Articles by Mike Rhodes

Minnetrista is located at 1200 N. Minnetrista Pkwy, Muncie, IN 47303

Entertainment May 26, 2022

Minnetrista Announces Two Exciting New Summer Exhibits

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, Ind.— This summer at Minnetrista is set to be an exciting one. The Museum & Gardens has announced the opening of two new exhibits on Saturday, May 28. Shape ‘Scape—Design. Build. Play.  Become architects and bring your designs to life! Shape ‘Scape encourages teamwork, imagination, and play, enforcing the idea of our impact on the built world around us. Visitors will become architects with the opportunity to create the Minnetrista of the future! This highly interactive exhibit allows…

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John Hicks, photo provided

Education May 26, 2022

Area West Point Graduate, New Appointees, and Summer Leaders Experience Selectees

By Nate LaMar— MUNCIE, Ind.— Captain Nate LaMar, Military Academy Liaison Officer for East-Central & Southeastern Indiana, announced the following regarding area residents graduating from or soon entering the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York: Benjamin Kinker, son of August & Nancy Kinker of Greensburg. A member of Oldenburg Academy’s Class of 2017, Benjamin majored in Business Management with a Systems Engineering track (minor). He graduated from West Point on May 21 and was commissioned a Second…

East Central Indiana Robotics, Team 1720. Photo provided.

Non-Profit May 26, 2022

East Central Indiana Robotics, Team 1720 Receives Grant

By Frank Braswell— MATTHEWS, Ind.—East Central Indiana Robotics, Team 1720 the PhyXTGears recently received a $10,000 grant from the Give to Grant Cycle through The Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc. Thanks to this grant, East Central Indiana Robotics, Team 1720 the PhyXTGears is able to fund ongoing needs for registration and travel fees for robot competitions, and purchase robot parts. According to Meagan Mathias, Grants Manager for Community Foundation of Grant County: “The Community Foundation of Grant County is…

Shane Shumate is pictured during his sentencing hearing on March 31, 2022. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business May 25, 2022

Cameras in the Courtroom: Woof Boom Radio Participates in a Pilot Program for News Outlets

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, Ind.—What a difference a day makes. November 30, 2021 and earlier—Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17 holds that, “(e)xcept with prior approval of the Indiana Supreme Court, a judge shall prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recession between sessions …,” with exceptions. December 1, 2021—Judges in five Indiana courtrooms allow news media to use cameras and recorders under a four…

YMCA of Muncie, 500 S Mulberry St, Muncie, IN 47305 Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit May 25, 2022

YMCA of Muncie Exceeds Annual Campaign Fundraising Goal

By Kristen McConnell— MUNCIE, Ind.—The YMCA of Muncie exceeded their annual campaign fundraising goal providing access to programs and opportunities to all in our community. Campaign Co-Chairs, Mark Foerster and Chris Walker, along with 70 volunteers, implemented a grass roots campaign that began in February with an in-person launch event and cumulatively raised over $173,000. Chris Walker, Campaign Co-Chair and Principal at Muncie Central High School, had this to say about the campaign, “The success of the annual campaign is…

Justin Ullom, new boys basketball coach.

Education May 25, 2022

Justin Ullom Named Muncie Central Boys Basketball Coach

By Andy Klotz, APR—  MUNCIE, Ind. – Justin Ullom has been named Muncie Central High School’s new boys basketball coach, replacing Chandler Thompson who resigned following the 2021-22 season. Ullom, a Muncie native, joins the Bearcats program after a successful eight-year run as the head coach at Monroe Central. Last year, the Golden Bears enjoyed an undefeated regular season and won the 2A Sectional Championship at Alexandria. The Golden Bears also won championships at the Connersville Holiday Tournament and the…

The Northwest bank branch on W. Jackson Street in Muncie is pictured. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business May 25, 2022

Northwest Bank Announces the Passing of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald J. Seiffert

By Shawn O. Walker— COLUMBUS, Ohio —Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and Northwest Bank are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald J. Seiffert. He died unexpectedly of natural causes on Tuesday. The Northwest Bancshares and Northwest Bank Boards of Directors held a meeting last night in accordance with the companies’ succession plan, appointing Chief Financial Officer William W. Harvey Jr. as interim President and Chief Executive Officer, and Lead Director Timothy B. Fannin…

Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business May 24, 2022

East Central Indiana Continues to Forge Ahead with READI Projects

By Caitlin Hancock— With the help and support of the IEDC team, ECIRP and the READI Governing Body has finalized a list of prioritized projects that will be reviewed and considered for READI funding. MUNCIE, Ind.——On Friday, May 13, the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership entered into an official partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to implement regional investment through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). “As we continue to build on the READI momentum with the…

Jason Orr, Muncie Central High School. Photo by Stacey Shannon

Business, Education May 24, 2022

Jason Orr—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

By Stacy Shannon— MUNCIE, Ind.— 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. Jason Orr’s varsity jacket tells a story of the many athletics the Muncie Central High School senior has been involved with through his high school career: wrestling, football and track. But Orr is more than just an athlete. He’s also vice president of his class and…

Pictured L to R: Neil Kring, Darby Strahle, Jena Ashby, Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns, and Brian Carless.

Education, Non-Profit May 23, 2022

8twelve Coalition Receives Ball State University’s 2022 Community Partner Award

By Suzie Jones, Project Coordinator, Office of Community Engagement, Ball State University— MUNCIE, Ind.—On May 2, the 8twelve Coalition received the 2022 Ball State University Community Partner of the Year Award at Ball State’s Immersive Learning Showcase.  President Geoffrey S. Mearns presented the award to Jena Ashby, a leader of the coalition. The annual award recognizes an East Central Indiana business, organization, or agency that demonstrated excellence as a co-educator and community partner during the previous year.  Partners are nominated…