Articles by Mike Rhodes

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health July 8, 2022

IU Health Ball Nationally Recognized for Providing High-Quality Stroke Care

By IU Health— MUNCIE, IN – IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that…

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Shareen Wagley, the mayor's Executive Assistant is pictured reviewing a document on her PC. Photo provided

Government July 8, 2022

Muncie Mayor’s Office: Maintaining Transparency in the Information Age

By Michele Owen, Communications Director, City of Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—When the phone rings at City Hall, there’s no telling who’s on the line. It could be a simple question, a profanity-laden tirade, or a grieving widow unsure where to turn. For executive assistant Shareen Wagley and receptionist Lindsay Fink, the protocol is the same – answer the phone and try to help. In the first three weeks of June alone, the mayor’s office received 2,763 phone calls, for a total…

Mark McKinney (Left) is pictured handing the gavel over to new Muncie Sunrise Rotary President, Ben Polk. Photo provided

Non-Profit July 8, 2022

Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club Installs New Officers for 2022-2023

By Muncie Rotary Press Office— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club celebrated the transition of officers for the 2022-2023 Rotary year on July 8th, 2022. Mark McKinney, retiring 2021-2022 President of the Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club, introduced the incoming President, Ben Polk who presented club goals and vision for the year ahead. 2022-2023 Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club Officers President: Ben Polk President Elect: Frank Baldwin Immediate Past President: Mark McKinney Secretary: Isaac Miller Treasurer: Brian Cox During the July 8th club meeting, Polk…

Entry to Copperfield Commons on Morrison Road just north of McGalliard Road. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government July 7, 2022

Developer to Add 17 Additional Homes, Recreation Area to Muncie’s Northwest Side

By Michele Owen, Director of Communications, City of Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—On Thursday, June 30th, the zoning board approved a variance for the addition of two cul-de-sacs and 17 additional lots in Copperfield Commons. A project of Partuck Corporation, the Commons has developed 40 building sites near McGalliard and Morrison. 21 homes have already been built and sold on these lots. Developer Richard Case hopes to complete a new recreation area and the cul-de-sacs by 2023. Case has been collaborating with Councilman Aaron…

Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit July 7, 2022

Volunteers NEEDED NOW for August 6th Event

By Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— MUNCIE, Ind. — Get Fired Up as Muncie Downtown Development Partnership hosts an all- day summer street fest to attract the entire Muncie community and surrounding areas. Vicki Veach, Executive Director MDDP said, “It takes community-wide support to make an event of this caliber a reality.” We need assistance of approximately 100 volunteers. We need to provide four volunteers for each special shape balloon, chase crew for the fly-over balloons, setup and tear down assistance, golf…

Foundation president Kelly K. Shrock presents the 2022 David Sursa Leadership Award to Scott Jordan for his service to Orchestra Indiana during the Patriotic Pops Concert on July 4th at the Yorktown Civic Green.

Non-Profit July 6, 2022

Scott Jordan Named 2022 Recipient of The Community Foundation’s David Sursa Leadership Award

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County has announced that Scott Jordan received the 2022 David Sursa Leadership Award to recognize his dedicated service to Orchestra Indiana. Jordan was nominated by Orchestra Indiana, formerly Muncie Symphony Orchestra, for his courageous leadership on the Board of Directors. He has served two consecutive terms in a variety of capacities, including President of the Board, Chair of the Past Presidents Committee, and the Strategic Planning (Mergers…

Photo by storyblocks

Government July 6, 2022

New ‘First Steps’ Program Offers Free Land Management Consultations 

By Colby Gray— DELAWARE COUNTY, IN—Rural property owners in Blackford and Delaware counties can more easily start implementing conservation practices on their land with help from a free program offered through the local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The program is called “First Steps” and involves one-on-one consultation with a local conservation representative. The SWCD representative helps the property owner identify conservation goals for the property by collecting, analyzing, and discussing environmental variables such as soil types, topographical information,…

From left to right; top to bottom: Olivia Covert, Shoka J. Giffin II, Madelyn Haley, Lilly McFalls, Megan Morgan,Nevaeh Orr, Alleigh Swift, and Trinity Wine

Education, Non-Profit July 5, 2022

Community Foundation Announces Additional 2022 Scholarship Recipients

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients: Olivia Covert, a senior at Daleville Jr./Sr. High School, is the recipient of the Bobby Watters Scholarship. Olivia plans to study physical therapy and exercise science at the University of Evansville. She is the daughter of Nathan and Christa Covert. Shoka J. Giffin II, a senior at Muncie Central High School, is the recipient of the Robert L. Thompson Scholarship. Shoka plans to study criminal justice at Ball State University….

Vivian V. Conley

Non-Profit July 5, 2022

Nominations Needed For 30th Annual Women’s Equality Day Program

By WaTasha Barnes Griffin, B.S., FaDSS-C— MUNCIE, IN — The Muncie-Delaware County Coalition of Women’s organizations is once again seeking nominations of local women to honor during the 30th Annual Women’s Equality Day Program. The Coalition invites nominations of women who have made a significant contribution in the arts, education, religion, business, politics, environment, and social or community service by improving the quality of life in our community, according to a press release. Other categories will also be considered. “Six women will…

The sign at the south end of White River Plaza. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business, Government July 5, 2022

White River Plaza Has New Owner, Improvements Expected

By Michele Owen, Communications Director, City of Muncie— MUNCIE, IN—Local entrepreneur Scott Mick, owner of The Barking Cow, has finalized the purchase of White River Plaza, which contains approximately 85,000 square feet of retail space. The Plaza has been the home of board game stores, breweries, and food establishments, although it was previously owned by a tax-exempt nonprofit entity. Now that the Plaza is owned by a for-profit business entity (The Cedars of Muncie LLC), Westside neighbors will benefit from…