Articles by Mike Rhodes

Participants at the 2022 IDEA Conference visit the community booths.

Non-Profit January 21, 2023

Registration Now Open for Eighth Annual IDEA Conference

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN – Organizers of the eighth annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference are hoping for a “full house” at the free March 4 event on Ball State University’s campus. “The IDEA Conference is my favorite day in Muncie,” said Heather Williams, program manager for Building Better Neighborhoods and Muncie Action Plan (MAP) vice president. “It brings together Muncie’s changemakers and cheerleaders – residents who work every day to build community and improve the lives of others. It’s an…

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Photo by storyblocks

Business January 20, 2023

Indiana American Water Accepting Applications for 2023 Environmental Grant Program

By Joseph Loughmiller— Grants Available to Community Projects in Company’s Service Areas. GREENWOOD, IN – Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, is now accepting applications for its 2023 Environmental Grant Program. “Indiana American Water is committed to providing our customers with clean, safe, reliable water service and protecting our environment and our water sources,” said Indiana American Water President Matt Prine. “Everyone plays a role in protecting our nation’s…

The seven honorees are pictured wearing their gray jackets along with Home Instead staff and leadership team members.

Business January 20, 2023

Home Instead Honors Seven Caregivers

By Joe Wrin— MUNCIE, IN—On Thursday, January 19th, Home Instead of Muncie and Anderson hosted a thank you luncheon for a very special group of senior care professionals. In an industry already plagued with high employee turnover rates prior to the pandemic, and massive employee losses during the pandemic, Home Instead celebrated seven local care professionals from Madison and Delaware counties who have provided more than 64,000 hours of one-on-one senior care to local seniors. With an astonishing combined total…

Health January 20, 2023

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital To Provide ‘Leah’s Love Boxes’ to Grieving Parents

By Liz Yates— MUNCIE, IN—Leah’s Love is a Muncie- based non-profit that seeks to connect with grieving parents experiencing the loss of a child. They do this through the gifting of Leah’s Love boxes. These boxes contain books that have been handpicked by the founders of the group, Mandi (Leah’s mother) and Sue (Leah’s maternal grandmother) as well as other self-care products such as eye masks, grief coloring books and pencils, inspirational bookmarks, Forget-Me-Not seeds, tissues, journals, and bath bombs….

Indiana Statehouse photo provided by Lydia Kirschner

Government January 20, 2023

State Representative Elizabeth Rowray Invites Local Students to Page at Statehouse

By Braden Dunlap— STATEHOUSE – A Delaware County lawmaker wants to invite local students to spend a day serving as a House Page at the Indiana Statehouse during the 2023 legislative session. According to State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown), Hoosier students ages 13 to 18 can sign up to page and assist lawmakers and staff with daily duties while touring the governor’s office, the Indiana Supreme Court, and House and Senate chambers. She said pages will receive an excused absence…

Photo provided

Entertainment January 19, 2023

Muncie Renters Workshop to be Held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023

By Stephanie Wiechmann— MUNCIE, IN—Statewide, rent is increasing, affordable housing is hard to find and eviction rates are high. What should renters know? Hear from Indiana Legal Services as they share information on your legal rights and responsibilities as a renter, and what you should expect from your landlord. We will also provide resource packets so renters can be prepared and informed. Join IPR and partners and come with your questions. Speakers include: Andrew Thomas, Housing Resource Attorney, Indiana Legal…

Kimberly Dowling, Judge of Delaware Circuit Court 2.

Government January 18, 2023

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

By Kimberly S. Dowling, Judge of  Delaware Circuit Court 2— MUNCIE, IN—January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.  The occasion prompted me to reflect on the advances Indiana has made over the last eight years in addressing the scourge of trafficking.  I would like to share those accomplishments with our community. My work on this issue began in 2014, just after I was first elected to the bench. Trafficking was already a hot topic for policy makers, but I learned quickly…

Non-Profit January 18, 2023

Community Foundation Grants $3.72 Million in 2022

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $3,720,056 in grants and scholarships to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Delaware County, Ind. Most grants are awarded through permanently endowed funds that benefit our community today and always. Through the Quarterly Competitive Grants program, nonprofit organizations were awarded $1,040,282 in highly competitive grants. Grants address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County in arts and culture, community betterment, economic…

The offices of Woof Boom Radio located at 800 E. 29th Street in Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit January 18, 2023

Hometown Heroes Grant Applications Now Being Accepted by Woof Boom Radio

By Megan Orbin— MUNCIE, IN—Woof Boom Radio and 104.1 HD1 WLBC take our role seriously as partners to those in the cities and towns we serve.  WLBC continues to assist some remarkable organizations in making a difference in our community with the WLBC Hometown Heroes Grant Program. For consideration, the organization or cause must be one of the following: A 501c3 (or other designated not-for-profit organization) and can provide documentation An educational, government, or city agency In an emergency, crisis situation…

Al Rent. File photo.

Education January 17, 2023

Al Rent Was an Icon for Ball State University and the Muncie Community

Editor’s note—Today is the anniversary of Al’s passing. This article was originally published on January 21, 2017. We’ve republished the article in order to remember and honor Al on this day.  By: Gail Werner— MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University has lost an institutional icon. J. Allan Rent, known to the campus community as Al, was serving as executive director and general manager for public broadcasting operations at Ball State when he died after an extended illness. He was 73. “It’s an…