Articles by Mike Rhodes

Kyle Padgett has been named Muncie Central High School’s new varsity football coach. Photo provided.

Education March 9, 2022

Kyle Padgett Named Muncie Central Football Coach

By Andy Klotz—  MUNCIE, Ind. – Kyle Padgett has been named Muncie Central High School’s new varsity football coach. The Cloverdale native joins the Bearcats after six seasons as head coach at Centerville High where he went 37-24 and led the Bulldogs to an undefeated regular season last year. Padgett replaces Darrick Lee and will try to turn around a Bearcats program that has struggled in recent years, including last season’s 1-9 mark. “I am not going to stand here…

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Town Endowment Fund Grants support projects and programs in Gaston, Selma, and Yorktown. Committees of residents review applications to recommend grants to benefit their hometowns. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 9, 2022

Community Foundation Now Accepting Grant Applications for Projects in Gaston, Selma, and Yorktown, Indiana

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.—Non-profit organizations serving Gaston, Selma, and Yorktown can apply for funding through The Community Foundation’s Town Endowment Fund Grants Program. Grant applications are available online at cfmdin.org. Town of Gaston Endowment Fund Grants The Town of Gaston Endowment Fund supports projects and programs that benefit the Town of Gaston and Harrison and Washington Townships residents. The fund was established in 2012 by longtime Gaston resident Betty Jane Clark Carter. Betty hoped that she would set an…

Indiana University School of Medicine-Muncie Campus. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Health March 9, 2022

IU School of Medicine Researchers Receive $12 Million for Safer Hemophilia Treatments

By IUSOM— INDIANAPOLIS—An Indiana University School of Medicine researcher will lead a multi-institute effort toward improved therapies for hemophilia with help from a $12 million grant from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Led by Roland Herzog, PhD, the program project award will fund basic and translational studies that explore three major themes in a gene therapy approach that could lead to safer—and potentially curative—treatments for the disorder. Hemophilia is an X-linked genetic condition that prevents the blood from…

From our archives: Ribbon cutting for the 200,000 square foot Industria Centre shell building—soon to be home to Living Greens Farm. Photo taken on July 7, 2015 by Mike Rhodes

Business March 8, 2022

Living Greens Farm to Locate Operations in Delaware County; Will Invest $70 Million in Fuson Road Facility

By Melissa Thomas (IEDC)— DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. —Living Greens Farm, the largest indoor vertical aeroponic farm in the U.S., announced plans today to locate operations in Delaware County, creating up to 120 new jobs by the end of 2024. “Indiana’s central location, strong agriculture sector and business-friendly climate make the Hoosier state the perfect place for companies like Living Greens Farm to put down roots,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “As a state, we’re committed to creating an environment that enables companies like…

IU Head Football Coach, Tom Allen. Photo courtesy IU, Bloomington.

Non-Profit March 8, 2022

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Welcomes IU Football Head Coach Tom Allen to 2022 FCA Banquet

By Jeff Mosier— MUNCIE, Ind.—Fellowship of Christian Athletes of East Central Indiana is very happy to announce that New Castle native and Indiana University head football coach Tom Allen will be the special guest speaker for the 2022 FCA Banquet, Wednesday April 27th at the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie. Coach Allen has amassed a 29-year 246-90 record, was named 2020 Big Ten Coach of the Year, AFCA Coach of the Year, Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year, Dave McClain…

Trevor Friedeberg. Photo provided.

Business March 7, 2022

East Central Indiana Regional Partnership Names New President and CEO

By Caitlin Hancock— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ashley Savieo, Past Chair of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership’s (ECIRP) Board of Directors, has announced the selection of Trevor Friedeberg as the new President and CEO of ECRIP, the regional economic development organization representing Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush and Wayne counties. “After an extensive search, the board of directors is pleased to welcome Trevor Friedeberg to lead East Central Indiana’s regional economic development efforts,” said Savieo. “Trevor brings…

Mayor Ridenour at the State of the City Address. Photo by Stacey Shannon.

Government March 6, 2022

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour Gives His State Of The City Address; ‘Muncie Has Momentum’

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, Ind.—At the end of the seventh annual I.D.E.A. conference on March 5, Mayor Dan Ridenour presented his State of the City address in the Student Center at Ball State University. Muncie’s mayor recounted many accomplishments during 2021 as well as gave some insight as to what is coming in 2022. Quality Of Place In focusing on aspects of Muncie that make the city attractive and inviting, Mayor Ridenour started by discussing the work and improvements…

Muncie Children’s Museum kicked off the public phase of its “More to Explore” capital campaign on March 2. The museum was open during the event so children could enjoy the current exhibits while getting a glimpse at what’s to come.

Non-Profit March 4, 2022

Muncie Children’s Museum Receives Over $2.2 Million During First Capital Campaign In 25 Years

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — For the first time in over 25 years, the Muncie Children’s Museum has engaged supporters in a capital campaign, themed “More to Explore” and structured to raise $3 million for the redesign and improvement of one of Muncie’s most visible non-profits. Now entering its public phase, the “More to Explore” campaign has already been the recipient of over $2.2 million in pledges and donations from local donors, companies and foundations. The campaign plans to…

This wreath marks where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Photo by Nancy Carlson.

Carlson March 4, 2022

John Carlson: Two Men’s Memphis Fates

By John Carlson— To visit the city of Memphis is to come under the sway of two remarkable, and remarkably different, men. One is the late Elvis Presley. The other is the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elvis lived in Memphis in his mansion named Graceland, an aging but still beautiful dwelling located on an impressively sculpted estate. It’s a place anyone would want to visit. As for Rev. King, I don’t know where he lived. But he died…

Ball State University's winning speech team. Photo provided.

Education March 3, 2022

Ball State’s Speech Team Wins 2022 State Championship, Heads to National Competitions 

By Ball State Marketing and Communications—  MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University’s Speech Team recently won its 12th consecutive state championship, claiming the title at the 2022 Indiana Forensic Association (IFA) State Tournament. This year’s state event, which was held virtually, included almost 100 student competitors from six universities. Ball State’s students competed in 59 individual events, advancing 52 to the final rounds and winning 15 state titles in all. Ball State’s forensics program—which is part of the College of Communication,…