Articles by Mike Rhodes

Artist aerial rendering of the village. Rendering provided by Ball State University.

Business, Education March 25, 2022

Ball State University Board of Trustees Advances Village Revitalization Plan

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – The Ball State University Board of Trustees took a major step on Friday to advance a long-term, phased revitalization plan for the Village. (Click here for a larger image of the artist rendering pictured above.) The comprehensive plan includes a performing arts center for university events. This performing arts center will be the catalytic anchor for the commercial district, and the university’s investment in the center will leverage approximately $100 million…

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Michael Lewis is the new head coach for mens basketball at Ball State. Photo provided by BSU Athletics.

We Fly March 25, 2022

Michael Lewis Selected as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Ball State University

By BSU Athletics— Former Indiana standout and Jasper native arrives after serving as assistant coach at UCLA MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State men’s basketball has appointed a new head coach, and he’s back home again in Indiana. Director of athletics Beth Goetz announced the hiring of current UCLA assistant coach and Jasper, Ind. native Michael Lewis Friday. The former Indiana University standout will begin the job in Muncie once the Bruins have concluded their season. “Basketball in our state is personified…

Indiana DAR members Diana Ebling,Carol Robinson, Dist. 34 Representative Sue Errington, Elaine Sholty as Grace Julian Clarke at Women's History Month Dedication. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 24, 2022

Paul Revere Chapter of DAR Commemorates National Women’s History Month

By Jeannine Harrold, Paul Revere Chapter— MUNCIE, Ind.—The Paul Revere Chapter was one of the first Daughters of the American Revolution Chapters to be organized in Indiana when it was chartered in 1897. Its early history parallels Muncie’s and many of Muncie’s founding mothers and sisters were DAR members. Currently there are 50 members, and most meetings are held at the Carnegie Local History and Genealogy Library, home to the group’s original Charter and many of their historical records. To…

Photo by: storyblocks

Education March 23, 2022

Deadline for AAUW Scholarship is April 1

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, Ind.—The deadline for applications to be submitted for the American Association of University Women, Muncie Branch, nontraditional student scholarship is Friday, April 1. The scholarship is worth $1,500 and is available for the 2022-2023 academic year, effective Aug. 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023. The scholarship must be used for tuition, health fee, books, and other classroom-related expenses for the year, including summer session. To apply, applicants must meet the following selection criteria: Students of any gender identity who are…

MPL employee Sara McKinley and MSD employee Jason Donati look at reusable tote bags made possible by a partnership between Muncie Public Library and Muncie Sanitary District. Photo by: Loren McClain, Muncie Public Library

Non-Profit March 22, 2022

Recycling in Muncie: Now and in the Future

By Sarah Williams— MUNCIE, Ind.—The League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County will be hosting a public forum on recycling efforts in Muncie to increase awareness of local recycling and ways to increase citizen participation. The forum will be held on Saturday, April 23, at 10 am at the Kennedy Library Branch (1700 W. McGalliard Rd, Muncie, IN 47304), and online via Zoom at the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83824225094 Presenters will be Jason Donati from the Muncie Sanitary District, Scrap Cycle…

Coming to Emens Auditorium: Carbonaro.

Entertainment March 22, 2022

Magician of the Year, ‘Carbonaro’ to Perform at Emens Auditorium on April 2nd

Editor’s note: Originally scheduled for October 22, 2021, this event has been rescheduled for April 2, 2022 at Emens Auditorium. All previously purchased tickets for the 2021 date will be honored for the new 2022 date.  By Jessica Sciacchitano— MUNCIE, IN—Magician and performance bizarrist Michael Carbonaro has announced his return to the road with a brand new, electrifying theatre tour, “Carbonaro: Lies on Stage.” Developed by Carbonaro over the last several years, “Carbonaro: Lies on Stage” is jam-packed with new and inventive…

Ball State University Graphic Arts Management students Scott Norris, Myles Kost, Zach Gross, Associate Professor Hans Kellogg, and Anna Faulkinbury produced the Drawn to Reading bookmarks which will be distributed through the community’s Book Nooks.

Non-Profit March 21, 2022

First Heart of Indiana United Way ‘Book Nook’ Installed and Dedicated to Brian Scott

By Kim Williams— MUNCIE, IN – The installation of the first Heart of Indiana United Way Book Nook was celebrated on March 17th during a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at Open Door Health Services’ Madison Street location. Book Nooks, a collaborative effort between United Way and Ball State University, are designed to encourage a love of reading in places where families are naturally waiting with their children like doctors’ offices, laundromats, barber shops and beauty salons. Each Book Nook will…

Aerial image of the Canan Commons area in downtown Muncie, IN. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit March 21, 2022

READI Funding Update and Implementation From the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership

By Katie Clark, PLA, FASLA— EAST CENTRAL INDIANA—On Tuesday December 14th, Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) Board of Directors approved plans to award $500 million to support regional development plans across 17 regions representing all 92 counties. This competitive process considered applications for the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). The total requests tripled the allocated $500 million READI budget, as submissions from the 17 regions amounted to…

There's nothing like Peeps candy during this time of year. Photo by story blocks.

Entertainment, Non-Profit March 21, 2022

Upcoming Events at Cornerstone Center for the Arts

By Dee McKinsey— MUNCIE, IN – Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 West Main St., has upcoming programming that may interest and delight Muncie residents old and young alike. Peeps Diorama Contest Artists of all ages are invited to submit a Peep’s® diorama as Cornerstone Center for the Arts celebrates the much-loved gooey concoction and the arrival of spring. Come join the Peeps® people as they submit their shoebox dioramas designed to delight and entertain from 10 am until 2 pm…

Former mascots visiting the Muncie Central Alumni Association Memorabilia Room are (front row) Melanie (maiden name: Simmons) Howe, 1996-99; Holly (maiden name: Hays) Ling., 1997-98; Nancy (maiden name: McCullough) Winkle, 1962-64; (back row) Keith Roberts, 1990-1991; Lisa (maiden name: Dalton) Doan, 1994-95; and Charlie Hammock, 2015-16.

Education March 21, 2022

Muncie Central Honors Graduates Who Served As Mascot

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—Former Muncie Central Bearcat mascots were acknowledged during halftime of the Feb. 11 boys basketball game at the Muncie Fieldhouse. Former Bearcat mascots introduced at halftime were Jase Rigney, 2018-19; Noah Summers, 2017-18; Payton Ullman, 2015-16; Charlie Hammock, 2015-16; Holly (maiden name: Hays) Ling., 1997-98; Melanie (maiden name: Simmons) Howe, 1996-99; Lisa (maiden name: Dalton) Doan, 1994-95; Keith Roberts, 1990-1991; and Nancy (maiden name: McCullough) Winkle, 1962-64. The February halftime celebration also showed off the newest “suit of clothes” for the Bearcat…