Articles by Mike Rhodes

Groundbreaking for the new renovations to Lafferty Field took place on April 1, 2022. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government April 5, 2022

Lafferty Field at McCulloch Park is Getting a Major Renovation Through Community Partnerships

By Tony Sandleben and Mike Rhodes— MUNCIE, Ind.—What started as a simple conversation at a Ball State football game between Ball State President Geoff Mearns and Dan Towriss of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has become a collaboration between Ball State University, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and the City of Muncie to revitalize Lafferty Field at McCulloch Park.   Towriss, through the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and his company Gainbridge, made a “substantial philanthropic investment,” according to President Mearns,…

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Education April 5, 2022

One Ball State Day Returns April 5 with Million-Dollar Fundraising Goal

By BSU Marketing and Communications—  MUNCIE, Indiana – One Ball State Day, Ball State University’s 24-hour online fundraising event, returns April 5 with some ambitious goals.  After three consecutive years of increased giving since the event’s inaugural celebration in 2019, One Ball State Day (OBSD) organizers this year hope to raise at least $1 million in gifts from Cardinals around the world to continue to support the financial needs of students, faculty and staff, and programs.  Ball State graduates, friends,…

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour presents proclamations to MPL administrators. Left to right: Retiring MPL Assistant Director Beth Kroehler, Mayor Dan Ridenour, MPL Library Director Akilah Nosakhere, and Incoming MPL Assistant Director Katherine Mitchell. Photo by Susan Fisher

Non-Profit April 2, 2022

Connect to Muncie Public Library During National Library Week

By Susan Fisher— MUNCIE, Ind.—April 3-9, 2022 is National Library Week. Muncie Public Library (MPL) encourages all community members to visit in-person or online to explore and access services and programs. According to a press release from the American Library Association, “National Library Week is a time to highlight the essential role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. Whether people visit virtually or in-person, libraries are accessible and inclusive places that foster a sense…

Who needs a toothpick when you’ve got a grasshopper leg? Photo by: John Gordon Carlson

Carlson April 1, 2022

John Carlson: A Hoppy, Er, Happy Taco-Eating Encounter

Editor’s note: This story has been republished, as John takes a brief medical leave. We wish him well.  By John Carlson— Not long ago, Nan and I were down visiting our son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Stephanie, in Nashville, Tenn., when the subject of where to eat dinner came up. “There’s a new Mexican place just past the interstate that’s pretty good,” my kid said, and the next thing we knew, we were at Bajo Sexto. Nashville is a great,…

Aerial image of the IU Health Ball Memorial Campus. Photo provided.

Health March 31, 2022

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Earns LGBTQ+ Healthcare Designation For 10th Time

By Courtney Schmoll— Ball Hospital is one of 496 healthcare providers nationwide to earn the coveted “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation MUNCIE, Ind. – For the tenth consecutive year, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital has achieved a perfect score and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 15th anniversary edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and…

Joseph Hazen, Yorktown High School. Photo by Stacey Shannon.

Business, Education March 30, 2022

Joseph Hazen—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, Ind.—Editor’s note:  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. Sports, academics and mentoring are all part of Joseph Hazen’s life. The Yorktown High School senior is the sixth of eight children in his family and is driven to succeed while also giving back to his school, classmates and community. Hazen has played a…

PLYSPACE Resident Fellow Derek Spencer. Photo provided.

Entertainment March 30, 2022

Artist Talk By PLYSPACE Resident Fellow Derek Spencer

By Lexi Musselman— MUNCIE, Ind.—PlySpace, the artist in residence program of the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) in collaboration with the Ball State Department of Theatre and Dance, presents an Artist Talk by PlySpace Resident Fellow in Theatre, Derek Spencer. Derek Spencer (Los Angeles, CA) will present an artist talk about his past projects and process on Tuesday, April 5 at 7:00pm in the Arts and Journalism building, room 225, on the campus of Ball State University. This event is…

Photo supplied by Ball State University.

Education March 29, 2022

Ball State Once Again Recognized by U.S. News & World Report

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University’s Teachers College today was once again recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its standout graduate degree programs in education. Ball State earned two top-30 national rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 “Best Graduate School Rankings” list, including 22nd in Elementary Teacher Education and 26th in Curriculum & Instruction, a specialty category. Overall, Ball State ranked 76th in the nation in overall graduate education programs,…

Craig Schulman and Tamra Hayden are two Broadway performers that will provide live entertainment at the gala. Photo provided.

Entertainment March 29, 2022

Orchestra Indiana to Host Premier Gala Featuring Broadway Performers

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, Ind. — Orchestra Indiana is bringing Broadway to downtown Muncie in its premier Music of the Night Gala on Friday, April 8. “This is one of those night’s you’ll be glad that you are in Muncie when nationally known Broadway stars Craig Schulman, Tamra Hayden and Susan Anderson perform hits from the most popular musicals on Broadway, right at your table,” said Scott Watkins, executive director of Orchestra Indiana (formerly Muncie Symphony Orchestra). “The performances will…

The INOX Market America facility located in the industrial center. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government March 28, 2022

U.S. Census: Delaware County Indiana Sees First Population Increase in 10 Years

By Tony Sandleben— MUNCIE, Ind.—On March 24, 2022 the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2021 population estimates for states and counties. Delaware County registered its first population increase in the yearly U.S. Census Bureau estimates since 2011. Delaware County registered an increase of 202 people for the year 2021.  More good news—5 out of 9 counties in East Central Indiana showed increased populations. In addition to Delaware County which increased  +202 people, Henry County + 50, Fayette County +27, Randolph…