Articles by Mike Rhodes

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…

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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…

Wes-Del elementary students are pictured playing the "Star Wars Intro" on the "Slap-o-phone" PVC keyboard.

Education May 23, 2022

Wes-Del Middle School and High School Hosts 2nd Annual STEM Day

By Todd Reagan, Principal— IN Secretary of Education Jenner attends. MUNCIE, Ind.—Wes-Del Middle/High School hosted the corporation’s second annual STEM Day on Tuesday, May 16, 2022.  The event featured over four hundred students from Wes-Del Schools participating in an interactive day of learning and fun. Elementary students in third, fourth, and fifth grade were bused to the high school field house to participate in the now annual event that is the brain child of high school science teacher Austin Williams. Mr….

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government May 23, 2022

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour to Speak on Economic Development, Recruiting Incoming Talent

By Michelle Owen— MUNCIE, Ind.—Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour will speak as a featured panelist at the Indiana Chamber’s “Race for Talent: How Indiana Can Win” event. Ridenour will talk about the Make My Move program, an initiative to help remote workers relocate to affordable, community-focused cities. Muncie is one of ten Indiana cities participating in the program, and has received nearly 600 applicants since the first of the year. Incoming residents can look forward to improved and expanded parks, new…

Dr. John Woodall, photo provided by Open Door

Health May 20, 2022

Open Door Physician Named ‘2022 Healthcare Hero’ by Indianapolis Business Journal

By Suzanne Clem— MUNCIE, Ind.— Dr. John Woodall, an Open Door Health Services family medicine physician, has been named a 2022 Healthcare Hero by Indianapolis Business Journal. The annual awards program honors individuals and organizations that have made significant impact on the quality of healthcare in Central Indiana, nominated from a 9-county footprint. Three honorees are selected for recognition in each of 5 categories. Woodall’s honor comes in the “Physician” category and recognizes his impact on positive clinical outcomes and community health…

2021 Event at Gibsons skating rink. Photo provided

Entertainment, Government May 20, 2022

‘Launch to Summer’ Events With Delaware County Juvenile Probation and JDAI

By Delaware County JDAI— MUNCIE, Ind.—Delaware County JDAI, also known as Delaware County “Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative” is a bipartisan effort with public, private and community partnerships for juvenile justice system improvement. JDAI is focused on reallocating public resources from mass incarceration toward investment in youth, families and communities. But what does this mean for us, as a community? This means, we are actively working to use our juvenile detention facility only when absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of the…

Dave Hahn, chief financial officer, Boyce Systems

Business May 20, 2022

Boyce Systems Announces New Chief Financial Officer

By Boyce Systems— Company appoints experienced technology finance executive, Dave Hahn, as CFO DALEVILLE, Ind. – Boyce Systems, a leading provider of software and forms that power efficient and compliant financial operations for over 1,200 municipalities, schools, libraries, and utilities, announces the appointment of Dave Hahn as chief financial officer (CFO). The news comes after Tom Hall, longtime company controller, announced his retirement. Mr. Hall will remain with Boyce for several months and assist with the transition. “Tom has been…

Indiana Statehouse photo provided by Lydia Kirschner

Education, Government May 20, 2022

Yorktown, Burris and Cowan HS Students Receive Educator Scholarship

By House Republicans Press Office— STATEHOUSE  – Delaware County students preparing to become teachers are among this year’s recipients of the state’s Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, according to Delaware County lawmakers. The scholarship program, established in 2016 through legislation supported by the Indiana General Assembly, awards $7,500 per year to 200 high-achieving students. Recipients must commit to teaching in Indiana for a minimum of five years after graduating college. Current high school seniors or college students are eligible to…

Photo courtesy of Ball Brothers Foundation

Education, Non-Profit May 19, 2022

Yorktown’s Ginger Thompson Recognized With Ball Brothers Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching Award

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Ginger Thompson didn’t always teach this way. When the high school Spanish teacher began her career 17 years ago, she said she was “a traditional teacher.” “I had a textbook and that’s what I used to teach my students. I used the methods that my Spanish teachers had used with me in high school and in college because that was the best methodology we had at that time,” she said. But as Thompson began…