Articles by Mike Rhodes

Over the Edge photo provided by Family Alliance

Non-Profit August 22, 2022

Muncie Community Invited to ‘Take Leap of Faith for Families’

By Michele Owen, Executive Director, Family Alliance— MUNCIE, IN—This Saturday, August 27th, Family Alliance invites you to go to new heights to support Muncie families. To support their mission of helping single parent families attain self-sustainability, dozens of community members will be rappelling down the side of the College of Architecture and Planning on the Ball State Campus, and celebrating at a block party on University Green. Family Alliance, which was founded in late 2018, works with single parents, mostly…

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Photo provided

Education August 22, 2022

A Look at the ‘Early Childhood Education Crisis’ on a Local Level

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN— 300. That’s the astonishing number of children on waitlists at just a handful of childcare centers in Muncie, Indiana. While there may very well be some duplication within that number (some families may put their children on multiple waitlists to better compete for an open spot), it’s a sobering indication of just how bad the national early childhood education crisis is, even at just the local level. And there are more incredible numbers contributing to…

The IU Health W. Jackson medical building is located at 2901 W Jackson St, across from Northwest Bank. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Health August 19, 2022

IU Health Adds Primary Care, Pharmacy, OBGYN to Jackson Street Facility

By Courtney Schmoll— MUNCIE, IN—IU Health Ball continues to expand its offerings at the Jackson Street medical office building. The 36,500 square foot facility has welcomed a new pharmacy, as well as primary care, obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) services, to better serve patients and families in the community. Located at 2901 W Jackson St. in Muncie, the building is newly renovated to house 23 OBGYN exam rooms, two special procedure rooms, a urogynecology procedure room, two Ultrasound rooms, 24 primary…

The new health track in front of the garden pavilions at Maring-Hunt Library. Photos by Noelle Sherrell, Muncie Public Library

Non-Profit August 19, 2022

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned for New Muncie Public Library Health Track

By Susan Fisher, Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, IN—The public is invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 25 at 5 p.m. to introduce a new health track at the Maring-Hunt Library in the Southside, Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhood area. The track is a quarter-mile walking trail that encircles much of the green space at Maring-Hunt Library and was made possible by a grant from the Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation. “The Zeigler Foundation is pleased to have been able…

Accutech Systems in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business August 18, 2022

Accutech Systems Corp. Among Fastest Growing Companies in Nation

By Nick Werner— The company earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 for 2022, based on revenue growth MUNCIE, IN— Accutech Systems Corp. is growing faster than 99.93 percent of private companies in the United States, according to a recent announcement from Inc. magazine. The publication named Accutech an “Inc. 5000” company for 2022, a designation that identifies the top 5000 fastest growing private companies in the nation, based on three-year revenue growth. The award represents a mere 0.07 percent…

Youth Symphony Orchestra Suzuki class is pictured performing during a May 8, 2022 concert. Photo by Krista Wagner

Entertainment August 18, 2022

Students Can Learn a String Instrument Through Youth Symphony Orchestras of East Central Indiana

By Matt Spieker— MUNCIE, IN—For over 50 years, the Youth Symphony Orchestras of East Central Indiana has served this area with string and orchestral instruction for students who are in high school and younger. Ensembles are taught by area string educators who have many years of experience and a passion for youth who want to learn a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, and bass) in an orchestral setting. Ball State University music education students are also involved in teaching and…

Muncie Police Department vehicles

Government August 18, 2022

Muncie Police Department Installing 22 License Plate Reading Cameras To Solve and Reduce Violent Crime

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—  Today, the Muncie Police Department and City of Muncie announce the deployment of 22 automated license plate reading (ALPR) cameras intended to solve and reduce violent crime. The cameras are built by Flock Safety, a public safety technology company that helps neighborhoods, communities, and law enforcement work together to fight crime. Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour and Police Chief Nate Sloan will present more information about the ALPR system, including details on how it works, the policies…

The annual "Flags of Honor" at Minnetrista is a community project of the Exchange Club of Muncie. Photo provided

Non-Profit August 18, 2022

Mark Your Calendar for Flags of Honor, September 4-12

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.— One thousand American flags will wave on the lawn at Minnetrista beside the White River Greenway during Flags of Honor this September. Flags of Honor, presented by the Exchange Club of Muncie, is an annual event for families and visitors to join together once a year at Minnetrista in a united show of patriotism. The display will begin with a small collection of flags on Sunday, September 4. The complete display of 1,000 flags will…

Ribbon cutting at Gainbridge Field. Photo by Steve Lindell

Business, Entertainment, Government, Non-Profit August 17, 2022

Gainbridge Field Ribbon Cutting Introduces Muncie’s New ‘Field of Dreams’

By The Woof Boom Radio news team— MUNCIE, IN—The new, improved and renamed Gainbridge Field at McCullough Park was celebrated yesterday with a ribbon cutting ceremony for members of the public and dignitaries from Ball State University, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and local city government officials. It’s the 110th park project by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Woof Boom Radio’s news director Steve Lindell was at the ribbon cutting and recorded the entirety of the program. You can listen…

Masterworks Chorale exists to enrich our community with excellent cultural experiences through the promotion and the live performance of fine choral music. The Community Foundation supported operations for Masterworks Chorale with a $4,000 grant this year. A similar grant last year supported operations, which included a concert during Light Up DWNTWN.

Non-Profit August 17, 2022

Community Organizations Awarded Grants From Community Foundation

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Grants totaling $686,726 were awarded from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County to benefit the community between June and August 2022. Most grants are awarded through permanently endowed funds that benefit our community today and always. The Community Foundation serves all residents of Delaware County. The Town Endowment Program benefits three towns across Delaware County – Gaston, Selma, and Yorktown. Each community’s fund has grown through the generosity of community members. A committee of…