Articles by Mike Rhodes

By First Merchants— Best Companies Group ranks Muncie-based bank 4th for superior work environment MUNCIE, Ind. – First Merchants Bank was ranked fourth in the list of the 2022 ‘Great Employers to Work For’ in Indiana by Best Companies Group, a BridgeTower Media Company. The honor considered a review of practices, programs and benefits, and anonymous employee surveys. BCG categorizes its winners in three separate groups: small, medium & large employer, which First Merchants Bank falls under the large Employer…

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…

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…