Articles by Mike Rhodes

Dr. Rashida Willard

Education August 1, 2022

Dr. Rashida Willard is New Associate Vice President of Inclusive Excellence at BSU

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Dr. Rashida Willard will join Ball State University as associate vice president of Inclusive Excellence, effective Sept. 19, Dr. Charlene Alexander, chief strategy officer, announced. Dr. Willard, who has more than 20 years of experience in risk mitigation—including more than seven years in higher education at one of the largest community colleges in the Pacific Northwest—will be providing strategic leadership for and overall management of Ball State’s Office of Inclusive Excellence. The…

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You can see CHRIS P. BACON, Sponsored by JohnTom’s Barbecue any many more balloon characters at 'Fire Up DWNTWN: A Summer Streetfest.'

Entertainment July 29, 2022

Everything You Need to Know About ‘Fire Up DWNTWN: A Summer Streetfest’

By Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— MUNCIE, IN—Things are heating up in downtown Muncie in anticipation of Fire Up DWNTWN: A Summer Streetfest on August 6, sponsored by Ivy Tech – Muncie. “This event is above and beyond anything we have hosted in many years downtown,” said Cheryl Crowder, event director of Muncie Downtown Development Partnership. “We wanted to celebrate downtown’s growth and revitalization by merging elements of past iconic events akin to RibFest, Summer Heat and music festivals, something that…

Ivy Tech Community College Fisher Building in Muncie. Photo provided

Education July 29, 2022

Ivy Tech Invites Community to ‘Welcome Back Sock Hop’

By  Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN—Let’s all go to the hop! Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County is welcoming students back with a welcome back sock hop and the community is invited to join in the festivities. Sponsored by Thrive Credit Union, the sock hop will feature local band, Chameleon Bros., family-friendly activities such as caricatures, airbrush tattoos, inflatable axe throwing, free food, costume contests, and more. The event will take place on the first day of classes, August 22nd, from 4:00 –…

Sean Mattingly, CBNT (SBE Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist) Director of Technical Operations, Woof Boom Radio. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business July 29, 2022

July 29th is National ‘System Administrator’ Appreciation Day

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, IN— Now in its 23rd year, today is System Administrator Appreciation Day in the United States. If your company has one, you probably already know what a System Administrator is. If you don’t here’s a good description from Wikipedia: A system administrator, or sysadmin, or admin is a person who is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially multi-user computers, such as servers. The system administrator seeks to ensure…

Cornerstone Center for the Arts is located at 520 E. Washington Street in Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment July 29, 2022

Husband and Wife Team to Have Art Show at Cornerstone

By Dee McKinsey— Opening Coincides with Muncie’s First Thursday Event MUNCIE, IN– Leon and Laura Crosby will open their joint art show, Thursday, Aug. 4 at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 E. Main Street. They will host a reception from 5-8 p.m. at Cornerstone. The Crosbys have collaborated on this collection to create paintings inspired by fantasy lore and fairy tales. The two incorporate acrylic pouring techniques and form achieved through utilization of paint, marker, and resin to create…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital

Health July 28, 2022

IU Health Ball Receives National Recognition From U.S. News and World Report

By IU Health— IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital recognized as ‘high performing’ for kidney failure, COPD, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure and stroke. INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. News & World Report has released its 2022-2023 ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings that include Indiana University Health Medical Center among the nation’s top adult hospitals for the 25th consecutive year. IU Health Medical Center remains the No. 1-ranked hospital in Indiana and Indianapolis and the only nationally ranked adult hospital in the state. U.S. News…

McMurtry is pictured live-streaming from his home on Mar 13, 2022.

Entertainment July 28, 2022

James McMurtry to Headline Free Concert at Muncie’s Canan Commons

By Rick Zeigler— MUNCIE, IN—Acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter James McMurtry and his band will be performing a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2022 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, July 30th at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. Muncie native Mike Martin and the Beautiful Mess will open the show. More than 30 years after his debut release, the critically acclaimed Too Long…

The Goulding & Wood organ in Sursa Performance Hall. Photo provided

Entertainment July 27, 2022

Sursa American Organ Competition to Take Place September 9-11

By Stephen C. Price, D.Mus.— MUNCIE, IN– Six of the country’s top young organists will perform in the Sursa American Organ Competition on the Ball State University campus September 9-11. The musicians will perform on a Goulding & Wood organ in Sursa Performance Hall. All events throughout the competition are free and open to the public. The final round will be held on Sunday, September 11, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., and audience members can listen to the organists and vote…

Open Door Health Services

Health July 27, 2022

Get No Cost COVID-19 Test Kits and/or Vaccinations at Open Door Health Services

By Suzanne Clem— Muncie, IN – Community members have the opportunity to receive no-cost COVID-19 test kits, as well as no-cost Covid vaccination this week at Open Door Health Services. Free at-home test kits will be distributed Wednesday, July 27 and Thursday, July 28 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Open Door’s administrative site, located at 220 S. Walnut St. in Muncie. The public is invited to pick up a supply for homes, workplaces, or civic organizations. Free Covid vaccinations, including boosters,…

Photo provided by Ivy Tech Community College

Education July 26, 2022

Students Can Combat Inflation by Attending Ivy Tech

By Jennifer Gasiorek— MUNCIE, IN– Pursuing a certificate or degree can be affordable and lead to a great career. Americans need options to maximize their earning potential while saving money to obtain the skills to be workforce ready. Inflation is at a 40 year high and Hoosiers are feeling the pinch of rising costs of gas, groceries, healthcare, and utilities. These rapidly rising costs of living are negatively impacting local families, especially students. Attending Ivy Tech Community College is an…