Articles by Mike Rhodes

From left to right; top to bottom: Wyatt Bilby, Kaydence Jean Brewer, Lydia Evans, Audrea Haynes, Javin Kile, Trey Michael Matthews, Aidan Pierce, and Mallory Schewer

Education, Non-Profit May 7, 2022

The Community Foundation Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, Ind.—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients: Wyatt Bilby, a senior at Delta High School, is the recipient of the Murray’s Jewelers Scholarship. Wyatt plans to study construction management and real estate at Purdue University. He is the son of Seth Bilby. Kaydence Jean Brewer, a senior at Wapahani High School, is the recipient of the Sue Harris Unsung Hero Scholarship. Kaydence plans to study human life sciences at Indiana University East. She is the daughter of…

Read More
MCS Board Members. Back row,(L-R) Brittany Bales, James Williams, Keith O'Neal. Front row, (L-R) Dave Heeter, WaTasha Barnes Griffin, James Lowe. Not pictured: Mark Ervin. File photo

Education May 6, 2022

Ball State Board of Trustees Reappoints Four Members to Muncie Community Schools Board

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – In its final meeting of the 2021-22 academic year, the Ball State Board of Trustees heard an update on the University’s groundbreaking partnership with Muncie Community Schools (MCS), and four members of MCS’ Board were reappointed. In July 2018, Ball State and MCS embarked on a historic partnership to provide excellent public education to every student in Muncie. Ball State received oversight authorization of MCS from the Indiana General Assembly in…

Brian DeRome, photo provided

Education May 5, 2022

Southside Middle School Robotics Team Heading to World Championships in Dallas

Panthers program quickly gaining a reputation. By Andy Klotz, APR— MUNCIE, Ind. – Imagine starting a Division I college basketball program from scratch. Now imagine making the NCAA tournament in that first year. And then again in the second. That’s essentially what Brian DeRome has done as the Robotics coach at Southside Middle School. The second-year Industrial Technology teacher with a background in robotics started the school’s program last year, and now his teams are two-for-two in qualifying for the…

Sleuths of all ages are invited to visit 10 participating downtown businesses to collect clues.

Entertainment May 4, 2022

Solve the ‘Muncie Mystery’ May 5th During First Thursday in Downtown Muncie

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, Ind. – Can you find a fairytale ending (we’re talking the happily ever after kind) to the Once Upon a Muncie Mystery? A crime – pretend crime, of course – has been committed in the Enchanted Forest and your help is needed! Join fellow fairytale fact finders for the third Muncie Mystery during First Thursday on May 5 in downtown Muncie. According to The Fairy Godmother, Snow White has succumbed to a mysterious sleeping spell! When…

Indiana Statehouse photo provided by Lydia Kirschner

Government May 4, 2022

State Grant Will Help Expand Internet Access Across Delaware County

By Indiana House Republicans Press Office— STATEHOUSE  – Fast and reliable internet is coming to more homes and businesses in Delaware County thanks to over $669,000 in state broadband grant funding, according to local lawmakers. Indiana recently awarded a total of $189 million for 154 broadband projects around the state as part of the third round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program. In total, more than 52,900 homes and businesses across 80 counties will benefit from the program…

Photo provided by IU School of Medicin

Health May 4, 2022

Study Shows COVID-19 Antibodies Last Longer in Children Than Adults

Indiana University School of Medicine researchers are sharing the results of a study about how immunity to COVID-19 can develop and change over time. By IU School of Medicine— INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana University School of Medicine researchers are sharing the results of a study about how immunity to COVID-19 can develop and change over time. Pediatric researchers Chandy John, MD, Alka Khaitan, MD, and colleagues learned that children develop neutralizing antibodies to COVID-19 at similar levels to adults, and those…

Visions by Alfredo Marín-Carle

Entertainment May 3, 2022

Gordy Fine Art and Framing Presents Alfredo Marín-Carle’s ‘Visions’ Exhibition on First Thursday

By Carl Schafer— MUNCIE, Ind.—Gordy Fine Art and Framing will celebrate an exhibition and sale of new paintings and sculpture by Alfredo Marín-Carle, beginning on Muncie’s First Thursday May 5, from 5pm – 8 pm. Marín-Carle joined the faculty at Ball State University in 1985. He is now Associate Professor Emeritus and resides in Indianapolis. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. Visions, the title of the exhibit, states simply that these works of art…

Photo provided by Ball State University

Education May 2, 2022

Indiana Academy and Burris Laboratory School Recognized by U.S. News & World Report

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities and Burris Laboratory School are once again receiving national recognition. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked the Indiana Academy (No. 2) and Burris (No. 7) among the top high schools in Indiana in its “2022 Best U.S. High Schools” listing. Both schools are operated by Ball State University’s Teachers College. “These excellent rankings are a testament to the hard work being done…

Hannah Smith photo by Stacey Shannon

Education April 29, 2022

Hannah Smith—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

By Stacey 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. For Burris Laboratory School senior Hannah Smith, helping other people and making a difference in the world are her priorities. While she’s participated in various school sports like cross country, soccer, swimming and track, Smith embraces activities that can help others. During high school, for…

East Washington Academy M.A.T.H.Bowl participants. Photo provided

Education April 29, 2022

East Washington Academy Students Are State M.A.T.H. Bowl Champs

EWA Science Bowl team achieves Top 10 finish By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, Ind.– The hours and hours of practice paid off for a group of East Washington Academy (EWA) students – they are Indiana’s 2022 M.A.T.H. Bowl champions! Thirteen EWA 4th and 5th graders beat out 114 other schools from around the state to claim the title. “I am really impressed by their passion for mathematics and am proud of their hard work,” EWA 5th grade teacher and M.A.T.H. Bowl…