Articles by Mike Rhodes

Pacers Sports & Entertainment, JAKKS Pacific Toys Bring 16th Annual ‘Big Toy Giveaway’ to Muncie 

By Indiana Pacers Sports & Entertainment— MUNCIE, IN—As part of the 16th annual statewide Big Toy Giveaway, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and JAKKS Pacific Toys teamed up with the Muncie Police Department on Tuesday to provide toys to local families and children in need. The toy distribution event took place Tuesday at Muncie Central High School and children enjoyed appearances by the Indiana Pacers mascot, Boomer, Indiana Fever mascot, Freddy Fever and the Pacemates. “As a 44-year Pacers season ticket holder, I’m thrilled…

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Have an Idea That Can Change Your Neighborhood? 11th Annual IDEA Conference Wants Your Submissions

By Lucas Pint— MUNCIE — Do you have a bold idea that could make your neighborhood stronger, safer, or more vibrant? Organizers of the Eleventh Annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference want to hear from you! The conference returns to Ball State University on March 7, 2026, and organizers are calling on residents, neighborhood groups, and community partners to step up and lead the conversation. Hosted by the Muncie Action Plan, Shafer Leadership Academy, Building Better Neighborhoods, and the Ball State Office of…


IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Named Among U.S. News & World Report’s ‘Best Hospitals for Maternity Care’

By IU Health, Indianapolis— INDIANAPOLIS— U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named five Indiana University Health hospitals including IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital as 2026 High Performing hospitals for Maternity Care. They are: IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital IU Health Bloomington Hospital IU Health Paoli Hospital IU Health Medical Center (Maternity Tower at Riley Hospital for Children) IU Health West Hospital The award is the highest a hospital can earn as…


Brycen McNeil—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Brycen McNeil is a busy young man with plans for a bright future. The Delta High School senior has been incredibly involved at school throughout his high school career in both athletics and music. McNeil has played nearly every sport offered at his school…


ECI Planning District to Host ‘Building Blocks to Grant Writing’ Training Seminar

By Jacob Thomas, Grants Administrator, ECIRPD— MUNCIE, IN—The East Central Indiana Regional Planning District would like to invite you to attend their upcoming training session about the grant writing process. It will take place on January 13th, 2026, and February 3rd, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W. White River Boulevard, Muncie, IN 47303. The workshop costs $225, which includes all materials and lunch on both days. The training will focus on drafting and…


Tom Cherry Muffler’s Building Features a Historic Mural Created by Local Artist Eric Ward

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—For nearly 80 years, Tom Cherry Muffler has been a Muncie institution for auto repairs. But, it also has a deep-seated history in racing. The shop itself came out of Tom Cherry’s racing career. An avid racer himself, Cherry participated in one of the first races on the beach at Daytona and was involved in the early days of NASCAR racing. When he wasn’t racing, Cherry ran a speed shop out of his garage for…


Enchanted Luminaria Walk Lights Up Minnetrista’s Campus Starting Friday, December 5

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens invites the community to experience its most beloved seasonal tradition, Enchanted Luminaria Walk, on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, from 5–9 p.m. each evening. This free, family-friendly event transforms Minnetrista’s 40-acre campus into a glowing winter celebration filled with lights, live music, festive activities, and opportunities for joyful memory-making. “Enchanted Luminaria Walk is one of the moments we look forward to all year,” says Kirsten Novotny, Associate Director of Experience…


Amazing Joe’s Restaurant Moving Before End of 2025

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—The end of the year is the season of change for Amazing Joe’s and its owners, Mike Robinson, Chad Massoth and Nick Grams. The trio – with more than 50 years of combined restaurant experience – started prepping for the opening of the original Amazing Joe’s in Muncie at the end of 2007. The first restaurant opened early in 2008. Then in November of 2010, the restaurant was doing well enough to open a second…


Muncie’s East Central Neighborhood Holiday Home Tours Are Back

By Erin Lovall— MUNCIE, IN—The East Central Neighborhood Holiday Home Tours are back this year just in time for the holiday season. There will be seven beautiful Victorian-era homes decorated for the holidays for you to tour. The tours are scheduled on Saturday, December 6 from 4–8 p.m. and Sunday, December 7 from 1–5 p.m. The tours begin at the Emily Kimbrough Museum, 715 E. Washington Street. You may purchase your ticket at the Emily Kimbrough Museum when you arrive,…


Reps. Rowray, Prescott: Scholarships Now Available for Future Hoosier Educators

By Amanda Schreiber, Press Secretary— STATEHOUSE —Indiana high school seniors and college students planning to pursue a career in teaching can now apply for a Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, according to State Reps. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) and Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown). Rowray said this renewable scholarship, established in 2016 through legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly, pays $10,000 per year for up to four academic years for students who commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five…