Articles by Mike Rhodes

The American Heart Association recommends that kids get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day. Photo by storyblocks

Education September 12, 2022

Schools Can Compete for $1,000 Grant from Indianapolis Colts, American Heart Association

By Tim Harms— The American Heart Association and the National Football League continue their commitment to kids’ whole-body health through physical activity. INDIANAPOLIS  — With the start of the National Football League (NFL) season, schools in Indiana will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 grant from the American Heart Association and Indianapolis Colts as part of the NFL Play 60 program and this year’s Race to Super Bowl LVII activation. From Sept. 26 to Oct. 26, students can…

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Tom McComish Aquatic Biology and Fisheries Laboratory. Photo provided

Education September 12, 2022

Ball State University Study: Invasive Aquatic Species Are Spreading

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – A recent study conducted by researchers at Ball State University, in partnership with Fishbrain, the world’s most popular fishing app, offers new insight into “invasion superhighways,” in which aquatic invasive species are spreading across the U.S. Using data from the Fishbrain app, which has more than 14 million registered users worldwide, researchers from Ball State’s College of Sciences and Humanities have revealed a network of human movements that form these invasion superhighways….

Members of the Muncie Central High School JROTC and members of the Muncie Northside Middle School cross country team pose by the field of flags after helping with the setup for Flags of Honor on Tuesday, September 6.

Education September 11, 2022

Muncie Central High School JROTC Raises Flags in Support of Flags of Honor

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Two dozen young people from the Muncie Central High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) volunteered their time to set up the field of flags for Flags of Honor. More than 1,000 flags were placed on the lawn at Minnetrista beside the White River Greenway. Flags of Honor is in partnership with the Exchange Club of Muncie in honor and memory of local veterans, current service personnel, fallen heroes, and all who wish to display…

Pokey LaFarge

Entertainment September 10, 2022

Pokey LaFarge to Headline Free Concert at Canan Commons in Muncie

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN– Critically acclaimed musician Pokey LaFarge and his band will be performing a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2022 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. This concert is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County and concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 10th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. The Ball State University Jazz Ensemble will open the show. Pokey LaFarge’s…

Dr. Joe & Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse. Photo provided

Education September 9, 2022

Free Family Nature Event at Ball State Celebrates Pollinators, Wildlife on Sept 10th

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University is inviting the community to learn about and celebrate pollinators at its family-friendly “Pollinator Party!” being held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and Environmental Center.  At this free event, nature-related organizations like the Red-tail Land Conservancy, Robert Cooper Audobon Society, Friends of the Greenhouse, and Conservation Tales will offer pollinator-themed crafts and activities. Children of all ages can…

L-R: Sherry Ridenour, Jimmy, Dan Ridenour. Photo provided

Government September 9, 2022

Muncie Mayor, First Lady Open Home to Taiwanese Exchange Student

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—For many high school students, junior year is about college visits, summer jobs, and SATs. For 16-year-old Jimmy, junior year is about adventure. Thanks to the Muncie Rotary Exchange program, Jimmy (full name Te-Chan Yang) has travelled all the way from Taiwan to live and study in Muncie for 11 months. He is currently attending Muncie Burris high school, and staying with Mayor and first lady Dan and Sherry Ridenour. So far, Jimmy has accompanied the…

Accutech staff members are pictured on a recent Habitat for Humanity build. Photo provided

Business September 8, 2022

Accutech Systems Volunteers 218 Labor Hours Year-to-Date to Habitat for Humanity

By Nick Werner— MUNCIE, IN— On the last Friday in August, a dozen employees from Accutech Systems Corp. took a break from building financial software to help build two homes as part of a Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity effort to revitalize the city’s South Central neighborhood. The volunteers framed one front porch, insulated both crawlspaces, assembled scaffolding, cleaned up the construction site, and more. Accutech encourages its employees to give back by providing 40 hours a year of paid…

Accepting the award last month in Indianapolis on behalf of ECIHRA (l to r): Madelyn Heskett, Secretary; Kourtney McCauliff, President; James Mitchell, President-Elect

Non-Profit September 7, 2022

ECIHRA Announces Award, Upcoming Programs

By ECIHRA— MUNCIE, IN – The East Central Indiana Human Resources Association (ECIHRA) received an important recognition at the recent state-wide HR Indiana Conference, held August 29 through August 31 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The award for “Highest Increase in SHRM-Certified Members” reflects the organization’s commitment to helping local human resources professionals grow and develop, both personally and professionally. “We were pleasantly surprised to receive this honor and to be recognized in front of 1,500 of our peers from across the state,”…

Photo provided by the YMCA

Education September 7, 2022

Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center Maintains Their National Accreditation

By Sophie Bohanon— MUNCIE, IN—The Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Center received re- accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Mitchell is 1 of 7 programs in the Muncie community that are nationally accredited by the NAEYC. Janette Stanley, the Director of Youth Development at Mitchell, says, “The reason this accreditation is so important is because we support high quality education and promote professionalism in the field. Thanks toNAEYC, we can utilize their resources for…

Naloxone Vending Machine

Health September 7, 2022

IU Health Ball Receives Naloxone Vending Machine, Part of State Effort to Curb Drug Epidemic

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN – IU Health Ball is happy to announce that one of Indiana’s newest naloxone vending machines will soon be placed in the emergency department waiting area. The machine is one of 19 to be placed statewide and will soon be available for use by the public. Gov. Eric J. Holcomb first announced the initiative in December 2021. “There is no single solution to ending this epidemic that has taken the lives of thousands of Hoosiers,”…