Articles by Mike Rhodes

Mother and daughter, Stacey and Lexi Shannon, have published a shared journal, “Connecting with Grace,” to help other moms and daughters improve their relationships.

Entertainment December 13, 2021

Local Mother and Daughter Publish Book: ‘Connecting With Grace’

By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, Ind. – Local mother and daughter, Stacey and Lexi Shannon, have released their first book together, “Connecting with Grace: A Mother and Daughter Shared Journal.” Stacey, a freelance journalist and blogger for nearly 20 years, and her tween daughter, Lexi, saw a need for a faith-based approach to a mother and daughter shared journal. So they decided to create one together. “Connecting with Grace,” which is now available on Amazon for $12, has 50 different…

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Maddie Clark (left) and Kaitlin Gavenda (right) walk together in front of Beneficence at Ball State University.

We Fly December 12, 2021

Ball State’s Miller College of Business Offers New Leadership Academy

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – The Miller College of Business at Ball State University has announced the launch of the Miller Leadership Academy. This new scholarship and support program will provide select incoming Ball State freshmen an $11,000 renewable scholarship—plus resources and services that focus on supporting underserved students financially, academically, and holistically. The academy will welcome its inaugural class in the Fall of 2022. Miller Leadership Academy students will be immersed in co-curricular activities that…

This sophisticated illustration of stalking an asteroid is rife with space drama. Photo by Nancy Carlson.

Carlson December 10, 2021

John Carlson: Asteroids? Kiss ‘Em Bye-Bye!

By John Carlson— While walking nighttime laps around Yorktown High School’s football field about twenty years ago, I saw an incredible sight. It looked like an airplane at low altitude enveloped in flames, passing over the field from east to west. Having done a bit of flying myself, I knew any poor soul strapped into that thing was toast. But when no word of a missing plane came the next day, the truth dawned on me. It must have been…

Audiences get a "behind-the-scenes" look at the radio drama production when they attend the broadcast at Sursa Performance Hall. Photo provided.

Entertainment December 9, 2021

IPR Radio Drama, ‘This American Carol,’ Airs Dec. 17

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, Ind.—Think “The Office” meets “A Christmas Carol,” told in the style of “This American Life.” That’s how Jennifer Blackmer describes this year’s IPR Radio Drama, broadcasting live at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 from Sursa Performance Hall at Ball State University. And she should know. She wrote it. Blackmer is a professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance and the Director of the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry, both at Ball State University. And…

Fast computers and internet access allow many workers to work from anywhere.

Government December 8, 2021

Muncie Looks to Welcome Remote Workers From Across the Country

By Tony Sandleben— MUNCIE, Ind. – The City of Muncie is partnering with TMap and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to encourage remote workers to move to Muncie. TMap is a national company that runs a website called MakeMyMove.com that helps remote workers relocate to where they would like to live. Now, they are helping those people relocate to Muncie. The program expects to recruit up to 45 remote workers and their families to move to Muncie in the…

Image from the comprehensive draft plan.

Business December 8, 2021

‘TogetherDM’ Comprehensive Plan for Muncie and Delaware County—Draft Available to View

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— Muncie, IN –A draft of the Muncie-Delaware County comprehensive plan will be presented at a public hearing at 6pm December 9th in the commissioners courtroom at the Delaware County Building. You can view a copy of the very impressive 66 -page draft plan at www.togetherdm.com. The website, www.togetherdm.com., was launched last year to provide project information to the public and to serve as a platform for surveys and other forms of community engagement. The project was coordinated by the…

Photo by: BSU photo services

Government December 8, 2021

Muncie Ranks in Top 100 of Wallethub’s ‘400 Best College Towns of 2022’

By Tony Sandleben— MUNCIE, Ind – The City of Muncie is getting national attention for its quality of life. Wallethub, a Washington, D.C based personal finance website that does reviews for financial advisors, published its Top 415 college cities and towns. Muncie ranked 94th overall, ahead of Indiana cities like Fort Wayne and Indianapolis as well as other college cities like Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Francisco, California; Los Angeles, California and St. Louis, Missouri. Wallethub also ranked Muncie 47th among…

Photo provided

Government December 7, 2021

Shafer Leadership and City of Muncie to Offer Free, Online Portal for Municipal Board Service

By Kate H. Elliott— MUNCIE, Ind.—“City government belongs to everyone,” said Muncie City Council President Jeff Robinson, “and the only way we can move forward and represent all voices is if everyone who wants a seat at the table, has access.” City governments — like many organizations — often struggle to find citizens willing to volunteer to serve on boards and commissions. What’s to blame? A lack of awareness about the roles and appointment process, perhaps? Or maybe it’s the…

First Merchants headquarters in downtown Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business December 6, 2021

First Merchants Releases Its First Comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Publication

By First Merchants— Expanded commitment focuses on positive local impact as bank grows MUNCIE, Ind. – Today, First Merchants Bank emphasized its focus on local communities with the publication of its first corporate social responsibility report, “Elevating Communities.” The release emphasizes the bank’s commitment to making long-lasting change across all its communities and meaningful, positive difference in people’s lives. “Our success will be defined by the real and lasting impact we make in the communities we serve,” said First Merchants…

Ball Memorial Hospital staff dietitians are pictured. Photo provided.

Non-Profit December 6, 2021

Ball Brothers Foundation Awards Over $6.5 Million in Second Round of 2021 Grants

By Melissa Jones— MUNCIE, INDIANA — Ball Brothers Foundation, one of Indiana’s oldest and largest family foundations, approved over $6.5 million in its second round of funding for 2021. The grants support a variety of efforts, from bolstering local healthcare organizations to supporting schools in the wake of the pandemic. As part of the healthcare support, Ball Brothers Foundation awarded six grants of $40,000 each to partners in Optimus Primary, a strategic, collaborative partnership to strengthen the pipeline of medical professionals training in Muncie….