Articles by Mike Rhodes

When used wisely, credit cards offer a number of unique advantages and opportunities.

Business August 24, 2022

How Credit Cards Can Help You Save Money During High Inflation

By Jennifer Gibson, Indiana region president, Northwest Bank, Anthony Pellegrino, vice president, consumer direct lending manager, Northwest Bank and Chip Pfohl, consumer lending manager, Northwest Bank— MUNCIE, IN—During these times of high inflation, consumers are constantly looking for ways to reduce expenses and find ways to maximize the money available to them. While the most important strategy is to develop a budget and stick to it, there are a number of other ways people can address the impact of inflation on…

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Flor De Toloache will perform at Canan Commons on August 27th

Entertainment August 23, 2022

Flor De Toloache to Headline Free Concert at Canan Commons in Muncie

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN—Latin Grammy winners and 2021 Grammy nominees Flor De Toloache, an all-female Mariachi ensemble, will be returning to Muncie and performing in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2022 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. This concert is sponsored by Ball State University and will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 27th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Indianapolis-based Pavel & Direct Contact will…

Soybeans emerging in cereal rye cover crop and prior corn crop residue. Photo by Indiana USDA-NRCS

Business August 23, 2022

Opportunity to Learn About Regenerative Farming Coming Up This Week

By Nick Werner, for the Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN—Jeremy Russell visited the Dave Brandt Farm in Carroll, Ohio, in 2014, and on the three-hour drive home to Delaware County, Indiana, his mind was churning with ideas. Brandt is a well-known pioneer in the area of regenerative farming, and Russell wanted to apply what he had learned to his own corn, soybean and wheat operation. “That trip was an eye-opening experience,” Russell said. “Brandt has…

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…

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…