and as…

L-R: Joseph Anderson, Bright Afriyie, Duane Clemens Sr., Pastor Andre Mitchell, Wayne Johnson

Education December 26, 2022

Difference Makers of Ivy Tech

By Lesley Devoss— MUNCIE, Ind. – Difference makers are those who step up and support the community through their active participation in and with the community they serve.  The 2022 Ivy Tech Difference Makers are Pastor Andre Mitchell, Joseph Anderson, Wayne Johnson, Duane Clemens Sr., and Bright Afriyie.  Pastor Andre Mitchell serves as the Senior Pastor of Deliverance Temple, Material Handler for GM, and Campus Board of Trustee member for Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County. He was born and raised in…