Articles by Mike Rhodes

Mayor Ridenour is pictured with Alec and Carla Donahue, two of Muncie's most recent remote workers at a Muncie on the Move breakfast.

Government October 31, 2022

Muncie Recognized as Highly Sought Remote Worker Destination

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—At last week’s Future of Indiana Workforce Summit, hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Muncie was held up as an example of a thriving remote work incentive program. 19 cities or regions in Indiana have adopted the Make My Move program, which provides resources and stipends for remote workers who are looking to relocate to a more affordable community. Why remote workers? A thriving work-from-home economy can help a city in many ways, according to…

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Modified dam photo. White River seen flowing downstream over newly installed riffle. Photo provided by Indiana American Water.

Non-Profit October 28, 2022

Muncie Dam Altered for Fish and Kayaking

By Phil Tevis, David Heilman, and Toria Callow— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN—The Delaware County Soil and Water Conversation District received grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Ed and Virginia Ball Foundation to modify the water intake dam at the Indiana American Water Company filtration facility located on Burlington Avenue in Muncie. “The Muncie dams have been identified in many studies since the 1990’s as an opportunity to make these types of…

Marta Moody is pictured with Jud Fisher and her award. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 28, 2022

Marta Moody Recognized with 2022 Fisher Governance Award

By Melissa Narlock— MUNCIE, IN — Ball Brothers Foundation presented its annual Fisher Governance Award this year to Marta Moody, board president of Cardinal Greenways. Moody was recognized with the award at the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s 128th Annual Meeting Celebration on October 27. The John W. and Janice B. Fisher Governance Award annually honors a nonprofit board member in Delaware County for exemplary leadership, integrity, responsibility, and accountability. “I can attest to the strong, passionate leader Marta Moody…

Duane Clemens, College Connection Coach and Wayne Johnson, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services. Photo provided

Education October 27, 2022

Ivy Tech Partners With Muncie Southside Middle School

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College Muncie/Henry County is partnering with Muncie Southside Middle School to create a mentoring program. The program is a collaboration between Ivy Tech’s Enrollment Services and Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging. “I’ve been dedicated to mentoring in the Muncie community ever since I played basketball with Ball State, back in 1995. My coach was a huge proponent of mentoring younger generations to prepare themselves for their futures,” Wayne Johnson, Vice…

Minnetrista file photo.

Entertainment October 27, 2022

Minnetrista Announces Their 2023 Exhibits

By Katy Maggart—  Muncie, IN— The 2023 exhibit schedule at Minnetrista is set to be an exciting one! Find a world of puzzles, explore girls’ experiences and how they’ve changed American history, and see yourself in an exhibit of portraits featuring our community. 2023 will be full of wonder with something for everyone. Mindbender Mansion January 14–May 7 Center Building Adults and children will be dazzled by the wonderfully puzzling world of Mindbender Mansion, an eclectic exhibit full of puzzles,…

Sean Connor Fallon, MMA fighter. Photo provided

Entertainment October 27, 2022

Muncie Native Signed to Major Mixed Martial Arts Contract

By John Fallon— MUNCIE, IN—Sean Connor Fallon, veteran Muncie-born professional mixed martial arts competitor, was signed recently to a contract with Bellator MMA for an internationally televised fight scheduled for November 18, 2022 in Chicago.  The fight will take place at Wintrust Arena and his opponent will be Imamshafi Aliev.  This is Fallon’s first competition in a major promotion that will be broadcast worldwide after having fought in many promotions in Indiana and other US locations.  The fight is scheduled…

An MRI image of a stroke-affected brain. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Health October 27, 2022

Saturday, October 29th is World Stroke Day

By Tim Harms, American Heart Association— Remember F.A.S.T. to recognize a stroke, the fifth-leading cause of death INDIANAPOLIS —Strokes can happen to anyone. In fact, globally about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Even so, most adults in the U.S. don’t know the F.A.S.T warning signs of a stroke, and that stroke is largely treatable if you call 911 as soon as you recognize the symptoms. For World Stroke Day…

The Ball State University baseball team work with Arsenal coaches, including head coach Eric Van Matre, center, during a workout at the Ball State University Speed Strength and Conditioning Room. The Arsenal oversees performance training for all team athletes for this baseball season. Photo provided

Business October 26, 2022

The Arsenal Named Ball State Baseball Training Provider

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—The Arsenal, Muncie’s original CrossFit center, is the strength and speed training provider to this year’s Ball State University baseball team. “It is a blessing to be able to provide instruction at the highest level of college athletics,” said Eric Van Matre, head coach at The Arsenal. “What we are providing to Ball State NCAA Division I baseball players also is available to youth athletes throughout Delaware County and beyond.” Ball State’s baseball program sought out a…

The 8twelve office. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 26, 2022

8twelve Coalition Receives ‘Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development’ Grant from Indiana Humanities

By Jena Ashby, Director 8twelve Coalition— MUNCIE, IN—The 8twelve Coalition was recently awarded an Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development Grant from Indiana Humanities with funds from Lilly Endowment, Inc.  The goal of this grant is to help Hoosiers think, read, and talk about racial injustice and systemic racism. The books purchased with this grant allow for a lending library to be available at the new 8twelve Coalition office at 1424 S. Hoyt Ave Several of the selected books were bought in…

Mitch Isaacs. Photo provided

Non-Profit October 26, 2022

Local Executive Director Recognized at ILA Annual Meeting

By Arrick Garringer— Shafer Leadership Academy’s Mitch Isaacs presented the 2022 Marjorie Klink Outstanding Leadership Award NOBLESVILLE, IN —Mitch Isaacs, Executive Director for Shafer Leadership Academy, was presented the 2022 Marjorie Klink Outstanding Leadership award at the Indiana Leadership Association’s Annual Meeting on October 14th. Marjorie Klinck Outstanding Leadership Award is given to an individual who has significantly furthered the development of community leadership in and for Indiana communities. In 1994, the Indiana Leadership Association established The Marjorie Klinck Award to…