Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo provided by MCS.

Education February 3, 2022

MCS Decision to Expand Pre-K Program Supported by New Purdue Study

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, Ind. – When Muncie Community Schools (MCS) submitted its Innovation Plan to the State of Indiana in June, 2020, it listed high quality early learning opportunities for all children in Muncie as one of its five “pillars of focus.” Due to partnerships with By5 of Muncie/Delaware County, the YMCA, the Muncie Boys and Girls Club and Huffer Memorial Children’s Center, MCS now has high-quality, low-cost pre-K classrooms at all six of its elementary schools. Indiana defines…

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A MuncieJournal.com Weather Brief.

Business February 2, 2022

I&M Ready to Respond Amid Prolonged Winter Storm 

By Indiana Michigan Power— FORT WAYNE, Ind., Feb. 2, 2022, 12 p.m. – The first wave of a winter storm is hitting Indiana Michigan Power’s (I&M) service area this morning and will continue through tomorrow evening with heavy snowfall, light ice and rain. I&M crews are prepared and ready to safely respond in the event a power outage occurs.  AEP’s full staff of Meteorologists are monitoring the storm and informing I&M employees of the impacts. I&M also closely monitors forecasts…

The Muncie Action Plan's newest photo contest is going to be the theme "True Love." Photo courtesy of Sea Salt & Cinnamon Facebook.

Non-Profit February 1, 2022

MAP Task Force III Photo Contest Kicks Off Second Year

By Ty Morton— MUNCIE, Ind.—In January, 2021, the Muncie Action Plan’s Task Force III kicked off their latest effort to develop “Muncie Pride” campaigns, aimed at providing collaborative creative outlets for people to show their love for our fair city in ways that were socially safe and responsible. The first of these was a series of county-wide photo contests, each with a different theme. Task Force III began with three contests over the course of the year: Spring Zing, Happy…

Artist rendering of River Band Flats. Photo provided

Business February 1, 2022

More About the River Bend Flats Apartment Development On Burlington

By TWG— MUNCIE, Ind. – TWG (www.twgdev.com), a national real estate development company specializing in commercial, market rate, affordable and senior housing developments, has announced the construction of River Bend Flats, a $12 million affordable, multifamily project on the southeast side of Muncie, Indiana. Located at 1800 Burlington Drive, River Bend Flats will be a three-story, 60-unit development, situated at the intersection of Burlington and Memorial at the former Marsh and Family Dollar site. The affordable housing complex offers two-bedroom…

Photo provided.

Government February 1, 2022

Muncie Roadway Paving Plan Moving Forward for 2022 and Beyond

By Tony Sandleman— MUNCIE, Ind. – The City of Muncie is continuing to work on its streets and roadways. The city street department continues to work on its pavement plan for 2022.  The plan covers 63 different projects and represents a dramatic increase in the number of projects to be undertaken. In 2020, Muncie was dealing with a negative $1.9 million balance in the local road and streets account. That balance was addressed in 2020 and 9 streets were still…

First Merchants headquarters in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business January 31, 2022

First Merchants Corporation Announces 2021 Record Results

By First Merchants— MUNCIE, Ind.—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported fourth quarter 2021 net income of $47.7 million compared to $45.1 million during the same period in 2020.  Earnings per share for the period totaled $.89 per share compared to the fourth quarter 2020 result of $.83 per share.  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $205.5 million, compared to $148.6 million during the same period in 2020.  Year-to-date earnings per share totaled $3.81 compared…

United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties and United Way of Madison County are now merged as a single, regional United Way, known as Heart of Indiana United Way.

Non-Profit January 31, 2022

United Way Needs Your Help to Close Funding Gap

Campaign Shortfall. Help is Needed to Close the Gap and fund vital Delaware County programs in 2022 By Kim Williams— Delaware County, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way is asking individuals and businesses throughout the community to help close the gap and overcome a projected $200,000 shortfall in this year’s campaign.  This year’s campaign goal of $2,000,000 represents the support needed in 2022 to fund vital basic needs programs and the organization’s work to help families and children overcome poverty. “We need to raise approximately $200,000…

Friends, families, and fellow artists alike are invited to experience the beautiful and awe-inspiring artwork of professional and avocational artists throughout Indiana during the Minnetrista Annual Juried Art Show & Sale. Photo provided.

Entertainment January 31, 2022

The 32nd Minnetrista Annual Juried Art Show Opens February 5, 2022

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, Ind.—Come discover Indiana’s artists and their Hoosier creativity in the 32nd Minnetrista Annual Juried Art Show, opening on Saturday, February 5 at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. This annual show is known to feature a beautiful array of artistic mediums, including painting, printmaking, digital media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography, and even textiles. So mark your calendar and get ready to experience art like never before. The 32nd Annual Minnetrista Juried Art Show is your chance to view…

Ball State Cardinals VS Akron. Photo by: Kyle Crawford

Entertainment January 30, 2022

#MuncieOut is Back on February 4th

By Cody Voga, Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Communications— Annual game set to take place as Ball State hosts Toledo MUNCIE, Ind.—It’s time to #PackTheNest for another #MuncieOut which returns Friday, February 4th, as the Ball State men’s basketball team hosts Toledo at 9 p.m. inside Worthen Arena in a game recently moved to a national-television audience on ESPNU. Thanks to our game sponsor McGuff Roofing even more affordable, family-friendly ticket pricing for this contest is available for Muncie residents….

You can’t beat a bowl of pho, with trimmings, for a beautiful meal. Photo by Nancy Carlson.

Carlson January 29, 2022

John Carlson: Pho is Some Fine ‘Phood’

By John Carlson— In this whole wide world, there are only two types of people: Those who know about pho, and those who don’t. Me? While I numbered myself among the former, until recently I had never actually eaten pho. So it was after my doctor’s appointment in Indy that Nancy – who had eaten pho – accompanied me to a little restaurant in the northeastern part of that city. Traveling there was proof positive of my desire to try…