Articles by Mike Rhodes

Indiana Statehouse photo provided by Lydia Kirschner

Government March 16, 2022

U.S. Congressman Greg Pence Announces Congressional Art Competition

By U.S. Congressman Pence Press Office— COLUMBUS, IN – U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) today shared details of the annual Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District. The deadline to submit artwork is April 25th, 2022. The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all…

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Photo provided by I&M

Business March 16, 2022

I&M Seeks Proposals for 1,300 MW of Solar, Wind Energy

 By I&M— FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for facilities that will generate approximately 800 megawatts (MW) of wind energy and approximately 500 MW of solar power. I&M’s invitation for bids offers private sector developers the opportunity to propose the best and most cost-effective projects to add significant renewable energy resources to I&M’s diverse generation fleet. I&M currently operates five solar farms and purchases power…

A student learns about new technology at the February 2020 Launch(ed) Women in Technology Conference. Photo courtesy of Launch(ed) Women in Technology.

Education March 15, 2022

5th Annual Launch(ed) Women in Technology Conference For Middle School Girls

By IU Communications— BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University President Pamela Whitten will host the fifth annual Launch(ed) Women in Technology conference, which aims to inspire middle school girls to pursue their interest in STEAM fields: science, technology, engineering, art and math. The conference will be held March 23 at Hub & Spoke in Fishers. “I am honored to host the fifth annual Launch(ed) Women in Technology conference,” Whitten said. “This conference offers opportunities for middle school girls to learn, explore…

Katie Lehman, Ready Readers Supervisor. Photo by Spenser Querry, Muncie Public Library.

Non-Profit March 14, 2022

Muncie Public Library’s Katie Lehman Honored by National Leadership Program

By Gina Warner, National Afterschool Association and Susan Fisher, Muncie Public Library— WASHINGTON, D.C.,– The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the voice of the afterschool profession and lead organization for the advancement of afterschool professionals and leaders has selected Katie Lehman, Ready Readers Supervisor at Muncie Public Library, as one of NAA’s 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders. In selecting its 2022 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders, the NAA sought to highlight emerging young leaders who are active in the broader afterschool community, demonstrate…

Juli Metzger. Photo provided.

Education March 14, 2022

Ball State Event: ‘Who Is a Journalist?’ Discussion on 1st Amendment Rights This Week

Editor’s note: Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include media outlets, civic groups, libraries, non-profit organizations, schools and others. By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—As we embark on Sunshine Week, an annual recognition of the importance of open government, I cannot help but reflect on our imperfect union, and that the free flow of fact-based news continues to hit roadblocks in this age of misdirection and…

Youth attending the mentoring program. Photo provided

Government March 13, 2022

City of Muncie’s Youth Mentor and Summer Employment Program Applications Now Open

By George Foley— MUNCIE, IN—The City of Muncie’s Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor the @ Promise Youth Mentor & Summer Employment Program from June 1st – July 8th, 2022. This program is open to students between 12-16 years of age and reside in Muncie, IN. Selected students, up to 100, will be contacted for an interview prior to program acceptance. Students selected to participate in the summer program will work every Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00…

An MCS student works on a science experiment. Photo provided.

Education March 11, 2022

Muncie Community Schools Receives $75,000 STEM Acceleration Grant

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN – Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has received a $75,000 STEM Acceleration grant from the Indiana Department of Education. The funds will be used to increase students’ access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses, programs and resources during the 2022-23 school year. “This is a big help as we try to do everything we can to attack learning loss from the past two years and expose more students to our Project Lead The Way…

Will we geezers in our rolling walkers spell the end of rock ‘n’ roll? Photo by Nancy Carlson.

Carlson March 11, 2022

John Carlson: From Rockers to Walkers?

By John Carlson— We were recently on a road trip with our daughter, son and daughter-in-law when I noticed something amazing, and maybe even a little disturbing. The music my kids prefer is a lot softer than mine. One might even call theirs “more tasteful and mature” than mine. Like, on this trip a bunch of folky stuff, acoustic stuff, and melodic stuff was gently wafting out their car’s sound system. At the same time, I was craving a thousand-volt…

Minnetrista Museum & Gardens

Entertainment March 11, 2022

Minnetrista Announces Update to Mask Policy

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN— In Delaware County, the community risk for COVID-19 has lowered, so Minnetrista Museum & Gardens has announced updates to their Health & Safety Guidelines per CDC recommendations. Starting today, Minnetrista’s visitors will not be required to wear a mask indoors. Masks are always welcome, and Minnetrista will continue to have them at their main entry locations. Safety remains the number one priority for visitors, so Minnetrista will continue monitoring Delaware County’s risk level and make…

Iconic photo of the five Ball Brothers in their Muncie office. Learn more about one of Photo courtesy of The Minnetrista Heritage Collection.

Non-Profit March 10, 2022

Ball Brothers Foundation Appoints New Board Member and Kickstarts New Strategic Planning Initiative

By Jud Fisher—  MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball Brothers Foundation hit a record high of $8.6 million paid out in awards last year as it proudly carried on the stewardship legacy of the Ball brothers and their families. As the foundation enters its 96th year of grantmaking in 2022, the board of directors is appointing a new board member and launching a strategic planning process. Rick Petty, a fourth-generation Ball family member, was appointed to the foundation’s board of directors at…